SUPORT DE CURS - LIMBA ENGLEZACLASELE a VII-a si a VIII-a

NIVEL DE CUNOSTINTA: INCEPATOR

FORMATORI: DRAGOMIRESCU IOANA

IONESCU ANABELL
LOCATIA:

SCOALA GIMNAZIALA NR. 19 TUDOR ARGHEZI

GRUPE:

6,7,8,9

18.01.2014 - 3.04.2014 Grades: 7th & 8th (level: elementary/ beginner)

CONTENTS

Course No 1 Breaking the ice games, conversations

(18.01.2014)

Course No 2 Wolf part 1 story based on Jack Londons novel

(25.01.2014)

Course No 3 Facts and figures around our world nations, nationalities

(01.02.2014)

Course No 4 Wolf part 2

(15.02.2014)

Course No 5 Australia koalas, kangaroos, aborigines and so many others...

(22.02.2014)

Course No 6 Wolf part 3

(01.03.2014)

Course No 7 The USA McDonalds, KFC, Disneyland, Hollywood...

(08.03.2014)

Course No 8 Wolf part 4

(15.03.2014)

Course No 9 I am an Englishman in New York UK Lifestyle

(22.03.2014)

Course No 10 Wolf part 5

(29.03.2014)

Course No 11 Progress Test

(05.04.2014)

Course No 2

Wolf
based on a story by Jack London
- part 1 -

This story is about a man, a woman and a dog. The mans name is Walt. The womans name is Madge.
The dogs name is Wolf.
Madge and Walt are married. They live in California, in a small house on top of a hill. One night while
Madge and Walt are sleeping, there is suddenly a loud sound. The sound wakes them up.
What was that? asked Walt.
I dont know, said Madge. Lets look outside.
They open the door. They look around. Do you see anything? asks Madge.
No, said Walt.
Suddenly Madge says, Look over there!
On the grass they see a large, brown dog. The dog looks tired and hungry. It seems to be lost. Walt and
Madge walk toward the dog. The dog growls at them. He is not a friendly dog.
The dog is hungry, says Madge. Lets give it some milk and bread.
They go back to the house and get the food. They put the food on the ground. The dog does not want to
eat the food while they are there.
Lets go back to the house, says Walt.
They go back to the house and look out the window. The dog begins to eat. The dog is starved. It eats
all the food very quickly.
That dog eats like a wolf, says Walt.
It looks like a wolf, too, says Madge. Lets call him Wolf.
The next morning they feed Wolf again. This time the dog is a little more friendly. He lets them come
near him. In the afternoon their neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, drops in.
She sees Wolf. She says to Madge and Walt, I didnt know you had a dog.
We didnt, says Madge. We found this dog last night. It was outside the house.
Mrs. Johnson is surprised. Where did this dog come from? she asks.
We dont know, says Walt. It was lost. It came here.
Mrs. Johnson says, My brother, Skiff, lives in Alaska. I visited him there last year. This dog looks like the
dogs I saw in Alaska. He looks like the big dogs that pull sleds there.
Madge and Walt look at each other. They are surprised.
Madge says, But how could Wolf get here all the way from Alaska?
Reading comprehension. Circle the correct answer.
1. Madge and Walt live in: a) California
b) Alaska
c) Texas
2. Their house is:
a) on top of a hill
b) on a busy street c) near some tall trees
3. Madge and Walt wake up because they hear: a) a radio
b) someone calling
c) a loud sound
4. Madge and Walt see a large, brown:
a) wolf
b) dog
c) sled
5. The dog is:
a) lost
b) small
c)happy
6. Mrs. Johnson says that Wolf looks like:
a) her dog
b) her brothers dog

c) dogs she saw in Alaska

Vocabulary
7. The dog eats all the food quickly. The dog is starved. The word starved means:
a) very hungry
b) very small
c) very smart
8. The dog is not friendly. It growls. When it growls, it:
a) smiles
b) makes a noise
c) sits down
9. Madge and Walt feed Wolf again the next morning. The word feed means:
a) shout at
b) hit
c) give food to
Idioms
10. Their neighbour, Mrs. Johnson, drops in. The idiom drop in means:
a) fall down
b) visit
c) hurt yourself
Understanding the story. Answer each question by writing a complete sentence.
1. What is the mans name?

2. What is the womans name?

3. What is the dogs name?

4. Where do Madge and Walt live?

5. What wakes up Madge and Walt?

6. What do they see on the grass?

7. What do they give the dog?

8. How much food does the dog eat?

9. Who visits them in the afternoon?

10. Where does Mrs. Johnsons brother live?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Building sentences. Make sentences by adding the correct letter.

Madge and Walt
a) some bread and milk.
They live
b) are married.
A loud sound
c) feed Wolf again.
They walk
d) toward the dog.
The dog
e) is not friendly.
They give it
f) wakes them up.
Madge and Walt
g) look out the window.
The next morning they
h) in California.

Adding vocabulary. On the left are 8 words from the story. Complete each sentence by adding the
correct word.
dog
1. Madge and Walt are
sleds
2. They wake up during the
neighbour
3. They open the
door
4. On the grass they see a
married
5. They put some food on the
night
6. The dog does not eat the
ground
7. Mrs. Johnson is their
food
8. In Alaska dogs pull
Using verbs correctly. Fill in each blank using the present tense of the verb to be.
This story about a man, a woman and a dog. The man and the woman .. married. They live
in a small house. It on top of a hill. One night they hear a loud sound. They surprised.
What that? asks the man. I not sure, says the woman. They see a dog. It
hungry and tired.
Changing statements to questions.
1. The dog is tired.
.
2. The dog is hungry.
.
3. The dog is lost.
.
4. The dog is outside the house.
.
5. Madge and Walt are married.
.
6. The dog is a little more friendly.
.
7. Madge and Walt are sleeping.
.
8. Mrs. Johnson is surprised.
.
9. Mrs. Johnsons brother is in Alaska.
.
10. Madge and Walt are surprised, too.
.
Vocabulary review. Write a complete sentence for each word or expression.
1. married.
2. sled.
3. neighbour.
4. starve.
5. growl.

Course No 3 Facts and figures around our world nations, nationalities

1. Introduction: Complete the sentences below, about the countries previously discussed.
.... is in Africa.
... is in the same continent as Portugal.
... and ... share a border.
... and .... are islands.
The Atacama desert is in ...

2. Listening: Look at this radio quiz and try to answer these questions.
a. Which is the smallest ocean in the world? The Atlantic/ The Indian/ The Arctic Ocean
b. Which is the most expensive city to live in? Moscow/ Tokyo/ Geneva
c. Which continent has the most people? Asia/ Australia/ Africa
d. Where is the deepest valley in the world? In the USA/ China/ Kenya
Then listen to the quiz itself.

3. Lamguage Focus superlatives & comparatives

Complete the table:
Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

Small
Wet
The busiest
Expensive

Good

The best
worse

The worst

Countries & nationalities

Listen to six different students say Im a student and I like all kinds of sports. What languages are they
speaking?
German

Greek

Italian

Japanese

Russian

Portuguese

French

Check your answers and complete the table:

Language

Nationality

Country

Course No 4

Course No 4

Wolf
-

based on a story by Jack London

part 2 -

Madge and Walt fed Wolf every day. They took long walks with him. They liked to play with
Wolf. Wolf still was not too friendly.
One afternoon Madge came out of the house. She walked down the steps and looked
around. She saw Walt. He had a hammer in his hand; he was fixing the fence.
Where is Wolf? she asked.
I dont know, Walt answered. He was here a minute ago. Maybe he ran after a rabbit.
I dont see him now, said Madge. Here, Wolf, she called.
They walked down the road and through the tall grass.
There he is! said Walt. He pointed ahead.
Wolf was sitting on top of a large rock. The dog was watching them.
Good dog, shouted Walt. Come here.
The dog opened his mouth. He looked at Madge and Walt and ran toward them. He stopped
about twenty feet away. Madge and Walt continued to walk. Wolf ran into the tall grass. Soon
they did not see him.
Wolf will catch up with us later, said Madge.
Suddenly they heard something. The sound was coming from the woods. They saw a man.
He came out of the woods and walked toward them.
Madge and Walt did not know the man. He was very tall and he looked very strong. He had
wide shoulders. He had long hair and a thick, black beard. He was holding his hat in his hand.
Good afternoon, said Walt. Today is a very warm day.
Yes, said the man. Its very warm. Im not used to warm weather. I like cold weather.
Madge smiled. She said, Its never cold here.
No, said the man. He took a red handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his face with it.
The man said, Im looking for my sister. Her name is Pat Johnson. She lives somewhere
around here.
Madge said, You must be her brother from Alaska.
Yes, said the man. My name is Skiff Miller. This visit is a surprise. My sister doesnt know
Im here.
She lives nearby, said Walt. Do you see that big tree over there? Theres a little path near
the tree. Walk up the path. Her house is the first one on the right.
Thank you, Miller said.
The man started to leave. Madge said, Wed like to visit you while youre here. Wed like to
hear about Alaska.
Walt said, Maybe you can have dinner with us some day.
Thanks again, Skiff Miller said. But I will be here for just one day. Im leaving tomorrow. I
have important business in Alaska.
Just then Wolf ran across the grass. Miller stared at the dog. He kept staring.
I dont believe it, he said softly.

Reading comprehension. Circle the correct answer.

1. What was Walt fixing?
a) a fence
2. Walt thought that Wolf ran after:
a) a man
3. Skiff Miller was very:
a) short
4. What colour was Millers beard?
a) red
5. Miller liked:
a) warm weather
6. Miller was staying for:
a) one day

b) a door
b) a rabbit
b) tall
b) black
b) cold weather
b) five days

c) a window
c) another dog
c) thin
c) brown
c) hot weather
c) two weeks

Vocabulary
7. Miller took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his face with it. What is a handkerchief?:
a) a piece of cloth
b) a piece of wood
c) a paper bag
8. Walt told Miller to walk up the path. A path is a:
a) rock b) house
c) road
Idioms
9. Madge and Walt took long walks with Wolf. The idiom take a walk means:
a) look for a place to walk b) go for a walk
c) to be tired from walking
10. Madge said that Wolf would catch up with them later. To catch up with means:
a) make fun
b) play a game
c) meet someone
Understanding the story. Answer each question by writing a complete sentence.
1. How often did Madge and Walt feed Wolf?

2. What did Walt have in his hand?

3. What was Walt fixing?

4. What was Miller holding in his hand?

5. What did Miller take out of his pocket?

6. What did Miller do with the handkerchief?

7. Who was Miller looking for?

8. Why was Miller staying for just one day?

Building sentences. Make sentences by adding the correct letter.

1. Madge and Walt took
a) on top of a large rock
2. Wolf was sitting
b) in his hand
3. The man came out of
c) very strong
4. They thought that Skiff Miller was
d) the man
5. Madge and Walt did not know
e) long walks with Wolf
6. Skiff Miller was holding his hat
f) near a tree
7. Walt pointed to a path
g) the woods

Adding vocabulary. On the left are 6 words from the story. Complete each sentence by adding the
correct word.
nearby
1. The dog opened his
mouth
2. Skiff Millers were wide.
hammer
3. Their neighbour, Mrs. Johnson, lived
shoulders
4. Walt used a to fix the fence.
dinner
5. Madge and Waltto walk.
continued
6. They asked Mr. Miller to havewith them.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Using verbs correctly. Fill in each blank using the past tense of the verb TO HAVE.
Skiff Miller ..wide shoulders.
He ..long hair.
He also ..a beard.
Walt told Miller, Maybe you can ..dinner with us.
Miller said, I ..important business in Alaska.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Fill in each blank using the past tense of the verb TO BE.
Walt said, Wolf ..here a minute ago.
The dog ..not very friendly.
Madge and Walt ..surprised.
The man ..very tall.
He ..very strong.
His sister ..their neighbour.
They ..sorry he could not stay for dinner.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Adding an adjective. Complete the sentences below by writing the correct adjective.
tall
warm
black
large
important
Miller did not wear a hat because it was a very ..day.
They could not see the dog because he ran into the ..grass.
Skiff Miller had ..business in Alaska.
The man had long hair and a thick, ..beard.
The dog sat on a ..rock.

Vocabulary review. Write a complete sentence for each word or expression.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

nearby.
Shoulders
continued.
handkerchief.
path.
take a walk.
catch up .

Course No 5 Australia koalas, kangaroos, aborigenes and so many others

AUSTRALIA

Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent. It is the largest island in the
world and the smallest continent. Australia is situated in the south-west of the Pacific Ocean.
The Australian continent is washed by the Arafura and Timor Seas in the north, by the Tasman
and Coral Seas in the east and by the Indian Ocean in the south.
The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of Australia. The country has an area of about
8 million square kilometers. It consists of Australia, Tasmania and a number of smaller islands (Cocos
Islands, Kangaroo Island and others).
Australia is situated in the Southern Hemisphere and that is why it has summer when we have winter
and winter when we have summer.

Australia has several different climatic regions, from tropical (hot and wet) in the North, to
cool temperate in the south-east where it even often snows in winter. In the centre the climate
is very dry. It never rains, there are no large rivers and no water there.
Australia is the flattest continent of all. But it has some mountains. Its main mountain
chain is the Great Dividing Range which is known as the Australian Alps.
History of Australia
Australias first settlers were the Aboriginal.
Because of its position Australia was the last continent discovered by the Europeans. The continent
was discovered by the Dutch in 1606, who called it New Holland. In 1770 the English captain James Cook
discovered the East Coast of Australia.
The name of the country comes from the Latin word australis which means southern. Captain
Matthew Flinders in 1804 proposed the name of Australia, but the term did not come into general use
until the 1820s.
While America was a British colony the British convicts were transported there. But in 1776 the
American colonies declared themselves independent. Thats why the British needed the new territories
to transport criminals. At first convicts and their guards landed in Australia on January 26, 1788. It was
the so-called First Fleet. Australia became a part of the British Empire. Now January 26 is Australia Day
in honour of the First Fleet arrival.
Firstly Australia was the big colony for prisoners. The early settlers were very cruel to the aborigines.
They were killed or driven away from their lands. The discovery of gold in 1851 brought many people to
Australia and the character of the colony began to change.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states. The country consists of 6 states

(Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia) and
2 territories (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory). The Capital Territory is
the land around the Federal Capital. The capital of the country is Canberra.
Each state has its own government and its own capital city. The state capitals are Perth, Brisbane,
Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide. These cities are also the countrys main ports.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a self-government federal state and a member of the

Commonwealth of Nations. It is a constitutional monarchy. Formally the head of the state is the
queen of England represented by the Governor-General and 6 State Governors. But the queen
has little power in the Australian government. The country is governed by a constitution
adopted in 1901.
Most of the Australians live in the cities of the east coast. But even these cities are not very big. There
are only about 20 million people in Australia. Most of them are of British origin. The first people in
Australia were Aborigines, but today there are only 40,000 full aborigines in the country. In recent years
a lot of people have come from other European countries and from Asia. The official language is English.

The capital of the country is Canberra. It is the heart of Australians Capital Territory and the seat of
Federal Government. It is situated in the south-east of the State of New South Wales.
The city was specially planned as a capital. The lay-out of the city was suggested by the architect
Griffin. The building of the city was started in 1913. In 1927 Canberra became the capital of Australia.
The population of Canberra is about 300,000 people.

Canberra is a quiet capital, even in rush hours. There are no industrial plants in the city. All the
government buildings are situated in the city. Federal government works in Canberra in the government
buildings.

The biggest city of Australia is Sydney. It is the capital of the State of New South Wales and a big
industrial centre. About 3 million people live in the city. Sydney was founded in 1788. It was the first city
founded in Australia by British colonists. The discovery of gold in 1851 stimulated its development.
There are some places of interest in Sydney such as Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, the Australian
Museum, the University of Sydney and others.
The Australian Museum was founded in 1836. It is the oldest institution of the kind in Australia. It
contains a very large botanical garden, a technological exhibit and a library.

Australian national flag has three main features: five white

stars of the Southern Cross in the right half, the white
Commonwealth star on a blue background with a small Union
Jack that represents the historical link with Britain.
The national anthem of Australia is Advance Australia Fair. It was adopted in the 1970s.
The royal anthem God save the Queen is used in the presence of the Queen or the members
of the royal family.
Australia is an industrial country. It has modern factories, highly productive mines and farms. Most of
the factories are situated near big cities. They produce and export large amounts of minerals and metals
(gold, silver, iron, diamonds and cooper) and farm goods (meat, fruit, vegetables and cereals). The
country is famous for its sheep. Australia is the worlds leading producer of wool and bauxite (from
which aluminium is made).

The isolated geographical position of Australia had great influence on its fauna and flora.
That is why many animals and plants developed differently from those on other continents.
Australia is a land of birds and animals which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The most peculiar feature of Australian animals is the pouch (a kind of a pocket) in which
the female carried her young. Such animals are called marsupials. The best-known of them are
the kangaroo, the koala bear, the wallaby and the possum.
The kangaroo is the largest marsupial in the world. An animal
carries babies in the pouch for 8 months. It can weigh 85 kilograms.
Why a kangaroo? When European explorers first saw these
strange animals they asked a native Australian Aborigine about their
name. He answered kangaroo to say I dont understand your
question. The explorers thought this was the animals name. That is
how the kangaroo got its name.

The koala is a small bear-like animal which lives in the eucalyptus trees. Most of its time the
koala spends in these trees sleeping. They eat only some kinds of eucalyptus trees that grow in
Australia. The name koala is the Aboriginal name for no water. Koala has a black nose and
thick furry coat. It can weigh 10 kilograms. Though it looks very funny it has very sharp teeth
and very sharp claws. The koalas nickname is a native bear. Many people think that koala is a
bear but it is related to the kangaroo and the wombat.
The echidna and the platypus are the only two egg-laying
mammals in the world. The echidna is a toothless ant-eater and is an
egg-laying mammal. The platypus is a small animal with a beak of a
duck and it also lays eggs.
The emu is the most interesting bird in Australia. It is big and cant
fly. The emu and the kangaroo are represented on the
Australian coat-of-arms.
There are also such animals as the Tasmanian Devil and the opossum.
The rabbit and all the domestic animals were introduced into Australia by the settlers less than two
hundred years ago.
The Great Barrier Reef is a unique phenomenon of nature of Australia. It stretches about 2000 km.
There are more than 350 species of corals, which make the Great Barrier Reef one of the natural
wonders of the world.

Answer the questions:

What is the official name of the country?

What parts does the country consist of?

Where is the Australian continent situated?

Whom was Australia discovered by and when was it happened?

What part of Australia was first used as a colony?

How did the early settlers behave towards the aborigines?

Why did very many people go to Australia after 1851?

When did the Commonwealth of Australia appear?

What is the capital of the country?

What is the Australian national flag look?

What is the Australian national anthem?

Who is the countrys head of state?

What is a federal state of Australia governed by?

Who represents the British Monarch in Australia?

Is there a written constitution in Australia?

What does Australian Parliament consist of?

Which are the main political parties?

When was the birth of the new nation celebrated?

What are the biggest cities in Australia?

What natural resources is Australia rich in?

What are the main products of Australia?

What endemic Australian animals can you name?

Solve the puzzle.

Vocabulary exercises

Writing practice
Speaking practice

Course No 6
Wolf
based on a story by Jack London
-

part 3 -

Skiff Miller sat down on a log. He looked at the dog. Miller shook his head. I dont believe it, he said
again. Wolf heard Skiff Millers words. The dog ran to the man and looked at the mans hands. He licked
them with his tongue. Miller reached out and patted the dogs head.
Miller looked up at Madge and Walt. I had to sit down, Miller said. I was very surprised.
Were surprised, too, said Walt. Wolf isnt very friendly. But he was friendly to you.
Is that what you call him Wolf? asked Skiff.
Yes, said Madge. I wonder why hes friendly to you. She thought for a moment. Then she said,
Maybe its because youre from Alaska. Wolf is from Alaska, too, you know.
Yes, said Miller. I know.
Miller reached out again and touched one of Wolfs paws. The dogs paw feels soft, Miller said. He
hasnt pulled a sled for a long time.
Thats true, said Walt.
No one spoke for a moment. Then Madge said, Im surprised that Wolf let you touch him.
Skiff Miller stood up suddenly. He said, How long have you had this dog?
Before anyone could answer Wolf barked. Madge and Walt were shocked. They never heard Wolf
bark before. The dog barked again.
Wolf never barked before, said Madge.
Miller smiled. I have heard him bark before.
Madge stared at Miller. What do you mean? she said. Suddenly she felt scared. You just met Wolf.
Miller looked closely at Madge. Youre wrong about that, he said. His voice sounded angry. This is
my dog. I thought you could see that from the way he acted. Hes my dog. His name is not Wolf. His
name is Brown.
How do you know hes your dog? Walt asked loudly.
He is! was the answer.
Walt looked at Miller. You cant prove that, said Walt.
Miller said, The dog is mine. I guess I should know my own dog. This dog is mine. I can prove it!
Watch!
Skiff Miller turned to the dog. Brown! shouted Miller.
The dog turned around and looked at Miller. Turn! shouted Miller. Turn! Get ready!
The dog turned at once. It stared ahead and waited.
He knows my voice, Miller explained. He listens to me. Turn again! said Miller. The dog turned
again.
Walt looked unhappy.
He was my best dog, said Miller. He was the best dog in my team of dogs.
But youre not going to take him with you? said Madge.
Yes, said Miller. Im taking him back to Alaska.
To Alaska? said Walt. To that cold, cold world? Hell suffer there.
Yes, said Madge. Why dont you leave him here? He likes it here! He gets plenty of food. And he
wont have to pull a sled through the snow.

He doesnt mind pulling a sled, said Miller. Hes strong, you know.
But hes happy here. What can you give him in Alaska? asked Walt.
Work. He likes work. And hell have the cold and the snow which he likes, too. He knows that life. He
was born in Alaska and he grew up there. He may be happy here. But hell be happier in Alaska.
Well, I wont let you take the dog! Walt said suddenly. I dont want to talk about it. He is not
going!
Reading comprehension. Circle the correct answer.
1. The dog: a) ran away from Skiff Miller b) jumped up at Skiff Miller c) licked Skiff Millers hands
2. Skiff Miller said that the dogs paw felt: a) soft
b) hard
c) thin
3. Madge and Walt were surprised that Wolf:
a) tried to bite Miller
b) was afraid of Miller
c) was friendly to Miller
4. Miller said that the dogs name was:
a) Wolf
b) Brown
c) Spot
5. Miller told Walt and Madge that he would:
a) take him to Alaska
b) leave the dog with them
c) sell the dog to someone
6. Miller said he would give the dog:
a) good food b) a warm house
c) work
Vocabulary
7. Walt and Madge never heard Wolf bark before. They were shocked. Shocked means:
a) worried
b) sad
c) surprised
8. Miller said, This dog is mine. I can prove it! When you prove something, you:
a) show that you like it b) help it
c) show that it is true
9. Madge said that Wolf got plenty of food. The word plenty means:
a) a little bit
b) a lot
c) the same kind
Idioms
10. When Miller told the dog to turn, the dog turned at once. The idiom at once means:
a) very soon
b) after a long time
c) after a week
Understanding the story. Answer each question by writing a complete sentence.
1. What did Skiff Miller sit down on?

2. Why did Miller sit down?

3. Where was Skiff Miller from?

4. How did the dogs paw feel?

5. Why were Madge and Walt surprised when Wolf barked?

6. When Miller shouted turn, what did the dog do?

7. Where was the dog born?

Building sentences. Make sentences by adding the correct letter.

1. Wolf looked ..
a) from Alaska
2. Skiff Miller reached out and ..
b) angry
3. Madge said that the dog was ..
c) at the mans hands
4. Miller said he had heard ..
d) the dog was strong
5. Madge suddenly ..
e) the dog bark before
6. Skiff Millers voice sounded ..
f) felt scared
7. The dog stared ..
g) patted the dogs head
8. Miller said that ..
h) ahead and waited
Adding vocabulary. On the left are 6 words from the story. Complete each sentence by adding the
correct word.
tongue
1. Skiff Miller sat down on a ..
team
2. The dog ..the mans hands.
paws
3. He licked the mans hands with his ..
log
4. Miller touched one of the dogs ..
licked
5. Madge thought the dog would ..in Alaska.
suffer
6. Brown was the best dog in Millers ..team of dogs.
Using verbs correctly. Fill in each blank using the past tense of the verb in brackets.
1. When he was in Alaska, Brown ..hard. (work)
2. He ..a sled through the snow. (pull)
3. Brown always ..to his owner. (listen)
4. When his owner said, turn, Brown .. (turn)
5. Brown ..all the time. (bark)
6. He ..Alaska very much. (like)
True or false sentences. Write T if the sentence is true and F if it is false.
1. Madge said that Wolf was always friendly to everyone.
2. . .. Skiff Miller was from California.
3. . .. Miller had heard the dog bark before.
4. . .. The dog listened to Miller.
5. . .. Brown was Skiff Millers best dog.
6. . .. The dog did not like the cold and the snow.
7. . .. The dog grew up in Alaska.
8. . .. Walt said that Miller could take the dog to Alaska.
Vocabulary review. Write a complete sentence for each word or expression.
1. log.
2. tongue.
3. paws.
4. shocked.
5. prove.
6. suffer.
7. plenty.

Course No 7 The USA McDonalds, KFC, Disneyland, Hollywood...

1 Who of the presidents fought the abolition of slavery in the USA?
A-Lincoln
B-Jefferson
C-Washington
2 What river is New York situated on?
A-The Mississippi
B-The Potomac
C-The Hudson
3 What is the worlds tallest stone structure situated in Washington?
A-Washington Monument
B-Lincoln Memorial
C-Palace of Justice
4 Which kind of sport is a typical American invention?
A-Tennis
B-Baseball
C-Golf
5 Which holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November?
A-Halloween
B-Independence day
C-Thanksgiving Day
6 Who of the musicians played the trumpet in jazz?
A-Wellington
B-Armstrong
C-Presley
7 Who of the American scientists invented the telephone?
A-Alexander Bell
B-Henry Ford
C-Martin King
8 Who of the American writers wrote books under the name of Mark Twain?

A-Jack London
B-Samuel Clemens
C-John Grisham
9 Which street in New York is called the home of theatres?
A-The 5th Avenue
B-Broadway
C-Fleet Street
10 What is the traditional meal on Thanksgiving Day?
A-Fish
B-Pudding
C-Turkey

SOME POPULAR AMERICAN HOLIDAYS

CHRISTMAS.
CHRISTMAS IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST ON DECEMBER, 25. MANY PEOPLE GO TO
CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND IN THE MORNING OF CHRISTMAS DAY. CHRISTMAS CAROLS ARE SUNG
EVERYWHERE.
FAMILIES DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE WITH CHRISTMAS
ORNAMENTS AND PUT GIFTS FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS
AND CLOSE FRIENDS UNDER IT. HOUSES ARE DECORATED
WITH HOLLY, MISTLETOE, TINSEL, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS,
STATUES OF ANGELS, ETC. GIFTS FROM SANTA CLAUS ARE
PUT INTO THE STOCKINGS HUNG NEAR THE MANTELPIECE.
FAMILIES USUALLY GATHER FOR A FAMILY REUNION AND
HAVE

CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS DINNER

PARTY

WITH

TRADITIONAL

ROAST TURKEY, HAM, POTATOES, VEGETABLES, MINCE PIE, FRUIT CAKE,

GINGERBREAD, NUTS, ETC. IT IS ALSO TRADITIONAL TO SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS TO RELATIVES AND
FRIENDS AND TO GIVE TO CHARITY. GREETING: MERRY
CHRISTMAS! RESPONSE: THE SAME TO YOU!
NEW YEARS DAY.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IS THE LAST EVENING OF THE OLD
YEAR. NEW YEAR'S DAY IS JANUARY,

1. PEOPLE OFTEN
GATHER AT THE PLACE WHERE THERE'S A TOWER WITH

A BIG CLOCK TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THE OLD YEAR AND WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR. MANY PEOPLE
MAKE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO QUIT DOING SOMETHING (E.G. SMOKING) OR START SOMETHING
NEW (E.G. SWIMMING). NEW YEAR'S DAY IS USUALLY CELEBRATED WITH FRIENDS AT HOME OR IN A
RESTAURANT.

GREETING:

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR!

RESPONSE: THE SAME TO YOU!

INDEPENDENCE DAY / THE FOURTH OF JULY.
INDEPENDENCE
PATRIOTIC

DAY

HOLIDAY

IS

THE

FOR

MOST

IMPORTANT

AMERICANS.

IT

IS

CELEBRATED IN MEMORY OF THE SIGNING OF THE

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN

1776

AND THE

BIRTH OF THE NEW NATION. THE HOLIDAY IS

CELEBRATED

THROUGHOUT

THE

COUNTRY

WITH

PARADES, FIREWORKS, PUBLIC CEREMONIES AND SPEECHES, POPULAR AMUSEMENTS, CONCERTS, SHOWS,
PARTIES AND PICNICS. THE AMERICAN FLAG IS DISPLAYED IN MANY PLACES AND ITS COLORS ARE USED
FOR DECORATION. GREETING: HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY! RESPONSE: THE SAME TO YOU!
HALLOWEEN.
HALLOWEEN IS ONE OF THE FAVORITE CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS. IT IS
CELEBRATED ON THE THIRTY-FIRST OF OCTOBER. HOLIDAY
ATTRIBUTES INCLUDE A JACK-O'-LANTERN
PUMPKIN WITH HOLES INSTEAD
MOUTH

AND

BURNING

(AN EMPTY
OF THE EYES, NOSE AND
CANDLE INSIDE) AND

FRIGHTENING GHOST COSTUMES AND MASKS. HOUSES ARE

DECORATED WITH PAPER WITCHES, GHOSTS, BLACK CATS,
ETC. CHILDREN WEARING COSTUMES GO TRICK-OR-TREATING
TO NEIGHBORS' HOUSES, WHERE A LOT OF SWEET THINGS IS PREPARED
FOR THEM. THEY KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND SHOUT "TRICK OR TREAT!" IF A TREAT IS NOT GIVEN TO
THEM, THEY PLAY A TRICK: SQUEEZE OUT TOOTHPASTE ON THE GLASS, WRITE WITH CRAYONS ON THE
DOOR, THROW PEBBLES ON THE PORCH, ETC.

TH
AN
KSG
IVI
NG.
THE
CEL

EBRATION OF THANKSGIVING DAY WAS STARTED BY THE PILGRIMS IN

1621 WHEN, WITH THE HELP OF

LOCAL INDIANS, THEY HAD THEIR FIRST GOOD CROP AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF HARDSHIP IN NORTH
AMERICA. FOR AMERICANS, THIS DAY IS THE DAY OF THANKS FOR THE BLESSINGS THEY HAVE RECEIVED.
THANKSGIVING IS A FAMILY HOLIDAY. GOING HOME TO CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING DAY WITH THE
FAMILY IS A WIDELY SPREAD TRADITION. IT IS ALSO A TRADITION TO GIVE TO CHARITY, AND MANY
PEOPLE PREPARE GIFTS AND FOOD FOR THE NEEDY FAMILIES. THE HOLIDAY IS CELEBRATED WITH A BIG
DINNER: ROAST TURKEY, CRANBERRY SAUCE, PUMPKIN PIE, INDIAN PUDDING, CORN, VEGETABLES,
FRUIT, NUTS, ETC. GREETING: HAVE A NICE THANKSGIVING! RESPONSE: THE SAME TO YOU!
VOCABULARY:
EVE - THE DAY OR PERIOD OF TIME IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AN EVENT OR OCCASION;
CHRISTMAS CAROL - A RELIGIOUS FOLK SONG;
HOLLY, MISTLETOE PLANTS USED FOR DECORATING PEOPLES HOMES FOR CHRISTMAS;
TINSEL - A FORM OF DECORATION CONSISTING OF THIN STRIPS OF SHINY METAL FOIL;

- A DOCUMENT DECLARING THE U.S. TO BE INDEPENDENT OF

THE BRITISH CROWN, SIGNED ON JULY 4, 1776, BY THE CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
THIRTEEN COLONIES, INCLUDING THOMAS JEFFERSON, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AND JOHN ADAMS;
JACK-O'-LANTERN - A LANTERN MADE FROM A HOLLOWED-OUT PUMPKIN IN WHICH HOLES ARE CUT
TO REPRESENT FACIAL FEATURES, TYPICALLY MADE AT HALLOWEEN;
TO GO TRICK-OR-TREATING - A CHILDREN'S CUSTOM OF CALLING AT HOUSES AT HALLOWEEN WITH
THE THREAT OF PRANKS IF THEY ARE NOT GIVEN A SMALL GIFT.
QUESTIONS:
1) WHAT IS CHRISTMAS AND WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED?
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

2) HOW DO PEOPLE DECORATE THEIR HOUSES FOR CHRISTMAS?

3) WHAT DO PEOPLE USUALLY DO WHEN THEY CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR?
4) WHAT DID THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE MEAN
PLACE?
5) WHAT DO AMERICANS USUALLY DO ON THE JULY, 4TH?
6) WHAT IS THE MAIN SYMBOL OF HALLOWEEN?
7) HOW DO CHILDREN GO TRICK-OR-TREATING?
8) WHEN WAS THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY CELEBRATED?
9) WHAT DOES THANKSGIVING REPRESENT FOR AMERICANS?

Course No. 8
Wolf
-

based on a story by Jack London

part 4 -

AND WHEN DID IT TAKE

Miller looked at Walt. What? Whats that? said Miller.

I said the dog isnt going with you, said Walt. I dont believe that he is your dog. Maybe you saw
him in Alaska. Maybe he pulled a sled for you once. But you cant prove that hes yours!
Skiff Millers mouth opened. But he said nothing. Then his face became red. He was very angry.
Walt said, The dog listened to you. Thats true. But any dog from Alaska would obey you. Wolf is
probably worth a lot of money. Thats why you want him. But you cant prove that hes yours.
Is that so? Miller said slowly. He stared down at Walt. Walt was much shorter than Miller. Well,
no one can stop me from taking the dog right now. Miller raised his fist and took a step toward
Walt.
Madge stepped between the two men.
Maybe Mr. Miller is right, she said to Walt. Wolf does seem to know him. And Wolf did answer
to the name of Brown. Wolf was friendly to Mr. Miller right away. And Wolf barked for the first
time! Why did he bark? I think I know. Wolf was happy because he found Mr. Miller.
Walt shook his head sadly. Then he said, I guess youre right, Madge. Wolf isnt really Wolf. His
real name is Brown. I guess that he is Mr. Millers dog.
Madge turned to Skiff Miller. Would you sell the dog to us? she asked. Wed like to buy him.
Miller shook his head. Im sorry, he said. His voice was kind. I have a team of five dogs. Brown
was the leader. He was the best dog I ever had.
Miller spoke softly. I like that dog a lot, he said. I care about him. When he was stolen, I felt
sick. I have been looking for him for three years. When I saw him here, I thought I was dreaming. I
was so happy. I cant sell this dog to you.
Madge suddenly said, You say you care about the dog, but you dont.
Skiff Miller looked surprised. He said, What do you mean?
You say you care about the dog, Madge said. Then let the dog choose where he wants to live.
Maybe he wants to stay here in California. Maybe he likes California better than Alaska.
Skiff Miller said nothing.
You say you care about the dog, said Madge. Then do whatever makes him happy.
Miller thought about this. Then he said. Brown was a good worker. He worked hard. He was
never lazy. Hes smart, too. He understands you when you talk to him. Look at him now. He knows
that were talking about him.
The dog was lying at Skiff Millers feet. The dogs ears were standing straight up. The dog looked at
Miller. Then he looked at Madge. He watched them when they spoke. He seemed to be listening.
Yes, he worked hard. And I do like him, said Miller.
Miller thought about this some more. Then he said to Madge, The dog has earned the right to
choose. Ill do whatever he wants.

Reading comprehension. Circle the correct answer.

1. Skiff Millers face got red because he was:
a) tired
b) sick
c) angry
2. Which sentence is correct?

a) Walt was stronger than Miller

b) Walt was shorter than Miller
c)
Walt was taller than Miller
3. Madge said that Wolf barked because he was:
a) happy
b) sad
c) angry
4. Madge asked Skiff Miller if he would:
a) give them the dog b) sell the dog to them c) let them have the dog for a week
5. Miller looked for the dog for:
a) three years
b) five years
c) ten years
6. Brown was:
a) very lazy
b) a good worker
c) not smart
Vocabulary
7. Walt said that any dog from Alaska would obey Miller. When you obey, you:
a) do what you are told
b) do not listen
c) run away quickly
8. When the dog was stolen, Miller felt sick. When something is stolen, it is:
a) lost
b) found
c) taken away
9. Miller raised his fist and walked toward Walt. What part of the body is the fist?
a) the head
b) the hand
c) the neck
Idioms
10. Wolf was friendly to Skiff Miller right away. The idiom right away means:
a) at once
b) much later
c) never
Understanding the story. Answer each question by writing a complete sentence.
1. Why did Skiff Millers face become red?

2. When Miller took a step toward Walt, what did Madge do?

3. Why did Wolf bark for the first time?

4. What was Wolfs real name?

5. How did Miller feel when Wolf was stolen?

6. How long did Miller look for Wolf?

7. What did the dog do while Miller and Madge were speaking?

Building sentences. Make sentences by adding the correct letter.

1. Walt thought that any dog from Alaska
a) whatever the dog wanted
2. Skiff Miller
b) best dog Miller ever had
3. Madge asked Miller if he would
c) very hard worker

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Brown was the

When he saw the dog, Miller
Brown was a
The dogs ears were
Miller said he would do

d) sell the dog to them

e) thought that he was dreaming
f) stared down at Walt
g) would listen to Miller
h) standing straight up

Adding vocabulary. On the left are 8 words from the story. Complete each sentence by adding the
correct word.
choose
1. When he couldnt find Brown, Miller felt ..
leader
2. Madge said, Let the dog ..where he wants to live.
understands
3. Brown was the ..of a team of dogs.
sick
4. The dog is so smart that he ..you when you talk to him.
lazy
5. Wolf was probably ..a lot of money.
worth
6. She said that Miller didnt ..about the dog.
earned
7. The dog worked hard he was never ..
care
8. Miller said, The dog has ..the right to choose.
Using verbs correctly. Fill in each blank using the past tense of the verb in brackets.
1. Walt said, Maybe he a sled for you once. (pull)
2. The dog to Skiff Miller. (listen)
3. Miller his fist and took a step toward Walt. (raise)
4. Madge between the two men. (step)
5. She to Miller and began to speak. (turn)
6. Would you sell the dog to us? she (ask)
7. Brown hard because he was not lazy. (work)
8. The dog at Skiff Miller and Madge. (look)
Picking a pronoun. Fill in the blanks by adding the correct pronoun.
1. Miller opened his mouth, but didnt say anything.
2. Madge was afraid the men would fight, so stepped between them.
3. Miller said, When saw the dog, I thought I was dreaming.
4. Walt told Miller, You say the dog is yours, but cant prove it.
5. Madge and Walt loved Wolf, so tried to buy the dog from Miller.
6. Madge said, If you will sell the dog to us, would like to buy him.
7. Madge told Miller, dont care about the dog.
8. Keep reading this story to see if has a happy ending.
Vocabulary review. Write a complete sentence for each word or expression.
1. obey ________________________________________________________________
2. stolen ________________________________________________________________
3. worth ________________________________________________________________
4. earned ________________________________________________________________
Course No 9 I am an Englishman in New York UK Lifestyle

Sting Englishman in New York

I don't drink (1)_________ I take (2)________ my dear

I like my (3)__________ done on one side
And you can hear it in my (4)___________ when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth (5)___________
A walking (6)__________ here at my side
I take it everywhere I (7)________
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If, "Manners maketh man" as someone (8)______
Then he's the (9)________ of the day
It takes a man to suffer (10)________ and smile
Be yourself no (11)________ what they say
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien ()
Modesty, propriety can (12)_______ to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this (13)_______
At night a candle's brighter than the (14)________
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a (15)_______ for a gun
Confront your (16)______, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will (17)_______ but never (18)________
If, "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the (19)_______ of the day
It takes a man to suffer (20)________ and smile
Be yourself no (21)_______ what they say
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien ()

BRITISH SUPERSTITIONS

GOOD LUCK
Lucky to meet a black cat. Black Cats are featured on many good

luck greetings cards and birthday cards in England.

Lucky to find a clover plant with four leaves.
Cut your hair when the moon is waxing and you will have good
luck.
Putting money in the pocket of new clothes brings good luck.

BAD LUCK
Unlucky to spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your
shoulder to counteract the bad luck.
Unlucky to open an umbrella in doors.
Unlucky to pass someone on the stairs.

FOOD SUPERSTITIONS
When finished eating a boiled egg, push the spoon through
the bottom of the empty shell to let the devil out.

TABLE SUPERSTITIONS
If you drop a table knife expect a male visitor, if you drop a fork
a female visitor.
Crossed cutlery on your plate and expect a quarrel.

WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS
The bride should never wear her complete wedding clothes
before the day.
For good luck the bride should wear something
borrowed, something blue, something old and something
new.

BRITISH SUPERSTITIONS
QUIZ

1. What is lucky to say on the first day of the month?

2. Which way must a horse-shoe be to bring good luck?

3. What object is lucky to catch in autumn?

4. What must you do if you spill salt?
5. Putting new shoes on the table brings good luck. True or False?
6. Why is Tuesday 13th considered to be unlucky?
7. What will happen if the ravens leave the Tower of London?
8. White rabbits are considered to be............

9. Why is it unlucky to have the feathers of a Peacock within home?

10. Do bats bring good luck?

Course No 10

Wolf
-

based on a story by Jack London

part 5 -

Yes, Skiff Miller said again. The dog has earned the right to choose. Ill do whatever he
wants.
Madge smiled. I think thats fair, she said.
Skiff Miller shook his head. Then he said, Dont move. Stay where you are. Ill say good-bye,
then Ill walk away. If the dog wants to stay here, he can stay. But if he wants to go with me, let

him go. I wont call him; I wont say a word. Dont call him either. Dont say a word to him. Lets
see what he does.
All right, said Madge. Walt nodded yes.
Im leaving now, Skiff Miller said loudly. Good-bye. He walked up to Madge and Walt. He
shook hands with them. Then he began to walk away.
The dog was lying on his side. He watched the three people. He saw them shake hands. He
heard Skiff Miller say good-bye. Wolf lifted his head. He stood up. He watched Miller walk
away. He waited for Miller to come back. But Miller kept walking.
Wolf ran down the road. He stopped in front of Miller. He tried to stand in Millers way.
Miller said nothing. He walked around the dog.
Wolf ran back to Walt. The dog grabbed Walts pant leg with his teeth. He tried to drag Walt
toward Skiff Miller. But Walt did not move.
Wolf let go of Walts leg. He ran down the road toward Miller. Then he ran back to Walt and
Madge. He ran up to Madge. She did not speak. She did not touch him.
The dog backed away. He turned around and looked at Miller. The man was still walking. He
was moving further away.
Wolf ran down the road. Suddenly he stopped. He raised his head. He barked. He barked
again. But Skiff Miller kept walking.
Wolf ran back to Walt and Madge. He barked at them. They did not move.
Wolf looked back at Miller. He watched the man. The man was at the curve at the end of the
road. Wolf kept watching. Then Miller was gone. Wolf could not see him.
Wolf lay down on his side. He did not move. He was waiting for Skiff Miller to come back.
Wolf lay on his side and waited. He waited and waited.
Hes staying, said Madge. Hes staying!
Suddenly Wolf got up. He did not look at the woman and the man. He was looking at the
road. Wolf had made up his mind. He had chosen.
Wolf began to run. He ran down the road. He ran faster and faster. He did not look back. He
ran straight ahead. A minute later, Wolf was gone.

The End

Reading comprehension. Circle the correct answer.

1. Skiff Miller said that he would: a) make the dog go with him b) give the dog to Walt and Madge
c) let the dog choose
2. Miller told Madge and Walt:
a) to call the dog
b) not to call the dog c) to
send a letter to him in Alaska

3.

When Wolf ran up to Madge, she:

a) spoke to him
b) touched him
c) did not speak to him or touch him
4. What was Wolf waiting for?
a) he was waiting for Miller to come back. b) he was waiting for
Madge to feed him c) he was waiting for Walt to bring him some water
5.
At the end of the story, wolf:
a) stayed with Madge and Walt
b) ran after Miller
c) began to cry
Vocabulary
6. The dog grabbed Walts pant leg. When you grab something, you: a) fix it
b) let it go
c) hold on to it tightly
7. Wolf tried to drag Walt toward Miller. The word drag means: a) pull b) throw c) hurt
Idioms
8. When Miller told them what to do, M said all right When you say all right, you mean:
a) yes
b) no
c) maybe
9. Miller shook Hands with Walt and Madge and walked way. People shake hands when they:
a) talk on the phone
b) say hello or good-bye
c) watch TV
10. At the end of the story, Wolf made up his mind. When you make up your mind, you:
a) dont know what to do
b) choose or decide
c) feel sad
Understanding the story. Answer each question by writing a complete sentence.
1. What did Skiff Miller do after he shook hands with Walt and Madge?
.
2. What did the dog hear Skiff Miller say?
.
3. When Wolf stood in front of Miller, what did Miller do?
.
4. What happened when the dog tried to drag Walt toward Miller?
.
5. What happened when the dog ran up to Miller?
.
6. Who was Wolf waiting for?
.
7. What did wolf do at the end of the story?
.
Building sentences. Make sentences by adding the correct letter.
1. The dog was
a) shake hands
2. Wolf saw the three people
b) the woman and the man
3. Miller walked
c) the end of the road
4. The man was at
d) faster and faster down the road
5. Wolf could not
e) lying on his side
6. Madge thought that Wolf
f) was staying
7. The dog did not look at
g) around the dog
8. He ran
h) see the man

Adding vocabulary. On the left are 8 words from the story. Complete each sentence by adding the
correct word.
straight
1. A .later, Wolf was gone.
teeth
2. Wolf ..stopped running & raised his head.
minute
3. Walt ..yes.
suddenly
4. The dog grabbed the pant leg with his ..
nodded
5. The dog ran .ahead.
Using verbs correctly. Fill in each blank using the past tense of the verb in brackets.
1. The dog down the road. (run)
2. Wolf ....the man say good-bye. (hear)
3. He ..Skiff Miller leave. (see)
4. Suddenly the dog..up. (get)
5. I think thats fair, Madge.. (say)
6. Wolf lifted his head and up. (stand)
Putting words in the correct order. Make sentences with the following words.
1. Lifted / head / his / Wolf
..
2. Ran / the / road / Wolf / down
..
3. Not / Walt / move / did
..
4. Hands / shook / Miller / them / with
..
5. Him / Miller / to / not / speak / did

Vocabulary review. Write a complete sentence of your own for each word or expression.
1. grabbed ________________________________________________________
2. drag ___________________________________________________________
3. nodded _________________________________________________________
4. all right _________________________________________________________
5. shake hands _____________________________________________________
6. make up his/her mind ______________________________________________