1

Objetivo de la asignatura



Objetivo Unidad 1
El alumno verificar informacin, de forma sencilla, con oraciones simples, estructuras bsicas y
tag questions, para proporcionar informacin precisa y de acuerdo a las necesidades del interlocutor

Resultado del aprendizaje Unidad 1












Dele p LLI Alicia Ornelas V.
Ingeniera en Mecatrnica
Manual de Ejercicios Ingls (Ingles 1) IMEC 71 & 72 N
El alumno verificar la informacin recibida a
travs de las expresiones lingsticas y formas
gramaticales de nivel intermedio para desarrollar
una comunicacin efectiva.

Sin preparacin previa y a partir de informacin
proporcionada por el profesor de manera verbal:

Describir, a una persona, lo que hace, cosas que le gustan
y no le gustan, y reafirma informacin empleando tag
questions.

Realizar una composicin, con informacin adicional
escrita, describiendo las actividades de un da cualquiera
en la vida de esa persona.


2


Unit 1 Verifying information
Simple Present Present Progressive

Form
Simple Present Present Progressive
infinitive
(3rd person singular: infinitive + 's')
I speak
you speak
he / she / it speaks
we speak
they speak
form of 'be' and verb + ing

I am speaking
you are speaking
he / she / it is speaking
we are speaking
they are speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' :
For can, may, might, must, do not add s.
Example: he can, she may, it must
After o, ch, sh or s, add es.
Example: do - he does, wash - she washes
After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not
after a vowel)
Example: worry - he worries
but: play - he plays
Exceptions when adding 'ing' :
Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee)
Example: come - coming
but: agree - agreeing
After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled.
Example: sit - sitting
After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British
English (but not in American English).
Example: travel - travelling (British English)
but: travelling (American English)
Final ie becomes y.
Example: lie lying







3

Use In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?
Simple Present Present Progressive
in general (regularly, often, never)
Colin plays football every Tuesday.
present actions happening one after another
First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.
right now
Look! Colin is playing football now.
also for several actions happening at the same time
Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.
Signal words
always
every ...
often
normally
usually
sometimes
seldom
never
first
then
at the moment
at this moment
today
now
right now
Listen!
Look!
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present:
be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want












4

Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?
Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a
timetable or schedule?
Simple Present Present Progressive
action set by a timetable or schedule
The film starts at 8 pm.
arrangement for the near future
I am going to the cinema tonight.


Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?
Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a
limited (rather short) period of time?
Simple Present Present Progressive
daily routine
Bob works in a restaurant.
only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen
directly at the moment of speaking)
Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.
Certain Verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).
state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
Example: We are on holiday.
possession: belong, have
Example: Sam has a cat.
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Example: He feels the cold.
feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
Example: Jane loves pizza.
brain work: believe, know, think, understand
Example: I believe you.
Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
Example: I am watching TV, he says.



5

Exercise 1
Write the verbs in Present Progressive.
1. speak - I
am speaking

2. jump - you
are jumping

3. bake - she
is baking

4. play - they
are playing

5. run - we
are running

Exercise 2. Write the verbs in Simple
Present, 3rd person singular.
1. be - it
is

2. have - he
has

3. eat - she
eats

4. can - he
can

5. wash - she
washes

Use
Exercise 3. When to use which tense?
1. For actions happening regularly, often or never, we use .simple present
2. For actions happening now, we use
Present Progressive
.
3. The verbs 'be', 'have', 'like' and 'want' are normally only used in
Simple Present
.
4. The signal word 'usually' indicates that we have to use
Simple Present
.
5. The signal word 'now' indicates that we have to use
Present Progressive
.
Positive sentences
Exercise. 4. Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. Look! They (leave)
are leaving
the house.
2. Brian (cycle)
cycles
30 km every day.
3. Samantha (do)
is doing
her homework at the moment.
4. My parents (shop)
are shopping
right now.
5. He usually (get up)
gets up
early in the morning.
Negative sentences
Exercise 5. Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. You (see / not)
doesn't see
her every day.
2. The baby (sleep / not)
isn't sleeping
at the moment.
3. I (read / not)
am not reading
a book now.
6

4. We (go / not)
don't go
to school on Sundays.
5. He (watch / not)
doesn't watch
the news every day.

Exercise 6. Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. (you / go)
do you go
on holiday by plane sometimes?
2. (they / play)
do they play
computer games every day?
3. (she / eat)
is she eating
dinner at the moment?
4. What (they / do)
are they doing
right now?
5. (she / visit) her grandma very often?
Exercise 7. Write the following sentences into present simple or progressive.
Look! Jenny (go)
is going
to school.
1. On her back, Jenny (carry)
is carring
her school bag.
2. The school bag (be)
is
very heavy
3. Normally, Jenny (wear)
wears
black shoes, but today she (wear)
is wearing
red wellies.
4. And look, she (wear)
is wearing
a raincoat because it (rain)
is raining
outside.
5. Jenny (not / want)
doesn't want
to get wet.

II. Answer the exercises in the following link:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpre-prepro/tests?test3







does she v
7


Simple Past Past Progressive
Form
Simple Past Past Progressive
irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs
I spoke
regular verbs: verb + ed
I worked
past form of 'be' + ing form of verb

I was speaking
you were speaking
he / she / it was speaking
we were speaking
they were speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 'ed' :
when the final letter is e, only add d.
Example: love - loved
after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is
doubled
Example: admit - admitted
final l is always doubled in British English (not in
American English)
Example: travel - travelled
after a consonant, final y becomes i. (but: not after a
vowel)
Example: worry - he worried
but: play - he played
Exceptions when adding 'ing' :
silent e is dropped (but: does not apply for -ee)
Example: come - coming
but: agree - agreeing
after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is
doubled
Example: sit - sitting
final l is always doubled in British English (not in
American English)
Example: travel - travelling
final ie becomes y.
Example: lie lying
See also explanations on Simple Past and Past Progressive
Use
After another or at the same time?
8

Do you want to express that the actions in the past happened one after another or at the same time?
Simple Past Past Progressive
after another
She came home, switched on the computer and checked her e-
mails.
at the same time
Simon was playing on the computer while his brother was watchin
TV.
New action or already in progress?
If you want to express that a new action happened in the middle of another action, you need both tenses:
Simple Past the new action and Past Progressive for the action already in progress.
Simple Past Past Progressive
new action
My mobile rang (when I was sitting in a meeting.)
action already in progress
While I was sitting in a meeting, (my mobile suddenly rang.)
Only mentioning or emphasising progress?
Do you just want to mention that an action took place in the past (also used for short actions)? Or do you
want to put emphasis on the progress, e.g. that an action was taking place at a certain time?
Simple Past Past Progressive
just mentioning
Colin played football yesterday.
emphasising progress
Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was playing football.
Certain Verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Past (not in the progressive form).
9

state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
Example: We were on holiday.
possession: belong, have
Example: Sam had a cat.
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Example: He felt the cold.
feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
Example: Jane loved pizza.
brain work: believe, know, think, understand
Example: I did not understand him.
introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
Example: I am watching TV, he said.

Exercise 1
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Progressive).
1. When I (get) up yesterday, the sun (shine) .
2. It (is) a beautiful morning.
3. So I (decide) to cycle around a little.
4. I (go) to the shed and (take) out my bike.
5. While I (cycle) past some villages, I (see) some people in their
gardens.
6. One man (mow) the grass while his wife (pick) strawberries.
7. After one hour of cycling in sunshine, a big fat raincloud suddenly (appear) and
it (start) to rain.
8. Luckily, a farmer (notice) me and (tell) me to come in.
9. While it (rain) outside, I (sit) in the farmer's house.
10. After a while, the sun (come) out again.
11. I (thank) the farmer for his hospitality and (move) o


10



Will - Be going to
Exercise 1. Watch the following video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiJKt_I3HFg
Exercise 2. Answer the exercise


1 I feel really tired. I think I
______ go to bed.



'll



'm going to

2 Where are you going?

I ______ visit a customer.



'll



'm going to

3 Do you want me to help you?

No thanks. John ______ help
me.



'll



's going to

4 Would you prefer tea or
coffee?

I ______ have some coffee,
please.



'll



'm going to

5 Would you like to come to my
house for dinner and talk
about this?

Good idea. I ______ bring
some wine.



'll



'm going to

6 I've already decided. I ______
buy a new car



'll



'm going to

7 What are your plans for next
week?

I ______ to fly to New York on
business. Probably on
Tuesday but I haven't bought
my ticket yet.



'll



'm going to

8 What are your plans for the
holidays?

I ______ visit my parents for a
few days and then go walking
in Scotland.
11




'll



'm going to

9 Why are you wearing your
best suit?

I ______ have lunch with my
biggest customer.



'll



'm going to

10 Do you want to have the
chicken or the beef?

I think ______ have the beef.



'll



'm going to

11 My head hurts.

Sit down and I ______ get you
an aspirin.



'll



'm going to

12 We need some more ink for
the printer.

I ______ go to the shop and
get some.



'll



'm going to

13 Look! There's smoke coming
out of the photocopier.

You turn it off and I ______
phone the safety officer



'll



'm going to

14 I cannot see how to use this
spreadsheet.

Don't worry. I ______ help
you.



'll



'm going to

15 I need to speak to you today.

I'm going out now but I
______ be back later.



'll



'm going to

16 Did you phone Michael?

I'm sorry. I completely forgot.
I ______ do it now.



'll



'm going to

17 Can you help me with this? I
don't understand.

I ______ give you a hand as
soon as I've finished this.



'll



'm going to

18 That's much too heavy for one
person. I ______ give you a
hand.



'll



'm going to
12


19 Could somebody answer the
phone?

I ______ get it.



'll



'm going to

20 It's really hot in here.

I ______ put on the air-
conditioning.



'll



'm going to

Exercise 3. Go to the following link and answer all the activities
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world/series-1-episode-10-youll-be-
shoo


Present Perfect Tense and the Simple Past Tense.


The present perfect is used when
the time period has NOT finished:
I have seen three
movies this week.
(This week has not
finished yet.)

The simple past is used when the
time period HAS finished:
I saw three
movies last week.
(Last week is
finished.)



The present perfect is often used
when giving recent news:
Martin has
crashed his car
again.
(This is new
information.)
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The simple past is used when
giving older information:
Martin crashed
his car last year.
(This is old
information.)



The present perfect is used when
the time is not specific:
I have seen that
movie already.
(We don't know
when.)

The simple past is used when the
time is clear:
I saw that movie
on Thursday.
(We know exactly
when.)



The present perfect is used with
for and since, when the actions
have not finished yet:
I have lived in
Victoria for five
years.
(I still live in
Victoria.)

The simple past is used with for
and since, when the actions have
already finished:
I lived in Victoria
for five years.
(I don't live in
Victoria now.)

Form
Exercise 6 Write down the correct form (pronoun + verb).
Simple Past Present Perfect Simple
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she / live

I / look

you / buy

he / see

they / take

Use
Exercise 7. When do we use which tense?
1. 'How often so far' is a signal word for ...
2. '... ago' is a signal word for ...
3. 'Until now' is an signal word for ...
4. 'Yesterday', 'last week' und 'in 2006' are signal words for ...
5. 'Just', 'already', 'yet' are signal words for ...
Positive Sentences
Exercise 8. Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).
1. William (tidy / already) up his room.
2. Caroline (miss) the schoolbus yesterday.
3. I (finish / just) my homework.
4. I cannot go out tonight. My grandparents (come) to see us.
5. In 2004, the Olympic Summer Games (take) place in Athens.
Negative Sentences
Exercise 9. Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).
15

1. We (watch / not) TV last night.
2. Joanna (read / not) the book yet.
3. Collin (not / go) on holiday last year.
4. I (have / not) any problems so far.
5. They (learn / not) the new words yet.
Questions
Exercise 10. Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).
1. (they / be / ever) to New York?
2. (you / see) Catherine a minute ago?
3. What time (you / get) up today?
4. (he / hear) the news yet?
5. How often (you / play) that game up to now?
Exercise 11. Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).
1. A: I (see / not) you for a long time. Where (you / be) ?
2. B: I (come / just) back from Canada.
3. A: Oh really? What (you / do) in Canada?
4. B: I (take) a nature tour.
5. A: Wow! (you / see) many wild animals there?
6. B: Of course. I (watch) bears, wolves and whales in the wild. That (be)
so interesting. (you / spend / ever) a holiday in Canada?
7. A: Yes, I (travel) around Canada twice so far.
8. B: When (you / go) there?
9. A: The first time I (go) there (be) in 1997 and the second time in 2004.
10. B: (you / enjoy) it?
11. A: I absolutely (love) it, especially the west coast.


16









Tag Questions
Question tags are the short questions that we put on the end of sentences particularly in spoken
English. There are lots of different question tags but the rules are not difficult to learn.

Positive/negative

If the main part of the sentence is positive, the question tag is negative .
Hes a doctor, isnt he?
You work in a bank, dont you?
... and if the main part of the sentence is negative, the question tag is positive.
You havent met him, have you?
She isnt coming, is she?
With auxiliary verbs

The question tag uses the same verb as the main part of the sentence. If this is an auxiliary verb (have, be)
then the question tag is made with the auxiliary verb.
Theyve gone away for a few days, havent they?
They werent here, were they?
He had met him before, hadnt he?
This isnt working, is it?
Without auxiliary verbs

If the main part of the sentence doesnt have an auxiliary verb, the question tag uses an appropriate form of
do.
17

I said that, didnt I?
You dont recognise me, do you?
She eats meat, doesnt she?
With modal verbs

If there is a modal verb in the main part of the sentence the question tag uses the same modal verb.
They couldnt hear me, could they?
You wont tell anyone, will you?
With I am

Be careful with question tags with sentences that start I am. The question tag for I am is arent I?
Im the fastest, arent I?
Intonation

Question tags can either be real questions where you want to know the answer or simply asking for
agreement when we already know the answer.

If the question tag is a real question we use rising intonation. Our tone of voice rises.
If we already know the answer we use falling intonation. Our tone of voice falls.

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/question-tags
Exercise 1
Go to the following link and answer the exercise, keep the result and send it to the teachers e-
mail.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/question-tags
Exercise 2
Answer the following exercises
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/questions/question_tags3.htm
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/question-tags-exercise-1.html
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/question-tags/exercises
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/233.html
18









Objetivo Unidad 2







Resultado del aprendizaje




El alumno emplear las estructuras gramaticales indirect
questions y el primer condicional, para expresar hechos
que se refieren a algo que es posible que pase en el
presente o futuro
El alumno realizar instrucciones o pasos de un proceso,
empleando el primer condicional
El alumno desarrollar una presentacin sobre una situacin
hipottica, referente al mbito ecolgico, personal, profesional
o familiar.


19









Indirect Questions in English
The rules are different for indirect questions!
Direct questions are the normal questions that we can ask to friends, family members,
and people who we know well. Example of a direct question:
Wheres the bathroom?
Indirect questions are a little more formal and polite. We use them when talking to a person
we dont know very well, or in professional situations, and their form is a little different.
Example of an indirect question:
Could you tell me where the bathroom is?
Phrases for Indirect Questions
Could you tell me
Do you know
I was wondering
Do you have any idea
Id like to know
Would it be possible

20

Is there any chance
Direct and Indirect Questions in English: Examples
Direct: Where is Market Street?
Indirect: Could you tell me where Market Street is?
In indirect questions with is/are, the verb (is) comes after the subject (Market Street).
Direct What time does the bank open?
Indirect: Do you know what time the bank opens?
In indirect questions, we dont use the auxiliary verbs do/does/did. Also, you can see that
the verb is open in the direct question, and opens in the indirect question.

Direct: Why did you move to Europe?
Indirect: I was wondering why you moved to Europe.
Again, there is no auxiliary verb did in the indirect question. In fact, this indirect question
isnt even a question its more of a statement that invites the other person to give more
information.

Direct: How has he managed to get in shape so quickly?
Indirect: Do you have any idea how hes managed to get in shape so quickly?
The auxiliary verbs have and has can be used in both the direct and indirect questions but
in the direct question, has comes before the subject (he), and in the indirect question,
has comes after the subject.
Direct: How much does this motorcycle cost?
Indirect: Id like to know how much this motorcycle costs.


To form the indirect question, remove does and change cost to costs.

Direct: Can you finish the project by tomorrow?
21

Indirect: Would it be possible for you to finish the project by tomorrow?
For direct questions with can, we can use the phrase would it be possible to make it
indirect.

Direct: Can we change the meeting to Thursday?
Indirect: Is there any chance we could change the meeting to Thursday?
Is there any chance is another option for forming indirect questions with can.

Yes/No Direct Questions > If in Indirect Questions
If the direct question is a yes or no question (it has no question word such as what, who,
when, where, why, or how), then the indirect question will have if.
Direct: Does Tom like Italian food?
Indirect: Do you know if Tom likes Italian food?
Direct: Are your parents joining us for dinner?
Indirect: Could you tell me if your parents are joining us for dinner?
Direct: Do they speak English?
Indirect: I was wondering if they speak English.
Direct: Has Barbara ever studied abroad?
Indirect: Do you have any idea if Barbaras ever studied abroad?
Direct: Do you plan on traveling this summer?
Indirect: Id like to know if you plan on traveling this summer.



Exercises
Go to the following links and answer the exercise
22

First listen to the interview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/145_gramchallenge36/index.s
html
1. http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/indirectques.html
2. http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/312.html
3.http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/145_gramchallenge36/p
age2.shtml
4.http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/145_gramchallenge36/p
age3.shtml

Fur
Further exercises and listening practice here..









http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode46/languagepoint.shtm
l
23











The first conditional
We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.
If we take John, he'll be really pleased.
If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
If they tell us they want it, we'll have to give it to them.
If Mary comes, she'll want to drive.
The 'if' clause can be used with different present forms.
If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir from the Empire State Building.
If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.
The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as 'will'.
If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.
The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can' and 'must'.
If you go to New York, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's.
If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.
Watch the following video about first conditional, answer the questions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSDxMaC0QYc
24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FeIZtbdLnM
1. Who are the characters? _______________________________________
2. Whats the problem?___________________________________________
Go to the following links and answer the exercises
1. http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/firstconditional/exercise1.html
2. http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/firstconditional/exercise2.html
3. http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/firstconditional/exercise3.html



4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjUuX-I0QE Listen to the song and complete
If I ___________ in love with you, Would you ___________to be true
And help me, Understand 'Cause I've been in ______________ before
And I found that love was more Than just Holding ___________
_________I __________ my heart To you, I must _________ sure
From the very _________That you Would ___________ me more than her
If I _____________ in you Oh please Don't ___________ and hide
________ I love you too Oh please Don't ___________ my pride like her
'Cause I couldn't stand the __________And I ______________be sad
If our new love was in vain So I hope you ___________That I _________love to love
you And that she _______________ cry When she learns we are two
'Cause I couldn't __________ the pain And I Would be __________
__________ our new ____________ was in vain So I hope you see That I
25

_________ love to love you , And that she ____________cry When she________ we are
two If I ____________ in love with you...








Appendix
I. WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
Paragraphs are a form of written communication which contains a minimum of five
sentences. Each sentence in a paragraph "talks about" or develops one single main idea. If
your paragraph does this, it is said to have unity. In addition, each sentence in a paragraph
must be tied to the one before and after it, like links in a chain, by using special words
called transitions. If your paragraph contains these links, it is said to have coherence.
Now you should be ready to write your own definition of a paragraph. Try it in your
notebook. Check your definition in the answer key at the end of this module.
EXERCISE 1
Read the paragraph below and then answer the questions that follow.
Riding a bike can give you lots of good exercise every day. I use my bike to get to work
every day. I take my bike to get groceries. When somebody stole my bike, I was
heartbroken, but the police found it two days later. I often ride my bike out to the country
on week-ends just for a change of scene. Without my bike, I wouldnt get any exercise at all.
1. Does this paragraph have unity? Explain your answer.
2. Does this paragraph have coherence? Explain your answer.
3. What changes would you make to improve this paragraph?3
26

II. PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
Of course, every good paragraph has to have unity and coherence, but it must also have
structure. an interesting beginning......called an introduction a middle with specific
details.........called the body a satisfying ending.........called the conclusion
If you write a paragraph that contains these three sections, you have written a paragraph
with good structure.
Now write a more complete definition of a paragraph in your notebook.





A. The Introduction
The introduction (one or two sentences) mentions the topic or main idea. In other words,
the writer will tell the reader what he/she is about to be told.
German shepherds are good pets.
The introduction, sometimes called the topic sentence, must also catch the reader's attention
so that he/she will want to finish reading the whole thing. The sentence above states the
topic clearly, but it could be reworded.
German shepherd dogs make an ideal family pet.
If you are looking for a great family pet, consider a German shepherd dog.



Copy the information in this box into your notebook.

Topic: German shepherds
Main idea: They are good pets.

27

The topic is bike riding and the opinion is that Riding a bike is good exercise. As a
reader, do you know what the paragraph is going to be about? Do you know the writer's
opinion? The answer to these questions is "yes". This is a good introduction to a paragraph
that will try to persuade you, the reader, that German shepherds make good pets.
What is the topic in the paragraph about bikes? What is the writers opinion?
B. The Body
The middle sentences of the paragraph are called the body. This is the part of the paragraph
that develops and supports the main ideas presented in the introduction. Readers are not
likely to be persuaded to change their minds about something just because someone else
says so. They need solid proof and convincing reasons. Its here, in the body of the
paragraph, that the writer can explain in detail all his/her reasons for preferring German
shepherds as pets. In other words, now the writer will tell the reader
what he/she really wants to tell.


The body presents supports (convincing reasons) for the writers opinion.
Read the body of the paragraph below and find the reasons the writer uses to support
his/her opinion. Check to see if the supports are convincing and interesting. Also check to
make sure the body has unity and coherence.
First, German shepherds are intelligent. In addition, they are dedicated to their owners.
Finally, they are usually suspicious of all strangers.
The body of this paragraph contains three reasons to supports the writers opinion that
German shepherds make good pets. Each support is placed in a separate sentence.
In your notebook, write one word that describes each reason. The body of the paragraph has
unity because each sentence deals with the topic, and it contains transitions which give it
coherence.
Transitions are an essential part of good paragraph structure. When a writer adds a new
idea begins to develop a new support, he/she often includes a word or phrase to signal the
reader that a new section is about to start. These cues also show the reader how one idea
is logically linked to the next one. Reread the body of the sample paragraph on German
shepherds once more and see if you can find words that act as clues to the start of each new
support and glue the ideas together.
In your notebook, add these transitions at the appropriate place in your list of supports.
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If you identified first, in addition, and finally, you have found the three transitions in this
paragraph. Be sure you have put these in the appropriate place in the notes you are making.
These three transitions show the reader that they are part of a list of supports the writer is
presenting.
There are many "cue words" or transitions. Think of some other groups of words that you
could use to get coherence into a paragraph and that will indicate to the reader that a new
support is about to be added to the list of reasons. Here are just a few of them to get you
started.
First,.... Second,..... Third,....
Firstly, ... Secondly,.... Finally
Another reason,.... A final reason
Most importantly....
Consult any textbook on writing to discover others to add to this list.




The paragraph on German shepherds has unity and coherence, but it needs to be more
persuasive. To make this paragraph more convincing, the writer needs to add more details
and examples.
First, I have never met a German shepherd whose intelligence wasnt above average.
They can learn how to turn door knobs, follow a trail, or identify illegal substances. In
addition, German shepherds are dedicated to their owners. My dog Max waits patiently
at the end of the driveway every night until I come home. Not even a juicy bone will tempt
him to move. Finally, he is usually suspicious of all strangers, so he barks or growls
when anything or anyone unknown is near his family.
Now the body is longer than the minimum three sentences, but it is much more convincing.
In your notebook, add the writers example beside each of the supports used to make the
paragraph on German shepherds more interesting and believable.
C. The Conclusion
Remember that when a paragraph, or longer essay, deals with only one
subject, it has unity, and when all the ideas on that subject are linked to each
other, the paragraph has coherence.

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The last part of a paragraph is the conclusion. Readers need to know that they are coming to
the end of what they are reading, and they need to feel satisfied that they have heard the
whole "story". The easiest way to write an acceptable conclusion is to reword the
introductory sentence. In other words, look at your introduction and then say it again using
other words. In other words, in the conclusion, the writer tells the reader
what he/she has just been told.
Here is a possible conclusion for the paragraph on German shepherds.
German shepherd dogs make a great addition to any family.
Record the conclusion in your notes. Now turn to the answer key and see how closely your
notes correspond to the outline printed there.7




EXERCISE 2
Before you move on to the next concept in learning to write, let's look at another paragraph.
Canoeing is the best way to relax and relieve your stress. Gliding across a still lake on a
summer day, nothing but silence and bird songs will break the quiet and interrupt your
thoughts. In addition, the slow rhythmic strokes of the paddle can help you unwind so that
all your troubles will fade into the background. Canoeing has its most soothing effect when
you can lie back in the middle of a deserted lake and stare up at nothing more complicated
than a bright cloudless sky. Canoeing always makes you feel comfortable with your life.

1. What is the general topic of this paragraph?
2. What is the main idea? (the writers opinion)
3. What are the three things that support the writers opinion?
4. What examples strengthen these supports?
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5. How does the writer link the supports together? Be specific.
6. What is the conclusion?
7. Make a list of other words in the paragraph that relate to stress and relaxation.
8. Your answers may vary slightly. If you are unsure whether you have answered the
questions properly, check with your instructor.
EXERCISE 3
For each of the paragraphs below, answer the same questions as you did in the previous
exercise.



A
Be kind to the environment; take a hot dog for lunch. The humble wiener makes a great
back country meal for hikers. First, because they are light weight and compact, a meal for
five or six people weighs under a kilogram and takes up very little space in a backpack.
Second, hot dogs can be prepared over a small fast fire. The small amount of firewood
required can be gathered near the path without trampling large areas of the delicate forest
floor. Perhaps the best part is that hot dogs create very little garbage to pack out, so the
temptation to litter is reduced. Take hot dogs on your next hike, and youll be doing
yourself and nature a big favour.
B.
Three things about my new computer program are going to drive me crazy. The worst thing
is the annoying chime that sounds so happy every time I make a mistake. Add to that the
frustrating problem of the capital letters that appear even though I havent typed them, all
because some arrogant programmer thinks that I am too stupid to know when to capitalize.
If thats not enough to drive me to distraction, this program has a glitch that automatically
shuts the computer down when some unknown combination of keys are struck. By the end of
a day of wrestling with this new word processor program, Im ready to grab the nearest
blunt instrument and do some serious bodily harm to this latest advance in technology.
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C.
Is there anything better than homemade bread? When its almost baked, the warm, nutty
smell fills the house and brings everyone into the kitchen. After its out of the oven, the
dark, golden crust makes the first crunchy slice a treat to bite into. The third, but most
wonderful thing about homemade bread is its soft middle section dripping with lots of
butter and fresh strawberry jam. Freshly baked bread is a delicious treat.
D.
My grandfather has always been my favourite person. Since I was very little he has always
taken me fishing with him, and he taught me everything I know about catching salmon.
When I was just ten, he started to show me how to fix cars, and now I know enough to help
him in his garage. Most of all, gramps has always spent lots of time talking to me: he
respects what I have to say and listens to my suggestions. I love to be with my grandfather,
a man who has a special place in my life.


E.
If it were up to me, I would outlaw three foods. First, theres oatmeal porridge. Its thick
and sticks to my spoon like glue. Then, theres spinach, a slimy green goo that makes my
mouth feel funny. The food I dislike the most is liver. I cant stand the smell, and it feels like
a cup of sand in my mouth. If I never eat any of these again, Ill be happy
Consultado en:
http://en.copian.ca/library/learning/academic/english/writing/paragrph/module8.pdf