Unit One: Hobbies and Crafts

1. Grammar
1.1. The Simple Present Tense
Study how the Simple Present Tense is used from the following examples. Pay a close attention
to how the verb in each case is structured in relation to its voice (active/passive). Present simple
tense is used to:
a) express a habitual action
She drinks tea every morning.
Patients are looked after by nurses in hospitals.
I usually go out for a trip during weekends.
b) express general truths
The sun rises in the east.
The brave are favored by fortune.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
c) In making narrations and stating news stories
Turkey is hit by a deadly earthquake.
Fire breaks up in Australia
Messi passes to the left footed striker and the striker makes a wonderful dribble.
d) express a future event that is part of a fixed timetable or fixed schedule
The next flight is at 7.00 tomorrow morning.
The match starts at 9 o’clock.

Form: Subject + v1+ (-s/-es) + (object) ………………simple present active

Subject + is/am/are + v3 + (by) + (agent)………. (simple present passive)

Activity 1: Identify why the following sentences are in the present simple tense.
1. He writes a letter every week.
2. Russia hits selected military bases in Ukraine.
3. Salt crystals dissolve in water.
4. The game starts at 8:30.

1
1.2. The Present Continuous Tense

Uses: It is used when dealing with things happening at or around the time of speaking. The
uses include to express:
(a) an action going on at the time of speaking,
The kitchen is being cleaned by Aden at the moment.
Look! The boys are playing in the garden.
(b) a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time of speaking,
I am reading ‘Derto Gada’ (but I am not reading at this moment).
(c) an action that has already been arranged to take place in the near future.
I am going to the cinema tonight.
My uncle is arriving tomorrow.

Form: Subject + verb-ing + object … present continuous active

Subject + being +verb3 + (by phrase) ….. present continuous passive

Activity 2: Identify why the following sentences are in the present continuous tense, and
determine if the sentences are in the active or passive voice.
1. Nunu is thinking of giving up her job.
2. A letter is being written now.
3. Sara and Selam are playing in the street at the moment.
4. You’re very quiet; what are you thinking about?
5. She is flying to Jimma next Friday.
6. The room is being cleaned now.
Activity 3: Choose the correct form of the verbs in the following sentences, and justify your
answers with an appropriate use of either the present simple or present continuous tenses.
Besides, determine if the active or passive voice completes it meaningfully.
1. How often (are you going / do you go) to the cinema?
2. Marta (is phoning/ phones) her mother every day.
3. I (am getting / get) hungry. Let’s cook and eat something.
4. River Nile (flows / is flowing to the Mediterranean sea.
5. Nardos (goes / is going) to bed at 10 o'clock on weekdays.
6. Two hundred people (are employed/employ/ are employing) by the company.
7. Don’t put the dictionary away for I (am using / use) it at the moment.
8. He (watches/ is watching) TV most evenings.
9. This room (is cleaned/ is cleaning/ cleans) every day.

2
10. Look! The sun (rises/ is risen/ is rising) over the hills.
11. Many accidents (are caused/ are causing/ cause) by careless driving.
12. A new bridge (is being built/ building/ builds) across the river at this moment.
1.3. The Present Perfect Tense
Uses: The present perfect tense is used to:
(a) indicate completed activities in the immediate past (with just, already)
He has just gone out.
I have just eaten my breakfast.
(b) express past actions for which the time is not given or is indefinite
Have you read ‘Fikir Eske-Mekabir’?
I have never known him to be angry.
(c) describe past events when we think more of their consequence in the present than of the
action itself
All the food has been eaten by Getachew (There is nothing to eat).
I have cut my finger (and it is bleeding now).
(d) denote an action beginning at some time in the past and continuing up to the present
moment (often with since- and for-phrases)
I have known him for a long time.
He has been ill since last week.

Form: Subject+ have/ has+ verb3+ object ….………… present perfect active
Subject + have/ has +been+Verb3 + (by phrase) ….. present perfect passive

Activity 4: Choose the correct form of the verbs in the following sentences, and determine if the
active or passive voice completes it meaningfully.
1. The gift which I haven’t received yet might (sends/ is sending/ might have been sent) to
someone else.
2. The room (has been cleaned/ is cleaning/ cleans).
3. (Have you ever been bitten/ Are you biting) by a dog?
4. The key (is lost/ lost/ has been lost) for a week.
5. They (have lived/ lived) a joyous life; their children are the main sources of the joy.
6. He (has proved/ has been proved/ is proving) guilty.

1.4. The Simple Future Tense with ‘will’

1.4.1 Simple future tense with ‘will’
Uses: Simple future tense with ‘will’ is used to:
(a) describe the future
The trains will be late today because of the bad weather.
How long will you stay in Hong Kong.

3
 (b) make a prediction
We often use the future simple tense to make a prediction about future facts and for uncertain
situations.
It will snow tomorrow.
She doesn’t think she’ll pass the exam.
The world population will grow a lot in the next 50 years.
(c) make a request
We use the future simple tense in the interrogative form to make an offer or request.
Will you bring some more water please?
Will you be quiet please? I’m trying to make an important phone call.
You’ll give me a hand with dinner, won’t you?
(d) make promises and offers
We use the future simple tense to make an offer. In this case, it is mostly used in affirmative
sentences.
I’ll call you when I get home.
She’ll help you finish the work, don’t worry.
Hana and Kalkidan will show you around the city.
(e) describe the consequence of a conditional phrase,
If it rains, I’ll take my umbrella.
If they win the next match, they’ll go through to the final.

We won’t mind if you arrive late.

(f) make spontaneous decisions

We use 'will' to talk about spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking.
Wait here. I'll go get some help.
I forgot to call my boyfriend. I'll do it after dinner.
Sometimes we use the verb will to give orders using the 'tag questions.' Check out the examples
for more clarification.

Help me, will you?

Close the window, will you?

4
Activity 5: In the following table, match the example sentences given on the right column with
the correct function of ‘the simple future tense with ‘will’.
Function of simple future with Example sentences
‘will’
1. Making promises and offers a) Who do you think will win the tournament?
2. Describing the future b) We’ll be at the hotel until 8pm.
3. Making a request c) Will she come to dinner if I invite her?
4. Making a prediction d) Will you come to the appointment with me?
5. Making spontaneous e) We’ll send you the goods as soon as possible.
decisions
6. Expressing a conditional f) Don't worry; I will help you study for the math
phrase exam.

1.4.2. Simple future tense with “going to”

Uses:

(a) To refer an event that has already been planned.

I am going to travel to Bahir Dar for vacation next month.
Last week, they decided that they are going to get married in December.

(b) When there is evidence in the present that emphasizes something will happen.
You’re going to fall if you don’t tie your shoelaces.
He is going to feel sad if you don’t invite him to the party.

Form: Subject + present form of “to be” (am/is/are) + going to + base of a verb

1.4.3 Simple Future Tense with “Shall”

In the past, ‘shall’ was often used as an alternative to ‘will’, and you can find many examples of
‘shall’ in famous literary works. But in modern English we usually prefer ‘will’ for affirmative
and negative sentences. However, we still use ‘shall’ to form questions with ‘I’ and ‘we’.

Uses: It is used to:

(a) make offers using I/we
Shall I make some lunch?
Shall we help you with your bags?
Where shall I drop you off? Outside your office?
(b) make suggestions using I/we

5
Where shall I pass my vacation?
Shall we go to the park later?
Whom shall we invite to the party?
(c) express formal obligations
Applicants shall provide evidence of their qualifications.
The accused shall appear in court again on 26th October.
(d) make a promise
I shall never forget the help you gave me.
We shall do everything we can to solve the problem.
(e) describe the future very formally
We shall overcome this difficult moment.
The tests shall be carried out by an independent body.
In the following table match the example sentences given on the right column with the correct
function of ‘the simple future tense with ‘shall’.
Function of simple future Example sentences
with ‘shall’
1. Making a promise a) Access to the city center shall be limited today due
to the marathon.
2. Expressing formal b) Shall I water your plants while you’re away?
obligations

3. Making suggestions c) The tenant shall pay the agreed amount on the first
day of every month.
4. Making offers d) I shall do everything I can to solve the problem.
5. Describing the future e) What shall we do after we’ve watched the film?
very formally

1.5. Verb forms

Verbs can be classified as regular or irregular based on how their past tense and past participle
forms are formed.
1.5.1. Regular verbs

The regular past tense in English is usually formed by -ed ending (e.g. work - worked, stay -
stayed). It is the same for all persons, singular and plural (e.g. I started, you started, he started,
we played, and they played).

6
The past participle form of regular verbs is the same as their past tense form - it is also formed by
-ed ending (work: worked- worked; stay:-stayed- stayed). The past participle is used in perfect
tenses and passive voice:
I have started reading (present perfect)
You had started writing before going to school (past perfect).
He was disturbed when studying (past passive).
The blackboard is being cleaned (present passive).
1.5.2. Irregular verbs

English irregular verbs can have up to three different forms-base form, past form and past
participle form (e.g. go -went-gone, draw- drew-drawn, see- saw-seen, write-wrote-
written). These are not formed by adding ‘–d’ or ‘–ed’ to the base form.

There are basically four big groups of irregular verbs in English.

1. Verbs which have three different forms (do-did-done; write-wrote-written; sing-sang-sun).
2. Verbs which have a different base form, but the past tense and past participle are the same
(build-built-built; dig-dug-dug; tell-told–told)
3. Verbs which have only one form (bet-bet-bet; cost-cost-cost; set-set-set)
4. Verbs which have both regular and irregular forms (dream-dreamed/dreamt –
dreamed/dreamt; forecast-forecasted/forecast-forecasted/forecast; learn -learned/learnt –
learned/learnt).

But the English irregular verbs are even more complicated. Apart from the above mentioned
groups, there are some irregular verbs that do not fit to any of these groups.
Awake is irregular, but it can have a regular past tense form: awake -awaked/awoke-awaken
Beat has the same base and past forms, but the past participle is different: beat-beat-beaten.

Activity 1: In the following table list as many example verbs as possible in each column.
Verbs which Verbs which have a Verbs which Verbs which have Verb forms
have three different base form, have only both regular and different from
different forms but the same past one form irregular forms the four big
tense and past forms
participle

7
1.6. Asking questions
When we want to know about something, we can make questions using one of the four forms of
questions: wh-questions, yes/no questions, tag questions or indirect questions.
1.6.1 ‘Wh- questions’
Look at the following questions.
Why are you late to class today?
What do you like to buy if you have much money?
How can she improve her grade in English?

As you can see from the above examples, ‘Wh-questions are made using question (wh-) words,
such as who, why, how, where, when, etc.
Activity 1: Discuss the following with your partner.
1. How are questions structurally different from statements?
2. Construct a few ‘wh’ questions of your own using different question words.
1.6.2. Yes/No questions
Look at the following questions:
Are you a student of this university?
Has she had her breakfast?
Does she like chocolates?
May it rain this afternoon?
All the above questions are called ‘yes or no questions’ because they require either a yes/no
answer. These types of questions are formed using auxiliary verbs (verb ‘to be’, ‘to have’, ‘to
do’, or ‘modals’).
Activity 2: Answer the following with your partner.
1. How are yes/no questions different from ‘wh’ questions?
2. Construct four yes/no questions of your own using each type of auxiliary verb.
1.6.3. Tag questions

Look at the following examples and notice how tag questions are formed.
You can swim skilfully, can’t you?
It is very hot in here, isn’t it?
Please clean the whiteboard, will you?
Tag questions are mini-questions that we put on the end of a sentence to make it a question or to
check that someone agrees with us. They are separated from the statement using comma (,) and

8
they end with a question mark. Tag questions are formed using auxiliary verb followed by
personal pronoun form of the statement. When the auxiliary verb in the sentence is not clearly
given, we extract the verb ‘to do’ do, does, or did depending on the tense of the main verb and
number of the subject of the sentence.
Look at the examples below.
He drinks alcohol, doesn’t he?
They exercise regularly, do they?
She never studies at night, does she?
It rained heavily, didn’t it?
Normally we use a positive tag question with a negative sentence and a negative tag question
with a positive sentence.
Look at the following examples.
Thomas won’t be late, will he?
They don’t like us, do they?
Hanna will be here soon, won’t she?
They were very angry, weren’t they?
Few exceptions on making tag questions
 After let’s ... the tag question is shall we?
Let's go out for a walk, shall we?
 After the imperative (do/don't do something) the tag is will you?
Open the door, will you?
 We say aren't I? (= am I not), not ‘amn’t I?’
Today I'm late, aren't I?

Activity 3: Put a tag question on the end of each sentence.

1. This baby had never seen a lion before, _____________ ?
2. They're on vacation, ______________________________ ?
3. Can you hear? Someone opened the door, _____________________?
4. A lot of tourists visit the park,______________?
5. He applied for the job, ____________________________________ ?
6. I'm too busy, ______________________________ ?
7. Let’s go out for tea-break,_____________________?
8. The coffee smells nice ,____________________?
9. Talk to your partner,___________

9
 10. Everyone is happy about the decision________________ ?
11. You like tomatoes, ____________ ?
12. This is a library; don’t make any noise, ______________?
13. You can hardly ever be a teacher when you grow up,_______________?
14. Doctor, I'm not seriously ill, ____________________?
1.6.4. Indirect questions
Indirect questions are not normal questions. They have the same word order as statements, and
they usually come after introductory phrases combined with question words (‘wh’ words) like
who, whom, what, which, whose, when, where, how, why or if/whether.

Can you tell me where the post office is?

Do you know where the source of River Abay is?

I don’t know how you solved the problem.

I wonder if (whether) you have a driving license.

Activity 4: In the following table, write the direct questions for the indirect questions given.
Direct Questions Indirect Questions
Do you know when the movie begins?
I wonder why Hanna left early.
Do you know if (or whether) he saw you?
Do you have any idea when Azeb will arrive?
Could you tell me what the time is?
Tell us why you are laughing.

Activity 5: Complete the following indirect questions for the direct question.
1. Where is the post office? Could you tell me________________________________ ?
2. What does this word mean? Do you know__________________________________ ?
3. What time is it? I wonder____________________________________________ .
4. Where did you park your car? Can't you remember_________________________ ?
5. Is Helen coming to the meeting? I don't know_____________________________ .
6. Where does Amanuel live? Do you have any idea ____________________________?
7. What time did he leave? Do you know______________________________________

10
8. Why didn't Mary come to the party? I don't know______________________________ .
2. Reading comprehension
Reading the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

Book clubs are a great way to meet new friends or keep in touch with old ones, while keeping up
on your reading and participating in lively and intellectually stimulating discussions. If you’re
interested in starting a book club, you should consider the following options and
recommendations.

The first thing you’ll need are members. Before recruiting the members, think carefully about
how many people you want to participate and also what the club’s focus will be. For example,
some book clubs focus exclusively on fiction, others read nonfiction. Some are even more
specific, focusing only on a particular genre such as mysteries, science fiction, or romance.
Others have a more flexible and open focus. All of these possibilities can make for a great club,
but it is important to decide on a focus at the outset so the guidelines will be clear to the group
and prospective member.

After setting the basic parameters, recruitment can begin. Notify friends and family, advertise in
the local newspaper, and hang flyers on bulletin boards in local stores, colleges, libraries, and
bookstores. When enough people express interest, schedule a kick-off meeting during which
decisions will be made about specific guidelines that will ensure the club runs smoothly. This
meeting will need to establish where the group will meet; how often the group will meet, and on
what day of the week and at what time; how long the meetings will be; how books will be chosen
and by whom; who will lead the group (if anyone); and whether refreshments will be served and
if so, who will supply them. By the end of this meeting, these guidelines should be set and a
book selection and date for the first official meeting should be finalized.

Planning and running a book club is not without challenges, but when a book club is run
effectively, the experience can be extremely rewarding for everyone involved.

1. Which of the following organizational patterns is mainly used in the passage?

a. chronological b. hierarchical c. comparison-contrast d. cause and effect
2. According to the passage, the first thing a person should do when starting a book club is

11
 a. hang flyers in local establishments. c. decide on the focus and size of the club.
b. put an ad in a local newspaper. d. decide when and where the group will meet.
3. It is not true according to the passage that involvement in book clubs
a. facilitates participation in academic dialogue
b. diminishes interest in reading
c. functions as a means to make new friends
d. benefits in extending relationship with old friends
4. Which of the following would NOT be covered during the book club’s kick-off meeting?
a. deciding on whether refreshments will be served
b. discussing and/or appointing a leader
c. choosing the club’s first selection
d. identifying what kinds of books or genre will be the club’s focus
5. A good title for this passage would be
a. Book Clubs: A Great Way to Make New Friends
b. Starting a Successful Book Club: A Guide
c. Five Easy Steps to Starting a Successful Book Club
d. Reading in Groups: Sharing Knowledge, Nurturing Friendships
6. Which of the following is NOT something that successful book clubs should do?
a. focus exclusively on one genre
b. have guidelines about where and when to meet
c. have a focus
d. decide how to choose and who will choose book selections
7. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the passage?
a. Smaller groups are better for a variety of reasons.
b. The social aspect of book clubs is more important than the intellectual.
c. Starting your own book club is better than joining an existing one.
d. When starting and running a book club, a casual approach is risky.

8. The word ‘recruiting’ (in paragraph 2, line 2) means

a. creating b. announcing c. enrolling d. employing
9. What does the word ‘Others’ in the second paragraph (in line 5) refer to?

12
 a. readers b. people c. book club members d. book clubs
10. … ‘kick-off’ (in paragraph 3, line 3) is closer in meaning to
a. final b. developmental c. opening d. appraisal
11. … ‘which’ (in paragraph 3, line 4) stands for
a. kick-off meeting b. schedule c. basic parameters d. decision
12. … ‘rewarding’ (in paragraph 4, line 2) is nearest in meaning to
a. satisfying b. boring c. exhaustive d. demotivating

3. Speaking
3.1. Agreeing and disagreeing

Activity 1: Read the following dialogue and answer the questions that follow.

Balew: I believe the exam system will be stricter this year than last year.

Tizazu: I don’t agree more; the government is giving emphasis for quality.

Cherinet: I don’t agree less because more students are failing because of the system.

Dagmawit: I partially agree to what Balew has said, but I think it will be stricter only in terms of
controlling cheating; I wish the exam will be even easier.

1. Identify the expressions of agreement and disagreement in the above dialogue.

2. Who forwarded an opinion?
3. Who agreed to the opinion only in part?
4. Who disagreed totally to the opinion?
5. Who agreed completely to the opinion?

If someone tells you something as an opinion, you may agree or disagree to the idea or with the
person. In doing so, don’t just say ‘I agree’; it is always a good idea to justify your opinions by
saying ‘I agree because I think that ... (explain your reason).

Study the following expressions of agreement, disagreement and partial agreement.

Expressions of agreement Expressions of Expressions of partial
disagreement agreement

13
That’s right! I don’t agree! I agree up to a point, but ...
Absolutely!
I don’t (couldn’t) agree less I see your point, but ...
Exactly!
Me, too. I totally disagree! That’s partly true, but ...
Yes, I agree!
Absolutely not! I'm not so sure about that.
I totally agree!
I couldn’t agree more! That’s not right! I partially agree.
I see exactly what you mean!
I’m not sure about that. I agree to some extent.
You're right. That's a good point.

3.2. Making Classroom Survey

Classroom survey is an activity in which students in a class ask each other a series of questions
to collect information about what they like/dislike, what they think about something, hobbies,
interests, future plans, etc.
Activity 2:
1. Individually prepare questions that help you gather information about your partner’s
likes/dislikes, hobbies and opinion on different issues. Include a variety of question types (wh-,
yes/no, indirect and tag questions) in your list.
The following are examples
What do you like … ? When you are free, what do you like … ?
Do you like to … ? In your free time, what do you want … ?
Can you …? Is it interesting for you to…?
2. Now, choose a partner in your class about whom you want to know more and gather as much
information as possible about him/her asking a series of questions and organize the information.
3. Finally, orally present summary of the information you have gathered through the survey to a
small group of classmates.

4. Writing

Descriptive Writing

Activity 1: In the following descriptive paragraph, the writer shares his/her sensory experiences
to the readers. Read it and respond to the questions that follow.

The lush meadow was blanketed in soft green grass, punctuated with wildflowers in all
rainbow colours. The sun shone brightly in the sky, warming everything beneath it
with its gentle rays. In the distance, a stream babbled peacefully as birds chirped their

14
 songs from the trees that lined it. The air was heavy with the sweet scent of honey, and
I closed my eyes to take in all of its beauty.

1. Which of your senses are involved while reading the description?

2. What could you see in the description?

3. What voice could you hear?

4. What have you smelt when you read the description?

5. Draw a picture of the above description and compare it with your partners’.

What is a descriptive writing?

Descriptive writing is a style of writing whereby the writer creates a word-picture of people,
places, objects, and emotions using carefully selected specific details and vocabulary to make an
impression on the reader. The details the writer provides should appeal to as many of the five
senses as possible. That means the writer must tell not only what he/she sees, but also what

he/she smells, tastes, touches and hears.

Activity 2: Choose a person, place, object, or event that impresses you and write a descriptive
paragraph.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Revision Questions
1. He _____ his car every weekend as he wants to see it clean all the time.
A) is washing B) washes C) will wash D) has washed
2. _____________ lunch? You don’t seem to have the appetite to eat.
A) Did you eat B) Were you eating C) Have you eaten D) Do you eat
3. ______you ________a new jeans? You look awesome in it.
A) Do…wear B) Did… wear C) Are … wearing D) Will… wear
4. Honourable guest of the event … the auditorium; please stand up and clap for her.
A) will enter B) entered C) is entering D) has entered
5. _________was the first person to walk on the moon ?
A) When B) How C) What D) Who

15
6. Elisabeth is a flight attendant; she _____ passengers in an aeroplane.
A) will serve B) is serving C) serves D) is going to serve
7. You look nice, Fikirte. _____ a new dress?
A) Do you wear B) Does she wear C) Are you wearing D) Did you wear
8. Do you know that many birds _____ south every winter?
A) fly B) have flown C) are flying D) will fly
9. What _____ in your free time?
A) are you doing B) do you do C) will you do D) have you done
10. Ujulu: I am in trouble; my car isn’t working.
Oumer: Ask Joe to look at it. He _____ you.
A) will help B) helps C) is going to help D) has helped
11. Hachalu: I passed my driving test!
Bisrat: That’s great! I _____ something to celebrate!
A) am going to buy B) will buy C) have bought D) am buying
12. Sirak: Why have you got your old clothes on?
Awoke: Because I _____ the grass.
A) have cut B) to cut C) am going to cut D) cut
13. Students __________clear instructions before they started to do the test.
A). were given B) gave C) should be given D) have given
14. Don’t share this information to anyone, _________?
A) do you B) don’t you C) will you D) won’t you
15. My father ______ an apple now. He ______ an apple every day.
A) will be eating / eats B) eats / is eating C) has eaten / is eating D) is eating / eats
17. Amanuel is a doctor who_______ in this hospital for the past ten years.
A) is working B) works C) worked D) has worked
18. ________________Samuel is not studying; he will fail tomorrow’s English test.
A) Why B) Do you know C) I don’t know why D) I wonder
19. __________ America has become super power in the world?
A) Tell me why B) I wonder why C) Do you know why D) I want to know
20. In yesterday’s football match, Manchester United __________Chelsea 3 to 1.
A) beaten B) bit C) beat D) beated
21. Chaltu: Since the exam was so easy, I scored 50 marks out of 50%.
Bayisa: ___________? I couldn’t even score pass mark.
A) Did I B) wasn’t I C) Have you D) Did you
22. Alemayehu: I think Ethiopia’s poverty is mainly due to the people’s bad work culture.
Bekalu:__________ I agree that we don’t have a good work culture, but this is not the
main problem. I believe the problem is more of leadership than work culture.
A) That’s partly true. B) Absolutely! C) Absolutely not! D) You're right.

16