3 Nouns and Articles

I find television very

educational. The minute
somebody turns it on,
I go to the library and
read a good book.

—g roucho marx ,

comedian

(1890–1977)

Talk about It What does the quotation above mean? Do you think television is educational?
Why or why not?

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 Warm-Up 77
3.1 Overview of Nouns 78 3.7 Using A/An and Some 101
Usage Note: Prepositional Phrases 80 3.8 Using The 104
3.2 Proper Nouns and Common Nouns 81 3.9 Using No Article (Ø) 107
3.3 Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns 85 3.10 Using Nouns and Articles in Speaking 110
Pronunciation Note: -s and -es Endings 86 3.11 Using Nouns and Articles in Writing 112
Spelling Note: -s and -es Endings 87
3.4 Count Nouns and Noncount Nouns 90 Wrap-up Demonstrate Your Knowledge 115
3.5 Subject-Verb Agreement 95 3.12 Summary of Nouns and Articles 117
Language Note: There is/There are 96
3.6 Noun Suffixes 98
Spelling Note: Noun Suffixes 99

Warm-Up

A | Circle one answer for each question. Then compare answers with your classmates. Which answer to each
question was the most popular?

Personal Preferences
1. What do you usually eat for breakfast? 4. Which place would you most like to visit?
a. some cereal a. the moon
b. an egg and some toast b. Antarctica
c. nothing c. Paris
d. other: d. Australia
2. What is your favorite school subject? 5. What is most important to you?
a. math a. money
b. history b. love
c. English c. friendship
d. other: d. other:
3. What do you like to do in your free time? 6. What do you worry about most?
a. watch television a. the economy
b. read a book b. the environment
c. get together with friends c. crime
d. other: d. other:

B | Answer these questions about the words in the survey above.

1. The words in blue are nouns. Are any nouns capitalized? Which ones?
2. The words in green are articles. What are the words?
3. Do we always use an article before a noun?

C | Look back at the quotation on page 76. Identify any nouns or articles.

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 3.1 Overview of Nouns
Nouns are labels or names for people, places, things, and ideas.
PEOPLE PLACES THINGS IDEAS

A child friend city Japan book money advice power

Dr. Sanchez Mary country library computer movie fun problem
father sister hospital Sydney game television peace work

We use nouns in different places in a sentence, as in 1 – 4.

subject object of preposition
1 Friendship is important. 3 I went out with friends.
B
object of verb complement
2 I have friends here. 4 We are friends.

NOuN PHrASE
Sometimes we use nouns alone, as in 5. We can
also use nouns together with other “describing”
articles adjectives nouns prepositional phrase
words. For example:
5 information • We can use nouns with a/an, the, and some, as
6 a computer in 6 – 9. (These words are called articles.)
C 7 some money • We can use nouns with adjectives, as in 8 and
8 an excellent dinner 10. Adjectives explain “what kind of” noun.
9 the members of a team • We can add a prepositional phrase after a noun,
as in 9.
10 serious problems

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1 | Grouping Nouns Read this information about symbols. Write each bold noun under the correct group
in the chart on page 79. (Some nouns may fit into more than one group.) 3.1 A

1. People wear green ribbons 3. The two olive branches 5. A wedding ring is a symbol
to show their concern for on the United Nations flag of love and commitment3.
the environment. represent peace.

2. The rings on the Olympic 4. The eagle, a kind of bird, 6. The Taj Mahal in India is the
flag represent the five main represents courage2, power, tomb4 of the wife of Emperor
regions1 of the world. and strength. Shah Jahan. The building is a
symbol of the emperor’s love.

1
regions: areas 3
commitment: a promise to do something
2
courage: the ability to do something difficult or dangerous 4
tomb: burial place

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 Things you can see,
People Places Ideas
hear, or touch
people

Write about It Add five more nouns to each group in the chart above. Then share ideas with
your classmates.

2 | Using Nouns in Sentences Choose nouns from the box to complete each fact. 3.1 B

ball event sport television women

countries players teams Uruguay the United States

ten facts about football

Noun as subject
1. Only 8 countries have won the World Cup.
2. run for 3.5 or 4.5 kilometers during a game.
3. Today, more than 20 million play football.

Noun as complement
4. Football is the most popular team in the world.
5. Football became an Olympic in 1908.

Noun as object of preposition

6. In , football is called soccer.
7. The World Cup was not on until 1954.
8. The first World Cup took place in 1930 in .
9. Football players cannot run with the in their hands.

Noun as object of verb

10. Only 13 countries sent to the first World Cup.

Think about It We use a complement (not an object) after a linking verb to rename or describe the
subject of the sentence. What are the linking verbs in sentences 4 and 5 above?

Write about It Work with a partner. Choose a different sport and write two facts like the ones above.
Read your facts to your classmates. Ask them to identify the nouns in each one.
Ice hockey is the most popular sport in Canada.

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 3 | Usage Note: Prepositional Phrases Read the note. Then do Activities 4–5.

on the table
in my house = preposition + noun phrase = a prepositional phrase
in the world
We often use a prepositional phrase to tell where or when something happens.

I usually study at the library. (where) My class is on Monday nights. (when)

We can also use a noun phrase + a prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase gives more
information about the noun phrase.

The library at my school is always quiet. The capital of Canada is Ottawa.

noun phrase noun phrase

Notice: a noun phrase + a prepositional phrase = one long noun phrase

4 | Using Nouns with Describing Words Listen and write the missing word(s) in each question. 3.1 c

Article Adjective Noun Prepositional phrase

1. Do you have a car?

2. How expensive is a computer?

3. How much is a cell phone?

4. What is the largest city ?

5. Do you like scary ?

6. What’s the name of an movie?

7. Do you like to wear expensive ?

8. Are you hard worker?

9. Do you know people ?

10. Do you want to be engineer?

11. What is the of a famous university?

12. What is the best restaurant ?

13. Did you eat breakfast?

14. Would you like some ?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above.

A: Do you have a car?
B: No, I don’t. I don’t like to drive.

Think about It Look at the questions above. When do English speakers use an instead of a?

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 5 | Prepositions + Nouns Circle the nouns in each bold noun phrase. Then listen and add the missing
prepositions. 3.1 c

toronto, canada research

says...
1. Toronto is the largest city in Canada.
The most common
2. The population Toronto is 2.48 million people.
prepositions are of,
3. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities the world. in, and to.
4. Twenty percent
5. There are more than 1,400 parks
all immigrants Canada live in Toronto.
Toronto. C
CORPUS

6. Yonge Street in Toronto is the longest street the world.

7. More than 30 percent of the people Toronto speak a foreign language at home.
8. According to Fortune Magazine, Toronto was the safest city North America in 1996.
9. Over half the workforce has a university degree or college diploma.
10. The Toronto International Film Festival takes place every year September.

Write about It Choose a city and write two sentences about it. Try to use a prepositional phrase in
each sentence.
Beibei is a small city in China.

3.2 Proper Nouns and Common Nouns

ProPer NouNs Names of unique people, places, things, and
1 Montreal is in Canada. ideas are called proper nouns (or proper
names). We always capitalize proper nouns,
2 Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October.
as in 1 – 2.

A CommoN NouNs All other nouns are called common nouns, as

3 My university is in a big city. in 3 – 5. We capitalize a common noun at the
beginning of a sentence, as in 5.
4 Our next holiday is in a month.
5 Holidays are a good time to relax.

content words Many proper names have two or more words.

6 I study at the University of London. We capitalize content words in proper names,
function words as in 6 – 7. We do not usually capitalize
content words function words.
7 The Office for Student Affairs is closed. Wa r ning! We capitalize any word at the
B function words beginning of a sentence, as in 7.

We capitalize the content words in titles of

8 My favorite book is Sense and Sensibility.
books, movies, etc., as in 8 – 9. We capitalize
the first and last word, even if they are
9 Did you see the film And the Ship Sails On? function words, as in 9.

ComPAre Wa r ning! The same noun can be a proper

10a My favorite teacher is Professor Jones. noun or a common noun, as in 10a – 10b.

C She’s teaching Economics 101 this semester.

10b Sarah Jones is a professor at Brown College.
She teaches economics.

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 6 | Noticing Proper and Common Nouns Underline the nouns in these sentences. Then write each
noun under the correct group in the chart below. 3.2 A

biographical information
1. My first name is Linda. 5. My first teacher was Mrs. Vargas.
2. I was born in Mexico in the month of August. 6. I have classes on Wednesdays and Fridays.
3. I have one brother. His name is Manuel. 7. I’d like to travel to Hawaii with a good friend.
4. I speak two languages: Spanish and English. 8. I’m interested in science and art.

Proper nouns Common nouns

name

Write about It Change any of the nouns in the sentences above to make the sentences true for you.
My first name is .

7 | Exploring Categories of Proper Nouns Add one more proper noun to each category. Then share
ideas with your classmates. 3.2 A–b

1. Names of countries: Turkey, Brazil,

F Y I
2. Names of towns and cities: Tokyo, San Salvador, We use the before some
proper nouns. These
include:
3. Names of specific streets: Abbey Road, Yonge Street,
• rivers, lakes, etc.

the Amazon
4. Names of rivers, lakes, etc.: the Nile, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean

• plural geographical
names
5. Months of the year: February, October,
the United Arab Emirates
6. Days of the week: Wednesday, Saturday, the Solomon Islands

7. Names of holidays: Ramadan, New Year’s Day, • most newspapers and

some magazines

The Manchester Guardian
8. Nationalities: Italian, Costa Rican, The New Republic

9. Names of languages: Russian, Arabic, Farsi,

10. Names of schools: Oxford University,
11. Names of school courses: Intro to Astronomy,

12. People’s names: Albert Einstein,
13. Titles before people’s names: Dr. Smith, Mr. Jones,

14. Titles of books, movies, etc.: Never Let Me Go,

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 15. Names of organizations: the United Nations (UN),

16. Abbreviations of academic degrees: MA (master of arts),

17. Brand names: Apple, Coke,

8 | Identifying Proper Nouns Underline the proper nouns in each paragraph. Then match each proper
noun with a category from Activity 7. Write the number of the category above the proper noun. 3.2 A–b

Excerpts from a University Catalog

10
The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers courses in biology, chemistry, English,

history, mathematics, music, psychology, and Spanish. This school is near Central Lake—

only two hours away from the city of Portland. The university bus system provides5 free

transportation between the downtown area and the campus. Buses run from Thursday to

Sunday (Friday to Sunday in July and August) except during holidays.

Professor Nancy Lim is the director of the English Language Institute. Professor Lim is

from Korea. After receiving her MA and PhD in the United States, she taught English in

Costa Rica. In addition to her responsibilities as the director of the program, Professor

Lim teaches English Composition. She is the author of Developing Your Writing Skills.

Think about It In the information above, the following nouns are NOT capitalized: history, city, university,
downtown, and director. Why is that?

9 | Capitalizing Words Rewrite these sentences and capitalize the correct words. 3.2 b

1. my friend likes the magazine reader’s digest.

F Y I
My friend likes the magazine Reader’s Digest. When we write on a
computer, we usually
2. one of my favorite books is the sea by john banville. italicize the titles of books,
3. my sister and I just watched the movie beauty and the beast. magazines, newspapers,
4. my brother is a student at the university of california. films, etc. When we write
by hand, we usually
5. the london school of economics is a famous school.
underline a title.
6. aravind adiga wrote the white tiger.
7. we saw a great exhibit at the museum of modern art.
8. the president of brazil lives in the palace of the dawn.

5
provide: to offer; to give

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 10 | Capitalizing Words Read these paragraphs. Capitalize the correct words. 3.2 A–b

Australia
A
1. australia
/ is the sixth largest country in the world. in fact, it’s 50
percent larger than europe. australia also has more beaches than
any other country in the world. bondi beach, one of the most
famous beaches in the world, is on the east coast of australia.
2. australia is a multicultural country. the most common languages
after english are mandarin, italian, arabic, and cantonese.
3. one of the most famous australian writers is colleen McCullough. she studied
medicine before she became a writer, and for ten years she taught at yale medical school in the
united states. she wrote her first two books while she was there. her second book, the thorn birds,
was made into a miniseries in 1983.
4. one of the most famous buildings in the world is the sydney opera house. this beautiful building
was designed by a danish architect, jorn utzon. queen elizabeth II came to australia in 1973 to
open the building. the first performance at the opera house was war and peace by sergei prokofiev.

Write about It Choose a country and write several sentences about it. Share your writing with your
classmates and ask if you capitalized all the necessary words.
Hungary is a small country in Europe. The capital of Hungary is Budapest.

11 | Writing Common and Proper Nouns Ask a classmate these questions and write your classmate’s
answers. Be sure to capitalize the correct words. 3.2 A–b

1. Where were you born? 6. What is your favorite month of the year?
2. What’s your favorite kind of car? 7. What languages did you study in school?
3. What’s the name of a good movie? 8. What city do you want to visit someday?
4. What’s your favorite school subject? 9. What is the name of a website you often visit?
5. Where did you live last year? 10. What is your favorite holiday?

Write about It Write three sentences with information about a classmate. Collect the papers and mix
them up. Then take turns reading the sentences aloud. The rest of the class can guess the person.
This person’s favorite school subject is math. Last year, this person lived in Canada.
This person often uses Facebook.

12 | Proper Noun or Common Noun? Rewrite these sentences and correct

any errors in capitalization. (Some sentences may not have any errors.) 3.2 C

1. a. One of my Professors always looks at my papers and gives me advice.

b. I have a meeting with professor Henley on Friday.
2. a. What do you know about president Dilma Rousseff of brazil?
b. Dilma Rousseff was the first female president of brazil.
Dilma Rousseff

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 3. a. My house is the first house on Castro street, next to the library.
F Y I
b. We live on a beautiful street with lots of trees.
We capitalize the names
4. a. I want to study Business in college. of specific school courses.
b. Between my final math 101 and spanish 201 exams, I drove home. We don’t capitalize the
names of school subjects.
5. a. When the problems began in my country, I was still a student. I
wanted to leave the University, but my parents told me to stay there. My favorite course last
semester was History 302.
b. My parents visited North Carolina last year because my brother is
studying engineering at Duke university. My favorite school subject
is history.
6. a. My favorite movies are the King’s speech and Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
b. I always take my rings off when I go swimming.

3.3 Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns

singular plural To form most plural nouns, add -s or -es to the singular
one computer two computers form, as in 1.
1 one place two places
one class two classes
A
In some nouns, a letter changes when we add -s or -es,
one life two lives
as in 2.
2 one family two families
For a complete list of spelling rules for plural nouns,
one city two cities see Activity 16, page 87.

singular irregular plural A few nouns have irregular plural forms, as in 3.

one child two children
one foot two feet
one man two men
3
one person two people
B one tooth two teeth
one woman two women

one fish two fish

4 Some nouns have the same form for the singular and
one species two species plural, as in 4. These are often words for animals.

CompAre NouNs ANd VerBs Wa r ning! Nouns and verbs can look the same.
5a Do you want a copy of this? (singular noun)
• A singular noun can look like a verb, as in 5a – 5c.
5b Please don’t copy my paper. (verb)
• A plural noun can look like a verb, as in 6a – 6b.
C 5c Why do people copy me? (verb)

6a How many watches do you own? (plural noun)

6b My sister watches a lot of TV. (verb)

7 The French are proud of their history. We can use the + an adjective to describe a group
(the French = all French people) of people that share one quality, as in 7 – 8. The +
d 8 Are the rich different from you and me? adjective functions as a plural noun.
(the rich = all rich people)

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 13 | Singular or Plural Noun? It is sometimes difficult to hear the -s or -es ending on plural nouns.
Listen and circle the letter of the sentence that you hear. 3.3 A

1. a. Please write the name on the envelope. 7. a. Please finish the report by next week.
b. Please write the names on the envelope. b. Please finish the reports by next week.
2. a. Don’t forget to put your paper on my desk. 8. a. Don’t forget to leave the box on the table.
b. Don’t forget to put your papers on my desk. b. Don’t forget to leave the boxes on the table.
3. a. Bring your friend to the meeting tonight. 9. a. Please close the window when you leave.
b. Bring your friends to the meeting tonight. b. Please close the windows when you leave.
4. a. Please call the number below. 10. a. Make a copy of the document you found.
b. Please call the numbers below. b. Make a copy of the documents you found.
5. a. Forward the email to my new address. 11. a. Leave the completed form on my desk.
b. Forward the emails to my new address. b. Leave the completed forms on my desk.
6. a. Please pick up the package on my desk. 12. a. Did you find the message I left on your desk?
b. Please pick up the packages on my desk. b. Did you find the messages I left on your desk?

14 | Pronunciation Note: -s and -es Endings Listen to the note. Then do Activity 15.
Usually the plural ending -s or -es is just a When a singular noun ends in a hissing or buzzing
consonant sound: /s/ or /z/. sound, the plural -s or -es ending adds another
syllable: / əz /. (These words are often spelled with
a final -s, -x, -z, -ce, -ge, -se, -ze, -sh, and -ss.)

singular plural singular plural

1 one night two nights 5 one wish two wish•es

/s/
2 one note•book two note•books 6 one size two siz•es + 1 syllable
3 one her•o two her•oes 7 one page two pag•es / əz /
/z/
4 one cit•y two cit•ies 8 one sen•tence two sen•ten•ces

15 | Pronouncing Plural Nouns Listen to each pair of words. Check (✓) the ending you hear. 3.3 A

/ s / or / z / / əz / / s / or / z / / əz /
1. sport sports 9. language languages
2. college colleges 10. similarity similarities
3. symbol symbols 11. glass glasses
4. discovery discoveries 12. beach beaches
5. campus campuses 13. game games
6. movie movies 14. name names
7. course courses 15. business businesses
8. place places 16. suitcase suitcases

Talk about It Work with a partner. One person reads aloud the singular nouns above. The other person
listens and says the plural form. Then change roles.

Write about It Write three questions using plural nouns from the list above. Then ask your partner
the questions.
How many movies did you watch last week? What are the similarities between Mexico and Spain?

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 16 | Spelling Note: -s and -es Endings Read the note. Then do Activities 17–19.

We add -s to the singular form of most nouns to make

the plural form. However, if the singular form ends in:

1 -x, -ch, -sh, -s, or -ss 2 a consonant + -y 3 -f or -fe 4 -o

tax, watch, dish, activity, baby, leaf, life, wife, tomato, mango,
bus, glass company, country belief, chef, roof radio, kilo

Change the -y to -i. Change the -f/-fe to -v.

Add -es. Add -es. Add -es. Add -es.
taxes, watches, dishes, activities, babies,
leaves, lives, wives tomatoes, mangoes
buses, glasses companies, countries
OR add -s. OR add -s.
beliefs, chefs, roofs radios, kilos

17 | Spelling Plural Nouns Write the plural form of each noun. 3.3 A

singular plural singular plural research

says...
1. family 10. lady
We use more plural
2. dress 11. match
nouns in writing than
3. video 12. hero in conversation.

4. story
5. essay
13. bush
14. copy
C
CORPUS

6. potato 15. party

7. box 16. knife
8. city 17. chief
9. day 18. photo

Think about It Work in a group of three. Each person checks the plural spelling of six words above.

18 | Exploring Plural Nouns Write two more plural nouns for each category. 3.3 A

1. Three things that people read: magazines

2. Three things that people watch: videos
3. Three things that people wear in cold weather: coats
4. Three things that grow outdoors: flowers
5. Three types of electronic devices: cell phones
6. Three things you might see in a school: students
7. Three kinds of fruit: bananas
8. Three things you can use for cutting: scissors

Write about It Compare your lists above with a partner and add any additional words.

Think about It Which of the words in your lists above changed spelling when you added -s or -es?

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 19 | Using Plural Nouns Complete each question with the plural form of the noun in parentheses.
Then choose an answer from the box below. 3.3 A–b

questions about numbers F Y I

a. How many sides does a square have? (side) 4 Words borrowed from other
languages sometimes have
b. How many are in the number 1 million? (zero) an irregular plural form.
For example:
c. How many are in one U.S. dollar? (penny)
Singular Plural
d. How many are there on a piano? (key) crisis crises
hypothesis hypotheses
e. How many are there in a circle? (degree)

f. On average, how many years do live? (elephant) In some cases, both the
irregular plural form and
g. How many are in a yard6? (foot) the regular -s form are
acceptable. For example:
h. How many does a normal adult have? (tooth)
Singular Plural
i. How many does it take to make a whole? (half) appendix appendixes
appendices
j. How many do most humans have? (vertebra7)
vertebra vertebrae
k. Approximately how many are in 100 pounds? (kilo) vertebras

l. Approximately how many are born in the world

every second? (baby)
m. Approximately how many in the world have more than 1 million people? (city)

answers to questions about numbers

2 3 4 4.5 6 32 33 45 60 88 100 360 480

Talk about It Work in a group of four. Ask and answer the questions above.

Write about It In your group, write three more questions with numbers for answers. Then ask another
group the questions.
How many days are there in the longest month?

20 | Distinguishing Nouns and Verbs Decide if the bold word is a noun or a verb. Write N (noun) or
V (verb) above each word. 3.3 C
N
1. Do you have a middle name?
2. How did your parents choose your name?
3. Can you name the continents?
4. Do you have a watch?
5. Do you watch a lot of TV?
6. Who watches the most TV in your family?
7. Why are fewer people wearing watches these days?
8. Does your teacher grade all of your homework?
9. Are grades important to you?

6
yard: a measure of length
7
vertebra: a small bone in your back

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 10. Do you have a plan for your future?
11. What do you plan to do tomorrow?
12. Do you like to make plans?
13. Who plans the meals in your family?
14. What do family members sometimes fight about?
15. What is a good way to end a fight?
16. What are the basic needs of a baby?
17. How much water do you need to drink every day?
18. Do you ever feel the need to sleep during the day?
19. How many hours do you need to sleep at night?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions in Activity 20.

A: Do you have a middle name?
B: No, I don’t. But I have two last names.

21 | Using Adjectives as Nouns Use the + an adjective from the box to complete each question below.
(You will use some adjectives more than once. Many different questions are possible.) 3.3 D

educated elderly8 poor rich uneducated unemployed young

questions about groups of people

1. Are happier than other people?
2. Should be allowed to make their own decisions?
3. Are getting poorer?
4. Do have more health problems than other people?
5. Are likely to earn high salaries9?
6. Are lazy?
7. Should pay more taxes than other people?
8. Should young people take care of ?
9. Is it difficult for to find work these days?

Talk about It Choose one of your questions above and interview six classmates. Then report their
answers to the class.
“I asked six classmates, ‘Do the poor have more health problems than other people?’
Five people answered ‘Yes’ and one person answered ‘No.’ ”

8
elderly: old
9
salaries: money that people receive for their work

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 3.4 Count Nouns and Noncount Nouns
When you use a noun, ask yourself, “Can I count this?” The things you can count are called count nouns.
The things you can’t count are called noncount nouns.
COUNT NOUNS NONCOUNT NOUNS

A 2 glasses

water

4 men 4 trees For a list of common noncount nouns, see the Resources, page R-10.

COUNT NOUNS A count noun has a singular form and a plural

1 I have one class on Monday and two classes on Tuesday. form, as in 1 – 2.
2 We spent a day in Boston and three days in New York. A noncount noun does not have a plural form
because we think of it as a whole thing, as in
B NONCOUNT NOUNS
3 – 5.
3 The information was correct. (NOT: informations)
Sometimes “a whole thing” can have many parts, as
4 Your advice was very helpful. (NOT: advices) in 5. When we use a noncount noun, we are talking
about all of the parts together.
5 Did you buy some furniture? (NOT: furnitures)

COMPARE Many nouns have a count meaning and a

6a Can I have three coffees, please? (coffees = cups of coffee) noncount meaning.
6b Do you drink coffee? (coffee = the liquid drink) • Nouns have a count meaning when they are
single, separate things, as in 6a and 7a.
C 7a I had a bad experience yesterday.
• A noun has a noncount meaning when it is
(experience = one separate event)
a thing or idea in general, as in 6b and 7b.
7b How much experience do you have with computers?
(experience = the skill or knowledge you learn)

GO Online

22 | Can You Count It? Think about each noun in this list. Is it something you can count? Check (✓) Count
or Noncount. 3.4 A–b

count noncount count noncount

1. tomato ✓ 10. information
2. chemistry 11. knowledge
3. child 12. region
4. problem 13. university
5. advice 14. jewelry
6. excitement 15. library
7. job 16. furniture
8. fun 17. money
9. computer 18. holiday

Think about It Write the plural form of each count noun above.
tomatoes

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 23 | Distinguishing Count and Noncount Nouns Is the bold word in each question a singular count
noun, a plural count noun, or a noncount noun? Check (✓) your answers. 3.4 A–b

singular plural
common questions for teachers count count noncount
1. Did we have any homework for today? ✓
2. Do I need to bring my book to school every day?
3. What advice do you have for someone studying English?
4. Do I need a learner’s dictionary?
5. What is your opinion of electronic dictionaries?
6. How often do you give tests?
7. When is the next holiday?
8. Why do we need to study grammar?
9. How many books do we need for this class?
10. Can we drink coffee in class?
11. Does reading literature help you learn a new language?
12. Can we work in groups today?
13. Can we listen to some music today?
14. Do we need to take notes in class?

Talk about It Ask your teacher the questions above.

Student: Did we have any homework for today?
Teacher: No, but we’re having a quiz!

24 | Identifying Count Nouns There is one count noun in each group of bold nouns. Circle the
count noun. 3.4 A–b

1. Do you like to talk about (grammar / the weather / shopping / books)?

2. Do you like (fruit / meat / sugar / beans)?
3. Do you need special (tools / equipment / clothing / knowledge) to fix a car?
4. Do you hope to have (money / a good job / good health / happiness) in the future?
5. Do you like to watch (baseball / movies / football / tennis)?
6. Do you eat a lot of (carrots / cheese / meat / bread)?
7. Is it important to have (courage / good health / friends / confidence)?
8. Do you spend a lot of money on (entertainment / books / clothing / food)?
9. Did you buy any (furniture / equipment / gasoline / shoes) yesterday?
10. Where can you get (good information / good advice / a good meal / good coffee)?

Think about It What helped you to identify the count nouns above?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above. Use any of the bold nouns.
A: Do you like to talk about movies?
B: Sure. Do you like to talk about the weather?
A: Not really.

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 25 | Listening for Count and Noncount Nouns Listen and write the missing words. Then decide
where each conversation takes place. Write your ideas in the boxes. (More than one answer is possible.)
3.4 A–b

1. Employee: Next, please.

1. Where?
Customer:  Tickets for one adult and two , please.
Employee: There you go. That will be seventeen .

2. Employee: Do you need some ?

2. Where?
Customer: Yes, do you sell ?
Employee: Yes, we do. Luggage is on the third .

3. Customer: Excuse me.

3. Where?
Employee: Yes?
Customer: I’m looking for some about popular music
in the 1960s.
Employee: Did you look it up on the ?
Customer: Yes, I did, but I didn’t have any .

4. Customer: Excuse me. How much are these ?

4. Where?
Employee: Let me look on the box. Um, it says five hundred dollars.
Customer: Five hundred dollars! That’s a lot of .

5. Employee: Are you ready to order? 5. Where?

Customer: Yes, I’d like the broiled , please.
Employee: Do you want that with or
?

6. Employee: Can I help you?

6. Where?
Customer: I need to withdraw some , but I don’t have
my ATM card.
Employee: Can I see some identification, please?
Customer: Sure. Here’s my .

7. Customer: Excuse me, where’s the ? 7. Where?

Employee: It’s in that aisle, next to the .
Customer: Thanks.

8. Employee: How many are you checking?

8. Where?
Customer: Just one.
Employee: Is that your ? Do you want to check it, too?
Customer: No, my is in it.

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 Think about It Circle all of the nouns in the conversations in Activity 25. Then write each noun under the
correct group in the chart below.

Count nouns Noncount nouns WA R N I N G!

tickets We can’t count money

(NOT: one money, two
moneys), but we can count
dollars, pounds, yen, etc.

A: I only have five dollars.

B: That’s not a lot of money.

Write about It Work with a partner. Write another conversation for one of the places in Activity 25.

26 | Using Noncount Nouns Use the nouns in the box to complete the quotations below. (More than one
noun may be possible, but only one is correct.) 3.4 A–b

advice education information music money

education information music money
education information music money

famous quotations
1. All music is beautiful. (Billy Strayhorn, composer)
2. is only a tool. (Ayn Rand, writer)
3. is not knowledge. (Albert Einstein, physicist)
4. is a fantastic10 peacekeeper of the world. (Xun Zi, philosopher)
5. is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
(Nelson Mandela, president of South Africa)
6. is the universal language of mankind. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, writer)
7. is only useful when you get rid of11 it. (Evelyn Waugh, writer)
8. is seldom12 welcome, and those who need it the most, like it the least.
(Lord Chesterfield, statesman)
9. is the oxygen of the modern age. (Ronald Reagan, U.S. president)
10. is the root of13 all evil. (Louisa May Alcott, writer)
11. is a source of14 learning. (William Pollard, physicist)
12. is not preparation for life; is life itself. (John Dewey, philosopher)

Talk about It Take turns reading the quotations above aloud with a partner. What does each quotation
mean? Do you agree or disagree?

Think about It Do an online search for other quotations about money, music, information, education, or
advice and share them with your classmates.

10
fantastic: excellent; very good 13
the root of: the cause of
11
get rid of: to throw away or use up 14
a source of: a person or thing that something comes from
12
seldom: not often

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 or gan],icadjective
[count
• /Or"g&nIk
• (RELIGION ) = Catholic
/ adjective or phan
pink
• "Orf@n/ noun
and/looking [count
healthy: rosy
] cheeks
ro
1 mance
grown in/roU"m&ns
• a natural ;way, without
"roUm&ns using
/ noun rot
a child
/rAt/whose parents
verb (rots , rot are
tingdead
, rot ted)
• •

chemicals:
1 [noncount]organic a time when vegetablestwo people are in love: or
tophan
become
• age bad/"Orf@nIdZ
and soft,/as
• noun [count
things do] when they
2The (BIOLOGY
article suggests) containing waysliving
to putthings:
the romanceImprove back a
die:home the smellfor children
of rotting whose A SYNONYM
fruit parents aredecay
dead
the
intosoil bymarriage.
adding organic matter.
your os
ro trich
••tate / "AstrItS//verb
/"roUteIt noun(ro [count
tates] (,plural
ro tat osingtrich
, es)
2 or gan] i(ENGLISH
cal ly /Or"g&nIkli
• •
adverb
• • •
d [count • • •
LANGUAGE/ARTS
•
) a :story
organically
about
grown vegetables rovery
a •tat ed • big ) bird from Africa that cannot fly but
27 | Choosing
or
love: She writes theromances.
Correct Meaning Match can
•gan•ism /"Org@nIz@m/ noun [count]
the
to move bold
run fast words
because
in circles: with
Theit earth
has the
long dictionary
rotates legsaround definitions.
the Write the
Ro
number •man nu•mer•al /%roUm@n "num@r@l/ noun
of the definition. 3.4 C oth
sun. •er k /"VD@r/ adjective, pronoun

count] ) a living thing, especially a very small

([BIOLOGY d ro ta tion noun the[count,
as well
•
as, or/roU"teISn
•
different/from onenoncount
or ones]:I
one
one of that theyou letterscanthat onlywere
see with
used ainspecial
Roman times the rotation of the earth
have said: Carmen is Mexican, but the other
instrument
as numbers:(called The numbera MICROSCOPE
16 is XVI) in Roman
rot 1. The
•ten /"rAtn
students in United
my/ class Nations
are Korean.
adjective is an
x I caninternational
only find organization. 1
or •gan•i•za•tion
numerals. k / %Org@n@"zeISn / noun one
1 old shoe. Have you seen bad:the othereggs one?areI saw her–
Iand not fresh; These rotten
x

[count•tic 2. smell belong sideto of athestudent and Claire at my school.

organization
ro1 •man k /roU"m&ntIk
] a group of people/who work together
adjective on
theythe other awful! x road. John
for
about a special
love; full purpose:
of feelingsHe worksof love:for aanromantic arrived
2 (3. informal at nine
) very o’clock,
bad; butnice:
not the others (= the other
organization that helps old people. people)
Your desk needs a bitThat was a rotten
of organization.
dinner thing to were say! late.
2 [noncount] the activity of planning or other than except for someone or something: Ifor the homeless.
roof
arranging k /rufsomething;
/ noun [count the] (plural
way that roofs )
something rough 4. She k /volunteers
rVf/ adjectiveat an organization
(rough • er , rough est) •

haven’t told anyone other than you.

the top of a building or car, which covers it
is planned or arranged: She’s busy with the the
n 5. PRother
Success
ONUNCIATION day in notschool
many days depends ago: I saw on good
your organization.
rook •ie /"rUki
organization / noun
of [count] wedding.
her daughter’s brother
The word therough other day.
sounds like stuff,recently
A SYNONYM because
or a •person
gan•izewho k /has just started doing a job or
"Org@naIz/ verb (or gan iz es,
• • •
oth 6.
•erWe
sometimes •wise aren’t
the all good
k letters
/"VD@rwaIz-gh /soundat organization.
adverb like f, in
, conjunction
playing
or gan izaing professional
, or gan ized sport: a rookie police
• • • • )
•
words
1 in alllike other enoughways:and The tough.
house is small, but
1officer
to plan or arrange something: Our teacher 7. My it’s
otherwise apartment
very nice. only has two rooms.
room
organized k /rum a visit/ noun
to the museum. 1 not smooth
2 in a different orway:
flat: ItMost
was difficult
people agreed,to walk but on the
21 [to countput] or one of the spaces
arrange things in a building
into a systemthat or has rough8. Isground.
Rachel
there room
thought otherwise.
for 50 chairs in your classroom?
walls around
order: You need it: How many rooms
to organize your workdo you have in
more 2 if
3 not not:gentle Hurry orup,
calm: a roughyou’ll
otherwise neighborhood
be late. A (=
where9. Athere hotel room in New York can be expensive.
your house? a classroom
carefully. x
SYNONYM or is a lot of crime) The ferry was
x

2 [ noncount ] space;
or•gan•ized k /"Org@naIzd/ adjective enough space: There’s no canceled because the ocean was too rough.
room for you in the car.
ot310.
•ter My "AX@r
not /exactly
car
/ nounonly
correct;
has] room for four people.
[countmade or done quickly:
1 with everything planned or arranged: a badly a river animal with brown fur that much eats fishwill
room
organized •mate trip/"rum%meIt/ noun [count] 11. you
Can There give isn’t roomidea
me a rough on howmy shelf itfor another book.
2a person
(used about that you share able
a person) a room, to planan apartment,
your work,
ouch
cost? /aUtS
x a / exclamation
rough drawing
or a etc.
life, house well: with: Joeysuch
Jenny’s was an myorganized person. A
college roommate. 12. say
You
rough I’m
•ly /renting
“ouch” when
"rVfli/ adverb a room in a private
you suddenly house.
feel pain:
Ouch! That hurts! A SYNONYM owshould take
roost•er /"rust@r/
ANTONYM disorganized 1 about; not exactly: The drive
Dictionary entries are from the Oxford Basicrooster

onoun
•ri•ent •ed ]w /"OriEnt@d/ adjective
[count
ought
American Dictionary for learners to
roughly oftwo khours.
English © Oxford
/"OX@ ;A tuUniversity
/ modal
"OtSYNONYM Press 2011.
verb
approximately A
an adult male chicken
for, or interested in, a particular type of person
1 words that
ANTONYM exactly you use to tell or ask someone
what
2 notisgently: the right He thing
pushed to medo: away
It’s late – you ought
roughly.
A Look
or thing: at the
She’s note
very at career-oriented. a male-
x
SYNONYM should
chicken. career to go home.
round 1
k /AraUnd / adjective
28 | Count oriented
or Noncount Meaning? Decide if2having the
words bold that word
you useofinato each
say whatsentence you a thinkhas a count meaning or
will
root
or •i•gin
a noncount
k /"Or@dZIn
rut/ noun
meaning.
/ noun [count, noncount]
Check (✓ ) your answers. happen
table 3.4 C
the shape circle
or what you think is true: Tom has
or a ball: round
1[count
the ]time, way, or place that something first worked2 very hard, so he ought to pass the exam. x

the part of
existed: theaorigins
plant that of life on earth round
That movie /raUnd ought/ noun
to be[count
good.] A SYNONYM should
2is the
under the ground
country, A
race, culture, etc. that a person 1 Look
A a number at the note or setat of events:
modal verb another
. count
round of noncount
Look at the
1. a. Do you like football?
comes from: picture
His at plant
family is. of Italian origin. peace talks
2 a lot k
ounce /aUns/one noun [count ] (abbreviation oz.) ✓
root•rig•ibeer •nal k
of visits, after another, for example
o /"rut bIr/ noun
/@"rIdZ@nl [count]
/ adjective 1 apart
measure ofjob:
weight (=28.35 grams). There
1ab. type Do
first; of you
sweet,
earliest: ownIbrown
havea football?
drink
the carthat
now, hasbutbubbles in
my sister
as of your The mail carrier starts his
are
round 16at ounces in a pound: eight ounces of flour
seven o’clock.
it,a.but
2. was thenooriginal
Are alcohol
you interested
owner. in studying law? another fluidor ounce
2
3 one partword of aforgame : a 12-ounce
competition: the can
thirdof
rope
2 new
3[countb.real,
k and
Is] there
/roUp different:
/ noun His poems arerope
a laworiginal
against
very original.
talking on your cell
cola.
roundphone of the boxing
while match
driving?
not copied: paintings
d o•rig •i•nal noun [count]: This is a copy of the
our
round-tripk /Ar; "aU@r / adjective
/"raUnd trIp/ adjective
3. painting
a. We had many adventures on our trip to belonging
very thick, strong thea Arctic.
for trip to to us: This
a place andisbackour house.
again: How much is
string – the original is in the Smithsonian.
o b.
•rig She
i •nalhad lots
•ly /@"rIdZ@n@li of excitement
adverb and adventureours
a in kher
round-trip / Arz ;
life. "aU@rz
ticket to / pronoun
Portland? A Look at one-way.
rose form of rise
•1 2 /
something that
route k w /rut; raUt/ nounYour
belongs to us: [count car] is the
4. in a.the beginning: The school was originally very
Please don’t make so much noise!
small. I’m from Texas originally.
x
same
a wayas from ours. one place to another: What is the
orb. •na I•ment
heard/"Orn@m@nta loud noise. / noun [count]
our •selves
quickest route kfrom/Ar"sElvz ; aU@r"sElvz
Philadelphia pronoun
to/Boston?
[plural]
5. aa. thing Shethat feltwea have sharp because
pain in it isherbeautiful,
stomach. not
1 used when you and another person or other
because it is useful: glass ornaments
ǝr bird ɪr near ɛr hair ɑr car ɔr north people
ʊr tour do anӡaction vision andhare ŋ sing by387
hatalso affected it:
b. We could see the pain in her eyes.
d or na • men• tal /•%Orn@"mEntl / adjective : There is
We made ourselves some coffee.
an ornamental pond in the yard.
6. a. We took a tour bus to see the sights of Paris. 2 a word that makes “we” stronger: We built the
house ourselves.
b. Don’t let the children get out of sight.
ə about
7.320a. I hope y yes success
you have w woman t ̬ butter
in your new job.eɪ say aɪ five ɔɪ boy aʊ now oʊ go
b. The dinner was a great success.

Think about It What helped you identify the count nouns above?

Write about It Look up one of the words below in a learner’s dictionary. Write sentences using the count
and noncount meanings. Read your sentences to your classmates and ask them to identify the count and
noncount meanings.

action alarm authority chocolate danger production

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 3.5 Subject-Verb Agreement
singular singular We use a third-person singular verb with:
1 My computer isn’t working. • a singular count noun, as in 1
singular noncount • a noncount noun, as in 2
2 Was his advice helpful? A few noncount nouns end in -s. They look like
singular singular plural count nouns, but they aren’t. We use a
A 3 The news was surprising. singular verb with these nouns, as in 3 – 4.

singular singular
When the subject is a number + an amount of
money, a weight, or a similar measurement, we
4 Some people think physics is difficult. often use a singular verb, NOT a plural verb, as in 5.
singular singular
GRAMMAR TERM: Matching subject and verb forms is called
5 Two hundred dollars is a lot of money. agreement. We say that the subject and verb agree.

plural plural We use a plural verb with:

6 My parents like to travel. • a plural count noun, as in 6
singular + and + singular plural • a singular noun + and + a singular noun, as in 7
B 7 My brother and sister are always fighting. • a noncount noun + and + a noncount noun, as in 8
noncount + and + noncount plural
8 Oil and water don’t mix.

Wa r ning! Sometimes we use a prepositional

9 Traffic in cities is a major problem.
phrase after a main noun to describe the noun,
(NOT: Traffic in cities are . . . )
as in 9 – 10.
C
10 The computers in our classroom are old. The verb still agrees with the main noun (traffic and
(NOT: The computers in our classroom is . . . ) computers), not the noun in the prepositional phrase.

CorreCt the Common errors (See page R-16.)

D 11 My family help me a lot. 13 That person don’t know my name.

12 My husband miss us when he is away. 14 Some people in my class is never on time.

GO Online

29 | Noticing Singular Subjects and Verbs Circle the subject and underline the verb(s) in these
questions. 3.5 A

1. Is fruit good for you? 6. Is anger ever useful?

2. What is a popular sport in your country? 7. What is your favorite movie?
3. How important is money to you? 8. Does your mother speak English?
4. When is the news on TV? 9. What makes a good home?
5. Is physics an interesting subject? 10. Is exercise an important part of your life?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above. Then ask each question again with a different subject.
A: Is fruit good for you? A: Is ice cream good for you?
B: Yes, it is. B: No, it isn’t, but it’s delicious.

Think about It Look back at the subjects you circled in the questions above. Write SC over the singular
count nouns. Write NC over the noncount nouns.

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 30 | Distinguishing Singular and Plural Subjects Complete these sentences with the correct form
of the verb. 3.5 A–b

computers

1. Early electronic computers were the size of a large room.

(was / were)
2. The first computer mouse wooden.
(was / were)
3. A laptop a portable computer.
(is / are)
4. ROM and RAM two types of computer memory.
(is / are)
5. More than 2 billion people the Internet worldwide.
(uses / use)
6. 512 megabytes a lot of memory for a computer.
(isn’t / aren’t)
7. Computer programming a fast-growing occupation.
(is / are)
8. Apple the first company to sell the mouse.
(wasn’t / weren’t)
9. Iceland the highest percentage of Internet users: 95 percent.
(has / have)
10. My cell phone and MP3 player small computers inside.
(has / have)
11. One hundred dollars a lot of money for a new computer.
(isn’t / aren’t)
12. The average worker or 110 emails a day.
(sends / send) (receives / receive)
13. 123456 the most common email password.
(is / are)

31 | Language Note: There is/There are Read the note. Then do Activity 32.
We sometimes use there + be at the beginning of a sentence. In these sentences, there has little meaning.
We call it “empty there.”

There’s no place like home. There are many opportunities for work here.
Notice that the verb be agrees with the main noun after it.

There is too much information on the Internet. There are over 20 billion Web pages on the Internet.
There + be signals that new information is coming next. It often introduces a new topic.

There are many ways to greet people. For example, you can . . .

32 | Using There + Be Write There is or There are to complete these sentences. Is each sentence true or
false? Check (✓) your answer and then compare with a partner. 3.5 A–b

topic sentences true false

1. There is a possibility of rain tomorrow.

2. 30 days in February.
3. many different ways to lose weight.
4. very little sugar in candy.
5. many interesting things to do in a big city.
6. beautiful places in every country.
7. always a danger of war.

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 true false

8. I think a connection between cell phones and cancer.

9. I think a lot of ads on TV.
10. few living things in the oceans.
11. life on Mars.
12. a difference between happiness and joy.

Think about It Which of the sentences in Activity 32 could you use as a topic sentence for a paragraph
or longer pieces of writing? Why?

33 | Using Prepositional Phrases Complete each sentence with a phrase from the box. 3.5 C

in Africa in South America in your body of India of the earth

in North America in 2 billion of art of Mount Everest of the horse

1. The ancestors15 of the horse were only a foot tall.

2. The longest river is the Amazon.
3. The longest rivers are the Nile and the Congo.
4. The diameter is 12,756 kilometers (7,926 miles).
5. The height is 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).
6. The earliest works are animal paintings in a cave in France.
7. The capital is New Delhi.
8. One person will live to be 116 or older.
9. The highest mountain is in Alaska.
10. The longest bone is in the leg.

34 | Singular or Plural Verb? Choose verbs from the boxes to complete the article. 3.5 a–C

Common Surnames16 in the United States 1. is/are

There now six million different surnames in the U.S. The most common 2. is/are
1
surname Smith. More than two million people that 3. has/have
2 3
name. Johnson, Williams, Brown, Jones, Miller, and Davis the next 4. is/are
4
most common surnames. More than a million people each of those
5 5. has/have
names. Garcia and Rodriguez, two Hispanic surnames, now on the list
6 6. is/are
of the top 10 surnames in the U.S. The surname Lee on the list of the
7 7. is/are
top 25 most common names. Many people with the surname Lee of
8
8. is/are
Asian descent.

15
ancestors: the animals in the past that developed into modern animals 16
surnames: family names

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 Talk about It Activity 34 lists some common surnames in the U.S. What are some common surnames in
other countries? Share ideas with your classmates.
“The most common surnames in Argentina are Fernandez, Rodriguez, and Gonzalez.”

35 | Error Correction Correct any errors in these sentences. (Some sentences may not have any errors.)
1. My friends likes me a lot, but they are also a little jealous of me.
My friends like me a lot, but they are also a little jealous of me.

2. The blue stripes on the Nicaraguan flag represents the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
3. Many people wants a good job, but they don’t have the necessary skills.
4. The news are always very bad.
5. The programs on television isn’t very good.
6. Fresh food keep you healthy.
7. Computers make it easier to learn about other countries without traveling.
8. A college education provide you with the tools to get a good job.
9. My brother have a serious problem.
10. When children is young, they don’t understand money.
11. Four dollars is a lot of money for a cup of coffee.
12. Food and water is all we need.
13. The food in most restaurants here is expensive.
14. There are some moneys for you on the table.

3.6 Noun Suffixes

verb suffix noun A suffix is a group of letters we add to the end of
1 teach + -er = teacher a word.

adjective suffix noun We add suffixes to some verbs and adjectives to

2 important + -ance = importance make nouns, as in 1 – 2.
A
noun suffix noun
We also add suffixes to some nouns to make
3 friend + -ship = friendship different nouns, as in 3.

For a list of common noun suffixes, see the Resources, page R-10.

using different forms of key words In writing, we often use different forms of a key word,
4 Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. This as in 4 – 5. This gives variety to a piece of writing.
B invention changed the world.
5 You don’t have to be a musician to love music.

CorreCt the Common errors (See page R-16.)

C 6 My happy did not continue very long. 8 The most important thing is appreciate for my parents.
7 I think his lazy hurt him. 9 My parents taught me that educate is important.

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 36 | Identifying Suffixes Complete this chart. Write the missing noun or suffix. 3.6 A

Verb + suffix = Noun Adjective + suffix = Noun

1. achieve + -ment = achievement 17. difficult + -y =

2. act + ion = action 18. free + -dom =

3. appear + = appearance 19. kind + = kindness

4. arrange + -ment = 20. real + -ity Black plate (371,1) =

5. connect + = connection 21. sad + -ness =

6. contain
A B+C-er
D E F G H I J K= L M N O P Q R S T22.Usimilar
V W X+Y Z reed
= similarity

7. develop + Black plate=(371,1)

development 23. weak + = weakness
1 notes about things that have happened: Keep re•cruit2 /rI"krut/ noun [count]
8. differa+record -enceof all the money you = spend. a person who has just joined the army, the navy,
2 (SPORTS ) the best, fastest, highest, lowest, etc. or the police: the training of new recruits
Noun + suffix = New noun
H I J K L M N O P Q 9.R direct U+ -ion
S T world
that Vhas W X
been Y Z
done = She holds the
in a sport:
record for long jump. He did it in record
rec•tan•gle /"rEkt&Ngl
x
reed
/ noun [count]
(MATH ) a shape with two long sides, two short
10. disagreetime + (= very fast). She’s hoping = disagreement
to break the
x
24. and
sides, art four
+ -istangles of 90 degrees A Look = at the
record for the mile (= to do it faster than anyone picture at shape.
ngs that have happened: Keep re•cruit 2 /rI"krut
has done before).
/ noun [count]
money you spend. 11. discuss
a person+who has just joined the= discussion
army, the navy, d rec25.tan child
gu lar+ /rEk"t&Ngy@l@r/ adjective=: This childhood • • •

3 (MUSIC ) a thin, round piece of black plastic that page is rectangular.

st, fastest, highest, lowest, etc. or the police: the training of new recruits
makes music when you play it on a special
ne in a sport: She holds the 12. employ rec•tan +
•gle /"rEkt&Ngl/ noun [count]
= employer re•cy 26.
•cle music
/ri"saIkl+ /-ian = ,
verb (re cy cles, re cy cling • • • •
machine (called a RECORD PLAYER): He still has his
ong jump. He did it in record
x
(MATHold) arecord
shape collection.
with two long sides, two short re cy cled ) • •

xShe’s hoping to break the 13. excite sides,+ and four angles of 90 degrees = excitement
A Look at the to do27.something
office + to materials like paper = andofficer
re •cord2 k /rI"kOrd/ verb (re cords, re cord ing,
e (= to do it faster than anyone picture at shape. glass so that they can be used again: Glass
• • •

14. fail +retan

d rec
cord gued •lar) /rEk"t&Ngy@l@r/=adjective
•
•
•
• failure: This 28. poet
containers can+ be recycled. = poetry
ound piece of black plastic that 1 to write notes about or make pictures of d re cy cled /ri"saIkld/ adjective
page is rectangular. • •

en you play it on a special 15. lead + things that happen, so you can remember them
re•cylater:
•cle /ri"saIkl/ verb (re cy cles = leader
re cy cling,that he 29. prison
Something that+is-er
recycled has been used =
RECORD PLAYER): He still has his In his diary he recorded, everything • •
before: recycled paper
• •

on. re cydid.
cled)• •

16. press
to do2+something
to-uresave music to materials
or a movie =using
like paper anandelectronic re•cy 30. relation
•cling + -ship
/ri"saIklIN / noun [noncount] =
rd/ verb (re cords, re cord ing,
• •
glassdevice,
•
so thatso they can be used again: Glass 1 the process of making objects and materials
that you can listen to or watch it later:
containers
I recorded can the be recycled.
show so I can watch it this weekend. able to be used again: the recycling of glass
about or make pictures of re
recy•cordcledIt /ri"saIkld/ adjective 2 things that can be RECYCLED: You need to
ThinkdSomething
about •erUse a dictionary to ]check the meaning of anyyour words
recyclingabove thatplastic,
you don’t
and know.
• •

n, so you can remember them /rI"kOrd@r / noun [count separate into glass,
that is recycled has been used
he recorded everything that he 1 a machine for recording sound and/or metal.
before: recycled paper
pictures: an old tape recorder
or a movie using an electronic re •cy•cling /ri"saIklIN/ noun [noncount]
2 (MUSIC ) a musical instrument that children red k /rEd/ adjective (red der, red dest) • •

u can listen to or watch 37 | Spelling

it later: 1 theoften Note:
process play.ofNoun blowSuffixes
making
You objects
throughand Read
materials
it and thenote. 1Then
coverthe having the color of blood: She’s wearing a
do Activities 38–39.
able holes
to be in used again:
it with yourthe recycling
fingers. A Lookof glass
at the picture at bright red dress. red wine x
w so I can watch it this weekend.
2 things
instrument that can . be RECYCLED: You need to 2 Red hair has a color between red, orange,
d@r/ noun [count] and we add aand brown.
Some words
separate your need a
recycling spelling
re cord ing /rI"kOrdIN/ noun [count] change
into glass, plastic, when suffix. For example:
ecording sound and/or d red noun [count, noncount]: Lucy was dressed in
• •
metal.
ape recorder Verb music or speech that
Noun has been saved using
Verb an red. Noun
al instrument that children red k /rEd/ adjective
electronic device:(red a newderrecording
, red destof ) Mozart’s
• •

ow through it and cover the decide

1 having (-de the
“Don Giovanni” + -sion)
color =of decision
blood: She’s wearing a describe re
(-be•do+ -ption)
/ %ri"du =/ description
verb (re•does /%ri"dVz/, re•do•ing,
bright red dress. red wine re•did /%ri"dId/, re•done /%ri"dVn/)
ur fingers. A Look at the picture at combine rec•ord play•er = /combination argue (-e + -ment) = argument
x
(-e + -ation) "rEk@rd %pleI@r/ noun [count ]
2 Red hair has a color between red, orange, to do something again or in a different way: My
(MUSIC ) a machine that you use for playing
compare
and brown.
records
(-e + -ison) = comparison behave teacher
(-e + -ior) asked = mebehavior
to redo the whole essay.
OrdIN/ noun [count] d red noun [count, noncount]: Lucy was dressed in •duce k /rI"dus/ verb (re duc es, re duc ing,
re
•er k w /rI"kVv@r/ verb (re cov ers,
• • • •
that has been saved using an There red.re
is•covno easy way to know which suffix to add to readuced
word. ) You learn suffixes by seeing the words (by
• •
•
a new recording of Mozart’s re cov
re•do1/ato
reading lot)er/and ing , re cov
verbpracticing
ered)
(re•does /%ri"dVzthem./, reYou can
•do•ing , also look in a dictionary.
to make Noticeorthat
something smaller less:the
Thisnoun
shirt is often listed
• • • • •
%ri"du
become well or happy again after you have
re•did /%ri"dId
separately from /, re
the•done /%ri"dVn/)
verb. was reduced from $50 to $30. Reduce speed x

/"rEk@rd %pleI@r/ noun [count] been sick or sad: She is recovering from the flu. now (= words on a road sign). A ANTONYM
to do something again or in a different way: My
e that you use for playing 2 to get back something that was lost: Police increase
teacher asked me to redo the whole essay.
never recovered the stolen car.
re•duce k /rI"dus/ verb (re duc es, re duc ing, re•duc•tion redwood
re •cov•er•y w /rI"kVv@ri/ noun [noncount]
• • • •

/rI"kVv@r/ verb (re cov ers,

• •
re duced • ) /rI"dVkSn/ noun
ov ered)
• when you feel well again after you have been
to make something smaller or less: This shirt [count]
or happy again after you have sick: He made a full recovery after his operation. making something
was reduced from $50 to $30. Reduce speed x

She is recovering from the flu. nowre(= •cre•ate w /%rikri"eIt/ verb (re•cre•ates,
words on a road sign). A ANTONYM smaller or less: price
mething that was lost: Police re•cre•at•ing, re•cre•at•ed)
increase reductions a x

he stolen car. to• make something that existed in the past exist reduction in the
re•duc tion
again: The movie recreates the glamour of 1940s
redwood
number of students
rI"kVv@ri/ noun [noncount] /rI"dVkSn/ noun
ell again after you have been Hollywood. red•wood /"rEdwUd/
[count]
ull recovery after his operation. rec•re
making •a•tion /%rEkri"eISn/ noun [noncount]
something noun [count]
rikri"eIt/ verb (re•cre•ates, Dictionary relaxing
smaller
entries or
areless:
from and enjoying
price
the Oxford Basicyourself,
Americanwhen youfor
Dictionary are
learners ofaEnglish
very tall tree that
© Oxford University Press 2011.
e•at•ed) not working:
reductions a recreation activities such as
x grows near the west
ng that existed in the past exist swimming
reduction in theand yoga coast of the U.S.
recreates the glamour of 1940s re•cruit
number 1 /rI"krut/ verb (re cruits, re cruit ing,
of students reed /rid/ noun [count]
• • •

re cruit/ed
red•wood )
"rEdwUd
•
/ • a tall plant, like grass,
kri"eISn/ noun [noncount] nounto[countfind]new people to join a company © Oxford
or an University Press
that grows 2014 in or near nouns a nd a rticles 99
oying yourself, when you are a veryorganization:
tall tree thatThe army is recruiting new officers. water
eation activities such as grows near the west
ga coast of the U.S.
4028424_ELM_SB2.indb 99 ǝr bird ɪr near ɛr hair ɑr car ɔr north ʊr tour ӡ vision h hat ŋ sing 371 4/4/14 9:42 AM
verb (re cruits
• , re cruit ing,
• • reed /rid/ noun [count]
 38 | Using Noun Suffixes Complete these test prompts with the noun form of the words in parentheses.
Use a dictionary if necessary. 3.6 A

common test prompts

1. What are some qualities of a good supervisor ? (supervise)

2. If you were an employer, for what reasons would you fire an ? (employ)
3. is the most important factor in the of a country. Do you agree?
(educate/develop)
4. Do the benefits of study abroad justify the ? (difficult)
5. Money can’t buy . Do you agree? (happy)
6. Should the spend money on space ? (govern/explore)
7. How do movies and television influence people’s ? (behave)
8. There will always be in the world. Agree or disagree? (violent)
9. Should foreign language begin in kindergarten? Why or why not? (instruct)
10. Parents should make important for their older (15- to 18-year-old) children. Agree or
disagree? (decide)

Talk about It Talk about one of the questions above with a partner.
A: What are some qualities of a good supervisor?
B: Well, I think a supervisor should be patient. . . .

39 | Using Different Forms of a Word Complete these sentences with the noun form of the bold word.
(You can use a dictionary if necessary.) 3.6 B

essay beginnings
1. The Internet has changed the way people interact. For example, today there is less need for face-to-face
interaction .
2. My friends are similar in a number of ways. Perhaps the most important is their love
of sports.
3. It’s not easy to decide what to do with your life, but it’s a we all have to make.
4. If you want your children to behave well, you should pay attention to your own .
5. Football and soccer differ in several ways. One important is how the players use
the ball.
6. My parents collect old jazz records. Their fills an entire room.
7. Awards and prizes motivate people to work hard. Simple praise can also be a good .
8. It may take years to recover from a brain injury, but a complete is possible.
9. For homework, we had to describe a beautiful place. I decided to write a of my
hometown.
10. We all fail sometimes. We just can’t allow to discourage us.

Write about It Choose one of the essay beginnings above. What do you think the writer says next?
Write your idea in a sentence. (You don’t need to use the bold word in your sentence.)
The Internet has changed the way people interact. For example, today there is less need for
face-to-face interaction. People don’t need to meet in person to make friends.

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 40 | Error Correction Correct any errors in these sentences. (Some sentences may not have any errors.)
1. The organize of my paragraph wasn’t very good.
The organization of my paragraph wasn’t very good.

2. Last year I took a course in art appreciate.

3. There are many different between my language and English.
4. When I was young, my brother always tried to protect me from dangerous.
5. I think confident makes us perform better.
6. It is not easy to accept the true sometimes.
7. The behave of many people on airplanes is very surprising.
8. When does adult begin? Is it when a person can drive a car?
9. The organization and develop of my essay need improvement.
10. I failed the exam because of its difficultness.
11. Teachers and their teenaged students discuss lots of different things in class.
That’s why teenagers and their teachers have a special relation.
12. Everyone fails sometimes. When you know the cause of your fail, you can
change your actions.

3.7 Using A/An and Some

A/AN + SINGULAR COUNT NOUN We often use a or an before a singular count noun
(or before an adjective + a noun), as in 1 – 2.
1 There’s a bank on Seventh Avenue.
Use a before a word that begins with a consonant
2 Did you see an old notebook around here? sound, as in 1. Use an before a vowel sound, as in 2.
We use a or an for many reasons. For example, in
3 I had an appointment today at 6:00.
A (This is new information for the listener.)
1 – 5, we use a or an:
• to introduce a new (unknown) person or thing to
4 Football is a team sport.
the listener
(I am classifying football as a team sport.)
• to classify or describe a type of person or thing
5 I need a math tutor.
(I am describing the kind of tutor I need.)

SOME + PLURAL COUNT NOUN We don’t use a and an with plural count nouns or
6 Could you buy some tomatoes at the store? noncount nouns. Instead, we often use some, as in
(= a few tomatoes) 6 – 9.
7 I know some people in Turkey. (= a few people) When we use some as an article, it usually means we
are talking about a small amount.
B SOME + NONCOUNT NOUN
GRAMMAR TERM: A, an, and some are called indefinite
8 I need some money for the subway.
articles.
( = a small amount of money)

9 Do you have some time to help me?

(= a small amount of time)

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 41 | Using A and An Complete these sentences with a or an. 3.7 a

sports P R O N U N C I AT I O N

1. Gymnastics is an ancient17 sport. For words that begin with the letter u:

2. Football is team sport. • use an when the u has a vowel sound:

an unusual sport, an umbrella
3. Golf is individual sport, not a team sport.
• use a when the u has a consonant sound:
4. Car racing is dangerous sport.
a unique sport, a university
5. Volleyball is awesome18 sport.
For words that begin with the letter h:
6. Kite flying is professional sport in Thailand.
7. Golf was Olympic sport in 1900 and 1904. • use an when the h is silent:
an hour, an honest man
8. You can’t play polo without horse.
• use a when the h is pronounced:
9. A football game lasts for about hour and a half.
a hospital, a hard test
10. The World Cup takes place in different country
every four years.
11. There are six players on ice hockey team.

Write about It Write your own sentences about six different sports. Then share ideas with your
classmates.
is (a/an) sport.
(name of sport) (adjective)

42 | Using A/An + Adjective + Noun Choose an adjective to complete each conversation below.
(More than one adjective may be possible for some conversations.) Then practice with a partner. 3.7 a

academic delicious good interesting nice only unusual

attractive extra hard new old strange used

1. A: That’s a nice sweater. 6. A: Do you plan to get an

B: Thanks. I’m glad you like it. degree?
2. A: Did you have a evening? B: Of course. I want to be an engineer.
B: Yeah, I watched an movie 7. A: That’s an suit.
on TV. B: Thank you. It’s new.
3. A: This is a sandwich. Did you 8. A: Do you have an pen?
make it? B: Sure. Take this one.
B: Yeah. I’m glad you like it. 9. A: Why did you buy a
4. A: I admire you a lot. car?
B: Really? Why’s that? B: Because I couldn’t afford a
A: Because you’re a worker. car.
5. A: Is there anything good on TV tonight? 10. A: Are you an child?
B: Yeah, there’s an program B: No, I have two brothers.
about Antarctica at 8:00.

17
ancient: very old 18
awesome: very good

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 43 | Choosing A or An Read this text and complete it with a or an. 3.7 a

STUDY
Who’s Who at a University STR ATEGY
1
This unit introduces a
Most college professors have doctoral degree19. However, sometimes few of the ways we use
2
articles. Don’t worry
university will hire person without one. The university calls this about all of their different
3 4
uses now. Just pay
person instructor. The instructor works to finish his or her PhD and
5 attention to how people
can become assistant professor after that. Assistant professors don’t use articles when you
6 listen or read.
usually have permanent job or tenure20. If they don’t receive tenure
7
after 5 to 7 years, they usually have year to find another job.
8

If assistant professor gets tenure, he or she becomes associate

9 10
professor. Later, the associate professor can get position as full
11 12
professor.

adjunct professor doesn’t have permanent position and

13 14
teaches small number of classes. visiting professor is from one
15 16
university, but teaches at another school for year or two.
17

44 | Using A, An, and Some Complete these questions with a, an, or some. 3.7 A–B

1. Do you have some money with you today?

2. Can you drive car?
3. Can you give me information about your country?
4. Is there bank around here?
5. Do you have favorite restaurant?
6. Do you know good place for breakfast?
7. Do you live in apartment?
8. Can you give me help with my homework?
9. Where’s a good place to buy clothes?
10. Would you like coffee right now?
11. Can you name funny movies?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above.

A: Do you have some money with you today?
B: Yes, I do. What about you?
A: I do too.

19 
doctoral degree: the most advanced academic degree; also called a 20
tenure: the right to keep a job as long as you want it
doctorate or PhD

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 Think about It Write each noun phrase in Activity 44 under the correct group in this chart.

A/An + singular count noun Some + plural noun Some + noncount noun
some money

45 | Using A, An, and Some What would you take on each trip below? Choose two trips and list six things
for each trip. Then tell your classmates about the things on your list. 3.7 A–B

“For trip number 1, I would take some sunscreen, a hat, . . . ”

Trip #1: Spend a hot summer day on a sailboat Trip #3: Spend three days in a cabin on a lake. Enjoy
with three friends. Lunch is NOT included. the warm weather in a place without electricity.
Trip #2: Take a working vacation. Work on a Trip #4: Spend two nights in one of New York City’s
farm in France for five days. Take care of the best hotels. Free tickets to a Broadway play and the
farm animals and work in the field. Learn to Museum of Modern Art are included.
make cheese. Room and food are included.

3.8 Using The

1 Who is the new teacher? We can use the before:
2 Who are the best students in class? • singular or plural count nouns, as in 1 – 2
A 3 The light in my eyes was too bright. • noncount nouns, as in 3

GRAMMAR TERM: The is called the definite article.

4 I met the new teacher yesterday. We can use the when:

(I think the listener knows which specific teacher.) • we are talking about specific people or things
5 The earth is in danger of overpopulation. • and we think our listener knows which one(s) we are
(There is only one earth.) talking about, as in 4
6 I need to be at the airport by 10:00.
Our listener knows which one we are talking about when:
(A city usually has only one airport.)
B 7 The computer in our classroom is old. • there is only one in the world and everyone knows about it,
(“In our classroom” identifies which computer is old.) as in 5

8 When’s the last bus? • there is only one in a particular place (such as in a classroom
(There is only one last bus.) or a city), as in 6 – 7

9 Who is the youngest person here? • we use the noun with an adjective that describes only one
(There is only one youngest person.) thing, such as first, last, next, best, or oldest, as in 8 – 9

CompAre the And a/an We use the when we think the listener can identify the
10a Can you answer the phone, please? person or thing, as in 10a.

C (= a specific phone)

10b Do you hear a phone ringing? We use a or an when we don’t think the listener can
(= one of many possible phones) identify the person or thing, as in 10b.

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 46 | Using The with Count Nouns and Noncount Nouns Read this recipe. Write each bold noun
phrase under the correct group in the chart below. 3.8 A

Singapore Noodles
(Chinese Stir-Fried Rice Noodles)

Ingredients
1 package dried rice noodles 2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons cooking oil 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 pound shrimp 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, minced 2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon ginger, minced salt and pepper
1 hot pepper, sliced 2 cups bean sprouts
1 onion, sliced 4 green onions, cut into pieces
1 red bell pepper, sliced

Directions
Place the rice noodles in a large bowl and cover them with hot water.
Soak for 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water. Drain again and
set aside.
Heat the oil in a wok over a high flame. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for
1 to 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
Add more oil to the wok if necessary. Add the garlic, ginger, and F Y I
hot pepper. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Next, add the onion and red
In recipes and instructions,
pepper and stir-fry for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the vegetables writers sometimes drop the
are cooked but still crisp. before nouns in a series.
Stir in the curry powder and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Then reduce Add the garlic, ginger, and
the heat to medium and stir in the chicken stock, soy sauce, sugar, pepper. =
salt, and pepper. Simmer for about a minute. Add the garlic, the ginger, and
the pepper.
Stir in the drained noodles, sprouts, and green onions. Toss to coat
the noodles with the sauce and heat them through. Adjust seasoning
to taste and serve hot.

The + singular count noun The + plural count noun The + noncount noun
the rice noodles

Think about It Was it difficult to group any of the nouns in the recipe above? Why?

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 47 | Talking about Specific Things Match the sentence beginnings with the sentence endings. 3.8 B

fact book
1. The first plane flight i a. is Canberra.
2. The earth’s atmosphere b. is by plane.
3. The first ocean liners c. crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the 1840s.
4. The first trains d. is red and white.
5. In 2011, the tallest building in the world e. could cross the Atlantic Ocean in about four days.
6. The fastest way to travel f. traveled at less than 16 kph (10 mph).
7. The ground floor of a building g. are very hot.
8. By the 1930s, ocean liners h. contains various gases.
9. The capital of Australia i. was in 1903.
10. The flag of Singapore j. was in Dubai.
11. Countries near the equator k. is usually the first floor.

Think about It Why did the writer use the in each sentence above? Choose from these reasons.
a. There is only one in the world and everyone knows about it.
b. The noun is used with an adjective that describes only one thing.

48 | Using A/An or The Read each conversation and add a/an or the. Then practice with a partner. 3.8 C

at school at home

1. A: Do you know the new science teacher? 9. A: Where’s car?

B: Yes, her name is Ms. Hernandez. B: I put it in garage.
2. A: Did you write down homework 10. A: Could you get me tomato from
assignment? fridge?
B: Yes, do you need it? B: Just one?
3. A: Did Mr. Thompson give us assignment A: Yep21, just one.
for today? 11. A: Did you eat last piece of cake?
B: I hope not. B: Sorry. Were you saving it?
4. A: Can I borrow dictionary? 12. A: Do we have first aid kit?
B: Sorry. This is only dictionary in the room. B: Yes, it’s in bathroom closet.
5. A: When is first day of classes? 13. A: Do you have remote?
B: sixth of September, I think. B: No, it’s over there on chair.
6. A: Did you find phone in here? 14. A: Please don’t play football in house.
B: Does it have red case? B: But it’s raining outside.
A: Yes, that’s it. 15. A: Did you see weather forecast for
7. A: Why are you late? tomorrow?
B: There was accident on the highway. B: No, I missed it.
8. A: When’s meeting tomorrow? 16. A: What’s box for?
B: I think it’s at 7. B: I’m sending some things to Ben.

21
yep: yes (informal)

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 49 | Using A/An or The Write a/an or the to complete the sentences in each set. 3.8 C

1. a. last bus is at 10.

F Y I
b. I think there’s bus at 10 tomorrow. When we use there is to introduce a new
c. Are you going to take 10 o’clock bus? thing or idea, we use a or an with singular
count nouns—NOT the.
d. Is there bus to the zoo?
Hey, there’s a bug in my soup.
2. a. We just saw great movie.
There is a great show on TV tonight.
b. I love movie The Last Emperor.
c. We watch movie every weekend.
d. Is there movie on TV tonight?
3. a. Let’s go home different way.
b. I think this is only way to go.
c. We went wrong way.
d. Is there faster way to go?

3.9 Using No Article (Ø)

Ø + plurAl count noun Sometimes we don’t use an article before a noun
1 I like Ø old movies. at all. We use no article (Ø) because we are talking
(I enjoy old movies in general.) about people or things in general, as in 1 – 4 .
2 Are Ø trains safe? We can use no article before:
(In general, are all trains safe?) • plural count nouns, as in 1 – 2
A Ø + noncount noun • noncount nouns, as in 3 – 4
3 Ø Life in the 1800s was difficult.
(a general statement about life in the 1800s)

4 Ø Education should be free.

(In general, education should be free.) GRAMMAR TERM: No article (Ø) is also called the zero article.

compAre Ø And some We can use some or no article (Ø) before a plural
5a I need some money for the bus. count or noncount noun. We use some to talk about a
small amount, as in 5a – 6a. When we use no article,
5b She always needs Ø money.
we are not giving any information about amount, as
B 6a Can we have some tomatoes for lunch? in 5b – 6b.
6b He made a pasta dish with Ø fresh tomatoes. Wa r ning! We don’t use some when we are talking
about something in general, as in 7 . Use no article
7 It’s not hard to grow Ø tomatoes.
instead.
(NOT: It’s not hard to grow some tomatoes.)

correct the common errorS (See page R-16.)

c 8 He gave me sandwich for breakfast. 10 I learned that the friends are very important.
9 Tokyo and Kyoto are some cities in Japan.

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 50 | Writing General Statements Complete these proverbs with the words from the box. (More than one
answer may be possible, but only one is correct.) Then say what each proverb means. 3.9 a

proverbs

1. Life is short . at home F Y I

Proverbs are short,
2. Time is . company24
familiar statements. They
3. Knowledge is . ears often give advice or a
fast general truth about life.
4. Charity22 begins .
5. Clothes make . louder than words

6. Actions speak . money

7. Walls have . on trees

8. Money doesn’t grow . power

9. Misery23 loves . short

the best medicine
10. Laughter is .
the man
11. Bad news travels .

Think about It Circle all of the nouns and noun phrases in the proverbs above. Then write them under
the correct group in the chart below.

Ø + plural count noun Ø + noncount noun The + singular count noun The + noncount noun
life

Write about It Choose three sentence beginnings above. Think of different ways to complete them.
Money doesn’t grow in my wallet. Money doesn’t grow like weeds.

51 | Making General Statements Add the missing verb to each sentence. Then check (✓) Agree or
Disagree. 3.9 A

what’s your opinion? agree disagree

1. Life more difficult now than a hundred years ago.

(is / are)
2. Women better parents than men.
(is / are)
3. Medical care to be free for everyone.
(needs / need)
4. People too much free time nowadays.
(has / have)
5. Politicians always dishonest.
(is / are)
6. Parents to spend time with their children.
(needs / need)

22
charity: kindness to others 24
company: other people
23
misery: great unhappiness

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 Talk about It Take turns reading the sentences in Activity 51 aloud with a partner. See if your partner
agrees or disagrees and why.
A: Life is more difficult now than a hundred years ago.
B: I agree with that. OR B: I’m not sure about that. I think . . .

52 | Using Some and No Article Read the texts. Where possible, add some before the bold words. 3.9 B

What Do You Like to Do in Your Free Time?

some
1. When I have free time, I like to sit down and read a good book. I like novels best—especially stories about
detectives or crime. I often bring books to the kitchen so I can read while I am eating. At night, I usually
read until I fall asleep. Reading lets you enter a different world for a short time. You meet new people there
and have exciting adventures. It is like a vacation from real life.

2. I enjoy cooking in my free time. I especially like to make bread and fancy desserts. Usually, bread takes
a long time to prepare, so I can do other things at the same time. I often put on good music and make
myself tea while I am working in the kitchen.

Write about It What do you like to do in your free time? Write two or three sentences. Then read them to
a partner.

53 | Error Correction Correct any errors in these sentences. (Some sentences may not have any errors.)
1. I got my high school diploma in 2009, and after that, I went to the college.
I got my high school diploma in 2009, and after that, I went to college.

2. We took a physical education every year in high school.

3. I hope that I always have a good health.
4. I prefer to travel with friend.
5. When my brother was baby, he was very sick.
6. I like to write an article for my blog.
7. Last night I went to concert of Arabic music.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for a help.
9. My grandmother always had a beautiful clothes.
10. I love this restaurant because it has a delicious food.
11. I want to get better job so that I can get a better health care.
12. I moved here from Colombia after I finished my senior year of the high school.
13. Some money can ruin a good friendship.
14. My goal was to go to the university in my country and get a degree in engineering.

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 3.10 Using Nouns and Articles in Speaking
1 I can’t talk now. I’m in a hurry. (= “ina hurry”) Articles are often difficult to hear. This is because
2 I’ll see you in an hour. (= “ina nour”) they are short, and we don’t usually stress them in
conversation. With unstressed articles, we often
A 3 Let’s sit in the back. (= “inthuh back”)
“reduce” the vowel, as in 1 – 5.
4 In the end, we got home safely. (= “inthee end”)
5 I need some money. (= “sm money”)

We pronounce the in two ways:

We say “thuh” before consonant sounds, as We say “thee” before vowel sounds, as in 10 – 13.
in 6 – 9.
10 I don’t understand the answer.
6 Can I take the car?
11 The elevator isn’t working.
B 7 Please pass me the bread.
12 Please pass me the olives.
8 What’s the problem?
Wa r ning! The letter h is a consonant, but
Wa r ning! The letter u is a vowel, but sometimes sometimes it has a vowel sound, as in 13.
it has a consonant sound, as in 9.
13 She belongs to the Honor Society.
9 He’s a student at the university.

suggesting Answers We sometimes suggest an answer to our own

14 Who wrote this? Peter? question. This might be the name of a person,
C 15 What’s for dessert? Ice cream?
place, or thing, as in 14 – 16.
We usually use rising intonation to suggest an
16 Where are you going? To school? answer.

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54 | Pronouncing Articles Listen and complete these common expressions. Then practice saying them.
Pay special attention to the pronunciation of the articles. 3.10 A

1. Don’t worry about a thing. 8. Have good day.

2. Let’s try again other time. 9. Could I have check, please?
3. What’s problem? 10. Give me call later.
4. Thank you for lovely evening. 11. That’s out of question25.
5. I have idea. 12. Don’t breathe word26 of this to anyone.
6. I’ll be with you in minute. 13. Let’s call it day27.
7. Could I leave message? 14. I’ve been under weather28.

Talk about It Work with a partner. Choose one of the expressions above and use it to create a short
conversation. Present your conversation to the class.
A: I don’t think I can finish all this work.
B: Don’t worry about a thing. I can help you.
A: That would be great. . . .

25
out of . . . question: impossible 27
call it . . . day: to stop working for the day
26
don’t breathe . . . word: don’t say anything 28
under . . . weather: sick

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 55 | Pronouncing The Listen to the questions. Do you hear “thee” or “thuh”? Check (✓) your answers.
3.10 B

“Thee” “Thuh” “Thee” “Thuh” research says...

1. ✓ 7.
English speakers do not always
2. 8.
pronounce the according to the rules in
3. 9. Chart 3.10. You may hear “thee” before
4. 10. consonant sounds and “thuh” before
vowel sounds. This does not change
5. 11.
the meaning of the nouns.

C
6. 12.
CORPUS

Talk about It Listen again and write the words you hear after the. Then practice saying the questions.
Pay attention to the pronunciation of the.
did you . . . ?

1. bring the umbrella 5. read the 9. pay the

2. turn off the 6. lock the 10. stop at the
3. watch the 7. eat the 11. go to the
4. go to the 8. wash the 12. drink all the

56 | Suggesting Answers Choose the correct word(s) from each box on the right to suggest an answer to
each question. Then practice with a partner. Be sure to use rising intonation with your suggestion. 3.10 C

1. A: What do you want for lunch? A sandwich ? 1. a restaurant/a sandwich/a glass

B: Sure. Sounds great.
2. A: Where are you going? To ? 2. the gym/a cup of coffee/the teachers
B: No, I have to go to work.
3. A: When are you coming back? ? 3. the car/tonight/a store
B: Yes, probably.
4. A: What did you buy? ? 4. the city/a sweater/a new teacher
B: No, I didn’t buy anything.
5. A: What are you watching? ? 5. the news/tomorrow/a dictionary
B: No, it’s a movie.
6. A: What are you wearing to the concert? ? 6. the truth/some food/a suit
B: I’m not sure yet.
7. A: How are we going to get there? ? 7. on Monday/some cars/by taxi
B: No, that’s too expensive.
8. A: What are you eating? ? 8. a cold drink/a new shirt/cereal
B: No, it’s soup.

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above again. Use your own ideas to suggest answers.
A: What do you want for lunch? Some soup?
B: Sure. Sounds great.

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 3.11 Using Nouns and Articles in Writing
using nouns in A list When we use three or more nouns in a list, we
1 My classmates come from Korea, Turkey, Brazil, separate them with commas, as in 1 – 2. We use
and before the last noun only.
A and Spain.
2 Television, newspapers, and magazines give too Wa r ning! Some style manuals leave out the
much attention to the lives of famous people. comma after the next-to-last noun.

first mention–second mention We sometimes use a or an to introduce a noun

3 When I was eight years old, my parents gave me (talk or write about it for the first time). When we
a gold ring. The ring wasn’t valuable, but I didn’t mention the noun again, we use the, as in 3.
know that. . . . GRAMMAR TERM: When we introduce a noun with a/an,
(The writer starts with a gold ring because she is talking about we call it first mention. When we later use the, we can call
it second mention.
it for the first time. She then says the ring because the reader

B knows what she is talking about.)

4 The first televisions looked very different from our In writing, we use the with nouns that we think the
modern ones. The screens were very small, and the reader already knows. We can also use the when a
pictures were only in black and white. new noun is related to a previous noun, as in 4.
(the screens = the screens on the first televisions)
(the pictures = the pictures on the first televisions)

identifying nouns with prepositionAl phrAses We often use prepositional phrases with in, on, for, of,
5 In Russia, I visited the homes of some great artists. etc., to add information after a noun. Then we can
use the before the noun phrase because the noun is
c (“Of some great artists” identifies which homes.)
identifiable, as in 5 – 6.
6 He stayed there for the rest of his life.
(“Of his life” identifies what “the rest” is.)

GO Online

57 | Using Nouns in a List Add the missing commas to these sentences. 3.11 A

1. Brazil, Colombia, and Peru are all countries in South America.

2. Hungarian Finnish and Chinese are difficult languages to learn.
3. In biology class, students learn about plants animals and even humans.
4. Playing a sport requires energy concentration and determination.
5. The most important qualities of a good boss are patience fairness and flexibility.
6. The Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe has written novels essays and poems.
7. In a large city, there are many opportunities for work education and entertainment.
8. You can’t be a good parent without love caring and commitment.
9. People live longer today because of vaccinations new workplace safety rules and a
decrease in smoking.
10. Hemingway Steinbeck and Morrison are well-known writers.

Write about It Rewrite two of the sentences above with your own ideas.
Japan, Korea, and Vietnam are all countries in Asia.
Learning a new language requires determination, intelligence, and time.

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 58 | Using Articles in a Story Read the stories and complete them with a, an, or the. 3.11 B

The Owl and the Rabbits

An owl saw two rabbits on the ground. owl flew down
1 2
and grabbed one rabbit in each foot. rabbits started
3
running, and they pulled owl behind them. owl’s wife
4 5
yelled, “Let one of them go.”

“But winter is coming and we’ll be hungry,” owl replied.

6
“We’ll need both of rabbits.”
7
The rabbits ran until they came to big rock. One rabbit ran to left of the rock. other
8 9 10
rabbit ran to right of rock. poor owl hit rock, and two rabbits ran away.
11 12 13 14 15

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

young boy, alone all day, got bored taking care of his
1
sheep. For fun, boy shouted, “Wolf! Wolf!”
2
People in town heard boy and came running to help him.
3
But when they arrived, boy just laughed at them. “I was
4
only kidding,” boy said to townspeople. “I didn’t really
5 6
see wolf.”
7
A few days later, boy cried again, “Wolf! Wolf!” Again
8
people in town came running. And once more, boy
9 10
laughed at them.

In time, wolf really did come. boy screamed, “Wolf!

11 12
Wolf!” But this time no one came.

Think about It Look at the answers for 7 and 11 in the second story above. Why did you choose the
article you did?

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 59 | Writing Instructions Read the instructions and complete them with a, an, or the. 3.11 b

1 You willeight-inch
need square piece of paper;
square works nicely. 5 Now small
fold down
triangle.
top point to make

8 inches

6 Fold over right side to meet left side.

2 Place paper on
corner on top.
flat surface with one

7 Turn shape so that

facing you.
long side is

3 Fold point on left over to meet

right point; then unfold it. You will have
crease in center.

8 Fold up point at end to make tail.

center crease

4 Fold lower left and lower right sides so

they meet at crease.

9 Draw face on your whale.

Write about It Think of something you can do or make. Write the instructions for your classmates
to read.

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 60 | Adding Information to a Noun Look at the bold words in these questions. Think of two more
prepositional phrases you could use instead. Rewrite the questions with your new ideas. 3.11 c

1. What is the value of recreation?

What is the value of music?

2. What are the important qualities of a good parent?


3. Should the government spend money on space exploration?


4. Is the traditional role of fathers changing?


5. What are the main reasons for poverty?

Write about It Choose two of the questions above. List two or more answers to each question.
What is the value of recreation?
1. Recreation is good for your health.
2. It helps you relax.

Wrap-Up Demonstrate Your Knowledge

A | Discussion Think of at least six things you would find in each place in this chart. Work with a small
group to list your ideas.

In an airplane In a car In a movie theater In a kitchen

seats
seat belts

Work in your group and look at each list above. Decide which thing on each list is the least important.
Why? Report your group’s answers to the class.

least important

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 B | Grouping Nouns Study this example. Then choose one of the quotations below and add the bold
nouns to the correct groups.

Example
Quotation: Experience is the name everyone Quotation:
gives to their mistakes.—Oscar Wilde

NOUNS NOUNS
experience, name, mistakes, Oscar Wilde

COMMON NOUNS PROPER NOUNS COMMON NOUNS PROPER NOUNS

experience, name, mistakes Oscar Wilde

COUNT NOUNS NONCOUNT NOUNS COUNT NOUNS NONCOUNT NOUNS

name, mistakes experience

SINGULAR NOUNS PLURAL NOUNS SINGULAR NOUNS PLURAL NOUNS

name mistakes

• The man who has no imagination has no wings.—Muhammad Ali

• Your children need your presence more than your presents.—Jesse Jackson
• Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.—Michael Jordan

C | Writing Use the pictures below and the words in the box to write a story. Think about how you use a/an,
the, Ø, and some in your story.

ambulance ice pack knock herself out leak paramedics plumber sink stretcher

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 3.12 Summary of Nouns and Articles
NOUNs

Am I talking about something unique?

Yes. No.

Use a proper noun. Use a common noun.

(Be sure to capitalize it.)

Am I talking about something I can count?

Yes. No.

Use a count noun. Use a noncount noun.

Am I talking about more than one thing?

Yes. No.

Use a plural noun. Use a singular noun.

ARTICLEs

COUNT NOUNs NONCOUNT

UsE
sINgULAR PLURAL NOUNs

a message A person or thing that:

(before a consonant sound) • the listener can’t identify
a / an – –
an answer • you talk or write about for the
(before a vowel sound) first time
Unknown people or things:
some – some people some money
• a small amount
Ø – Ø people Ø money People or things in general
People or things that:
the message
the the people the money • the listener can identify
the answer
• were already introduced

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