L6-U1-P2-1 Listening : Takling about Verbs 1

Talking about Verbs

Now that you're studying English at a higher level, you need to be able to talk about the language itself.

One of the biggest areas of confusion for students is the difference between the past tense and the present perfect.

The past tense is indicated by use of the past tense marker, represented here by V(d).        (sub)

Here are some examples of regular verbs and their past tense forms.

V                                 V（d）

walk                          walked

wait                           waited

arrive                        arrived

open                          opened

close                          closed

So, as you can see, for regular verbs the past tense forms is indicated by the addition of an -ed at the end of the verb.

However, some of the most common verbs in English are irregular, so it is important to learn them.

Here are some examples.

  V                                     V（d）

eat                                       ate

drink                                  drank

get                                       got

take                                     took

come                                  came

be                                 was/were

Altogether there are over 200 irregular verbs in normal use.

Which of these words is irregular? - mislead

Which of these words is regular? - ignore

Many people think that the past tense form only indicates past time.

However, that is only one of the possible meanings.

The past tense form is also used to express something that is unlikely or imaginary,from the speaker's point of view.

Here is an example: "He wishes he had a car."

The fact is that he doesn't have a car, so the use of "had" indicates that it isn't real :it's imaginary.

“If he had a car, he could drive us to school.”

Again, "he doesn't have a car, so he can't drive us to school."

This condition expresses something that isn't a fact.

It's a counter-factual condition, which means it goes against what we know or believe.

Which condition is counter-factual or imaginary? — If she worked here instead of at another company...

Which condition is counter-factual or imaginary? — If the Earth is square instead of round...

Many people think that the past tense form only indicates past time. However, that is only one of thepossible meanings. The past tense form is also used to expresssomething that is unlikely or imaginary, from the speaker's point of view. Here is an example: "He wishes he had a car." The fact is that he doesn't have a car, so the use of "had" indicates that it isn't real: it's imaginary.

Look at these two sentences.

If  she waits another week, she can save money…

If  she waited another week, she could save money because there’s  going to be a sale.

Both sentences are correct, but there is a difference in meaning.

In the top sentence, the condition that she waits is more likely from the speaker's point of view.

In the bottom sentence, the speaker thinks it's less likely that she's going to wait.

Look at these two sentences. If she waits another week, she can save money. If she waited another week, she could save money because there's going to be a sale. Both sentences are correct, but there is a difference in meaning.

He doesn't have a car, so he can't drive us to school.

There was a big sale last week, so we all went shopping.

If that flight left a few minutes later, we could take the next shuttle bus.

I wish we didn't have to run, but if we don't hurry, we'll miss the next bus.

The past tense form is also used to express something that is unlikely or imaginary,from the speaker's point of view.

If he had a car, he could drive us to school.

There was a big sale last week, so we all went shopping.

If that flight left few minutes later, we could take the next shuttle bus.

I wish we didn't have to rush, but if we don't hurry, we'll miss the next bus.

The past tense form is also used to express something that is unlikely or imaginary, from the speaker's point of view.

There is going to be a sale next week, so I hope she doesn't go shopping tomorrow.

If that flight leaves on time, we're going to miss it, so let's run.

If that flight leaves on time, the next shuttle bus may not get us to the airport on time.

If that flight left an hour later, we wouldn’t have to get to the airport so early tomorrow morning.

L6-U1-P2-2 Listening : Takling about Verbs 2

When we talk about experience or results, we use the present perfect form.

This form uses "have" followed by the participle.

For regular verbs, this participle is identical to the past tense form.

V                       V（d）                  V(n)

walk                 walked                walked

wait                  waited                 waited

arrive               arrived                arrived

open                opened               opened

close               closed                 closed

For irregular verbs, this participle is often different.

V                        V（d）               V(n)

eat                            ate                       eaten

drink                       drank                    drunk

get                            got                         got

take                         took                       taken

come                      came                      come

be                          was/were                 been

When we use the perfect form, the primary focus is on the subject of the sentences, not the verb.

It emphasizes condition, experience or results rather than actions or events.

In these two examples, we see the contrast.

She has already left the hotel.

She left the hotel a few minutes ago.

The top sentence gives the condition or state of the subject and the bottom sentence expresses an event.

The top sentence describes the condition of the subject of the sentence, she, rather than an event.

The fact that she has left the hotel is now a part of her experience, or state of being.

The bottom sentence expresses the action, or event: "she left," which is something she did.

In general, the past tense form expresses of events or acts, and the perfect form expresses the experience or conditions.

When we use the perfect form of the verb we focus on the state of the subject and not an action or event.

When we use the perfect form, the primary focus is on the subject of the sentences, not the verb. It emphasizes condition, experience or results rather than actions or events.

-The train arrived ten minutes ago.

(1) In high school, John wasn’t a very good student.
(2) In fact, he was one of the worst students.
(3) When it came time to go to university, nobody expected him to pass the entrance examination.
(4) However, he proved them wrong and did well enough to get into a top university.
(5) He enjoyed his studies and graduated a few months ago.
(6) Now that he has graduated, he’s ready to get a job.

Which sentence expresses state of being?  -The express train has already left.

Which sentence expresses an event rather than a state or process?-She ate a large lunch.

He enjoyed his studies and graduated a few months ago. Now that he hasgraduated, he's ready to get a job.

Note that the past form expresses events at specific points or periods of time, such as last year or the past five years.

He worked at several companies(in the past)

He finished the project last week.(in the past, last week)

These events are distanced from the speaker's point of view.

The perfect form expresses the state of something from the speaker's point of view, not distanced in time.

He has worked at several companies.(his experience now)

He has finished the project.(his experience now)

These two sentences are incorrect in confusing, because they give two different points of view.

He has worked at that company until last week.(incorrect)

He has finished the project last week.(incorrect and confusing)

Which sentence is strange? - He has finished his work last week.

Which sentence is strange? - He has eaten lunch an hour ago.

Here are some sentences that use the perfect form.

He has finished practicing.

He has been practicing.

She may have eaten.

Her computer may have been stolen.

Some are simple, such as the first one, and some are complex, like the last one.

The last one is complex because it combines many verb forms,including the passive.

He has practiced hard…so he should do well in the competition.

He may have been injured in the explosion.

The game has started already.

He may have taken his computer with him, but I’m not sure if he did or not.

He may take his computer with him, but he still hasn’t decided.

His computer may have been taken by somebody.

One of the biggest areas of confusion for students is the difference between the past tense and the present perfect.

In general, the past tense form expresses of events or acts, and the perfect form expresses the experience or conditions.

He took his computer with him ...because he wants to work at home.

The weather has gotten worse.

He must have taken her computer with him.

He may take his computer with him,  but he still hasn't decided.

The past tense form is also used to express something that is unlikely or imaginary, from the speaker's point of view.

It's a counter-factual condition, which means it goes against what we know or believe.

He may have been traveling when he got sick.

L6-U1-P2-3 Dialogue : Changes in Life

Changes in Life

What are you thinking about?

You look so pensive.

I was just thinking about how much things have changed since I was a child.

Oh, sometimes I think about that too.

What were your thoughts?

Nostalgic for sure.

Generally I remember the best times, and then I get a bit depressed when I think about how things have changed.

To be nostalgic means ...to think about and miss past experiences.

What was he feeling? — He was feeling nostalgic and thinking about how things have changed.

To be pensive means ...to be reflecting about things.

I was just thinking about how much things havechanged since I was a child.

What kinds of changes depress you?

Well, one thing is the pace of life.

Everything is so fast paced now, so there isn't enough time to think.

That's because you've grown up.

You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

What were your thoughts?

Oh, sometimes I think about that too.

What's one thing that depresses him? The pace of life is too fast.

That's because you've grown up.

What are you thinking about?

Oh, sometimes I think about that too.

It's more than just having responsibilities.

My parents had to work, but they also had time for other things.

My dad used to go fishing on the weekends, and my mom used to work in her garden.

She loved to grow flowers and vegetables.

Yeah, that does sound nice.

Living in the city makes things like that really difficult.

My dad used to go fishing on the weekends, and my mom used to work in her garden.She loved to grow flowers and vegetables.

(1) It's more than just having responsibilities.
(2) My parents had to work, but they also had time for other things.
(3) My dadused to go fishingon the weekends, and my mom used to workin her garden.
(4) She loved to grow flowers and vegetables.

Yes, living in the city is certainly part of the problem, right?

Well, that depends on you.

You make things sound as if you have no choices in life.

It's the choices you've made that put you where you are now.

Sure, that's certainly part of the problem.

I guess I've changed.

They agree that ...the choices he has made are part of the problem.

You make things sound as if you have no choices in life.

Sure, that's certainly part of the problem.

Living in the city makes things like that really difficult.

(1) living in the city is certainly part of the problem, right?
(2) Well, that depends on you.
(3) You make things sound as if you have no choices in life.
(4) It's the choices you've made that put you where you are now.

 I guess I've changed.

Well, that depends on you.

It's more than just having responsibilities.

I think she's even busier than I am.

You want a lifestyle that you can't have in the city.

If you really wanted those things, you could move back to the countryside.

No that's not an option.

If I did that my wife would divorce me.

Have you ever talked about it with her?

No, I haven't.

We don't talk about things like that.

We are both too busy.

I think she's even busier than I am.

Well, maybe she would surprise you.

Maybe she'd like a change too.

You should talk to her.

Emm, I don't know.

What does he think his wife would do if he decide to move back to the countryside? He thinks she would divorce him.

(1) Have you ever talked about it with her?
(2) No, I haven't.We don't talk about things like that.
(3) We are both too busy.
(4) I think she's even busier than I am.

Well, maybe she would surprise you.

If I did that my wife would divorce me.

Have you ever talked about it with her?

What hasn't he considered? — His wife might also want a change.

(1) You want a lifestyle that you can't have in the city.
(2) If you really wanted those things, you could move back to the countryside.
(3) No that's not an option.
(4) If I did that my wife would divorce me.

I think she's even busier than I am.

Maybe she'd like a change too.

You want a lifestyle that you can't have in the city.

What about you?

I'm okay.

My wife and I expect things as they are.

We try to think positively, and we support each other.

It sounds like you have a good marriage.

Yes, we do.

And one reason for that is that we share our thoughts with each other.

We don't want to grow apart like so many couples.

The fact they share their thoughts with each other means? they discuss matters and importance.

What don't he and his wife want to happen to their marriage?— They don't want to grow apart like so many couples.

Maybe I'll surprise my wife, and start sharing my thoughts with her.

Well if you don't do it now, nothing is going to change.

Yes, you probably right.

I'll think about it.

What is he going to think about ? He’s going to think about improving communications with his wife.

My parents had to work, but they also had time for other things.

If you really wanted those things, you could move back to the countryside.

Well if you don't do it now, nothing is going to change.

Generally I remember the best times, and then I get a bit depressed when I think about how things have changed.

He advises him to talk to his wife about moving back to the countryside.

Maybe I'll surprise my wife and start sharing my thoughts with her.

We don't want to grow apart like so many couples.

If he decided to move back to the countryside, he think she would devoice him.

Maybe I'll surprise my wife and start sharing my thoughts with her.

I was just thinking about how much things have changed since I was a child.

It's the choices you've made that put you where you are now.

L6-U1-P2-4 Reading : Winter in Antarctica

Winter in Antarctica : Staying sane at the Bottom of World

On Antarctica, the world's coldest continent, the average high temperature is -49 degrees Celsius. In the summer, the sun never sets, and in the winter, it never rises. Keeping sane there is its own special challenge. The McMurdo Station is a research base perched on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, the world's largest body of floating ice. The station is administered  by the United States and is the largest community in Antarctic.

Capable of supporting more than 1200 residents, thepopulation of the stationdrops to 150 brave (perhaps foolish) people when winter begins in March.Their task is to maintain the station during the months of total night. The biologists, astronomers, geologists, and climate scientists who were there before, have gone, as any research is impossible in thebrutal winter.

Every day the remaining staff of maintenance personnel perform their routine tasks and make repairs when needed.Sometimes they peer through the darkness toward their friends from New Zealand, at Scott Base, about two miles away. Though most of the time they're just voices on the radio, it's nice to have neighbors not too far away.Together, they share a power grid and one coast of a dark forbidding continent.

Though the days are dark and freezing cold in the depths of winter, the moon will rest above the horizon for weeks at a time, Its pale light illuminates the cold, craggy landscape as if acknowledging a companion and reaffirming the bonds of life, So even for those who live in the darkest part of the Earth, there's light.

>>Questions:

1. What is the tone of the piece of writing?  — It's inspiring.

2. Why do most of the researchers leave the research base when winter begins? — It's impossible to do research in winter.

3. To be brutal means to be ...harsh or cruel.

4. To illuminate something means to ...shine light on it.

5. Something is routine if it  is ...normal and expected.

6.  To keep sane means to ...not go insane or crazy.

>>Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:

1. What is the Ross Ice Shelf?

The McMurdo Station is a research base perched on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, the world's largest body of floating ice.

2. How far is Scott Base from McMurdo Station?

Sometimes they peer through the darkness toward their friends from New Zealand, at Scott Base, about two miles away. 

3. When does the Antarctic winter begin?

Capable of supporting more than 1200 residents, the population of the station drops to 150 brave (perhaps foolish) people when winter begins in March.

4. What rests above the horizon for weeks at a time?

Though the days are dark and freezing cold in the depths of winter, the moon will rest above the horizon for weeks at a time.

>>Fill in the blanks:

1. Every day the remaining staff of maintenance personnel perform their routine tasks and make repairs when needed.

2. Sometimes they peer through the darkness toward their friends from New Zealand, at Scott Base, about two miles away. Though most of the time they're just voices on the radio, it's nice to have neighbors not too far away. Together, they share a power grid and one coast of a dark forbidding continent.

>>Put the sentences below in order:

(1) The McMurdo Station is a research base perched on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, the world's largest body of floating ice.
(2) The station is administered by the United States and is the largest community in Antarctic.
(3) Capable of supporting more than 1200 residents, the population of the station drops to 150 brave (perhaps foolish) people when winter begins in March.
(4) Their task is to maintain the station during the months of total night.

>>Repeat & Read Sentences:

Their task is to maintain the station during the months of total night.

The writer shares what it feels like to live and work in Antarctica.

To acknowledge something means to recognize or admit its existence.

Every day the remaining staff of maintenance personnel perform their routine tasks and make repairs when needed.

Though most of the time they're just voices on the radio, it's nice to have neighbors not too far away.

In the summer, the sun never sets, and in the winter, it never rises. 

Most of the researchers leave because it’s impossible to do the research during the winter.

Even for those who live in the darkest part of the Earth, there's light. 

Most of the researchers leave because it's impossible to do research during the winter.

Though the days are dark and freezing cold in the depths of winter, the moon will rest above the horizon for weeks at a time.

What is the tone of the piece of writing? It's inspiring.

What is this text about? —It’s about the importance of connections (to each other and the world.)

Which of following statements about Antarctica is false? The highest temperature is minus 49 degrees Celsius.

What does the text share with the reader?  It gives some insight into what it feels like to live and work in Antarctica.

What the remaining maintenance staff do during the winter? They perform routine tasks and make repairs.

Something is routine if it  is normal and expected.

To be brutal means ...to be harsh or cruel.

To illuminate something means to ...shine light on it.

To acknowledge something means to recognize or admit its existence.

How far is  Scott base from the McMurdo Station? Sometimes they peer through the darkness toward their friends from New Zealand, at Scott Base, about two miles away.

To keep sane means to …not go insane or crazy.

In the summer, the sun never sets, and in the winter, it never rises.

Most of the researchers leave because it’s impossible to do the research during the winter.

Even for those who live in the darkest part of the Earth, there's light.

The writer shares what it feels like to live and work in Antarctica.

A power grid provides the electricity.

A power grid is needed to supply electricity.

When does the Antarctica's winter begin?Capable of supporting more than 1200 residents, the population of the station drops to 150 brave (perhaps foolish) people when winter begins in March.

What do the remaining  staff from the US share with the neighbors from New Zealand? Together, they share a power grid and one coast of a dark forbidding continent.

What rests above the horizon for weeks at a time?Though the days are dark and freezing cold in the depths of winter, the moon will rest above the horizon for weeks at a time

L6-U1-P2-5 Reading : Chernobyl

Chernobyl : Lessons from Nature

On April 26, 1986, Unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in northern Ukraine, then a part of the Soviet Union, was shut down for an unauthorized safety test. When the nuclear fuel rods hit the cooling water, the fission reaction accelerated out of control due to a sudden power surge. This caused the reactor tooverheat and build up pressure until its structure failed and it blew up, releasing large amounts of radiation. It took officials a whole day to comprehend the scale of the disaster and to order an evacuation of the surrounding area. Some 50,000 people had to leave, not knowing that they would never return.

In the following months, massive efforts were made to decontaminate the area while increased radiation levels were detected across much of Europe. Fallout from the disaster continues to this day, decades later, and long-term effects such as cancers are still being investigated. Estimates of the number of deaths that will eventually result from the accident vary enormously.

The forest area near the reactor site is one of the most radioactive places on Earth.Named the Red Forest because its trees turned a reddish-brown color as they died, the forest is trying to make a recovery. Animals such as elk and eagles have been seen in the area. And birch trees grow where the radioactive trees of the forest were bulldozed and buried by the Soviet government.

Some people have returned as well, mostly former residents who returned illegally after the evacuation.The old company town of Pripyat,once home to 50,000 plant workers is still deserted, but is slowly being reclaimed by the forest. It seems that nature can recover and even thrive where humans cannot.Let's hope that humans can learn from this experience. Chernobyl, and more recently, Fukushima in Japan, have lessons to teach us.

What is the purpose of this text ? It's to educate.

-The nuclear reactor exploded because too much pressure built up inside.

If something is contaminated, it ...can't be used because it contains harmful substances.

If something is thriving it is ...doing well.

Fallout from the disaster continues to this day, decades later, and long-term effects such as cancers are still being investigated.

Named the Red Forest because its trees turned a reddish-brown color as they died, the forest is trying to make a recovery. 


The old company town of Pripyat, once home to 50,000 plant workers is still deserted, but is slowly being reclaimed by the forest. It seems that nature can recover and even thrive where humans cannot.

Some people have returned as well, mostly former residents who returned illegally after the evacuation. The old company town of Pripyat, once home to 50,000 plant workers is still deserted, but is slowly being reclaimed by the forest. It seems that nature can recover and even thrive where humans cannot. Let's hope that humans can learn from this experience. Chernobyl, and more recently, Fukushima in Japan, have lessons to teach us.

(1) When the nuclear fuel rods hit the cooling water, the fission reaction accelerated out of control due to a sudden power surge.
(2) This caused the reactor to overheat and build up pressure until its structure failed and it blew up, releasing large amounts of radiation.
(3) It took officials a whole day to comprehend the scale of the disaster and to order an evacuation of the surrounding area.
(4) Some 50,000 people had to leave, not knowing that they would never return.

We should never underestimate the danger of nuclear technologies.

The forest area near the reactor site is one of the most radioactive places on Earth.

The reactor exploded because too much pressure built up inside.

Some people have returned as well, mostly former residents who returned illegally after the evacuation.

And birch trees grow where the radioactive trees of the forest were bulldozed and buried by the Soviet government.

What is one of the lessons we should learn from Chernobyl? Never underestimate the danger of nuclear technologies.

What do we know about the old company town of Pripyat? It is still deserted.

A surge in power means to increase in strength.

for place to be deserted means ...that there's nobody there.

From this article, it's clear that officials were unprepared for such an accident.

What is one of lessons we should learn from Chernobyl?  — Never underestimate the danger of nuclear technologies.

 What is the purpose of this text? — It's to educate.  

Fallout from a nuclear explosion contains ...radioactive particles carried into the atmosphere.

Something is authorized if it is ...officially permitted.

To reclaim something means ...to take it back from where it was lost or stolen.

What is one of the most radioactive places on Earth? The forest area near the reactor site is one of the most radioactive places onEarth.

What cause the reactor to overheat? When the nuclear fuel rods hit the cooling water, the fission reaction accelerated out of control due to a sudden power surge.

What is one of the most radioactive places on Earth? The forest area near the reactor site is one of the most radioactive places on Earth.

It's clear that officials were completely unprepared for the accident.

Let's hope that humans can learn from this experience. 

It seems that nature can recover and even thrive where humans cannot. 

Fallout from the disaster continues to this day, decades later, and long-term effects such as cancers are still being investigated. 

When the nuclear fuel rods hit the cooling water, the fission reaction accelerated out of control due to a sudden power surge.

L6-U1-P2 SPEAKING

We can also see this magnetic field when we use a compass.

In fact, the earth is like a large bar magnetic with the north and south pole.

Every two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand years the Earth’s magnetic field reverses.

He doesn't have a car, so he can't drive us to school.

He wishes he had a car, but he doesn't have enough money to buy one.

There's going to be a sale next week, so I hope she doesn't go shopping tomorrow.

Living in the city makes things like that really difficult.

You make things sound as if you have no choices in life.

You're not a child anymore, so you have responsibilities.

Many scientists believe that the Earth's magnetic field is due to the Earth's rotation.

This has happened many times in Earth's history, but it has been happening more lately.

Electric charges attract or repel each other with a force that depends on the distance between them.

If that flight left an hour later, we wouldn’t have to get to the airport so early tomorrow morning.

I wish we didn’t have to run, but if we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the next bus.

If that flight leaves on time, the next shuttle bus may not get us to the airport on time.

If you are lost in the desert, your first task will be to find water.

Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.

Nights can be cold so knowing how to make a fire is essential.

His computer was taken in for repair last week, so it should be ready soon.

His computer has been taken in for repair, so he can't work.

His computer may have been taken by sombody.

It seems that nature can recover and even thrive where humans cannot.

We should never underestimate the danger of nuclear technologies.

The forest area near the reactor site is one of the most radioactive places on Earth.