AN ACROSTIC

In an acrostic, you start with a theme word and use each letter of that word to start another word or phrase that describes the theme word. The acrostic below is based on the theme word SNOW.
Instructions: Write an acrostic based on one of the following themes :
CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, REINDEER, SANTA CLAUS, MENORAH, or NEW YEAR.
S Slippery
N Numbing
O Obliterating
W Wintery

A CINQUAIN POEM

A cinquain poem is a five-line poem that is diamond-shaped. Start with a theme word (noun) and then use the pattern 1 noun, 2 adjectives, 3 gerunds, 1 full sentence, and finally a synonym for the first noun.
Here is an example starting with the theme word SNOW
.....................Snow.........................
.................Cold, white...................
......Falling, freezing, numbing....
.......It chills fingers and toes......
.....................Ice............................

Instructions: Write a cinquain poem based on one of the three following themes:
CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH, SANTA CLAUSE, REINDEER, MENORAH or NEW YEAR.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Dec. 10th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... I am looking forward to the holiday season...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Dec. 10th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

An economic prof at Simon Fraser university describes Canada as an overweight country who needs to go on the low-carb diet--low in carbon emission--and loose some weight.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Dec. 10th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

The fresh snow outside makes the neighbourhood look Christmassy.

1. change the subject noun 2. change direct object noun
3. change the first adjective 4. change the first verb name
5. change the second verb name 6. change the predicate adjective
7. change the verb tense.

SENTENCE COMBINATION, Dec. 10TH

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important skill in writing. There are many ways to do this--many possible bonus points! Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: The holiday season can be one of high expectations and increased stress.
Sentence 2: People want the season to be perfect, peaceful, and happy.
Sentence 3: The reality often is that the gifts are inappropriate, everything costs too much money, everyone eats and drinks too much, and some of the relatives can be difficult.

Check the archives for previous questions and answers.

VOCABULARY, Dec. 10th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

diffident (adjective) + superimpose (verb)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Dec. 1st

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... there is only one month left in 2008...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Dec. 1st

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

The team is real happy that they won the game and now the players recover from the party they had thrown afterwards.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Dec. 1st

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

The fluffy snowflakes fell slowly from the sky.

1. change the subject noun 2. change indirect object noun
3. change the first adverb 4. change the first verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, Dec. 1st

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

equilibrium (noun) + presage (verb)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE! Dec. 1st

This exercise is advanced sentence combining; it is designed for students who have completed Lesson 9 in the course.

Sentence 1: Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the December 9th this year.
Sentence 2: The date changes every year because Muslims follow a lunar calendar rather than the western calendar.
Sentence 3: The festival celebrates the end of the hajj and the sacrifice made by the prophet Abraham.

1 . Use a gerund to combine the sentences.
2. Use an appositive to combine the sentences.
3. Use a relative pronoun to combine the sentences.

SENTENCE COMPLETION,Nov. 21st

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... December is almost here ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Nov. 21st

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

When I arrived in Paris neither the bus or the trains was running, the following day the buses were running and trains started to move later in the afternoon.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Nov. 21st

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. For instance, student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

My children watched the Santa Clause parade at the mall.

1. change the subject noun 2. change direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the first verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, Nov. 21st

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

insidious (adjective) + engender (verb)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE! Nov. 21st

This exercise is advanced sentence combining; it is designed for students who have completed Lesson 9 in the course.

Sentence 1: My neighbours think that the best thing about winter is that it is hockey season and watch it on television.
Sentence 2: They never go outside and take advantage of outdoor activities that are available at that time of the year.

1 . Use a gerund to combine the sentences.
2. Use an appositive to combine the sentences.
3. Use an infinitive to combine the sentences.

SENTENCE COMPLETION,Nov. 13th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... November 11th was Remembrance Day...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Nov. 13th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

The art work was stunned: not only were the colours bright but each of the many paintings were creative, individualistic and showed originality.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Nov. 13th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Susan is still eating candy from last Halloween.

1. change the subject noun 2. change direct indirect object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense

VOCABULARY, Nov. 13th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

disproportionate (adjective) + antipathy (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

SENTENCE COMPLETION,Nov. 5th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the US election is finally over ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Nov. 5th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

I only think that a person travelling to a foreign country should learn a little of a language of those countries to speak easily with the people living their.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Nov. 5th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Overworked staff are decorating stores for Christmas.

1. change the subject noun 2. change direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense


Last week you got all the way from "Excited children will be knocking on doors on Halloween." to "Grown-up kids rapped on houses on April Fool's Day."

SENTENCE COMBINATION, Nov. 5th

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important skill in writing. There are many ways to do this--many possible bonus points! Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: Barack Obama easily won the US presidential election on November 4th and is now the president-elect.
Sentence 2: He will be sworn in as president on January 20th.
Sentence 3: Starting his presidency, he will face many financial and economic difficulties.

Check the archives for previous questions and answers.

VOCABULARY, Nov. 5th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

preposterous (adjective) + infidelity (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Oct. 28th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... I am dressing up as a monster for Halloween ...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Oct. 28th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 6 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 6. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Excited children will be knocking on doors on Halloween.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the first indirect object noun
3. change the second indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the verb tense

Last week you got from "Most children love halloween as they eat lots of candy" to "The children browsed the sweetshop as they consumed lots of sugar".

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Oct. 28th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Studying on my own pace is a lot of benefit for me due to I do not need to be worrying about no time for attend classes.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Oct. 28th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

ambiguity (noun) + assiduous (adjective)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE! Oct. 28th

This exercise is advanced sentence combining; it is designed for students who have completed Lesson 9 in the course.

Sentence 1: The opinion polls predict that Senator Obama will easily win the next U.S. election next week.
Sentence 2: It will depend on your point of view, whether like Halloween, the election may be seen as a trick or treat event.

1 . Use a gerund to combine the sentences.
2. Use a relative pronoun to combine the sentences.
3. Use an appositive to combine the sentences.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Oct. 15th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... Thanksgiving and the Canadian election are both over...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE, Oct. 15th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

Most children love Halloween as they eat lots of candy.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the first direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the first verb name
5. change the adjectives 6. change the second verb name
7. Change the verb tense

Last week you got all the way from "My mother always cooks a large turkey for Thanksgiving" to "Our neighbour had never bought a tiny tree for Christmas".

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Oct. 15th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

The prediction's were correct, Canada has another minority Government; and the politics situation haven't changed much moreover we may be see some new leader in the near future.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Oct. 15th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

posthumously (adverb) + colloquial (adjective)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

VOCABULARY, Oct. 6th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

complement (verb) + disparate (adjective)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

ALL CHANGE! Oct. 6th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7. Each student should build on the changes that the previous students make.

My family always cooks a large turkey for Thanksgiving.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb
7. change the verb tense

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Oct. 6th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... this year Thanksgiving is followed by the federal election on Tuesday...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Oct. 6th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

On october 14th Canadians would go to the polls electing a new Federal Government; but many are thinking that its going to look a lot like the last governments and they dont like the cost that was involved for no change.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2006/2007 archive in the side bar.

ALL CHANGE! Sept. 29th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 8 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 8.

My family usually holidays at our rustic cottage in the mountains.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the first indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb
7. change the verb tense 8. change the second indirect object noun

Last week you got all the way from
Sam usually saves his hard-earned money in the bank.
to
Mrs. Reynolds had never saved her spare dollars in a safe.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Sept. 29th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... it's only two more weeks until the Canadian federal election ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Sept. 29th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Standing over me and saying, "Are you finished yet the exam is nearly over," I felt intimidated, but I used all the time allowed so that I could do good.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2007 archives in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Sept. 29th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

avert (verb) + panacea (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

HALF-WAY THERE CHALLENGE! Sept. 29th

This exercise is advanced sentence combining; it is designed for students who have completed Lesson 9 in the course.

Sentence 1: We listened apprehensively to the bad financial news coming out of the USA.
Sentence 2: We,like many other investors, started to feel nervous about the state of our personal finances.

1 . Use a gerund to combine the sentences.
2. Use a relative pronoun to combine the sentences.
3. Use an appositive to combine the sentences.

LAUGH WITH ENGLISH

Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

ALL CHANGE, Sept. 22nd

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7.

Sam usually saves his hard-earned money in the bank.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb name
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb
7. change the verb tense

Last week you got all the way from
Rachida quickly gave her young son a hug before he went to school.
to
Mrs.Smith gladly offered her diminutive neighbor a scarf as the teenager runs to school.

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Sept. 22nd

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... today, September 22nd, is the first day of fall ...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, Sept. 22nd

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

On those long Summer evenings my family and me enjoy a simple meal of barbecue steak with Caesar salad and potato, grilling steaks are marinated briefly for flavour.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2007 archives in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Sept. 22nd

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

evanescent (adjective) + diversification (noun)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

ALL CHANGE! September 15th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. Student 1 writes #1 Subject Noun, and changes the subject noun; Student 2 writes #2 Direct Object Noun, and changes that noun. Each student only makes one change at a time and keeps to the order indicated.If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 8.

Rachida quickly gave her young son a hug before he went to school.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb of manner
7. change the verb tense 8. change the adverb clause of time

SENTENCE COMPLETION, Sept. 15th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... the price of gasoline rose sharply last week...

1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, September 15th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Mr Harper said the funding will help those suffering from mental illness and their families.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2007 archives in the side bar.

VOCABULARY, Sept. 15th

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. Use the following two words (note the part of speech) in one sentence.

unequivocal (adjective) + intercede (verb)

Answers will be saved to the Blog archive.

ALL CHANGE! September 8th

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated. You can only change the exact word in the sequence given; after someone else has posted the next change, then you can post another change. With each posting, rewrite the whole sentence to make sure that it does make sense! If you complete all 7 changes, then start making more changes again from 1 to 7.

The young boy quickly took the candy from the packet.

1. change the subject noun 2. change the direct object noun
3. change the indirect object noun 4. change the verb
5. change the adjective 6. change the adverb of manner
7. change the verb tense

SENTENCE COMPLETION, September 8th

Use the type of clause, phrase, or grammar indicated to complete the following sentence; you can add the phrase or clause before or after the clause below:

... Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an election for October 14th...
1. Use a phrase
2. Use a dependent clause
3. Use an independent clause

Note: you can still see previous Sentence Completion questions; they are posted in the 2007 archive in the side bar.

GRAMMAR QUESTION, September 8th

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

When the students in our class goes on field trip they all have fun and learned a lot.

Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer.

Note: you can still see previous Grammar Questions of the Week; they are posted in the 2007 archives in the side bar.