Learning English Podcast - January 11, 2025
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
What is the difference between 'remaining', 'remainder', and 'rest' when describing what is left of something?
'Remaining' is an adjective used before a noun, like 'the remaining countries'. 'Remainder' is a noun, often used as a quantifier with 'the remainder of the'. 'Rest' is also a quantifier, used as 'the rest of the'. 'The rest of the' is more common in spoken English than 'the remainder of the'. Additionally, 'remainder' has a specific mathematical meaning, referring to what is left after division or subtraction.
What are the two most common sentence patterns in English discussed in the podcast?
The two most common sentence patterns are: 1) Subject + 'be' + Subject Complement (e.g., 'I am beautiful'), where the subject complement can be an adjective or noun phrase. 2) Subject + 'be' + Adverbial (e.g., 'My friends are at the concert'), where the adverbial provides information about location or time.
Why is understanding sentence patterns important for English learners?
Understanding sentence patterns helps learners improve grammar test performance and writing skills. Mastering common patterns, such as subject + 'be' + subject complement or subject + 'be' + adverbial, allows learners to construct sentences more effectively and recognize patterns in complex sentences.
What happens in the dramatic reading of 'The Blue Hotel' in Part 2?
In Part 2, the Swede becomes increasingly paranoid, believing Scully is trying to poison him. Scully tries to calm him, but the Swede's behavior escalates. Later, during a card game, the Swede accuses Johnny of cheating, leading to a heated confrontation. Scully eventually decides to let the Swede and Johnny fight, signaling his frustration with the Swede's erratic behavior.
How does the Swede's behavior change throughout the story?
The Swede starts as a fearful and paranoid character, convinced he is in danger. However, after a confrontation with Scully, he becomes overly confident and aggressive, dominating the group during supper and later accusing Johnny of cheating during a card game. His behavior shifts from extreme fear to exaggerated bravado.
What role does Scully play in the conflict between the Swede and Johnny?
Scully acts as a mediator, initially trying to calm the Swede and prevent conflict. However, after enduring the Swede's erratic behavior, Scully decides to let the Swede and Johnny fight, showing his frustration and inability to control the situation further.
- The word "remain" is a verb, while "rest" acts as a quantifier.
- To use "rest" to describe a noun, the phrase "the rest of the" is required.
- "Remainder," primarily a noun in mathematics, becomes a quantifier as "the remainder of the."
- The quantifier "the rest of the" is more common than "the remainder of the", especially in spoken English.
Shownotes Transcript