English Today

The Past Simple and the Past Continuous in Contrast

THE PAST SIMPLE AND THE PAST CONTINUOUS IN CONTRAST

 

A. STRUCTURE

 

PAST SIMPLE	PAST CONTINUOUS
Affirmative: Verb + - ed (regular) See list of irregular verbs Examples: I played / they loved/ she worked / we walked / he ate / you wrote	Affirmative Subject+was / were + verb-ing Examples: I was playing / she was working / we were walking / he was eating / you were writing
Negative Subject+didn’t + infinitive Examples: I didn’t play / they didn’t love / she didn’t work / we didn’t walk / he didn’t eat / you didn’t write	Negative Subject+wasn’t / weren’t + verb-ing Examples: I wasn’t playing / she wasn’t working / we weren’t walking / he wasn’t eating / you weren’t writing
Interrogative(questions) Did + subject + infinitive? Examples : Did I play? / Did they love? / Did she work? / Did he eat?	Interrogative(questions) Was / were + subject + verb-ing? Examples: Was I playing ? / was she working? / were we eating? / were you writing?

 

 

B. USE

 

PAST SIMPLE	PAST CONTINUOUS
1. completed actions in the past – often with specific time expressions - I had lunch with Pam, yesterday. - The children played in the garden, last Saturday. - We studied French at school, last year.	1. actions in progress at a certain time in the past - Last night at 8:00, we were having dinner. - Yesterday, at 1:15 pm, I was walking home from school.
2. past routines and habits - She went swimming every day when she lived in Crete. - I never drank cola when I was five.	2. an unfinished action (past continuous) interrupted by another shorter action (past simple) - We were eating dinner, when the doorbell rang. - Tim was watching tv when the lights went off.
3. successive past actions: one action happened after the other - The man drove down the road and soon he came to a large open field. - Yesterday, I got up at 6:30, got dressed, had breakfast and went to school.	3.  unfinished past actions taking place at the same time - Jim was cooking while Anne was washing the car. - I was doing my homework while mum was preparing dinner.
4. the events in a story It was a dark, cold night. The wind was blowing. Suddenly, I heard a scream.	4. background information in a story - It was a beautiful day in Spring. The sun was shining and the birds were singing.

Have Got / To Be - Answer Key

 

Have Got / To Be- Review

 

A. Write as in the example

 

LONG FORM	SHORT FORM
It is a box.	It’s a box.
They …are… pupils.	They’re  pupils.
He …is…. a teacher.	He’s a teacher.
We …are….girls.	We’re girls.
I…am……Tony.	I’m Tony.
She…is……my friend.	She’s my friend.
Freddy …is….a fox.	Freddy’s  fox.
We are……….happy.	We’re happy.
Jim and Bill…are….brothers.	Jim and Bill …are…..brothers.(no short form)
My friend…is….tall.	My friend’s……..tall.

 

B. Write as in the example

 

LONG FORM	SHORT FORM
He has got a dog.	He’s got a dog.
Anna …has got…a sister.	Anna’s got a sister.
We…have got………books.	We've got books.
My mother…has got…blue eyes.	My mother’s got blue eyes.
I…have got…toys.	I’ve got toys.
She…has got…brown hair.	She’s got brown hair.
The monster…has got three eyes.	The monster’s got three eyes.
My friend…has got a red bag.	My friend’s got a red bag.
My friends have got green pencils.	My friends have got green pencils.(no short form)
You…have got…………a brother.	You’ve got…………a brother.

 

C. Write the plural

 

Example:  He is a doctor. --------They are doctors.---------------------

 

1. It is a flower. ---They are flowers------------------------

2. I am a pupil. ------We are pupils----------------------

3. He is a teacher. -------They are teachers-----------------

4. She is tall. --------They are tall----------------------

5. It is a blue book. -------They are blue books---------------

6. She has got a brother. -----They have got brothers-----------------------

7. I have got blue eyes. -------We have got blue eyes-----------------------

8. The dog has got a long tail. -----The dogs have got long tails-------------------

9. He is my friend. ----------They are our friends--------------------------

10. He has got black hair. --------They have got black hair--------------------

 

D. Fill in : have got / has got / haven’t got / hasn’t got

 

Example: Susan ---has got--------- three sisters but she –hasn’t got------------- a brother.

 

1. I  -----have got------------  two brothers but I ---haven’t got---------------- a sister.

2. Maria -----has got--------------- a green book but she ---hasn’t got--------------- a green notebook.

3. Jim -----has got---------------- a dog but he –hasn’t got----------------------- a cat.

4. The pupils ----have got------------ pens and notebooks but they ---haven’t got---------------------- paints and crayons.

5. My friend -----has got------------ an apple but he ---hasn’t got-------------------- an orange.

 

E.  Answer the questions. Use short answers as in the example:

  Example: Has Sam got a sandwich?(yes)

   Yes, he has. ----------------------------------------------------

 

1. Has the girl got a kite? (no)

--------No, she hasn’t---------------------------

2. Have the boys got a football? (yes )   

-----Yes, they have-------------------------------

3. Has the cat got a fish? (yes)

---------Yes, it has--------------------------

4. Is the cat brown? (no)

-------No, it isn’t----------------------------

5. Are you happy? (yes)

---------Yes, I am-------------------------

6. Is your friend tall? (yes)

---------Yes, he/she is------------------------

7. Has your friend got green eyes? (no)

----------No, he/she hasn’t-------------------------------------

8. Has the cat got a short tail? (no)

--------No, it hasn’t-------------------------------------

9. Are you a pupil? (yes)

-----------Yes, I am----------------------------------

10. Are you a teacher? (no)

----------No, I am not----------------------------------

 

 

Have Got / To Be

 

REVIEW

A. Write as in the example

 

LONG FORM	SHORT FORM
It is a box.	It’s a box.
They … pupils.	They ……
He … a teacher.	He……
We …girls.	We……
I…Tony.	I………
She…my friend.	She……..my friend.
Freddy …a fox.	Freddy……..
We….happy.	We……….happy.
Jim and Bill….brothers.	Jim and Bill …brothers.
My friend…….tall.	My friend….tall.

 

B. Write as in the example

 

LONG FORM	SHORT FORM
He has got a dog.	He’s got a dog.
Anna ….a sister.	Anna…….
We…books.	We……….
My mother…blue eyes.	My mother………
I….toys.	I………
She……brown hair.	She……
The monster…three eyes.	The monster…….
My friend….a red bag.	My friend……
My friends….. green pencils.	My friends……
You…a brother.	You………

 

C. Write the plural

 

Example:  He is a doctor. --------They are doctors.---------------------

 

1. It is a flower. ---------------------------

2. I am a pupil. ----------------------------

3. He is a teacher. ------------------------

4. She is tall. ------------------------------

5. It is a blue book. ----------------------

6. She has got a brother. ----------------------------

7. I have got blue eyes. ------------------------------

8. The dog has got a long tail. ------------------------

9. He is my friend. ------------------------------------

10. He has got black hair. ----------------------------

 

D. Fill in : have got / has got / haven’t got / hasn’t got

 

Example: Susan ---has got--------- three sisters but she –hasn’t got------------- a brother.

 

1. I  -----------------  two brothers but I ------------------- a sister.

2. Maria -------------------- a green book but she ------------------ a green notebook.

3. Jim --------------------- a dog but he ------------------------- a cat.

4. The pupils ---------------- pens and notebooks but they ------------------------- paints and crayons.

5. My friend ----------------- an apple but he ----------------------- an orange.

 

E.  Answer the questions. Use short answers as in the example:

      Example: Has Sam got a sandwich?(yes)

                       Yes, he has. ----------------------------------------------------

 

1. Has the girl got a kite? (no)

-----------------------------------

2. Have the boys got a football? (yes )                  

------------------------------------

3. Has the cat got a fish? (yes)

-----------------------------------

4. Is the cat brown? (no)

-----------------------------------

5. Are you happy? (yes)

----------------------------------

6. Is your friend tall? (yes)

---------------------------------

7. Has your friend got green eyes? (no)

-----------------------------------------------

8. Has the cat got a short tail? (no)

---------------------------------------------

9. Are you a pupil? (yes)

---------------------------------------------

10. Are you a teacher? (no)

--------------------------------------------

 

 

Make or Do ?

A. MAKE

 

make the bed

make noise

make a promise

make haste = hurry up

make the difference

make progress

make money

make a speech

make a mistake

make up my mind

make love

make war

make no bones about it = not to hesitate, do something without feeling guilty

He was sacked but his boss made no bones about it.

make friends

make a decision

make somebody a present

make a discovery

make an excuse

make eyes at = look lovingly at someone

B. DO

do wonders

do my duty

do + studies : do medicine, engineering, economics etc

do my best

do good / do harm

do my hair

do a favour

do my homework

do well at (e.g. school)

do the bedroom / the living-room etc = clean

do with / do without

- I could do with some more money.

- Can you do without milk this morning?

IGCSE Listening - June 2009 - Answer Key

Download IGCSE_Listening_June2009

Questions 1-6

1. 20, East Road

2. stay on island till 5:00 pm / take the first boat in the morning (5:00 am) / wait for 5:00 am boat

3. (i) map (ii) telephone / get directions to his house

4. exam tomorrow / can't attend tomorrow

5. to do some sightseeing

6. (i) have to use side / different / other entrance

    (ii) a couple of streets / blocks away

Question 7

40 years

3 metres

legroom

traffic

rescue / emergency

petrol

corn

200

vertical

Authority or Ministry of Transport

Question 8

water / heat / environment

energy / fuel resources

turn off

To avoid 50% heat loss:

• insulation / padding
• gaps
• insert / inflate / put / place / push

To avoid wasting electricity:

• low energy
• turn off items at mains when not in use
• dry clothes

recycle

Question 9

(a) sandstorms / bad or extreme weather / global warming

(b) whole chunks of the Wall gone / Wall swallowed by the desert / Wall destroyed

( c ) drained the underground water / made it drier / Wall falling down / reduced height

(d) mud and sand ( mad NOT accepted!)

(e) build barriers / plant trees

(f) (i) nomads / nomadic tribes

    (ii) tourists / 10 million visitors

Question 10

(a) biggest diamond in the universe / 4,000 km across

(b) named after well-known song by famous pop group (The Beatles)

( c ) glows / pulsates

(d) it was a sun

(e) hot core of a star / inner part of a star / part left over after star dies

(f) became solid / crystallised

IGCSE Listening Test - May/June 2009

Download IGCSE_Listening_June2009

 

You will find the recording (Tracks 1-6) at the sidebar of my page, under Podcast. The answer key will be posted tomorrow.

Informal email

I've recently got a lot of emails from people - non native speakers of English - asking me to explain how to compose an informal e-mail. Here goes.

Jack has received an email from his friend Alice who has moved overseas for her new job. Here's Alice's email:

Hi Jack,

Thanks for your email. It sounds like you're having a great time in London.You asked me to tell you about my new job, so here goes!

Well, for a start, the company I work for now is quite big. There are about 1,560 employees but there's only one guy I really like to hang out with. His name is Peter and he is a pretty cool guy. He's asked me out twice so far and I'm beginning to really fall for him. I'm getting on well with my boss at the moment.  I have to ! I'm his executive secretary,you know. He seems to be a really nice man, yet he tends to be rather unreasonable at times! Ah well, I'll survive. Paris is an amazing city which I hope to explore in my free time.

What's up with you? Write soon and tell me everything. I miss you and hope to see you soon. Can't wait to hear from you.

 
Yours,

Alice

PLAN - INFORMAL EMAIL

1. Greeting : Hi / Dear.....(+first name)

2.Body :

• thank your friend for his / her email and say why you're writing
• make sure you answer all of your friends questions

3. Closing:

• ask what your friend is doing
• express hope to see him/her soon

4. Signing off:

• Yours
• Love
• Lots of love
• Your friend

followed by your first name.

Useful openings:

• it was great to hear from you (hear from someone = have news)
• I was very glad to catch up with you (catch up with someone = learn someone's news)
• Sorry for the delay to get back to you but I've been really busy lately. I'm jammed up with work. (=too much work)
• You asked me to tell you about _____ so here goes!

Useful closings:

• What's up with you?
• What's happening with you?
• I miss you.
• Write soon.
• Can't wait to hear from you.
• Hope all's well with you and yours.

TIP

Use an informal, chatty language but avoid electronic language (e.g. how r u? what's 4 dinner tonight?). This is definitely not English!

Special Difficulties - All

A. Adjective

1) all + noun in plural = the whole number of

• All the boys need to work harder.
• All dogs are animals.

2) all + noun in singular = the whole extent or amount of

• They had all the fun and we had all the work.
• All this is a mystery to me.
• He spent all that month by the sea.

3) all = every one of

• All our guests enjoyed themselves.
• It is beyond all doubt that he never tells lies.

B. Pronoun

all = everyone / everything

• All is calm.
• All wanted to leave early.
• They were all broke.
• Take it all.

C. Adverb = quite, entirely

• She was all excited.
• Your hair is all sand.
• They were dressed all in black. (= entirely in black) BUT
• They were all dressed in black = everyone

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are verbs that are comprised of a main verb plus a particle, or preposition. Some phrasal verbs have two particles after the main verb.

She gets up at six o'clock every morning.
Turn on the television, that programme is starting now.
My grandmother lives with us and we look after her.
I will never live up to my mother's expectations of me.

Phrasal verbs must be learnt individually like normal verbs. Often there is a clue, a help, in the main verb as to its meaning:

She sat down on the sofa.
I am looking for my glasses. Where are they?

But often there isn't any help in the main verb:

I didn't want to speak to her, so I hung up.
We had to put our cat down last year. It was terrible.

Once you learn the meaning of a phrasal verb, you then must learn how it can be used. Most importantly, you must learn if it is formal or informal English and if it can be separated or not.

Most phrasal verbs can be separated - that is, the main verb and the particle can have another word, usually the object, in between them.

I got John up at seven o'clock as he had to leave early.
She said she didn't have a hotel room so I put her up.
They picked their parents up from the airport.

•Usually, if we use a pronoun such as it, her, him, etc, this must go between the main verb and the particle.

But you need to learn those that can't be separated:

They got on the bus.    NOT    They got the bus on.

You should treat phrasal verbs like any normal vocabulary. That is to say, you must learn each one individually - its meaning and its use.

IGCSE Past Exam Papers - November 2006

Download IGCSE-Reading-and-Writing-Extended-October2006
 

British and American English

 
The English spoken in places like London, Manchester and Liverpool is 98% identical to that spoken in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. Only 2% difference!! Having said that, there is the same difference in the genes of the chimpanzee and the human!

The biggest difference between British and American English is in vocabulary. For example:

In America	In Britain
Trash Sidewalk Mailman Faucet Elevator Chips Interstate French Fries	Rubbish Pavement Postman Tap Lift Crisps Motorway Chips

And the list goes on and on and on!

Grammar

There are not many differences in grammar, but there are some between the two types of English.

The present perfect is used in British English to describe an action that happened at some time in the past and which either has a strong connection with the present or the time this action happened is neither stated nor implied.

Have you seen the new Spike Lee film?
Has John already left for the mountains?

Whereas in American English, it is alright to use the past simple:

Did you see the new Spike Lee film yet?
Did John already leave for the mountains?

Shall is used with I and We in positive and interrogative sentences in British English:

Shall I help you with that bag?
Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

But shall is unusual in American English:

Will I help you with that bag?
Should we go to the cinema tonight?

• British people have a bath or a shower - Americans take both.

• British people live in a street and write to somebody at the weekend. Americans live on a street and write somebody on the weekend.

• An American sports team is playing well. A British team are playing well.

There are many examples of differences in UK and US spelling

In America	In Britain
Defense Traveled Color Spoiled Plow	Defence Travelled Colour Spoilt Plough

gotten is the past participle of get in American - in Britain, it's got.

This beer has gotten hot in the sun. (US)
This beer has got hot in the sun. (UK)

 

In British ESL examinations like the FCE, the IELTS and the IGCSE, you are free to use either British English or American English. However, you will be penalised for shifts from British to American English and vice-versa.

IGCSE Writing - Expressing Opinions - Answer Key

Reference Guide

MODEL ANSWER

Dear Editor,

We are delighted that a new motorway is being planned for Conway because it will bring so many benefits to the town.

In the first place, Conway has suffered from the recession and many young people are unemployed after leaving school. The motorway will bring a much needed boost to business, as communications will be faster, cheaper and more efficient. Consequently, the businesses we already have will find life easier, new companies will be attracted to Conway and there will be more jobs for everyone.

Furthermore, we know a large number of people commute daily to the city. The present winding road is tiring, time-wasting,and, above all, dangerous. The new scheme will not only mean a big reduction in time spent commuting, it will also provide a much safer and more relaxing journey. We don't think anyone ever feels nostalgic about traffic jams!

Many readers might be worried about pollution from increased traffic. On the contrary, pollution will actually decrease as so many new trees, especially chosen for their ability to absorb car fumes, will be planted.

Finally, the new motorway will also serve as a by-pass for the large lorries that now go through Conway town centre. There is no doubt that the motorway will really put Conway on the map. If we want a bright future for ourselves and our children, we should all support it. (228 words)

Yours faithfully,

The Conway Business Group

Listening Comprehension - Best Friends

Laura asks Mike some questions about friendship to

complete a survey.

Choose the answer that Laura writes for each question of

the friend's survey.

 

Download 2L6-best-friends

1. How many friends do you prefer to have?
    One or two
    Three to five
    About 10
    As many as possible

2. When was the last time you forgot a friend's

birthday?
    I never have
    This year
    Once many years ago
    I do it quite often

3. Have you ever called a friend of yours at three

o'clock in the morning just to chat?
    Never
    Once or twice
    Quite often
    Night-time is for sleeping!

4. Do your friends search for you when they want...
    Cheering up
    Some good advice
    Someone to listen to them

5. How often do you think about your friends?
    Throughout the day
    Every day
    Rarely
    Only when you need them
    Laura doesn't put an answer

 

Easily Confused Words - Part III

 
1. physiological / psychological

physiological = relating to the body and the normal functions of living creatures

 
Scientists have been studying the physiological features of some rare species of apes.

psychological = relating to mental activities

Mary suffers from depression so she needs psychological support.

2. neglect / ignore

neglect =  (a) not to take enough care of

   (b) disregard

Susan was complaining about being neglected by her husband.

Paul has been neglecting his studies lately.

ignore = take no notice of

John ignored the manager's instructions, so he got sacked.

3. modern / contemporary

modern = of the present times

Michelle's house is equipped with all modern conveniences.

contemporary = belonging to the same time

I have recently visited an exhibition of contemporary Japanese prints.

4. earn / win

earn = get money in return for work or as a reward

Anna's father earns 1,350 euros monthly

After the exams, all students had a well earned holiday.

win= get a prize as a reward or do best in a game

If I win the lottery, I'll buy a yacht.

Who won the race?

5. petrol / benzine

petrol = refined substance (petroleum) used to drive engines in motor cars

We must stop at the next station and fill up with petrol.

benzine = colourless liquid obtained from mineral oil used for cleaning

I need some benzine to take off that stain.

6. inhabitant / resident

inhabitant = person living in a place

Most of the inhabitants of our city spend the weekend at the countryside.

resident = person living in a place contrasted to a visitor

The residents of this area don't like tourists.

IGCSE Writing - Expressing Opinions

The IGCSE Task : writing a letter from outline notes to express an opinion

Example:

In your neighbourhood, there is a large open area called Antalya Place which is used by young people for ball games. Your council are proposing to dig up the area and plant a flower garden with benches for elderly people. Trees will be planted too. No hall games will be allowed.

Write a letter to the local newspaper giving your views. 

Your letter should be about 200 words long.

You should:

• try to be even-handed in the discussion of the issues
• discuss both advantages and disadvantages
• state your opinion firmly

PLAN

A. INTRODUCTION: explain why you are writing

B. BODY

Paragraph 1 : Points in Favour

1. Flower garden would brighten up area ; flowers and plants provide a habitat for a wide variety of insect life.
2. Old people have no meeting place ; garden would provide focal point for meeting each other.
3. Trees welcome; provide shade ; reduce pollution and noise levels, provide protection against wind.

Paragraph 2 : Points against

1. Young people need opportunity to practise ball games : most live in flats - no gardens or other space nearby.
2. Local football and netball teams are winning matches ; will be less successful if they cannot practise ; morale and team confidence will sink.
3. Young people meet friends, have picnics, watch matches, enjoy themselves here. Without this area, boredom and resentment might set in ; vandalism might be a problem.

 C. CONCLUSION : state your opinion firmly

1. Suggest an alternative solution
2. Council's suggestion will promote passive entertainment for the young

D. SIGN OFF 

TIPS

1. Always plan your letter. The plan above can help you do so.
2. Make sure you have developed all the points of the task.
3. Use transitions (linking words) to pass on smoothly from one paragraph to the next - yet do not exaggerate. Too many transitions will make your writing awkward. Use a few effective transitions.

MODEL ANSWER

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my concern about our local council's suggestion to dig up Antalya Place in order to plant a flower garden for the elderly.

On the one hand, a flower garden will brighten up the area. Besides, flowers and plants provide a habitat for a wide variety of insect life. The garden would also provide a focal point for the elderly to meet each other. As for the trees, they are very welcome. They provide shade, reduce pollution and noise levels and offer protection against the wind.

On the other hand, young people need an opportunity to practise ball games.Most of them live in flats and there are no gardens nearby. Local football and netball teams have been winning matches for a long time now. If they cannot practise, they will certainly be less successful and , as a result, morale and team confidence will sink. In addition, young people meet friends,have picnics, watch matches and enjoy themselves here. Without this area, boredom and resentment might set in. I am also afraid vandalism might be a problem.

Therefore, I strongly feel that the council should look for another place to plant a garden for the elderly. How about the abandoned field on the outskirts of our town? I truly hope that the council will reconsider their decision as, I am sure, they wouldn't like to promote passive entertainment for the young.  (233 words)

Yours faithfully,

Bill Jones

NOW YOUR TURN

Conway's council is supporting government plans to build a new motorway. This will link Conway to the capital and to some other large cities. Do you think this will be a good development for Conway?

Write a letter to the Editor of Conway Express sharing your views.

Your letter should be about 200 words long.

You should:

• Say who is likely to benefit.
• Say who might be against the idea.
• Clearly state and justify your own opinion.

IGCSE Listening Test - June 2008 - Answer Key

Click on the link below to download the question paper. You will find the recordings at the sidebar of my page under Podcast.

Download IGCSE-LISTENING-JUNE08

And here are the answers to the questions.

Questions 1-6

1. She has left it late. / The birthday is tomorrow.

2. Parents' wedding anniversary.

3. (i) prepare for your IGCSE

   (ii) 3645679

4.  (1)Another youth hostel

    (2) Other side of the town

5. Tickets are half-price / can get tickets for £15 or less / queue for half -price tickets. (any ONE out of three)

6.

• phone to the ferry terminal
• ask boat to wait

Question 7

 

Company Philosophy : attitude / creative / cleaner

Company Aims : mineral water / help

Clean water projects : pumps

How some profits are used : water / one / month 

Conventional bottles: plastic / centuries(long time)

"Water for all" bottles : corn / 12 weeks

Each "rubbish muncher": forty-five(45) tonnes

Question 8

Location of tea planter: 390 km /2,000 metres above Great Rift Valley

Tea harvesting machines:

• pick tea faster than manual workers
• could bring about loss of 63,000 jobs
• will deprive tea-pickers of the ability to feed and educate their families.

Tea Farming history in Kericho:

• tea farming began : 1920s
• tea became Kenya's leading export

Daily tea yield :

• by hand: 50kg, by machine: 1,300kg

Disadvantages of mechanical harvest : machine unable to select leaves and tea will be of poorer quality

How consumer can help: buy hand-picked tea only

Question 9 :

(a) Higher than 3,800 metres above sea level

(b)

• 1984
• 2,3 billion pounds

( c ) (i) ultra violet filter / double-paned

   (ii) oxygen rich air / oxygen regulators

(d) Could wreck culture and traditional way of life / animals may be harmed / damage to the environment

(e)

• highest station
• cross river on hundreds of km (of bridge)

Question 10

(a) To guide motorists to destination

(b)

• saves time and petrol
• helps traffic flow / reduces stress
• no need to follow map / good for environment

( c ) Satellites send out signals

(d) The speed

(e) Current systems are cheaper / smaller/ easier to fit/ already built-in/ no wires to connect (any two)

(f)

• use your common sense / don't just rely on system
• remove the system from parked car

IGCSE Listening Test - June 2008

You can find the recordings on the left sidebar of my page under Podcast / IGCSE Listening - June 2008.

Click on the link below to download the PDF file of the question paper (June 2008) 

Download IGCSE-LISTENING-JUNE08

The Present Simple Vs the Present Continuous

 

THE PRESENT SIMPLE AND THE PRESENT CONTIUOUS IN CONTRAST

 

Present Simple

FORM	USE	EXAMPLES
I/You/We/They run	1. habits and regular actions	We always eat lunch at home.
He/She/It runs	2. general truths or facts	Leaves fall off the trees in autumn. Water boils at 100*C
I/You/We/They do not run He/she/it does not run	3.to tell stories	He walks into his room and sees a tiger!
Do I/You/We/They run?	4. to describe sports events.	The player jumps up and catches the ball.
Does He/She/It run?	5. timetables or scheduled events	The exam begins at 9:00am
Short Forms: Do not = don’t Does not =  doesn’t	6. to describe permanent situations	My aunt lives in London.

 

 

Time Expressions

 

every day / week / month / year

on Sundays / Fridays etc

in winter / summer etc

once / twice a week / month / year

at the weekend

 

Time expressions come at the end or the beginning of a sentence. NEVER in the middle.

 

Examples

I visit my grandparents once a week.

She goes to the cinema on Sundays.

He doesn’t work at the weekend.

 

Adverbs of Frequency

 

Usually/often/always/never/sometimes/frequently/rarely/seldom/hardly

Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb or after the verb to be.

 

Examples

We always watch TV in the evening.

She often plays tennis on Saturdays.

Tim doesn’t usually have lunch at the restaurant.

 

BUT! We are never late for school.

   He is sometimes very quiet.

 

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

FORM	USE	EXAMPLES
I am eating He/She/It is eating We/You/They are eating	1. actions that are happening at the time of speaking	Hurry up! Bill is waiting for us!
I am not eating He/She/It is not eating We/You/They are not eating	2. temporary actions or actions that are still in progress	Jane is taking piano lessons.
Am I eating? Is he/she/it eating? Are we/you/they eating?	3. future plans and arrangements	They’re moving to London next week.
Short Forms: I am = I’m Is = ‘s Are= ‘re I am not = I’m not Is not= isn’t Are not = aren’t	4.Annoying habits with always/forever/ constantly	He is constantly losing things. Bill is always borrowing money from me. She’s forever doing homework in the morning.

 

STATIVE VERBS

 

Stative verbs describe states not actions and cannot be used in the present continuous.

 

Here are a few, common stative verbs :

 

Appearance : appear/look/seem

Emotions: dislike/feel like/hate/like/love/need

Possession: belong to / have / own

Measurements: cost / equal / measure / weigh

Senses: hear / see / smell / taste

Thoughts/opinion/states: believe, forget, imagine, know, mean, prefer, remember, think, understand, wish

 

Examples

 

I don’t understand this question.

I smell something burning in the kitchen right now.

We need some more milk today.

She looks terrible. Is she ill?

Who does this bag belong to?

 

However some stative verbs have more than one meaning and can be used in the continuous form when the meaning changes from a state to an activity in progress.

 

We have a small dog (possession)

I'm having a shower (washing)

 

I think he is a terrible dancer. (opinion)

I'm thinking of going out tonight. (considering) 

 

This soup tastes delicious. (fact)

I'm tasting the soup to see if it needs some more salt. (action)

 

I see that you are in trouble. (understand)

She's seeing her doctor this afternoon. (meeting)

 

Your luggage weighs 21 kilos.

The doctor is weighing the baby right now.

 

Tense Review - Part II - Answer Key

Present Simple, Present Continuous, Simple Past

Read the text about Handsome Rick and think about the questions you need to ask for the missing information. Choose the best question for each one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rick is _______(1) years old and lives in Manchester. He is a ______ (2) for a company that makes cardboard boxes and he earns _________ (3)a year. He lives with his girlfriend Sharon in a beautiful cottage in _________(4). They bought it because it has a big garden with a swimming pool. Rick drives a _________(5) and Sharon drives a red Jeep.

Rick is very handsome and all the girls like him. Sometimes when he goes to disco bars he dances with lots of different girls and they buy drinks for him. He always drinks _________(6) Sharon doesn't like this!!

Rick plays a lot of sport. His favourite sport in winter is rugby and he plays for a team called ________(7). In summer he plays cricket for a team called _________(8). He doesn't like volleyball or fishing. Last year he went to Spain to play in a tennis competition but he didn't win. All the girls in Spain thought he was very handsome and bought drinks for him. Sharon didn't like this!!!!

Last week Rick went to _______(9) on vacation but Sharon didn't go because she was ill. He visited ________(10) in New York and then flew to Washington to see the White House. In Washington he met _________(11). She thought he was very handsome and bought him a Bacardi with Coca Cola. Sharon didn't like this!!!!!!!1.  How old he is?

    How old is he?

2.  What is the job?

    What is he do?

    What does he do?

3.  How much does he earn a year?

    How many money does he earn a year?

4.  Where they live?

   Where do they live?

    Where does they live?

5.  What car does he drive?

    What car drives he?

    What car type does he drive?

6.  What does usually he drink?

    What does he drinks usually?

    What does he usually drink?

7.  What's the name of his rugby team?

    What name has his rugby team?

8.  What name does his cricket team has?

    What name does his cricket team have?

    What name have his cricket team?

9.  Where did he went last week?

    Where did he go last week?

    Where he went last week?

10.  Where he visited in New York?

    Where did he visit in New York?

11.  Who he met in Washington?

    Who did he met in Washington?

    Who did he meet in Washington?

Read this short text and then write questions to get the missing information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Carpenter is a _________(1) who lives in the centre of London. His address is ________(2) and his telephone number is 090-445-2324. John is _______(3) years old and he started working as a musician when he was 17 years old.

John's day begins when he gets up very late at _________(4) and then he reads the newspapers in the kitchen while he eats _________ (5) for breakfast. For the rest of the day, John either writes music or writes books. At the moment, John is _________(6), "That's my Turkey", and he is also writing his autobiography which will be called 'Just a Piano Man.'

He is married to the famous _________(7) Fiona Appleby and they have four daughters. Fiona doesn't live in London though because ___________(8) so she lives with their daughters in the north of Wales where her parents live.

John told the press last week that he wanted to stop touring with his band because ___________(9). His last tour was six months ago when he and his band, the Rancheros, were in ___________(10). While they were touring there, someone stole all their money from the hotel. And, worse, while they were in the police station reporting this, someone stole ________(11) from the concert hall!

John started in the famous group The Bubbles in 1974 and they had _______(12) hit records both in the UK and in the US. The Bubbles stayed together for only three years and John started the Rancheros in 1990 after __________(13) suggested the idea. At the moment his mother is helping the group with their Christmas record. His greatest fan is _______(14)! The Rancheros' biggest ever hit was at Christmas, 1991 with the ballad that John personally wrote, 'My mother, my life.'
1.  What is his work?
    What does he does?
    What is his job?

2.  Where is his address?
    What is his address?
    Where he lives?

3.  How many years is he?
    How he is old?
   How old is he?

4.  What time he gets up?
    What time does he get up?
    When he gets up?

5.  What does he have for breakfast?
    What has he has for breakfast?
    What he eats for breakfast?

6.  What does he doing at the moment?
    What does he do at the moment?
    What is he doing at the moment?

7.  What is her work?
    What is her job?
    What work she does?

8.  Why not she lives in London?
    Why she not live in London?
    Why doesn't she live in London?

9.  Why does he want to stop touring?
    Why he wants to stop touring?

10.  Where place were the Rancheros on the last tour?
    Where were the Rancheros on the last tour?
    Which place were the Rancheros on the last tour?

11.  What stole someone from the concert hall?
    What did stolen from the concert hall?
    What did someone steal from the concert hall?

12.  How much hit records did The Bubbles have?
    How many hit records did The Bubbles have?
    How many hit records did have The Bubbles?

13. Who suggested the idea of starting the Rancheros?
    Who did suggest the idea of starting the Rancheros?

14.  Who his greatest fan is?
    Who is his greatest fan?
    Who do his greatest fan be?

 

IGCSE Writing

Developing a Mature Style

Look at these two examples describing a village:

Example 1 :

The village is very pretty and very nice. The houses are not very big but they are beautiful. The village is surrounded by hills which give a very nice view of the area.

Example 2

The village is strikingly pretty and unspoilt. The houses, rising up from the harbour, are pale-coloured with painted shutters and made of stone. Pine-clad hills provide panoramic views of the area.

The vocabulary in Example 1 is limited to basic and definitely not up to IGCSE register.Examiners would simply cross it out! Example 2 makes use of a wide range of vocabulary making the description lively and interesting to read. Examiners would give it full marks for register.

USEFUL TIPS

There are many ways you can make your writing more mature:

1. Choose your adjectives with care and use them accurately. You don't really need a great many - just a few fresh and powerful ones. But please avoid using dull, boring, commonplace adjectives like : good, bad, nice, beautiful.

2. Remember that you can create adjectives by adding suffixes to nouns or adjectives : e.g. panoramic, colourful, quaint-sounding, picturesque, boyish, hopeless etc

3. You can make common adjectives more emphatic by using adverbs as intensifiers: e.g. strikingly pretty, exceptionally interesting, amazingly beautiful.

4. Adjective collocations, such as crystal clear, are another way of adding impact to your description. e.g. icy cold (adjective + adjective) , stone cold(noun + adjective)

5. Use relative clauses to link ideas -  beginning with which / where / when / whose

6. Use comparisons : not as much as ... / far more interesting than ..../ much less exciting than ....

All the above techniques will help you to write more concisely - using fewer words to greater effect.

NOW YOUR TURN

Rewrite the following description in a more mature style:

The town developed around  a marketplace. The marketplace is very, very old. It is the shape of a rectangle. In the town , the people live in the way that they used to live hundreds of years ago.  They like visitors. They do not commit crimes. They will always help you. You do not need to be afraid of them.. They wear clothes that are very simple. They wear long, loose, white, cotton robes. The town has many very, very old buildings. The buildings were built in the 13th century. It also has many restaurants. You can eat nice food there. The food is from different cultures.

Heart Idioms and Proverbs

A. IDIOMS

1. a bleeding heart
someone who shows too much sympathy for everyone The anti-hunting campaigners are just a bunch of bleeding hearts who don't understand the countryside.

2. a heart of gold
a kind and generous character He plays the part of a tough cop with a heart of gold.
Opposite of: a heart of stone

3. at heart
(a) as what someone cares about the most Your academic adviser should have your best interests at heart. I'm an English teacher at heart but also a writer. 
(b) in the most basic way He was at heart a conservative man.

4. somebody, eat your heart out!  (humorous)
something that you say which means that you or someone you know can do something better than a person who is famous for doing that thing I'm taking singing lessons. Celine Dion, eat your heart out!

5. break someone's heart
to cause someone great emotional pain. It just broke my heart when Tom ran away from home. Sally broke John's heart when she refused to marry him.

6. somebody's heart sinks
if someone's heart sinks, they start to feel sad or worried He looked at the huge pile of work on his desk and his heart sank.

7. to your heart's content
if you do something enjoyable to your heart's content, you do it as much as you want to The pool is open all day so you can swim to your heart's content.

8. somebody's heart is in their mouth
if someone's heart is in their mouth, they feel extremely nervous My heart was in my mouth as I walked onto the stage.

9.in your heart of hearts
if you know something in your heart of hearts, you are certain of it although you might not want to admit it I knew in my heart of hearts that something was wrong, but I just wasn't ready to deal with it. Do you believe in your heart of hearts that things will get better?

10. know/learn something (off) by heart
if you know or learn something, especially a piece of writing, by heart, you know or learn it so that you can remember it perfectly He's my favourite poet. I know several of his poems by heart

11. pour your heart out
to tell someone your secret feelings and worries, usually because you feel a strong need to talk about them (often + to ) I'd only met him once, and here he was, pouring out his heart to me.

12. one's heart misses a beat and one's heart skips a beat
Fig. one's heart flutters or palpitates; one has a strong emotional reaction. Whenever I'm near you, my heart skips a beat. When the racehorse fell, my heart missed a beat.

13. young at heart
having a youthful spirit no matter what one's age.  I am over 70 but I still feel young at heart.

14. tear your heart out
to make you very sad Your article on the death of those students tore my heart out.

15. one's heart goes out to someone
one feels great sympathy for someone. My heart goes out to the grieving family. Let your heart go out to those who are suffering, and pray for their improvement.

B. PROVERBS

1. wear your heart on your sleeve
to make your feelings and opinions obvious to other people John's always worn his heart on his sleeve, so there's no doubt who he'll be supporting.

2. A heavy purse makes a light heart.
If you have plenty of money, you will feel happy and secure. Everyone in the office is especially cheerful on payday, since a heavy purse makes a light heart.

3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
You will like someone or something better if that person or thing is far away. Ever since Carla's boyfriend moved away, she can't stop thinking about him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

4. Cold hands, warm heart.
People whose hands are usually cold have kind and loving personalities. Nancy: I don't like holding hands with Joe. His hands are so cold. Jane: Cold hands, warm heart.

5. way to a man's heart is through his stomach
If you want a man to love you, you should feed him good food. Sue: I want Keith to notice me, but he doesn't even know I'm alive. Mother: Invite him over and cook him a good meal. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

6. What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.
You cannot be upset by something you do not know about. When Robbie cracked his mother's favorite vase, he simply turned the cracked side toward the wall. "What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over," he thought.

7. It is a poor heart that never rejoices. and It is a sad heart that never rejoices.
Even a habitually sad person cannot be sad all the time. (Sometimes used to indicate that a habitually sad person is happy about something.) Jill: I've never seen Sam smile before, but today, at his retirement party, he smiled. Jane: It is a poor heart that never rejoices.

8. Home is where the heart is.
People long to be at home.; Your home is whatever place you long to be. I've had a lovely time visiting you, but home is where the heart is, and I think it's time I went back. If home is where the heart is, then my home is my parents' old house. I've never loved my own apartment the way I love their place.

9. Faint heart never won fair lady.
 A timid suitor never won his lady. (Used to encourage boys or men to be bold in courting women.) Bill: I'd really like to go out with Alice, but what if she says no? Alan: You won't know till you ask her. Faint heart never won fair lady. Don't be so shy about talking to Edith. Faint heart never won fair lady.

10. let your heart rule your head
to do something because you want to rather than for practical reasons Don't let your heart rule your head. If you lend him that money you'll never see it again.

Listening Comprehension

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

A police inspector comes and speaks to the wife of a murder victim.

Listen to the mp3 file and choose true/false for each question. Then listen again to check.

Click the link below to listen to the mp3 file

Download 2L5-inspector

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Mrs. Wilson arrived home at about six o'clock.
    True
    False

2. Mrs. Wilson thought the house was empty.
    True
    False

3. Mrs. Wilson doesn't like her sister-in-law.
    True
    False

4. Mrs. Wilson's husband name is Trevor.
    True
    False

5. Mrs. Wilson didn't go into the bathroom.
    True
    False

6. Mrs. Wilson tried to wake her husband.
    True
    False

7. Mrs. Wilson waited a long time for the police to arrive.
    True
    False

Listening Comprehension - Follow-Up

Click on the link below to download the pdf file.

Download 2L5-inspector-calls-uk-worksheet

Tense Review - Part II - Practice

Present Simple, Present Continuous, Simple Past

Read the text about Handsome Rick and think about the questions you need to ask for the missing information. Choose the best question for each one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rick is _______(1) years old and lives in Manchester. He is a ______ (2) for a company that makes cardboard boxes and he earns _________ (3)a year. He lives with his girlfriend Sharon in a beautiful cottage in _________(4). They bought it because it has a big garden with a swimming pool. Rick drives a _________(5) and Sharon drives a red Jeep.

Rick is very handsome and all the girls like him. Sometimes when he goes to disco bars he dances with lots of different girls and they buy drinks for him. He always drinks _________(6) Sharon doesn't like this!!

Rick plays a lot of sport. His favourite sport in winter is rugby and he plays for a team called ________(7). In summer he plays cricket for a team called _________(8). He doesn't like volleyball or fishing. Last year he went to Spain to play in a tennis competition but he didn't win. All the girls in Spain thought he was very handsome and bought drinks for him. Sharon didn't like this!!!!

Last week Rick went to _______(9) on vacation but Sharon didn't go because she was ill. He visited ________(10) in New York and then flew to Washington to see the White House. In Washington he met _________(11). She thought he was very handsome and bought him a Bacardi with Coca Cola. Sharon didn't like this!!!!!!!1.  How old he is?

    How old is he?

2.  What is the job?

    What is he do?

    What does he do?

3.  How much does he earn a year?

    How many money does he earn a year?

4.  Where they live?

    Where do they live?

    Where does they live?

5.  What car does he drive?

    What car drives he?

    What car type does he drive?

6.  What does usually he drink?

    What does he drinks usually?

    What does he usually drink?

7.  What's the name of his rugby team?

    What name has his rugby team?

8.  What name does his cricket team has?

    What name does his cricket team have?

    What name have his cricket team?

9.  Where did he went last week?

    Where did he go last week?

    Where he went last week?

10.  Where he visited in New York?

    Where did he visit in New York?

11.  Who he met in Washington?

    Who did he met in Washington?

    Who did he meet in Washington?

Read this short text and then write questions to get the missing information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Carpenter is a _________(1) who lives in the centre of London. His address is ________(2) and his telephone number is 090-445-2324. John is _______(3) years old and he started working as a musician when he was 17 years old.

John's day begins when he gets up very late at _________(4) and then he reads the newspapers in the kitchen while he eats _________ (5) for breakfast. For the rest of the day, John either writes music or writes books. At the moment, John is _________(6), "That's my Turkey", and he is also writing his autobiography which will be called 'Just a Piano Man.'

He is married to the famous _________(7) Fiona Appleby and they have four daughters. Fiona doesn't live in London though because ___________(8) so she lives with their daughters in the north of Wales where her parents live.

John told the press last week that he wanted to stop touring with his band because ___________(9). His last tour was six months ago when he and his band, the Rancheros, were in ___________(10). While they were touring there, someone stole all their money from the hotel. And, worse, while they were in the police station reporting this, someone stole ________(11) from the concert hall!

John started in the famous group The Bubbles in 1974 and they had _______(12) hit records both in the UK and in the US. The Bubbles stayed together for only three years and John started the Rancheros in 1990 after __________(13) suggested the idea. At the moment his mother is helping the group with their Christmas record. His greatest fan is _______(14)! The Rancheros' biggest ever hit was at Christmas, 1991 with the ballad that John personally wrote, 'My mother, my life.'
1.  What is his work?
    What does he does?
    What is his job?

2.  Where is his address?
    What is his address?
    Where he lives?

3.  How many years is he?
    How he is old?
    How old is he?

4.  What time he gets up?
    What time does he get up?
    When he gets up?

5.  What does he have for breakfast?
    What has he has for breakfast?
    What he eats for breakfast?

6.  What does he doing at the moment?
    What does he do at the moment?
    What is he doing at the moment?

7.  What is her work?
    What is her job?
    What work she does?

8.  Why not she lives in London?
    Why she not live in London?
    Why doesn't she live in London?

9.  Why does he want to stop touring?
    Why he wants to stop touring?

10.  Where place were the Rancheros on the last tour?
    Where were the Rancheros on the last tour?
    Which place were the Rancheros on the last tour?

11.  What stole someone from the concert hall?
    What did stolen from the concert hall?
    What did someone steal from the concert hall?

12.  How much hit records did The Bubbles have?
    How many hit records did The Bubbles have?
    How many hit records did have The Bubbles?

13.  Who suggested the idea of starting the Rancheros?
    Who did suggest the idea of starting the Rancheros?

14.  Who his greatest fan is?
    Who is his greatest fan?
    Who do his greatest fan be?

 

IGCSE Writing

THE OPINION COMPOSITION

(a) How to plan an opinion composition

Introduction: : express your opinion on the topic.

Paragraph 2:  justify your opinion with examples.

Paragraph 3: Present the opposing viewpoint.

Conclusion: Restate your opinion but do not just repeat yourself. Consider writing about consequences or a new dimension of the same issue.

(b) How to plan an opinion composition suggesting advantages and disadvantages:

Introduction: Introduce the problem and state its causes.

Paragraph 2: Write about the advantages and develop through examples

 Paragraph 3: Write about the disadvantages and develop through examples.

Conclusion: State your opinion and pick up a side!.

( c ) Beginnings and Endings

There are many ways of beginning(introduction) and ending(conclusion) an opinion composition. Read the following model paragraphs and pay special attention to the expressions in bold. These are only suggested ways of beginning and ending an opinion composition. IGCSE examiners love them,though!

Introduction:

Have you ever wondered what it must be like to wake up in the morning and realise that you can no longer use your computer? For millions of people this is certainly a frightening thought. Indeed, they cannot possibly imagine their lives without them. Because of this dependence on the computer which we have developed, I strongly believe that it has become indispensable to us and it is here to stay!

Conclusion:

It is true to say that the computer has invaded our lives and changed the way we communicate forever. Let us not forget, though, that the computer has also promoted a very passive lifestyle.

Brief Reminder

Remember the essential paragraph structure : -

-topic sentence: it introduces the main idea of your paragraph

-supporting sentences: they provide examples, illustrations or arguments which support the topic sentence.

-closing sentence: round off your paragraph with a kind of conclusion

Remember to use transitions to pass on smoothly from one sentence to another and from one paragraph to the next.

Remember! Unless you think you can master English better than your own language DO NOT attempt to write one sentence for a paragraph!

YOUR TURN!

Scientists have made the production of food easier and cheaper by using chemicals and other artificial procedures.

Write an article stating your opinion about this statement.

The comments below may give you some ideas but you are free to use any ideas of your own.

"This is the answer to feeding the world. No one will be hungry ever again!"

"If you use chemicals, then who knows what will happen to our health?"

"It means that people who work on the land will have no work"

"It's a really cheap way to grow good-quality food."

DO NOT WRITE MORE THAN 200 WORDS. YOU WILL BE SEVERELY PENALISED FOR EXCEEDING THE WORD LIMIT!

Tense Review - Part I

In English, the tenses of the verb are divided into 3 large groups:

(a) the simple tenses

(b) the continuous / progressive tenses

( c ) the perfect tenses

 

Now let's see what each group shares in common

A. STRUCTURE

(a) The Simple Tenses : we never use the verb BE (am/is/are) to form any simple tense:

Present Simple: I sometimes go to work by bus. NOT I am sometimes go

Past Simple: She had a baby last month. NOT She was have a baby

Future Simple: I will (I'll) write soon. NOT I will be write soon.

(b) The Continuous / Progressive Tenses : we always use the verb BE (am/is/are) + -ing verb to form any continuous tense.

Present Continuous : He is doing his home work right now. NOT He doing his homework right now.

Past Continuous : I was watching TV when the lights went off. NOT I was watch TV / I watching TV .....

Future Continuous : I will be meeting Tom later today. NOT I will be meet Tom / I will meeting Tom....

( c ) The Perfect Tenses

(1) Perfect Simple Tenses : have + past participle

Present Perfect Simple :

She has already had lunch. NOT She already has lunch.

We haven't finished work yet. NOT We not finished work yet

Past Perfect Simple :

They had already eaten lunch when their friends arrived. NOT They already eaten lunch ...

Suddenly she realised she had forgotten to lock the door. NOT ....she forgotten to lock the door.

Future Perfect Simple:

By the end of the month I will have read 4 books. NOT .....I will be read 4 books

(2) The Perfect Continuous Tenses: have been + -ing verb

Present Perfect Continuous :

She has been learning English for 3 years. NOT She been learning English / she has learning English / she learning English.

Past Perfect Continuous:

He had been waiting for an hour when she arrived. NOT he had waiting / he been waiting / he had be waiting / he waiting.

Future Perfect Continuous:

By the end of 2009, we will have been learning English for 5 years.

NOT we will have learning ......

The Simple Present - Answer Key

NOW YOUR TURN!

A. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple present.

1. Jenny always ----goes----------- shopping on Saturdays. (go)

2. Every morning I ---go------ to work by car (go)

3. Steve usually ---fries-------- three eggs for breakfast. (fry)

4. I never ---watch---- TV in the afternoon. (watch)

5. My cousin----washes------------ her car once a week. (wash)

6. We ---don't buy-------------- bread at the supermarket. (not buy)

7. Beth always ----carries----an umbrella when she is in London. (carry)

8. My brother --doesn't like------------ mushrooms. (not like)

9. My friends----don't visit-----  me on Sundays. (visit)

10. Our dog --doesn't eat---------- vegetables. (not eat)

B. Use the prompts to write questions in the simple present as in the example:

Example : where / you / come/ from

Where do you come from?

1. what / this word / mean?

-----What does this word mean?-------------------------------------------------------

2. what time / your sister / get up / morning?

----What time does your sister get up in the morning?-------------------------------------------------------------

3. when / your friends/ visit / you

-----When do your friends visit you?-------------------------------------------------------------

4. where / your friend / come / from ?

---------Where does your friend come from?--------------------------------------------------------

5. how old / you / be

-------How old are you?--------------------------------------------------------------

6. which / car / you / prefer?

---------Which car do you prefer?--------------------------------------------------------------

7. baby / cry / at night?

-------Does the baby cry at night?---------------------------------------------------------------

8. who / be / your best friend?

-------------Who is your best friend?------------------------------------------------------------

9. how often / your brother / go jogging ?

--------How often does your brother go jogging?---------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Sue / like / fish?

----------------Does Sue like fish?-----------------------------------------------------------

C . From Grammar to Writing

Now write a few sentences about your daily routine (= what you usually do every day). Write between 5 and 10 sentences.

------(MODEL ANSWER)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Every day I get up at 7 o'clock, I get dressed, I have breakfast and then I go to work. I finish work at 5 pm and I come back home. After dinner, I watch TV or read books. I usually go to bed at 11 o'clock. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Simple Present - Practice

NOW YOUR TURN!

A. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple present.

1. Jenny always --------------- shopping on Saturdays. (go)

2. Every morning I --------- to work by car (go)

3. Steve usually ----------- three eggs for breakfast. (fry)

4. I never ------- TV in the afternoon. (watch)

5. My cousin---------------- her car once a week. (wash)

6. We ----------------- bread at the supermarket. (not buy)

7. Beth always --------an umbrella when she is in London. (carry)

8. My brother -------------- mushrooms. (not like)

9. My friends---------  me on Sundays. (visit)

10. Our dog ------------ vegetables. (not eat)

B. Use the prompts to write questions in the simple present as in the example:

Example : where / you / come/ from

Where do you come from?

1. what / this word / mean?

------------------------------------------------------------

2. what time / your sister / get up / morning?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

3. when / your friends/ visit / you

------------------------------------------------------------------

4. where / your friend / come / from ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

5. how old / you / be

---------------------------------------------------------------------

6. which / car / you / prefer?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

7. baby / cry / at night?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

8. who / be / your best friend?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. how often / your brother / go jogging ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Sue / like / fish?

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C . From Grammar to Writing

Now write a few sentences about your daily routine (= what you usually do every day). Write between 5 and 10 sentences.

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The Simple Present - Spelling Rules

Grammar Reference

Now you know that we add -s to the third person singular (he/she/it) to form the simple present positive. Here are a few exceptions:

1. Verbs ending in : -ch / -sh / -s / -x / -o / take -es after he/she/it

We watch TV in the evening BUT my sister (=she) watches TV in the afternoon.

I wash my hair every day BUT Fred(=he) washes his hair every other day.

 Brian and Mary (=they) kiss their children every day. John (=he) kisses his children every day.

We mix butter and sugar to make a cake. My mother(=she) mixes butter and sugar to make a cake.

The children(=they) always do their homework in the evening BUT Sue(=she) does her homework in the afternoon.

2. Verbs ending in : consonant + -y drop -y and add -ies after he/she/it

A baby usually cries BUT all babies cry

On Sundays we fry eggs for breakfast. On Sundays my mum fries eggs for breakfast

3. Verbs ending in : vowel + -y DO NOT drop -y and take -s after he/she/it

The children (=they) play in the afternoon. My son (=he) plays in the morning.

I always buy meat at the supermarket. My father (=he) always buys meat at the supermarket.

IGCSE Writing

Well, the countdown has started. The IGCSE November 2009 session is coming up soon - actually end of October. On Wednesdays, I'll try to help out with writing by providing tips, plans and some exercises.

THE INFORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

There are many types of informal letter / email. For example, you can write a letter of thanks,advice or invitation. When you are writing an informal letter or sending an email to a friend, it is very important for the examiners to try and make it sound friendly and chatty. However, do bear in mind that informal register means something between spoken and written language. You will be likely to fail the exam if your letter to your dear friend Bobby starts like this: " Hey Bobby! how r u?" Or "I ain't gonna do nothing tonight" or "I got a present 4 u" Remember , it's a British exam and you are expected to use either informal British English or informal American English. Both are accepted. Online chat "language" won't be accepted.You will also be severely penalised if you use online chat expressions or if you mix British and American English both in expressions and in spelling :

Example : I can't afford buying a car. Gas has gone up recently in my area which means that petrol costs £5 a gallon.

or : I love going to the theatre but our local theater has closed down.

The following phrases may help you achieve the right tone:

(a) Greeting

Hi Bobby / Dear Bobby

(b) Opening

I'm sorry I haven't written for such a long time but I've been really busy lately

Thanks for the email. It was great to hear from you.

I thought I'd drop a line to ....

I haven't heard from you for a long time and I thought we could catch up on our news.

Hey! I've given you up for lost. What's up?

( c ) Main Body (useful expressions)

- you won't believe ....

- you'll never guess....

- believe it or not ....

- by the way ....

- in fact ...

- hey! cheer up!

- don't let it get you down

- listen. don't worry too much about it

(d) Closing

- that's all for now

- I must love you and leave you! I've got homework to finish. Write back soon.

- Take care

- Have a lovely day / week

-Say hi to Sue

- Remember me to your mother

(e) Sign-off

Love

Lots of love

Yours

PLANNING AN INFORMAL LETTER

1. Greeting : Hi / Dear + first name 

2. Say why you are writing

3. Suggestions / advice / questions and perhaps some more details.

4. Conclusion / closing remark (see phrases above)

TIP - Always make sure you have answered the examiners' prompts appearing at the bottom of the task!

NOW YOUR TURN

 Write about 200 words on the following topic:

 Imagine you have just moved to the city from a rural area. Write a letter to your friend telling him/her about a few of the problems you are facing.The picture below may help you. 

In your letter you must tell your friend :

- about your first impressions

- some of the problems you are facing

- what you do to deal with these problems

If you wish, you can email me your answer and I promise to correct, comment and send it back to you

The Simple Present Structure

 

Positive

 I   You
We   They  +  Verb  (infinitive =  very simple form. You mustn't add anything to the verb)

but

He
She   It  +  Verb  +   -s 

Examples.

We go to the theatre every Friday.
They speak Spanish very well.
I love to cook at the weekend.

but:

She speaks French.
He smokes cigars and cigarettes.
The bank opens at 9 o'clock.

Questions

Question Word  +  Do
or Does  +  Subject  +  Infinitive Verb(we don't add anything to the verb!) 

Examples:

Where do you live?
What time do your sisters arrive home?
Do we leave now or at five o'clock?

but:

Does your sister work in the city?
How often does your father have a holiday?
Why does the television make that strange noise?

Negative

Subject  +  Don't or
Doesn't  +  Infinitive Verb 

Examples:

They don't live in that house.
We don't want to stay in that hotel.
I don't think it's a good idea.

but:

Sarah doesn't write to me very often.
The President doesn't want to cut taxes.
It often doesn't rain here for months.

Remember!! In questions and negative forms we use does / doesn't and the verb follows without adding -s

COMMON MISTAKES

DO NOT say : I am like computers!!!!

SAY : I like computers. My brother likes computers too. My sister doesn't like computers. But my friends like computers a lot. Do you like computers? Does Steve like computers?

In the simple present we never use AM/IS/ARE