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

Posted on 2013/03/15

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.

Posted on 2013/03/14

by Summit Language Institute

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)

Posted on 2013/03/11

by Summit Language Institute

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Crossword – TOEFL 11

Posted on 2013/03/10

by Summit Language Institute

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

Posted on 2013/03/09

by Summit Language Institute

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)

Posted on 2013/03/04

by Summit Language Institute

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 37

Posted on 2013/03/03

by Summit Language Institute

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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Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 16

Posted on 2013/03/02

by Summit Language Institute

in the red: not making a profit, owe money, have a negative bank balance

Example:

Our snowplow business is in the red this winter – we’ve hardly had any snow.

keep in touch // stay in touch: maintain a relationship, maintain communication

Example:

James promised to keep in touch / stay in touch with his cousin when he went to England to study.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 59 – Have (Solution)

Posted on 2013/02/27

by Summit Language Institute

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of have / have got.

Example:

______________ a dozen potholders to sell at the bazaar. (I / have) ==> I have (got) a dozen potholders to sell at the bazaar.

1.   They don’t have enough money for movie tickets.
2.   John has short hair and a blue T-shirt in that old picture.
3.   Mary isn’t coming in to work today. She has a cold.
4.   I have a secret, and I promised not to tell anyone what it is.
5.   If you don’t have a key, you can call me at the office and I will come and let you in.
6.   You kids have too many toys. We’re going to donate some to charity.
7.   Mr. Smith has a wonderful sense of humor.
8.   Mr. Jones won’t hire a secretary who doesn’t have a good work ethic.
9.   I’d love to stay and chat, but I don’t have time this afternoon.
10.   Do you have any space in the trunk for my backpack?

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using have / had, and a phrase from the list.

Example:

We had a bad ______________ last night. (storm) ==> We had a bad storm last night.

1.   You can have a sandwich if you’re still hungry.
2.   It’s very hot out, and I’m thirsty. Do you have something to drink?
3.   Don’t bother Mr. Black. He’s having a bad day.
4.   The boys had a good time at the ballpark.
5.   Could I have some cake for dessert?
6.   Believe it or not, my father has never had a car accident.
7.   Grandmother and Grandfather were married for over sixty years, and they never had an argument.
8.   Did Jack’s wife have her baby yet?
9.   Welcome to Hawaii. Did you have a good flight?
10.   I hope the newlyweds have a nice trip for their honeymoon.

Exercises. Describe what these people are doing, using the correct form of have with a phrase from the list.

Example:

(a picnic) ==> They’re having a picnic.

1. She’s having a glass of milk.

2. They’re having a good time.

3. He’s having a physical.

4. She’s having a cup of coffee.

5. They’re having fun.

6. She’s having a birthday.

7. The baby’s having a snack.

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have (possession)

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Grammar Basics: Unit 59 – Have

Posted on 2013/02/26

by Summit Language Institute

The verb “have” is used to show possession. In this usage, it is interchangeable with “have got”.

Pattern:

I have (something) / I have got (something) / I’ve got (something)
You have ~ / You have got ~ / You’ve got ~
He / She / It has ~ // He has got / She has got / It has got ~ // He’s got / She’s got / It’s got ~
We have ~ / We have got ~ / We’ve got ~
They have ~ / They have got ~ / They’ve got ~

Examples:

I have 500 books in my personal library. // I have got (I’ve got) 500 books….
My brother has a new job. // My brother has got a new job. // My brother’s got a new job.
We have tickets for next week’s game. // We’ve got tickets for next week’s game.
You’d better be quiet – Mom has a headache. // You’d better be quiet – Mom’s got a headache.

Question form:

Do I (you, we, they) have ~ ? / Does he (she, it) have ~?

Have I (you, we, they) got ~ ? / Has he (she, it) got ~?

Examples:

Do you have a moment? // Have you got a moment?
Does Joe have a red car? // Has Joe got a red car?
Do they have any newspapers? // Have they got any newspapers?

Negative:

do not have / don’t have // does not have / doesn’t have

have not got / haven’t got // has not got / hasn’t got

Examples:

We don’t have any bananas. // We haven’t got any bananas.
Mr. Smith doesn’t have a clue what to do. // Mr. Smith hasn’t got a clue what to do.
I don’t have any patience for yappy dogs. // I haven’t got any patience for yappy dogs.

Past tense: had
Negative past: didn’t have

Examples:

I had the measles when I was in fifth grade.
We had a good time on vacation.
Jack had a pony when he was little.
He didn’t have his wallet with him.
They didn’t have enough money to buy a new car.
You didn’t have Mrs. Nelson for English, did you?

Note: The past tense does NOT use “got” at all!

Also, some set phrases do NOT use “got”:

have breakfast / lunch / dinner / a snack / a soda / something to eat or drink, etc.:

Every Saturday morning we have waffles.
Do you want to have something to eat after the movie?

have a baby:

Mrs. Smith’s going to have a baby next fall.

have a (good, bad) dream:

I had a bad dream last night.

have a good time:

If you go to Yellowstone, I’m sure you’ll have a good time.

have a good trip:

Did you have a good trip when you went to Europe?

have a nice / good / bad day:

Be sure to tell each customer to have a nice day.

have a party:

They had a going-away party for Jack on his last day of work.

have a vacation / days off:

We won’t have a vacation until July.

have an accident:

Mike had an accident on his way to work last Tuesday.

have an argument:

It seems like the Browns have an argument almost every week.

have fun:

Study hard, but don’t forget to have fun!

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of have / have got.

Example:

______________ a dozen potholders to sell at the bazaar. (I / have) ==> I have (got) a dozen potholders to sell at the bazaar.

1.   ______________ enough money for movie tickets. (They / have / not)
2.   ______________ short hair and a blue T-shirt in that old picture. (John / have)
3.   Mary isn’t coming in to work today. ______________ a cold. (She / have)
4.   ______________ a secret, and I promised not to tell anyone what it is. (I / have)
5.   If ______________ a key, you can call me at the office and I will come and let you in. (you / have / not)
6.   ______________ too many toys. We’re going to donate some to charity. (You kids / have)
7.   ______________ has a wonderful sense of humor. (Mr. Smith / have)
8.   Mr. Jones won’t hire a secretary ______________ a good work ethic. (who / have / not)
9.   I’d love to stay and chat, but ______________ time this afternoon. (I / have / not)
10.   ______________ any space in the trunk for my backpack? (you / have)

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of have and a phrase from the list.

Example:

We ______________ last night. (a bad storm) ==> We had a bad storm last night.

a bad day
a car accident
a good flight
a good time
a nice trip
a sandwich
an argument
her baby
some cake
something to drink

1.   You can ______________ if you’re still hungry.
2.   It’s very hot out, and I’m thirsty. Do you ______________?
3.   Don’t bother Mr. Black. He’s ______________.
4.   The boys ______________ at the ballpark.
5.   Could I ______________ for dessert?
6.   Believe it or not, my father has never ______________.
7.   Grandmother and Grandfather were married for over sixty years, and they never ______________.
8.   Did Jack’s wife ______________ yet?
9.   Welcome to Hawaii. Did you ______________?
10.   I hope the newlyweds ______________ for their honeymoon.

Exercises. Describe what these people are doing, using the correct form of have with a phrase from the list.

Example:

(a picnic) ==> They’re having a picnic.

a birthday
a cup of coffee
a glass of milk
a good time
a physical
a snack
fun