Monthly Archives: January 2013
Crossword – Irregular Verbs 12 (Solution)
Posted on 2013/01/28
Crossword – Irregular Verbs 12
Posted on 2013/01/27
Across
1 All the chess pieces were (hew) from the same chunk of onyx. (4)
6 Felted fabric is (unweave), so it won’t fray. (7)
8 The archer (unstring) his bow before putting it away. (8)
10 Father must have (test-drive) a dozen cars before he finally found one he liked. (4-6)
11 Mike (see) the cardinal before he heard it sing. (3)
13 The legislation was (withdraw) before the representatives had a chance to vote on it. (9)
15 Every year in the spring the local TV station would (rerun) the movie “The Robe.” (5)
17 The deacons were surprised at how few parishoners (partake) of communion last week. (7)
20 The actor was jealous that a junior cast member (outdraw) him in his previous movie. (7)
22 Has little Tommy Tucker (sing) for his supper? (4)
24 This pill must be (take) before eating. (5)
25 Father must have (tell) Harry a hundred times to put his bike away. (4)
26 Little Jack Horner sat in the corner, eating a Christmas pie – he (put) in his thumb, and pulled out a plum, and said, “What a good boy am I!” (3)
27 At Mother’s insistence, I (handwrite) a thank-you note for the present I received from Aunt Martha. (9)
30 When Dad was a kid, he did as he was (bid). (6)
31 Oh no! What have I (do)? (4)
32 We (do) nothing but read and relax on our vacation. (3)
Down
2 Mr. Brown (win) the election by a two-hundred-vote margin. (3)
3 The snow was so deep the children (dig) tunnels in the drifts in the backyard. (3)
4 Even with a budget, Tom (overspend) by twenty percent. (9)
5 Despite the advantage Tom held due to his body weight, the petite waitress (outdrink) him. (8)
6 The study was dismissed because the scientists were unable to get the cost of the research (underwrite) by a reputable sponsor. (12)
7 (Be) the library still open when you got there? (3)
9 Alex (test-drive) the luxury car even though he never planned to buy it. (4-5)
12 The elderly granny (withstand) the mugger to his face, and managed to scare him off with her courage. (9)
13 When his wife died, Walter broke down and (weep) like a baby. (4)
14 The rodeo star broke his leg when he was (throw) by the bronco. (6)
16 As a result of the cheating scandal, all the rules have been (rewrite). (9)
18 I (shake) the cough syrup before I took some, just as it said on the label. (5)
19 As soon as I had (eat) the guacamole, I knew I was going to get sick. (5)
21 The stagecoach was (waylay) by a gang of desperados. (7)
22 The expectant father hadn’t (sleep) in nearly three days. (5)
23 Don’t worry about the phone – I’ve (get) it! (3)
27 A good time was (have) by all. (3)
28 We were (wed) over thirty years ago. (3)
29 The doctor (rid) the town of contagion by closing down the communal water pump. (3)
Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 11
Posted on 2013/01/26
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. Currently, we’re looking at some common English idioms.
grab a bite to eat: eat something quickly, either a snack or a small meal
Example:
I didn’t have time for breakfast this morning, so I grabbed a bite to eat on the way to work.
hard headed: a hard-headed person is someone who is stubborn, someone who doesn’t listen to good advice
Example:
Jack is going to ruin the project because he’s so hard headed. I wish he would at least listen to Sam’s suggestions.
Grammar Basics: Unit 58 – Do and make (Solution)
Posted on 2013/01/25
Exercises. Complete the sentences, using make/making/made or do/doing/did.
Example:
What did you _______ on your vacation? ==> What did you do on your vacation?
1. The boys made a lot of trouble for the substitute teacher.
2. The dessert tasted fabulous! Did you make it yourself?
3. The children are being pretty quiet – go and check what they are doing.
4. Peter did well on his biology test.
5. What did I do to deserve his rude treatment?
6. On Mother’s Day, Father did the dishes for Mother.
7. Grandmother made Aunt Polly’s wedding dress.
8. When you cleaned the living room, I hope you remembered to do the windows.
9. You’d better behave – I don’t want you making trouble for the babysitter.
10. Aunt Sally really made a fuss over Jimmy when he got sick with the measles.
Exercises. Look at the following pictures and describe what the people are doing, using either doing or making.
Example:
He is making a list.
1. They are doing laundry.
2. He is taking a picture.
3. She is making bread.
4. He is making a phone call.
5. She is doing the dishes.
6. He is making a picture.
7. She is making a face.
8. She is making a sock.
9. They are making a movie.
10. She is doing homework.
11. She is making the bed.
Exercises. Write make or do in the correct form.
Example:
He _______ his bed, now he must lie in it. ==> He made his bed, now he must lie in it. (an English idiom, meaning that a person must accept the consequences of his actions, rather than complain about them)
1. Grandmother found doing the dishes to be relaxing.
2. Mother does the gardening in the early morning, before it gets too hot.
3. Every Thanksgiving, Mother and her sisters would get together and make a huge turkey dinner.
4. You’d better clean up the mess that the puppies made in the living room.
5. I don’t think I can make change for a five-dollar bill.
6. Karen always makes her bed before she eats breakfast.
7. To get ready for the test, Jack did all the review exercises for Chapter 6.
8. Edward makes beautiful music whenever he plays his violin.
9. Sally hates doing the laundry. It’s so boring.
10. I’m not doing you any favors if I do all your homework for you!
11. Jack made a face when the dentist told him he shouldn’t eat so much candy.
12. It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose the tennis match, as long as you do your best.
Grammar Basics: Unit 58 – Do and make
Posted on 2013/01/24
“do” is a word that is often used for actions:
Examples:
What are you doing? (Not “What are you making?”)
Have you washed the dishes? –Not yet, but I’ll do it later.
What do you usually do on vacation?
I’m bored – there’s nothing to do.
“make” is used when we are referring to producing or creating something.
Examples:
Grandmother made bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Jack is going to make a model car for the Pinewood Derby.
Everybody knows that Santa’s elves make all the toys in their workshop at the North Pole.
Here are some expressions using “do”:
do (somebody) a favor: Can you do me a favor? I need some stamps from the post office.
do (your) best: My parents always told me not to stress over an exam, but just to do my best.
do an exercise: Sarah does yoga every morning before work.
do homework: Tom does homework for two hours every day after school.
do housework: Aunt Elsa hates doing housework, so Uncle Steve has a cleaning lady come twice a week.
do the dishes: It’s Eddie’s turn to do the dishes this week, isn’t it?
do the laundry: The worst part about going on vacation is you have to do the laundry when you get back home.
Here are some expressions using “make”:
make (a) noise: Shhh – don’t make a noise. I’m hunting rabbits.
make a bed: We were taught to make our bed every morning before coming down for breakfast.
make a face: Joshua made a face at the teacher while her back was turned.
make a fuss: You don’t have to make a fuss over me – just treat me like one of the family.
make a list: Santa Claus is making a list, and checking it twice – he’s going to find out who’s naughty and nice.
make a mess: The teacher scolded the children for making a mess in the cafeteria.
make a mistake: Oh, I must have made a mistake – Mr. Smith’s address is 305 Main Street, not 503.
make a phone call: Will you excuse me for a moment? I have to make an important phone call at 3 o’clock.
make an appointment: Father has a toothache, so Mother made an appointment for him to see the dentist tomorrow afternoon.
make change: Can you make change for a dollar?
make trouble: I don’t want to make trouble for you, but we have to do something about the dead tree in the back yard.
Note: “make a picture” is used only to refer to painting or drawing. Also, movies are “made,” but photographs are “taken” – “make a movie,” “take a picture”:
Charlie made a wonderful picture in art class today.
The movie “Gone With the Wind” was made in 1939.
Be sure to take lots of pictures on your vacation to the Grand Canyon.
Exercises. Complete the sentences, using make/making/made or do/doing/did.
Example:
What did you _______ on your vacation? ==> What did you do on your vacation?
1. The boys _______ a lot of trouble for the substitute teacher.
2. The dessert tasted fabulous! Did you _______ it yourself?
3. The children are being pretty quiet – go and check what they are _______.
4. Peter _______ well on his biology test.
5. What did I _______ to deserve his rude treatment?
6. On Mother’s Day, Father _______ the dishes for Mother.
7. Grandmother _______ Aunt Polly’s wedding dress.
8. When you cleaned the living room, I hope you remembered to _______ the windows.
9. You’d better behave – I don’t want you _______ trouble for the babysitter.
10. Aunt Sally really _______ a fuss over Jimmy when he got sick with the measles.
Exercises. Look at the following pictures and describe what the people are doing, using either doing or making.
Example:
He is making a list.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Exercises. Write make or do in the correct form.
Example:
He _______ his bed, now he must lie in it. ==> He made his bed, now he must lie in it. (an English idiom, meaning that a person must accept the consequences of his actions, rather than complain about them)
1. Grandmother found _______ the dishes to be relaxing.
2. Mother _______ the gardening in the early morning, before it gets too hot.
3. Every Thanksgiving, Mother and her sisters would get together and _______ a huge turkey dinner.
4. You’d better clean up the mess that the puppies _______ in the living room.
5. I don’t think I can _______ change for a five-dollar bill.
6. Karen always _______ her bed before she eats breakfast.
7. To get ready for the test, Jack _______ all the review exercises for Chapter 6.
8. Edward _______ beautiful music whenever he plays his violin.
9. Sally hates _______ the laundry. It’s so boring.
10. I’m not _______ you any favors if I _______ all your homework for you!
11. Jack _______ a face when the dentist told him he shouldn’t eat so much candy.
12. It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose the tennis match, as long as you _______ your best.
Grammar Basics: Unit 57 – Get (Solution)
Posted on 2013/01/23
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “get/gets” with a phrase from the list.
Example:
Jack will ____________ if he doesn’t slow down. (a speeding ticket) ==> Jack will get a speeding ticket if he doesn’t slow down.
1. Did you get a birthday card for John?
2. Every winter Aunt Martha gets the flu.
3. I hope I get an “A” on the test!
4. You can get a good chicken sandwich at that restaurant.
5. Whenever Father goes to the store, he gets a candy bar for us.
6. Hello, operator – could you get me the police?
7. I want to get a new camera for my birthday.
8. That’s a nice haircut. Where did you get it?
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “getting” with a word from the list.
Example:
Please close the window. It’s ____________ in here. (cold) ==> Please close the window. It’s getting cold in here.
1. Did you hear the news? Tom and Becky are getting married next month.
2. I’m getting tired. Let’s sit down and take a break.
3. If you’re getting bored, you can watch some TV.
4. With all the change in the weather lately, I think I’m getting sick.
5. Let me know if you’re getting hot, and I’ll turn on the air conditioning.
6. Well, it’s getting late, so we’ll be heading home now.
7. The children were getting frustrated with the problem, so the teacher gave them a hint.
8. When it starts getting dark, close the curtains and turn on the lights.
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “get/got” with a word from the list.
Example:
Dad ____________ when he saw the dent on the car door. (mad) ==> Dad got mad when he saw the dent on the car door.
1. I didn’t like that book at first, but it got better after the first few chapters.
2. The teacher will get angry if you tell her you didn’t do your homework.
3. It’s time to get dressed and go to the party.
4. If you get hungry, help yourself to the food in the refrigerator.
5. I always got nervous whenever I had to play a solo in a piano recital.
6. My grandparents got married over fifty years ago.
7. Take the laundry off the clothesline before it rains so it doesn’t get wet.
8. Grandmother’s illness caused her to get old prematurely.
9. Cathy has a GPS in her car, but she still managed to get lost on her way to the restaurant.
10. I heard you have the flu. I hope you get well soon.
Exercises. Write sentences with “I left…and got to ….”
Example:
(home / 8:00 –> school / 8:45) ==> I left home at 8:00 and got to school at 8:45.
1. I left the train station at 4:30 and got to the coffee shop at 4:40.
2. I left the park at 10:15 and got to the post office at 10:35.
3. I left the party at 11:30 and got home after midnight.
Exercises. Complete the sentences, using “got in / got out / got on / got off.”
Example:
Jack ____________ the bus for the airport. ==> Jack got on the bus for the airport.
1. After we got off the plane, Martin discovered he had lost his passport.
2. John got in the car and went to the store.
3. The man got out of his car and began yelling at the rowdy boys.
4. Today a strange man got on the train and played a tuba.
Grammar Basics: Unit 57 – Get
Posted on 2013/01/22
The word “get” can be used with nouns. To “get” something means “to receive, buy, or find something”: get + (noun)
Examples:
Mother got a nice vase for her birthday. (–> received a nice vase)
Can you get some eggs at the store on your way home? (–> buy some eggs)
Jack’s hurt his leg. Go and get a doctor right away! (–> find, and bring back a doctor)
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone. (–> find, and bring back a bone)
Has Uncle Jeb gotten a job yet? (–> found a job)
Note: get it = understand it
The teacher had to explain the homework several times before Tom finally got it.
I saw that movie, but I didn’t get the ending. Did you?
The word “get” can also be used with adjectives: get + (adjective) means “to become”:
Examples:
I got cold, so I turned up the heat.
If you’re getting tired, why don’t you just go to bed?
Have an afternoon snack so you won’t get hungry – dinner won’t be until 6 o’clock.
The couch got wet because someone left the window open in the rain.
Note:
get married: Dick and Jane got married last month.
get dressed: Hurry up and get dressed – we have to leave in five minutes! (put clothes on)
get lost: Hansel and Gretel got lost in the woods when they stumbled upon the witch’s gingerbread house. (lost their way)
The word “get” is also used in the phrase get (to) + (a place), which means “to arrive”:
Examples:
We got to the station just as the train was leaving.
It took us twelve hours to get to Atlanta by car.
Jack got to work late because of car trouble.
Note: the following do NOT use the preposition “to”:
get here: Steve got here about half an hour before Max did.
get there: Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone, but when she got there, the cupboard was bare, and so the poor dog had none.
get home: Dad got home from work after 10 o’clock last night.
Further:
get in(to): It’s raining outside, so get in the house as soon as possible.
Jimmy got in trouble at school today. (“get in trouble” = do something wrong, and face punishment for it)
get out: For the fire drill, the teacher instructed the children to get out of the building quickly and quietly.
get on: You’ll know it’s time to get on the train when the conductor says “All aboard!”
get off: If you want to visit the art museum, you should get off the bus at the next stop.
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “get/gets” with a phrase from the list.
Example:
Jack will ____________ if he doesn’t slow down. (a speeding ticket) ==> Jack will get a speeding ticket if he doesn’t slow down.
a birthday card
a candy bar
a good chicken sandwich
a new camera
an “A”
it
the flu
the police
1. Did you ____________ for John?
2. Every winter Aunt Martha gets ____________.
3. I hope I ____________ on the test!
4. You can ____________ at that restaurant.
5. Whenever Father goes to the store, he ____________ for us.
6. Hello, operator – could you ____________ me ____________?
7. I want to ____________ for my birthday.
8. That’s a nice haircut. Where did you get ____________?
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “getting” with a word from the list.
Example:
Please close the window. It’s ____________ in here. (cold) ==> Please close the window. It’s getting cold in here.
bored
dark
frustrated
getting
hot
late
married
tired
1. Did you hear the news? Tom and Becky are ____________ next month.
2. I’m ____________. Let’s sit down and take a break.
3. If you’re ____________, you can watch some TV.
4. With all the change in the weather lately, I think I’m ____________.
5. Let me know if you’re ____________, and I’ll turn on the air conditioning.
6. Well, it’s ____________, so we’ll be heading home now.
7. The children were ____________ with the problem, so the teacher gave them a hint.
8. When it starts ____________, close the curtains and turn on the lights.
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “get/got” with a word from the list.
Example:
Dad ____________ when he saw the dent on the car door. (mad) ==> Dad got mad when he saw the dent on the car door.
angry
better
dressed
get
hungry
lost
married
nervous
old
well
1. I didn’t like that book at first, but it ____________ after the first few chapters.
2. The teacher will ____________ if you tell her you didn’t do your homework.
3. It’s time to ____________ and go to the party.
4. If you ____________, help yourself to the food in the refrigerator.
5. I always ____________ whenever I had to play a solo in a piano recital.
6. My grandparents ____________ over fifty years ago.
7. Take the laundry off the clothesline before it rains so it doesn’t ____________.
8. Grandmother’s illness caused her to ____________ prematurely.
9. Cathy has a GPS in her car, but she still managed to ____________ on her way to the restaurant.
10. I heard you have the flu. I hope you ____________ soon.
Exercises. Write sentences with “I left…and got to ….”
Example:
(home / 8:00 –> school / 8:45) ==> I left home at 8:00 and got to school at 8:45.
1. (the train station / 4:30 –> the coffee shop / 4:40)
2. (the park / 10:15 –> the post office / 10:35)
3. (the party / 11:30 –> home / after midnight)
Exercises. Complete the sentences, using “got in / got out / got on / got off.”
Example:
Jack ____________ the bus for the airport. ==> Jack got on the bus for the airport.
1. After we ____________ the plane, Martin discovered he had lost his passport.
2. John ____________ the car and went to the store.
3. The man ____________ of his car and began yelling at the rowdy boys.
4. Today a strange man ____________ the train and played a tuba.
Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 34
Posted on 2013/01/20
Across
1 the first day of the work week (6)
4 a geometric shape with four sides of equal length and four right angles (6)
8 something that has been built, especially something large (9)
11 a preposition used to what by means or method someone uses to do something (2)
12 a small insect that lives in large groups (3)
13 conjunction used for comparing two things (2)
14 to move from one place to another (2)
15 a large farm animal used for producing milk and meat (3)
16 to touch lightly (3)
18 a school for advanced education, especially in a particular profession or skill (7)
19 being essential (9)
22 a citrus fruit, often used in making juice (6)
23 a pronoun used to say that it doesn’t matter which thing or person is chosen, because the result will be the same (9)
26 the force that makes a moving object keep moving (8)
28 a conjunction used to join two words, phrases, etc referring to things that are related in some way (3)
29 a statement that is not strong enough to express how good, bad, etc something really is (14)
30 an answer you use to indicate that something is true, or you agree; opposite of no (3)
31 to fasten things together using a piece of string or a rope (3)
32 making an animal able to work for people or live with them as a pet (13)
35 a method for doing something (3)
Down
1 relating to the principles of right and wrong, good and evil (5)
2 nose hole (7)
3 personal pronoun for 2nd person, singular or plural (3)
4 a word used when speaking to a man in order to be polite or show respect (3)
5 a preposition used to indicate towards a higher place or position (2)
6 to make something press against something else and move it around (3)
7 the sound a snake makes (4)
9 to feel sorry about something you did, and wish that you hadn’t done it (6)
10 lack of conformity (12)
13 a number or amount that is not exact, but is almost correct; an estimate (13)
17 the things that a person or animal does (8)
18 a sharp curved nail on an animal or bird (4)
20 to state that something is true, even though it has not been proved (5)
21 boyfriend / girlfriend (10)
24 a business that produces a particular type of good or service (8)
25 what comes after 99 (7)
27 flat and level, with no parts that are higher than other parts (4)
28 anyway (6)
33 a preposition used to say where someone or something goes (2)
34 a word used when talking about something that might happen or be true, or might have happened (2)