So Long It's Been Good to Know You

by Woody Guthrie This version was adapted by the Weavers

1. I've sung this song, but I'll sing it again,
Of the people I've met and the places I've seen.
Of some of the troubles that bothered my mind
And a lot of good people that I've left behind, saying:

CHORUS
So long, it's been good to know yuh;
So long, it's been good to know yuh;
So long, it's been good to know yuh.
What a long time since I've been home,
And I've gotta be driftin' along.

2. The sweethearts sat in the dark and they sparked.
They hugged and they kissed in that dusty old dark.
They sighed and they cried and they hugged and they kissed,
But instead of marriage they talked like this: Honey,

CHORUS

3. I went to your family and asked them for you.
They all said, “Take her. Oh, take her, please do!
She can’t cook or sew, and she won’t scrub your floor.”
So I put on my hat and tip-toed out the door, saying,

CHORUS

4. I walked down the street to the grocery store.
It was crowded with people both rich and both poor.
I asked the man how his butter was sold.
He said, “One pound of butter for two pounds of gold.” I said,

CHORUS

5A. The telephone rang. It jumped off the wall,
That was the preacher, a-makin' his call.
We’re waitin’ to tie the knot.
You’re getting married. Believe it or not!

(5B. The telephone rang. It jumped off the wall,
That was the preacher, a-makin' his call.
He said, "Kind friends, this may be the end.
You have your last chance at salvation from sin!")

6A. The church was jammed and the church, it was packed,
The pews were all crowded from the front to the back
A thousand friends waited to kiss my new bride,
but I was so anxious, I rushed her outside.

(6B. The church, it was jammed and the church, it was packed,
The pews were all crowded from the front to the back
That the preacher could not read a word of his text,
So he folded his specs, took up a collection, Sayin')

CHORUS

So long, it's been good to know yuh;
So long, it's been good to know yuh;
So long, it's been good to know yuh.
What a long time since I've been home,
And I've gotta be driftin' along.


1. What words in the chorus mean: I have to go. or Gotta go
______________________________________________________________________
2. What are the present perfect verbs in the first verse?

a. _____________________________
b. _____________________________
c. _____________________________
d. _____________________________

3. If something has already happened, then you can use the present perfect tense. For example:
a. I have already eaten lunch. (eat)
b. My friend has already taken this class. (take)
A. YOUR TURN
_______________________________________________________________________
If something began in the past and has been that way since then, you can use the present perfect tense. For example:
a. I haven’t eaten since this morning at 8 o’clock. (eat)
b. I’ve been in the U.S. since 1999. (since Jan.) (be)
B. YOUR TURN
_______________________________________________________________________
You can use the present perfect tense if the question is about something that is brand new in your life, and you ask it this way:
a. Have you ever been to Las Vegas? or (be)
b. Have you ever eaten at MacDonald’s? (eat)
C. YOUR TURN (Write a question to ask your partner.)
_______________________________________________________________________

Your answers for the above questions can use the present perfect tense.
For example: Yes. I went to Las Vegas a year ago. (past tense of “go”)
No. I have never been to Las Vegas. (present perfect “be”)
YOUR TURN (Write your partner’s answer.)
_______________________________________________________________________
If you want to say how long – from then to now, you can use the present perfect. For example:
a. I have worked in the same company for 5 years.
b. I have been waiting for the bus for a long time.
B. YOUR TURN
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Why are the present perfect verbs the correct verbs for this first verse?
_______________________________________________________________________

5. In the 2nd verse, what are all the past tense verbs?
a. _____________________________
b. _____________________________
c. _____________________________
d. _____________________________
e. _____________________________
f. _____________________________
g. _____________________________
6. Why are these past tense verbs the correct verbs for this 2nd verse?

____________________________________________________________________
7. What does “sparked” mean in this verse?
___________________________________________
8. “instead of ” is used when you want to tell an alternative idea.

Can you use “instead of” in a sentence?
The “of” is like a preposition, so you’ll have to follow “of” with a noun. For example,
I’ll have onion rings instead of French fries.
We went to Disneyland instead of Lake Tahoe.
Instead of swimming, we just walked along the beach.
Your turn
___________________________________________________________________
9. In verse 3, why did he go to her family? (Answer in a complete sentence.) __________________________________________________________

10. Why did he leave? (in verse 3) Answer in the past tense, please.

_____________________________________________________________________
11. What’s the difference between these two sentences: (Use the words either and both in answering this question.)
“She can’t cook or sew.” _____________________________________________
“She can cook and sew.” _____________________________________________

12. Why do we use “or ” in “She can’t cook or sew?” _________________
For example: We don’t come to school on Saturdays or Sundays.
I won’t eat meat or chicken because I’m a vegetarian.

13. Can you write your own example of a negative sentence using “OR” ?
Tell me two things you CAN’T do.


14. What is a preacher ? Can you give me a synonym? ________________________________________________________________________
15. “jammed” and “packed” are adjectives. What’s another word in verse #6 that means the same thing? __________________________________
16. In verse #6, what are the pews ? _______________________________________________________________________
17. Also in verse #6B, what is the preacher’s “text”? It’s his______________.
18. What is another word for “specs” [spectacles]?

19. What is “the collection.” _________________________________________

20. We use “can” (“could” in the past) to say we are not able to do something. For example:
I can’t drive. = I am not able to drive.
I can speak both Mandarin and Cantonese. =
I am able to speak both Mandarin and Cantonese.
When I was young, I could walk 5 miles and not get tired.
Today I am not able to walk even 1 mile.

How do we say “He could not read” in another way?
He_______________________________________________________
21. Now you write two sentences, one using “can or could + base form of a verb.______________________________________________________________

and another sentence using to be able to
_______________________________________________________________________
22. Can you tell me something you cannot do.

23. What phrase in verse #5A mean “to get married”? ___________________
24 Why do you think the groom was anxious to take his bride outside?
_______________________________________________________________________

25. What words rhyme?
a. ____________ sort of rhymes with again.
b. mind rhymes with _______________
c. sparked sort of rhymes with _______________
d. kissed sort of rhymes with _______________
e. you rhymes with _______________
f. floor rhymes with _______________
g. store rhymes with _______________
h. sold rhymes with _______________
i. wall rhymes with _______________
j. end sort of rhymes with _______________
k. packed sort of rhymes with _______________
l. text sort of rhymes with _______________

CONVERSATION (Talk to your partner. Then write your answer.)
26. Is there someone that you said, “So long” to? Who was that person? Why did you say, “Good-bye”. When did this happen? How did you feel?



_______________________________________________________________________




_______________________________________________________________________

Test Your Diet IQ

by Joy Bauer in Parade’s “Healthystyle” March/April 2010, p. 7.

Smart food choices can make a huge difference in your waistline and in your health. Take the following quiz and find out how good you are at separating fact from fiction.

TRUE or FALSE? (Circle T or F.)

1. Olive oil is less fattening than butter. T or F

2. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCCS) is worse for you than regular sugar.
T or F

3. Eating at night won’t pack on more pounds than eating during the day.
T or F
1.
2.
3.


* Your IQ is your Intelligence Quotient, a test to assess “how smart you are.”

1. Olive oil is less fattening than butter. T or F
FALSE.
One tablespoon of olive oil is approximately 120 calories compared to 100 for butter. But a food can be fattening and still be good for you. Olive oil contains heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. Butter contains artery-clogging saturated fat. I would choose olive oil over butter. I just wouldn’t overdo it.

2. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is worse for you than regular sugar.
FALSE
Since high-fructose corn syrup is cheaper to produce than sugar, food manufacturers cram it into cookies, candy, cereals, and into just about anything that requires a sweetener. Rather than banning it from your diet, you’re better off cutting back on sugar from ALL sources. That includes honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, agave syrup, and fruit-juice concentrate, which are found in many so-called “healthy” treats.

3. Eating at night won’t pack on more pounds than eating during the day.
TRUE
The only thing that matters is how much you eat over the course of a day. Excess calories from any source, eaten at any time, will be stored as fat unless you burn them off. On the other hand, stopping nighttime snacking can be an effective diet strategy. It reduces the amount of high-cal junk food we typically eat in front of the television after dinner.

VOCABULARY
Let’s find some synonyms. Compare your answers to your partner’s.
You can also try to write your own sentences using the new word.

For example true = correct, right false = incorrect, wrong
a. She’s a smart woman.
smart (adj.) ___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
b. He crammed for an hour before the exam.
to cram (v) ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

c. The government banned the book, Tom Sawyer.
to ban (v) _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
d. I have to cut back on the amount of salt I eat.
to cut back (v) __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
e. Too much bread is fattening.
to be fattening (adj,) __________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
f. Exercise, but don’t overdo it.
to overdo (something) ___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
g. It is approximately 4:00. I have approximately $5.
approximately (adverb)_________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
h. The airlines are now charging more money for excess weight.
excess (adjective) ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
i. If you pour oil down the drain, it will clog it up.
to clog (v); clogging (adj.) ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
j. After doing a wonderful performance at school, all the children ate their treats.
treats (noun, plural) (examples are fine) ____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
k. She never eats a meal. She only snacks.
to snack (verb) ______________________________________________________
snacking (noun) ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
l. I have a good strategy for learning new words – I write my own sentences for practice.
strategy (n)____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
k. My family typically goes to Chinatown for dim sum on Sundays.
typically (adv.) ________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

GRAMMAR

1. What verbs should you use with these words?
verb adjective verb noun
be different make a difference
interesting an interest
interested
expensive an expense
necessary a necessity

2.
Compare a noun to another noun using these ADJECTIVE + INFINITIVE “THAN”
faster to cook than
For example: White rice is faster to cook than brown rice.
Potatoes are faster to cook than corn.
YOUR TURN
Be careful. If your subject is plural, use a plural verb. If it’s singular, use a singular verb.
a.___________________________cheaper to produce than ______________________
b.___________________________safer to drive than ___________________________
c.___________________________better to eat than___________________________
d.___________________________more expensive to buy than_____________________
e.___________________________easier to use than ___________________________
f.___________________________tastier to drink than___________________________
g.___________________________nicer to talk to than ___________________________

3. A. BE BETTER OFF doing something
You’re better off _________ing than ______________ing something else.
For example: You’re better off taking the bus than walking.

I’m better off ______________________________ than __________________________
He’s ___________________________________________________________________
She was ________________________________________________________________


B. Rather than walking, you’re better off taking the bus.

Rather than eating candy, __________________________________________________
Rather than doing my homework in the afternoon, I’m ____________________________
Rather than ______________________________________________________________


Sugar content of selected common plant foods Fructose is a sugar found naturally in fruits and vegetables.

Fruit
apples apricots, bananas, grapes, peaches, pineapples, pears

Vegetables
red beets, carrots, sweet corn, sweet red peppers, sweet onion, sweet potatoes, yams, sugar cane, sugar beets

HFCS is a mixture of fructose and glucose that comes from corn and is used
in processed foods
soft drinks, yogurt, industrial bread, cookies, salad dressing, tomato soup

CONVERSATION
Talk to your partner and then write your answers in complete sentences.

1. It’s my birthday and I have invited you to my party. There is a big cake, and everybody is going to get a piece. You are trying to lose weight, and you think the cake looks too fattening, but you don’t want to insult me. You don’t want to eat any cake, so what could you say to me?


_____________________________________________________________

2. We are going on a picnic together. You are going to bring the chicken and I’m going to bring the fruit. What kind of fruit would you like me to bring?

_____________________________________________________________

3. We also have another friend who is going to join us for our picnic. We want him
or her to bring something to eat. We want it to be something nutritious. What should we ask that person to bring?

_____________________________________________________________
4. What do you like to eat in front of the television?

_____________________________________________________________

For Mother on Mother's Day

MOTHER (1914)
words by Howard Johnson
music by Theodore Morse

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.

1. This is a song built on an ACROSTIC.

Acrostic poems are easy to write, and some of the easiest acrostic poems use names. Let’s pretend your name is Joe.

J
O
E

Now think of a word or a phrase that describes you that begins with the letter J. Then think of a word or phrase that begins with O. Finally, think of a word or phrase that begins with E. Here's what your acrostic poem might look like:

Jolly
Outgoing
Excellent

Try this: Write your first name vertically and pick some adjectives that describe you.

_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. What are the subjects and verbs in this song?
Subject Verb Tense

1. _________________ ________________ ______________
2. _________________ ________________ ______________
3. _________________ ________________ ______________
4. _________________ ________________ ______________
5. _________________ ________________ ______________
6. _________________ ________________ ______________
7. _________________ ________________ ______________
8. _________________ ________________ ______________
9. _________________ ________________ ______________
10. _________________ ________________ ______________
11. _________________ ________________ ______________
12. _________________ ________________ ______________
13. _________________ ________________ ______________

3. What rhymes with what?
a. “old” rhymes with _______________ b. “right” rhymes with ______________
c. “be” rhymes with ______________

4. What phrase means “to cry.” __________________________

5. What phrase means “she would give you anything she could”.


6. What phrase means “Nothing is more important than this. This is the most important thing to me.” _________________________________________________

7. In English, the phrase “She has a heart of gold” means what?

____________________________________________________________________________

8. If I say, “She means the world to me,” can you say this in other words?

___________________________________________________________________________
Tell me who means (or meant) the world to you.

Reduce Your Sodium Intake

The Sunday Examiner, March 29, 2009

Despite recommendations to limit sodium intake to reduce or avoid high blood pressure, Americans are eating more salt than ever.
The average American consumes about 3,000-5,000 mg of salt each day. The recommendation for healthy adults is 2,300 mg, which is equal to about 1 teaspoon of table salt (sodium chloride). Those who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure are urged to reduce intake to below 1,500 mg. Many struggle with lowering the sodium in their diets, but is it really that hard? It all depends on your food choices.
Where is the salt?
Though we can all picture friends who blindly reach for the saltshaker, only 6 percent of the sodium we eat comes from what we sprinkle. A staggering 77 percent of the sodium consumed by Americans comes from processed and restaurant foods. About 12 percent is naturally occurring in foods and 5 percent is added when cooking meals at home.
Sodium is used as a preservative to keep foods fresher longer and to enhance flavor. Some reduced-calorie foods replace fat with sodium to make up for the reduction in flavor.
What to do?
Check the labels on all packaged and processed foods for listings of sodium content. Some of the more common high-sodium foods include: cold cuts, salad dressings, snack foods, processed cheese, and canned foods. Often, the more “ready-to-eat” a packaged food is, like frozen entrees or soups, the more salt it most likely contains.
When it comes to your daily diet, choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and low-sodium options when available.
High-sodium menu items at restaurants may be more difficult to spot, but many restaurant chains are posting their nutrition information on their Web sites.
VOCABULARY and COMPREHENSION
1. sodium (n) = A mineral in the body, which is often called '"salt". The kidneys help to control the amount of sodium in the body. Sodium helps to control the amount of water in the body.

In reference to diet and food, SODIUM is the salt content of food. It is usually given in terms of "sodium." For instance, the label of a can of soup may list "Sodium 400 mg" per cup. Excess sodium from high sodium foods like French fries is excreted in the urine. Having too much or too little sodium in a person's body can cause the body's cells to not work properly. ( http://www.womenshealthzone.net/glossary/s/ )
2. intake (n) means what?
a. things we know b. things we say c. things we eat

3. to consume (verb) Americans consume a lot of salt.
a. like b. eat c. hate

4. to diagnose (verb) = determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis
Who usually diagnoses the problem? _____________________________________

5. a staggering 77% (adjective) means causing great astonishment, amazement, or dismay; overwhelming
How did you feel when you heard this amount?
I _______________ _________________________________________________

6. Examples of processed foods are (make a check√)
a. _____crackers b. _________ milk c. _______apples d. _______cookies
e._______ lunch meats (like bologna and salami and sausages) f. ________chicken
g. _______pickles h. _____bread i. ______rice j. ____tomatoes k. ____eggs

7. What other foods (from the reading) are high in sodium?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8. Sodium is used as a preservative. (noun)
a. added to protect against decay
b. added to make it taste good
c. added to give it a nice color

9.to enhance (verb) = to improve something by adding features.

10. Foods you buy in the supermarket that say they have less fat, add salt to make them taste better. Write the sentence from the reading that means the same as this sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
11. the entrée (noun) a. What part of the meal is the entrée?


b. What part is the appetizer? ________________________________________

c, What part is the dessert? __________________________________________

12. a chain (noun) Can you tell me the names of a few business chains?


13. to post on a website = to share content
What are fast-food restaurants posting on their websites?
______________________________________________________________________

14. legumes (noun) Examples of legumes are beans, peas, lentils, soya, & peanuts

15. whole grains See picture:
Examples: whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, wholewheat pasta, corn, rye, barley
Whole grains are different from refined grains: white rice, white flour, pasta

GRAMMAR
1. MORE + noun than
Americans are eating more salt than ever.
I have more problems than before.
Dan drinks more Coke than he should.
2. LESS + non-count noun FEWER + count noun
My brother eats less salt and fewer cookies because he wants to lose weight.
He is making less money in his present job than he made in his last job

3. Write less or fewer with these nouns.
(You can use There is/there are/there was or there were in some of your sentences.)
a. ________________ movies
b. ________________ homework
c. ________________ vegetables
d. ________________ meat
e. ________________ water
f. ________________ jobs
g. ________________ American cars
4. Now write a sentence using the above phrases.
aa. ____________________________________________________________________
bb. ____________________________________________________________________
cc. ____________________________________________________________________
dd. ____________________________________________________________________
ee. ____________________________________________________________________
ff. ____________________________________________________________________
gg. ____________________________________________________________________
4. Despite is used with a noun in a phrase.
for example:
a. Despite the fact that I have a new job, I still can’t pay my bills.
b. In spite of the fact that I have a new job, I still can’t pay my bills.
c. Despite my new job, I still can’t pay my bills.
d. I still can’t pay my bills despite my new job.
the same meaning, but Even though , although , and though are used to introduce a clause
e. Even though I have a new job, I still can’t pay my bills.
f. Although I have a new job, I still can’t pay my bills.
g. Though I have a new job, I still can’t pay my bills.

aa. Despite my low-level of English, I am looking for a high-paying job.
bb. Even though I have a low-level of English, I am looking for a high-paying job.
YOUR TURN
A. Please try writing a sentence using DESPITE. Look at the examples.
__________________________________________________________________
B. Write a sentence using ALTHOUGH or EVEN THOUGH. (Don’t use BUT)


CONVERSATION
Talk to your partner and then write your answers.
1.How often do you look at the nutrition information on package labels?
Does that information influence you to buy or not to buy it?



2. Do you include legumes and whole grains in your diet? Which legumes do you eat? Which whole grains do you eat?

________________________________________________________________________

Advice for the Woman Looking for a Husband

Advice for the Woman who is looking for a Husband


1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man whom you can count on and who won’t lie to you.

4. It is important that a man loves you and makes you feel you are #1.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.


GRAMMAR
Notice in the 5 sentences above that after IT IS IMPORTANT, you can use an infinitive OR a that clause.

Tell me what is important to you.
1.Use an infinitive


2. Use a that clause.


CONVERSATION

Talk to your partner and then write your answers in complete sentences.

1. What can a man do to help a woman around the house? Tell me three things.




2. Nowadays, do you think the man is the only one who should have a job? If not, what do you think?






3. If a person has a good sense of humor, that person can make you laugh or see something funny in a situation. If YOU have a good sense of humor, you can make another person laugh. Do you have a good sense of humor?



4. You can count on someone is another way of saying you can trust that person or rely on that person. You cannot count on a person who lies to you or cheats on you or cheats you. If, to count on someone is a quality that you like in a person. tell me why.



5. What does a spouse (or boyfriend or girlfriend) have to do to let the other person know he/she loves him/her?

If I Had You

sung by Bing Crosby

I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the gray skies (clouds) to blue
if I had you.

I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals. I’d never mind.
I could start my life anew
if I had you

I could climb the snow-capped mountains,
Sail the mighty ocean wide.
I could cross the burning desert
if I had you by my side

I could be a king, dear uncrowned,
Humble or poor
Rich or renowned
There is just nothing I couldn't do
if I had you.

COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY
1. In this song, what do gray clouds represent? What do blue skies represent?

2. Tell me, in other words, what does “I could leave the old days behind” mean?

____________________________________________________________________

3. Tell me, in other words, what does “I’d never mind” mean?
____________________________________________________________________

2. Tell me, in other words, what does “There is nothing I couln’t do” mean?
____________________________________________________________________

3. humble
a. at home
b. not proud or arrogant
c. falling apart

4. renowned
a. owned again
b. sold
c. well-known
5. anew I could start my life anew.
a. any time
b. again; once more; in a new and different way
c. then stop

GRAMMAR
1.
If for future thoughts, possibilities in the future
Use IF + past tense in the if clause and
COULD/WOULD/MIGHT + base form of the verb in the main clause
examples:
a. If I saved my money, I could buy a new car. (save)
b. If I were thinner, I would buy some new clothes. (be)
c. I could get up early in the morning if I had an alarm clock. (have)
d. I would fly to New York if I were rich. (be)

YOUR TURN
Tell me something about your future using an IF CLAUSE and a future thought with COULD/WOULD/MIGHT + base verb

_________________________________________________________________
2.
Look at the lyrics of the song (You can do this with a partner.)
and tell me everything that could happen in your future IF I HAD YOU.

1. If I had you, I could show the world how to smile.
2. If I had you, --------------_________________________________________________
3. If I had you, _________________________________________________
4. If I had you, _________________________________________________
5. If I had you, _________________________________________________
6. If I had you, _________________________________________________
7. I ________________________________________________ if I had you.
8. If I had you by my side, _________________________________________________
9. If I had you by my side, _________________________________________________
10. If I had you by my side, _________________________________________________
11. If I were ___________, ___________, ____________, _____________ (4 adjectives) , there is nothing I couldn’t do if I had you.
12. _________________________________________________if I had you,

CONVERSATION

Talk to your partner and then write your answer.
1.
Is there anyone who helped you start your life anew? Who is that person and what did he or she do to help you?










2.
If you had a wish about your future, tell me what would it be?

The Piano Man

by Elton John and sung by Billy Joel and Elton John

(1) It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in.
There's an old man sitting next to me
Makin' love to his tonic and gin.

(2) He says, "Son, can you play me a memory?
I'm not really sure how it goes.
But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete [ly]
When I wore a younger man's clothes."

La la la, dee da da
La la, dee da da da dum

Chorus:
Sing us a song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' all right.

(3) Now John at the bar is a friend of mine.
He gets me my drinks for free
And he's quick with a joke or to light up your smoke
But there's some place that he'd rather be.
He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me."
As the smile ran away from his face.
"Well I'm sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place"

Oh, la la la, de da da
La la, di da da da dum

(4) Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he's talkin' with Davy, who's still in the Navy
And probably will be for life.

(5) And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it's better than drinkin' alone.

Chorus
Sing us a song you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you got us feeling all right

(6) It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
'Cause he knows that it's me* they've been comin' to see
To forget about life for a while.
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"

Oh, la la la, dee da da
La la, dee da da da dum

Chorus:
Sing us a song you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you got us feeling all right.

COMPREHENSION AND VOCABULARY
(Please talk to your partner and then write your answers in complete sentences.)
1. Where is this story taking place? and When is it taking place?

________________________________________________________________________
2. Who is telling this story?


3. One of the customers asked for a song that was a memory for him. He said he knew the whole song when he “wore a younger man’s clothes.” What does that mean?



4. What is a CHORUS in a song?

_______________________________________________________________________
5. Who sings the CHORUS in this song?
____________________________________________________________________
6. What is John’s job?
________________________________________________________________________
7. “This is killing me. “ What does this expression mean in this song?

8. What would John rather be doing?
________________________________________________________________________
9. What does Paul do? Tell me two things. Also, is he married?
________________________________________________________________________
10. What does Davy do?
________________________________________________________________________
11. What does it mean that the businessmen are slowly getting “stoned.”
________________________________________________________________________
12.Are the businessmen in the bar by themselves or with someone?
________________________________________________________________________
13. Who do the customers come to see in this piano bar?
________________________________________________________________________
14. What does, “put bread in my jar” mean?
________________________________________________________________________



GRAMMAR

1. There’s an old man sitting next to me makin’ love to his tonic and gin.

One BE verb is enough for this present progressive grammar construction.
An old man is sitting and making = There is an old man sitting . . .

(Use this sentence as a model, and answer this question.)
1. Who is sitting next to you and what is that person doing?

________________________________________________________________________

2. subject + be verb = subject
It’s me. (spoken English) It’s I. (standard English)

Practice this dialogue:
A: I’m calling to talk to Ms. Jones.
B: This is she.
A: I’m sorry. I meant Mr. Jones. Can I speak to your husband.
B: Yes. Just a minute. Honey, telephone!
C: Hello?
A: Is this Mr. Jones?
C: Yes. This is he. How can I help you?

3. Songs are like poems. Many have rhyming words. What words rhyme in this song?

a, In verse 1, what rhymes with IN? _________________
b. In verse 2, what rhymes with GOES? _______________
c. In the chorus, what words rhyme? ______________________________
d. In verse 3, what words rhyme ___________________________________

e. In verse 4, what words rhyme with WIFE? _________________
DAVY rhymes with _______________
f. In verse 5, STONED almost rhymes with __________________
g. In verse 6, what word rhymes with SMILE? ________________
BEER rhymes with __________________
CONVERSATION
Answer the questions and tell your partner WHY!
would rather be
I would rather be healthy than rich. (adj.)
I’d rather be a doctor than a lawyer. (noun)
I’d rather be in San Francisco than in any other place. (prepositional phrase)
1. Is there somewhere else you’d rather be?

_________________________________________________________________

would rather be + ing
I would rather be swimming right now.

John says that he’d rather be somewhere else than where he is.
He’s in a bar, but maybe he’d rather be in Hollywood.

2. You are in school right now. Is there something else you’d rather be doing?

_________________________________________________________________

would rather _+ another base-form verb.
_______I would rather eat vegetables than meat.
I’d rather drive than fly to Los Angeles.
I’d rather use my cell phone than my land line.
.3. Is there something else you’d rather do ?

______________________________________________________________________

The Constitution

THE CONSTITUTION of the United States is the nation's fundamental law, providing the framework for its governance [how to govern] and the principles [the ideas]under which it must operate. The courts then can change the laws as times change.

The first constitution of the United States was the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ratified in 1781. Because this document left too much sovereignty to the states, it was not good enough, so they held a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787



The framers were the men who wrote it. 55 statesmen came, and 39 signed it on September 17, 1787. Among the men who signed it were George Washington (the first President), Alexander Hamilton ( the first Secretary of the Treasury), James Madison (political philosopher and 4th President), Benjamin Franklin (scientist, inventor, diplomat), and Thomas Jefferson (the author of the Declaration of Independence).

[This is the preamble, the first sentences BEFORE the Constitution.]

“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence [defense], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”


[We the people of the United States, have put together this Constitution because we want our country to be united. We want a country that brings justice to everyone, that makes people feel calm, that will provide military protection so people won't feel threatened, and make sure that we keep our freedoms for ourselves and for all those people who come after us.]

The Ten Census Questions

Look for your Census Form in Mid-March, 2010.

Each question helps to determine how more than $400 billion will be
allocated to communities across the country.

10 Census Questions
1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
Number of people = ____ ____

2. Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?
Mark X in all that apply.
__ Children, such as newborn babies or foster children
__ Relatives, such as adult children, cousins, or in-laws
__ Non-relatives, such as roommates or live-in baby sitters
__ People staying here temporarily
__ No additional people

3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home –
Mark X ONE box.
__ Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan?
Include home equity loans
__ Owned by you or someone in this household free and clear
(without a mortgage or loan)?
__ Rented?
__ Occupied without payment of rent?

4. What is your telephone number?
(We may call if we don’t understand an answer.)
Area Code + Number
-- _





5. Please provide information for each person living here. Start with a person living here who owns or rents this house, apartment, or mobile home. If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult living here. This will be Person 1.
What is Person 1’s name? Print name below.
Last name

First name MI

(Federal law protects the confidentiality of personal information, including names.)

6. What is Person 1’s sex? Mark X ONE box.

Male Female
Sociologists, economists, and other researchers who analyze social and economic trends use the data.

7. What is Person 1’s age and what is Person 1’s date of birth?
Print numbers in boxes.
Age on April 1, 2010 Month Day Year of birth



Federal, state, and local governments need data about age to forecast the number of people eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits. The data are also used to plan and evaluatae government programs and policies that provide funds or services for children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age, or the older population.


8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
__ No, not of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin
__ Yes, Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano
__ Yes, Puerto Rican
__ Yes, Cuban
__ Yes, another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin


2
9. What is Person 1’s race? Mark X one or more boxes.
White

Black, African-American, or Negro

American Indian or Alaska Native
(Print name of enrolled or principal tribe.)



Asian Indian Japanese Native Hawaiian

Chinese Korean Guamanian or Chamorro

Filipino Vietnamese Samoan

Other Asian -- Other Pacific Islander
Print race, for example, Hmong, Laotian, Print race, for example,
Pakistani, Cambodian, and so on Fijian, Tongan, and so on.


Some other race Print race.



Race data are used to assess fairness of employment practices and to plan and obtain
funds for public services.

10. Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?
No Yes Mark X all that apply.

In college housing For child custody

In the military In jail

At a seasonal or In a nursing home
second residence
For another reason

IF MORE PEOPLE WERE COUNTED IN QUESTION 1, CONTINUE WITH PERSON 2.
3
GRAMMAR

Look at each question and answer in a complete sentence.

What’s the VERB you’re going to use in #1? BE LIVING

1.__________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: __________________________ (passive*)
3. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
5. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
6. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
7. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
8. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
9. _________________________________________________________________

VERB: _________________________
10. _________________________________________________________________











3
*PASSIVE VOICE. (the object is the subject and the verb is BE + the past participle )
for example: THE BALL WAS THROWN (BY THE BOY).

1. This car is owned by me and my husband.
2. The crime was committed by a thirty-year-old man.
3. That baseball was hit by Barry Bonds.
4. My wallet was taken by somebody.
5. The grapes must have been eaten by my son.
6. Everyone must be counted.
7. Your census information is protected by law.
8. Your census information will never be shared with anyone.

CHANGE THE ABOVE SENTENCES from
PASSIVE VOICE (Object is now the Subject )
to ACTIVE VOICE (Subject Verb Object)

for example: THE BOY THREW THE BALL.
1. ___________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________

6. ___________________________________________________________

7. ___________________________________________________________

8. ___________________________________________________________










4


CONVERSATION

ARE THESE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS?


1. I’m concerned that this may be the first time the census will count non-citizens.

The U.S. Constitution mandates us to count everyone, including both citizens and non-citizens. We’ve followed this mandate, since the first census in 1790. The Framers of the Constitution made it clear they wanted “all inhabitants” of the country counted in the U.S. Census, and every Presidential Administration since that time that has overseen a Census has interpreted the Constitution and the laws require everyone to be counted.
a. What is the U.S. Constitution?
b. “to mandate” (verb) means what? What is a “mandate”(a noun)?

c. Who were the “Framers of the Constitution”?
_____________________________________________________________
d. What’s an “inhabitant”? ______________________________________
e. What is the U.S. Census?






5
2. I’m concerned about sharing my information with anyone.
Census information is protected by law, and everyone who works for the census must swear that they will never disclose any personal information. Penalties for any employee who might share that information are severe: up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. By law, the Census Bureau can’t share your information with anyone — including other federal agencies and law enforcement. Your information is safe.



Tell me about the census or any other subject in the following question:
3. What are you worried or concerned about? and tell me WHY?
[Use concerned or worried about + noun or
use concerned or worried about a clause (S + V) ] because





_____________________________________________________________







6

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

How to Prepare for an

San Francisco is exposed to a wide variety of hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, power outages, severe storms, and acts of terrorism. In order to respond effectively to these, the city has a plan. It is also necessary that we prepare ourselves –
our homes, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods.
Imagine that you have no electricity, no gas, no water, and no telephone service. Imagine that all of the streets and shops are closed and you are without any kind of help or emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?

How will you, your family, and your home survive an earthquake?
Answer a, b, or, c. THIS IS AN EARTHQUAKE QUIZ. Which is the best answer?

1. In the event of an earthquake and you’re in bed sleeping,
a. roll onto the floor next to your bed.
b. get in a doorway.
c. stay in your bed, protecting your head with a pillow.
Then . . . put your shoes on.

2. If you’re at the beach,
a. run into the water
b. drop and cover until the shaking stops
c. apply more sunscreen.
Then . . . if you observe the water receding in an unusually rapid manner, move immediately to higher ground. A strong earthquake centered off the coast can cause a tsunami.

3. If you’re in a car, (if you’re driving),
a. pull over to the side of the road, avoid overpasses, trees and electrical wires. Then set the parking brake.
b. speed up to get away from other cars around you.
c. stop your car and get out.
Then . . . stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. Tune to a news source. If a power line falls on the car, stay in your car and wait for help.

4. If you’re at work (in an office or at school),
a. run out of the building
b. get under a nearby desk or table and hold on until the shaking stops.
c. call 9-1-1 to report the earthquake
Then . . . assess your surroundings and check yourself for injuries before helping others.
Call 9-1-1 only if you have a life-threatening emergency.

5. If you’re commuting (on Muni, on a cable car, on BART, on a street car),
a. exit the train as quickly as possible
b. keep listening to your music until the train reaches its destination
c. stay in your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms.
Then. . . assess your surroundings and wait for evacuation instructions from the train operators or safety personnel.

6. If you’re dining out (in a restaurant),
a. get under a nearby table and hold on until the shaking stops.
b. grab your drink – it wasn’t cheap.
c. run to the nearest exit.
Then . . . assess your surroundings and then exit slowly, watching for falling objects such as windows, bricks, and building facades. [fah-sahdz]

The following items are recommended for a home emergency supply kit:

1. water, one gallon per person per day
2. food, ready-to-eat or requiring minimal water
3. manual can-opener
4. first-aid kit and instructions
5. essential medications
6. a flashlight
7. a battery-operated radio
8. batteries
9. cash in small denominations
10. a copy of important documents and phone numbers
11. unscented liquid household bleach for water purification (one drop for 6 cups)
12. personal hygiene items including toilet paper, feminine supplies and soap
13. sturdy shoes
14. heavy gloves
15. warm clothes, a hat and rain gear
16. a local map
17. extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid, etc.
18. plastic sheeting, duct tape, and utility knife for covering broken windows
19. a blanket or sleeping bag
20. extra house and car keys
21. large plastic bags for waste and sanitation
22. any special-need items for children and seniors or people with disabilities.
23. water and supplies for pets

GRAMMAR
A. “Imagine that you have no electricity, no gas, no water, and no telephone service.”
What kind of nouns are in the sentence above? electricity, gas, water, service

_______________________________________________________________________
When you use a verb and NO, you can say the negative with non-count nouns.
a. I have no more rice in the cupboard.
b. She has heard no news from her family in two weeks.
c. Mr. Smith took no water with him, so he was very thirsty.
1. YOUR TURN

______________________________________________________________________
B. Also imagine that no stores have any batteries or blankets or sleeping bags.
When you use a verb with NO, you can say the negative with plural count nouns
a. I have no more noodles in the cupboard.
b. She has heard no radio programs in English.
c. Mr. Smith took no sandwiches with him, so he and his wife were very hungry.
2. YOUR TURN

______________________________________________________________________

C. NOW TRY IT THE WAY YOU LEARNED IT BEFORE.
Make the negative with DON’T / DOESN’T/ DIDN’T + base form and ANY for a plural noun and non-count nouns
a. I don’t have any more rice in the cupboard.
b. She hasn’t heard any news from her family in two weeks.
c. Mr. Smith didn’t take any water with him, so he was very thirsty.
_______________________________________________________
d. I don’t have any more noodles in the cupboard.
e. She hasn’t ever heard any radio programs in English.
f. Mr. Smith didn’t take any sandwiches with him.
3. YOUR TURN negative with a non-count noun

______________________________________________________________________
4. YOUR TURN negative with a plural noun

______________________________________________________________________
Make the negative with DON’T / DOESN’T/ DIDN’T + base form and A + a singular noun. Read these examples:
a. I don’t have a car. b. She doesn’t have a book. c. They didn’t have a MUNI ticket.
5. YOUR TURN

______________________________________________________________________

VOCABULARY & COMPREHENSION QUESTONS (Talk to a partner.)
1. hazard/s (plural noun) a possible source (sources) of danger

What are the hazards that San Francisco is exposed to? (Look at the reading, please.)

San Francisco is exposed to the following hazards:

______________________________________________________________
2. respond (verb) to reply or answer

3. effectively (adverb) a positive way of producing a result
How can you respond effectively to an earthquake?

_______________________________________________________________________
4. receding (adjective, present participle) = moving backwards
Examples: My son has a receding hairline.
If the water recedes quickly, get to higher ground.

5. What kind of an earthquake is a tsunami?

6. What is a vehicle ? Name three kinds of vehicles.
a. b. c.
7. assess (verb) = evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or
significance of
Example: He assessed the situation before opening the door.
After an earthquake happens, what should you assess?

7. What is an example of a “life-threatening emergency”?

8. commute (verb) = travel back and forth regularly, as between one's place of
work and home
Explain how people commute from home to school?

8. If you are on the MUNI or BART in an earthquake, you will want to evacuate (move out of an unsafe location into safety;). What are evacuation instructions?

9. personnel (noun or adjective) [ pronounced persoNNEL’ ]
Example: I went to the personnel office to get a job application. (adjective)

If you are on the MUNI in an earthquake, and you must wait for the “safety personnel” to tell you what to do, who are the “safety personnel”? (noun)

10. a building façade is what? _____________________________________________________________________

11. What are ready-to-eat foods? Give me a few examples.

12. What is a manual can-opener?

13. Name three things in a first-aid kit.

a. b. c.
14. If something is essential, it is _________________________________
15. In American money, what are the small denominations?


16. Name five personal hygiene [pronounced HI gene] items:

a. b. c. d. e.
17. What kind of rain gear would you put in your emergency kit?


18. What are prescription eye glasses?


19. Why would you need plastic bags for waste and sanitation?


20. Name three disabilities.

a. b. c.

21. Have you ever been in an earthquake? If so, where and when?



22. Did the earthquake quiz and this lesson help you feel more prepared for an earthquake? Tell me how you feel now?

For more information, go to http://www.72hours.org
If you want to listen to information in Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese),
call 1(800)893-95555

Chinese New Year

The Chinese calendar is represented by 12 animals. There are six wild or mythical (the Yang element – active or male) and 6 domestic animals (the Yin element – passive female).Each animal rules over a full year.
Legend has it that the animals were selected by the Jade Emperor who conducted a race of all the animals and selected the first dozen in the order in which they finished. During the race across the countryside, the rat hitched a ride on the back of the slow but persistent ox. When the ox was a few feet from the finish line, the rat jumped off and raced ahead to claim the victory and first place in the chronological listing. The rat also fooled the cat into believing that the race was to be held a day later, so the cat missed the race and the chance to rule over a year. For this trickery, the cat still chases the rat.


VOCABULARY

1. lunar (adjective) of or relating to the moon
for example: lunar calendar, lunar surface,

2. mythical (adjective) existing in imagination (not historical)
for example: a mythical animal like the dragon

3.. domestic (adjective) animals that have learned to live in human environments
for example: dogs and cats are domestic animals Can you name others?
________________________________________________________

4. passive (adjective) offering no opposition or resistance
for example: Instead of hitting back, she just sat there passively.

5. a legend (noun) An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially
one popularly believed to be historical.
For example: Many Mexicans believe the legend of La Llorona is true.
Many Chinese believe that the legend of the Lady of the Moon
(Chang Er) is true.

6. .a dozen (noun) is a. a carton of eggs b. the number 12 c. a dance

7. hitched a ride (past tense verb) = thumbed a ride. Solicited a free ride, especially by
hitchhiking. For example, I don’t have a car; can I hitch a ride home with you?

8. persistent (adjective) never-ceasing; refusing to give up

9. chronological (adjective) an arrangement of events in time order [chronos = time]
For example: Please arrange the names of your family in chronological order.
My father is the oldest. He’s 62. My mother is next. She’s 60. My brother is
next. He’s 35. My oldest sister is 33. I come next. I’m 30. My younger
brother is 25. He’s last.

10. characteristics (noun) a feature that helps distinguish a person or thing.
For example: What are her most outstanding characteristics? She is generous and
thoughtful. What is his most identifiable characteristic? He’s totally bald.

(as an adjective) He has a characteristic laugh.





To find your animal symbol, check the listing below for the year you were born in, and see if you agree with the description of your characteristics.
HARE (RABBIT) 1915,1927,1939,1951,1963,1975,1987,1999
You are blessed with extraordinary good fortune and this will inevitably provide you with financial success. This luck of yours not only extends to business interests, but also to games of chance.

DRAGON 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Your reputation as a fire-eater is based on your outward show of stubbornness, bluster, and short temper; but underneath, you are really gentle, sensitive, and soft-hearted.

SNAKE 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
You have more than your share of the world‘s gifts, including basic wisdom. You are likely to be good-looking – well-formed men and graceful and beautiful women.

HORSE 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Your cheerful disposition and flattering ways make you a popular favorite. Your great mental agility will keep you in the upper income.

RAM (SHEEP) 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
You are a sensitive and refined aesthetic type with considerable talent in all the arts. Success or failure will depend on whether you can shepherd your ability and energy into a single field.

MONKEY 1908. 1920. 1932. 1944. 1956. 1968. 1980, 1992, 2004
You are a real swinger! In addition, because of your flair for decision-making and a sure-footed feel for finance, you are certain to climb to the top.

ROOSTER (CHICKEN) 1909. 1921. 1933. 1945. 1957. 1969. 1981, 1993. 2005
You either score heavily or lay a large egg. Although outspoken and not shy in groups, you are basically a loner who doesn’t trust most people; however, you are capable of attracting some close and loyal friends.

DOG 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
You are loyal and honest with a deep sense of duty and justice. You can always be trusted to guard the secrets of others.

BOAR (PIG) 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
The quiet inner strength of your character is outwardly reflected by courtesy and breeding, and your driving ambition will lead you to success.

RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
You have been blessed with great personal charm, a taste of the better things in life, and considerable self-control which restrains your quick temper.

OX 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
You have a calm, patient nature, and friends turn to you because you are that rarest of creatures – a good listener. Love bewilders you, so many people wrongly consider you cold.

TIGER 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
You are a person of great extremes – a sympathetic and considerate friend, a powerful and dangerous enemy. In your career, you are both a deep thinker and a careful planner.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CONVERSATION AND GRAMMAR (Work with a partner.)

1. Please write your birth year and your animal on the lines.

________________________________ _______________________________
2. Now, write the characteristics about your animal in the FIRST PERSON.
For example, As a tiger, I . . .

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Do you think that these characteristics describe you? If they do, tell me why.
If they don’t describe you, tell me why not.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Four Tips for a Tough Economy

HELPFUL TIPS FOR YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

Four Food Tips for a Tough Economy
by Reyhaneh Fathieh
from USA Weekend Magazine May 22-24, 2009

As the economy sinks, food prices keep rising – 4.9% in 2007 and 5.9% in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, not even a recession calls for a diet of 99-cent chips and two-for-one pizzas. You don’t have to sacrifice health for savings, says Charles Mattocks, author of Eat Cheap but Eat Well: The Poor Chef Cookbook.
Here are his tips for battling the recession:
(1) BUY IN BULK
A bigger package generally means a lower unit cost, which means more value per dollar. But beware of spoilage: Buy mass quantities of staples with long shelf-lives, like brown rice and spices.
(2) BUY IN SEASON
Save dollars by buying veggies in season, like cucumbers in summer.
“You can save dollars per pound of produce,” Mattock says. Look for vitamin-rich green veggies, strawberries, carrots and peas in late spring. Midsummer will yield blueberries, melons, apples, cucumbers, green beans and squash.

(3) SKIMP ON MEAT
Some inexpensive cuts are actually healthier because they’re lower in fat. Skirt steak and boneless sirloin pork chops are good options.

(4) DON’T SKIMP ON FISH
Yes, it’s not cheap, but the omega-3 fatty acids in fish should be enough to sway penny-pinchers. Whiting, tilapia and salmon are some of the less-expensive finds. Plus, there’s always canned tuna fish.
VOCABULARY (Choose the most appropriate word for the context.)
1. a. tips (noun) money given for good service
All the waiters and waitresses get tips from their customers.
b. . tips (noun) good ideas or suggestions
He gave me a stock tip and then I bought some stocks.
I want to give you some grammar tips.

2. a. sinks (plural noun) kitchen appliances
We have two sinks in our kitchen.
b. . sinks (3rd person singular verb = to sink) to drop below
My heart sank when I heard about all the people who died in Haiti. (past tense)
The economy sinks when people have no jobs.

3. the economy (noun) how our money is working in everyday life; the cost of living
The economy is in bad shape now.

4. statistics (pl. noun) a numerical study or series of occurrences, events, or thing
Statistics lead to probabilities. (a branch of mathematics)
Statistics say that the sun will probably rise tomorrow.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics sample the prices.

5. recession (noun)
The economy is contracting (is getting smaller), and we don’t have enough jobs,
so our country is in a recession.

6. bulk (noun) a large quantity
When we go to Costco, we buy in bulk.
Buying in bulk saves money.
bulk up (verb) to get bigger muscles
He goes to the gym so he can bulk up.

7. to skimp on (verb) something to use less, but should use more
a. In her diet (daily food she eats), she always skimps on healthy foods
and eats too much junk food.
b. Those jackets are cheaper because the manufacturer skimps on good quality material

8. staples (noun, plural) = a commodity for which demand is constant
Safeway always has enough of the staples (rice, flour, corn
We’ve run out of staples. I have to get some more.

9. shelf-life (noun) shelf-lives (plural noun) = the length of time that food, drink,
medicine and other perishable items are given before they are considered
unsuitable for sale.
Some items have a longer shelf-life than others. Name a few.
_____________________________________________________________________
10. options (plural noun, used with the verb have) = choices
What are my options?
a. At CCSF, we have a lot of class options.
b. When you’re qualified, you have more job options.
11. penny-pincher = a person who tries to save money and not spend too much.
a. Penny-pinchers are frugal.
b. She’s a penny-pincher; but when it comes to birthday presents, she always splurges.
GRAMMAR
1. Using a noun as an adjective
For example: food (noun) The food tastes good.
food (adjective) Food prices have been rising lately.
They are higher than they were last year.
YOUR TURN (Please write your own sentences.)
a. phone (noun)
______________________________________________________________
b. phone (adjective)


2. Please make a list of the count and non-count nouns in this article.
(No Proper nouns)
Work with a partner.

COUNT NOUNS NON-COUNT NOUNS
tips life

3. There is There are DO NOT USE HAVE.
Use There is and There are with 2 count and 2 non-count nouns..

One important thing to remember is this:
Whatever is closest to the THERE IS/THERE ARE determines the verb (is/are etc.)
Example: There is a new teacher in room 102.
There are 15 women in our class.
There’s meat and potatoes in the fridge.
There are potatoes and meat in the fridge.
a.
b.
c.
d.
________________________________________________________________________


COMPREHENSION AND CONVERSATION
(Talk to a partner, first. Then write complete sentences.)
1. If you don’t have much money, can you still eat healthy food? Explain.
Even if I didn’t have much money, I still could eat healthy food because __________________________________________________________________
2. What line in the reading says this? (See #1) (Copy the line from the reading here.)

3. Do you ever buy in bulk? If so, what do you buy and where do you buy it?

4. What season is it now? Have you bought any seasonal foods lately? If so, what are they? ________________________________________________________________________
5. How much meat do you eat daily? (once, twice, three times a day?)
What kind of meat do you eat?
________________________________________________________________________
6. How often do you eat fish?

7. What’s your favorite food? How often do you eat it?

________________________________________________________________________

The Married Couple

An anecdote.

A husband and wife went for counseling after 25 years of marriage. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into an angry tirade, listing each and every problem they had ever had in the 25 years they had been married.
The wife went on and on giving a long list of unmet needs she had endured over the course of their quarter century of marriage: “Neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, and feeling unloved.”
Finally, after allowing her to talk for a sufficient length of time, the therapist stood up, walked around his desk, and told the wife to stand up. He then embraced her and kissed her passionately on the mouth.
The woman shut up and in a daze, quietly sat down. The therapist turned to the husband and said, “This is what your wife needs at least seven times a week. Do you think you can do this?”
The husband thought for a moment and replied, “Well, Doc,
I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on the other days, I play golf.”

COMPREHENSION (Answer these questions in complete sentences.)
1. Why did this couple go for counseling?
2. NOUNS ADJECTIVES
a. neglect neglected
b. emptiness _______________
c. loneliness _______________
d. length _______________

3. Why was the wife unhappy? How did she feel? (Answer with adjectives.)_________________________________________
4. How many years had they been married?
___________________________________________________
5. How many years is “a century”? ____________________
6. How many years is a half a century? ___________________
7. How many years is a quarter of a century? ______________
8. What did the therapist do?
___________________________________________________
9. What did the therapist tell the husband to do to solve this problem?___________________________________________
10.How did the husband respond to the therapist’s suggestion?
___________________________________________________
10. (Talk to your partner.) Do you think the therapist’s suggestion was good? If not, what would you suggest to help this married couple?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
VOCABULARY
1, to go for counseling
The answer is given. Please write the question?
Q: _____________________________________________
A: I went for counseling at school so I could plan my college
courses. [I talked to a counselor.]

Q: _____________________________________________
A: The couple went for marriage counseling with the hope that
they could save their marriage.
2. What is another name for “a marriage counselor”?
______________________________
3. What’s an angry tirade?
a. a long, angry speech against something
b. a flat tire
c. an angry woman

4. I can drop her off. [to drop someone off]
a. to let something fall to the ground
b. to drive someone to a destination and then leave
c. to get angry with someone and then leave

5. neglect (can be a noun or a verb)
a. to feel sad
b. to think
c. to pay little or no attention to
d.
6. What’s another word for “embraced”? (past tense of to embrace)
He embraced her. _______________________________

7. In a daze The woman stood there in a daze.
a. in her bare feet
b. by herself
c. confused, not really knowing what’s going on

8. How many times is at least 7 ?
a. 7 b. 7 or fewer c. 7 or more
YOUR TURN Write a sentence using at least.
_______________________________________________________

GRAMMAR
1. How many past-tense verbs can you find? _______________
Underline (with two lines) all the past tense-verbs in the anecdote.


2. Embedded questions
The question word in the middle [who, what, where, when, why, how] makes the subject and verb follow in regular order.
I don’t know what time it is.
What is the real question?
What time is it? (The question turns the subject and verb around.)

A. Write the questions.
a. He asked what the problem was.
aa. _________________________________________
b. This is what your wife needs.
bb. _________________________________________
c. I don’t know where my keys are.
cc. _________________________________________
B. Write the answers.
d. How many teeth do you have?
dd. I don’t know how many______________________________
e. Where is the closest library?
ee. She told me where _________________________________
10. When will we be taking our test?
ff. I’m not sure when ___________________________________
C. Write your own “WH” question.
g._________________________________________________
gg. I don’t know ________________________________________

P.S. I Love You

http://awemusic.tripod.com/psilove.mid




(1934) Lyrics -- Johnny Mercer Music -- Gordon Jenkins

What is there to write? What is there to say?
[the]Same things happen every day.
Not a thing to write, not a thing to say,
so I take my pen in hand and start the same old way.

Dear, I thought I'd drop a line.
The weather's cool. The folks are fine.
I'm in bed each night at nine.
P.S. I love you.

Yesterday we had some rain,
but all in all I can't complain.
Was it dusty on the train?
P.S. I love you.

Write to the Browns just as soon as you're able.
They came around to call.
I burned a hole in the dining room table.
And let me see, I guess that's all.

Nothin' else for me to say,
and so I'll close. Oh, by the way,
everybody's thinkin' of you.
P.S. I love you.

I do my best to obey all your wishes.
I put a sign up. Think.
Now I’ve got to buy us a new set of dishes,
or wash the ones that have piled in the sink.

Nothing else to tell you, dear.
Except, each day feels like a year.
Every night I'm dreamin' of you.
P.S. I love you.
P.S. I love you.


This is a song from someone who’s by herself at home, writing a letter to her husband who had to take a train to somewhere.

VOCABULARY
1. What is your first clue that this song is a letter?

______________________________________________________
2. The idiom “drop a line” can be used in conversation.
Often it’s said like this: When you go back home, drop me a line.
a. let’s go fishing. b. write me a letter. c. drop down on the floor

3. What’s a synonym for “folks” as when it says, “The folks are fine.”?
a. family b. children c. parents

4. What does P.S. mean? _____________________________
5. Where would you write P.S. as part of a letter?
______________________________________________________
6. What does “All in all I can’t complain.”
a. I think everything is going wrong.
b. Almost everything is fine.
c. All I know is how to complain.

7. We use the word “the” in front of last names to indicate the family.
For example,
a. The Gatis live on Allston Way. The Gatis are the Gati family.
b. The Chens live in the Sunset District -- Mr. and Mrs. Chen and their two
children.
c. YOUR TURN Please write a sentence about your family, using the plural of your last name.
______________________________________________________
8. Who are “the Browns” in this song?
______________________________________________________
9. What does she mean when she says, “The Browns came around to call.”
a. The Browns telephoned.
b. Mr. and Mrs. Brown came over to our house.
c. Mr. and Mrs. Brown walked around the block.
10. “Write to the Browns just as soon as you’re able.”
a. when you have time
b. when you’re not sick
c. when you want to do it.

11. I’ll close means
a. Turn off the lights.
b. I’ll lock the door.
c. I’m finished writing.

12. “Each day feels like a year” means
a. I’m tired at the end of every day.
b. It’s been a year since you’ve been gone.
c. Every day seems like a long time.

13. What words rhyme?
Rhymes are words that have the same vowel sounds, usually at the end of the words.
For example. MEET rhymes with GREET and SEAT. (The spelling does not have to be the same, only the pronunciation.)
a. In the song, what rhymes with line? _____________________
b. In the song, what rhymes with rain? _____________________
c. In the song, what rhymes with table? _____________________
d. In the song, what rhymes with all ? _____________________
e. In the song, what rhymes with way? _____________________
f. In the song, what rhymes with dishes ? _____________________
g. In the song, what rhymes with sink? _____________________
h. In the song, what rhymes with year? _____________________


COMPREHENSION (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. How was the weather (as reported by the writer)? ______________________________________________________
2. What time does he/she go to bed every night?
______________________________________________________
3. Why do you think she burned a hole in the dining room table?
4. When would you say, “by the way.”
I would say “by the way”
a. after I’ve said “Good-bye” and then I think of something else I
want to say.
b. when I want to tell you the right way to do something
c. when I want to tell you the way to go somewhere


5. Please write me a letter.
a. Put your address on the top right (city, state, and zip code under your
number street apt. #)
b. Write the date under the address.
c. Write Dear Sally, (followed by a comma).
d. Indent your first line.
e. Tell me something interesting (at least two sentences).
f. End your letter with Sincerely, (followed by a comma)
g. Sign your name under Sincerely.
h. Add “P.S.” and tell me something you forgot to say in your letter.