Dear Students,
This is the third unit of your course. It consists of four sections: Reading , grammar, language use and writing respectively. The first contains a reading text on Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine, followed by some questions that reinforce your comprehension of the text. The second is a grammatical component. It deals with Past Simple, Past Continuous and Present Perfect. The third is language use. It paves your way to follow the right directions by asking for or giving instructions. Finally, the fourth section is writing. It concentrates on paragraph writing.
- Find main points of the reading text: Jerusalem.
- Use key words of the text.
- Use Past Simple ,Past Continuous and Present Perfect appropriately.
- Give and ask for directions.
- Write a short and well organized Paragraph.
Jerusalem
The city of Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine and is known in Arabic as Al-Quds or Baitul-Maqdis ("The Noble, Sacred Place"). Jerusalem is perhaps the only city in the world that is considered historically and spiritually significant to all Christians and Muslims alike. The city is resting on the hills surrounded by a wall over four kilometers long with seven gates and several towers. Currently, Jerusalem is under the Israeli occupation which led to tension and bloody struggle between Palestinians and Israeli military forces. It is a beautiful city, full of history and mystery, flooded with tourists from all over the world as well as religious practitioners from all creeds and colors. The churches and the Mosques are ancient and delightful. The Muslim sites are impressive and the old bazaars and markets of the old city seem to be taken from an oriental dream. The food is diverse, delicious and mixes the western with the eastern taste.
Why is Jerusalem considered to be of religious importance to Muslims?
For Muslims, it is considered to be the place where Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven after his night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem (Isra and Mi'raj). On this journey, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was accompanied by the archangel Gabriel. On reaching Jerusalem, he prayed along with prophets of the past at the place where the Dome over the Holy Rock now stands. He was then taken to the sacred rock wherefrom he ascended to heaven by a stairway of light. After being conducted by Gabriel through all the seven heavens, he at last stood in the Divine Presence to receive instructions for himself and for his followers. He returned the way he had come, down the staircase of light reaching Makkah before dawn. At those locations mentioned above, a mosque (Al-Aqsa Mosque) was built, as well as the Dome of the Rock. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for Islam which has been a highly- cherished mosque and a tourist attraction. Furthermore, it was the original Qibla (direction of prayer) before it was changed to Makkah.
There is a magical quality about the Old City of Jerusalem that does not exist anywhere else in the world. Perhaps it is due to the glorious history of the towering stone walls and ancient buildings, or the sacred atmosphere that surrounds the Islamic holy shrines. The enchanting quality of Jerusalem may also come from the colorful markets and narrow alleyways, or from the city’s dynamic history - a history woven with war and peace, love and hate, destruction and construction. The Old City has always been considered the center of the world. Ancient maps show the three continents known at that time: Europe, Asia, and Africa, situated in a circle with Jerusalem at their center. Since then, Jerusalem has been cherished and glorified by kings, rulers, and conquerors who attempted to storm its walls. In addition, the city has been adored by all people who made it the loadstone of their faith. Over the years the historical and religious sites in the Old City have made it one of the most interesting cities in the world as well as an important focal point for tourism.
- Introduction
- Pre - reading
- Read and Find Out
- Read and Answer
- Self Assessment
This is a short reading text on Jerusalem. This old city is one of the most sacred places for Muslims and Christians. Moreover, it is the capital of the State of Palestine. Jerusalem is closed by Israeli military barriers. Palestinians in this city suffer from severe military restrictions on their movement and daily routine life. Israel wants to evacuate Palestinians from the city and replace them with settlers. For these reasons , it becomes obvious that reading about Jerusalem is essential to know the reality of the situation in the city.
Upon completing this section, you should be able to:
- Find the main ideas of the reading text “Jerusalem”.
- Use key words in political domains.
Before you read the text, you are strongly advised to work on the two activities below:
Activity (1) : Listen and look
Listen to the audio and look at the reading text as you listen.
Activity (2) : Look the words up
It is important that you know the meanings of the words in orange color in the reading text. If you do not know the meaning of a word, click on the word to know its meaning before you start reading.
Activity(3): Read and find out
Read the text quickly, and find out the answer of the following question:
- Why is Jerusalem considered to be of religious importance to Muslims?
Read the text again, very carefully this time, and make sure that you understand it very well. After you have done that, do the exercises that follow:
- Introduction
- Past Simple Tense
- Past Continuous Tense
- Present Perfect Tense
- Past simple vs. Present Perfect
- Self Assessment
People use different verb tenses in order to express different functions in language. For example, the past simple tense is used to express actions or events that started and ended in the past. Another verb tense that people also use is the past continuous. It is used to say that an action (or more) was happening and continued at a certain time in the past. And finally the present perfect that has some certain uses such as describing an experience or a change over a period of time, describing accomplishment or a continuing action that started in the past and connected or linked with now or with a present time.
Upon completing this section, you should be able to:
- Express different actions or events by using the past simple tense, past continuous and present perfect tenses,
- Recognize how to use the past continuous tense appropriately,
- Recognize how to use the present perfect tense correctly in different cases, and
- Differentiate between the use of the simple past and present perfect tenses.
Activity(1): Watch and find out
Watch this video and find out the answer of these questions:
- When do we use past simple?
- How do we form past simple?
Use the correct form of the verbs for the following:
- I Jerusalem with my family 2 years ago. (visit)
- My friend a new computer yesterday. (buy)
- They watching the action films yesterday. (enjoy)
- I to pass the test last month, but I failed. (try)
- Peter to Palestine to visit the Dome of the Rock in 2002. (go)
- Yesterday, he his exams. (pass)
- My brother for his exam three days ago. (study)
- The boys the tables in the kitchen yesterday. (wipe)
Activity(2): Watch and Find Out
Watch this video and find out the answer of these questions:
- When do we use past continuous?
When do we use past continuous?
The past continuous tense is really a very easy tense. Remember that past continuous tense is used to say that an action (or more) was happening and continued at a certain time in the past.
Look at this example:
- They were playing outside when the rain fell.
Here the action was still going on and continued (They were still playing)when something else happened at the same time (when the rain fell), but all actions took place in the past.
- How do we form past continuous?
Example:
- Jack was telling a story when suddenly we heard a sound.
- The pupils were singing when their friend arrived.
- While he was taking a bath, the light went out.
- The teacher walked into the room while we were talking .
Now, why do we use the past continuous verbs here: was telling/ were singing/ was taking and were talking? Because they are all a little bit long actions that were happening and continued at a certain time in the past.
The past simple verbs: heard/ arrived/ went and walked are all shorter actions if compared with the previous longer ones.
Remember, in this lesson we are going to focus a little bit more on how to use the past continuous and the past simple in the same sentence with the adverbs ( when and while) as key words.
- We the kitchen when my mother got home. (clean)
- While we were canoeing, a crocodile suddenly us yesterday. (attack)
- When I was reading a book, I a strange sound. (hear)
- While they lunch, the car arrived. (have)
- Sam in a shop when he was young. (work)
- They when I went to their house. (sleep)
- They their breakfast when the bus arrived. (eat)
- I slept while my friend hard. (study)
Activity(3): Watch and find out
Watch this video and find out the answer of these questions:
- When do we use present perfect?
- How do we form present perfect?
Now, it’s time to take a look at some examples:
- Anya has visited Jerusalem recently.
- I have just painted the door yellow.
- This restaurant has become very popular.
- They have paid for dinner themselves.
If we use the word (yet) in a statement or a sentence, we have to use the negative form of the auxiliary verbs (hasn’t or haven’t + P.P). However, if the word (yet) used in a question, we do not use any negatives. We use (have or has + P.P) Look at these examples:
- I haven’t visited Jerusalem yet.
- Have you seen the pyramids yet?
- I the old tree in the garden recently. (cut)
- The students just the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. (see)
- They twenty innocent people in Jerusalem since yesterday. (kill)
- Tom some bad news about the current situation in Palestine recently. (read)
- The mother the work yet. (finish)
- Computers our lives a lot recently. (change)
Activity (3): Compare between the sentences below.
- I finished school 4 years ago.
- Sam has worked in this company for 7 years.
The past simple describes an action that stated and ended in the past. It is no longer there. Totally completed and finished in the past. Such as saying (I finished school 4 years ago.) This means that I started and ended the action in the past. And I am no longer a student now.
On the other hand, present perfect expresses an action that started in the past and connected with the present or now and sometimes may continue in the future. Such as saying (Sam has worked in this company for 7 years.) It means that he started working in the past and still working there and may continue working in the future in this company.
- Introduction
- Directions
- Exercises
- Self Assessment
Directions are important for people safe movement. Strangers can not easily move or travel in huge and crowded places like Jerusalem, Amman, and London without having the ability to follow directions and read maps correctly. This section enables you to become familiar with expressions and vocabulary relevant to give instructions and ask for directions.
Upon completing this section, you should be able to:
- Give instructions
- Ask for directions
- Use proper expressions and vocabulary.
Suhad , who lives in Jerusalem, would like to visit her friend in Hebron. She doesn't know the new apartment which her friend bought one week ago.
Watch the following video then fill in the blank the expressions that were used for asking and giving directions.
- Suhad : tell me your apartment?
- Naela: Are you coming by car or by bus?
- Suhad : I am coming by car.
- Suhad : tell me the easiest way of getting to your apartment?
- Naela:the M 60 to Hebron and at junction 4.
- Suhad : Hebron, can you spell that for me?
- Naela: H e b r o n
- Suhad : Thanks
- Naela: OK,at the roundabout and take the first left my house is the local food store.
- Suhad : Is that the quickest way of getting to your apartment?
- Naela: Yes, it is the quickest way by car.
- Suhad : ? I don't know the area.
- Naela: Yes.
- Suhad : Thanks.
Look to these questions that used when you ask somebody for direction:
- Can you please tell me how I can get to Oxford Street?
- Where is the nearest supermarket?
- How can I get to the local market?
- I'm trying to get to Downing Street.
- How do I get to the office?
- What's the best way to get to your house next ?
- Where is Mc Donalds can you tell me please?
Look to these sentences that used when you give direction to somebody:
- Go straight on till you see the hospital then turn left.
- Turn back, you have gone past the turning.
- Turn left when you see a roundabout.
- Turn right at the end of the road and my house is number 67.
- Cross the junction and keep going for about 1 mile.
- Take the third road on the right and you will see the office on the right
- Take the second road on the left and you will see the house on the left
- The hospital is opposite the railway station.
- The shop is near the hospital.
- The house is next to the local cricket ground.
- The shop is in between the chemist and KFC.
- At the end of the road you will see a roundabout.
- At the corner of the road you will see red building.
- Just around the corner is my house you will need to stop quickly or you will miss it.
- turn right at the crossroads.
- Follow the signposts for Manchester.
Look at the following map and indicate whether the following statements are true or false.
Look at the following map and fill in the blank with asking and giving directions:
-
Excuse me Sir, AlAqsa Mosque from here?
Could you tell me how to get to
-
Okay…It is not far from here. Just about 150meters.
go straight forThere , and then Then .cross the junction /go straight for one block /turn rightAlAqsa is .three minute walk east of Jewish Quarter/ you -
, I would like to go to Rass El Amoud. Excuse me SirUh… I see… .Could you please tell me how to get there?/ I think you should take a taxi from hereIt is about five minute bus ride. If you would like to walk , .go straight until you see the pool of Siloam, Rass El Amoud is less than 100 meter from there.
- Okay thank you…
- Introduction
- How to Write a Paragraph
- Exercises
- Self Assessment
Paragraph writing is the foundation of all types of writing, whether the form is expository, persuasive, narrative, or creative. In order to write a good paragraph, learners need to understand how to write a topic sentence, supporting sentences and sometimes to end a paragraph by a closing sentence or a conclusion. They all contribute to the whole. And nothing in the writing process is more fundamental than writing a solid paragraph.
Upon completing this section, you will be able to write a short paragraph to express different topics.
Activity (1): Watch and write
Watch the video then write a short simple paragraph about yourself by filling in the blanks:
My name is . I am old. I live in . I am a at University. I study there. I like and . However, I do not like . My favorite is . I in my free time. I .
- He not only helped me find my books, but he also gave me some good advice on where to get tutorial help on campus and where I could find some good restaurants.
- If I had not met Tom that day, I might be still looking for the right books for my classes.
- One of the first people I met was Tom Anderson.
- We have become better friends since then and he has been so helpful in answering any questions I have about going to schools in the USA and about the American culture.
- I first met Tom standing in a line at the bookstore.
- I was having a difficult time finding the books for the English classes. I was taking my first semester here.
- One of the first people I met was Tom Anderson.
- I first met Tom standing in a line at the bookstore.
- I was having a difficult time finding the books for the English classes. I was taking my first semester here.
- He not only helped me find my books, but he also gave me some good advice on where to get tutorial help on campus and where I could find some good restaurants.
- We have become better friends since then and he has been so helpful in answering any questions I have about going to schools in the USA and about the American culture.
- If I had not met Tom that day, I might be still looking for the right books for my classes.
- Al-Quds Open University (1991). English Language Proficiency, Al-Quds Open University: Amman, Jordan
- British Council. Retrieved from britishcouncil.org
- Cambridge Dictionary, Retrieved from dictionary.cambridge.org
- Easy Pace Learning. Retrieved from easypacelearning.com