Meeting 14

It could happen to you!

Information about someone’s great achievement

 Child Prodigies

Look at the pictures and skim the article. Which child do you think an artist? A
musician? A college graduate?
Other musicians have described Sarah Chang as “the most
wonderful, perfect violinist” they’ve ever heard what
makes this praise especially surprising is Sarah's age
is. She’s only in her twenties, and people have been
describing her this way since she was a child. On
Sarah's fourth birthday, her father gave a her a violin.
By age 5, she was accepted at the famous Julliard
school of music in New York City. By 8, she was
performing as a violin soloist with major orchestras.
Since then, Sarah has performed around the world
and recorded many albums.
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Before Michael Kearney was born, the doctor warned his parents
that he might have learning difficulties. He’s
been proving them wrong ever since! By the time
he was 4 months old, Michael could say full
sentences like, “what’s for dinner, mom?”. By 10
months, he could read words. Studying at home
with his parents, Michael completed four grade
level each year . At 10, he graduated from
college with honors. And at 14, he received a
master’s degree. Now in his late teens, he is
teaching and working on his Ph.D.
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When Alexandra Nachita was 2, her parents gave her some

crayons and coloring books. Alexandra
was soon working in inks, watercolor,
and by the time she was 7, oil paints. At
8, Alexandra had her first exhibit. Now
a young adult, Alexandra is one of the
most recognized artists in the world.
Her paintings are often compared to
those Picasso and other great artists.
They have sold for as much as $ 80.000.
She has been on TV many times, and
several books of her paintings have been
published.
 Glossary

Prodigy (noun) = a young person with exceptional qualities or

abilities

Exhibit (noun) = publicly display (a work of art or item of

interest) in an art gallery or museum or at a trade
fair.
 Grammar Focus (part 1)
Past continuous vs. Simple Past

❖Use the past continuous for an action in progress in the past.

❖Use the simple past for a completed action.

Examples:

1. I was watching a good movie, but I fell asleep before the end.
2. I was working at a boring job when someone offered me a much better
one.
3. While I was shopping one day a celebrity walked into the store.
 Exercise

I. Write past simple or past continuous in the gaps:

1. When the post man____(arrive), my father____ (have a shower).

2. While my brother____ (study), my grandma____ (make) some muffins

3. I____ (go) to the doctor 2 days ago because I ____ (have) a terrible headache
 Grammar Focus (part 2)
Present perfect continuous

❖Use the present perfect continuous for actions that start in the past and
continue into the present.

Examples:

1. What have you been doing lately? I’ve been working 2 jobs for the last six months.

2. How long have you been modeling? I have been modeling since I graduated.

3. Have you been saving money? No, I haven’t been saving money. I’ve been spending it.
 Exercise
Complete the conversation with present perfect continuous.

1. A: what ….. You…….. (do) lately?

B: well, I …. (spend) my free time at the beach.

2. A: … you… (work) part time this year?

B: yes, I have. i… (make) drinks at coffee times for the past few months.

3. A: how… you… (feel) recently?

B: great! I … (get) a lot of sleep. And I … (not eat) as much since I started my diet.
 Exercise
1. Before Michael Kearney was born, the doctor warned his parents
that he might have learning difficulties. The underlined word has an
opposite meaning with…
A. Easy
B. Hard
C. Advance
D. Average
E. Top

2. What is prodigy?
A. A young person with exceptional qualities or abilities
B. An adult person with exceptional qualities or abilities
C. A young person with low qualities or abilities
D. An adult person with low qualities or abilities
E. A young person with exceptional qualities and low abilities
3. Which statement is correct about Exhibit?
A. The expression or application of human creative skill and
imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or
sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for
their beauty or emotional power.
B. The various branches of creative activity, such as painting,
music, literature, and dance: the visual art.
C. Subjects of study primarily concerned with human
creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, and
history.
D. A skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired
through practice.
E. Exhibit is publicly display (a work of art or item of
interest) in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair.
4. I ______________ a good movie, but I ___________ asleep
before the end.
A. Was watching, fall
B. Is watching, fell
C. Was watching, fell
D. Is watching, fall
E. Watched, falling

5. ____I was having dinner, my sister was having a shower

A. When
B. In
C. On
D. At
E. while