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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Beginning Lesson 1

Write your comments about the topics from Beginning Lesson 1. The topics are . . .

1. Write sentences using the verb "to have."
Example:
I have a computer. I don't have a car.

2. Write a paragraph describing yourself (like the paragraph about Lupe from the Reading page). Describe your name, where you are from, about your work, and about your family.
Example:
Hi! My name is Lupe. I'm from Mexico. I am a housewife. I have a husband. His name is Jorge. I have two children. Their names are Veronica and Alberto. Nice to meet you.

Beginning Lesson 2

Write your comments about the topics from Beginning Lesson 2. The topics are . . .

1. Write a list of things that are in the room where you are (to practice with the articles, numbers, and plurals).
Example:
a pencil, an eraser, two books, etc.

2. If you are a student, describe your class schedule.
Example:
My first class is science at eight o'clock. I have English at nine o'clock. etc.

Beginning Lesson 3

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 3. The topic is . . .

1. Describe someone (or several people) that you know using the vocabulary from this lesson.
Example:
My friend Bob is tall and thin. He has black hair. etc.

Beginning Lesson 4

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 4. The topic is . . .

1. Describe what you do for your job or a friend or family member's job.
Examples:
I am a waitress. I serve food in a restaurant.
My husband is a doctor. He helps patients.

Beginning Lesson 5

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 5. The topic is . . .

1. Write a paragraph about your family. What are their names? Where do they live? What is their job?
My name is Dennis and this is my family tree. My father's name is Steve. He's an architect and he lives in New York with my mother Mary. My mom is a very talented artist. She paints beautiful pictures. I have one brother named Albert. He is a computer engineer. Debra is my wife. She is a nurse at the same hospital where I work. I work in the lab. My daughter Donna is a doctor in San Francisco. Donna's husband's name is Keith. He is a restaurant manager. They have a little girl named Becky who is three years old.

Beginning Lesson 6

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 6. The topic is . . .

1. Write a paragraph describing your house (or your dream house). Make sentences with "There is" and There are" to describe what is in your house.

Beginning Lesson 7

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 7. The topic is . . .

1. What would you like for breakfast? What would you like for lunch? For dinner? Describe what you'd like using "I'd like . . ."

Beginning Lesson 8

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 8. The topic is . . .

1. Describe your clothes using "I'm wearing . . ." Describe the clothes that your family or friends are wearing too (ex. He's wearing . . .).

Beginning Lesson 9

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 9. The topic is . . .

1. Write a paragraph describing what you think your family and friends are doing right now.
Example: Kim is cleaning the house. Mike is working on his computer. etc.

Beginning Lesson 10

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 10. The topic is . . .

1. Describe what is in the room where you are at this moment using this, that, these, and those.
Example: This is a computer. That is a printer. Those are papers. etc.

Beginning Lesson 11

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 11. The topic is . . .

1. Describe your vehicles.
Example: I have a car. It is a Mazda. It has four doors. It is blue. etc.
I also have a bicycle. It is red. I ride it on the weekends. etc.

Beginning Lesson 12

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 12. The topic is . . .

1. Describe what you should and have to do to be healthy.
Example: I should walk in the evenings for exercise. I have to stop smoking. I should eat more fruits and vegetables. etc.

Beginning Lesson 13

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 13. The topic is . . .

1. Describe how to go from one place to another (for example - from your house to your work, from your house to your school, from your work to the supermarket).
Example: Go straight on Brendenwood Road. Turn left. etc.

Beginning Lesson 14

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 14. The topic is . . .

1. Describe an animal (or animals) from your country or region.

Beginning Lesson 15

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 15. The topic is . . .

1. Describe the weather in your country or region during the different seasons.

Beginning Lesson 16

Write your comments about the topic from Beginning Lesson 15. The topic is . . .

1. Describe what you think the future will be like. What will the cars, houses, schools, and jobs be like?
Example:
Cars will fly.

Intermediate Lesson 1

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 1. The topic is . . .

1. Imagine that you are Phil Andrews. Write a letter from one of your destinations.

Intermediate Lesson 2

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 2. The topic is . . .

1. Write a paragraph describing your school.

Intermediate Lesson 3

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 3. The topic is . . .

1. Describe people who you know (friends, family, etc.).

Intermediate Lesson 4

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 4. The topic is . . .

1. Imagine that you are in an interview. The interviewer just asked you why they should hire you. Describe your work experience, skills, personality traits, etc. that make you a great employee.

Intermediate Lesson 5

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 5. The topic is . . .

1. Imagine that you are on vacation (anywhere in the world). Write a postcard to your family or a friend telling them what you did on your vacation.

Intermediate Lesson 6

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 6. The topic is . . .

1. Imagine that someone called you because they are interested in buying your home (or apartment). Describe your home to them.

Intermediate Lesson 7

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 7. The topic is . . .

1. Write what you ate yesterday (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks).

Intermediate Lesson 8

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 8. The topic is . . .

1. Describe the last time you went shopping. What stores did you go to? Who did you go shopping with? What did you buy?

Intermediate Lesson 15

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 15. The topic is . . .

1. Write a weather forecast for your country or region.

Intermediate Lesson 14

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 14. The topic is . . .

1. What animal do you think is the best pet? Why?

Intermediate Lesson 13

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 13. The topic is . . .

1. Describe and compare two cities from your country.

Intermediate Lesson 12

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 12. The topic is . . .

1. Write other tips for keeping your home safe for children and adults.

Intermediate Lesson 10

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 10. The topic is . . .

1. Write a dialog of a seller and a buyer negotiating a price.

Intermediate Lesson 11

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 11. The topic is . . .

1. Describe an accident that you saw (or that you saw on television or in a movie).

Intermediate Lesson 9

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 9. The topic is . . .

1. Describe your exercise routine or an exercise routine that you want to begin.

Intermediate Lesson 16

Write your comments about the topic from Intermediate Lesson 16. The topic is . . .

1. Write your answer to one of the ethical questions in the second to the last paragraph of the reading.

Should we build objects including life forms atom by atom for our purposes?

How would you feel about having mechanical parts in your body?

What would be the motivation to work if we could have machines produce everything (Would we even want to work)?

Advanced Lesson 1

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 1. The topic is . . .

1. Imagine that you are writing a letter to a friend who you haven't seen in a long time. Tell your friend what you've been doing for the last several years.

Advanced Lesson 2

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 2. The topic is . . .

1. Do you think that teachers today should have rules of behavior? If so, what should they be? Make a list of modern rules for teachers.

Advanced Lesson 3

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 3. The topic is . . .

1. If you are married, imagine that you are single. Write a personal ad describing YOU and what kind of person you are looking for.

Advanced Lesson 4

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 4. The topic is . . .

1. Write three sentences describing your work experience (like sentences that you would put on a resume).

Advanced Lesson 5

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 5. The topic is . . .

1. Write a family rules list. For each rule explain why it is important and outline any rewards or punishments.

Advanced Lesson 6

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 6. The topic is . . .

1. Write a letter about problems that you have right now (or have had) in your house or apartment.

Advanced Lesson 7

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 7. The topic is . . .

1. Write a recipe for your favorite food.

Advanced Lesson 8

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 8. The topic is . . .

1. Write about what you think clothes will be like in the future.

Advanced Lesson 9

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 9. The topic is . . .

1. Describe your favorite Olympic sport. How is it played? Why do you like it? Who is your favorite athlete in that sport?

Advanced Lesson 10

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 10. The topic is . . .

1. Imagine that a friend of yours has a shopping addiction. Write a letter to him/her giving advice.

Advanced Lesson 11

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 11. The topic is . . .

1. Describe an accident that you saw or were in.

Advanced Lesson 12

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 12. The topic is . . .

1. Write a letter to a friend giving advice using these verbs (should, ought to, had better).
example
You should exercise everyday. You ought to eat healthy things like fruits and vegetables. You shouldn't eat fatty foods. You had better lose weight, or you might have a heart attack some day. (etc.)

Advanced Lesson 13

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 13. The topic is . . .

1.Which of the San Diego attractions interests you the most and why?

Advanced Lesson 14

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 14. The topic is . . .

1.Describe a talented animal that you know or that you have read or heard about. What tricks can the animal do?

Advanced Lesson 15

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 15. The topic is . . .

1. Have you prepared your house for extreme weather? How? If you haven't, what do you think you should do to prepare your house?

Advanced Lesson 16

Write your comments about the topic from Advanced Lesson 16. The topic is . . .

1. Would you like to travel in space? Why? Where would you go?