Monthly Archives: March 2012

Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 8

Posted on 2012/03/25
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crossword puzzle

 
Across
1 a large farm animal used for producing milk and meat (3)
2 a track that has been made deliberately or made by many people walking over the same ground (4)
6 a piece of electronic equipment that lets you listen to programs (5)
9 a conjunction used to join two words, phrases, etc referring to things that are related in some way (3)
10 relating to money or the management of money (9)
12 the part of the body that you see with (3)
13 the reflexive form of “one” (7)
14 a person (5)
15 completely correct in every detail (5)
17 a statement that is not strong enough to express how good, bad, etc something really is (14)
18 the use of painting, drawing, sculpture, etc to represent things or express ideas (3)
19 a strong, alcoholic drink made from sugar (3)
20 a statement that is in exaggerated terms (13)
23 a place where alcoholic drinks are served (3)
24 to do something more than is suitable or natural (6)
25 the dried brown leaves that are smoked in cigarettes, pipes, etc (7)
29 a preposition used to indicate towards a higher place or position (2)
30 to reverse an action; to open or unwrap (4)
32 to decay by a gradual, natural process (3)
33 a word used to refer to the second of two people or things, which is not the one you already have or the one you have already mentioned (5)
34 a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant (5)
35 the feeling that something is definitely true, or definitely exists (6)

Down
1 the ability to behave in a sensible way and make practical decisions (11)
2 a round, metal container that is used for cooking, usually one with a long handle and a lid (3)
3 a small metal container in which food or drink is sold (3)
4 typical of or relating to men or boys (4)
5 a picture or set of words that is intended to persuade people to buy something (13)
6 a regular repeated pattern of sounds or movements (6)
7 the number below the line in a fraction (11)
8 a way in which two or more people or things are not like each other (10)
10 lacking or exhibiting a lack of good sense or judgment (7)
11 a helper (9)
16 something that you mention or add later because you did not think of it or plan it before (12)
18 a strong desire to achieve something (8)
21 an adverb used when emphasizing the degree or amount of something by saying what the result is (2)
22 the feeling of wanting something that someone else has (4)
26 a preposition used to what by means or method someone uses to do something (2)
27 the process of looking after someone, especially because they are ill, old, or very young (4)
28 opposite of in (3)
31 a smooth, thick liquid that is used to make machines run easily or is burned to produce heat (3)
33 a preposition used to show what a part belongs to or comes from (2)

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Idiom Focus: Animal Idioms 14

Posted on 2012/03/24
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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.

go whole hog:    do something completely or thoroughly

Example:

Once Andrew decides to take up a project, he goes at it whole hog.  That’s what I appreciate about him.

hit the bull’s-eye:    reach the main point, get to the heart of a matter

Example:

The newspaper really hit the bull’s-eye with their editorial criticizing the governor’s plan to raise taxes.

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Writing Assignment: At a Concert (Solution)

Posted on 2012/03/24
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at a concert

1.    Where is this picture taken?
This picture is taken in a concert hall, or a large auditorium designed for musical performances.

2.    What do you see on stage?
On stage there is a piano (a concert grand piano), a man sitting at the piano, several chairs, and a number of music stands.

3.    What do you call the man who gives instruction to the musicians?
The man who gives instructions to the musicians is called a conductor, or a director.

4.    Whom do you see on stage?
On the stage we see a man sitting at the piano (a pianist).

5.    What is he doing?
The man is playing the piano.

6.    Who is listening to the pianist?
The audience (the concertgoers) are listening to the pianist.

7.    Where are the people listening to the pianist sitting?
They are sitting in seats on the main floor, as well as in the gallery (balcony) and box seats.

8.    How many balcony levels are there?
There are four levels of balconies.

9.    How are the people dressed?
The people are dressed formally.

10.    Who helps the people find their seats?
An usher helps the people find their seats.

11.    What kinds of music can you hear at a concert?
At a concert you can hear all types of music:  classical music, jazz, rock music, popular music, folk music, etc.

12.    How can the people know what music is being played?
The people can know what music is being played by reading the concert program.

13.    What is a break during a concert called?
A break during a concert is called an intermission.

14.    Why is there usually a break in the middle of the program?
There is usually a break in the middle of the program so the musicians can get a rest, and the audience can get up and stretch their legs, use the restroom, etc.

15.    What does the musician play as a special request after the end of the listed program?
After the end of the listed program, the musician will often play a special request, called an encore.

16.    What does the audience do to show they like the performance?
The audience claps their hands (applauds) to show they like the performance.  Applause helps the musician to know his performance is appreciated.

17.    What sign might you see in the lobby if there are no more tickets available?
If there are no more tickets available, you might see a “SOLD OUT” sign in the lobby.

18.    What do you call a musician’s first performance?
A musician’s first performance is called a debut.

19.    Where are the good seats usually located?
The good seats are usually located in private booths (box seats) in the balcony, or in the front rows near the stage.

20.    Where are the cheap seats usually located?
The cheap seats are usually located in the uppermost balcony, or in the very back of the auditorium.

Paragraph:  At a Concert

When I was in college, I took piano lessons for a couple of years.  My piano teacher also happened to play violin in the civic orchestra in the city where my university was located.  One time she had some extra complimentary tickets for one of the orchestra’s upcoming concerts, so when she asked me if I would be interested in going, I said yes, and gratefully accepted the free ticket.

The concert hall in which the orchestra performed was located in the downtown, in an old but stately auditorium.  I got there shortly before the concert was supposed to begin and located my seat.  Shortly after this, the members of the orchestra began coming in, one by one, and taking their place.  I looked for my music teacher, and saw her seated among the other violinists.  Then the musicians readied themselves and the first clarinetist played a note, by which all the other members tuned their respective instruments.  When everyone was properly tuned, then the conductor came on stage and ascended the podium.  He brought the orchestra to attention by rapping his baton on his music stand, and the concert began.  The repertoire of the orchestra had classical music, which I enjoyed, and it seemed like every musical piece that they played evoked some vivid scene in my mind.  Before I knew it, the concert was over, bringing to a close an enjoyable Friday evening.  It was time to go home.

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Writing Assignment: At a Concert

Posted on 2012/03/23
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at a concert

Vocabulary

auditorium
concert hall
stage
lobby
musician
gallery
balcony
aisle
usher
director
conductor
piano
pianist
music
music stand
conductor
intermission
ticket
program
encore
applause
debut
repertoire
sold out
box seat
general admission

1.    Where is this picture taken?
2.    What do you see on stage?
3.    What do you call the man who gives instruction to the musicians?
4.    Whom do you see on stage?
5.    What is he doing?
6.    Who is listening to the pianist?
7.    Where are the people listening to the pianist sitting?
8.    How many balcony levels are there?
9.    How are the people dressed?
10.    Who helps the people find their seats?
11.    What kinds of music can you hear at a concert?
12.    How can the people know what music is being played?
13.    What is a break during a concert called?
14.    Why is there usually a break in the middle of the program?
15.    What does the musician play as a special request after the end of the listed program?
16.    What does the audience do to show they like the performance?
17.    What sign might you see in the lobby if there are no more tickets available?
18.    What do you call a musician’s first performance?
19.    Where are the good seats usually located?
20.    Where are the cheap seats usually located?

Paragraph:  At a Concert

Have you ever been to a concert?  How was it?  What kind of concert was it?  Did you go alone, or with some friends?  Write a paragraph describing your visit to a concert.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 28 – will, Part I (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/03/23
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Exercise: Change the following sentences from simple present to future tense using “will”:

They go swimming at the pool. ==> They will go swimming at the pool.
He doesn’t sing in the shower. ==> He won’t sing in the shower.

1. Bob will eat an apple every day.
2. The tailor will fix the broken zipper.
3. The band will march in the parade.
4. She will bake twelve different kinds of cookies for Christmas.
5. He won’t clean the basement in the spring.
6. We will paint the house on the weekend.
7. Tom will write for the newspaper.
8. The children won’t watch TV after school.
9. Jack will graduate from college next month.
10. Mary will take pictures at the party.
11. John will bring hot dogs and hamburgers.
12. They will buy drinks for everyone.
13. He won’t read 10 books a month.
14. You will wash the car next week.
15. The bank will open at 9 o’clock.
16. Susan will fill up the coffee pot.
17. The mailman will drop off a package.
18. We won’t buy stamps at the post office.
19. They will have a birthday party on Friday.
20. I will study history as often as I can.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 28 – will, Part I

Posted on 2012/03/22
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“will” is used to indicate future tense:

Yesterday he sang.
Today he sings.
Tomorrow he will sing.

“will” is easy to use. It must have a verb (in the infinitive form) that goes along with it. Also, “will” doesn’t change for either person or number:

will + (inf. verb)

I will _____
You will _____
He / She / It will _____
We will _____
You will _____
They will _____

To form a negative, put “not” immediately after “will,” but before the infinitive verb:

I will not _____
You will not _____
He / She / It will not _____
We will not _____
You will not _____
They will not _____

“will” may also be contracted: will ==> ’ll

I will _____ ==> I’ll
You will _____ ==> You’ll
He / She / It will _____ ==> He’ll / She’ll / It’ll
We will _____ ==> We’ll
You will _____ ==> You’ll
They will _____ ==> They’ll

“will not” is contracted a little differently, though: will not ==> won’t

I will not _____ ==> I won’t
You will not _____ ==> You won’t
He / She / It will not _____ ==> He / She / It won’t
We will not _____ ==> We won’t
You will not _____ ==> You won’t
They will not _____ ==> They won’t

We can also use “think … will” to indicate something we are fairly ( about 75%, for example) certain is going to happen.

(Noun – often, a pronoun) + think + (noun, pronoun) + will + (inf. verb)what do you want to be when you grow up

I think it will snow.
She thinks the children will like that movie.
They think he will be a fireman when he grows up.

We use “don’t think….will” to express that something is unlikely:

I don’t think it will rain on our parade.
He doesn’t think the library will be open on Sundays.

Sometimes, we use “will not” / “won’t” to indicate something that is unlikely to happen. It means the same thing as “don’t think…will”.

Tom thinks the economy won’t improve until next year.
They think the store won’t have any apples.

Exercise: Change the following sentences from simple present to future tense using “will”:

They go swimming at the pool. ==> They will go swimming at the pool.
He doesn’t sing in the shower. ==> He won’t sing in the shower.

1. Bob eats an apple every day.
2. The tailor fixes the broken zipper.
3. The band marches in the parade.
4. She bakes twelve different kinds of cookies for Christmas.
5. He doesn’t clean the basement in the spring.
6. We paint the house on the weekend.
7. Tom writes for the newspaper.
8. The children don’t watch TV after school.
9. Jack graduates from college next month.
10. Mary takes pictures at the party.
11. John brings hot dogs and hamburgers.
12. They buy drinks for everyone.
13. He doesn’t read 10 books a month.
14. You wash the car next week.
15. The bank opens at 9 o’clock.
16. Susan fills up the coffee pot.
17. The mailman drops off a package.
18. We don’t buy stamps at the post office.
19. They have a birthday party on Friday.
20. I study history as often as I can.

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Culture Focus: Vernal Equinox

Posted on 2012/03/21
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Spring has sprung ~ the first flower of springToday, March 21, is the vernal, or spring, equinox.  It is called the equinox because night and day are of equal length.  It marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.  Winter is officially over, although that doesn’t mean that we can’t get snow after today.  It is unlikely, but there have been times in the Chicago area where we’ve had snow as late as the first week in April, actually.  Of course, weather depends on a particular location, especially on latitude.  The further north you go, the more likely you are to have winter-like weather despite the calendar telling you it’s spring.

Some people do “spring cleaning.”  People like to take advantage of the nicer weather by opening the windows and get some fresh air after having things all buttoned up again the cold all winter.  Spring cleaning gives people the chance to put away their winter clothes, boots, snow shovels, etc.  If you have children, it might be a time of going through their clothes, discarding what has become too small and assessing which new clothes may need to be purchased.  It’s a time to clean the windows so the bright spring sunshine is able to come in.  In the old days where people had area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting, it was also a time to take the rugs outside for a beating to get rid of the winter dust and dirt, and give them a good airing so they would smell fresh.  Because of all the work associated with these tasks, the term “spring cleaning” has come to represent a thorough, complete cleaning.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 27 – I’m going to… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/03/21
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Exercises: Complete the sentences by choosing an appropriate verb, and using am / is / are + going to….

Example:

Don’t disturb Mother – she (take) a bath. ==> Don’t disturb Mother – she’s going to take a bath.

1. Jim is going to get a haircut this afternoon.
2. They are going to give us a free night at the hotel.
3. It’s going to be cold today, so be sure to dress warmly.
4. We are going to watch the fireworks at the park.
5. Are you going to listen to the concert on the radio?
6. Have you heard if it’s going to rain?
7. Please be quiet – I’m going to go to bed.
8. What is the teacher going to talk about tomorrow?
9. When Kelly finishes college, she’s going to find an apartment and move out.
10. Are you crazy? Dad’s going to be furious when he finds out that you got in a car accident!

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Grammar Basics: Unit 27 – I’m going to…

Posted on 2012/03/20
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As mentioned in the previous Grammar Basics, “am / is / are + going to…” is often used to talk about the future:

Examples:

I’m going to write a letter and complain about that lousy car we got.
Are you going to go to the store? Please pick up some bread and milk while you’re there.

When we use “am / is / are + going to…”, we are indicating our decision or intention to do a particular thing. I’ve already made up my mind to do it. (Contrast that with “will + V”, which is used when a decision is not made until the time of speaking.)

Examples:

I’m going to go swimming after lunch.
Tom is going to look for a summer job.
What are you going to do when you run out of money?
When are you going to call Mona?

Additionally, “is going to…” can be used when you are sure that something is sure to happen.

Examples:

The weatherman said it’s going to rain this afternoon.
Oh no – the car has no gas. We’re going to be late.

Exercises: Complete the sentences by choosing an appropriate verb, and using am / is / are + going to….

Example:

Don’t disturb Mother – she (take) a bath. ==> Don’t disturb Mother – she’s going to take a bath.

be
be
find
get
give
go
listen
move
rain
talk
watch

1. Jim is _______ a haircut this afternoon.
2. They are _______ us a free night at the hotel.
3. It _______ cold today, so be sure to dress warmly.
4. We _______ the fireworks at the park.
5. _______ you _______ to the concert on the radio?
6. Have you heard if it _______?
7. Please be quiet – I _______ to bed.
8. What _______ the teacher _______ about tomorrow?
9. When Kelly finishes college, she _______ an apartment and _______ out.
10. Are you crazy? Dad _______ furious when he finds out that you got in a car accident!

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Education Focus: Dances

Posted on 2012/03/19
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One of the premises regarding the modern American educational system is that education has a social component in addition to academic instruction.  In keeping with this philosophy, many schools host dances for their students, generally staring in middle school.

In middle school, dances tend not to be formal – there are usually no set dates, so boys and girls can go “stag” – the girls don’t have to wait around for a boy to ask them to the dance, and boys don’t have to stress over getting turned down by a girl.  Also, at middle school dances the music is generally not performed by a live band, but comes rather from students’ music collections.

In high school the dances tend to be more formal, although there are a few that are decidedly not formal.  Also, in high school the music is more likely than in middle school to be performed by a live band, but of course it depends on the budget of those organizing the dance.  The boy usually asks the girl to the dance, but there are a couple of notable exceptions to this:  a Sadie Hawkins dance (non-formal, based on a comic strip character who couldn’t find a beau, so she chased the eligible bachelors) and a Turnabout dance (formal).

The number of dances each year varies from school to school, but there are two big dances that are a nearly universal experience for every American high school:  the annual Homecoming dance, and the annual Prom.  We’ll have more to say about these special dances in future Education Focuses.

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