Science education has taken new life(1) with the opening, six months ago, of the Mobius Science Center in Spokane, Washington. A $14 million fund put the new Science Center into operation. It is operating along with(2) the Mobius Children's Museum which has been open for seven years. The museum, aimed at children up to 8 years old(3), has been a very successful part of downtown Spokane. The demands for better-informed(4) and trained people in science have led to support for both centers. The Mobius Science Center has 26,000 square feet of exhibition space. There are 65 hands-on(5), interactive science and technology exhibits, plus educational programs. Here, young people can experience the worlds of Robotics, Flight, Space, Optics, Earth Science, Math and many more. It's a lively place that curious minds of all ages(6) will love.
1. 'Science education has taken new life....' this is an unusual sentence, though we can understand the meaning. Another phrase that talks about new life is the following: 'New life has been breathed into...(science, business, the district, education etc). We talk of new life being 'breathed into' something.
a. The project has breathed new life into the city.
b. The updated curriculum has breathed new life into my class.
2. 'Along with..' is like saying 'as well as' or 'side by side'. The meaning here is that the Children's Museum and the Science Center are two parts of the same project.
a. The water park, along with the golf course, are open to the public 6 days a week.
b. School children, along with other people from the neighborhood, planted trees in the park.
3. 'Up to 8 years old' here 'up to' is showing the limit, or maximum age of those served in the museum.
We also use 'over' to show the minimum and above.
a. This film is for eighteen year olds and over.
b. The class is for children up to the age of 12.
4. 'Better' can be attached to many adjectives with a hyphon.
a. We need better-equipped police on the streets.
b. We need better-educated teachers in the schools.
c. I wish the teenagers were better-behaved.
5. 'Hands-on' is a very popular expression. It means that a person can physically touch, play with, and experiment with something.
a. It will be a hands-on experience for the kids.
b. It will be a hands-on job, action, not just talk.
6. '....of all ages' is also a common expression when mentioning people of many ages who have a certain hobby or preference.
a. Sweet lovers of all ages will adore this new chocolate shop.
b. Children of all ages will appreciate this book.
c. Dance fanatics of all ages can use this new dance video.
Thanks for joining me. Send your questions and comments to acupofenglish@hotmail.com Also, you are invited to join my FACEBOOK page called Anna Fromacupofenglish.
Excuse me, am I close to the college?
Yes, it's just around the corner. Which department do you need?
I need to go to the Science department.
Ok, that's on the fourth floor. Go through the main entrance, and on your left you'll find the stairs.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome.
Questions or comments? Email them to me at acupofenglish@hotmail.com and I promise to email you back. You are welcome to join my FACEBOOK page at Anna Fromacupofenglish.
It's not often that(1) I find myself trapped, stuck in the middle of two things. However, I put myself in the middle of two things the other day deliberately(2). The two things were my dog and cat. The dog wanted to get the cat, and the cat wanted to test her young claws on the dog's nose. I have been training my little kitten. She is getting used to(3) the front garden, so when she's older, I can let her out by herself. I have a little harness(4) for her, (I call it her bra), which attaches around her chest. Then the leash(5) clips into it, so I can gently hold the leash and follow her while she explores. Perfect. Well, not really. My dog Foxy can jump over the gate and come to the front garden whenever she wants to(6). That's the problem. She is very, very smart. She approaches us, focusing on the cat. I tell her "no" and act like a confident boss. She responds by lying down and acting sweet. However, I can see in her eyes that she is just pretending for her stupid human owner. Really, she's ready for war, and her enemy is the cat. She looks at me with sad, sweet eyes, and then back at the cat with an unbreakable(7) stare. She licks her lips. I feel quite proud of myself for staying(8) right in the middle, the great protector. Suddenly a car scares the cat and she runs for the door. Foxy, the dog, jumps to attack, but the cat is too quick. She gets out her weapon, her claws, and goes for the nose. This is a new experience for Foxy; her precious nose must be protected, so she backs away(9). When the cat and I are back inside the house, I realize how ridiculous that scene was. And was I even necessary? I'm sure the natural dog and natural cat don't need a civilized woman to keep the peace. Why? Because naturally speaking, there is no peace between a cat and a dog.
1. 'It's not often that I...' this sentence and the use of 'often' could be written a different way, and with 'often' at the end.
a. I don't find myself trapped (very) often. OR It's not often that I find myself trapped.
b. It's not often that he reads all night. OR He doesn't read all night (very) often.
c. It's not often they visit us. OR They don't visit us (very) often.
2. 'Deliberately' means 'on purpose'. Let's practice the pronunciation.
Del-i-ber-ate-ly Del-i-ber-ate-ly Del-i-ber-ate-ly Del-i-ber-ate-ly
3. 'To get used to' is a phrase that we have covered before. It is the same as 'to familiarize yourself with' or 'to become accustomed to'. It is much easier to use 'to get used to',
a. It might take a long time, but you will get used to the weather here.
b. I just can't get used to my new work schedule.
c. Get used to it! You have no choice.
4. 'A harness' is like a piece of clothing made of straps that fits around the body. In rock climbing, a rope is attached to it to keep the climber safe.
a. The rock climber checked his harness before he started climbing.
5. 'A leash' is the cord or rope that is attached to a dog or cat collar when you take them for a walk.
a. I bought a new leash for my dog because she had chewed the other one.
b. You need a stronger leash for that big dog.
6. 'Whenever she wants to' in the U.S the preposition 'to' is often missed out. In England, however, we normally include it.
a. They'll do it whenever they want to. OR They'll do it whenever they want.
b. I'll say whatever I want to. OR I'll say whatever I want.
c. They always went wherever they wanted to. OR They always went wherever they wanted.
7. 'Unbreakable' means that it is impossible to break.
Un-break-able un-break-able un-break-able un-break-able
8. 'I feel quite proud of myself for staying.....' it is the structure of this sentence that is useful:
Subject + emotion + preposition + (oneself) + for + gerund
a. He's happy with himself for getting the promotion.
b. I'm disappointed in myself for getting angry.
c. She's ashamed of herself for being lazy.
d. They're proud of themselves for building the house.
9. 'To back away' can also be expressed as 'to back off'. 'To back down' is similar, but it also means to give up in a fight, or to stop offering a threat.
a. The protesters backed off when the police arrived.
b. The younger lion backed down when the alpha male confronted him.
Thanks for joining me! Let me know your questions and comments at acupofenglish@hotmail.com, and I will send you an email in return. You're all invited to join my FACEBOOK page Anna Fromacupofenglish.
Can I help you?
Yes please. Which way is it to the college?
You are on the right road. Keep going straight, and then take a right.
Is it far?
No, you're quite close. It'll take you about five minutes.
Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.
Join me on Monday's and Wednesday's for more basic pronunciation practice. My regular intermediate level podcasts are Tuesday's and Thursday's. I hope it helps! You are all welcome to join my FACEBOOK page called Anna Fromacupofenglish; just send me a friend request.
Throw it, chuck it(1), give it away!
All of this furniture can't possibly stay!
Every room, cupboard, and closet is filled to the brim(2),
But most of this stuff should be thrown in the bin!(3)
So off to(4) the dump with these old, broken possessions,
Chairs, tables, and computers that long ago were in fashion.
Just look at this old sofa; it's seen better days,(5)
Why do you think that keeping it pays?(6)
The mattress, pillows, and table are on their last legs,(7)
They're covered in stains, holes, scribbles, and bacon and eggs!(8)
The kids have used them as a castle, a playground, and even a hobbit's hole,
But to throw them all away is definitely my goal.
So, give away want you want, and don't forget to recycle,
Take our ornaments, broken kitchen appliances, records, toys, and bicycle.
The dump is a glorious place, with an unforgettable smell,
It's there we get rid of our trash, and feel free, and clean, and well.
At first sight it's quite scary, deep, and dark, with mold, dust, sticky stuff, and fungus,(9)
But be brave, chuck that ancient computer in there, and come and join us.
We'll celebrate our clean houses and new lives with martinis one, two and three,
And promise to never again spend too much on junk, now that's the key!(10)
1. 'To chuck' is the same as 'to throw away' or 'to get rid of'. It's mainly used in England.
a. Chuck those old papers in the fire, would you please?
2. 'Filled to the brim' we have seen before. It means to be completely full, up to the very top.
a. He filled my wine glass to the brim.
3. 'Bin' is another word for 'the garbage can' or 'the trash can'.
a. Oh dear, I think I threw ten dollars in the bin!
4. 'Off to' is like saying 'go to' or 'let's go to'.
a. Off to the swimming pool! Let's go!
5. 'To have seen better days' means that something or someone is very old and in bad shape.
a. My television has seen better days; it huge, black and white, and only three channels work.
6. 'Something pays' means that something is worth it or worthwhile.
a. It pays to study a little everyday instead of once a week.
7. 'To be on your last legs' can apply to people, animals, or objects. It is just like 'to have seen better days' in meaning.
a. That car is on it's last legs; it will break down any day!
8. 'Scribble' is a messy piece of writing or drawing that children do on paper, and sometimes where they shouldn't do it, like furniture, or on the walls.
a. My son scribbled all over our new table with a permanent pen.
9. 'Fungus' is a growth similar to a mushroom. We generally think of fungus growing on old food, or damp materials.
a. I opened the closet and found fungus growing on the wall.
10. 'That's the key!' is a set phrase that means, 'that is the solution', 'that is the answer'.
a. Prepare yourself for your classes if you want to be successful; that's the key!
Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna Fromacupofenglish and I will friend you. Please send me your questions and comments to acupofenglish@hotmail.com and I will email you back. Remember my app is available in iTunes called A Cup Of English.
Do you have photos around your house? Perhaps photos of family and friends? I have been in some people's houses where there are photos in every room. The fridge, in the kitchen, is a place where a lot of people place photos of loved ones or fond memories. I have had our family photos in a huge box for quite a few years. The project of sorting through them, putting some in chronological albums, and others in frames, has been a project that I have avoided for all this time. Am I lazy? I don't think so. It's just a really big job that requires a lot of time and concentration. I want to do the job right, after all. So, the other day, after buying some frames that were on sale, I decided to at least start the project. The photos I selected to put in the frames are our most recent family and individual photos. We had a professional photographer come to our house in the Autumn (Fall). It was the first time that we had hired anyone to take semi-formal pictures of us. It happened to be the perfect time of year, because the light in the Autumn really adds color and depth to a picture, plus the leaves had changed color and fallen on the ground, creating a pretty background. I love how these photos turned out. They are casual, and show each person's character. She did such a good job. A few days ago, I cleaned up the frames, and divided up the pictures. There were twelve photos and three frames, each with four holes. A perfect match! Every frame would have one of each of the children. I placed the photos carefully in each frame, put sticky tape on the back to secure them, closed up the back of the frames, and then decided where to hang them. Should I put them in the entryway next to the mirror, or on the stair wall? Should I put them all together, or separate them? Decisions, decisions. I ended up putting two on one wall, and one a little further up the stair case. I've had positive comments about them already, and I am quite satisfied with what I have done.
Grammar notes.
Related vocabulary and expressions: chronological, to avoid, after all, (it) happens to ....
1. The video of the man's life was not in chronological order, so it was a bit confusing.
2. I would avoid that part of the city, if I were you.
3. Sit down and relax. You have been working hard all day, after all.
4. It happens to be my mother's birthday. OR She happens to be my best friend. OR They happen to be our relatives.
Click the link to rate my podcast if you like. Thanks!
These days(1) everybody seems to be trying to(2) save money. On the television, we hear about sales, discounts, and 'cash back'(3) on things that we buy. Most receipts now give opportunities to win money, or products. And the shops do the same. Have you noticed generic brands in your local shops? A generic brand is a line of products made for that shop, not a famous brand name. They are always cheaper than other brands. The question is, "Are they good quality, or of the same quality as(4) the brand name products?" Over the past few years, I have shopped almost exclusively(5) at Walmart, and I have got to know(6) some things about generic brands. Great Value is a brand name made for Walmart. The boxes, packets, and bottles(7) of products are simple to look at, and stand out from the rest. In my opinion, the basic products like detergents(8), paper products, and simple house items are worth buying. However, when it comes to eating, the cheaper product often doesn't taste as good. Pastas, bread, dairy products, and canned goods are not quite as good as(9) the brand name ones. I'm fussy about what I eat, and so cheaper ingredients are not always the best option(10). It might be better to spend a few more pennies, to taste good quality food. However, you can always save your money on the non-edible(12) items.
1. 'These days' can be replaced with 'now-a-days'. They are interchangeable.
a. These days, we spend a lot of time in the car.
b. Now-a-days, people drive a lot.
2. 'Everybody seems to be trying to save money'. Notice there are 3 verbs in a row. This isn't complicated, you just have to decide how you wish to follow 'seems to be'.
a. The cat seems to be trying to climb the tree.
b. They seems to be walking very fast.
c. The clouds seem to be getting dark over the mountains.
3. 'Cash back' is a very common thing over here. When you buy something with a credit card, sometimes, if it is a big purchase, like a car or a computer, you might get 'cash back', meaning a check from your credit card company in a few months or at the end of the year.
a. I will get my cash back at the end of the year; I have bought a lot of things, so I should get a big check.
b. With the cash back from buying my car, I bought an iPad.
4. '...of the same quality as..'
a. That material is of the same quality as the more expensive one.
b. That sofa is made of the same leather as the chair.
5. 'Exclusively' means 'only' when excluding other options. It is a great word to practice as, when used correctly, gives the impression of fluency.
Ex-clu-sive-ly ex-clu-sive-ly ex-clu-sive-ly ex-clu-sive-ly
6. 'To get to know' is the same as 'to come to know', and 'to become familiar with'.
a. When I stayed with my grandmother in the summer, I really got to know her.
b. Let's get to know eachother before we go on a date.
7. 'Boxes, packets and bottles' are some of the containers of products. Others are 'cans, jars, tubes, bags, containers and tubs'.
a. We need a packet of cookies and a large container of icecream, like a tub.
b. I have jars of spaghetti sauce and cans of soup on the shelf.
8. 'Detergent' is the name of a soap that is not used for the body.
a. I like the new laundry detergent; all the clothes smell really nice.
b. That detergent makes me itchy.
9. '....are not quite as good as..' is an effective use of comparison, but in the negative.
a. The second and third films were not quite as good as the first.
b. The painting is not quite as colorful as the photo.
c. My new gloves are not quite as comfortable as my old ones.
10. 'The best option' could be replaced by 'the best choice', 'the best idea', 'the best decision'.
a. I think that the cheaper hotel is the best option.
b. He recently broke his leg so I don't think that night skiing is the best option.
Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna Fromacupofenglish and practice posting and chatting in English. If you have questions or comments, feel free to email me at acupofenglish@hotmail.com, and I promise to email you back.
Over the years I have collected books and cassettes to learn different languages. I have them lined up(1) on my desk, all in a row: Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian. Unfortunately I don't speak all of them, only Spanish and French. I learned a little Russian as well, but only a few sentences. I would love to know all of these languages, but I know that it would take me years and years to both study and practice(2) them. I pick up the books sometimes and look at the Chinese and Arabic characters. "Wow!" is usually what I say to myself as I look at these beautiful but unrecognizable(3) shapes. So, what are the steps to learning a language? First, decided which one you need to learn. That sounds obvious, but, if you're like me, you will want to learn several. Limit yourself because you need lots of time to learn a language. Perhaps you can plan to(4) listen to 2 podcasts a day, read a paragraph, and practice singing a song. If you did this five days a week, you would progress quickly(5). Memorize some basic conversation sentences. Make a list of the twenty most important verbs and expressions. Read a joke book in that language, perhaps a children's joke book. What do you think? Do you have any suggestions? Is there a better way to learn a language? Personally, I think that the ear is the key. If you hear a language a lot, it will become part of you. And then, you must repeat what you hear, to hear yourself speak the language. And, finally you must have fun! Humor, laughter, and silliness can make you relax and remember.
1. 'To line up' is to put in a line or a row. It can be used for things or people. It is similar in meaning to 'to queue up';however, we would not use 'to queue up' with objects.
a. The child lined up all of his cars in a straight line.
b. We queued up outside the cinema, and the taxis were lined up on the street.
2. 'To both study and practice'. The use of 'both' here gives a nice sound of fluency in English. It can be used in front of two verbs, or two adjectives, and two nouns in many different occasions.
a. He will both run and swim in the race.
b. She has both intelligence and generosity.
c. The bank employees are both unprofessional and slow.
3. 'Unrecognizable' means something that you don't recognize, that is not familiar at all.
Un-re-cog-niz-able un-re-cog-niz-able un-re-cog-niz-able un-re-cog-niz-able
4. 'To plan to ..' is useful when talking about the future.
a. I plan to travel this Summer if I can get plane tickets.
b. He plans to finish his exams and then look for an apprenticeship.
5. 'If you did this...., you would progress quickly'. This is an example of subjunctive with conditional. The simple past is used in the first half of the sentence, then 'would' plus the infinitive with no 'to'.
a. If you drank this, you would feel better.
b. If he read the letter, he would understand.
c. If they came early, they would have time to talk.
d. If they invested now, they would make an early profit.
Thanks for joining me today. Please send your questions and comments to acupofenglish@hotmail.com, and feel free to join my FACEBOOK page at Anna Fromacupofenglish.
The subject of many people's conversations is the flu. Everybody is talking about it. The clinics and hospitals are full of people who have flu symptoms, and supermarkets have shelves full of medicines, tissues(1), and vitamin powders. I've been lucky so far(2); my children and my husband have had it, but not me(3). And I'm not going to, I keep telling myself. I'm using mind over matter(4). When I do go to the supermarket, I'll often hear a horrible cough in one direction, and a sneeze in another(5). So what do I do then? I get as far away as possible(6). I push my shopping cart to the opposite part of the store as quickly as possible. I bumped into a man I know the other day, and he said, "Anna, you are the fastest moving thing(7) in the store!" At home I've been moving fast as well. There is extra washing to do. I wipe the countertops with disinfecting wipes(8). I remind the kids to wash their hands with soap and water, and to drink lots of water and juice. And I open windows as much as possible. And after all of that, really the only thing you should do is rest, stay warm, and sleep.
1. 'Tissues' here mean paper handkerchiefs. The word 'tissue' is the general word used, as 'handkerchief' is out dated. It is also the general word for organic material.
a. Do you need a tissue? It sounds like you have a bad cold.
b. He lost tissue from his hand in the accident.
2. 'So far' could be replaced by 'up until now'.
a. So far he has been very successful in his career.
b. We haven't been able to get a loan so far.
3. 'My children and husband have had it, but not me.' The last part of this sentence is a simplified way of speaking. It is equally normal to say 'but I haven't' at the end of the sentence, as I have already used the verb 'to have'. However, I think an easier way of completing the sentence is by saying 'but not me'. It is correct and also common use. Even if I had used the verb 'to do', I could have finished the sentence the same way.
a. They did it, but not me (but I didn't).
b. The class read the book, but not her (name).
4. 'Mind over matter' is a set phrase which means that you are trying to convince yourself, and control your own physical symptoms.
a. I was terrified of bungie jumping, but I used mind over matter, and I did it!
b. He doesn't like giving speeches, but with mind over matter he manages.
5. As with most languages, the word 'another' or other implies the repetition of a noun, so you don't have to mention it twice.
a. In my kitchen I found a mouse on one chair, and a spider on another!
b. He cut his finger on one knife, and his thumb on another.
6. 'As far away as possible' is an example of the phrase 'as ....as possible'. The words 'far away' might make it seem more complicated, but it's actually not. 'Far away' is simply put in between 'as' and 'as possible', like many, many other things.
a. He ran as fast as possible to catch the bus.
b. He always stands as close as possible to people, but his breath stinks!
c. She writes her essays as carefully as possible.
7. "Anna, you're the fastest moving thing in the store" this sentence uses 'moving thing' to add humor because it shows me as a thing and not a person. In fact, the speaker could have said just 'the fastest thing in the store' and missed out 'moving'. We use a superlative adjective with 'thing' in these sentences.
a. That child is the loudest thing in the whole shopping center.
b. That dog is the ugliest thing I've ever seen!
c. That article is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read!
8. 'Disinfecting wipes' are disposable cloths that have disinfecting liquid in them. The word 'wipe' is a verb, and a noun with two meanings: the action of wiping, and the cloth,
a. I need a 'baby wipe' to clean the baby.
b. Wipe your mouth, you have spaghetti sauce on it.
c. He cleaned the glass with one wipe.
Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna Fromacupofenglish; you're all invited. My app is available in iTunes called A Cup Of English, and my email address is acupofenglish@hotmail.com if you wish to give me any suggestions or if you have any questions.
It's been a rough couple of weeks(1). My three boys have had the flu, and one of them has had two different kinds. As a mother, I try to do all that I can to make them comfortable: medicine, liquids, blankets, and peace and quiet(2). I try to give them some extra attention, if they want it. At times(3) I have taken their temperatures, asked them how they feel, felt their foreheads, and given them popsicles(4) for their sore throats. Sometimes, however, they have wanted to be left alone(5). I can understand that. As a mother, you have to become a judge of who will want what and when(6). My daughter gave me a good suggestion today, to help Robert feel better: buy him a teddy. He is ten years old, almost too 'cool' to have teddies, but not quite. And, of course, there are teddies and teddies(7). The one she chose for him is a gorilla with a tie and a big smile. That's perfect for an 'almost too cool boy'. It's soft, cuddly(8), and funny, but it's also masculine looking, and it goes well with his giant soft lion that he uses as a pillow. It was a good idea, I told Domini. It's a little, soft creature that wishes him well, with a huge smile to make him feel better.
1. 'A rough couple of weeks'. 'Rough' is a common word to describe a length of time that has been difficult.
a. This week has been rough at work.
b. The two years after the divorce were very rough.
2. 'Peace and quiet' is a set phrase that is used in both England and the U.S. The meaning is self-explanatory, but it should be noted that they often, automatically go together.
a. After a noisy week, I really need peace and quiet at the weekend.
b. When you have the flu, you need medicine, liquids, rest, and peace and quiet.
3. 'At times' is the same as saying 'sometimes', though it can indicate less occasions than 'sometimes'.
a. At times he looks happy, but then at other times he looks sad.
b. At times I really don't know if he is joking or not.
4. 'Popsicle' is like a cross between 'pop' and 'icicle'. It is a frozen lollipop, and comes in many different flavors and shapes.
a. In the Summer we always fill the freezer with popsicles.
b. Popsicles can help a sore throat feel better.
5. To be 'left alone' often goes with the word 'want', or it is phrased to show that the person desires to be alone. 'Left' indicates other people letting go, or permitting.
a. I just want to be left alone.
b. I'm sure he'll calm down if you leave him alone/ if he's left alone.
6. 'Who will want what and when' is an example of a string of interrogatives. Because I have already mentioned the medicines, blankets, liquids etc and the boys, I don't need to repeat these nouns. The sentence that is full of interrogatives is simply referring back to those nouns.
a. We have ham, cheese, salad, soup, and cake for everyone. Anyone can help themselves to what they want, when they want it.
b. I don't know why, when, or how this mess was made; I just want it cleaned up!
7. 'There are teddies and teddies' echoes a similar sentence that I discussed in a previous podcast. This sentence format is comparing equal things, but it implies that they are not equal. Some teddies are better than others.
a. We saw the musical Les Miserable. Of course there are musicals and there are musicals, but that's one of the best.
b. I wish you didn't buy that cheap ham. It's not all the same you know. There's ham and then there's ham.
8. 'Cuddly' is one of my favorite words. It means something that is easy to hug, perhaps even built to hug.
a. That homemade pillow is so cuddly; I could just hug it all day.
b. When our cat is sleepy, she is so cuddly.
You're all welcome to join me on my FACEBOOK page at Anna Fromacupofenglish. I will email you a reply if you write to me at acupofenglish@hotmail.com to send me your questions or comments.
Some state lawmakers are pushing to ban(1) potentially(2) cancer-causing(3) chemicals from children's products and sofas. The two flame retardant(4) chemicals are known as TCEP and TDCCP and are found in car seats, strollers(5), changing pads(6), other children's products, and furniture. Manufacturers often add the chemicals to foam(7), plastics and fabrics to prevent fires and to slow down fires if they have already started. The chemical industry says that flame retardants have been useful in reducing fires and saving lives. However, supporters(8) of the bill say there are better ways to protect against fires without the chemicals.
1. 'To ban' is the similar in meaning to 'to forbid', 'to stop', or 'to not allow'.
a. Certain weapons are banned for civilian use.
b. Chewing gum is banned from the schools.
2. 'Potentially' means 'having the power to' or 'possibly'. It is a powerful word to use in the right context.
a. The new flu virus could potentially affect all of us.
b. The recession could potentially cause the cost of flights to double.
3. '-causing' can be added to many nouns, especially names of diseases.
a. The street party had lots of conflict-causing elements; I'm not surprised there was a riot.
b. Cholera-causing bacteria were found in the drinking water.
4. 'Flame retardant' is a set phrase used for particular chemicals that reduce the risk of fire. 'Retardant' means 'stopping' or 'slowing'.
a. Often, kids' pajamas are flame retardant.
b. Sofas also have a flame retardant chemical added to them.
5. 'Stroller' is the American word for a 'push chair' used to transport a baby or youngster while the parent is walking. It's basically a seat with wheels and handlebars at the top. The word is taken from the verb 'to stroll' which means to walk slowly.
a. It was such a lovely day that I put the baby in the stroller and walked in the park.
b. We need some equipment for the new baby, including a stroller.
6. 'A changing pad' is another piece of equipment or furniture used when a person has a baby. It is like a long, flat, waterproof pillow that you lay the baby on in order to change its diaper. The word 'pad' is used for many things, such as: a seat pad, a panty pad, a pad of paper. Also 'padding' is similar to a material filling, such as in a cushion. It can be used figuratively.
a. The changing pad needs to be disinfected after each use.
b. He's on a diet. He said that he has five pounds of padding on his stomach that he wants to lose.
7. 'Foam' is an aerated, bubbly substance that is either made out of rubber or plastic material, or an organic substance such as egg, toothpaste, or sea water. The padding in furniture is often made out of 'foam'.
a. The foam padding in the sofa has gone flat; it needs to be replaced.
b. There is a lot of foam on the waves today.
8. 'Supporters' are people who agree with a person, a group, or a cause. A supporter is also someone who helps financially.
a. The supporters of the presidential candidate filled the stadium.
b. It was the supporters of the Committee of Arts and Culture who paid for the statue.
You are all invited to join me on my FACEBOOK page Anna Fromacupofenglish. Send me your questions and comments to acupofenglish@hotmail.com and I will get back to you.Tweet