Monthly Archives: January 2012

Grammar Basics: Unit 13 – Past Continuous

Posted on 2012/01/31
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To form the past continuous, use the appropriate past tense form of the verb “be,” plus the –ing form of the verb:

  • I am –ing ==> I was –ing
  • you are –ing ==> you were –ing
  • he / she / it is –ing ==> he / she / it was –ing
  • we are –ing ==> we were –ing
  • they are –ing ==> they were –ing

Examples:

I’m reading the newspaper. ==> I was reading the newspaper.
You’re sleeping! ==> You were sleeping!
He’s studying for tomorrow’s exam. ==> He was studying for tomorrow’s exam.
The baby’s sleeping. ==> The baby was sleeping.
We’re leaving. ==> We were leaving.
They’re outside playing in the sandbox. ==> They were outside playing in the sandbox.

Negations are made the same way as for the past tense of the verb “be”:

  • I was –ing ==> I was not (wasn’t) –ing
  • you were –ing ==> you were not (weren’t) –ing
  • he / she / it was –ing ==> he / she / it was not (wasn’t) –ing
  • we were –ing ==> we were not (weren’t) –ing
  • they were –ing ==> they were not (weren’t) –ing

Examples:

I’m reading the newspaper.  ==> I wasn’t reading the newspaper.
You’re sleeping! ==> You weren’t sleeping!
He’s studying for tomorrow’s exam. ==> He wasn’t studying for tomorrow’s exam.
The baby’s sleeping. ==> The baby wasn’t sleeping.
We’re leaving. ==> We weren’t leaving.
They’re outside playing in the sandbox. ==> They weren’t outside playing in the sandbox.

Questions are made the same way as for the past tense of the verb “be”:

  • I was –ing ==> Was I –ing…?
  • you were –ing ==> Were you –ing…?
  • he / she / it was –ing ==> Was he / she / it –ing…?
  • we were –ing ==> Were we –ing…?
  • they were –ing ==> Were they –ing…?

Examples:

I’m reading the newspaper. ==> Was I reading the newspaper?
You’re sleeping! ==> Were you sleeping?
He’s studying for tomorrow’s exam. ==> Was he studying for tomorrow’s exam?
The baby’s sleeping. ==> Was the baby sleeping?
We’re leaving. ==> Were we leaving?
They’re outside playing in the sandbox. ==> Were they outside playing in the sandbox?

Questions can also have a negative form:

  • I was –ing ==> Was I not // Wasn’t I –ing…?
  • you were –ing ==> Were you not // Weren’t you –ing…?
  • he / she / it was –ing ==> Was he / she / it not // Wasn’t he / she / it –ing…?
  • we were –ing ==> Were we not // Weren’t we –ing…?
  • they were –ing ==> Were they not // Weren’t they –ing…?

Note:

Like before, this negative question form is expecting a confirmation: Yes, S was / were –ing. ….

Examples:

I’m reading the newspaper. ==> Wasn’t I reading the newspaper?
You’re sleeping! ==> Weren’t you sleeping?
He’s studying for tomorrow’s exam. ==> Wasn’t he studying for tomorrow’s exam?
The baby’s sleeping. ==> Wasn’t the baby sleeping?
We’re leaving. ==> Weren’t we leaving?
They’re outside playing in the sandbox. ==> Weren’t they outside playing in the sandbox?

Exercises: For the following sentences, convert to past continuous. Then, put the past continuous into question form. Finally, put it in past negative question form.

Example:
She is sweeping the porch. ==>

  • She was sweeping the porch.
  • Was she sweeping the porch?
  • Wasn’t she sweeping the porch?

1. He is doing his homework.

2. The cat is acting crazy.

3. Mother is washing clothes in the basement.

4. Father is mowing the lawn.

5. I am taking a bath.

6. We are having pork chops for dinner.

7. You are lying!

8. It is snowing heavily.

9. I am talking on the phone.

10. The bird is sitting on the fence over there.

11. The twins are swimming in the pool.

12. We are drinking iced tea to keep cool.

13. We are practicing for next week’s concert.

14. He is writing a letter to Santa Claus.

15. Thousands of people are dying in Africa from famine.

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Education Focus: Report cards

Posted on 2012/01/30
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report cardMost high schools have recently finished the first half of the school year. We call this the first semester of the school year. Like colleges and universities, high schools base their courses on a half-year, or semester, system. Some schools (usually grade schools) use a quarter system instead of semesters. Either way, mid-January still marks the middle of the school year. The fall semester starts at the end of August (or, sometimes, the beginning of September) and ends either in December (for colleges and universities) or mid-January (for high schools). At the end of each semester, students usually take a cumulative final exam. This cumulative final exam tests the students over all the material that they were supposed to learn for that semester. After the students have taken the tests and the teachers have graded the tests, the teacher will calculate the semester grade and record it in the student’s report card.

Nowadays, report cards are generated by computer and mailed directly to the student’s parents. Before school had computers, student report cards were written by hand on a card. The card had lines on which were written the student’s name, the teacher’s name, the class, and all the subjects which the student had. Typical subject would be arithmetic (math, or mathematics), history, science, social studies, English, art, music, and PE (physical education).

The possible grades that a student could get in a subject were A (best grade), B, C, D, or F (worst). Letter grades could also be given a “+” or “–” to indicate “somewhat above” or “somewhat below.” Thus, the entire range of grades, from best to worst, would be: A+, A, A–, B+, B, B–, C+, C, C–, D+, D, D–, F. A grade of “F” indicates failure. A student who got an “F” is said to have “flunked.”

Sometimes, a report card might also have a separate space for “effort.” Here the teacher indicates how hard the student worked to earn his grade. This mark for effort is not really a grade. It is a comment about the student’s attitude to the parents. So, a student might have gotten a “C” in a subject, and an “A” or “1” for effort. This tells the parents that the student had put forth his best effort anyhow. On the other hand, a student might have gotten an “A+” in a subject and yet received only a “2” or even a “3” for effort. This would indicate that perhaps the student needs to be challenged more. Maybe the class is too easy for him!

When report cards were written by hand, the teacher passed out the report cards for the students to take home. The students had to take the report cards home to show their parents. One of the parents had to sign the report card. Then the student brought it back to school and returned it to the teacher. At the end of the school year, the parents did not have to sign the report card. Since school was over, the student could keep the report card. For the final report card, the teacher would write at the end something like “Promoted to Grade 5” to indicate that the student successfully finished Grade 4, and could start the next school year in the next higher grade.

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Crossword: Irregular Verbs 1 (Solution)

Posted on 2012/01/30
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crossword puzzle solution

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Crossword: Irregular Verbs 1

Posted on 2012/01/29
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crossword puzzle

 

For this crossword, you have to replace the verb in parentheses with the correct form. All of these verbs are irregular. Have fun!

Across

1. He (say) he was going to see a movie.

5. The children (ring) the doorbell and ran away.

6. The harder he worked, the more thirsty he (become).

7. I (be) doing my homework when the alarm went off.

9. These pants (cost) only twelve dollars.

11. The child did not tell his mother that he had (take) a cookie without permission.

12. You did not choose me, but I (choose) you.

13. The bride (wear) a beautiful white gown.

14. The teacher (bring) a rat for the science lab.

16. John was here earlier, but now he’s (go).

17. The moon (shine) bright on the newfallen snow.

18. On our vacation we (take) many pictures.

20. She (throw) away his old, worn-out shoes.

22. They (eat) cold pizza and hot dogs for breakfast.

23. I (read) all the homework that the teacher had assigned.

24. He (hang) the picture over the crack in the wall.

26. The obedient child (do) what his mother asked.

27. I (keep) my promise to take him to the zoo.

Down

1. She (shut) the door loudly and woke the baby.

2. It was so hot that we (drink) iced tea.

3. I should have (know) that you were going to come late.

4. He reluctantly (lend) out his favorite pen.

6. The dog (bite) the mailman the other day.

8. She (see) the movie after she read the book.

10. Tom was so tired he (sleep) through his English class.

11. I (think) you were going to see your aunt this weekend.

12. We have (choose) to stay home this time instead of going camping.

13. The boys’ team has not (win) a game all season.

14. The camera was (break) when he bought it.

15. I had just (get) out of bed when the phone rang.

17. We (swim) all summer long.

19. He (know) the answer to the teacher’s question.

21. I (hear) you quit your job.

23. She (run) as fast as she could, but still got fifth place.

24. The ball jumped up and (hit) him in the nose.

25. The children (get) a dog for Christmas.

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Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 6

Posted on 2012/01/28
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Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

change horses in midstream: to make a change in plans or leadership during a critical moment

Example:

Originally we had planned to drive to California for summer vacation, but when our car broke down in Texas, we had to change horses in midstream, and ended up staying in Amarillo the whole time.

copycat: someone who imitates the actions or work of another.

Example:

Babies are natural copycats. They learn by imitating the behavior of others.

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Writing Assignment: The Office (Solution)

Posted on 2012/01/28
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hard worker

 

1. What is the name of this firm?
The name of this firm is G.B. Buchhlz., Inc.

2. Who is probably the founder of this firm?
Mr. Buchhlz is probably the founder of this firm.

3. Is anybody in the office?
No, there is no one in the office.

4. How many desks are to be seen in the picture?
We can see five desks in the picture.

5. How many drawers does each desk have?
Each desk has four drawers.

6. Which desk doesn’t have a desk pad?
The desk in the far corner doesn’t have a desk pad.

7. What does the secretary use to type letters?
The secretary uses a typewriter to type letters.

8. Is there a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen near the typewriter?
There is a ball point pen near the typewriter.

9. Is the adding machine on a desk or on a cart?
The adding machine is on a cart.

10. Is the telephone on the first, second, or third desk?
The telephone is on the second desk on the left.

11. Does everyone have a telephone?
No, not everyone has a telephone.

12. Do you throw important papers in the wastepaper basket?
No, we don’t throw important papers in the wastepaper basket.

13. What is hanging on the wall to the left of the door?
There is a calendar hanging on the wall to the left of the door.

14. Where is the filing cabinet?
The filing cabinet is under the calendar.

15. What is in the safe?
In the safe are money, important documents, and other valuables.

16. Where do you see bookends?
We see bookends on the shelf under the clock.

17. Where is the clock? What time is it?
The clock is over the shelf above the safe. It’s about 12:30.

18. How many days per week do people work in this office?
The people in this office work five days a week.

19. Does this office look different during a work day?
Yes. During a work day, the office is busy with people doing different things.

20. Why is nobody in the office?
No one is in the office because it’s a Saturday.

Paragraph: My Office

Write a paragraph describing your office, the people working there, and your job.

I used to work at a newspaper. I was in the accounting department. There were six of us in the department, and we were responsible for billing our advertisers. I entered the billing information in the computer every day, and produced a report listing all the ads that were supposed to be in the newspaper. At the beginning of each month we had to print the bills and mail them.

In our department, each person had his own cubicle, with a desk, a computer, drawers, phone, adding machine, and chair. Most people brought some pictures or other little knickknacks to personalize our office space. If it was someone’s birthday or other special occasion, we would decorate that person’s cubicle with a few party decorations and bring some bagels or doughnuts for a snack, or go out for a departmental lunch. We worked hard and pretty much got along with each other.

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Writing Assignment: The Office

Posted on 2012/01/27
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typical office

 

Vocabulary

filing cabinet
founder
desk
everyone
typewriter
different
someone
work day
ballpoint pen
letter
desk pad, blotter
bookend
no one
drawer
paper
telephone
office
to type
firm
wastepaper basket
during
fountain pen
per
probably
wheel
to throw
safe
important
Inc. (incorporated)
adding machine
week
to see
on what

1. What is the name of this firm?

2. Who is probably the founder of this firm?

3. Is anybody in the office?

4. How many desks are to be seen in the picture?

5. How many drawers does each desk have?

6. Which desk doesn’t have a desk pad?

7. What does the secretary use to type letters?

8. Is there a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen near the typewriter?

9. Is the adding machine on a desk or on a cart?

10. Is the telephone on the first, second, or third desk?

11. Does everyone have a telephone?

12. Do you throw important papers in the wastepaper basket?

13. What is hanging on the wall to the left of the door?

14. Where is the filing cabinet?

15. What is in the safe?

16. Where do you see bookends?

17. Where is the clock? What time is it?

18. How many days per week do people work in this office?

19. Does this office look different during a work day?

20. Why is nobody in the office?

Paragraph: My Office

Write a paragraph describing your office, the people working there, and your job.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 12 – The Simple Past Tense Negation, Question Form (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/01/27
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Exercises: First, convert all sentences to negative form. Then, convert them to question form. Finally, convert them to negative question form.

Example:
It snowed all day. ==>

  • It didn’t snow all day.
  • Did it snow all day?
  • Didn’t it snow all day?

1. We watched TV for an hour.
We didn’t watch TV for an hour.
Did we watch TV for an hour?
Didn’t we watch TV for an hour?

2. The cat sat on my lap.
The cat didn’t sit on my lap.
Did the cat sit on my lap?
Didn’t the cat sit on my lap?

3. She baked a cake for Mary’s birthday.
She didn’t bake a cake for Mary’s birthday.
Did she bake a cake for Mary’s birthday?
Didn’t she bake a cake for Mary’s birthday?

4. I bought a pair of shoes and three pairs of socks.
I didn’t buy a pair of shoes and three pairs of socks.
Did I buy a pair of shoes and three pairs of socks?
Didn’t I buy a pair of shoes and three pairs of socks?

5. Lisa wrote a nice thank-you note to her aunt.
Lisa didn’t write a nice thank-you note to her aunt.
Did Lisa write a nice thank-you note to her aunt?
Didn’t Lisa write a nice thank-you note to her aunt?

6. We flew from Chicago to Seoul.
We didn’t fly from Chicago to Seoul.
Did we fly from Chicago to Seoul?
Didn’t we fly from Chicago to Seoul?

7. He took several pictures of the Grand Canyon.
He didn’t take several pictures of the Grand Canyon.
Did he take several pictures of the Grand Canyon?
Didn’t he take several pictures of the Grand Canyon?

8. She changed the baby’s diaper often to avoid diaper rash.
She didn’t change the baby’s diaper often to avoid diaper rash.
Did she change the baby’s diaper often to avoid diaper rash?
Didn’t she change the baby’s diaper often to avoid diaper rash?

9. The mechanic repaired the car last week.
The mechanic didn’t repair the car last week.
Did the mechanic repair the car last week?
Didn’t the mechanic repair the car last week?

10. At the campout, we cooked hot dogs for supper.
At the campout, we didn’t cook hot dogs for dinner.
Did we cook hot dogs for dinner at the campout?
Didn’t we cook hot dogs for dinner at the campout?

11. It rained yesterday and ruined our picnic.
It didn’t rain yesterday, and ruin our picnic.
Did it rain yesterday, and ruin our picnic?
Didn’t it rain yesterday, and ruin our picnic?

12. The teacher graded our tests and handed them back to us.
The teacher didn’t grade our tests and hand them back to us.
Did the teacher grade our tests and hand them back to us?
Didn’t the teacher grade our tests and hand them back to us?

13. Tom impatiently tapped his foot.
Tom didn’t tap his foot impatiently.
Did Tom tap his foot impatiently?
Didn’t Tom tap his foot impatiently?

14. Sam watered the plants every morning.
Sam didn’t water the plants every morning.
Did Sam water the plants every morning?
Didn’t Sam water the plants every morning?

15. We relaxed and listened to music after dinner.
We didn’t relax and listen to music after dinner.
Did we relax and listen to music after dinner?
Didn’t we relax and listen to music after dinner?

16. Kathleen lied to her mother, and got into trouble.
Kathleen didn’t lie to her mother and get into trouble.
Did Kathleen lie to her mother and get into trouble?
Didn’t Kathleen lie to her mother and get into trouble?

17. They went to a movie last weekend.
They didn’t go to a movie last weekend.
Did they go to a movie last weekend?
Didn’t they go to a movie last weekend?

18. I finished reading a good book yesterday.
I didn’t fishing reading a good book yesterday.
Did I finish reading a good book yesterday?
Didn’t I finish reading a good book yesterday?

19. My pencil lead broke, so I sharpened it again.
My pencil lead didn’t break, so I didn’t sharpen it again.
Did my pencil lead break? Did I sharpen it again?
Didn’t my pencil lead break? Didn’t I sharpen it again?

20. He came late for breakfast.
He didn’t come late for breakfast.
Did he come late for breakfast?
Didn’t he come late for breakfast?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 12 – The Simple Past Tense Negation, Question Form

Posted on 2012/01/26
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To form the negation of simple past, use

did not + V (infinitive form)

“did not” is often contracted to “didn’t”.

Examples:

John washed the car. ==> John did not (didn’t) wash the car.
We walked to school every day. ==> We did not (didn’t) walk to school every day.
Everyone laughed at the clown. ==> Everyone did not (didn’t) laugh at the clown.
The beautician combed her client’s long hair. ==> The beautician did not (didn’t) comb her client’s long hair.
He printed a receipt for me. ==> He did not (didn’t) print a receipt for me.

To form questions with simple past, use

Did S + V (infinitive form)…?

Examples:

John washed the car. ==> Did John wash the car?
We walked to school every day. ==> Did we walk to school every day?
Everyone laughed at the clown. ==> Did everyone laugh at the clown?
The beautician combed her client’s long hair. ==> Did the beautician comb her client’s long hair?
He printed a receipt for me. ==> Did he print a receipt for me?

It is also possible to put the negative form into question form:

Did not (Didn’t) S + V (infinitive form)…?

Examples:

John washed the car. ==> Didn’t John wash the car?
We walked to school every day. ==> Didn’t we walk to school every day?
Everyone laughed at the clown. ==> Didn’t everyone laugh at the clown?
The beautician combed her client’s long hair. ==> Didn’t the beautician comb her client’s long hair?
He printed a receipt for me. ==> Didn’t he print a receipt for me?

Note:

Usually this form (negative simple past question) is used when the person asking the question expects that the action was done. Thus, this form is expecting confirmation: Yes, S did….

Exercises: First, convert all sentences to negative form. Then, convert them to question form. Finally, convert them to negative question form.

Example:

It snowed all day. ==>

  • It didn’t snow all day.
  • Did it snow all day?
  • Didn’t it snow all day?

1. We watched TV for an hour.

2. The cat sat on my lap.

3. She baked a cake for Mary’s birthday.

4. I bought a pair of shoes and three pairs of socks.

5. Lisa wrote a nice thank-you note to her aunt.

6. We flew from Chicago to Seoul.

7. He took several pictures of the Grand Canyon.

8. She changed the baby’s diaper often to avoid diaper rash.

9. The mechanic repaired the car last week.

10. At the campout, we cooked hot dogs for supper.

11. It rained yesterday and ruined our picnic.

12. The teacher graded our tests and handed them back to us.

13. Tom impatiently tapped his foot.

14. Sam watered the plants every morning.

15. We relaxed and listened to music after dinner.

16. Kathleen lied to her mother, and got into trouble.

17. They went to a movie last weekend.

18. I finished reading a good book yesterday.

19. My pencil lead broke, so I sharpened it again.

20. He came late for breakfast.

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Culture Focus: Kissing Boo-Boos

Posted on 2012/01/25
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When a child gets a minor injury, such as a cut, scrape, or bump or bruise, this is called a “boo-boo.” (More generally, any kind of minor mistake can be called a “boo-boo.”) Of course, even though the injury is minor, the child thinks that the hurt is much worse than it really is. The child will often carry on, or behave like the hurt is unbearable. We then “cure” the hurt by kissing it. So, a typical dialogue might look like this:

Child: Ow, Mommy! I fell down and hurt myself!

Mother: Oh, did you bang your knee?

Child: Yes! It hurts so bad!

Mother: Come here. Let me kiss it and make it all better.

(The child comes to his mother, who then kisses the knee.)

Mother: How’s that? Feel better now?

Child: Yes. Thank you, Mommy.

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