November 10, 2012

Weekly Finds: November 10, 2012

A Man With Magnifying Glass by digitalart
Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Every week, we’ll be sharing a list of posts, stories, news, or opinions that we've run across the Internet during the past week or two. We won't be discussing them in detail here, but we do encourage you to check them out as they could contain valuable ideas and insights for your IELTS exam.

If you're ready, here we go...

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY OR NOT, THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Life is not about how many times we fall down, but how many times we get back up. As long as the second number is higher than the first, we’re doing just fine.

TOP ENGLISH PHRASES BORROWED FROM CHINESE

Amidst the debate of English's place within Chinese lexicography, here are the top ten English phrases of Chinese origin, with a few that may surprise you.

The 8 parts of speech—do you know them?

When asked this question by her fourth-grade daughter, the author blanked on three of them. She offers a refresher—with examples from a maritime author (yes, you read that correctly).

11 puzzling phrases and their meanings

From the ‘bee’s knees’ to ‘seeing a man about a horse,’ here are the definitions and origins behind some time-tested (and worn) phrases and words.

Words for Your Writing Toolbox: Get Rid of “Get”

The author shares this advice: "Get rid of get!" Check out her recommended substitutes.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS A SIGN OF YOUR POTENTIAL

The author shares the value of constructive criticism.

Guess Which Tech Words Are Now In the Collins Dictionary?

Here are 29 tech-related words that you may now officially add to your vocabulary list.

Amazeballs and 85 other words enter Collins online dictionary

MORE than 80 words and terms including "blootered", "amazeballs" and "mummy porn" have been added to an online dictionary.

Plain English good. Basic English diabolical.

Plain English is both clear and precise. Basic English is fiendishly difficult for EFL and ESL users. And Global English works for everyone.

Dating Slang Terms

What slang or colloquialisms do you use when referring to dating and relationships?

A SIMPLE PROCESS TO TURN FEAR INTO POWER

The author shares a simple process she uses to pursue her personal passions and visions, despite her fear.

4 Words That Someone Should Have Invented by Now

The author shares some words that he coined.

Back in the day, revisited

Where does the expression back in the day come from?

It's actually quite interesting

Are the words actually and really interchangeable?

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH OUTLINE AND IMPROMPTU SPEECH

The author shares tips on how to perform impromptu speeches.