A complaint letter

Dear Sir,

Re: A complaint about holes along the pavement outside Block 4, Site 4 of Whampoa Garden

I am writing to complain about a number of holes dug along the pavement outside Block4, Site4, of the Whampoa Garden.

On September 17, I saw a number of big holes dug by the heavy truck entering the podium of Block 4. Since the truck was carrying a number of iron rods, it made some big holes outside the residential block. I found it was dangerous for the walk-by people. I reported it to the guards and asked them to fill up the holes.

My friend and his family visited me on October 13, his son and my son played outside Block4. My son hurt his left leg because he fell into the big holes. After that I reported the event to the estate management office but they did not respond to my complaint.

Could you please give us a reason why your Department has not done anything to fill up big holes for about a month? It can be very dangerous and it can cause accident! I would also like to complain about the staff's attitude.

I am waiting for your answer and I hope the holes will be filled very soon.

Thank you for your help.

Yours Sincerely,

Grammar - Active or Passive

Put the verb into the correct form, present simple tense, active or passive.

1. The problems _____are caused______ (cause) by the careless staff.
   
2. The staff ________causes_______ (cause) the problems.
   
3. The company is not independent. It _____is owned_______ (own) by a much larger company.
   
4. The goods __________are delivered__________ (deliver) by the transportation company.
   
5. The school _________cancels_______ (cancel) the outdoor games because of the bad weather.
   
6. The park gates ____are locked_______ (lock) at 6:30 p.m. every evening.
   
7. The house ______is surrounded________ (surround) by trees.
   
8. The company ___________employs_______ (employ) two hundred people.
   
9. Two hundred people ________are employed________ (employ) by the company.
   
10. Usually, some goods _________are destroyed___________ (destroy) during the transportation process.

Verb Forms

base
-s form
past
past participle
-ing form

call
calls
called
called
calling

clean
cleans
cleaned
cleaned
cleaning

look
looks
looked
looked
looking

talk
talks
talked
talked
talking

end
ends
ended
ended
ending

wait
waits
waited
waited
waiting

kiss
kisses
kissed
kissed
kissing

wash
washes
washed
washed
washing

live
lives
lived
lived
living

love
loves
loved
loved
loving

beg
begs
begged
begged
begging

sin
sins
sinned
sinned
sinning

play
plays
played
played
playing

stay
stays
stayed
stayed
staying

cry
cries
cried
cried
crying

study
studies
studied
studied
studying

die
dies
died
died
dying

tie
ties
tied
tied
tying

Tenses

A. Fill in the right forms of the verb in the blanks.

1.)I often ___drive______ (drive) car by myself.
2.)My best friend____lived______ (live) with me last year.
3.)I like to _____play_____ (play) basketball.
4.)My sister often ______goes____ (go) shopping.
5.)I wish I could have _____washed______ (wash) my car last weekend.
6.)My father often enjoys ________swimming_________ (swim)
7.)Did you finish _____doing_____ (do) your homework?
8.)My younger brother ____eats_____ (eat) lunch with me every day.
9.)One of my teachers ______likes_____ (like ) to play the guitar.
10.)Were you able ___to swim_______ (swim) yesterday afternoon?
11.)She _____has had______ (have) a headache for several hours.
12.)I _____was watching_______ (watch) a movie when you called last night.
13.)Do you think it ______will rain________ (rain) tomorrow?
14.)Where's Tom? He said he ______would be____ (be) here at 4:30 PM.
15.)I'm really looking forward to ______taking____ (take) a vacation!
16.)I'm hungry because I ______have not eaten______ (have not ) breakfast or lunch.
17.)By the time I got to Lucy's house, she ______has already left___ (already leave) for work.

Comprehension Task 1 - Seven Tips for Test

Comprehension Task1 Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Seven Tips for Test
When you have tests, sometimes you will be very scared because you think you may fail in the test, and you may even be scolded by your parents if you fail. The following tips can help you solve the problem.

1. Before the Test - The first tip is to do revision as much as you can before the test. You, of course, must spend a lot of time to prepare for it. But after studying for about thirty minutes, you need to take a rest or eat something to relax yourself. You should also go to sleep before ten o'clock; if not, you will not have enough energy to answer the questions in the test. The revision that you did the night before will become useless if you cannot recall them during the test.
2. In the Test -The second tip is the way you answer questions in the test. There are usually a lot questions to answer in the test. You have to answer all the questions even though you are not sure of some. But remember that if you are not sure of the answers, do not spend too much time on them. Otherwise you will not have enough time to finish all the questions. Your overall marks will then be affected if you cannot make a good use of your time.
3. Time Control -The third tip is about your time control. Try first to answer the questions that you know best. Use the remaining time to work on the answers you are not so sure of. Always estimate how much time you can spend and work accordingly.
4. Mark Distribution -The fourth tip is about paying attention to the mark distribution. This will help you get high marks. Try to answer the questions that contain more marks if you don't have sufficient time to finish all the questions. Pay more attention and spend more time on the sections that have a higher percentage of grades.
5. Be Calm -The fifth tip is to be calm and not to be nervous. Some students get nervous and they do badly in their test. Some students who are calm in the exams and can usually answer the difficult questions, so they get higher marks. A calm mind can concentrate better. With a clear mind, you can easily recall most information you have studied.
6. Check Answers -The sixth tip is to check your answers when you have finished your test. Every student will make some silly or careless mistakes in the test. You have to check your answers to make sure you have not made the careless mistakes, otherwise marks will be deducted. These silly mistakes can even make you fail!
7. After the Test - The final tip is what to do when you know the result of the test. Try not to be too sad if you fail or get low marks. You should learn from mistakes. Recall your experience. Reflect on the bad ones so you won't make the same mistakes next time. When you get good marks, don't be too proud or boastful because that may upset people and you will lose friends. Also you may get lower marks in the next exam because you think you are the best and do not need to try hard.

Follow these seven tips. They provide you with some useful ideas to perform well in the test. I am sure you can improve your marks if you follow the advices!

1. Why are some students scared of the tests or exams?
Ans.) Students are scared of the tests because if they fail the tests, their parent will scold them.

2. What should students do when they study and revise for the test or exam?
Ans.) They should do revision as much as they can. They should also take a rest after every 30 minutes of study. They should also go to sleep early the night before the test.

3. What are the reasons that student should answer all the questions?
Ans.) If students answer all the question even they are not sure of the answer, they will have a chance to gain more marks. In other words, if they don't answer all questions, their overall mark will be affected.
4. How can students control their time in the exam or test?
Ans.) To control their time, students can first answer the questions that are easy to them and use the remaining time to answer other questions. They should also estimate the time they can spend, so they can work accordingly.

5. What should students do to get high marks in the test or exam?
Ans.) They should answer the questions that contain more marks first. Spend more time to answer them.

6. How do calm students work better in the exam or test?
Ans.) A calm mind can concentrate better, so students can easily recall most information they have studied.

7. Why should students check their answers after the test or exam?
Ans.) It is because checking answers can help to detect silly mistakes. Avoiding mistakes is important in getting high marks.

8. What are the ways that students can deal with their poor grades?
Ans.) Students can learn from their mistakes and get some experience to deal with the mistakes.

Today's Lesson - Reading and Understanding

I learnt three things about reading comprehension today.

1. Reading and thinking must happen at the same time. This is very important to help me remember what I read.
2. Thinking cannot happen without listening to and knowing the subject area of my reading.
3. Repeating can help me to focus on the subject matter.

I need to do the following tasks for next week.

• Read aloud the messages post on the blog.
• Finish two comprehension tasks to be post on my blog.
• Read aloud the comprehension passages

Today's Lesson

I learnt three things today.

1. To repeat and to recite the new words and the sentences can help me remember what I want to learn.
2. To relax and feel good about learning can create good brainy wave to strengthen memory
3. To use sound, images, and even taste can also help remember English words and sentences.

I need to do the following tasks for next week.

1. Read the story, The Clever Old Principal", and identify (find out) the plots used by the author to present her story.
2. Find 10 vocabulary words from each plot in the story.
3. Read aloud the messages post on the blog.
4. Spell and remember the vocabulary items of last week.