BAI

FUN FACTS (9)

10 Fun Facts about Australia

  1. Aboriginal Australians have the world’s oldest continuous living culture—about 65,000 years.
  2. Although Australia is about 90% the size of the continental US, 90% of its population of 28 million live on its coast.
  3. The Australian Alps receive more snowfall than the Swiss Alps. Great skiing in July and August.
  4. The 5,614 km long Dingo Fence was built to keep dingoes away from sheep grazing land. It is longer than the Great Wall of China. Though it is not visible from space like the Great Wall, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast is
  5.  80% of Australia’s animal population is found nowhere else in the world: 87% of its mammals, 93% of reptiles, 94% of frogs, and 45% of birds.
  6. There are 65 different wine regions in Australia, producing over 1 billion liters of wine every year, including the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley.
  7. Australia has so many beaches that it would take 27 years to visit them all if you went to one per day.
  8. There are approximately 50 million kangaroos in Australia—almost double the human population.
  9. Although Australia is home to 20 of the world’s 25 deadliest snakes, the box jellyfish causes more deaths than snakes, sharks, and crocodiles combined.
  10. Shorts: Sydney Harbour is the world’s largest natural harbor; Australia was the second country to grant women the right to vote; voting is mandatory; it is home to the world’s oldest tropical rainforest; there are more camels in Australia than in Egypt; it has several penguin colonies; it is the only continent without an active volcano.

10 dades curioses sobre Austràlia

  1. Els aborígens australians tenen la cultura viva contínua més antiga del món, amb uns 65.000 anys d’antiguitat.
  2. Tot i que Austràlia té aproximadament el 90% de la mida dels Estats Units continentals, el 90% de la seva població de 28 milions de persones viu a la costa.
  3. Els Alps australians reben més neu que els Alps suïssos. Ideal per esquiar al juliol i a l’agost.
  4. La tanca dels dingos, de 5.614 km de longitud, es va construir per mantenir els dingos allunyats de les zones de pastura d’ovelles. És més llarga que la Gran Muralla Xinesa. Tot i que no és visible des de l’espai com la Muralla, la Gran Barrera de Corall de la costa est sí que ho és.
  5. El 80% dels animals d’Austràlia no es troben enlloc més del món: el 87% dels mamífers, el 93% dels rèptils, el 94% de les granotes i el 45% dels ocells.
  6. Austràlia compta amb 65 regions vinícoles diferents i produeix més de mil milions de litres de vi cada any, com ara Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley i Clare Valley.
  7. Austràlia té tantes platges que caldrien 27 anys per visitar-les totes si se’n visités una cada dia.
  8. Hi ha aproximadament 50 milions de cangurs a Austràlia, gairebé el doble de la població humana.
  9. Tot i que Austràlia alberga 20 de les 25 serps més mortals del món, la medusa de caixa provoca més morts que les serps, els taurons i els cocodrils junts.
  10. En resum: el port de Sydney és el port natural més gran del món; Austràlia va ser el segon país a concedir el dret de vot a les dones; el vot és obligatori; acull la selva tropical més antiga del món; hi ha més camells a Austràlia que a Egipte; té diverses colònies de pingüins; és l’únic continent sense volcans actius.

10 datos curiosos sobre Australia

  1. Los aborígenes australianos poseen la cultura viva continua más antigua del mundo, con unos 65.000 años de antigüedad.
  2. Aunque Australia tiene aproximadamente el 90% del tamaño de los Estados Unidos continentales, el 90% de su población de 28 millones vive en la costa.
  3. Los Alpes australianos reciben más nieve que los Alpes suizos. Excelente para esquiar en julio y agosto
  4.  La valla del dingo, de 5.614 km de longitud, se construyó para mantener a los dingos alejados de las zonas de pastoreo de ovejas. Es más larga que la Gran Muralla China. Aunque no es visible desde el espacio como la Muralla, la Gran Barrera de Coral de la costa este sí lo es.
  5. El 80% de los animales de Australia no se encuentra en ningún otro lugar del mundo: el 87% de los mamíferos, el 93% de los reptiles, el 94% de las ranas y el 45% de las aves.
  6. Australia cuenta con 65 regiones vinícolas diferentes y produce más de mil millones de litros de vino al año, incluyendo Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley y Clare Valley.
  7. Australia tiene tantas playas que se necesitarían 27 años para visitarlas todas si se visitara una por día.
  8. Hay aproximadamente 50 millones de canguros en Australia, casi el doble de la población humana.
  9. Aunque Australia alberga 20 de las 25 serpientes más mortales del mundo, la medusa de caja causa más muertes que las serpientes, los tiburones y los cocodrilos juntos.
  10. En resumen: el puerto de Sídney es el puerto natural más grande del mundo; Australia fue el segundo país en conceder el voto a las mujeres; el voto es obligatorio; alberga la selva tropical más antigua del mundo; hay más camellos en Australia que en Egipto; tiene varias colonias de pingüinos; es el único continente sin volcanes activos.

by BAI

FEBRUARY CALENDAR 2026

Each month we will give you a list of special happenings in the UK, USA, and other English-Speaking countries, some serious, others not so much!

1: National Serpent Day

Do you have any snakes at home? If so, today is its special day! Time to celebrate! Historically, religions and cultures have used snakes as symbols of evil, medicine, fertility, and much more. Over 3,500 species of snakes populate the Earth. Fun facts:

  • Only 1/8 of the known species are venomous. 250 species have  venom potent enough to kill an adult human. Strangely, a snake’s head that has been completely cut off can still bite and inject venom for hours afterwards.
  • Some snakes give live birth (30%), whereas the rest lay eggs. Some, but not all, mothers stay with their newborn or eggs to protect them from predators.
  • Snakes eat their prey whole; they cannot chew. Their flexible jaws allow them to swallow large prey. They are strictly carnivorous. That said, some can go for months without eating!
  • Snakes don’t have noses but use their flicking tongue to smell the air around them; without ears, they “hear” by feeling vibrations on their stomachs and jawbones, and they lack eyelids—meaning they sleep with their eyes open. Most snakes are nocturnal.

 

Required attribution text: Photo: Darius Baužys, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1: Saint Brigid's Day

It is derived from the pagan festival Imbolc, which celebrated the coming of spring, is celebrated in Ireland on this same date, February 1. Well, sort of. While this is the official date, it has been moved to the first Monday in February—the 2nd this year—unless the 1st falls on a Friday, then it is celebrated on that date. Got that? All this in order to guarantee a three-day-weekend. Probably not really what the Gaelic or Christian originators had in mind! St. Brigid is a bit controversial in Catholic circles: she was removed by Pope Paul VI from the universal Roman Catholic calendar because the church didn’t approve of her early role as a female bishop and because of some of her “miracle abortions.” Fun fact. Brigid is the female patron saint of Ireland and of brewers.

 


Andreas F. Borchert, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons

2: Groundhog Day

It is a tradition observed regionally in the United States and Canada on this date every year, though it has been made famous by ceremonies held annually in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It originates from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog (or a bear, though groundhogs tend to be safer to observe) emerges from its den on this day and sees its shadow on the ground and returns into the hole, that means there will be six more weeks of winter. However, if the groundhog does not see its shadow, and stays out of its hole, it means that spring is near and will arrive early.​​​ Unfortunately, studies have found no scientific evidence between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather, but it did make for a pretty funny comedy film, “Groundhog Day,” starring Billy Murray.

 


Anthony Quintano from Mount Laurel, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3: National Golden Retriever Day

It is celebrated to honor one of the most cherished dog breeds in the world. Known for their boundless loyalty, friendly demeanor, and affectionate nature, Golden Retrievers have secured a special place in the hearts of families everywhere. Fun Facts:

  • They originated in mid-19th century Scotland as hunting dogs. Incredibly smart, they rank fourth in canine intelligence. (Can you guess the top three? See below.*)
  • They have webbed toes and a water repellant double coat, making them natural swimmers.
  • The breed holds two Guinness World Records: 1) loudest bark at 113.1 decibels; and 2) largest mouth, able to carry six tennis balls in mouth at once.
  • The first ever photo uploaded on Instagram (in 2010) featured a Golden Retriever puppy.
  • Golden Retriever coats vary from dark red gold to a pale cream color. They get darker as they get older. Usually, the color of a puppy’s ears will give a good indication of their adult coloring.

 

* 1) Border Collie; 2) Poodle; 3) German Shepard

 


MichaelMcPhee, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

5: National F*rt Day

It is celebrated (?) on this day. Who knew? Okay, first let’s get this out of the way: everybody does it. The Pope, politicians, your favorite actress, Kings & Queens, billionaire businessmen, your boyfriend or girlfriend. Everybody! According to research, on average, about 14 times a day. Beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, eggs, and dairy products are the usual culprits. The technical term for the gas that builds up is flatus, and when someone passes it out of their body, we say they have flatulence, a mixture of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, sulfur dioxide, and methane. Let’s just leave it there. So, live it up! But please “celebrate” on your own, preferably outdoors.

 


Vox España, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

6: Waitangi Day

is recognized as New Zealand’s national day. It commemorates the first day of the Treaty of Waitangi which was signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. Unfortunately, since the day it was signed, the treaty has been controversial, as it was written in both English and Māori, the former version emphasizing sovereignty for the Crown, and the latter, a partnership to protect Māori land and authority. Almost immediately, it caused a huge increase in the number of Europeans wanting to buy land and settle in New Zealand, which was then sold to them, often without consulting the Māori landowners. Things rarely went much better for the Māori population after that. Perfidious Albion. Some Facts:

  • Māori people first arrived in New Zealand between1320 and 1350. European whalers, seal hunters, and missionaries about 500 years later.
  • The traditional Māori greeting (hongi) involves two people pressing their foreheads and noses together, representing the sharing of the “breath of life.”
  • Māoris are famous for their tattoos, which reflect their social status and tribal affiliation.
  • The famous haka war dance, adopted by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team in 1905, is not only a pre-battle ritual but is also performed to welcome guests, acknowledge great achievements, or to pay respects at funerals.
  • The Māori language (Te Reo), one of three official languages in New Zealand, had no written form until the early 19th century, resulting in a rich tradition of storytelling, complex oral stories and songs.

 


Raymonst3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

8: National Kite Flying Day!

It is believed that kites came from Shandong, an eastern province of China. By 1295, the explorer Marco Polo had introduced kites to Europe and documented how to fly them. In the sixteenth century, books and literature had publicized kites as children’s toys, which helped them gain popularity. Fun facts:

  • The largest flying kite in the world measured 22 x 55 meters.
  • Kite flying was banned in Japan in 1760 because too many people preferred flying kites to working.
  • The largest number of kites flown on a single line is 11,284.
  • The idiom, “Go fly a kite,” means to go away and stop bothering me. 50 million kites are sold in the US every year. Make your own conclusion.


order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

10: Red Tuesday

It is “celebrated” on the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day. According to research, the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day is the top day to break up with your romantic partner. Why? One researcher stated as we get closer to this day of romance and roses, expectations are greater and people start to question if their relationship is measuring up to what they really want. Others compare their feelings to the grand gestures they see of others on social media and note that they will never feel like that with their current partner. And some others end a relationship to avoid being pressured into false declarations of love. The most popular ways of cutting the bond are by text, by phone, and face-to-face—in that order!

And finally, curiously, those who have a lover on the side spend an average of £90 on a gift for their lover, compared to just £50 on a gift for their partner.

 


David Goehring from San Francisco, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

12: Darwin Day 

It is observed every year on this date to honor the “Father of Evolution” on his birthday. This day is a global tribute to Charles Darwin and his legacy that led to groundbreaking transformations in the world of science. Likewise, the satirical Darwin Awards are usually presented on this date: honoring those who “improve the gene pool” by eliminating themselves from it through sheer stupidity. Perhaps not surprisingly, 88.7% of award “winners” have been male and, likewise, many seem to be American. Previous “winners” include:

  • Eric Barcia, of Virginia, who fashioned his own bungee cord, measuring and cutting it at the exact same 20 meters of his jump from bridge to earth—forgetting that bungee cords stretch, with predictable results. RIP, Eric.
  • Wayne Roth of Pennsylvania was bitten by his friend’s cobra snake. “I’m a man. I can handle it,” he told his friend before suggesting they go to a bar for a few drinks, where he died about an hour later but not before boasting about his toughness.
  • In 1979, Nitaro Ito, a Japanese politician, was in a close electoral campaign and decided to gain sympathy and make his opponent look bad by pretending he had been attacked by thugs hired by his competitor. To make it look real, he stabbed himself in the leg—unfortunately he hit a main artery and bled to death.
  • An upstate New York state motorcyclist was participating in a protest against wearing helmets when he accidentally flipped over his handlebars and fatally hit his bare head.
  • Garry Hoy was demonstrating to visiting students in his Chicago office that his high-rise windows were made of unbreakable glass by leaning against them. The glass gave way, sending the businessman 24 floors below to his death.

 

Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons

14: Saint Valentine's Day!

It is celebrated every year on the 14th. For centuries, February was known as the month of love and romance. Today, on this special day, lovers exchange gifts between themselves like roses, chocolates, or even jewelry. But the pagan roots of this romantic holiday date back to ancient Rome, when it was celebrated with animal sacrifice, followed by naked men running through the streets slapping women with the bloody hides of dead goats, which was thought to help with the women’s fertility. The festival was even crazier than that, but we’d better stop here. (You can do your own research.) Saint Valentine was also the patron saint of epilepsy and beekeepers.

 


Glenn Beltz from Goleta, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

21: International Mother Language Day 

It is observed worldwide on this date, celebrating  the linguistic diversity of cultures worldwide. A person’s mother language is the first language that they learn, and for many, it is the strongest connection that they have to their home, their identity, and their culture. Language encompasses tradition, memory, and unique ways of thinking and expressing oneself as it is present in every component of our lives.

As globalization spreads across the world, some languages are in danger of disappearing. Of the estimated 6000 languages currently spoken in the world, 43% are endangered, many deemed as “useless” and replaced by the ones that are more widely spoken, which means that parents and educators don’t teach them to their children, which means that the languages won’t make it past this generation and will eventually die out. Language Facts:

  • Papua New Guinea has roughly 840 languages! The Rotokas language used on one of its small islands has the world’s smallest alphabet with only 11 letters. The Khmer alphabet of Cambodia has the most letters: 74.
  • The Amazonian Tuyuca language is considered one of the most difficult languages due to its 140 verb endings.
  • English adds an estimated 4000 to 5400 new words to its vocabulary every year.
  • Chinese, Sanskrit, and Tamil are the oldest languages with continuous written records still in use today.
  • On the island of La Gomera, some residents use a whistled language to communicate across deep valleys, reaching more than 3 kilometers distance.
  • There are over 300 languages spoken in the US, yet it does not have an official language.

 


JFDP13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

26: Levi Strauss Day

It marks the birthday of Levi Strauss, the founder of Levi Strauss & Co., the first company to make blue jeans. In 1853, in San Francisco, during the California Gold Rush, he started his own clothing business, which he eventually named Levi Strauss & Co. Around 1872, he took out a patent for the denim made trousers with the famous copper rivets around the pocket corners, and this moment is considered the birth of blue jeans. In the 1890s, the original jeans were given the number «501,» and are still known today as Levi’s 501 jeans. In 1936, a red tab was added to the right back pocket of the 501 jeans. It was also in the 1930s that Levi’s made the first jeans for women, which was groundbreaking at the time since women were known for wearing dresses, not pants. Fun Fact: Levi Strauss, a rather formal man, never wore a pair of blue jeans in his entire life!

 


Olgierd Rudak, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

28: Rare Disease Day

It is observed every year on February 28 or on February 29 in leap years. It brings awareness to rare diseases and the challenges faced by those living with them. With around 7,000 rare diseases identified worldwide, awareness remains limited, and treatment options are often insufficient. (In the US, a rare disease is defined as one that affects fewer than 5 people out of a million.) Unfortunately, this means that there often isn’t any treatment for these diseases, or if it exists it is often expensive and inaccessible for many people around the world. By raising public knowledge and advocating for change, Rare Disease Day organizers strive to create a more inclusive and supportive world for those affected. Some diseases are indeed rare:

  • Fergoli Syndrome: a rare disorder in which a person believes that different people are actually a single person in disguise, frequently changing their appearance.
  • Urbach-Wiethe Disease: a genetic disorder that can cause the calcification of the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear, thus making the individual incapable of feeling fear.
  • Foreign Accent Syndrome: usually after a stroke, tumor, or brain injury, a person begins to speak with a distinct “foreign” accent due to damage in the speech-coordination centers of the brain.
  • Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: migraines distort a person’s perception of body and object sizes, imaging their heads, hands, and feet smaller or larger than they are. Patients can also experience hallucinations and the feeling of time passing by either slowly or quickly.
  • Morgellons Disease: Patients feel something is crawling on, stinging, or biting their skin, and may experience related symptoms like rashes and sores.

 


Marvin 101, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

29: Bachelor’s Day or Ladies’ Privilege

. Although 2026 is not a Leap Year—the phenomenon that corrects the calendar every four years—it would an acute failure to mention this ancient Irish tradition. Infused with folklore and romance, it turns the tables on the conventional proposal narrative, allowing women to propose to men every four years on February 29th. The roots of this custom are entwined with the legends of Saint Brigid and Saint Patrick, two of Ireland’s most beloved patron saints. This tradition has not only survived through the centuries but has also been celebrated in popular culture, most notably in the 2012 romantic comedy movie “Leap Year.”

 


Ernst Vikne, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

by BAI

LANGUAGE: Irregular Plurals (3)

Irregular Plurals (3)

Irregular nouns that change substantially / Substantius irregulars que canvien de manera substancial / Sustantivos irregulares que cambian de forma considerable

For a variety of historical reasons, some words change in spelling substantially when made plural.

Per diverses raons històriques, algunes paraules canvien considerablement l’ortografia quan passen al plural.

Por diversas razones históricas, algunas palabras cambian notablemente su ortografía al formar el plural.

Singular Plural
mouse mice
louse lice
die dice
ox oxen
child children
person people
penny pence (in British usage)

by BAI

WHO AM I? (6)

Who am I? (6)

Who am I? Where you are given information or clues about an actor, singer, athlete, politician, or other celebrity, and you guess who they are. Answer at the end. Were you correct?

Qui sóc? On se’t donen informacions o pistes sobre un actor, cantant, atleta, polític o una altra celebritat, i tu has d’endevinar qui és. La resposta és al final. Has encertat?

¿Quién soy? Donde se te da información o pistas sobre un actor, cantante, atleta, político u otra celebridad, y tú debes adivinar quién es. La respuesta está al final. ¿Has acertado?

by BAI

LANGUAGE: Silent Letters (4)

Silent Letters (4)

Silent “G”

Many words in English have silent letters. These are letters that we use in the written word but not when pronouncing them, which can cause mistakes in speech. Every letter in the alphabet, except “F” and “V”, has at least one word with a silent letter! Surprised? Probably not! This is just one more aspect of the English language to master!

The letter “G” is silent in many English words, especially when placed before an “n” or followed by “ht”.

Moltes paraules en anglès tenen lletres mudes. Són lletres que s’utilitzen en la forma escrita de la paraula però que no es pronuncien, cosa que pot provocar errors en parlar. Totes les lletres de l’alfabet, excepte la “F” i la “V”, tenen com a mínim una paraula amb una lletra muda! Sorprès? Probablement no! Aquest és només un aspecte més de la llengua anglesa que cal dominar.

La lletra “G” és muda en moltes paraules angleses, especialment quan va davant d’una “n” o quan va seguida de “ht”.

Muchas palabras en inglés tienen letras mudas. Son letras que se utilizan en la palabra escrita pero que no se pronuncian, lo que puede causar errores al hablar. Todas las letras del alfabeto, excepto la “F” y la “V”, tienen al menos una palabra con una letra muda. ¿Sorprendido? ¡Probablemente no! Este es solo un aspecto más del idioma inglés que hay que dominar.

La letra “G” es muda en muchas palabras en inglés, especialmente cuando aparece antes de una “n” o cuando va seguida de “ht”.

align                                     assign                                 bright                                   champagne

Cologne                              design                                 fight                                      foreign

gnat                                      gnaw                                    gnome                                 high

light                                      night                                    right                                      sigh

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LANGUAGE: English Oddities (3)

English Oddities (3)

English Oddities:

  1. You could consider that the word “queue” has four silent letters.
  2. The verb “lead” rhymes with the present tense pronunciation of the verb “read.”
    Annie and Marta lead the league in goals. I read a chapter of the novel every night.
  3. The noun for the mineral “lead” rhymes with the past and past participle pronunciation of the verb “read.”
    Lead batteries are the oldest rechargeable battery type. I read the book in two days during Christmas.
  4. If you replace the W in where, when, and what with T, you can answer your questions: there, then, that.
  5. “I before E, except after C, except in words like ‘neighbor’ and ‘weigh,’” is a mnemonic rule that almost every English schoolchild is taught at a young age. But that doesn’t account for exceptions like weird, heist, leisure, ancient, efficient, neither, and conscience. Be careful!

Estranyeses de l’anglès:

  1. Podries considerar que la paraula «queue» té quatre lletres mudes.
  2. El verb «lead» rima amb la pronunciació en present del verb «read».
    L’Annie i la Marta lideren la lliga en gols. Llegeixo un capítol de la novel·la cada nit.
  3. El nom del mineral «lead» rima amb la pronunciació en passat i participi del verb «read».
    Les bateries de plom són el tipus de bateria recarregable més antic. Vaig llegir el llibre en dos dies durant Nadal.
  4. Si substitueixes la W de where, when i what per una T, pots respondre les teves preguntes: there, then, that.
  5. «I abans d’E, excepte després de C, excepte en paraules com neighbor i weigh» és una regla mnemotècnica que gairebé tots els escolars anglesos aprenen de petits. Però no té en compte excepcions com weird, heist, leisure, ancient, efficient, neither i conscience. Ves amb compte!

Rarezas del inglés:

  1. Podrías considerar que la palabra «queue» tiene cuatro letras mudas.
  2. El verbo «lead» rima con la pronunciación en presente del verbo «read».
    Annie y Marta lideran la liga en goles. Leo un capítulo de la novela cada noche.
  3. El sustantivo del mineral «lead» rima con la pronunciación en pasado y participio del verbo «read».
    Las baterías de plomo son el tipo de batería recargable más antiguo. Leí el libro en dos días durante Navidad.
  4. Si sustituyes la W de where, when y what por una T, puedes responder a tus preguntas: there, then, that.
  5. «I antes de E, excepto después de C, excepto en palabras como neighbor y weigh» es una regla mnemotécnica que casi todos los escolares ingleses aprenden desde pequeños. Pero no tiene en cuenta excepciones como weird, heist, leisure, ancient, efficient, neither y conscience. ¡Ten cuidado!

by BAI

LANGUAGE: Homophones (5)

Homophones (5)

The Most Common Homophones in the English language

Homophones are two words or more that have the same pronunciation but with different meanings and spellings. For example: new and knew are homophones. Make sure you can distinguish and use the words below correctly. Some are easy, some more difficult! (if you don’t know the meaning of a word, look it up!)

Els homòfons són dues paraules o més que tenen la mateixa pronunciació però significats i grafies diferents. Per exemple: new i knew són homòfons. Assegura’t que saps distingir i utilitzar correctament les paraules de sota. Algunes són fàcils i d’altres més difícils! (si no saps el significat d’una paraula, busca’l!)

Los homófonos son dos palabras o más que tienen la misma pronunciación pero significados y grafías diferentes. Por ejemplo: new y knew son homófonos. Asegúrate de que sabes distinguir y usar correctamente las palabras de abajo. ¡Algunas son fáciles y otras más difíciles! (si no conoces el significado de una palabra, búscalo).

 

                          • flour                             flower
                          • board                           bored
                          • to                                 too                          two
                          • bare                             bear
                          • some                           sum
                          • allowed                       aloud
                          • fair                               fare
                          • symbol                        cymbal

by BAI

SPANISH SPEAKERS (7)

English for Spanish Speakers (7)

 

Frequently Misused / Confused Words: Here are pairs of words that sometimes confuse students (and native-speakers):

Paraules utilitzades incorrectament / paraules que es confonen sovint: Aquí tens parells de paraules que de vegades confonen els estudiants (i també els parlants nadius).

Palabras usadas incorrectamente / palabras que se confunden con frecuencia: Aquí hay pares de palabras que a veces confunden a los estudiantes (y también a los hablantes nativos).

 

ADAPT: To adjust to a particular situation, use, or area. Ajustar-se a una situació, ús o entorn determinat. Ajustarse a una situación, uso o entorno determinado

ADOPT: To accept and use as one’s own. Acceptar i utilitzar com a propi. Aceptar y usar como propio.

EMPATHY: Sharing another’s feelings, often because one has experienced similar ones. Compartir els sentiments d’una altra persona, sovint perquè s’han viscut experiències similars. Compartir los sentimientos de otra persona, a menudo porque se han vivido experiencias similares

SYMPATHY: Understanding and agreeing with another person’s feelings. Comprendre i estar d’acord amb els sentiments d’una altra persona. Comprender y compartir los sentimientos de otra persona.

DESSERT: Sweet food eaten at the end of a meal (noun). Menjar dolç que es menja al final d’un àpat. Comida dulce que se come al final de una comida.

DESERT: A hot, dry place (noun); to abandon someone in a disloyal way (verb). Lloc càlid i sec (nom); abandonar algú de manera deslleial (verb). Lugar caluroso y seco (sustantivo); abandonar a alguien de forma desleal (verbo).

IT’S: Contraction of it is or it has. Contracció de it is o it has. Contracción de it is o it has.

ITS: Shows possession or belonging. Indica possessió o pertinença. Indica posesión o pertenencia.

 

 

Here are a few more commonly misspelled words:

Aquí tens algunes paraules més que s’escriuen malament habitualment.

Aquí hay algunas palabras más que se escriben mal con frecuencia.

language                            width                                   believe                                tragedy

cashier                                buoy                                     accessible                        relevant

by BAI

PUB QUIZ (6)

Pub Quiz (6)

A pub quiz is a contest normally held in a bar or pub. It’s a modern example of a pub game, becoming part of British culture in the 1970s, and soon afterwards introduced into Irish pubs and then spreading internationally. It involves rounds of quiz questions addressed to teams of players, touching on general knowledge (geography, science, & nature), sport, entertainment, true & false, Who am I? (see above), music, puzzles, and more. Test yourself, learn more vocabulary, and amaze your friends with your knowledge!

Un pub quiz és un concurs que normalment té lloc en un bar o pub. És un exemple modern de joc de pub, que es va convertir en part de la cultura britànica als anys 1970 i, poc després, es va introduir als pubs irlandesos i es va estendre internacionalment. Consisteix en rondes de preguntes dirigides a equips de participants, que tracten sobre coneixements generals (geografia, ciència i natura), esport, entreteniment, vertader o fals, Qui sóc? (Who am I?), música, trencaclosques i més. Posa’t a prova, aprèn més vocabulari i deixa els teus amics bocabadats amb els teus coneixements!

Un pub quiz es un concurso que normalmente se celebra en un bar o pub. Es un ejemplo moderno de juego de pub, que pasó a ser parte de la cultura británica en la década de 1970 y, poco después, se introdujo en los pubs irlandeses y se difundió internacionalmente. Consiste en rondas de preguntas dirigidas a equipos de jugadores, que abarcan conocimientos generales (geografía, ciencia y naturaleza), deporte, entretenimiento, verdadero o falso, ¿Quién soy yo? (Who am I?), música, rompecabezas y más. ¡Ponte a prueba, aprende más vocabulario y sorprende a tus amigos con tus conocimientos!

by BAI

FUN FACTS (8)

10 Fun Facts about the recent and current British Royal Family

  1. Members of the royal family are not permitted to sign autographs.

  2. The king or queen does not need either a passport or a driving licence to travel within or outside the UK, as both official documents are issued in the monarch’s name.

  3. All royal women are expected to wear either nude or black tights during official engagements if they are wearing a skirt or dress—no bare legs!

  4. Royals are strongly advised against eating shellfish while on official engagements, whether mussels, clams, or prawns. This “rule” was reportedly introduced to avoid the risk of food poisoning while on official business.

  5. King Charles has his shoelaces ironed every day. Additionally, a servant squeezes exactly one inch of toothpaste onto his toothbrush each morning.

  6. According to reports, there was a bizarre but long-standing tradition whereby, before the traditional Christmas lunch on 25 December, Queen Elizabeth II asked her guests at Sandringham to weigh themselves, and then do so again after the meal. The idea was to ensure everyone had eaten as much as they wanted.

  7. Queen Elizabeth II was able to outsource many of life’s more tedious chores. For example, she had someone break in her shoes for her—a servant would wear them until they were comfortable and then pass them on to the Queen.

  8. Two of Queen Elizabeth II’s cousins were kept out of public view and, in the early 1940s, were admitted to a mental health institution in their teens and early twenties. They were soon officially listed as deceased. It was later discovered that one died in 1986 at the age of 67 and the other in 2014 at 88, with members of the royal family unaware they had been alive all those years.

  9. The board game Monopoly is considered “out of bounds” for the royal family, as it can become “too vicious,” according to one source, causing too many family arguments. Queen Elizabeth’s favourite game was said to be charades.

  10. There is an ATM in the basement of Buckingham Palace for members of the royal family.

 

10 dades curioses sobre la família reial britànica recent i actual

  1. Als membres de la família reial no se’ls permet signar autògrafs.

  2. El rei o la reina no necessiten ni passaport ni carnet de conduir per viatjar dins o fora del Regne Unit, ja que tots dos documents oficials s’expedeixen a nom del monarca.

  3. S’espera que totes les dones de la família reial portin mitges de color carn o negres en actes oficials si duen faldilla o vestit —res de cames descobertes!

  4. Es recomana fermament als membres de la reialesa que no mengin marisc durant compromisos oficials, ja siguin musclos, cloïsses o gambes. Aquesta “norma” es va establir, segons sembla, per evitar el risc d’intoxicació alimentària durant actes oficials.

  5. El rei Carles fa planxar els cordons de les sabates cada dia. A més, un servent li posa exactament una polzada de pasta de dents al raspall cada matí.

  6. Segons alguns informes, hi havia una tradició estranya però de llarga durada segons la qual, abans del dinar de Nadal del 25 de desembre, la reina Elisabet II demanava als seus convidats a Sandringham que es pesessin, i que ho tornessin a fer després de dinar. La idea era assegurar-se que tothom hagués menjat tant com volgués.

  7. La reina Elisabet II podia delegar moltes de les feines més feixugues de la vida quotidiana. Per exemple, tenia algú que li estrenava les sabates: un servent se les posava fins que fossin còmodes i després les hi passava.

  8. Dos cosins de la reina Elisabet II van ser mantinguts fora de la vista pública i, a principis de la dècada de 1940, van ser ingressats en una institució de salut mental quan tenien entre l’adolescència i els primers anys de la vintena. Poc després, van ser declarats oficialment morts. Més tard es va descobrir que un va morir el 1986 als 67 anys i l’altre el 2014 als 88, sense que la família reial sabés que havien estat vius durant tot aquell temps.

  9. El joc de taula Monopoly es considera “prohibit” per a la família reial, ja que, segons una font, pot arribar a ser “massa agressiu” i provocar massa discussions familiars. Es diu que el joc preferit de la reina Elisabet era el de les xarrades (charades).

  10. Hi ha un caixer automàtic al soterrani del Palau de Buckingham per als membres de la família reial.

 

10 datos curiosos sobre la familia real británica reciente y actual

  1. A los miembros de la familia real no se les permite firmar autógrafos.

  2. El rey o la reina no necesitan ni pasaporte ni permiso de conducir para viajar dentro o fuera del Reino Unido, ya que ambos documentos oficiales se expiden a nombre del monarca.

  3. Se espera que todas las mujeres de la realeza lleven medias color carne o negras en actos oficiales si visten falda o vestido —¡nada de piernas descubiertas!

  4. Se aconseja firmemente a los miembros de la realeza que no coman marisco durante compromisos oficiales, ya sean mejillones, almejas o gambas. Esta “norma” se implantó, según se dice, para evitar el riesgo de intoxicación alimentaria durante actividades oficiales.

  5. El rey Carlos hace que le planchen los cordones de los zapatos todos los días. Además, un sirviente pone exactamente una pulgada de pasta de dientes en su cepillo cada mañana.

  6. Según diversos informes, existía una tradición extraña pero de larga duración según la cual, antes del almuerzo de Navidad del 25 de diciembre, la reina Isabel II pedía a sus invitados en Sandringham que se pesaran, y que lo hicieran de nuevo después de comer. La idea era asegurarse de que todos hubieran comido todo lo que quisieran.

  7. La reina Isabel II podía delegar muchas de las tareas más tediosas de la vida diaria. Por ejemplo, tenía a alguien que le diera uso a sus zapatos nuevos: un sirviente los llevaba puestos hasta que resultaban cómodos y luego se los entregaba a la reina.

  8. Dos primos de la reina Isabel II fueron mantenidos fuera de la vista pública y, a principios de la década de 1940, fueron internados en una institución de salud mental cuando eran adolescentes y jóvenes de poco más de veinte años. Poco después fueron declarados oficialmente fallecidos. Más tarde se descubrió que uno murió en 1986 a los 67 años y el otro en 2014 a los 88, sin que la familia real supiera que habían estado vivos durante todo ese tiempo.

  9. El juego de mesa Monopoly se considera “prohibido” para la familia real, ya que, según una fuente, puede volverse “demasiado agresivo” y provocar demasiadas discusiones familiares. Se dice que el juego favorito de la reina Isabel era el de las adivinanzas (charades).

  10. Hay un cajero automático en el sótano del Palacio de Buckingham para los miembros de la familia real.

by BAI