Pithy
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Television Shows - A reading comprehension quiz on the topic of Television Shows
Television Shows
My mother was telling me about how she and her family got their first television when she was a teenager. Of course it was black and white. She said she only watched it at night. She doesn't remember ever watching it in the morning or afternoon. When I was young we had only about 3 or 4 different channels. I think they were channel 3, 4, 6, and 9. My bothers and sisters and I would sometimes fight about which channel to watch. But we usually enjoyed the same shows.Nowadays we can get hundreds of channels on TV. I can't believe it! There are channels with only old movies, and channels with only cooking, and channels with only fishing. It's amazing! There is a channel for everything. I wonder how much my brothers and sisters and I would fight if we had hundreds of channels when I was a child. Of course we had only one television set. These days I notice families with 2 or 3 or more television sets in their homes. I guess it stops people from arguing over which channel to choose from.
What kind of TV shows do you like to watch?
Current Events/ News- serious shows about things that are happening today or lately
Sitcoms- comes from the words "situation comedy." Funny shows
Sports- I think you know this
Mystery Shows- shows about trying to find an answer to something we don't know
Talk Shows- shows with two or more people talking about a certain subject
Nature Shows- shows about animals or the earth
Police/ Courtroom Dramas- shows about the police or what happens in a courtroom
Check Your UnderstandingRead what the people are saying. What kind of show do you think it is?1. "He catches the ball and he runs..."
2. "Today our guest is Julia Roberts. She will introduce us to her latest movie."
3. "The tiger slowly moves through the grass..."
4. "Who killed the old lady? Was it the neighbor or the nurse?"
5. "Ha ha ha ha ha..."
My mother was telling me about how she and her family got their first television when she was a teenager. Of course it was black and white. She said she only watched it at night. She doesn't remember ever watching it in the morning or afternoon. When I was young we had only about 3 or 4 different channels. I think they were channel 3, 4, 6, and 9. My bothers and sisters and I would sometimes fight about which channel to watch. But we usually enjoyed the same shows.Nowadays we can get hundreds of channels on TV. I can't believe it! There are channels with only old movies, and channels with only cooking, and channels with only fishing. It's amazing! There is a channel for everything. I wonder how much my brothers and sisters and I would fight if we had hundreds of channels when I was a child. Of course we had only one television set. These days I notice families with 2 or 3 or more television sets in their homes. I guess it stops people from arguing over which channel to choose from.What kind of TV shows do you like to watch?
Current Events/ News- serious shows about things that are happening today or latelySitcoms- comes from the words "situation comedy." Funny shows Sports- I think you know this Mystery Shows- shows about trying to find an answer to something we don't know Talk Shows- shows with two or more people talking about a certain subject Nature Shows- shows about animals or the earth Police/ Courtroom Dramas- shows about the police or what happens in a courtroom 2. "Today our guest is Julia Roberts. She will introduce us to her latest movie."
3. "The tiger slowly moves through the grass..."
4. "Who killed the old lady? Was it the neighbor or the nurse?"
5. "Ha ha ha ha ha..."
Using an English/English Dictionary - A reading comprehension quiz on the topic of 'Using an English/English Dictionary'.
- Using an English/English DictionaryVocabulary
ReadingToday's English learner has a wide choice of dictionaries in which to choose from. There are dictionaries with American English, with British English, with idioms or slang, and even with pictures. One of the most popular dictionaries I have seen among many students are talking electronic dictionaries. All you have to do is type in a word in your language and you can see it and hear it in English. That's great, right? Well, I think it's great, too... but only sometimes.
Bilingual electronic dictionaries are fast and easy. They can be great when you are traveling and need information quickly. But I am against electronic dictionaries and even bilingual paper dictionaries in many cases. Let me explain...
When you reach an intermediate level of English (about the level of 5 Minute English) you know enough of the language to ask the meaning of certain things while using English. Translating between languages in your head takes time. You should be translating as little as possible and you should be thinking in English as much as possible. I strongly recommend that intermediate and advanced students use an English-English dictionary made especially for your understanding. For example, Longman has a good dictionary for students. Other companies do, too.
I also feel that paper (book) dictionaries are better for studying than electronic dictionaries. True, they take longer to use. But, for some reason, the information you look up seems to stay in your head longer. It may be because you were forced to spell the word in your head and therefore "see it" more clearly in your mind.
So what do you do if you have checked an English-English dictionary and still don't understand something? Go to your bilingual dictionary. It is useful sometimes. Just remember to try to stay in English as much as possible.
Questions and AnswersChoose True or False. Check your answers by clicking the arrow below.According to the author...
1. A very popular dictionary is a talking electronic dictionary.
True False
2. Electronic dictionaries are great for learning English.
True False
3. Electronic dictionaries are great for traveling.
True False
4. Intermediate students of English should use electronic dictionaries as much as possible.
True False
5. Using a bilingual dictionary forces you to think in English.
True False
6. You should never use a bilingual dictionary.
True False
Improving Your English - A reading comprehension quiz on the topic of Improving your English
Improving Your English
A lot of people are always asking, "How do I improve my English?" There are many possible answers, but here are just a few pieces of advice.Be responsible for your own learning
Sure you have teachers, reading materials, and websites to help you with your English, but who is really responsible for making sure you learn English well? Nobody but you. Make sure you are the one who is taking charge of your own learning. There is a good article about the subject on the 5 Minute English website. It's at www.5minuteenglish.com/articles. Check it out.
Immerse yourself in English as much as possible
Immerse means to be surrounded by something. If you are immersed in English, it is all around you. Of course this isn't always possible, but you can do some things to surround yourself in English from time to time.
This means to pay attention to how you use English. Think (a little) about how you are going to say something before it comes out of your mouth. But don't think about all of the problems you have in English at the same time. Just choose something your know you are having difficulty with and work on using it correctly. For example, if you know that you have problems remembering to use a, an, and the, spend a few days trying to put them into sentences as you speak. Don't worry about anything else. Concentrate on that. When you feel that you are improving, choose something else to work on. Just keep trying and little by little, your English will get better everyday.
A lot of people are always asking, "How do I improve my English?" There are many possible answers, but here are just a few pieces of advice.Be responsible for your own learningSure you have teachers, reading materials, and websites to help you with your English, but who is really responsible for making sure you learn English well? Nobody but you. Make sure you are the one who is taking charge of your own learning. There is a good article about the subject on the 5 Minute English website. It's at www.5minuteenglish.com/articles. Check it out.
Immerse yourself in English as much as possible
Immerse means to be surrounded by something. If you are immersed in English, it is all around you. Of course this isn't always possible, but you can do some things to surround yourself in English from time to time.
Listen to the radio in English. If there are no English radio stations where you live, listen to one on the internet.Monitor yourself
Watch TV and movies in English. If you have English channels on your TV, watch them. If they have subtitles (the words written in your language) underneath the picture, see if they can be turned off. Some people even tape paper across the bottom of the screen so they can't see the words. Most DVD's are great because you can choose the language you want to hear.
Speak English to your friends. Get a conversation buddy (friend) and speak in English as much as possible. If it is a person whose native language is the same as your own, you may feel silly speaking in English at first. But don't worry. Continue to do it and it will become more natural to you. Finding friends whose native language is English is even better. Ask your friend to correct you when needed.
Study or travel to an English-speaking country. Of course the best way to immerse yourself in the English language is to live in an all English environment. You'll find yourself surrounded with the language everywhere you turn. It can be a more difficult and expensive choice, but you may find it to be a very valuable and helpful experience.
Other ideas. Take an English class, join an English group, find a tutor, read English magazines. Do whatever you can to immerse yourself in the language.
This means to pay attention to how you use English. Think (a little) about how you are going to say something before it comes out of your mouth. But don't think about all of the problems you have in English at the same time. Just choose something your know you are having difficulty with and work on using it correctly. For example, if you know that you have problems remembering to use a, an, and the, spend a few days trying to put them into sentences as you speak. Don't worry about anything else. Concentrate on that. When you feel that you are improving, choose something else to work on. Just keep trying and little by little, your English will get better everyday.
Levi's Blue Jeans - A reading comprehension test on the topic of Levi's Blue Jeans
Levi's Blue Jeans
Vocabulary
Jacob Davis soon realized that using rivets was a great business idea, and he didn't want anybody to steal that idea. He decided that he would need to get a patent. But being a poor tailor, he didn't have enough money to pay for the patent. After thinking it over, he went to the businessman Levi Strauss and told him his idea. He said, "If you agree to pay for the patent, we will share the profits from the riveted pants." Levi Strauss did agree, and the new riveted pant business was called Levi Strauss and Company. Today Levi's jeans are more popular than ever, and Levi's name continues to live on.
Check Your Understanding
True or False. Check your answers below.1. Levi Strauss was born in 1853.
True
False
2. Levi Strauss wanted to become a great businessman.
True
False
3. Levi Strauss sewed pants in his business.
True
False
4. Jacob Davis sewed pants in his business.
True
False
5. Jacob David used denim to make pants.
True
False
6. Jacob Davis put rivets in pants because they looked good.
True
False
7. Levi Strauss didn't want to pay for Jacob Davis' patent.
True
False
8. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis became business partners.
True
False
Vocabularyemigrate- (v) to move permanently from one's country to another.Do you enjoy wearing Levi's blue jeans? Blue jeans have become popular all over the world, but do you know how they got started? Read on to find out...
dry goods- (n) clothing, fabric, and other items to sell
miner- (n) a person who searches for gold, diamonds, etc.
durable- (adj) last a long time
fabric- (n) material for clothing, curtains, etc.
tailor- (n) a person who sews clothing
rivet- (n) (v) a metal piece that holds 2 thing together. (You can see the metal on Levi's jeans)
patent- (n) (v) an inventor's right to be the only one making or selling a product
think it over- (v) think about it, decide
Levi Strauss was born in Germany in the mid 1800's and emigrated to the United States as a young man. He lived in New York City and learned the dry-goods business for several years. In 1853 he took his knowledge and his dreams to San Francisco (California., USA.) His dream to succeed came true over the next 20 years as he became a very successful businessman.
Many of Levi Strauss' customers were cowboys and miners. They needed clothing that was strong and durable. Strauss found a special fabric from France that was comfortable and lasted a long time. It was called "serge de Nimes," which was later shortened to the word denim.
Another man named Jacob Davis bought large amounts of the denim fabric from Levi Strauss. He was a tailor who made pants for hard-working men. One of his customers was continually tearing the pockets off his pants. So Jacob Davis decided to put rivets on certain parts of the pants to make them stronger. The customer loved the new pants so much that he told all his friends, and soon Jacob Davis was busy making lots of pants with rivets.Jacob Davis soon realized that using rivets was a great business idea, and he didn't want anybody to steal that idea. He decided that he would need to get a patent. But being a poor tailor, he didn't have enough money to pay for the patent. After thinking it over, he went to the businessman Levi Strauss and told him his idea. He said, "If you agree to pay for the patent, we will share the profits from the riveted pants." Levi Strauss did agree, and the new riveted pant business was called Levi Strauss and Company. Today Levi's jeans are more popular than ever, and Levi's name continues to live on.
True or False. Check your answers below.1. Levi Strauss was born in 1853.
True
False
2. Levi Strauss wanted to become a great businessman.
True
False
3. Levi Strauss sewed pants in his business.
True
False
4. Jacob Davis sewed pants in his business.
True
False
5. Jacob David used denim to make pants.
True
False
6. Jacob Davis put rivets in pants because they looked good.
True
False
7. Levi Strauss didn't want to pay for Jacob Davis' patent.
True
False
8. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis became business partners.
True
False
Night Study in Korea - A reading comprehension test on the topic of night studying in Korea.
Night Study in Korea
Vocabulary:
crucial -- of top importance
strain -- pressure
to droop -- to fall downwards
to scribble -- to write carelessly
obsession -- too-strong a focus
to outlaw -- to ban
zeal -- strong desire
slogan -- phrase expression an aim
divisive -- cause argument
to be entrenched - to hold a fixed position
fanatical -- obsession of a fan (see above)
prosperity -- increasing standard of living
Night Study Becoming Par for Course in S. Korea
Reading and Grammar: Directions: Each of the ten sentences below contains one error. Identify and correct the error.
1) A 17-year-old boy drifts into sleep, his head droops into the open textbook in front of him.
2) Around him are sit other teenage South Koreans struggling to stay awake as a tutor scribbles English vocabulary on a blackboard.
3) An almost like-cult devotion to learning has been among the driving forces behind South Korea's rapid economic development ...
4) But concern is growing that the obsession with education has spinned out of control, putting children under stress and families under pressure to pay expensive tuition.
5) The teachings of Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher which stressed the importance of scholarship, influence many East Asian societies.
6) In South Korea, the zeal to learning is reinforced by a belief that knowledge is crucial for the bid to catch up with richer countries such as Japan and stay ahead in China. (Sentence contains three similar errors)
7) A slogan on the wall in Yang's English class reading: "Accomplish your dreams."
8) But dream come at a price: His hagwon* fees are $280 a week.
9) Lee Hang Soo, vice president of Yang's hagwon, says the school provides aid to child from poor families.
10) But he acknowledges which South Korea's education system is divisive.
*Korean Institute
crucial -- of top importance
strain -- pressure
to droop -- to fall downwards
to scribble -- to write carelessly
obsession -- too-strong a focus
to outlaw -- to ban
zeal -- strong desire
slogan -- phrase expression an aim
divisive -- cause argument
to be entrenched - to hold a fixed position
fanatical -- obsession of a fan (see above)
prosperity -- increasing standard of living
This lesson is provided by Mark McCarthy from www.getesl.com, which features low-cost online ESL classes.
Reading and Grammar: Directions: Each of the ten sentences below contains one error. Identify and correct the error.
1) A 17-year-old boy drifts into sleep, his head droops into the open textbook in front of him.
2) Around him are sit other teenage South Koreans struggling to stay awake as a tutor scribbles English vocabulary on a blackboard.
3) An almost like-cult devotion to learning has been among the driving forces behind South Korea's rapid economic development ...
4) But concern is growing that the obsession with education has spinned out of control, putting children under stress and families under pressure to pay expensive tuition.
5) The teachings of Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher which stressed the importance of scholarship, influence many East Asian societies.
6) In South Korea, the zeal to learning is reinforced by a belief that knowledge is crucial for the bid to catch up with richer countries such as Japan and stay ahead in China. (Sentence contains three similar errors)
7) A slogan on the wall in Yang's English class reading: "Accomplish your dreams."
8) But dream come at a price: His hagwon* fees are $280 a week.
9) Lee Hang Soo, vice president of Yang's hagwon, says the school provides aid to child from poor families.
10) But he acknowledges which South Korea's education system is divisive.
*Korean Institute
Check Your Answers
1) droops should be drooping
2) are sit should be sit
3) like-cult should be cult-like
4) spinned should be spun
5) which should be who or that
6) to should be for; for should be to; for should be to
7) reading should be reads
8) dream should be dreams
9) child should be children
10) which should be that
Reading Lesson#1
International Women's Day
Vocabulary:
vibrant -- fully alive discrimination -- unfair treatment grim -- harsh, relentless pandemic -- disease spread over wide areas alleviate -- reduce vulnerable -- likelihood towards to exhort -- to urge strongly moribund -- stagnant, doesn't move well pioneer -- first to act
This lesson has been provided by Mark McCarthy. Visit his website at www.getesl.comfor more information on studying English online.
Grammar:
Each of these sentences contains one error. Find and correct the error.
Women urge unity to advance rights as they mark International Women's Day
1) Women marked International Women's Day around the world with vibrant calls for unity for advance sexual equality and women's rights.
2) In Tehran several hundred of Iranian female activists staged a rally to mark of International Women's Day, despite of warnings from authorities that the gathering was illegal. (Omit 3 words)
3) The United Nations urged man to reject violence against woman in
order to protect their daughter from the AIDS pandemic. (Three errors)
4) The Vatican asked the United Nations to condemn all sexual violence against women in a submission to the Commission on the Status of Women meet in New York.
5) Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat meanwhile called on women a world over to oppose the Israeli occupation in the speech marking International Women's Day. (two errors)
6) In Italy, men reported spent five million euros (6.2 million dollars)
sending text messages on their cell phones to tell the women in their lives how much they appreciate them.
7) And Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi exhorted his countrywoman to have more babies, saying legislation must ensure that work and motherhoods are compatible and would spur the country's development.
(two errors)
8) Several governments payed lip service to the women's cause.
9) Stalinist North Korea also marked the day with a call for women to give birth to more children and take a leading role in revive the country's moribund economy.
10) In Norway, often a pioneer in issues of gender equality, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said the country was in its way toward reaching its goal of becoming the first country with women in at least 40 percent of public sector management positions.
Check Your Answers:
1) Change "for" to "to"
2) Omit of 3 times
3) change to: men, women, daughters
4) meeting
5) switch a and the 6) reportedly
7) countrywomen, motherhood
8) paid
9) reviving
10) on its way
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