Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Letter of confirmation
Letter of confirmation
Dear J. Wilkes
I am delighted to enclose the tickets of your holiday in Venice and Verona . Also we send you a brochure that has the details about discounts and all that you need to know in your trip.
About the performances you will know la Boheme, Norma, Nabbuco Aida an Otello.
The package includes flight from LGW, three night´s HB accommodation in Verona at the Hotel Borghetti in ensuite room. Three nights´ bed and breakfast in Venice at the Grand Hotel Principe on the Grand Canal.
Thank you for your inquiry
Jenny Astrid
Dear J. Wilkes
I am delighted to enclose the tickets of your holiday in Venice and Verona . Also we send you a brochure that has the details about discounts and all that you need to know in your trip.
About the performances you will know la Boheme, Norma, Nabbuco Aida an Otello.
The package includes flight from LGW, three night´s HB accommodation in Verona at the Hotel Borghetti in ensuite room. Three nights´ bed and breakfast in Venice at the Grand Hotel Principe on the Grand Canal.
Thank you for your inquiry
Jenny Astrid
Toefl Tips
SPECIFIC SECTIONAL STRATEGIES
SENTENCE COMPLETION:
If there is no main verb, you should first identify the 'subject' of the sentence. Then, you can eliminate any choice that does not contain a conjugated verb. Further, any selected conjugated verb must agree with the subject (in number and tense).
If there is no main subject, you should identify what the verb in the sentence is. Then plug in the choices and verify that the one you select agrees with the verb.
Eliminate choices that contain extra words, especially pronouns, verbs, or modifiers.
If the sentence contains a main subject and a main verb, you should eliminate any choicethat is an incorrect part of speech, or does not agree in form, number, or tense with the rest of the sentence.
If the sentence contains neither a main subject nor a main verb, you can eliminate any choice that does not provide both a subject and a verb, and does not agree completelywith the remainder of the sentence.
WRITTEN EXPRESSION:
Learn about verb tense and agreement. Each verb must agree (in tense, form, number) with the noun it references.
Observe whether a noun is singular or plural. Learn the most common 'collective' nouns (such as money, or audience, or amount) that refer to a group or quantity of things or people.
Learn about pronouns. They must agree with the noun they replace in number, case, and gender.
Recognize when a pronoun is required in a sentence. Missing pronouns are a common error that may be seen in questions.
Learn also when a pronoun is not necessary. Extra pronouns are often added after a noun in a sentence, as they sometimes are in other languages.
Be wary of questions that use a noun in place of a verb form; many words look very close to one another.
Be wary of questions that confuse an adjective for an adverb, or a noun for an adjective.
Items in a list or series must be in the same grammatical form. This usually appears as a series of sentence elements separated by commas.
When a sentence indicates a quantity of a countable noun, you should use words like fewer or many or number.
When a sentence indicates a quantity of a noncountable noun, you should use words like much, amount, or less.
When comparing two items, use the -er ending for comparisons.
When comparing three or more items, use the -est ending for comparisons.
SENTENCE COMPLETION:
If there is no main verb, you should first identify the 'subject' of the sentence. Then, you can eliminate any choice that does not contain a conjugated verb. Further, any selected conjugated verb must agree with the subject (in number and tense).
If there is no main subject, you should identify what the verb in the sentence is. Then plug in the choices and verify that the one you select agrees with the verb.
Eliminate choices that contain extra words, especially pronouns, verbs, or modifiers.
If the sentence contains a main subject and a main verb, you should eliminate any choicethat is an incorrect part of speech, or does not agree in form, number, or tense with the rest of the sentence.
If the sentence contains neither a main subject nor a main verb, you can eliminate any choice that does not provide both a subject and a verb, and does not agree completelywith the remainder of the sentence.
WRITTEN EXPRESSION:
Learn about verb tense and agreement. Each verb must agree (in tense, form, number) with the noun it references.
Observe whether a noun is singular or plural. Learn the most common 'collective' nouns (such as money, or audience, or amount) that refer to a group or quantity of things or people.
Learn about pronouns. They must agree with the noun they replace in number, case, and gender.
Recognize when a pronoun is required in a sentence. Missing pronouns are a common error that may be seen in questions.
Learn also when a pronoun is not necessary. Extra pronouns are often added after a noun in a sentence, as they sometimes are in other languages.
Be wary of questions that use a noun in place of a verb form; many words look very close to one another.
Be wary of questions that confuse an adjective for an adverb, or a noun for an adjective.
Items in a list or series must be in the same grammatical form. This usually appears as a series of sentence elements separated by commas.
When a sentence indicates a quantity of a countable noun, you should use words like fewer or many or number.
When a sentence indicates a quantity of a noncountable noun, you should use words like much, amount, or less.
When comparing two items, use the -er ending for comparisons.
When comparing three or more items, use the -est ending for comparisons.
Toefl tips
TOEFL Test Tips
To be comfortable with all sections of the test, spend as much time as you need with the tutorial for each timed section.
To use the allotted time for each section wisely, familiarize yourself with how to use the computer and the types of materials, questions, and directions that are in the test. Become familiar with the formats and requirements of each section of the test as described in the tutorials.
The directions at the beginning of each section will tell you the total number of questions in the section and time allowed for the section. Read the directions carefully. They explain exactly what is required to answer each question type and can be reviewed as needed.
Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Before answering a question, determine exactly what is being asked. Always read and understand all possible answers. If you do not, you may miss important information.
Pace yourself so that you have enough time to answer every question. Pay attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining during your testing session. Do not spend too much time on a single question.
Answer every question in each section. This will allow you to get your best possible score.
You must answer each question in the Listening and Structure sections (the computer-adaptive sections) before you can go on to the next one. If you do not know the answer to a question, eliminate any answer choices that are obviously incorrect.
In Listening and Structure, confirm your answer only when you are certain you are ready to move on to the next question. You cannot omit questions or go back and change answers. In Reading, you will be allowed to go back and change your answers.
To prepare for the Writing section of the test, practice by using the Writing topics found in the TOEFL Information Bulletin. You will have 30 minutes to compose your assigned essay. You may either hand write your essay or type it on the computer
To be comfortable with all sections of the test, spend as much time as you need with the tutorial for each timed section.
To use the allotted time for each section wisely, familiarize yourself with how to use the computer and the types of materials, questions, and directions that are in the test. Become familiar with the formats and requirements of each section of the test as described in the tutorials.
The directions at the beginning of each section will tell you the total number of questions in the section and time allowed for the section. Read the directions carefully. They explain exactly what is required to answer each question type and can be reviewed as needed.
Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Before answering a question, determine exactly what is being asked. Always read and understand all possible answers. If you do not, you may miss important information.
Pace yourself so that you have enough time to answer every question. Pay attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining during your testing session. Do not spend too much time on a single question.
Answer every question in each section. This will allow you to get your best possible score.
You must answer each question in the Listening and Structure sections (the computer-adaptive sections) before you can go on to the next one. If you do not know the answer to a question, eliminate any answer choices that are obviously incorrect.
In Listening and Structure, confirm your answer only when you are certain you are ready to move on to the next question. You cannot omit questions or go back and change answers. In Reading, you will be allowed to go back and change your answers.
To prepare for the Writing section of the test, practice by using the Writing topics found in the TOEFL Information Bulletin. You will have 30 minutes to compose your assigned essay. You may either hand write your essay or type it on the computer
Switzerland rejects move to provide lawyers for animals
By Imogen Foulkes
Opponents argued that Switzerland had enough animal protection laws
Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to introduce a nationwide system of state-funded lawyers to represent animals in court.
Animal rights groups had proposed the move, saying that without lawyers to argue the animals' case, many instances of cruelty were going unpunished.
But the measure was rejected by around 70% of voters in a referendum.
Opponents had argued that Switzerland did not need more legislation. The government had opposed the idea.
Voters were almost certainly swayed by worries about how much such a system might cost taxpayers, and by objections from Switzerland's farmers already struggling with reduced subsidies and falling milk prices.
Switzerland already has some of the strictest animal welfare legislation in the world.
Pigs, budgies, goldfish and other social animals cannot be kept alone; horses and cows must have regular exercise outside in summer and winter; and dog owners have to take training courses to learn how to care for their pets.
Canada drops national anthem change plan
Canada has dropped a proposal to change the country's national anthem by making it more gender-inclusive.
The government had said it was open to changing a lyric in O Canada - "in all thy sons command" - to the original version, "in thou dost us command".
Opposition Liberals said the proposed change was merely a gimmick that proved the ruling Conservatives were not serious about women's rights.
Public outcry was so strong PM Stephen Harper dropped the idea after two days.
"We offered to hear from Canadians on this issue and they have already spoken loud and clear," said Mr Harper's spokesman, Dimitri Soudas.
CONTENTIOUS ANTHEM VERSE
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The true north strong and free!
"They overwhelmingly do not want to open the issue. The government will not proceed any further to change our national anthem."
The issue was raised after the anthem was played a record 14 times at gold medal ceremonies during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
O Canada was officially proclaimed Canada's national anthem in 1980 after existing for many years alongside God Save the Queen.
It was composed by Calixa Lavallée in 1880 and while the lyrics have changed over the years, their current version is based on a 1908 poem written by Stanley Weir.
The government had said it was open to changing a lyric in O Canada - "in all thy sons command" - to the original version, "in thou dost us command".
Opposition Liberals said the proposed change was merely a gimmick that proved the ruling Conservatives were not serious about women's rights.
Public outcry was so strong PM Stephen Harper dropped the idea after two days.
"We offered to hear from Canadians on this issue and they have already spoken loud and clear," said Mr Harper's spokesman, Dimitri Soudas.
CONTENTIOUS ANTHEM VERSE
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The true north strong and free!
"They overwhelmingly do not want to open the issue. The government will not proceed any further to change our national anthem."
The issue was raised after the anthem was played a record 14 times at gold medal ceremonies during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
O Canada was officially proclaimed Canada's national anthem in 1980 after existing for many years alongside God Save the Queen.
It was composed by Calixa Lavallée in 1880 and while the lyrics have changed over the years, their current version is based on a 1908 poem written by Stanley Weir.
Lawlessness after quake in Chile fishing village
By Will Grant
Rene Orellana sleeps with a shotgun in his hands. "I have to," he says, motioning towards a shattered window frame covered with a tarpaulin.
"The looters have been into this room and took thousands of pesos and my wife's jewellery."
The small fishing port of Talcahuano is only a few kilometres down the coast from Chile's second biggest city, Concepcion, where the military and the police are out on the streets in their thousands.
Yet, it is a world away in terms of security.
The harbour has been decimated - first by the earthquake and then by the 15m-high (49ft) tsunami which threw boats and shipping containers out of the sea and into the port with massive force.
This was always a difficult place to live
Daniel GonzalezTalcahuano resident
Dozens of containers are now strewn around the harbour as though they were cardboard boxes, having crushed several people in their cars in the process.
In this scene of devastation, looters have made the most of the chaos. Many of the containers have been opened and their contents, be they bananas, nappies or computer equipment, taken by the desperate hordes.
"I've fired 500 of the 2,000 rounds of ammunition I've got," says Mr Orellana, who works for the Ministry of Public Works, showing off his gun licence.
"I fire over their heads to scare them off, and so far, it's worked."
Fending for itself
Neighbourhood vigilante groups such as the one led by Mr Orellana are cropping up across Talcahuano, as the security situation shows few signs of improving, days after the tsunami brought industry in this coastal village to a shuddering halt.
Banks are mere shells of smashed glass and metal, after the waves and then the thieves took everything inside.
Rene Orellana has fired hundreds of warning shots to ward off looters
Pharmacies and petrol stations have been ransacked too, as the few police present in the town watch on while residents siphon the remaining fuel from the tanks at the petrol pumps.
They only spring into action when tempers boil over or someone starts attacking one of the few cash machines still standing.
"This was always a difficult place to live," says one of Mr Orellana's neighbours, Daniel Gonzalez, who has lived in Talcahuano all his life.
"It is a poor neighbourhood like Boca in Buenos Aires or a favela in Brazil. A tough place, but normally with a good community spirit."
But now, he says, no-one is safe.
A question neither residents nor the authorities seem able to answer is why a village which is barely 10 minutes away from Chile's most militarized city has been left to fend for itself.
Pillaging
"We're concentrating on getting the aid and the security to other parts of the region which are in an even worse state," says one police officer on duty, Ricardo Cariaga.
Daniel Gonzalez says no-one is safe in Talcahuano these days
Faced with a near impossible task until reinforcements arrive, he says they are just trying to keep the peace and make sure there is no further violence between the looters and the property owners.
Opinions on the security situation vary. Some people in Talcahuano say the crime is simply the result of a failure on the behalf of the authorities and the growing desperation of people in need of food, water and fuel.
Others are less tolerant.
"There can be no excuse for such pillaging and theft in today's society," says Alejandro Quiroz, who works with the Port Authority in Talcahuano.
In the midst of the carnage of the harbour, he is trying to make sense of the situation for a report to his employers - the first step, he says, in trying to rebuild a decimated fishing industry.
"There were two catastrophes here. Beyond the natural damage caused by the tsunami and the earthquake, there has been so much human damage. It's totally unacceptable."
Our conversation is suddenly cut short by the sound of gunfire in the streets behind us. Mr Quiroz barely flinches. "This happens every day," he says.
"Without military authority in the village, something must be done to protect people from all of this."
Meanwhile Rene Orellana continues to survey the port from his rooftop, his weapon slung over his shoulder.
"I've personally saved dozens of people from attack in this apartment block," he says with pride.
His seaside view may have been obliterated by the stacks of empty containers pressed up against his outside wall but residents like Mr Orellana are not prepared to lose anything else to the tsunami.
Chile´s economy
Chile's economy 'will bounce back quickly'
By Gideon Long
Over 450 people have died and hundreds are still missing
Despite the devastation it caused, last Saturday's Chilean earthquake won't have a serious long-term impact on the economy, and it might even boost growth this year by fueling a boom in the construction industry.
Analysts and the government say first half gross domestic product (GDP) will undoubtedly suffer, as those regions worst hit by the quake grapple with energy supply failures and temporary transport problems.
But after that, the economy should bounce back rapidly.
"Activity will drop for one or two quarters," said Alberto Ramos, senior emerging markets economist at Goldman Sachs in New York.
"Then we're likely to see a very quick rebound as things normalize and as the reconstruction effort gives an extra kick to GDP."
Investment bank JP Morgan even went so far as to upgrade its growth forecasts for Chile in response to the earthquake.
It said the construction boom would push annual expansion this year and next to 5.5%, an improvement on its previous forecast of 5.0%.
By Gideon Long
Over 450 people have died and hundreds are still missing
Despite the devastation it caused, last Saturday's Chilean earthquake won't have a serious long-term impact on the economy, and it might even boost growth this year by fueling a boom in the construction industry.
Analysts and the government say first half gross domestic product (GDP) will undoubtedly suffer, as those regions worst hit by the quake grapple with energy supply failures and temporary transport problems.
But after that, the economy should bounce back rapidly.
"Activity will drop for one or two quarters," said Alberto Ramos, senior emerging markets economist at Goldman Sachs in New York.
"Then we're likely to see a very quick rebound as things normalize and as the reconstruction effort gives an extra kick to GDP."
Investment bank JP Morgan even went so far as to upgrade its growth forecasts for Chile in response to the earthquake.
It said the construction boom would push annual expansion this year and next to 5.5%, an improvement on its previous forecast of 5.0%.
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