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Writing Assignment: At Graduation (Solution)

receiving the sheepskin

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1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken outside, on an athletic field.

2.    Whom do you see in the picture?
We see a man and a girl in the picture.

3.    What are they doing?
They are standing, and the man is passing something to the girl.

4.    What is the man dressed in?
The man is dressed in a suit and tie.

5.    What is the girl dressed in?
The girl is dressed in a cap and gown.

6.    What is in their hands?
A diploma is in their hands.  The man is handing out a diploma to the girl.

7.    Why is the man giving the girl a diploma?
The man is giving the girl a diploma because she has graduated from school.

8.    What is this ceremony called?
This ceremony is called a graduation ceremony, or commencement exercises.

9.    Who is usually present at a graduation?
The people that are usually present at a graduation include parents, the graduates, the faculty, friends and family of the graduates, and the members of the band and choir.

10.    What parts are usually in commencement exercises?
Commencement exercises often consist of procession, speeches, awarding of honors, distribution of diplomas, and recession.  There is also often special music by the band and/or the choir.

11.    What kinds of awards are usually presented at a graduation ceremony?
The awards that are usually presented at a graduation ceremony include graduation cum laude (with honor), magna cum laude (with great honor), and summa cum laude (with highest honor).  In addition, the school recognizes the top two students, based on grade point average (GPA):  valedictorian (highest GPA) and salutatorian (second highest GPA).

12.    Who might give a speech at commencement exercises?
The principal of the school, or a well-respected teacher, might give a speech at commencement exercises.  Sometimes there is also a guest speaker at commencement exercises, especially at a college or university.  And usually the valedictorian and/or the salutatorian will give a commencement speech as well.

13.    How is it determined which students will give a speech?
The valedictorian and salutatorian are chosen to give a commencement speech based on their class rank.

14.    How do the graduates get their diploma?
The graduates line up to get their diploma, and they walk across the stage after their name has been called.  They walk up to the person handing out the diplomas and shake his hand as he gives them the diploma.

15.    What does a graduate do right after he receives his diploma?
Immediately after receiving the diploma, the graduate switches the tassel on his mortarboard from the right-hand side to the left (undergraduate and high school).

16.    What does the graduating class often do after everyone has received his diploma?
After everyone has received his diploma, the entire graduating class often toss their mortarboards high into the air.

17.    What can take place after a graduation ceremony?
After a graduation ceremony, there usually is picture-taking.  People also like to have celebrations like a graduation party.

18.    How might a family celebrate a son or daughter’s graduation?
A family might celebrate a son or daughter’s graduation by taking family and friends out to dinner, or hosting a dinner party at their home.

19.    What kind of graduation present might be given to the graduate?
Graduation presents that are often given to the graduate range from nice pens or dictionaries (especially for those who are going on to college or university) to cars or apartments (especially for those who have graduated from college or university, and are starting off on their own life).

20.    How might the graduate celebrate?
The graduate might celebrate by attending a graduation party with his friends or classmates.  This is usually separate from a graduation party with the family.

Paragraph:  Graduation

When I graduated from high school, the weather was nice.  It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t too cold, and it was sunny, so we were able to have the graduation ceremony on the football field.  The commencement exercises were scheduled for 1 p.m., so all the graduates gathered at the high school beforehand to get ready.  The girls wore nice dresses, and the boys wore suits and ties.  Of course everyone would wear a cap and gown for the graduation ceremony, but we still dressed up.  Many of us would have some sort of celebration, such as a graduation dinner, afterwards, so dressing up was appropriate.  A number of the girls wore a corsage on their gowns.  Just before the start of the graduation ceremony, we lined up at the end of the football field and waited for the band to start playing the traditional graduation music, Pomp and Circumstance.  We marched in procession to our seats and sat down, row by row.  One of our classmates was handicapped and thus in a wheelchair, so a couple of the boys wheeled him in the procession.

Once everyone had taken their seat, the principal gave some opening remarks.  A local pastor opened with a word of prayer, and then there several speeches – one by the superintendent, one by the principal, one by the valedictorian, and one by the salutatorian.  Although the speeches were all different, they all had a common theme – the secret to success in life lay in hard work, dedication, and perseverance.  Like most commencement speeches, they were meant to inspire us to work hard and dream for our future.

It was difficult to remember exactly who said what, because we were all excited to be graduating from high school – it was an important milestone in our lives, a marker that we were finally adults:  some of us would start working full time and move out on our own, some of us would go into military service, and some of us would be getting ready to attend college or university in the coming fall.  Before we knew it, all the speeches were over, and it was time to begin handing out the diplomas.  Row by row, we stood up and got in line, waiting for the moment when our name was called and we would march across the stage, shake hands with the superintendent as he handed us our diploma, pause a moment for the photographer who took a picture of our personal milestone, and switch the tassel on our cap from the right side to the left, to signify our new status as graduates.  We then finished the walk across the stage and went back to our seats.

After everyone had received his diploma, the principal then addressed the audience of family and friends:  “Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you the Class of 1981.  Congratulations!”  At these words, a number of the graduates took off their caps and tossed them high into the air, happy to hear those magic words.  Then the band struck up the recessional music, and we marched off the field, marching away from high school, away from our childhood and into adulthood, into the future.

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Writing Assignment: At Graduation

big milestone

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Vocabulary

commencement
commencement exercises
graduate
cap
gown
tassel
diploma
announcement
Class of 2012
speech
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
grade point average
class rank
mortarboard
procession
recession
awards
honors
cum laude
magna cum laude
summa cum laude
graduation party
graduation present

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    Whom do you see in the picture?
3.    What are they doing?
4.    What is the man dressed in?
5.    What is the girl dressed in?
6.    What is in their hands?
7.    Why is the man giving the girl a diploma?
8.    What is this ceremony called?
9.    Who is usually present at a graduation?
10.    What parts are usually in commencement exercises?
11.    What kinds of awards are usually presented at a graduation ceremony?
12.    Who might give a speech at commencement exercises?
13.    How is it determined which students will give a speech?
14.    How do the graduates get their diploma?
15.    What does a graduate do right after he receives his diploma?
16.    What does the graduating class often do after everyone has received his diploma?
17.    What can take place after a graduation ceremony?
18.    How might a family celebrate a son or daughter’s graduation?
19.    What kind of graduation present might be given to the graduate?
20.    How might the graduate celebrate?

Paragraph:  Graduation

Have you completed your education?  Did you have a formal graduation ceremony?  What was it like?  Write a brief paragraph describing graduation ceremonies or customs in your country.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 44 – isn’t…., haven’t…., don’t…., etc. (Solution)

Exercise.  Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.

Example:

The soup was hot. ==> The soup wasn’t hot.

1.    Mom can knit mittens for the bazaar.
Mom can’t knit mittens for the bazaar.

2.    I am going to the concert.
I’m not going to the concert.

3.    You must be careful.
You mustn’t be careful.

4.    We were late for the bus.
We weren’t late for the bus.

5.    You should let your sister clean your room.
You shouldn’t let your sister clean your room.

6.    The baby was afraid of the elephant.
The baby wasn’t afraid of the elephant.

7.    I will wash the car.
I won’t wash the car.

8.    Dick and Jane have been to Canada.
Dick and Jane haven’t been to Canada.

9.    Sheri is sweeping the sidewalk.
Sheri isn’t sweeping the sidewalk.

10.    Mr. Smith has written a book.
Mr. Smith hasn’t written a book.

11.    Tom, Dick, and Harry are staying after school.
Tom, Dick, and Harry aren’t staying after school.

12.    Jack could see the scar on the man’s forehead.
Jack couldn’t see the scar on the man’s forehead.

13.    I would like to take Mr. Jones’ class.
I wouldn’t like to take Mr. Jones’ class.

Exercise.  Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.  Use don’t / doesn’t / didn’t.

Example:

Max plays the saxophone. ==> Max doesn’t play the saxophone.

1.    Mark has a black cat.
Mark doesn’t have a black cat.

2.    The car got a flat tire.
The car didn’t get a flat tire.

3.    Sally and Mary grow watermelons in their backyard.
Sally and Mary don’t grow watermelons in their backyard.

4.    The dogs barked all night.
The dogs didn’t bark all night.

5.    The refrigerator works now.
The refrigerator doesn’t work now.

6.    Hank fixes our car.
Hank doesn’t fix our car.

7.    I went to the bank.
I didn’t go to the bank.

8.    The choir sings the national anthem.
The choir doesn’t sing the national anthem.

9.    The barber cut my hair.
The barber didn’t cut my hair.

10.    Father made breakfast in bed for Mother.
Father didn’t make breakfast in bed for Mother.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 44 – isn’t…., haven’t…., don’t…., etc.

not” is used to make negative sentences.  Sentences using “not” often use the contracted form.

For “be” verbs, we have:

am ==> am not (’m not):

I am hungry. ==> I am not hungry. / I’m not hungry.

is ==> is not (isn’t, ’s not):

John is tall. ==> John is not tall. / John isn’t tall. / John’s not tall.

are ==> are not (aren’t, ’re not):

We are coming. ==> We are not coming. / We aren’t coming. / We’re not coming.

was ==> were not (weren’t):

The children were playing. ==> The children were not (weren’t) playing.

For modal verbs that are not forms of the verb “be,” we have:

have ==> have not (haven’t, ’ve not):

I have read that book. ==> I have not read that book. / I haven’t read that book. / I’ve not read that book.

has ==> has not (hasn’t, ’s not):

Mary has eaten breakfast. ==> Mary has not eaten breakfast. / Mary hasn’t eaten breakfast. / Mary’s not eaten breakfast.

will ==> will not (won’t):

I will go to the library. ==> I will not (won’t) go to the library.

can ==> cannot (can’t):

Max can speak French. ==> Max cannot (can’t) speak French.

could ==> could not (couldn’t):

We could go to Tom’s wedding. ==> We could not (couldn’t) go to Tom’s wedding.

should ==> should not (shouldn’t):

Bob should go to bed early. ==> Bob should not (shouldn’t) go to bed early.

would ==> would not (wouldn’t):

I would like to visit Switzerland. ==> I would not (wouldn’t) like to visit Switzerland.

must ==> must not (mustn’t):

I must wake up Father. ==> I must not (mustn’t) wake up Father.

To make negative sentences for “do” verbs, use:

do not (don’t) / does not (doesn’t) + V (inf.)

(This is for the simple present.)

I work on Tuesdays. ==> I do not (don’t) work on Tuesdays.
That restaurant has the best coffee. ==> That restaurant does not (doesn’t) have the best coffee.
Tom wants to go to Disneyworld. ==> Tom does not (doesn’t) want to go to Disneyworld.
Jane likes pumpkin pie. ==> Jane does not (doesn’t) like pumpkin pie.

For the negative simple past of “do” verbs:

did not (didn’t) + V (inf.)

I ate an apple. ==> I did not (didn’t) eat an apple.
Mother baked a cake. ==> Mother did not (didn’t) bake a cake.
We had a good time. ==> We did not (didn’t) have a good time.

For imperative sentences (commands), use “do not (don’t)” to make a negative command.

Run away. ==> Do not (Don’t) run away.
Be afraid. ==> Do not (Don’t) be afraid.
Hang up the phone. ==> Do not (Don’t) hang up the phone.

If “do” is the main verb, we still use “do not / did not” to form negative sentences:

I do my homework every day. ==> I do not (don’t) do my homework every day.
Jack does the laundry on the weekend. ==> Jack does not (doesn’t) do the laundry on the weekend.
Peter did as he was told. ==> Peter did not (didn’t) do as he was told.

Exercise.  Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.

Example:

The soup was hot. ==> The soup wasn’t hot.

1.    Mom can knit mittens for the bazaar.
______________________________________

2.    I am going to the concert.
______________________________________

3.    You must be careful.
______________________________________

4.    We were late for the bus.
______________________________________

5.    You should let your sister clean your room.
______________________________________

6.    The baby was afraid of the elephant.
______________________________________

7.    I will wash the car.
______________________________________

8.    Dick and Jane have been to Canada.
______________________________________

9.    Sheri is sweeping the sidewalk.
______________________________________

10.    Mr. Smith has written a book.
______________________________________

11.    Tom, Dick, and Harry are staying after school.
______________________________________

12.    Jack could see the scar on the man’s forehead.
______________________________________

13.    I would like to take Mr. Jones’ class.
______________________________________

Exercise.  Turn the following sentences into negative sentences.  Use don’t / doesn’t / didn’t.

Example:

Max plays the saxophone. ==> Max doesn’t play the saxophone.

1.    Mark has a black cat.
______________________________________

2.    The car got a flat tire.
______________________________________

3.    Sally and Mary grow watermelons in their backyard.
______________________________________

4.    The dogs barked all night.
______________________________________

5.    The refrigerator works now.
______________________________________

6.    Hank fixes our car.
______________________________________

7.    I went to the bank.
______________________________________

8.    The choir sings the national anthem.
______________________________________

9.    The barber cut my hair.
______________________________________

10.    Father made breakfast in bed for Mother.
______________________________________

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Grammar Basics: Unit 43 – Too/either, so am I/neither do I, etc. (Solution)

Exercise.  Complete the responses by writing “too” or “either.”

Example:

My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is ___________.  ==>  My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is too.

1.    It didn’t rain on Friday.
It didn’t rain on Saturday either.

2.    Tom was late for school yesterday.
Sam was late too.

3.    Jane is getting married in June.
Susan is getting married in June too.

4.    Dick doesn’t like coffee.
Jane doesn’t like coffee either.

5.    I can play the piano.
Kathy can play the piano too.

6.    I haven’t seen the new movie.
We haven’t seen the new movie either.

7.    I can’t wait to see you next week!
I can’t wait to see you next week either!

8.    William Shakespeare was a famous writer.
Mark Twain was a famous writer too.

9.    Mark won’t eat his supper.
He won’t eat his dessert either.

10.    Jake went hunting last weekend.
Bill went hunting last weekend too.

Exercise.  Respond to the following sentences with either “So…I” or “Neither…I”

Example:

I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.— ____________. ==> I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.—Neither would I.

1.    I wouldn’t know what size shoes Max wears
Neither would I.

2.    I was just thinking about Mrs. Carson.
So was I.

3.    I have the complete works of J.S. Bach on CD.
So do I.

4.    I love the smell of fresh-baked bread.
So do I.

5.    I haven’t heard any more about Carly’s grandmother.
Neither have I.

6.    Wendy could pick Helen up at the airport next Tuesday.
So could I.

7.    Wait, I’m not ready to leave yet.
Neither am I.

8.    It looks like Howard won’t be coming to the party this Saturday.
Neither will I.

9.    Peter can do a hundred push-ups.
So can I.

10.    Mary didn’t finish her report on the Pilgrims.
Neither did I.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 43 – Too/either, so am I/neither do I, etc.

If we can say the same thing as another person, we can add “too” or “either” at the end of a sentence.

too – At the end of a sentence with a positive verb:

I’m tired. — I’m tired too. / I am too.
John is a student. — I am a student too. / I am too.
Mike went to Canada on his vacation. — Really?  We did too.
Tim can speak German. — I can too.

either – At the end of a sentence with a negative verb:

I’m not tired. — I’m not tired either. / I’m not either.
John isn’t a student. — I’m not a student either. / I’m not either.
Tom can’t speak German. — I can’t either.
Mike didn’t go to Canada on his vacation. — We didn’t either.

Other options for a sentence with a positive verb:

so am I = I am too:

I’m going to college next fall. — So am I.  (I’m going to college next fall too.)
The Martins are moving to Wyoming. — So are we.  (We are moving to Wyoming too.)

so do I = I do to (do, can, would, should, etc.):

I like swimming. — So do I.
I can ride a bike. — So can I.
I should go to bed now.  — So should I.
I’d like to have a million dollars. (I would like to have a million dollars.) — So would I.
We have three cats. — So do the Smiths.
Jack went camping in Michigan. — So did we.

Other options for a sentence with a negative verb:

neither am I = I’m not either:

I’m not going to college next fall. — Neither am I. (I’m not either.)
The Martins aren’t moving to Wyoming. — Neither are we.  (We aren’t either.)

neither do I = I don’t either (do, can, would, should, etc.):

I don’t like dogs. — Neither do I.
I can’t speak Italian. — Neither can I.
I would never treat my mother like that! — Neither would I!
Dick shouldn’t eat so much. — Neither should Harry.

 
Exercise.  Complete the responses by writing “too” or “either.”

Example:

My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is ___________.  ==>  My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is too.

1.    It didn’t rain on Friday.
It didn’t rain on Saturday ___________.

2.    Tom was late for school yesterday.
Sam was late ___________.

3.    Jane is getting married in June.
Susan is getting married in June ___________.

4.    Dick doesn’t like coffee.
Jane doesn’t like coffee ___________.

5.    I can play the piano.
Kathy can play the piano ___________.

6.    I haven’t seen the new movie.
We haven’t seen the new movie ___________.

7.    I can’t wait to see you next week!
I can’t wait to see you next week ___________!

8.    William Shakespeare was a famous writer.
Mark Twain was a famous writer ___________.

9.    Mark won’t eat his supper.
He won’t eat his dessert ___________.

10.    Jake went hunting last weekend.
Bill went hunting last weekend ___________.

Exercise.  Respond to the following sentences with either “So…I” or “Neither…I”

Example:

I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.— ____________. ==> I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.—Neither would I.

1.    I wouldn’t know what size shoes Max wears
___________.

2.    I was just thinking about Mrs. Carson.
___________.

3.    I have the complete works of J.S. Bach on CD.
___________.

4.    I love the smell of fresh-baked bread.
___________.

5.    I haven’t heard any more about Carly’s grandmother.
___________.

6.    Wendy could pick Helen up at the airport next Tuesday.
___________.

7.    Wait, I’m not ready to leave yet.
___________.

8.    It looks like Howard won’t be coming to the party this Saturday.
___________.

9.    Peter can do a hundred push-ups.
___________.

10.    Mary didn’t finish her report on the Pilgrims.
___________.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 14 (solution)

crossword puzzle solution

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Writing Assignment: Mother’s Day (Solution)

Happy Mother's Day

Click for larger image

1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken inside a house.

2.    Who do you see in the picture?
We see a woman (probably a mother) and two children.

3.    What are the people in the picture doing?
They are sitting in a chair, having their picture taken.

4.    What is Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is a day where we honor our mothers, or the mothers in our lives – mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, and mothers-to-be.

5.    What is a grandmother?
A grandmother is the mother of your father (paternal grandmother), or the mother of your mother (maternal grandmother).

6.    What is a mother-in-law?
A mother-in-law is the mother of your spouse (the mother of your wife/husband).

7.    What is a mother-to-be?
A mother-to-be is a woman who is expecting a baby.

8.    What is a stepmother?
A stepmother is the wife of your father (i.e., your father has remarried after being widowed or divorced).

9.    What can we do to honor our mothers?
We can give our mother a gift, or something that she might like or enjoy.  We can do something for her to make her feel special.  We can also tell her how much we love her and appreciate her.

10.    What kind of presents would be good for Mother’s Day?
Some good presents for Mother’s Day might be flowers, candy, a gift card, or treating her to a meal at a nice restaurant.

11.    What is a gift card?
A gift card is a card that contains monetary credit and can be used at a store or restaurant.

12.    What is often given with a present?
Oftentimes a card is given with a present.

13.    What kind of present might a young child, who usually doesn’t have much money, give to his mother for Mother’s Day?
There are plenty of presents that a young child might give to his mother for Mother’s Day.  He can let her sleep in, he can give her breakfast in bed, he can pick some nice flowers from the garden, he can give her a homemade gift or homemade card, or he can give her “coupons” that are good for household chores.

14.    Why do you think many people might like to take their mothers out to a restaurant for Mother’s Day?
Many people like to take their mothers out to eat for Mother’s Day as a way of giving their mother a break from the stress of cooking and cleaning for a holiday dinner.

15.    If you think the restaurant might be crowded, what should you do in advance?
If you think the restaurant might be crowded, you should make a reservation in advance.  Otherwise, you might have to wait for a half-hour or more before the restaurant is able to seat you at a table.

16.    What do you call a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, but comes between breakfast and lunch?
Brunch is a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, but falls between the two.  The word is a combination (a portmanteau) of the “br” from breakfast and the “unch” from lunch.

17.    Many women like to receive flowers as a present, but unfortunately they don’t last very long.  What can we do with flowers to preserve them?
We can preserve flowers by drying them, or pressing them between the pages of a book.

18.    Sometimes a local newspaper might have a Mother’s Day contest:  Children can complete the sentence, “My mother is the best mother, because __________.”  How would you complete the sentence?
One way you could complete the sentence is this:  My mother is the best mother, because she is always there to help me and love me when I need her, and she helped to mold me into the person I am today.

19.    What might you do for Mother’s Day if your mother has passed away?
If your mother has passed away, you could visit her grave and put some flowers there, as a token of remembrance.

20.    Why do you think it is a good idea to show appreciation to your mother on Mother’s Day?
I think it is a good idea to show appreciation to our mothers on Mother’s Day because mothers play an important role not only in the family, but in society as well.  The following poem by William Ross Wallace talks about the influence of mothers on society.  (The refrain is especially well-known:  “…the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”)

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the World

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow–
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky–
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

   ~ William Ross Wallace ~

Paragraph:  Mother’s Day

When I was a small child, I wanted to get something for my mother for Mother’s Day.  However, I didn’t have any money to buy her a present.  So I thought about what I could do for her instead.  First, I took a piece of paper and a box of crayons, and made a card for her.  I drew flowers and hearts on it.  Then on the inside I wrote a short note, telling her that she was the best mother ever, and that I loved her so much.  After that, I went outside to the garden and picked some flowers for her.  I got some lilacs, and made a tiny bouquet of lilies of the valley.  When everything was ready, I went to her and told her “Happy Mother’s Day,” giving her my homemade card along with the flowers.  She thought the card was lovely, and the flowers beautiful.  A little while later, Dad took Mom out to dinner, along with the rest of us.  Mom said that she had never had such a nice Mother’s Day.

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Writing Assignment: Mother’s Day

Mother and children

Click for larger image

Vocabulary

mother
grandmother
paternal grandmother
maternal grandmother
mother-to-be
mother-in-law
stepmother
child
flowers
bouquet
press flowers
gift / present
homemade
card
gift card
treat
sleep in
breakfast in bed
dinner
brunch
restaurant
reservation
holiday
contest

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    Who do you see in the picture?
3.    What are the people in the picture doing?
4.    What is Mother’s Day?
5.    What is a grandmother?
6.    What is a mother-in-law?
7.    What is a mother-to-be?
8.    What is a stepmother?
9.    What can we do to honor our mothers?
10.    What kind of presents would be good for Mother’s Day?
11.    What is a gift card?
12.    What is often given with a present?
13.    What kind of present might a young child, who usually doesn’t have much money, give to his mother for Mother’s Day?
14.    Why do you think many people might like to take their mothers out to a restaurant for Mother’s Day?
15.    If you think the restaurant might be crowded, what should you do in advance?
16.    What do you call a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, but comes between breakfast and lunch?
17.    Many women like to receive flowers as a present, but unfortunately they don’t last very long.  What can we do with flowers to preserve them?
18.    Sometimes a local newspaper might have a Mother’s Day contest:  Children can complete the sentence, “My mother is the best mother, because __________.”  How would you complete the sentence?
19.    What might you do for Mother’s Day if your mother has passed away?
20.    Why do you think it is a good idea to show appreciation to your mother on Mother’s Day?

Paragraph:  Mother’s Day

Does your culture do anything special to honor mothers?  Is there a special holiday set apart for this?  Have you ever shown any appreciation to your mother?  For Mother’s Day, write a brief paragraph about how you would honor your mother.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 42 – You have? …, have you? etc… (Solution)

Exercise.  Answer the following questions, using the declarative questions You do? / He doesn’t? / They didn’t? etc.

Example:

Congratulations!  You got top score in the tournament.  — _________  Wow!  ==> Congratulations!  You got top score in the tournament.  —I did?  Wow!

  1. Jack and Jill had a baby boy.—They did?  Oh, that’s nice.  I know they had wanted a son.
  2. Speak up.  Bob doesn’t hear very well.—He doesn’t?  Why doesn’t he just get a hearing aid, then?
  3. I saw Harry last week.—You did?  How’s he doing these days?
  4. Mary doesn’t have a car anymore, so you’ll have to pick her up on your way to work.—She doesn’t?  Oh, I didn’t realize she was that bad off.
  5. I have to go to the dentist.—You do?  Didn’t you go just the other month?
  6. Bill and Wanda didn’t go on their second honeymoon after all.—They didn’t?  That’s a shame.  I know they had been so looking forward to it.
  7. Sharon just got back from her trip.—She did?  Did she have a good time?
  8. I’m sorry, sir, but apparently you and your wife didn’t pay your taxes?—We didn’t?  I thought we did.
  9. Have you heard?  The Mississippi bridge collapsed yesterday.—It did?  Was anyone hurt?
  10. I didn’t sleep a wink last night.—You didn’t?  Why not?

Exercise.  Answer the following questions, using declarative questions like You have? / He will? / She hasn’t? etc.

Example:

Both Tom and Becky were in the hospital.— _________   How awful!  What happened? ==> Both Tom and Becky were in the hospital.—They were?  How awful!  What happened?

  1. Sam will oversee the project for our department.—He will?  I didn’t know the boss still trusted him.
  2. I’ve decided to quit my job and become a pop singer.—You have?  I don’t think that’s such a wise thing to do.
  3. Boycott the class.  Don’t worry, the teachers won’t flunk everybody.—They won’t?  How can you be so sure?
  4. It’s nearly 6 o’clock, and Jane still hasn’t finished cleaning her room.—She hasn’t?  I’m going to have to have a talk with that child.
  5. Have you heard?  Mr. Johnson isn’t retiring until next year.—He isn’t?  Oh man, that means I’m going to have to have him for trigonometry next semester.
  6. I’m not going to enter my apple pie in the county fair this year.—You aren’t?  That’s a shame.  You’d be a cinch to win the blue ribbon.
  7. Sit down and relax.  We have plenty of time before we have to board the plane.—We have?  Aren’t you forgetting that we have to go through security, though?
  8. Congratulations, sir – you’re the ninth caller on WXMQ’s morning talk show.—I am?  Oh, how embarrassing – I thought I was calling doctor’s office.
  9. We found the cows in Farmer MacGregor’s field.  They weren’t lost, after all.  —They weren’t?  I’m glad to hear that.
  10. It’s a good thing we had the car engine inspected.  The fan belt was so worn it was about to break.—It was?  I had no idea it was in that bad a shape.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences using an appropriate tag question.

Example:

Tom hasn’t come home yet, _________? ==> Tom hasn’t come home yet, has he?

  1. The teachers didn’t go on strike, did they?
  2. That sure was a hard test, wasn’t it?
  3. I can’t park here, can I?
  4. Karen likes chocolate cake, doesn’t she?
  5. I’m trying as hard as I can, aren’t I?
  6. We’re not afraid of ghosts, are we?
  7. The Wilsons are a nice couple, aren’t they?
  8. Tom isn’t six feet tall, is he?
  9. John has a large collection of baseball cards, hasn’t he?
  10. I shouldn’t water the plants every day, should I?

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