Crossword – Irregular Verbs 15

Irregular Verb Crossword

Across
1 Playing outside during stormy weather is (forbid). (9)
4 Mother (forbid) all smoking in her parlor, so Father had to go on the porch to enjoy his cigar. (7)
7 Not to be (outdo) by her younger brother, Janice studied diligently, hoping to get straight As on her next report card. (7)
9 The small-town sheriff (outdraw) the bandit and shot him to death in a duel. (7)
12 Don’t speak unless you’re (speak) to. (6)
16 Hungry after a grueling workout, the teenaged boys (tear) into the pizza and BBQ chicken wings. (4)
17 The liar had (interweave) his tale with just enough truth to make the story seem plausible. (10)
19 If we hadn’t (take) so long to eat lunch, we probably would have arrived on time. (5)
21 Every year, the movie “The Ten Commandments” is (telecast) around Eastertime. (8)
22 I (get) the chickenpox when I was in second grade. (3)
23 The teacher told Steve that his essay was sloppy and needed to be (rewrite). (9)
27 Where were you when the thunderstorm (begin)? (5)
30 (Do) Father come home late last night? (3)
31 I (dream) that I was mountain climbing in the Swiss Alps. (6)
32 Last summer we (go) to Michigan for vacation. (4)
33 Aunt Christine was upset that Mads had (wake) up the baby with his noisy play. (5)

Down
1 Uncle Jack said he is (feed) up with your recklessness, Tom. (3)
2 “Once (bite), twice shy” is an old English saying. (6)
3 Many sailors (dive) off the sinking ship and swam to the nearby island. (4)
5 Mr. Jones really fits the stereotype of a (browbeat), henpecked husband. (10)
6 For years the two Indian tribes (dwell) in peace and harmony with each other. (5)
7 We didn’t have a chance – the business competition (outspend) us in advertising, and cornered the market. (8)
8 Because Bob wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, he was (throw) clear from the car and escaped the ensuing fireball. (6)
9 Peter (outrun) the others and arrived at the garden tomb first. (6)
10 The town of Hamelin was (rid) of all its rats by the Pied Piper. (3)
11 The toddler was so engrossed in his play that he forgot to use the toilet, and (wet) his pants. (3)
13 In the fairy tale, the troll (overeat) himself with porridge, and exploded. (7)
14 Some towns that were (strike) by plague ended up losing over half their population. (8)
15 Uncle Marty (crossbreed) a Labrador retriever and a beagle to try and create a hunting dog that would suit him. (9)
17 Due to years of isolation, the two clans had (interbreed), thus disposing them to genetic abnormalities. (9)
18 Are you sure?  I thought I had (tell) you about the surprise party for Mark next Saturday. (4)
20 I think Mother has (keep) a lock of hair from my first haircut when I was a baby. (4)
22 Once an opportunity is (go), that’s it – it can’t be recaptured. (4)
24 Bob and Alice were (wed) in a Las Vegas chapel. (3)
25 Dave (input) the wrong passcode, and we were locked out of the parking garage. (5)
26 The pitcher (throw) the ball to the second baseman, who tagged the runner out. (5)
28 Grandfather was pleased when we (give) him a camcorder for his birthday. (4)
29 Grandmother said her mother had (sew) gold jewelry inside the lining of her coat, so they could smuggle it out and use it to buy a boat ticket to America. (4)

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Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 23

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn.  An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.  Currently, we’re looking at some common English idioms.

to get it (often negative): to understand, comprehend

Example:

Mary didn’t get the joke, so we had to explain it to her.

to get the ball rolling:  to start a process

Example:

To get the ball rolling, the teacher assigned lab partners and gave us our first project.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 70 – Articles: A/An and The (Solution)

Exercise.  Write a/an or the.

Example:

Take ______ piece of paper and write your name at ______ top.  ==> Take a piece of paper and write your name at the top.

1.    For our vacation we took a plane to Florida and stayed at Disneyworld.   The hotel was very comfortable.
2.    You ought to exercise for an hour every day.
3.    I picked up a pair of cowboy boots and three books at a garage sale.  The boots were like brand new, but the books were practically antique.
4.    Mother forgot to bring the can opener on our camping trip, so we had to buy a new one.
5.    I put a bandage over the cut on my leg.
6.    The children always imagine that a monster hides under the bed at night.
7.    Do you have a pencil I could borrow?  The lead in mine broke.
8.    Jack is planning to take a course in accounting at the local college in the spring.
9.    The garbage truck had a flat tire.
10.    The strong wind blew down an old tree down the street in our neighborhood.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences.  Use a or the with one of the words below.

Example:

Father and Susan are flying ______ down on the beach. (kite)  ==> Father and Susan are flying a kite down on the beach.

Father and Susan are flying ______ down on the beach. (kite) ==> Father and Susan are flying a kite down on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Father is mowing the lawn.

1. Father is mowing the lawn.

2. Could you tell me how to get to the airport?

2. Could you tell me how to get to the airport?

3. Could you please close the curtains?

3. Could you please close the curtains?

4. Teacher, I have a question.

4. Teacher, I have a question.

5. Every morning I read the newspaper at breakfast.

5. Every morning I read the newspaper at breakfast.

6. We’d like to order a salad, please.

6. We’d like to order a salad, please.

 

Exercise.  Write a/an or the where necessary.

Example:

Could you please turn down radio?  ==> Could you please turn down the radio?

1.    We went to the beach every day on vacation.
2.    I took the train into the city.
3.    Do you know how far the museum is from the library?
4.    New York is the largest city in the United States.
5.    What is the largest country in the world?
6.    Mother is in the kitchen baking a cake.
7.    I thought the bed at the hotel was uncomfortable.
8.    It is a five-minute walk from the train station to the bus stop.
9.    We need to replace the doorknob on the front door.
10.    Do you remember the name of the author of that book?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 70 – Articles: A/An and The

The words “a/an” and “the” are called articles.  They come before nouns.  If there are any adjectives describing the noun, the articles come before the adjectives:

Pattern: indefinite article:  a/an + (adjective/s) + N
or
definite article:  the + (adjective/s) + N

The trick is knowing when to use the indefinite article a/an, and when to use the definite article the.

Use the indefinite article a/an when you are speaking about one of many:

Examples:

Pick up a loaf of bread from the bakery on your way home. (There are several loaves of bread at the bakery, but we are only getting one.)
I have a bicycle.  (There are many bikes, and I have one.)
Uncle John got a new camera for his birthday.  (There were many cameras at the store.)
Do you know if there’s a gas station nearby?  (There are many gas stations.  Is there one near here?)
Michigan is a beautiful state.  (There are fifty states, but I’m talking about one of them.)
Mr. Smith is a teacher.  (There are many teachers, and Mr. Smith is one.)

Use the definite article the when you are speaking about only one thing, a specific thing:

Examples:

The bread was freshly baked.  (= the bread from the bakery)
I had to get a new tire for the bicycle.  (= for my bicycle)
The camera has a good lens.  (= Uncle John’s new camera)
The gas station is about five blocks from here.  (= the closest one)
The state of Michigan borders three great lakes.  (= a specific state)
Mr. Smith is the math teacher.  (There is only one math teacher.)

Note:  When we introduce a thing, we use “a.”  After it’s been introduced, we use “the”:

I ordered a soup and a salad for lunch.  (introducing “soup” and “salad”)
The soup was delicious, but the salad was not fresh. (we have already been introduced to “soup” and “salad”: “soup” and “salad” are specific – the ones I ordered.)

Note:  We also use “the” when it is clear which person or thing is being referred to.

The door, the floor, the ceiling, the light, etc. (of a room)
The kitchen, the bathroom, the basement, etc. (of a house)
The bank, the post office, the library, the train station, etc. (of a city)

 

Examples:

Please close the door.  (= the door of the room we are in)
Mother is in the basement washing clothes. (= the basement of the house we are in)
Do you know if the library is open today?  (= the library of our town)
If you don’t behave, you’ll get sent to the principal.  (= the principal of our school)

Exercise.  Write a/an or the.

Example:

Take ______ piece of paper and write your name at ______ top.  ==> Take a piece of paper and write your name at the top.

1.    For our vacation we took ______ plane to Florida and stayed at Disneyworld.   ______ hotel was very comfortable.
2.    You ought to exercise for ______ hour every day.
3.    I picked up ______ pair of cowboy boots and three books at a garage sale.  ______ boots were like brand new, but ______ books were practically antique.
4.    Mother forgot to bring ______ can opener on our camping trip, so we had to buy ______ new one.
5.    I put ______ bandage over ______ cut on my leg.
6.    ______ children always imagine that ______ monster hides under ______ bed at night.
7.    Do you have ______ pencil I could borrow?  ______ lead in mine broke.
8.    Jack is planning to take ______ course in accounting at ______ local college in ______ spring.
9.    ______ garbage truck had ______ flat tire.
10.    ______ strong wind blew down ______ old tree down ______ street in our neighborhood.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences.  Use a or the with one of the words below.

Example:

Father and Susan are flying ______ down on the beach. (kite)  ==> Father and Susan are flying a kite down on the beach.

Father and Susan are flying ______ down on the beach. (kite) ==> Father and Susan are flying a kite down on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

airport curtains lawn
newspaper question salad

 

1. Father is mowing ______.

1. Father is mowing ______.

2. Could you tell me how to get to ______?

2. Could you tell me how to get to ______?

3. Could you please close ______?

3. Could you please close ______?

4. Teacher, I have ______.

4. Teacher, I have ______.

5. Every morning I read ______ at breakfast.

5. Every morning I read ______ at breakfast.

6. We’d like to order ______, please.

6. We’d like to order ______, please.

 

Exercise.  Write a/an or the where necessary.

Example:

Could you please turn down radio?  ==> Could you please turn down the radio?

1.    We went to beach every day on vacation.
2.    I took train into city.
3.    Do you know how far museum is from library?
4.    New York is largest city in United States.
5.    What is largest country in world?
6.    Mother is in kitchen baking cake.
7.    I thought bed at hotel was uncomfortable.
8.    It is five-minute walk from train station to bus stop.
9.    We need to replace doorknob on front door.
10.    Do you remember name of author of that book?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 69 – Countable & Uncountable Nouns, Part 2 (Solution)

Exercise.  Use the pictures to write sentences using the phrase “I bought ______.”

Example:

==> I bought a tie, a belt, and some sunglasses.

==> I bought a tie, a belt, and some sunglasses.

 

 

 

 

1. I bought a shirt, a watch, and some shoes.

1. I bought a shirt, a watch, and some shoes.

2. I bought a doughnut, some newspapers, and some coffee / a cup of coffee.

2. I bought a doughnut, some newspapers, and some coffee / a cup of coffee.

3. I bought a comb, some soap and a brush, and some toothpaste.

3. I bought a comb, some soap and a brush, and some toothpaste.

4. I bought some perfume, some jewelry, and some flowers.

4. I bought some perfume, some jewelry, and some flowers.

 

Exercise.  Write sentences using the phrase “Would you like a ______?” or “Would you like some ______?”

Example:

==>  Would you like some hors d’oeuvres?

==> Would you like some hors d’oeuvres?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Would you like some grapes?

1. Would you like some grapes?

2. Would you like some ice cream and cookies?

2. Would you like some ice cream and cookies?

3. Would you like some bread and wine?

3. Would you like some bread and wine?

4. Would you like a cup of coffee / some coffee?

4. Would you like a cup of coffee / some coffee?

5. Would you like some popcorn / a bag of popcorn?

5. Would you like some popcorn / a bag of popcorn?

6. Would you like some soup / a bowl of soup?

6. Would you like some soup / a bowl of soup?

 

Exercise.  Complete the sentences, using “a/an” or “some.”

Example:

I sat under ______ tree and drank ______ lemonade. ==>  I sat under a tree and drank some lemonade.

1.    I’m really tired.  I need to get some sleep.
2.    Jack likes to have some crackers when he has tomato soup.
3.    Mother usually relaxes by reading a book or listening to some music.
4.    We didn’t do anything last night except watch some TV.
5.    Tom needs to find some work.  He hasn’t has a job for several months.
6.    Swimming and walking are great ways to get some exercise.
7.    The car needs some gas.  Is there a gas station nearby?
8.    The bride’s mother gave her some advice for the wedding.
9.    Sam ordered a cup of coffee and some pie.
10.    If you’re going to write a letter, you’ll need some stationery, an envelope, and some stamps.

Exercise.  Select the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

Example:

I need to get my (hair/hairs) cut.  ==> I need to get my hair cut.

1.    Give me two slices of bread, so I can make a sandwich.
2.     I don’t want to get lost.  Let’s ask the concierge for information about the art museum.
3.    We’re supposed to have nice weather for our picnic this weekend.
4.    Kevin is stubborn, and won’t ask for advice.
5.    Mother has been sad ever since she read Uncle Paul’s letter – I think it must have contained bad news.
6.    Joan and Dave finally got some new furniture for their apartment.
7.    Steve is looking for a job.
8.    If you’re going to the store, can you get some toothpaste for me?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 69 – Countable & Uncountable Nouns, Part 2

a/an” can be used in front of countable nouns:

Pattern:  a/an + singular countable noun:

Jack bought a pencil.
Eat an apple every day.

some” can be used in front of: 1) plural countable nouns, and 2) uncountable nouns:

Pattern:  some + plural countable noun:

Jack bought some pencils.
Some apples in the barrel were rotten.

Pattern:  some + uncountable noun:

We drank some tea.
There is some rice in the rice cooker.

Note:  Sometimes a noun can be either countable or uncountable, depending on the situation.

A cake: We need to get a birthday cake for Jane.

A cake:
We need to get a birthday cake for Jane.

A chicken: Mother always roasts a chicken for Sunday dinner.

A chicken:
Mother always roasts a chicken for Sunday dinner.

Some cakes: Kathy practiced decorating some cakes.

Some cakes:
Kathy practiced decorating some cakes.

Some chickens: I think the supermarket has some roast chickens available in the deli.

Some chickens:
I think the supermarket has some roast chickens available in the deli.

Some cake / a piece of cake: Would you like some cake/a piece of cake?

Some cake / a piece of cake:
Would you like some cake/a piece of cake?

Some chicken / a piece of chicken: Have some chicken/a piece of chicken if you’re hungry.

Some chicken / a piece of chicken:
Have some chicken/a piece of chicken if you’re hungry.

 Note:  Some nouns are usually uncountable – we often use “some” with these:

advice bread furniture
hair information news
paper weather work

Examples:

Let me give you some advice. (not an advice)
If you want me to make you a sandwich, we’re going to need some bread. (not a bread)
My brother Jim brought some old furniture when he went away to college. (not furnitures)
I prefer short hair.  (not hairs)
I need to look up some information in the encyclopedia.  (not informations)
I hope you have some good news for me.  (not a good news)
Take out some paper and write your name at the top.
Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny – it’s about time we had some nice weather.  (not a nice weather)
Uncle Jack finally found some work, but it’s only part-time.  (not a work)

In this last example, we can also say “a job” instead of “work”:

Uncle Jack finally found a job, but it’s only part-time.

Exercise.  Use the pictures to write sentences using the phrase “I bought ______.”

Example:

==> I bought a tie, a belt, and some sunglasses.

==> I bought a tie, a belt, and some sunglasses.

 

 

 

1.

1.

2.

2.

3.

3.

4.

4.

Exercise.  Write sentences using the phrase “Would you like a ______?” or “Would you like some ______?”

Example:

==>  Would you like some hors d’oeuvres?

==> Would you like some hors d’oeuvres?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

1.

2.

2.

3.

3.

4.

4.

5.

5.

6.

6.

 

Exercise.  Complete the sentences, using “a/an” or “some.”

Example:

I sat under ______ tree and drank ______ lemonade. ==>  I sat under a tree and drank some lemonade.

1.    I’m really tired.  I need to get ______ sleep.
2.    Jack likes to have ______ crackers when he has tomato soup.
3.    Mother usually relaxes by reading ______ book or listening to ______ music.
4.    We didn’t do anything last night except watch ______ TV.
5.    Tom needs to find ______ work.  He hasn’t has ______ job for several months.
6.    Swimming and walking are great ways to get ______ exercise.
7.    The car needs ______ gas.  Is there ______ gas station nearby?
8.    The bride’s mother gave her ______ advice for the wedding.
9.    Sam ordered ______ cup of coffee and ______ pie.
10.    If you’re going to write ______ letter, you’ll need ______ stationery, ______ envelope, and ______ stamps.

Exercise.  Select the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

Example:

I need to get my (hair/hairs) cut.  ==> I need to get my hair cut.

1.    Give me two (breads/slices of bread), so I can make a sandwich.
2.     I don’t want to get lost.  Let’s ask the concierge for (an information/information/informations) about the art museum.
3.    We’re supposed to have (a nice weather/nice weather/nice weathers) for our picnic this weekend.
4.    Kevin is stubborn, and won’t ask for (an advice/advice/advices).
5.    Mother has been sad ever since she read Uncle Paul’s letter – I think it must have contained (a bad news/bad news).
6.    Joan and Dave finally got (a new furniture/ new furnitures/some new furniture) for their apartment.
7.    Steve is looking for (a job/a work).
8.    If you’re going to the store, can you get (a toothpaste/toothpastes/some toothpaste) for me?

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Education Focus: P.E.

pe classMost middle/junior high / senior high school students have P.E. classes.  “P.E.” stands for “physical education.”  There are various reason why school require their students to take a P.E. class – also called a “gym” (from gymnasium, the type of room the classes are held in) class.  The Greeks had a saying:  “A sound mind in a sound body” (mens sana in corpore sano, which is actually a Latin translation of the original Greek phrase!).  They believed that physical fitness was an important part of mental fitness, and just as the mind needs to be trained, so does the body.  P.E. classes are thus an important component of this training.  They also provide students with the opportunity to burn off some excess energy, which in turn will help them to concentrate better when they return to the classroom.

Students in younger grades generally don’t have gym every day, but they do get the opportunity to run around and play at recess.  When they do have gym class, the focus tends to be on organized activities that are easy for younger children to play and understand.  Games like tag or kickball are common activities in these gym classes.

Older students usually have gym every day, partly because they have outgrown recess.  They are more skilled and coordinated, so it is easier for them to play sports like basketball or volleyball.  Sometimes a P.E. class might offer the chance to play individual sports such as tennis or swimming, but usually the emphasis is on team sports.  They might also have tests in a P.E. class, but such exams usually test knowledge of game rules and the like.

Sometimes, if a high school student is on a varsity team, he might be exempted from P.E. classes for that quarter.  That means that he would not have to go to gym class, and could use the time as a study hall instead, for example.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 40 (Solution)

basic vocab 40-sol

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 40

basic vocab 40
Across
1 Crossing national boundaries (13)
7 Lucky number (5)
8 Something observed (11)
10 Item for admission (6)
13 Approval (10)
16 Official permission to enter a country (4)
17 Collection (3)
18 Rim (4)
19 Slender (6)
20 Geographical guide (3)
21 Opposite of “young” (3)
23 When someone or something is replaced by someone or something else (12)
27 Sickening (5)
30 Preposition (2)
32 Categorization (12)
35 Not bad (4)
38 A part inside a plant or animal that is shaped like a bag and contains liquid or air (3)
39 Seeing organ (3)
40 Not she, but ____ (2)
41 Holder for a letter (8)

Down
1 Understanding of something (14)
2 Word indicating excess (3)
3 Honor (7)
4 What you breathe (3)
5 Opposite of “in” (3)
6 Word used to show how far back in the past something happened (3)
9 Opposite of day (5)
10 The process of sending out a signal or message using radio, TV, or similar equpiment (12)
11 Protruding beyond (11)
12 Gas system (8)
14 What a farmer’s seeds produce (4)
15 Eighth month (6)
19 Yes or ____ ? (2)
22 ____ and night (3)
24 Gun sound (4)
25 Understanding (6)
26 A word used when talking about something that might happen or be true, or might have happened (2)
28 On top of (4)
29 Therefore (2)
31 Fish’s means of moving (3)
33 Supporting curve in a wall (4)
34 Frozen water (3)
36 Liquid used in cooking (3)
37 Put briefly into water (3)

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Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 22

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn.  An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.  Currently, we’re looking at some common English idioms.

to bug:  to bother, pester, annoy

Example:

In the summer our neighbor plays his radio so loud we can hear it on our patio.  It really bugs Mother.

to cram:  to study intensely, especially the night before an exam

Example:

Jack boasts that he gets the best test scores whenever he crams, but he forgets everything he studied within a couple of weeks.

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