Free Daily English Lessons!: January 2012

Mini-Lessons from Tuesday, Jan. 31, 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: Grammar exercises and notes: http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/freeexercises.htm
Ancient History: Rosetta stone: stone found in Egypt (1799) with ancient Egyptian writing and translation in Greek. Made translating Egyptian possible.
Irregular Verbs: I don't bet on horse races anymore. I bet on one once and lost a lot of money. So I haven't bet on any since.
Idiom: to be macho: to act manly in a strong or exaggerated way. "Mike looks silly with his macho tattoos and leather jacket."
Pop Culture: King Kong: giant gorilla in the movies who attacks New York City, climbing the Empire State Building at the end.
Slang: everyone knows…: introduces "common knowledge," things that most people should know. "Everyone knows that 'Silence is golden.'"
Government: refugee: person who leaves his or her country for safety in times of war or other serious trouble.

NOTES:

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.
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"

The Bronze Ring (17): The Hero Falls

GET READY:

What would you do if you suddenly lost everything you had?

An old man has stolen the bronze ring.

READ THIS:

[104] Hardly had the old man reached his own house when, taking the ring, he said, "Bronze ring, obey thy master. I desire that the golden ship shall turn to black wood, and the crew to hideous negroes; that St. Nicholas shall leave the helm and that the only cargo shall be black cats."
[105] And the genii of the bronze ring obeyed him.
[106] Finding himself upon the sea in this miserable condition, the young captain understood that someone must have stolen the bronze ring from him, and he lamented his misfortune loudly; but that did him no good.
[107a] "Alas!" he said to himself, "whoever has taken my ring has probably taken my dear wife also. What good will it do me to go back to my own country?" And he sailed about from island to island, and from shore to shore, believing that wherever he went everybody was laughing at him, and very soon his poverty was so great that he and his crew and the poor black cats had nothing to eat but herbs and roots.

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. hideous: horrible-looking. frightening
b. to lament: express sadness; cry and moan
c. misfortune: bad luck
d. Alas!: a sound of hopelessness
e. poverty: condition of being poor
f. herbs: the leaves of plants used for food. In modern cooking, can be used as seasonings.

PRACTICE:

Use one of the above terms in each of the following sentences. Be sure to use the correct form.

1. I was sorry to hear about your __________.
2. I enjoy using __________ when I prepare a meal.
3. His accident left a __________ scar across his back.
4. It does no good to __________ the past; you just have to get on with your life.
5. __________ can be overcome with hard work--and a little luck.

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. The old man turned everything the gardener's son had to black: black ship, black men ("negroes"), black cats. Why do think he did that?
2. How did the gardener's son know someone had stolen the ring?
3. What is the gardener's son state of mind? What tells us this in the story?

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1 c; 2 f; 3 a; 4 b; 5 e

Mini-Lessons from Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

Tip: Discuss what you read. For school, for fun--whenever you read, talk about what you have read and it will stay in your longer mind.
Proverb: Where there's a will, there's a way: Nothing is impossible if you really want it badly enough.
Academic Vocabulary: maximize: Make bigger; make the best use of. "Study hard to maximize your learning opportunities."
Literature: Turn the other cheek: Jesus said if someone hits you on one cheek, offer him the other one, too, instead of seeking revenge.
Art: The Thinker: one of more than 20 large bronze statues by French sculptor Rodin, shows a seated man with arm on knee and chin on wrist.
Slang: or something like that: the information might not be exactly right. "He's a VIP, like a president or CEO or something like that."
Geography: Euphrates River: River in southwest Asia that joins the Tigris in Iraq to form ancient Mesopotamia, "The Land Between the Rivers."

NOTES:

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

Cliches 2

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Mini-Lessons from Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012

Science: gravity or "gravitation": the force that attracts two objects to each other. In simple terms, what keeps us from flying off the earth!
Language Study: jargon: special language used by a profession or other group, like doctors' or lawyers' vocabulary.
Business: short-term: for a short time, especially less than one year, as a "short-term loan." Opposite is "long-term."
Literature: A Christmas Carol: Charles Dickens' story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a stingy man who changes after being visited by ghosts.
New Words: chick lit: literature ("lit") meant for women ("chicks") to read. Pride and Prejudice and romance novels are usually seen as chick lit.
Slang: You mean, like: asks for more information, with examples. A: "I love TV news." B: "You mean, like BBC, CNN, and stuff like that?"
Modern History: Queen Victoria: queen of the UK from 1837 to 1901. The "Victorian period" was a time of strict morals and great growth in England.

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

Cliches 1

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Mini-Lessons from Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012

Link: Unusual words. Free newsletter, learn "A Word A Day" (AWAD). http://wordsmith.org/awad/index.html
Ancient History: Saladin: (1138-1193) Kurdish Muslim general, ruled Egypt and Syria. When he captured Jerusalem, Europeans fought against him.
Irregular Verbs: I input data in my computer every day. I input a lot last night. I have input some of it incorrectly, but I have corrected it.
Idiom: to turn over a new leaf: to change one's ways. "After his wife caught him smoking, Dan turned over a new leaf and quit completely."
Pop Culture: Bible Belt: area of the US where many people strongly believe in the Bible and follow it literally in all areas of their lives.
Slang: hate: sometimes really hate, but usually just dislike. Can also be used as a joke. A: "My parents gave me $100!" B: "I hate you!"
Government: conscientious objector: person who refuses to fight in a war because of his beliefs.

NOTES:

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.
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.

Deadbeats and Windbags

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Mini-Lessons from Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Tip: Plan ahead if you can. If you know that you have to do a task, practice first. Think of numbers before asking the time, for example.
Proverb: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you: "The Golden Rule" tells us to treat others as we want them to treat us.
Academic Vocabulary: highlight: Call notice to something, as with a special yellow pen. "Please read the highlighted passages carefully."
Literature: Amazons: Warrior women in classical myths. Now used to describe a large woman. People thought Amazons lived on the Amazon River.
Art: orchestra: large group of musicians (maybe 80 or more) playing four types of instruments: strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion.
Slang: and stuff like that: "etc." after example(s). A: "Do you like music?" B: "Yes, mostly pop, rock, and stuff like that."
Geography: steppe: A type of grassland. "The Steppes" usually refers to the ones in eastern Russia and Siberia.

NOTES:

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

The Bronze Ring (16): The Old Man Gets the Ring

GET READY:

If you had something very valuable, would you tell your husband or wife about it? Why or why not?

With the gardener's son away, a magician has been planning to take away the bronze ring. He has caught some pretty little red fishes…

READ THIS:

[91b] Then he came back, and, passing before the Princess's window, he began to cry out:
[92] "Who wants some pretty little red fishes?"
[93] The Princess heard him, and sent out one of her slaves, who said to the old peddler:
[94] "What will you take for your fish?"
[95] "A bronze ring."
[96] "A bronze ring, old simpleton! And where shall I find one?"
[97] "Under the cushion in the Princess's room."
[98] The slave went back to her mistress.
[99] "The old madman will take neither gold nor silver," said she.
[100] "What does he want then?"
[101] "A bronze ring that is hidden under a cushion."
[102] "Find the ring and give it to him," said the Princess.
[103] And at last the slave found the bronze ring, which the captain of the golden ship had accidentally left behind, and carried it to the man, who made off with it instantly.

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. peddler: one who sells something, especially on the street
b. simpleton: a foolish ("simple-minded") person
c. madman: a crazy person
d. to make off with something: to take away something that is not one's own

PRACTICE:

The slave girl tells the Princess that the old man will take "neither gold nor silver." This means he won't take gold and he won't take silver. Rewrite the sentences below to use the same style.

Example:
It's not a cat. It's not a dog.
It's neither a cat nor a dog.

1. My father didn't go to university. My mother didn't go to university.
2. I don't eat meat. I don't eat fish.
3. John won't go to work tomorrow. John won't stay home tomorrow.
4. He hasn't seen a tiger. He hasn't seen a dragon.
5. They weren't doctors. They weren't lawyers.

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. Do you think the "pretty little red fishes" were important? Why did the storyteller choose this and not something else for the old man to sell?
2. Why does the slave girl consider the old man "a simpleton" and "a madman"? Surely a bronze ring is worth more than some small fish?
3. How could the hero have forgotten something as important as the bronze ring?

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1. Neither my father nor my mother went to university.
2. I eat neither meat nor fish.
3. John will neither go to work nor stay home tomorrow.
4. He has seen neither a tiger nor a dragon.
5. They were neither doctors nor lawyers.

Mini-Lessons from Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

Science: dehydration: loss of water, as when playing sports or in the desert, not drinking enough liquid; can create serious medical problems.
Language Study: capital letters: upper-case letters LIKE THIS; these are lower case. Used at the start of sentences, and for proper names, like James.
Business: John D. Rockefeller: (1839-1937) American businessman, once the richest man in the world. "Rockefeller"="rich": "I'm no Rockefeller."
Literature: Gulliver: main character in Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," who sees little people in Lilliput, horses named Houyhnhnms, and others.
New Words: DNA fingerprinting: use of DNA to identify a criminal; not actually fingerprinting, but used in the same way
Slang: bus shelter: a small building, often with only one wall, to stand under while waiting for a bus. Often has advertising on it.
Modern History: Scopes trial: US teacher John Scopes was tried for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution, which was then (1925) against the law.

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

A Trip to the Doctors 2

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Mini-Lessons from Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012

Link: 1,500+ ESL/EFL Conversations on 25 Topics with audio. http://www.eslfast.com/robot/
Ancient History: conquistadores: Spanish fighters who conquered (beat) Native Americans to allow Spain to rule most of the American land.
Irregular Verbs: I try not to become angry. But I became angry at my friend last week. I am afraid I have become angry too many times!
Idiom: elbow grease: hard work, strong effort. "I know you can clean that pot; just use a little elbow grease."
Pop Culture: Bill Cosby: black American comedian (born 1937), known for stand-up comedy and "The Cosby Show."
Slang: been ---in' anything?: a greeting. To a student who is reading: "Been learnin' anything?" To a salesman: "Been sellin' anything?"
Government: Geneva Conventions: international rules for kind treatment of prisoners of war, first made in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1864

NOTES:

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.
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.

A Trip to the Doctors 1

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Mini-Lessons from Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012

Tip: Find families of words. For example: assess, assessment, reassess, unassessed, and so on.
Proverb: No man is an island: We are all connected with each other; if something happens to another person, it affects me, too.
Academic Vocabulary: passive: Not active. "I want a passive dog, one that will never bite anyone."
Literature: In the beginning: first words of the Bible; complete sentence: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth."
Art: John Philip Sousa: the "March King," 19th-20th century American composer of marching music like "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
Slang: an outstanding idea: a great idea. A: "Let's see a movie." B: "That's an outstanding idea!"
Geography: the Seven Seas: a way to describe all the world's oceans; found in the common expression "sailing the seven seas."

NOTES:

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

Buying a Used Car 2

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Mini-Lessons from Monday, Jan. 23, 2012

Science: Pythagorean theorem: geometry; in a right triangle, long side (hypotenuse) squared equals sum of two short sides squared.
Language Study: redundancy: repeating words or ideas. "He is a big giant" is redundant, as all giants are big.
Business: boycott: refusing to buy something as a way to change a company's policies. "They charge unfair prices; let's boycott them."
Literature: The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation: a statement in Thoreau's "Walden." It means most people endure unhappy lives.
New Words: bling-bling, or just "bling": flashy jewelry, gold teeth, telephones, etc. usually connected to hip-hop culture.
Slang: like xxx and stuff: "etc." after example(s). A: "What kinds of movies do you like?" B: "Science fiction, like 'Star Wars' and stuff."
Modern History: Alamo: fort in Texas, where in 1836 all the Americans were killed by a larger Mexican force. "Remember the Alamo" became a battle cry.

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

This lesson is ©2011 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"

Buying a Used Car 1

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Mini-Lessons from Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012

Link: Join the English Club, make friends. http://my.englishclub.com/
Ancient History: Joan of Arc: (1412-1431) led French army against the English at age 17 because she heard God speak to her. A Roman Catholic saint.
Irregular Verbs: I get rid of things I don't need. I got rid of some old clothes yesterday. I have gotten rid of most of my things.
Idiom: to be in hot water: in deep trouble. "When he lost the report, Bob was in deep trouble."
Pop Culture: Hail to the Chief: official song of the president of the United States, played when he arrives at official events.
Slang: the tricky part: the difficult part. "Getting an appointment is easy; making the sale is the tricky part."
Government: felony: the most serious form of crime, like murder or kidnapping; usually punished by long jail time, or even death.

NOTES:

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.
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.

The Bronze Ring (15): The Hero Leaves Again

GET READY:

When is a hero's journey "over"? Or does a real hero go on adventures again and again?

The gardener's son has beaten the minister's son, and has married the princess.

READ THIS:

[88] Several months passed. The young couple were as happy as the day was long, and the King was more and more pleased with himself for having secured such a son-in-law.
[89] But, presently, the captain of the golden ship found it necessary to take a long voyage, and after embracing his wife tenderly he embarked.
[90] Now in the outskirts of the capital there lived an old man, who had spent his life in studying black arts--alchemy, astrology, magic, and enchantment. This man found out that the gardener's son had only succeeded in marrying the Princess by the help of the genii who obeyed the bronze ring.
[91a] "I will have that ring," said he to himself. So he went down to the sea-shore and caught some little red fishes. Really, they were quite wonderfully pretty.

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. as happy as the day was long: a cliche; you can change "happy" to any adjective, and it means "very" something; so this one means "very happy."
b. to secure: usually means "to make safe," but here it means "to get."
c. voyage: trip, journey, especially by sea
d. to embrace: to hug
e. tenderly: softly, gently, with much emotion
f. outskirts: used to describe the edge of a city or town; in the old days, a please for people who didn't "fit in" with the community
g. black arts: a type of magic that involved the devil; also called "black magic"
h. alchemy: the changing of cheap metals (like lead or tin) into expensive ones (like gold or silver)
i. astrology: reading the stars to tell the future
j. magic: using special techniques to create unnatural changes, like making something disappear, or moving something without touching it.
k. enchantment: a type of magic used to influence people, like making them believe they can fly, etc. (Note that the word can also be used to mean "charming" or "attractive," as in Part 12, Paragraph 67 of this story.)
l. genii: a spirit that lives inside something, like a bottle or, as here, a ring. There is a famous genii in a bottle in the story of "Aladdin."

PRACTICE:

Use one of the above terms in each of the following sentences. Be sure to use the correct form.

1. I'm trying to __________ a visa so I can go to Cambodia.
2. It's nice to walk by the __________ and get your feet in the water.
3. It's common for men to __________ each other in some cultures.
4. The only way I could get there in time is if I could suddenly do __________.
5. Once you get past the __________ of a city, there is usually less traffic.
6. He picked up the baby bird __________ and put it back in its nest.
7. How stupid was he? He was __________.
8. If you believe in __________, you might look up your horoscope in the daily newspaper.

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. Why do you think the gardener's son left on another voyage?
2. Why do you think the storyteller adds: "Really, they were quite wonderfully pretty"?
3. When you finally achieve success, what could cause you to change your life and risk it all?

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1 b secure; 2 m sea-shore; 3 d embrace; 4 j magic; 5 f outskirts; 6 e tenderly; 7 a as stupid as the day was long; 8 i astrology

Mini-Lessons from Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012

Tip: Read classics. Buy simple versions of great books and READ. Click on any "classics" here for examples: http://plrcatalogue.pearson.com/
Proverb: A good man is hard to find: Most people won't do what must be done. The ones who do their best are rare.
Academic Vocabulary: rational: Sensible, reasonable. "We should be rational about how we spend our money."
Literature: phoenix: A bird from myths that burns itself to death once in 500 years, and rises again from the ashes.
Art: amateur: someone who does something for enjoyment or "love," not money. "Though not a professional, the amateur artist was very good."
Slang: Huh?: "What?" "Pardon?" Also used when surprised. A: "We won the game!" B: "Huh? That's unbelievable!"
Geography: Rio Grande: Meaning "big river," the river that divides the US from Mexico along most of the border.

NOTES:

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

Opposite Proverbs

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Mini-Lessons from Friday, Jan. 20, 2012

Science: endocrine system: system of glands in the body, and the hormones they produce. These control what other cells, tissues, and organs do.
Language Study: autobiography: a true book about the author's own life. One famous example is The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Business: interest: money charged by a lender. "The bank is lending at 10% interest" (or "at a 10% interest rate").
Literature: The Canterbury Tales: Middle English work by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) where a group of travelers meets and tell stories.
New Words: newbie: someone who is new at something. "Please explain the rules of our club to the newbie."
Slang: that's too bad: "That's a pity." Kind: A: "My dog died." B: "That's too bad." Or unkind: A: "I hate it." B: "That's too bad. Eat it."
Modern History: government of the people, by the people, and for the people: Near end of Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address," a definition of democracy.

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

The sooner, the better

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Mini-Lessons from Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

Link: Read ancient Chinese stories with vocabulary help: http://www.englishdaily626.com/stories.php
Ancient History: Christopher Columbus: Italian explorer who "discovered" America in 1492. Sailed three ships across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain.
Irregular Verbs: What do the experts foretell? Last year they foretold bad economic times. But I'm not worried; they have foretold incorrectly before.
Idiom: to have the last laugh: to win after seeming to lose. "The team was losing 20-2, but they scored 30 points and had the last laugh."
Pop Culture: Peanuts: popular comic by Charles M. Schulz. The most famous character is Snoopy the dog, and his owner is Charlie Brown.
Slang: How so?: "Why is that?" A: "I can't come tonight." B: "How so?" A: "I have to go to my parents'."
Government: blue laws: US laws based on morals that don't allow certain activities on Sundays, like selling alcohol, or sometimes even dancing.

NOTES:

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.
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.

The Bronze Ring (14): The Hero Revealed

GET READY:

Do you think a king should always keep his word?

The captain of a magnificent treasure ship has revealed the minister's son, to be his servant.

READ THIS:

[84] "And now, sire," said the young captain, "do you not recognize me?"
[85] "I recognize you," said the Princess; "you are the gardener's son whom I have always loved, and it is you I wish to marry."
[86] "Young man, you shall be my son-in-law," cried the King. "The marriage festivities are already begun, so you shall marry my daughter this very day."
[87] And so that very day the gardener's son married the beautiful Princess.

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. recognize: know someone or something by looking at it. "Do you recognize the man in this picture?"
b. son-in-law: a man married to someone's daughter.

PRACTICE:

There are only six types of person called "-in-law." All others must be described (my wife's grandfather; my husband's uncle).
They are:

a. father-in-law
b. mother-in-law
c. son-in-law
d. daughter-in-law
e. sister-in-law
f. brother-in-law

Match the description below to the term above. Use "g" if it's non of these.

1. Fred's wife's niece is Fred's __________
2. Fred's sister's husband is Fred's __________
3. Fred's wife's mom is Fred's __________
4. Fred's son's wife is Fred's __________
5. Fred's wife's dad is Fred's __________
6. Fred's brother's wife is Fred's __________
7. Fred's wife's sister is Fred's __________
8. Fred's daughter's husband is Fred's __________
9. Fred's wife's grandmother is Fred's __________
10. Fred's wife's brother is Fred's __________

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. The king promised his daughter to the first man to return; of course, that was the minister's son. Why do you think he changed his mind? Is it fair?
2. What would you have done if you were the king?
3. Use your imagination and describe the feelings of: (a) the princess; (b) the king; (c) the gardener's son; (d) the minister's son.

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1. g none of these; we must say just "his wife's niece."; 2. f brother-in-law; 3. b mother-in-law; 4. d daughter-in-law; 5. a father-in-law; 6. e sister-in-law; 7. e sister-in-law; 8. c son-in-law; 9. g none of these; we must say just "his wife's grandmother."; 10. f brother-in-law

Mini-Lessons from Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

Tip: Translate (both ways). Get a bilingual book (your language and English); translate part to or from English; check your translation.
Proverb: Good fences make good neighbors: We will get along better with people if we don't get too close to them.
Academic Vocabulary: explicit: Clearly expressed, with nothing unsaid. "I gave you explicit instructions to arrive at 6 p.m.; why are you late?"
Literature: the Twelve Apostles: Jesus' twelve followers who carried on his teachings after his death. Peter, James, John, and others.
Art: The Nutcracker: a ballet (dance performance) by Tchaikovsky. Tells a Christmas story, so it is often performed at Christmastime.
Slang: stuff: things. Used by lazy speakers, or when we can't think of a word. "There's lots of stuff I want to do in my life…"
Geography: Sinai: A desert peninsula in northeast Egypt, between the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt across it.

NOTES:

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

Giving Directions

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Mini-Lessons from Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012

Science: seismology: science that studies earthquakes and other motion inside the earth; seismic waves can be used to "see" inside the earth.
Language Study: transitive verb or "v.t. ": a verb that needs a direct object. "Like" is such a verb; we must like SOMETHING, and not say, "I like."
Business: depreciation: lowering of something's value over time, like a house. "My car is almost worthless; it has depreciated a lot."
Literature: I think; therefore I am: French philosopher Descartes doubted all, even that he existed; then saw that as a thinker, he must be real.
New Words: babycino: steamed milk drink; like a cappuccino, but without coffee and so without caffeine. Suitable to serve to children.
Slang: It's just...: used when making an excuse. A: "Why are you late?" B: "It's just, I lost my bus card." Sometimes "It's just that…"
Modern History: czar: once the title for emperors of Russia; also spelled "tsar." Now used to describe any powerful leader, like a "crime czar."

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

Locations

GET READY:

Where is your house? Tell the location in several ways, using "in," "on," "near," and so on.

READ THIS:

Look at the pictures and answer the questions using these words:

ACROSS FROM
AROUND THE CORNER FROM
BEHIND
BETWEEN
IN FRONT OF
NEAR
NEXT TO
ON
ON (or AT) THE CORNER OF

Where is A?

Where is B?

Where is C?

Where is D?

Where is E?

Where is F?

Where is G?

Where is H?

Of course there are several ways to answer each question, but let's look at these answers:

A is ON Pine Street.
B is NEXT TO A.
C is NEAR A. ("Near" means "not far from"; so really all of these places are near each other!)
D is ACROSS FROM A.
E is BETWEEN A and C (or C and A)
F is BEHIND C (and so C is IN FRONT OF F).
G is ON (or AT) THE CORNER OF Pine Street and First Avenue (or First Avenue and Pine Street).
H is AROUND THE CORNER FROM A (and all the others except G).

NOTES:

Telling a location is not the same as giving directions. The location just tells you WHERE SOMETHING IS. Directions tell you HOW TO GET THERE.

PRACTICE:

Look at one place in the last picture, and describe its location in as many ways as possible. Take A, for instance:
It's between B and E.
It's across from D.
It's near G.
And so on.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION OR WRITING:

1. Look around your room and describe things: "The TV is next to the bookcase; the coffee table is in front of the sofa"; and so on.
2. Describe the locations of places you are familiar with: your home, your school, a nearby bank, a department store, etc.
3. With a friend, describe a place's location and see if he or she can guess what you are talking about:
A: It's across from the post office.
B: Is it the grocery store?
A: No, it's next to the grocery store.
B: Is it the KFC?
A: No, it's behind the KFC.
B: Is it the gas station?
A: That's right!

Mini-Lessons from Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

Link: Nearly 100 podcasts, with written texts to SPEAK. http://www.esl-aloud.com/
Ancient History: Mayas: Native Americans of Mexico and Central America, their culture lasted over 3500 years, until destroyed by the Spanish.
Irregular Verbs: I choose to be happy. When I chose my career, I chose one I loved. When I have chosen wrongly, I have been sorry for it.
Idiom: to deep-six something: to get rid of something. "The teacher deep-sixed the students' suggestion that she give less homework."
Pop Culture: reggae: type of pop music from Jamaica, with an "island" beat and a "blues" feeling. Bob Marley is the best-known reggae musician.
Slang: Ha ha: sometimes a laugh, but sometimes used unkindly. "Ha ha, very funny--NOT!"
Government: absolute monarchy: rule by a king or queen whose decisions are not limited by laws or a constitution.

NOTES:

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.
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.

The Bronze Ring (13): The Rival Undone

GET READY:

Is it OK to lie to protect yourself? How far can you go before you must tell the truth?

A gardener's son has become rich, and has been invited to give away the king's daughter to a minister's son--even though he hopes to marry her himself.

READ THIS:

[72] Soon after came the Princess and her betrothed.
[73] "Why, how is this?" cried the young captain. "Would you marry this charming princess to such a man as that?"
[74] "But he is my prime minister's son!"
[75] "What does that matter? I cannot give your daughter away. The man she is betrothed to is one of my servants."
[76] "Your servant?"
[77] "Without doubt. I met him in a distant town reduced to carrying away dust and rubbish from the houses. I had pity on him and engaged him as one of my servants."
[78] "It is impossible!" cried the King.
[79] "Do you wish me to prove what I say? This young man returned in a vessel which I fitted out for him, an unseaworthy ship with a black battered hull, and the sailors were infirm and crippled."
[80] "It is quite true," said the King.
[81] "It is false," cried the minister's son. "I do not know this man!"
[82] "Sire," said the young captain, "order your daughter's betrothed to be stripped, and see if the mark of my ring is not branded upon his back."
[83] The King was about to give this order, when the minister's son, to save himself from such an indignity, admitted that the story was true.

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. betrothed: engaged (promised to be married). It's used two ways in this story. First, it refers to the person who is engaged (the minister's son is the princess's "betrothed." Second, it is the act of being engaged: "The man she is betrothed to…"
b. to matter: to be important, to make a difference
c. to engage: here, it does not mean "to betroth," but rather "to hire."
d. unseaworthy: "seaworthy" means able to sail safely; "unseaworthy" is the opposite.
e. battered: beaten up, abused, in bad condition
f. crippled: handicapped, disabled; nowadays considered to be an impolite thing to say
g. to strip: to take the clothes off of
h. to brand: to mark with a hot piece of metal, as cowboys do to cows
i. an indignity: an embarrassment; something that causes one to lose one's pride
j. to admit: to confess, to say that one has done something wrong

PRACTICE:

Use one of the above terms in each of the following sentences. Be sure to use the correct form.

1. It takes a big person to __________ when he's wrong.
2. I don't think it __________ how old a person is.
3. Sometimes the feeling of __________ can be worse than physical pain.
4. In extreme cases, officers may __________ a person crossing the border.
5. My boss recently __________ a new secretary.
6. In some culture, children are __________ to each other at a young age.

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. Why can't a princess marry a "servant"?
2. What do you think of the gardener's son? He agreed to give the princess away, but probably knew that he wouldn't do it. Was that honest? Was it OK? Would you have done what he did?
3. Why do you think the minister's son lied? Why do you think he finally told the truth? What would you have done in his situation?

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1 j admit; 2 b matters; 3 i indignity; 4 g strip; 5 c engaged; 6 a betrothed

Mini-Lessons from Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012

Tip: Learn the most common words first. Start here: http://www.manythings.org/vocabulary/lists/l/
Proverb: The road to hell is paved with good intentions: It's not enough to THINK about doing the right thing; you must actually DO it.
Academic Vocabulary: scenario: Imagined sequence of events. "If our scenario comes true, we will be rich before next year."
Literature: The Tortoise and the Hare: Story by Aesop about a race. The tortoise (turtle) won because the hare (rabbit) stopped to rest.
Art: arch: a curved or pointed structure over an opening used to support some weight. Often seen over doors and windows, or under bridges.
Slang: well-rounded: With many aspects. A person with hobbies, family, and other interests is "well-rounded." Opposite is "one-sided."
Geography: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Full name of the U.K., includes England, Scotland, Wales, and part of Ireland.

NOTES:

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

Misplaced Modifiers

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This lesson has been moved to my latest website, and can now be found at

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Mini-Lessons from Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012

Science: vertebrates: animals with a spinal cord and backbone; fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals are vertebrates; not insects, worms.
Language Study: hyperbole: exaggeration; saying something much stronger than is necessary. "I'd kill for some food" instead of "I'm very hungry."
Business: overhead: the fixed costs of running a business, like rent, power, etc. Doesn't include salaries or raw materials.
Literature: The Gift of the Magi: story by O. Henry where a young couple gives up their most important things to buy each other Christmas presents.
New Words: cyberbullying: using the internet to bully someone, threatening them with text or images.
Slang: Ugh: Sound of disgust or frustration. "You like Lady Gaga? Ugh! I hate her!"
Modern History: Battle of Waterloo: British and others beat Napoleon, ending his military career. "Meet one's W" means any loss after long success.

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

Dangling Participles

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This lesson has been moved to my latest website, and can now be found at

https://buzzwords.jimbucket.com/2007/11/01-035.html

Mini-Lessons from Friday, Jan. 13, 2012

Link: 5-minute lessons in English vocabulary: http://www.5minuteenglish.com/vocabulary.htm
Ancient History: Henry VIII: King of England 1509-1547. Broke with Catholic Church to create Church of England. Had six wives. Father of Elizabeth I.
Irregular Verbs: She likes to clothe herself simply. She clothed herself in a plain dress yesterday. She has never clothed herself in fancy things.
Idiom: the pot calling the kettle black: accusing someone of what one does oneself, like a fat person telling another he eats too much.
Pop Culture: Academy Awards: yearly prizes given for excellence in film making. The winners get a small statue called an Oscar.
Slang: according to [someone]: Introduces the words of another. "According to my boss, we need to increase sales this quarter."
Government: nonperson: a person who is not recognized by a government or other group when that person goes against the group's rules or goals.

NOTES:

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.
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.

The Bronze Ring (12): The Hero Returns

GET READY:

In your country, is there some action where the new bride is given to her new husband? What is it, exactly?

Having sent the minister's son home, the gardener's son now returns.

READ THIS:

[65] The next morning, at daybreak, a wonderful ship with every sail set came to anchor before the town. The King happened at that moment to be at the palace window.
[66] "What strange ship is this," he cried, "that has a golden hull, silver masts, and silken sails, and who are the young men like princes who man it? And do I not see St. Nicholas at the helm? Go at once and invite the captain of the ship to come to the palace."
[67] His servants obeyed him, and very soon in came an enchantingly handsome young prince, dressed in rich silk, ornamented with pearls and diamonds.
[68] "Young man," said the King, "you are welcome, whoever you may be. Do me the favor to be my guest as long as you remain in my capital."
[69] "Many thanks, sire," replied the captain, "I accept your offer."
[70] "My daughter is about to be married," said the King; "will you give her away?"
[71] "I shall be charmed, sire."

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. daybreak: when the sun comes up; "at daybreak" means "at sunrise"
b. anchor: the heavy weight used to keep a ship from moving; to "come to anchor" is to arrive and stop
c. enchantingly: almost like magic; "to enchant" is to put under a magic spell
d. ornamented: decorated; an ornament is a decoration
e. capital: the governing city of a country
f. charmed: delighted, very happy

PRACTICE:

Use one of the above terms in each of the following sentences. Be sure to use the correct form.

1. As soon as our ship __________ I'm going to visit the town.
2. He was such a __________ young man that the girls couldn't resist him.
3. The Christmas tree was covered with __________.
4. We had an __________ time at the governor's house.
5. I like to get up __________ and run 5 miles.
6. Have you visited the state __________?

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. Why doesn't the king recognize the gardener's son?
2. Why do you think the king asks gardener's son to "give the bride away"? (These means handing her over to her new husband, a symbolic action in many wedding ceremonies.)
3. Why do you think the gardener's son agrees to "give the bride away"?

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1 b comes to anchor; 2 f charming; 3 d ornaments; 4 c enchanting; 5 a at daybreak; 6 e capital

Mini-Lessons from Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012

Tip: Learn from context. Look at the words around a word you don't know, and try to figure it out.
Proverb: A word to the wise is sufficient: If someone is smart, he will do what you advise. You won't have to convince him.
Academic Vocabulary: utilize: To use. Noun 'utility' means 'usefulness': "A car has little utility for a dog."
Literature: wolves in sheep's clothing: People who appear good in order to cheat you. From words of Jesus in his famous "Sermon on the Mount."
Art: quartet: Group of four singers or musicians. "I heard a wind quartet in a concert last night."
Slang: no one: May mean no person. But may mean "It's not important" or "I don't want to tell you." "Who was on the phone?" "No one."
Geography: Volga River: The main waterway and longest river in Russia, running from Moscow to the Caspian Sea.

NOTES:

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

Crossing the Boulevard

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This lesson has been moved to my latest website, and can now be found at

https://buzzwords.jimbucket.com/2007/11/01-037.html

Mini-Lessons from Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012

Science: physics: science that studies matter and energy, and relationships between them. Includes mechanics, optics, electricity, heat, more.
Language Study: satire: a work of literature that makes people or societies look silly. Gulliver's Travels is a famous satire of British society.
Business: declare bankruptcy or "go bankrupt": tell a court that one (or one's business) is unable to pay what is owed.
Literature: Captain Hook: the pirate "bad guy" in Peter Pan. He lost one hand to a crocodile, and so has a hook instead.
New Words: sexting: sending sexy messages by SMS (text) to someone you like, as a way to get them interested in you.
Slang: What are you talking about?: Another way to say, "Are you crazy?" It means the person is talking nonsense.
Modern History: Jack the Ripper: late-19th-century criminal who killed several women in London, England. He was never caught.

NOTES:

Except for the Slang words, all the words in these Mini-Lessons came from lists either on the Oxford University Press site or in the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. I wrote the definitions and examples myself.
The Slang words are from my own list, and I wrote the definitions and examples myself.

Congruity

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This lesson has been moved to my latest website, and can now be found at

https://buzzwords.jimbucket.com/2007/10/01-031.html

Mini-Lessons from Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012

Link: Test your English, with answers and explanations: http://www.easyenglish.com/index.asp
Ancient History: Charlemagne: "Charles the Great," king of France and first Holy Roman Emperor, crowned 800. Encouraged learning as Dark Ages ended.
Irregular Verbs: I overcome most problems I have encountered. I overcame the worst one ever last year. I have overcome many problems in my life.
Idiom: as the crow flies: in a straight line. "My house is 20 miles from here by road, but only 10 miles as the crow flies."
Pop Culture: vaudeville: Early 20th-century stage entertainment with a variety of acts: singing, dancing, magic, animal acts, and so on.
Slang: You really know your [something]! : A compliment. Someone's good at computers: "You really know your computers!"
Government: zero-sum game: "game" where a win for one means a loss for others. In politics, may be control of resources or land.

NOTES:

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.
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.

A Cuppa Joe

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This lesson has been moved to my latest website, and can now be found at

https://buzzwords.jimbucket.com/2007/09/01-018.html

Mini-Lessons from Monday, Jan. 9, 2012

Tip: Ask for help. Say "What do you call that thing…?" or "Do you know a word that means…?" This is also communication!
Proverb: You can't teach an old dog new tricks: If someone has an old habit, it's hard to get him or her to change.
Academic Vocabulary: deny: Say that something is not true. "You cannot deny that the Beatles are one of the greatest rock groups of all time."
Literature: Minotaur: A half-man, half-bull monster. It was hidden in the Labyrinth; Theseus killed it and escaped the maze.
Art: Salvador Dali: 20th-century Spanish painter. His surrealist paintings showed dream-like images, including melting clocks.
Slang: What gives? : "Tell me something." May give the feeling that something bad is happening. "Hey, why did you hit me? What gives?"
Geography: Painted Desert: A large area of desert in northeastern Arizona, USA, where the sandstone rocks show many different colors.

NOTES:

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

The Bronze Ring (11): The Rival Returns

GET READY:

If you could get revenge on an enemy, how would you do it?

The gardener's son continues to take revenge on his rival, the minister's son.

READ THIS:

[60] And, going out, he took the bronze ring and said:
[61] "Bronze ring, obey thy master. Prepare me a ship of which the half-rotten timbers shall be painted black, let the sails be in rags, and the sailors infirm and sickly. One shall have lost a leg, another an arm, the third shall be a hunchback, another lame or club-footed or blind, and most of them shall be ugly and covered with scars. Go, and let my orders be executed."
[62] The minister's son embarked in this old vessel, and thanks to favorable winds, at length reached his own country. In spite of the pitiable condition in which he returned they received him joyfully.
[63] "I am the first to come back," said he to the King; "now fulfill your promise, and give me the princess in marriage."
[64] So they at once began to prepare for the wedding festivities. As to the poor princess, she was sorrowful and angry about it.

NOTES:

Here is some vocabulary from the story:

a. thy: an old-fashioned way to say "your"
b. half-rotten: weak because of old age; ready to break
c. a timber: a large piece of wood used for building ships, houses, etc.
d. a hunchback: a person whose back is bent so much it looks like it has a bump on it
e. a club-foot: a foot that is turned inward at birth, making it difficult to walk
f. a scar: the mark that is left on the skin after it has been cut or otherwise injured
g. executed: carried out; completed
h. to embark: to set out, to go, to set sail on a ship
i. favorable: positive, helpful
j. in spite of: even though; done even when something made it difficult
k. pitiable: deserving pity; so bad that it people feel sorry for him
l. to fulfill: to follow through and carry out a promise
m. festivities: celebrations, activities to recognize something

PRACTICE:

Use one of the above terms in each of the following sentences. Be sure to use the correct form.

1. The wet little cat gave a __________ cry.
2. Would you like to join the national holiday __________?
3. My boss gave me a __________ review, so I think I'm getting a promotion.
4. The presidents orders were __________ as soon as they were received.
5. I think I'll go for a walk __________ the rain.
6. After the terrible car accident he had several __________ on his face.
7. We will __________ your order as soon as the goods are in stock.

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. Why do you think the gardener's son chose to send the minister's son back home?
2. Do you think it's fair that he made the ship so terrible? Why or why not?
3. If you were the princess, what would you do in this situation?

ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE:

1 k pitiable; 2 m festivities; 3 i favorable; 4 g executed; 5 j in spite of; 6 f scars; 7 l fulfill

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