Magic
Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. You are welcome to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
England may have Harry Potter, but America has Harry Houdini. Houdini was perhaps the most famous escape artist of all time, with performances where he escaped from handcuffs, being buried alive, and a straitjacket while hanging upside down. He can read more about the fascinating life of Houdini here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdiniโ
Vocabulary
Language Level - B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Register (v, n)
- Regret (v, n)
- Regulation (n)
- Relatively (adv)
- Relevant (adj)
- Relief (n)
- Rely (v)
- Remark (n, v)
- Representative (adj, n)
- Reputation (n)
โStudy this set of vocabulary words with this Quizlet.โ
Grammar Tip
Language Level - B2
Inverted Sentences
In English, we sometimes change the normal word order to emphasize something. This is called inversion. It often happens with negative adverbs or expressions like:
- Never
- Not only... but also
- Rarely
- Seldom
- Hardly ever
- No sooner... than
- Little did I know
- Under no circumstances
How to use them:
We invert the subject and the auxiliary verb, like in a question.
Example:
Normal: I have never seen a magician vanish like that.
โInverted: Never have I seen a magician vanish like that.
Let's Practice!
โInstructions: Rewrite each sentence using inversion for emphasis. Follow the structure of the examples above.
- I have never seen a trick as amazing as that disappearing elephant.
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- The magician not only escaped the locked box, but he also did it blindfolded!
โ ___________________________________________________
- She rarely makes mistakes during her performances.
โ ___________________________________________________
- He hardly ever reveals the secrets behind his illusions.
โ ___________________________________________________
- I didnโt realize how real the floating woman looked until she came down.
โ ___________________________________________________
- They had no sooner lit the fire than the phoenix appeared.
โ ___________________________________________________
- You must not touch the ancient spell book under any circumstances.
โ ___________________________________________________
- I knew little about the magicianโs past when I hired him.
โ ___________________________________________________
Reading and Listening Tip
Language Level - B2
Another famous magician in America is David Coperfield. In this video he does a trick for Oprah Winfrey. Listen to his speech while he chats with Oprah:
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Weekly Challenge
Language Level - C1
Read this article about great magicians in history. You will undoubtedly come away with novel vocabulary.
โhttps://magiciansmag.com/famous-magicians-in-history/โ
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How can I help?
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