Writing a Cover Letter when Applying for a Job

Writing a Cover Letter when Applying for a Job

Useful Key Phrases to Use in your own Cover Letters.

• Please accept this letter as an expression of interest in the position of...
• I have enclosed a copy of my resume for your review.
• ...and believe I possess the right combination of....skills.
• My current position .... has provided the opportunity to ...
• I would welcome the opportunity to personally discuss my potential contributions to your company with you.
• I look forward to your reply.

Here is an example of a sample cover letter requesting a position. 

Further Information

The following link is a guide to writing a cover letter.

http://esl.about.com/od/writingintermediate/a/w_cover.htm

Exercise No . 1

Now that you have seen how to write a cover letter, write one as in the sample using your personal information.

Note: this activity is designed to be under your English teacher's supervision.

Commas between Main Clauses-Intermediate

Commas in English

The main rule for the use of commas in English is: Keep your sentences clear. Too many commas might be distracting; too few might make the text difficult to read and understand.
Always check your texts on readability. This requires some practice, however, as first you must know which commas are necessary and which are optional.

Commas between Main Clauses

The comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark in English and the one that provides the most difficulties to writers. Its most common uses are to separate items in a series and to set off or distinguish grammatical elements within sentences.

Use a comma between two main clauses which are separated by and or but.
Example: We ran out of fuel, and the nearest petrol station was 5 miles away.
Use a comma to separate parts of a sentences in a sequence.
Example: She ran down the stairs, opened the door, saw her boyfriend(,) and gave him a kiss.
Don’t use a comma if these parts of the sentence are separated by and or but.
Example: She ran down the stairs and opened the door and saw her boyfriend and gave him a kiss.

Note: Don’t use a comma, but a semi colon, if two main clauses are not separated by and or but.

Exercise No. 1

Instructions: Use commas to separate the main clauses.

Answer Key


If you want to check your answers go to the following link.

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=252456603509406574#editor/target=post;postID=7955894304779849923

Detailed Information

If you want to reinforce this topics go to the following link for a further explanation and clearer examples.

http://rapidsteps.com/en/en/topic/624/Comma+-+Part+1+-+Between+Main+Clauses

Describing Places-Intermediate

Speaking Activity

Improve your speaking skill

Describing places can be something difficult if you don't have a model to follow.Here you have a link with some words, that may help you to improve describing places.

http://rachelhawkes.typepad.com/files/session3_crosscurriculum_geo_describingaplace.pdf

NOTE: The following activity is designed to be under  your English teacher's supervision,because he would be the one who provides you the feedback of this activity.

Simple Modals- Intermediate

SIMPLE MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality – that is, likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation. The following chart is a simple explanation of the modals.

Will		(in future tense)		I will be there.
		(in requests)		Will you do it for me?
Won't		(negative of will)		No, I won't.
Can		(to indicate ability)		I can do it.
		(in requests)		Can you help me?
		(informally to ask permission)		Can I use your phone?
Can't		(negative form of can)		No, you can't.
May		(to indicate possibility)		I may go to New York.
		(to ask permission)		May I help you?
Could		(to indicate past ability)		He could play cards well.
		(to indicate possibility)		I could give you a ride.
		(in requests)		Could you open the door please?
		(to ask permission)		Could I use your restroom?
Couldn't		(negative past tense)		I couldn't help it.
Should		(to express obligation)		I should go to the wedding.
		(to conjecture)		He should be in Miami by now.
Shouldn't		(negative suggestions)		You shouldn't do that.

Exercise No. 1

Instructions: 

Fill in the spaces with the right modal verbs. 

0	I ________ speak English very fluently.	Ability (negative modal)
1	We ________ pay for you.	Intention
2	He doesn't sing very well now, but he ________ sing beautifully when he was a child.	Past ability
3	You ____________ eat those mush­rooms; they ____ be poison­ous.	Advice (negative modal) Possibility
4	It ________rain, but I doubt it.	Possibility
5	I write English well, but I have trouble speaking.... You ______find yourself an English boyfriend...that way you'll improve quick enough!	Advice
6	_______ I help you, madam?	Po­l­ite request
7	You_______ forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The owner is very strict about paying on time.	Obligation (negative modal)
8	___________ we go to eat some ice cream?	Intention
9	Jenny's ring is enormous! It ________ cost a fortune.	Possibility
10	_______ I borrow your car this week­end? No because I need it if I go shop­ping.	Per­mission Possibility
11	That job is only open to university graduates. You __________ have at least a bachelor's degree to apply.	Obligation

Answer Key

If you want to check your answers go to the following link.
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=252456603509406574#editor/target=post;postID=7955894304779849923

Detailed Explanation.

If you did not clearly understand the use of modal verbs go to the following link to reinforce this topic.

http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/modal.htm

Extra Exercises

If you want to keep practicing go to the following linnk.

http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal1.htm

Answer Key Section

Answer Key Section

Past Conditionals

1. I wish I had left home sooner. Now I am stuck in traffic.

2. I wish I had left home sooner. I was late for the party last night.

3. If I had left home sooner, I wouldn't be stuck in traffic.

4. If I hadn't drunk so much last night, I wouldn't have felt so terrible.

MODAL VERBS

0.  can't

1. will

2. could have

3. shouldn't /could

4.could

5. should

6. Could

7. mustn't

8. Should

9. could

10.Could

11. must


Commas between Main Clauses

The wind blew harder, and the sky looked like rain.

He tried to apologize, but she wasn't listening.

He watched her go by, and she blushed.

We went to the restaurant, but it was their closing day.

He saw her at a concert, and it was love at first sight.

Past Conditional Activity-Intermediate

PAST CONDITIONALS  These are used when talking about decisions or actions that you wish had been different. They indicate hypothetical situations from the past using if statements. The following chart shows how to form the past conditional.  Exercise No. 1  Instructions:  fill in the gaps with the appropiate form using past conditional. I wish I _________________home sooner. Now I _______ stuck in traffic. I wish I ________________ home sooner. I ___________late for the party last night. If I ___________________home sooner, I ________________ stuck in traffic. If I __________________so much last night, I ____________________ so terrible. Answer Key If you want to check your answers go to the following link. http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=252456603509406574#editor/target=post;postID=7955894304779849923 Detailed Information If you do not understand the past conditional clearly follow the next link for a clearer explanation of  all the conditionals and some examples. http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditionalintro.html Extra Exercises  If you want to keep practicing the past conditionals go to the following link. http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditional10.htm