VIP Class Notes (Nick) [S]
Vocabulary
Method vs. Means – a method is a way to do something, a means is what you use to do something
e.g. My favorite method of cooking is stir-fry.
e.g. I don’t have the means to get there this weekend (I don’t have anything I can use to travel there, or maybe any money to pay!)
E-Products vs. Electronics – an e-product is something, like a program, which you can’t touch or hold; electronics are devices that use electricity (primarily)
Hear/Learn of vs. Hear/Learn about – to “hear of” something is to have it “reach your ear”; to hear/learn about something is to know more details about something
Proper Noun – something with a name; a person or company
e.g. Apple, Eden, Nick, SmartEnglish
Grammar
The most convenient among all of them – The most convenient means of transportation
Cars is a method of travel – Cars are a means of transportation
The prices of tickets doesn’t cost a lot – The tickets don’t cost a lot / the ticket prices aren’t very high
Products that they sell is of bad quality – they sell products of low quality / they sell bad quality products
Things in supermarkets are more safe-guarded – Things in supermarkets are safer (about the products) / People feel safer shopping in supermarkets (talking about the people)
A diversity of kinds – the products are diverse / they have a great diversity of products / they have many kinds of products
If there are something wrong – If there is something wrong
He started a business named Apple – a business called Apple
— Only a living thing can “have a name,” but anything can called something by a person.
The first I learned about her – the first I heard of him was… / The first time I learned that someone named Steve Jobs existed…
The CEO of the Apple – The CEO of Apple
e.g. Proper nouns don’t need “the” even though there is only one and we know which one
BUT: some countries, like the United States
That’s what I’d like to talk with him – that’s what I’d like to talk about with him
Speaking exercise
Q: What do you think are the differences between a street market and a supermarket?
- A lot of differences
- First: street markets are informal
- Sell things illegally, quality, repair, maintenance
- Don’t happen in supermarkets (comparison)
- Clear price, good quality
Try to clarify the structure:
- A lot of differences
- I understand the question; it’s a comparison
- Informal: quality legality warranty
- Formal: clear price, good quality
I understand what these things are; the principal difference is formality. Because of this difference, we see many other differences.
General Form for comparison:
- Pick one or two aspects
- Compare and explain why it is that way (use “because”)
Q. Foreign person
Do be careful about the question: this question asked about a person (still living), and unfortunately, Steve Jobs is now dead.
Q. A meal you treated others to
Some old roommates I was _____ but am not now
— Since you said “old,” I would assume that you aren’t still living together, otherwise you would just say “my roommates.” But, you could add some information about when you were roommates and or how you met.
Went to a hot pot restaurant which is famous for its hot pot
— Instead, maybe talk about why the hot pot is so good, or what they do that other places don’t. Why are they special?
Sometimes your sentences will say the same thing twice, so instead, try to add more information about the thing you’re describing.
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