Corrections · 3
PLEASE TO CORRECT MY MISTAKE! Correction: Please correct my mistakes.
For each of the words and phrases in italics find another word with the samemeaning which could also be used in the same sentence. (I don't see any itallics but will correct what I think is the issue.)
1. In England they don’t have (a) a middle name, just (b) a first name and (c) a family
name.
a) ____SECOND NAME____
b) ____NAME____
c) ____SURNAME____
None of the answers is appropriate. In Russia, people have a first name -- e.g., Ivan, a "patronymic" -- which is the name of the person's father + feminine or masculine ending and a "family name." In England and other English-speaking countries, people usually have a "first name" or "given" name" (John, Mary, etc.). Sometimes they have a "middle name" which is another name like the first (Philip, Louise) and then a "last name" or "surname." English -speakers don't have "patronymics." Their middle name is another "given" name. Sometimes people chose a relative's last name or first name as the "middle name" to honor them but it can vary widely. Most people don't use their middle name when introducing themselves. This is different from compound first names: Billie Joe Carter, Mary Louise Johnson. You would actually address the person as "Billie Joe" or "Mary Louise." This is common in the southern and western United States. "Mary Louise" is ambiguous. The first name can be just "Mary" or it can be "Mary Louise." One would have to ask the person how he/she wants to be addressed.
2. (a) An elderly man asked for you a few minutes ago. He’ll call back in an hour.
a) ____OLD_____
"Elderly" is a softer/gentler way of referring to people. "Old" is accurate but not as polite. Most people don't want to be called "old" but will accept "elderly." One can also say "older woman" even though you don't say older than who. For example, "Do you see that older woman over there waiting for the bus?" Older and elderly are both more gentle when speaking about people. You wouldn't normally call a car "elderly" unless you were anthropomorphizing it -- that is, treating like a person." Instead, one would just say it's an old car. You wouldn't say an older car unless you say, " this car is older than my last one."
3. He speaks with a strong accent. I guess he (a) comes from Germany.
a) ___HE IS FROM GERMANY OR HE IS NATIVE OF GERMANY______
All are accurate but (a) and (b) more appropriate after "I guess..." which is more informal. To say someone is a "native of" is accurate but a more formal way of describing them.
4. His father was killed in an accident when he was a baby. He was (a) brought up by (b) a
step-father whom he loves dearly. This is accurate.
a) __The pupil CHILD______ I don't know what you want to say here. Pupil means student and does not describe child. Do you mean a "young child"?
b) _______? IM NOT UNDERSTAND_ I do not understand.
5. Be careful, try not to upset her, she is (a) in a family way. This expression refers to being pregnant. It is an old fashioned way of describing a woman when it was not considered polite to state that someone was pregnant. You may see this in historical literature. People just now say the woman is pregnant.
a) _____DIVORCE___
6. My dear aunt is (a) an old maid, we are her only family. "Old maid" and "spinster" are old-fashioned terms to described unwed women who are no longer at an age where many get married. I don't think that many women today would want to be called either an "old maid" or a "spinster" since there are women who don't want to be married, not just those who couldn't find a husband.
a) ____SPINSTER____.
7. I’m filling out that form, what should I write here (a) I’m single or (b) I’m a ___?
I'm single, I'm not married, I'm divorced, I'm separated (not living with husband but legally still married). All are acceptable.
a) ____LONLEY?___ This describes an emotional state. One can be "all alone" (physically by oneself) but still not "lonely." "Lonely" refers to feeling without emotional support, whether or not anyone is around. For example, one can feel lonely in a marriage or lonely in the middle of a crowd.
b) ____NOT MARRIED?___
8. She (a) is dating Harry. They are said to be engaged. "Engaged" in this context means that they have formally announced that they will get married. Sometimes the man has given the woman an "engagement ring" but not always. "Engaged" in another context just means "busy." An "engagement book" means an "appointment book" although people now note appointments on their phones.
a) ____MEETING?___. "I have an engagement" means that I have something else to do (for example, I'm going to lunch with someone or to the movies).
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