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Grammar Basics: Unit 18 – For, Since, and Ago (Solutions)

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.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 18 – For, Since, and 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).

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Grammar Basics: Unit 17 – More Present Perfect (Solutions)

Exercise: Complete the following sentences.

Example:

  • He is vice president of the bank. He __________ vice president for 10 years. ==> He has been vice president for 10 years.

 

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:

  • Jack and Jill (are married / have been married) since 2001. ==> Jack and Jill have been married since 2001.

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.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 17 – More Present Perfect

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:

  • He is vice president of the bank. He __________ vice president for 10 years. ==> He has been vice president for 10 years.

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:

  • Jack and Jill (are married / have been married) since 2001. ==> Jack and Jill have been married since 2001.

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.

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Crossword: TOEFL 1 (Solution)

Here is the solution to the TOEFL crossword. How did you do?

 

crossword puzzle solution

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Writing Assignment: The Theater (Solution)

actors on stage

 

1. What kind of building is this?
This building is a theater.

2. How many balconies are on the left side?
There are four balconies on the left side.

3. Who is sitting in the balcony?
People in the audience (spectators) are sitting in the balcony.

4. Are the first two rows full?
It looks like the first two rows are full.

5. Are the spectators watching a film or a play?
The spectators are watching a play.

6. Can you also watch an opera in this theater?
Yes, you can also watch an opera in this theater.

7. How many people are on stage?
There are two people on stage.

8. Are the actors performing a German, French, or Spanish play?
The actors are probably performing a Spanish play.

9. Who is playing a guitar?
The man is playing a guitar.

10. Does the scene take place inside or outside?
The scene takes place outside.

11. Is that a real moon in the background?
No, it is not a real moon in the background. It is an artificial (fake) moon.

12. Where does the orchestra sit?
The orchestra sits in the orchestra pit, located in front of the stage.

13. Is the man playing a piano or an organ?
The man is playing an organ.

14. During the intermission, what hangs before the stage?
During the intermission, a curtain hangs before the stage.

15. What is listed in a program?
In the program is a list of the actors/actresses, the director and his crew, and the stage hands.

16. Do you buy an admission ticket before or after the performance?
You buy an admission ticket before the performance.

17. When do the spectators applaud?
The spectators applaud at the end of the play or opera.

18. Does the picture show a city theater or a school stage?
The picture shows a city theater, not a school stage.

19. Where do you prefer to sit in a theater?
I prefer to sit near the front of a theater.

20. What is the name of an American play?
The name of an American play is “Our American Cousin.” It is the play that Abraham Lincoln was watching when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

Paragraph: An Evening at the Theater

Write a brief paragraph about going to see a play. What play did you see (would you like to see)? What kind of people attended the play? How did you like it?

When I was in high school, I went on a class trip to downtown Chicago to see the play “Waiting for Godot.” The theater was not a very large one, but it was located near the lake and it seemed like a nice place. The theater did not sell concessions, or snacks, so we had to bring a sack lunch and eat it on the school bus after we had seen the play. The performance that we attended was during the day, and so the audience was mostly other high school kids who were also on a class trip to watch the play.

I thought that the play was very strange. It was about two old men who did nothing all day except wait for Godot. Godot never showed up (“showed up” = came), and so we never found out who Godot was, why he was important, or why the old men in the play were waiting for him. The play was too avant-garde for me, and I would prefer to see a play where the plot made more sense.

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Writing Assignment: The Theater

the theater

 

Vocabulary

to perform
film
program
to clap, applaud
row
play
performance
piano
actor
balcony
city theatre
stage
to like most
drama
outside
moon
to take place
inside
opera
play
real, genuine
orchestra
scene
admission ticket
organ
theater
intermission
spectator

1. What kind of building is this?
2. How many balconies are on the left side?
3. Who is sitting in the balcony?
4. Are the first two rows full?
5. Are the spectators watching a film or a play?
6. Can you also watch an opera in this theater?
7. How many people are on stage?
8. Are the actors performing a German, French, or Spanish play?
9. Who is playing a guitar?
10. Does the scene take place inside or outside?
11. Is that a real moon in the background?
12. Where does the orchestra sit?
13. Is the man playing a piano or an organ?
14. During the intermission, what hangs before the stage?
15. What is listed in a program?
16. Do you buy an admission ticket before or after the performance?
17. When do the spectators applaud?
18. Does the picture show a city theater or a school stage?
19. Where do you prefer to sit in a theater?
20. What is the name of an American play?

Paragraph: An Evening at the Theater

Write a brief paragraph about going to see a play. What play did you see (would you like to see)? What kind of people attended the play? How did you like it?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 16 – Present Perfect (Solutions)

Exercises: Put the verbs in the present perfect.

Examples:

  • (I / finish) my homework, so I can relax now. ==> I’ve finished my homework, so I can relax now.
  • (She / never / take) piano lessons. ==> She’s never taken piano lessons.
  • (you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?

1. John has written a letter to the newspaper.
2. Mother has told Tom five times to pick up his clothes.
3. Sue’s never come home this late before.
4. We’ve gone to Michigan for vacation every year since I was a child.
5. Have you ever gotten dressed up for a fancy party?
6. I’ve never cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving.
7. Hasn’t Mary driven a car before?
8. Mr. Smith has never washed his car.
9. I’ve never been to the library.
10. She’s never ridden on an airplane before.
11. Haven’t you ever seen an elephant before?
12. Rob has never seen her wear glasses.
13. Has Dad come home yet?
14. That’s the first time I’ve ever been late for school.
15. The baby has never stayed up this late.
16. Have you ever made a pie?
17. Kathy has never taken a typing class before.
18. Have you ever seen such a sight?
19. James has never skipped school in his life.
20. Have you ever played baseball?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 16 – Present Perfect

S + have/has + V (past participle) is the present perfect (have + past participle).

The past participle for regular verbs is –ed, the same as the simple past. For irregular verbs, the past participle is sometimes the same as the simple past. Sometimes, it is different – check out the section on Irregular Verbs for a list of common irregular verbs.

We have the following table of have + past participle, along with the contracted forms:

Positive:

I have jumped (I’ve jumped)
you have jumped (you’ve jumped)
he / she / it has jumped (he’s / she’s / it’s jumped)
we have jumped (we’ve jumped)
they have jumped (they’ve jumped)

Negative:

I have not jumped (I’ve not jumped // I haven’t jumped)
you have not jumped (you’ve not jumped // you haven’t jumped)
he / she / it has not jumped (he’s / she’s / it’s not jumped // he / she / it hasn’t jumped)
we have not jumped (we’ve not jumped // we haven’t jumped)
they have not jumped (they’ve not jumped // they haven’t jumped)

For questions, switch the subject and “have”: Have / Has S ~ ?

I have jumped ==> Have I jumped?
you have jumped ==> Have you jumped?
he / she / it has jumped ==> Has he / she / it jumped?
we have jumped ==> Have we jumped?
they have jumped ==> Have they jumped?

For negative questions, use the contracted form: Haven’t / Hasn’t S ~?

I have not jumped ==> Haven’t I jumped?
you have not jumped ==> Haven’t you jumped?
he / she / it has not jumped ==> Hasn’t he / she / it jumped?
we have not jumped ==> Haven’t we jumped?
they have not jumped ==> Haven’t they jumped?

When do we use Present Perfect?

The present perfect is used to talk about a time from the past until now:

Examples:

Have you seen the new movie?
—No, I haven’t.

Have you gone to college?
—Yes, I went to college when I was 23.

How often has Mary been to Europe?
—She has traveled to Europe a number of times.

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?
—I’ve been to London to visit the Queen.

I have had several jobs since I graduated from school.
Tom has had bad luck ever since he bought that new car.

We can also use “ever” in questions to ask if something has happened at any time in a person’s life. We can answer with “never” if it has not happened at all:

Have you ever been to Korea?
—Yes, I’ve been there once.
—No, I’ve never been there. I hope to go someday.

Have you ever eaten squid?
—Yes, I’ve eaten it at a seafood restaurant.
—No, I’ve never tried it.

Exercises: Put the verbs in the present perfect.

Examples:

  • (I / finish) my homework, so I can relax now. ==> I’ve finished my homework, so I can relax now.
  • (She / never / take) piano lessons. ==> She’s never taken piano lessons.
  • (you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?

1. (John / write) a letter to the newspaper.
2. (Mother / tell) Tom five times to pick up his clothes.
3. (Sue / never / come) home this late before.
4. (We / go) to Michigan for vacation every year since I was a child.
5. (you / ever / get) dressed up for a fancy party?
6. (I / never / cook) a turkey for Thanksgiving.
7. (Mary / not / drive) a car before?
8. (Mr. Smith / never / wash) his car.
9. (I / never / be) to the library.
10. (She / never / ride) on an airplane before.
11. (you / not / ever / see) an elephant before?
12. (Rob / never / see) her wear glasses.
13. (Dad / come) home yet?
14. That’s the first time (I / ever / be) late for school.
15. (The baby / never / stay) up this late.
16. (you / ever / make) a pie?
17. (Kathy / never / take) a typing class before.
18. (you / ever / see) such a sight?
19. (James / never / skip) school in his life.
20. (you / ever / play) baseball?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 15 – I used to… (Solutions)

Exercises: Complete the following sentences. Use “used to” or the simple present as necessary.

Examples:

  • Mary has short hair, but she (have) long hair. ==> Mary has short hair, but she used to have long hair.
  • John (be) fat, but now he (be) skinny. ==> John used to be fat, but now he is skinny.

1. I used to play the piano every day, but now I don’t have time.
2. Kim used to work in a restaurant. Now she works at a bank.
3. What did you use to do with your friends when you were a child?
4. When I was little, I used to hate broccoli.
5. Tom likes to play tennis. He plays it every day.
6. Before we moved, we used to live in Wisconsin.
7. Did you use to walk to school as a child?
8. William used to be rich, but he lost all his money in the stock market.
9. Last summer I used to get up early so I could exercise before breakfast.
10. What job did you use to have while you were in college?

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