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Writing Assignment: At the Beach (Solution)

Fun at the beach

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1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken at the beach.

2.    Who do you see in this picture?
In this picture we see some children and a couple of adults.

3.    What are the people in this picture doing?
The children are playing in the sand, and the adults are swimming in the water.

4.    What is the weather like?
The weather is sunny, and perhaps a little windy.

5.    What do people usually do at the beach?
At the beach, people usually go swimming or sunbathing.

6.    What other activities can you see at the beach?
At the beach you can also see people walking along the shore, playing beach volleyball, having a picnic, or building sandcastles.  You can also see children playing in the water or in the sand.

7.    What can you find if you walk along the shore?
If you walk along the shore, you can find seashells.

8.    What is the special name for a wooden sidewalk at the beach?
The wooden sidewalk at the beach is called a boardwalk.

9.    What do you call the clothes you wear when swimming?
The clothes you wear when you go swimming are called swimsuits.

10.    At the beach, where can you change into your swim clothes?
At the beach, you can use a bathhouse or beach house to change into your swimsuit.

11.    What kinds of accessories are useful to have at the beach?
When you are at the beach, it is useful to have things like a blanket or a towel to sit or lie on.  It is also handy to have a beach umbrella to give you some shade from the sun.  If you have children with you, it is also useful to have some sand toys such as a sand bucket and shovel, and some blow-up toys like a beach ball or inflatable swim ring.

12.    What do children like to do at the beach?
At the beach, children like to play in the water, or dig in the sand and make sandcastles.  They also like to collect pretty shells.

13.    Who helps keep people safe at the beach?
The lifeguard helps to keep people safe at the beach.

14.    What is dangerous about swimming in water?
When swimming, you have to be careful.  You could get a leg cramp, which would make it difficult or painful to swim.  Sometimes there are also strong currents, such as undertows or rip tides (rip currents) that can exhaust even an experienced swimmer and cause him to drown.  Because of situations like these, you should never swim alone.

15.    What can he use to help people in distress?
If a lifeguard sees a person in distress, he can use a life preserver to help them stay afloat and bring them to safety.

16.    Why might people need a lifeguard to assist them?
People might need a lifeguard to assist them if they get a leg cramp or become exhausted or are otherwise unable to swim.  They may also need a lifeguard’s assistance if they find they have swum out too far or are in water that is too deep for them.

17.    What do you call the movement of the water?
There are different ways water can move.  If it is windy, the water will move in waves that come against the shore.  In a river, ocean, or sea, the water will move because of a current.  The water in oceans and seas also move up and down twice a day because of the moon’s gravitational influence – this is called the tide.

18.    What can you do if you get hungry or thirsty at the beach?
If you get hungry or thirsty at the beach, you can go to the concession stand and buy something to eat or drink.  If you have brought picnic supplies, you can find something to eat or drink from your own cooler.

19.    How can people protect themselves from the sun?
People can protect themselves from the sun by using a beach umbrella.  But a lot of sunlight is still reflected off the water and the sand, so you can still get some sunburn even if you’re under an umbrella.  You can use sunblock to help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet rays from damaging your skin.  If you want to work on a suntan, you can apply suntan lotion to help you get a tan.

20.    What can happen if you get too much sun?
If you get too much sun, you can get sunburned.  If you get an excessive amount of sun, you could get not only sunburned, but you could also get a sunstroke, which could be serious, and might require medical attention.

Paragraph:  A Day at the Beach

When I was younger, my grandparents lived in Florida.  We often visited them at Christmastime, and I would enjoy the nice Florida weather by going swimming at the beach.  One year I spent too much time at the beach, and got a horrible sunburn.  Part of the reason why the sunburn was so severe was because my skin was used to winter weather, and I had lost my summer suntan to protect my skin from the Florida sun.  I felt fine during the day, but when I went home in the evening, my skin was as red as a tomato.  I think I also must have had a touch of sunstroke, because I also felt sick and nauseous from too much exposure to the sun.  The next day I did not feel nauseous, but I was still miserable because my skin felt like it was on fire.  It took much longer to get over the sunburn, but I learned my lesson:  Do not spend all day at the beach without using some sort of protection, such as sunblock, or even wearing a t-shirt.

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Writing Assignment: At the Beach

At the beach

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Vocabulary

sun
water
sand
shore
waves
sunbathe
sunblock
suntan lotion
suntan
sunburn
sunstroke
shade
beach umbrella
towel
blanket
cooler
picnic basket
beach ball
blow-up toy
swim ring
sand bucket / sand pail
shovel
sandcastle
swim
swimsuit
concession stand
beach house / bathhouse
boardwalk
beach volleyball
seaweed
seashells
leg cramp
drown
lifeguard
life preserver
current
undertow
tide
rip tide / rip current

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    Who do you see in this picture?
3.    What are the people in this picture doing?
4.    What is the weather like?
5.    What do people usually do at the beach?
6.    What other activities can you see at the beach?
7.    What can you find if you walk along the shore?
8.    What is the special name for a wooden sidewalk at the beach?
9.    What do you call the clothes you wear when swimming?
10.    At the beach, where can you change into your swim clothes?
11.    What kinds of accessories are useful to have at the beach?
12.    What do children like to do at the beach?
13.    Who helps keep people safe at the beach?
14.    What is dangerous about swimming in water?
15.    What can he use to help people in distress?
16.    Why might people need a lifeguard to assist them?
17.    What do you call the movement of the water?
18.    What can you do if you get hungry or thirsty at the beach?
19.    How can people protect themselves from the sun?
20.    What can happen if you get too much sun?

Paragraph:  A Day at the Beach

Have you ever gone to the beach?  What did you do there?  Did you swim and have fun in the water, or did you just get a suntan?  Write a brief paragraph about a time you went to the beach.

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Writing Assignment: At a Wedding Shower (Solution)

Wedding shower

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1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken in a house (living room).

2.    Who do you see in this picture?
We see a young lady, and an old woman.

3.    What are the people in this picture doing?
The young lady is holding a present, and the old woman is watching her.

4.    What kind of clothes are the people in this picture wearing?
The young lady is dressed in a bridal gown.  The older woman is dressed up.
5.    What is the young lady in the picture holding?
She is holding a heart-shaped present of some sort.

6.    What kind of emotions do you think the young lady has?
She is probably happy and excited.

7.    What kind of party is this?
This is a wedding shower, or a bridal shower.

8.    Who is probably the hostess for the party?
The hostess for the party is probably bride’s maid of honor.

9.    Who else might help the hostess with the party planning and preparations?
The bridesmaids and maybe the bride’s mother might help the hostess with the preparations for the bridal shower.

10.    Who would be invited to this party?
The people that would be invited to the bridal shower would be the bridesmaids, the mother of the bride and other female relatives of the bride, and other female friends of the bride.

11.    Would there be any male guests at this party?
No, there are usually no male guests at a bridal shower.

12.    Why are there usually no men at a bridal shower?
There are usually no men at a bridal shower, because most men would find it boring to be at a party with a group of ladies talking about things that interest women.

13.    Would there be any children at a bridal shower?
There probably would not be any children at a bridal shower, because they would not find it interesting and become easily bored.

14.    What types of presents would the guests bring?
For a bridal shower, the guests usually bring presents that help a bride to set up housekeeping – presents like small kitchen appliances (toasters, mixers, etc.), linens (towels, bedclothes, etc.), and other handy things for the home.

15.    How do the guests know what types of presents would be good for the bride-to-be?
The guests can get a good idea of what would be good presents for the bride-to-be by consulting the bridal couple’s gift registry, or wish list, if they have registered such a list at a store.

16.    What sort of decorations would be appropriate for this kind of party?
Appropriate decorations for a bridal shower would be wedding-themed, with hearts or turtle doves, white and other pastel colors, wedding bells, and so on.  There are also usually some small party favors for the guests.

17.    What sort of food would be appropriate for this kind of party?
Cake, punch, and light snacks such as appetizers and hors d’oeuvres would be appropriate for a bridal shower.

18.    What sort of activities would be appropriate for this kind of party?
The kind of activities that would be appropriate for a bridal shower would include fun, light-hearted games that help “break the ice,” giving the women a chance to socialize and chat with one another.

19.    How could the bride-to-be keep track of who gives her which presents?
The bride-to-be can keep track of who gives her which presents by keeping any tags or cards with the presents.  It will also help her if the hostess writes a list of the presents, and who they are from.

20.    After the shower is over, how can the bride express her gratitude for all the presents she has received?
After the shower is over, the bride can express her gratitude by sending thank-you notes to all the people who gave her the presents.

Paragraph:  At a Wedding Shower

When I got married, my maid of honor had a bridal shower for me.  The shower was held a few days before we got married.  Everybody met at my house for the shower.  There were appetizers and snack trays with carrot sticks and other vegetables for people to eat, along with some cake and punch.  In the middle of the table was a lovely floral centerpiece.  My friends came to my shower.  There were many presents for me to open, and it was nice of everyone to think of me and help me get ready for married life by giving presents to help furnish the kitchen and the house.  After opening the presents, there was a lot of talking with all the women there.  Many of them had some advice for me as a bride-to-be.  I was thankful for my maid of honor to host the wedding shower for me, and I was thankful for my friends helping me to get ready for this new phase in my life.

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Writing Assignment: At a Wedding Shower

Wedding shower

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Vocabulary

bride
shower
party
hostess
maid of honor
bridesmaid
invitation
guest
present
card
registry
wish list
housekeeping
party favor
decoration
activity
game
appetizer
hors d’oeuvre
punch
cake
thank-you note

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    Who do you see in this picture?
3.    What are the people in this picture doing?
4.    What kind of clothes are the people in this picture wearing?
5.    What is the young lady in the picture holding?
6.    What kind of emotions do you think the young lady has?
7.    What kind of party is this?
8.    Who is probably the hostess for the party?
9.    Who else might help the hostess with the party planning and preparations?
10.    Who would be invited to this party?
11.    Would there be any male guests at this party?
12.    Why are there usually no men at a bridal shower?
13.    Would there be any children at a bridal shower?
14.    What types of presents would the guests bring?
15.    How do the guests know what types of presents would be good for the bride-to-be?
16.    What sort of decorations would be appropriate for this kind of party?
17.    What sort of food would be appropriate for this kind of party?
18.    What sort of activities would be appropriate for this kind of party?
19.    How could the bride-to-be keep track of who gives her which presents?
20.    After the shower is over, how can the bride express her gratitude for all the presents she has received?

Paragraph:  At a Wedding Shower

Have you ever heard of a wedding shower?  Have you ever attended a wedding shower?  Do you have a similar custom in your country?  What do brides do in your country to get ready for a wedding?  Write a brief paragraph about wedding preparations in your country.

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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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Writing Assignment: Mother’s Day (Solution)

Happy Mother's Day

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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

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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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Writing Assignment: At a Hotel (Solution)

hotel pool

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1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken by a swimming pool.

2.    What are the people in the picture doing?
The people in the picture are enjoying themselves at the pool, swimming.

3.    What kind of building do you see in the picture?
The building that we see in the picture is a hotel (motel).

4.    What do people usually do at that type of building?
People usually stay at a hotel while they are traveling, or on vacation.

5.    How long can you stay at a hotel?
You can stay at a hotel for a night, or for several nights.

6.    What is it called when you register at a hotel?
When you register at a hotel, that is called “checking in.”  When you are done and you are going to leave, you must “check out.”

7.    Where do you go to check in at a hotel?
To check in at a hotel, you must go to the front desk.

8.    Where is the front desk located?
The front desk is located in the lobby of the hotel.

9.    If you need help with your luggage, who can help you?
If you need help with your luggage, you can ask the bellhop to assist you.

10.    What kind of amenities does a hotel often have?
Common amenities at a hotel are a pool, exercise room, complimentary breakfast, and a microwave and mini-fridge in the room.

11.    Where can you go if you want to relax at a hotel?
If you want to relax at a hotel, you can lounge at the pool to unwind.

12.    Where can you go if you want to get some exercise at a hotel?
If you want to get some exercise at a hotel, you can go to the exercise room.

13.    Whom do you call if you want to have food delivered to your room?
If you want to have food delivered to your room, you can order room service.

14.    What can you do if you want to make sure you will not oversleep in the morning?
If you want to make sure you will not oversleep in the morning, you can contact the front desk and ask them for a wake-up call.

15.    What can you do if you want to sleep in and don’t want housekeeping to come in?
If you want to sleep in and not be disturbed by housekeeping, you can put a “do not disturb” sign on the outside of the door.

16.    What can you do if you forget shampoo, toothpaste, or other such items?
If you forget shampoo, toothpaste, or other toiletries, you can contact the front desk or concierge.

17.    What other furniture might a hotel room have, besides a bed?
Other furniture that a hotel room might have could be a sofa, a wardrobe, a dresser, and a table and chairs.

18.    What can you do if you need an extra bed, or perhaps a bed for a baby?
If you need an extra bed, you can request a rollaway bed.  If you need a bed for a baby, you can request a crib.

19.    If you have some valuables, what can you do to keep them safe?
If you have some valuables, you can ask to put them in the hotel safe.  Also, some rooms have a small room safe that you can use.

20.    Can you take your pet to a hotel?
Some hotels allow pets and others do not.  So if you want to travel with your pet, you should check in advance with the hotel regarding their pet policy.

Paragraph:  At a Hotel

When you stay at a hotel, the first thing you have to do is check in.  You go to the front desk and inquire if there are any vacancies, or available rooms.  Of course, if you made a reservation, then you know that a room is waiting for you.  The clerk at the front desk will ask you to fill out a form with your name and address, and oftentimes your license plate number, if you are driving a car.  After check-in, the clerk will give you a room key and explain where your room is, how to get there, where’s the best place to park, and so on.  The clerk will also inform you about breakfast hours, if a complimentary breakfast is included with your stay.

It is common for hotel rooms to have some extras, like a sofa, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a coffee maker.  This is very convenient, as it makes it easier to relax and unwind at the hotel if you can kick back and eat a microwave dinner while watching TV, instead of having to go out to eat at a restaurant or something.  You can also relax by taking a dip in the hotel pool, working up a good sweat in the exercise room, or taking a hot bath.

Many hotel rooms are also equipped with an alarm clock, so you don’t have to worry if you forgot your travel alarm.  If you think you are likely to oversleep, or you are concerned about not getting up in time, you can always call the front desk and request a wake-up call.  On the other hand, if you are on vacation and have the luxury of sleeping in, you can put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.  That way, you won’t be awakened by housecleaning the next morning, and whenever you are ready, you can put up a note letting the maid know that it’s now okay to clean the room.

When your hotel stay is over, you’ll have to check out.  Usually, check-out time is ten or eleven o’clock in the morning, so you’ll want to make sure that you are up in time for that, and that you get a chance to check your room to make sure you don’t accidentally leave anything behind.  Some people leave a tip for the housecleaning crew, but this is not necessary.  Checking out is rather easy – you just have to return the room key, and that’s it.  Then you can be on your way, wherever your next destination may happen to be.

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Writing Assignment: At a Hotel

hotel pool

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Vocabulary

Check-in
Check-out
Front desk
Wake-up call
Bellhop
Lobby
Room service
Do not disturb
Pool
Exercise room
Ice machine
Vending machine
Room key
Toiletries
Suite
Housekeeping
Rollaway bed
Crib
Elevator
Emergency exit
Fire exit
Breakfast hours
Room safe
Wardrobe
TV guide
Amenities
Mini-fridge
Microwave
Coffee maker
Concierge

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    What are the people in the picture doing?
3.    What kind of building do you see in the picture?
4.    What do people usually do at that type of building?
5.    How long can you stay at a hotel?
6.    What is it called when you register at a hotel?
7.    Where do you go to check in at a hotel?
8.    Where is the front desk located?
9.    If you need help with your luggage, who can help you?
10.    What kind of amenities does a hotel often have?
11.    Where can you go if you want to relax at a hotel?
12.    Where can you go if you want to get some exercise at a hotel?
13.    Whom do you call if you want to have food delivered to your room?
14.    What can you do if you want to make sure you will not oversleep in the morning?
15.    What can you do if you want to sleep in and don’t want housekeeping to come in?
16.    What can you do if you forget shampoo, toothpaste, or other such items?
17.    What other furniture might a hotel room have, besides a bed?
18.    What can you do if you need an extra bed, or perhaps a bed for a baby?
19.    If you have some valuables, what can you do to keep them safe?
20.    Can you take your pet to a hotel?

Paragraph:  At a Hotel

Most people have stayed at a hotel.  Some hotels are plain, and others are fancy.  What kind of hotel have you stayed in?  How was your experience?  Write a brief paragraph describing your stay at a hotel.

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