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Mini-Lessons from Friday, Mar. 30, 2012




These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!

  • Tip: Make sentences. When you learn a new word or grammar point, put it in a sentence and say it again and again.
  • Proverb: Forewarned is forearmed: When you have been told something in advance (are "forewarned") you can be better prepared ("forearmed").
  • Academic Vocabulary: equivalent: equal to (adj), or something equal to (n). "A dollar is equivalent to 100 cents." "Win a car or its equivalent in cash!"
  • Literature: vampires: An imaginary species of person who lives on human blood. They are supposed to live forever; Dracula is the most famous.
  • Art: Pablo Picasso: (1881-1973) Spanish artist, one of the greatest of the 20th century. He worked in paint, sculpture, prints, and more.
  • Slang: some part of me knew it: "I had an intuition." "35%! Everyone said I would pass the test, but some part of me knew I would fail."
  • Geography: Burkina Faso: west African country once known as Upper Volta; one of lowest per person GDPs in the world. Capital is Ouagadougou.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Proverb is "Forewarned is forearmed." You would probably NOT say this when:
a. someone tells you that the boss is in a bad mood.
b. someone tells you it's your secretary's birthday.
c. someone learns that the client is unhappy.
d. someone has information on a rival company's strategy.

2. Use the Academic Vocabulary word "equivalent" in its correct form:
a. What is the __________ between dollars to pesos?
b. One-half and 62% are __________.
c. Please exchange this water for an __________ amount of wine.
d. Give me one Euro or its __________.
e. They were both equally successfully, having risen __________ in the world.

3. Match the Literature, Art, and Geography terms below to these related ideas:
a. famous for his "Blue Period"
b. people speak French
c. "Guernica" is one of his most famous
d. over half are Muslims
e. "Twilight" is about them
f. usually can't be out in the sun

(1) vampires
(2) Pablo Picasso
(3) Burkina Faso

4. What does the Slang term "some part of me knew it" probably mean in this sentence?

When I came home and my girlfriend wasn't there, some part of me knew that she had left me.

a. The speaker was absolutely sure his girlfriend had broken up with him.
b. The speaker had a feeling his girlfriend had broken up with him.
c. The speaker thought his girlfriend had gone to the store.
d. The speaker had no idea where his girlfriend was.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Have you read any books about vampires? If yes, which one(s)? What did you think? If not, is there one you would like to read? Why?
2. Look at some of Picasso's paintings, perhaps from the "Blue Period." What do you think of them?
3. Find Burkina Faso on a map. What is it near? Find some facts about the country, including things like literacy, infant mortality rate, and life expectancy. What can you imagine about life there?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. b. You don't need to be "warned" and "armed" about good news.

2. Academic Vocabulary:
a. equivalence
b. nonequivalent
c. equivalent (adjective)
d. equivalent (noun)
e. equivalently

3. Matching:
a. (2) Pablo Picasso; the "Blue Period" was from 1901-1904. Most of his work in this period is done in blue tones.
b. (3) Burkina Faso; French is the official language; some native languages are also recognized.
c. (2) Pablo Picasso; "Guernica" depicts the bombing of a city in the Spanish Civil War
d. (3) Burkina Faso; about 60% are Muslims; others are mostly Roman Catholics, animists, and Protestants.
e. (1) vampires; Edward and his friends are vampires.
f. (1) vampires; some authors change this tradition, as in "Twilight."

4. b.

NOTES:
  1. Academic Vocabulary is the Academic Word List from Oxford University Press. This is "a list of words that you are likely to meet if you study at an English-speaking university."
  2. The Proverb, and the Literature, Art, and Geography words are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  3. The Tip and Slang words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Science: experiment: a test to find if something is true or not. Many are done in laboratories following the rules of science.
  • Language Study: interjection: a short sound, word or phrase (NOT a sentence) used to express emotion. "Ouch!" "Wow!" "Really!" "No way."
  • Business: allocate: to give something officially for a certain purpose: "The company allocated 15% of their budget to advertising."
  • Literature: Ali Baba: main character in a story called "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," where he finds treasure belonging to robbers.
  • New Words: perfect storm: a combination of rare events leading to a tragedy. Several unusual things must go wrong for a perfect storm to happen.
  • Slang: ruins every party he goes to: behaves badly. "Don't invite Ben; he ruins every party he goes to. Last time he got so drunk…"
  • Modern History: Martin Luther King, Jr.: (1929-1968) American Civil Rights leader who used nonviolence to change the law. He was a Baptist minister.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's New Word is "perfect storm." Which of these is NOT an example of this?
a. Michael Jackson's death due to a mixture of drugs
b. The 2002-2003 global SARS outbreak
c. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy
d. The destruction of New Orleans by hurricane Katrina

2. Today's Language Study term is "interjection." Which of the following is NOT an interjection?
a. Hello.
b. I'm sorry.
c. No.
d. Oh, hell!
e. Yikes.

3. Match the Science, Literature, and Modern History terms below to these related ideas:
a. spent time in jail
b. sometimes means cooking a new dish
c. uses the famous phrase "Open, Sesame."
d. results must be repeatable
e. was shot in Memphis in 1968
f. in fact, a woman is featured in most of the story

(1) experiment
(2) Ali Baba
(3) Martin Luther King, Jr.

4. Today's Slang term is "[he] ruins every party he goes to." Which of the following would probably ruin a party? (There may be more than one answer.)

a. someone getting sick
b. someone forgetting to bring the ice
c. someone coming without a date
d. someone starting a fight

5. Use the correct form of today's Business term "allocate" in these sentences:
a. The board __________ plenty of money for office supplies last year.
b. My boss is __________ extra days off for all of us.
c. My secretary needs to __________ more time for filing.
d. ABC Company __________ 15% of its profit to share with employees.
e. I'm afraid the __________ for company cars isn't sufficient.


QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Have you ever done an experiment? If yes, what did you do? What was it like? If not, what would you like to try?
2. Read the story of Ali Baba in your language, then tell it in English. Try to be creative!
3. Read and listen to some of the speeches of Martin Luther King, jr. He was considered to be a powerful speaker. Why do you think people say so? If you can, try practicing some of his techniques yourself.

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. c. JFK's death was probably the result of one man shooting a gun. The other tragedies were caused by a combination of things:

a. Michael Jackson took a bad combination of drugs
b. It required modern transportation, warm weather, and lack of cooperation between governments for SARS to spread so rapidly
d. New Orleans has had hurricanes before; but Katrina was particularly strong, the system to control flooding failed, people and the government were slow to respond, etc. All of this made it one of the worst in US history.

2. Language Study term:
b. "I am sorry" is a sentence.

3. Matching:
a. (3) Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dr. King broke minor laws to show that they were unfair.
b. (1) experiment; the word can be used in many ways outside of the laboratory: a musical experiment, a social experiment, etc.
c. (2) Ali Baba; "Open, Sesame" is used to open the thieves' cave.
d. (1) experiment; if other scientists do the experiment and get different results, the results of the first experiment are considered invalid (not able to be trusted)
e. (3) Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dr. King was assassinated for trying to get equal rights for black people.
f. (2) Ali Baba; Ali Baba's servant Morgiana is a clever girl who prevents the thieves from hurting her master many times.

4. a and d

5. Business term:
a. allocated
b. allocating
c. allocate
d. allocates
e. allocation

NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Link: Free grammar lessons (explanation, no exercises): http://www.eslcafe.com/grammar.html
  • Ancient History: Vandals: German tribe who attacked the Roman Empire near its end (5th century). Today, one who destroys property (vandalism).
  • Irregular Verbs: It's bad when the economy slides. Ours slid last year. It has slid several times this decade.
  • Idiom: salt of the Earth: describes a good, honest, simple person. "I enjoy talking with truck drivers. They're the salt of the Earth."
  • Pop Culture: Elizabeth Taylor: (1932-2011) British-American actress who started as a child star and became one of the greatest film actresses ever.
  • Slang: knock 'em dead: do a great job, and impress people. A: "I have a job interview tomorrow." B: "Cool! Knock 'em dead!"
  • Government: anarchism: the idea that people should live without government of any kind. "Anarchy" sometimes means "disorder."

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!
QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Idiom is "salt of the Earth." You would probably use this to describe:
a. a king who looks down on his people
b. a professor who thinks his neighbors are stupid
c. a police officer who is suspicious of everybody
d. a factory manager who eats lunch with his workers every day

2. Use the correct form of the Irregular Verb "slide" in these sentences:
a. The game was won when the runner __________ into home base.
b. Every time my dad sits on our sofa, he __________ off of it again.
c. Fruit is getting cheaper; the prices have __________ dramatically in the past few weeks.
d. My daughter enjoys __________ down the stair rail.
e. I will let you __________ this time, but don't be late from now on!

3. Match the Ancient History, Pop Culture, and Government terms below to these related ideas:
a. was married eight times, twice to Richard Burton
b. related to the Goths
c. appeared in her first film at age 9
d. a roughly-drawn "A" in a circle is a symbol of this
e. painting on buildings ("graffiti"), breaking windows, etc. is named for them
f. the word literally means "without a ruler"

(1) Vandals
(2) Elizabeth Taylor
(3) anarchism

4. In which case would you probably NOT use the Slang term "knock 'em dead"?

a. Your friend is going to have a job interview.
b. Your neighbor is fighting with her husband.
c. Your colleague is going to make a sales presentation.
d. Your classmate is going to make a speech in class.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. What do you know about the Germanic tribes of Europe, and their role in the downfall (the end) of the Roman Empire?
2. have you seen any of Elizabeth Taylor's movies? Find a picture of her. What do you think of her looks?
3. Have anarchists ever played a part in the history of your country? What is the general opinion of the idea among people you know?
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. d.

2. Irregular Verb:
a. slid
b. slides
c. slid
d. sliding
e. slide

3. Matching:
a. (2) Elizabeth Taylor; her third husband died; all other marriages ended in divorce.
b. (1) Vandals; their lands were nearby, and they married each other.
c. (2) Elizabeth Taylor; the film was "There's One Born Every Minute"; it is not well-known.
d. (3) anarchism; this is often sprayed on walls in an act of vandalism.
e. (1) Vandals; these acts are examples of "vandalism"; people who do them are called "vandals," too.
f. (3) anarchism; "an"="not"; "archos"="ruler" (actually, "first" or "prime," as in "archenemy," "archangel," or "archbishop").

4. b. It shouldn't be used literally!

NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!

  • Tip: Make real friends. In person is best, on the internet or by mail is also good. Talk about your life, your hopes and fears. Get real!
  • Proverb: A friend in need is a friend indeed: The best friend is one who helps you when you have a problem. Another might let you down.
  • Academic Vocabulary: inherent: included in, and cannot be removed. "Moving slower is inherent in growing old." "See the inherent good in all people."
  • Literature: astrology: the belief that a person's future may be seen in the stars. (Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets, etc.)
  • Art: folk: meaning "of the people," a kind of art, dance, or music. May be old, or may be done by a modern person in a traditional style.
  • Slang: blah blah blah: a rude way to say "etc." A: "I need you to finish your homework..." B: "…and do the dishes blah blah blah."
  • Geography: Yosemite: US National Park in California, has over 3.7 million visitors a year. Yosemite Valley was cut by glaciers (ice).

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Proverb is "A friend in need is a friend indeed." You would probably say this when:
a. Your doctor gives you an emergency appointment.
b. Your babysitter cancels and you have to call a friend to take care of your child.
c. Your teacher corrects your homework.
d. You have a flat tire and a stranger stops to help you.

2. Use the Academic Vocabulary word "inherent" and the related verb "to inhere" in their correct forms:
a. What sort of benefits __________ in being a lawyer?
b. Laughter is __________ in being the parent of a young child.
c. Dogs are __________ loyal.
d. When I was in school, studying all night __________ in the lifestyle.

3. Match the Literature, Art, and Geography terms below to these related ideas:
a. often "handed down"
b. preserved even before Yellowstone
c. famous for its waterfalls
d. This can often be found in newspapers.
e. Bob Dylan is famous for his songs.
f. Some people feel this is just a superstition.

(1) astrology
(2) folk
(3) Yosemite

4. The Slang term "blah blah blah" would probably NOT be used when?

a. in complaining to a coworker about something your boss said
b. in telling your teacher why you're late
c. in making fun of a gossipy friend
d. in telling your friend to stop bothering you while you study

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not? Ask some of your friends what they think.
2. Does your country or culture have an unusual folk art, like some kind of painting, weaving, dance, music, cooking, etc? Describe it.
3. Look for some pictures of Yosemite National Park online. What do you think? Does your country have national parks? Have you been tone? Which would you like to go to?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. b.

2. Academic Vocabulary:
a. inhere
b. inherent
c. inherently
d. inhered

3. Matching:
a. (2) folk; folk traditions are usually "handed down," passed from one generation to the next.
b. (3) Yosemite; Abraham Lincoln made a land grant to preserve the Yosemite in 1864, but Yellowstone was the first place to become a national park, in 1872.
c. (3) Yosemite; there are over 20 waterfalls, the highest being Horsetail Fall at 2,100 feet (640 meters).
d. (1) astrology; many newspapers have a daily astrology column.
e. (2) folk; Dylan is a folksinger.
f. (1) astrology; there is no science to support the idea.

4. b. Can you imagine? "First my alarm didn't go off, then I missed the bus, and blah blah blah..." Not very convincing!

NOTES:
  1. Academic Vocabulary is the Academic Word List from Oxford University Press. This is "a list of words that you are likely to meet if you study at an English-speaking university."
  2. The Proverb, and the Literature, Art, and Geography words are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  3. The Tip and Slang words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.


This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Monday, Mar. 26, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!

  • Science: boiling and freezing points: temperatures at which water becomes steam (100C/212F) and ice (0C/32F).
  • Language Study: rhetorical question: question meant to say something, not get an answer; "Why does this always happen to me?" means "I have bad luck."
  • Business: tycoon: a rich, powerful person in a particular business or industry. Rupert Murdoch is a famous media tycoon.
  • Literature: Jean-Paul Sartre: (1905-1980) French writer of Existentialism, idea that the only meaning in life is the meaning we find for ourselves.
  • New Words: capoeira: a Brazilian martial art that includes dance and music, with roots among African Brazilians.
  • Slang: look at something: may mean "think about" or "consider." "Some rich people share their money with others; look at Bill Gates."
  • Modern History: Irish potato famine: 1845-1852 time of suffering in Ireland. Disease killed the potato crop; about a million died, and a million left.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's New Word is "capoeira." Which of these is NOT related to this?
a. Chinese kung fu
b. a cup of tea
c. the samba
d. the Portuguese language

2. Today's Language Study term is "rhetorical question." Which of these is probably NOT a rhetorical question?
a. When you have to leave a friend's house: "Where does the time go?"
b. When you have eaten a delicious meal: "Wasn't that the best meal you ever had?"
c. When you want to know the time: "What time is it?"
d. When you want someone to be quiet: "Why don't you just shut up?"
e. When your boss asks you to work late: "Why not?"

3. Match the Science, Literature, and Modern History terms below to these related ideas:
a. resulted in the loss of 20-25% of the population
b. was offered the Nobel Prize in Literature (1964) but did not accept it
c. higher or lower when salt is added
d. one-third of the population lost their staple
e. changes with air pressure
f. wrote plays, novels, and philosophy books

(1) boiling and freezing points
(2) Jean-Paul Sartre
(3) Irish potato famine

4. Mark "T" if "look at something" in the sentence is used like the Slang term; mark "F" if it means literally to "look."

a. I made this for you, Mommy; look at my painting.
b. Sometimes progress is made very quickly; look at China since 1980.
c. Learning doesn't have to be difficult; look at all the education games out there.
d. There's something wrong with my car; look at the door.

5. Today's Business term is "tycoon." What kind of tycoon is each of tehse people?
a. Bill Gates
b. Ralph Lauren
c. Sam Walton
d. Steve Wynn

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Ice, water, steam. What is the "state" of each of these called? Can you name some other examples of things in these states?
2. A famous quotation from Sartre is: "Hell is other people." What do you think he meant by this? Look up some other quotations from Sartre and see if you can imagine what kind of man he was. Was he cheerful? Blue? Calm? See what you can find.
3. The potato was THE staple food for many Irish people. What is your staple food? Have there ever been problems with the supply in your country/area? What would happen if the supply were destroyed?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. b. a cup of tea. Chinese kung fu is another "martial art"; the samba is a Brazilian dance; Portuguese is the language of Brazil.

2. Language Study term: c. The others mean:
a. The time has passed quickly.
b. That was a good meal.
d. I want you to be quiet.
e. Yes, of course.

3. Matching:
a. (3) Irish potato famine; as mentioned, many died, and many more moved to other countries.
b. (2) Jean-Paul Sartre; he said "a writer should not allow himself to be turned into an institution."
c. (1) boiling and freezing points; boiling is higher and freezing is lower when something is in the water.
d. (3) Irish potato famine; the "staple" or "staple crop" is the main food used by a group, as rice is in much of Asia, or wheat in many areas of America.
e. (1) boiling and freezing points; this is the idea behind pressure cookers; it's also why water usually takes longer to boil at high altitudes (as up in the mountains).
f. (2) Jean-Paul Sartre; "Nausea" is a famous novel, "No Exit" a famous play.

4. a. F; b. T; c. T; d. F

5. Business term:
a. software tycoon
b. fashion tycoon
c. retail tycoon
d. casino tycoon

NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Sunday, Mar. 25, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Link: Pronunciation practice (LOTS of it): http://www.manythings.org/pp/
  • Ancient History: Spanish Inquisition: a court in the Roman Catholic Church in Spain in the Middle Ages which examined people for correct beliefs.
  • Irregular Verbs: My team usually beats its opponents. We beat Central University yesterday. We have beaten them many times.
  • Idiom: beat around the bush: avoid saying something. "Tell me the truth! Stop beating around the bush!"
  • Pop Culture: Woodstock: a 3-day rock music festival held in New York state in 1969. There were 32 acts, and about 500,000 people in the audience.
  • Slang: It kind of snuck up on me: I wasn't ready for it. A: "Where's my birthday present?" B: "Sorry; your birthday kind of snuck up on me."
  • Government: smoke-filled room: a term for secret political meetings and actions outside of the public's knowledge

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Idiom is "beat around the bush." You would probably use this when:
a. someone has damaged your garden.
b. someone is saying, "Um... er... ah..."
c. someone won a game.
d. someone wants to buy you flowers.

2. Use the correct form of the Irregular Verb "beat" in these sentences:
a. There's an old saying, "It's no use __________ a dead horse."
b. We have to __________ ABC Company if we want to be Number One.
c. The Cougars have __________ us every time we've played them.
d. I don't like playing cards with my dad; he __________ me every time!
e. They __________ us once; don't let them do it again!

3. Match the Ancient History, Pop Culture, and Government terms below to these related ideas:
a. the first one recorded was at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago in 1920.
b. It was aimed especially at Jews and Muslims, or those who converted from those religions.
c. Although it may be from cigars, it also symbolizes "hiding."
d. It may have been an effort to localize control.
e. Joni Mitchell wrote a song about it.
f. The place belonged to a farmer named Max Yasgur.

(1) Spanish Inquisition
(2) Woodstock
(3) smoke-filled room

4. In which case would you use the Slang term "It kind of snuck up on me"?

a. Your boss caught you sleeping.
b. You forgot the deadline for a report, and it's due soon.
c. You're planning to go to lunch with your friends.
d. It's Christmas, and your tree is already decorated.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Learn something about the Spanish Inquisition. How long did it last? How many people were affected?
2. Find out more about Woodstock. Who performed there? What songs did they sing?
3. Is there anything like a "smoke-filled room" in the politics of your country? What is it, exactly?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. b. You would say something like, "Don't beat around the bush! Get to the point!"

2. Irregular Verb:
a. beating
b. beat
c. beaten
d. beats
e. beat

3. Matching:
a. (3) smoke-filled room; it arranged to have Warren G. Harding nominated as Republican candidate for president.
b. (1) Spanish Inquisition; some Jewish and Muslim people had become Catholics, but the Church was suspicious about them truly believing. The Inquisition was to test their faith.
c. (3) smoke-filled room; powerful men in those days smoked cigars, but "smoke" also makes us think of something being hidden.
d. (1) Spanish Inquisition; some say that by creating the Inquisition in Spain, the king was limiting the power of the Pope, leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
e. (2) Woodstock; it was later performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Matthews Southern Comfort.
f. (2) Woodstock; Max Yasgur was paid an unknown amount for the use of his land, but it cost him far more than he made. Some see him as a hero of the "hippie movement."

4. b.

NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Saturday, Mar. 24, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Tip: Use English for everyday tasks. Make your shopping and "to do" lists, reminders, and other notes in English.
  • Proverb: Never say die: Never give up. A: "I don't know if I can finish this project." B: "Never say die!"
  • Academic Vocabulary: straightforward: easy; honest, direct. "I need your straightforward opinion." "Using this telephone is very straightforward."
  • Literature: original sin: The idea that, because Adam and Eve (the first people) did wrong, all humans are born separated from God.
  • Art: barbershop quartet: group singing "a cappella" in four parts ("lead," tenor, baritone, bass). A fun, old-fashioned style of music.
  • Slang: Much: sometimes, a joke. A: "I wrecked the car! My dad will be so mad." B: "Don't worry. He won't kill you. Much."
  • Geography: Myanmar: also "Burma," country near Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Thailand; has one of least-developed economies in the world.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Proverb is "Never say die." You would probably NOT say this when:
a. someone talks about his grandfather's ill health.
b. someone is having trouble at work.
c. someone wants to stop training for an athletic event.
d. someone is thinking about giving up college.

2. Use the Academic Vocabulary word "straightforward" in its correct form (use a dictionary to see other forms):
a. I would appreciate a __________ answer to my question.
b. Answer the question __________ or I will have to ask someone else.
c. Because you were __________ with me last time, I can't trust you in the future.
d. If you can't be __________ with me, there's no sense discussing anything.
e. I appreciate your __________.

3. Match the Literature, Art, and Geography terms below to these related ideas:
a. A group of women that does this is called the "Sweet Adelines."
b. This is why some people think babies must be baptized.
c. The two names refer to the same ethnic group.
d. Some believe Jesus came to take care of this.
e. Ranks 161 of 181 on some lists.
f. The leading organization is called the SPEBSQSA.

(1) original sin
(2) barbershop quartet
(3) Myanmar

4. Today's Slang term is "Much." It has other meanings besides the one given. Rewrite the sentences below using "much."

a. A lot of his time is spent reading.
b. I ate more than I should have; now my stomach hurts.
c. There's only a little money in my bank account.
d. My dad bragged about me when I was born.
e. He isn't handsome, but he's a nice guy.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Do you believe in "original sin"? Why or why not? If not, does the idea make any sense to you?
2. Try to find some barbershop singing online. (Try searching for "barbershop quartet mp3.") Do you like it? Why or why not?
3. What do you know about Myanmar? What can you find out?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. a. We don't use this to talk about actual dying!

2. Academic Vocabulary:
a. straightforward
b. straightforwardly
c. unstraightforward
d. straightforward
e. straightforwardness

3. Matching:
a. (2) barbershop quartet; "Sweet Adeline" is the name of one famous barbershop quartet song.
b. (1) original sin; if we are sinners even at birth, then some people think baptizing babies will keep them from going to hell. ("Baptizing" is putting water on them to make them Christians.)
c. (3) Myanmar; "Burma" comes from the name of the Bamar people, who make up about 2/3 of the people in the country; "Myanmar" is a literary form of their name.
d. (1) original sin; some think that believing in Jesus takes away original sin.
e. (3) Myanmar; their GDP per capita (a measure of average income per person) is one of the world's lowest, at 161 of 181 on the IMF's list in 2011.
f. (2) barbershop quartet; this stands for the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, (Inc.).

4. Slang term:
a. Much of his time is spent reading.
b. I ate too much; now my stomach hurts.
c. There isn't much money in my bank account.
d. My dad made much of me when I was born.
e. He isn't much to look at, but he's a nice guy.

NOTES:
  1. Academic Vocabulary is the Academic Word List from Oxford University Press. This is "a list of words that you are likely to meet if you study at an English-speaking university."
  2. The Proverb, and the Literature, Art, and Geography words are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
  3. The Tip and Slang words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Friday, Mar. 23, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Science: chlorophyll: the stuff that makes plants green. It turns the sun's light into energy used by plants and the animals who eat them.
  • Language Study: reflexive pronoun: pronoun with "-self" or "-selves" showing action toward oneself. "She hurt herself"; "They got themselves lost."
  • Business: stake: share of ownership in a company. "Steve's $50,000 gives him a 20% stake in ABC Company." Also, the money: His stake was $50,000.
  • Literature: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: 1884 novel by American author Mark Twain, takes a close look at social ideas of the time.
  • New Words: bajillion: An imaginary large number (sounds like million, billion, trillion, etc.) "I'm so busy! I have a bajillion things to do!"
  • Slang: creepy: giving a bad or scary feeling. "My new teacher is ugly, he smells bad, and he always smiles at me. It's kind of creepy."
  • Modern History: Salem witch trials: 1692-1693 trials and executions of mostly girls considered witches in Salem and other villages in Massachusetts.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's New Word is "bajillion." Use "million," "billion," "trillion," and "bajillion" in one of each of the following sentences.
a. There are around seven __________ people living in the world today.
b. There are about 312 __________ living in the U.S.
c. There are about a __________ reasons to stop smoking.
d. The U.S. National debt is over 15 __________ dollars.

2. Today's Language Study term is "reflexive pronoun." Use the correct reflexive pronoun in each of the following sentences.
a. He had to excuse __________ to answer his mobile phone.
b. A problem will sometimes take care of __________ if you leave it alone.
c. One must sometimes embarrass __________ in order to avoid embarrassing others.
d. We had to congratulate __________ when we reached the top of the mountain.
e. If I forget my father's birthday, I'll never forgive __________.

3. Match the Science, Literature, and Modern History terms below to these related ideas:
a. essential for photosynthesis
b. sometimes criticized for its use of racial terms
c. probably caused by mass hysteria
d. a term like this is still used to describe unfair treatment by government authorities
e. a sequel to "Tom Sawyer"
f. mushrooms don't have it

(1) chlorophyll
(2) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
(3) Salem witch trials

4. Which of these could NOT be described by the Slang term "creepy"?

a. Your computer suddenly speaking to you--and using your name.
b. Your neighbor standing outside your front door--every time you open it.
c. A dog howling in the night.
d. A friendly, handsome guy (if you’re a woman) or pretty girl (if you’re a man) asking for your phone number.

5. Today's Business term is "stake." This is a noun; it can also be a verb. Use the proper noun OR verb form in each of the following sentences.
a. You can make more money at poker when the __________ are higher.
b. Would you mind __________ my business?
c. I once __________ a new enterprise, but it failed and I lost everything.
d. If I hadn't __________ that business, I'd still have money in the bank.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. In the 1950s, it was claimed that chlorophyll could make your breath smell better. Do some research and find out if this is true.
2. Read a little bit of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (easily found online). What do you notice about the language? Why do you think Twain wrote it this way?
3. Arthur Miller wrote a play about the Salem witch trials called "The Crucible." Read a little about it; what was Miller criticizing? What is the connection?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. a. billion; b. million; c. bajillion; d. trillion

2. Language Study term: a. himself; b. itself; c. oneself; d. ourselves; e. myself

3. Matching:
a. (1) chlorophyll; photosynthesis is the process of turning carbon dioxide, water, and salts into sugar, using the sun's light for energy
b. (2) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; in the book, Mark Twain examined attitudes toward blacks in his time. One character in the book, Jim, is an escaped slave, and people refer to him using the word "nigger," a word which it is now not acceptable to use, but it was common in that time.
c. (3) Salem witch trials; the best theory of why the people in Salem were all behaving strangely is that the were caught in "mass hysteria," where a group of people have a strange psychological effect on each other.
d. (3) Salem witch trials; when a government or other authority unfairly attacks someone, it's called a "witch hunt."
e. (2) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; Huck Finn is a friend of Tom Sawyer, and appears first in that book (also by Mark Twain).
f. (1) chlorophyll; mushrooms are a fungus, not a green plant, and grow in the dark.

4. d.

5. Business term: a. stakes; b. staking; c. staked; d. staked


NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons from Thursday, Mar. 22, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Link: Idioms quizzes (printable!): http://www.englishclub.com/ref/Idioms/Quizzes/index.htm
  • Ancient History: Constantinople: old name for Ä°stanbul, Turkey. Once capital of Eastern Roman Empire, as Rome was capital of the West.
  • Irregular Verbs: Never forsake your duties. My friend forsook his last week and got fired. I have never forsaken mine.
  • Idiom: forty winks: a short sleep. "Call me in twenty minutes; I'm going to catch forty winks."
  • Pop Culture: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game": a song about baseball, usually sung at professional games in America.
  • Slang: chin up: don't be discouraged. A: "I failed the test." B: "Chin up! Study hard and you'll pass the next one."
  • Government: colonialism: when the government of one place claims to own another place, and holds power over that place's people.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Idiom is "forty winks." You would probably use this to describe:
a. a short sleep in your office during lunch
b. flirting with a girl or boy
c. sleeping all night
d. what a bear does in winter

2. Use the correct form of the Irregular Verb "forsake" in these sentences:
a. Tony __________ all other women when he married Jane.
b. I have been __________ my duties lately; I need to be more diligent!
c. It's a bad father who __________ his children.
d. I may live far from home, but I have never __________ my parents.
e. Do not __________ your family for any reason.

3. Match the Ancient History, Pop Culture, and Government terms below to these related ideas:
a. named for the Roman emperor Constantine (272-337AD)
b. common from the late 15th to the 20th century
c. says "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack"
d. also called "the New Rome"
e. from the Latin word for "a settler"
f. sung during the so-called "seventh-inning stretch"

(1) Constantinople
(2) "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
(3) colonialism

4. Mark "T" for sentences where you might answer "Chin up!" and "F" for those you would not.

a. I'm getting married.
b. I'm working too hard.
c. I'm worried about a doctor's appointment.
d. I'm graduating next month.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. First Byzantium, then Constantinople, now Istanbul. Briefly trace the history of this fascinating city.
2. Learn to sing the entire song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (you can find a sound file on Wikipedia).
3. Was your country ever a colony? Has it ever had colonies? If not, are there colonies or former colonies near your country? Learn a little about your country's history!

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. a.

2. Irregular Verb:
a. forsook
b. forsaking
c. forsakes
d. forsaken
e. forsake

3. Matching:
a. (1) Constantinople; Constantine became a Christian, which led to the success of Christianity in Europe.
b. (3) colonialism; this period was called the "colonial period," when many European countries (and later America) were acquiring colonies in other parts of the world.
c. (2) "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"; the next line is "I don't care if I never get back." ("Cracker jack" is a caramel popcorn candy.)
d. (1) Constantinople; this is because Constantine relocated the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople (formerly Byzantium).
e. (3) colonialism; a "colonus" was a "husbandman, tenant farmer, settler in new land." The place settled is called a "colony."
f. (2) "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"; each round of play in baseball is called an "inning." There are usually nine of these; the "seventh-inning stretch" is a time for viewers to stand up and stretch late in the game, and for the teams to take a short break.

4. a. F; b. T; c. T; d. F


NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012



These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Tip: Have fun. Schools can make English seem boring, but if you use it to do fun things, you'll feel better about it!
  • Proverb: The show must go on: Even if you have had trouble, you must go ahead with your life. An actor who is sick still has to do his job.
  • Academic Vocabulary: notwithstanding: not affected by. "We had our picnic, the rain notwithstanding." "I'm not hungry; notwithstanding that, I'll eat."
  • Literature: Fountain of Youth: a spring of water in a story that can make one who drinks it young again. Spanish thought it was in Florida, USA.
  • Art: anthropology: the study of humankind. Cultural anthropology includes cultural efforts such as art and music.
  • Slang: the weatherman: the news report. A: "Are we still going hiking tomorrow?" B: "That depends on the weatherman."
  • Geography: Ho Chi Minh City: formerly Saigon, the largest city in Vietnam, called "Paris in the Orient," "the Pearl of the Orient."

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Proverb is "The show must go on." You would probably say this when:
a. a movie goes on for too long.
b. your TV isn't working because the electricity is off.
c. your partner can't make it to a presentation, but the clients are ready.
d. a live drama (a "play") is canceled.

2. Use the Academic Vocabulary word "notwithstanding" to revise each of these sentences.

EXAMPLE: She got a sunburn even though she used suntan lotion.
ANSWER: Suntan lotion notwithstanding, she (still) got a sunburn.

a. We still have to do what we think is best, regardless of the law.
b. She married him despite her mother's words.
c. I hated him even with him being my wife's cousin notwithstanding.
d. You can still guess the basic story, even without the details.
e. I went dancing anyway, even though my foot was sore.

3. Match the Literature, Art, and Geography terms below to these related ideas:
a. it was a French capital
b. it was used in the fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie
c. the root word is Greek for "human"
d. it can include examining old bones
e. it is named for a national leader
f. the man who searched was Juan Ponce de Leon

(1) Fountain of Youth
(2) anthropology
(3) Ho Chi Minh City

4. In which sentence does the Slang term "weatherman" probably mean "the weather report"?

a. My cousin is a weatherman on TV.
b. I always check the weatherman before I leave for work, in case I need an umbrella.
c. Another word for "weatherman" is "meteorologist."
d. I wonder how many years you have to go to university to become a weatherman?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Look up the legend of The Fountain of Youth. Did people really believe in it? Why do you think they could do so?
2. Anthropology has many branches. Find out what some of them are, and talk about the differences.
3. Find some basic facts about Ho Chi Minh City. How many people live there? What is its area? Its elevation? When was it founded? What is its history (briefly)? What do we call a person from there in English (as a person from New York is called a "New Yorker")?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. c. It means, "You should still make the presentation, even without your partner."

2. Academic Vocabulary:
NOTE: All answers may be in any of these forms:

I. A notwithstanding, B HAPPENED.
II. Notwithstanding A, B HAPPENED.
III. B HAPPENED, A notwithstanding.

I have given all answers in form I only; you may also express them in forms II or III.

a. The law notwithstanding, we still have to do what we think is best.
b. Her mother's words notwithstanding, she married him.
c. His being my wife's cousin notwithstanding, I hated him.
d. The details notwithstanding, you can still guess the basic story.
e. My sore foot notwithstanding, I went dancing anyway.

3. Matching:
a. (3) Ho Chi Minh City; it was capital of the French colony of Cochinchina from 1862 to 1954.
b. (1) the Fountain of Youth; "On Stranger Tides," the fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, is based on the search.
c. (2) anthropology; "anthropos" is the Greek word for "man" or "human"
d. (2) anthropology; physical anthropology can include examining old human bones, or modern human bones, such as in criminal investigations.
e. (3) Ho Chi Minh City; Ho Chi Minh was president of North Vietnam; when the country was unified (after his death) Saigon was named after him.
f. (1) the Fountain of Youth; the legend says that Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer, looked for it, but this story was created after he died.

4. b. The others (a, c, d) are referring to an actual person.


NOTES:
  1. Academic Vocabulary is the Academic Word List from Oxford University Press. This is "a list of words that you are likely to meet if you study at an English-speaking university."

  2. The Proverb, and the Literature, Art, and Geography words are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  3. The Tip and Slang words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012

I'm trying something new! Instead of a separate lesson, today's lesson will be exercises based on the Mini-Lessons. Let me know if you like it!
These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Science: Thomas A. Edison: (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman who developed the phonograph, movie camera, and electric light bulb.
  • Language Study: copyright: legal ownership of a book, story, song, etc. "You cannot republish a new book without permission from the copyright holder."
  • Business: minimum wage: the least a boss can pay a worker, according to law. Minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25 per hour; higher in some states.
  • Literature: prayer wheel: a kind of drum with the prayer "Om Mani Padme Hum" written on outside. One turn = one prayer.
  • New Words: dark matter: a material that scientists think makes up 83% of the universe, but cannot be seen because of the way it responds to light.
  • Slang: that ___ isn't going to ___ itself: tells someone a reason to do something. "Get to work! That room isn't going to clean itself."
  • Modern History: Black Hole of Calcutta: a jail in a fort in India where a prisoner reported 123 of 146 British prisoners died in one night in 1756.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's New Word is "dark matter." Which of these is NOT true?
a. Dark matter does not emit or absorb light.
b. Scientists agree that it exists.
c. It's true nature is unknown.
d. It was first talked about in the 1930s.

2. Today's Language Study term is "copyright." Which of these can NOT be copyrighted?
a. ideas and information
b. books
c. paintings
d. software
e. television news shows

3. Match the Science, Literature, and Modern History terms below to these related ideas:
a. what, exactly, happened is not 100% certain
b. was deaf from childhood
c. saying means something like "the jewel in the lotus"
d. mostly involved with electricity
e. was 14 by 18 feet (4.3 × 5.5 m) in size
f. largely associated with Tibet

(1) Thomas A. Edison
(2) prayer wheel
(3) Black Hole of Calcutta

4. Supply words to make the Slang term "that ___ isn't going to ___ itself" useful in these situations:

a. your child keeps forgetting to turn off the light in his room
b. you want your husband to wash the car, and instead he's watching TV
c. you want to finish writing your school paper after taking a break
d. you want your employee to work harder to sell your products, called "widgets"

5. Today's Business term is "minimum wage." Which of these is probably a "minimum-wage job"?
a. managing an office
b. working at McDonalds
c. repairing cars
d. teaching English

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Thomas Edison was brilliant, but he also had some difficulties. What were they? How did they affect his success?
2. How many different types of prayer wheel are there? Do you think some of the newer forms (electrical, digital) are useful?
3. Where is Calcutta? What led to the imprisonment of the men in the "Black Hole"?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. b. Some scientists think there are other causes for the effects that others explain as the result of dark matter.

2. a. Copyright laws protect specific works, but not the ideas and information in them. You may say, "According to Smith's book" etc., but you may not publish Smith's book, or large parts of it.

3. Matching:
a. (3) Black Hole of Calcutta; the original story was based on one man's report; many have disagreed with what he said.
b. (1) Thomas A. Edison; it may have been caused by a childhood disease
c. (2) prayer wheel; "mani" means "jewel," and "padme" means "lotus."
d. (1) Thomas A. Edison; many of his inventions centered on the telegraph, electric light, phonograph, and so on.
e. (3) Black Hole of Calcutta; according to the first account, 65-70 of the 146 in that space were British soldiers; the others were their Indian allies.
f. (2) prayer wheel; the first reported was in Ladakh, but these days most people think of Tibet when they see them.

4.
a. That light isn't going to turn itself off!
b. That car isn't going to wash itself!
c. That paper isn't going to write itself!
d. Those widgets aren't going to sell themselves!

5. b.


NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Monday, Mar. 19, 2012

I'm trying something new! Instead of a separate lesson, today's lesson will be exercises based on the Mini-Lessons. Let me know if you like it!
These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Link: Grammar practice, all kinds: http://www.english-4u.de/grammar_exercises.htm
  • Ancient History: guilds: workers' groups (stonecutters, glassmakers, etc.) in Europe in the Middle Ages, similar to labor unions today.
  • Irregular Verbs: Some people spit on the sidewalk. One spat in front of me yesterday. I have never spat in public.
  • Idiom: pull strings: get something through inside connections. "My friend at the cinema pulled some strings and got me free movie tickets."
  • Pop Culture: musical: or "musical comedy," a play or movie in which songs are sung as part of the story, like "The Sound of Music."
  • Slang: Good thinkin', Abe Lincoln: That's a good idea. A: "I'm going to get a job this summer." B: "Good thinkin', Abe Lincoln."
  • Government: A man's home is his castle: an idea of personal privacy, especially popular in England and America. Some laws are based on this idea.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Idiom is "pull strings." You would probably NOT use this to describe:
a. your boss giving you a well-earned bonus.
b. your cousin giving you "free samples" of his company's product.
c. your doctor asking a colleague a favor to get you an earlier appointment in her office.
d. your friend, a policeman, asking his boss informally to get your traffic ticket erased.

2. Use the correct form of the Irregular Verb "spit" in these sentences:
a. __________ in public can cause health problems.
b. If you have something terrible in your mouth, you may __________ it into your napkin.
c. The man in front of us __________ three times in the past five minutes, and may spit more.
d. Ew! You __________! That's gross (disgusting)!
e. __________ you ever __________ in public?

3. Match the Ancient History, Pop Culture, and Government terms below to these related ideas:
a. there are some recent ones about high school kids
b. no one can tell you what color to paint it (usually)
c. usually, police cannot enter without permission
d. would sometimes share expensive tools
e. probably began as opera
f. would label a person "apprentice," "journeyman," or "master"

(1) guilds
(2) musical
(3) A man's home is his castle

4. After which sentence would you probably NOT use the Slang term "Good thinkin', Abe Lincoln"?

a. "I finally realized: smoking cigarettes can kill me!"
b. "I should be nicer to my parents; they gave me everything."
c. "If I study harder, I'll get better grades."
d. "I don't think it's that dangerous to drink and drive; I do it all the time."

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. The ancient guilds are a little like modern unions. How are they the same? How are they different?
2. How many musicals have you seen in English? Which is your favorite? Why? If you haven't seen any musicals, which ones would you like to see?
3. Does your country have a principle like "A man's home is his castle"? If so, how is it applied? If not, what is the principle in your country?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. a

2. Irregular Verb:
a. spitting
b. spit
c. has spat
d. spat
e. have, spat
NOTE: In fact, some North Americans use "spit" for the past and past participle: spit, spit, spit, spitting. But "spat" is more proper.

3. Matching:
a. (2) musical; "High School Musical" is a popular film series
b. (3) A man's home is his castle; except in some communities with special rules, a person is free to change his house's appearance to suit his tastes
c. (3) A man's home is his castle; except with special permission from a court (a "warrant"), or in case of emergency, police cannot enter homes in some countries.
d. (1) guilds; a workman would usually have his own tools, but some special ones might be shared through the guild
e. (2) musical; operas were all music; then came operetta; and now musicals
f. (1) guilds; there was a system of trainees ("apprentices"), then those who could take on jobs themselves ("journeymen") and finally those who could hire and teach apprentices ("masters").

4. d


NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Sunday, Mar. 18, 2012

I'm trying something new! Instead of a separate lesson, today's lesson will be exercises based on the Mini-Lessons. Let me know if you like it!
These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Tip: Learn words in "chunks." Look for fixed phrases, sentences, etc. Words are good, but sentences are better!
  • Proverb: All's well that ends well: Even if things didn't go perfectly, if things turn out the way you wanted, you should be satisfied.
  • Academic Vocabulary: analogy: comparison. "He made an analogy between brains and computers." "Birds' wings are analogous to people's arms."
  • Literature: Abraham and Isaac: father and son in Bible. Abraham agrees to kill Isaac when God tells him to, but then God says he doesn't have to.
  • Art: perspective: a way of making a flat image look three-dimensional, like painting things smaller that are supposed to be farther away.
  • Slang: right?: asks if someone agrees. "The party's tonight. You're coming, right?"
  • Geography: Liechtenstein: very small country in Europe, between Switzerland and Austria, with one of the world's highest GDPs per person.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Proverb is "All's well that ends well." You would probably NOT say this when:
a. you found your keys after losing them.
b. you traveled home in bad weather.
c. you had a difficult time making a sale, but finally did it.
d. you ate dinner with a friend.

2. Use the Academic Vocabulary word "analogy" in its correct form:
a. There are several good __________ for describing the relationship between a nation and its people.
b. One __________ would be that the nation is a parent: a mother or father.
c. In that case, the citizens would be __________ to brothers and sisters.
d. I don't think the __________ of nation as a zoo would be a nice one, though.
e. (DIFFICULT!) Is your watch digital or __________?

3. Match the Literature, Art, and Geography terms below to these related ideas:
a. "primitive" works lack this
b. another word for this is " a way of seeing things"
c. speaks German
d. a story of obedience
e. about twice the size of Hong Kong Island
f. a ram (a male sheep or goat) takes someone's place

(1) Abraham and Isaac
(2) perspective
(3) Liechtenstein

4. Which of these means something DIFFERENT from the Slang term "right?"

a. He's your friend, for sure.
b. He's your friend, isn't he?
c. He's your friend, ya know?
d. He's your friend, I guess.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. Read the story of Abraham and Isaac. What meanings can you find in it?
2. Find some examples of perspective in paintings in books or online. Can you see how it "tricks" the eye?
3. Read a little about the history of Lichtenstein. How did it manage to survive as such a small country, surrounded by "giants"?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. d.

2. Academic Vocabulary:
a. analogies (the plural of "analogy")
b. analogy
c. analogous (the adjective form of "analogy")
d. analogy
e. analog (the way a watch's hands move is like an analogy for the passing of time; a dial like that is considered "analog" instead of "digital," like a watch that shows only numbers without a dial)

3. Matching:
a. (2) perspective; the technique as we know it was developed in the Renaissance
b. (2) perspective; for example, "men and women often have different perspectives" (ways of seeing things).
c. (3) Liechtenstein; German is the only official language
d. (1) Abraham and Isaac; this story shows Abraham obeying God exactly
e. (3) Liechtenstein; the area is 160.475 square kilometers (61.960 square miles); Hong Kong Island is 80.5 square kilometers (31.08 square miles)
f. (1) Abraham and Isaac; God supplies a ram to be killed instead of Isaac

4. a. It's "sure"; the others express some doubt.


NOTES:
  1. Academic Vocabulary is the Academic Word List from Oxford University Press. This is "a list of words that you are likely to meet if you study at an English-speaking university."

  2. The Proverb, and the Literature, Art, and Geography words are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  3. The Tip and Slang words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Saturday, Mar. 17, 2012

I'm trying something new! Instead of a separate lesson, today's lesson will be exercises based on the Mini-Lessons. Let me know if you like it!
These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Science: organism: a living thing (animal, plant fungus, etc.) that can reproduce, grow, respond to outside events, etc.
  • Language Study: gerund: a noun that looks like a verb with "-ing." In "He is swimming," "swimming" is a verb. In "I like swimming" it's a gerund noun.
  • Business: currency: the money used by a certain country; the U.S. dollar in the U.S.; the renminbi in China; the yen in Japan; etc.
  • Literature: "O Captain, My Captain": poem by American poet Walt Whitman about death of Abraham Lincoln. Made popular in film "Dead Poets Society."
  • New Words: landline: a fixed-line telephone, unlike the mobile telephone. "I'll be in my office; call my landline."
  • Slang: Mind if I _____?: asks permission to do something. Proper "ok" answer includes "no," as in "Not at all."
  • Modern History: Watergate: a political scandal in the U.S. in the 1970s. Then-president Nixon's men broke into an office; Nixon later resigned.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's New Word is "landline." Which of these is NOT an example of this?
a. the phone on your office desk
b. the phone you put coins in (a payphone)
c. the phone in your pocket
d. the phone in your kitchen at home

2. Today's Language Study term is "gerund." What is the gerund form (properly spelled) for each of these verbs:
a. run
b. walk
c. sit
d. stand
e. hike

3. Match the Science, Literature, and Modern History terms below to these related ideas:
a. This all happened at the end of the American Civil War
b. a tree is; a piece of wood isn't
c. compares the country to a ship, and a president to its leader
d. has given its name to many events since then
e. some people say the entire earth is one (but not really)
f. actually, the name of a hotel

(1) organism
(2) "O Captain, My Captain"
(3) Watergate

4. If you want the person to sit down, how would you answer these questions (yes or no)?

a. May I sit here?
b. Mind if I sit here?
c. Is this seat taken?
d. Is it OK if I sit here?

5. Today's Business term is "currency." What do you call the currency for each country below?
a. Australia
b. France
c. The United Kingdom
d. India
e. Russia

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. What is the smallest known organism? The largest?
2. What is the name of Walt Whitman's main work? Read a poem or two from it.
3. What do you know about President Nixon and the Watergate scandal? (It changed American history.)

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. c. This is called a "mobile phone" or "cell phone."

2. a. running; b. walking; c. sitting; d. standing; e. hiking (be careful of spelling on a, c, and e!)

3. Matching:
a. (2) "O Captain, My Captain"; Lincoln was shot just after the American Civil War ended.
b. (1) organism; a tree is alive; a piece of wood is part of a tree's remains
c. (2) "O Captain, My Captain"; Whitman's poem says Lincoln brought "the ship" (the country) safely "to shore," meaning he led the country safely through the Civil War.
d. (3) Watergate; other political scandals in the US and some other countries have been called "Something-gate."
e. (1) organism; this is called the "Gaia Theory." It's a way of talking about the earth's system of life, but it's not really scientific.
f. (3) Watergate; the building Nixon's men broke into was the Watergate Hotel

4. a. yes (you may); b. no (I don't mind); c. no (it's not taken); d. yes (it's OK)

5. a. Australian dollar (AUD); b. Euro (EUR) (formerly the French franc); c. Pound sterling (GBP); d. Indian rupee (INR); e. Ruble (RUB)

NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Friday, Mar. 16, 2012

I'm trying something new! Instead of a separate lesson, today's lesson will be exercises based on the Mini-Lessons. Let me know if you like it!

These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends. Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Link: Fun vocabulary quizzes, all levels: http://www.englishclub.com/esl-quizzes/vocabulary-quizzes.htm
  • Ancient History: Caesar: title for Roman leaders (like "king"). Originally the name of Julius Caesar (100–44 BC), who is often called simply "Caesar."
  • Irregular Verbs: I come to class prepared every day. I came prepared yesterday. I have come prepared many times.
  • Idiom: ad nauseam: until it makes one sick. "My teacher repeats himself ad nauseam."
  • Pop Culture: Peeping Tom: originally a man in a story who looked at a lady when he shouldn't, now someone who looks in people's windows at night.
  • Slang: all that: and so on. "She likes cake, cookies, candy, and all that."
  • Government: terrorism: actions meant to scare people so a government will change its way of doing things.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Idiom is "ad nauseam." You would probably use this when:
a. you are feeling carsick (ill from riding in a car).
b. something has happened so many times that you can't stand it anymore.
c. you are in the hospital.
d. your teacher feels sick.

2. Use the correct form of the Irregular Verb "to come" in these sentences:
a. Can you __________ over to my house tonight?
b. I am __________ to the restaurant right now.
c. I really enjoy it when my son __________ home to visit.
d. This idea has __________ up before in our meetings.
e. When I __________ to the river, I couldn't cross it.

3. Match the Ancient History, Pop Culture, and Government terms below to these related ideas:
a. connected to the story of Lady Godiva
b. the attacks in New York on September 11, 2001
c. the words "Kaiser" and "czar" (or "tsar") come from this
d. was stabbed by friend Brutus and others
e. the legend says he went blind for looking
f. a bomb in a train station

(1) Caesar
(2) Peeping Tom
(3) terrorism

4. As stated above, the Slang term "all that" means "and so on." In which sentence does it have a DIFFERENT meaning?

a. I enjoy listening to rock and jazz and all that.
b. My friends and I enjoy wine and beer and all that.
c. Sometimes studying and all that makes me tired.
d. My girlfriend thinks she's all that.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers. You may need to do some research in your language, but then you should express your answers in English.

1. What do you know about the life of Julius Caesar? Have you read the play by Shakespeare? Look up some information and talk or write about it in English.
2. Read the story of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom. This is a legend. Why do you think people repeated this legend?
3. The word "terrorism" is not very old. Look up its history and discuss how it has changed.

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. b. It's not about actually being sick, but about something being repeated too much.

2. a. come; b. coming; c. comes; d. come; e. come

3. Matching:
a. (2) Peeping Tom; Lady Godiva is the woman at whom "Tom" peeped
b. (3) terrorism; the "911" attacks were meant to change US policy toward the Middle East
c. (1) Caesar; the "Kaiser" was a German ruler, and "czar" (or "tsar") was used in Russia
d. (1) Caesar; the story of his death is part of Shakespeare's play, "Julius Caesar"
e. (2) Peeping Tom; the blindness was his punishment, since everyone had been told NOT to look.
f. (3) terrorism; terrorist attacks often happen in crowded places

4. d. In this slang phrase, "all that" means "super," "wonderful," "the best" etc.

NOTES:
  1. The Idiom, the History and Government words, and some of the Pop Culture words, are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  2. The Link was found online; the Slang words, the Irregular Verbs, and some of the Pop Culture words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.



This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."

Mini-Lessons WITH EXERCISES from Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012

I'm trying something new! Instead of a separate lesson, today's lesson will be exercises based on the Mini-Lessons. Let me know if you like it!

These Mini-Lessons are posted on Twitter, and in China on Weibo, throughout the day. You can follow them there!

To get the most from them, you should try to use them in sentences, or discuss them with friends (see below). Writing something on Twitter or Weibo is a great way to practice!
  • Tip: Find the English around you. Look at English in signs, t-shirts, product labels, ads, and be sure you understand what they mean.
  • Proverb: Well begun is half done: If you start something properly, you will probably finish successfully. It's almost like 50% of the job!
  • Academic Vocabulary: predominant: most powerful or noticeable. "Black hair is predominant in Asian people." "The weather in Spain is predominantly sunny."
  • Literature: Quetzalcoatl: Aztec god, the "feathered serpent." In 1519 Mexicans saw Cortes the Spanish leader and thought he was Quetzalcoatl.
  • Art: quartet: a group of four musical performers. Also, music written for such a group: Beethoven's String Quartet No. 14.
  • Slang: this second: right now, or very recently. "Come here this second!" "Your timing is perfect; I just walked in this second."
  • Geography: Westminster Abbey: London church where British kings and queens are crowned; some royal weddings and some famous tombs there.

STUDY:

Read the Mini-Lessons above. Make cards and study them. When you think you know them, answer the questions below. You may have to look up some new words to answer the questions!

QUESTIONS:

1. Today's Proverb is "Well begun is half done." You would probably say this when:
a. you are driving a car.
b. you are watching TV.
c. you are teaching a child to be careful in doing something.
d. you are drinking with friends.

2. Use the Academic Vocabulary word "predominant" in its correct form:
a. ABC Company is widely admired for its __________ in its field.
b. XYZ was __________ for many years when ABC took the Number One spot.
c. ABC's business is __________ electronics manufacturing.
d. They have __________ the field for about ten years now.
e. The company that __________ is the one that makes the most money.

3. Match the Literature, Art, and Geography terms below to these related ideas:
a. might include a violin
b. a kind of snake (maybe)
c. the Beatles: John, Paul, George, and Ringo
d. the last resting place of 18 monarchs
e. well-known in ancient Mexico
f. William and Catherine were married there in 2011.

(1) Quetzalcoatl
(2) quartet
(3) Westminster Abbey

4. What does the Slang term "this second" probably mean in this sentence?

If you don't come here this second I won't give you your birthday present.

a. something on the clock
b. a moment ago
c. after first, and before third
d. as quickly as possible

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

If you can, try to talk about these questions in English with a friend. If not, try writing your answers.

1. What do you know about Mexico, its people and culture? See what you can learn online, and talk about it in English.
2. Who is your favorite quartet? Why?
3. Have you ever visited a large, famous church, temple, or other "holy place"?

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS:

1. c. This would help him or her learn to do things properly.

2. a. predominance; b. predominating; c. predominantly; d. predominated; e. predominates

3. Matching:
a. (2) quartet; a string quartet might also have a viola, cello, and bass.
b. (1) Quetzalcoatl; serpent=snake
c. (2) quartet (four musicians)
d. (3) Westminster Abbey; the most recent royal burial was that of George II, who died in October 1760!
e. (1) Quetzalcoatl
f. (3) Westminster Abbey; Prince William and his wife had the most recent royal wedding

4. d. as quickly as possible

NOTES:
  1. Academic Vocabulary is the Academic Word List from Oxford University Press. This is "a list of words that you are likely to meet if you study at an English-speaking university."

  2. The Proverb, and the Literature, Art, and Geography words are from lists in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

  3. The Tip and Slang words are from my own lists, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.


This lesson is ©2012 by James Baquet. You may share this work freely. Teachers may use it in the classroom, as long as students are told the source (URL). You may not publish this material or sell it. Please write to me if you have any questions about "fair use."