Pre-Intermediate Unit 3

Lesson 3

Victor from China: I'd like to ask about the word "participle". Is this word just for the past perfect form of a verb? Answer: The past participle is the form of a verb that ends in -ed (but it can also be irregular...done, begun, etc). It is used to make perfect tenses - past/present/future perfect. The tense of 'have' changes, but the 'particle' stays the same. For example: He had lived there for 6 months (past perfect) He has lived there for 6 months (present perfect) He will have lived there for 6 months. (future perfect) However, there is also a present participle which ends in -ing. It has 3 uses: 1. to form the continuous tense: I am running, She was swimming. (the action) 2. As gerund: I love running. She often goes swimming. (the activity) 3. As an adjective: Look at that smiling baby. That was a thrilling movie! (description)

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Lesson 4

Victor from China: I have some questions: 1. What is the full name for SMS, is it short message system? 2. What is the meaning of "starter" in the sentence of "What are some good conversation starters?"   Answers: Some good questions Victor! 1. SMS means Short Message Service.  You were very close! 2. By starter, we mean a way to begin a conversation - so 'to start' the conversation. If I am at a party and I want to speak to a person I do not know, I will say something like "So who do you know at the party?" or "Have you tried the food yet?  It's really good!". These 'starters" a natural way to begin talking and make it easy to meet new people in both social and business situations. I am sure every culture uses them!

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Lesson 5

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Lesson 6

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Lesson 7

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Lesson 8

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Lesson 9

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Lesson 10

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Review Lesson

Mayembe from Brazil: Why is the answer 'He often has scared/scared the children at night'? Answer: In sentence 3 of that exercise, Thomas is speaking in the past.  He says 'Last week'.  Therefore the rest of the sentences are also in the past because it is a short little story. He is talking about a family he helped.  Is the ghost still in the house now? NO. Did he remove the ghost? YES. So, the children were scared in the past, not today (in the present).

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