U NIT

Demonstratives and Possessives

4 The Workplace

1 Grammar in the Real World

A Can you name ive things that you use in an oice? Read the conversation. How many diferent
oice things do the speakers mention in the conversation?

First Day at the Office

Robert Hello, Claudia. I’m Robert. Welcome to our company!
Claudia Hello, Robert. It’s nice to meet you.
Robert his is your desk. hat’s the closet for your coat. Let me show you
around.
5 Claudia Thanks.
Robert Ofice supplies, like paper, folders, and CDs, are in those cabinets over
there. The printers are here, and this is the only copy machine. The
paper is in these drawers below the printers.

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 Demonstratives and Possessives

Claudia Thanks. hat’s good to know.

10 Robert Now, let me introduce you to Keung. He’s on your team. Keung, this is
Claudia. She’s our new sales manager.
Keung Nice to meet you, Claudia.
Claudia Nice to meet you, Keung. hose photographs are beautiful. Are you a
photographer?
15 Keung Well, photography is my hobby. hose pictures are from my trip to
Thailand.
Claudia hat photograph on the left is great. What is it?
Keung It’s the Royal Palace in Bangkok, my favorite place.
Claudia hat’s a great picture, too.
20 Keung hose little girls are my sister’s children. She lives in Bangkok.
Robert Sorry to interrupt, but we have a management meeting in 10 minutes.
It’s in the conference room. It’s this way, down the hall. Let’s get some
coffee before the meeting.
Claudia OK. See you later, Keung.
25 Keung Wait. Robert, are these your reports?
Robert Yes, they are. Thanks. I need them for the meeting.

B Comprehension Check Match the two parts of the sentences about

the conversation.
1. Claudia a. are in the cabinets.
2. Keung b. are his sister’s children.
3. he little girls in the photograph c. is a new employee.
4. Oice supplies d. is in the conference room.
5. he meeting e. is on her team.

C Notice Find the sentences in the conversation and circle the correct words.
1. he paper is in these / this drawers below the printers.
2. Those / That photograph on the left is great.
3. That / Those little girls are my sister’s children.
4. It’s this / these way, down the hall.
Now look at the nouns in italics. What words come before the singular nouns? What
words come before the plural nouns?

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 2 Demonstratives (This, That, These, Those)
Grammar Presentation
The demonstratives are this, that, these, and
This is my desk.
those. We use demonstratives to “point to”
Those desks are for new employees.
things and people.

2.1 Demonstratives with Singular and Plural Nouns

SINGULAR PLURAL
This / That Noun Verb These / Those Noun Verb
This empty. These for supplies.
drawer is cabinets are
That for paper. Those locked.

2.2 Demonstratives Used Without Nouns

SINGULAR PLURAL
This / That Verb These / Those Verb
This for you. These from your co-workers.
is are
That my desk. Those for us.

2.3 Using Demonstratives with Singular and Plural Nouns

a. Use this for a person or thing near you This desk is Amanda’s.
(a person or thing that is here). This paper is for the printer.

b. Use that for a person or thing not near you That desk is Janet’s.
(a person or thing that is there). That printer is a color printer.

c. Use these for people or things near you These reports are for the meeting.
(people or things that are here). These students are in your English class.

d. Use those for people or things not near you Those folders are the sales reports.
(people or things that are there). Those soccer players are great.

e. Use this, that, these, and those before nouns This photo is my favorite.
to identify and describe people and things. That little girl in the photo is my sister’s daughter.
These charts are helpful.
Those papers are important.

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 Demonstratives and Possessives

2.4 Using Demonstratives with Be

a. You can use this, that, these, and those as This is the only copy machine.
pronouns to identify things. = This copy machine is the only copy machine.
That is the color printer.
= That printer is the color printer.
These are the reports for the meeting.
= These reports are the reports for the meeting.
Those are my keys.
= Those keys are my keys.

b. You can only use this and these as pronouns A This is Claudia.
to introduce people. B Hi, Claudia! Nice to meet you.
A These are my co-workers, Mena and Liz.
B Hello. Nice to meet you.

c. In informal speaking, use the contraction That’s a nice picture.

that’s instead of that is.

2.5 Questions with Demonstratives

a. To identify people, ask questions with Who is . . . ? Who is that new teacher?
If it’s clear who you are talking about, you can omit Who is that?
the noun.

b. To identify things, ask questions with What is . . . ? What is that noise?

If it’s clear what you are talking about, you can omit What is that?
the noun.

c. To ask about a price, use How much is / are . . . ? How much is this printer?
If it’s clear what you are talking about, you can How much is this?
omit the noun. How much are these printers?
How much are these?

d. After questions with this and that, answer with it “How much is this copier?” “It’s $100.”
for things and he or she for people.
“Who is that lady?” “ She’s my boss.”
e. After questions with these and those, answer “Are these your reports?” “Yes, they are.”
with they.
“Who are those people?” “They’re my
co-workers.”

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 Grammar Application
Exercise 2.1 Demonstratives with Singular and Plural Nouns
Help Margo describe her oice. Write this or these for things that are near her, and that
or those for things that are not near her.

1. This phone is new.

2. closet is for her coat.
3. books are about business.
4. computer is old.
5. pens are very good.
6. window is open.
7. papers are for the meeting.
8. cabinet is for paper clips, folders, and general oice things.
9. picture is a photograph of her family.
10. folders are for the sales reports.

Exercise 2.2 More Demonstratives with Singular and Plural Nouns

Pair Work What’s in your pocket? What’s in your bag? Tell your partner using this
and these. hen your partner repeats everything using that and those.
A This is a cell phone. These are keys. This is a pen. These are pencils. This is a
paper clip.
B OK. That’s a cell phone. Those are keys. That’s a pen. Those are pencils. That’s a
paper clip.

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Exercise 2.3 Demonstratives Without Nouns

A Which noun isn’t necessary? Cross out the noun. Check (✓) the sentences where you
cannot cross out the noun.

Jane How much are these (1) memory sticks?

Salesclerk $30.
Jane hank you. hat’s a nice (2) computer. ✓
Lisa Yes, it has a big screen. What’s that (3) thing on the front?
Salesclerk It’s the webcam. And here’s the headphone jack.
Jane Yeah. Is this (4) model a new model?
Salesclerk No. his (5) model is an old model. hat’s why it’s on sale. hat’s (6) the new
model over there.
Jane Oh, I see. Hey, these (7) headphones are great headphones.
Lisa Yeah? Buy them!
Jane Hmm . . . hey’re $250. No, thank you!

B Listen to the conversation and check your answers.

Exercise 2.4 Questions and Answers with Demonstratives

Circle the correct words.
1. A How much is these / that printer, please? B It’s / hey’re $220.
2. A Excuse me, how much are these / this scanners? B It’s / hey’re $150.
3. A How much is those / this electronic dictionary? B It’s / hey’re $100.
4. A Excuse me, how much are that / those pens? B It’s / hey’re $4.
5. A How much are these / that laptops? B It’s / hey’re on sale. It’s / hey’re $300.
6. A How much is those / that digital photo frame? B It’s / hey’re $60.

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 Exercise 2.5 More Questions and Answers with Demonstratives
PairW ork Look around your classroom. In each box, write the names of three more
things you see.

Near Me Not Near Me

Singular a desk, . . . a map, . . .

Plural books, . . . windows, . . .

Ask your partner Yes / No questions about the things above. Answer with it (singular)
or they (plural).
A Is that a map of Iowa? A Are these books new?
B No, it’s not. It’s a map of Illinois. B Yes, they are.

Exercise 2.6 Vocabulary Focus: Responses with That’s

You can use short responses with A I have a new job. A My printer is broken.
That’s + adjective in conversations. B That’s great! / That’s good! B That’s too bad.

Here are common adjectives to use excellent good great interesting nice
with that’s. OK terrible too bad wonderful

Write a response with That’s + adjective. Use the adjectives above.

1. It’s a holiday tomorrow. That’s nice.
2. We’re on the same team!
3. Business isn’t very good this year.
4. Patricia’s not here today. She’s sick.
5. I have a new laptop!
6. his cell phone has a dictionary.

44 Unit 4 Demonstratives and Possessives

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3 Possessives and Whose

Grammar Presentation
A Is this Diane’s desk?
Possessives show that someone possesses
B No, it’s my desk. Her desk is in the other office.
(owns or has) something.
Her boss’s desk is in that office, too.

3.1 My, Your, His, Her, Its, Our, Their

Subject Possessive
I my I’m not ready for class. My desk is very messy.
you your You are very organized. Your desk is so neat.
he his He is a new employee. His old job was in Hong Kong.
she her She isn’t in the oice now. Her computer is of.
it its It is a new company. Its president is Mr. Janesh.
we our We have the reports. Our boss wants to read them now.
you your You are co-workers. Your oice is on the second loor.
they their They are at the oice. Their boss is on vacation.
: Subject and Object Pronouns: See page A18.

3.2 Possessive Nouns

a. Add ’s to singular nouns to show possession. The manager’s name (one manager)
The boss’s ideas (one boss)

b. Add an apostrophe (’) to plural nouns ending The managers’ names (more than one manager)
in -s to show possession. The bosses’ ideas (more than one boss)

c. For irregular plural nouns, add ’s to show The men’s books (more than one man)
possession. The children’s room (more than one child)

d. My, your, his, her, our, and their can come my friend’s job
before a possessive noun. our parents’ names
: Capitalization and Punctuation Rules: See page A1.

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 3.3 Whose?
a. We can use whose to ask who owns Whose jacket is this?
something. We can use it with singular I think that’s Kana’s jacket.
and plural nouns.

b. We often use whose with this, that, these, Whose papers are those?
and those. Oh! They’re my papers. Thank you.

3.4 Using Possessives

a. Use the same possessive form before a SINGULAR PLURAL
singular noun or a plural noun. my friend my friends
her report her reports
the boss’s report the boss’s reports

b. Use a possessive to show that someone her pen their folders Rachel’s car
owns something.

c. Use a possessive to show that someone your name my birthday Jared’s job
has something.

d. Use a possessive to show relationships my sister his boss Claudia’s co-worker

between people.

e. Use a possessive noun to talk about places The city’s population

and countries. Japan’s prime minister

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Grammar Application
Exercise 3.1 Possessives
Ben sends an e-mail to Dora and attaches some pictures. He describes them. Complete the
e-mail. Use the possessive form of the pronoun in parentheses – my, his, her, its, our, their – or ’s.

Hi Dora,
Here are the photos of our (we) end-of-semester
(1)
party for (we) English class. The irst photo
(2)
is Juliana and Keiko. Is Juliana in (you) math
(3)
5 class? She’s sometimes (I) partner in pair
(4)
work. Keiko is (she) best friend.
(5)
Then, in the second photo, the woman in the
pink shirt is Sally. She’s (Juliana) sister.
(6)
(They) family is in Chicago, but Sally is
(7)
10 here, too. The tall man is Mr. Donovan. He’s
(we) new teacher. (He) irst
(8) (9)
name is Howard, and he’s very friendly. In this photo
we’re in the hall near (Mr. Donovan) office.
(10)
Send me some pictures of your class.
15 Ben

Exercise 3.2 Possessive ’s or s’?

A Circle the correct form of the possessive (’s or s’) in the sentences.
1. My co-worker’s / co-workers’ name is Krista.
2. Krista’s / Kristas’ last name is Logan.
3. She has two managers. Her manager’s / managers’ names are Tom and Sara.
4. Sara’s / Saras’ family is from Colombia.
5. She has two brothers. Her brother’s / brothers’ names are José and Carlos.

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 6. Tom’s / Toms’ wife is from New Jersey. Her name is Jessica.
7. Jessica and Tom have a daughter. heir daughter’s / daughters’ name is Danielle.
8. hey have two cats. he cat’s / cats’ names are Sam and Max.

B Pair Work Tell a partner about someone you know at work or about a friend
at school. Use the sentences in A as a model.

Exercise 3.3 Questions with Whose and Who’s

A Complete the questions about the people in the photos with Whose and Who’s. hen
answer the questions.

Name: Ling Yang Name: Ki-woon Do Name: Missolle Beauge

Nationality: Chinese Nationality: South Korean Nationality: Haitian
Birthday: October 2 Birthday: June 5 Birthday: April 7
Best friend: Leila Best friend: Nora Best friend: Lona
Major: Nursing Major: Business Major: Computers and Technology
Interests: yoga, art Interests: soccer, movies Interests: music, cooking

1. Whose best friend is Leila? Leila is Ling’s best friend.

2. birthday is in June?
3. Chinese?
4. major is Business?
5. Haitian?
6. from South Korea?
7. major is Nursing?
8. birthday is in October?
9. interested in soccer?
10. interests are music and cooking?

B Pair Work Ask and answer other questions about the people in A.
A Whose best friend is Nora?
B Nora is Ki-woon's best friend.

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4 Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Use this and that for singular things and people.
This
These printer is $79.
That
Those man is my manager.
2. Use these and those for plural things and people.
These
This folders are for the meeting.
Those
That women are on my team.
3. Its is possessive. It’s is a contraction for it is.
Its It’s
He works for a small company. It’s name is Z-Tech. Its on Main Street.
4. Use ’s (singular) or s’ (plural) with possessive nouns.
mother’s co-workers’
Tomorrow is her mother birthday. I don’t know my co-workers birthdays.
5. Use the same possessive form before a singular noun or a plural noun.
her
Justine enjoys spending time with hers co-workers.

Editing Task
Find and correct eight more mistakes in this conversation.
’s
A Hi. I’m sorry to interrupt you, but where’s the manager oice?
B Its next to Claudia oice.
A Where is those? I don’t know Claudia.
B Oh, it’s down these hallway right here. Turn left after you pass that two elevators.
A Oh, OK. You mean its near the two assistants oice.
B hat’s right. Do you know them?
A Yes, I do.
B hen please give them a message. heirs folders are on my desk.

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 5 Grammar for Writing
Writing About Things and People’s Possessions
Writers use demonstratives and possessives to explain who people are and what they
own. They also use them to describe the location of people and things in a place.
Writers often use demonstratives and possessives to describe people and things in pictures.
Remember:
• Use this and these for things and people near you.
This is my boss, Serena. These are my co-workers, Jon and Marquesa.
• Use that and those for things and people not near you.
That oice over there is Jon’s oice. Those ofices over there are empty.
• Use possessives before a noun or nouns to show the relationships between people
and things.
Serena’s boss is there. Her name is Maxie. Our ofice is here.

Pre-writing Task
1 Read the e-mail below. What does the writer describe?

Hi Jun,
How are you? How is your new job? This is a picture of the people at the
office. It is our new team. That is your friend Jung Won in the front. She’s married
now. Those two men in the back are new. Their names are Francisco and Jack.
They are Casey’s friends. Paula’s new roommate, Sandy, is on our team, too.
Pietro and Diego are not in this office anymore. Their office is downtown.
Let’s talk soon.
Alexia

2 Read the e-mail again. Circle the possessives and draw an arrow to the things or people
the possessives go with. hen underline the demonstratives. Notice the writer’s use of
our. Who does the writer mean by our?

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Writing Task
1 Write Find a picture of people in your life. Write an e-mail about them. Use the e-mail
in the Pre-writing Task to help you.
Use sentences with demonstratives and possessives. Use sentences such as:
• his is a picture of .
• his / hat is .
• hese / hose (people, things) are .
• his / hat (person, thing) is .

2 Self-Edit Use the editing tips below to improve your sentences. Make any
necessary changes.
1. Did you use demonstratives and possessives to write about people and their
relationships in your pictures?
2. Did you use this and these for things and people near you?
3. Did you use that and those for things and people not near you?
4. Did you use possessives before a noun or nouns to show the relationships
between people and things?
5. Did you avoid the mistakes in the Avoid Common Mistakes chart on page 49?

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