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Grammar Basics: Unit 36 – I’d rather… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/04/20
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Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

drink like

Would you _______ some coffee, or do you prefer _______ tea? ==> Would you like some coffee, or do you prefer to drink tea?

1.    Max would rather start university next fall.
2.    Sally would prefer to take an evening class, if possible.
3.    I’d rather watch paint dry than see that new movie – I heard it’s really boring.
4.    Would you prefer to eat chocolate ice cream or vanilla?
5.    I’d rather dry the dishes than wash them. // I’d rather wash the dishes than dry them.
6.    Would you rather have Chinese food, or Italian?
7.    I’d prefer to eat Italian food.
8.    That model car comes in several colors – which one would you rather have?
9.    I’d prefer to sit alone, thank you.
10.    They would rather go to Niagara Falls on their honeymoon.

Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  Make the sentence negative.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

go

I’d rather _______ to the wedding. ==> I’d rather not go to the wedding.

1.    I’d prefer not to work on weekends.
2.    I would rather not sleep in the same room as Uncle Tim – he snores!
3.    I would rather not spend any more money than I have to.
4.    Tom would rather not live next to the Martins.
5.    I’d prefer not to use rye bread for my sandwich.
6.    I’d rather not lie down in the sun.
7.    I’d rather not meet Jack for lunch.
8.    I’d prefer not to call Mary and ask her for a date.
9.    I’d rather not invite Sam to the party.
10.    We’d prefer not to sleep in a hotel room that is right next to the expressway.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 36 – I’d rather…

Posted on 2012/04/19
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“I’d rather (do something).” = “I would rather (do something).” is another way of saying “I would prefer to (do something).”

Pattern:  I’d rather + V (inf.) … // I would rather + V (inf.) …

I’d rather read a book.
I would rather travel by car.
I’d rather stay indoors.

Negative:  I’d rather not + V (inf.)… // I would rather not + V (inf.)…

I’d rather not say who gave me the money.
We would rather not go on vacation in June.
I’d rather not eat turkey for Christmas dinner.

Questions:  Would you rather + V (inf.)….?

Would you rather sit outside?  It’s such a lovely day.
Would you rather go out to eat tonight?
Would you rather take a hot bath?

Note:  “I’d rather …” does NOT use the infinitive marker:

I’d rather go for a walk.  (NOT I’d rather to go for a walk.)
I would rather listen to some music.  (NOT I would rather to listen to some music.)
I’d rather not have an orange.  (NOT I’d rather not to have an orange.)

But, if we use “prefer,” the infinitive marker IS necessary:

I’d prefer to go for a walk.
I would prefer to listen to some music.
I would prefer not to have an orange.

“rather” is often used in comparisons.

Pattern:  I’d rather A than B. // I would rather A than B.

I’d rather eat chicken than beef.
John would rather play cards than watch TV.
I’d rather take a taxi than ride the train to the airport.

Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

drink like

Would you _______ some coffee, or do you prefer _______ tea? ==> Would you like some coffee, or do you prefer to drink tea?

 

dry
eat
eat
go
have
have
see
sit
start
take
wash
watch

1.    Max would rather _______ university next fall.
2.    Sally would prefer _______ an evening class, if possible.
3.    I’d rather _______ paint dry than _______ that new movie – I heard it’s really boring.
4.    Would you prefer _______ chocolate ice cream or vanilla?
5.    I’d rather _______ the dishes than _______ them.
6.    Would you rather _______ Chinese food, or Italian?
7.    I’d prefer _______ Italian food.
8.    That model car comes in several colors – which one would you rather _______?
9.    I’d prefer _______ alone, thank you.
10.    They would rather _______ to Niagara Falls on their honeymoon.

Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  Make the sentence negative.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

go

I’d rather _______ to the wedding. ==> I’d rather not go to the wedding.

call
invite
lie
live
meet
sleep
sleep
spend
use
work

1.    I’d prefer _______ on weekends.
2.    I would rather _______ in the same room as Uncle Tim – he snores!
3.    I would rather _______ any more money than I have to.
4.    Tom would rather _______ next to the Martins.
5.    I’d prefer _______ rye bread for my sandwich.
6.    I’d rather _______ down in the sun.
7.    I’d rather _______ Jack for lunch.
8.    I’d prefer _______ Mary and ask her for a date.
9.    I’d rather _______ Sam to the party.
10.    We’d prefer _______ in a hotel room that is right next to the expressway.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 35 – Would you like…? I’d like… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/04/18
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Exercises:  For the following sentences, choose the right expression.

Example:

(Do you like / Would you like) tea?  —Yes, thank you. ==> Would you like tea?  —Yes, thank you.
(Do you like / Would you like) cats? —No, I’m a dog person (I prefer dogs).  ==> Do you like  cats? —No, I’m a dog person.

1.    Do you like to work? —Yes, I enjoy my job.
2.    Would you like to see a movie? —Not today.  I have an appointment at 3 o’clock.
3.    Would you like pizza? —Yes, it’s been ages since I’ve had one.
4.    Do you like ice cream? —Yes.  Cookies and cream is my favorite flavor.
5.    Do you like to live in Chicago?  —Yes, the city has a lot of interesting museums and a nice lakefront.
6.    Would you like to live in New York? —No, it’s too far away from my friends and family, so I don’t want to move there.
7.    Do you like to listen to classical music? —Yes, I find it very relaxing.
8.    Would you like to listen to classical music? —That sounds like a good idea.  I’ve had a rough day.
9.    Would you like to watch TV?  —No, I just want to read a book.
10.    Do you like to watch TV?  —Yes, especially if I’m bored.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 35 – Would you like…? I’d like…

Posted on 2012/04/17
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“Would you like…?” is a polite way of asking someone if they want something, or want to do something:

Would you like a cup of tea?
Would you like a ride home?
Would you like to see a movie?
What would you like to eat?

“I’d like…” / “I would like…” is a polite way of saying “I want…”:

I’d like orange juice, please.
I’d like to take a nap.
I’d like some more ice cream, thank you.
I’d like a new bike for my birthday.

Note:  “Would you like…?” and “Do you like…?” are different.

  •  “Do you like…?”:  Someone is asking a general question (doesn’t have to be right now).
  • “Would you like…?”:  Someone is asking if you want something right now.

Do you like cake? (a general question)
—Yes.  My favorite cake is yellow cake.
Would you like some cake? (asking about right now)
—No thank you, I’m not hungry.

What do you like to do on vacation? (a general question)
—I like to relax, or go camping.
What would you like to do on this vacation? (asking about a vacation that you’ll be taking soon, not a general vacation)
—I’d really like to go to Mackinac Island.

 

Exercises:  For the following sentences, choose the right expression.

Example:

(Do you like / Would you like) tea?  —Yes, thank you. ==> Would you like tea?  —Yes, thank you.
(Do you like / Would you like) cats? —No, I’m a dog person (I prefer dogs).  ==> Do you like  cats? —No, I’m a dog person.

1.    (Do you like / Would you like) to work? —Yes, I enjoy my job.
2.    (Do you like / Would you like) to see a movie? —Not today.  I have an appointment at 3 o’clock.
3.    (Do you like / Would you like) pizza? —Yes, it’s been ages since I’ve had one.
4.    (Do you like / Would you like) ice cream? —Yes.  Cookies and cream is my favorite flavor.
5.    (Do you like / Would you like) to live in Chicago?  —Yes, the city has a lot of interesting museums and a nice lakefront.
6.    (Do you like / Would you like) to live in New York? —No, it’s too far away from my friends and family, so I don’t want to move there.
7.    (Do you like / Would you like) to listen to classical music? —Yes, I find it very relaxing.
8.    (Do you like / Would you like) to listen to classical music? —That sounds like a good idea.  I’ve had a rough day.
9.    (Do you like / Would you like) to watch TV?  —No, I just want to read a book.
10.    (Do you like / Would you like) to watch TV?  —Yes, especially if I’m bored.

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Crossword – Irregular Verbs 3 (Solution)

Posted on 2012/04/16
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crossword puzzle solution

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Writing Assignment: On a Plane (Solution)

Posted on 2012/04/14
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Inside an Airplane

1.    Where is this picture taken?
This picture is taken on a plane.

2.    What are the people doing?
The people are sitting on a plane, getting ready for takeoff.

3.    Who is the woman in the middle of the picture?
The woman in the middle of the picture is a stewardess, or flight attendant.

4.    What is her job?
Her job is to help the passengers during the flight, so they have a pleasant journey.

5.    Where do you think the people are going?
Maybe some people are going on vacation, or perhaps on a business trip.

6.    What are the storage spaces over the people’s heads?
The storage spaces over the people’s heads are called overhead compartments.

7.    What can you put in that storage space?
You can put carry on baggage in the overhead compartments.

8.    What do you need to get on a plane?
To get on a plane you need a ticket.  After you have checked in and shown your ticket to the person at the airline counter, you will get a boarding pass, which you will need to get on the plane.

9.    What do foreign travelers need to go on a plane?
Foreign travelers need a passport to go on a plane.

10.    What do you do with your baggage when you go on an airplane?
If you have baggage, you can check it at the airline counter when you go through check in.

11.    What procedure do you have to go through before you will be allowed to go on a plane?
Before you are allowed to get on a plane, you will have to go through airport security.

12.    Who controls the plane?
The pilots control the plane.  One pilot is the captain, and the other is his co-pilot.

13.    Who helps the passengers when they’re on the plane?
Once the passengers are on the plane, the stewards and stewardesses (flight attendants) help them.

14.    How can you summon a flight attendant if you need help?
You can press the call button to summon a flight attendant if you need help.

15.    Why is an airplane flight bumpy or rough sometimes?
Sometimes an airplane flight is rough because of turbulence.

16.    What might you need if you feel sick during the flight?
If you feel sick during a flight, you might need an airsickness bag.

17.    How does an airplane move between the gate and the end of the runway?
An airplane moves between the gate and the end of the runway by taxiing to where it needs to go.

18.    What do you have to do to prepare for takeoff or landing?
To prepare for takeoff or landing, you need to put your seat in an upright position, and make sure your tray is in place and locked.  You also need to turn off cell phones and mp3 players.

19.    Where do you have to go to get your baggage when you arrive at your destination?
Once you arrive at your destination, you have to go to baggage claim to pick up your baggage.

20.    If you fly on an international flight, what official lines do you have to pass through before you are allowed to enter the country?
If you go on an international flight, you will need to pass through customs and immigration before you are allowed to enter the country.

Paragraph:  On a Plane

Traveling by plane is very convenient.  You can buy a ticket online, although some people prefer to ask a travel agent to recommend a certain flight and make arrangements.  Nowadays, in most instances an e-ticket is issued, which you must print out and bring with you to check-in.  The person at the counter will also ask for some identification, like a driver’s license or passport.  A passport is needed if you are traveling to a foreign country.

If you have a lot of baggage, you can check it in.  The person at the airline counter will weigh it to make sure the baggage does not exceed the weight limit.  But if you have only a few light items, such as a small suitcase or backpack, you can take that on board with you, and store it in the overhead compartment on the plane.

The person at the airline counter will also assign you a seat on the plane.  Sometimes you can express a preference for a window seat or an aisle seat, but if the plane is crowded you might not be able to have your preference.  Once your seat is assigned, you will be given a boarding pass and instructions on which gate your flight is at, and when the boarding starts.

Before you can go to your gate, however, you have to go through airport security.  Sadly, this is a fact of modern air travel.  You will have to walk through a metal detector, and your carry on items will have to be x-rayed for suspicious materials.  Thankfully, most people comply with these security measures, and once you are through the security, you can proceed to your gate.

Once you are on the plane, the flight attendants will help you find your seat, put your carry ons in the overhead compartment, and get ready for the flight.  They will ask you to fasten your seat belt and put your seat in an upright position.  You are also asked to refrain from using certain electronic, such as cell phones and mp3 players, equipment during takeoff and landing.

After the airplane has taken off and is on its way, the seat belt sign will go off, and you can unbuckle it if you like.  If there is turbulence during the flight, though, the seat belt light will come back on, and you should buckle up again.  The flight attendants usually go up and down the aisle with a cart full of snacks and drinks, or, if you are on a long flight, they will have meals for the passengers.  If you need any assistance, you can summon the flight attendant by pressing the call button.

At the end of the flight, the plane will land at its destination.  You can get off the plane and go to the baggage claim to get your luggage.  If you have gone to a foreign country, you will have to go through customs and immigration before you are allowed to go to the general part of the airport.

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Writing Assignment: On a Plane

Posted on 2012/04/13
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Inside an Airplane
Vocabulary

ticket
e-ticket
boarding pass
passport
baggage / luggage
suitcase
carry on
pilot
steward / stewardess
flight attendant
check in
security
window seat
aisle seat
turbulence
takeoff
landing
taxi
flight crew
passengers
baggage claim
customs
immigration
gate
captain
call button
air sickness bag
tray
overhead compartment

1.    Where is this picture taken?
2.    What are the people doing?
3.    Who is the woman in the middle of the picture?
4.    What is her job?
5.    Where do you think the people are going?
6.    What are the storage spaces over the people’s heads?
7.    What can you put in that storage space?
8.    What do you need to get on a plane?
9.    What do foreign travelers need to go on a plane?
10.    What do you do with your baggage when you go on an airplane?
11.    What procedure do you have to go through before you will be allowed to go on a plane?
12.    Who controls the plane?
13.    Who helps the passengers when they’re on the plane?
14.    How can you summon a flight attendant if you need help?
15.    Why is an airplane flight bumpy or rough sometimes?
16.    What might you need if you feel sick during the flight?
17.    How does an airplane move between the gate and the end of the runway?
18.    What do you have to do to prepare for takeoff or landing?
19.    Where do you have to go to get your baggage when you arrive at your destination?
20.    If you fly on an international flight, what official lines do you have to pass through before you are allowed to enter the country?

Paragraph:  On a Plane

Have you ever traveled by plane?  How was the flight?  Where did you go?  Write a brief paragraph about a time you were on an airplane flight.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 34 – I have to… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/04/13
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Exercises:  Complete the following sentences, using “have / has to” + one of the following verbs.

Example:

I’m going to bed now.  I __________ early tomorrow morning.  (get up) ==>  I’m going to bed now.  I have to get up early tomorrow morning.

1.    We’ve had a lot of rain the past few days.  I have to cut the grass this weekend.
2.    The baby is sick.  I have to take him to the doctor.
3.    When you make bread, you have to let the dough rise.
4.    When you are a student, you have to do a lot of homework.
5.    I can’t see very well, so I have to wear glasses.
6.    Mary has fair skin, so she has to put on sunblock when she goes to the beach.
7.    If you want to be good at English, you have to study a lot.
8.    John wants to become a doctor, so he has to go to medical school.
9.    If children go to public schools, they have to have all their vaccinations.
10.    If your pencil is dull, you have to sharpen it.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 34 – I have to…

Posted on 2012/04/12
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When we use the phrase “I have to…,” it means that we are under obligation to do that thing.  It is necessary for us to do that thing.

Pattern:

I / you / we / they have to + V (inf.)
He / she / it has to + V (inf.)

Examples:

I have to return the library book tomorrow.  (I am obligated to return the library book tomorrow.  Otherwise, it will be overdue.)
James has to clean his bedroom before supper.  (It is necessary for him to clean his room.  If he doesn’t, he will be in big trouble.)
Cathy has to pass this test, or else she will fail the course.

For the past tense, use “had to” + V (inf.):

I had to cut the grass yesterday.
Shirley had to take her cousin to the doctor last week.
Mr. Johnson had to give Jack an F on his exam.

For questions, use “Do / Does” + Subject + “have to” + V (inf.):

Does Tom have to study for his English test tomorrow?
Do I have to take the medicine before bedtime?
Do they have to leave early in the morning?

For negatives, use “don’t / doesn’t” + “have to” + V (inf.):

Mike doesn’t have to go to work on Monday.
I don’t have to see the dentist until next month.
We don’t have to move to Memphis.

For past tense questions: “Did” + Subject + “have to” + V (inf.):

Did Mike have to work last weekend?
Did you have to cut the grass yesterday?
Did she have to return the library book the other day?

For past tense negatives:  “didn’t” + “have to”+ V (inf.):

I didn’t have to walk Mrs. Wilson’s dog.
Tom didn’t have to pay his parking ticket.
Mr. Smith didn’t have to pick up his mother-in-law at the airport.

Note:  “must” can also be used instead of “have to”.

Pattern:

I / you / he, she, it / we / they + “must” + V (inf.):

Note:  there is no “to” between “must” and V (inf.)!!

I must return the library book tomorrow. (not:  I must to return the library book tomorrow.)
James must clean his bedroom before supper.  (not:  James must to clean his bedroom before supper.)
Cathy must pass this test, or else she will fail the course. (not:  Cathy must to pass this test…)

 

Exercises:  Complete the following sentences, using “have / has to” + one of the following verbs.

Example:

I’m going to bed now.  I __________ early tomorrow morning.  (get up) ==>  I’m going to bed now.  I have to get up early tomorrow morning.

Use these verbs:

cut
do
go
have
let
put on
sharpen
study
take
wear

1.    We’ve had a lot of rain the past few days.  I ______________ the grass this weekend.
2.    The baby is sick.  I ______________ him to the doctor.
3.    When you make bread, you ______________ the dough rise.
4.    When you are a student, you ______________ a lot of homework.
5.    I can’t see very well, so I ______________ glasses.
6.    Mary has fair skin, so she ______________ sunblock when she goes to the beach.
7.    If you want to be good at English, you ______________ a lot.
8.    John wants to become a doctor, so he ______________ to medical school.
9.    If children go to public schools, they ______________ all their vaccinations.
10.    If your pencil is dull, you ______________ it.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 33 – should (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/04/11
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Exercises:  Complete the following sentences, using “you should” + and one of the following verbs:

Example:

If you are tired, _________ to bed.  (go) ==>  If you are tired, you should go to bed.

1.    When you go swimming, you should wear swim goggles.
2.    If you are going to the party, you should bring a gift.
3.    When you plant some seeds, you should water them.
4.    If you gain weight, you should go on a diet.
5.    If you hurt someone, you should apologize to them.
6.    That’s a very interesting TV program.  You should watch it.
7.    If you get your clothes dirty, you should put them in the laundry.
8.    When you have finished, you should turn off the lights.
9.    If you’re leaving the house, you should lock the door.
10.    If you make a mess, you should clean it up.

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