Monthly Archives: February 2012

Grammar Basics: Unit 20 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part II

Posted on 2012/02/23
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There are three adverbs that are often used together with the Present Perfect and the Simple Past: just, already, and yet.

just = “a short time ago”

Examples:

Tom just came home from school.
Tom’s just come home from school.
Sally’s not here – she just left a few minutes ago.
Come in! I just finished cleaning the kitchen.
It’s weird that Mark called me – I was just thinking about him.

already = “before you/I expected”

Examples:

The children have already done their homework, and are now playing in the back yard.
I already baked a cake for tomorrow night’s party.
John’s in bed already. He got up at 5:30 this morning, so he was pretty tired.
Hello, Mr. Smith. I do believe we’ve already met.
Hurry up and get dressed! The guests have already come!

yet = “until now”

Examples:

Have you done your homework yet?
Did you do your homework yet?
I haven’t seen the new Indiana Jones movie yet.
Bob’s been at his job for five years, and hasn’t gotten a promotion yet.
Did Kelly go on vacation yet?

 

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the present perfect.

Example:

Did Kelly go on vacation yet? ==> Has Kelly gone on vacation yet?

1. I didn’t tell my father yet that I lost my job.
2. Tim already shoveled the snow from the sidewalk.
3. Sam just took a shower.
4. Did you just get home from work?
5. Oh, I already put away the groceries.
6. Did you change the baby’s diaper yet?
7. We just bought a new dishwasher.
8. Steve already graduated from college.
9. Dave didn’t vote yet.
10. I just turned on the radio.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the simple past.

Example:

The guests have already come! ==> The guests already came!

1. Matt hasn’t eaten dinner yet.
2. The TV repairman’s just left.
3. Mr. Jones is not in. He’s already left for the day.
4. Do you want to talk to Bill? He hasn’t gone to bed yet.
5. Help! I’ve just been robbed!
6. She’s already celebrated her birthday.
7. The baby hasn’t gotten any teeth yet.
8. The baby’s just said “Dada” for the first time.
9. Have you talked to your cousin yet?
10. Mary’s already returned the books to the library.

 

There are three adverbs that are often used together with the Present Perfect and the Simple Past: just, already, and yet.

just = “a short time ago”

Examples:

Tom just came home from school.
Tom’s just come home from school.
Sally’s not here – she just left a few minutes ago.
Come in! I just finished cleaning the kitchen.
It’s weird that Mark called me – I was just thinking about him.


already = “before you/I expected”

Examples:

The children have already done their homework, and are now playing in the back yard.
I already baked a cake for tomorrow night’s party.
John’s in bed already. He got up at 5:30 this morning, so he was pretty tired.
Hello, Mr. Smith. I do believe we’ve already met.
Hurry up and get dressed! The guests have already come!

yet = “until now”

Examples:

Have you done your homework yet?
Did you do your homework yet?
I haven’t seen the new Indiana Jones movie yet.
Bob’s been at his job for five years, and hasn’t gotten a promotion yet.
Did Kelly go on vacation yet?

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the present perfect.

Example:
Did Kelly go on vacation yet? ==> Has Kelly gone on vacation yet?

1. I didn’t tell my father yet that I lost my job.

2. Tim already shoveled the snow from the sidewalk.

3. Sam just took a shower.

4. Did you just get home from work?

5. Oh, I already put away the groceries.

6. Did you change the baby’s diaper yet?

7. We just bought a new dishwasher.

8. Steve already graduated from college.

9. Dave didn’t vote yet.

10. I just turned on the radio.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the simple past.

Example:
The guests have already come! ==> The guests already came!

1. Matt hasn’t eaten dinner yet.

2. The TV repairman’s just left.

3. Mr. Jones is not in. He’s already left for the day.

4. Do you want to talk to Bill? He hasn’t gone to bed yet.

5. Help! I’ve just been robbed!

6. She’s already celebrated her birthday.

7. The baby hasn’t gotten any teeth yet.

8. The baby’s just said “Dada” for the first time.

9. Have you talked to your cousin yet?

10. Mary’s already returned the books to the library.

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Culture Focus: American Presidents

Posted on 2012/02/22
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In the U.S., the third Monday in February is a national holiday called “Presidents’ Day.” This year it was on February 20.  It is a day set aside to honor those men who have served our country in the highest position of leadership. Originally, February was noted for having the birthdays of two of our most well-known Presidents: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and George Washington (February 22). Several years ago, it was decided that rather than taking two separate days off that were relatively close together, it was better to combine them into one holiday that could honor all the Presidents. Thus, Presidents’ Day was born. It is a holiday where schoolkids, banks, and government workers (including the post office) get a day off, but most everyone else works.

We like to say that any child can grow up to be President, but in reality there are some eligibility requirements that a potential candidate must meet. According to the U.S. Constitution, a President must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

A President can be elected to office at most twice. Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms, but after his presidency, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, instituting presidential term limits.

If the President becomes sick or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties, the Vice President is authorized to take his place until he recovers. This is how Gerald Ford became President in 1974, making him the only man to serve as President without being elected either to that office or the office of Vice President. Ford was appointed Vice President in 1973 by President Nixon when Nixon’s original Vice President, Spiro Agnew, resigned. Nearly a year later, Nixon himself resigned, and Ford became President.

Other Presidential trivia:

  • William Henry Harrison (9th President) served the shortest presidency. He gave a lengthy inaugural speech (105 minutes) outdoors in March without wearing a hat or overcoat. Consequently, he developed pneumonia and died about 32 days after being elected.
  • John Tyler (10th President) was the president with the most children – 15!
  • James Buchanan (15th President) was the only President that never married.
  • Grover Cleveland (22nd President) was the only President to be married while in the White House. He was also the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms (22nd President and 24th President).
  • Teddy Roosevelt (26th President) is the one from whom we get the name of the child’s toy “teddy bear.” He was also the first President to call the Presidential residence the “White House” – before that, it had been called the Executive Mansion, or the President’s House.
  • William Taft (27th President) was the first President to own a car.
  • Harry S Truman (33rd President) used to get up at 5 a.m. to practice the piano for two hours.
  • John F. Kennedy (35th President) was the first Roman Catholic to be elected President. He was also the youngest elected President.
  • Ronald Reagan (40th President) was the oldest elected President.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 19 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part I (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/22
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Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the present perfect for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tom is not at work. He (left) for the day. ==> Tom is not at work. He’s left for the day.

1. Jack has cut the grass.
2. She has baked a cake for tomorrow’s party.
3. We have exercised this morning.
4. Kelly has eaten supper with her friends.
5. Have you washed the clothes?
6. The light bulb has burned out.
7. Mary has been in an auto accident.
8. The dog has been fed.
9. Archeologists have dug up a dinosaur bone.
10. Customers have come to the store for a free book.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the simple past for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tim (has gone) to bed. ==> Tim went to bed.

1. The plane came to a complete stop.
2. Sally finished reading War and Peace.
3. Everyone went home for the day.
4. The senator already gave his speech.
5. The clock stopped.
6. These books were checked out from the library.
7. The luggage was put on the train.
8. Matt got first place in several tennis tournaments.
9. The baby took his first steps.
10. My favorite TV program was canceled.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 19 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part I

Posted on 2012/02/21
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So far, we have looked at two ways to talk about past events: the Simple Past, and the Present Perfect. The question is: How can I tell when I need to use Simple Past, and when I need to use Present Perfect?

Present Perfect:
The Present Perfect is used for an action in the past that has a result that is still in effect now.

Examples:

The mechanic has fixed the car. (= The car is fixed now.)
The rain has melted away the snow. (= The snow is melted now.)
I have cleaned the basement. (= The basement is clean now.)
Jim was very sick last week, but he’s gotten better. (= His condition is better now.)

Simple Past:
The Simple Past is used when we are talking about an action in the past with a finished time – something whose results are not necessarily still in effect now.

Examples:

The mechanic fixed the car. (= The car was fixed yesterday, three days ago, last week, last month, etc.)
The rain melted away the snow. (= The snow melted yesterday, three days ago, last week, last month, etc.)
I cleaned the basement. (= I cleaned the basement yesterday, three days ago, last week, last month, etc.)

Note: The Simple Past can also be thought of as a narrative (“story-telling”) tense:

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She was a naughty little girl who didn’t listen to her mother. One day, she went for a walk in the woods and came upon the house of the three bears….

Sometimes, however, the Simple Past could be used as well as the Present Perfect:

I’ve finished my homework. // I finished my homework.
I’ve lost my book. // I lost my book.
Sam’s bought new shoes. // Sam bought new shoes.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the present perfect for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tom is not at work. He (left) for the day. ==> Tom is not at work. He’s left for the day.

1. Jack (cut) the grass.
2. She (baked) a cake for tomorrow’s party.
3. We (exercised) this morning.
4. Kelly (ate) supper with her friends.
5. (Did) you (wash) the clothes?
6. The light bulb (burned) out.
7. Mary (was) in an auto accident.
8. The dog (was) fed.
9. Archeologists (dug) up a dinosaur bone.
10. Customers (came) to the store for a free book.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the simple past for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tim (has gone) to bed. ==> Tim went to bed.

1. The plane (has come) to a complete stop.
2. Sally (has finished) reading War and Peace.
3. Everyone (has gone) home for the day.
4. The senator (has) already (given) his speech.
5. The clock (has stopped).
6. These books (have been checked) out from the library.
7. The luggage (has been put) on the train.
8. Matt (has gotten) first place in several tennis tournaments.
9. The baby (has taken) his first steps.
10. My favorite TV program (has been canceled).

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Education Focus: Homeschooling

Posted on 2012/02/20
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For this week’s educational focus, I want to take a look at homeschooling. In the U.S., it is legal to teach your children at home rather than send them to a school. A growing number of parents have decided to homeschool their children. It is difficult to determine how many children are being homeschooled, since many states don’t require homeschoolers to register. Estimates range from 900,000—2,000,000, but a reasonable estimate would put the figure in the neighborhood of 1.2 million children being homeschooled as of 2007.

As stated above, it is legal in all 50 states to homeschool children; however, different states have different requirements for homeschooling. Some states require that a parent obtain state certification in teaching; other states don’t require teacher certification, but insist that homeschool students take the same yearly assessment tests as the ones given to public school students. Still others require that homeschool students follow a state-approved curriculum, or be “in class” a certain number of hours a day or a certain number of days per year. In Illinois, homeschools are considered “private schools,” and there are only two requirements: 1) that the branches of education or subjects taught in a private school be equivalent to those being taught in the public schools, and 2) that the daily instruction of a child in a private school be in the English language. This makes Illinois one of the easiest states in which to homeschool your children, since there is minimal government interference, and parents have maximal control over what and how their children are taught.

The reasons why parents choose to homeschool are essentially the same as why parents opt for private over public schools: Concerns for the quality of education, concerns over violence in school and negative influences from peers, regards for religious beliefs, and interest in alternative teaching philosophies are all reasons why some parents choose homeschooling.

Naturally, people have concerns regarding homeschooled children. Do they do as well academically as students attending a public or private school? How can homeschooled children develop a healthy social life without the interaction of their peers in a regular school setting? How can parents offer the same variety and depth of instruction as regular schools? These are valid concerns, but they do not pose as much of a problem as people generally think. Let’s look at these concerns one by one.

Concern #1: Academics – Do homeschooled students do as well academically as students attending a regular school? Since not all parents are trained to be teachers, or even have a college degree, are they qualified to teach their children at home?

Answer: Believe it or not, the level of parental education or lack of teacher qualification has little, if any, negative effect on homeschool children’s academic performance. In fact, studies indicate that on a national basis, homeschoolers perform at least one grade level higher than their counterparts in private and public schools. One reason for this might be that by being schooled at home, children benefit from the individual instruction and attention – individual instruction and attention that are simply impossible in a class of 25 or more students. Other reasons might be that with individual instruction, children can concentrate on areas or subjects that need additional attention, rather than waste time reviewing concepts that the child has a good grasp on.

Concern #2: Social Development – Are homeschooled children able to develop a healthy social life without the interaction of their peers in a regular school setting?

Answer: Most homeschooled children in fact have better social skills than those of their peers in regular school. People tend to think that homeschool students are isolated from others, sitting at a desk at home for several hours a day. In reality, homeschoolers are generally a very interactive group, whether it’s getting together for joint field trips with other homeschoolers or taking swimming lessons at the local YMCA. Many homeschoolers also participate in co-op classes, where (for example), they get together once a week to study chemistry, or some other class in a more advanced subject. Consequently, homeschoolers tend to have better interaction not only with their peers, but with young and old alike. This is in contrast to a regular school setting, where students’ social interaction is limited almost exclusively to their own peer group, and thus is an artificially induced social group.

Concern #3: Depth and Variety of Instruction – How can parents offer the same variety and depth of instruction as regular schools?

Answer: There are various ways for parents to provide a broad, liberal education. As mentioned earlier, many homeschoolers participate in co-op classes for subjects like chemistry, physics, foreign languages, and other advanced subjects. Some colleges allow homeschooled students to enroll in specialty subjects. And of course the Internet gives homeschoolers access to information, materials, and online classes in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. Additionally, homeschoolers have the time and freedom to pursue areas of interest to them, instead of focusing on taking classes and earning credits for graduation.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 5 (solution)

Posted on 2012/02/20
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Crossword - Basic Vocabulary 5 (solution)

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 5

Posted on 2012/02/19
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Crossword - Basic Vocabulary 5

Across
1 Built something (4)
3 How old someone is (3)
6 Since, then (2)
7 Enough (12)
11 Period of time (3)
12 Fuel for cars (3)
14 A group of sentences (9)
15 Possessive for it (3)
16 2000 lbs, or 1000 kg (3)
17 Coins and paper money (4)
18 Useful thing when it rains (8)
21 Something nice to have, but not necessary (6)
22 Gave something out to everyone (11)

Down
1 Something hard to understand (10)
2 Little magical helper (3)
3 Part of a circle (3)
4 Related to electricity (10)
5 Small flying animal, like a flying mouse (3)
6 Timid, nervous around people (3)
8 Thin, flat pieces of cloth or paper (5)
9 Get better (7)
10 Buildings along the shore that give light and guidance to ships (11)
13 Guard soldier (6)
19 Lines of things (4)
20 Get knowledge of a subject (5)
22 Small verb (2)
23 Small preposition (2)

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Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 9

Posted on 2012/02/18
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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.

donkey’s years/coon’s age: a very long time

Example:

How are you doing, Sam? I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age.

dumb bunny: someone who is stupid or naïve

Example:

Don’t be a dumb bunny. Be sure you take your cell phone with you when you go out alone after dark.

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Writing Assignment: The Department Store (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/18
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shopping mall

 

1. In this store what else can you buy besides purses?
In this store we can buy women’s apparel (clothes).

2. What is the woman on the left buying?
The woman on the left is buying some women’s clothes; a scarf, perhaps.

3. How many buttons are on the back side of the coat?
There are two buttons on the back side of the coat.

4. What is probably in the drawer behind the sales lady?
There are probably scarves, gloves, stockings, and similar things.

5. What is the sales lady wearing on her ears?
The sales lady is wearing earrings on her ears.

6. How many sales ladies are in the picture?
There is one sales lady in the picture.

7. Is the man in the background packing something in a box or paper bag?
The man in the background is packing something in a box.

8. What is the man in the black suit selling?
The man in the black suit is selling purses.

9. What is the blond lady holding in her right hand?
The blond lady is holding her purse in her right hand.

10. What is the man giving to the lady?
The man is giving a box to the lady.

11. What does the sales clerk write on the pad of paper that is on the counter?
The sales clerk writes a receipt with the pad of paper that is on the counter.

12. Is the purse more expensive or cheaper than a pair of stockings?
The purse is more expensive than a pair of stockings.

13. Do the people in this picture look unfriendly?
No, they look friendly.

14. What do the men wear around their necks?
The men wear neckties (ties) around their necks.

15. What do the lady customers wear on their heads?
The lady customers wear hats on their heads.

16. Is there someone standing in the door?
Yes, there is someone standing in the door, heading out of the store.

17. What do you see over the door?
Over the door we see a sign.

18. Which woman is wearing a vest?
The woman in the foreground is wearing a vest.

19. Could this picture be in a department store?
Yes, this picture could be in a department store.

20. Do you usually buy clothing in a clothing store or department store?
You can buy clothing in either a clothing store or a department store.

Paragraph: A Visit to the Store

Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to a department store. What did you buy? Was the sales clerk helpful? Did you buy a gift for someone?

The last time I went to a department store, I wanted to buy a pair of pajamas for my father. It was his birthday, and I wanted to give him something that I knew he would appreciate. I went to the department store at the local shopping mall. It was on the weekend and the mall was crowded, so I had a hard time trying to find a place to park. Eventually, though, I found a spot, parked the car, and went inside the mall to the store.

When I got to the men’s department, I went to the pajama section. I thought that my father needed size large, so I looked for the row that had that size. Since it had been cold out lately, I decided to get him a pair of flannel pajamas. I figured that those would keep him warmer than a pair of summer pajamas would. I found a red pair and brought them to the counter. The clerk rang me up and asked me if I needed a gift receipt. I said yes, so if the pajamas were the wrong size, color, or style, my father would be able to exchange the pajamas for ones he preferred. The clerk also asked me if I wanted to have them gift wrapped. I knew that I could wrap them myself, so I just asked for a gift box instead. I was satisfied with my purchase, and I went home to wrap up the pajamas as a present for my dad.

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Writing Assignment: The Department Store

Posted on 2012/02/17
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at the department store

 

Vocabulary

suit
customer
stocking
to look, appear
store
purse, handbag
besides
counter
expensive
inexpensive, cheap
coat
more expensive than
cheaper
most of the time
sales lady
pad of paper
clothing store
paper bag
something
unfriendly
neck
ear
to sell
someone
pair, pair of
sales clerk
to buy
to pack
box
department store
back side
probably
button
drawer
vest

1. In this store what else can you by besides purses?
2. What is the woman on the left buying?
3. How many buttons are on the back side of the coat?
4. What is probably in the drawer behind the sales lady?
5. What is the sales lady wearing on her ears?
6. How many sales ladies are in the picture?
7. Is the man in the background packing something in a box or paper bag?
8. What is the man in the black suit selling?
9. What is the blond lady holding in her right hand?
10. What is the man giving to the lady?
11. What does the sales clerk write on the pad of paper that is on the counter?
12. Is the purse more expensive or cheaper than a pair of stockings?
13. Do the people in this picture look unfriendly?
14. What do the men wear around their necks?
15. What do the lady customers wear on their heads?
16. Is there someone standing in the door?
17. What do you see over the door?
18. Which woman is wearing a vest?
19. Could this picture be in a department store?
20. Do you usually buy clothing in a clothing store or department store?

Paragraph: A Visit to the Store

Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to a department store. What did you buy? Was the sales clerk helpful? Did you buy a gift for someone?

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