Newsletter Lesson #02
English practice in newsletter form
In this newsletter:
Grammar: Used for…vs Used to… - Speaking about an object’s purpose
Dialogues: A taxi ride - Speaking to a driver
Vocabulary: Parties and gatherings - words for different types of formal and informal parties
Culture: Mnemonics - short sentences or rhymes people use to remember lists
Grammar: Used for…vs Used to…
‘Used to’ and ‘used for’ say the purpose of a noun (i.e. why we use something).
Question: Why do we use a pencil?
Answer: Writing
1. We use a pencil to write.
2. We use a pencil for writing.
3. We use a pencil for the act of writing.
Structures
The grammar structures are:
1. Used + infinitive (to …)
2. Used + for + gerund (…ing)
3. Used + for + noun
Exercise
Using the three structures, say why we use the following:
1. a car
2. a hat
3. money
4. computers
5. lies
Dialogues: A taxi ride
Part 1
Dave: Taxi!
Driver: Where to?
Dave: The corner of Watford Road and Homefield Road please. The quicker the better.
(later)
Dave: Just here is fine.
Driver: That’ll be ₤3.80 please.
Dave: Here’s 5. Keep the change.
Driver: Thanks very much. Don’t forget your belongings.
Part 2
Driver: You called for a taxi?
Anna: Yes. Could you open the trunk please? I’ve got a suitcase.
Driver: Sure. Here, let me help you with that. (they get in the car) So, where to?
Anna: The airport please.
Driver: O’Hare or Midway?
Anna: O’Hare please.
Driver: Which terminal?
Anna: I’m not sure.
Driver: Domestic or international?
Anna: International. I’m flying Cathay Pacific, if that helps.
Driver: That’ll probably be Terminal 5. (later) Here OK?
Anna: Sure. How much do I owe you?
Driver: That’s $30.50.
Anna: Round it up to 35. I’ll put it on my card.
Driver: Thanks. Just enter your PIN. Do you need help with your case?
Anna: No no, I’ve got it.
Driver: Ok. Have a safe flight.
These dialogues, plus two further parts, can also be found at the AB51 Education website.
Vocabulary: Parties and Gatherings
wedding
meaning: the event at which two people get married
Saul and Roseanne had their wedding in May. It rained, but everyone was happy.
If I ever get married, my wedding will be a small event: just 300 or 400 people.
engagement party
meaning: a party to celebrate two people agreeing to get married (‘getting engaged’)
Alex and Myrle’s engagement party at the bar was a very drunken affair.
Not everyone has an engagement party: some people just have a wedding.
stag do
meaning: a party a man has with his friends before he gets married (seen by many as a last chance to drink and party before he must be sensible with his wife)
Last night was Keenan’s stag do. Everyone feels a bit sick this morning.
The amount of stag dos held in cities like Prague are a problem for residents.
hen night
meaning: a party a woman has with her friends before she gets married (seen by many as a last chance to drink and party before she must be sensible with her husband)
Whenever a hen night arrives in the pub, half the people there leave. Hen nights are so annoying.
For her hen night, Elissa wanted a quiet dinner with her friends. Unfortunately for her, her friends had a different idea.
baby shower
meaning: a gift-giving party held for a woman or couple about to have a baby, in which friends provide gifts that will help after the child is born.
We held a surprise baby shower for Rhoda at the weekend. She was thrilled.
Andi finds baby showers boring: standing around talking about babies is not her idea of a good time.
bridal shower
meaning: a gift-giving party for a woman who will soon be married
1. I have to go to Alice’s bridal shower on Friday afternoon, and don’t know what to get her. A toaster?
Five people came to the bridal shower. It was nice to see old friends again before this important moment in life.
house-warming
meaning: a party held in a person’s new home
After I bought my first house, the house-warming party was wild: the house was ruined!
I’m having a little house-warming party on Friday to celebrate moving into my new apartment. Please come if you have the time.
school reunion
meaning: a party in which people who went to school together meet after a number of years (for example, a 10 year reunion held 10 years after they all left school)
Kitty and Gavin were always the most well-behaved students, so it was no surprise that they were the two to organise the school reunion.
The class of 74 is having a 50-year reunion this weekend. God, we are all going to look so old now.
office opening
meaning: a party to celebrate a new office for a business, often held to invite customers
Digimarkets is having its office opening celebration this Friday. It has booked some children’s entertainment and a guest speaker, so I might go.
The opening of our new offices was a small affair: it was just the staff, some balloons, and a cake.
opening ceremony
meaning: a formal ceremony held to announce the start of an event, or opening of a shop or business
The opening ceremony of the Olympics is always weird, but I watch it anyway.
The film festival is having an opening ceremony on Thursday, which includes a showing of Suspiria and a question-and-answer session with a director.
funeral
meaning: a formal ceremony held when a person dies, which can include speakers and the burial
The funeral of Letitia Lewis was held on Saturday morning. It was a sad affair.
The first funeral I remember attending was that of my grandfather. I didn’t know how to feel.
reception
meaning: a gathering or party usually held after the formal part of a wedding or funeral
After the funeral, a reception was held in the town hall in which friends and family could meet.
The wedding ceremony starts at 2pm in the church, with the reception starting at 3pm in the castle.
Culture: Mnemonics
Mnemonics are short sentences or rhymes people use to remember lists.
The colours of the rainbow
Richard Of York Gave Battle in Vain
*red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
Compass points
1. Never Eat Shredded Wheat
*North, East, South, West (clockwise)
2. NEWS
*North, East, West, South
Planets
My Very Easy Method: Just Set Up Nine Planets
*Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
Note: In 2006, Pluto was removed from the list of planets
Spelling rule: i before e
I before E, except after C
*field, thief, quiet; receive, ceiling, deceit
Note: This is no longer taught at schools due to the large number of exceptions (eg their, weird)
How many days in each month
30 days has September,
April, June, and November.
All the rest have 31,
But February, which has 28 alone
Except in a leap year, that’s the time
When February’s days are 29.