American English Refresher

What’s in The News? Micro-green Study Shows Health Benefits.

Speaking Practice. At the Hotel.

English Grammar. Verbs + -ING

“Micro-greens” are tender young plants grown from the seed of certain  herb, vegetable, and grain crops that can be clipped at the stem and  eaten fresh within 2 weeks of germinating.

Some chefs have touted the taste, texture, color, and delicate  appearance of micro-greens, adding them to soups, salads, sandwiches, and  main dishes. Micro-greens can also contain more nutrients than  full-grown plants. Red cabbage micro-greens, in particular, have garnered  attention for their potential to help protect against chronic diseases  like cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death in the United  States.

“Although micro-greens, such as those from red cabbage, have been  reported to possess more nutrients [than mature plants] and are  perceived to be ‘healthier,’ no known study has been conducted to  evaluate whether consumption reduces cardiovascular disease risk  factors,” according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) chemist  Thomas Wang and his co-authors in the December 2016 issue of the Journal  of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Clerk: Yes, sir. May I help you?

Tony: I have a reservation for tonight. Tony Davis.

Clerk: Just a moment, please, while I check. That is correct. You have a reservation for a three ­room suite tonight.

Tony: I’m afraid there’s been a mistake. I only asked for a single room, not a suite.

Clerk: I’m sorry, Mr. Davis, but we have only the suite  available. Your request arrived too late to reserve a single. There’s a  large convention in town this week and we’re full up.

Tony: Well, if that’s the way it is, I’ll have to take it.

Clerk: Just sign the register here and I’ll have your bags sent up later. It’s suite 718.

May I help you? = May I serve you?

We’re full up. = All of our rooms are taken or reserved.

Three room suite = Three connected rooms.

Suite = Pronounced the same as “Sweet”.

Single room = One room.

Often, certain words follow a certain pattern in English. This is  called a “verb pattern”. Although, the examples below may have more than  one verb pattern, it is more common to use one variant as opposed to  another. Here are some common verbs in English that are followed by  -ing.

avoid

You should avoid eating after 10 PM.

enjoy

I enjoy skiing, surfing, and playing tennis.

finish

Have you finished reading the newspaper yet?

can’t stand

I can’t stand going to parties where I don’t know anyone.

don’t mind

I don’t mind working overtime.

look forward to

I look forward to seeing you next week.

practice

I need to practice speaking English more often.

spend (time)

My roommate spends hours watching TV.

stop

He stopped smoking ten years ago.

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-20-pdf-version/

What’s in The News? Road to The United States Constitution.

Speaking Practice. Academy Awards.

English Grammar. Verbs + Infinitive or –ING

America’s search for a plan of national government was a slow,  difficult process. Compromise, cooperation, and creativity were required  as the Americans moved from being colonials in a patriarchal monarchy  to citizen-leaders in a representative republic of federal states. Most  of this process took place in the midst of a long, revolutionary war.  Not only were these “the times that try men’s souls,” in the words of  Thomas Paine, they were also the times that tested Americans’ intellects  and practical political skills in creating a strong, national,  republican government.

The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the  first constitution of the United States, on November 15, 1777, but the  states did not ratify them until March 1, 1781. The Articles created a  loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government,  leaving most of the power with the state governments.

Divisions among the states and even local rebellions threatened to  destroy the fruits of the Revolution. Nationalists, led by James  Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James  Wilson, almost immediately began working toward strengthening the  federal government. They turned a series of regional commercial  conferences into a national constitutional convention at Philadelphia in  1787.

Verbs + Infinitive

Here are some common verbs in English that are followed by the infinitive:

decide

She decided to study biology, not physics.

help

Can you help me to carry these boxes?

It’s very common to remove the word “to”:

Example: Can you help “me carry” these boxes?

hope

We hope to hear from you soon.

I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend.

learn

She’s learning to swim. (With ing)

It’s very common to add the word “how” if you are learning a new skill:

I’m learning “how” to cook.

need

I need to go to the supermarket. We don’t have any eggs.

offer

My friend offered to take me to the airport.

plan

We’re planning to have a big party when our son graduates from college.

pretend

He pretended to be sick so that he didn’t have to take the test.

promise

He promised to call me back as soon as possible.

try

I’m trying to read this book, but it’s too difficult.

want

I want to learn English so that I can study in the U.S.

would like

I’d like to travel to France someday.

Don’t forget that there are three word combinations used just like “Modal Auxiliary Verbs”.

What’s in The News? Thunderstorms Day and Night. What is The Difference?

Speaking Practice. What’s for Dinner?

English Grammar. Me Too / Me Neither

Thunderstorms are most likely to form when the temperature of the air  decreases with height pretty rapidly–for example, when it’s hot at the  ground and cold aloft. Thunderstorms that form at night occur in the  absence of heating at the ground by the sun. Consequently, the storms  that form at night are usually “elevated,” meaning that they form aloft  above the cooler air near the ground, rather than near the ground, which  only during the day can get warmer.

There aren’t nearly as many measurements available of temperature and  moisture, which is needed to fuel thunderstorms, above the ground as  there are at the ground, so predicting where storms will form at night  is much more challenging.

Mother: I wonder what we should have for dinner this evening?

Mona: Are you asking me?

Mother: Yes, I am. I really don’t feel much like cooking, but the family must eat.

Mona: Well, you know me. I can always eat pizza—or spaghetti.

Mother: So I’ve noticed. You’re putting on a little weight, aren’t you?

Mona: I know. Don’t remind me! I’m starting a new diet day after tomorrow.

Mother: It’s about time!

The easiest way to agree in English is to say ”Me too” (to agree with  a positive statement) or “Me neither” (to agree with a negative  statement):

“I love strawberry ice cream.” (Response) “Me too!”

“I don’t go to the gym very often.” (Response) “Me neither.”

A “negative statement” is any sentence that uses a negative auxiliary verb. In other words a verb used with “Not”.

don’t / doesn’t / didn’t (Verb “Do” with “Not”).

can’t (Modal verb “Can” with “Not”).

haven’t / hasn’t / hadn’t (Verb “Have” with “Not”).

won’t / wouldn’t (Modal verb “Will” with “Not”).

isn’t / aren’t / am not (Verb “To be” with “Not”).

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-18-pdf-version/

What’s in The News? It’s True: Coffee Can Add Years to Your Life.

Speaking Practice. Catching a Bus.

English Grammar. Comparative Adjectives and Quantifiers.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? For  many Americans, the day begins by trudging to the coffee pot or stopping  for a daily latte before rushing into the office. Coffee is a daily  ritual in Blue Zones areas, as well. Sardinians, Ikarians and Nicoyans  start their days with a cup, lightly sweetened without cream. In  addition to a daily cup of coffee, Blue Zones centenarians drink water,  tea and wine. While coffee is often a hotly-debated health topic, it’s  shown to carry many health benefits.

In all five original Blue Zones areas, people drink up to two or  three cups of black coffee per day! The American Heart Association found  that consuming coffee, both caffeinated and decaf, was associated with a  lower risk of total mortality. Other major studies confirm that coffee  drinkers live longer than those who don’t drink it, and have lower risks  of early death.

Five science-backed ways coffee benefits life expectancy and overall health:

Coffee, similar to Cannonau wine from Sardinia, leafy green  vegetables and blueberries, contains polyphenols that are effective at  neutralizing free radicals and helping to prevent some diseases. In a  study published by The Journal of Nutrition, consumption of coffee, wine  and vegetables reduced the risk of major chronic degenerative diseases.  The antioxidant intake was most drastically affected by the intake of  coffee. For most Americans, coffee provides more than just a jolt of  energy—it’s where we get the majority of our daily antioxidants.

Steve: Is this where I catch the bus for the zoo?

Alan: You can take a T­30 from here, but then you have to walk about six blocks.

Steve: That doesn’t sound too bad.

Alan: Actually, if you go to the bus stop in the next block, you can take a Z­8 which will let you right off in front of the zoo.

Steve: Maybe that’s what I’ll do. Thanks a lot.

Alan: You’re welcome.

These quantifiers can be used both to show a “more” difference and a “less” difference:

This car is a bit more expensive than this motorcycle.

This motorcycle is a bit less expensive than this car.

This house is way bigger than that apartment.

That apartment is way smaller than this house.

These quantifiers CANNOT be used with the “not as_____as” structure:

My brother is much not as old as me.(Not correct)

My brother is much younger than me. (Correct)

Jill is a little not as tall as Kim. (Not correct)

Jill is a little shorter than Kim. (Correct)

More polite ways to say something with tag questions.

She is so short, isn’t she? (Not polite)

She isn’t very tall, is she? (Polite)

This room is so dirty, isn’t it? (Impolite)

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club

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What’s in The News? Electric Cars Charge While Traveling Down The Highway.

Speaking Practice. Making a Date.

English Grammar. Comparative Adjectives.

Volvo and other car manufacturers are getting closer to the day where  all they make is Electric. Gas and diesel have been the traditional  refueling method forever. It’s time for change. Ironically, Ford was the  first major US car manufacturer to build and lease a fleet of electric  vehicles over 20 years ago. Most of those cars ended up in the trash  compacter. Ford kept it quiet for many years. Now, they are far behind  the curve. Some types of innovation, you just can’t stop.

For now, electric has found it’s way into the mainstream as the next  fuel. By 2024, some manufacturers will stop producing gas autos all  together. After that, it’s anyone's guess at what will be next. With new  technology comes change and the need for further innovation to supply  what’s needed, making everything work for the masses. While there might  be a gas station just around the corner from your home, electric is a  little more complicated than that.

As technology continues to evolve, so will the availability of  recharging stations. Those too may become as popular as the eight track  sooner than you think. Highways that offer recharging as you drive are  in the headlights of engineers today. In fact, there are a number of  tests with charging roads being developed now.

Drew: What time are you leaving tomorrow?

Paul: You mean to go to the graduation ceremony?

Drew: Yes, I’d like to go with you if I may.

Paul: I’d be delighted to take you. I plan to leave here about nine thirty.

Drew: Fine. I can be ready by then.

Paul: Okay. I’ll pick you up at your house.

Drew: See you tomorrow, then, about nine thirty.

Not as ______ as…

“The white wine is not as expensive as the red wine.”

You know how to compare two things by using comparative adjectives:

There’s another structure that you can use: not as (adjective) as.

Running is not as fast as biking. 

Biking is faster than running.

Canada is not as hot as Ecuador. 

Ecuador is hotter than Canada.

Helen is not as friendly as her husband. 

Helen’s husband is friendlier than she is.

Movies are not as interesting as books. 

Books are more interesting than movies.

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-16-pdf-version/

What’s in The News? 7 Things to disappear in The Next Decade

Speaking Practice. Airport Bus Conversation

English Grammar. Present Perfect Simple VS Present Perfect Continuous

Mom, dad along with grandma and grandpa are all part of past  generations when life was just a little slower. All of the time? No!  However, in today’s world of technology, things are changing at  lightning speed.

Compared to any time in history, the pace of innovation and product  creation is impossible to find similarities. While in today’s fast paced  world, technology is moving faster than humans can keep track.

The near future will bring with it some fundamental changes to  everyday life as we know it. Experts agree that many of the inventions  we have used nearly forever, will soon go the way of the dinosaur. As  strange as that sounds, it’s not that difficult to predict which ones  will soon disappear.

Experts have carefully calculated and confidently predicted the short  list of well known products that’s headed to your nearest museum. Keys,  parking meters, cash, ATM’s and banks, desktop computers, televisions  and telephones will disappear before you know it!

Read more at NBC News: http://nbcnews.to/2wp5ytx

Stan: What time does the bus leave for the airport?

Harry: I don’t know. It used to leave every half hour, but I think the schedule’s been changed.

Stan: Do you know the telephone number to call?

Harry: It’s 642-3100. At least that’s what it used to be.

Stan: Yeah, I’ll try it. (Pause) They don’t seem to answer. 

Harry: I expect that it’s a little too early. I don’t think they open until nine o’clock.

Stan: I’ll call again after nine.

Harry: Great idea. If we need to, we can take a taxi.

Stan: Let’s see what the schedule is and then decide what to do.

Harry: Sounds good.

In some cases, either the present perfect simple or the present perfect continuous can be used, with the same meaning. We often do this with the verbs “work” and “live”:

“I’ve worked here since 1992.” Or

“I’ve been working here since 1992.”  

However, we often use the present perfect continuous to emphasize the action in progress, and the present perfect simple to emphasize the result:

“I’ve been working on this report for three weeks.” (Action in progress not completed)

“I’ve finished the project.” (Project completed or done)

“We’ve been cleaning the house all afternoon.” (emphasizes the action of cleaning)

“We’ve cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen.” (emphasizes the fact that the bathroom and kitchen are done)

Remember, most “state” verbs are never used in continuous form.

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-15-pdf-version/

What’s New? China’s First Forest City

Speaking Practice. Daily Needs

English Grammar. Present Perfect + For / Since

In the wake of President Trump’s decision to remove America from the  Paris Climate agreement, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little negative  about the future of the planet.

With reports of huge cracks appearing in the Antarctic ice, fears  that preventing the two degree heating of the planet might be a pipe  dream, and the world’s food supplies at risk – everything looks and  sounds grim.

Fortunately though, there are some good news stories on the horizon;  with many of them coming from China. The country has been leading the  way when it comes to ‘green living’ in recent years, with the government  announcing it had completed construction of the world’s largest  floating solar farm. Now, in an attempt to curb the production of toxic  gasses, the country is continuing to pave the way (so to speak) with the  construction of one of the world’s first ‘forest cities’. Designed by  Stefano Boeri, who you might remember also designed two vertical  skyscraper ‘forests’, the city is currently under construction in  Liuzhou, Guangxi Province.

Once completed, the new city will reportedly host 30,000 people and –  thanks to the abundance of trees and plants – will absorb almost 10,000  tons of CO2, 57 tons of pollutants per year and produce approximately  900 tons of oxygen annually. The city will achieve these rather  impressive figures thanks to roughly a million plants from over 100  species, as well as 40,000 trees being planted in facades over almost  every surface imaginable. The new Liuzhou Forest City will connect to  the existing Liuzhou via a series of fast rail services and electric  cars. It will also reportedly house a number of schools and two  hospitals. There are also plans to make the city self-sustainable with  regards to power, thanks to geothermal and solar energy resources.

Judith: This is the last of the milk.

The present perfect is also used with for and since to talk about actions that began in the past and continue to the present:

“I’ve lived here since 2004.”

“Since” is used with a point in time, and means “from that point in time until the present.”

Use “Since” with dates (2011, January, Tuesday,  etc.), times (6:15, noon, this morning, etc.), and past events (I was a  child, he graduated from college, etc).

“Since” as an “adverb” is always used with the present perfect.

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-14-pdf-version/

What’s New?  Climate Change and Global Warming

Speaking Practice. Early in the Morning

English Grammar. Present Perfect + Yet / Already / Just

The world has one year to start making significant reductions in  greenhouse gas emissions or face the prospect of dangerous global  warming, experts have warned in an article in the prestigious journal  Nature.  Calling for world leaders to be guided by the scientific  evidence rather than “hide their heads in the sand”, they said “entire  ecosystems” were already beginning to collapse, summer sea ice was  disappearing in the Arctic and coral reefs were dying from the heat.

The world could emit enough carbon to bust the Paris Agreement target  of between 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius in anything from four to 26 years  if current levels continue, the article said. Global emissions had been  rising rapidly but have plateaued in recent years.

The words already, yet, recently, lately, and just,  all refer to a recent and non-specific time. A specific time would be  “yesterday” or “three hours ago” or last Friday “. In these cases we  would use the simple past.

Already can be used in positive statements and questions.

“I’ve already read today’s newspaper.”

“Have you already paid the electric bill?”

“She’s finished the test already.”

Note: “Already” can go in between “have/has” and the past participle (as in the first two examples) or at the end of the sentence.

Yet can be used in negative statements and questions.

“We haven’t cleaned the house yet.”

“Has he told you the good news yet?”

“Have they booked their tickets yet?”

Note: “Yet” usually goes at the end of the sentence or phrase.

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-13-pdf-version/

What’s New? Sentient Robots and The Future.

Speaking Practice. Greetings in American English.

English Grammar. Simple Past and Past Continuous.

Zombies and aliens may not be a realistic threat to our species. But  there’s one stock movie villain we can’t be so sanguine about: sentient  robots. If anything, their arrival is probably just a matter of time.  But what will a world of conscious machines be like? Will there be a  place in it for us?

Artificial intelligence research has been going through a recent  revolution. AI systems can now outperform humans at playing chess and  Go, recognizing faces, and driving safely. Even so, most researchers say  truly conscious machines — ones that don’t just run programs but have  feelings and are self-aware — are decades away. First, the reasoning  goes, researchers have to build a generalized intelligence, a single  machine with the above talents and the capacity to learn more. Only then  will AI reach the level of sophistication needed for consciousness. But  some think it won’t take nearly that long.

Matt: Good morning.

Maxine: Good morning. How are you today?

Matt: Just fine, thanks. How are you?

Maxine: Wonderful. Things couldn’t be better.

Dotty: Hi. What’s up?

Vivian: Nothing much. What’s new with you?

Dotty: Not too much. I’ve been pretty busy.

Vivian: Me too. Seems like all I do is eat and sleep.

Dotty: Gotta go. Call me tonight.

Vivian: Okay. Check you later.

Mother: Good morning.

Son: Morning. What’s for breakfast?

Mother: The usual. Eggs, toast, and cereal. Coffee, if you want.

Son: I think I’ll just have cereal for a change.

Mother: Help yourself. The cereal and sugar are on the table. The milk’s in the refrigerator.

When to use the Past Continuous? 

To talk about things that were in progress in the past.

Past Continuous Positive

To form the past continuous positive, use subject + (to be) + verb + -ing

I / He / She / It was studying

You / We / They were studying

What’s New? Magic foods for men do not exist.

Speaking Practice. Ordering a meal at a restaurant.

English Grammar. The present continuous tense.

There’s no magic food or way to eat. There are some foods men need to  eat such as vegetables; fruits; whole grains; protein foods like beans,  eggs, or lean meats; and dairy like 1% milk. You’ll get nutrients you  need for good health―including magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin D,  fiber, and protein. If it’s there, you’ll eat it.

Keep healthy foods in your kitchen that need little preparation. Keep  your fridge filled with carrots, apples, oranges, low-fat yogurt, and  eggs. Stock up on fresh, canned, or frozen vegetables and fruits, lean  meats, canned beans, and tuna or salmon. Find healthier heat-and-eat  options to replace heating up a frozen pizza.

Whole grains help you feel full. Make sure half your grains are whole  grains. Whole grains can help give a feeling of fullness and key  nutrients. Choose whole-wheat breads, pasta, and crackers, brown rice  and oatmeal instead of white bread, rice, or other refined-grain  products.

This article comes from ChooseMyPlate.gov. Download the full article here http://bit.ly/2rwLQsG

Here is an example of short dialog about ordering a meal in a  restaurant. Pay special attention to the intonation. Remember that  intonation reflects what someone is often thinking. Being polite with  just words alone is near impossible. This is especially true if you are  speaking with someone who does not know you. Be aware of what you are  saying and how you say it. While speaking, try to listen to yourself and  think about how you speak to others.

The dialog here is short and to the point. Although both people are  polite to each other, they are speaking directly without additional  words. Keep your English simple. Remember, generally, it takes full  sentences to ask questions. Answers are often short and to the point.

A few keys to remember when we use the present continuous tense. We use the continuous tenses to refer to short actions, facts or events of some kind. “I am reading at the moment” or “I am eating right now”.  Notice how we use a time expression of some kind at the end of our  sentences. Time expressions or “Adverbs” are an important part of  communication in English. “Adverbs” help to clarify facts or to  understand time.

The continuous tense is also used for activities that have an  indefinite duration. In other words, we may not know how long an  activity or fact will end. Again, the use of “Adverbs and time  expressions” are very important to help communicate more accurately.

Read more here https://larisaenglishclub.com/pdf-resources/larisa-english-club-11-pdf-version/