Carmen Presentation, Tuesday Homework

It seems like it has been a long time since our last presentation--thanks, Carmen, for remembering and being ready.  China has a lot of famous places, but Shenzhen is not one of the best known.  But thanks to Carmen, we now know that Shenzhen has the highest GDP among large Chinese cities--maybe that's why housing prices have skyrocketed there in recent years.  Carmen's talk also spurred an interesting discussion about the gender gap in China, namely, there are more women there than men, mainly due to the single child policy.  What will Chinese men do if they want girlfriends and wives?  I think they should all study at Kaplan and find girlfriends over here!  Problem solved.  You're welcome.

Tomorrow, Janet is scheduled to do a presentations, although I hear that's she's been feeling unwell lately.  Janet, if you're reading this, it's OK to take tomorrow off if you're still sick!  Just write me a message by email and I'll prepare another activity.

In the middle of Carmen's presentation, we all heard a strange sound--fire alarm!  We had to run outside and stand in the cold wind for a while.  Meanwhile, two big, red firetrucks rolled up and the brave members of Boston's fire brigade checked the building.  Soon, we got the all safe signal!  But while we were outside we had a chance to have our picture taken (see below).  Again, does this count as a field trip?  I think it does.  But in case you don't, please think of a place you'd like to go to, perhaps this Friday.  I would prefer that it be educational, but food's OK.

After we got back in class, we were able to go over the test and begin our next unit in Grammar Dimensions: Unit 22 on subjunctives with "that."

The secret to understanding this grammar is to know that there is a hidden "should"--a modal--in these sentences.

                         The doctor recommended that Jim take a few days off.

Why "take?"  Why not "takes?"  What about subject-verb agreement?   Because of that hidden "should."

                        The doctor recommended that Jim should take a few days off.

Ahh!  Now that makes sense!  This week, we'll learn the magic words that we can use with this grammar--mostly words that are related giving advice, commands, and requests.  There's a good list on page 400.

For homework tonight, please do Exercise 1 on page 400.  Please write your sentences on a sheet of paper and hand them in tomorrow.

See you tomorrow!