Hey are you a little tense about learning a little
tense? .... A bit of a joke there. Anyway this is
probably one of the most difficult concepts to
understand in American English grammar.
Test:Grammar
Tense
It
is very important to use the correct verb tense and aspect. In the
following test, choose the correct sentences.
1. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. John was knowing the answer, so he raised his
hand.
b. John knew the answer, so he raised his hand.
2. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. My friend had already been cooking dinner when
I arrived.
b. My friend had already cooked dinner when I
arrived.
3. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. Did you find your car keys?
b. Did you found your car keys?
4. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. Last year, I traveled to New York.
b. Last year, I have traveled to New York.
5. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. John and Joan have been going to the park
three times this week.
b. John and Joan have gone to the park three
times this week.
6. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. John is have a new car.
b. John has a new car.
7. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. The teacher comes to the class on time.
b. The teacher is came to the class on time.
8. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. John has known Joan for many years.
b. John has been knowing Joan for many years.
9. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. It rains outside. We should close the windows.
b. It is raining outside. We should close the
windows.
10. Choose the correct
sentence.
a. I have read that book several times.
b. I have been reading that book several times.
Additional Lessons
About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice.
Conversation Lesson -
Intermediate Level. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, and a new
words section.
Conversation Lesson
8 - The Best Barbecue
(Intermediate -
Conversation, Listening, Reading)
In this lesson Anna goes to a barbecue battle in
Washington, D.C. She learns that there are secret
ingredients in the sauces. And people are VERY loyal to
their favorite kind of barbecue.
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then read the video script.
Video Script
Anna: Thanks for meeting me.
Kelly: Sure.
Anna: I’d like to get your advice on my latest project.
Kelly: Of course. I heard you were sent to cover a big food festival that has
all kinds of barbecue. So, how did it go?
Anna: Well, things started out great! But then, well, maybe you should watch it
yourself.
Prof. Bot: Hi English learners! Your lesson today is about my favorite food --
barbecue! Your assignment is to find passive sentences. What are those, you
might ask? In passive sentences the subject receives the action!
For example, “Anna was sent to cover a food festival.”
Passive sentences have a form of the BE verb + the past participle of the main
verb. This lesson is LOADED with passive sentences. Hey! That’s a passive
sentence, too!
Okay, now, it’s Barbecue Time!
Anna: Today, a Barbecue Battle is being held in Washington, D.C. This festival,
which is known as one of the biggest food festivals in the United States, brings
together barbecue lovers from all over the country! Barbecue is meat that is
cooked over an open fire or on a grill.
Chicken, pork and beef are all common meats to grill on a barbecue! No matter
which meat you like to barbecue, the sauce is very important. Sauces are taken
very seriously by chefs. Most ingredients are kept secret!
So, can you tell us what is in your barbecue sauce?
Chef 1: No, I can’t tell you.
Anna: So, tell us, what is the secret ingredient in your barbecue sauce?
Chef 2: (says nothing.)
Anna: Sauces are made by the barbecue chefs themselves. Most sauces are made
with a tomato sauce, vinegar, and spices.
Prof. Bot: How many passive sentences did you find? Here is one I found:
Today, a Barbecue Battle is being held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Now you try. Turn this sentence from passive to active.
Barbecue is loved by Prof. Bot.
Professor Bot loves Barbecue!
Good job! And yes, I do.
Anna: There are some areas of the U.S. that are known for their tasty barbecue.
The states of Texas, North and South Carolina and the cities of Memphis and
Kansas City are known as the Barbecue Belt. People who are loyal to barbecue are
really loyal to their favorite barbecue. That is why this festival is called a
battle! Let’s ask a couple of people which barbecue is best.
Person 1: Texas, of course!
Person 2: Carolina barbecue is the very best.
Person 3: Kansas City!
Person 4: Memphis style!
Person 3: Kansas City!
Person 5: Texas!
Person 3: Kansas!
Person 5: Texas!
Person 3: Kansas!
Person 5: Texas!
Person 3: I say Kansas.
Person 5: Texas!
Person 3: She keeps saying Texas, I say Kansas.
Anna: This is Anna Matteo reporting.
Anna: Kelly, people feel so strongly about barbecue. Unbelievable! So, what do
you think of my project?
Kelly: This is what I think. There is no way that Texas has the best barbecue. I
am from Kansas City and we have THE best barbecue in the whole country. My
mother and father owned a barbecue restaurant, which was really famous! So, I
know barbecue! Anna, I know barbecue! I know barbecue! I know barbecue!
Prof Bot: Oh my. Kelly knows a lot about barbecue! And you know more about
passive sentences! Be sure you go to the website to learn even more! Ah! Now, if
you excuse me .. I'm hungry
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation.
New Words
barbecue -
n. a flat metal frame that is used to cook food
over hot coals or an open fire
barbecue -
v. to cook (food) on a barbecue or to broil or
roast (meat, fish, etc.) over hot coals or an open fire
battle -
n. a fight between people or groups in which
each side tries to win a contest (such as a game or an election)
brown sugar -
n. a type of sugar that is brown because it
contains a dark syrup (called molasses)
chef -
n. a professional cook who usually is in charge
of a kitchen in a restaurant
grill -
n. a metal frame that is used to cook food over
hot coals or an open fire - v. to cook (food) on a metal frame over fire
loyal -
adj. having or showing complete and constant
support for someone or something
molasses -
n. a thick, brown, sweet liquid that is made
from raw sugar
sauce -
n. a thick liquid that is eaten with or on food
to add flavor to it
spice -
n. a substance (such as pepper or nutmeg) that
is used in cooking to add flavor to food and that comes from a dried plant
and is usually a powder or seed
spicy -
adj. of food. flavored with or containing
strong spices and especially ones that cause a burning feeling in your mouth
sweet -
adj. containing a lot of sugar
tasty -
adj. having a good flavor
tomato -
n. a round, soft, red fruit that is eaten raw
or cooked and that is often used in salads, sandwiches, sauces
vinegar -
n. a sour liquid that is used to flavor or
preserve foods or to clean things
Study all 30 English intermediate conversation lessons.
Let's Learn English conversation lessons each with a
conversation video, a video script, audio listening
practice, and a new
words section.
These lessons are for
intermediate students.
Study all 52 English beginner conversation lessons. Let's Learn
English conversation lessons each with a conversation
video, a video script, audio listening practice, video
speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
These
lessons are for beginning students.
Avoid Ineffective Study Methods. An audio lesson to help
you study English more effectively. The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English study tips.
Click here to visit the lesson page with the written script for this
audio program.
