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Writing Assignment: At a Barber Shop (Solution)

In the Barber's Chair

1.    Where is this picture taken?
This picture is taken inside a barber shop.

2.    What kind of chair is the man sitting in?
The man is sitting in a barber’s chair, or a barber’s stool.

3.    What is the man in the barber’s stool doing?
The man in the barber’s stool is getting a shave.

4.    What is on the man’s face?
There is shaving cream, or shaving lather, on the man’s face.

5.    What is the barber doing?
The barber is holding a razor.  He is shaving the man in the barber’s stool.

6.    What tools can a barber use when giving a haircut?
The tools that a barber can use when giving a haircut are scissors (or shears), a razor, clippers, and a comb or brush.

7.    What tools can a barber use when he gives a shave?
The tools that a barber can use when giving a shave are a razor and a shaving brush.

8.    What must a barber do if his razor or scissors are dull?
If the razor or scissors are dull, the barber must sharpen them.  The razor can be sharpened using a barber’s strop, and the scissors can be sharpened by a scissors grinder.

9.    What other things might a barber have to take care of hair?
Some other things that a barber might have to take care of hair are combs, brushes, hair tonics, and gels.

10.    What can you use to make your hair look neat?
You can use a comb or a brush to make your hair look neat.

11.    How can you ask the barber to remove your beard or mustache?
You can ask for a shave if you want the barber to remove your beard or mustache.

12.    What is a slang expression for “getting your hair cut”?
“Getting your ears lowered” is a slang expression that means “getting your hair cut”:  Where are you going? —I’m going to get my ears lowered.

13.    What can you say to the barber if you want only a little bit of hair cut off?
If you want only a little bit of hair cut off, you can ask the barber for a trim.

14.    What can you say to the barber if you want a lot of hair cut off?
If you want a lot of hair cut off, you can ask the barber for a buzz cut, or a crew cut.

15.    What does the barber do to protect your clothes from hair clippings?
To protect your clothes from hair clippings, the barber will put a cape over your chest.

16.    If there are a lot of customers waiting, how can the barber keep track of who is next to get a haircut?
If there are a lot of customers waiting, the barber can keep track of who is next by having you take a number, and wait your turn.

17.    What can you do at the barbershop while waiting for your turn?
While you’re waiting for your turn at the barber shop, you can read a magazine or a newspaper.  Some barber shops have a TV that you can watch.

18.    What kind of sign does a barber often have outside his shop?
Many times a barber has a barber’s pole outside his shop.  This is a traditional sign or symbol for a barber.

19.    What are some different kinds of cuts a man might get?
Some of the different cuts a man might get are a crew cut (buzz cut), a bowl cut, a flat top, a Mohawk, or a jarhead cut (military cut).

20.    What else could you get at some barber shops, besides a haircut or a shave?
At some barber shops, you can also get your shoes shined.

Paragraph:  At a Barber Shop

Jimmy went to the barber shop.  His mother had given him money for a haircut, because his hair was getting long and it was hanging in his eyes.  He opened the door to the shop and greeted the barber, Mr. Williams.  Mr. Williams told him it would be about a ten-minute wait, so he could just have a seat.  Jimmy sat down in a chair and picked up the sports pages of the newspaper.  He didn’t care much for reading, but he liked to read about his favorite teams.  Before he knew it, Mr. Williams told him it was his turn.  Jimmy went over and sat in the barber’s stool.  Jimmy was a regular customer of Mr. Williams, so Mr. Williams knew exactly how Jimmy wanted his hair cut – a classic, Caesar cut.  Mr. Williams was an experienced barber, and he liked using a razor rather than scissors for cutting hair whenever possible.  He put a cape on Jimmy and began cutting with the razor.  He combed and cut, and combed again, all around Jimmy’s head.  Finally, Mr. Williams took his scissors for some light trimming, then handed Jimmy a mirror so he could see how he looked.  Jimmy looked all around, and nodded with satisfaction.  He paid Mr. Williams for the haircut and went home.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 30 – might and may (Solutions)

Exercises:  Use the given words to respond to the following questions, using the phrase “I don’t know / I’m not sure. I (He, They, etc.) might…”

Example:

What are you doing this afternoon? (store) ==> I don’t know. I might go to the store this afternoon.
Where is Tom going for vacation? (Florida) ==> I’m not sure. He might go to Florida.

  1. What are you going to eat for lunch? ==> I’m not sure. I might have soup or salad.
  2. Is Mary coming to the party? ==> I don’t know. She might have to work.
  3. When are you going to go to the library? ==> I don’t know. I might go after class.
  4. Did Bill and Jane name their new baby yet? ==> I’m not sure. They might have named him James.
  5. What’s the weather supposed to be like tomorrow? ==> I’m not sure. It might rain.
  6. Where is Mark going to college? ==> I don’t know. He might be going to the University of Illinois.
  7. Does Sally have any pets? ==> I’m not sure. She might have a cat.
  8. What color is Jill’s car? ==> I don’t know. It might be blue.
  9. How many books do the kids have to read for the summer program? ==> I’m not sure. They might have to read 15 books.
  10. Where would you like to go on your dream vacation? ==> I don’t know. I might like to go to Switzerland.
  11. How old is John’s son? ==> I don’t know. He might be six.
  12. Where did Tom and Susan move to? ==> I’m not sure. They might have moved to Colorado.
  13. Is there butter or margarine in this cookie recipe? ==> I’m not sure. It might be butter.
  14. Where does Jim work? ==> I don’t know. He might be a salesman for a manufacturing company.
  15. How fast can Tina type? ==> I’m not sure. She might type as fast as 80 words per minute.
  16. Where are the newlyweds going for their honeymoon? ==> I’m not sure. They might go to Hawaii.
  17. Who is the greatest basketball player? ==> I don’t know. It might be Michael Jordan.
  18. What present are you going to give your mother for her birthday? ==> I’m not sure. I might get her a box of chocolates.
  19. What is the name of Barbara’s older son? ==> I don’t know. It might be Christopher.
  20. Who’s calling on the phone? ==> I’m not sure. It might be the doctor’s office.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 29 – will, Part II (Solution)

Exercise: In the following sentences, choose either “will” or “going to” to make an appropriate sentence.

Example:

I’m tired, so I think I (will / am going to) go to bed. ==> I’m tired, so I think I will go to bed.

A: What are you doing tomorrow night?
B: We (will / are going to) go out for dinner and watch a movie. ==> We are going to out for a dinner and watch a movie.

1. It snowed a lot overnight. I will shovel the driveway before I go to work.

2.  A: I have a ton of work to do.
B: That’s all right. We will help you.

3. I’m confused. I think I will ask Sam to explain these instructions to me.

4. A: Have you done your homework yet?
B: No, I will do it later, I think.

5. I’m tired. I think I will skip exercising today.

6. A: Are you going to do anything this weekend?
B: No, I am going to stay home and get caught up on my reading.

7. Someone’s at the door. Will you answer it?

8. A: What are you doing after lunch?
B: I am going to go ice skating. Want to come?

9. Mother likes flowers, so I think we will get her a colorful bouquet for her birthday.

10. A: This room’s a mess.
B: Don’t worry – I will clean it up.

11. Do you know how expensive that wine is? If we buy that for the party, it will cost a fortune!

12. A: We’re having a potluck this Saturday.
B: Okay. I will bring a salad.

13. I’ve finished reading my library books. I think I will return then and get some more.

14. A: Why are you baking so many cookies?
B: I am going to gift wrap plates of cookie and give them away as presents.

15. We didn’t get a Christmas tree this year. We will get one next year, okay?

16. A: The car’s low on gas.
B: I will fill it up on my way to the store.

17. I’m hot. I think I will go swimming to cool off.

18. A: The plants need watering.
B: I will do it as soon as I’m done washing these dishes.

19. I will give you a call tomorrow, okay?

20. A: I have a taste for pretzels.
B: I will bake some.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 8 (solution)

crossword puzzle solution

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Writing Assignment: At a Concert (Solution)

at a concert

1.    Where is this picture taken?
This picture is taken in a concert hall, or a large auditorium designed for musical performances.

2.    What do you see on stage?
On stage there is a piano (a concert grand piano), a man sitting at the piano, several chairs, and a number of music stands.

3.    What do you call the man who gives instruction to the musicians?
The man who gives instructions to the musicians is called a conductor, or a director.

4.    Whom do you see on stage?
On the stage we see a man sitting at the piano (a pianist).

5.    What is he doing?
The man is playing the piano.

6.    Who is listening to the pianist?
The audience (the concertgoers) are listening to the pianist.

7.    Where are the people listening to the pianist sitting?
They are sitting in seats on the main floor, as well as in the gallery (balcony) and box seats.

8.    How many balcony levels are there?
There are four levels of balconies.

9.    How are the people dressed?
The people are dressed formally.

10.    Who helps the people find their seats?
An usher helps the people find their seats.

11.    What kinds of music can you hear at a concert?
At a concert you can hear all types of music:  classical music, jazz, rock music, popular music, folk music, etc.

12.    How can the people know what music is being played?
The people can know what music is being played by reading the concert program.

13.    What is a break during a concert called?
A break during a concert is called an intermission.

14.    Why is there usually a break in the middle of the program?
There is usually a break in the middle of the program so the musicians can get a rest, and the audience can get up and stretch their legs, use the restroom, etc.

15.    What does the musician play as a special request after the end of the listed program?
After the end of the listed program, the musician will often play a special request, called an encore.

16.    What does the audience do to show they like the performance?
The audience claps their hands (applauds) to show they like the performance.  Applause helps the musician to know his performance is appreciated.

17.    What sign might you see in the lobby if there are no more tickets available?
If there are no more tickets available, you might see a “SOLD OUT” sign in the lobby.

18.    What do you call a musician’s first performance?
A musician’s first performance is called a debut.

19.    Where are the good seats usually located?
The good seats are usually located in private booths (box seats) in the balcony, or in the front rows near the stage.

20.    Where are the cheap seats usually located?
The cheap seats are usually located in the uppermost balcony, or in the very back of the auditorium.

Paragraph:  At a Concert

When I was in college, I took piano lessons for a couple of years.  My piano teacher also happened to play violin in the civic orchestra in the city where my university was located.  One time she had some extra complimentary tickets for one of the orchestra’s upcoming concerts, so when she asked me if I would be interested in going, I said yes, and gratefully accepted the free ticket.

The concert hall in which the orchestra performed was located in the downtown, in an old but stately auditorium.  I got there shortly before the concert was supposed to begin and located my seat.  Shortly after this, the members of the orchestra began coming in, one by one, and taking their place.  I looked for my music teacher, and saw her seated among the other violinists.  Then the musicians readied themselves and the first clarinetist played a note, by which all the other members tuned their respective instruments.  When everyone was properly tuned, then the conductor came on stage and ascended the podium.  He brought the orchestra to attention by rapping his baton on his music stand, and the concert began.  The repertoire of the orchestra had classical music, which I enjoyed, and it seemed like every musical piece that they played evoked some vivid scene in my mind.  Before I knew it, the concert was over, bringing to a close an enjoyable Friday evening.  It was time to go home.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 28 – will, Part I (Solutions)

Exercise: Change the following sentences from simple present to future tense using “will”:

They go swimming at the pool. ==> They will go swimming at the pool.
He doesn’t sing in the shower. ==> He won’t sing in the shower.

1. Bob will eat an apple every day.
2. The tailor will fix the broken zipper.
3. The band will march in the parade.
4. She will bake twelve different kinds of cookies for Christmas.
5. He won’t clean the basement in the spring.
6. We will paint the house on the weekend.
7. Tom will write for the newspaper.
8. The children won’t watch TV after school.
9. Jack will graduate from college next month.
10. Mary will take pictures at the party.
11. John will bring hot dogs and hamburgers.
12. They will buy drinks for everyone.
13. He won’t read 10 books a month.
14. You will wash the car next week.
15. The bank will open at 9 o’clock.
16. Susan will fill up the coffee pot.
17. The mailman will drop off a package.
18. We won’t buy stamps at the post office.
19. They will have a birthday party on Friday.
20. I will study history as often as I can.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 27 – I’m going to… (Solutions)

Exercises: Complete the sentences by choosing an appropriate verb, and using am / is / are + going to….

Example:

Don’t disturb Mother – she (take) a bath. ==> Don’t disturb Mother – she’s going to take a bath.

1. Jim is going to get a haircut this afternoon.
2. They are going to give us a free night at the hotel.
3. It’s going to be cold today, so be sure to dress warmly.
4. We are going to watch the fireworks at the park.
5. Are you going to listen to the concert on the radio?
6. Have you heard if it’s going to rain?
7. Please be quiet – I’m going to go to bed.
8. What is the teacher going to talk about tomorrow?
9. When Kelly finishes college, she’s going to find an apartment and move out.
10. Are you crazy? Dad’s going to be furious when he finds out that you got in a car accident!

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Writing Assignment: At the Museum (Solution)

Main Hall at Field Museum
1.    Where is this picture taken?
This picture is taken inside the great hall of a museum.

2.    What do you see in the picture?
We see some displays, and people walking around.

3.    How many displays are there in the great hall?
There are two displays visible in the great hall, a dinosaur skeleton, and an elephant diorama.

4.    What type of museum do you think this is?
This museum is a natural history museum.

5.    What other types of museums are there?
There are science museums, museums of art, music museums, cultural museums, lighthouse museums, living history museums, children’s museums (also called discovery museums or hands-on museums) and many other kinds.

6.    What can you see at a museum?
At a museum you can see displays and exhibits.

7.    What else might you see in a museum besides the exhibits?
You can also see models of things and stuffed animals, along with much more.

8.    What kind of exhibits are in a museum only for a short time before they are sent to another museum?
Traveling exhibits are in a museum only for a short time, and then they are sent to another museum.  It’s a way for museums to share their resources and allow many more people to enjoy the exhibits than would be possible if the exhibit stayed in only one place.

9.    What kinds of people usually visit a museum?
Many people like to visit museums – school children, tourists, people who enjoy history, science, or culture.

10.    What is a school trip to a museum called?
A school trip to a museum (or something similar) is called a field trip.

11.    How can you get to the museum?
You can get to the museum by bus, train, taxi, car, or on foot.

12.    What can you do with your car while you are at the museum?
If you drive your car, you can park your car in the parking lot.  In some big cities, parking validation might be included in your admission.

13.    What do you often need to get inside the museum?
To get inside the museum you usually need a ticket.

14.    What kind of special deals are often available for admission?
There are often special deals on admission for school students, senior citizens, or groups of a minimum size.  Sometimes museums will have free admission days, or discount days.  Some museums have season passes which allow unlimited visits for the year.  Some museums have reciprocal admission tickets, which will allow you to visit several museums in the city for one combined price.

15.    If you leave the museum but want to come back the same day, how can you get back in?
If you want to leave the museum for some reason but are planning on coming back later that same day, you can have your hand stamped with a re-entry stamp.

16.    How can you find your way around the museum?
You can find your way around the museum by using the museum map.  You can also have a guide take you around the museum on a guided tour, or you can go on a self-guided tour.

17.    What are the different parts of the museum called?
Off the great hall, or main hall, there are different wings of the museum.

18.    Who works at a museum?
People who work at a museum would include the curator of the museum, the guides, the guards, the ticket takers, the people who run the museum shop, and the cafeteria workers.

19.    Can you take pictures in a museum?
Some museums will let you take pictures, some will not.  Some allow pictures, but prohibit flash photography.

20.    What kinds of displays do they have at a children’s museum?
A children’s museum usually has many interactive, hands-on displays.

Paragraph:  A Visit to the Museum

Chicago’s Museums

Chicago is home to a number of world-class museums.  The most well-known of these are:  the Field Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Field Museum of Natural History

Bushman the Gorilla at the Field MuseumThis museum was originally called the Columbian Museum of Chicago, and it served to house many of the exhibitions and artifacts from the World’s Fair Columbian Exposition, which was held in Chicago in 1893 to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in the New World.  Later, the name was changed to its present form in honor of its first major benefactor, Marshall Field.  The Field Museum has a number of popular displays:  “Sue,” the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil thus far discovered; “Bushman,” a stuffed gorilla that originally lived in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo and was renowned for his temper; the collection of mummies in the Museum’s “Inside Ancient Egypt” exhibition; and the numerous dinosaur skeletons in the exhibit “Evolving Planet.”  Other permanent exhibits include the Grainger Hall of Gems, the Underground Adventure, the Ancient Americas, and Dioramas, as well as several working laboratories:  the DNA Discovery Center, McDonald’s Fossil Prep Lab, and the Regenstein Laboratory.

The John G. Shedd Aquarium

This museum dates back to 1930, and at one time was the largest indoor aquarium in the world, with 19 million liters of water.  It was also the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection.  There are over 25 thousand fish in the aquarium, but there are other species as well, including marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects.  The Museum has five permanent exhibits:  Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Waters of the World, the Oceanarium, and Wild Reef.  The Shedd Aquarium is more popular than the Field Museum, with over 2 million visitors annually.

The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum

Built on what used to be an artificial island in Lake Michigan, this museum also dates back to 1930.  It was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, and it is the oldest planetarium in existence today.  Numerous astronomical artifacts are on display, including a telescope made by William Herschel, and an astrolabe dating back to 12th century Baghdad.  Permanent exhibits include Our Solar System, Planet Explorers, Shoot for the Moon, Astronomy in Culture, Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass, Space Visualization Lab, as well as three full-size theaters.

The Museum of Science and Industry

Christmas Around the WorldLocated near the University of Chicago, this museum first opened in 1933 during Chicago’s “Century of Progress Exhibition.”  It is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, and it ranks third among Chicago’s cultural attractions.  Some of its popular exhibits include a working coal mine, the U-505 (a German submarine captured during World War II), a large (330 square meters) model railroad, the Pioneer Zephyr (the first diesel-powered streamlined stainless steel passenger train), and the Apollo 8 spacecraft.  Other favorites include Colleen Moore’s model Fairy Castle, a Foucault pendulum, the incubator for hatching chicks, the prenatal development display of human fetuses ranging from 28 days to full term (38 weeks), and even cross-sectional slices of human cadavers.  At Christmastime, the Museum hosts a “Christmas Around the World” exhibit.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 26 – What are you doing tomorrow? (Solutions)

Exercises: Complete the following sentences using either the present continuous or the simple present.

Example:

What (you / go) to do on your day off? ==> What are you going to do on your day off?

1. Get to bed early – tomorrow we’re leaving at 6 in the morning.
2. I’m so tired, I’m going to go home and go straight to bed.
3. The bus comes every 15 minutes, so it’s fairly convenient.
4. Mary has to stay home – the plumber is coming this afternoon to fix the toilet.
5. The engaged couple is planning a June wedding.
6. When does the next train leave?
7. I’m taking TOEFL this summer so I can attend university in the fall.
8. John is working every day next week.
9. I thought he said the concert starts at 7:30.
10. Susan’s baking a cake for Tom’s surprise party tomorrow.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 25 – Regular and Irregular Verbs (Solutions)

Exercises: Complete the sentences. Choose an appropriate verb from the list and put it in its correct form.

Example:

The trees (sway) in the wind. ==> The trees swayed in the wind.

 

1. The children played nicely together while the babysitter was watching them.
2. Have you ever seen a real live lion before?
3. We can’t watch the movie tonight – all the tickets are sold out.
4. Several large branches have broken off our tree because of the strong wind.
5. Dave left the cage door open, and now the bird has flown out.
6. How long have you known Dr. Brock?
7. Tim spoke with me the other night and told me that he had gotten engaged!
8. The children haven’t made their beds yet.
9. The pitcher threw a fast ball, and struck out the batter.
10. Mike has eaten all his vegetables, so he’ll get a special treat for dessert.

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