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GIU Essential (A and the 065-073)

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GIU Essential (A and the 065-073)

Unit 065. a/an …

A

a … = one thing or person:

  • He’s got a camera.
  • She’s waiting for a taxi.
  • It’s a beautiful day.
  • Rachel works in a bank.
  • Can I ask a question?
  • I haven’t got a computer.
  • There’s a woman at the bus stop.

B

an before a/e/i/o/u:

  • Do you want an apple or a banana?
  • I’m going to buy a hat and an umbrella.
  • There was an interesting programme on TV last night.

also

  • an hour (h is not pronounced)

but

  • a university (pronounced yuniversity)
  • a European country (pronounced yuropean)

another (=an + other) is one word:

  • Can I have another cup of coffee?

C

We use a/an … when we say what a thing or a person is. For example:

  • The sun is a star.
  • Football is a game.
  • Dallas is a city in Texas.
  • A mouse is an animal. It’s a small animal.
  • Joe is a very nice person.

We use a/an … for jobs etc.:

  • What’s your job?
    • I’m a dentist.
  • What does Mark do?
    • He’s an engineer.
  • Would you like to be a teacher?
  • Beethoven was a composer.
  • Picasso was s famous painter.
  • Are you a student?

Exercise

  • an old book
  • a window
  • a horse
  • an airport
  • a new airport
  • an organisation
  • a university
  • an hour

  • an economic problem

  • A duck is a bird.
  • A carrot is a vegetable.
  • Tennis is a game.
  • A hammer is a tool.
  • Everest is a mountain.
  • Saturn is a planet.
  • A banana is a fruit.
  • The Amazon is a river.
  • A rose is a flower.

  • A trumpet is a musical instrument.

  • She’s a dentist.
  • He’s a shop assistant.
  • He’s an architect.
  • He’s a taxi driver.
  • He’s an electrician.
  • He’s a photographer.
  • She’s a nurse.

  • I’m a graduate student.

  • I want to ask you a question.
  • Tom never wears a hat.
  • I can’t ride a bicycle.
  • My brother is an artist.
  • Rebecca works in a bookshop.
  • Jane wants to learn a foreign language.
  • Mike lives in an old house.
  • This evening I’m going to a party.

Unit 066. train(s) bus(es) (singular and plural)

A

The plural of a noun is usually -s:

  • a flower -> some flowers
  • a train -> two trains
  • one week -> a few weeks
  • a nice place -> some nice places

  • this student -> these students

  • -s / -sh / ch / -x / -o -> es
    • buses / dishes / churches / boxex / potatoes / tomatoes
  • -y -> ies
    • babies / parties / dictionaries
  • -ay / -ey / -oy -> -ys
    • days / monkeys / boys
  • -f / -fe -> -ves
    • shelves / knives / wives

B

These things are plural in English:

  • scissors / glasses / trousers / jeans / shorts / tights / pyjamas
    • Do you wear glasses?
    • Where are the scissors? I need them.

You can also say a pair of scissors / a pair of trousers / a pair of pyjamas etc.:

  • I need a new pair of jeans. or I need some new jeans. (not a new jeans)

C

Some plurals do not end in -s:

  • this man -> these men
  • a woman -> some women
  • a child -> many children
  • one foot -> two feet
  • a tooth -> all my teeth
  • a mouse -> some mice
  • that sheep -> those sheep
  • a fish -> a lot of fish

also a person -> two people / some people / a lot of people etc.:

  • She’s a nice person. but They are nice people. (not nice persons)

D

People is plural (= they), so we say people are / people have etc.:

  • A lot of people speak English.
  • I like the people here. They are very friendly.

Police is plural:

  • The police want to talk to anybody who saw the accident. (not The police wants)

Exercise

  • flowers, boats, women, cities, umbrellas, addresses, knives, sandwiches, families, feet, holidays, potatoes.

  • There are a lot of sheep in the field.
  • Gary is cleaning his teeth.
  • There are three people at the bus stop.
  • Lucy has got two children.
  • There are a lot of fish in the river.

  • The leaves are falling from the tree.

  • I’m going to buy some flowers.
  • I need a new pair of jeans. (I need some new jeans.)
  • It’s a lovely park with a lot of beautiful trees.
  • There was a woman in the car with two men.
  • Sheep eat grass.
  • David is married and has three children.
  • Most of my friends are student.
  • He put on his pyjamas and went to bed.
  • We went fishing, but we didn’t catch many fish.
  • Do you know many people in this town?
  • I like your trousers. Where did you get them?
  • The town centre is usually full of tourists.
  • I don’t like mice. I’m afraid of them.

  • These scissors aren’t very sharp.

  • It’s nice place. Many people go there on holiday.
  • Some people are always late.
  • The new city hall is not a very beautiful building. Most people don’t like it.
  • A lot of people watch television every day.
  • Three people were injured in the accident.
  • How many poeple live in that house?
  • Do the police know the cause of the explosion?
  • The police are looking for the stolen car.
  • I need my glasses, but I can’t find them.
  • I’m going to buy some new jeans today.

Unit 067. a bottle / some water (countable / uncountable)

A

A noun can be countable or uncountable.

Countable nouns

  • car, man, bottle, house, key, idea, accident
  • one bottle, two bottles, three men, four houses

Countable nouns can be singular or plural:

  • I’ve got a car.
  • New cars are very expensive.
  • There aren’t many cars in the car park.

You can’t use the singular alone. You need a/an:

  • We can’t get into the house without a key.

B

Uncountable nouns

  • water, air, rice, salt, plastic, money, music, tennis

Uncountable nouns have only one form:

  • money, the money, some money, my money, much money etc.
  • I’ve got some money.
  • There isn’t much money in the box.
  • Money isn’t everything.

You can’t use a/an + uncountable nouns

But you can say a piece of … / a bottle of … etc.

  • a bottle of water
  • a piece of cheese
  • a bowl of rice
  • a carton of milk
  • a bottle of perfume
  • a cup of coffee
  • a bar of chocolate
  • a piece of music
  • a game of tennis

Exercise

  • It’s salt.
  • It’s a spoon.
  • It’s a jug.
  • It’s water.
  • It’s toothpaste.
  • It’s a toothbrush.
  • It’s an egg.
  • It’s money.
  • It’s a wallet.
  • It’s sand.
  • It’s a bucket.

  • It’s an evelop.

  • I haven’t got a watch.
  • Do you like cheese?
  • I never wear a hat.
  • Are you looking for a job?
  • Kate doesn’t eat meat.
  • Kate eats an apple every day.
  • I’m going to a party tonight.
  • Music is a wonderful thing.
  • Jamaica is an island.
  • I don’t need a key.
  • Everybody nees food.
  • I’ve got a good idea.
  • Can you drive a car?
  • Do you want a cup of coffee?
  • I don’t like coffee without milk.

  • Don’t go out without an umbrella.

  • a carton of milk.
  • a piece of wood.
  • a glass of water.
  • a bar of chocolate.
  • a cup of coffee.
  • a piece of paper.
  • a bowl of soup.
  • a loaf of bread.
  • a jar of honey.

Unit 068. a cake / some cake / some cakes

A

a/an + singular countable nouns (car/apple/shoe etc.):

  • I need a new car.
  • Would you like an apple?

some + plural countable nouns (cars/apples/shoes etc.):

  • I need some new shoes.
  • Would you like some apples?

some + uncountable nouns (water/money/music etc.):

  • I need some water.
  • Would you like some cheese?
    • (or Would you like a piece of cheese?)

Compare a and some:

  • Nicole bought a hat, some shoes, and some perfume.
  • I read a newspaper, made some phone calls, and listened to some music.

B

Many nouns are sometimes countable and sometimes uncountable:

  • a cake, some cakes / some cake or a piece of cake
  • a chicken, some chickens / some chicken or a piece of chicken

Compare a paper and some paper:

  • I want something to read. I’m going to buy a paper.
  • but I want to make a shopping list. I need some paper / a piece of paper. (not a paper)

C

Be careful with:

  • advice, bread, furniture, hair, information, news, weather, work

These nouns are usually uncountable. So you can’t say a/an …, and they can’t be plural.

  • Can I talk to you? I need some advice.
  • I’m going to some bread.
  • They’ve got some very nice furniture in their house.
  • Silvia has got very long hair.
  • I’d like some information about hotels in London.
  • Listen! I’ve just had some good news.
  • It’s nice weather today.
  • Do you like your job?
    • Yes, but it’s hard work.

We say a job (but not a work):

  • I’ve got a new job.

Exercise

  • I bought a hat, some shoes, some perfume.
  • I bought some flowers, a newspaper, a pen.
  • I bought some bread, some postcards, some stamps.

  • I bought some toothpaste, some soap, a comb.

  • Would you like some cheese?
  • Would you like some coffee?
  • Would you like a biscuit?
  • Would you like some bread?
  • Would you like a chocolate?

  • Would you like some cake? (a piece of cake)

  • I read a book and listened to some music.
  • I need some money. I want to buy some food.
  • We met some interesting people at the party.
  • I’m going to open a window to get some fresh air.
  • Rachel didn’t eat much for lunch - only an apple and some bread.
  • We live in a big house. There’s a nice garden with some beautiful trees.
  • I’m going to make a table. First I need some wood.
  • Listen to me carefully. I’m going to give you some advice.

  • I want to write a letter. I need some paper and a pen.

  • I’m going to buy some new shoes.
  • Martin has got brown eyes.
  • Paula has got short black hair.
  • The tour guide gave us some information about the city.
  • We’re going to buy some new chairs.
  • We’re going to buy some new furniture.
  • It’s hard to find a job at the moment.
  • We had wonderful weather when we were on holiday.

Unit 069. a/an and the

A

a/an

  • Can you open a window?
    • There are three windows here.
    • a window = window 1 or 2 or 3
  • I’ve got a car.
    • There are many cars and I’ve got one.
  • Can I ask a question?
    • There are many questions - can I ask one?
  • Is there a hotel near here?
    • There are many hotels - is there one near hear?
  • Paris is an interesting city.
    • There are many interesting cities and Paris is one.
  • Lisa is a student.
    • There are many students and Lisa is one.

the

  • Can you open the winodw?
    • There is only one window here - the window.
  • I’m going to clean the car tomorrow.
    • my car
  • Can you repeat the question, please?
    • The question that you asked
  • We enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice.
    • our hotel
  • Paris is the capital of France.
    • There is only one capital of France.
  • Lisa is the youngest student in her class.
    • There is only one youngest student in her class.

Campare a and the:

  • I bought a jacket and a shirt. The jacket was cheap, but the shirt was expensive.
    • The jacket and the shirt that I bought

B

We say the … when it is clear which thing or person we mean.

  • the door / the ceiling / the floor / the carpet / the light etc. (of a room)
  • the roof / the garden / the kitchen / the bathroom etc. (of a house)

  • the centre / the station / the airport / the town hall etc. (of a town)

  • Where’s Tom?
    • In the kitchen.
  • Turn off the light and closed the door.
  • Do you live far from the centre?
  • I’d like to speak to the manager, please.

Exercise

  • We enjoyed our trip. The hotel was very nice.
  • Can I ask a question?
    • Sure. What do you want to know?
  • You look very tired. You need a holiday.
  • Where’s Tom?
    • He’s in the garden.
  • Eve is an interesting person. You should meet her.
  • Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the city centre?
    • Yes, go straight on and then take the next turning left.
  • Shall we go out for a meal this evening?
    • Yes, that’s a good idea.
  • It’s a nice morning. Let’s go for a walk.
  • Amanda is a student. When she finishes her studies, she wants to be a journalist. She lives with two friends in an apartment near the college where she is studying. The apartment is small, but she likes it.

  • Peter and Mary have got two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is seven years old, and the girl is three. Peter works in a factory. Mary hasn’t got a job at the moment.

  • Can you open the door, please?
  • How far is it to the airport?
  • Can I have a cup of coffee, please?
  • That’s a nice picture - I like it.
  • Can you pass me the dictionary, please?

  • Why are you sitting on the floor?

  • Don’t forget to turn off the light when you go out.
  • Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to send me a postcard.
  • What is the name of this village?
  • Canada is a very big country.
  • What is the largest city in Canada?
  • I like this room, but I don’t like the colour of the carpet.
  • Are you OK?
    • No, I’ve got a headache.
  • We live in an old house near the station.
  • What is the name of the director of the film we saw last night?

Unit 070. the …

A

We use the when it is clear which thing or person we mean:

  • What is the name of this street? (there is only one name)
  • Who is the best player in your team? (there is only one best player)
  • Can you tell me the time, please? (= the time now)
  • My coffee is on the first floor. (= the first floor of the building)

Don’t forget the:

  • Do you live near the city centre?
  • Excuse me, where is the nearest bank?

B

the same …

  • We live in the same street. (not in same street)
  • Are these two books different?
    • No, they’re the same.

C

the sun / the moon / the world / the sky / the sea / the country

  • The sky is blue and the sun is shining.
  • Do you live in a town or in the country?

the police / the fire brigade / the army (of a city, country etc.)

  • My brother is a soldier. He’s in the army.
  • What do you think of the police? Do they do a good job?

the top / the end / the middle / the left etc.

  • Write your name at the top of the page.
  • My house is at the end of the street.
  • The table is in the middle of the room.
  • Do you drive on the right or on the left in your country?

(play) the piano / the guitar / the trumpet etc. (musical instruments)

  • Puala is learning to play the piano.

the radio

  • I listen to the radio a lot.

the Internet

  • Do you use the Internet much?

D

We do not use the with:

television / TV

  • I watch TV a lot.
  • What’s on television tonight?

but Can you turn off the television? (the TV set)

breakfast / lunch / dinner

  • What did you have for breakfast?
  • Dinner is ready!

next / last + week/month/year/summer/Monday etc.

  • I’m not working next week. (not the next week)
  • Did you have a holiday last summer? (not the last summer)

Exercise

  • What is the name of this street?
  • What’s on television tonight?
  • Our apartment is on the second floor.
  • Would you like to go to the moon?
  • Which is the best hotel in this town?
  • What time is lunch?
  • How far is it to the city centre?
  • We’re going away at the end of May.
  • What are you doing next weekend?
  • I didn’t like her the first time I met her.
  • I’m going out after dinner.
  • The Internet is a good way of getting information.
  • My sister got married last month.
  • My dictionary is on the top shelf on the right.

  • We live in the country about ten miles from the nearest town.

  • I live in North Street and you live in North Street. We live in the same street.
  • I arrived at 8.30 and you arrived at 8.30. We arrived at the same time.
  • Jim is 25 and Sue is 25. Jim and Sue are the same age.
  • My shirt is dark blue and so is my jacket. My shirt and jacket are the same colour.

  • I’ve got no money and you’ve got no money. We’ve got the same problem.

  • The sun is shining.
  • She’s playing the guitar.
  • They’re having breakfast.
  • He’s watching TV.
  • They’re swimming in the sea.

  • Tim’s name is at the bottom of the list.

  • We had dinner at a restaurant last night.
  • We stayed at a very nice hotel, but I don’t remember the name.
  • The sky is very clear tonight. You can see all the stars.
  • Sometimes there are some good films on television late at night.
  • Somebody was trying to break into the shop, so I called the police.
  • Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
  • What did you have for lunch?
    • A salad.
  • I woke up in the middle of the night.

Unit 071. go to work / go home / go to the cinema

A

We say:

(go) to work, (be) at work, start work, finish work

  • Bye! I’m going to work now.
  • I finish work at 5 o’clock every day.

(go) to school, (be) at school, start school, leave school etc.

  • What did you learn at school today?
  • Some childen don’t like school.

(go) to university/college, (be) at university/college

  • Helen wants to go to university when she leaves school.
  • What did you study at college?

(go) to hospital, (be) in hospital

  • Jack had an accident. He had to go to hospital.

(go) to prison, (be) in prison

  • Why is he in prison? What did he do?

(go) to church, (be) in/at church

  • David usually goes to church on Sundays.

(go) to bed, (be) in bed

  • I’m tired. I’m going to bed.
  • Where’s Jane?
    • She’s in bed.

(go) home, (be) at home etc.

  • I’m tired. I’m going home.
  • Are you going out tonight, or are you staying at home?

B

We say:

(go to) the cinema / the theatre / the bank / the post office / the station / the airport / the city centre

  • I never go to the theatre, but I go to the cinema a lot.
  • Are you going to the bank?
    • No, to the post office.
  • The number 5 bus goes to the airport; the number 8 goes to the city centre.

(go to) the doctor, the dentist

  • You’re not well. Why don’t you go to the doctor?
  • I have to go to the dentist tomorrow.

Exercise

  • He’s in bed.
  • They’re at the cinema.
  • She’s in hospital.
  • She’s at the airport.
  • They’re at home.

  • He’s in prison.

  • I need to change some money. I have to go to the bank.
  • David usually goes to church on Sundays.
  • In Britain, children go to school from the age of five.
  • There were a lot of people at the station waiting for the train.
  • I phoned you last night, but you weren’t at home.
  • I’m going to bed now, Goodnight!

  • I’m going to the post office to get some stamps.

  • If you want to catch a plane, you go to the airport.
  • If you want to see a film, you go to the cinema.
  • If you are tired and you want to sleep, you go to bed.
  • If you rob a bank and the police catch you, you go to prison.
  • If you have a problem with your teeth, you go to the dentist.
  • If you want to study after you leave school, you go to college.

  • If you are badly injured in an accident, you go to hospital.

  • We went to the cinema last night.
  • I finish work at 5 o’clock every day.
  • Lisa wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so she went to the doctor.
  • I wasn’t feeling well this morning, so I stayed in bed.
  • Why is Angela always late for work?
  • Where are your children?
    • They’re at school.
  • We have no money in the bank.
  • When I was younger, I went to church every Sunday.
  • What time do you usually get home from work?
  • Do you live far from the city centre?
  • Where shall we meet?
    • At the station.
  • Jim is ill. He’s in hospital.
  • Kate takes her children to school every day.
  • Would you like to go to university?
  • Would you like to go to the theatre this evening?

Unit 072. I like music / I hate exams

A

Do not use the for general ideas:

  • I like music, especially classical music.
  • We don’t eat meat very often.
  • Life is not possible without water.
  • I hate exams.
  • Do you know a shop that sells foreign newspapers?
  • I’m not very good at writing letters.

Do not use the for games and sports:

  • My favourtie sports are football and skiing.

Do not use the for languages or school subjects:

  • Do you think English is difficult?
  • Tom’s brother is studying physics and chemistry.

B

  • Flowers are beautiful. (= flowers in general)

  • I love this garden. The flowers are beautiful. (= the flowers in this garden)

  • I don’t like cold weather. (= cold weather in general)

  • The weather isn’t very good today. (= the weather today)

  • We don’t eat fish very often. (= fish in general)

  • We had a great meal last night. The fish was excellent. (= the fish we ate last night)

  • Are you interested in history? (= history in general)
  • Do you know much about the history of your country?

Exercise

  • My favourite sport is football.
  • I like this hotel. The rooms are very nice.
  • Everybody needs friends.
  • Jane doesn’t go to parties very often.
  • I went shopping this morning. The shops were very busy.
  • Where’s the milk?
    • It’s in the fridge.
  • I don’t like milk. I never drink it.
  • Do you do any sports?
    • Yes, I play the basketball.
  • What does your brother do?
    • He sells computers.
  • We went for a swim in the river. The water was very cold.
  • I don’t like swimming in cold water.
  • Excuse me, can you pass the salt, please?
  • I like this town. I like the people here.
  • Vegetables are good for you.
  • The houses in the street are all the same.
  • I can’t sing this song. I don’t know the words.
  • I enjoy taking photographs. It’s my hobby.
  • Do you want to see the photographs that I took when I was on holiday?
  • English is used a lot in international business.
  • Money doesn’t always bring happiness.

Unit 073. the … (names of places)

A

Places (continents, countries, states, islands, towns etc.)

In general we do not use the with names of places:

  • France is a very large country.
  • Cairo is the capital of Egypt.
  • Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean.
  • Peru is in South America.

But we use the in names with ‘republic’/’states’/’kingdom’:

  • the Czech Republic
  • the United States of America (the USA)
  • the United Kingdom (the UK)

B

the -s (plural names)

We use the with plural names of countries/islands/mountains:

  • the Netherlands, the Canary Islands, the Philippines, the Alps

C

Seas, rivers etc.

We use the with names of oceans/seas/rivers/canals:

  • the Atlantic (Ocean), the Mediterranean (Sea), the Amazon, the (River) Nile, the Suez Canal, the Black Sea

D

Places in towns (streets, buildings etc.)

In general we do not use the with names of steerts, squares etc.:

  • Kevin lives in Newton Street.
  • Where is Highfield Road, please?
  • Times square is in New York.

We do not use the with names of airports, stations and many other important buildings:

  • Kennedy Airport, Westminster Abbey, London Zoo, Victoria Station, Cambridge University, Edinburgh Castle.

But we use the with names of most hotels, museums, theatres, and cinemas:

  • the Regent hotel, the Science museum, the National Theatre, the Odeon (cinema)

E

the … of …

We use the + names with … of …:

  • the Museum of Modern Art
  • the University of California
  • the Great Wall of China
  • the Tower of London

We say the north / the south / the east / the west (of …):

  • I’ve been to the north of Italy, but not to the south.

Exercise

  • Cairo is the capital of Egypt.
  • The Atlantic is between Africa and America.
  • Sweden is a country in northern Europe.
  • The Amazon is a river in South America.
  • Asia is the largest continent in the world.
  • The Pacific is the largest ocean.
  • The Rhine is a river in Europe.
  • Kenya is a country in East Africa.
  • The United States is between Canada and Mexico.
  • The Andes are mountains in South America.
  • Bangkok is the capital of Thailand.
  • The Alps are mountains in central Europe.
  • The Red Sea is between Saudi Arabia and Africa.
  • Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean.

  • The Bahamas are a group of islands near Florida.

  • Kevin lives in Newton Street.
  • We went to see a play at the National Theatre.
  • Have you ever been to China?
  • Have you ever been to the Philippines?
  • Have you ever been to the south of France?
  • Can you tell me where the Regal Cinema is?
  • Can you tell me where Merrion Street is?
  • Can you tell me where the Museum of Art is?
  • Europe is bigger than Australia.
  • Belgium is smaller than the Netherlands.
  • Which river is longer - the Mississippi or the Nile?
  • Did you go to the National Gallery when you were in London?
  • We stayed at the Park Hotel in Hudson Road.
  • How far is it from Trafalgar Square to Victoria Station?
  • The Rocky Mountains are in North America.
  • Texas is famous for oil and cowboy.
  • I hope to go to the United States next year.
  • Mary comes from the west of Ireland.
  • Alan is a student at Manchester University.
  • The Panama Canal joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
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