F2F Class Notes (Nick)

Next Class Focus

Discuss the rules of Shanghai mahjong.

Vocabulary

Allergic – when you eat something or are near something and it causes you to get sick
e.g. I cannot accept Zoe’s cat because I am allergic to cats.

Bright – strong light, or strong color (opposite: dark)
e.g. That screen is so bright it hurts my eyes.

Oligopoly – when there are only a few sellers in a market
e.g. The US airlines market is an oligopoly, because there are only four or five major airlines.

Fun vs. Funny – something that is entertaining or interesting to do; something that makes me laugh
e.g. Playing Mahjong is very fun.
e.g. That was a funny joke! I laughed until my stomach hurt!

Tiles – the pieces you use in mahjong, or in dominoes

Grammar

I forgot it – I don’t remember / I forgot
— If you say “I forgot it” it’s more like you forgot to bring something; forgot can be used both for things and for information
— “I don’t remember” is only for information
e.g. I forgot my phone (at home)
e.g. I forgot his name
e.g. I forgot when he started at SmartEnglish
e.g. I don’t remember when he started here

There are very few monopoly in one industry – There are very few monopolies today
— The second is the correct sentence for speaking generally.

Not so useful – not so commonly used

Pronunciation

Oligopoly – ah – lih – gah – po – lee