(Beginners Level) Numbers (listening), Can, Cause and Effect

Numbers

http://www.englishallyear.com/listening19/exercise55.html
http://www.englishallyear.com/listening19/exercise56.html
http://www.englishallyear.com/listening19/exercise57.html

Can

We use 'can' to talk about 'possibility'.

• Can you do that?
• I can't manage to do that.
• You can leave your car in that parking space.
• You cannot smoke in here.

Notice that there are two negative forms: 'can't' and 'cannot'. These mean exactly the same thing. When we are speaking, we usually say 'can't'.

We use 'can' to talk about 'ability'.

• I can speak French.
• I can't drive.

We use 'can' to ask for and give permission. (We also use 'may' for this but is more formal and much less common.)

• Can I speak to you or are you too busy?
• You can use my phone.
• You can't come in.

We use 'can' in offers, requests and instructions.

• Can I help?
• Can you give me a hand?
• When you finish that, you can take out the garbage.

We use 'can' with 'see' 'hear' 'feel' 'smell' 'taste' to talk about something which is happening now . (Where you would use the present continuous with most other verbs.)

• I can smell something burning.
• Can you hear that noise?
• I can't see anything.

We can use 'can't' for deduction. The opposite of 'can't' in this context is 'must'.

• You can't be hungry. You've just eaten.
• You must be hungry. You haven't eaten anything all day.
• He was in London one hour ago when I spoke to him. He can't be here yet.

Exercises:

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/can/can1/index.html

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/can/can2/index.html

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/can/can3/index.html

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/can/can4/index.html

Cause and Effect

When you are giving a presentation, your job is to not only present the facts but also to give the reasons (why), the purpose (objectives) and the results.

In a presentation, the language used is often very simple, much simpler than if we were writing.

For example:

Reason:

• We sold the land because we needed to release the cash.
• We closed the offices in London because they were too expensive to run.

Purpose:

• We set up the team to look at possible ways to improve efficiency.
• We sold the land to get necessary capital for investment.

Result:

• We sold the land and had enough cash to invest in new equipment.
• We expanded the sales network and sales increased.

Exercises

http://effective-public-speaking.com/causeandeffect/causeandeffect1/index.html

http://effective-public-speaking.com/causeandeffect/causeandeffect2/index.html

http://effective-public-speaking.com/causeandeffect/causeandeffect3/index.html

http://effective-public-speaking.com/causeandeffect/causeandeffect4/index.html