With over 280,000 births a day, there are now about 7.5 billion people in the world, and we’re all different. But is there a typical person? According to a recent study by National Geographic, the answer is yes. To start with, the typical person is right-handed; only 11% of us are left-handed. Also the typical person earns less than $12,000 a year or $1,000 a month. The surprising thing is that this typical person has a cell phone. Did you know that over 4 million cell phones are sold daily? On the other hand, this person has neither a savings nor a chequing account at a bank. This person is male because there are now more men on earth than women. He is 1.75 meters (5 ft. 6 in.) tall and is 28 years old, an age that continues to rise every year due to more people living longer. He will live an average of 67 years. Since more than 82% of us live in urban areas, the typical person lives in a city. However, he doesn’t own a car because only 1 in 10 people in the world have a car. Finally, the typical person is Christian. There are half a billion more followers of Christianity than the next biggest religion, Islam.
Because the largest ethnic group is Han Chinese with 9 million people, the typical person is a 28-year-old Han Chinese man who is 1.75 m. tall, is right-handed, makes $1,000 a month, is Christian, and has a cell phone. He lives in the city, has no car, and doesn’t have a bank account. However, this Han Chinese man won’t be typical for long. By 2030 the earth’s population will be 8 billion, and the typical person will come from India.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the lesson.
Vocabulary:
billion – 1,000,000,000 typical – representing everyone, average according to – based on (what someone said or wrote) earns – gets paid (by a boss or by investments) cell phone – a small phone you carry with you daily – every day on the other hand – stating the opposite chequing – Canadian spelling for “checking”: male – a man or a boy rise – go up due to – because of since – because urban – of a city however – but followers – people who practice a religion ethnic – sharing the same general genes (DNA)
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the above vocabulary on the audio file below.
There are 4 continuous (or progressive) verb tenses in English: the present continuous (I am eating), the past continuous (I was eating), the present perfect continuous (I have been eating), and the past perfect continuous (I had been eating). Just about any verb can be put into these continuous tenses, but there are some verbs that can’t.
The following list contains verbs that are not normally used in any continuous/ progressive tense.
Examples:
I hear someone at the front door. NOT: I am hearing someone at the front door.
We believe we’re doing the right thing. NOT: We are believing we’re doing the right thing
We own that house. NOT: We are owning that house.
She wanted a glass of cold water. NOT: She was wanting a glass of cold water.
They are my cousins. NOT: They are being my cousins.
Exceptions:
If one of these verbs is happening right now or was happening at the time indicated, you can use a continuous/progressive tense.
Examples:
What are you thinking about? (happening right now) I was loving that experience until I fell. (happening at the time that I fell) He was being an idiot last night. (happening all last night)
When “have” doesn’t mean “possess” but means “experience,” then you can use the continuous/progressive tense.
Example:
We were having such a good time that we forgot what time it was.
When “see” doesn’t mean “see with the eyes” but means “romantically date” or “have regular meetings with,” then you can use the continuous/progressive tense.
Examples:
These days he’s seeing a woman he works with, but I don’t think it’s serious.
I didn’t know you were seeing a psychiatrist.
With text messaging, or “texting,” it takes too long to type all of the words that you need, so people have developed shortcuts so they can save time. By using these shortcuts, you can say a lot by texting only a little. You can even program your iPhone with these shortcuts. Just go to “Settings,” – “General,” – “Keyboard,” and then “Shortcuts.” Here you can input all of these shortcuts. Then all you have to do is type the shortcut and your iPhone will type out the whole expression. Here’s a list of the most common text message shortcuts. The ones in blue can also be used when you’re talking because most English speakers will understand these shortcuts.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the lesson.
AAMOF = as a matter of fact [used before a truth or fact] AKA = also known as [used when someone uses a different name] AMAP= as much as possible, as many as possible ASAP = as soon as possible AWTTW = a word to the wise [used before giving advice]
B/C = because BF = boyfriend BFF = best friend forever BION = believe it or not [used before something unbelievable] BLTN = better late than never [when you do something later than you should have] BRB = be right back (I’ll be right back) [you have to take a short break] BTDT = been there done that (I’ve been there and done that) [you have had a similar experience] BTW = by the way [you want to change the subject]
CMIIW = correct me if I’m wrong CUL = see you later
DEGT = don’t even go there [you don’t want to hear a negative story] DIY = do it yourself DOB = date of birth DTRT = do the right thing
EGBOK = everything’s going to be okay [used to comfort someone who’s upset] EOD = end of discussion [you don’t want to talk about it anymore] ESP = especially ETA = estimated time of arrival [you want to tell someone when you’ll arrive] For example: Running late. Eta 20 mins.
FAQ = frequently asked questions [frequently = often] [questions everybody asks] FC = fingers crossed [you hope what you said is true] FCFS = first come, first served [the person who’s late doesn’t get anything] FOAF = friend of a friend FOMO = fear of missing out [fear of not doing something that could be fun] FTBOMH = from the bottom of my heart [used when you have strong feelings of love] FTF = face to face FYEO = for your eyes only [you want the person to see it but keep it a secret] FYI = for your information [you want to inform someone]
GAL = get a life [someone is much too interested in someone else’s life] GBH = great big hug GF = girlfriend GFI = go for it GFU = good for you [you’re congratulating someone on a job well done] GL = good luck GNSD = good night, sweet dreams GOOH = get out of here [you don’t believe what someone tells you] GTG = got to go [you have to stop texting]
HAND = have a nice day HSIK = how should I know?
ICBW = I could be wrong IDBI = I don’t believe it IDC = I don’t care IDK = I don’t know IDTS = I don’t think so IMS = I am sorry IMU = I miss you
IRL = in real life [not on the internet, but face to face] ITA = I totally agree IYD = in your dreams [your answer is definitely no] IYDM = if you don’t mind [you’re asking someone to do something for you]
JFF = just for fun JMO = just my opinion
KIT = keep in touch [you want to keep communicating with someone in the future] KWIM = know what I mean? (Do you know what I mean?) [to find out if the other person understood you]
LMIRL= lets meet in real life[to set up a face to face meeting] LOL = laughing out loud (I’m laughing out loud) LYL = love you lots (I love you lots)
MIA = missing in action [you don’t know where someone is] MSG = message MYOB = mind your own business [you’re unwilling to give the answer]
N/M = never mind [it’s not important] NAGI = not a good idea NBD = no big deal [the problem is really small] NMP = not my problem [the problem belongs to someone else] NOYB = none of your business [you’re unwilling to give the answer] NP = no problem NPNG = no pain, no gain [when the result is not easy to get] NRN = no reply necessary [when you don’t want a reply to your message]
OJ = only joking OMDB = over my dead body [the answer is definitely no] OMG = oh my God, oh my gosh, oh my goodness [used when you are surprised] OMW = on my way (I’m on my way) [you haven’t arrived yet] ONNA = oh no, not again [the same thing has happened again] OOTD = one of these days [at some time in the future] OTOH = on the other hand [used when you start listing opposite things] For example: Vancouver’s a beautiful city to live in. Otoh, it rains a lot.
PDA = public displays of affection [kissing, hugging, or holding hands when others can see] PDQ = pretty darn quick [as fast as possible] PLS = please POV = point of view [the position someone sees something from] For example: From my pov I think she’s crazy to quit school. PPL = people
Q+A = questions and answers [similar to FAQ] QT = quiet [“on the qt” means “it’s a secret”]
RE = regarding [this is the topic of your conversation] For example: I have a question re the homework for this weekend. RIP = rest in peace [used after you say the name of someone who has died] RUOK = are you okay?
S/O= someone S/TH = something SBB = stupid beyond belief [you can’t believe someone did something so stupid] SFSG = so far, so good [until now everything is okay] SOP = standard operating procedure [the way something is always done] SOS = same old story [a story you’ve heard many times before] SPST = same place, same time [for a repeated meeting]
TA = thanks again TBC = to be continued [you’re not finished and you want to continue later] TBNT = thanks but no thanks [you politely refuse an offer] TIA = thanks in advance [you’re thanking someone for something they will do later] TIE = take it easy [relax, calm down] TLC = tender loving care [you want someone to be gentle with something] For example: Please treat my guitar with tlc. TM = tomorrow TMI = too much information [someone told you something you don’t want to know] TTYL = talk to you later TX = thanks
USU = usually
VIP = very important person
W/ = with W/O = without WDYM = what do you mean? WDYW = what do you want? WIIFM = what’s in it for me? [what will I get when I do you this favor?] WKD = weekend WOMBAT = waste of money, brains and time WTG = way to go [congratulations on a job well done] WU = what’s up? [what’s happening]
X&O = hugs and kisses
YAC = you available to chat? (Are you available to chat?) [do you have time to text?] YBS = you’ll be sorry [you think someone is doing something wrong] YD = yesterday YOLO = you only live once [said as motivation to do something] YW = you’re welcome
Study these shortcuts and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.
a British singer and songwriter. This song comes from her second album of the same title, published in 2008. She wrote the song with American songwriters Danielle Brisebois and John Shanks.
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine I got a love and I know that it’s all mine, oh, oh oh oh Do what you want but you’re never gonna break me Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh oh oh
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine I got a love and I know that it’s all mine, oh, oh oh oh Wish that you could but you ain’tgonna own me Do anything you want, you can’t slow me down, oh no
Take me away, a secret place A sweet escape, take me away Take me away to better days Take me away, a hiding place
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine I got a love and I know that it’s all mine, oh, oh oh oh Do what you want but you’re never gonna break me Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me, oh, oh oh oh
Take me away, a secret place A sweet escape, take me away Take me away to better days Take me away, a hiding place
There’s a place that I go that nobody knows Where the rivers flow and I call it home And there’s no more lies, in the darkness there’s light And nobody cries, there’s only butterflies
Take me away, a secret place A sweet escape, take me away Take me away to better days Take me away, a hiding place
Take me away, a secret place A sweet escape, take me away Take me away to better days Take me away, a hiding place
The sun is on my side and takes me for a ride I smile up to the sky, I know I’ll be alright The sun is on my side and takes me for a ride I smile up to the sky, I know I’ll be alright
Vocabulary:
pocket – a bag or pouch sewn into your clothes where you carry small things pocketful – a full pocket, a lot gonna – going to ain’t– are not escape – a place that’s away from your usual life lies – words that are not the truth butterflies – beautiful insects, beauty in general on my side – helping me, supporting me alright– okay
When you put two verbs together in a sentence, most of the time the second verb is either aninfinitive (to go) or agerund (going). Which verbs are followed byinfinitivesand which ones are followed bygerundsis often a difficult thing to learn. Teachers give students lists to memorize and practice, but this is the hard way. An easier way to learn this grammar is to look at a single verb (stop)and apply its rule to all the other verbs. Although this rule is only 80% accurate (true,) it’s better than no rule at all.
Look at this example: After hehad drivenfor an hour, Johnstoppedto texthis girlfriend.
In this example, the action Johnstoppedwasdriving, nottexting. In other words, stoppingwas the first thing that he did, andtexting was the second thing that he did. The order of verbs in the sentence (stopped/to text) is the same order of verbs in real time (he stoppedfirst; hetextedsecond). When the order of the verbs in the sentence is the same as the order of verbs in real time, then use an infinitive (to text) for the second verb.
Look at this example:
After he started his car, John stoppedtexting his girlfriend.
In this example, the action John stopped doing was texting. In other words, he wastexting first and then he stopped. The order ofverbs (stopped / texting) in the sentence is the opposite order in real time (he texted first; he stopped second). When the order of the verbs in the sentence is opposite the order of verbs in real time, then use the gerund (texting) for the second verb.
The verbs remember, forget and regret are just like stop.
Examples:
She rememberedto meet him for lunch. (remember is first and to meet is second in real time)
She remembersmeeting him last year. (meeting was first and remember was second in real time)
Did you forgetto lock the door this morning? (forget is first and to lock is second in real time)
Did you forgetlocking the door because I know you did? (locking is first and forget is second in real time)
I regretto tell you that you failed the test. (regret is first and to tell is second in real time)
I regrettelling you my secret. (tell is first and regret is second in real time)
The verb try is different than the above verbs. If you are trying to do something difficult or impossible, then the infinitive follows. However, if you’re trying different things to find a solution to a problem, then the gerund follows.
Examples:
You should tryto finish as soon as possible. (tofinish is difficult to do)
If you’re hot, tryopening the window, or takingoff your sweater. (opening and taking off are possible solutions to being hot)
Now let’s look at other verbs to see how they follow this rule.
Example 1: I wantto go to bed early tonight.
First I want, and then I will go. It’s the same order in the sentence (want / go) and in real time (want / go). Therefore, the second verb is an infinitive.
Example 2: She enjoyswatching cartoons on Saturday mornings.
She watches first, and then she enjoys the activity of watching. It’s a different order in the sentence (enjoys / watching) and in real time (watching / enjoys). Therefore, the second verb is a gerund.
Example 3: I forgotto brush my hair this morning.
First I forgot, and that’s why I didn’tbrush my teeth. It’s the same order in the sentence (forget / brush) and in real time (forget / brush). Therefore, the second verb is an infinitive.
Example 4: He admittedstealing the necklace.
First he stole the necklace, and then he admitted that he had stolen it. It’s a different order in the sentence (admit / steal) and in real time (steal / admit). Therefore, the second verb is a gerund.
This a list of the most common verbs that are followed by infinitives. The ones in [brackets] are exceptions to the rule:
he agreesto make… he deservesto pass… he plansto meet… [he appearsto be… ] he failsto stop… he pretendsto be…
he arranges to move… he hesitatesto close… he refuses to stop…
he can affordto buy... he hopesto finish… he seemsto know…
he caresto give… he learnsto make… he struggles to make…
he claimsto know… he managesto put… [he swearsto have…]
he decidesto go… he means to say… he threatensto end…
he demandsto know… he offersto help… he waitsto open…
he wishesto give…
This is a list of the most common verbs that are followed by gerunds. Again, the ones in [brackets] do NOT follow the rule:
headmitstaking… he enjoys walking… he practicesdoing… [he anticipatesgoing…] [he feels likesinging…] he quitssmoking…
he appreciatesdoing… he finishespainting… he recallsmeeting… [he avoidswashing…][he imaginesliving in…][he recommendsbuying…] [he can’t helptelling…]it’s no useasking… [he resistsmaking…]
he completesmaking… it’s worthseeing… [he riskslosing…] [he considersasking…] he keepstaking… [he suggestsmeeting…] [he delaysfinishing…] he mindsbeing… he toleratessmoking…
he deniesstealing… he mentionsdoing… he understandsneeding… [he discussesgoing…] he missesvisiting…
he dislikeshaving… [he postponesmaking…]
Another thing you should know is if you use a person or a personal pronoun such as “me” after the first verb, an infinitive always follows.
he asks me to go… he hires me to wash… he promises me to see…
he begs me to help… he invites me tovisit... he reminds me to go…
he convinces me to stay… he instructs me to finish… he tells me to forget…
he dares me to climb… he needs me to know… he wants me to buy…
he expects me to be… he orders me to wait… he warns me to stay…
he forces me to clean… he prepares me to do…
And of course there are a few verbs that are followed by either gerunds or infinitives. It makes no difference.
he beginsto play… he continuesto stay... he likesto eat
he beginsplaying he continuesstaying he likeseating
he can’t standto wait… he hatesto get… he prefersto sit
he can’t standwaiting… he hatesgetting… he preferssitting
he lovesto beat… he startsto wait
he lovesbeating… he startswaiting
Use these flashcards to help you study for the following exercises.
Joan: When you’re turned around, I can’t tell you apart from your sister.
Jane: A lot of people say that. By the way, did you hear what they’re going to give away at Budget Clothes to some lucky customer?
Joan: I give up. Tell me.
Jane: A trip for two to Hawaii. We should go down there and fill out some entry forms for the draw. I think the limit is 10 entries each, so we’ll have 20 chances to win. Maybe we’ll get lucky.
Joan: That’s a great idea. Then we can try on some new clothes while we’re there. I feel like shopping. How did you find out about the free trip?
Jane: They were handing outflyers yesterday at the supermarket.
Joan: There’s one thing I can’t figure out. How can they afford to give away such an expensive trip? It must cost a pretty penny.
Vocabulary:
• by the way: changing the topic, talking about something else • entry form: paper you fill out so you can win if they pick it
• draw: the choosing of the winner
• limit: maximum, the most
• entries: entry forms
• flyers: advertisements on paper
• afford: have enough money
Idioms:
turn around face in the opposite direction tell apart see the difference give away give (to anyone) give up not know the answer / stop (an activity) / let an opponent win fill out complete (a form) try on wear clothing, jewelry, or perfume before buying feel like want to hand out give (to students or others) figure out find a solution, understand a pretty penny a lot of money
Notes:
Give up has three meanings. The second meaning is “stop an activity.”
Example: I gave up ballet lessons when I was ten.
The third meaning is “let an opponent win.”
Example: I give up. You win. You play so much better than I do.
Fill out and fill in have similar meanings, but fill out is generally used for a whole form while fill in is used for one piece of information.
Example: Don’t forget to fill in your social insurance number.
approximate: general, a good guess, not exact Those numbers are approximate; nobody knows exactly how many people saw it. I can only give you an approximate time; I didn’t have my watch on.
counterfeit: not real, made to look like a real one The police seized $2.4 million in counterfeit $100 bills. They bought several hundred counterfeit CDs in Singapore.
courteous: polite She has always been courteous when I’ve been with her. It’s important to be courteous with others, especially those in your neighborhood.
efficient: getting a good result in a short time I know he’s expensive, but he’ll do the job in half the time; he very efficient. That’s not the most efficient way to deal the cards. Here, let me show you.
imperfect: having something wrong with it, not perfect He’s had imperfect vision since he was a child. All systems of government are imperfect in some way.
magical: as if produced by magic, fantastic The change from the person she used to be was magical. His proposal to her was a magical moment she will never forget.
massive: really really big and heavy It took four of them to move the massive sofa to the other side of the room. Your grandmother had a massive stroke and died within minutes.
patient: able to wait or do boring things without getting upset She runs an excellent daycare because she’s patient with the children. She’s in a coma now, so we must be patient.
priceless: unable to be bought for any amount of money My daughter’s joy on her wedding day was priceless. The Mona Lisa is a priceless work of art.
prompt: on time, not late The meeting starts at 8:30, and the manager wants us to be prompt. His reply was prompt; he refused the man’s invitation and walked away.
ridiculous: really really stupid You’ve just been arrested; wipe that ridiculous smile off your face! Don’t be ridiculous; I would never lie to you.
strict: following the rules exactly, without choice She is on a strict diet of fruits and vegetables. There are strict laws against smoking in any public building.
trivial: of very little importance It is no trivial matter that she got accepted at Yale University. The brothers are always arguing over trivial things, like which channel to watch.
vital: absolutely necessary for life It is vital that you tell your brother to come say goodbye to his father. Her surgery is near some of her vital organs, including the heart.
worthy: deserving, as good as or better She has worked hard and she’s worthy of your support, so please vote. I don’t know if Peter will win today; he’s up against a worthy opponent.
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.
Things may be hard in a new city, especially if you don’t know the language very well. You may experience loneliness and feel homesick a lot of the time. Don’t worry too much. These feelings lessen as time goes on, and you get used to living in a different city. The key to feeling good in a new city is to get out and meet people. One of the places you can go to is your local community center. You can go there and sign up for exercise classes, tennis lessons, arts and crafts workshops, and lots more. Coffee shops are also a good place to go to meet people. Students like to hang out there and sometimes do their homework, and in the mornings and at lunchtime, you can meet a lot of professional people there. You can even meet people outside. You’d be surprised how easy it is to meet people in walking neighborhoods. Vancouver has four really good neighborhoods where there are lots of people outside walking up and down the street. They are Granville Street, Robson Street, Commercial Drive, and West 4th Avenue. Just sit at an inside or outside table at a coffee shop or a restaurant in one of these areas and wait to see who comes to sit at the table next to you. Don’t forget nightclubs. Vancouver is a city with a lot of fun nightclubs. Most of them are located in three areas of the city: Granville Street, Yaletown, and Gastown. These three areas also have many bars, so if you can’t get into a nightclub because of a long line, then you can go hang out in one of them. If you don’t like nightclubs or bars, you can meet people at a number of other places, such as a bookstore, a grocery store, or a mall. Starting a conversation with someone you meet is a skill you can develop. If you just be yourself and talk to the person like he/she is already a friend, you should do well. Good luck.
Click on the audio recording below to hear the above lesson.
Vocabulary:
loneliness – a feeling of being alone lessen – decrease, become less get used to – become comfortable key – most important thing get out – go out of your home local – in your neighborhood, near your home sign up – register arts and crafts – pretty things you make with your hands hang out – stay at a place for a while neighborhood – area of the city where people live nightclub – a place where you dance and have alcoholic drinks bar – a place where you go to drink alcohol and maybe have something to eat. a number of – many skill – something you’re good at doing develop – make better be yourself – be like you really are
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary above on the audio file below.
Conversation: [in a coffee shop]
Ricardo: Isn’t the coffee here good? Anne: Yea, that’s why I come here. Ricardo: Do you come here often? Anne: Almost every day. I live in the neighborhood. Ricardo: Me too. I just moved here. Anne: From where? Ricardo: Colombia. Do you know where that is? Anne: Yea, it’s in Central America, isn’t it? Ricardo: Actually, it’s at the top of South America, but you were close. Anne: I don’t travel that much, but I’d like to start. Ricardo: Well, Colombia is a beautiful country. You should go sometime.
a Canadian superstar singer-songwriter who recorded this song for the 2006 movie, “Charlotte’s Web.” It was written by Glen Ballard and David A. Stewart from the band “Eurythmics.”
It’s not that unusual When everything is beautiful It’s just another ordinarymiracle today
The sky knows when it’s time to snow Don’t need to teach a seed to grow It’s just another ordinary miracle today
Life is like a gift they say Wrapped up for you every day Open up and find a way To give some of your own
Isn’t it remarkable? Like every time a raindrop falls It’s just another ordinary miracle today
Birds in winter have their fling They always make it home by spring It’s just another ordinary miracle today
When you wake up everyday Please don’t throw your dreams away Hold them close to your heart ‘Cause we’re all a part of the ordinary miracle
Ordinary miracle Do you want to see a miracle?
It seems so exceptional That things just work outafter all It’s just another ordinary miracle today
Sun comes up and shines so bright And disappears again at night It’s just another ordinary miracle today
It’s just another ordinary miracle today
Vocabulary:
ordinary: usual, not special miracle: something that is caused by God gift: something given to you wrapped: with beautiful paper around it some of your own: something you can give remarkable: very special fling: a time when they can be free ’cause: because exceptional: very unusual work out: are good in the end after all: after all that has happened disappears: goes away
