Super size me

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VERB TENSE ACTIVITIES- Grammar

Verb Tense Exercise 1- Simple Present / Present Continuous 

1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) drives her kids to football practice. 

2. Usually, I (work) work as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) am studying French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris. 

3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) is sleeping. 

4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) is raining. 

5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) is always raining. 

6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) ___________because everybody (talk) is talking so loudly. 

7. Justin (write, currently) is currently writing a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher when he is finished. 

8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?

Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) ___________ to a movie tonight with some friends. 

9. The business cards (be, normally ) are normally printed by a company in New York. Their prices (be) are inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good. 

10. This delicious chocolate (be) is made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland. 

Your score is 84%.

Verb Tense Exercise 2- Simple Present / Present Continuous 

A Trekking Journal

November 12, 1997

Today (be) is the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am exhausted and my legs (shake) are shaking ; I just hope I am able to complete the trek. My feet (kill, really) ___________ me and my toes (bleed) ___________, but I (want, still) still want to continue.

Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything (be) is so different, and I (try) am trying to adapt to the new way of life here. I (learn) am learning a little bit of the language to make communication easier; unfortunately, I (learn, not) do not learn foreign languages quickly. Although I (understand, not) do not understand much yet, I believe that I (improve, gradually) ___________.

I (travel, currently___________ with Liam, a student from Leeds University in England. He (be) is a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk, always) always walks ahead of me and (complain) complains that I am too slow. I (do) am doingmy best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself because I am getting old.

Right now, Liam (sit) is sitting with the owner of the inn. They (discuss) are discussing the differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not) do not know the real name of the owner, but everybody (call, just) ___________him Tam. Tam (speak) speaks English very well and he (try) is trying to teach Liam some words in Nepali. Every time Tam (say) says a new word, Liam (try) tries to repeat it. Unfortunately, Liam (seem, also) also seems to have difficulty learning foreign languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for directions. 

Your score is 80%.

Verb Tense Exercise 3 - Simple Past / Past Continuous 

1. A: What (you, do___________ when the accident occurred? 

B: I (try) was trying to change a light bulb that had burnt out. 

2. After I (find) found the wallet full of money, I (go, immediately) ___________ to the police and (turn) turned it in. 

3. The doctor (say) said that Tom (be) was too sick to go to work and that he (need) needed to stay at home for a couple of days.

4. Sebastian (arrive) arrived at Susan's house a little before 9:00 PM, but she (be, not) was not there. She (study, at the library)was studying at the library for her final examination in French. 

5. Sandy is in the living room watching television. At this time yesterday, she (watch, also) was also watching television. That's all she ever does! 

6. A: I (call) called you last night after dinner, but you (be, not) were not there. Where were you? 

B: I (work) was working out at the fitness center. 

7. When I (walk) ___________into the busy office, the secretary (talk) was talking on the phone with a customer, several clerks (work, busily) were busily working at their desks, and two managers (discuss, quietly) were quietly discussingmethods to improve customer service. 

8. I (watch) was watching a mystery movie on TV when the electricity went out. Now I am never going to find out how the movie ends. 

9. Sharon (be) was in the room when John told me what happened, but she didn't hear anything because she (listen, not) was not listening. 

10. It's strange that you (call) called because I (think, just) was just thinking about you. 

11. The Titanic (cross) was crossing the Atlantic when it (strike) ___________an iceberg. 

12. When I entered the bazaar, a couple of merchants (bargain, busily) were busily bargaining and (try) trying to sell their goods to naive tourists who (hunt) were hunting for souvenirs. Some young boys (lead) were leading their donkeys through the narrow streets on their way home. A couple of men (argue) were arguing over the price of a leather belt. I (walk) walked over to a man who (sell) was selling fruit and (buy) bought a banana. 

 13. The firemen (rescue) rescued the old woman who (be) was trapped on the third floor of the burning building. 

14. She was so annoying! She (leave, always) was always leaving her dirty dishes in the sink. I think she (expect, actually) ___________me to do them for her. 

15. Samantha (live) lived in Berlin for more than two years. In fact, she (live) was living there when the Berlin Wall came down. 

Your score is 83%.

Verb Tense Exercise 4 - Simple Past / Past Continuous 

Last night, while I was doing my homework, Angela (call) called. She said she (call) was calling me on her cell phone from her biology classroom at UCLA. I asked her if she (wait) was waiting for class, but she said that the professor was at the front of the hall lecturing while she (talk) was talking to me. I couldn't believe she (make) ___________a phone call during the lecture. I asked what was going on. 

She said her biology professor was so boring that several of the students (sleep, actually) were actually sleeping in class. Some of the students (talk) were talking about their plans for the weekend and the student next to her (draw) was drawing a picture of a horse. When Angela (tell) told me she was not satisfied with the class, I (mention) mentioned that my biology professor was quite good and (suggest) suggested that she switch to my class. 

While we were talking, I (hear) heard her professor yell, "Miss, are you making a phone call?" Suddenly, the line went dead. I (hang) hung up the phone and went to the kitchen to make dinner. As I (cut) was cutting vegetables for a salad, the phone rang once again. It (be) was Angela, but this time she wasn't sitting in class. 

Your score is 91%.

Verb Tense Exercise 5 - Simple Past / Present Perfect 

1. A: Did you like the movie "Star Wars?" 

B: I don't know. I (see, never) have never seen that movie. 

 2. Sam (arrive) arrived in San Diego a week ago. 

3. My best friend and I (know) have known each other for over fifteen years. We still get together once a week. 

 4. Stinson is a fantastic writer. He (write) ___________ten very creative short stories in the last year. One day, he'll be as famous as Hemingway. 

5. I (have, not) have not had this much fun since I (be) was a kid. 

6. Things (change) have changed a great deal at Coltech, Inc. When we first (start) started working here three years ago, the company (have, only) only had six employees. Since then, we (expand) have expanded to include more than 2000 full-time workers. 

7. I (tell) told him to stay on the path while he was hiking, but he (wander) wandered off into the forest and (be) ___________bitten by a snake. 

8. Listen Donna, I don't care if you (miss) missed the bus this morning. You (be) have been late to work too many times. You are fired! 

9. Sam is from Colorado, which is hundreds of miles from the coast, so he (see, never) ___________ the ocean. He should come with us to Miami. 

10. How sad! George (dream) dreamed of going to California before he died, but he didn't make it. He (see, never) ___________ the ocean.

11. In the last hundred years, traveling (become) ___________much easier and very comfortable. In the 19th century, it (take) took two or three months to cross North America by covered wagon. The trip (be) was very rough and often dangerous. Things (change) have changed a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours. 

12. Jonny, I can't believe how much you (change) have changed since the last time I (see) saw you. You (grow) have grown at least a foot! 

13. This tree (be) was planted by the settlers who (found) ___________our city over four hundred years ago. 

14. This mountain (be, never) ___________climbed by anyone. Several mountaineers (try) have tried to reach the top, but nobody (succeed, ever) ___________. The climb is extremely difficult and many people (die) have died trying to reach the summit. 

15. I (visit, never) have never visited Africa, but I (travel) ___________to South America several times. The last time I (go) went to South America, I (visit) visited Brazil and Peru. I (spend) spent two weeks in the Amazon, (hike) hiked for a week near Machu Picchu, and (fly) ___________over the Nazca Lines. 

Your score is 72%.

Verb Tense Exercise 6 - Simple Past / Present Perfect 

Since computers were first introduced to the public in the early 1980's, technology (change) has changed a great deal. The first computers (be) were simple machines designed for basic tasks. They (have, not) ________ much memory and they (be, not) were not very powerful. Early computers were often quite expensive and customers often (pay) paid thousands of dollars for machines which actually (do) ________very little. Most computers (be) were separate, individual machines used mostly as expensive typewriters or for playing games. 

Times (change) have changed. Computers (become) have become powerful machines with very practical applications. Programmers (create) have created a large selection of useful programs which do everything from teaching foreign languages to bookkeeping. We are still playing video games, but today's games (become) have become faster, more exciting interactive adventures. Many computer users (get, also) ________on the Internet and (begin) have begun communicating with other computer users around the world. We (start) have started to create international communities online. In short, the simple, individual machines of the past (evolve) ________ into an international World Wide Web of knowledge. 

Your score is 71%.

Verb Tense Exercise 7 - Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous

Robin: I think the waiter (forget) has forgotten us. We (wait) have been waiting here for over half an hour and nobody (take) has taken our order yet. 

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) has walked by us at least twenty times. He probably thinks we (order, already) have already ordered. 

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) have only been here for five or ten minutes and they already have their food. 

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) have not ordered yet! We (sit) have been sitting here for over half an hour staring at him. 

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) has even noticed us. He (run) has been running from table to table taking orders and serving food. 

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) has not looked in our direction once. 

Your score is 73% 

Verb Tense Exercise 8 - Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous 

1. Judy: How long (be) have you been in Canada?

Claude: I (study) have been studying here for more than three years.

2. I (have) have had the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.

3. I (love) have loved chocolate since I was a child. You might even call me a "chocoholic."

4. Matt and Sarah (have) have been having some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (go) ________to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out.

5. John (work) has been working for the government since he graduated from Harvard University. Until recently, he (enjoy) has enjoyed his work, but now he is talking about retiring.

6. Lately, I (think) have been thinking about changing my career because I (become) have become dissatisfied with the conditions at my company.

7. I (see) have been seeing Judy for more than five years and during that time I (see) have seen many changes in her personality. 

Your score is 91%.

Verb Tense Exercise 9 - Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous 

1. It (rain) has been raining all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach. 

2. Sid: Where is Gary? 

Sarah: He (study, at the library) ________for his German test on Wednesday. In fact, he (review) has been reviewing for the test every day for the last week. 

3. You look really great! (You, exercise) ________at the fitness center ? 

4. Frank, where have you been? We (wait) have been waiting for you since 1 PM. 

5. Tim: What is that sound? 

Nancy: A car alarm (ring) is ringing somewhere down the street. It (drive) is driving me crazy - I wish it would stop! It (ring) has been ringing for more than twenty minutes. 

6. Joseph's English (improve, really) is really improving, isn't it? He (watch) has been watching American television programs and (study) studying his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will be totally fluent. 

7. Dan: You look a little tired. (You, get) ________enough sleep lately? 

Michelle: Yes, I (sleep) have been sleeping relatively well. I just look tired because I (feel) have been feeling a little sick for the last week. 

Dan: I hope you feel better soon. 

Michelle: Thanks. I (take, currently) am currently taking some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple of days. 

Your score is 75%.

Verb Tense Exercise 10- Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

Mr. Smith: So tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Harris. I would like to find out a little bit more about your background. 

Mr. Harris: I (work) have been working in the insurance industry for over ten years. I worked for Met Life for six years and World Insurance for four and a half. During that time, I heard many good things about Hollings Life Insurance and that's why I (apply) am applying for the new sales position. 

Mr. Smith: Tell me a little about your hobbies and interests. 

Mr. Harris: In my spare time, I hike in the mountains outside of town, volunteer at the Sierra Club and play tennis. In fact, I (compete) am competing in a tennis tournament this weekend. 

Mr. Smith: Really, how long (you, play) have you been playing tennis ? 

Mr. Harris: I (play) have been playing since high school. I love the sport. 

Mr. Smith: Great! We like dedication here at Hollings Life. You mentioned you volunteer at the Sierra Club. I (work, currently) am currently working with them on the sea turtle project. We (try) are trying to create a wildlife sanctuary near the bay. 

Mr. Harris: Do you know Frank Harris? He's my brother. He (work, presently) is presently working on the same project. 

Mr. Smith: I know Frank quite well. Any brother of Frank's would be a welcome addition to Hollings Life. Just one more thing, we (look) are looking for somebody who is fluent in Spanish; many of our clients are from Mexico. 

Mr. Harris: No problem. I (study) have been studying Spanish since elementary school. 

Mr. Smith: Sounds like you are the perfect candidate. 

Correct! Well done.

Your score is 100%. 

Verb Tense Exercise 11 - Simple Past / Past Perfect 

I can't believe I (get) got that apartment. I (submit) ________my application last week, but I didn't think I had a chance of actually getting it. When I (show)showed up to take a look around, there were at least twenty other people who (arrive) had arrived before me. Most of them (fill, already) ________out their applications and were already leaving. The landlord said I could still apply, so I did.

I (try) tried to fill out the form, but I couldn't answer half of the questions. They (want) wanted me to include references, but I didn't want to list my previous landlord because I (have) had had some problems with him in the past and I knew he wouldn't recommend me. I (end) ended up listing my father as a reference.

It was total luck that he (decide) decided to give me the apartment. It turns out that the landlord and my father (go) went to high school together. He decided that I could have the apartment before he (look) looked at my credit report. I really lucked out! 

Your score is 83%.

The difference between be one child household and more than one child household

http://soundcloud.com/mariacuce/maria-paula-cuervo-cely#

Colombian Pyramids. DMG

In Colombia in the year 2003 was created a pyramid called DMG, it was created by a man called David Murcia Guzman, tree years after that pyramid went out of business. For that reason Colombian pyramids did a lot of damage in the economic sector of the country,

DMG started a big crisis because they gave the pyramid scheme to more than 250 pyramids. Poor people supported DMG because they felt supported by that company, for example a man said that DMG gave him a house, the state never had been gave anything to him. I think that it was unfair because DMG exploited the ignorance of the poor people to get some money; they did a lot of promises that did not keep. It is important for me that people in Colombia has to be educated for face this type of situations because they have to know that the only way to get legal money is working hard.

For other side Colombian state did not know how they had to manage the situation in the moment that DMG was created a economical crisis and they react so late, when more than 3 million of people had invest their money on that company. Colombian state react when the poor people started to take out their money from the banks and borrow some money, making a invest.

In spite of these reasons it is possible to say that DMG helped some poor people because they could save some of their goods and multiply them after the company went out of business.

To sum up DMG was a company that made damage to Colombian’s economy and culture, many people lost their goods, another reach more goods. We need more education in the country because it could avoid problems like this here.

My Profile

My name is Maria Paula Cuervo Cely, I am eighteen. I was born in Bogota, Colombia on May 31st of 1993. I come from a small family and I am a one child household. Now I am living in Bogota with my mother in an apartment at the north of the city.

Since my childhood I have always been a very happy person who loves to laugh, pass a great time with her family and friends, listen to music, go to the cinema and parties, get out to have the dinner, watch TV and talk with her friends. I hate the hypocrite, dirty and lazy people, I hate too the crowded spaces.

I studied at “Mayor del Rosario” school and I graduated on 2010. Now I am studying Industrial Engineer at the Sabana University which is located in Chia, Cundinamarca, I am at second semester and I have a lot of friends who make me laugh.

In the future I would like to be a successful professional, maybe with a double program, I would like too live in another country.

Universidad de la Sabana before and after the flood, Some places that are missed

On April 25 of 2011 Universidad de la Sabana suffered a big flood that damages all the places there, for example plaza balcones and the green spaces, but the students did not stop to study. In three months the university has a lot of arrangements and on July 25 the students could return to the campus but they found some places that were really damaged for the rivers.

One of the most visited places in the university is plaza balcones, it is a beautiful traditional place that has a big tree in the middle and is the heart of the university. Now plaza balcones is dirtier than the past, but it is being repaired and painted. However this place will be nicer than the past.

Moreover the green spaces are other thing that is missed, because the students had the custom of sit in that beautiful green grass to share some time with their friends. Now that places are damaged. The grass was more comfortable and cleaner and the trees were higher than now.

To sum up the university has been repaired in three months nonetheless a lot of places are damaged for the flood, but the students in the university are happy to return to the campus, and they are willing to help in the reconstruction of the university.