Monthly Archives: March 2013

Writing Assignment: At the Florist (Solution)

florist1.    What do you see in this picture?
We see a man and some flowers.

2.    What is the man doing?
The man is holding a pot of flowers.

3.    What is he surrounded by?
He is surrounded by many pots and containers of flowers.

4.    Are there a lot of flowers, or a little?
There are a lot of flowers.

5.    What types of flowers do you see?
We can see tulips, lilies, pansies, and petunias.

6.    Where can you buy flowers?
You can buy flowers at a flower shop.

7.    What do you call a person who works with growing or arranging flowers?
A person who works with growing flowers or arranging flowers is called a florist.

8.    What is another name for a place where you can buy flowers?
Another name for a place where you can buy flowers is called the florist’s (shop).

9.    What are some popular flowers to buy?
Some popular flowers are tulips, orchids, carnations, mums (chrysanthemums), and roses.

10.    What are some spring flowers?
Some spring flowers are roses, tulips, jonquils, crocuses, and daffodils.

11.    What are some summer flowers?
Some summer flowers are daisies, baby’s breath, and carnations.

12.    What are some fall flowers?
Some fall flowers are orchids, asters, and mums.

13.    What type of flower has thorns?
Roses have thorns.

14.    What reasons are there to buy flowers?
Flowers are bought for many reasons.  A man might buy flowers for his sweetheart.  People might buy flowers to cheer someone up, or to brighten up a sick room.  Flowers are also bought to congratulate someone – for example, on the birth of a child.  Flowers are also used in weddings and funerals.

15.    For what occasions is it appropriate to give flowers as a gift?
Flowers make an appropriate gift for a wedding or baby shower, for a Valentine’s day present, for a get-well present, or for a housewarming gift.

16.    What do you call a group of flowers that you give someone?
A group of flowers that you give to someone is called a bouquet.

17.    What do you call the group of flowers that a bride carries down the aisle?
The group of flowers that a bride carries down the aisle is called a bridal bouquet.

18.    What do you call a circular arrangement of flowers?
A circular arrangement of flowers is called a wreath.

19.    How can you send flowers to someone who lives in another city?
If you want to send flowers to someone who lives in another city, you can go to the florist and ask them to “wire” flowers to the other person.  Your florist will take your order and contact a local florist in the other city, who will then fulfill the order and deliver the flowers in person for you.

20.    How can you preserve flowers?
Flowers can be preserved by drying.  They can be dried out by pressing them in a book.  You can also preserver flowers by letting them hang upside down in a corner of the room until they have dried out.  It is also possible to speed up the drying process by using a microwave to dry out the flowers.

Paragraph:  At the Florist

Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to the florist.  What kind of flowers did you get?  Were they for a happy occasion, or a sad one?  What are some reasons why you might go to a florist?

 
flowersOne time I needed to get some flowers to give as a “hostess gift” when I was invited to lunch.  I wanted to show my appreciation to the lady of the house, so I thought a nice flower arrangement would be the perfect thing for her.  On the way to my luncheon engagement, I stopped by the supermarket and visited the floral section.  There they had a beautiful floral arrangement with different kinds of blue and white flowers.   I purchased this arrangement and brought it with me to the luncheon engagement.  When the lady of the house saw it, she thanked me profusely and told me she thought it was especially lovely, because she liked the colors of the blue and white flowers.  I was glad she appreciated the hostess gift.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 33 (solution)

Basic Crossword - solution

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Writing Assignment: At the Florist

florist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vocabulary

Flower Pot Florist Arrangement
Decoration Spray Wreath Swag
Garland Bouquet Corsage Boutonniere
Lei Fragrance Petal Stem
Thorn Greens Daisy Pansy
Carnation Baby’s breath Fern Rose
Mum (chrysanthemum) Tulip Orchid  

 

1.    What do you see in this picture?
2.    What is the man doing?
3.    What is he surrounded by?
4.    Are there a lot of flowers, or a little?
5.    What types of flowers do you see?
6.    Where can you buy flowers?
7.    What do you call a person who works with growing or arranging flowers?
8.    What is another name for a place where you can buy flowers?
9.    What are some popular flowers to buy?
10.    What are some spring flowers?
11.    What are some summer flowers?
12.    What are some fall flowers?
13.    What type of flower has thorns?
14.    What reasons are there to buy flowers?
15.    For what occasions is it appropriate to give flowers as a gift?
16.    What do you call a group of flowers that you give someone?
17.    What do you call the group of flowers that a bride carries down the aisle?
18.    What do you call a circular arrangement of flowers?
19.    How can you send flowers to someone who lives in another city?
20.    How can you preserve flowers?

Paragraph:  At the Florist

Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to the florist.  What kind of flowers did you get?  Were they for a happy occasion, or a sad one?  What are some reasons why you might go to a florist?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 60 – I / me, he / him, etc. (Solution)

Exercise. Complete the sentences, using him, her, or them.

Example:

I don’t know the new Girl Scout leader. Do you know ______? ==> I don’t know the Girl Scout leader. Do you know her?

1. I don’t know those boys. Do you know them?
2. I don’t know Mr. Smith. Do you know him?
3. I don’t know Mary’s aunt. Do you know her?
4. I don’t know baseball coach. Do you know him?
5. I don’t know those people. Do you know them?
6. I don’t know Kevin’s father. Do you know him?
7. I don’t know the man in the blue sweater. Do you know him?
8. I don’t know Mrs. Wilson. Do you know her?
9. I don’t know Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. Do you know them?
10. I don’t know Uncle Jack’s doctor. Do you know him (her)?

Exercise. Complete the sentences, using I, me, he, him, etc.

Example:

Who is that woman standing by the door? Do you know ______? ==> Who is that woman standing by the door? Do you know her?

1. Mr. Saxon gave us his old rowboat. We are going to use it for fishing at the lake.
2. I can’t find my jeans. Have you washed them?
3. Are you listening to me? I told you I’m taking a vacation next week.
4. Jane is the department secretary. If you need any equipment or materials, she will get them for you.
5. My brother is getting married next month. I need to buy him a wedding present.
6. Mary has been sick all week. We should send her a get-well card.
7. We haven’t finished packing yet. Will you wait for us?
8. I called you last night, but there was no answer. Did you go out?
9. I was late for class, so the teacher marked me tardy.
10. Mr. Smith, do you have some free time? I need to talk to you.
11. Uncle Mike lost his job. He is looking for a new one.
12. Jack and Jill are not allowed to have a puppy yet. They have to learn how to take care of it first.

Exercise. Write sentences using I like…, I don’t like…, or Do you like…?

Example:

I don’t drink coffee. ______. ==> I don’t drink coffee. I don’t like it.

1. I made a chocolate cake for dessert. Do you like it?
2. The history teacher gives too much homework. I don’t like him.
3. These flowers came from our garden. Do you like them?
4. I’m afraid of dogs. I don’t like them.
5. I got my hair cut. Do you like it?
6. Mr. Jones is our neighbor. Do you like him?
7. Those children are mean to us. I don’t like them.
8. The nurse seems like a nice lady. Do you like her?
9. Our cabin has a wonderful view of the lake. I like it.
10. These peaches are so tasty. I like them.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 60 – I / me, he / him, etc.

English pronouns have two forms: the subject form and the object form.

Subject forms are used for the subject of the sentence – the “doer” of the sentence. The subject forms are:

I: I hit Bob.
We: We hit Bob.
You: You hit Bob.
He: He hits Bob.
She: She hits Bob.
It: It hits Bob.
They: They hit Bob.

Object forms are used for the object of the sentence – the person or thing that is the “receiver” of the action of the sentence. The object forms are:

Me: Bob hit me.
Us: Bob hit us.
You: Bob hit you.
Him: Bob hit him.
Her: Bob hit her.
It: Bob hit it.
Them: Bob hit them.

The object form of a pronoun is ALWAYS used after a preposition:

Who among us is brave enough to bell the cat?
John got a birthday card from them.
This piece of pie is for me.
The novel was written by him.
That cold wind just cuts right through you, doesn’t it?

Here is a list of some common English prepositions:

aboard about above across
after against along alongside
amid amidst among amongst
around at atop before
behind below beneath beside
besides between beyond by
concerning despite down during
except following for from
in inside into like
near next of off
on onto opposite out
outside over past regarding
through throughout till to
toward towards under underneath
until unto up upon
with within without  

 

Exercise. Complete the sentences, using him, her, or them.

Example:

I don’t know the new Girl Scout leader. Do you know ______? ==> I don’t know the Girl Scout leader. Do you know her?

1. I don’t know those boys. Do you know ______?
2. I don’t know Mr. Smith. Do you know ______?
3. I don’t know Mary’s aunt. Do you know ______?
4. I don’t know baseball coach. Do you know ______?
5. I don’t know those people. Do you know ______?
6. I don’t know Kevin’s father. Do you know ______?
7. I don’t know the man in the blue sweater. Do you know ______?
8. I don’t know Mrs. Wilson. Do you know ______?
9. I don’t know Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. Do you know ______?
10. I don’t know Uncle Jack’s doctor. Do you know ______?

Exercise. Complete the sentences, using I, me, he, him, etc.

Example:

Who is that woman standing by the door? Do you know ______? ==> Who is that woman standing by the door? Do you know her?

1. Mr. Saxon gave us his old rowboat. ______ are going to use it for fishing at the lake.
2. I can’t find my jeans. Have you washed ______?
3. Are you listening to me? ______ told you I’m taking a vacation next week.
4. Jane is the department secretary. If you need any equipment or materials, ______ will get them for you.
5. My brother is getting married next month. I need to buy ______ a wedding present.
6. Mary has been sick all week. We should send ______ a get-well card.
7. We haven’t finished packing yet. Will you wait for ______?
8. I called you last night, but there was no answer. Did ______ go out?
9. I was late for class, so the teacher marked ______ tardy.
10. Mr. Smith, do you have some free time? I need to talk to ______.
11. Uncle Mike lost his job. ______ is looking for a new one.
12. Jack and Jill are not allowed to have a puppy yet. ______ have to learn how to take care of it first.

Exercise. Write sentences using I like…, I don’t like…, or Do you like…?

Example:

I don’t drink coffee. ______. ==> I don’t drink coffee. I don’t like it.

1. I made a chocolate cake for dessert. ______?
2. The history teacher gives too much homework. I don’t ______.
3. These flowers came from our garden. ______?
4. I’m afraid of dogs. I ______.
5. I got my hair cut. ______?
6. Mr. Jones is our neighbor. ______?
7. Those children are mean to us. I______.
8. The nurse seems like a nice lady. ______?
9. Our cabin has a wonderful view of the lake. I ______.
10. These peaches are so tasty. I ______.

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Crossword – TOEFL 11 (Solution)

toefl11-sol

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Crossword – TOEFL 11

toefl11
Across
1 Courageous (10)
7 Dense, packed closely together (7)
10 Opposite of “high” (3)
12 To tarnish someone’s reputation (8)
13 Knowledge, understanding (3)
15 Major road (12)
18 Inconsistent; lacking consistency, regularity, or uniformity (7)
19 To hang (7)
21 Impossible to dispute; unquestionable; undeniable (16)
22 Excellent (6)
23 Not liking attention (3)
25 A clamp or device that holds two things together (5)
27 Speech or writing that is easily understood (12)
30 Gruesome (5)
31 To beg someone to do something for you (7)
32 Wretchedness (3)
33 A public entertainment or performance to celebrate a special occasion (4)

Down
1 Gentle (4)
2 Haul by a rope or chain (3)
3 Not strict (3)
4 Take a little drink (3)
5 Space rock that has landed on earth (6)
6 Suggesting of or characterized by expediency, deceit, and cunning (13)
7 Mandatory, required (10)
8 Disfigure (3)
9 To irritate or provoke, usually in sport (5)
11 Difficult to manage or govern; stubborn (11)
14 Showing indifference or disregard (10)
16 Threatening (7)
17 Capable of being perceived (11)
20 Slogan or catchword (10)
24 To salute or greet (4)
26 Depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness (6)
28 Sour (4)
29 A thought in the mind (4)

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Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 17

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.

keep one’s chin up:  maintain a positive attitude, not get discouraged

Example:

I know it’s been difficult with this economy, but keep your chin up.  Things are bound to get better one of these days.

know something like the back of your hand:  be very familiar with something

Example:

Do I know this area?  Are you kidding me?  I grew up here – I know this town like the back of my hand.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 37 (Solution)

basic vocab 37-sol

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 37

basic vocab 37

Across
1 Dressed too formally (11)
7 Preposition (2)
8 The mixture of gases that we breathe (3)
9 Big piece of something, like of paper (5)
10 Big book with more information than a dictionary (12)
13 Measure for volume or liquid (5)
15 Type of math (7)
16 Cover (3)
17 Situation (9)
19 Part of the foot (6)
21 Protection for an invention (6)
23 Domestic (4)
24 Overweight (3)
25 Madam’s partner (3)
26 Ways of sending information (14)
31 Close (4)
32 Opposite of no (3)
33 Lightweight metal (8)
34 Collection (3)

Down
2 Power stored in a battery (11)
3 Making a decision (11)
4 Precise (5)
5 Focus on a specific area or detail (14)
6 Small auxiliary verb (2)
8 Not plant, not mineral (6)
9 Precious metal (6)
11 Thing studied in biology (8)
12 Diplomatic office (7)
14 Furniture to sleep on (3)
18 A word used when talking about something that might happen (2)
20 Rare metal (8)
21 Gift (7)
22 The long, straight part of a flower where the bloom is attached (4)
24 Acquaintance (6)
26 Weep (3)
27 Lump (4)
28 Preposition (2)
29 Not feeling well (3)
30 Miltary force (4)

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