MATCHMAKERS

What if you couldn't choose your boyfriend or girlfriend? Some years ago young people couldn't. Matchmakers did! They were always warm accepted in houses. Mostly women were occupied with matchmaking. Their main aim was to find a good match to brides and to bridegrooms. Their services were generously paid, especially when both parts agreed such kind of marriage. In many cases parents decided on behalf of their children to make them engage. Often engagement was organized between under-age-children. Such ceremony was formal and was considered as a kind of verbal declaration of such intentions. Everything was organized by parents with the help of matchmakers.

We're going to pretend we are matchmakers and we have to convince parents how good the boys and girls from our class are. In pairs, student A is the matchmaker and student B is the bride or bridegroom. The aim of the matchmaker is to find as many positive things as possible of student B and tell the class in order to to try to arrange a marriage.



GIRL IN TROUBLE WITH HER MATCHMAKER

Matchmaker:

(Name of girl)

Girl:

Present!

Matchmaker:

Speaking without permission ...

Girl:

Oops ... [They go inside]

Granny:

[to the girl's mother] Who spit in her bean curd?

Matchmaker:

Too skinny ... not good for bearing sons.

Matchmaker:

Recite the Final Admonition.

Girl:

Mmm-hmm-hmm ... 

Matchmaker:

Well?

Girl:

Fulfill your duties, calmly and ... respectively. Um, reflect before you ... snack. Act! This shall bring you honor and glory. 

Matchmaker:

This way. Now, pour the tea. To please your future in-laws, you must demonstrate a sense of dignity. 

Girl:

Um, pardon me ...

Matchmaker:

And silent! [sniffs the tea] Ah ...

Girl:

Could I just take that back? One moment ...

The Matchmaker fights for the teacup, and they both fall back, the tea spilling all over the Matchmaker. 

Matchmaker:

Why, you clumsy! ... Oh! Ah! Woo! [She trips over the fire-pot, spilling the coals and then sitting on them, the bottom of her dress smoking. The matchmaker runs around screaming.]

Outside

Granny:

[To the girl's mother ] I think it's going well, don't you?

The matchmaker runs outside, screaming.

Matchmaker:

Put it out! Put it out! PUT IT OUT! [The girl throws tea over her, putting out the fire. Embarrassed, she hands the teapot to the Matchmaker and quickly walks toward her mother and grandmother]

Matchmaker:

[furious] You are a DISGRACE! You may look like a bride, but you will NEVER bring your family honor!

FIVE SISTERS WAITING FOR HER MATCHMAKER

Five sisters are talking about the matchmaker who is coming. Read their conversation:

Hodel:

Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,

Chava:

She might bring someone wonderful----

Hodel:

Someone interesting----

Chava:

And well off----

Hodel:

And important---

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

Make me a match,

Find me a find,

catch me a catch

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Look through your book,

And make me a perfect match

Chava:

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

I'll bring the veil,

You bring the groom,

Slender and pale.

Bring me a ring for I'm longing to be,

The envy of all I see.

Hodel:

For Papa,

Make him a scholar.

Chava:

For mama,

Make him rich as a king.

Chava and Hodel:

For me, well,

I wouldn't holler

If he were as handsome as anything.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

Make me a match,

Find me a find,

Catch me a catch,

Night after night in the dark I'm alone

So find me match,

Of my own.

(spoken)

Tzeitel:

Since when are you in a match, Chava? I thought you just had your eye on your books.

(Hodel chuckles)

Tzeitel con't:

And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son.

Hodel:

Well, why not?

We only have one Rabbi and he only has one son.

Why shouldn't I want the best?

Tzeitel:

Because you're a girl from a poor family.

So whatever Yenta brings, you'll take, right?

Of course right!

(throws scarf over her head, imitating Yenta)

(singing)

Hodel, oh Hodel,

Have I made a match for you!

He's handsome, he's young!

Alright, he's 62.

But he's a nice man, a good catch, true?

True.

I promise you'll be happy,

And even if you're not,

There's more to life than that---

Don't ask me what.

Chava, I found him.

Won't you be a lucky bride!

He's handsome, he's tall,

That is from side to side.

But he's a nice man, a good catch, right?

Right.

You heard he has a temper.

He'll beat you every night,

But only when he's sober,

So you'll be alright.

Did you think you'd get a prince?

Well I'll find the best I can.

With no dowry, no money, no family background

Be glad you got a man!

Chava:

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

You know that I'm

Still very young.

Please, take your time.

THE IDEAL TEACHER

Does the perfect teacher exist or is it science fiction?
On October, 5th we celebrate the World Teachers' Day.
What do you think makes a good teacher?
Do you have good memories of your teachers? Share them with us. Leave your comments.

Teachers are among the many factors that keep children in school and influence learning. They help students think critically, process information from several sources, work cooperatively, tackle problems and make informed choices.

REPHRASING TESTS 6-10. SOLUTIONS

Use of English Rephrasing Exam 6

(Write 2 to 5 words + use the given word without modification)

(1) If a dog likes you it wags its tail.
FRIENDS
A dog wags its tail if it wants to be friends with you.

(2) Saving money for a rainy day is a wise thing to do.
ASIDE
It is wise to put something aside for a rainy day.

(3) My girlfriend is thinking of living with me.
MOVING
My girlfriend is thinking of moving in with me.

(4) I can't believe what you said.
SURPRISING
I found what you said surprising.

(5) I will be thinking of you all the time you are away.
MISS
I am going to miss you/'m going to miss you the time you are away.

(6) Washing your car in the rain doesn't make sense.
POINT
There is no point in washing your car in the rain.

Use of English Rephrasing Exam 7

(Write 2 to 5 words + use the given word without modification)

(1) John does not like to work.
LAZY
John is a very lazy person.

(2) They think prices will rise next year.
EXPECTED
Prices are expected to rise next year.

(3) Why don't you stop smoking?
WERE
If I were you I would stop smoking.

(4) Although he studied all night, he failed his exam.
DESPITE
He failed his exam despite studying all night.

(5) She was too ill to work.
IMPOSSIBLE
Her illness made it impossible for her to work.

(6) It is normal to give waiters some money for their service.
TIP
It is normal to give waiters a tip for their service.

B2 Use of English Rephrasing Exam 8

(Write 2 to 5 words + use the given word without modification)

(1) They have not seen each other for a long time.
SINCE
It has been a long time since they last met.

(2) Robert started living in London six months ago.
FOR
Robert has been living in London for six months.

(3) If Joe hadn't lost the match he would be happier.
WIN
Joe is unhappy because he didn't win/because he did not win the match.

(4) There used to be more pigeons around here.
NUMEROUS
Pigeons are not as numerous as they used to be.

(5) Your behaviour last night has been widely criticised.
LOT
Your behaviour last night has come in for a lot of criticism.

(6) I need to update my diary.
BRING
I need to bring my diary up to date.

B2 use of English Rephrasing Exam 9

Submitted by admin on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 13:25

(Write 2 to 5 words + use the given word without modification)

(1) We found it difficult to understand his accent.
HAD
We had difficulties understanding his accent.

(2) We couldn't have gone without your help.
BEEN
If it had not been for/hadn't been for your help, we couldn't have gone.

(3) It started to snow as soon as they got there.
THAN
Hardly had they arrived than it started to snow.

(4) I will only do it once I have been paid.
BEEN
Not until I have been paid will/'ve been paid will I do it.

(5) The rumour that they are engaged is not true.
TRUTH
There is no truth in the rumour that they are engaged.

(6) We were too busy to call you yesterday.
SO
We were so busy that we could not call you yesterday.

You got 0 of 6 points

B2 Use of English Exam 10

Submitted by admin on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 13:37

(Write 2 to 5 words + use the given word without modification)

(1) I hate sitting by myself at lunch.
OWN
I hate sitting on my own at lunch.

(2) They should go if the don't want to be late.
BETTER
They had better go if they/'d better go if they don't want to be late.

(3) The bank will be closed so it's not worth going now.
POINT
There's no point going now/no point in going now because the bank will be closed.

(4) We were late getting to the party because the taxi was late.
TIME
If the taxi had been on time we wouldn't have been late getting to the party.

(5) She had never eaten snails before.
FIRST
It was the first time she had ever eaten snails.

(6) Her mother doesn't let her play until she finishes her work.
MAKES
Her mother makes her finish her work before she can play.

LINKERS REPHRASING SOLUTIONS

1.-The Trocadero Plaza is popular with shoppers. The Trocadero Plaza has good public transport. (since, so)

 The Trocadero Plaza has good public transport, so it is popular with shoppers.

The Trocadero Plaza is popular with shoppers since it has good public transport.

 

2.-Most tourists go to Golden Sands Beach. Golden Sands Beach is one of the most polluted in the country. (although, however)

Most tourists go to Golden Sands Beach althought it is one of the most polluted in the country. 

 

Most tourists go to Golden Sands Beach. However, it is one of the most polluted in the country.

3.-I'm going to do a course in Italian next year. I'm going to improve my Mandarin next year. (also, besides)

I'm going to do a course in Italian next year and I'm also going to improve my Mandarin. 

I'm going to do a course in Italian next year. Besides,  I'm going to improve my Mandarin. 

4.-I'm not very good at languages. I'm going to do a course in Mandarin next year. (For this reason, because)

I'm not very good at languages. For this reason, I'm going to do a course in Mandarin next year.

I'm going to do a course in Mandarin next year because I'm not very good at languages. 

 

5.-I'm quite good at languages. I'm going to take courses in Korean, Japanese and French next year. (therefore, as)

I'm quite good at languages. Therefore, I'm going to take courses in Korean, Japanese and French next year.

As I'm quite good at languages. I'm going to take courses in Korean, Japanese and French next year.  

 

6.-The traffic was terrible this morning. I managed to get to work on time. (Nevertheless, although)

The traffic was terrible this morning. Nevertheless, I managed to get to work on time. 

 Although the traffic was terrible this morning, I managed to get to work on time.

 

7.-The traffic was terrible this morning. I was about 25 minutes late for work. (As a result, due to) 

The traffic was terrible this morning. As a result, I was about 25 minutes late for work. 

I was about 25 minutes late for work this morning due to the terrible traffic.   

 

8.-Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking is a waste of money. (not only… but also; apart from) 

Smoking is not only bad for your health but also a waste of money.

Apart from being bad for your health, smoking is a waste of money. 

9.-I don't think Charlie Wong would be a good candidate for this job. He is hard working and reliable. (However; although)

Although Charlie Wong is hard working and reliable,  I don't think he would be a good candidate for this job.

Charlie Wong is hard working and reliable. However, I don't think he would be a good candidate for this job.