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Home Archives for October 2011

October 30, 2011

Which is Right? In Front of, In the Front of, or At the Front of?

When using English, especially in conversation, English learners usually make mistakes when they describe places. This is because there are different "rules" in their native language and when they use English, the "rules" are still applied by mistake.

In talking about specific locations, English learners often confuse the use of "in front of", "in the front of", and "at the front of". Probably, it is because those three phrases have one meaning in their native language. For example, "in front of", "in the front of", and "at the front of" in the Indonesian language have the same meaning, that is "di depan". There will be a confusion in saying "di depan" in English if we don't know the correct use of "in front of", "in the front of", and "at the front of".

To avoid such mistakes, let's learn how to use "in front of", "in the front of", and "at the front of" correctly. It can also help us in TOEIC test, especially in the Listening Section" Analying Pictures, in which we often have to identify the specific location of things in a picture.

Common Mistakes in using "in front of"

The most common mistakes in using "in front of" happens when people talk about things which are on opposite sides of a road, street, river, room, etc. "Opposite" or "facing" should be used instead.

In Indonesia, when people want to say "Dia tinggal didepan rumah saya" or "Rumahnya berada di depan rumah saya", they usually say:
  • He lives in front of my house.
  • His house is in front of mine.
The above sentences are incorrect. Remember, in front of is not used to talk about things which are on opposite sides of a road, street, river, room, etc. Instead, we should use opposite or facing.

These are the correct sentences to describe the picture:
  • He lives opposite my house.
  • His house is opposite mine.
  • There is a truck parked in front of the house.
  • A car is parked in front of the house.

"In front of"

Which is Right? In Front of, In the Front of, or At the Front of?"In front of" is the antonym / opposite of "behind".
  • There was a flagpole in front of the building.
  • We were delayed by a slow heavy truck in front of us for about thirty minutes until we overtook it.
  • Although she sits in front of me, I don't know much about her.
  • He couldn't enjoy the movie since the couple in front of him kept talking loudly.
  • An old lady was standing in front of me in the queue.
  • Shy students always get nervous when they speak in front of the class.

"In the front of"

Which is Right? In Front of, In the Front of, or At the Front of?"In the front" is the antonym / opposite of "in the back".
  • My father and grandfather were sitting in the front of the car, while the rest of us were sitting in the back.
  • The new student sat in the front of the class. (in the front row)

"At the front of"

"At the front of" is the antonym / opposite of "at the back of".
  • There's a big advertisement board at the front of the building.
  • The car has a distinguished trademark at the front.
  • The boy is standing at the front of the queue.

Exercise

Fill in the blanks with "in front of", "opposite", "in the front of", or "at the front of".
  1. She was very surprised and stood there ... him for a moment.
  2. You will be able to find the office easily. There's a big billboard ... it.
  3. I can't see the writing on the board clearly. I think I'll sit ... the class.
  4. Walk along this street. The office is ... the museum.
  5. Watch out. The car ... us is swaying in and out carelessly.
  6. When traveling, my daughter prefers sitting ... the car.
  7. I enjoyed watching the sunset from the balcony ... my room.
  8. He lives in a big old house ... a vocational school.
  9. Who is the young girl sitting ... Anna? I've never seen her before.
  10. A police car was ... the convoy.

Reference: Swan, M. Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980.

October 23, 2011

TOEIC® Practice: Verb Forms, Word Families, Comparisons

Category

TOEIC® PRACTICE TEST: INCOMPLETE SENTENCES

Verb Forms, Word Families, Comparisons.

In this test, you have to choose the best answer to complete the sentences.
  1. My sister ... working in another city next week.
    1. starting
    2. started
    3. will start
    4. has started
  2. She is interested in ... other languages.
    1. learning
    2. to learn
    3. learn
    4. the learning
  3. Among the other countries, Indonesia suffered ... impact of the Tsunami.
    1. bigger
    2. the biggest
    3. as big as
    4. biggest
  4. The catastrophe ... on December 26, 2004.
    1. happens
    2. to happen
    3. has happened
    4. happened
  5. I usually ... a glass of milk in the morning.
    1. am having
    2. have
    3. has
    4. will have
  6. The food is ... than the one we ate here yesterday.
    1. delicious
    2. the most delicious
    3. as delicious
    4. more delicious
  7. The plane ... for Tokyo in 20 minutes.
    1. leave
    2. has left
    3. is leaving
    4. to leave
  8. After ... the leter, she turned the computer off.
    1. printing
    2. print
    3. printed
    4. printings
  9. They ... their holiday in Bali next week.
    1. spent
    2. are spent
    3. have spent
    4. are going to spend
  10. At last, we succeeded in ... the problems.
    1. solve
    2. solution
    3. solved
    4. solving
  11. Students should be ... for their daily assignments.
    1. responsibility
    2. responsible
    3. responsibly
    4. response
  12. Having experience in ... cars, he applied for a job as a mechanic.
    1. repairing
    2. to repair
    3. repairs
    4. repaired
  13. Would you mind ... the application letter neatly enough?
    1. written
    2. write
    3. writing
    4. to write
  14. Don’t give up ... to find job openings in newspapers.
    1. try
    2. trying
    3. to trying
    4. tries
  15. Please ... the application letter before the end of this month.
    1. submitting
    2. submits
    3. submission
    4. submit
  16. A good command of English will lead you to a ....
    1. succeed
    2. success
    3. successful
    4. successive
  17. The service of this big restaurant is very ....
    1. disappoint
    2. disappointment
    3. disappointed
    4. disappointing
  18. Good service in this restaurant gives the customers ....
    1. satisfy
    2. satisfactory
    3. satisfaction
    4. satisfied
  19. On the way to Bali ..., we took dinner in Pasir Putih.
    1. next year
    2. last month
    3. since two days ago
    4. at present
  20. She ... for her vacation yesterday.
    1. has been leaving
    2. leaves
    3. left
    4. was left
  21. Every employee . . . a company badge.
    1. wear
    2. wears
    3. wearing
    4. to wear
  22. He wrote a book after ... his research
    1. completed
    2. completing
    3. complete
    4. completes
  23. She ... me that she would leave soon.
    1. said
    2. says
    3. told
    4. tells
  24. Big hotels often ... more than two hundred workers.
    1. employs
    2. will employ
    3. are employing
    4. employ
  25. Bali is one of ... objects of interest in Indonesia
    1. more famous
    2. the most famous
    3. as famous as
    4. most famous
You may also want to read: TOEIC Test Tips and Strategies
If you want to do this test in computer-based version and find out your score and the answers, visit the link below. TOEIC® Practice: Verb Forms, Word Families, Comparisons

October 21, 2011

English Expressions and Idioms with "Work"

Idioms and Expressions With "Work"
IdiomMeaningExamples
All in a day's workA usual part of the job / routine; nothing special.Air raids and artillery barrages were all in a day's work for the soldiers.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boyYou need to have fun in order to be a happy, healthy person.Go out and have fun! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Close (good) enough for government workDone just well enough.There was little time left, but it was good enough for government work.
Dirty workNecessary, but uninteresting, or difficult work.
Dishonest or underhanded actions; treachery.
Everybody knows about all the dirty work they do in that project.
Get down to work / businessTo stop relaxing; start to seriously conduct business.We're running behind schedule. Now, stop joking and let's get down to work!
Get worked up (over something)To become angry / annoyed / agitated about something.He seemed to get worked up over the new policy.
Make short /fast / light work of somethingTo finish something quicklyHe made short work of his breakfast so that he would not be late for work.
Make hard work of (doing) somethingTo work in a way which makes it more difficult than it should beThe repair took a long time because they made hard work of it.
Work against the clockTo work fast because there is a limited period of time to do somethingWe had to work against the clock since the deadline was very close.
Work away (at something)To continue to work industriously at somethingThey kept working away despite of the rain.
Work like a horse/a slave/a beaver/a muleTo work very hardHe was exhausted after having to work like a horse all day.
Work out for the bestTo finish wellDon't worry. Things will work out for the best.
Work someone or something overTo give someone or something a thorough examination.The doctor worked my father over but couldn't find anything wrong.
Throw a monkey wrench in the worksTo cause a disturbance in something that seems clear and understandableLet's talk to him about our plan. I'm sure he won't throw a monkey wrench in the works.
Work wonders (with someone or something)To be very helpful with someone or somethingThe new coach has worked wonders with the team. They have won five matches fo far.


  1. I'm afraid we have to .... The report is due the day after tomorrow.
    English Expressions and Idioms with Work
    1. work out for the best
    2. work it over
    3. work against the clock
    4. make hard work of it
  2. Being a single parent, she has to ... to support her children.
    1. work her over
    2. get worked up
    3. work out for the best
    4. work like a horse
  3. We only have 10 minutes. You'd better ... of it.
    1. make fast work
    2. make hard work
    3. work away
    4. work out
  4. Dealing with customers' complaints is ... for her. It's part of her job.
    1. a work of art
    2. all in a day's work
    3. a work out
    4. dirty work
  5. I think you should go out and have some fun. ....
    1. Don't work against the clock.
    2. Make hard work of it.
    3. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
    4. Throw a monkey wrench in the works.
  6. The medicine has ... with him. He is recovering.
    1. worked over
    2. worked wonders
    3. worked up
    4. work away
  7. Despite of my carelessness, I was lucky that everything ....
    1. worked against the clock
    2. worked me over
    3. worked out for the best
    4. worked away
  8. The room redecoration finished two days before the event. Although the time was short, it was ....
    1. working up
    2. a work-away
    3. close enough for government work
    4. a work-over


Reference: The Free Dictionary

October 14, 2011

Masih Ndesokah "Ndeso"?

Sebutan Ndeso - Stigma Yang Kontra ProduktifPernah mendengar istilah "ndeso", alias "ndesit"? Istilah berbau diskriminatif yang bermakna "dari desa" atau "seperti orang desa" ini pernah populer pada dekade 1980-an. Belakangan, istilah "ndeso" menjadi populer lagi setelah seorang pelawak terkenal muncul dalam sebuah iklan terbaru penyedia layanan telekomunikasi di televisi. Dalam iklan tersebut, sang pelawak dengan nada mencemooh mengatakan "ndeso" kepada mereka yang belum tahu tentang internet. Tidak cukup di situ, tayangan iklan tersebut ditutup dengan kata-kata "Yang punya rumah ini artis! Mukamu ndeso!". Entah apa maksud mereka dengan kata "ndeso". Yang jelas iklan tersebut memberikan kesan bahwa istilah "ndeso" memiliki konotasi negatif, yaitu semacam gaptek, atau ketinggalan jaman.

Masih "Ndeso"kah "Ndeso"?

Berbicara tentang istilah "desa", pasti kita akan membayangkan suatu daerah atau wilayah yang jauh dari hiruk pikuk perkotaan. Lingkungan pedesaan identik dengan lingkungan yang masih alami dan hanya sedikit tersentuh oleh pembangunan, dengan penduduk yang hidup dalam keluguan, kesederhanaan, dan kekeluargaan yang jarang kita temui pada masyarakat perkotaan.

Dulu, sebelum hasil pembangunan dan kemajuan dibidang teknologi informasi menyentuh wilayah pedesaan, keterbatasan akses terhadap pengetahuan dan informasi membuat masyarakat pedesaan sangat jauh tertinggal dibanding masyarakat perkotaan. Tidaklah mengherankan jika masyarakat pedesaan saat itu diidentikkan sebagai masyarakat yang lekat dengan keluguan dan kebodohan, tertinggal dan terbelakang dalam hal pengetahuan dan informasi.

Sebutan Ndeso - Stigma Yang Kontra ProduktifKini, jaman sudah banyak berubah. Pembangunan infrastruktur dan perkembangan teknologi informasi telah membuat wajah pedesaan di Indonesia telah banyak berubah. Kita sering mendengar istilah "desa net", "desa internet", atau "cyber village", di mana penduduknya secara bergotong-royong membuat server wifi agar masyarakat sekitar bisa mengakses internet. Kehadiran internet hingga ke pelosok wilayah pedesaan membuat masyarakat pedesaan tidak lagi terisolir dari ilmu pengetahuan dan informasi. Dalam hal pendidikan, kualitas sekolah-sekolah pedesaan di masa sekarang juga sudah bisa disejajarkan dengan sekolah di daerah perkotaan.

Memang, seiring berkembangnya peradaban, perbedaan antara desa dan kota sudah tidak lagi sejelas dulu. Pengertian dan karakteristik yang mendefinisikan istilah "desa" menjadi sulit untuk diberlakukan di era seperti sekarang ini di mana hasil pembangunan serta akses terhadap ilmu pengetahuan dan informasi tidak lagi menjadi monopoli masyarakat perkotaan. Hubungan yang erat antara perkembangan kota dengan desa-desa di sekitarnya telah menciptakan kondisi yang sangat beragam antara satu desa dengan desa lainnya sehingga berbagai pengertian ilmiah untuk mendefinisikan istilah "desa" tidak lagi dapat diterapkan secara menyeluruh untuk desa-desa di Indonesia.

Dengan demikian, stigmatisasi "ndeso" bagi orang yang kurang up-to-date dalam hal pengetahuan rasanya sudah tidak tepat lagi. Di jaman sekarang, tidak sedikit masyarakat pedesaan memiliki tingkat kesejahteraan, pendidikan, wawasan, dan pengetahuan yang setara, bahkan lebih, dibandingkan dengan masyarakat perkotaan, terutama di pedesaan-pedesaan pulau Jawa.

Jika istilah "ndeso" adalah sebutan bagi orang yang gaptek, maka banyak juga orang kota yang layak disebut "Ndeso" karena kegaptekan mereka, yang meskipun tinggal di area perkotaan namun kurang cukup beruntung untuk bisa menikmati kemajuan teknologi karena faktor ekonomi. Jadi, tidak manusiawi rasanya jika label "ndeso" ditujukan kepada orang-orang yang tidak cukup beruntung untuk bisa menikmati kemajuan teknologi.


Dampak Stigmatisasi "Ndeso"

Di saat pemerintah tengah berjuang untuk mengangkat dan memberdayakan masyarakat pedesaan, pemberian julukan atau stigmatisasi "ndeso" ini bisa menjadi simbol pelecehan terhadap "wong ndeso' dan dapat membawa dampak yang kontra-produktif. Labelling "ndeso" hanya akan memperparah ketidakpahaman tentang masyarakat pedesaan dan mempersempit sudut pandang terhadap "wong ndeso". Mereka yang berasal dari pedesaan, atau yang dijuluki "ndeso" mungkin akan merasa minder, malu, dan takut dianggap "ndeso". Bagi pelakunya, stigma 'ndeso' dapat menjerumuskan mereka ke dalam sikap diskriminatif terhadap "wong ndeso", yang bersumber dari ketidakpercayaan serta pemahaman yang salah bahwa orang desa selalu lebih bodoh dan terbelakang daripada orang kota.

Karena itu, sudah saatnya kita hentikan stigma 'Ndeso" terhadap orang yang kita anggap out-of-date, lebih bodoh dan tertinggal daripada kita. Mari kita hapus semua labelling yang berbau keterbelakangan yang selama ini identik dengan masyarakat pedesaan. Mengapa? Karena "Ndeso" bisa jadi tak lagi se'Ndeso" yang kita bayangkan.

Salam dari wong Ndeso :) Updated Oct 17, 2011

October 11, 2011

Grammar Quiz: The Simple Past Tense VS The Present Perfect Tense

KOMPETENSI DASAR
3.6Menganalisis fungsi sosial, struktur teks, dan unsur kebahasaan teks interaksi transaksional lisan dan tulis yang melibatkan tindakan memberi dan meminta informasi terkait keadaan / tindakan / kegiatan / kejadian yang dilakukan/terjadi di waktu lampau yang merujuk waktu terjadinya dan kesudahannya, sesuai dengan konteks penggunaannya. (Perhatikan unsur kebahasaan simple past tense vs present perfect tense)
4.6Menyusun teks interaksi transaksional, lisan dan tulis, pendek dan sederhana, yang melibatkan tindakan unsur dan meminta informasi terkait keadaan/tindakan/kegiatan/kejadian yang dilakukan/terjadi di waktu lampau yang merujuk waktu terjadinya dan kesudahannya, dengan memperhatikan fungsi sosial, struktur teks, dan unsur kebahasaan yang benar dan sesuai konteks.

The exercise below will check your understanding about the differences of usage between the Simple Past and the Present Perfect tense. To review those differences, read Contrasting The Simple Past With The Present Perfect Tense.
Grammar Exercise: Contrasting the Simple Past with the Present Perfect tense.
Choose the correct form of the verbs.
  1. A: Where's Diva? She isn't here.
    B: Oh, she ... shopping.
    1. went
    2. has gone
  2. My parents ... married in Probolinggo in 1992.
    1. got
    2. have got
  3. Do you know about Renee? She ... her job. She ... to quit last week. (choose 2 answers; A or B, and C or D)
    1. gave up
    2. has given up

    3. decided
    4. has decided
  4. A: Ipin is in the hospital. He ... his leg.
    B: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. How ...?
    1. broke
    2. has broken

    3. did it happen
    4. has it happened
  5. A: ... her number before leaving?
    B: Yes, but I'm afraid I ... it.
    1. Did she leave
    2. Has she left

    3. lost
    4. have lost
  6. I ... French at school but I ... most of it.
    1. studied
    2. have studied

    3. forgot
    4. have forgotten
  7. A: It ... a lot last week.
    B: Yes, but it ... at all this week.
    1. rained
    2. has rained

    3. did not rain
    4. has not rained
  8. My brother lives in Jakarta. He ... there since 1990.
    1. lived
    2. has lived
  9. I ... my great grandfather who ... about 45 years ago.
    1. never met
    2. have never met

    3. died
    4. has died
  10. When I ... home last night, I ... very tired.
    1. went
    2. have gone

    3. was
    4. have been
  11. A: I'm looking for Aji. ... him?
    B: Don't you know about him? He ... transferred to Surabaya branch office since last week.
    1. Did you see
    2. Have you seen

    3. was
    4. has been
  12. Your car looks clean. ... it?
    1. Did you wash
    2. Have you washed
  13. Albert Einstein ... the scientist who ... the theory of relativity.
    1. was
    2. has been

    3. developed
    4. has developed
  14. He is a productive novelist. Up to now, he ... more than five best-selling novels.
    1. wrote
    2. has written
  15. Look at the crowd! There ... an accident.
    1. was
    2. has been
  16. A: ... today's newspaper?
    B: No. I think the manager is still reading it.
    1. Did you read
    2. Have you read
  17. He ... in a bank for fifteen years. Then he ... it up.
    1. worked
    2. has worked

    3. gave
    4. has given
  18. A: Your hair looks nice. ... a haircut?
    B: Yes. I ... it cut on Sunday.
    1. Did you have
    2. Have you had

    3. had
    4. have had
  19. Your English is more fluent now. I think you ... a lot.
    1. improved
    2. have improved
  20. A: I ... to Bromo last week.
    B: ... the sunrise?
    1. went
    2. have gone

    3. Did you see
    4. Have you seen
To do the computer-based version of this exercise and find out your score, click HERE.

October 10, 2011

English Biology Quiz: Plants

Choose the best answer; A, B, C, or D to each question.
  1. Which of the following is true about all living things?
    1. They can make food.
    2. They breathe in air.
    3. They need sleep.
    4. They can think.
  2. Plants take in ... during photosynthesis.English Biology Quiz - Plants and photosynthesis
    1. carbon dioxide
    2. hydrogen
    3. nitrogen
    4. oxygen
  3. Photosynthesis happens ....
    1. only in sunlight
    2. only in the dark
    3. only part of the time
    4. all of the time
  4. Green plants can only make food ....
    1. in the day time
    2. in the night time
    3. in the morning
    4. in the evening
  5. Which of the following groups of living things can make their own food?
    1. Bird
    2. Plant
    3. Man
    4. Fish
  6. Green leaves can absorb ... from the sun.
    1. water
    2. carbon dioxide
    3. light energy
    4. oxygen
  7. Which of the following plants cannot make its own food?
    1. Hibiscus plant
    2. Papaya tree
    3. Mushroom
    4. Water lily plant
  8. The food found in the leaves of green plants is ....
    1. salt
    2. flour
    3. water
    4. starch
  9. What do you use to show that a food substance contains starch?
    1. Lime water
    2. Salt solution
    3. Iodine solution
    4. Sugar solution
  10. When a few drops of iodine solution are dropped into some starch solution, the starch turns ....
    1. blue
    2. yellow
    3. brown
    4. green
  11. In strong sunlight, green plants need water and ... to make food.
    1. good soil
    2. carbon dioxide
    3. mineral salts
    4. oxygen
  12. Plants with no green coloring in their leaves cannot ....
    1. breathe air
    2. absorb water
    3. grow well
    4. make food
  13. Green plants help to remove ... from the atmosphere.
    1. oxygen
    2. water
    3. sunlight
    4. carbon dioxide
  14. Water plants are usually put in an aquarium. This is because in strong sunlight, they supply ... to the fishes.
    1. food
    2. water
    3. energy
    4. oxygen
  15. When green plants make food during the day, they give off ....
    1. light energy
    2. oxygen
    3. carbon dioxide
    4. heat energy
  16. Green plants are planted everywhere because they help to ... the air in the atmosphere.
    1. dirty
    2. clean
    3. spoil
    4. pollute
  17. Water helps to keep a plant ....
    1. weak
    2. limp
    3. green
    4. firm
  18. Plants lose water to their surroundings mainly through the ....
    1. roots
    2. stems
    3. leaves
    4. fruits
  19. A balsam plant takes in water from ....
    1. the air
    2. the pot
    3. the soil
    4. the rocks
  20. Plants give out water as ....
    1. smoke
    2. rain
    3. ice
    4. water vapor


Untuk mengerjakan latihan ini dalam bentuk CBT, klik di sini

October 09, 2011

Listening Test Strategy, Tips and Trick in TOEIC® and UNBK: Analyzing Pictures

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In TOEIC® test and UAN (Ujian Akhir Nasional), or the Final Test taken by third year students of SMA and SMK, there is a section called Analyzing Pictures. In this section, the examinee has to choose one statement or sentence which best matches the picture shown. Skills development in analyzing both pictures and answer choices are needed to improve TOEIC® and UAN score.

Here are the strategies which can help improve your skills in analyzing pictures in TOEIC® and UAN test.

Strategies in TOEIC® Test - Part 1; Analyzing Pictures

  1. Make Assumptions
  2. When you listen to the TOEIC® test Part 1, you often have to make assumptions based on what you see in the picture. You have to determine which of the four statements is true or might be true.

    Problem:
    More than one answers may seem true.
    Solution:
    Listen carefully to the whole sentence and choose the answer that best matches the picture.

    Look at the following picture and learn how you can make assumptions from it.

    Strategi Mengerjakan Listening TOEIC® dan UNBK: Analyzing Pictures

    What is the person (probably) doing?
    Possible answers:
    The passenger is looking out the window.
    He is holding a book.
    The man is sitting next to the window.
    The man is smiling.
    The man is traveling.

    Where is it? What can you infer about the place?
    The man is on the bus.
    The man is on a train.
    The window is open.

  3. Identify People
  4. You often have to identify the people you see in a picture. You may identify them by number, gender, location, description, activity, or occupation.

    Problem:
    The people may be incorrectly identified.
    Solution:Determine the number, gender, location, description, activity, and occupation of the people as best as you can.

    Look at the following picture and learn how to identify people.

    Listening Test Strategy, Tips and Trick in TOEIC® and UNBK: Analyzing Pictures

    Who are they? What are they doing? Where?
    Possible answers:
    There are four people at the table.
    There are two men and two women at the table.
    The people are in a restaurant.
    The guests are sitting at a table.
    The customers are going to order their meal.
    The waitress is standing next to the table.


    What are they wearing?
    Possible answer:
    The waiter is wearing an apron.
  5. Identify Things
  6. You often have to identify things in a picture. You should try to name everything you see. However, you are not required to know words or terms specific to one particular occupation. Instead, you should know the general word or term of the things in the picture.

    Problem:
    You may not know the words needed to identify the things in the picture.
    Solution:
    Use the context of the picture to help you identify the things.

    Look at the following picture and learn how to identify things.

    Strategi Mengerjakan Listening TOEIC® dan UNBK: Analyzing Pictures

    What and where is it?
    Possible answers:
    The ship is mooring in the harbor.
    The tanker is docking.
    The ship is loading.
    The ship is being refueled.
    The ship is at the dock.


    Related words: Ship, tanker, cargoship, cargo, gas, dock, moor, anchor, harbor, port, load, unload, refuel, fuel.
  7. Identify Actions
  8. You often have to identify the actions in a picture, i.e. what the people are doing. You should try to analyze the time sequence of the actions.

    Problem:
    You may not understand what is happening in the picture.
    Solution:
    Use the context of the picture to help you make assumptions about what happened before, during, and after the action.

    Look at the following picture and learn how to identify things.

    Strategi Mengerjakan Listening TOEIC® dan UNBK: Analyzing PicturesWhat are the persons doing? Who and where are they?
    Possible answers:
    The people are going to board the plane.
    They are going to travel by plane.
    The family is waiting to board the plane.
    The man and the woman are looking at the girl.
    The man is standing behind the girl.
    They will go through the boarding pass.
    They are standing in a queue.

See more information and strategies for TOEIC® Test.
Reference: Lougheed L. How to Prepare for the TOEIC® Test, 3rd Edition. Ciputat, Binarupa Aksara, 2004.

October 04, 2011

Vocabulary: English Idioms and Expressions with "Put"

Idioms and Expressions With "Put"
IdiomMeaningExample
Put a brave face / front on somethingTo behave confidently, or as if someone were happy.
Id: Bersikap percaya diri, atau seolah-olah bahagia
Despite his troubles, he always tried to put a brave face on them.
Put a cap on somethingTo limit something.
Id: Membatasi sesuatu.
He suggested that we put a cap on spending in every department.
Put a damper / dampener on somethingTo make something not enjoyable.
Id: Membuat sesuatu kurang (tidak) bisa dinikmati.
The news about the loss of her father had put a damper on the party.
Put a lid on somethingTo stop something.
Id: Menghentikan sesuatu.
Please put a lid on it! I'm trying to concentrate.
Put a plug in (for someone or something)To favor or advertise for someone or something.
Id: Memuji; mengiklankan sesuatu.
If you talk to the new manager, please put a plug in for me.
Put / Get something across (to someone)To make something clear; to convince someone of something.
Id: Memperjelas; meyakinkan seseorang tentang sesuatu.
You need a different approach to get the difficult subject across to your class.
Put all one's eggs in one basketTo make things dependent on only one thing.
Id: Bergantung pada satu hal saja.
She should have diversified her investment instead of putting all her eggs in one basket.
Put something asideTo decide not to deal with something; to save something for future use.
Mengesampingkan / menyimpan sebagai cadangan.
Every student puts aside Rp15,000.- a month for the vacation.
Put something awayTo save; to return something to its place.
Id: Menyimpan; mengembalikan sesuatu pada tempatnya.
Please put the books away when you finish reading.
Put one's best foot forwardTo perform at one's best.
Id: Tampil sebaik-baiknya.
It's the final round. Make sure you put your best foot forward.
Put someone downTo criticize someone.
Id: Mengkritik seseorang.
She's always putting others down during meetings.
Put down rootsTo settle; to establish a permanent residence.
Id: Menetap di suatu tempat.
The people moved east and put down roots in Tengger mountain range.
Put one's foot down (about someone or something)To assert something strongly.
Id: Bertindak tegas.
My father put his foot down and told me not to go home late.
Put (something) forthTo put more effort.
Id: Berusaha lebih keras lagi.
If you want to succeed you should put forth.
Put (something) forwardTo propose an idea.
Id: Mengajukan gagasan.
The plan that he put forward in the meeting was accepted by the board of director.
Put hand in pocketTo give money to charity.
Id: Memberikan uang untuk amal.
Kind hearted people are always willing to put their hands in their pockets.
Put one's house in orderTo put one's business or affairs into good order, to solve one's problems.
Id: Melakukan pembenahan; memecahkan masalah.
The new manager has to put his house in order if he wants the business to survive.
Put something in a nutshellTo say / explain something concisely.
Id: Menjelaskan secara ringkas.
Can you put this long explanation in a nutshell?
Put in an appearanceTo appear briefly at a place or an event.
Id: Datang untuk waktu yang sebentar.
I only intended to put in an appearance at the party, and left before long.
Put somebody in the pictureTo explain to someone what is happening.
Id: Menjelaskan apa yang terjadi.
I didn't know what was going on in that room until he put me in the picture.
Put something on the lineTo risk failure.
Id: Beresiko gagal.
He puts his reputation on the line by signing the agreement.
Put money up (for something)To give the funding for something.
Id: Mendanai sesuatu.
The manager finally agreed to put the money up for the campaign.
Put your money where your mouth isTo do something rather than to just talk about it.
Id: Mengerjakan sesuatu tidak hanya membicarakannya.
Critics sometimes have to learn how to put their money where their mouth is.
Put (stick) one's nose in To interfere in someone's business.
Id: Mencampuri urusan orang.
I wish she wouldn't put her nose in other people's affairs.
Put somebody / something on a pedestalTo behave as if one person is more important than others.
Id: Bersikap seolah seseorang lebih penting dari orang lain.
Villagers often put their religious leaders on a pedestal without questioning their words or authority.
Put on airs (Give oneself air)To pretend to be better than one really is.
Id: Berpura-pura lebih mampu dari yang sebenarnya.
She's just putting on airs. Let's see what she can do.
Put something on the cuffTo purchase on credit.
Id: Membeli secara kredit.
Are you going to pay cash or put them on the cuff?
Put on the dog / the ritzTo make things special or dress formally for an event.The Minister will come the day after tomorrow. We are busy putting on the dog for his coming.
Put someone on the spotTo ask someone forthright questions.
Id: Bertanya tanpa tedeng aling-aling.
He rather put her on the spot by asking whether she wanted a lift.
Put oneself outTo make oneself inconvenient.
Id: Membuat diri tidak nyaman.
Don't bother. You do not need to put yourself out at all.
Put someone upTo provide accommodation.
Id: Menyediakan akomodasi.
We put him up for several days and showed him around.
Put your shoulder to the wheelTo work hard.
Id: Bekerja keras.
Let's put our shoulder to the wheel and hope we can finish before the deadline.
Put the bite on someoneTo try to get money from someone.
Id: Mencoba memeras seseorang.
When I began to trust her, she tried to put the bite on me.
Put the finger on someoneTo accuse / identify someone.
Id: Menuduh / mengidentifikasi seseorang.
Don't put the finger on me for something I never did.
Put the heat / screws on someoneTo pressure someone to do something.
Id: Memaksa / menekan seseorang.
The manager often puts the heat on his staff to work overtime.
Put the moves / the make / the hard word on someoneTo try to seduce someone.
Id: Mencoba merayu seseorang.
When I noticed that he was putting the moves on Eka last night, I left.
Put the roses in somebody's cheeksTo make someone look fit and healthy.
Id: Membuat seseorang tampak sehat.
You should do more exercise to put the roses back in your cheeks.
Put someone or something through (to someone)To connect by telephone.
Id: Menyambungkan lewat telpon.
Hold on, please. I'll put you through to him.
Put somebody through the millTo test someone by asking difficult questions.
Id: Menguji seseorang dengan memberi pertanyaan sulit.
The manager put me through the mill on the day of the interview.

Reference: The Free Dictionary - Idioms

October 01, 2011

Contrasting Future Forms: "Be Going To" VS "Will"

Can you tell the difference between the sentences on the left and those on the right?
The sky is dark. I think it's going to rain soon.Don't worry. It will rain someday.
There are signs of recovery. He's going to get well soon.There is no sign of recovery. But I'm sure he will recover.
Workers are preparing their equipment. They are going to repair the building.If you overload it, the machine will break down.

There are several different verb-forms that can be used to talk about the future. The most common structures are be going to structure, will, and the present continuous / present progressive.

Those three structures often have different meanings which are sometimes difficult to tell. Therefore, it is not always easy to choose the correct form. In this post, we are going to talk about the difference between the be going to structure and will by contrasting how they are used.

Contrasting Future "Be Going To" With "Will"
Be Going To Verb 1Will Infinitive
Planned intentions
To express a planned intention, or a plan with an intention. The plan is made before the moment of speaking and some preparations may have been made.
Untuk mengungkapkan maksud terencana, atau rencana yang disengaja. Rencana tersebut dibuat sebelum saat berbicara dan mungkin sudah dilakukan persiapan untuk itu.
  • Workers are preparing their equipment. They are going to repair the building.
  • He has bought building materials. I think he's going to renovate his house.
Note:
When it is not known whether the intention has been planned or not, either be going to or will may be used.
Jika tidak diketahui apakah sesuatu maksud direncanakan atau tidak, baik "be going to" atau "will" bisa digunakan.
Unplanned intentions
To express an unplanned intention. The intention or decision to do something is made right at the moment of speaking, usually with no preparation.
Untuk mengungkapkan maksud tak terencana. Maksud atau keputusan untuk melakukan sesuatu dibuat tepat pada saat berbicara dan biasanya tanpa ada persiapan.
  • There's the doorbell. I'll open the door.
  • Have you heard from her? ~ No, not yet. I'll call her now.
Note:
Using will infinitive is the best way to express a strong determination.
Menggunakan "will infinitive" adalah cara terbaik untuk mengungkapkan kebulatan tekad.
  • Okay. I will help you. (with stress on "will")
  • We will make it!
3rd and 2nd person's intentions
To express or ask about an intention made by the second person (you), or the third (he, she, it, they). The negative form shows that there is no intention.
Untuk mengungkapkan atau menanyakan maksud orang kedua (you), atau ketiga (he, she, it, they). Bentuk negatif menunjukkan tidak adanya niat untuk melakukan sesuatu.
  • Are you going to renovate the room?
  • He isn't going to stay here.
1st person's intentions
Will is almost always used to express first person's intentions. However, the negative form may be used for all persons, and usually means "to refuse to do something".
Bentuk will hampir selalu digunakan untuk orang pertama. Tetapi, bentuk negative bisa digunakan untuk semua orang dan biasanya bermakna "menolak melakukan sesuatu".
  • I will leave now!
  • He won't stay here. (He refuses to stay.)
Near future
To indicate near future events / actions.
Untuk menyebutkan peristiwa / kegiatan yang akan terjadi dalam waktu dekat.
  • The sky is dark. I think it's going to rain soon.
  • Where's today's paper? I'm going to read it.
Near and Remote future
To indicate near or remote future events / actions.
Untuk menyebutkan peristiwa / kegiatan yang akan terjadi baik dalam waktu dekat maupun masih lama.
  • The local government will build more schools in rural areas.
  • It's a nice place. We will enjoy staying here.
Assumptions
To express assumptions when there is a sign or symptom that something is certainly going to happen in the near or remote future.
Untuk mengungkapkan asumsi / dugaan jika ada tanda atau gejala bahwa sesuatu pasti akan terjadi dalam waktu dekat atau relatif lama.
  • The sky is dark. I think it's going to rain soon.
  • There are signs of recovery. He's going to get well soon.
Assumptions
To express assumptions, expectations, belief, or doubt that something will happen in the future.
Untuk mengungkapkan asumsi / dugaan, harapan, keyakinan, atau keraguan bahwa sesuatu akan terjadi dalam waktu yang akan datang.
  • Don't forget your coat. It'll probably be cold up there. (I expect it will be cold.)
  • Onions will be expensive when harvests fail.
Contrasting Future Forms: Be Going To VS Will
Exercise
Put the verbs into future "be going to" or "will infinitive".
  1. Why are you moving the sofa? ~ I (repaint) this room.
  2. The printer doesn't work again. ~ Really? I (call) the technician. I hope he's not busy.
  3. How do we get to the museum from here? ~ I don't know, but I (ask) the policeman over there.
  4. You (lend) me your dictionary, please? I need it. ~ Yes, certainly. Here it is.
  5. You (buy) a new computer? ~ No, this one is still good.
  6. My car is being repaired. You (give) me a lift?
  7. Where's the flashlight? ~ It's in the drawer. What you (do) with it? ~ I (search) the warehouse. It's dark in there.
  8. What a beautiful painting. Where you (put) it?
  9. This curtain is very dirty. ~ Very well. I (have) it washed.
  10. You (play) games all night? You are going to school tomorrow.
Reference:
  1. Azar B.S. Understanding and Using English Grammar (2nd Ed). NJ: Prentice-Hall. Inc, 1989.
  2. Thomson & Martinet. A Practical English Grammar (4th Ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.
  3. Swan, M. Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980.
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