*Focus on writing

As you now know our focus the forthcoming weeks will be on your writing. When correcting your texts we found that there are still some grammatical issues you guys have to work on. We have found some exercises for you - put all the sentences down in your notebook. Make sure that you can explain to a fellow student in class why you chose the different conjugations of the verbs (subject-verb agreement).

Ex: Jane does not read a book.

In this sentence I used does because Jane is third person singular and the verb to do is always conjugated as does in the simple present (presens) when the subject is third person singular.

Go to the exercises by clicking on the links below (NB: Click on the TOGGLE EXAMPLE if you do not understand what you are supposed to do):

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_present_statements2.htm

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_present_negation_long.htm

Also do this exercise which focus on the correct usage of there, their, they're (put the complete sentences down in your notebook):

http://www.studygs.net/vocab/there.htm

9EF: This is homework for Thursday November 20th.
9CD: This is homework for Wednesday November 19th. (You may write the explanation down in Norwegian)

*Own it! (The 's-genitive)

Sometimes you will need to express a possessive relation between people or things. This means telling if someone/something belongs to someone/something.

In this case, you use an "'s" after the noun or the name. Take a look at the following example:

You have a book. But it is not your book, it is your friend's book. This means: the book belongs to your friend.

Read more about the 's-genitive HERE! Do all the tasks at this web-page - make sure that you write the complete sentences in your notebook as well.

9CD: This is homework for Wednesday September 10th

9EF: This is homework for Thursday September 11th

*Concord / subject-verb agreement

It's time to refresh your memory on subject-verb agreement (also called concord). Remember how both the subject and the verb have to be either singular or plural? If not, read about it in Key English at page 220 -221.

Take a look at the YouTube-clip above (click on this link if the video doesn't work). Then do task 22 and 23 at page 21 in Key English (remember to explain why you have chosen each verb in task 22 and make sure that you write complete sentences in both tasks, not just the verb you want to use).

9CD: This is homework for Monday September 1st.
9EF: This is homework for Thursday September 4th.

*IDIOM OF WEEK 35

Pic from here

Explain the idiom  "to make ends meet". Put it in an interesting context ; write everything down in your rough book and be prepared to share in class.

9AB: This is homework for Tuesday September 9th.
9CD: This is homework for Wednesday September 3rd.
9EF: This is homework for Thursday September 4th.

*Convince me! (Transition)

We have announced that we will focus a lot on writing this year. It is going to be lots of hard work, but it is also going to be extremely rewarding. Managing to write good essays (in any subject) is a form of art, and once you feel on top of it, it will benefit you in all subjects. 

We start by repeating something we have already spent time learning: Transitional words. This week we would like you to argue your point. Choose ONE of the following statements:

1) "Children should not receive pocket money for helping out at home, they should do so without getting paid."

2) "It is important to be rich to be happy."

Decide if you agree or disagree with the statement you have chosen. 

Now take a look at this chart:

Now write a text where you share you opinion, and use one transition word from each group (first paragraph, second, etc.)  Start your text like this:

"In my opinion......

(up to one page).

9AB: This is homework for Thursday 28th. Bring a copy if you write on a computer.
9CD: This is homework for Monday 25th. Bring a copy if you write on a computer.

9EF: This is homework for Tuesday 26th. Bring a copy if you write on a computer. Remember that you are to meet up at computer room 119A.

*Recap of last week's homework 8EF

Seeing your presentations about subcultures this week has been marvellous. Many of you have truly put a lot of work into it and some of the costumes were splendid! I love how many of you really went all in, looking like an authentic person from your chosen subculture. I am impressed!

But not all of you have given your presentation yet; you are to do it on Monday April 7th. Come prepared!

Furthermore; we did not have time to go through the *From present to past homework in class this week, so please bring your text to school on Monday 7th.

Until then; enjoy the beautiful hippie song "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & The Papas :)

Peace out!

*From present to past

Many of you find it difficult to understand when to use the past and when to use the present tense, so this week we would like you to transform the following text from the present tense into the past tense. Bring your text to class!

"Tom works at a bank.  He is the manager.  He starts work 
every day at 8:00 am.  He finishes work every day at 6:00 
pm.  He lives very close to the bank.  He walks to work 
every day.  His brother and sister also work at the bank.  
But, they do not live close to the bank.  They drive cars to 
work.  They start work at 9:00 am.  In the bank, Tom is the 
boss.  He helps all the workers and tells them what to do.  
He likes his job.  He is also very good at his job.  Many 
customers like Tom, and they say hello to him when they 
come to the bank.  Tom likes to talk to the customers and 
make them feel happy.  Tom really likes his job."

This is homework for 8cd for Wednesday 26th.
This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday 25th.

*Adverbs

Last week we focused on adjectives, and we worked on detecting verbs and nouns in sentences. We even stumbled upon some adverbs. This week we will look more closely at adverbs:

An adverb describes a verb. It tells you how an action happened.

Ex: I walked slowly.

Adverbs can also say something about when and where something happens.

Ex: I'll do my homework tomorrow.

Read more about adverbs in Key English at p. 197 and try to explain what an adverb is. Write down five sentences where you use adverbs. Then do the task below:

TASK ADVERBS/ADJECTIVES

Complete the sentences with the correct words. Write down full sentences in your notebook and explain if the word you have chosen is either an adjective or an adverb (remember: adjectives describe nouns).

early       fluent           good        hard         slowly        well

1 Can you speak more , please?

2 How do you know Oxford?

3 I like her and I think she's a very teacher.

4 He speaks French, German, and Spanish.

5 I'm tired. Let's go to bed tonight.

6 I worked really to pass my exams.

This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday 18th of March - and bring Key English to class!
This is homework for 8CD for Wednesday 19th of March - and bring Key English to class!

*Adjectives

In grammar, an adjective is a 'describing' word - they are used to describe nouns (substantiv). Adjectives do not change for singular and plural.

Ex:

• a red house
• a bunch of red houses

Read more about adjectives in Key English p. 196 and do the tasks below:

Task 1:

Choose the correct adjective from the bracket to complete each

sentence. Remember to write down full sentences in your notebook.

1. I had a (cold/heavy) drink with my dinner.

2. The baby was very (small/blue).
3. The lemon had a (helpful/sour) taste to it.

4. Last winter it was really (cold/fast.)

5. The sky was a beautiful (green/blue) colour.

Task 2:

Copy this passage carefully into your books. Underline the nouns in one colour, verbs in another and the adjectives in a different colour.

The children walked down the sandy beach. The warm sand felt wonderful on their bare feet. The tiny grains crept through their toes; tickling them gently and making them smile. It was a beautiful day. There was hardly a cloud in the sky. The boys ran on ahead like wild animals. The girls laughed at them and commented on how silly they looked. The boys tore off their clothes and plunged into the blue ocean.

 

This is homework for 8EF for Monday March 10th + BRING YOUR ENGLISH NOVEL TO CLASS

*WHO vs. WHICH

Who and which are called relative pronouns (subjunksjoner). They are used like this:

• Who refers to people
• Ex: My dad, who is a plumber, fixed the kitchen sink.
• Which refers to animals and things
• Ex: The old book, which was red, belonged to my mother.

NB: Do not confuse the words which and witch. Witch = heks!

Read about relative pronouns on p. 179 in Key English. Write down a rule for when to use who and when to use which in your notebook. Write down three examples where you use who correctly and three examples where you use which correctly. Then do task 11 p. 179.

This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday 4th of March. BRING KEY ENGLISH TO CLASS!
This is homework for 8CD for Wednesday 5th of March. BRING KEY ENGLISH TO CLASS!

*Let's all agree some more!

Last week we looked upon subject-verb agreement. As you remember it is important that the subject and the verb agree. That means that both have to be singular or both have to be plural. Take a look at the chart on subject-verb agreement on page 192 in Key English if you want to refresh your memory.

However; sometimes it is not so easy to decide wether a subject is in the singular or in the plural.

Please go to this webpage and read Mini-Lesson 1 thoroughly, then do Exercise 1. Write down Exercise 1 in your notebook (all of the text) with the options you have chosen. You have to be able to explain why you chose the one option instead of the other.

Example: The big dog runs.
Explanation: "I have chosen runs instead of run because the big dog is 3. person singular (you can swop the big dog with it). Since all verbs usually get an additional -s in 3. person singular, that is the correct answer."

This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday 11th of February.
This is homework for 8CD for Wednesday 12th of February.

*Let's all agree!

In English it is important that the subject and the verb agree. That means that both have to be singular or both have to be plural. This is called subject-verb agreement (samsvar mellom subjekt og verbal).

Examples:

SINGULAR                                                                 PLURAL
He is 13 years old.                                                        They are 25 years old.
The girl sings.                                                               The children sing.
My father drives a red car.                                           My parents drive a red car.

Take a look at the chart on subject-verb agreement on page 192 in Key English and then follow this link and do task 1 - 13. Write them down in your notebook as well!

This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday 4th of February.
This is homework for 8CD for Thursday 6th of February.

Keep on connecting!

We are going to stress traditional words..... forever. Here is an interactive task we would like you to try. It is important that you really understand what they mean, and once you do; write them down and bring them to your next writing session. We KNOW these improve you grades when used correctly.

Here it is!

This is homework for 8CD for Thursday 29th of January

*Irregular verb TEST

You have all been working with and learning the irregular verbs on page 206 - 208 in Key English this semester. As we have now gone through the entire list, it is time for the final irregular verb test! Browse through the list once more, work on the verbs you find hard to conjugate and be ready for a Fronter Test (with the duration of approximately 15 - 20 minutes) next week. You will be graded with UM, M, OM.

8EF: The test will be on Monday January the 20th

*Irregular verbs

Most verbs are conjugated (blir bøyd) like this:

INFINITIVE                 PAST SIMPLE             PAST PARTICIPLE
to play                            played                            have/has played

However, there are some verbs that are different. These verbs are called irregular verbs. In Key English there is a list of all the most important irregular verbs. This week you are to learn how to conjugate the next fourteen irregular verbs on the list: to stick - to write (see p. 207 and 208 in Key English). Learn them by heart (you might be tested) and write fourteen sentences where you use each verb in either the past simple tense (preteritum) or the past participle tense (perfektum).

Ex:                               I thought you of all people would understand.
                                    James swung the bat and hit a homerun at the baseball game last night.

This is homework for 8EF for Monday January 13th

This is homework for 8CD for Thursday January 16th

*Irregular verbs

Most verbs are conjugated (blir bøyd) like this:

INFINITIVE PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE
to play                   played                         have/has played

However, there are some verbs that are different. These verbs are called irregular verbs. In Key English there is a list of all the most important irregular verbs. This week you are to learn how to conjugate the next ten irregular verbs on the list: to show - to steal (see p. 207 in Key English). Learn them by heart (you might be tested) and write ten sentences where you use each verb in either the past simple tense (preteritum) or the past participle tense (perfektum).

Ex:                              You stole my heart.
                                   John has shown me secret recipe.

This is homework for 8EF for Monday December 9th

This is homework for 8CD for Wednesday

*Irregular verbs

Most verbs are conjugated (blir bøyd) like this:

INFINITIVE PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE
to play                       played                           have/has played

However, there are some verbs that are different. These verbs are called irregular verbs. In Key English there is a list of all the most important irregular verbs. This week you are to learn how to conjugate the next ten irregular verbs on the list: to rise - to shoot (see p. 207 in Key English). Learn them by heart (you might be tested) and write ten sentences where you use each verb in either the past simple tense (preteritum) or the past participle tense (perfektum). AND ENJOY THE MARVELLOUS SONG "I SHOT THE SHERIFF" BY BOB MARLEY :)

Ex:     I shot the sheriff but I didn't shoot no deputy.
          Lisa saw a pink elephant in the middle of the street, she could not believe her eyes!
        

This is homework for 8EF for Monday December 2nd

This is homework for 8CD for Wednesday

*Irregular verbs

Most verbs are conjugated (blir bøyd) like this:

INFINITIVE PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE
to play played have/has played

However, there are some verbs that are different. These verbs are called irregular verbs. In Key English there is a list of all the most important irregular verbs. This week you are to learn how to conjugate the next ten irregular verbs on the list: to lie - to ring (see p. 207 in Key English). Learn them by heart (you might be tested) and write ten sentences where you use each verb in either the past simple tense (preteritum) or the past participle tense (perfektum).

Ex:              I have made a cake for you.
                   Holly lost her wallet yesterday.


This is homework for 8EF for Monday November 18th

This is homework for 8CD for Wednesday November 20th

*Irregual verbs

Most verbs are conjugated (blir bøyd) like this:

INFINITIVE           PAST SIMPLE               PAST PARTICIPLE
to play                      played                             have/has played

However, there are some verbs that are different. These verbs are called irregular verbs. In Key English there is a list of all the most important irregular verbs. This week you are to learn how to conjugate the next ten irregular verbs on the list: to hold - to let (see p. 206 - 207 in Key English). Learn them by heart (you might be tested) and write ten sentences where you use each verb in either the past simple tense (preteritum) or the past participle tense (perfektum).

Ex:              Gina and Gary knew that they had to be serious about their presentation.
                    Elvis has left the building. 


This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday November 12th

This is homework for 8CD for

*From present to past!

 

Many of you need to work on how to write in the past tense (fortid). You are to read the text below, which is written in the present tense (nåtid), and rewrite it into the past tense. Remember that some of the verbs are irregular!

Frank's Busy Day
Frank's day begins at 6:30. He gets up, takes a shower and gets dressed. He always has breakfast and drinks a cup of coffee. Then he goes to the university for his classes. When he finishes his morning classes, he usually eats lunch at 12:00 in the cafeteria. At lunch, he sometimes talks with his friends. After lunch he goes to his afternoon classes. He usually goes home at about 5:00. He eats dinner and relaxes for a while. Sometimes he takes a walk or goes running. For the rest of the evening he reads and does homework. Frank goes to bed about 11:00. What a busy day!

This is homework for 8EF for Tuesday November 5th

This is homework for 8CD for Thursday November 7th.

OPTIONAL: If you want to learn more about the present tense click on THIS LINK!