In this second learning activity of English Dot Works 5, you will learn how to tell
anecdotes, stories, and describe historical facts. For that purpose, you will
become familiar with the past perfect tense and how to use it along with
the simple past tense. You will also learn different adjectives related to feelings
and emotions that are usually used in the context of storytelling.
Fuente: SENA
Introductory material
Dear learner,
This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 2.
You will learn about:
Lets begin!
1. The past perfect tense and the simple past
We use the past perfect to chronologically organize two activities that took place
in the past. The activity that took place first should be in the past perfect tense.
Example:
First activity:
Second activity:
I got home.
First activity:
Tom left.
Second activity:
As you can see in the previous examples, the action that is performed after the
first one is expressed in the simple past tense.
Affirmative form
Subject Had Past participle Complement
She had eaten lunch.
They had drunk some wine.
the
Douglas had cancelled
appointment.
Negative form
Had + not /
Subject Past participle Complement
Hadnt
She hadnt eaten lunch.
They hadnt drunk any wine.
Douglas hadnt cancelled the appointment.
When and after are words often used when people talk about events in the past.
Example: I got to the movie theater after the movie had started.
Words such as already, just, as soon as, until and by the time are also
commonly used when telling anecdotes or stories. Look at how they are used in
a context in the examples below:
Example: The little house had just collapsed when the firemen got there.
Example: By the time the hunter arrived, the wolf had already eaten grandma.
Meaning: it is used to mean that event X (the wolf ate grandma) occurs before
Y (the hunter arrived).
Can you complete this task? Task: Which are the two target words above that
are used between the auxiliary verb and the past participle of the verb?
Note:
When before or after are used in a sentence, the past perfect tense is not
necessary because the words before and after clarify which action takes place
first. We can use the simple past tense instead. Look at these examples.
a. After she had read the message, she deleted it. (Correct but
unnecessary).
b. After she read the message, she deleted it. (Correct and more common).
c. She had left the theater before the movie ended. (Correct but
unnecessary).
d. She left the theater before the movie ended. (Correct and more common).
A. Function
Anecdotes are short stories you tell about something that happened. They
can be sad, exciting or create other feelings. You can use the past simple
and past perfect to tell these stories. You can also use adverbs and time
expressions.
Finally, you use certain phrases to 1) help you create interest and emotion
about the story you will tell at the beginning of a story; 2) put events in
order; 3) address the audience directly; 4) and to end an anecdote. Look at
the chart below to remember some of these phrases that help you tell
anecdotes.
To address the
To generate audience directly
To end and
interest To put an event in the middle of an
anecdote
(used in the in sequence anecdote
(used in the
introduction or (used in the (used in the
end)
to introduce a telling of events) beginning, middle
new event) and end)
C. Structure
Title
Introduction
Beginning
Events
End
Moral or lesson
Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.
Pablo Picasso.
I had just finished my presentation at 6:45 a.m. after I staying up all night. So, as soon as I got to the
office at 7:30 a.m., I drank a few cups of coffee and went over my presentation. Even though I had
finished it at the last minute, it looked pretty good.
Then, I logged in to my email account and began uploading the presentation to my account so I could
open it in the conference room. Suddenly, an error message appeared on the screen. The file was too
big! Can you imagine my panic?!
I decided to look for a USB to save the file, but believe me, at that hour, I was the only one at the office!
Since I had arrived before everyone else, no one could help me. I had to leave to buy a USB! By the
time I went back to the office and saved my presentation, it was time to jump in my car. I began driving
to the conference center. And, you won't believe what happened next... My car ran out of gas! By that
time, it was already 9:45 a.m., and I was sure I wasn't going to make it on time. Just then a miracle
happened. Coincidentally, I saw my boss passing in her car!!!
In the end, my boss gave me a ride and we got there just five minutes
before 10:00 a.m. As soon as we arrived, I inserted the USB. As it
opened I felt like I was going to have a heart attack from the stress! The
presentation went well, but to top it all off, my boss scolded me for not
being more prepared.
Watch a woman tell an anecdote about the day when Elvis Presley bought her a
Cadillac. Has a complete stranger ever given you something for free?
Fuente: SENA
Ill never forget the day Elvis Presley gave me a car. It was in July, 1975. I
remember I was working as a bank teller at LPQ Bank. It had been a really hard
week. I was feeling frustrated and stressed because my boss had been
particularly grouchy. I decided to take a short walk to relax. Walking always
helps me when I feel anxious. Anyway, as I approached my favorite ice cream
parlor, I saw the most amazing limousine parked in front of a new dealership
that had opened for business not long ago. I stayed there, staring at it for more
than five minutes while I was eating my ice cream. All of a sudden, a door
opened. I almost fainted when I say Elvis. He smiled at me and asked me why I
looked upset and sad. I tried to answer but no words came out of my mouth. It
was so embarrassing. I told him I had to go back to work. I could not believe I
was talking to the king. When I opened the door to the back, I turned around
and he was looking at me. I didnt know what to do. No more than ten minutes
had passed when the security guard gave me a note. He said Elvis had asked
him to give it to me. The note said, Dear stranger, I hope a Cadillac makes
your day. Remember, you never know what a new day has for you. By the time
I came outside to thank him, he had already left. But I was the owner of a brand
new Cadillac !!!
Comprehension
A. Read the anecdote again and decide if the following statements are true or
false:
B. Choose the best answer to the following questions about the anecdote you
heard.
Practice 1
A. Fill in the blanks with the verb in parenthesis using either the past perfect or
the past simple tenses.
2. When she rang the bell there was no answer. The neighbor told her that
he _______ (go out) about an hour ago.
3. They saw Rocky for the first time last night. They _________ (not see) it
before.
9. When Christine _________ (get back), nobody had done the dishes. She
was really upset.
10. It was too late when I ___________(decide) to call her.
B. Read the following sentences and choose which of the two options (a or b)
best explains it. Remember that the past perfect indicates the first event in a
sequence of events in the past.
Fuente: SENA
C. Read and organize the following sentences using the past perfect. Combine
the sentences using the adverb or subordinator given. Keep in mind that
each sentence can be organized in two different ways. You have to organize
the two of them. Look at the example:
Example:
Subordinator: Before.
Answers:
1.
Subordinator: After.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
2.
First: The Muisca people inhabited what is known as Colombia for hundreds
of years.
Second: The Spaniards landed in what is known as Colombia in 1499.
Subordinator: When.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
3.
First: Jean-Franois Pilatre de Rozier became the worlds first human to fly
by using a balloon in 1753.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
4.
First: The Russians put a man into space on April 12th, 1961.
Second: The Americans put a man into space on May 5th, 1961.
Adverb: Already.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
5.
Subordinator: When.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
6.
Subordinator: Before.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
7.
Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.
D. Complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense. For each
sentence, you should select the correct verb from the box below:
study / walk / run / look for / watch / do / wait / leave / meet / be / turn off / read
Practice 2
Fuente: SENA
Oh, Ive got a good story. It took place during Thanksgiving last year. My
siblings and I had promised my parents we would cook dinner. The day went
fine and by late afternoon we had completed most of the work. Even my cousins
had helped to make the meal a success. By the time my parents got home, we
had already put the turkey in the oven and the house smelled delicious. My wife
and my sisters-in-law had finished setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner. My
grandma had made two pies for dessert, a pumpkin pie and an apple pie, while
my kids were peeling the carrots and the sweet potatoes. I had just turned on
the oven to start cooking the vegetables and you wont believe what happened.
The power went out! The oven stopped working! We couldnt cook the
vegetables! The turkey wouldnt finish cooking! As you can imagine, I panicked!
I didnt know what to do. My grandpa lit some candles and told us to calm down.
He told us about Thanksgiving during the Great Depression. As soon as he
finished, we all felt a bit embarrassed for making such a big deal and emotional
because the story was moving. There was a long silence. I bet everyone was
reflecting on what he had said. All of a sudden, nobody felt anxious or angry.
We had waited two hours by the time the power came back on. We all hugged
each other and some of us even cried. Dinner was late that night, but it was a
Thanksgiving dinner that we will never forget.
2. Listen again and fill in the blanks with the words you hear in the story.
B. Use the words in the list to fill in the blanks in the sentences below. Use
each word only once.
1. The day that my first son was born I was so ______________ that I cried
tears of joy.
2. When you enter a religious temple, you are often overwhelmed by a
feeling of ______________.
3. The family was shocked at the sad news of the accident and the death of
the driver. For many months after, they were totally ______________.
4. A lecture from a visiting professor attracted many more people than the
University had predicted. The event organizers were ______________ at
the amount of people who came.
5. In general, History textbooks are extremely ______________ to read.
That is the reason none of the students do their reading assignments.
6. Believe me when I say that my patience with you has run out. I have
been asking you to stop calling at this time. I am ______________ by
your calls!
7. When I dont eat my meals on time I can get ______________. Really, I
am not angry, but my blood sugar level changes my mood.
8. One thing that really makes my dad ______________ is when I dont
clean up my bedroom.
9. An uncle was with his niece in the supermarket when she began to
scream. She was completely out of control and didnt know what to do.
He was very ______________.
10. Sometimes my dog looks at us like he is listening to every word. Often he
seems to understand. At other time, he turns his head and looks at us
with a ______________ expression. Its almost like hes asking a
question.
C. Read the story below. Write the highlighted sentences into its corresponding
box in the chart.
Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left
undone. Pablo Picasso
Oh, I've got a good story about why you shouldn't procrastinate...
I'll never forget the day I had to give my first presentation at work in front of the
board of directors. My boss called me that morning at 7:00 a.m. to remind me
how important the presentation at 10 a.m. was, and to wish me luck.
I had just finished my presentation at 6:45 a.m. after I staying up all night. So,
as soon as I got to the office at 7:30 a.m., I drank a few cups of coffee and went
over my presentation. Even though I had finished it at the last minute, it looked
pretty good.
I decided to look for a USB to save the file, but believe me, at that hour, I was
the only one at the office! Since I had arrived before everyone else, no one
could help me. I had to leave to buy a USB! By the time I went back to the office
and saved my presentation, it was time to jump in my car. I began driving to the
conference center. And, you won't believe what happened next... My car ran out
of gas! By that time, it was already 9:45 a.m., and I was sure I wasn't going to
make it on time. Just then a miracle happened. Coincidentally, I saw my boss
passing in her car!!!
In the end, my boss gave me a ride and we got there just five minutes before
10:00 a.m. As soon as we arrived, I inserted the USB. As it opened I felt like I
was going to have a heart attack from the stress! The presentation went well,
but to top it all off, my boss scolded me for not being more prepared.
Julian: Hello and welcome to Food for thought, the radio program for those
who like to reflect and converse about the things in daily life that most people
take for granted. Our program today, dear listeners, is called Boys dont cry,
which is an ironic title considering that I am here with my very sad looking co-
host, Bryan.
Bryan: Its just this piece by Beethoven I was listening to. It is so moving.
Julian: AhI see! Bryan is a guy who cries! Thats interesting because our
show today is about just that: Men who cry.
Bryan: Well, Im not a crybaby, Julian. I dont walk around blubbering all day.
Only when something moves me.
Julian: We can talk more about your tears in a bit, Julian. First, lets take the
daily quiz which, of course, is about crying. Wipe away your tears and answer
the question
An organization of scientists that studies eyes called the Society of
Ophthalmology researched male crying habits. How many times do you think
men cry per year?
Bryan: Well, since I listen to lots of classical music, which makes me cry a lot, I
am going to guess on the emotional side. Ill say c, from 18 to 25 times.
Julian: OK, well find out at the end of the show. Back to your Beethoven now.
Bryan: Do you always tear up when you hear a piece of music you love?
Bryan: Well, not always. It depends on different factors. As soon as the music
reminds me of something, I can get emotional.
Bryan: Yes. Its a stereotype when people say that men are not emotional. All
humans are emotional.
Bryan: Yes. Did you know that the Prime Minister was seen crying on public
television at a funeral. How about that for an emotional guy? You see, Julian,
you can be manly and powerful but still get teary eyed.
Julian: Ok. Ok. I get your point Bryan. I must admit. I have cried in public.
Before my daughter was born, I have did. But the first time I saw her, I was
overwhelmed. I cried tears of joy in front of everyone.
Bryan: Well, there you have it, mate. I knew you had a soft side
Julian: Alright. Enough mushy talk. Lets find out the answers to the quiz.The
answer, was.. b! Most men cry six to 17 times in a year. Looks like most
gents are somewhere between the two of us, Bryan. Not super-emotional, but
not heartless either.
Bryan: Indeed, Julian. Indeed. So, listeners. There you have it. Its not as the
Cure said: Boys Do Cry. We hope youll all join us again next time for more
curious conversations on Food for thought!
a. To get angry.
b. To laugh at someone.
c. To weep.
3. How many times do men cry per year according to the study?
a. It isnt mentioned.
b. From six to 17 times.
c. From 18 to 25 times.
a. Yes.
b. No.
c. It depends.
a. Sensible.
b. Sensitive.
c. Temperamental.
Pronunciation practice
Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the
study material. There you will find the corresponding sound files.
For example:
careful complicated
kerfl kmplket d
Now, go to the multimedia, listen to the words and check how they sound. Then,
practice pronouncing them.
bls.fl rretfl
Blissful Regretful
dstrb fsnet d
Disturbing Fascinated
dels trfl
Jealous Cheerful
bnks ridi
Obnoxious Greedy
blun rti
Balloon Grouchy
C. Go to the multimedia and listen to the following sentences. Click on the word
that has been pronounced with a weak form.
Now, listen and repeat. Try to imitate the natural rhythm of English by
weakening the highlighted words in each sentence. Remember, practice makes
perfect.
Centro
Rachman Copy editor Lnea November
Agroindustrial.
Adaptation Bustillo Martnez de produccin 2014
Regional Quindo