by John Lennon

a former member of the famous British group, the Beatles, who wrote this song in May, 1971.  It was his best selling song of his single career.

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You might say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Vocabulary:

heaven:  a reward after you die for living a good life
hell:  a punishment after you die for living a bad life
dreamer:  a person with a dream of a better world
possessions:  things that belong only to you
greed:  the wanting of more and more for yourself only
brotherhood:  all the people who share the same ideals
sharing:  letting other people use what you have

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

 

by Matt Cutts

head of the Webspam team at Google, a company he joined as a software engineer in 2000.  He wrote the first version of SafeSearch, Google’s parental control program.

 

First preview the vocabulary below.  Then do the exercise by first reading a single question and then listening for the answer.  When you hear the answer, pause the video and answer the question.  Then read the next question and do the same thing.  If you get the answer wrong, then go back to where the answer is given and listen again.

Vocabulary:

in a rut:  doing the same things day after day (idiom)
follow in the footsteps:  do the same thing as another person (idiom)
it turns out:  the result is (idiom)
habit:  an activity that you do without thinking
subtract:  stop doing
challenges:  difficult actions
(time) flying by:  (time) passing quickly (idiom)
memorable:  easy to remember
self-confidence:  feeling of being able to do things
computer nerd:  a person who knows computers really well
adventurous:  willing to do new things
novel:  a book created by someone’s imagination
from scratch:  from nothing (idiom)
sleep deprived:  not getting enough sleep
awful:  terrible
sustainable:  lasting for a long time
stick:  continue forever
guarantee:  promise
give it a shot:  try it, do it (idiom)
© 2014 Ambien Malecot

 

Conversation:

Barbara:  Hi Suzanne.  I don’t mean to break in on your phone call, but I’ve got to ask you a question.

Suzanne:  That’s okay.  I was about to hang up anyway.  (To the phone)  Judy, I’ll call you back later.  Bye.  (To Barbara)  Now how can I help you?

Barbara:  You know about fashion.  Do you think this green blouse goes with these khaki shorts?

Suzanne:  I’d say yes.  This season that combination of colors has taken off.  Ow, my toothache is coming back.  I guess the pain killer I took this morning is starting to wear off.  I promised to take sandwiches to the picnic this afternoon, but I think I’d better see the dentist instead.

Barbara:  The school picnic?  Oh no, I forgot about it.  What time does it get under way?

Suzanne:  It’s supposed to start at noon.  I hope this rain lets up, and it turns into a nice day.

Barbara:  Me too.  I forgot all about the party, but I can’t go anyway.  I have no shoes to wear with this outfit.

Suzanne:  Why don’t you run down to the campus clothing store and buy some?

Barbara:  I wish I could, but I’ve got no money.  My parents cut off my allowance last week because my father got laid off from his IT job.

Suzanne: That’s awful.  By the way, what’s IT stand for?

Barbara:  It stands for the Information technology.

Suzanne:  Ow, not again!  I’ve got to do something about this tooth.

Barbara:  Why don’t you go see the dentist now.  I’ll take over and make the sandwiches for you.

Vocabulary: 

khaki:  a light shade of yellow-brown similar to tan or beige
combination:  two things together
ow:  a word you say when you’re in pain
pain killer:  medicine to stop pain
had better:  should
instead:  in place of something else
supposed to:  scheduled to
outfit:  top and bottom clothing together
allowance:  weekly or monthly spending money given by parents
awful:  terrible

Idioms:

• break in on                             interrupt a conversation
• about to                                    almost ready to (do something)
• go with                                      look good together (clothes)
• take off                                      become popular / remove clothing / leave the ground
• wear off                                    disappear gradually
• get under way                        begin
• let up                                          become less severe (wind, storm, noise)
• turn into                                  change into
• cut off                                        discontinue (a service)
• lay (someone) off                stop (someone’s) employment because of lack of work.
• stand for                                  represent
• take over                                  take control

Notes:

Take off has 3 meanings:  Another meaning is “remove clothing.”  Example:  Take off your sweater if you’re too hot.  The other meaning is “leave the ground.”  Example:  My plane didn’t take off for three hours because of fog.

Let up and die down have the same meaning.

Take over  is similar to fill in for, but take over is used for a short task, while fill in for is used for longer work like a job.

 

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

 

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The present perfect is generally the first perfect tense that students learn after the simple tenses and the present and past continuous.  This tense can be confusing at first, but here is an explanation that you may understand better.

First, the formation of the present perfect is with the auxiliary verb have followed by the past participle of the main verb.  The auxiliary have is often contracted to ‘ve and has to ‘s.  Past participles usually end in –ed, but the irregular ones have to be memorized.  This takes time, but you will learn them all eventually.  Study the irregular ones well because they are the most often used.

Examples:
I have known her for a long time.  (I’ve known her for a long time.)
We have visited them several times.  (We’ve visited them several times.)
She has been a wonderful house guest.  (She’s been a wonderful house guest.)

To form the negative, put not (n’t) after the auxiliary verb (have or has).

Examples:
They haven’t seen each other for weeks.
She hasn’t come back from the store yet.

To form a question, put the auxiliary verb (have or has) before the subject.

Examples:
Have you finished washing the car?
Has she found a new apartment?

Now that you know how to form the present perfect, let’s look at how to use it.  There are 3 uses.

The first use:

The present perfect is used for a one-time action in the past but with no time stated for that action.  In other words, if you don’t know when the action happened, then use the present perfect.  However, if you do know the time of the action, use the simple past.

Examples:
I’ve seen that movie.  (no time stated)
I saw that movie last weekend.  (last weekend is the time)

They have gone home.  (no time stated)
They went home an hour ago.  (an hour ago is the time)

He’s fallen off his bicycle.  (no time stated)
He fell off his bicycle on his way home.  (on his way home is the time)

Have you forgotten your keys?  (no time stated)
Did you forget your keys this morning?  (this morning is the time)

However, if the time stated is still ongoing (still happening) then use the present perfect.

Examples:
I’ve had three cups of coffee this morning.  (It’s still this morning)
I had three cups of coffee this morning.  (It’s not this morning any longer)
This year our team has won every game.  (It’s still this year)
Last year our team won every game.  (It’s not last year any longer)
He’s been sick this week.  (It’s still this week)
He was sick last week.  (It’s not last week any longer)

This use of the present perfect often has the words before and lately, which are used for one-time past actions with no time.

Examples:
Haven’t you heard that joke before?
She’s been absent a lot lately.

The present perfect can also be used with the words already, always, just, recently and yet, but these words can also take the simple past informally.

Examples:
She’s already gotten the letter.  (formal)
She already got the letter.  (informal)

Have you always done the right thing?  (formal)
Did you always do the right thing?  (informal)

We’ve just discovered that we have the wrong address.  (formal)
We just discovered that we have the wrong address.  (informal)

He has recently gone back to Spain for family reasons.  (formal)
He recently went back to Spain for family reasons.  (informal)

They haven’t eaten yet.  (formal)
They didn’t eat yet.  (informal)

The second use:

The present perfect is used for past actions that happened more than once and may happen again.  Often, but not always, the number of times is stated, such as two, three, or four.  There can also be words that are used like numbers, such as:  a couple (2), a lot (20), a few (3), always, ever, many (20), never (0), no (0), often, and several (6).  Most of the time, you will use the present perfect with these words.  However, if the actions are finished and not still ongoing, use the simple past.

Examples:
I’ve eaten at that restaurant three times.  (and I may eat there again (ongoing))
I ate at that restaurant three times last month. (finished and not ongoing)

I’ve seen that movie a couple of times.  (and I may see it again (ongoing))
I saw that movie a couple of times.  (and I probably won’t see it again (not ongoing))

We’ve sent out a lot of emails.  (and we may send more (ongoing))
We sent out a lot of emails last week.  (finished and not ongoing)

There have been a few robberies in this neighborhood.  (and there may still be more (ongoing))
There were a few robberies in this neighborhood before I moved here.  (There haven’t been any robberies since then (not ongoing))

They‘ve always taken their holidays in August.  (and they still are (ongoing))
They always took their holidays in August.   (but they aren’t anymore (not ongoing))

Have you ever gotten his phone number?  (You might still get it (ongoing))
Did you ever get his phone number when you were coworkers?  (You’re not coworkers any longer (not ongoing))

I’ve talked to them many times.  (and I may talk to them again (ongoing)
I talked to them many times when I lived next door. (I don’t live next door anymore (not ongoing))

He’s never seen Vancouver in the winter.  (but he may in the future (ongoing))
He never saw Vancouver in the winter.  (and he probably won’t (not ongoing))

There has been no rain for weeks.  (but there may be rain in the future (ongoing))
There was no rain for weeks last summer.  (finished and not ongoing)

We’ve often gone out to eat.  (and we probably will in the future (ongoing))
We often went out to eat when we lived in San Diego.  (finished and not ongoing)

She has made several bad choices in her life.   (and she may make more (ongoing))
She made several bad choices in her life.  (She’s finished making bad choices (not ongoing))

The third use:

The present perfect is used for an action that started in the past and continues to the present.  In other words, the action is still ongoing.  These words are often used with this use of the present perfect: for, since, so far, to date, and up to now.

Examples:
They have lived in that house for twenty years.  (and they still live there (ongoing))
She’s taken piano lessons since she was five years old.  (and she still does (ongoing))
So far we’ve made $160 washing cars.  (and we’re still washing cars (ongoing))
To date I’ve seen six of his films.  (and I will continue to watch more (ongoing))
The dogs have been very quiet up to now.  (and they are still quiet (ongoing))

Watch out for the word for, and use the simple past if the action is finished.

Examples:
She lived in California for ten years.  (She doesn’t live there anymore (not ongoing))
I babysat the neighbor’s daughter for two weeks last summer.  (This happened last summer (not ongoing))

Use these flashcards to help you study the irregular past participles.

 

When you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

By Natalie Cole

This song was given to her dad Nat King Cole by Charlie Chaplin, who wrote the song.  Chaplin composed the music in 1936, and John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by if you

Smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe, maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through
Oh, just for you

Come on and light up your face with gladness
Hide every little trace of sadness
Although a tear may be
Ever so near, well

That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use in crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
Oh, if you, if you just smile

Oh, that’s the time that you must keep on trying
Smile, tell me what’s the use in crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
Oh if you, if you just, just smile
Ooo Smile

Vocabulary:

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athlete:  a person who plays sports
She’s been an athlete all her life but a runner for the past two years only,
His father was a Gold Medal Olympic athlete.

birth:  the act of being born.
The birth of the King’s son was celebrated throughout the country.
She gave birth to triplets.

criminal:  a person who has done a crime
He would never let his daughter marry a criminal.
Johnny has been a criminal for most of his life.

dust:  dirt that falls from the air onto things
Her home was messy, and there was dust on all the furniture.
When the sunlight came through the winfdow, you could see dust in the air.

garage:  the room where you keep your car
The Wilsons have a two-car garage, so they keep their boat on one side.
This weekend we are cleaning out the garage.

habit:  an action that you do all the time
She’s in the habit of getting up early on Sunday mornings.
Smoking is a bad habit.

introduction:  a presentation of one person to another
Bill Gates is a man who needs no introduction.
After the introductions, everyone sat down for dinner.

permission:  the agreement of someone else to do something
He gave his daughter permission to take the family car.
Do I have your permission to speak to your son?

promise:  an assurance that something will be done
He gave her his promise that he would return in one year.
A promise is a promise, so of course I’ll do it.

sheet:  any large and flat material and, including the sheets on your bed
Thursdays were the days when she washed all the sheets.
To prepare the room for painting, sheets of packing paper were put all over the floor

truth:  exactly what happened
Tell me the truth – did you take that money?
Her friend told her the truth about her boyfriend.

valley:  flat land with mountains all around
My grandparents have a farm in a beautiful valley.
There are twenty-five ranches in this valley.

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the above vocabulary on the audio file below.

Use these flashcards to help you study.

 

When you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

Many students confuse these six adverbs, so here is an explanation of how to use them.

Very means a lot.  It is used before adjectives and adverbs to make them stronger.  It is the opposite of a little.

Examples:
I know he’s going to be very tired after his long trip.  (He’s going to be much more than a little tired.)
We are both very interested in science.  (We’re much more than a little interested.)
She learns very quickly.  (She learns more quickly than normal.)

In the negative very doesn’t mean a lot.  It means nothing, but people like to use it anyway.

Examples:
She doesn’t know him very well.  (She doesn’t know him well.)
They don’t have very much money.  (They don’t have much money.)
I’m not a very good singer.  (I’m not a good singer.)

Also, you can say very very, which makes it even stronger.

Examples:
She knows me very very well.
I’m very very proud of you.

Really has the same meaning as very, but really can be used before an adjective, an adverb and a verb.

Examples:
She was really tired, so she went to bed.
He walked home really slowly.
I really like this city.

NOTE:  You cannot say:  I very like this city.  Very cannot be used before a verb but only before an adjective or an adverb.

Also, you can say really really, which makes it even stronger.

Examples:
She is a really really good athlete.
I was really really sad to hear the bad news.

Quite is also strong and means the same thing as very and really.  Like really, it is used before adjectives, adverbs and verbs.

Examples:
I’ve been quite tired these past couple days.
She sings quite beautifully.
We quite like that painting, so we’re going to hang it in the living room.

Pretty is a little less strong than very.  It is used before adjectives and adverbs but not before verbs.

Examples:
This soup tastes pretty bad.  (which is not as bad as very bad)
I think she sings pretty well.  (which is not as well as very well)
I’m pretty tired after a long day of skiing.  (which is not as tired as very tired)

So is stronger than very.  Use it when very isn’t strong enough.  It is used before adjectives, adverbs but not before verbs.

Examples:
I’m so tired of hearing the neighbors argue.  (more than very tired)
She talks so fast that sometimes I don’t understand what she says.  (more than very fast)
We’re so glad you decided to come work for us.  (more than very glad)

Also, use so (adjective/adverb) that when a reason or a result is stated.  You can drop that if you want to.

Examples:
They were so grateful that we had helped them.  (Our helping them was the reason they were grateful.)
She sang so beautifully people in the audience started to cry.  (People starting to cry was the result of her singing.)
You were so excited that you had won the contest.  (Your winning the contest was the reason you were excited.)

Too is the strongest, and is used when something cannot be done.  The thing that cannot be done starts with to.  You don’t have to state what cannot be done, however, if it was stated earlier.  It is used before adjectives, adverbs but not before verbs.

Examples:
They were too tired to play another game.  (Playing another game could not be done.)
They were walking too slowly to get to school on time.  (Getting to school on time could not be done.)
It’s too late to do anything about it.  (Nothing can be done.)

BUT NOT:  The team was too excited about their win.  (Nothing cannot be done.)
CORRECT:  The team was very/really/so excited about their win.

So let’s review:

Very goes before an adjective or an adverb but NOT a verb.  It is strong.

Really can go before an adjective, an adverb or a verb.  It is just as strong as very.

Quite can go before an adjective, an adverb or a verb.  It is just as strong as very.

Pretty can go only before an adjective or an adverb.  Use it to make the word a little stronger.  It is the weakest of the six words.

So is used when very isn’t strong enough.  It is used before an adjective or an adverb.  It’s also used when a reason or result follows.

Too is used when something cannot be done.  That thing starts with to.  It is used before an adjective or an adverb.

Study this page and when you’re ready, do the exercise below.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

by Arianna Huffington

a Greek-American author best known for her news website The Huffington Post.  She was named number 12 in Forbes’ Magazine’s first-ever list of the Most Influential Women in Media.

 

 

First preview the vocabulary below.  Then do the exercise by first reading a single question and then listening for the answer.  When you hear the answer, pause the video and answer the question.  Then read the next question and do the same thing.  If you get the answer wrong, then go back to where the answer is given and listen again.

Vocabulary:

dormant:  present but not active
Type A:  people who work long hours everyday
sleep deprived:  not getting enough sleep
fainted:  fell to the ground unconscious
exhaustion:  having no energy at all
stitches:  sewing of the skin
productive:  doing more things
inspired:  having a lot of motivation
lead the way:  go first
virility symbol:  a thing that makes a man feel masculine
bragged:  said proudly
brilliant:  very smart
IQ:  intelligence quotient, smartness
crises:  dangerous situations
gratitude:  thankfulness
effectiveness:  ability to work well
urge:  strongly want
© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Shirley:  Hi, Juan.  Do you mind if I sit here?

Juan:  Be my guest.  It’s a free country.

Shirley:  Would you rather I leave you alone?

Juan:  No, no.  I have to kill time anyway before my dentist appointment.  I hate to bring this up, but I don’t think I’ve forgiven you for standing me up that time you asked me over.  Where did you go, and why didn’t you call me?

Shirley:  Actually, that’s the reason I wanted to talk to you in person.  Do you remember when I told you about Stan, my old boyfriend?

Juan:  Yes, I remember.  I thought you were over him?  How is old Stanley anyway?

Shirley:  It’s not Stanley.  Stan is short for Stanton, remember?  He came back last week, and we got back together again.  That’s why I haven’t phoned you.

Juan:  Well isn’t that just fine!  I guess I can rule out a relationship between us now.   Is there anything I can say to change your mind?

Shirley:  No Juan, save your breath.  I’ve made up my mind.  Stan is the one for me.

Juan:  Well, I hope you two will be very happy together.

Click on the audio recording  below to hear the lesson.

Vocabulary:

rather:  prefer
forgiven:  stopped being angry
fine:  okay
one:  person

Idioms:

• be my guest                                                       do what you want without getting permission
• leave (someone/something) alone      don’t disturb
• kill time                                                              spend time waiting
• bring up                                                             introduce (a topic) / raise (a child)
• stand (someone) up                                   cancel a date without telling the other person
• ask (someone) over                                    invite (someone) to one’s home
• in person                                                          in front of one another
• be over (someone)                                       no longer love (someone)
• short for                                                           a shorter name (nickname) for
• rule out                                                             eliminate as a possibility
• save one’s breath                                         saying anything will have no effect
• make up one’s mind                                  decide

Notes:

Be my guest and feel free are similar in meaning, but be my guest is used alone.  Feel free can be used alone or with an infinitive phrase.  Example:  Feel free to eat what you want in the kitchen.

kill time and have time to kill have similar meanings, but have time to kill means “have extra time.” Example:  I have time to kill before my interview.  Do you want to go for coffee?

Bring up has 2 meanings:  The other meaning is “raise (a child).”  Example:  I was brought up in Riverside, California..

In person and face to face have the same meaning.

 

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

by Ali Slaight

a Canadian singer-songwriter who wrote this song in 2007 .  It’s from her debut album “The Story of Your Life.”