Wassailing Tradition: Apple Orchards & Butler Careers
Wassailing: An Ancient Tradition
The name wassailing comes from the Old English phrase ‘waes hael’, which means ‘good health’. The tradition has continued, or been revived, in many of the apple-growing areas of the UK, including Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
There are many variations, but a typical event would take place in the late afternoon or early evening.
Accompanied by a folk band, a Morris side, and/or a lone fiddler, people assemble in the orchard. Alternatively, a Wassail King and Queen,
Read MoreEnglish Conditional Sentences, Modals, and Reported Speech
English Conditional Sentences
Zero Conditional
Present simple for general truths and commands.
First Conditional
If + present simple, will + infinitive. Possible future events.
Example: If it rains today, I’ll stay at home.
Second Conditional
If + past simple, would + infinitive. Hypothetical situations.
Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
Third Conditional
If + past perfect, would have + past participle. Hypothetical past situations.
Example: If I had won the lottery, I would have
Read MoreVocabulary and Idioms: Essential English Terms
Essential English Vocabulary and Idioms
Braille: n. Relief marks that blind people use for reading. Blind: adj. Unable to see. Breakthrough: n. An important advance or discovery. Co-worker: n. A person who works with another in the same place. Discovery: n. The event of discovering something. Dynamite: n. Explosive substance used for breaking rocks. Electromagnetic: adj. Showing movement of positively and negatively charged atoms. Glucose test: n. Assessment of sugar in the blood. Healing: adj. Having
Read MoreMastering English Verb Tenses: Simple, Continuous, Perfect
Present Simple
- I talk, you talk, he/she/it talks, we talk, they talk
- I don’t talk, he/she/it doesn’t talk
- Do you talk? Does he/she/it talk?
- Things that happen habitually. Adverbs of frequency are often used: always, every day, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never
- Generalities or scientific facts. He doesn’t eat vegetables. Elephants live in Africa.
- Scheduled events in the near future. The train leaves at 10:00. The party is tonight.
- Instructions. Open the window. Eat the vegetables! Do your
Top Theme Parks Worldwide: An Interview with Andy Wells
Transcript
Interviewer: Good morning. Today we’re going to talk about theme parks, and we’re going to hear from Andy Wells, who has written a book about theme parks around the world. Welcome to the program, Andy.
Andy: Hi, it’s good to be here.
Interviewer: You really have a dream job, don’t you, Andy? Flying around the world all the time, visiting adventure parks …
Andy: Well, yes, it’s pretty exciting. But it’s really hard work too, you know.
Interviewer: I bet. So, what’s the number one theme park
Read MoreMastering English Future Tenses: Examples
Mastering English Future Tenses
Simple Future
Used for predictions, spontaneous decisions, promises, and offers.
- Take an umbrella! You will get wet if it rains.
- Who do you think will win the race?
- I don’t feel well. I think I will stay home today.
- I’m thirsty. I will order a drink.
- An old man just got on the bus. I will give him my seat.
- I am hungry. I think I will eat something.
- I’m feeling cold and tired. I think I will have a nice hot bath.
- Chris will be happy to hear your news.
Future Continuous
Used
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