Brain Puzzles

This is how our left and right brain work!

VERB TENSES

A verb indicates the time of an action, event or condition by changing its form. Through the use of a sequence of tenses in a sentences or in a paragraph, it is possible to indicate the complex temporal relationship of actions, events, and conditions

There are many ways of categorizing the twelve possible verb tenses. The verb tenses may be categorized according to the time frame: past tenses, present tenses, and future tenses.

Verb Tense: Time

The four past tenses are

1. the simple past ("I went")
2. the past progressive ("I was going")
3. the past perfect ("I had gone")
4. the past perfect progressive ("I had been going")

The four present tenses are

1. the simple present ("I go")
2. the present progressive ("I am going")
3. the present perfect ("I have gone")
4. the present perfect progressive ("I have been going")

Note that the present perfect and present perfect progressive are a present not past tenses -- that idea is that the speaker is currently in the state of having gone or having been going.

The four future tenses are

1. the simple future ("I will go")
2. the future progressive ("I will be going")
3. the future perfect ("I will have gone")
4. the future perfect progressive ("I will have been going" 

 Verb Tense: Aspect

  

Verb tense may also be categorized according to aspect. Aspect refers to the nature of the action described by the verb. There are three aspects: indefinite (or simple), complete (or perfect), continuing (or progressive).

The three indefinite tenses, or simple tenses, describe an action but do not state whether the action is finished:

• the simple past ("I went")
• the simple present ("I go")
• the simple future ("I will go")

A verb in the indefinite aspect is used when the beginning or ending of an action, an event, or condition is unknown or unimportant to the meaning of the sentence. The indefinite aspect is also used to used to indicate an habitual or repeated action, event, or condition.

The three complete tenses, or perfect tenses, describe a finished action:

• the past perfect ("I had gone")
• the present perfect ("I have gone")
• the future perfect ("I will have gone")

A verb in the complete aspect indicates that the end of the action, event, or condition is known and the is used to emphasize the fact that the action is complete. The action may, however, be completed in the present, in the past or in the future.

The three incomplete tenses, or progressive tenses, describe an unfinished action:

• the past progressive ("I was going")
• the present progressive ("I am going")
• the future progressive ("I will be going")

A verb in the continuing aspect indicates that the action, event, or condition is ongoing in the present, the past or the future.

It is also possible to combine the complete tenses and the incomplete tenses, to describe an action which was in progress and then finished:

• the past perfect progressive ("I had been going")
• the present perfect progressive ("I have been going")
• the future perfect progressive ("I will have been going")

 The Function of Verb Tenses

 The Simple Present Tense

The simple present is used to describe an action, an event, or condition that is occurring in the present, at the moment of speaking or writing. The simple present is used when the precise beginning or ending of a present action, event, or condition is unknown or is unimportant to the meaning of the sentence.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the simple present tense and each sentence describes an action taking place in the present:

Deborah waits patiently while Bridget books the tickets.

The shelf holds three books and a vase of flowers.

The crowd moves across the field in an attempt to see the rock star get into her helicopter.

The Stephens sisters are both very talented; Virginia writes and Vanessa paints.

Ross annoys Walter by turning pages too quickly.

The simple present is used to express general truths such as scientific fact, as in the following sentences:

Rectangles have four sides.

Canada Day takes place on July 1, the anniversary of the signing of the British North America Act.

The moon circles the earth once every 28 days.

Calcium is important to the formation of strong bones.

Menarche and menopause mark the beginning and the ending of a woman's reproductive history.

The simple present is used to indicate a habitual action, event, or condition, as in the following sentences:

Leonard goes to The Jumping Horse Tavern every Thursday evening.

My grandmother sends me new mittens each spring.

In fairy tales, things happen in threes.

We never finish jigsaw puzzles because the cat always eats some of the pieces.

Jesse polishes the menorah on Wednesdays.

The simple present is also used when writing about works of art, as in the following sentences.

Lolly Willowes is the protagonist of the novel Townsend published in 1926.

One of Artemisia Gentleschi's best known paintings represents Judith's beheading of Holofernes.

The Lady of Shallot weaves a tapestry while watching the passers-by in her mirror.

Lear rages against the silence of Cordelia and only belatedly realizes that she, not her more vocal sisters, loves him.

The play ends with an epilogue spoken by the fool.

The simple present can also be used to refer to a future event when used in conjunction with an adverb or adverbial phrase, as in the following sentences.

The doors open in 10 minutes.

The premier arrives on Tuesday.

Classes end next week.

The publisher distributes the galley proofs next Wednesday.

The lunar eclipses begins in exactly 43 minutes.   

The Present Progressive Tense

While the simple present and the present progressive are sometimes used interchangeably, the present progressive emphasizes the continuing nature of an act, event, or condition.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the present progressive tense. In each sentence the on-going nature of the action is emphasized by the use of the present progressive rather than the simple present.

Nora is looking for the first paperback editions of all of Raymond Chandler's books.

Deirdre is dusting all the shelves on the second floor of the shop.

The union members are pacing up and down in front of the factory.

KPLA is broadcasting the hits of the 70s this evening.

The presses are printing the first edition of tomorrow's paper.

The present progressive is occasionally used to refer to a future event when used in conjunction with an adverb or adverbial phrase, as in the following sentences.

The doors are opening in 10 minutes.

The premier is arriving on Tuesday.

Classes are ending next week.

The publisher is distributing the galley proofs next Wednesday.

The Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is used to describe action that began in the past and continues into the present or has just been completed at the moment of utterance. The present perfect is often used to suggest that a past action still has an effect upon something happening in the present.

Each of the highlighted compound verbs  the following sentences is in the present perfect tense.

They have not delivered the documents we need.

This sentence suggest that the documents were not delivered in the past and that they are still undelivered.

The health department has decided that all high school students should be immunized against meningitis.

The writer of this sentence uses the present perfect in order to suggest that the decision made in the past is still of importance in the present.

The government has cut university budgets; consequently, the dean has increased the size of most classes.

Here both actions took place sometime in the past and continue to influence the present.

The heat wave has lasted three weeks.

In this sentence, the writer uses the present perfect to indicate that a condition (the heat wave) began in past and continues to affect the present.

Donna has dreamt about frogs sitting in trees every night this week.

Here the action of dreaming has begun in the past and continues into the present. 

   The Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Like the present perfect, the present perfect progressive tense is used to describe an action, event, or condition that has begun in the past and continues into the present. The present perfect progressive, however, is used to stress the on-going nature of that action, condition, or event.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the present perfect progressive tense and each sentence suggests that the action began in the past and is continuing into the present.

That dog has been barking for three hours; I wonder if someone will call the owner.

I have been relying on my Christmas bonus to pay for the gifts I buy for my large family.

They have been publishing this comic book for ten years.

We have been seeing geese flying south all afternoon.

Even though the coroner has been carefully examining the corpse discovered in Sutherland's Gully since early this morning, we still do not know the cause of death.

The Simple Past Tense

The simple past is used to describe an action, an event, or condition that occurred in the past, sometime before the moment of speaking or writing.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the simple past tense and each sentence describes an action taking place at some point in past.

A flea jumped from the dog to the cat.

Phoebe gripped the hammer tightly and nailed the boards together.

The gem-stones sparkled in a velvet lined display case.

Artemisia Gentilsechi probably died in 1652.

The storyteller began every story by saying "A long time ago when the earth was green."

The Past Progressive Tense

The past progressive tense is used to described actions ongoing in the past. These actions often take place within a specific time frame. While actions referred to in the present progressive have some connection to the present, actions referred in the past progressive have no immediate or obvious connection to the present. The on-going actions took place and were completed at some point well before the time of speaking or writing.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the past progressive tense.

The cat was walking along the tree branch.

This sentence describes an action that took place over a period of continuous time in the past. The cat's actions have no immediate relationship to anything occurring now in the present.

Lena was telling a story about the exploits of a red cow when a tree branch broke the parlor window.

Here the action "was telling" took place in the past and continued for some time in the past.

When the recess bell rang, Jesse was writing a long division problem on the blackboard.

This sentence describes actions ("ran" and "was writing") that took place sometime in the past, and emphasizes the continuing nature of one of the actions ("was writing").

The archivists were eagerly waiting for the delivery of the former prime minister's private papers.

Here the ongoing action of "waiting" occurred at some time unconnected to the present.

Between 1942 and 1944 the Frank and Van Damm families were hiding in a Amsterdam office building.

In this sentence, the action of hiding took place over an extended period of time and the continuing nature of the hiding is emphasized.

The Past Perfect Tense

 

The past perfect tense is used to refer to actions that took place and were completed in the past. The past perfect is often used to emphasize that one action, event or condition ended before another past action, event, or condition began.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the past perfect.

Miriam arrived at 5:00 p.m. but Mr. Whitaker had closed the store.

All the events in this sentence took place in the past, but the act of closing the store takes place before Miriam arrives at the store.

After we located the restaurant that Christian had raved about, we ate supper there every Friday.

Here the praise ("had raved") precedes the finding ("located") of the restaurant. Both actions took place sometime before the moment of speaking or writing.

The elephant had eaten all the hay so we fed it oats for a week.

In this sentence, both actions take place in the past, but the eating of the hay ("had eaten") preceded the eating of the oats ("fed").

The heat wave had lasted three weeks.

While the sentence "The heat wave has lasted three weeks" suggests that a condition began in the past and continues into the present, this sentence describes an action that began and ended sometime in the past ("had lasted"). By using the past perfect the writer indicates that the heat wave has no connection to any events occurring in the present.

After she had learned to drive, Alice felt more independent.

Here the learning took place and was completed at a specific time in the past. By using the past perfect rather than the simple past ("learned"), the writer emphasizes that the learning preceded the feeling of independence.

The Past Perfect Progressive Tense

The past perfect progressive is used to indicate that a continuing action in the past began before another past action began or interrupted the first action.

Each of the highlighted compound verbs in the following sentences is in the past perfect progressive tense.

The toddlers had been running around the school yard for ten minutes before the teachers shooed them back inside.

Here the action of the toddlers ("had been running") is ongoing in the past and precedes the actions of the teachers ("shooed") which also takes place in the past.

We had been talking about repainting the front room for three years and last night we finally bought the paint.

In this example, the ongoing action of "talking" precedes another past action ("bought").

A construction crew had been digging one pit after another in the middle of my street for three days before they found the water main.

Here, the action of digging ("had been digging") took place in the past and occurred over a period of time. The digging was followed by the action of finding ("found").

Madeleine had been reading mystery novels for several years before she discovered the works of Agatha Christie.

In this sentence the act of discovery ("discovered") occurred in the past but after the ongoing and repeated action of reading ("had been reading").

The chef's assistant had been chopping vegetables for several minutes before he realized that he had minced his apron strings.

This sentence is a bit more complex in that it contains three different past verb tenses. The sequence of tenses conveys a complex set of information. The past perfect progressive ("had been chopping") is used to emphasise the ongoing nature of the past act of chopping. While a second past perfect progressive ("had been mincing") could be used, the past perfect ("had minced") is used to suggest that act of mincing was completed. The simple past ("realized") is used to describe the action closest to the present, an action that followed both the chopping and the mincing. 

The Simple Future Tense

The simple future is used to refer to actions that will take place after the act of speaking or writing.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the simple future tense.

They will meet us at the newest café in the market.

Will you walk the dog tonight?

At the feast, we will eat heartily.

Bobbie will call you tomorrow with details about the agenda.

The Smiths say that they will not move their chicken coop.

  

The Future Progressive

The future progressive tense is used to describe actions ongoing in the future. The future progressive is used to refer to continuing action that will occur in the future.

Each of the highlighted compound verbs in the following sentences is in the future progressive tense.

The glee club will be performing at the celebration of the town's centenary.

Ian will be working on the computer system for the next two weeks.

The selection committee will be meeting every Wednesday morning.

We will be writing an exam every afternoon next week.

They will be ringing the bells for Hypatia next month.

The Future Perfect Tense

The future perfect is used to refer to an action that will be completed sometime in the future before another action takes place.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the future perfect tense.

The surgeon will have operated on 6 patients before she attends a luncheon meeting.

In this sentence, the act of operating ("will have operated") takes place in the future sometime before the act of attending ("attends").

The plumber and his assistant will have soldered all the new joins in pipes before they leave for the next job.

Here, the plumbers' act of soldering ("will have soldered") will precede the act of leaving ("leave").

By the time you get back from the corner store, we will have finished writing the thank you letters.

In this sentence, the act of returning from the store ("get back") takes place after the act of writing ("will have written").

If this year is like last year, I will have finished my holiday shopping long before my brother starts his.

In this example, the act of finishing ("will have finished") occurs well before the act of starting ("starts").

They will have written their first exam by the time we get out of bed.

Here, the act of getting out of bed occurs sometime after the writing of the exam. 

The Future Perfect Progressive Tenses

The future perfect progressive  tense is used to indicate a continuing action that will be completed at some specified time in the future. This tense is rarely used.

Each of the highlighted verbs in the following sentences is in the future perfect progressive tense.

I will have been studying Greek for three years by the end of this term.

In this sentence, the future perfect progressive is used to indicate the ongoing nature of the future act of the studying. The act of studying ("will have been studying") will occur before the upcoming end of term.

By the time the meeting is over, the committee will have been arguing about which candidate to interview for three hours.

Similarly in this sentence, the ongoing nature of a future act ("will have been arguing") is emphasized by the use of the future perfect progressive. The act of sustained arguing will take place before the meeting is over.

When he returns, the wine will have been fermenting for three months.

Here the ongoing action of fermentation will precede ("will have been fermenting") the act of returning.

Written by Heather MacFadyen

POWER OF THE BRAIN

TRY THIS AND YOU'LL FIND IT AMAZING!!!

Map of Cebu Province

English is fun here in Cebu!!!

Answer Keys

English Proficiency Test

You scored 150 points out of 150.

You are at the Intermediate level.

Your score = 100%

Part I: English Grammar
Select the best answer.

You scored 45 points out of 45.
Congratulations! You had a perfect score!

1. Juan___________ in the library this morning.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. is studying

---

2. Alicia, __________ the windows please. It's too hot in here.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. open

---

3.The movie was __________ the book.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. as good as

---

4. Eli's hobbies include jogging, swimming, and __________.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. climbing mountains

---

5. Mr. Hawkins requests that someone _________ the data by fax immediately.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. send

---

6. Who is ____________ , Marina or Sachiko?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. taller

---

7. The concert will begin ________ fifteen minutes.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. in

---

8. I have only a ________ Christmas cards left to write.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. few

---

9. Each of the Olympic athletes ____________ for months, even years.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. has been training

---

10. Maria __________ never late for work.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. is

---

11. The company will upgrade _________ computer information systems next month.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. its

---

12. Cheryl likes apples, _________ she does not like oranges.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. but

---

13. You were ____________ the New York office before 2 p.m.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. supposed to call

---

14. When I graduate from college next June, I _____________ a student here for five years.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. will have been

---

15. Ms. Guth _________ rather not invest that money in the stock market.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. would

---

Part II: English Grammar
Select the one underlined word or phrase that is incorrect.

You scored 45 points out of 45.
Congratulations! You had a perfect score!

1. The majority to the news is about violence or scandal.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. to

---

2. Takeshi swimmed one hundred laps in the pool yesterday.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. swimmed

---

3. When our vacation, we plan to spend three days scuba diving.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. When

---

4. Mr. Feinauer does not take critical of his work very well.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. critical

---

5. Yvette and Rinaldo send e-mail messages to other often.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. other

---

6. Mr. Olsen is telephoning a American Red Cross for help.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. a

---

7. I had a enjoyable time at the party last night.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. a

---

8. The doctor him visited the patient's parents.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. him

---

9. Petra intends to starting her own software business in a few years.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. starting

---

10. Each day after school, Jerome run five miles.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. run

---

11. He goes never to the company softball games.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. never

---

12. Do you know the student who books were stolen?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. who

---

13. Jean-Pierre will spend his vacation either in Singapore nor the Bahamas.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. nor

---

14. I told the salesman that I was not interesting in buying the latest model.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. interesting

---

15. Frederick used work for a multinational corporation when he lived in Malaysia.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. used work

---

Part III. English Vocabulary
Select the best answer.

You scored 30 points out of 30.
Congratulations! You had a perfect score!

1. The rate of ___________ has been fluctuating wildly this week.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. exchange

---

2. The bus ___________ arrives late during bad weather.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. always

---

3. Do you ____________ where the nearest grocery store is?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. know

---

4. Jerry Seinfeld, the popular American comedian, has his audiences ___________.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. rolling in the aisles

---

5. The chairperson will ____________ members to the subcommittee.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. appoint

---

6. The critics had to admit that the ballet ______________ was superb.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. performance

---

7. Peter says he can't ___________ our invitation to dinner tonight.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. accept

---

8. We were __________ friends in that strange but magical country.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. among

---

9. The hurricane caused ____________ damage to the city.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. extensive

---

10. Many cultures have special ceremonies to celebrate a person's _________ of passage into adulthood.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. rite

---

Part IV. English Reading Comprehension
Select the best answer.

You scored 30 points out of 30.
Congratulations! You had a perfect score!

1. What is Erik's address?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. 33 Maple Drive

---

2. Which is closest to Erik's house?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. the traffic lights

---

3. The main focus of the presentation will be ______________.

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. monthly sales figures

---

4. Who will give the presentation?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. Megan Fallerman

---

5. Which of the following counties is not included in the tour?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: B. Cornwall

---

6. How many people can go on this tour?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: D. a limited number

---

7. What can we infer about this area of southern England?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. The region has lots of vegetation.

---

8. What is the purpose of this announcement?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. to recognize Ms. Szewcyzk's accomplishments

---

9. The expression "to become synonymous with" means

You gave the correct answer. You answered: A. to be the same as.

---

10. What was Ms. Szewczyk's first job in journalism?

You gave the correct answer. You answered: C. She was an editor for a newspaper in Missouri.

---

 

Sample English Proficiency Test

Part I: English Grammar
Select the best answer.
1. Juan___________ in the library this morning.
A. is study
B. studying
C. is studying
D. are studying
2. Alicia, __________ the windows please. It's too hot in here.
A. opens
B. open
C. opened
D. will opened
3.The movie was __________ the book.
A. as
B. as good
C. good as
D. as good as
4. Eli's hobbies include jogging, swimming, and __________.
A. to climb mountains
B. climb mountains
C. to climb
D. climbing mountains
5. Mr. Hawkins requests that someone _________ the data by fax immediately.
A. sent
B. sends
C. send
D. to send
6. Who is ____________ , Marina or Sachiko?
A. tallest
B. tall
C. taller
D. the tallest
7. The concert will begin ________ fifteen minutes.
A. in
B. on
C. with
D. about
8. I have only a ________ Christmas cards left to write.
A. few
B. fewer
C. less
D. little
9. Each of the Olympic athletes ____________ for months, even years.
A. have been training
B. were training
C. has been training
D. been training
10. Maria __________ never late for work.
A. am
B. are
C. were
D. is
11. The company will upgrade _________ computer information systems next month.
A. there
B. their
C. it's
D. its
12. Cheryl likes apples, _________ she does not like oranges.
A. so
B. for
C. but
D. or
13. You were ____________ the New York office before 2 p.m.
A. suppose call
B. supposed to call
C. supposed calling
D. supposed call
14. When I graduate from college next June, I _____________ a student here for five years.
A. will have been
B. have been
C. has been
D. will have
15. Ms. Guth _________ rather not invest that money in the stock market.
A. has to
B. could
C. would
D. must

---

Part II: English Grammar
Select the one underlined word or phrase that is incorrect.

1. The majority to the news is about violence or scandal.
A. The
B. to
C. news
D. violence
2. Takeshi swimmed one hundred laps in the pool yesterday.
A. swimmed
B. hundred
C. in
D. yesterday
3. When our vacation, we plan to spend three days scuba diving.
A. When
B. plan
C. days
D. diving
4. Mr. Feinauer does not take critical of his work very well.
A. does
B. critical
C. his
D. well
5. Yvette and Rinaldo send e-mail messages to other often.
A. and
B. send
C. other
D. often
6. Mr. Olsen is telephoning a American Red Cross for help.
A. is
B. a
C. Red
D. for
7. I had a enjoyable time at the party last night.
A. a
B. time
C. at
D. last
8. The doctor him visited the patient's parents.
A. The
B. him
C. visited
D. patient's
9. Petra intends to starting her own software business in a few years.
A. intends
B. starting
C. software
D. few
10. Each day after school, Jerome run five miles.
A. Each
B. after
C. run
D. miles
11. He goes never to the company softball games.
A. never
B. the
C. softball
D. games
12. Do you know the student who books were stolen?
A. Do
B. know
C. who
D. were
13. Jean-Pierre will spend his vacation either in Singapore nor the Bahamas.
A. will
B. his
C. nor
D. Bahamas
14. I told the salesman that I was not interesting in buying the latest model.
A. told
B. that
C. interesting
D. buying
15. Frederick used work for a multinational corporation when he lived in Malaysia.
A. used work
B. multinational
C. when
D. lived in

---

Part III. English Vocabulary
Select the best answer.
1. The rate of ___________ has been fluctuating wildly this week.
A. money
B. bills
C. coins
D. exchange
2. The bus ___________ arrives late during bad weather.
A. every week
B. later
C. yesterday
D. always
3. Do you ____________ where the nearest grocery store is?
A. know
B. no
C. now
D. not
4. Jerry Seinfeld, the popular American comedian, has his audiences ___________.
A. putting too many irons in the fire
B. keeping their noses out of someone's business
C. rolling in the aisles
D. going to bat for someone
5. The chairperson will ____________ members to the subcommittee.
A. appoint
B. disappoint
C. appointment
D. disappointed
6. The critics had to admit that the ballet ______________ was superb.
A. procrastinate
B. performance
C. pathology
D. psychosomatic
7. Peter says he can't ___________ our invitation to dinner tonight.
A. angel
B. across
C. accept
D. almost
8. We were __________ friends in that strange but magical country.
A. upon
B. among
C. toward
D. in addition to
9. The hurricane caused ____________ damage to the city.
A. extend
B. extended
C. extensive
D. extension
10. Many cultures have special ceremonies to celebrate a person's _________ of passage into adulthood.
A. right
B. rite
C. writ
D. write

---

Part IV. English Reading Comprehension
Select the best answer.

Directions to Erik's house
Leave Interstate 25 at exit 7S. Follow that road (Elm Street) for two miles. After one mile, you will pass a small shopping center on your left. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right onto Maple Drive. Erik's house is the third house on your left. It's number 33, and it's white with green trim.

1. What is Erik's address?
A. Interstate 25
B. 2 Elm Street
C. 13 Erika Street
D. 33 Maple Drive

2. Which is closest to Erik's house?
A. the traffic lights
B. the shopping center
C. exit 7S
D. a greenhouse

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Date:      May 16, 1998
To:         Megan Fallerman
From:     Steven Roberts
Subject:  Staff Meeting
Please be prepared to give your presentation on the monthly sales figures at our upcoming staff meeting. In addition to the accurate accounting of expenditures for the monthly sales, be ready to discuss possible reasons for fluctuations as well as possible trends in future customer spending. Thank you.

3. The main focus of the presentation will be ______________.
A. monthly expenditures
B. monthly salary figures
C. monthly sales figures
D. staff meeting presentations

4. Who will give the presentation?
A. the company president
B. Megan Fallerman
C. Steven Roberts
D. future customers

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The B&B Tour
Spend ten romantic days enjoying the lush countryside of southern England. The counties of Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, and Essex invite you to enjoy their castles and coastline, their charming bed and breakfast inns, their museums and their cathedrals. Spend lazy days watching the clouds drift by or spend active days hiking the glorious hills. These fields were home to Thomas Hardy, and the ports launched ships that shaped world history. Bed and breakfasts abound, ranging from quiet farmhouses to lofty castles. Our tour begins August 15. Call or fax us today for more information 1-800-222-XXXX. Enrollment is limited, so please call soon.

5. Which of the following counties is not included in the tour?
A. Devon
B. Cornwall
C. Essex
D. Hampshire

6. How many people can go on this tour?
A. 10
B. an unlimited number
C. 2-8
D. a limited number

7. What can we infer about this area of southern England?
A. The region has lots of vegetation.
B. The coast often has harsh weather.
C. The sun is hot and the air is dry.
D. The land is flat.

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Anna Szewcyzk, perhaps the most popular broadcaster in the news media today, won the 1998 Broadcasting Award. She got her start in journalism as an editor at the Hollsville County Times in Missouri. When the newspaper went out of business, a colleague persuaded her to enter the field of broadcasting. She moved to Oregon to begin a master's degree in broadcast journalism at Atlas University. Following graduation, she was able to begin her career as a local newscaster with WPSU-TV in Seattle, Washington, and rapidly advanced to national television. Noted for her quick wit and trenchant commentary, her name has since become synonymous with Good Day, America! Accepting the award at the National Convention of Broadcast Journalism held in Chicago, Ms. Szewcyzk remarked, "I am so honored by this award that I'm at a total loss for words!" Who would ever have believed it?

8. What is the purpose of this announcement?
A. to invite people to the National Convention of Broadcast Journalism
B. to encourage college students to study broadcasting
C. to recognize Ms. Szewcyzk's accomplishments
D. to advertise a job opening at the Hollsville County Times

9. The expression "to become synonymous with" means
A. to be the same as.
B. to be the opposite of.
C. to be in sympathy with.
D. to be discharged from.

10. What was Ms. Szewczyk's first job in journalism?
A. She was a T.V. announcer in Washington.
B. She was a newscaster in Oregon.
C. She was an editor for a newspaper in Missouri.
D. She was a talk show host in Chicago.