Cat Has Got Ones Tongue

Jun 07 2016

Intro

When a person asks you why you did something, what do you say? Maybe, you dont know what to say. This
happens to everyone sometimes. For example, your little brother might ask why you borrowed his book, but
you didnt take it, and youre good at keeping track of things. You probably wouldnt get it, and you probably
wouldnt know what to say. In this situation, the cat has got your tongue.

When the cat has got ones tongue, this person is silent when others are waiting for him to speak. Often people
use this expression as a question. They might ask, Has the cat got your tongue, or Cat got your tongue?
You can also use this expression when you dont know what to say. Maybe, someone asks you, Why do you
watch movies in black and white? If you dont have an answer, you can say, Wow! The cats got my tongue. I
dont know.

First, the cat has got Kelseys tongue in todays English lesson. However, by the end, the cat has someone
elses tongue. Watch todays soap opera to learn who.

Dialogue

Andy_H: Well, well, well. Whats the matter, Kelsey? Cat got your tongue?
Kelsey: I dont know what youre talking about.
Jordin: Pencils, Kelsey. Pencils.
Kelsey: Oh yeah! Sorry, I forgot. Why is everything in black and white?
Andy_H: Because this is a noir mystery.
Kelsey: Oh, cool!
Andy_H: It is, right?
Jordin: This is not cool. Andy is missing his pencils.
Andy_H: Right! It seems like you have a little trouble keeping track of things, hmm?
Kelsey: I do?
Kelsey: Andy, can I borrow a pencil? I cant find the other one.
Andy_H: Yeah, sure.
Kelsey: OK, OK. I get it. But dont you see? I like borrowing the pencils. I dont want to take them from you.
Who else would I borrow them from?
Andy_H: I see Hmmm
Kelsey: However, there is one person I know.
Andy_H: Yes?
Jordin: Yes?
Kelsey: He really likes pencils.
Andy_H: Yes?
Jordin: Yes?
Kelsey: His name is Andy! Whats the matter Andy? Cats got your tongue?

Discussion

Andy is looking for his lost pencils. He and Jordin think that Kelsey might have taken them. They begin to ask
her many questions. They know that she likes to borrow Andys pencils, and she often loses and breaks them.
In fact, they think that she has trouble keeping track of many things.

Kelsey is confused. First, she doesnt know why she is in a noir mystery. However, she thinks its very cool.
Then, she is confused because she doesnt want to steal Andys pencils. She likes knowing that Andy will always
have pencils for her to borrow. She does have one idea, though, and both Andy and Jordin really want to hear
it. Kelsey thinks that Andy might have taken his own pencils!
When has the cat gotten your tongue? When were you confused by someones question?

Grammar Point

Present Progressive Tense

Jordin is telling Kelsey about their situation. She says, Andy is missing his pencils! She uses the present
progressive tense.

The present progressive tense (also sometimes called the present continuous) is formed with the present
tense of the verb to be + a main verb + -ing, as in, He is constantly calling me, or, The neighbors are
playing their music really loudly.

To make a question in the present progressive tense, use the form to be + subject + main verb + -ing,
as in, Is she coming to the party? or, Are they feeling OK?

We use the present progressive tense to 1) describe an action thats continually repeated, 2) talk about an
on-going action thats happening right now, or 3) talk about an event in the near future.

When Jordin says, Andy is missing his pencils, she uses the present progressive because this is something
that is happening right now.

Words like always, constantly, or continuously are often used with the present progressive to describe
actions that are repeated, while phrases like right now or at the moment often indicate that the action is
currently in progress.

Which is correct, We be cooking dinner together, or, We are cooking dinner together?

Quiz

1. Why do Andy and Jordin think Kelsey took the pencils?

o Because Kelsey hates pencils.

o Because Kelsey borrows and loses a lot of pencils.

o Because Kelsey prefers to use pens.

o Because they dont like Kelsey.

2. Why is everything in the soap opera in black and white?

o Because black is Andys favorite color.

o Because Travel Bug doesnt have money for color film.

o Because Jordin traveled back in time.

o Because Andy created a noir mystery.

3. Which of these has the same meaning as: What is the problem?

o Whats the matter?

o Is the problem matter?

o What are you mattering about?

o What is matter?
4. Which sentence does NOT use present progressive tense?

o Monica is going to the Beyonc concert.

o They are playing with the dog outside.

o We have been running for two hours.

o Im studying right now.

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Grad School
Jun 08 2016

Intro

People can get an education in many different ways. Some simply read and study at home while others get
aninternship. Going to a university is a very popular way tofurther your education. Many people
have undergrad degrees. These degrees, also called bachelors degrees, help many people find jobs. However,
some people want more education. Going to grad school is a popular option.

In grad school, you can get a masters degree. Its a great way to home in on new job skills. But before you can
go to grad school, you might need to get specific qualifications. This means that you might need to take extra
classes and spend more money. Youll need to decide if this is worth the investment. Going to grad school can
teach you many great things, but it can also be expensive!

Jessica is trying to work up the courage to apply for grad school. Listen to Brian give her advice in todays
English lesson.

Dialogue

Jessica: I have been debating, lately, whether or not I should look into going to graduate school.
Brian: Oh! Grad school! I actually went to grad school.
Jessica: Did you really?
Brian: Yeah, I have my masters degree in Fine Arts.
Jessica: Oh, that is so cool. I had an amazing experience in undergrad because I had some
incredibleprofessors, and I dont know Ive been debating whether it is worth the investment.
Brian: Ill say, it does take a lot more dedication. I mean, you really home in on what youre studying. You
mentioned professors
Jessica: Yeah.
Brian: I enjoyed it because I got to know them really closely. Its a much smaller class. And you have to make
sure you have the right qualifications. But it is a great way to further your education
Jessica: Yeah.
Brian: And can lead to really great opportunities.
Jessica: It sounds so intimidating. I dont know Maybe, for now, Ill look into an internship instead andwork up
the courage to apply for graduate school.
Brian: Yeah. If you need any more information, just let me know.
Jessica: Sounds good. Thanks!
Discussion

Jessica is thinking about going back to school to get her masters degree. She cant decide if its a good idea, so
she talks to Brian. Brian went to grad school, and he earned a Masters in Fine Arts. He loved his time at the
university because he was able to make friends with many of his professors. He liked the small classes and
learned many good skills.

Jessica had some wonderful professors during her bachelors degree, and she would love to study with great
teachers again. However, she cant decide if it would be worth spending the money to go back to school. She
wants to further her education, but she doesnt want to spend too much. Maybe, she will begin with
aninternship first.

If you could get any masters degree, what would it be? Who was your favorite professor in school?

Grammar Point

Adverbs

Talking about his professors in grad school, Brian says, I enjoyed it because I got to know them really
closely. He uses two adverbs.

Adverbs are words that modify or describe other words. They can modify verbs, as in, He speaks softly. Or
they can modify adjectives, as in, This room is quite large. Or they can even modify other adverbs. Brian
modifies the adverb closely with another adverb really in the example sentence.

You can turn many adjectives into adverbs by adding -ly to the end, as in quietly, quickly, slowly, orgladly.
But be careful! This isnt true 100% of the time. For example, this doesnt work for adjectives that already end
in -y, such as happy. The adverbial form of happy is happily.

Adverbs can come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. You can say, Quickly, she ran down the
street, or, She ran quickly down the street, or, She ran down the street quickly. However, you
shouldnever put an adverb between a verb and its object. You can say, I hungrily ate an apple, but not, I
atehungrily an apple.

Which is correct, She spoke quietly really, or, She spoke really quietly?

Quiz

1. Which sentence is true?

o Jessica is going to grad school.

o Jessica already finished grad school.

o Jessica is thinking about going to grad school.

o Jessica never wants to go to grad school.

2. Brian enjoyed getting to know his __ in grad school.

o professors

o sisters

o kids

o students
3. When you home in on something, you __.

o go home

o dont think about it much

o live inside something

o focus on it
4. Which sentence uses two adverbs?

o Mike is very tired at the end of the day.

 o She works really quickly in the morning.

o My dad speaks loudly in our house.

o Your puppy is very cute.

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