Exercise 2.1

Here are some sentences that Jorge said in the sample interview. In the space beside each sentence, write the letter that describes the way Jorge is telling about his past. The first sentence has been done for you.

E: Something that happened and ended at a specific moment in the past.

S: Something that happened over a specific period of time.

U: Something that happened at an unspecific time or period of time.

       R: Something that happened in the recent past and has ended.

_E_1. I fixed many different kinds of machine tools at my last job.

___ 2. I rewired part of the building.

___3. And I have done some electrical work.

___4. I worked on both kinds.

___5. But in most of my jobs, I have worked alone.

___6. I was working at the bicycle factory.

___7. I have thought about it in the past.

___8. I was planning to take a business course in school.

___9. I enjoyed talking with you.

Exercise 2.2

In this conversation, underline the action words that best tell the speaker's meaning. The first one has been done for you.

Edward: Um, what is your experience? Are you qualified to be a bank teller?

Lim: When I (1) [started] [have started] at the supermarket I worked as a cashier. I did that for two years. Later on, they promoted me to office manager. I (2) [cashed] [was cashing] checks and (3) [sold] [was selling] money orders. Edward: Do you have other experience with money?

Lim: I (4) [have done] [was doing] some bookkeeping. I (5) [handled] [have handled] the bills, checks, and other money records for the Speedy Car Parts store.

Edward: Tell me more about your job at Speedy Car Parts. What were your responsibilities?

Lim: Well, at the beginning I (6) [was working] [have worked] as assistant to the office manager. After a few months, I (7) [was starting] [started] to pay the bills at the end of the month. Then I (8) [took] [was taking] over adding up the money every day and balancing the bank records every month.

Edward: That sounds like good experience for being a bank teller. What is your education?

Lim: I (9) [graduated] [have graduated] from high school in 1984. Since then, I (10) [have studied] [studied] typing and other office skills. Last spring, I (11) [completed] [was completing] a class in American history.

Edward: Well, Um, I think your qualifications to work as a teller in our bank are very good. We will be in touch with you soon.

Using Naming and Describing Words

     When you talk about something that belongs to you, you must show that by using a special naming or describing word. Things can belong to you in four different ways:

l         Something you have.

     Example: I have a job at a restaurant. My job doesn't pay much money. But at least the

job is mine. That's what my boss says!

l         Something you make.

     Example:     I wrote a report on the project. I finished my report last week. The ideas in the report were mine.

l         Something you give or do.

     Example:     I ordered a new drill. They filled my order right away. The first order they filled was mine.

l         Something that you experienced.

     Example:     I drove to the warehouse in the cOJ1lpany truck. My drive was a nice break from my regular work. I don't think Frank's drive was as nice as mine.

Note: My is a describing word. It comes before a naming word: That is my job. Mine is a naming word. It replaces another naming word: That is mine.

Exercise 2.3

This is what Jorge told his friend Edward about his interview at ADC, Inc. The sentences don't sound right. They don't use any naming words that show belonging. To make the story sound right, you must change the sentences. The words that must be changed are in bold letters. Write the words that show belonging in the empty space. The first sentence has been done for you.

       1. I went for [the interview I had] _my interview at 3 P.M. on Thursday.

2, I was so afraid that [the hands I have] ­_________ were sweating!

3. Mrs. Hendrix looked at [the application I made] ________ and asked about [the experience had] _______________.

       4. I told her about [the job I had]       _______________at the bicycle factory.

5. She wanted to know if the responsibility of fixing the heaters was [my responsibility] _______________.

6. She asked me to tell her about [the favorite job I had] __________.

7. I told her about working for [the father I have] _______________at his roofing company.

8. By this time, [the fear I had] _________________was gone.

Practice

Make up sentences that tell about things you did in the past. Be sure to make up sentences that: . Tell about something that happened and ended at a specific moment in the past.

l         Tell about something that happened over a specific period of time.

l         Tell about something that happened at an unspecific time or period of time.

l         Tell about something that happened in the recent past and has ended.

In your sentences, use my and mine to tell about things that:

l         You had.

l         You made.

l         You gave or did.