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There is a new blog site for this blog: English Skills Blog. It has all of the old features plus a lot of new ones. Check it out!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION Dec. 21

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Coming down the hill, we seen the truck driving to fast and couldn't of stopped before hitting a car on the intersection: there were debris laying all over the road.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar and listed a year previous to their date of posting.

PUZZLE Dec. 21

Puzzle

Here is the answer to last week’s puzzle.
1. blankout + beep = bleep
2. pain + sting = pang
3. haggle + tussle = hassle
4. dumb + confound = dumbfound
5. ditsy + dotty = ditty

New Puzzle
Can you identify the language of the following greetings--each one means “Merry Christmas”. Each student identify just one of the languages before allowing another student a chance--there are plenty of opportunities!

1. Gesëende Kersfees
2. Boas Festas
3. Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rock
4. Glaedelig Jul
5. Felice Navidad
6. Hyvää Joulua
7. Joyeux Noel
8. Froehliche Weihnachten
9. Kala Christouyenna
10. Mele Kalikimaka
11. Merry Christmas, Bada Din Mubarak
12. Nollaig Shona Dhuit
13. Bono Natale
14. Shinnen omedeto
15. Kuwa na Krismasi njema
16. Sung Tan Chuk Ha
17. Linksmu Kaledu
18. Feliz Navidad
19. Natale hilare
20. Maligayang Pasko
21. Wesolych Swiat Bozego
22. Narodzenia
23. Feliz Natal, Gajan Kristnaskon
24. Srozhdestovm Kristovim
25. Suksun Wan Christmas
26. Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
27. Nadolig Llawen

ALL CHANGE Dec. 21

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

The fresh snow outside makes the neighbourhood look Christmassy.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the adverb 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

SENTENCE COMPLETION Dec. 21

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after (not both) the clause below:

... I am looking forward to the holiday season...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY Dec. 21

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

insidious (adjective) + engender (verb)

To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

THE PASSIVE Dec. 21

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

The cookies had been eaten and the milk had been drunk by Santa when the kids woke up on Christmas morning.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

Thursday, December 11, 2008

COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME
In December we welcome Cynthia, Anastasia, and Roukaya to the course; we hope you enjoy it and that you will participate in the blog.

Blogger Away!
The blogger (Veronica) will be away between Dec. 5th and Jan. 4th. In her absence, Tamara Renkas will coordinate the blog. Look forward to some holiday specials coming up and keep on participating!

LAST WEEK’S GRAMMAR QUESTION

The team is real happy that they won the game so easy and now the players recover from the party they had thrown afterwards.

1. Subject-verb agreement: In this sentence, “team” is plural; notice the use of the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the team. Change the verb “is” to “are”.
2. Word form: use an adverb to modify an adjective--change “real” to “really”.
3. Word form: use an adverb to modify a verb; “easy” modifies “won”, so change it to “easily”.
4. Verb tense: for something that is occurring at the present time, use the present progressive tense: change “recover” to “are recovering”.
5. Verb tense: the past perfect tense refers to something that happened before another event in the past, but the party happened after the game. For this reason, use the simple past “threw”.
6. Punctuation: When two independent clauses are separated by a coordinating conjunction (and), use a comma before that conjunction.

Next blog: Friday, December 21st

PUZZLE, Dec. 11

Here are the answers to last week's puzzle:

1. bold + rash = brash
2. chuckle + snort = chortle
3. internal + communication = intercom
4. blow + spurt = blurt
5. flutter + hurry = flurry

What are the blended words that have come from the following pairs of words:

1. blankout + beep
2. pain + sting
3. haggle + tussle
4. dumb + confound
5. ditsy + dotty

ALL CHANGE Dec. 11, 2009

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Susan is still eating candy from last Halloween.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the adverb 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE Dec. 11

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after (not both) the clause below:

The fluffy snowflakes fell slowly from the sky.

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY Dec. 11

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

disproportionate (adjective) + antipathy (noun)


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

LAUGH WITH ENGLISH

For the next few weeks, our LWE section will all be "Did you wonder why ...?"

Laugh at some of the strange things that can happen with English!

Did you ever wonder … Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

EXAM PRACTICE Dec. 11, 09

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using a dependent clause in the past perfect progressive tense and an independent clause in the simple past.

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

THE PASSIVE, Dec. 11, 09

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

No one was discovered in the burned out building.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

Monday, November 10, 2008

PUZZLE, Nov. 10th, 2009

No one solved last week's puzzle:-( The answer was:

Two Words
1. Spirit shaper Parish priest
2. Poles gather a report Telegraph operators

Three words (two jobs, middle word is "and")
3. Mass dress alteration Seamstress and tailor

This week:
Five words that contain GU as a letter-pair have had all of their other letters except one removed and placed into a pool. Put those letters back in their proper places. What are the words?

M*GU*, GU*T**, J*GU**, D**GU*, P**GU**

Pool: A, A, A, E, E, E, I, I, L, N, N, N, O, R, R,

EXAM PRACTICE, Nov. 10th, 2009

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using an adverb clause of time and a clause in the simple past tense.

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Oct. 29th, 2009

Correct the errors in the following sentence

Studying on my own pace is a lot of benefit for me due to I do not need to be worrying about no time for attend classes.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar and listed a year previous to their date of posting.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE ... Oct. 29th, 2009

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after (not both) the clause below:

… Halloween is on a Saturday this year…

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Oct. 29th, 2009

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

avert (verb) + panacea (noun)
Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

Monday, October 6, 2008

ACROSTIC

In an acrostic, you start with a theme word and use each letter of that word to start another word or phrase that describes the theme word. The acrostic below is based on the theme word SNOW.
……………S Slippery
……………N Numbing
……………O Obliterating
……………W Wintery
Write an acrostic based on one of the following “Thanksgiving” themes: THANKSGIVING, TURKEY, PUMPKIN, STUFFING, HORN OF PLENTY, or FALL COLOURS.

CINQUAIN POEM

A cinquain poem is a five-line poem that is diamond-shaped. Start with a theme word (noun) and then use the pattern 1 noun, 2 adjectives, 3 gerunds, 1 full sentence, and finally a synonym for the first noun.
SNOW
.....................Snow.........................
.................Cold, white......................
..........Falling, freezing, numbing..............
..........It chills fingers and toes..............
.....................Ice..........................

Write a cinquain poem based on one of the following “Thanksgiving” themes:
THANKSGIVING, TURKEY, PUMPKIN, STUFFING, HORN OF PLENTY, or FALL COLOURS.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE ... Oct. 6th, 2009

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after (not both) the clause below:

...Thanksgiving can signal the start of winter ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Oct. 6th, 2009

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

evanescent (adjective) + diversification (noun)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

PUZZLE, Sept. 25th, 2009

Congratulations to Iannou for being first again to solve last week's puzzle:the answer was

The blanks in the following sentences will be filled in with three different homonyms (words that are spelled differently but sound alike) to make valid sentences. The dashes indicate the number of letters in the words. Can you fill in the blanks?

1. The cut on his _ _ _ _ won't _ _ _ _ in time for the race, so _ _ '_ _ have to drop out.
2. The man was so upset about being _ _ _ _ that he regularly _ _ _ _ _ _ himself up on the bed and _ _ _ _ _ _ his eyes out.
3. I couldn't _ _ _ _ _ any of the _ _ _ _ _ _ in the flower shop, because for some strange reason I had 50 _ _ _ _ _ crammed up my nose.
4. A bloodthirsty pirate will wander the _ _ _ _ and essentially _ _ _ _ _ everything he _ _ _ _.

Please list the missing words.

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE ... Sept. 25th, 2009

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after (not both) the clause below:

… football season is once again in full swing …

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Sept. 25th, 2009

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

unequivocal (adjective) + intercede (verb)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

EXAM PRACTICE, Sept. 25th, 2009

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using both an adjective clause and an adjective phrase.

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

THE PASSIVE, Sept. 25th, 2009

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

The accident could have been caused by the poor weather conditions at the time.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

Sunday, September 14, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Sept. 14th, 2009

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

As the students’ in our class goes on field trip to the royal Alberta museum seeing the new Exhibition they all have fun and learned a lot.
Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar and listed a year previous to their date of posting.

THE PASSIVE, Sept. 14th, 2009

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

We bought some new furniture for our living room last weekend.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

Sunday, August 24, 2008

EXAM PRACTICE, Aug. 24th, 2009

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using a dependent clause in the future progressive tense and an independent clause in the simple future.

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

THE PASSIVE, Aug. 24th, 2009

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

Many more valuables could have been taken from the house when it was broken into.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

PUZZLE, Aug. 12th, 2009

Congratulations to Iannou for being first to solve last week's puzzle.

What phrase is represented by this puzzle?
JG
UN
MI
PP
IM
NU
GJ
Good
New
New

Sunday, July 27, 2008

ACROSTIC

In an acrostic, you start with a theme word and use each letter of that word to start another word or phrase that describes the theme word. The acrostic below is based on the theme word SNOW.
……………S Slippery
……………N Numbing
……………O Obliterating
……………W Wintery
Write an acrostic based on one of the following “summer” themes: SUMMER, HOLIDAY, VACATION, SUNSHINE, RELAXATION, NATIONAL PARKS, BEACHES, FESTIVALS.

CINQUAIN POEM

A cinquain poem is a five-line poem that is diamond-shaped. Start with a theme word (noun) and then use the pattern 1 noun, 2 adjectives, 3 gerunds, 1 full sentence, and finally a synonym for the first noun.
SNOW
.....................Snow.........................
.................Cold, white......................
.........Falling, freezing, numbing...............
.........It chills fingers and toes...............
...................Ice............................

Write a cinquain poem based on one of the following “summer” themes:
SUMMER, HOLIDAY, VACATION, SUNSHINE, RELAXATION, NATIONAL PARKS, BEACHES, FESTIVALS.

PUZZLE, July 27th, 2009

Congratulations again to Iannou for successfully solving last week's puzzle. For the answer, please see below.
Identify the three letters that have been removed from the quotes below:

1. Acion is a ga so and build of confidnc. Inacion is not only h sul, bu h caus, of fa. Phaps h acion you ak will b succssful; phaps diffn acion o adjusmns will hav o follow. Bu any acion is b han no acion a all.

2. Pay is a hough, a blif, a fling, aising wihin h mind of h on paying.

The answer is r, e, and t:

1. Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.
-Norman Vincent Peale

2. Prayer is a thought, a belief, a feeling, arising within the mind of the one praying.
-Ernest Holmes

Thursday, July 17, 2008

PUZZLE, July 17th, 2009

Congratulations to Iannou for successfully solving last week's puzzle. For the answer, please see last week's puzzle in the archive.

Two quotes by Groucho Marx have all their vowels removed. Put the appropriate vowels in each blank.

1. _ bl_ck c_t cr_ss_ng y_ _r p_th s_gn_f_ _s th_t _n _n_m_l _s g_ _ng s_m_wh_r_.

2. H_m_r _s r_ _s_n g_n_ m_d.

EXAM PRACTICE, July 17th, 2009

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence that is a truism.

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

VOCABULARY, June 18th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

maladroit (adjective) + pandemonium (noun)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.


To further improve your vocabulary, check Word of the Day every day! There are also word games and puzzles on this site.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, June 18th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

…hockey season is finally over …

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

EXAM PRACTICE, June 18th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

The instructor + teach ( past progressive) + say (simple past)

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION, May 29th

Correct the errors in the following sentence overheard in the supermarket:

How many pops you got and how manys the same.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, May 29th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

circumlocution (noun) + either adverse (adjective) or adversely (adverb)

Correct answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

EXAM PRACTICE, May 29th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

The students in the course + drive ( past perfect, passive voice) + go (simple past)

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

ALL CHANGE! May 20th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

The greedy child quickly ate all the candy in the coloured basked.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjectives
5. change the adverb name 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

SENTENCE COMPLETION, May 20th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

...the Victoria Day long weekend was disappointing this year ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION, April 30th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

If you shouldn't mind me to ask where you are going when me and my sisters seen you last week.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

SENTENCE COMPLETION, April 22nd

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... April is a month that can't seem to make up its mind ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

Monday, April 14, 2008

SENTENCE COMPLETION, April 14th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... it's time to get back to work now that the Easter holiday is over...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

EXAM PRACTICE, April 14th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

a dependent clause in the past perfect progressive using the verb "ride" + an independent clause in the simple past using the verb "see".

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

CINQUAIN POEM

A cinquain poem is a five-line poem that is diamond-shaped. Start with a theme word (noun) and then use the pattern 1 noun, 2 adjectives, 3 gerunds, 1 full sentence, and finally a synonym for the first noun.
SNOW
.....................Snow.........................
………… Cold, white...................
......Falling, freezing, numbing....
.......It chills fingers and toes......
.....................Ice............................

Write a cinquain poem based on one of the following themes:
EASTER, PASSOVER, ALL FOOL’S DAY, BUNNIES, CHOCOLATE, SPRING, FLOWERS, LILIES

AN ACROSTIC

In an acrostic, you start with a theme word and use each letter of that word to start another word or phrase that describes the theme word. The acrostic below is based on the theme word SNOW.
……………S Slippery
……………N Numbing
……………O Obliterating
……………W Wintery
Write an acrostic based on one of the following themes:
EASTER, PASSOVER, ALL FOOL’S DAY, BUNNIES, CHOCOLATE, SPRING, FLOWERS, LILIES

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Feb. 27th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

I asked Helen how did she do on the exam. She replied I'm sure I did good I think I aced it.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Feb. 27th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Ali quickly bought some groceries at the small supermarket.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the adverb name 6. change the verb name
7. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, Feb. 27th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

synthetically (adverb) + impervious (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

ALL CHANGE! Feb. 19th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Tom and Tina celebrate Valentine's Day with a theme party.

1. change the subject noun (compound subject) 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the verb name 6. change the verb tense.

THE PASSIVE, Feb. 19th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

If we had sold the car sooner, we might have saved a lot of money on car repairs.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

EXAM PRACTICE, Feb. 19th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add a dependent clause in the simple past tense:

...many Canadians have had enough of winter ...

There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Feb. 19th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

The team were fantastic. They won the game easily and with style however the crowd were booing the referee because of a dubious call and it threw empty bottles on the field.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

Monday, February 11, 2008

ALL CHANGE! Feb. 11th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Geoff takes Gina to a favourite Chinese restaurant on Valentines Day.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the first indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the verb name 6. change the verb tense.
7. change second indirect object

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Feb. 11th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

...this year on Valentines Day I had a surprise ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note:you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

THE PASSIVE, Feb. 11th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

If the car had been taken into the garage for regular service, the worn brakes might have been fixed sooner.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

EXAM PRACTICE, Feb. 11th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add a dependent clause in the present progressive tense:

...the children send Valentines cards to all of their classmates ...
There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.

VOCABULARY, Feb. 11th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

vociferously (adverb) + disbursement (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Feb. 3rd

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... many people watched the Pittsburgh Steelers win the Superbowl last weekend ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

ALL CHANGE! Jan 26th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 8 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 8. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

The Chinese student happily celebrated the New Year with her friends.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the adjective
5. change the verb name 6. change the verb tense.
7. change the adverb 8. Change the subject noun to a plural

THE PASSIVE, Jan. 26th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

Susan was happy to be given the prestigious award by the committee.

Last week's question proved to be very difficult; you needed to add a subject to the sentence.
No one was discovered in the burned out building.
For example: (Someone/Firemen/Police) didn't discover anyone in the burned out building. This sentence is an example of why the passive is sometimes useful.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

VOCABULARY, Jan. 26th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

impediment (noun) + disproportionately (adverb)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Jan 19th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

The roads were slippery over the new year, so I drove cautious when I went out but I stayed at home to take it easier as much as possible.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

ALL CHANGE! Jan 12th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Indirect Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Many Canadians enjoy winter sports.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the quantifying adjective 4. change the other adjective
5. change the verb name 6. change the verb tense.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Jan. 12th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... Barack Obama becomes President of the U.S.A. next week ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Jan. 12th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

subserviently (adverb) + malicious (adjective)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

THE PASSIVE, Jan. 5th

Change an active voice sentence to the passive voice, or change a passive voice sentence to the active voice.

The boys threw snowballs at each other.

Last week's question proved to be very difficult; you needed to add a subject to the sentence.
No one was discovered in the burned out building.
For example: (Someone/Firemen/Police) didn't discover anyone in the burned out building. This sentence is an example of why the passive is sometimes useful.

Postings will be saved in the archives (see sidebar).

EXAM PRACTICE, Jan 5th

The following question is similar to the one in part 3 of the Engl 140 final exam. There are many possible answers. Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Add an adverb clause of time:

... I made several New Year's resolutions ...



There are many possible correct answers. Correct answers will be available in the blog archive.