ENGLISH FOR STUDENTS

Sequence and Structure Words > When you write (and even when you speak), it is a good habit to structure your text to make it easy for the reader. - Here are some words and phrases that we use to do this: ***Sequence*** First, Firstly, First of all, Next, Then, After that, Following that, Before that, Previously, Later, Second, Secondly, Third, Thirdly, Last, Lastly, Last of all, Finally, *** To give an example*** For example, For instance, i.e. e.g. ***To end an essay*** In conclusion, In summary, To conclude, To summarize, ***Miscellaneous*** Some … others (Some people like coffee. Others like tea.) Former and latter: When we mention two things, the former means the first one and the latter means the second one. They offered me the choice between a cash prize or a new car. I chose the former. (the cash) They offered me the choice between a cash prize or a new car. I chose the latter. (the car) > After and before are used as sentence connectors, not sentence starters: W

(Sentence Types): 1- A Simple Sentence expresses a single idea in a single clause: - Joe drank tea. - Joe drank tea with Bill. - Joe drank tea in the afternoon with Bill. - Joe and Bill drank tea. 2- A Compound Sentence contains two ideas connected with a co-ordinator (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) - Joe drank tea, and Bill played the guitar. - Joe drank tea, but he was still thirsty. 3- A Complex Sentence contains two ideas connected by a subordinator (because, since, after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which) - Joe drank the tea that he bought in Chinatown. - Although Joe drank tea, he was still thirsty. 4- A Compound-Complex Sentence has the elements of Type 3 and Type 4 - Joe drank the tea that he bought in Chinatown, and Bill played the guitar.

Speech Words  Here are some words connected to speech: Whisper = speak very softly Mumble = speak softly and unclearly Mention = bring up a topic  Reply = answer Enquire = ask Stutter = speak nervously, repeating sounds (h-h-h-hello) Stammer = speak nervously Shout = speak loudly and angrily Yell = shout Cry (1) = speak while crying Cry (2) = shout Whine = complain in a sad voice Inform = tell Howl = cry out in pain Explain = give details Elaborate = explain in detail Murmur = speak softly and unclearly Sigh = breathe heavily to show disappointment Report = explain something in a formal setting Pray = speak to God Announce = give information to many people State = say something firmly Declare = state Roar = shout or speak loudly and fiercely Promise = commit to doing something Narrate = tell a story Chant = speak in a rhythmic singing manner Notes: 1 We can describe speech as direct speech or reported speech - He said, “It's time to go” - He said it was time to go. > There are

(Position of Adverbs):  Generally, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs or phrases of a sentence. 1 If the adverb modifies an adjective or other adverb, it comes immediately before this word: e.g He sings particularly well. (particularly modifies well) e.g He seems really happy. (really modifies happy) 2 The most common position for an adjective is immediately after the verb: e.g. He runs quickly. e.g. She sings well. e.g. They snored contentedly. - But it can also come at the end of the sentence: e.g. He ran to the store quickly. e.g. She sings classic pop tunes well. e.g. They snored through the night contentedly. 3 An adverb can also modify the entire sentence or clause if placed at the beginning: e.g. Unfortunately, the bus was late. e.g. Predictably, the Reds finished last. e.g. Suddenly, he pulled out a gun. - But these adverbs can also be placed at the middle or end of the sentence: e.g. The bus, unfortunately, was late. e.g. The bus was late, unfortunately.

Simple Present Affirmative She drinks. Negative She does not drink. Interrogative Does she drink? Form I, you we they play | he, she, it play s Uses action in the present taking place once, never or several times facts actions taking place one after another action set by a timetable or schedule Present Progressive Affirmative He is reading. Negative He is not reading. Interrogative Is he reading? Form To be (in the simple present) + verb + ing Uses action taking place at the moment of speaking action arranged for the future Simple Past Affirmative I cried. Negative I did not cry Interrogative Did I cry? Form Regular verbs: Verb + ed | Irregular verbs: forms differ and should be learned by heart. This is a list of  irregular verbs Uses action in the past taking place once, never or several times actions taking place one after another Past Progressive Affirmative He was driving. Negative He was not driving. Interrogative Was he driving? Form to

Reading Task Steve Jobs , the American businessman and technology visionary who is best known as the co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of  Apple Inc , was born on February 24, 1955. His parents were two University of Wisconsin graduate students, Joanne Carole Schieble and Syrian-born Abdulfattah Jandali. They were both unmarried at the time. Jandali, who was teaching in Wisconsin when Steve was born, said he had no choice but to put the baby up for adoption because his girlfriend's family objected to their relationship. The baby was adopted at birth by Paul Reinhold Jobs (1922–1993) and Clara Jobs (1924–1986). Later, when asked about his "adoptive parents," Jobs replied emphatically that Paul and Clara Jobs "were my parents." He stated in his authorized biography that they "were my parents 1,000%." Unknown to him, his biological parents would subsequently marry (December 1955), have a second child, novelist Mona Simpson, in 195

Enjoy this joke Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, surely I can't look that old. Well, you'll love this one.... My name is Alahakoon Silva and I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his diploma, which had his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my  school class some 30-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that i had a secret crush on, way back then? Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Mahanama College. 'Yes. Yes, I did.' he gleamed with pride. 'When did you do your A/L?' I asked. He answered, 'In 1967. Why do you ask?' 'You were in my class!' I exclaimed. He looked at me closely. Then, that ugly, old, bald