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The Present Perfect Case Of The Missing Necklace

 

As you read or listen, pay attention to how the present perfect is used to describe what people have done, seen or experienced - and how this affects the investigation.

The Case of the Missing Necklace: Part 1

Detective Clara Parker arrived at the mansion just as the rain began to pour. Mrs. Devereaux had called in a panic—her priceless diamond necklace was missing.

“Thank you for coming, Detective!” Mrs. Devereaux said. “My necklace is gone! I wore it to the charity ball last night, and I’m certain I checked the jewelry box this morning. It was still there then.”

Clara raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? You’re positive you saw it this morning?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Devereaux insisted, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “I think so… I remember looking.”

Clara nodded and took out her notebook. “Who’s been in the house today?”

“Only my assistant, Julia, and the gardener, Mr. Lyons,” she replied. “Julia has been with me for years, and Mr. Lyons comes every Tuesday. I can’t imagine either of them taking it.”

Clara decided to speak to both. She found Julia in the kitchen. “Julia, have you seen anything unusual today?”

Julia frowned. “No, Detective. I took some mail upstairs for Mrs. Devereaux this morning, but I didn’t go into her jewelry box. I’ve never touched her things.”

Clara continued, “And when was the last time you saw the necklace?”

Julia hesitated. “Well, I saw Mrs. Devereaux wearing it at the ball last night. But this morning, when I was in her room, the jewelry box was closed.”

Clara nodded and then found Mr. Lyons in the garden. “Mr. Lyons, were you inside the house today?”

“Yes, I came in to get some water and saw Mrs. Devereaux looking worried around noon. But I haven’t been beyond the kitchen,” he said.

Clara returned to Mrs. Devereaux. “You mentioned that you *checked* the jewelry box this morning. Do you actually remember *seeing* the necklace, or were you assuming it was there because it was supposed to be?”

Mrs. Devereaux looked down. “I suppose… now that you ask, I don’t actually remember seeing it. I assumed it was there because I put it back last night.”

Clara’s eyes narrowed. “So you haven’t actually seen it today. And Julia mentioned that the jewelry box was closed when she took the mail upstairs. That means you only thought it was there because you remember putting it back last night. There’s a chance it was already gone.”

Mrs. Devereaux gasped. “Do you think it was stolen at the ball?”

Clara nodded. “It’s quite possible. You haven’t actually checked today, so the necklace might never have come home with you. I suggest you start by asking the valet or anyone who helped you with your coat or jewelry last night. The necklace could have gone missing there.”

The Case of the Missing Necklace: Part 2

Detective Clara Parker left the mansion with a new lead: the necklace might have been stolen the night before, at the charity ball. She decided to pay a visit to the event coordinator, Ms. Fields, who had been responsible for the guest list and valet services.

At the event hall, Ms. Fields greeted her warmly. “Detective, I’ve been expecting you since I heard about the missing necklace. Mrs. Devereaux left the ball in quite a hurry last night.”

Clara raised an eyebrow. “Have you noticed anything unusual about her behavior recently?”

Ms. Fields nodded. “Yes, she seemed flustered last night. She told me she’d misplaced something—a bracelet, I think—and was searching for it. She hasn’t mentioned it today, but she was clearly very concerned about her jewelry.”

Clara noted this down. “And who was working with the guests?”

Ms. Fields replied, “One of our valet staff, Tim. He’s been with us for a year now and has handled many of these events.”

Clara tracked down Tim, who was cleaning up in the staff room. “Tim, I need to ask you a few questions. You’ve worked at these events often, haven’t you?”

Tim nodded, looking slightly nervous. “Yes, I’ve worked many events, Detective.”

“Did you help Mrs. Devereaux with her coat last night?”

“Yes, I did,” Tim replied. “She was one of the last guests to leave, and she’d been looking for a bracelet. But I noticed she was still wearing the necklace. I’ve seen her wearing it at other events, and it always catches attention.”

Clara’s eyes narrowed. “And did you see her taking it off at any point?”

Tim thought for a moment. “No, I didn’t see her taking it off. But I remember another guest, Ms. Harrington, speaking to her as she was about to leave. I believe they’ve had some history.”

Clara returned to Mrs. Devereaux. “Mrs. Devereaux, does Ms. Harrington have any connection to your necklace? Has she shown interest in it before?”

Mrs. Devereaux sighed. “Yes, she’s admired it for years. We’ve known each other for a long time, and she’s always wanted to own a piece like this. Last night, she asked to see it up close. I was rushing to leave, so I might have handed it to her briefly.”

Clara realized this might be the break in the case. She decided to speak with Ms. Harrington, whom she found at a local café. “Ms. Harrington, I’m investigating Mrs. Devereaux’s missing necklace. She told me that you were one of the last people to see it.”

Ms. Harrington smiled, looking unfazed. “Yes, I admired it last night. I’ve always thought it was a lovely piece.”

Clara pressed on. “And you took the necklace, didn’t you?”

Ms. Harrington’s face reddened. “I… I may have held onto it for a moment. She was in such a rush, and I didn’t think she’d notice. I thought I might keep it safe and return it later.”

Clara looked stern. “I’ll need to search your bag. We have reason to believe you took the necklace.”

Reluctantly, Ms. Harrington handed over her purse. Inside, Clara found a small velvet pouch containing Mrs. Devereaux’s diamond necklace.

Clara returned the necklace to Mrs. Devereaux, explaining how the truth had come to light. By carefully distinguishing between assumptions and facts, the case was solved, and Mrs. Devereaux had her prized possession back once again.

TED Talks For Better English

 

TED Talks are a great way to improve your English and learn something new. These 5 tips will help you learn more and learn faster:

1 Watch without subtitles 

Listen for the main ideas.

2 Watch with subtitles

Click on “Subtitles”, select “English”. Listen for more details.

3 Read the transcript

Click on “Interactive transcript”. Read the text, highlight new vocabulary and interesting points.

4 Work on vocabulary

Check new words (8-10 per talk) and write a sentence using each word. Write the words on sticky notes or use a flashcard app like Quizlet to study them. Remember to use the new words in conversations, in your class, in meetings, etc.

5 Learning by teaching

Share your knowledge. In English, summarize the talk for a friend, discuss the topic with a colleague or your teacher.

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If you are new to TED Talks, you need to know this:

a) Click on “interactive transcript” to see the full Talk in English. You can click on any word to go directly to that part of the video and hear it. Helpful!

b) If the TED Talk is difficult to understand, you can usually find subtitles in Portuguese to help you.

c) You can search by subject, or you can search by “rating” and select ratings like “fascinating,” “informative” or “inspiring. If you want a short video, you can search for talks that are less than three or five minutes.

Links

• How to sound smart in your TED Talk
• Find the perfect TED Talk

Indirect Questions

 

Have a look at this conversation.

Me: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the nearest station is?
Person in the street: Certainly. It's along that road on the right.
Me: Thank you. And do you know if there's a supermarket near here?
Person in the street: Yes, there's one next to the station.
Me: Thank you very much for your help.

I use indirect questions when I'm asking for help in the street, because they are very polite. Indirect questions start with a phrase like 'could you tell me...' or 'do you know...'. For example:

Direct question: Where is the bank?
Indirect question: Could you tell me where the bank is?

Notice that in the indirect question I put the verb ('is') after the subject ('the bank'), in the same way as I do with a normal positive sentence ('the bank is over there'), but in the direct question I put the verb 'is' before the subject 'the bank'. This is called inversion, and it is used to make direct questions in many verb tenses in English, but we don't use inversion in indirect questions. This is very similar to the grammar of reported questions. However, we use indirect questions in a different way from reported questions. Indirect questions are a way of being polite. They are very, very common in English, especially when you're talking to someone you don't know.

'Yes / No' Questions

To make an indirect 'yes / no' question, we use 'if' and the word order of a normal positive sentence. This is the same as for reported 'yes / no' questions. On the other hand, we don't usually need to 'backshift' (change the tense of the verb) as we do with reported questions.

Of course, most tenses make questions by using 'inversion' (changing the word order). To change from a direct 'yes / no' question with inversion to an indirect question, you add 'if' and change the word order back to a normal positive sentence. You don't need to use inversion.

'Yes / no' questions for tenses with inversion:

Verb Tense	Direct Question	Indirect Question
Present simple with 'be'	Is he Spanish?	Can you tell me if he is Spanish?
Present continuous	Is the restaurant closing now?	Can you tell me if the restaurant is closing now?
Past simple with 'be'	Was he late for the meeting?	Can you tell me if he was late for the meeting?
Past continuous	Were you watching TV at 3pm?	Can you tell me if you were watching TV at 3pm?
Present perfect	Has Lucy been to Mexico?	Can you tell me if Lucy has been to Mexico?
Present perfect continuous	Has she been living here long?	Can you tell me if she has been living here long?
Past perfect	Had she found this job when she moved here?	Can you tell me if she had found this job when she moved here?
Past perfect continuous	Had she been living here long when she met you?	Can you tell me if she had been living here long when she met you?
Future simple with 'will'	Will she start her new job next week?	Can you tell me if she will start her new job next week?
Future simple with 'going to'	Is it going to rain later?	Can you tell me if it is going to rain later?
Future continuous	Will Lisa be meeting the boss later?	Can you tell me if Lisa will be meeting the boss later?
Future perfect	Will he have finished the report by tonight?	Can you tell me if he will have finished the report by tonight?
Future perfect continuous	Will he have been studying French for twenty years when he retires?	Can you tell me if he will have been studying French for twenty years when he retires?
Modal verbs	Should we start now?	Can you tell me if we should start now?

'Yes / no' questions with tenses that use 'do / does / did':

Sometimes you want to make an indirect question using the present simple of any verb except 'be' or the past simple of any verb except 'be'. These tense make direct questions by using 'do / does / did'. When we want to make indirect 'yes / no' questions using these tenses, we need 'if' and we don't need 'do / does / did'.

Verb Tense	Direct Question	Indirect Question
Present simple with any verb except 'be'	Does David live in London?	Can you tell me if David lives in London?
Past simple with any verb except 'be'	Did Amanda call John yesterday?	Can you tell me if Amanda called John yesterday?

'Wh' Questions

In the same way as with reported 'wh' questions, we use the question word and the word order of a normal positive sentence to make indirect 'wh' questions. We don't need to use inversion. Again, we also don't usually need to 'backshift' (change the tense of the verb) as we do with reported questions.

To change a direct question to an indirect question for tenses that make questions using inversion, you just add 'if' and change the word order back to a normal positive sentence.

'Wh' questions for tenses with inversion:

Verb Tense	Direct Question	Indirect Question
Present simple with 'be'	Why is he unhappy?	Can you tell me why he is unhappy?
Present continuous	When is the restaurant closing?	Can you tell me when the restaurant is closing?
Past simple with 'be'	Why was he late for the meeting?	Can you tell me why he was late for the meeting?
Past continuous	What were you doing at 3pm?	Can you tell me what you were doing at 3pm?
Present perfect	Where has Lucy been?	Can you tell me where Lucy has been?
Present perfect continuous	How long has she been living here?	Can you tell me how long she has been living here?
Past perfect	Why had she quit her job before she moved here?	Can you tell me why she had quit her job before she moved here?
Past perfect continuous	How long had she been living here when she met you?	Can you tell me how long she had been living here when she met you?
Future simple with 'will'	When will she start her new job?	Can you tell me when she will start her new job?
Future simple with 'going to'	When is it going to rain?	Can you tell me when it is going to rain?
Future continuous	What time will Lisa be meeting the boss?	Can you tell me what time Lisa will be meeting the boss?
Future perfect	When will he have finished the report?	Can you tell me when he will have finished the report?
Future perfect continuous	How long will he have been studying French when he retires?	Can you tell me how long he will have been studying French when he retires?
Modal verbs	What should we do now?	Can you tell me what we should do now?

'Wh' questions for tenses with 'do / does / did':

Sometimes you want to make an indirect 'wh' question using the present simple of any verb except 'be' or the past simple of any verb except 'be'. Usually these tenses make questions by using 'do / does / did'. However, when we want to make indirect 'wh' questions using these tenses, we don't need 'do / does / did'. Instead, we use a question word and then normal positive sentence word order.

Verb Tense	Direct Question	Indirect Question
Present simple with any verb except 'be'	Where does David live?	Can you tell me where David lives?
Past simple with any verb except 'be'	Why did Amanda call John yesterday?	Can you tell me why Amanda called John yesterday?

Common Problems

It can be difficult to remember to put the verb after the subject, especially when the indirect question is in the present simple tense of 'be'. For example, we need to say:

Could you tell me where the station is?

NOT:

Could you tell me where is the station?

Adapted from www.perfectenglishgrammar.com

🇬🇧 Critical English Prepositions 🇧🇷

1. AT

🧠 Tip: Use for specific points in time or space.

• ✅ at 5pm

• ✅ at the door

• ✅ at night

• ✅ at school / at work

• ❌ in night → ✅ at night

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2. IN

🧠 Tip: Use for inside something, or months/years/longer periods.

• ✅ in the room

• ✅ in July / in 1995

• ✅ in Brazil

• ❌ on Brazil → ✅ in Brazil

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3. ON

🧠 Tip: Use for surfaces and specific days/dates.

• ✅ on the table

• ✅ on Monday / on July 4th

• ✅ on TV / on the phone

• ❌ in Monday → ✅ on Monday

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4. TO

🧠 Tip: Use for direction and movement toward a target.

• ✅ go to work / to the bank

• ✅ give it to me

• ❌ arrived to the airport → ✅ arrived at the airport

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5. FOR

🧠 Tip: Use for purpose, benefit, or duration.

• ✅ This gift is for you.

• ✅ I worked there for 3 years.

• ✅ It’s good for your health.

• ❌ good to your health → ✅ good for your health

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6. BY

🧠 Tip: Use for who did something, how, or deadlines.

• ✅ a book by Paulo Coelho

• ✅ travel by car / by plane

• ✅ finish it by Friday

• ❌ finish until Friday → ✅ finish by Friday

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7. ABOUT

🧠 Tip: Use to talk about subjects or topics.

• ✅ talk about the movie

• ✅ a book about history

• ❌ speak of politics → ✅ speak about politics

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8. FROM

🧠 Tip: Use for origin, distance, or difference.

• ✅ I’m from Brazil.

• ✅ 2 km from here

• ✅ different from you

• ❌ different of you → ✅ different from you

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9. OVER / ABOVE

🧠 Tip:

• Use “over” for movement or covering.

• Use “above” for position or level.

• ✅ The plane flew over the city.

• ✅ The shelf is above the bed.

• ✅ The blanket is over the bed.

• ❌ the shelf is over the bed → “above” is clearer

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10. UNDER / BELOW

🧠 Tip:

• Use “under” for direct physical position.

• Use “below” more for measurement, rank, or abstract level.

• ✅ The pen is under the table.

• ✅ The temperature is below zero.

• ✅ He ranked below average.

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🎯 Expanded: Bonus Confusing Pairs

🇵🇹 Common Mistake (Translation)	🇬🇧 Correct Preposition	💬 Explanation
depend of	depend on	Depender de = depend on
married with	married to	“Casado com” = married to
similar with	similar to	“Semelhante a” = similar to
listen music	listen to music	“Ouvir música” needs to in English
think in you	think about you	“Pensar em” = think about
arrive in the airport	arrive at the airport	Use at for points like airports, stations
good to your health	good for your health	“Bom para” = good for
explain me this	explain this to me	“Explicar algo para alguém” → explain something to someone
ask to someone	ask someone	No preposition needed: “ask her a question”
answer to the question	answer the question	No “to” needed with “answer”

We Are All Hired to Do the Same Job

Yes, that's right. Doctors, engineers, managers, factory workers, even astronauts... We were all hired to do the same job: solve problems. Peel back the layers of your job description and you'll see that at the heart of it, we are all engaged in the same fundamental task: solving problems. This is not just a philosophical musing—it's a powerful mindset that can transform how you approach job interviews, making you more confident, assertive, and impactful.

The Consultant Mindset

Imagine walking into your next job interview not as a candidate tentatively hoping to be chosen but as a consultant ready to offer valuable solutions. This shift in viewpoint changes the dynamics of the interview entirely. You're no longer there to be judged; you're there to discuss how you can help the company overcome its challenges. It's a subtle but profound shift that can dramatically boost your confidence and change how potential employers perceive you.

Positioning Yourself as a Problem-Solver

Every company has its unique set of challenges, whether it's improving efficiency, enhancing product quality, or breaking into new markets. By positioning yourself as someone who understands these challenges and has the skills and experience to address them, you signal to potential employers that you're a valuable asset. It's about articulating your experiences and skills as a unique value proposition, emphasizing your ability to contribute solutions from day one.

Preparation Is Key

To effectively adopt this consultant mindset, preparation is crucial. It involves researching the company's industry, its position within that industry, recent developments, and any challenges it might be facing. This knowledge allows you to tailor your "consultation" to the company's needs, demonstrating your initiative and critical thinking skills.

Engaging in a Consultative Dialogue

An interview should be a two-way conversation, not a one-sided interrogation. Engage the interviewer in a discussion about the company's challenges and how you envision addressing these issues. This consultative dialogue not only showcases your problem-solving skills but also demonstrates your proactive approach to contributing value.

Asking Insightful Questions

A consultant doesn't just offer solutions; they also ask questions to better understand the client's needs. Similarly, prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the company's challenges and your eagerness to contribute to solutions. This approach helps you assess if the company's problems are ones you're excited about solving and demonstrates your strategic thinking to the interviewer.

Sharing Success Stories

Just as a consultant would share case studies of past successes, you should share specific examples of how you've solved similar problems in the past. Discuss the strategies you employed, the challenges you overcame, and the outcomes achieved. These success stories serve as tangible evidence of your ability to add value to the company.

Framing the Role as a Partnership

Instead of viewing the job as a mere list of duties, discuss how you see the role as a partnership aimed at achieving shared objectives. This perspective highlights your commitment to adding value and views the employment relationship as collaborative and mutually beneficial.

The Power of Perspective

Adopting the mindset that every job is fundamentally about solving problems not only boosts your confidence during interviews but also makes you a more memorable and impactful candidate. It transforms the interview from a high-stress test into a professional meeting where both parties are evaluating a potential partnership. This shift in perspective can be the key to unlocking not just any job, but the right job where you can truly make a difference.

Pronunciation and Spelling with I Love Lucy

English spelling and pronunciation are not always identical.

Did you know there are eight (EIGHT!) ways to pronounce the sound of "ough"?

Here are some examples from I Love Lucy.

Different ways to pronounce "ough"

English is not phonetic! In some languages, you look at a word and know how to pronounce it.  But in English you need to be more careful.

Take the letters "ough", for example. They are in many words, but do not always sound the same.

How many different ways do you think "ough" can be pronounced? Two ways? Three? Four? More?

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Present Perfect: A Guide for Advanced English Learners

 

The present perfect tense is one of English’s most distinctive forms, blending past and present in a way that often confuses even advanced learners. If you’ve ever wondered why the present perfect can be tricky or want a deeper understanding of how it works, this guide is for you. We’ll explore its core uses, common challenges, and nuances to help you use it with confidence.

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Understanding the Basics of the Present Perfect

The present perfect is formed with have/has + past participle. Its main uses are:

1. Expressing Experience:

   • “I have visited Paris.” This means that, at some point in your life, you experienced Paris. It doesn’t matter when, only that you have done it.

2. Indicating Recent Actions with Present Relevance:

   • “She has just finished her homework.” Here, the action is recent and still relevant. The homework is done, and maybe now she’s free to do something else.

3. Describing States Starting in the Past and Continuing to the Present:

   • “They have been friends for years.” This tells us that the friendship began in the past and continues today.

The present perfect can be challenging because it bridges past and present in a way that doesn’t exist in every language. Unlike the simple past, which is used for actions that are entirely completed, the present perfect often implies a connection between the past action and the present moment.

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Why Is the Present Perfect Difficult?

1. The Concept of “Present Relevance”

One reason the present perfect is challenging is its focus on present relevance. When we say, “I have eaten lunch,” we’re not interested in when the lunch happened, but in the fact that we’re no longer hungry now. This concept can feel abstract, especially for learners whose native languages use past tenses differently.

2. Choosing Between Simple Past and Present Perfect

This is a common challenge for learners. The simple past tells us that an action happened at a specific time, which is usually mentioned or implied: “I saw that movie last week.” The present perfect, on the other hand, implies experience or completion without a specific time: “I have seen that movie.” Here, the movie-watching experience could have happened at any point in the past.

• Example:
  • “Did you see the new movie?” (simple past, because the speaker is thinking about a specific time)
  • “Have you seen the new movie?” (present perfect, focusing on the experience itself rather than when it happened)

3. The Role of Adverbs

Adverbs like “just,” “yet,” “already,” and “ever” are often paired with the present perfect to add nuance:

• “She has just left.” (Emphasizing the recentness)
• “Have you finished yet?” (Asking about completion)
• “I’ve already done it.” (Highlighting that the action was done before expected)

Some time expressions, like “yesterday” or “last year,” can’t be used with the present perfect because they specify a past time, which clashes with the tense’s open-ended nature. This difference in time reference adds another layer of difficulty.

4. Context and Variations in English

In spoken British and American English, the present perfect is sometimes used differently. For example, British speakers might say, “I’ve just eaten,” while American speakers might choose, “I just ate,” with a simple past. These subtle differences can make it challenging for learners to know when to use one form over the other, especially if they’re exposed to both versions.

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Advanced Nuances of the Present Perfect

1. Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

For added emphasis on duration or ongoing action, English also has the present perfect continuous. Compare:

• “I have lived here for five years.” (present perfect, emphasizing the total time up to now)
• “I have been living here for five years.” (present perfect continuous, focusing on the ongoing experience)

2. Emphasis with the Present Perfect

Sometimes, the present perfect is used to emphasize how often or how many times something has happened:

• “I have told you three times!” (Emphasizing repetition)
• “She has read that book five times!” (Highlighting frequency)

3. Expressing Life Experiences and Milestones

The present perfect is often used to highlight significant achievements or events in one’s life. It conveys a sense of reflection or personal history:

• “I have traveled to 15 countries.”
• “He has written three books.”

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Why Mastering the Present Perfect Matters

Understanding the present perfect allows you to express nuanced ideas about time, experiences, and accomplishments. It’s not just about “getting it right”—it’s about expanding your ability to communicate with subtlety and precision. Mastering this tense can make your English sound more natural and engaging, especially in conversations about life experiences and achievements.

Practical Tips for Mastery

• Pay attention to context: Notice when native speakers use the present perfect and try to understand the implied meaning or relevance to the present.
• Practice with adverbs: Use adverbs like “already” and “yet” to reinforce your understanding of the tense’s nuances.
• Compare and contrast: Do exercises where you switch between simple past and present perfect to get a better feel for the differences.

By taking the time to understand and practice the present perfect, you’ll find that this tense can add an important dimension to your English communication skills. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll be able to express yourself more naturally and with greater confidence.

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Examples and Explanations

Experience
I have been to New York.
Eu já estive em Nova York.
"Já" does a good job of expressing the same idea of a completed experience with present relevance.

Recent Action with Relevance
She has just left.
Ela acabou de sair.
The Portuguese "acabou de sair" captures the recentness in the same way as the present perfect, emphasizing the action's immediate relevance.

Unfinished Action
They have lived here for ten years.
Eles moram aqui há dez anos.
Present simple captures the idea of until now, though it may not always convey continuity without context.

Life Achievements
He has written three books.
Ele escreveu três livros.
Present perfect implies a sense of ongoing accomplishment. Portuguese simple past may suggest a completed action.

Repeated Actions
We have visited them several times.
Nós os visitamos várias vezes.
Present perfect implies visits have occurred and could continue; Portuguese past may suggest the action is finished.

First Time for Something
I have never tried sushi.
Eu nunca experimentei sushi.
Present perfect implies an opportunity still exists. Portuguese simple past may imply this situation is fixed.

Ongoing Effects
I have lost my keys.
Perdi minhas chaves.
Present perfect emphasizes that the action’s result affects the present (e.g., keys are still missing).

Unspecified Past
Have you ever seen snow?
Você já viu neve?
Present perfect implies a life experience. Portuguese past can suggest the same but may not indicate relevance to the present.

News Reporting
Scientists have discovered a new species.
Cientistas descobriram uma nova espécie.
Present perfect connects the discovery to the present, indicating that it’s recent and impactful.

Changes Over Time
Technology has advanced rapidly.
A tecnologia avançou rapidamente.
Present perfect reflects change up to the present. Portuguese past doesn’t clearly convey ongoing change without context.

The First Snow In Rio

Before dawn on Christmas Day, Rio was only half-awake. The city carried the hush that comes once a year, when routines loosen and time seems briefly unclaimed. The air was colder than it should have been—sharp enough to wake the skin, sharp enough to make breath visible for just a moment. Windows stayed closed. People pulled light jackets tighter, telling themselves it would pass.

It was in that quiet, cold moment that the snow began.

At first, it was mistaken for ash.

A baker in Lapa paused while lifting trays of pão francês from the oven, noticing pale flecks drifting past the window. He frowned, wiped his glasses, and felt the chill seep through the glass. A woman on an early bus crossing the arches shivered as something touched her sleeve, dissolving before she could name it. Phones came out, then went back into pockets. The temperature made no sense. Neither did the sky.

The city woke slowly into it.

In Santa Teresa, snow settled on the leaves of flamboyant trees, tracing each vein in white. It softened tiled roofs and the curved bonnets of parked cars, gathering silently, without urgency. People stepped outside barefoot, then quickly pulled back, laughing once in disbelief before falling quiet. Hands were held out. Breath fogged the air. Someone whispered, “Está frio demais,” as if to explain the unexplicable.

High above the city, Christ the Redeemer stood as he always had, arms open to the bay. Snow gathered on his shoulders and along the stone folds of his robe, turning grey into pale silver. The wind off the hills felt sharper there, cutting clean and bright. No bells rang. No voices rose.

As the morning unfolded, Sugarloaf emerged from mist like a remembered shape. Cable cars continued their slow crossing, passengers wrapped in scarves they had not planned to wear, pressing closer to the glass. Below, the city adjusted. Cafés opened their doors a little later than usual. Coffee steamed more visibly than anyone remembered. A man sweeping the pavement outside his shop paused often, flexing his fingers, watching snow land and linger.

On the beaches, footprints appeared where none should have. Snow fell onto folded umbrellas, volleyball nets, and the smooth, endless curve of Copacabana. The sand felt firm, cool beneath bare feet. Surfers stood at the edge of the water, boards under their arms, skin prickled by the cold, unsure whether to enter the sea.

No one asked why.

By late morning, the air began to soften. Jackets came off. Sleeves rolled up. Snow still fell, but more lightly now, melting faster as it touched skin and stone. Children noticed first, delight replacing disbelief as cold gave way to warmth. Radios played from open windows. Laughter returned, tentative but real.

By lunchtime, the sun reclaimed its place. The snow thinned, then faded, as gently as it had arrived. Streets glistened. Faces held the calm expression of people who had witnessed something impossible, unfathomable.

That evening, as Christmas lights flickered on across the city, Rio stood quieter than usual. Warmth settled back into the streets, the cold now a fading memory. But the city still paused, holding the stillness of that morning a little longer, something it would remember forever.

---o0o---

Selected words to learn

hush – deep, calm silence (silêncio)
unclaimed (time) – not taken or defined (livre)
borrowed (cold) – temporary, unexpected (temporário)
flecks – very small pieces (fragmentos)
seep – pass slowly through (infiltrar)
linger – stay longer than expected (permanecer)
mist – light fog (névoa)
prickle – sharp tingling feeling (arrepiar)
tentative – hesitant, unsure (hesitante)
reclaim – take back (retomar)
flicker – shine unsteadily (cintilar)
stillness – complete calm (quietude)

Links

• The First Snow in Rio INTERMEDIATE

The First Snow In Rio

Before dawn on Christmas Day, Rio de Janeiro was quiet. The streets were not empty, but they were calm in a way they usually were not. Many people were still sleeping. Others were awake, but slowly, enjoying a gentle start to the holiday.

The air felt strange.

It was cold. Colder than anyone expected. People opened their windows and quickly closed them again. They put on jackets or wrapped themselves in blankets. Some laughed and said it felt like winter in the south. Others simply felt confused. Rio was never like this.

Then, very gently, the snow began.

At first, people did not understand what they were seeing. A baker in Lapa looked out of his shop window and saw white dots falling from the sky. He thought it might be ash or dust. He wiped his glasses and looked again. The dots were still there, falling slowly, drifting in the air.

On an early bus, a woman felt something cold touch her arm. It melted at once. She looked at her sleeve, then at the window, then at the sky. The bus kept moving. No one spoke.

Little by little, the city woke up.

In Santa Teresa, snow lay on trees and old houses. It stayed on the leaves and on the red roof tiles. People stepped outside carefully. Some walked barefoot and quickly went back inside, surprised by the cold ground. Others held out their hands and watched the snow melt and disappear on their skin.

High above the city, Christ the Redeemer stood with open arms, as always. Snow fell on his shoulders and along his arms, turning the grey stone lighter. The wind was cold on the hill, but everything was quiet. Nothing dramatic happened. The statue simply stood there, newly white.

As the morning continued, Sugar Loaf Mountain appeared through the clouds. The cable cars still moved across the sky. Inside, people pressed close to the windows, wearing clothes they did not expect to need on Christmas Day. Below them, cafés opened later than usual. Hot coffee sent white steam into the cold air.

At the beaches, the scene felt even more unreal. Snow fell onto umbrellas, volleyball nets, and the sand of Copacabana. Footprints appeared where snow touched the ground. Surfers stood near the water, holding their boards, unsure what to do. The sea was still there. Blue, calm, and patient.

No one asked why it was happening.

By late morning, the cold began to fade. Jackets came off. Sleeves were rolled up. The snow still fell, but it melted faster now. Children noticed the change first. They laughed and ran, trying to catch snowflakes before they disappeared.

By lunchtime, the sun felt warm again. The snow slowed, then stopped. The streets were wet and shining. People spoke softly, as if they had shared a secret.

That evening, as Christmas lights turned on across the city, Rio felt peaceful. The warmth had returned, but something else stayed behind, a quiet feeling, gentle and unforgettable. It was the day Rio would remember forever.

---o0o---

Selected words to learn

quiet – calm, with little noise (quieto)
holiday – a special day of celebration (feriado)
strange – unusual or unexpected (estranho)

wrapped – covered closely (enrolado)
gently – softly, carefully (suavemente)
dots – very small round shapes (pontos)
melt / melted – become liquid from cold (derreter)
rest / rested – stay in one place (repousar)
gather – come together, collect (juntar)
fade – slowly disappear (desaparecer)
remain – stay after others leave (permanecer)
peaceful – calm and relaxed (tranquilo)

Links

• The First Snow in Rio ADVANCED

Duolingo fluency practice

These are typical Duolingo exam questions. In this type of question, you talk for 30-90 seconds about the topic. It is excellent fluency practice for anyone.

1.Describe a performance you have watched. Please say
– Where was it?
– What kind of performance was it?
– What did you like the most about it?

2.Talk about a challenge you encountered. Please say
– What was the challenge?
– When and where was the challenge?
– How did you overcome it?
– What made it unforgettable?

3.Talk about a special, memorable moment. Please say
– When it was
– What happened
– Why it was special
– How you felt at the time.

4.Talk about a time when you have visited a crowded place. Please say
– What the place was
– Why you went there
– With whom you went there
– And whether or not you enjoyed your visit.

5.Talk about an article you read online that was about healthy living. Please say
– When you read it
– What in particular it was about
– What you learnt from it

6. Talk about an occasion when you couldn’t use your mobile phone. Please say
– when it happened
– what happened to your phone
– how it made you feel

 7. Talk about an occasion when you were forced to change your plans because of the weather. Please say
– When did this happen?
– Where were you?
– What kind of weather was?
– Explain why you had to change your plans

8. Talk about something you bought that was difficult to use at first. Please say
– What is it?
– When did you buy it?
– What does it do?
– Why was it difficult to use for the first time?

9.Talk about something that you borrowed from a person you know. Please say:
– What you borrowed
– When you borrowed it
– Why you borrowed it
– And when you returned it.

10. Talk about a situation when you were late. Please say
– What you were late for
– Why you were late
– What happened because you were late
– How you felt about it

11. Talk about a time when you felt happy. Please say
– What made you happy
– Where you were
– Who was there with you
– And why you felt happy about this.

12.Talk about a place that is full of color. Please say
– What place this is
– Where it is located
– What people do there
– How you learned about this place.

13. Describe an incident where someone apologized to you. You should say:
– Who was it?
– When was it?
– What did the person say?
– Why was this incident memorable to you?

14. Talk about a dream home you would like to live in. Please say
– What kind of home would it be?
– Why would you like to live in it?
– Who would you like to live with?

15. Talk about a place where you go to read or write (except for your home). Please say
– What place this is
– Where it is located
– With whom you go there
– How often you visit this place.

16. Talk about a movie you watched that you liked. Please say
– What was the movie?
– Why did you like it?
– Would you recommend it to a friend?

17. Talk about different kinds of local food available in your country. Please say
– What are they?
– Do you buy or make these kinds of food?
– Can you find these dishes in other countries?

18. Talk about a goal that you set up for yourself and how you achieved it. Please say
– What was the goal?
– What did you do to achieve it?
– What was the hardest part for you?

19. Describe a situation where you helped or offered help to somebody. Please say
– When and where was it?
– What kind of help did you offer?
– Who was the person you offered it to?

20. Describe an incident where someone apologized to you. You should say:
– Who was it?
– When was it?
– What did the person say?
– Why was this incident memorable to you?

21. Describe an incident when you were delayed or late. Please say
– What was it?
– What did you do?
– How did you get there?

22. Talk about a uniform that you wore in the past. Please say
– Describe it.
– Where and when was it?
– How did you feel about wearing a uniform?

23. Describe a sports or work team where you participate. Please say
– What is it?
– When and why did you join it?
– Can you give a brief description of the team members?

24. Talk about an interesting thing that your friend has done, that influenced you and made you want to do the same. Please say
– What was it?
– When and where would you like to do it?
– Why would you like to do it?

25. Talk about a celebrity that you know. Please say
– Who is the celebrity?
– Where do you usually see him/her?
– What does he/she do?

26. Describe a book that you read. Please say
– What kind of book it is
– Why you read this book
– When you read it

27. Talk about a teenager that you know well. Please say
– Who is he/she?
– How did you meet him/her?
– Can you describe him/her?

28. Describe a city in your country that you would like to visit. Please say
– What and where is it?
– What can people do there?
– Why do you want to go there?

29. Talk about your favorite website. Please say
– What is it?
– What is it about?
– How often do you use it? Why?

30. Talk about an old building in your home town that you like to visit. Please say
– What and where is it?
– Why do you like to go there?
– Describe what it looks like.

31. Describe a street that you visited to buy something. Please say:
– Where the street is
– When you visited it
– What you bought, and
– How you felt after that.

32. Talk about someone whom you helped with your studies.
Please say
– Who was he/she?
– Why did you help him/her?
– How did you feel after that?

33. Describe a decision that you had made with the help of another
person. Please say
– What decision was it?
– When was it and who helped you?
– How did you feel after making the decision?

34. Talk about a sport that you really want to try in the future. Please
say
– Why you like it
– When you first watched it
– When you want to play it.

35. Talk about a thing that you would like to replace. Please say
– What is it?
– Why do you want to replace it?
– What will you replace it with?

36. Talk about your childhood friend with whom you are still in touch today.
Please say
– Who is he/she?
– How and when did you both meet?
– Is he/she your best friend?

37. Talk about something that you wear only for special occasions.
Please say
– What is it?
– Where and when did you buy it?
– How do you feel when you wear it?

38. Talk about a complaint that you made to a company recently, and were pleased with the result. Please say
– What was the complaint?
– What did you ask them to do about it?
– Why were you pleased with the result?

39. Talk about your favorite comedy actor/actress. Please say
– Who is he/she?
– What do you like about him/her?
– Is he/she the same in real life?

40. Describe a time when you received money as a gift. Please say
– When did you receive it?
– What did you do with it?
– How did you feel about it?

41. Describe an interesting person that you would like to meet in the future. Please say
– Who is the person?
– What do you like about him/her?
– What is the interesting thing about that person?

42. Talk about an exercise or a trick that helps you concentrate at home or at work. Please say
– What do you do?
– When and where do you do it?
– Why is it important for you to concentrate?

43. Talk about a language that you would like to learn apart from English. Please say
– What is it?
– Why do you want to learn it?
– What benefits will you have from learning it?

44. Talk about a popular place in your country and say
– What and where is this place?
– What can people do or see there?
– Why is it popular?

45. Talk about a comic actor/actress who is popular in your country. Please say
– Who is he/she?
– Why is he/she popular?
– How did you know about him/her?

46. Talk about an event you have celebrated recently. Please say
– What was the event?
– Who was there with you?
– How did you feel about it later?

47. Describe a job you would be interested to do. Please say
– What job is it?
– What skills do you need for this job?
– What makes it interesting?

48. Tell a story that you know well. Please say
– Who told you this story?
– What is the story about?
– Why do you still remember it?

49. Talk about a person who talks too much. Please say
– Who is that person?
– What is his/her relationship to you?
– What does he/she usually talk about?

50. Talk about an animal that you like. Please say
– What is it?
– When and where did you see it for the first time?
– Why do you like it?

51. Talk about a small successful company you know, you should say
– How do you know about this company?
– How long do you know them?
– Why do you think they are successful?

52. Talk about a goal you have achieved in your life. Please say
– What was the goal?
– When did you set it?
– How was it achieved?
– How did you feel about it later