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.
donkey’s years/coon’s age: a very long time
Example:
How are you doing, Sam? I haven’t seen you in a coon’s age.
dumb bunny: someone who is stupid or naïve
Example:
Don’t be a dumb bunny. Be sure you take your cell phone with you when you go out alone after dark.
1. In this store what else can you buy besides purses?
In this store we can buy women’s apparel (clothes).
2. What is the woman on the left buying?
The woman on the left is buying some women’s clothes; a scarf, perhaps.
3. How many buttons are on the back side of the coat?
There are two buttons on the back side of the coat.
4. What is probably in the drawer behind the sales lady?
There are probably scarves, gloves, stockings, and similar things.
5. What is the sales lady wearing on her ears?
The sales lady is wearing earrings on her ears.
6. How many sales ladies are in the picture?
There is one sales lady in the picture.
7. Is the man in the background packing something in a box or paper bag?
The man in the background is packing something in a box.
8. What is the man in the black suit selling?
The man in the black suit is selling purses.
9. What is the blond lady holding in her right hand?
The blond lady is holding her purse in her right hand.
10. What is the man giving to the lady?
The man is giving a box to the lady.
11. What does the sales clerk write on the pad of paper that is on the counter?
The sales clerk writes a receipt with the pad of paper that is on the counter.
12. Is the purse more expensive or cheaper than a pair of stockings?
The purse is more expensive than a pair of stockings.
13. Do the people in this picture look unfriendly?
No, they look friendly.
14. What do the men wear around their necks?
The men wear neckties (ties) around their necks.
15. What do the lady customers wear on their heads?
The lady customers wear hats on their heads.
16. Is there someone standing in the door?
Yes, there is someone standing in the door, heading out of the store.
17. What do you see over the door?
Over the door we see a sign.
18. Which woman is wearing a vest?
The woman in the foreground is wearing a vest.
19. Could this picture be in a department store?
Yes, this picture could be in a department store.
20. Do you usually buy clothing in a clothing store or department store?
You can buy clothing in either a clothing store or a department store.
Paragraph: A Visit to the Store
Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to a department store. What did you buy? Was the sales clerk helpful? Did you buy a gift for someone?
The last time I went to a department store, I wanted to buy a pair of pajamas for my father. It was his birthday, and I wanted to give him something that I knew he would appreciate. I went to the department store at the local shopping mall. It was on the weekend and the mall was crowded, so I had a hard time trying to find a place to park. Eventually, though, I found a spot, parked the car, and went inside the mall to the store.
When I got to the men’s department, I went to the pajama section. I thought that my father needed size large, so I looked for the row that had that size. Since it had been cold out lately, I decided to get him a pair of flannel pajamas. I figured that those would keep him warmer than a pair of summer pajamas would. I found a red pair and brought them to the counter. The clerk rang me up and asked me if I needed a gift receipt. I said yes, so if the pajamas were the wrong size, color, or style, my father would be able to exchange the pajamas for ones he preferred. The clerk also asked me if I wanted to have them gift wrapped. I knew that I could wrap them myself, so I just asked for a gift box instead. I was satisfied with my purchase, and I went home to wrap up the pajamas as a present for my dad.
Vocabulary
suit
customer
stocking
to look, appear
store
purse, handbag
besides
counter
expensive
inexpensive, cheap
coat
more expensive than
cheaper
most of the time
sales lady
pad of paper
clothing store
paper bag
something
unfriendly
neck
ear
to sell
someone
pair, pair of
sales clerk
to buy
to pack
box
department store
back side
probably
button
drawer
vest
1. In this store what else can you by besides purses?
2. What is the woman on the left buying?
3. How many buttons are on the back side of the coat?
4. What is probably in the drawer behind the sales lady?
5. What is the sales lady wearing on her ears?
6. How many sales ladies are in the picture?
7. Is the man in the background packing something in a box or paper bag?
8. What is the man in the black suit selling?
9. What is the blond lady holding in her right hand?
10. What is the man giving to the lady?
11. What does the sales clerk write on the pad of paper that is on the counter?
12. Is the purse more expensive or cheaper than a pair of stockings?
13. Do the people in this picture look unfriendly?
14. What do the men wear around their necks?
15. What do the lady customers wear on their heads?
16. Is there someone standing in the door?
17. What do you see over the door?
18. Which woman is wearing a vest?
19. Could this picture be in a department store?
20. Do you usually buy clothing in a clothing store or department store?
Paragraph: A Visit to the Store
Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to a department store. What did you buy? Was the sales clerk helpful? Did you buy a gift for someone?
Exercise: Complete the following sentences, using “for” or “since.”
Example:
I have been practicing the piano ____________ 3 o’clock. ==> I have been practicing the piano since 3 o’clock.
I have been practicing the piano ____________ 90 minutes. ==> I have been practicing the piano for 90 minutes.
1. Jane has been absent from class since Monday.
2. Jane has been absent from class for several days.
3. The baby has been walking for two months.
4. The baby has been walking since January.
5. We have been in business since 2001.
6. We have been in business for over five years.
7. She’s had a pet monkey since last year.
8. She’s had a pet monkey for six months.
9. Keith has been playing the piano since he was a young child.
10. Keith has been playing the piano for 20 years.
Exercise: Complete the sentences, using the word in the parentheses and “for” or “ago.”
Example:
I went on vacation (three weeks). ==> I went on vacation three weeks ago.
I have been on vacation (a week). ==> I have been on vacation for a week.
1. We have been driving for six hours.
2. We drove to California two months ago.
3. Sam went to the library ten minutes ago.
4. Sam has been at the library for three hours.
5. Jim lived in Hawaii many years ago.
6. Jim has lived in Hawaii for sixty years.
7. The kids played outside for 45 minutes.
8. The kids played outside two days ago.
For, Since, and Ago are similar, but they are not the same. Sometimes it is confusing and difficult to decide which one is the correct one to use. Here are some hints to help you determine whether you should use “for,” “since,” or “ago.”
For and Since
Both of these are used to indicate a time span. In other words, if you are answering the question “How long ~?”, you want to use “for” or “since.”
For:
“For” is used when you are using a specific period of time: one week, three hours, five years, etc.
Examples:
I have been working on my homework for two hours.
Father has been sick for a week.
Tom has been attending college for three years.
She’s been waiting for the bus for a long time.
Since:
“Since” is used when you indicate the beginning of a specified period of time. The period of time continues until the present.
Examples:
I have been working on my homework since 1 o’clock.
Father has been sick since Sunday.
Tom has been attending college since 2005.
She’s been waiting for the bus since this morning.
Ago
“Ago,” on the other hand, just refers to some time in the past. “Ago” uses the simple past tense. You can think of “ago” = “before now.”
Examples:
I worked on my homework four days ago. (= “I worked on my homework four days before now.”)
John came home from college a month ago. (= “John came home from college one month before now.”)
People lived in caves a long time ago.
Exercise: Complete the following sentences, using “for” or “since.”
Example:
I have been practicing the piano ____________ 3 o’clock. ==> I have been practicing the piano since 3 o’clock.
I have been practicing the piano ____________ 90 minutes. ==> I have been practicing the piano for 90 minutes.
1. Jane has been absent from class ____________ Monday.
2. Jane has been absent from class ____________ several days.
3. The baby has been walking ____________ two months.
4. The baby has been walking ____________ January.
5. We have been in business ____________ 2001.
6. We have been in business ____________ over five years.
7. She’s had a pet monkey ____________ last year.
8. She’s had a pet monkey ____________ months.
9. Keith has been playing the piano ____________ he was a young child.
10. Keith has been playing the piano ____________ 20 years.
Exercise: Complete the sentences, using the word in the parentheses and “for” or “ago.”
Example:
I went on vacation (three weeks). ==> I went on vacation three weeks ago.
I have been on vacation (a week). ==> I have been on vacation for a week.
1. We have been driving (six hours).
2. We drove to California (two months).
3. Sam went to the library (ten minutes).
4. Sam has been at the library (three hours).
5. Jim lived in Hawaii (many years).
6. Jim has lived in Hawaii (sixty years).
7. The kids played outside (45 minutes).
8. The kids played outside (two days).
For our culture focus this week, we’ll take a look at an unofficial holiday that many Americans celebrate: Valentine’s Day, February 14. There were several early Christian martyrs named Valentine, but it is not clear how a saint’s feast day came to be associated with a day celebrating romantic love. According to legend, one of the Roman emperors had ordered young men to remain single, believing that married men did not make good soldiers. The priest Valentine nonetheless performed marriage ceremonies in secret for young men.
Whatever the origins of St. Valentine’s Day, it is a day for lovers to remember one another and affirm their love. It is especially common for boyfriends and husbands to give their girlfriends and wives flowers, candy (particularly chocolate), cards, and / or take them out to a romantic dinner. Roses are a favorite gift on this holiday. Sometimes, the color of the rose may have special meaning. According to Wikipedia,
For Valentine’s Day, the most common color for roses is red.
Although children are too young to be interested in romancing the opposite sex, it is common for children to pass out children’s valentines to all their classmates and teachers. It is also common for the children to pass out “conversation hearts,” which are little candy hearts with various sayings stamped on them.
Exercise: Complete the following sentences.
Example:
1. I know Tom. I’ve known him since we were classmates in grade school.
2. Jan is on vacation. She’s been on vacation since last Thursday.
3. Mark lives in Colorado. He’s lived there since he graduated from college.
4. I’m afraid of dogs. I’ve been afraid of them ever since a dog bit me when I was ten.
5. Sally is divorced. She’s been divorced for five years.
6. The wind is blowing. It’s been blowing hard all afternoon.
7. Hannah is doing math. She’s been doing math for 20 minutes.
8. Joe is shoveling snow. He’s been shoveling snow since 6 a.m.
9. We’re working on a project. We’ve been working on it since yesterday.
10. They’re baking cookies. They’ve been baking cookies all week.
Exercise: Choose the correct form.
Example:
1. Our teacher has been sick all week.
2. Tom has played the piano every day for the past five years.
3. The secretary is typing the letter for me now.
4. Jennifer works at the library on Tuesdays.
5. We have lived in the red house for 12 years.
6. Edward has been in London several times.
7. The principal has known about the cheating for a long time.
8. Jake has been cleaning his bedroom very well these days.
9. Mary has been eating broccoli since the doctor told her it’s good for her.
10. They have been waiting for the bus for 15 minutes.
As we saw last time, the Present Perfect is used to talk about a time from the past until now. In other words, something that started in the past and is still in effect now uses the Present Perfect. In the following examples, note that the question “How long have you…?” is always in present perfect.
Examples:
Are you sick? (simple present)
—Yes.How long have you been sick? (present perfect)
—I have been sick for a week. (I first got sick several days ago, and the effects are still with me – I’m still sick.)Are you married? (simple present)
—Yes.How long have you been married? (present perfect)
—I’ve been married for eight years. (I first got married several years ago, and the effects are still with me – I’m still married.)Where do you live? (simple present)
—I live in Los Angeles.How long have you lived there? (present perfect)
—I’ve lived there since 1995. (I first started living there several years ago, and the effects are still with me – I’m still living there.)Do you have a cat? (simple present)
—Yes.How long have you had a cat? (present perfect)
—We’ve had a cat for a couple of months. (We first got the cat several weeks ago, and the effects are still with us – we still have the cat.)
We can also have the present perfect continuous form for present continuous situations that started in the past and are still in effect.
Examples:
How long have you been studying Korean?
—I’ve been studying Korean for eight years.How long has it been snowing?
—It’s been snowing all day.How long has the baby been crying?
—He’s been crying for the past 30 minutes.
Exercise: Complete the following sentences.
Example:
1. I know Tom. I__________ him since we were classmates in grade school.
2. Jan is on vacation. She__________ on vacation since last Thursday.
3. Mark lives in Colorado. He__________ there since he graduated from college.
4. I’m afraid of dogs. I__________ of them ever since a dog bit me when I was ten.
5. Sally is divorced. She__________ for five years.
6. The wind is blowing. It__________ hard all afternoon.
7. Hannah is doing math. She__________ math for 20 minutes.
8. Joe is shoveling snow. He__________ snow since 6 a.m.
9. We’re working on a project. We__________ on it since yesterday.
10. They’re baking cookies. They__________ cookies all week.
Exercise: Choose the correct form.
Example:
1. Our teacher (is sick / has been sick) all week.
2. Tom (plays / has played) the piano every day for the past five years.
3. The secretary (is typing / has been typing) the letter for me now.
4. Jennifer (works / has worked) at the library on Tuesdays.
5. We (live / have lived) in the red house for 12 years.
6. Edward (is / has been) in London several times.
7. The principal (knows / has known) about the cheating for a long time.
8. Jake (is cleaning / has been cleaning) his bedroom very well these days.
9. Mary (is eating / has been eating) broccoli since the doctor told her it’s good for her.
10. They (are waiting / have been waiting) for the bus for 15 minutes.
For our educational focus this week, I want to look at private schools. Private schools are an alternative to public schools. There are private schools at every level of education, from private pre-schools and kindergartens all the way to private high schools and universities.
Public schools are funded almost exclusively from taxing residents in various ways. Private schools, on the other hand, derive their funds from a variety of sources, including tuition, grants, and endowments. Sometimes private schools accept money from the government (in the form of grants, for example). Usually, though, private schools avoid accepting public money, because they consider it an invasion of liberty. If a private school accepts money from the government, then the government could take more control over what is taught in the school, and even how it is taught. Therefore, to minimize government interference, private schools tend to avoid taxpayer funding.
Different private schools have different motivations for being private. Many private schools are affiliated with a church or other religious group, providing religious education and education from a religious perspective. Other private schools are strictly secular, but wish to educate children according to an alternative teaching philosophy. Still other private schools focus on providing an elite or rigorous education, with an emphasis on preparing its students for admission into a top-ranked university such as Harvard or Yale. Some schools are military academies, which teach discipline and respect alongside academic subjects.
Just as there are many different motivations for operating a private school, so parents have different motives for sending their children to private schools. Some parents want a religious education for their children, or want their children to be educated in accordance with their religious beliefs. Other parents are concerned that public schools do not provide enough of an academic challenge. Some parents don’t want to expose their children to negative influences like drugs, violence, or other anti-social behavior. Still other parents may want to send their children to a military academy to help the student learn discipline and self-control. And yet other parents may want to send their kids to an elite school to give the children an edge when it comes time to apply to college.
Although each state has its own regulations governing the qualifications of private schools, in general the education at private schools tends to be as good as, if not better than, that of public schools. Scores on college admission tests such as the SAT and ACT demonstrate that the quality of a private school education meets or exceeds that of public schools.
