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Crossword – Irregular Verbs 10 (solution)
Posted on 2012/12/03
Crossword – Irregular Verbs 10
Posted on 2012/12/02
To complete this crossword, use the appropriate past tense / past participle of the verb in the parentheses.
Across
1 The junk dealer (resell) the items from the forgotten storage unit. (6)
5 The shipwreck survivors (cling) to the flotsam until a rescue ship arrived. (5)
6 John (eat) lunch late because of the meeting. (3)
7 Every week the old ladies’ bridge club (bet) five dollars on the lottery. (3)
8 Mary (do) her homework as soon as she got home from school. (3)
9 I (sleep) late because the alarm didn’t go off. (5)
11 Jerry (shoot) three arrows, but only one hit the target. (4)
12 Susan and Katie (set) the table for dinner. (3)
15 The alcoholic had (backslide) for several years after his wife’s death. (11)
17 The baseball sailed through the air, hit the window, and (break) it. (5)
18 Writing a book in thirty days was the hardest thing Mick had ever (undertake). (10)
20 The cemetery workers had (dig) three graves by lunchtime. (3)
21 Amazingly, the small henhouse was the only building on the farm that (withstand) the tornado. (9)
23 Within thirty minutes of a change, the baby had (wet) his diaper again. (3)
24 To save Jack’s hand, the doctor had to amputate the three (frostbite) fingers. (8)
25 The hunter (slit) the deer’s throat and hung the animal upside down to let the blood drain out. (4)
28 This model car was (test-drive) at the Bonneville Salt Flats. (4-6)
30 The candidate (stride) onto the stage to deliver his acceptance speech. (6)
31 The continual dripping eventually (wear) a hole in the rock. (4)
Down
1 The TV station (rebroadcast) the special every year on the anniversary of the first moonwalk. (11)
2 The old man (sit) down several times on his walk around the block. (3)
3 A clean set of clothes (lie) neatly on the bed. (3)
4 Bob and Linda were (wed) in the church by the park. (3)
5 Several varieties of roses were (crossbreed) to produce this lovely specimen. (9)
8 Mr. Smith (disprove) the rumor that had been spreading around the high school. (9)
10 We (test-drive) ten cars before we finally settled on a new Mercedes. (4-5)
13 At the insistence of the coach, the pitcher (throw) the game. (5)
14 I never (understand) why some people spend so much money on a lavish vacation. (10)
16 The baby (catch) chickenpox from her older sister. (6)
19 Some laws have had to be (rewrite) to reflect modern technology. (9)
22 Jack (outbid) everyone else at the auction. (6)
23 Patty (be) late on her first day of school. (3)
26 Hansel and Gretel were (lose) in the woods. (4)
27 Matt (tear) his pants on a nail. (4)
29 I (see) what you did there, you sneaky brat. (3)
Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 3
Posted on 2012/12/01
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.
be fed up with: to have enough of a particular situation, to reach one’s limit of tolerance
Example:
I am fed up with Tom’s irresponsibility. I am not going to appoint him to any more positions of leadership, that’s for sure!
be kidding: to say something in jest, to say something that is not intended to be taken seriously
Example:
Don’t worry, Santa didn’t really fall off the roof and break his leg. Daddy was just kidding.
Writing Assignment: At a Movie (Solution)
Posted on 2012/12/01
Pass the popcorn, please!
1. What are the people in the picture doing?
The man and the woman are watching a movie.
2. Where are these people?
They are in a movie theater.
3. What do you see above the man’s head?
Above the man’s head we see a beam of light. This is the movie coming from the projection room, projecting the picture onto the screen for everyone to see.
4. How do you know which movies can be found at a particular movie theater?
You can look at the movie listing for the movie theater.
5. What other kind of information might you find in a listing?
The movie listing will tell you the show times for the various movies. It will also tell you if there are any special deals on matinees.
6. Where can you find this listing?
You can find the theater’s movie listing in a local newspaper, or online. Sometimes, you are also able to buy tickets online in advance so you don’t have to wait in line at the theater.
7. What is a matinee?
A matinee is a daytime or afternoon showing of a film. Many times a matinee will have a better deal on the ticket price than an evening show.
8. What can you use to help you decide what movie to see?
You can read a movie review to help you decide which movie to see. If you see a movie preview, you can also get an idea whether or not a particular movie is something you might be interested in.
9. What does a movie critic do?
A movie critic’s job is to watch a movie and evaluate it. He will tell you enough of the basic plot of the movie to let you know if it is something you might like to watch. He will also tell you if he thinks the movie actors had a good performance, and if the film was well-made. Critics often give a movie a rating from one to four stars. One star is bad, and four stars is good.
10. What is a review?
A review is what the movie critic writes to let people know what he thinks of the movie, and whether or not he recommends it.
11. What is a preview?
A preview is a commercial for a movie that hasn’t been released yet. It is also called a trailer.
12. What is a screening?
A screening is a special showing of a new movie, done in advance of the regular release. This gives movie critics a chance to see it before everyone else, so they can write their reviews and have them ready for the opening day.
13. What is a documentary?
A documentary is a non-fiction movie. The purpose of a documentary is to give information to people, often about an idea or theory that the filmmaker has. Examples of common types of documentaries are political documentaries, science documentaries, and nature documentaries.
14. What is a movie star?
A movie star is the main person in the movie – the person whose story is being told in the movie.
15. What are the credits in a movie?
The credits in a movie are the information at the end of the movie that tell you who was involved in making the movie – not only the actors and actresses, but many of the behind-the-scenes people as well, like the directors, the make-up crew, who wrote and/or played the music in the film, and so on. The credits often also tell you where the movie was filmed.
16. What does a movie theater often show before the feature film?
Before the feature film a movie theater often shows previews. Years ago, the theaters also used to show a cartoon short before the main film.
17. What do theaters often do if a movie is very long?
If a movie is very long, the theater will often have a break in the middle of the movie. This break is called an intermission. During the intermission people can use the restroom or get a snack.
18. What can you do if you get hungry while watching a movie?
If you get hungry while watching a movie, you can have a snack.
19. What kinds of snacks are common at a movie theater?
Common snacks at a movie theater are popcorn, candy, and soda pop.
20. Where can you get some snacks?
You can get some snacks at concessions. Some people smuggle snacks into the movie theater, but movie theaters usually frown upon this, and they might kick the person out.
Paragraph: At a Movie Theater
Last year for Christmas I went to see the movie “War Horse.” The movie was based on a children’s book by the same name. It’s about a horse that was trained by a farm boy but eventually sold to the British Army, and the movie covers the horse’s experiences as a war horse during World War I, including his miraculous survival of a battle and subsequent entanglement in barbed wire. It was a touching movie with a happy ending, because after the war the boy and his horse were reunited after years of separation.
In the theater there were quite a number of people watching the movie, even though it was Christmas Day. We went to an afternoon showing, and were able to get a good seat. Sometimes when I watch a movie, I like to have some popcorn as a snack. Movie snacks can be rather expensive, but a tub of popcorn is more than enough to share with another person. For drinks, you can get a large soda with an extra straw, so that may be shared as well. Also, some movie theaters have specials such as free refills, which make the prices more reasonable. Some people object strongly to the high prices of concessions at movie theaters and bring in their own food or snacks, but most people consider this unethical. Indeed, some movie theaters will kick out people who are caught smuggling in food. I think that bringing in outside food is a type of dishonesty, so my solution to the high prices is to buy something in an extra large size and share with a friend. That way, everyone wins – you and your friend get a snack without overpaying, and the movie theater gets a profit from the snack you’re enjoying!
Writing Assignment: At a Movie
Posted on 2012/11/30
Pass the popcorn!
Vocabulary
Preview
Ticket
Showtime
Theater
Candy
Movie critic
Screen
Trailer
Feature
Matinee
Short
Advance ticket sale
Concessions
Popcorn
Refill
Stub
Poster
Projection room
Screening
Documentary
Credits
Intermission
Soundtrack
Admission
Review
Movie star
Movie listings
1. What are the people in the picture doing?
2. Where are these people?
3. What do you see above the man’s head?
4. How do you know which movies can be found at a particular movie theater?
5. What other kind of information might you find in a listing?
6. Where can you find this listing?
7. What is a matinee?
8. What can you use to help you decide what movie to see?
9. What does a movie critic do?
10. What is a review?
11. What is a preview?
12. What is a screening?
13. What is a documentary?
14. What is a movie star?
15. What are the credits in a movie?
16. What does a movie theater often show before the feature film?
17. What do theaters often do if a movie is very long?
18. What can you do if you get hungry while watching a movie?
19. What kinds of snacks are common at a movie theater?
20. Where can you get some snacks?
Paragraph: At a Movie Theater
What was it like the last time you went to a movie theater? What movie did you see? Was it crowded? How did you like the film? Write a short paragraph about your experience.
Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 31
Posted on 2012/11/25
Across
3 a long narrow hole dug at the side of a field, road etc to hold or remove unwanted water (5)
6 the bones of your head (5)
8 conjunction used for comparing two things (2)
9 the number of years someone has lived, or something has existed (3)
10 what comes after 999 (8)
11 opposite of thick (4)
13 a statement that is not strong enough to express how good, bad, etc something really is (14)
16 made from the solid substances that settle at the bottom of rivers, lakes, etc. (11)
17 to display, or let someone see something (4)
21 to make something press against something else and move it around (3)
23 a word used to show how far back in the past something happened (3)
24 someone who buys and sells goods (6)
26 coming towards you (8)
27 the ability of particular people in children’s stories to make impossible things happen by saying special words (5)
29 a large farm animal used for producing milk and meat (3)
31 pleasant, attractive, enjoyable, kind (4)
33 a word used when speaking to a man in order to be polite or show respect (3)
34 an infectious disease that is like a very bad cold (9)
37 one of the flat, green parts of a plant, joined to the stem or branches (4)
Down
1 without stopping or interruption (10)
2 the outlying region surrounding a city or metropolitan area (9)
3 the end of the life of a person or animal; opposite of birth (5)
4 something that is done to cure someone who is injured or ill (9)
5 a piece of clothing that you put on your head (3)
6 opposite of fast (4)
7 the distance east or west of the Greenwich (Prime) Meridian (9)
12 relating to or involving more than one nation (13)
14 a word used to ask or talk about how successful someone is at something; auxiliary verb (2)
15 the day after today (8)
18 a wild animal like a dog that makes a sound like a laugh (5)
19 opposite of dry (3)
20 a musical piece, tune (4)
22 to begin to be something, or to develop in a particular way (6)
25 opposite of poor (4)
27 a very fine rain (4)
28 a female child (4)
30 away from a place; not on something; opposite of on (3)
32 when tears come from your eyes (3)
34 a word used when talking about something that might happen or be true, or might have happened (2)
35 a preposition used to indicate towards a higher place or position (2)
36 a negative answer; opposite of yes (2)
Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 2
Posted on 2012/11/24
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.
as easy as pie // a piece of cake: very easy
Example:
Of course I know how to ride a bike – it’s as easy as pie / a piece of cake!
be all ears: listen eagerly
Example:
You saw Mr. Brown and Miss Smith playing tennis together at the park? Do tell us more – we’re all ears!
Grammar Basics: Unit 54 – I want you to… and I told you to… (Solution)
Posted on 2012/11/23
Exercise. Use the prompts to write sentences beginning with “I want you…” / “I don’t want you…” / Do you want me…?”
Example:
Close the door. ==> I want you to close the door.
1. I want you to mop the floor.
2. I don’t want you to come home late.
3. I want you to return these library books.
4. I want you to finish your homework.
5. I don’t you to tell Aunt Martha about the party – it’ll be a surprise.
6. Do you want me to call the doctor?
7. I want you to stop by the grocery store on your way home.
8. I want you to buy some milk.
9. Do you want me to pick up some salad, too?
10. I don’t want you to get any cat food – we have enough.
Exercise. Use the following dialogues to complete the sentences.
Example:
Tom: My library book is overdue.
You: You should return it right away.
==> Tom had an overdue library book. I advised him to return it right away.
1. Jack was late. Tim persuaded the bus driver to wait for his brother.
2. Sarah was hungry. She asked me to lend her five dollars for lunch.
3. Mrs. Smith had rabbits invading her garden. Mr. Jones advised her to use dried blood to keep them away.
4. Jane makes a delicious pot roast. Her mother taught her to cook.
5. Mr. Brown hasn’t come to work yet. I expect him to arrive at any minute.
6. The teacher told the class to be quiet.
Exercise. Use the verbs in the following list to complete the sentences. Some will need the infinitive marker to, others will not need it.
Example:
Do you want me ______ you some supper? (cook) ==> Do you want me to cook you some supper?
1. The policeman told the robber to put his hands in the air.
2. My sister doesn’t let anyone use her mp3 player.
3. The accountant advised Father to invest some money in a retirement plan.
4. I don’t want Mark to know that I dented his car.
5. Sam told the mechanic to fix his flat tire.
6. The students wanted the teacher to give them an easy test.
7. Can I persuade you to trade seats with me?
8. Let’s go for a walk.
9. That movie always makes me laugh.
10. The doctor advised Uncle Tim to lose weight.
11. I told you to vacuum the carpet in the hall.
12. Mother is expecting us to come straight home from school.
13. Let me help you rake the leaves.
14. Father made Jack redo the test he failed.
15. Did you ask me to stop by the library after work? I don’t remember.
16. I just want Steve to quit asking me to go out with him.
17. Grandfather told Uncle Bob to meet him at the airport at 3:30.
18. Do you want me to open the window to get some fresh air?
19. The Smiths expect all their children to make the honor roll in school.
20. Let’s get Peter a new trumpet for his birthday.
21. I’ll teach you to be rude to your elders!
22. The officer persuaded the distraught man not to jump off the bridge.
23. The bartender asked the drunken man to leave the pub and go home.
24. My mother taught me to knit mittens.
25. Do you want us to bring dessert?
Grammar Basics: Unit 54 – I want you to… and I told you to…
Posted on 2012/11/22
When we express a desire or wish for someone to do something, we can use the phrase “I want you to…”:
I want + you to V (inf.)
Example:
clean: I want you to clean your room this afternoon.
be: I want you to be quiet.
go: I want you to go outside and play.
leave: I don’t want you to leave.
“want” has the same meaning as “would like.” However, “would like” is more polite:
I want you to be quiet. // I would like you to be quiet.
We can have other subjects besides “I,” and we can also have someone else be the object as well:
(Subject) want(s) + (somebody) to V (inf.)
prepare: The teacher wants us to prepare for the test next week.
pick up: John wants his brother to pick him up after school.
issue: We want the store to issue us a refund.
cut: He wants Mary to cut his hair.
teach: They want me to teach them how to bake bread.
come: I want him to come here.
help: Do you want me to help you with the dishes?
Other verbs that can be used in this pattern instead of “want”:
V + (somebody) to V (inf.)
advise: The professor advised Tom to take three semesters of physics.
ask: We are asking them to switch their appointment to Thursday.
expect: I expect my students to study diligently and work hard.
persuade: Mrs. Jones persuaded her sick husband to stay home from work.
teach: My brother taught me to whistle.
In particular, “(Subject) told (somebody) to V(inf)” can be used for commands in indirect speech:
Mother told the children to put their toys away.
I told you to walk the dog when you got home.
Jack told Jill to fetch a pail of water.
Father told us not to touch the snake.
Note: For verbs used with “make” and “let,” we use the dictionary form of the verb, but we do NOT use the infinitive marker “to”:
make / let (somebody) V(inf)…
The bully made Tom give him his lunch money.
(not “made Tom to give him his lunch money”)Seeing a cute baby always makes me smile.
(not “makes me to smile”)Mother let Jane bake chocolate chip cookies all by herself.
(not “let Jane to bake…”)Let me eat my breakfast first before we go for a walk.
(not “Let me to eat my breakfast…”)Our teacher never lets us chew gum in class.
(not “never lets us to chew…”)
If you want to do something with someone else, use “let’s…”:
Let us / Let’s + V(inf)….
I’m hungry. Let’s eat.
(not “Let’s to eat”)Let’s watch a movie tonight.
(not “Let’s to watch…”)
Exercise. Use the prompts to write sentences beginning with “I want you…” / “I don’t want you…” / Do you want me…?”
Example:
Close the door. ==> I want you to close the door.
1. Mop the floor.
2. Don’t come home late.
3. Return these library books.
4. Finish your homework.
5. Don’t tell Aunt Martha about the party – it’ll be a surprise.
6. Should I call the doctor?
7. Stop by the grocery store on your way home.
8. Buy some milk.
9. Should I pick up some salad, too?
10. Don’t get any cat food – we have enough.
Exercise. Use the following dialogues to complete the sentences.
Example:
Tom: My library book is overdue.
You: You should return it right away.
==> Tom had an overdue library book. I advised him to return it right away.
1. Jack: My brother is late. Bus driver, can you please wait for him?
2. Sarah: I’m hungry. Can you lend me five dollars for lunch?
3. Mrs. Smith: The rabbits are invading my garden.
Mr. Jones: Try using some dried blood to keep them away.
4. Becky: Jane, how did you learn to make such a delicious pot roast?
Jane: My mother taught me to cook.
5. You: Mr. Brown hasn’t come to work yet, but he should arrive at any minute.
6. Teacher: Class, be quiet.
Exercise. Use the verbs in the following list to complete the sentences. Some will need the infinitive marker to, others will not need it.
Example:
Do you want me ______ you some supper? (cook) ==> Do you want me to cook you some supper?
be
bring
come
fix
get
give
go
invest
jump
knit
know
laugh
leave
lose
make
meet
open
put
quit
rake
redo
stop
trade
use
vacuum
1. The policeman told the robber ______ his hands in the air.
2. My sister doesn’t let anyone ______ her mp3 player.
3. The accountant advised Father ______ some money in a retirement plan.
4. I don’t want Mark ______ that I dented his car.
5. Sam told the mechanic ______ his flat tire.
6. The students wanted the teacher ______ them an easy test.
7. Can I persuade you ______ seats with me?
8. Let’s ______ for a walk.
9. That movie always makes me ______.
10. The doctor advised Uncle Tim ______ weight.
11. I told you ______ the carpet in the hall.
12. Mother is expecting us ______ straight home from school.
13. Let me help you ______ the leaves.
14. Father made Jack ______ the test he failed.
15. Did you ask me ______ by the library after work? I don’t remember.
16. I just want Steve ______ asking me to go out with him.
17. Grandfather told Uncle Bob ______ him at the airport at 3:30.
18. Do you want me ______ the window to get some fresh air?
19. The Smiths expect all their children ______ the honor roll in school.
20. Let’s ______ Peter a new trumpet for his birthday.
21. I’ll teach you ______ rude to your elders!
22. The officer persuaded the distraught man not ______ off the bridge.
23. The bartender asked the drunken man ______ the pub and go home.
24. My mother taught me ______ mittens.
25. Do you want us ______ dessert?