ASK JOHN ENGLISH » Beginner

Vocabulary: absent

John — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:45:40 +0000

Today, let’s look at the word ‘absent’

Let’s look at three example sentences using the word ‘absent’.

TIP: To check ‘absent’ in the dictionary and hear how to pronounce it, double click on the word.

I was absent from class yesterday.
Don’t be absent tomorrow from school! There is a test!
My grandfather forgot his glasses again! He is very absent minded!

ACTIVITY:

Rewrite the three sentences above in your own words. DO NOT use the word ‘absent’ in your rewrite.
Write you own sentence using the word ‘absent’

Put your answer in the comments!!

Vocabulary: ‘lend’ vs ‘borrow’

John — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:12:52 +0000

Today, let’s look at two words that can be a bit confusing! ‘lend’ vs ‘borrow’

The words ‘lend’ and ‘borrow’ are easy to confuse!

Remember:
‘lend’ is similar to ‘give’
‘borrow’ is similar to ‘take’

Examples:

I will lend you my pen (I will give you my pen to use)

Can I borrow your pen? (Can I take your pen and use it a while?)

You can borrow my pen! (I will let you take my pen and use it!)

Thank you for lending me your pen! (Thank you for giving me your pen to use!)

QUESTION: If you were at school and had no money to buy your bus ticket home, what would you say to your friend? (HINT: use lend or borrow in your answer!!)

Sushi in English – Introduction

John — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:28:25 +0000

Let’s talk about how to make Sushi- in English!

Q: How do you say ‘??’ in English?

This seems like a simple question!

Many students would answer: ‘raw fish’ or ‘rare fish’
But this is incorrect! Here is a picture of a ‘raw fish’

Yuk! I don’t want to eat that! Do you?

If you say to your English speaking friends that you want to eat ‘raw fish’, they will be shocked!’Raw’ means ‘not cooked’, while ‘rare’ means ‘lightly cooked’ (like a rare steak).

So, how do you say ‘??’ in English?

A: ‘Sushi’ – Yes that is right! If you say ‘sushi’, everyone will know you are talking about a delicious Japanese food!

Sushi in English! #2 – Boiling the Rice

John — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:13:02 +0000

We are going to make sushi rolls, so the first thing we need to do is prepare the rice.

1. Wash the rice

Put some rice in a pot and then wash it.

Wash it until the water is clear.

You may need to wash it a few times!

2. Cook the rice

Put water into the pot.

Only put enough water to cover the rice by one finger joint.

Don’t put too much, or it will go soggy!

Don’t put too little, or it will burn!

Vocabulary: soggy, finger joint

Question: How do you cook rice?

Put your answer in the comments!

Sushi in English #1

John — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:20:11 +0000

Today let’s talk about how to make sushi – in English!

First of all, we need to go to the shop and buy some things!
Look what I bought at the supermarket:

1 bamboo rolling mat
1 packet of sushi nori
1 packet of pickled ginger slices
1 cucumber
1 avocado
1 packet of crab sticks
and… some salmon!

Can you find them in the picture?