Reading

Some apartments for rent in the DAILY SQUAWK

The following ads appear in the classified section of the DAILY SQUAWK

Vocabulary
The following words are used to refer to and describe places where people live
Adjectives

Nouns

Spacious

apartment

Restored

condo

Brand-new

town home/house

Luxurious

villa

Ocean-front

residence

Pre-construction

units

High-rise

building

Compound Adjectives
In English, we can form 2-word adjectives by combining different kinds of words with a -and by placing these joined
words before nouns. The resulting combination functions as a one-word adjective and its meaning draws from the two
words it is made up of. For example, a 10-floor building is a building with ten floors and a brand-new apartment is an
apartment that has just been constructed and prepared for people to move in.
These are some of the possible combinations for creating compound adjectives:
1. Adjective + noun
High-rise (adj=high + noun=rise)
Low-rise (adj=low + noun=rise)

This is how we use compound adjectives, we just place them before nouns:
A high-rise building
Note: the combination of these two words makes the compound adjective!
The meaning comes from both words: a high rise building is a building that rises high or has many stories (floors)
Here is another example of an adjective-noun compound adjective:
Low-rice ceilings
(ceilings that rise low or are not too high)

Compound Adjectives
2. Noun + noun

Ocean-view

Ocean-view house

Water-front

Water-front apartment

4-bedroom

4-bedroom apartment

60-story

60-story skyscraper

Newlyremodeled

newly-remodeled condo

Nicely-decorated

nicely-decorated
apartment

3. Number + noun

4. Adverb + past participle

ractice 2
Create compound adjectives with the words in parenthesis, then complete the following sentences:

1. I want to move to a

apartment in Miami Beach. (water front).

2. The company is building a

3. This is a

building in Las Vegas. (high rise).

building (20 story).

4. We are in that
5. The house has a
6. They want a

office dawn the hall. (newly remodeled).

area. (screened patio)
condo in Boston. (brand new) .

Practice 2b
Part a: Unscramble the following phrases. Write the correct combination in the blanks.

Example: a / house / 3 / - / floor

1. story / 7 / - / a / building
2. river / - / mansions / front / many
3. area / the / restored / colonial / - / newly
4. high / - / rise /ceilings
5. townhouse / - / view / lake/ a

a 3-floor house

Reading
Jaime and his friend Peter are going to study at the University of Kansas. They are living with Peters aunt at the
moment. They are looking for an apartment not far from the university.
After reading the above advertisements from the DAILY SQUAWK at the beginning of this Unit and listening to the
dialogue decide which one Jaime and Peter select.
JAIME: We need to buy a map of this town.
PETER: What for?
JAIME: Well, so that we can get around and know where things are.
PETER: Yes, and to find somewhere to live, too.
JAIME: There are some apartments here in the Daily Squawk that are interesting.
PETER: How much is the rent?
JAIME: Theres a two-bedroom at $400 and one at $450 and a three bedroom at $500.
PETER: Well lets forget about the $500 one. Thats too expensive.
JAIME: Well, Theres a modern one at $450 and another one at $400.
PETER: How about parking?
JAIME: Well the $450 one has limited parking. That means sometimes there is no parking
space.
PETER: Oh, thats not so good.
JAIME: If we take the $400 we have to park in the street.
PETER: Hmmm. Thats worse!
JAIME: The three bedroom one has parking in the building.
PETER: Well thats $50 more but sounds better.
JAIME: Im going to call Roberto Narvaez.
PETER: Why?
JAIME: In order to ask if he wants to share an apartment with us.
PETER: Oh, youre going to see if he wants to share the rent between the three of us?
JAIME: Right.
PETER: Youre a genius, Jaime. Let me talk to aunt Jean so that she will know our plans.
JAIME: Good idea. Shes been so nice to us.

Which apartment are Peter and Jaime interested in?

Practice 3

1. Jaime and Peter are new to the town.

True

2. Aunt Jean is a relative of Jaime.

3. They need a map so that they can explore the town.
4. Jaime and Peter are quite rich people.
5. Roberto Narvaez lives with Peter and Jaime at Aunt
Jeans.
6. Jaime and Peter have cars.
7. They want Roberto Narvaez to rent the apartment for
himself.
8. Their stay at Aunt Jeans house is not permanent.

Grammar
To express purpose, we can use any of the following structures:
1. An infinitive
I am learning English to get a better job.
2. The expression in order to + simple form

I am learning English in order to get a better job.

3. The structure: so that + a complete sentence
I am learning English so that I can get a better job.

The above structures are used to explain the reason (purpose) why we do something. They usually follow question
words, such as: why? , what for? and for what reason?. Look at the following extracts from the previous
dialogue:
Extract 1:
- We need to buy a map of this town.
- What for?
- Well, so that we can get around and know where things are.
- Yes, and to find somewhere to live, too.

Extract 2:
- Why?
- In order to ask if he wants to share an apartment with us.
- Oh, youre going to see if he wants to share the rent between the
three of us?
- Right.
- Youre a genius, Jaime. Let me talk to aunt Jean so that she will
know our plans.

Practice 5
Complete the blanks using:
a) an infinitive form, or
b) the expression in order to + simple form, or
c) the structure so that.
Read the sentences CAREFULLY before answering.

1. Why do you work as a realtor?

I work as a realtor

(have) my own schedule.

2. Why are they moving out after so many years?

They are moving out after so many years

their children attend a better

school.
3. What are we changing neighborhoods for?
We are changing neighborhoods

(meet) new people.

4. What did you rent that expensive apartment for?

I rented this apartment

(find) a rich and famous boyfriend.

5. For what reason did he buy this condo?

He bought this condo

he would have enough room for his furniture.

6. Why did they come to this neighborhood?

In order

(enjoy) the lake-side views.

Speaking
Answer the following questions. Record your answers in an MP3 file and send it to your instructor.

You are looking for an apartment to rent. The realtor is asking you the following questions:

Which apartment do you like better, the 4-room or the 5-room?

Why do you prefer that neighborhood?
What do you want wooden floors for?
Do you want a screened patio or a pool?
Wouldnt you prefer a lake-front unit? The view is nicer. They are also more expensive.

Practice 6
Review of vowel sounds.
Your instructor will read the following list of words. Listen carefully and indicate by number ( 1 - 4) the sound you hear
whichDOES NOT correspond to the phoneme above the first number.

1. [
]

1. brown 2. cow 3. now 4. show

2. [

1. should 2. would 3. though 4.

could

3. [

1. been 2. green 3. meat 4. me

4. [ I ]

1. flip 2. mite 3. trip 5. chip

5. [ u ]

1. blood 2. moon 3. soon 4.

bloom

6. [ ^ ]

1. come 2. some 3. home 4. fun

7. [

1. man 2. flat 3. clap 4. any

8. [ ]

1. Pete 2. get 3. shed 4. Fred

Practice 7
Review of Phonetic Transcription
Study the following words in phonetic transcription. You instructor will pronounce one of the words in each horizontal
row. Indicate the number corresponding to the word you hear.

1. a. [
I p]

: p] b. [

e I p] c. [

2. a. [
^ m p ] b. [
[ ^mp]
3. a. [ p I t
et

] b. [ p

^ m p ] c.

] c. [ p a

4. a. [
]

I n k ] b. [ s t I n k ] c. [ p I n k

5. a. [ w I
[w I d ]
6. a. [ k
ae
]

] b. [ w I t

] b. [ k

7. a. [ t a I m ] b. [ t
]

] c.

s t ] c. [ k

n ] c. [ t e I m

8. a. [ r a I m ] b. [ r

m]c[rum]

Writing - Which one is the best?

Which one is the best?
There are three apartments for rent in the classified section of the newspaper. Peter and Jaime
want a cheap, comfortable one. They prefer an apartment, which is close to the university and the
shops. They want one with parking included in the price of the rent. They do not want one near the
main highway. They prefer a quiet part of town. They are not concerned about a good view. They
like apartments with trees. Usually apartments with a good view are much more expensive than
those without good views.

OFFLINE GUIDED COMPOSITION:

Answer the questions in complete sentences. Use the connectors in (...) to join two sentences. The first is done for you. Send
your work to your instructor.
1. Are there two apartments or three apartments for rent in the newspaper?
There are three apartments for rent in the newspaper.
2. Do Peter and Jaime prefer an expensive and uncomfortable apartment or an inexpensive and
comfortable one? (and)
Do they want an apartment away from the shops or near the shops?
3. Do they wish for an apartment without parking included or with parking included?
4. Do they or dont they want an apartment near the main highway? (because) Do they want a
quiet place or a noisy place to live?
5. Is a good view important or not important for them? ( but) Do they like apartments with trees or
without trees?
5. Are apartments with a good view cheap or expensive?

UNIT 2

bjetives
...Someone was breaking into their apartment...

Functions

Objectives

Talk about everyday life and daily

problems.

Understand what a preposition is

Understand how phrasal verbs are formed.

Talking about actions in progress in

the past.

Use phrasal verbs with everyday activities and

problems.

Talking about simultaneous actions in

progress in the past.

Use ing as Object of a preposition.

Talking about interrupted actions in

the past.

Sequencing events in the past by the proper use of

the Present Progressive and Simple Present.

Expressing continuity vs. interruption

of past events.

Become familiar with phonetic transcriptions using

context

Practice phonetic equivalents using

vocabulary from previous units

Use of dictionary transcription for these particular

sounds

Review the more difficult vowel

consonant and diphthong sounds

Writing: Guided composition continuous vs

interrupted acts

Prepositions, prepositions, prepositions!

about - into - for
down - in - about
to - on
through - off
on - up
by - with - over - at

Prepositions are small words used to describe mental and physical states and conditions, and to indicate place, location, time,
manner, direction, etc.
They rarely stand on their own, but are usually combined with other words (nouns, verbs, etc) to create new meaning.

This is the case of phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases, which are special grammatical constructions where
apreposition usually accompanies another word and adds up to its meaning.

Note: For a complete list of prepositions open the Red Book above.

Prepositions and Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are distinctive to the English language. Also called 2 and 3-word verbs, they combine a particle (preposition)
with a verb. The meaning of the resulting 2 or 3-word verb is a combination of both, the verb and its particle (preposition):
Common 2-word verbs
Verb

particle

Turn

on (the light)

Turn

off (the light)

Turn

up (the volume)

Turn

down (the volume)

Verb

particle

Common 3-word verbs

Run

out of sugar

Run

out of gas

Someone was breaking into their apartment!

Jaime sees Peter at lunch time at Marys Pizza Parlor

JAIME:

Oh, man. You wont believe this, I missed the first Math quiz.
My car broke down and I was in the garage for three hours while
they repaired it.

PETER:

Well its only the first quiz, did you ask for a make-up? (a repetition of the test)

JAIME:

I went to the professors office but while I was explaining the phone rang.

PETER:

Hmmm. I see

JAIME:

Then, it was weird (strange), while I was sitting there he just jumped up and ran
out the office without saying a word to me.

PETER:

That was very rude of him. Maybe he had bad news.

JAIME:

I dont know. Im worried about missing that quiz.

Later that day at the university. Peter sees Jaime at the cafeteria.
PETER: Hello, Jaime. You look happier now than you did this morning
JAIME:

Yes, I spoke to my math professor. Hell give me a make-up quiz.

PETER: Oh, good. You managed to speak to him, then?

JAIME:

Yes, he was very apologetic about this morning. It seems while he was talking to
his wife someone was breaking into their apartment.

PETER: Wow, that sounds scary.

JAIME:

Yes, but while he was driving home like a maniac through the streets the police got
to his house first.

PETER: Good, did they catch the burglar?

JAIME:

No, he escaped through the back door while the police were entering the house.
The professor told me it was OK to take the make-up and thanked me for
understanding the situation in the office this morning.

PETER: Good! See you later.

Practice 2
The underlined expressions below correspond to a paraphrased form of the boldfaced 2-word verbs in the reading
(see Red Book above). Select the verb that corresponds from the following options:
A. broke down
B. jumped up
C. speak to
D. breaking into

1. Thieves were robbing their apartment.

2. My car stopped working.
3. I was able to have a few words with the teacher.
4. The teacher was frightened.

Practice 3
PARAPHRASING: As you learn more English you will be able to create more expressions and also paraphrase, that is say
the same thing in different (other) words.
Using the previous dialogue (also in the Red Book), paraphrase the following sentences.
This is an off/line activity. Send your sentences to your instructor before the next chat session.

Copy to Clipboard

1. I will miss that quiz, Im worried.

Im worried _____________________________________
2. You look happy now but you werent happy this morning.
You look ______________________________________
3. He was very rude to do that.
That was ___________________________________
4. I understood the situation and he thanked me.
He thanked __________________________________
5. He jumped up and ran out of the office and didnt say anything.
He jumped ______________________________________
6. He apologized sincerely about the incident this morning.
He was ________________________________________
7. Its possible that the news was bad.
Maybe _______________________________________
8. It was possible to speak to him, then?
You __________________________________________

- Ing forms (Gerunds) as objects of a preposition

Objects of a preposition are nouns or pronouns that follow a preposition:

In

the cafeteria

Preposition

Object of a preposition

In Unit 4 we learned to use ing forms as subjects, objects and adjectives. In this unit, we will learn to use gerunds (-ing
forms that function as nouns) as objects of a preposition.
In practical terms this means that:

- Ing forms (Gerunds) as objects of a preposition

Look at the following examples from the Reading (Red Book):

He ran out the office without saying a word to me.
prep. gerund
Im worried about missing that quiz.
prep. gerund
He thanked me for understanding the situation
prep. Gerund

For negative statements, simply add not before the gerund:

Im worried about not passing that quiz.

He thanked me for not forgetting his birthday.
She thanked me for not buying her those ugly earrings.

ractice 4
Complete the following sentences with the gerund of the verbs in parenthesis. The sign means your sentence is
negative.

1. He thanked me for

(bring) in the garbage.

2. They always apologize about

(- have) enough time to prepare

for exams.
3. I am worried about

(- arrive) on time to the show.

4. She is very good at

(deliver) speeches in public.

5. The cashier handed out the money without

6. He talked me into

(say) a word.

(go) out with him.

Time Clauses
Past Progressive vs. Simple Past
Continuous vs Interrupted Actions
To talk about two continuous actions, like:
While he was talking to his wife someone was breaking into their apartment

We use the past progressive in both sentences (clauses)

and join them with the connector while :

The diagram indicates that these two actions were taking place at the same time in the past.
Note: For simultaneous actions in the past, use the Past Progressive.

The past progressive

The past progressive is formed as follows:
Forming the Past Progressive
Singular Subjects

Plural Subjects

Subject

Past Form of verb

to be

Ing
form

was

talking

He/she/it

was

sleeping

Subject

Past Form of verb

to be

We /
you
They

were

Ing
form
studying
eating

For example:
I was talking on the phone.

She was sleeping in her room.

We were eating in the cafeteria.

They were studying in the library.

If we wanted to join these sentences, and create a longer sentence, all we need to do is the following:
I was talking on the phone while she was sleeping in her room.
We were eating in the cafeteria while they were studying in the library.

Practice 5a
Complete the following sentences with a verb from the list in past progressive. Use each verb only once.
have - give - escape - try - talk - read

1. The robber and his accomplices

2. We

lunch in the school cafeteria.

3. The teacher

a lesson on numeric algebra.

4. The police officer

5. The news reporter
6. He

through the window.

to catch a robber.
about a break-in in his neighborhood.

a novel by John Grisham.

Grammar
Sometimes something is happening, an action is in progress, when something sudden and unexpected interrupts it:
While I was sitting there he just jumped up and ran out the office
We use the past progressive for the action in progress

And the simple past for the sudden, unexpected action that interrupts it:

We join both sentences with the connectors when/while:

Practice 7

Complete the following sentences with the verbs in parenthesis in simple past or past progressive. Use each verb only once.
Read the sentences CAREFULY to know which verb tense to use. Remember to use was for singular
subjects andwere for plural subjects.

1. The goal-keeper
when the boy
and

(look) at the sky

(come)
(score) a wonderful goal.

2. While the audience

the artists
3. She

(listen) in fascination,
(perform) on stage.
(practice) ice-skating

when her mother

window and

(ask) her to come inside.

4. The lights

(go) off

when they
5. She
while a fire
6. He
rest of us
7. While the terrorists
the President
8. We
our parents

Speaking

(call) from the

(play) computer games.

(take) a shower
(break) up in the kitchen.
(prepare) a report while the
(sleep).
(attack) the capital,
(play) golf.
(watch) a movie while
(shop) for Christmas gifts.

Complete the following short conversations. Record your answers and save them in MP3 format. Send
them to your instructor.
Conversation 1
What were you guys doing while I was looking for you?
Well, we were.. I was .and Martha was.
Conversation 2
What was tour mother doing when man landed on the moon?
Mi mother .
And your father?
He .
Conversation 3
What happened when you were taking a walk?
While we were taking a walk .
Conversation 4
Why didnt you finish your homework?
I was doing my homework when . And then .

Guided Composition
Continuous and Interrupted Actions, Past Continuous and Simple Past.
EXAMPLE: Shiela was talking on the telephone when James came in.
In this example we have the act of Shiela talking on the telephone for an unspecified period was talking... But we
know that James act was at a specific time and of short duration ..came in..
Part A. Online Practice
In the following descriptive exercise put the verb in ( ..) into the past progressive to be (was, were) + (verb)-ing,
and past simple. If the negative sign (- ) is placed after the verb put it into the negative form: was/were not (verb )ing or ..did not (verb) etc.

Mike Harley (drive)

his Ford Fiesta along Finch Street

in Hohum, when suddenly a dog (run)

of his car. Mike (brake)

in front
quickly but,

a car which (follow )

his car (crash)
A policeman who (stand)

into the back.

on the corner of

the street (see)

(run)

the accident and quickly

into the street to help the victims. The dogs owner,
). that her dog was

Ms Pricilla Plunkett, (notice ) (- )

missing while she (shop)

in the mall on Finch Street. The

driver of
the second, Mr Peter Pumkineater said he (expect ) (- )
Mikes car to stop so suddenly . He (see) ( - )

the dog.