English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.

org

Quiz
1) What does she put on her toast?

a) Jam
b) Butter
c) Veggie Mite

2) What does he do on Saturday?

a) Vacuum
b) Wash his car
c) Wash his clothes

3) What does she do on the Sunday night?

a) Read a book
Beginner 1 | Lesson 03 | Basic Verbs b) Go the gym
c) Listen to music
My Weekend 4) What is his favorite show about?
Two people discuss their weekend routines. a) Money
b) Sports
c) People in New York
Todd: Hey, Shantel. What do you do on the weekend?
5) When does she go to bed?
Shantel: On the weekend, I wake up and first I make breakfast.
a) 8
Todd: Oh, what do you make? b) 9
c) 12
Shantel: I like to make ________.
Todd: Oh, right. I often eat toast,
too.
Grammar Challenge
Shantel: Do you put ________ on
your toast? Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

Todd: I do. I put butter and jam. have fun butter clean the relax
Shantel: Ooh, I love butter and don't clean toast the park on the
jam ________ toast. don't eat my rooms do you on my
Todd: Do you eat cereal?

Shantel: No. I used to, but not anymore.

Speaking Challenge
Todd: Yeah. On the weekend, I ________ cereal. On the
weekend, I cook a nice breakfast, but I eat cereal during the
week. What else do you do ________ weekend?
Match the answers with the questions.
Shantel: Hmm, let's see. After I eat breakfast, I ________
kitchen and make my bed. What about you? 1) What do you eat for breakfast?
2) What do you eat for dinner?
Todd: I also clean my house. I clean ________. I vacuum. I 3) Where do you eat lunch?
wash the windows. I wash the dishes. I do my laundry. I do that 4) What do you do for fun?
on Saturday, but on Sunday, I ________. 5) Who do you see every day?

Shantel: And what ________ do for fun?

( _ ) I do not eat breakfast.
Todd: I go to ________. I play sports. I play soccer at the park. ( _ ) I eat at work, at my desk.
Sometimes, I ride my bike. Sometimes, I go hiking. I do lots on ( _ ) I see my mum.
Sunday. On Sunday, I ________. I don't study. I don't work and I ( _ ) I have a salad.
________ my house. ( _ ) I go to salsa dancing.

Shantel: Nice! What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Todd: What do you do on Sunday?

Shantel: I also enjoy my time on Sunday. I really like to meet Go online to elllo.org
my friends and sometimes we go to festivals or visit new cities,
and we eat a lot of really good food. Go online for the complete lesson!
Todd: Oh, that sounds fun. 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Shantel: Yes. Actually, we also really enjoy camping. Do you 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
like camping?

Todd: I love camping. I love the outdoors. I go hiking often.

Shantel: Oh, me, too.

Todd: Oh, that's cool. What about Sunday evening? Grammar

Shantel: Oh, Sunday evening, I relax. I cook a big dinner and I
listen to music, and sometimes I read my book. But often, I go
to sleep very early on Sunday. Basic Verbs

Todd: Oh, wow! Here are some basic ways to use verbs.

Shantel: And you? Questions

Todd: Well, on Sunday, I don't cook. I usually order food. I order
pizza or maybe I eat at a restaurant. And then later in the What do you eat for breakfast?
evening on Sunday, I always watch TV. My favorite TV show is Where do you eat lunch?
on Sunday night. When do you eat dinner?
Who do you talk to?
Shantel: And what's your favorite TV show? How do you get to work?
Why do you study English?
Todd: My favorite TV show is called Billions.

Shantel: Billions? Affirmative

Todd: Yeah. It's about money and power in New York. It's very I eat toast and fruit.
interesting. I work at home.
I live near the station.
Shantel: Nice! Maybe I should watch it.

Todd: Oh, you should, but you go to bed early. Negative

Shantel: Yes, around nine o'clock.
I do not eat cereal.
Todd: Oh, okay. Maybe you can see it. I do not work in town.
I do not live by my work.
Shantel: Okay.
Negative Contraction

I don't eat cereal.

I don't work in town.
I don't live by my work.

Yes / No Questions

Do you eat at home?

Yes, I do. / Yes, I eat at home.
No, I don't. / No, I don't eat at home.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) Who sometimes wakes up at 6?

a) He does.
b) She does.
c) They both do.

2) Who sometimes sleeps in?

a) He does.
b) She does.
c) They both do.

3) She gets up at what time?

Beginner 2 | Lesson 2 | Present Simple
a) 6
b) 7
Morning Routine c) 8
John and Sarah discuss what they do in the morning. 4) Who usually eats breakfast?
Sarah: John, tell me about your day. What time _________ a) He does.
wake-up? b) She does.
c) They both do.
John: Well, let's see. Some days I wake up early. Maybe about
6 o'clock. Yeah, sometimes I wake up at 6 o'clock. 5) Who eats lunch at the same time every day?
When I get up early, I like to _________ for the day, take a a) He does.
shower and have breakfast. But other days, I don't like getting b) She does.
up early. Maybe I'll sleep in until 10 or 11. c) They both do.
Sarah: Wow.
John: Yeah. I like sleeping in late. So sometimes, I _________
Grammar Challenge
at 11. On those days, if I know I won't wake up until 11, I'll
_________ shower the night before, before I _________. How
about you, Sarah? When do you usually wake up? Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

Sarah: Well, I like every day to be the same. So I wake up eat lunch get ready make coffee do the
every day at 8 o'clock.
wake up we have take a eat breakfast
John: Eight? often skip go to bed do some do you
Sarah: Eight. And I always _________ same thing. First, I
_________ right away. Then, I wake up my kids and _________
breakfast together at about 8:30.
Speaking Challenge
John: Really?
Sarah: Yes. We usually have something easy like bread and
yogurt and fruit. Match the answers with the questions.

John: I like to have coffee every morning whether I wake up at 1) What time do you wake up?
6 or at 10, I'm still going to have coffee. But I _________ 2) Do you eat breakfast every day?
breakfast. Do you always _________ every day? 3) What time do you have lunch?
4) Do you snack between meals?
Sarah: Yes. If I don't eat breakfast, I'm so hungry. What about 5) Do you ever skip dinner?
lunch? What time do you have lunch?

John: Lunch is the same everyday for me. I always _________ ( _ ) It depends, but usually around noon.
at 12:30 PM. So whenever I wake up, I _________ things and ( _ ) No, I often skip it.
then I always have lunch at 12:30 PM, just half past noon. And I ( _ ) I usually get up around 6.
always have a simple lunch. Maybe some soup or spaghetti or ( _ ) No, I always eat dinner.
a sandwich. Something light, and it's always at half past noon. ( _ ) No, I rarely eat between meals.
What time do you eat lunch?
What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Go online to elllo.org
Go online for the complete lesson!

1. Listen to the audio or video.

2. Check your answers.
3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Sarah: That's interesting. I have breakfast at the same time
every day but lunch is always at a different time.
Grammar
John: Really?

Sarah: Because I'm busy in the morning. I go out, maybe I go

shopping. Sometimes I clean the house. So I might have lunch Present Simple
at 11 o'clock or 12 o'clock. Sometimes as late as 2:30.
We use the present simple to talk about actions we do
John: Oh, that's getting late. regularly.

Sarah: Yes. But it's always an easy lunch like you. Maybe Questions
crackers and cheese, or a sandwich, or a baked potato.
John: I see. What do you eat for breakfast?
Where do you eat lunch?
When do you eat dinner?

Affirmative

I eat toast and fruit.

I work at home.
I live near the station.

Negative

I do not eat cereal.

I do not work in town.
I do not live near to my work.

Negative Contraction

I don't eat cereal.

I don't work in town.
I don't live near to my work.

Yes / No Questions

Do you eat at home?

Yes, I do. / Yes, I eat at home.

No, I don't. / No, I don't eat at home.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) Spread the _______.

a) bread
b) bacon
c) mayonnaise

2) Slice the _______ .

a) bread
b) cheese
c) tomatoes

3) Fry the ________ .

a) bread
Beginner 2 | Lesson 3 | Imperatives b) bacon
c) both of them
Sandwich! 4) Cut the ______ .
Meg and Todd share how to make their favorite sandwiches. a) bacon
b) bananas
c) bread
Todd: Hey, Meg. Let's talk about sandwiches.
5) On both sandwiches, _____ the bread.
Meg: Yum.
a) spread
Todd: How do you _______ your favorite sandwich? b) toast
c) slice
Meg: Well, my favorite sandwich is called a BLT. Bacon, lettuce,
and tomato.
Todd: Ooh, that's so good.
Grammar Challenge
Meg: Yeah, isn't it? It's very _______ to make. First, _______
the tomatoes. Then, toast the bread. Next, _______ the Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
mayonnaise on the toast. After that, _______ the bacon. Then
_______ everything together and _______ lettuce. Finally, put make spread bread
_______ the sandwich in half, and _______ it with chips or fruit.
toast slice cut easy
Todd: Okay. That sounds great. Let me check. First, slice some serve slicing get fry
tomatoes.

Meg: Right.
Todd: Then _______ some Speaking Challenge
lettuce.

Meg: You do need to get the

lettuce, but after _______ the Match the answers with the questions.
tomatoes, you should _______
the bread. 1) What is your favorite sandwich?
2) What is on it?
Todd: Okay. So, slice the 3) What do you do first?
tomatoes, toast the bread. 4) What do you do next?
5) How often do you eat it?
Meg: Right.
Todd: And then spread ( _ ) Get two pieces of bread.
mayonnaise on the bread, on the ( _ ) I love P and J sandwiches.
toast. ( _ ) Spread peanut butter and jelly on each slice of bread.
( _ ) Just peanut butter and jelly.
Meg: Uh-huh. Yup. ( _ ) To be honest, I don't eat it often.

Todd: And then add the tomato and lettuce. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Meg: Mm-hmm.

Todd: And then, oh. Fry the bacon ... Go online to elllo.org
Meg: Right. Go online for the complete lesson!
Todd: ... and put the bacon on the lettuce and tomato. 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Meg: And the toast. 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Todd: And the toast.

Meg: Yes.
Todd: I think I can do it.

Meg: You can do it. What about you? What's your favorite Grammar
sandwich?

Todd: Oh, my favorite sandwich is really easy but a little

unhealthy. It's a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Imperatives

Meg: Ooh, sounds delicious. Point 1: The imperative is the base form of the verb. We
use it to give instructions, commands, or suggestions.
Todd: So, similarly, first, toast some bread.

Meg: Mm-hmm. 1. Come here.

2. Help me please.
Todd: And then spread peanut 3. Look at this.
butter on one piece of toast. 4. Don't do that!

Meg: Uh-huh.
Point 2: The imperative does not have a subject because
Todd: Then cut up a banana into the subject is the listener.
big slices.
1. Listen to me.
Meg: Big slices. 2. Speak slower please.
3. Stand over there.
Todd: Then put the slices of 4. Open the door.
banana on the peanut butter.
Meg: Mm-hmm. Point 3: Add the word please to make the commands
more polite.
Todd: And then put the other toast over the bananas.
Meg: Okay. 1. Please sit here.
2. Please give me your passport.
Todd: So, put the sandwich together. 3. Please spell your name for me.
4. Please pay this amount.
Meg: Right.
Point 4: The negative form of the imperative uses do not
Todd: It's so delicious. or don't plus the base verb.
Meg: Wow, it sounds pretty easy. Let's see if I can remember.
So first, toast the bread? 1. Do not go there.
2. Don't eat too much.
Todd: Yes. 3. Do not stay up too late.
4. Don't fall asleep.
Meg: Then spread peanut butter on one slice of toast.
Todd: Yes.
Meg: After that was, cut the banana into big slices.

Todd: Mm-hmm.
Meg: And finally, put the second piece of toast on top of the
sandwich.

Todd: Got it.

Meg: That's it?
Todd: That's it.

Meg: Great.
Todd: It's so good.
Meg: I can't wait to try it.

Todd: And I can't wait to try the BLT.

 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) What does he say is blue?

a) The sky
b) The ocean
c) Blueberries

2) What does he say is green?

a) Grass
b) Cabbage
Beginner 1 | Lesson 04 | Subject Verb Agreement c) Asparagus

3) What does she say is yellow?

Colors
a) The sun
Two people discuss colors and things with these colors. b) Lemons
c) Sunflowers
Meg: Hey, Todd. Let's talk about colors.
4) What does she say is white?
Todd: All right.
a) The clouds
Meg: What ________ blue? b) Ice cream
c) Snow
Todd: Ooh, the ocean ________ blue. The sky ________ blue.
During the day, the sky________ blue. And my eyes ________ 5) What does she say is pink?
blue.
a) Her shirt
Meg: Oh, mine too. What b) Flowers
________ red? c) Candy

Todd: Red, let's see. Well,

tomatoes ________ red. Grammar Challenge
Strawberries ________ red, and...

Meg: And roses ________ red.

Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Todd: Roses ________ red.
That's right! is are

Meg: Yeah. What ________

green?
Todd: Well, lots of vegetables
________ green. Lettuce
________ green. Cabbage
________ green or purple. And Speaking Challenge
asparagus ________ green.

Meg: Asparagus, right. Also, grass ________ green. Match the answers with the questions.
Todd: Ah, that's right. Grass ________ green. 1) What is blue?
2) What is red?
Meg: What is yellow? 3) What is green?
4) What is yellow?
Todd: Ooh. Well, lemons ________ yellow. The sun ________ 5) What is orange?
yellow, sometimes, or orange.

Meg: Or red. ( _ ) Strawberries

( _ ) Grass
Todd: What else ________ yellow? ( _ ) The ocean
( _ ) The sun
Meg: Sunflowers ________ yellow. ( _ ) Bananas
Todd: Ooh, sunflowers ________ yellow. That's nice. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
Meg: What ________ orange?

Todd: Hmm. Also, sometimes the sun ________ orange.

Oranges ________ orange.
Go online to elllo.org
Meg: Of course. Go online for the complete lesson!
Todd: And persimmons ________ orange. 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Meg: Yes. 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Todd: Oh, I know.

Meg: What?
Todd: Carrots.
Grammar
Meg: Carrots!

Todd: Carrots are orange.

Basic Subject-Verb Agreement with Be ( is / are )
Meg: Of course! Carrots ________ orange. What ________
black? Singular Nouns + Be - Subjects with singular nouns use
the verb is.
Todd: Hmm. Sometimes dirt ________ black. The night sky
________ black.
My car is nice.
Meg: Right. And your shirt ________ black. This shirt is blue.
The game is exciting.
Todd: Yes. I like my black shirt. The sky is blue.

Meg: What ________ white?

Plural Nouns + Be - Subjects with plural nouns use the
Todd: Vanilla Ice Cream ________ white. The snow ________ verb are.
white.
My eyes are brown.
Meg: Yes. And clouds ________ white. The apples are sweet.
The clouds are gray.
Todd: Clouds ________ white. And sometimes clouds The bananas are delicious.
________ black.
Meg: Yes, when it's going to rain. Non-Count Nouns+ Be - For nouns you cannot count,
use the verb is.
Todd: Or gray.
Meg: Right. What ________ pink? The air is dirty.
The weather is bad.
Todd: Some flowers ________ The time is near.
pink. Ooh, cotton candy ________ My energy is low.
pink.
Plurals vs. Singular nouns - We usually use the plural
Meg: Yes. noun when talking about things in general.
Todd: And, sometimes lollipops
________ pink. Apples are red.
I love peaches.
Meg: Yeah. A lot of candy Cars are expensive.
________ pink, sometimes. I like pink flowers.
Todd: Now, sometimes women's
clothing ________ pink.
Meg: Or men's.
Todd: Or men's. Do you like pink shirts?

Meg: I don't usually wear pink shirts. What about you?

Todd: I don't like pink shirts. I don't like pink, actually.

Meg: Oh, that's too bad.

Todd: What is your favorite color?
Meg: My favorite color is orange.

Todd: Really?! Orange?

Meg: Yeah.
Todd: Nice.

Meg: I love orange. It's so bright. What about you?

Todd: I have three I like the same. I know I like green...
Meg: Wow.

Todd: I love green, I love blue, I love purple.

Meg: Hmm, you like the cool colors.

Todd: Right. And I don't like orange, I don't like yellow, and I
don't like pink.
Meg: You don't like the warm colors.
Todd: Yes. Bright colors, not so much.

Meg: Oh, I see.

Todd: What about red? Do you like red?

Meg: I don't especially like red. I like red poppies, a type of

flower.
Todd: Oh, right. Yeah.

Meg: But I don't like to wear red.

Todd: Yeah, me too. Do you dislike any colors?
Meg: Actually, I don't like brown. I think it's a boring color.

Todd: Yeah, that's true. But often, dogs are brown and I love
dogs.
Meg: I also like dogs, so a brown dog is okay. But a brown shirt,
no, thank you.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) Is his city clean?

a) Yes
b) Usually
c) No

2) Is his city dangerous?

a) Yes, very dangerous

b) No, not really
c) No, it is very safe

3) Is his city expensive?

a) Yes, very expensive

Beginner 1 | Lesson 05 | Adjectives b) In some places
c) No, not at all
My Hometown 4) What is expensive about her city?
Two people discuss their hometowns. a) The food
b) The parking
c) Nothing
Meg: Hey, Todd. What is your hometown?
5) What is interesting about her city?
Todd: My hometown is San Francisco.
a) The nature
Meg: Oh, nice. Is your town ________? b) Many things to do
c) The weather
Todd: Yes, San Francisco is very
beautiful. It has a nice view of the
ocean. Grammar Challenge
Meg: Sounds nice. Is your town
________?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Todd: It's pretty clean.
Sometimes, it's dirty. Some places nice interesting similar clean
are dirty, but usually, the city is
clean. beautiful safe dangerous warm
expensive dirty hot big
Meg: Oh. Is San Francisco
________?

Todd: No, it's not too dangerous.

Sometimes, we have crime, but Speaking Challenge
it's safe.

Meg: Great. Is your town

expensive? Match the answers with the questions.

Todd: Yes, San Francisco is very expensive. Everything is 1) Is your town beautiful?
expensive. Food is expensive. Housing is expensive. Shopping 2) Is your town clean?
is expensive. Everything. 3) Is your town expensive?
4) Is your city dangerous?
Meg: Oh, really? Is San Francisco famous? 5) Is the weather nice in your town?

Todd: Yes, it's very famous. In America, it's famous for its
bridge. We have the Golden Gate Bridge. It's the world's most ( _ ) No, it is very cheap.
famous bridge, I think. ( _ ) No, it is very ugly actually.
( _ ) Yes, but it is very hot in summer.
Meg: I know that bridge. Is your town hot? ( _ ) Yes, so please be careful.
( _ ) Yes, but some areas are dirty.
Todd: Never. San Francisco is never hot. It's never super cold,
but it's never hot. It's always warm or cool. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Meg: Sounds great. Is San Francisco ________?

Todd: I think so. It's a very interesting city. We have people from Go online to elllo.org
everywhere, and we have good food. We have nature nearby,
and we have interesting buildings. Go online for the complete lesson!
Meg: Wow. I'd like to go there. 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Todd: Ooh, you should. What about your city? What's your city? 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Meg: My city is Chicago.

Todd: Ooh, Chicago. Chicago. Is your city beautiful?

Meg: Yes. It's very beautiful, with lots of tall buildings and a big
lake.
Grammar
Todd: Ooh, nice. Is Chicago clean?

Meg: Some parts of Chicago are clean and other parts are a
little ________. Adjectives

Todd: How about dangerous? Is Chicago dangerous? Adjectives are words that describe things.

Meg: Similarly, some parts are dangerous and some parts are Point 1: Adjectives can go after a 'be' verbs.
________.

Todd: Yeah, San Francisco is the same. I think every American I am tall.
city is the same. She is nice.
My cat is cute.
Meg: I think that's true.

Todd: Most places are safe, but some places are dangerous. Point 2: Adjectives can go before a noun.

Meg: Right. I have a big house.

That is a nice bag.
Todd: Is Chicago ________? He is a good teacher.
Meg: Yes. Because it's such a big
city, almost everything is Point 3: You can put adjectives together.
expensive.

Todd: Oh. Two adjectives

Meg: Food, attractions, parking, He is smart and funny.

entertainment, everything. She is kind and friendly.

Todd: Hmm, sounds like San Three adjectives

Francisco.
She is tall, strong, and fast.
Meg: I think so, a little ________. The test was hard, long, and boring.

Todd: Is it hot?

Meg: It can be ________ in the summer. Usually July or

August, it gets hot sometimes.
Todd: Is it interesting?

Meg: Yes, of course. Chicago is very interesting. We have many

museums, and things to do, and we also have nature. At the
lake, you can go and enjoy the day on the beach.
Todd: Oh, nice.

Meg: Yeah.
Todd: Is Chicago by the ocean?

Meg: It's not by the ocean. It's by a really ________ lake called
Lake Michigan. What about San Francisco? Is it by the ocean?
Todd: Yes, San Francisco is on the ocean. It's on the Pacific
Ocean.

Meg: Right.
Todd: So we have really ________ beaches.
Meg: Do you like the beach?

Todd: I do, but the beaches in San Francisco are a little cold.
Meg: Oh.
Todd: In Los Angeles, they're ________. But Los Angeles is not
interesting and it's expensive, and it's not beautiful.
Meg: Right.
Todd: So I don't like Los Angeles.

Meg: So we should stick with San Francisco.

Todd: Or Chicago.
Meg: Yeah.

Todd: Okay.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) On what day is she busy?

a) Tuesday
b) Wednesday
c) Thursday

2) What day does he go shopping?

a) Friday
b) Saturday
c) Sunday

3) What does she do on Sunday?

Beginner 1 | Lesson 06 | Days of the Week
a) Eat with friends
b) Go to the gym
Days of the Week c) Stay home all day

Two people talk about what they do during the week. 4) What days does he work?

Todd: So Meg, are you busy? Do you have a busy week? a) Monday
b) Wednesday
Meg: Yes, I usually ________ busy week. c) Friday

Todd: Yeah, me too. So what day is your busiest day? 5) What does does she do in her free time?

Meg: My busiest day ________. a) Study the Japanese language

b) Go to the gym
Todd: Ooh, why? c) Surf the net

Meg: On Thursday, I have to work from early in the morning

until around 6:00 p.m. I have to teach classes. And then after Grammar Challenge
that, I need to do my shopping at the supermarket.
Todd: Oh, okay. I do my shopping
________. Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

Meg: Oh, really? have a do on and Friday is Thursday

like on evening through every
Todd: Yeah, always on Saturday.
Mondays are on Saturday work on day off
Meg: What else do you ________
Saturday?
Todd: On Saturday, I do all my
boring activities. Speaking Challenge
Meg: Like what?
Match the answers with the questions.
Todd: I do my shopping. I do my laundry. I run errands. I clean
my apartment. I do boring stuff because on Sunday I like to 1) Do you have a busy week?
have fun. 2) What day is your busiest day?
3) What do you do on Sunday?
Meg: What do you like to do on Sunday? 4) What do you do on Friday evening?
5) What day are you free?
Todd: On Sunday, I often go hiking or I go to the park, or I go to
the beach. I go to the beach almost ________Sunday.
( _ ) On Friday, I stay home and watch movies.
Meg: Wow! That sounds really fun. ( _ ) Yes, I go to school and I work.
( _ ) I rest in the morning and work at night.
Todd: Yeah, the beach is beautiful. Nobody is there. It's really ( _ ) On Saturday, I do not have school or work.
nice. ( _) I am very busy on Wednesday.
Meg: Yeah, it sounds great. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
Todd: How about you? What do you do on Sunday?

Meg: On Sunday, I always go to church in the morning, and Go online to elllo.org

sometimes I'll have lunch with friends after church.

Todd: Oh, cool. Go online for the complete lesson!

Meg: And then, I usually clean as well, Sunday ________, 1. Listen to the audio or video.
before the new week starts. 2. Check your answers.
3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Todd: Now, do you work Monday ________ Friday?

Meg: Yes, I work every weekday. What about you?

Todd: I work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. I don't work
Wednesday.
Grammar
Meg: Oh, what's your schedule ________Wednesdays?

Todd: On Wednesdays, I usually stay at home and I relax.

Sometimes, I go shopping. Sometimes, I go to the park. Days of the Week
Sometimes, I prepare lessons because I'm a teacher.
Point 1: Spell names of the week with a capital letter.
Meg: So sometimes you do a little ________ Wednesdays.

Todd: Yes, but I do work at my house. Monday >> on Monday

Tuesday >> on Tuesday
Meg: Ah, right. Wednesday >> on Wednesday
Thursday >> on Thursday
Todd: I never go to school on Wednesday. Friday >> on Friday
Saturday >> on Saturday
Meg: Why not? Sunday >> on Sunday

Todd: Because it's a ________. So how about Monday? Are

you busy on Monday? Point 2: In spoken English, speakers often do not say the
preposition on.
Meg: I'm usually busy on Monday because my schedule is
similar to Thursday. So I have to teach class until around 6:00 I will see you Sunday.
p.m. I will see you on Sunday.
Todd: Yeah, ________ busy for me, too. Mondays are busy. Parts of the Day
Thursdays also are busy. Tuesday ________ are not so busy.

Meg: Your schedule sounds a little similar to mine. Point 3: We use different prepositions for some parts of
the day, either in or at.
Todd: Yeah. Well, we're both teachers.

Meg: That's true. morning >> in the morning

noon >> at noon
Todd: What about activities? Do you do any activities during the afternoon >> in the afternoon
week? evening >> in the evening
night >> at night
Meg: During the week, if I have free time, sometimes I will midnight >> at midnight.
watch a TV show or a movie and I also go to Japanese
language class. Point 4: When you combine a day of the week and a part
of the day, you do need a preposition, except with noon
Todd: Oh, nice. and midnight. The time of day goes after the day.
Meg: Yeah, so sometimes I have homework so I have to do my
Japanese language homeworks some nights. What about you? I will see you Monday night.
Let's meet Sunday afternoon.
Todd: I play futsal on Tuesday nights. Every Tuesday, I play I will see you Friday at noon.
futsal with my friends for two hours and that's fun. And then,
sometimes on Friday, I meet my friends for dinner. Parts of the Week
Meg: Hmm. That sounds good.
Point 5: The weekend is Saturday and Sunday, and the
Todd: And I also like sports so I usually watch sports on TV on weekdays are Monday through Friday.
Monday.
Weekend >> on the weekend
Meg: What sports do you usually watch on Monday? Weekday >> on a weekday
Weekdays >> during the weekdays.
Todd: I watch everything. I watch baseball. I watch basketball. I
watch American football and I watch soccer. So I come home
and I watch a video of a game from Saturday or Sunday. I don't
watch sports on Saturday or Sunday. I watch the video later on
Monday night.
Meg: Is it better that way?
Todd: Yeah. Usually, I don't check the Internet, so I don't know
the score.
Meg: Well, it sounds like you have a busy schedule.
Todd: You, too.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) How many languages does she speak?

a) Two
b) Three
c) Four

2) What is similar about French and English?

a) Spelling of words
b) Pronunciation of words
c) Word stress

3) What does she teach him to say in Yoruba?

a) How are you?

Beginner 1 | Lesson 7 | Nationalities, Languages, Countries b) Thank you.
c) Good bye.
What languages do you speak?
4) What language does she want to learn?
Two people discuss the languages they speak or want to learn. a) Thai
b) Mandarin
c) Russian
Todd: So, Abidemi, let's talk about languages.
5) What language does he want to learn?
Abidemi: Sure.
a) Thai
Todd: You are from Nigeria b) Spanish
________ has many languages, c) Russian
correct?
Abidemi: That's true, yes.
Grammar Challenge
Todd: How many languages can
you speak?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Abidemi: I would say that I can
speak one language very well. Canadian French in Canada and Nigeria
Todd: Me, too. of Japanese English some Thai in French
Abidemi: And that would be ________ . But I speak other Yoruba in Japan in English Japanese
languages fairly well. Yoruba, which is a Nigerian language,
French, and a little bit ________ , as well.
Todd: You are ________ also, and in Canada, students study
French, correct?
Speaking Challenge
Abidemi: That's true, yes.
Match the answers with the questions.
Todd: Okay. Do you speak French often ________ ?
1) What languages do you speak?
Abidemi: While I was living there I spoke it a lot more, yes. 2) What is your favorite food?
3) What language do you want to learn?
Todd: Do you like French? 4) What music from other countries do you like?
5) What movies from other countries do you like?
Abidemi: I love ________ . I love learning languages.
Todd: French, I think, is very hard for some people, myself ( _ ) I want to learn French.
included, because the pronunciation of some words is very ( _ ) I love Chinese food.
different than the pronunciation of American English. I think it's ( _ ) I like watching Korean dramas.
funny that there are some words ________ that look exactly the ( _ ) I speak Greek and Russian.
same as words ________ but we pronounce them completely ( _ ) I like Spanish music.
differently. For example, I will say the word in English, and you
say the same word in French. Okay? What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Abidemi: I will try.

Todd: For example, 'impossible'. Go online to elllo.org

Abidemi: 'Impossible'.
Go online for the complete lesson!
Todd: Right. So that is so interesting. Again, 'impossible'.
1. Listen to the audio or video.
Abidemi: 'Impossible'. 2. Check your answers.
3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Todd: And they're spelled the same, correct?
Abidemi: That's true.
Todd: Yeah, how about 'reservation'?

Abidemi: 'Reservation'. Grammar

Todd: That's so cool.
Abidemi: I have never thought of it like that before, Todd, but Nationalities, Languages, Countries
you're right. They look the same but the pronunciations are
different. Point 1: The names of countries, languages, and people
from a country begin with a capital letter.
Todd: I think it's a trick because we see the word and we know
how to say it one way, but we have to say it a different way.
I am from Germany.
Abidemi: That's true. He can speak French.
I love Thai food.
Todd: We just can't do that well.
Abidemi: That's true. Point 2: The adjective form of a country can be used to
describe people, languages, and items.
Todd: So, you can speak ________ .
People speak Spanish in Spain.
Abidemi: Yoruba, yes. She is Italian, but does not speak Italian.
We bought a Japanese car in Japan.
Todd: Yoruba. How do you say, "How are you?" In Yoruba.
Nationalities
Abidemi: Bawo ni?
Point 3: There are some patterns in English for
Todd: Oh, that's so cool. Again? nationalities but there are many exceptions. It is best to
just remember them case-by-case.
Abidemi: Bawo ni?
Todd: Bawo ni? Country Nationality Country Nationality
Japan Japanese Thailand Thai
Abidemi: Bawo ni?
China Chinese Korea Korean
Todd: Oh, wow. That's so cool. Sweden Swedish Greece Greek
Abidemi: Thank you. Germany German Poland Polish
Todd: Yeah. Have you ever taught that language? Italy Italian Portugal Portuguese
France French Turkey Turkish
Abidemi: No, never. I don't think too many people want to learn
it outside of Nigeria. Spain Spanish Finland Finnish

Todd: I think, in the future, more people will want to learn Mexico Mexican Colombia Colombian
unique languages. Canada Canadian Brazil Brazilian
Abidemi: I hope you're right.
Todd: Yeah, maybe.

Abidemi: Maybe.
Todd: What language do you want to learn in the future?

Abidemi: I have many, that if I had more time, I would like to

learn. I'm interested in ________ , of course. I live ________
now, so I would like to speak it better. I would also like to learn
Mandarin, Russian, Hausa, another Nigerian language,
Spanish, and maybe a couple of others.

Todd: Yeah, there's so many languages I want to learn. I want

to learn Spanish, too. I can speak ________ and Japanese
because I lived as a teacher in both countries. But I want to
learn a language that has the same alphabet. So I can read
Thai, but not very well, and I can read Japanese but not very
well. But I want to learn a language where it's easy to read and
see what the word is, you know, because in Thai, you can't do
that, in Japanese, you can't do that.
Abidemi: I know what you mean. It would make it easier to
learn the language.

Todd: But in Russian, you can't do that.

Abidemi: That's true.
Todd: Right? It's completely different.

Abidemi: That's true, but they have alphabets that are the
same, so you just have to decode them.
Todd: A little bit, yeah. We have the phrase, "It's all Greek to
me," which means you have no idea. Anyway, thanks a lot,
Abidemi.
Abidemi: Thank you, Todd.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) When does she get out of bed?

a) Before six
b) Before seven
c) Before eight

2) What does she do in the morning in bed?

a) Read books
b) Check her phone
c) Go back to sleep

3) What does she like to eat in the morning?

a) Eggs
Beginner 1 | Lesson 8 | Basic Sentence Patterns b) Toast
c) Cereal
What is a typical day for you? 4) What does she drink in the morning?
Two people discuss their daily routines. a) Tea
b) Coffee
c) Hot chocolate
Todd: So Natalie, ________ typical day for you? For example,
what is a typical morning? 5) What does she do in the evening?
Natalie: Well, I ________ about 7:00 a.m. a) Do yoga
b) Watch TV
Todd: Oh, that's early. c) Wear pajamas
Natalie: Yes, I really ________ morning person.
Todd: I think you are a morning person. ________ morning
Grammar Challenge
person at all.

Natalie: Well, I don't actually ________bed until about 7:30. Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

Todd: Oh, okay. So what ________ do? what is a you eat do you check my
Natalie: Well, I play on my phone, I ________ emails, I check I'm not a just the get out of am a
Facebook, and I ________ news. you eat wake up at read the drink coffee
Todd: And do ________ breakfast at home?
Natalie: I usually prepare breakfast at home, yeah.
Speaking Challenge
Todd: What do ________?
Natalie: Oh, ________ simple
stuff, eggs, bacon, sausages. Match the answers with the questions.
Sometimes I'll have toast.
1) When do you usually get up?
Todd: Do you ________ or tea? 2) Do you have a big breakfast?
3) Where do you go every day?
Natalie: No, I don't like coffee or 4) Where do you eat lunch?
tea. 5) Who do you see every day?

Todd: Oh, what do you drink?

( _ ) I eat lunch at a cafe near my school.
Natalie: Actually, I like hot ( _ ) No, I just have coffee and fruit.
chocolate in the morning. ( _ ) I go to class and then to work.
( _ ) I see my friends.
Todd: Yeah, I like hot chocolate, ( _ ) I often wake up at 7:00.
too. So what about your day?
What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
Natalie: Well, I'm a teacher. I
teach at a school. Lessons start at about 9:00 a.m. and we have
lunch at noon.
Go online to elllo.org
Todd: How many classes do you have in the morning?
Go online for the complete lesson!
Natalie: Each class lasts an hour, so I have three classes.
1. Listen to the audio or video.
Todd: Do you eat lunch at school? 2. Check your answers.
3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Natalie: Yes, we have a huge canteen.

Todd: Ah. Is the food good?

Natalie: The food is great and it's so much fun eating with the
students, too.
Grammar
Todd: Is the food cheap or expensive?

Natalie: Um, it's pretty cheap. I'd say maybe $3 for lunch.
Basic Sentence Patterns
Todd: Oh, that's really good.
Point 1: A common sentence pattern in English is S.V.O
Natalie: Yeah, and for that you get a lot of food. which means subject, verb, object.
Todd: What do you do in the afternoon?
1. He has a nice car.
Natalie: In the afternoon I have more lessons, usually taking me 2. My town has a big park.
till about 4:00 p.m. 3. She does not eat meat.
4. They play tennis once a week.
Todd: Oh! And do you have big classes?

Natalie: Yes. So I teach English, that means I teach the whole Point 2: WH questions usually follow this pattern:
year, so I have really big classes. We have about 200 students WH + Auxiliary + S + O + ?
at the school.
1. When do you study?
Todd: That's a lot. 2. What do you do at your job?
3. Where did you buy that shirt?
Natalie: Yes, it is. 4. Why do you study English?
Todd: What about the evening? What do you do in the
evening? Point 3: Yes/No questions use the same pattern without
the WH word: Auxiliary + S + O + ?
Natalie: When I get home I'm usually really tired, so I get
changed into my pajamas and I watch TV for about two hours.
After that, I'll maybe have some dinner, maybe get a pizza and 1. Do you like sushi?
then read a book or play on my phone again. 2. Does this machine need batteries?
3. Do you get much snow in your town?
Todd: What do you watch on TV? 4. Did Bob buy lunch?

Natalie: I really like watching Point 4: Yes/No questions often have short form
Korean drama. answers.
Todd: Korean dramas are cool.
Boy: Do you play tennis?
Natalie: I know, the characters are Girl: Yes, I do. And you?
so much fun. Boy: No, I do not. >> No, I don't.
Todd: Do you listen to K-pop?
Natalie: A little bit, but I think it's a
little bit boring. I prefer American
pop.

Todd: Oh. So you like Korean

dramas and American music?
Natalie: That's right. I also like
game shows.

Todd: Ah. What game shows?

Natalie: Well actually, my favorite one is Busted, and that's also
Korean.

Todd: Okay, I need to see that. So when do you go to bed?

Natalie: Most nights I go to bed at around 10:00 p.m. but at the
weekend, sometimes it's later, maybe around midnight.
Todd: Well, I think you have an interesting and long day.

Natalie: That's right. I'm usually very tired.

 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) Who is the first famous person mentioned on the game?

a) A singer
b) An athlete
c) An acress
2) Who is the second famous person mentioned on the
game?

a) A singer
b) A soccer player
c) An actor

3) Who is the third famous person mentioned on the game?

Beginner 1 | Lesson 09 | Subject Pronouns

a) A singer
Guess the Famous Person b) An athlete
c) An actor
Two people try to guess some famous people.
4) Who is the famous person she talked about first?

Todd: Hello, Shantel. a) Tyra Banks

b) Jay Z
Shantel: Hello. c) Beyonce
Todd: Let's play a game. 5) What country is the famous man she talked about from?

Shantel: Okay.
a) America
Todd: Can ________ the famous person? b) Jamaica
c) Australia
Shantel: Let's play.
Todd: Okay, person number one.
________ American.
Grammar Challenge
Shantel: Okay.
Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Todd: She is a singer. She is
young. She is about 25 years old, my age you guess is a he joined
and now she is very famous. Her
hair is blonde ________ is very Is it He is is in and she
cute and very pretty. It is so the She is but he
Shantel: Hmm. ________ Taylor
Swift?

Todd: Yes! Correct. Ding-ding- Speaking Challenge

ding-ding-ding!

Shantel: Woo!
Match the answers with the questions.
Todd: Okay, ________ next person is also very famous.
________ from Argentina. He is a soccer player. He is very 1) What do you do?
good at sports, and he is on a team in Spain. 2) What does your mom do?
3) What does your dad do?
Shantel: On a team in Spain? 4) Do you have brothers or sisters?
5) Does your family get together often?
Todd: Yeah, he is very good. He ________ little short,
________ is quick. He is very fast.
( _ ) Yes, we all get together at New Year's.
Shantel: Hmm. I don't watch soccer so much, but is it Cristiano ( _ ) I am a student.
Ronaldo? ( _ ) Yes, I have two brothers. They both live in America.
( _ ) She is a police officer.
Todd: No! ________ Lionel Messi. ( _ ) He is a businessman.

Shantel: Ooh, I don't know who he is. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Todd: Oh, no. Ronaldo is the rival of Lionel Messi.

Shantel: I see. Go online to elllo.org
Todd: Okay, so 1-1. Alright, ready? Next one. This person is Go online for the complete lesson!
from Hong Kong. He is older. He is ________ , about 50,
maybe older. He is good at martial arts. He________ many 1. Listen to the audio or video.
movies. 2. Check your answers.
Shantel: Okay. 3. Access 100s of free lessons.

Todd: Oh, also he is funny. He is very funny. Grammar

Shantel: Is it Jackie Chan?
Todd: Yes! Correct. Ding-ding-ding! Subject Pronouns

Shantel: Yay! Point 1: Subject pronouns take the place of a person or

person's name.
Todd: Okay, so now let's switch.
You ask me.
1. Sally is a farmer. She works outside.
Shantel: Okay. This person is a 2. Bob is a doctor. He works at a hospital.
woman. She is American and she 3. Bob and Sally are married. They have one child.
is a very famous singer in the 4. They have a house. It is really big.
United States and in the world. 5. We like them. You will, too!
She is married to a very famous
rapper. Do you know who she is?
Point 2: The first person subject pronoun (I, we) refers to
Todd: Is she Beyonce? the speaker. It can be singular (S) or plural (P).

Shantel: Yes! Very good! 1. (S) I have a pool.

2. (S) I swim every day
Todd: Bing-bing-bing-bing! 3. (P) We love Italian food.
4. (P) We eat it often.
Shantel: She is Beyonce!

Todd: Oh, nice. Point 3: The second person subject pronoun (you) refers
to the listener. It can be singular (S) or plural (P).
Shantel: Okay. Are you ready for the next person?
Todd: I'm ready. 1. (S) You are nice.
2. (S) You should come.
Shantel: He is a Jamaican and he runs really fast. 3. (P) You (all) can sit down.
4. (P) You (guys) should come.
Todd: Okay. He is fast. He's from Jamaica.
Point 4: The third person subject pronoun (he, she, it,
Shantel: Mm-hmm. And he is so fast, ________ the Olympics they) refers to a person, people, thing or things.
and won many times.
Todd: Is he a gold medal winner? 1. I like Bob. He is nice.
2. I also like Sue. She is funny.
Shantel: He is a gold medal winner. 3. Bob and Sue are married. They have one child.
4. They have a house. It is really big and nice.
Todd: Oh, I know. 5. They have two cars. They rarely drive them.
Shantel: Who is it?
Todd: It is Usain Bolt.

Shantel: Correct.
Todd: Yay!

Shantel: Ding-ding-ding!
Todd: Thanks, Shantel.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) How often does he see his family?

a) Every year
b) Twice a year
c) Once every two years

2) Where does he usually meet them?

a) America
b) Japan
c) Both places

3) Who does he meet?

a) His sister
Beginner 1 | Lesson 10 | Object Pronouns b) His mother
c) His brother
Object Pronouns 4) Who does she keep in contact with the most?
Two people discuss how often they meet their family. a) Her father
b) Her brother
c) Her sister
Shantel: So Todd, you live in Japan. Do you see your family
often? 5) What does she use to contact family?
Todd: Yes, I see them often. I ________ usually once a year, a) Skype
but I write ________ often and I call them sometimes. b) Twitter
c) Facebook
Shantel: Okay. And when you see
them, do you go to the United States to
________ or do they come to Japan? Grammar Challenge
Todd: I go to America and then
everyone goes to my mom's house.
Everybody ________ at my mom's Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
house, which is nice. I see my sister
and we talk a lot, and it's good. misses me call you visit them meets me
Shantel: Does your mother miss you? miss her see them for us use it
with her call them miss him to them
Todd: Yes. She ________ and I
________a lot, so it's very nice to see
her. And also, I miss my dad. I
________ a lot, so I'm always happy to
see him. Speaking Challenge
Shantel: Nice. And what about your
sister? When you're in the United
States, do you have some activities you like to do together? Match the answers with the questions.

Todd: Yeah, sometimes we do stuff together. Maybe I will meet 1) Who is your favorite actor?
her at a café or I will go shopping ________, so we do 2) Who is your favorite actress?
something fun each time I go back. 3) What is your favorite band?
4) What is the best way to reach you?
Shantel: Nice. 5) When will I see you again?

Todd: Also, when I go home, I see my best friend, and that's

always nice. I usually meet him for dinner, and of course I call ( _ ) You can reach me by Line or email.
him and it's always nice to see my best friend. How about your ( _ ) I like Jennifer Lawrence. I saw her in a movie last night.
family? ( _ ) I will see you at the party on Friday.
( _) U2. I listen to them all the time.
Shantel: Well, since I live in Japan, I also ________ and write ( _ ) I like Robert Downey Jr. I loved him in Iron Man.
them, but usually, we only Skype about once a month.
What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
Todd: Oh. So, who do you Skype with the most, your mom or
your dad?

Shantel: I Skype the most with my father because he wakes up Go online to elllo.org
very early. So his time and his schedule match my schedule, so
it is easy ________ to Skype. Go online for the complete lesson!
Todd: Do you call him or does he ________? 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Shantel: I usually call him, but sometimes he calls me. Usually, 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
if he calls me, it's because I haven't called in a long time.

Todd: Uh-oh.
Shantel: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Todd: So sometimes, you make him mad. Grammar

Shantel: A little angry.
Todd: Right. That's nice. Object Pronouns

Shantel: But... Point 1: Object pronouns take the place of a person or

noun.
Todd: You have a brother too, right?

Shantel: I do have a brother, and I call him less frequently 1. I love music. It makes me happy.
because he is so busy with his job. So we speak about once or 2. You are here. I did not see you.
twice a month, by messages or by phone. 3. Did you see Sue? I just saw her.
4. Where is Tony? Did you see him?
Todd: Oh, that's nice. Do you follow your family on social 5. I like your jacket. Where did you buy it?
media? 6. My students are funny. I like them so much.
7. These shoes are dirty. I need to clean them.
Shantel: Yes. I use Facebook. 8. We will leave soon. Give us a call tomorrow.

Todd: Oh, I ________, too.

Point 2: The first person object pronoun (me, us) refers
Shantel: It is a really easy way to keep in contact with them. to the speaker. It can be singular (S) or plural (P).

Todd: Yeah, I agree. What about other social media? Do you 1. (S) Tell me a story.
use Twitter? 2. (S) My teacher makes me laugh.
3. (P) They help us a lot.
Shantel: No. I don't use Twitter and I don't use other social 4. (P) Did you see us on TV?
media either, only Facebook.
Todd: Ah, that's good, I think. Too much is too bad. Point 3: The second person object pronoun (you) refers
to the listener. It can be singular (S) or plural (P).
Shantel: I agree, but I do love Facebook because I can speak
with my brother and my mother, and my father anytime.
1. (S) I like you.
Todd: So with Facebook, do you check it every day? 2. (S) I will call you later.
3. (P) I like you (guys).
Shantel: I do check it every day. Maybe it's a bad habit, but I do 4. (P) I will call you (all) later.
like to check it every day. Do you check your Facebook every
day? Point 4: The third person subject pronoun (him, her, it,
them) refers to a person, people, thing or things.
Todd: Not every day. I check it maybe three times a week.

Shantel: Three times a week? 1. I like Bob. I see him every day.
2. I also like Sue. I often see her at the gym.
Todd: Yeah, I don't use it much and I don't use it on my phone. 3. Bob and Sue eat out often. I join them sometimes.
4. They have a horse. They let me ride it.
Shantel: Oh. That's a good idea. 5. They have two cars. They never use them.
Todd: Yeah. I like my free time.
Shantel: Do you use other social
media such as Twitter or
Instagram?

Todd: I do use Twitter, but I don't

use it on my phone. I only use it
on the computer.
Shantel: Okay. What about
Instagram?
Todd: Oh, I don't use it at all. Do
you use it?
Shantel: No, I don't use it.

Todd: Oh, that's right. You only

use Facebook.
Shantel: I only use Facebook.

Todd: Ah, interesting. Well, that's nice that we can talk to our
family on Skype and Facebook because Japan is so far from
America.
Shantel: Yes, and I think they are very happy, too.

Todd: Yeah, I think they are happy.

 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) How many toilets are in his house?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3

2) How many chairs are in the kitchen?

a) None
b) 2
c) 4

3) Does he have many shoes?

a) Yes, he does.
Beginner 2 | Lesson 4 | Articles b) No, he does not.
c) He does not say.
House and Things 4) What does he have outside?
Aimee and Todd talk about all the stuff they have in their homes. a) A car
b) A garden
c) A pool
Aimee: So, Todd, do you like your house?
4) What items does he mention?
Todd: I do. It's ___ nice house, but it's ___ old house. It's very
old. a) Cups
b) Pictures
Aimee: How many rooms are in your house? c) Books
Todd: My house has four rooms. ___ living room, ___ sleeping
room, ___ study room, and ___ kitchen. Grammar Challenge
Aimee: Okay. That sounds big. How about bathrooms? How
many bathrooms do you have?
Fill in the blanks with the correct article.
Todd: I have two bathrooms or toilets, and then I have one
washing room to take ___ shower. a an the
Aimee: Oh, nice. And do you
have ___ TV?
Todd: I do have a TV in ___ living
room, and I have ___ big couch
and ___ nice table, and I have
cable TV. Speaking Challenge
Aimee: Wow.

Todd: So I have cable, but I don't Match the answers with the questions.
watch TV much.
1) How many rooms are in your house?
Aimee: Oh. Well, what about your 2) Do you have a TV?
kitchen. Do you have ___ kitchen? 3) Do you have many clothes?
4) Do you have a big bathroom?
Todd: I do. I have ___ very small kitchen. My kitchen has one 5) Do you have a kitchen?
stove, ___ small stove, ___ table, and ___ refrigerator, and ___
microwave. So, I can cook, but it's not easy.
( _ ) Yes, I cook in it every day.
Aimee: Oh. How many chairs do you have in ___ kitchen. ( _ ) No, I don't care about fashion.
( _ ) No, it is very tiny.
Todd: We only have two chairs. It's very, very small. ( _ ) Yes, but I never watch it.
( _ ) Just three: a bathroom, a kitchen, and bedroom.
Aimee: Okay. Do you have ___ kettle?
What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
Todd: I do have ___ kettle. Do you want coffee?

Aimee: No. It's an important, important kitchen appliance. Go online to elllo.org

Todd: It is. It is. I like that kettle. I think, in American English, we
say "coffee pot." Go online for the complete lesson!
Aimee: Really? 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Todd: Yeah. Do we say, "kettle?" Maybe. I don't know. I don't 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
know American English. I need to learn.

Aimee: For me, a kettle is something you use to boil water, so

you could be making tea or coffee.
Todd: True.

Aimee: It doesn't matter. Grammar

Todd: Maybe we do say kettle. We say kettle. Sorry.
Aimee: How about books, Todd? Do you have many books? Singular vs Plural Nouns with Articles

Todd: No. I have a rule. I only keep two books. Point 1: We use plural nouns when we talk about more
than one item. We add an (s) to the noun.
Aimee: What?

Todd: Yeah. So, if I want a new book, I must get rid of a book. 1. I have many books.
2. I don't have a history book.
Aimee: Wow. 3. I have a cat and two dogs.

Todd: Only two. Never three. I don't like having three, four.
Point 2: We use the article a and an before a singular
Aimee: That is so strict. noun for an item that is not specific to the listener.

Todd: It is. It is very strict. My rule. Strange rule. 1. I have an old computer.
2. She has a nice house.
Aimee: Okay. How about clothes? 3. I have a big kitchen.
Do you have a lot of clothes? 4. I don't have an umbrella.
Todd: No. I am a minimalist. That
means I have few items of Point 3: Once the listener knows about the item, we use
clothing. I think I have maybe five the article the instead of a or an in future references.
shirts and three pairs of pants.
Aimee: Wow. 1. To make an omelet, crack an egg. Then whisk the
egg.
Todd: And two pairs of shoes. 2. Then get a pan. Cook the egg in the pan.
3. Then get a plate. Put the egg on the plate.
Aimee: Wow. It sounds great. 4. Then get a fork. Use the fork to eat the omelet.

Todd: It is, kind of. But I'm 47. I'm Point 4: When we talk about items in general, use the
old, so it's okay. I can wear the same clothes every day. It's plural form, often without the article the.
okay.

Aimee: In your house, do you have a patio? 1. Books are important.

2. Do you like apples?
Todd: I do, but it's really old, and it's not safe. Yeah. It can fall. 3. Everybody needs friends.
It's old, so I don't use it. But I have a small area to go outside, a 4. I don't like watching movies.
small garden. It's nice.
Aimee: Okay. Sounds nice. Sounds like a great house. Point 5: We use the article the before plural nouns when
we refer to a specific group of items.
Todd: It is, it is. Old, but nice.
1. I bought the books you asked for.
2. The streets in my town are very clean.
3. I love the cookies my mother makes.
4. The students in my class like to play games.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) When does he usually cook?

a) Every night
b) Weekdays
c) Weekends

2) What does she usually do?

a) Buy dinner
b) Cook dinner
c) Eat at work

3) When does she eat out?

a) Every night
Beginner 2 | Lesson 5 | Adverbs of Frequency b) Weekends
c) Never
Eating Habits 4) Who does she cook with?
Daniel and Hana discuss what they like to have for dinner and a) Her mother
how they get their food. b) Her friends from work
c) Her roommate
Daniel: So Hana, tell me, do you cook much? 5) How often does he cook for friends?
Hana: Yes, I __________ cook. I often cook with my roommate, a) Often
and __________ make Chinese or Japanese food. How about b) Sometimes
you? c) Never
Daniel: Well, I don’t really cook __________ because I’m really
busy during the week. So, I always get something at a shop and
eat that. During the weekends, I __________ during the
Grammar Challenge
weekends because I really like making food. So, that’s what I
do.
Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Hana: So, do you ever eat out?
normally you usually eat out with always
Daniel: Only __________, because I’m really busy during the
week, and I prefer cooking during the weekends, so always cook that often we always ever buy
__________ often. I don’t go out really __________ eat. occasionally never not really often to
Whenever I’m tired, and I don’t have time to cook during the
weekend, I go and __________ a friend. So, how about you?

Hana: Well, I always cook, so I __________ go and eat out on

the weekends with my friends or family. Speaking Challenge
Daniel: So do you __________ take-away?

Hana: No, __________. Normally when I go out to eat, I like to Match the answers with the questions.
sit and enjoy my food. How about you?
1) Do you cook often?
Daniel: Well, that's really nice. Of 2) Do you eat out often?
course, I do like to sit and enjoy 3) How often do you cook for people?
my food, but I have to admit that 4) How often do you eat fast food?
occasionally I have to buy take- 5) How often do you eat salad?
away, especially when I'm coming
late from work, and I'm driving. I'm
so hungry that, most of the time, I ( _ ) I almost never eat out.
don't really make it home, so I ( _ ) I rarely eat fast food.
have to buy something and eat it ( _ ) I never cook for people.
on my way, and that's a shame. ( _ ) I have salad all the time, usually with lunch.
But that's the way it is. ( _ ) I do cook for myself often.

And do __________ have people What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
over for dinner?

Hana: Yes, I sometimes do. I really like cooking so occasionally Go online to elllo.org
I invite my friends over and I cook for them or we all cook
together. How about you?
Go online for the complete lesson!
Daniel: Not really. I do love cooking, but the problem is my
place is really small, so even though I want to invite my friends, 1. Listen to the audio or video.
I never do it, because my place would only fit one or two 2. Check your answers.
people. So unfortunately, I never have my friends over for 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
dinner.
Grammar

Adverbs of Frequency

Point 1: We use adverbs of frequency to show how often

we do something.

1. I always have coffee in the morning.

2. I usually eat dinner at home.
3. I sometimes eat at restaurants.
4. I never drink alcohol.

Point 2: Adverbs of time and relative strength.

1. Always (100%)
2. Almost always
3. Usually
4. Often
5. Sometimes
6. Hardly ever / Rarely
7. Almost never
8. Never (0%)

Point 3: Adverbs of time can be used immediately in

front of the verb.

1. Thomas almost always paints in the evening.

2. She usually gets to work early.
3. We hardly ever rent movies.
4. I never stay out late.

Point 4: Sometimes, usually, and often can go before

the subject or at the end of the verb phrase.

1. Usually I read before bed.

2. I read before bed usually.
3. Often I go there.
4. I go there often.
5. Sometimes I play tennis at night.
6. I play tennis at night sometimes.
Grammar

Adverbs of Frequency

Point 1: We use adverbs of frequency to show how often

we do something.

1. I always have coffee in the morning.

2. I usually eat dinner at home.
3. I sometimes eat at restaurants.
4. I never drink alcohol.

Point 2: Adverbs of time and relative strength.

1. Always (100%)
2. Almost always
3. Usually
4. Often
5. Sometimes
6. Hardly ever / Rarely
7. Almost never
8. Never (0%)

Point 3: Adverbs of time can be used immediately in

front of the verb.

1. Thomas almost always paints in the evening.

2. She usually gets to work early.
3. We hardly ever rent movies.
4. I never stay out late.

Point 4: Sometimes, usually, and often can go before

the subject or at the end of the verb phrase.

1. Usually I read before bed.

2. I read before bed usually.
3. Often I go there.
4. I go there often.
5. Sometimes I play tennis at night.
6. I play tennis at night sometimes.
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) Can Abidemi sing well?

a) Yes, she can.

b) Not really.
c) She does not say.

2) Can Todd sing well?

a) Yes, he can.
b) No, not at all.
c) He does not say.

3) What can she cook well?

a) Nothing.
Beginner 2 | Lesson 6 | Can / Cannot b) Some things.
c) She does not say.
My Abilities 4) What can she do well?
Abidemi talks about things she can and cannot do. a) Dance.
b) Play guitar.
c) Play piano.
Todd: So, Abidemi, let's talk about abilities.
5) Can she play the piano?
Abidemi: Sure.
a) Yes, she can.
Todd: So, you seem to be very b) No, she cannot.
talented. c) She does not say.
Abidemi: Well, thank you.
Todd: Can __________ well?
Grammar Challenge
Abidemi: No. I don't consider
myself a good singer. Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

Todd: No, I __________ well. do that you cook very good ever sing
Abidemi: No, I can't sing well. you sing tone deaf don't really sing often
can't cook at all can't sing I cook
Todd: No? Not __________?
Abidemi: Not really.

Todd: Do you __________? Do Speaking Challenge

you sing at karaoke? Do you sing
at church?

Abidemi: I sing once in a while, but I __________ like it so Match the answers with the questions.
much.
1) Can you sing well?
Todd: Do you __________ to yourself at home? Like, sing in 2) Can you cook well?
the shower? Sing while cleaning the house? 3) Can you play an instrument?
4) Can you dance well?
Abidemi: Yes, I do. I enjoy music a lot. I listen to a lot of music, 5) Can you speak other languages?
and sometimes I sing along.
( _ ) Yes, I play the guitar.
Todd: Yeah, I don't think I __________. I don't like singing. I ( _ ) No, my voice is terrible.
can't sing. I have a terrible, terrible voice. ( _ ) Yes, I have a few moves.
( _ ) Yes, I know French and Chinese.
Abidemi: Really? ( _ ) No, I am a terrible cook.
Todd: Yeah. People say I'm __________, so when I sing, my What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
voice is flat. (singing) Very bad.

Abidemi: I see.
Go online to elllo.org
Todd: Yeah. I want to sing. I really do, but I have a bad voice.
Abidemi: I'm sure there are plenty of other things that you do Go online for the complete lesson!
very well.
1. Listen to the audio or video.
Todd: Yeah, maybe. How about cooking? Can __________ 2. Check your answers.
well? 3. Access 100s of free lessons.

Abidemi: Cooking is another activity that I'm not so good at.

Todd: No?
Abidemi: I'm not __________ at cooking.

Todd: You __________? Grammar

Abidemi: I have a few dishes that __________ really well, but I
think I'm too lazy. I don't learn new ones.
Can / Cannot
Todd: Yeah, I'm the same. I don't cook, so I can't cook. Right?
So, we say, "Practice makes perfect," but I never cook, so I Point 1: We use can to show abilities.
can't cook.

Abidemi: I see what you mean. 1. I can play tennis.

2. She can speak Italian.
Todd: Yeah. 3. They can build a computer.
4. This dictionary can hold one million words.
Abidemi: One thing that I do do
well, and really enjoy, is dancing.
Point 2: The negative form of can has three spellings:
Todd: You're a good dancer? can not, cannot and can't.

Abidemi: Some people have said 1. I can't go tonight.

that I'm good. 2. She cannot speak German.
3. I can not get an Internet connection.
Todd: Nice. What style of dancing 4. My car cannot go very fast.
do you like?

Abidemi: I like hip-hop, dance Point 3: The adverb well is used to show a high ability at
music. When I was younger, I took doing something.
some jazz classes, and I really
enjoyed those as well.
1. Can you speak Japanese well?
Todd: So, there's jazz dancing? 2. I cannot speak it very well. I can speak it just a little.
3. What can you do well?
Abidemi: Yes, there is. 4. I can cook fairly well.

Todd: Oh wow. What about salsa dancing? Or tango dancing?

Point 4: The phrase be good at means you can do
Abidemi: I like those too, but usually you need a partner for something well.
those. So unless my husband wants to dance... but my husband
doesn't really like dancing.
1. Are you good at sports?
Todd: I understand. I'm the same. I can relate. 2. Yes, I am pretty good at sports.
3. Are you good at computers?
4. No, I am not good at computers at all.
 www.elllo.org

Quiz

1) Who got fired?

a) He did
b) She did
c) Neither of them

2) Who was a babysitter?

a) He was
b) She was
c) Neither of them

3) What happened in 1984?

a) She was born

Beginner 2 | Lesson 7 | Past Tense - Be - Was / Were b) He finished high school
c) He met his friend
Life History 4) Who got a phone at age 17?
Meg and Todd talk about times in their lives. a) Just him
b) Just her
c) Both of them
Todd: Hey Meg, so let's talk about our life history.

Meg: Okay, let's do it. Grammar Challenge

Todd: So first, when ________ born?
Meg: I ________ in 1984. What about you? Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

Todd: I was born way before that. I was born in 1969. worked did you took more graduated

Meg: Oh! when I was get your was born took a

got my about you we were were you
Todd: Yeah, a ways ago.
Meg: Not too long ago.

Todd: Yeah, 47 years ago, but yeah. Speaking Challenge

Meg: Okay, a long time ago.
Match the answers with the questions.
Todd: Okay, so when ________
graduate high school? 1) Did you clean your house today?
2) Did you study English today?
Meg: I ________ high school in 3) Did you call anyone today?
2003. 4) Did you check any social media accounts today?
5) Did you watch or read the news this morning?
Todd: Oh my gosh. Really!

Meg: What ________?

Todd: Wow, I graduated high school ( _ ) Yes, I talked with my friend in Italy.
in 1987. ( _ ) No, I didn't. It was not that dirty though.
( _ ) Yes, I saw a few new posts from friends.
Meg: Ah, ________ three years old. ( _ ) No, I did not. Did anything happen?
( _ ) Yes, I reviewed vocabulary.
Todd: Wow, yeah! Ah, ________ What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
probably about the same intelligence
level about that time.

Meg: No, that's not true. Go online to elllo.org

Todd: And when did you graduate from college?
Go online for the complete lesson!
Meg: I graduated from college in 2010. When did you graduate
from college? 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
Todd: I graduated from college in 1993, so like you I ________ 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
little extra time to graduate.

Meg: Yeah, I ________ time than normal.

Todd: And when did you ________ first job?

Meg: I ________ first job when I was 17 years old, I think.

When I was still in high school.
Todd: What did you do?

Meg: I ________ at a wedding shop, a wedding dress shop, so Grammar Notes

I helped to assist the customers and clean the dresses.
Past Tense - Be - Was / Were
Todd: That's a cool job.
The past tense refers to actions that happened and ended
Meg: Ah, it wasn't so great actually. before the present time.
Todd: Why?
The be verb has two past tense forms, was and were.
Meg: Because brides can get a little crazy. First and third person singular use was. We use the
contraction wasn't instead of was not in spoken English.
Todd: I can imagine.

Meg: What about you? When was your first job? 1. I was at home yesterday. I wasn't at work.
2. It was a fun party. It wasn't boring at all.
Todd: Well, my first unofficial job was when I was 13. I was a 3. He was sad all day. He wasn't happy.
dishwasher. 4. She was a good teacher. She wasn't strict.

Meg: Oh, at a restaurant? All plural forms and second person singular use were
and were not. We use the contraction weren't instead of
Todd: Yeah, and I think it was illegal because I was 13. But were not in spoken English.
yeah, I was a dishwasher. But then my first official job was at
McDonald's.
1. You were right. You weren't wrong.
Meg: Oh, what did you do there? 2. They were late. They weren't on time.
3. We were happy with the food. We weren't
Todd: I made the filet-o-fish. But I got fired. disappointed.
4. You were so noisy. You weren't very quiet!
Meg: Oh, why?
Todd: Also, again I lied about my age. So actually wait, I was Past tense verbs usually end with an -ed ending but only
14, and I lied and said I was 15 and they fired me, but I worked for affirmative sentences. For questions and negative
there for three months. statements we use did to express the past. See below.

Meg: Oh, and you got paid? (Q) Where did you work?
(A) I worked in an office.
Todd: And I got paid. (N) I did not work in the city.
Meg: Well, that's good at least.
Todd: It was good times. Good There are three ways to pronounce the -ed ending.
times.
1. -ed = /t/ Verbs ending with a non-voiced sound such
Meg: (Laughter) as the following: -sh, -ch, -p, -k, -s, -t.
Todd: OK, so when did you meet
your best friend? 1. I washed the dishes.
2. I walked to work.
Meg: I met my best friend in 2007, 3. I scratched the dog's ear.
so about 10 years ago. What 4. I popped the popcorn.
about you?
Todd: Oh gosh, I met my best 2. -ed = /d/ Verbs ending with voiced sound such as the
friend in high school, so I was a following: -n, -y, -v, -m.
sophomore, a second year student, so that was 1984 or 1985.
1. I cleaned the room.
Meg: Wow! So you've been best friends for a long time. 2. I enjoyed the movie.
3. I moved the chair.
Todd: A long time, yeah, yep. So how about phones? When did 4. I timed the race.
you get your first phone?
Meg: Hmm! I think I got my first phone when I was also 17, the 3. -ed = /id/ Verbs ending with -d or -t.
same year I had my first job. It was my first cell-phone, was that
year. What about you?
1. I wanted to go.
Todd: Well, I got my first phone also when I was 17, but it was a 2. I decided to stay.
real phone. My parents gave me my own phone line in my 3. I needed to sleep.
house, so I had a phone in my room. Back then that was 4. I started my homework.
common in the 80s, so young high school people would have
their own phone in their house. Negative The negative form of a verb in the past tense
Meg: Yeah, some of my friends had that when I was growing up uses did not and didn't.
also, but I wasn't lucky enough to get my own phone until I
could pay for it myself. 1. I did not work.
2. I didn’t sleep much.
3. We did not fly kites at the beach.
4. You didn't wash your clothes.
 www.elllo.org

Quiz

1) Who eats blueberries with oatmeal?

a) Todd
b) Meg

2) Meg puts blueberries in _____ .

a) muffins
b) pancakes
c) smoothies

3) Meg does not like _____ .

a) Oranges
b) Pineapple
Grammar Talks 2-08 | Transitive Verbs c) Kiwi

Fruity Fans 4) She eats vegetable _____ for lunch.

Meg talks about eating right and the foods she loves to eat to a) salad
keep herself healthy and fit. b) sticks
c) soup

5) She likes to _____ broccoli.

Todd: So Meg, you ______ like a healthy person. Do you eat
lots of fruits and vegetables? a) fry
b) boil
Meg: I do eat lots of fruits and vegetables, especially fruit. I love c) roast
to eat fruit because it's so sweet.
Todd: Yeah? What fruits do you like?
Grammar Challenge
Meg: I love ______ because they're so healthy for you. And so
usually, in the morning for breakfast, ______ a banana. I also
love blueberries. Blueberries are my favorite fruit. But Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
sometimes, they're ______ so I can't often eat blueberries.
love expensive bake look
Todd: Oh, I agree. Blueberries are so good. I ______
blueberries in oatmeal. cut up have eat a lot don't like
Meg: That's a good idea. I love to have blueberries in muffins. bananas put cook usually

Todd: Oh, that's nice. Well, you bake. Do you ______ blueberry
muffins?

Meg: I do bake blueberry muffins, and also blueberry bread,

Speaking Challenge
blueberry pancakes, many blueberry things.

Todd: Wow. That's great. So are there any fruits you ______ ? Match the answers with the questions.

Meg: I don't like kiwi actually 1) What do you do in the morning?

because the flavor is okay but the 2) What do you do in the afternoon?
fruits is too soft. So ______ , I 3) What do you do in the evening?
don't want to eat kiwi. 4) What do you do on the weekend?
5) What sports do you play?
Todd: Oh well, I love kiwi. I love
kiwi and bananas. It's very good.
( _ ) I get up. I eat breakfast, and I clean the house.
Meg: Hmm, sounds okay but ( _ ) I play soccer and I play golf.
maybe I'll just have the banana. ( _ ) I eat dinner, I watch TV, and I post messages online.
( _ ) I prepare lessons and I teach classes.
Todd: So what about vegetables? ( _ ) I go hiking or I buy my food for week.
Are you a person who eats lots of
salad? What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Meg: I don't ______ of salad but I

do like to eat vegetables with my
meals, usually lunch and dinner. Go online to elllo.org
Todd: So you cook vegetables.
Go online for the complete lesson!
Meg: I ______ vegetables or I eat vegetables fresh. For
example, usually with my lunch, I'll ______ a cucumber, and 1. Listen to the audio or video.
______ some salt or pepper on the cucumber and eat with my 2. Check your answers.
lunch. 3. Access 100s of free lessons.

Todd: Oh great. I love vegetable sticks, so I love carrot sticks,

cucumber sticks, radish sticks. It's very good.

Meg: Do you like to dip vegetable sticks into any dressing?

Todd: I do but it's not healthy, right?
Grammar
Meg: No.

Todd: But yeah, I love the dressing like the ranch dressing with Transitive Verbs
carrot sticks or the ranch dressing with cucumber sticks. It's
very nice.
Point 1: Transitive verbs are verbs that have an object --
Meg: Yeah. It's pretty delicious. But you're right. Not so healthy. a noun or pronoun -- after the verb.

Todd: No. So what vegetables do you cook? 1. I bought some clothes online.
2. I made pancakes for breakfast.
Meg: Sometimes I cook broccoli. I actually like to roast broccoli, 3. He sold his car for 10 dollars.
which is when you put broccoli into the oven and cook it a few 4. She speaks Italian fluently.
minutes. So it's really delicious. You can add some salt or
seasonings and it's easy to make. You can cook some meat or
rice while the broccoli is in the oven and then it's ready for your Point 2: Intransitive verbs are verbs that do not need an
dinner. object.
Todd: That's great. Yeah. You see some vegetables like on a
kebab that are roasted. I guess onions are roasted, peppers are 1. I work at a store downtown.
roasted. 2. I live in the city.
3. I exercise every morning.
Meg: Right, right. 4. I usually sleep three hours a night.

Todd: Do you roast other vegetables besides broccoli?

Point 3: Once the object is mentioned, the speaker
Meg: Sometimes tomatoes, and sometimes potatoes although, usually uses a pronoun and not the noun.
it's that a vegetable.
1. What did you buy at the mall?
Todd: It is but it's not a very healthy vegetable. 2. I bought a new sweater?
3. Where did you buy it?
Meg: So maybe I shouldn't eat potatoes. 4. I got it at the new shop by the cafe.
Todd: I love potatoes though. So you roast vegetables, do you
cook vegetables any other way? Do you boil vegetables or fry Point 4: We often use a general word after What when
vegetables? asking about the object of a sentence.

Meg: Sometimes I boil

vegetables. For example, I like to 1. What sports did you play as a kid?
boil carrots because they're soft 2. I played baseball.
and you can add some spices 3. What movie did you watch last night?
again to have some flavor when 4. I watched the new Star Wars.
you eat carrots with your meal. 5. What dishes can you cook?
6. I can cook soup and stews.
Todd: Yeah. Actually, I love
carrots but I only like raw carrots.
Meg: Oh really?

Todd: And I hate cooked carrots.

Meg: Oh well, I'll try to remember
that if ever you come over for
dinner.

Todd: Yeah. Carrots sticks please.

Meg: Okay.
 www.elllo.org

Quiz

1) Who is good at saving money?

a) She is.
b) He is.
c) Neither of them.

2) Who wastes a lot of money on food?

a) He does.
b) She does.
c) Neither of them.

3) What does she waste money on?

a) Eating out
Grammar Talks 2-09 | Stative Verbs b) Clothes
c) Gifts
What looks good? What tastes goods?
4) How does he save money on clothes?
Two people talk about things they like using stative verbs. a) He asks for gifts
b) He looks for sales
c) He buys used clothing
Todd: Hey, Darcy. Let’s talk about stative verbs.
5) Who talks about money and travelling?
Darcy: Okay.
a) Just her.
Todd: So I will ask you five questions or questions about stative b) Just him.
verbs and you answer them. c) Both of them
Darcy: Sure.
Todd: Okay. First, what smells good? Grammar Challenge
Darcy: Sweet things smell good.
Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Todd: Yes, that’s true. I think fresh coffee smells good. I love
fresh coffee. think hot feel really feels good fluffy ones
Darcy: I hate the smell of __________ . a kick on fresh coffee doesn’t smell day feels
Todd: Oh, really? It ___________ good for you? so good really nice food tastes does taste

Darcy: No, it’s so like bitter.

Todd: Oh, really? Oh, wow. I think it
smells __________ . You don’t think it
Speaking Challenge
smells good.
Darcy: No. I __________ chocolate Match the answers with the questions.
smells good.
1) What tastes good?
Todd: Okay. Okay, there we go. 2) What sounds fun?
Alright. So next, what feels good? 3) What looks dangerous?
4) What smells good?
Darcy: A hot bath __________ . 5) What feels food?

Todd: That’s true. A hot bath feels

really good. I think a warm sweater on ( _ ) Living on an island sounds fun.
a cold __________ really good. Like ( _ ) Fresh baked bread smells good.
right after the sweater comes from the ( _ ) A warn cotton sweater on a cold day feels good.
dryer, it feels __________ . ( _ ) Tomato soup smells tastes good.
( _ ) Rock climbing looks dangerous.
Darcy: Yes, I love that warm feeling
you get when it comes out. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.

Todd: It’s so nice. Also, puppies.

Puppies __________ nice, right, when you pet puppies?
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Darcy: Yeah, I like the __________ . They feel really nice.

Todd: They do. They feel really, really nice. Okay. So now, how Go online for the complete lesson!
about taste? What foods taste really good?
1. Listen to the audio or video.
Darcy: Um, I think spicy __________ really good. 2. Check your answers.
3. Access 100s of free lessons.
Todd: Oh, really?

Darcy: Yes, I love… Like Thai food tastes really good because
it can clear your sinuses and it just gives you like __________
your tongue.
Grammar
Todd: That’s true. It __________ good. I have a sweet tooth so
ice cream tastes really good. I love the taste of ice cream. Also,
I love pizza, so pizza tastes good. Stative Verbs
Darcy: That’s because cheese taste the best.
Point 1: Stative verbs express feelings and opinions.
Todd: That’s right. They are followed by an adjective.

Darcy: Something nice and melty. 1. The party sounds fun.

2. This soup smells delicious.
Todd: That’s true. How about foods that don’t taste good? What 3. This test sounds hard.
food doesn’t taste good? 4. This pasta tastes great!
5. She feels sad today!
Darcy: Natto definitely does not taste good.

Todd: So natto is a Japanese food that’s bitter, right, so it tastes Point 2: Stative verbs use verbs about the five senses:
bitter? touch, sight, taste, smell, and sound.
Darcy: Yeah.
1. That sounds difficult.
Todd: That’s true. I think… Actually, pineapple doesn’t taste 2. This book looks interesting.
good. 3. He feels better now.
4. This pizza tastes terrible.
Darcy: I think pineapple taste great. I mean, it’s nice and sweet, 5. This milk smells old.
but then the taste kind of burns the back of your mouth
eventually. Point 3: Stative verbs are special because the object is
Todd: A little bit, yeah. I just like it on pizza. Anything on pizza an adjective, not a noun or pronoun, like in transitive
taste good. verbs.

Darcy: I love pineapple on pizza. It gives it that sweet flavor. (A) Can you make vegetable curry? (Transitive)
(B) No, it looks difficult. (Stative)
Todd: True, so true. Okay. So we’ve done tastes, we’ve done (B) But, I eat it all the time. (Transitive)
smells, uh, feel. Okay. Now how about look? So who looks (A) Yeah, it smells and tastes great. (Stative)
good? Who looks beautiful? What famous person looks (A) I can teach you how to make it. (Transitive)
gorgeous? (B) Awesome! That sound fun! (Stative)
Darcy: I think anyone that’s over six feet tall looks gorgeous.
Point 4: Stative verbs look and sound often show a
Todd: So everybody in the NBA looks gorgeous. prediction for a future opinion about something.

Darcy: Between 6’ and 6’5” looks good.

This test sounds hard.
Todd: Really?! Oh, man. I’m bombed. I’m 5’10”. I’m too short. I think this test will be hard.
The movie sounds interesting.
Darcy: Just a little. I always notice, like my eyes peels to people I think the movie will be interesting.
that are about six feet tall. I’m like, “Oh, they look nice. They This soup looks good.
look good.” I think this soup will be delicious.

Todd: So tall people look good, they look handsome. Point 5: Stative verbs often can be replaced with a Be
verb and keep the same meaning.
Darcy: Yes, I think so.

Todd: How about celebrities? Any celebrities that looks This record sounds old.
beautiful, over six feet tall? This record is old.
I feel sick.
Darcy: I don’t know how tall they are. They all look tall in the I am sick.
movies. This soup tastes delicious.
This soup is delicious.
Todd: Right.
Darcy: Tom Cruise looks handsome but he is not actually that
tall.

Todd: No, he’s not six feet.

Darcy: He looks taller in the movies.
Todd: Right. That’s true. All actors look taller in movies. Okay.
So then we have one more and that would be, what sounds
fun? So when you think of an activity, something you want to try,
what looks fun or sounds fun?
Darcy: I think like a big musical festival sounds fun. Like going
out to a dance party sounds really fun.

Todd: Oh, that sounds fun. I think bicycle

Todd: Oh, that sounds fun. I think bicycle
trips sound fun. So you do a bicycle trip
across country for maybe one week or two
weeks.
Darcy: That sounds not fun. That sounds
very tiring and exhausting.

Todd: Oh, really? I think that sounds

energizing and exciting, and adventurous and
healthy.
Darcy: It sounds like I need to take a nap and
take a hot bath to restore myself.
Todd: Well, we definitely have different
interests.
Darcy: Yes!
 English Listening Lesson Library Online - Grammar Talks - www.elllo.org

Quiz
1) What does she do in her town?

a) Go to the gym
b) Go to the park
c) Go to the movies

2) Is there a lot of nature in her town?

a) Yes, there is.

b) No, there is not.
c) She does not say.

3) How many people are in his town?

a) 5,000
Beginner 2 | Lesson 10 | There is / There are b) 80,000
c) He does not say
My Hometown 4) What is there in his town?
Sarah and John talk about their hometowns in America. a) A bowling ally
b) A health club
c) A night club
John: So Sarah, what can you ________ about your
hometown? 5) What else is there in his town?
Sarah: My hometown. Well, my hometown is called Eau Claire, a) Mountains
Wisconsin. And it's a really great city. There ________ 80,000 b) A big lake
people. There ________ of things to do. There are three movie c) A park
theatres. I love to watch movies.

John: Me too. Grammar Challenge

Sarah: There's lots of shopping. You
can find anything you want there.
There are lots ________ and stores. Fill in the blanks with the correct word.

John: Are there many restaurants? are about a lot of eat any can go
Sarah: Yes. The thing I like is you can of malls isn't much tell me really nice
________ type of food. There are is a lot of are lots is a big aren't very
Chinese restaurants and Korean
restaurants, Italian restaurants. There
________ variety of restaurants, and
they're all good.
Speaking Challenge
John: That sounds great. What about
parks? Are there many places to see
nature in your town?
Match the answers with the questions.
Sarah: Yes. We have ________ rivers,
and lakes, and hills. My hometown has four seasons. So in 1) Are there many places to see nature in your town?
summer, it's great because there are lots of lakes to swim in, 2) Is there much to do at night?
lots of forests to play in. In winter, there ________ snow. So you 3) Are there many restaurants?
________ ice skating or ice fishing or even skiing. 4) Are there very many schools?
5) Are there very many jobs?
John: Wow. That sounds really fun.

Sarah: Yeah. It's a ________ city. It's also really safe. There are ( _ ) Yes, we have many schools.
lots of nice people there. ( _ ) No, there is not much work here.
( _ ) No, at night it is dead.
John: Good. Is there much to do at night? ( _ ) Yes, there are some great places to eat.
( _ ) Yes, there are a lot of parks.
Sarah: Well, maybe, maybe not. There's not many things to do
at night. There aren't any nightclubs. There aren't many bars. What about you? Share your answers to the questions.
So actually, maybe there ________ night life.
John: That's okay. It sounds like a nice place to have a family.
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Sarah: Yeah. It is. It's a great place to have a family. There's
lots of good schools and libraries. Go online for the complete lesson!
Sarah: So John, where are you from? 1. Listen to the audio or video.
2. Check your answers.
John: My hometown is very small. It's a little town in the 3. Access 100s of free lessons.
countryside, in Wisconsin. There are only 5,000 people there.

Sarah: Wow. There aren't very many people.

John: No, it's very small. There ________ many businesses.
There isn't a shopping mall. There are a lot of grocery stores.
And there are a lot of gas stations. But there isn't much to do Grammar
there.

Sarah: Oh really? Are there any movie theaters?

There is / There are
John: Well, there is one movie theater. So that's a nice thing to
do. In fact, there are many screens in the theater. There are Point 1: Use there is with singular countable nouns.
eight different movies showing.

Sarah: How about at night? What's fun to do – how about at 1. There is a department store in town.
night? Is there very much night life? 2. There is a big mall in this city.
3. There is not a place to sit.
John: Yeah, there's not so much. But there is a bowling alley. 4. There is no park near my house.
It's fun to go bowling with friends. There's a bowling alley and
the movie theater. There is one restaurant where you can go for
tacos and burritos. And there's one more restaurant for pizza Point 2: Use there are with plural countable nouns.
and spaghetti.
1. There are two cars parked outside my house.
But during the daytime, you can go to the park. There's a river 2. There are some books on the table.
that goes through the town. So in the middle of town, there's a 3. There are not many tall buildings in my town.
river. And there's a park that goes along both sides of the river. 4. There are no new students this year.
And at the park, there is a tennis court and a disc golf course.
Sarah: Disc golf? Point 3: Use there is with non-countable nouns.
John: Yeah. I like to play disc golf
with my friends. It's really fun. And 1. There is crime in the city.
after we finish playing disc golf, 2. There is money on the table.
we usually go to the pizza 3. There is not any cheese in the fridge.
restaurant. 4. There is no ice-cream in the freezer.

Sarah: Oh, I see. How about Point 4: We usually use some in positive statements with
schools? Are there very many plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.
schools?
John: Let's see. No, there aren't 1. There are some stores on Cane Street.
very many. There is only one 2. There are some trees outside.
elementary school, one junior high 3. There is some food in the kitchen.
school and one high school. 4. Three is some snow on the mountains.
That's it.
Sarah: Interesting. Point 5: We usually use any in questions and negative
statements with plural countable nouns or uncountable
John: Yeah. There aren't very many schools but the town nouns.
doesn't need more schools because there aren't very many
people there. 1. Are there any students in class?
2. No, there aren't any students. They left.
Sarah: I see. Are there any mountains? 3. Is there any snow on the mountain?
4. No, there isn't any snow. It melted.
John: No. The whole area is very flat. There are no mountains
but there are a lot of trees. In fact, there are trees on my town's
sign because my town is famous for all the trees on every
street.

Sarah: Oh wow. It sounds like a great city.