BASIC ACADEMIC ENGLISH

Nama : Ilham Bimantoro

Fakultas/Prodi : FIKOM/Teknik Informatika
Kelas : 01TPLP021
Semester : 1(satu)

English Meeting 1

Exercise 1:
Nouns are tested on the TOEFL test. Complete these sentences with nouns. 1. The
brain stores 100 trillion pieces of information

2. Men’s brains are heavier than a woman’s brains.

3. The brain uses one-quarter, or one-fourth (25 percent) of the body’s program.
4. The left brain controls math, logic, and language
5. The right brain controls color, music , and art
6. The human brain weighs about 3.5 pounds
7. The brain cannot feel pain
8. The brain receives more than 100 million nerve messages from the body Exercise 2:

From the reading work out whether statements are true or false. Check T for True and F for
False.

1. The weight of the brain depends on intelligence. T F

2. A jazz musician has a dominant right brain. T F
3. A left handed person has a dominant left brain T F
4. When you play a game of chess you use the left side of your brain T F
5. Your lost brain cells are always replaced T F
6. The brain feels pain when you have a new headache T F

Exercise 3: Complete the sentences with the name of the country or island.
1. Honshu is the biggest island in Japan
2. Greenland is the biggest island in the world.
3. According to the geographers, Australia is not an island, but a continent.
4. About 11,000 years ago Great Britain was connected to Europe.
5. Iceland was formed by a volcano millions of years ago.
6. Surtsey is a new island formed in 1963.
Exercise 4: Complete the sentences below with information from the cart

1. Greenland is the largest island. It is in the Arctic Ocean.

2. Great Britain is the second largest island. It is in the North Atlantic Ocean.
3. Honshu is the third largest island. It is in the Japan Ocean.
4. Iceland is the fourth largest island. It is in Atlantic Ocean.
5. Hawaii is the fifth largest island. It is in Pacific Ocean.
6. Surtsey is the sixth largest island. It is in Atlantic Ocean.

Exercise 3:

Correct the errors in noun forms in the following sentences.

1. Intelligence is the ability to use thought and knowledge to understand things and solve
problems.
2. Hormones help adjust the mixture of sugar, salt, and water in your body.
3. Psychology, meaning the study of mind and how it works, comes from a Greek word meaning
life or soul.
4. Brain cells use up a lot of energy, so they need a constant supply of oxygen.
5. Each hemisphere of the brain receives information about the opposite side of the visual field.
6. Although millions of brain neurons are active at any one time, they do not use much
electrical power.
7. Light entering the eye forms an image on 130 million tiny light cells.

8. Most animals are able to rely on learning and memory.

Exercise 4

Correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. People brains weigh more now than they did 100 years ago.
2. Nerves impulses can travel at speeds of up to 488 feet per second.
3. The brain contains between 10 trillion and 100 trillion neurons.
4. Each neutron is linked by synapses to thousands of other neurons.
5. Nerves endings below the skin surface pick up sensation of cold, heat, and touch.
 6. There are three to four million pain receptors in the skin.
7. A three-year-old child brain is two-thirds the size it will finally be.
8. The brain uses 25 percent of the blood’s oxygen.

Exercise 5: Circle a or an in the following sentences. Write “C” on the left if the sentence
is correct. Write “NC” if the sentence is not correct. Correct the error.

(C) 1. Indonesia is a country made of thousands of islands.

(NC) 2. Greenland is an big with a permanent ice cap covering it.

(C) 3. The Bahamas, which consist of 700 hundred islands, have a superb climate.

(C) 4. Robinson Crusoe is a character in a book by Daniel Defoe.

(NC) 5. Robinson Crusoe spent twenty years with his friend Man Friday on a uninhabited island.

(C) 6. New Guinea is a country where there are a 700 languages.

(C) 7. Etna is an active volcano on the island of Sicily.

(C) 8. On the island of Borneo, there is a snake that can fly or leap up to 20 meters.

(C) 9. The plants and an animals that live on an island may develop to be quite different.

III. EXERCISES on NOUNS & ARTICLES

Directions: From the four underlined words or phrases A, B, C, or D, identify the one that is not
correct.

1. The potato was the staple of Ireland and when the crop failed in 1840, there was mass
A B C
starvations. D
2. Sharks can maneuver considerably faster than other fish because they have no bones.
A B C D
3. Although sugar cane and sugar beet look very different, the sugars that is refined
A B C
from them tastes almost the same.

` D

4. Textiles industries are as widespread as food industries because both supply basic
A B C human needs.
D

5. Many animal species are totally colorsblind, but the condition is very rare in humans.
A B C D

6. Our skulls is made up of eight cranial and fourteen facial bones.

A B C D
7. Diamonds, which is about 40 times as hard as talc, is made up of pure carbon.
A B C D
8. The oceans contain about 97 percent the world’s water supply, and about another 2

A B C
percent of the world’s water supply is ices. D
9. Brain waves patterns vary among different people and in different activities.
A B C D
10. The ancestor of today’s horse was a little mammal called eohippus, which first
A B
appeared 54 millions years
ago.
C D
11. Lasers are of great value in areas such as communications, industry, medicine, and
A B
C scientific research.
D
12. Dinosaurs are classified as reptiles, although some appear to have been warms-

A B C
blooded. D
13. The watt is named after James Watt, the British engineer who developed the
A B
steam engine in 1760s.
C D

14. Methane is a odorless burning gas and is the main ingredient of natural gas.
A B C D

15. The alcohol acts as a narcotic on the nervous system and the brain.
A B C D

16. Zachari Taylor was first president to be elected from a state west of Mississippi River.
A B C D
17. Barnacles, which are related to lobsters, shrimp, and crabs, make strongest glue.
A B C D

18. In the 1860s Louis Pasteur discovered that bacteria in air caused the
perishable food to A B C go bad.
D

19. Land covers almost third of the earth’s surface, of which two-thirds is too cold or A B
C D too dry for farming.

20. “Old Faithful” in Yellowstone National Park is probably the world’s

most famous A B C D
21. Thermographs are special pictures that show the variation in heat emitted by different A
B C areas of body. D
 MEETING IV

PAST TENSE
A. OBJECTIVES
After studying this material, students are able to:
4.1 comprehend the use of past tense

B. MATERIAL DESCRIPTION 1. INTRODUCTION

Answer the questions below based on your experiences.

Picture 1 Farmhouse Lembang Picture 2 Monas Picture 3 Ngarai Sianok

1. Have you been on vacation?

2. Are there any vacation destinations in your city?
3. Is there any vacation destination that you want to visit?

REMEMBER: Verbs come in three tenses: past, present, and future. The past is used to describe
things that have already happened (e.g., earlier in the day, yesterday, last week, three years ago).
The present tense is used to describe things that are happening right now, or things that are
continuous. The future tense describes things that have yet to happen (e.g., later, tomorrow, next
week, next year, three years from now).

2. GRAMMAR
Details:

1. Use of the Simple Past

a. Actions finished in the past
Example: I visited Berlin last week.
b. Series of completed actions in the past
Example: First I got up, then I had breakfast.
c. Together with the Past Progressive/Continuous, The Simple Past interrupted an action which
was in progress in the past.
Example: They were playing cards, when the telephone rang.
1st action → Past Progressive → were playing
2nd action → Simple Past → rang
2. Use of the Past Progressive
a. Actions were in progress at a special time in the past
Example: Peter was reading a book yesterday evening
b. Two actions were happening at the same time (the actions do not influence each other)
Example: Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the New York Times.

c. Together with Simple Past

Example: While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.

d. Repeated actions irritating the speaker (with always, constantly, forever) Example: Andrew
was always coming late.
3. Use of the Past Perfect
a. Together with the Simple Past
Example: Mary had read the book before she watched a film
b. The past equivalent of the Present Perfect Example: He had played hockey.

4. Use of the Past Perfect Progressive

How long something had been happening before something else happened Example: I had
been waiting for Susan for 2 hours when she arrived.
The irregular verbs
Infinitive Simple past Past participle
be was/were Been

put put Put

quit* quit quit

become became become
begin began begun

bend bent bent

bet* bet Bet
bid bid, bade bid, bidden

give gave given

grind ground ground
blow blew blown

break broke broken

spend spent spent
spin spun spun
swear swore sworn

sweep swept swept

swim swam swum
swing swung swung

take took taken

teach taught taught

tear tore torn

tell told told

think thought thought

MEETING V
FUTURE TENSES AND MODALS

A. OBJECTIVES
After studying this material, students are able to:

1.1. Understand the usage of future tense in a sentence

1.2. Understand the usage of modal auxiliaries in a sentence

B. COURSE DESCRIPTION

There are several time-expressions that are used in all of the different forms of the future
tense. They are generally used at the end of the sentence or question. The most common are:
tomorrow, next week (Sunday/month/year), in two days (weeks, months years), the
day after tomorrow, etc.
The future tenses can be expressed in several ways in English. Here are different
possibilities:

1. Simple Future Tense: will and be going to

Simple Future Tense expresses an activity in the future.
 Formula of Simple Future: will and be going to

Subject + will + verb base He will come to the class Using

tomorrow. Will
(+)
Subject + am/is/are + going to + He is going to come to the Using Be
verb base class tomorrow. Going To
Subject + will + not + verb base He won’t come to the class Using
tomorrow. Will
(-)
Subject + am/is/are + not +going to He is not going to come to Using Be
+ verb base the class tomorrow. Going To
Will + subject + verb base Will come to the class Using
tomorrow? Will
(?)
Am/is/are + subject + going to + Is he going to come to class Using Be
verb base? tomorrow? Going To

2. Future Continuous Tense: will and (be) going to

Future Progressive Tense expresses an activity that will be in progress at a time in the future.

Formula of Future Continuous Tense: will and (be) going to

(+) Subject + will + be + verb-ing The president will be Using

delivering a speech Will
tomorrow morning.
Subject + am/is/are + going to + be The president is going to be Using Be
+ verb-ing delivering a speech Going To
tomorrow morning.
(-) Subject + will + not + be + verbing The president won’t be Using
delivering a speech Will
tomorrow morning.
Subject + am/is/are + not + going to The president is not going Using Be
+ be + verb-ing to be delivering a speech Going To
tomorrow morning.

(?) Will + subject + be + verb-ing Will the president be Using

delivering a speech Will
tomorrow morning?
Am/is/are + subject + going to + be Is the president going to Using Be
+ verb-ing be delivering a speech Going To
tomorrow morning?

3. Future Perfect
 Future Perfect Tense expresses an activity that will be completed before a particular time in
the future.

Formula of Future Perfect

(+) Subject + will + have + verb3 (past Ramon will have finished the English task
participle) by next Tuesday.
(-) Subject + will + not + have + verb3 Ramon will have finished the English task
(past participle) by next Tuesday.

(?) Will + subject + have + verb3 (past Will Ramon have finished the English task
participle) by next Tuesday?

4. Future Perfect Continuous

Future Perfect Progressive Tense expresses the duration of an activity that will be in progress
before another time or event in the future.

Formula of Future Perfect Continuous

(+) Subject + will + have + been + My mother will have been teaching for
verb1-ing (present participle) 35 years.
(-) Subject + will + not + have + been My mother will not have been
+ verb1-ing (present participle) teaching for 35 years.

(?) Will + subject + have + been + Will My mother have been teaching
verb1-ing (present participle) for 35 years?

Exercise 2.
Directions: Write about your activities tomorrow.

I’m going to get up at ___five___ tomorrow morning.

Then,_ i'm going to take a bath. After that,_ i'm going to have a breakfast. Around Ten o’clock,
i'm going to join to the online class. Later _____________. At _____o’clock,
_________________. Next, ___________. ______________ a little later. Then at ________
oclock, ____________.

Exercise 3.
Directions: Complete the sentences. Use the simple future (be going to) and the given
expressions (or your own words).
 go to the bookstore look it up in my dictionary stay in bed today

talk long walk in the park go to the bookstore go to the beach

1. We need to buy some reference books. We are going to go to the bookstore

2. I have a headache. I’m going to take an aspirin and take a nap.
3. She is writing a composition. She doesn’t know how to spell a word. She’s going to look it up
on
the dictionary.
4. The students need to buy books. They’re going to the bookstore.
5. It’s nice a day today. Wendy and I are going to go picnic.
6. Chicco and Niko want to go swimming. We’re going to the swimming pool.

Exercise 4.
Directions: Use the future continuous.

1. Right now we are attending class. Yesterday at this time, we were attending class. Tomorrow
at this time, we (attend)____will be attending____class.
2. A: Where is she going to be this evening?
B: She (work, at the library) Will be working at the library on my research paper.
3. A: Will be feeling (I,feel) bad about my decision?
B: No. It is the best decision.

Exercise 5.
Directions: Fill in the correct form of the verb with the future continuous (using will / be going
to) form of future as in the examples.

1. My teacher will be receiving his M.A. degree at the ceremony next week
(receive)

2. Is Tom going to be visiting you today? (visit)

1. I am driving to Boston this weekend. (drive) Do you want to come along?

2. Is he attending the conference next week? (attend)
3. Ruth and Ann got out of class just as I arrive at the college. (get)
4. I am freezing in Norway next week while you are sunbathing in Tahiti (freeze) 5. How many
students isn’t graduating next month? (not graduate)
Objectives of point 1.2
1.2 Students are able to understand the usage of modal auxiliaries in a sentence

Modal auxiliaries generally express speakers’ attitudes. On the other hand, modals can express
that a speaker feels something is advisable, possible, permissible, necessary, or probable. It is
always followed by verb base.
Summary Chart: Modal Auxiliaries and Similar Expressions

Auxiliary Meaning Example

(a) can ability / possibility She can sing beautifully.
polite request Can you invite me to the group please?

(b) could past ability I couldn’t attend to the next meeting

tonight.
polite request Could you help me to close the door
please?
(c) may possibility It may happen tomorrow.
polite request May I help you?
(d) might possibility It might rain tonight.
(e) must necessity You must study hard.
(f) should advisability You should take a rest at home.
(g) will future happening They will arrive at the airport on time.

(h) shall future happening We shall buy the tickets soon.

(i) would polite request Would you mind to join in my group
discussion?
(j) be able to ability I wasn’t able to read the text carefully.

(k) be going to future happening Harry and William are going to discuss
the lesson after the class.
(l) ought to advisability They ought to speak English in the class.

(m) have to / has to necessity We have to review the lesson next

meeting.
(n) had to past necessity The students had to study last night.

*STRATEGY
Modals are always followed by verb base.
 (a) Modals are followed by Correct: Correct:
verb base.
Sammy will sing a They must submit the
romantic song. task soon.

Incorrect: Incorrect:
Sammy will sings a They must submitting
romantic song. the task soon.
(b) Modals do not take a Correct: Correct:
final –s, even when the
Carla can make rainbow They should go home
subject is she, he, or,
cake. soon.
it.
Incorrect: Incorrect:
Carla cans make rainbow They should went home
cake soon.
(c) Phrasal modals are The students are able to The students are going to
common expressions speak English well. go to the laboratory.
whose meanings are
similar to those of some The students can speak The students will go to the
of modal auxiliaries. For English well. laboratory.
example: be able to is
similar to can; be
going to is similar to
will.

Meeting VII
PREPOSITIONS

including where it occurred, and what happened due to the disaster.

Disaster Where When What happened

Volcanic eruption Krakatoa, Indonesia August 27, 1883 36,000 people died

Potato famine Ireland 1840s 1,5 million people died

Flood Johnstown, Pennyslvania May 1889 2,200 people died

Earthquake Tangshan, China July 28, 1976 242,000 people died

Tidal wave Bangladesh 1970 200,000 people died

Tornado Ohio, US April 3, 1974 315 people died

Fire Yellowstone Park, US 1980 1.3 million

A volcanic eruption occurred in Krakatoa on August 27, 1883. Due to the eruption,
36,000 people died.

2. GRAMMAR: PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions are not only used to show time, place, and agent but are also used in
combination with verbs, adjectives, nouns, and in many common set expressions. All
prepositions cannot be listed in this chapter, but it will present the important
groups:

1. Verb + preposition: depend on, lead to

2. Adjective/participle + preposition: surprised at, famous for

3. Noun + preposition: example of, possibility of

4. Other combination with Preposition: as a result of, possibility of

5. Prepositions of Time and Place: on May 16, in Washington

6. Prepositions in Common Expressions: at present, in general

STRATEGY

Since the use of prepositions and their rules can be very confusing for many learners of English, it is
best to learn as many preposition as possible in combination with other words. Errors on the exam
may include the wrong preposition being used or a preposition being omitted where it should not be.

1. Verb + preposition
 Account for contribute to insist on plan on

Believe in depend on lead to rely on

Belong to detach from obtain from result in

Fight for confined to overcome by withdraw for

Exercise 3: complete the sentences with the correct prepositions

1. The destructive phenomena of Mt. St. Helens were not confined……….

volcanic debris.

2. Valuable chemical products are obtained ……….volcanic substances, including

gold and silver.

3. The 1989 San Francisco earthquake resulted ……….59 deaths and massive
property damage.

4. One growing season after another without rain quickly leads

……….starvation in many parts of the world.

5. Disease can sometimes be overcome……….advances in modern medicine.

6. Since the Irish depended ……….their potato crop for food, the potato famine
had devastating results.

7. Poor farming practices contributed ……….the dust bowl as much as weather

conditions.

8. When there is famine in a country, the people must rely ……….the goodwill of
other countries provide them with the food they need.
 2. Adjective/participle + preposition:

Accustomed to different from necessary for responsible for

Afraid of expert at opposed to successful in

Based on free from possible for surprised at

Compared to famous for related to typical of

Exercise 4: Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions

1. The 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption ranks low compared……….other volcanic
eruptions.

2. Some people think it is necessary ……….forest fire to happen occasionally so

that new trees will grow.

3. Typical ……….American enterprise, a thriving cottage industry developed in

marketing the ash from Mt. St. Helens.

4. Volcanic ash in the atmosphere is responsible……….brilliant red sunsets and

sunrises.

5. The earth looks very different from ……….the way it looked millions of years
ago.

6. The type of gas ejected from a volcanic eruption is elated ……….the volcano
and the type of eruption.

7. Countries whose economy is entirely based……….agriculture suffers most

when a crop fails.

8. People were surprised……….the amount of destruction the eruption of Mt. St.

Helens caused.