SUMMER
IT’S A HEAT WAVE!
Oooh, baby, it’s HOT HOT HOT!!!! I don’t know about you, but we’ve been waiting for this season all year. Yay, summer! Breathe in the cool, piney mountain air! Taste the tang of the salty sea breeze! Listen to the little frogs, croaking near the lake... WAIT A MINUTE!. . .Those aren’t frogs I hear! They’re KIDS! Oh no! School is out, and so are the kids! Do you want to know what they’re doing, now that there’s no math homework? Haha! So do we!
Because most schools are closed, many Americans like to go on vacation during the summer. It’s time to pack up the car, pack up the kids, and head to the mountains . . . or the beach . . . or the country. Places can get very crowded, so you may want to book your stay early in the year. And get ready for the traffic. Boo!
Yes, most of the traffic in the summer is usually going OUT of the city. This is good news if you want to visit museums and see the city sights! Cities are pretty quiet because lots of workers are home, packing everything up for vacation!
In the mountains, people can camp out, sleep under the stars, and listen to the buzz and chirp of nighttime bugs... (Hmm. As long as it’s not the crunch and munch of a bear eating lunch . . . OUR lunch!) At the beach, sun-worshippers use beach chairs and beach towels to relax. (Don’t forget the sunscreen!) Grown-ups have their beach books, and the kids have their summer reading. (Ha, we hope so!) Everyone likes to splash in the waves, play volleyball, and make sandcastles with pails and shovels . . . Wow, and if there are fireworks at night, it’s a perfect summer day!
It’s BASEBALL SEASON! Sing along with us: “Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd . . .” Yes, the pros are playing the all-American sport in ballparks all over the country. Dads (and moms!) share tradition (and hot dogs!) with their kids as they all cheer for the home team. Let’s go, Mets!
Staying home during the summer is fun too. (Okay. Maybe it’s not so much fun for poor Dad. He’s out in the sun, sweating as he mows the lawn. Did we mention that it’s HOT, HOT, HOT?!) In cities, kids play street games. There’s handball, stickball, stoopball, and skully; hide-and-seek, hopscotch, jump rope and marbles. Bored kids invented these games, and let’s just say this: most of them involve hitting a ball with a stick, or hiding, or running in the street. Don’t ask us how to play. All we know is that it’s city-kid fun!
A lot of families that don’t go away for vacation plan special day trips to fun places: an amusement park, a water park, the zoo, or a museum. (Okay, we’ll admit that the museum may be more fun for the parents than for the kids, ha.) And if the kids get tired of all those crazy rides, the family can catch up on the summer’s blockbuster movies.
Even a trip for an ice cream cone (Oooh—how about two scoops? With sprinkles!) makes a hot day special. (Hey! Can we have a sundae, please? Extra whipped cream!)
When the summer is in full swing, the kids may start to get antsy. “Mom, I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” Ha, but if parents suggest, “I have some chores you can do,” suddenly the bored kids disappear! To keep kids busy with fun and educational activities, a lot of families choose summer camp. Some prefer day camp, where kids spend a few hours each day doing fun activities. Parents drop off the kids in the morning, and pick them up in the afternoon. Some families choose sleep-away camp, where the kids will stay for a week or more. For a lot of kids, sleep-away camp is their first taste of independence. It can be exciting and fun, but some kids get homesick and can’t wait for a letter or care package from home.
Do you have a favorite TV show? Forget it during the summer! The bad news is that summer is TV rerun season. Your favorite shows are on hiatus. A hiatus is kind of a vacation for TV shows. Television networks will rerun (show again) old episodes until the new season starts in September. (Boo! We’ve seen those old shows already!)
You’ve seen it in the movies. You’ve seen it on TV—the typical American favorite summer job! Cute little kids sit at a lemonade stand —a little table where they sell cups of lemonade for a few pennies. Lots of drivers will stop with a big smile and pay a dollar. Wow, look, Mom—I’m rich!
Summer camp is so big in the U.S. that you can find a camp for any child’s interests. Traditional camps emphasize the outdoors, with fishing and swimming in lakes, sleeping in tents, and toasting marshmallows over a campfire. No city-kid street games here! There are sports camps, where kids practice soccer or tennis or skiing or baseball. There are academic camps that emphasize reading and math and preparation for big tests. There are arts camps for painting and theater and dance. There are computer camps, religious camps, camps for kids with special needs . . . even camps for weight loss! (Oh boy! Sign us up for that one.) In fact, if you can imagine an activity, you can find a camp with that theme. (HEY! Is there a “Cupcake Camp”? We want to go to camp and eat cupcakes! Then we’ll go to the weight loss camp . . . ) Bye-bye, kids! Have fun!
But summer isn’t all fun and games. Many teenagers try to find summer jobs. It’s hard work, but teens can earn some pocket money, or save for something special. If a house doesn’t have AC, summer heat can be very uncomfortable. For elderly people, a heat wave can be life-threatening. It’s important for everyone to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and to avoid strenuous activity in the heat. Check on those older neighbors. Make sure everyone is keeping cool.
June is a busy month. The warmer weather means lots of June brides are hoping for sunny wedding days. Kids are graduating from high school or college. And let’s not forget dear old Dad! Happy Father’s Day, Dad! Thanks for all the hours in the backyard teaching me how to hit and catch a baseball!
What’s better than one word? How about one word made out of two words?! It’s like a magic trick! Let’s see . . . hmm . . . . I want to check my spelling. Poof: spell-check! “Spell-check” is one word . . . (one very, very helpful compound word) that is formed by joining two words. (We know YOU don’t need to use spell-check. We know YOUR spelling is perfect!)
A compound word is a new word made when you put two other words together. Often the two words are joined together with no space between: base + ball = baseball. Sometimes there’s a hyphen ( - ) between them: sun + worshipper = sun-worshipper. And sometimes the two words stay separate: ice + cream = ice cream. Yes, we know what you’re thinking: “How the heck can I figure it out?” When in doubt—dictionary! (But, haha, just to make it more complicated, sometimes different dictionaries say different things. That’s crazy English for you.)
There are lots of fun summer compound words. Find these in the readings. Can you think of some others?
•ice cream
•sunscreen
•sandcastles
•homesick
•watermelon
•life-threatening
•flip-flops
•water park
•heat wave
•pocket money
YOUR TURN!
Complete the sentences with the best compound word from the list above. Answers are on page 184.
1.The kids were excited to go away to camp, but after a week they were __________________, and they just wanted to see Mom.
2.Whew! The city’s having a _______________________; the temperature is near 100° every day! Thank goodness for the AC . . . . but we’re not looking forward to the electric bill!
3.Check on the neighbors. Very hot weather can be ___________________________ to older people.
4.My favorite part of summer is wearing these comfortable _____________________________. They’re noisy, but they’re comfy!
5.There are lots of exciting rides, and water is splashing everywhere—It’s a fun day at the ______________________________.
6.I think somebody forgot the ___________________. That sunburn will hurt tomorrow!
7.After Dad mowed the lawn, he relaxed under a tree and ate some cool, juicy ____________________.
8.Mmm! There’s nothing better than some yummy ___________ on a hot day. Better eat it quickly before it melts!
9.The kids had fun on the beach building _______________________________ with their pails and shovels.
10.Sugar + lemon juice + water = lemonade.
Lemonade + lemonade stand = ________________________ for the kids to spend!
VOCABULARY
AC: Air Conditioning; the system that makes your house cool in very hot weather
•academic: about school or education
a lot/a lot of/lots of: many, much
•amusement park: a place with CRAZY rides and fun games
antsy: unable to sit still; nervous
•beach book: a fun book to read at the beach; a book that doesn’t need too much focus
•beach chair: a special low seat for sitting in the sand. It’s light and easy to carry.
•beach towel: an extra large towel for drying off at the beach or for sitting on at the beach
blockbuster: a really, really successful movie that everyone wants to see!
book a stay: reserve a vacation place
•bored: ho hum; Y A W N; not excited.
•breeze: a light, gentle wind; also something really, really easy!
•buzz: the humming sound a bee makes. Like this: bzzzzzzzzzzzzz
•campfire: small outside fire made from twigs (small branches) of trees
•camp out: sleep outside in a tent or other shelter
care package: a surprise package of fun treats for someone who is away from home
catch up on: do, see, or learn about things you didn’t have time to do before
•check: look
check on: (someone or something) look to see that someone or something is okay
•chores: jobs done around the house, like cleaning, washing dishes, etc.
city kid: a kid who grows up in the city
•croaking: the sound a frog makes. Come on! You know that sound! rrrribbbbbit, rrrribbbbbit
•crunch: the sound you make when you eat a potato chip!
•cupcake: a small cake, about the size of a . . . . say it with me . . . . CUP! (a CUPcake!)
•day camp: place where kids go for activities; they go home after a few hours each day
•day trip: going to a fun place for the day
•disappear: become invisible (impossible to see)!
drop off: bring someone to a place they need to go and leave him or her there
•elderly: older; people in their 70s or 80s
•flip-flops: those rubber summer shoes with a piece between the toes. They sound like flippp floppp.
•go away: go someplace for a time
•homesick: really, really missing home
•home team: the local team, playing baseball on its own baseball field
•hydrated: having enough water
•ice cream cone: a thin, crisp wafer shaped like a cone that holds ice cream. YUM!
•independence: acting alone and taking care of oneself with no help from others
in full swing: in the middle of lots of activity
•invented: created; made up
•involve: include or need (something)
isn’t all fun and games: there are serious things to think about, too
•life-threatening: so dangerous that someone could die
make sure: check that something is right
•munch: eat something with a noisy sound
•nighttime: during the night
•on vacation: not at work
•outdoors: outside; wilderness: bugs and trees and animals and lakes and rivers and mountains and . . .
pack up: put all things you need together to go someplace
•pail and shovel: a container and digging tool (beach toys made of plastic)
pick up: get (someone) from a place
•piney: having the fresh smell of evergreen pine trees
plenty: a lot
pocket money: extra money to have for little expenses
•prefer: like better
pretty: quite, very; also beautiful
•pros: professional sports team players. They get paid!
•rides: attractions at an amusement park, like roller coasters
•sandcastle: a building made from sand at the beach
school is out: schools are closed
•scoop: a big spoonful serving of ice cream
•sleep-away camp: a place where kids go for activities; they stay there, usually for at least a week
•special needs: may need help with some everyday activities
•spell-check: what your device’s spell-checker does! (It checks your spelling.)
•splash: make water move around . . . usually to get someone else wet!
•stick: a piece of wood, sometimes smooth like a bat
•street games: fun activities that use city streets and buildings as part of the game
•strenuous: very difficult; needing lots of strength
•suddenly: quickly, without notice
•summer camp: place with organized activities for kids
•summer job: a job, usually for teenagers, lasting a short time until they go back to school
•summer reading: books that teachers assign for kids to read during the summer
sun-worshipper: someone who likes sitting in the sun for a long time
•sundae: an ice cream treat with chocolate sauce, nuts, whipped cream, sprinkles . . . STOP US!
•sunscreen: a cream to prevent skin damage from the sun’s rays
•sweating: perspiring; having drops come through your skin in hot weather
•tang: a strong taste or smell
•teens: see teenagers
•teenagers: kids from thirteen to nineteen
•tents: small shelters made from cloth for sleeping outside
•theme: the main idea
•traditional: usual; customary
•traffic: lots and lots . . . and LOTS of cars.
•volleyball: a game where people hit a ball over a net using their hands
•water park: an attraction with rides that go through lots of water
•wave: a big curve of ocean water; also move something quickly back and forth
•weight loss: lower body fat or weight; what you want when you go on a diet!
•whipped cream: sweet cream made into a fluffy, delicious cloud!
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Guy: Hey Lana, what’s with the beach towel and flip-flops?
Girl: Are you kidding? Don’t you know what weekend this is?!
Guy: Ummm . . . .
Girl: Come on . . . . Think about it . . . Monday is the last Monday of May. Does that ring a bell?
Guy: Ummm . . . .
Girl: Last Monday in May . . . .? Three-day weekend . . . ? Flags . . . ? Parades . . . .? No school. No work . . .
Guy: Wait! I’ve got it! It’s Memorial Day Weekend! Wow, how could I forget that? My grandfather served in the military, and he died in battle. Of course I remember Memorial Day. I’m so proud that everyone takes a day to honor those who died for our country.
Girl: I knew you wouldn’t forget such an important national holiday.
Guy: Of course not! In fact, I’m going to the cemetery with some volunteers. We’ll put American flags on the graves of people who died fighting for our country in war. I’m proud to remember them.
Girl: Yes, and then we can watch the parade in town. I’m ready to wave the Stars and Stripes!
Guy: Yeah, but what about the beach towel and flip-flops . . . ?
Girl: Ummm . . . . Memorial Day is a holiday of remembrance . . . but it’s also the unofficial FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!
Guy: Oh boy. I guess that means traffic jams on the turnpike. Oh well, SUNNYSIDE BEACH, HERE WE COME!
Girl: Hmm. Yeah. Us . . . . . . and three million other people.
TAKE A LOOK: For and Since with Time
For and since are tricky words to use when talking about time. When you mean a period of time, use for. When you mean a point in time, use since.
Example sentences:
They have been working on the project for two weeks. (a period of time—two weeks.)
They have been working on the project since last Thursday. (It started at a point in time—last Thursday.)
YOUR TURN!
See if you can figure out if for or since is needed in each of these sentences. Answers are on page 184.
1.Memorial Day weekend lasts ______ three long, lovely days.
2.Noooo! We’ve been stuck in traffic ______ 5:00 this morning!
3.Can you believe we’ve been going to Highland Lake every year _______ 25 years?
4.Uh-oh. She fell asleep in the sun _______ two hours. SUNBURN!
5.The kids have been building sandcastles _______ they arrived at the beach.
6.There is going to be a huge parade in town that will last _____ two hours.
7.Later we’re going to the beach, and I’ve been making snacks ________ 6 a.m.!
8.I hope we don’t get stuck _______ hours in the traffic.
9.We’ve been going to the same beach every Memorial Day _______ 2008.
10.Susanna has been counting the days until summer ________ New Year’s Day!
11.The meat has been on the grill ___________ a long time. It must be ready now!
12.I’m hoping my grandparents will come to visit _____________ Memorial Day weekend.
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MEMORIAL DAY INFO TO KNOW: |
Summer doesn’t really begin until June, but because Memorial Day is part of a long weekend, many people think of it as the start of summer. V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N! Yay! You may be invited to a friend’s house for a cookout. This is a very casual party. Wear casual, comfortable clothes, like jeans or shorts and a T-shirt.
The host will probably have plenty of food and beverages, but it’s polite to ask if you can bring something. Maybe your friend will ask you to bring a salad or side dish to share. But even if he says no, most guests don’t like to arrive at a party empty-handed. You can bring something sweet, or you can bring flowers or a bottle of wine.
The gift that a guest brings to a party or dinner is called a hostess gift. It’s not customary to bring a hostess gift if the party is just organized by a group—for example, classmates getting together on a weekend.
Your friend will probably grill simple, casual food. There may be special flag decorations, and party plates and napkins. Don’t be surprised if your friend is wearing an apron with a funny saying, like “Kiss the Cook!” I don’t want to kiss the cook, but I sure am getting hungry! Have fun at the barbecue!
Pick your own farms are fun (and delicious)! In summer, peaches, strawberries, and lots of other kinds of fruit are ripe. Go to the farm and bring a large container to fill, or use a box that the farm provides (for a small charge). Go into the fields and pick the best fruit! (Snacking while you pick is the best part.) When you’re finished, someone will weigh your fruit. Pay, then bring home your juicy, delicious dessert! Farm fresh!
YOUR TURN!
Are you enjoying your day at the beach? Did you pack everything you need? See how many fun-in-the-sun words you already know! You’ve seen all of these things! Each picture is part of a summer activity. Can you match the words to the picture? Answers are on page 185.
1.________ sunglasses
2.________ pail and shovel
3.________ tube for swimming
4.________ surfboard
5.________ beach ball
6.________ beach towel
7.________ ice cream cone
8.________ sunscreen
9.________ flippers, mask, and snorkel (for looking under water)
10.________ flip-flops
11.________ sun umbrella
12.________ ice pop
13.________ beach chair (sand chair)
14.________ sailboat
FUN WITH IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS: Summer!
•it’s a breeze: it’s really easy
She was really worried about the English test, but her friend said, “Relax! It’s a breeze!”
•shoot the breeze: talk about things that are not important
After the English test, the students sat outside, eating snacks and shooting the breeze.
•something fishy: not right, suspicious; feeling distrustful about something; thinking that something bad is happening
Marco felt there was something fishy about the e-mail, so he did not click the link.
•no sweat: easy!
Yolanda worried about the English exam, but it was easy. When Marco asked about the test, Yolanda replied, “It was everything we talked about in class. No sweat!”
•make a splash: get a lot of special attention about something
Leo really made a splash when he threw lots of candy to the kids watching the parade.
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JUST FOR FUN! |
Kids love playing in the sand at the beach. Guess what? So do grown-ups! Some beaches have sandcastle contests during the summer. People make fancy buildings using beach sand and water, and they can win prizes. Believe it or not, there are actually professional sandcastle builders who travel to beach towns for the contests. The sandcastle structures and other fun designs are fun to see, but if a big wave comes in . . . LOOK OUT!
Summer camp! The most famous treats that kids learn to make at camp are s’mores. Yes, it’s a wacky name, but once you eat one, you’ll be asking for some more (s’more, Get it? Haha!) You can make them, too, but save one for us! First, you need a campfire. (Be sure to do this only in your backyard or at a park where it’s allowed.) Shhhh! Here’s our secret s’mores recipe:
Jane and Sheila’s Secret S’mores
Ingredients:
•graham crackers
•large marshmallows
•a chocolate bar
Directions:
•Put a marshmallow on a long stick. Hold it over the fire (carefully!) until the marshmallow is a nice golden brown color. (It will be deliciously gooey inside!)
•Break the graham cracker into two halves.
•Put half of the chocolate bar onto one half of the cracker.
•Put the marshmallow in the middle, and then cover with the other graham cracker half.
YUM!
(Hey, you can make these in your microwave, too, but that’s no fun!)
VOCABULARY
•apron: something you wear over the front of your clothes to keep them clean while you cook
•barbecue: a cookout
believe it or not: “it sounds strange, but it’s true!”
•beverages: drinks
•casual: informal; relaxed
•cemetery: the special area where people are buried when they die
•charge: cost
come on!: tell the truth! (also, hurry up!)
•cookout: a barbecue; a small party with food cooked outside
•dish: food item at a meal
empty-handed: without something to give the host
fancy: special and extra nice
gooey: soft and a little wet or sticky
•graham crackers: sweet, flat, rectangular cookies
•grave: place in the ground of a cemetery where people are buried when they die
•grill: cook outside
•guests: people invited to a party
•honor: show respect
•host: the person who has a party and invites friends
long weekend: a three-day weekend with a holiday on the Friday before, or the Monday after (Yay!)
look out!: Wow! Be careful!
•national holiday: an official government holiday; also federal holiday
•party plates: usually paper or plastic dishes that you throw away after using
•pick your own: choose your fruit or vegetables right where they grow on a farm or in an orchard.
•polite: the correct way to do something in a social situation
•recipe: instructions for cooking something
•remembrance: thinking about people who have died
•saying: a phrase that is funny or thoughtful
•served in the military: was part of the armed forces of a country
•side dish: small amount of food you’ve prepared as an extra choice
•Stars and Stripes: nickname for the American flag
•structures: things that are built
•traffic jam: lots and lots of cars not moving on a road or highway. AAAARGH!
•turnpike: a wide road with many lanes for traveling, usually at a fast speed
•unofficial: not formally approved
•volunteers: people who do something good for no pay
wacky: silly or crazy in a fun way
•weekend: Saturday and Sunday! (no work!)
what’s with: “why do you have . . . ”
INDEPENDENCE DAY / FOURTH OF JULY
Whoosh! BOOM! KABAAM! If the skies seem to be exploding, and your pet is hiding under the bed, it can mean only one thing: It’s the Fourth of July! Independence Day is certainly the loudest American holiday. 
But first, a little history... Quick, think! Who’s your best friend?
Today, one of this country’s best friends is the United Kingdom. But it wasn’t always so. The first American states were colonies ruled by Great Britain. People came to the 13 colonies for different reasons: to practice their religion freely, to escape from government rules so people could make money and keep it as they wanted, or because people were given land here as a gift. Eventually, people living in the colonies decided that they did not want to be governed by Great Britain. Colonists didn’t want to pay taxes to a king more than 3,000 miles away, and they were not happy to have British soldiers living in the land.
Speaking of taxes . . . the Fourth of July is not a big holiday for going out to restaurants because everyone is in the backyard having a cookout! But if you do go out to eat, here’s a tipping reminder: The usual tip amount is 15 to 20 percent. When you calculate the tip for the server, you do not include the tax in the total amount. (But the waiter will be very happy to have the extra cash if you forget. Haha!)
Some people in the colonies decided to break the king’s laws, so the king sent even more soldiers! Fighting began between the king’s soldiers and the colonists. Do you see where this is going? This is not going to have a happy ending for somebody!
The colonies joined together to fight against Great Britain and the British soldiers. This was the American Revolutionary War. It was a hard time. Many people were killed in the battles of the war. But on July 4, 1776, some well-respected leaders from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They wrote one of the most important documents in U.S. history: the Declaration of Independence. The Revolutionary War became the fight for the new United States of America. The revolution was now an American War of Independence. This new country would now rule itself and be independent of Great Britain.
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INFO TO KNOW: |
John Hancock may be the most famous signer of the Declaration of Independence. People even use his name instead of the word “signature.” They may say, “Just put your John Hancock on the line.” Hancock signed the document in HUGE letters. One fun story is that he said, “Haha! Now King George can see it even without his reading glasses!” Is it true? We weren’t there (come on . . . we’re not that old), but we like the story!
We’re glad to be friends again, Britain!
And Happy Birthday, USA!
Yes, the Fourth of July is a really big birthday party! And like any good party, the celebrating starts early and ends late. It’s a national holiday. You’ll see flags and red, white, and blue decorations everywhere. Yes, you’ll even see red, white, and blue food! Towns will have parades, and people will have picnics. If the Fourth falls on a weekend, the federal holiday is observed on Friday or Monday, so it’s another long weekend!
Wow! You think those colonists had problems? How about us modern Americans? Is it the United Kingdom? Great Britain? England? Are they all the same country? AAACKKKK!!!
Our British source tells us that technically the United Kingdom (UK) includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain is England, Wales, and Scotland.
Britain is England and Wales.
WHOA, will there be a test?!
We’re not the only ones confused. Our British source also tells us that most people in Britain . . . I mean Great Britain . . . I mean the United Kingdom . . . use all of them to mean the same country. Whew!
And, of course, it’s time again for grilling outside: hot dogs and burgers! Baked beans and home-made potato salad! Corn on the cob! Ice cream and pie! Wow, we Americans sure do love our cookouts! (Sometimes we even invite our British friends. Haha!) And when the food is finished and the skies get dark, it’s time for the best part—fireworks! Cities and towns have spectacular shows. Exciting explosions of firecrackers light up the sky with brilliant sparks and showers of light in bright colors. People will “ooh” and “aah!” Kids will shout, “WOW! Did you see that one?” It’s a perfect finish to a proud day of fun and food. Well, unless you’re the poor little pooch hiding under the bed . . .
TAKE A LOOK: ONOMATOPOEIA
Onomatopoeia! Onomatopoeia! Onomatopoeia! (We just love to say it, ha!) And we thank the Greeks for this very entertaining word. You know what we’re talking about—these are the words that ARE the sound. Whoosh! BOOM! KABAAM! are all examples of onomatopoeia. Ha, and don’t forget those flip-flops!
YOUR TURN!
Say the words in the sound column out loud (Haha! Don’t be surprised if you get some funny looks from people around you!) Can you figure out which thing makes each sound? Answers are on page 185.
Sounds:
| a. buzz | g. y a w n |
| b. BOOM! | h. meow |
| c. sizzle | i. quack quack! |
| d. clink clink | j. tick, tock |
| e. splash! | k. zoom!!!! |
| f. HONK HONK! | l. woof, woof, WOOF, WOOF! |
1.________ bacon in a frying pan. YUM!
2.________ Charlotte jumping into the water
3.________ an impatient driver in New York traffic
4.________ your hungry cat . . . Hey, somebody feed me!
5.________ a duck on a pond
6.________ your neighbor’s dog at 6 a.m.!
7.________ a clock in a quiet room
8.________ a bee in your garden
9.________ Sheila’s car on the turnpike. Hey, she’s late!
10.________ ice cubes in a glass
11.________ a tired student during a boring lecture
12.________ fireworks exploding
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FOURTH OF JULY INFO TO KNOW: |
Fireworks are the most exciting part of Fourth of July celebrations. But be careful! Many states have laws that say people can’t have fireworks. In many places, the only legal way to enjoy fireworks is to see an official town or city display. Even if you come from a place that allows people to buy fireworks, don’t bring them to a backyard party or BBQ! (They’re dangerous. And they scare the pooches!) Instead, bring some nice picnic food to share. We vote for potato salad. Everyone loves it!
Sometimes you may see the U.S. flag flying at half-staff (only halfway up the flagpole). Some people may call this at half-mast. It’s a symbol of sadness and respect for an important person who has died. Only a government official can order that the flag be flown at half-staff.
Do you know what the U.S. flag design means? The stripes (count them!) represent the 13 colonies that were the foundation of the country. The stars represent the states. Okay—quick quiz: How many stars are there in the flag? __________ Yes—50 stars for the 50 states! A gold star for you if you got it right!
Okay, we know this sounds crazy, but some states have wacky rules. (We’re looking at you, Pennsylvania!) Stores are allowed to sell big fireworks, but only to people who live out of state. HUH?
YOUR TURN!
Can you complete the sentences with the best words? Answers are on page 186.
1.The Fourth of July is also called ___________________________.
2.The 13 American ____________________ of Britain decided not to pay taxes to the British king.
3.The ___________________________________________ is one of the most important documents in American history.
4.For lots of people, the best part of the holiday is the __________________________ show at night.
5.Do your homework! In many states, it is not ______________________________ for people to have fireworks.
6.Bring a flag to wave as you watch the _______________________________ in your town.
7.Parks are popular places to have a ________________________. Bring lots of food! And friends!
8.We love our little animals! But the Fourth of July is a time when a lot of ____________________ find crazy places to hide from the loud noises. Check under the bed!
9.We fought a War of Independence against _____________________________, but it’s now one of our best friends.
10.If you’re lucky, a good friend will invite you to a fun ______________________________ in his or her backyard!
Okay, you did a great job, so here’s another top-secret recipe:
Sheila and Jane’s Perfect (and Popular!) Potato Salad
Ingredients:
•about 6 potatoes
•3 Tbsp of rice vinegar
•about ¾ cup of mayonnaise
•about a cup of chopped celery
•1 small onion, chopped
•a hard-boiled egg
Directions:
•Wash the potatoes, then cut into chunks.
•Put the potatoes in a pot of water. Heat on the stove until boiling, then lower the heat and cook until the potatoes are tender. This should take only about 10 minutes. Then drain all the water and let the potatoes cool.
•Mix all the other stuff in a bowl. Then add the potatoes.
•Chill in the fridge, put some pretty green leafy thing on top, and then take your potato salad to a picnic!
You know us—our idea of cooking is putting popcorn in the microwave. But if you actually cook (!), there are some very common recipe abbreviations to know:
•t or tsp = teaspoon
•T or Tbsp = tablespoon (Don’t ask us why it has a capital “T”!)
•c = cup
•oz = ounce
•lb = pound (We know what you’re thinking: Why L? Why B? Those letters aren’t even in the word pound! It’s just more Latin that we adopted in English.)
FUN WITH IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS: Picnic Fun!
•Hot dog!: an expression that shows someone is very excited about something. Wow!
Hot dog! Erin was in Japan last week, but she’s home now and she’s coming to the cookout!
•it’s no picnic: it’s not easy; it’s not fun
Lana has four small children, two jobs, and she’s trying to learn English! It’s no picnic being a working mom and student.
•red flag: a warning that there’s a problem
His résumé showed that he had six jobs in two years. Uh-oh. That will be a red flag to the hiring person.
•rain on someone’s parade: disappoint someone who is very excited by saying something bad about the situation
“I hate to rain on your parade, but the boss just canceled the great project you finished.”
•flag down someone (or something): wave, or signal, for someone to stop
When the rain started, Marco quickly tried to flag down a taxi. (Ha, good luck, Marco!)
VOCABULARY
about: approximately; estimated
•backyard: grassy area behind a house
BBQ: barbecue! (it’s also okay in lowercase: bbq)
•best friend: a very special friend; in text language, your “bff” (best friend forever)
•boiling: so hot that bubbles form and move around
•break the laws: disobey rules of the government
burger: hamburger. Yum! cooked ground beef served on special bread (called rolls, or buns). Mmmmm. Make mine a cheeseburger! With onions! (Oh boy, somebody stop me!)
•chill: make something cold
chunk: large piece
•colonies: lands under the control of a government far away
•colonist: someone who lives in a colony
•cool: not hot at all
•corn on the cob: YUM. Boil the whole ear (piece) of corn. Spread on butter and sprinkle with salt. (And invite me over!)
•Declaration of Independence: the historic document that announced a break with Great Britain for an independent United States of America.
•display: a show of something
•document: a very important paper
do your homework: get information before you do something or go somewhere
•escape: get safely away from something
•eventually: finally, after some time
•exploding: blasting with fire and noise
•explosion: a blast of fire and noise
•falls on: occurs on
•flagpole: the long post used to hold a flag
•foundation: basis; the start for something
gold star: special design that shows excellence
•governed: ruled by a government
happy ending: a result that is pleasing to everyone
•home-made: prepared at home, with fresh ingredients
•hot dog: another cookout meat (like a sausage), served on special long bread called a roll or bun
•legal: allowed by law
•lower: reduce; bring down
make money: earn money, as pay
ooh and aah!: “WOW!”
•pet: the animal you have at home that you love! (Mine is a dog. Hers is a cat.)
•pie: a dessert made from fruit baked inside a crust (a thin pastry)
pooch: dog
•potato salad: a common picnic food made of cooked potatoes and other ingredients. It’s served cold.
•quick: fast
•ruled: governed
•shower: lots of small bits of something (light, or water, or sparks . . .
•sparks: small bits from a fire
•spectacular: AMAZING! FABULOUS!
•stripe: a long line of color on a piece of cloth
stuff: things; items
•tender: just a little soft
•top secret: really, really private . . . shhhh!!!
•well respected: trusted by many people for honorable work
WEDDINGS!
Here comes the bride!
Summer is popular for another type of celebration too—marriage! A wedding day is not an official holiday, but, haha, we bet there are plenty of brides who think it should be. Ah, true love! First comes “Will you marry me?” Then comes . . . .. CRAZY! Oh come on. Admit it! You know what we’re talking about. Popping the question is the easy part!
We’re pretty sure planning a wedding makes families everywhere a little crazy, but in the U.S. we have a special name for brides who stress out over the details: Bridezilla! Yes, this is a bride who turns into a Godzilla-monster if there is a problem. And, take it from us, there is always a problem. Once the Bridezilla calms down, the wedding is a happy time with beautiful traditions. And these traditions can be from all over the world in our melting pot country: henna designs on hands, borhani and tea-sharing ceremonies, exchanging flower garlands, special veils and dances, and our very favorite of all—feasting for DAYS! Modern couples choose old cultural customs or add special new ones, but like ceremonies everywhere, a typical American wedding is a day of celebration and joy.
As any Bridezilla can tell you, the perfect wedding means months and months of planning. First, a couple chooses the date. Then they decide on a venue. Will it be a religious ceremony? A simple civil ceremony in City Hall? (Wow! Try saying that last sentence three times, FAST. Now that’s what we call pronunciation practice! Haha!) What about a destination wedding? Oh yeah, we love that one—we get to travel to an exciting place and watch our friends get married on the beach. (We hope the sand crabs don’t think our toes are lunch!) How about this one—our brother had a Vegas wedding! He and his wife were married by an Elvis impersonator! Elvis married my brother! ELVIS!
Marry . . . Now that’s tricky! No, we’re not talking about husband and wife—although that’s pretty tricky, too. Haha! We’re talking about the verb marry. We use it in a few ways:
1.It can mean performing the ceremony that joins two other people in a marriage. (Elvis married Keith and Dawn.)
2.And it can mean becoming joined as a spouse to someone in a marriage. (Keith married Dawn in Las Vegas.)
3.And just to keep it nice and tricky to learn . . . We often say “get married.”
(Keith and Dawn decided to get married in Las Vegas. A guy pretending to be Elvis married them. They married on a Tuesday in June.)
It’s hard to think of anything more exciting than Elvis, but shopping for a wedding dress is exciting, too. And crazy! The bride may try on tons of dresses before finding “the perfect one” that makes her feel like a princess. For good luck, it’s tradition for the bride to wear “something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue.” Something old could be a special piece of old jewelry from a grandmother. It symbolizes connecting the present and future family to the past generations. Something new could be the wedding dress . . . or wedding ring . . . or new shoes! It symbolizes success and a fresh start on a new life for the couple. Something borrowed could be a necklace or earrings borrowed from a happily married friend. It means that family and friends will support the new bride, and share their happiness with her. Something blue represents faithfulness, loyalty and love. Many brides pin a small blue ribbon to their dresses. But how about blue nail polish? How about blue shoes? Oh boy, how about BLUE HAIR?
Don’t forget about the bridal party! The groom usually asks his brothers or close friends to be ushers. Their job is to walk the guests to their seats before the ceremony. The bridesmaids are family members or close friends of the bride. Their job is to try to keep the bride from becoming a Bridezilla. Haha! The maid of honor and best man are usually special family members who are the official witnesses to the marriage.
Finally, when the Big Day arrives, the bride is ready to walk down the aisle in her beautiful white dress and veil. Traditionally, the bride’s father walks her down the aisle. The most popular music for this is Richard Wagner’s Wedding March, which is also known here as Here Comes the Bride. Dah dah di daah . . . . dah dah di daaaah . . . . (Sorry! Did we just write that? We’re singing it in our heads!)
If the couple marries in a church, the groom will meet his new partner for life at the altar. Some couples may stand under a special covering called a chuppah. Some couples may exchange crowns or light a candle together. Some couples may jump the broom. Sometimes the groom will smash a glass. Each couple chooses its own special touches, but the most important part of the ceremony is when they exchange wedding vows. Listen to hear them say, “I do!” And then the famous words everyone has been waiting to hear: “I now pronounce you MARRIED.” YAY! They did it!
Of course some couples decide to skip the craziness altogether and just elope. If a couple decides to elope, they usually keep it a secret. They want a quiet little ceremony without all the stress and expense. (WHAT? No stress? What kind of a wedding is that?) After the wedding and all the celebrating, the couple often takes a relaxing vacation. The newlyweds go off on their honeymoon . . . and talk about every wonderful minute of the wedding! (We’re pretty sure they forget all about the crazy planning while they’re relaxing on the beach. )
Don’t be surprised if you see a bag or box for cards and money at a wedding reception. Quite often guests give money as a wedding gift. Although every guest should send or bring a gift, it can be any gift you choose . . .
TAKE A LOOK: Abstract Nouns
Bride and groom. Las Vegas. Wedding cake. They’re all nouns. (Hey, can you spot the separated compound nouns?) As you know, a noun is a person, place, or thing. An abstract noun is one that you can’t see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. But it’s still something! It’s an idea or a feeling. It may be a quality that a person has. Take a look at some common abstract nouns below. Check a dictionary if you’re not sure of the meaning.
| Positive Abstract Nouns | Negative Abstract Nouns |
| friendship | anger |
| happiness | anxiety |
| joy | disbelief |
| love | loneliness |
| relief | fear |
| surprise | sadness |
| pride | worry |
| honesty | hate |
| creativity | nervousness |
YOUR TURN!
Now read the following short story about a relationship (another abstract noun!). Choose words from the list above to best complete the sentences. Sometimes more than one answer is possible. Answers are on page 186.
All’s Well That Ends Well
Pablo and Juanna had been good friends since they were kids. For years, they played together all the time. As they got older, they realized that their relationship was more than just a wonderful (1) ______________. They started dating and soon realized their (2) _____________ for each other. One bright, sunny day Pablo popped the question! He asked Juanna to be his wife. This was not a (3) ___________ to their friends! They could see the (4) ____________ in the couple’s eyes. After much planning, the Big Day was about to arrive. The day before the wedding Juanna was full of (5) _______________. She hoped that everything would go well, but mostly she hoped that she wouldn’t trip on her dress walking down the aisle! Juanna’s father smiled with (6) ________________ as he walked next to his beautiful daughter. They made it to the altar without a dress disaster!
What a (7) _______________! But soon that feeling turned to (8) ______________ when Juanna’s friend whispered that Pablo had lost the ring . . . LOST THE RING?! Noooo! It can’t be! Unbelievable! But Juanna took a deep breath. She realized that a wedding day is no day to be upset. After all, she looked at the funny side—Pablo used a pop-top ring from a soda can for the ceremony! A SODA CAN wedding ring! She had to admit that showed his (9) ________________. Pablo and Juanna could choose another ring on their honeymoon. All the (10) __________ about wedding plans disappeared as the happy couple said, “I do.” (But we’re pretty sure Juanna won’t forget about shopping for her new ring. )
Trip is a noun! Trip is a verb!
“To take a trip” means to go to some place and return.
“To trip” is to hit your foot on something and fall.
I was so excited about my trip to Italy that I ran to the departure gate and tripped over my suitcase. Bye-bye, trip to Italy.
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WEDDING INFO TO KNOW: |
Weddings are usually very dressy events. Women should wear very nice party clothes. Men should wear a suit, or a jacket and tie. If a wedding is extra formal or very casual, the bride will write that on the invitation.
Wedding invitations can be very fancy. Often they will contain a special response card and envelope for you to mail back to the person planning the wedding. On the card you should write your name and check Yes, I will attend, or No, I will not attend. This is important because the wedding planner must know how many chairs and tables will be needed, and how many meals to serve. Don’t forget to mail the card back! It’s considered rude not to RSVP. You don’t want Bridezilla to get antsy, do you?
We have to admit it. There are some things that just sound a little fancier in another language! So we say, “Thank you, France, for RSVP!”
Americans use these letters on many special invitations. It’s a way to ask guests to reply to the invitation. RSVP means “répondez s’il vous plaît”… please respond.
Some invitations may say in English, “The favor of a reply is requested,” but we like RSVP!
Friends who are invited to a wedding should send a gift. The couple may have a registry with a list of gifts (in all price ranges) that they would like to receive. This is practical so the newlyweds don’t get four blenders (haha!), but you should send (or bring) anything you choose. (If you order a gift online or by phone at a big department store, they can gift-wrap it beautifully and send it to the couple before the wedding day.)
The reception is a big happy party after the wedding, with food and dancing. Sometimes this is held in a special place just for weddings, and sometimes it may be in a nice resturant. No matter where it is held, at a typical reception, the bride will have a special dance with her father, and the groom will have a special dance with his mother. Then the bride and groom will have their first dance together. There will be a special toast to the newlyweds, the bride and groom will cut a tiered wedding cake, and all the guests will eat and dance. Hey, they forgot to invite us! Have FUN!
YOUR TURN!
Everyone loves a wedding! How many wedding words do you remember? Write the letter of the best meaning for each word. Answers are on page 186.
a.A marriage ceremony at a faraway, special place.
b.DO THIS! Let the bride know you’re coming (or not) by sending back the response card!
c.What they say when asked if they want to marry each other!
d.The ceremony of getting married, with special customs and traditions.
e.The fun party after a wedding or other big event.
f.Words that offer good wishes to the newlyweds, often followed by champagne.
g.She’s a friend who helps the bride with plans.
h.The lucky guy at the wedding
i.Get married secretly, without telling anyone. (No Bridezillas here!)
j.The legal joining of two people together as a couple
1.________ wedding
2.________ marriage
3.________ bridesmaid
4.________ groom
5.________ elope
6.________ destination wedding
7.________ toast
8.________ RSVP
9.________ reception
10.________ I do!
FUN WITH IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS: Falling in Love!
•tie the knot: get married!
They were in love, they spent most of their time together, and they wanted to start a family, so they decided to tie the knot in June.
•made for each other: perfect partners; getting along very well
They loved to do the same things, and they laughed at the same silly jokes—they were made for each other!
•have a crush (on someone): to have romantic feelings for someone without really knowing them well
All the women in the office had a crush on the good-looking new guy in the office. Can we get you some coffee, new guy?
•a match made in heaven: a perfect couple
Peggy and Russ just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Now that’s what we call a match made in heaven!
•pop the question: ask someone to marry you
After dating Lia for two years, Alan finally decided to pop the question. It’s about time, Alan!
WEDDING CUSTOMS AND SYMBOLS
First, a crazy joke:
Q. What do you call a fruit that can’t get married?
A. A cantaloupe!
(Here’s why it’s funny: The melon called a cantaloupe is pronounced “can’t elope.” Get it? Haha!)
Oh, the crazy things we do! Here are some typical customs and symbols for a wedding day.
•cutting the cake—The new couple cuts the cake together to symbolize their new shared life.
•Rain on your wedding day means good luck!
•Ooh, but if the groom sees the bride before the wedding, it’s bad luck!
•The wedding ring symbolizes the circle of love; it has no beginning and no end.
•The wedding veil tradition began with the ancient Romans and Greeks. They believed that a veil would protect the bride from evil spirits. (We think a Bridezilla will scare away all the spirits!)
•throwing the bouquet—At the end of the reception, the unmarried women gather together. The bride turns around so that she can’t see the women, and then she throws her bouquet back. Whoever catches it will be the next one to get married!
•shoes and cans on the newlyweds’ car—Sometimes friends of the couple tie old shoes to the back of the couple’s car for good luck. (Really, we think they do it because it will drive the bride and groom crazy!)
We don’t know about all these Greek and Roman evil spirits hanging around weddings, but we’re sure glad we figured out how to scare them away!
VOCABULARY
admit it!: tell the truth!
•aisle: long passageway between seats
•altar: the table used for religious ceremonies, usually in a church
•altogether: completely
•best man: special person the groom picks to be his official witness to the marriage (often a brother or best friend)
Big Day: nickname for any important event
•blenders: electric appliances for mixing liquids
•borhani: a yogurt drink served at Bangladeshi weddings
•borrow: take or use something from someone else for a short time (then return it!)
•bridal party: the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and ushers
•bride: the woman getting married
•bridesmaid: a family member or friend of the bride who helps her with preparations
Bridezilla: a bride who becomes a monster because of TOO MUCH STRESS!
calm down: relax
•ceremony: an important ritual or event, with special traditions
•chuppah: a covering used in some wedding ceremonies
•City Hall: the building for government offices
•civil: governmental
•considered: thought
•crabs: small beach animals with a hard shell and claws. Ouch! Watch your toes!
•crown: special decoration of jewels or flowers that’s worn on the head
•date: the day, month, and year
•department store: a large store that sells many types of items
•destination wedding: a wedding ceremony held in a faraway place. You must travel there to attend.
•details: arrangements for every part of an event
dressy: fancy; formal
•elope: marry quickly, in secret, without a big ceremony
•Elvis: Are you kidding?! You know this one! It’s ELVIS! ELVIS PRESLEY! THE KING! THE KING OF ROCK ‘N ROLL! Come on . . . E L V I S !!!
•event: important occasion
•evil: very, terribly bad
•exchange: give something to someone and receive the same kind of thing
•faithfulness: staying true to someone
•faraway: not near home; at a great distance
•figured out: find a solution to a problem
•generation: group of people of about the same age
•gift-wrap: special paper and decorations to make a gift look beautiful
•Godzilla: He’s the famous huge lizard-like monster from the movies.
•groom: the man getting married!
•henna: a special dye or coloring used to make designs for special occasions in some cultures
•honeymoon: a vacation that a newlywed couple takes
•I do!: the words that mean, “YES! I will marry this person!”
•impersonator: someone who pretends to be someone else
•invitation: a card asking you to attend a party or other event
•joy: happiness
•jump the broom: stepping over a broom as a symbol; it’s a special tradition for some people
•keep (someone) from: stop or prevent (someone) from doing something
•loyalty: staying true to a person or belief
•maid of honor: special person the bride picks to be her official witness to the marriage (often a sister or best friend)
•marriage: the act of becoming joined as a couple
melting pot: joining together of many different cultures in one place
•modern: up to date; of present times; having new ideas
•newlyweds: the couple who have just married!
•pin: attach with a small metal fastener; also the metal fastener!
•plan: think about and decide on what to do
pop the question: ask someone to marry you!
•practical: useful
•price range: costs from low to high or high to low
•reception: a special party, usually with food and drinks, after a wedding or other event
•registry: a file with a list of items
•response card: a small card or paper for you to say if you will attend the event
•rude: not polite; unacceptable
•share: enjoy together
skip: don’t do; leave out; omit
•smash: break into lots of small pieces
•spirit: an invisible creature
stress out: become nervous and upset about something
•suit: clothes with matching pants (or skirt) and jacket
•support: help
•tiers: levels; layers of a cake
•toast: good wishes for the new couple, often with guests sharing champagne. Often, the wedding toast will tell stories about the bride and groom.
•true love: they’re perfect for each other!
•try on: put on clothing to see if it fits (and looks perfect!)
•usher: the person who shows someone where to sit
Vegas wedding: usually a crazy, quick wedding in Las Vegas (often not planned in advance)
•veil: a piece of lace or light fabric covering someone’s face
•venue: the place where an event takes place
•walk: escort; bring someone to his or her seat
•wedding vow: a promise made at the wedding by one partner to the other
•witness: someone who signs the official marriage document as a true event
Answers start on page 187.
CULTURE
Look at the following statements and decide if they are true or false. If they are false, change them to make them true.
1.________ Memorial Day is when we say “thank you” to those who are serving in the military.
2.________ Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer.
3.________ If you’re invited to a cookout, it’s nice to bring something, even if the host says it’s not necessary.
4.________ Independence Day is celebrated on July 4.
5.________ Independence Day celebrates America’s freedom from France.
6.________ You can buy fireworks at local stores all over the U.S. to celebrate the holidays.
7.________ The Document of Independence is the historic document that announced a break with Great Britain for an independent United States of America.
8.________ The American flag has 50 stars for the 50 states, and 12 stripes for the 12 original colonies.
9.________ It’s traditional for a bride to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on her wedding day.
10.________ If you receive an invitation to a wedding but you cannot attend, it’s not necessary to reply to the invitation.
VOCABULARY
Can you remember these nouns from the summer section? Write the letter next to the word that fits the definition.
a.a cream to prevent skin damage from the sun’s rays
b.the person who walks you to your seat at a wedding
c.a really, really successful movie that everyone wants to see
d.a long passageway between sections of seats
e.someone who likes sitting in the sun for a long time
f.the vacation that a newlywed couple takes
g.the man getting married!
h.the woman getting married!
i.instructions for cooking something
j.a grassy area behind a house
11.________ sun-worshipper
12.________ sunscreen
13.________ backyard
14.________ usher
15.________ bride
16.________ groom
17.________ recipe
18.________ blockbuster
19.________ aisle
20.________ honeymoon
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
Can you put these idiomatic expressions into the sentences where they make sense?
| shoot the breeze | tie the knot |
| something fishy | made for each other |
| it’s no picnic | have a crush (on someone) |
| flag someone (or something) down | no sweat! |
| hot dog | make a splash |
21.The police knew ________________________ was going on when they saw two guys climbing into the window of the bank.
22.The company really wanted to ____________________ and get people excited about the cool new product.
23._________________________ working the night shift, especially with my neighbors. They are so noisy during the day when I’m trying to sleep.
24.Good luck trying to ____________________ a taxi in bad weather! Everybody wants one!
25.Cem and Zeynep have been dating for five years. I sure hope they _______________ soon. I haven’t been to a good wedding in a long time!
26.My parents were married for 54 years and they never had a fight. They were ____________________________.
27.Don’t worry! Soon you’ll know everything there is to know about American culture. ________________________!
28.When Sheila and Jane relax, they like to sit with a cup of coffee and _____________________________________. (Okay, maybe they eat donuts, too. Haha!)
29.____________________ ! The boss LOVED my report, and now she’s giving me a big promotion!
30.I think Toby ___________________________ on Celia. He keeps finding reasons to walk past her desk.
