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Grammar Basics: Unit 19 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part I (Solutions)

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the present perfect for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tom is not at work. He (left) for the day. ==> Tom is not at work. He’s left for the day.

1. Jack has cut the grass.
2. She has baked a cake for tomorrow’s party.
3. We have exercised this morning.
4. Kelly has eaten supper with her friends.
5. Have you washed the clothes?
6. The light bulb has burned out.
7. Mary has been in an auto accident.
8. The dog has been fed.
9. Archeologists have dug up a dinosaur bone.
10. Customers have come to the store for a free book.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the simple past for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tim (has gone) to bed. ==> Tim went to bed.

1. The plane came to a complete stop.
2. Sally finished reading War and Peace.
3. Everyone went home for the day.
4. The senator already gave his speech.
5. The clock stopped.
6. These books were checked out from the library.
7. The luggage was put on the train.
8. Matt got first place in several tennis tournaments.
9. The baby took his first steps.
10. My favorite TV program was canceled.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 5 (solution)

Crossword - Basic Vocabulary 5 (solution)

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Writing Assignment: The Department Store (Solutions)

shopping mall

 

1. In this store what else can you buy besides purses?
In this store we can buy women’s apparel (clothes).

2. What is the woman on the left buying?
The woman on the left is buying some women’s clothes; a scarf, perhaps.

3. How many buttons are on the back side of the coat?
There are two buttons on the back side of the coat.

4. What is probably in the drawer behind the sales lady?
There are probably scarves, gloves, stockings, and similar things.

5. What is the sales lady wearing on her ears?
The sales lady is wearing earrings on her ears.

6. How many sales ladies are in the picture?
There is one sales lady in the picture.

7. Is the man in the background packing something in a box or paper bag?
The man in the background is packing something in a box.

8. What is the man in the black suit selling?
The man in the black suit is selling purses.

9. What is the blond lady holding in her right hand?
The blond lady is holding her purse in her right hand.

10. What is the man giving to the lady?
The man is giving a box to the lady.

11. What does the sales clerk write on the pad of paper that is on the counter?
The sales clerk writes a receipt with the pad of paper that is on the counter.

12. Is the purse more expensive or cheaper than a pair of stockings?
The purse is more expensive than a pair of stockings.

13. Do the people in this picture look unfriendly?
No, they look friendly.

14. What do the men wear around their necks?
The men wear neckties (ties) around their necks.

15. What do the lady customers wear on their heads?
The lady customers wear hats on their heads.

16. Is there someone standing in the door?
Yes, there is someone standing in the door, heading out of the store.

17. What do you see over the door?
Over the door we see a sign.

18. Which woman is wearing a vest?
The woman in the foreground is wearing a vest.

19. Could this picture be in a department store?
Yes, this picture could be in a department store.

20. Do you usually buy clothing in a clothing store or department store?
You can buy clothing in either a clothing store or a department store.

Paragraph: A Visit to the Store

Write a brief paragraph about the last time you went to a department store. What did you buy? Was the sales clerk helpful? Did you buy a gift for someone?

The last time I went to a department store, I wanted to buy a pair of pajamas for my father. It was his birthday, and I wanted to give him something that I knew he would appreciate. I went to the department store at the local shopping mall. It was on the weekend and the mall was crowded, so I had a hard time trying to find a place to park. Eventually, though, I found a spot, parked the car, and went inside the mall to the store.

When I got to the men’s department, I went to the pajama section. I thought that my father needed size large, so I looked for the row that had that size. Since it had been cold out lately, I decided to get him a pair of flannel pajamas. I figured that those would keep him warmer than a pair of summer pajamas would. I found a red pair and brought them to the counter. The clerk rang me up and asked me if I needed a gift receipt. I said yes, so if the pajamas were the wrong size, color, or style, my father would be able to exchange the pajamas for ones he preferred. The clerk also asked me if I wanted to have them gift wrapped. I knew that I could wrap them myself, so I just asked for a gift box instead. I was satisfied with my purchase, and I went home to wrap up the pajamas as a present for my dad.

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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 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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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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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 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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Easy Crossword 1 (Solution)

crossword puzzle

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