Hi Apple, Yes - you can use the term in all of the above scenarios but from personal use/observation, I would say "soft spot" is normally used for somebody and normally by someone describing someone else (rather than themselves - but it is not a hard and fast rule). So "He has a soft spot for Apple" is a good example as someone talks to another about another! ;-) All the best Tom

It's 'weird'. When you are in a park - it is a public place. Therefore, whatever you see is 'free'. It makes more sense w.r.t. most adjacent spots (literally beside the park) are free to enter/use. All the best, Tom

Le placard - en Anglais: The Closet - En Francais (peut etre) - une petite chambre/salle L'armoire - en Anglais: The Cabinet (like a cupboard) - En Francais (peut etre) - une petite cabinet Peut etre... ;-)

1) I know that someone can slam a door. But if, for example, you leave the door open and the wind push it shut(if I can say push shut), would it be possible to say "Close the door so that it won't bang shut"? or does it sound odd? "So that it won't bang shut"? No - it doesn't sound odd but there is a case in the English language for the superfluous use of the word 'that' - it could be re-worded: 'Close the door so it won't bang shut'. 2)What's the difference between "my nerves are on edge", "my nerves are raw" and "my nerves are shot"? None - they are all synonyms and mean the same thing 3) Does it sound odd to say "He seems to have lost the sense of how serious this is" or "He seems to have lost the notion of how serious this is"? Either work. But a more contemporary contraction might yield 'He seems to have lost the plot' 4) Should I say "During my childhood, I WOULD do my homework only if my mother made me" or "During my childhood, I WOULD DO my homework only if my mother WOULD MAKE me"? Can I use "would" in the first part? And the second part? "only if my mother would make me" or "only if my mother made me"? You can re-iterate the 'would' in the above but normally in the first instance it would be a contarction: "During my childhood, I'd do my homework..." Second part would normally be "... only if my mother made me". All the best Tom

Hi Jordana: 1) I was trying on four shirts at a store and, when I came out of the fitting room, I told the sales clerk: "I will take these one. These two I am still thinking about, can I keep them for now? If I decide not to get them, I will bring them back to you"... And then clerk smirked. Why? Did I say very odd things? Please, tell me. >>> I will take this one (not these one) >>> The clerk probably smiled because the way you talked about the other 2 shirts sounded like you were going to take them away (from the store) and bring them back at some point in the future - like giving them a long test drive (without paying) 2) What's the difference between appareal, garb, cloth and clothing? >>> Apparel, Garb and Clothing can be used interchangeably, cloth is a piece of material (from which clothing can be made) 3) Would the following sentencs odd for a student to say in class? (can I say "for a student to say"? can I use" for" here? "Teacher, can we be dismissed early today?" . "Teacher, are we dismissed?" student that is studying in a foreign country "Teacher, can you give me some tips about the best beaches here in Boston." >>> You can use "for" in this context, the sentences themselves are fine but you would not normally start with "Teacher" - instead you might address the teacher as Sir/Miss (or even their first name in an informal situation) All the best Tom

Not sure if in the context of TOEFL but it could mean there are parts of the course which do not have credit (i.e. they will not form part of your overall mark/assessment - but the material is usually very useful/beneficial to know). All the best Tom

1- He should keep his grades up in order to remain at the contest. You could say: "He needs to keep his grades up to remain in the contest" or "He must keep his grades up to remain in the contest" to show the importance of keeping the grades high (should is more a nice to have) 2- I am intending to take the exam. You could say: "I intend to take the exam" All the best, Tom

Hi Alina, The script is: "Start walking like a man who's not afraid to look a man in the eye, 'coz respect is all anybody's got in here I know what happened I don't think so I don't even think you think so If we would like to see a young man with no criminal record turned into a criminal, then let's have him sit at Ryker's as long as the slow wheels of justice take Still gotta ax (ask) why I can't help you Tell me what Survive" And what is said in the second video at 9-11 seconds is very confusing but I think (even though there seems to be a missing syllable), she was saying one of the following: and the most despicable things and do most unspeakable things All the best, Tom