ACTIVITIES

Activity: Irregular verbs
Skills covered: reference worksheet
Levels: Elementary to Intermediate
Description: A handout of the most common irregular verbs. They are grouped according to their pattern.
Tip: A useful handout if you are just starting the present perfect.
1. He will meet you in front of the station at seven o'clock sharp.
"in front of" is the only correct preposition in this case.
2. If you want to be healthy, you shouldn't smoke.
Use "should" or "shouldn't" as a modal verb to give advice.
3. He's bored by politics.
Remember to use the "-ed" form of the adjective to describe how people are affected. In this case, "bored by" is the only correct combination of adjective and preposition.
4. Where was Jack yesterday? - I don't know. He might have been seeing the doctor.
Use "might have + participle" for a past modal verb of probability. The other forms include "could have + participle - possibility, must have + participle - almost certain, can't have + participle - almost certain in a negative way".
5. Yes, that is the woman whose horse almost trampled her!
"whose" is the possessive relative pronoun referring to "the woman" in this case.
6. Would you like me to look after the children next week?
"look after" is a phrasal verb which means "to take care of".
7. I missed the train, so I had to take the next one.
Past obligation is always "had to". There is no "must" in the past.
8. Why are your hands so dirty? - Well, I have been working in the garden for the last two hours.
Use the present perfect continuous to state a recent continuous action in the past causing a present result
9. Fiestas have been made in Cologne, Germany for many years now.
"have been made" is the correct present perfect passive form required in this case.
10. Let me explain! I didn't really want to eat all the cookies, I just couldn't help myself.
"Let" takes an object followed by a verb without "to".
11. Yes, we have bought the tickets to the concert and we are going next Friday. I'm so excited.
The present continuous is often used to express future intentions, especially principle verbs such as "go".
12. What are you going to do tomorrow evening?!
Use "be going to" to ask about future intentions.
Activity: Phonetic crosswords
Skills covered: Pronunciation of individual words
Levels: Any level provided the students are relatively confident with using phonemes
Description: A game in which students write the phonemes for words. Also includes a sheet with the British English phonemes and example words, which you are welcome to photocopy.
Tip: Before you play this game for the first time, you may like to get students to write the correct spelling of a selection of words that you have written phonetically, and then get them to write the phonemes for another selection of words that you have given them.
The Ass and his Purchaser
A man who wanted to buy an Ass went to market, and, coming across a likely-looking beast, arranged with the owner that he should be allowed to take him home on trial to see what he was like. When he reached home, he put him into his stable along with the other asses. The newcomer took a look round, and immediately went and chose a place next to the laziest and greediest beast in the stable. When the master saw this he put a halter on him at once, and led him off and handed him over to his owner again. The latter was a good deal surprised to seem him back so soon, and said, "Why, do you mean to say you have tested him already?" "I don't want to put him through any more tests," replied the other. "I could see what sort of beast he is from the companion he chose for himself."
Moral
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Key Vocabulary Words and Phrases
ass - like a donkeyto come across - find by chanceto take home on trial - not purchase, but try to see if something worksstable - place where horses, donkeys, asses, etc. livenewcomer - someone who is new to a groupgreedy - desire to have everythinghalter - equipment put onto a horse, donkey, ass, etc. to make movement easiercompanion - friend
Moral
A man is known by the company he keeps. - Your friends reflect your own likes and dislikes, capabilities, etc.
Questions / Discussion
· How did the man decide to keep or not keep the Ass?
· Why did the man decide to not keep the Ass?
· Vocabulary Building - Make a list of words related to these categories presented in the fable:
1. markets - exchanging goods or services
2. animals - stables
· Do you have any stories / fables in your culture that has a similar message? If so, try to tell the story or fable in English.
· Tell a story of when you chose not to be friends with someone. Explain why.
Activity: "Could I borrow your...?"
Skills covered: speaking, functional language (requests)
Levels: Elementary or Pre-intermediate
Description:
A version of the card game "Happy Families" but to practise asking for common classroom objects.
Tip: It is best played in groups of three or four students. Students love this game but it needs careful setting up.
"Grammar Banging" - Review your English - 3 - Intermediate
Choose the correct word to fill in the gap
1. He will meet you _________ the station at seven o'clock sharp.
A) in front B) ahead C) in front of D) behind of
2. If you want to be healthy, you _______ smoke.
A) needn't B) couldn't C) shouldn't D) mustn't to
3. He's _____________ politics.
A) interested B) interesting C) interested to D) interested in
4. Where was Jack yesterday? - I don't know. He ________________ seeing the doctor.
A) might has been B) might have been C) couldn't have been D) mustn't have been
5. Yes, that is the woman _________ horse almost trampled her!
A) which B) whose C) who D) that
6. Would you like me to ______________ the children next week?
A) look to B) look at C) look after D) look into
7. I missed the train, so I _________ take the next one.
A) musted B) must C) had to D) had
8. Why are your hands so dirty? - Well, I __________________ in the garden for the last two hours.
A) have worked B)worked C) am working D) have been working
9. Fiestas ______________ in Cologne, Germany for many years now.
A) have been making B) have made C) have been made D) are made
10. Let me ___________! I didn't really want to eat all the cookies, I just couldn't help myself.
A) to say you B) say you C) explain me D) explain
11. Yes, we have bought the tickets to the concert and we _______________ next Friday. I'm so excited.
A) will go B) won't go C) shall be going D) are going
12. What ___________________ tomorrow evening?!
A) will you do B) are you going to do C) shall you be doing D) is you doing