!

In this second learning activity of English Dot Works 5, you will learn how to tell
anecdotes, stories, and describe historical facts. For that purpose, you will
become familiar with the past perfect tense and how to use it along with
the simple past tense. You will also learn different adjectives related to feelings
and emotions that are usually used in the context of storytelling.

Fuente: SENA

Dear learner,

This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 2.
You will learn about:

1. The past perfect tense and the simple past.

2. Adverbs and time expressions.
3. Vocabulary about feelings and emotions.
4. Anecdotes and stories.
 1. The past perfect tense and the simple past

We use the past perfect to chronologically organize two activities that took place
in the past. The activity that took place first should be in the past perfect tense.

Example:

When I got home, my husband had cleaned the house.

First activity:

My husband cleaned the house.

Second activity:

I got home.

Tom had left when his mother called.

First activity:

Tom left.

Second activity:

His mother called.

As you can see in the previous examples, the action that is performed after the
first one is expressed in the simple past tense.

The past perfect tense is commonly used in story-telling, biography,

autobiography, reports, eye-witness accounts, etc., and is especially useful for
establishing the sequence of events.
Grammar structure

Affirmative form
Subject Had Past participle Complement
She had eaten lunch.
They had drunk some wine.
the
Douglas had cancelled
appointment.

Negative form
Had + not /
Subject Past participle Complement
H
She eaten lunch.
They drunk any wine.
Douglas cancelled the appointment.

Yes / No interrogative form

Question
Had Subject Past participle Complement
mark
Had she eaten lunch ?
Had they drunk any wine ?
the
Had Douglas cancelled ?
appointment

Information interrogative form

Information Past Question
Had Subject Complement
question participle mark
Where had she eaten lunch ?
How many
had they drunk ?
beers
the
Why had Douglas cancelled ?
appointment

2. Adverbs and time expressions

When and after are words often used when people talk about events in the past.

Take a look at the examples below:

Example: They had already finished their dinner when she decided to join them.

Example: When he had done his homework, he walked the dog.

Meaning: at or during the time that something had happened.

Example: After I had drunk three beers, I felt dizzy.

Example: I got to the movie theater after the movie had started.

Meaning: later than the time that something had happened.

Words such as already, just, as soon as, until and by the time are also
commonly used when telling anecdotes or stories. Look at how they are used in
a context in the examples below:

Example: It had already stopped raining when the taxi arrived.

Meaning: prior to a specified or implied past, present, or future time.

Example: The little house had just collapsed when the firemen got there.

Meaning: very recently.

Example: As soon as he had left, he regretted it.

Meaning: immediately at or shortly after an action.

Example: I had not understood until you explained to me.

Meaning: up to the time that something else happened.

Example: By the time the hunter arrived, the wolf had already eaten grandma.

Meaning: it is used to mean that event X (the wolf ate grandma) occurs before
Y (the hunter arrived).

Can you complete this task? Task: Which are the two target words above that
are used between the auxiliary verb and the past participle of the verb?
Note:

When before or after are used in a sentence, the past perfect tense is not
necessary because the words before and after clarify which action takes place
first. We can use the simple past tense instead. Look at these examples.

a. After she had read the message, she deleted it. (Correct but
unnecessary).
b. After she read the message, she deleted it. (Correct and more common).
c. She had left the theater before the movie ended. (Correct but
unnecessary).
d. She left the theater before the movie ended. (Correct and more common).

3. Vocabulary about feelings and emotions

Whenever you are telling an anecdote or a story, it is very important to use

words that convey emotions and feelings so people can relate to what you are
describing. Below you will find a set of words you might want to start using. If
there are some other words you would like to know that are not on this list, look
them up at www.wordreference.com .

Usual words to describe feelings, emotions, situations and people in

the context of anecdotes or stories
Angry Enojado (a)
Annoyed Molesto (a), irritado (a)
Anxious Ansioso (a)
Ashamed Avergonzado (a)
Awful Horrible, terrible
Baffled Confundido (a), perplejo (a)
Blissful Dichoso (a)
Bored Aburrido (a)
Brave Valiente
Cheerful Alegre
Confused Confundido (a)
Determined Resuelto (a)
Disturbed Trastornado (a)
Disturbing Inquietante, perturbador
Embarrassed Apenado (a)
Embarrassing Embarazoso (a)
 Envious Envidioso (a)
Exasperated Exasperado (a)
Exasperating Exasperante
Exhausted Exhausto (a)
Fascinated Fascinado (a)
Frustrated Frustrado (a)
Furious Furioso (a)
Greedy Avaro (a)
Grouchy Malhumorado (a)
Hopeless Sin esperanza
Impatient Impaciente
Inspired Inspirado (a)
Jealous Celoso (a)
Lonely Solitario (a)
Mad Histérico (a)
Miserable Miserable
Nervous Nervioso (a)
Obnoxious Cansón (a)
Outraged Indignado (a)
Proud Orgulloso (a)
Puzzled Desconcertado (a)
Regretful Arrepentido (a)
Relieved Aliviado (a)
Sad Triste
Satisfied Satisfecho (a)
Shocked Impactado (a)
Shocking Impactante
Surprised Sorprendido (a)
Surprising Sorprendente
Upset Molesto (a)
Worried Preocupado (a)

4. Anecdotes and stories

A. Function

Anecdotes are short stories you tell about something that happened. They
can be sad, exciting or create other feelings. You can use the past simple
and past perfect to tell these stories. You can also use adverbs and time
expressions.
 Finally, you use certain phrases to 1) help you create interest and emotion
about the story you will tell at the beginning of a story; 2) put events in
order; 3) address the audience directly; 4) and to end an anecdote. Look at
the chart below to remember some of these phrases that help you tell
anecdotes.

B. Words and phrases for telling anecdotes

To address the
To generate audience directly
To end and
interest To put an event in the middle of an
anecdote
(used in the in sequence anecdote
(used in the
introduction or (used in the (used in the
end)
to introduce a telling of events) beginning, middle
new event) and end)

First

Second In

To top it all
Coincidentally, You w
me when I tell you Finally,

So, the moral

believe what of the story
Can you imagine?

Get this

Listen to this
one

C. Structure

Anecdotes
Look at the chart below to learn about the stages of an anecdote. You will
see that the words and phrases above correspond to the different moments
of the anecdote.
D. Example of an anecdote

.
Pablo Picasso.
Watch a woman tell an anecdote about the day when Elvis Presley bought her a
Cadillac. Has a complete stranger ever given you something for free?

Fuente: SENA

remember I was working as a bank teller at LPQ Bank. It had been a really hard
week. I was feeling frustrated and stressed because my boss had been
particularly grouchy. I decided to take a short walk to relax. Walking always
helps me when I feel anxious. Anyway, as I approached my favorite ice cream
parlor, I saw the most amazing limousine parked in front of a new dealership
that had opened for business not long ago. I stayed there, staring at it for more
than five minutes while I was eating my ice cream. All of a sudden, a door
opened. I almost fainted when I say Elvis. He smiled at me and asked me why I
looked upset and sad. I tried to answer but no words came out of my mouth. It
was so embarrassing. I told him I had to go back to work. I could not believe I
was talking to the king. When I opened the door to the back, I turned around

had passed when the security guard gave me a note. He said Elvis had asked
him to ear stranger, I hope a Cadillac makes
By the time
I came outside to thank him, he had already left. But I was the owner of a brand
new Cadillac !!!

A. Read the anecdote again and decide if the following statements are true or
false:

Statements True False

She cannot forget when she met Elvis.
She was a security guard at the bank.
Eating ice cream always helps her relax.
An incredible car caught her attention.
Elvis asked her a question.
She was very talkative.
Elvis bought the security guard something from the mall.
She was not able to express her gratitude.

B. Choose the best answer to the following questions about the anecdote you
heard.

1. The woman decided to go for a walk because:

a. She was hungry and wanted to buy ice cream.

b. She loved to watch cars on Main Street.
c. She needed to take a break from work.

2. She was feeling upset because:

a. Her boss was not being nice.

b. Her boss was ignoring her.
c. Her boss was giving her too much work.

3. She felt embarrassed because:

a.
 b. She talked too much to Elvis.
c. She said too little to Elvis.

4. After she read the note, she:

a. Thanked the security guard.

b. Went outside to thank Elvis.
c. Went outside to see her Cadillac.

A. Fill in the blanks with the verb in parenthesis using either the past perfect or
the past simple tenses.

1. By the time we got to the cinema, the movie ___________ (start), so we

missed the first ten minutes.

2. When she rang the bell there was no answer. The neighbor told her that
he _______ (go out) about an hour ago.

3. They saw Rocky for the first time last night. They _________ (not see) it
before.

4. I feel too full. I _________ (have) a huge lunch.

5. My parents spent a couple of weeks in Leticia recently. They _______

(not be) there before.

6. There was so much to see in Madrid. I _________ (plan) to see

enough time.

7. When I arrived, Corrie wasn't there. She__________ (leave) about ten

minutes before.

8. When we arrived in Miami, they __________ (lose) our luggage. We had

to wait for a week to get it back.

9. When Christine _________ (get back), nobody had done the dishes. She
was really upset.
 10. It was too late when I ___________(decide) to call her.

B. Read the following sentences and choose which of the two options (a or b)
best explains it. Remember that the past perfect indicates the first event in a
sequence of events in the past.

Fuente: SENA

1. Three police officers were hurt.

a. The bomb exploded when the police arrived.

b. The bomb had exploded when the police arrived.

2. They missed their flight.

a. The plane had taken off before they got on.

b. The plane took off when they got on.

3. It was impossible for the hunter to save grandma.

a. The wolf ate grandma when the hunter arrived.

b. The wolf had already eaten grandma by the time the hunter arrived.

4. He saw her for the last time.

 a. She died when he went into her room.
b. She had died before he went into her room.

5.

a. They had left the theater before the movie ended.

b. They left the movie after the movie ended.

C. Read and organize the following sentences using the past perfect. Combine
the sentences using the adverb or subordinator given. Keep in mind that
each sentence can be organized in two different ways. You have to organize
the two of them. Look at the example:

Example:

First: Luisa bought a house in Chapinero.

Second: Mario moved to Chapinero.

Subordinator: Before.

Answers:

Before Mario moved to Chapinero, Luisa had bought a house there.

Luisa had bought a house before Mario moved to Chapinero.

1.

First: The children finished lunch.

Second: They ate dessert.

Subordinator: After.

Answers:
____________________________________________________________.
____________________________________________________________.

2.

First: The Muisca people inhabited what is known as Colombia for hundreds
of years.
Second: The Spaniards landed in what is known as Colombia in 1499.

Subordinator: When.

Answers:

____________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________.

3.

First: Jean-François Pilatre de Rozier beca

by using a balloon in 1753.

Second: The Wright brothers flew their first plane in 1903.

Subordinator: By the time.

Answers:

____________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________.

4.

First: The Russians put a man into space on April 12th, 1961.

Second: The Americans put a man into space on May 5th, 1961.

Adverb: Already.

Answers:

____________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________.
5.

First: Professor Schwartz taught at Brandeis University for 20 years.

Second: Professor Schwartz retired.

Subordinator: When.

Answers:

____________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________.

6.

First: Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole in 1911.

Second: Robert Scott reached the South Pole in 1912.

Subordinator: Before.

Answers:

____________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________.

7.

First: The Japanese river otter became extinct in 2012.

Second: My daughter was born in 2013.

Subordinator: By the time.

Answers:
____________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________.
D. Complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense. For each
sentence, you should select the correct verb from the box below:

study / walk / run / look for / watch / do / wait / leave / meet / be / turn off / read

1. My son_______________ all his homework before I came back home.

2. When I got to the shop, I realized that I ____________ my money in my
car.
3. Mark ___________ the dog when his mom got home. She felt so proud.
4. Daniela __________ for two hours when her boyfriend finally arrived.
5. She __________ all the lights before she left.
6. I ___________ my wallet for one hour before I found it under the sink.
7. I was sure that I _______________ that girl before.
8. After I ________ the newspaper, I did my homework.
9. I __________ for twenty minutes when I suddenly felt exhausted.
10. She told me that she ___________ to Medellin before.
11. They _________ three movies by the time the plane landed.
12. I failed my mid-term exam. I wish I ______________ harder to pay
attention in class.

A. Read Adrian`s anecdote about Thanksgiving and answer the questions

below.

Fuente: SENA
 Thanksgiving last year. My
siblings and I had promised my parents we would cook dinner. The day went
fine and by late afternoon we had completed most of the work. Even my cousins
had helped to make the meal a success. By the time my parents got home, we
had already put the turkey in the oven and the house smelled delicious. My wife
and my sisters-in-law had finished setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner. My
grandma had made two pies for dessert, a pumpkin pie and an apple pie, while
my kids were peeling the carrots and the sweet potatoes. I had just turned on

vegetables! The t As you can imagine, I panicked!

He told us about Thanksgiving during the Great Depression. As soon as he

finished, we all felt a bit embarrassed for making such a big deal and emotional
because the story was moving. There was a long silence. I bet everyone was
reflecting on what he had said. All of a sudden, nobody felt anxious or angry.
We had waited two hours by the time the power came back on. We all hugged
each other and some of us even cried. Dinner was late that night, but it was a
Thanksgiving dinner that we will never forget.

1. Mark the following statements about the anecdote as true or false.

Statements True False

Adrian and
during the day.
When his cousins got home, they put the turkey in the
oven.
His grandma knows how to bake.
His grandpa was feeling depressed.
What grandpa said made them think.
They had dinner somewhere else.

2. Listen again and fill in the blanks with the words you hear in the story.

a. We _______________ most of the work.

b. Even my cousins ____________make the dinner a big success.
c. My grandma ______________ two pies for dessert.
d. My _______________________ had finished setting the table.
 e. My ___________________ and told us to calm down.
f. I bet everyone was reflecting on ________________________.
g.

B. Use the words in the list to fill in the blanks in the sentences below. Use
each word only once.

annoyed / boring / grouchy / blissful / calm / angry / shocked /

bereft / ashamed / puzzled

1. The day that my first son was born I was so ______________ that I cried
tears of joy.
2. When you enter a religious temple, you are often overwhelmed by a
feeling of ______________.
3. The family was shocked at the sad news of the accident and the death of
the driver. For many months after, they were totally ______________.
4. A lecture from a visiting professor attracted many more people than the
University had predicted. The event organizers were ______________ at
the amount of people who came.
5. In general, History textbooks are extremely ______________ to read.
That is the reason none of the students do their reading assignments.
6. Believe me when I say that my patience with you has run out. I have
been asking you to stop calling at this time. I am ______________ by
your calls!
7.
am not angry, but my blood sugar level changes my mood.
8.
clean up my bedroom.
 9. An uncle was with his niece in the supermarket when she began to

He was very ______________.

10. Sometimes my dog looks at us like he is listening to every word. Often he
seems to understand. At other time, he turns his head and looks at us
with a ______________ expression.
question.

C. Read the story below. Write the highlighted sentences into its corresponding
box in the chart.

To generate To put an To address To end and

interest event in the audience anecdote
(used in the sequence directly in the (used in the end)
introduction) (used in the middle of an
telling of anecdote
events) (used in the
beginning,
middle and
end)

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left
Pablo Picasso

Oh, I've got a good story about why you shouldn't procrastinate...
I'll never forget the day I had to give my first presentation at work in front of the
board of directors. My boss called me that morning at 7:00 a.m. to remind me
how important the presentation at 10 a.m. was, and to wish me luck.

I had just finished my presentation at 6:45 a.m. after I staying up all night. So,
as soon as I got to the office at 7:30 a.m., I drank a few cups of coffee and went
over my presentation. Even though I had finished it at the last minute, it looked
pretty good.

Then, I logged in to my email account and began uploading the presentation to

my account so I could open it in the conference room. Suddenly, an error
message appeared on the screen. The file was too big! Can you imagine my
panic?!

I decided to look for a USB to save the file, but believe me, at that hour, I was
the only one at the office! Since I had arrived before everyone else, no one
could help me. I had to leave to buy a USB! By the time I went back to the office
and saved my presentation, it was time to jump in my car. I began driving to the
conference center. And, you won't believe what happened next... My car ran out
of gas! By that time, it was already 9:45 a.m., and I was sure I wasn't going to
make it on time. Just then a miracle happened. Coincidentally, I saw my boss
passing in her car!!!

In the end, my boss gave me a ride and we got there just five minutes before
10:00 a.m. As soon as we arrived, I inserted the USB. As it opened I felt like I
was going to have a heart attack from the stress! The presentation went well,
but to top it all off, my boss scolded me for not being more prepared.

So, the moral of the story is: don't procrastinate!

D. Listen to the following radio program.

 Fuente: SENA

Julian: Hello and welcome to

who like to reflect and converse about the things in daily life that most people
take
which is an ironic title considering that I am here with my very sad looking co-
host, Bryan.

Bryan: Hi, Julian.

thoven I was listening to. It is so moving.

show today is about just that: Men who cry.

y.
Only when something moves me.

daily quiz which, of course, is about crying. Wipe away your tears and answer
An organization of scientists that studies eyes called the Society of
Ophthalmology researched male crying habits. How many times do you think
men cry per year?

a. One to five times.

b. Six to 17 times.
c. 18 to 25 times.

Bryan: Well, since I listen to lots of classical music, which makes me cry a lot, I
am goi , from 18 to 25 times.

Bryan: Do you always tear up when you hear a piece of music you love?

Bryan: Well, not always. It depends on different factors. As soon as the music
reminds me of something, I can get emotional.

that men are not emotional. All

humans are emotional.

Julian: Well, some men are more emotional than others.

Bryan: Yes. Did you know that the Prime Minister was seen crying on public
television at a funeral. How about that for an emotional guy? You see, Julian,
you can be manly and powerful but still get teary eyed.

Julian: Ok. Ok. I get your point Bryan. I must admit. I have cried in public.
Before my daughter was born, I have did. But the first time I saw her, I was
overwhelmed. I cried tears of joy in front of everyone.

Bryan:

to 17 times in a year. Looks like most

gents are somewhere between the two of us, Bryan. Not super-emotional, but
not heartless either.
 not as the
Cure said: Boys Do
curious conversations on Food for thought!

Answer the following questions about the radio show:

1. Why does Bryan look sad?

a. Because somebody moved his CDs.

b.
c. Because he misses his baby.

2. Which word is closest in meaning to blubber?

a. To get angry.
b. To laugh at someone.
c. To weep.

3. How many times do men cry per year according to the study?

a.
b. From six to 17 times.
c. From 18 to 25 times.

4. Does Bryan always cry when he listens to music?

a. Yes.
b. No.
c. It depends.

5. Which word is closest in meaning to emotional?

a. Sensible.
b. Sensitive.
c. Temperamental.
Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the
study material. There you will find the corresponding sound files.

A. Look at the transcription of the following words. Write the words.

Transcription Word Transcription Word

bl s.f l
d st r·b

Now, go to the multimedia, listen to the words and check how they sound. Then,
practice pronouncing them.
 bl s.f l r
Blissful Regretful
d st r·b fæs· ne · d
Disturbing Fascinated
d el· s t r·f l
Jealous Cheerful

Obnoxious Greedy

Balloon Grouchy

B. Go to the multimedia and click on each of the following words to listen to

them. Then, select the word with the different stress pattern.

Tower Bottle Present Hotel

Confused Determined Impatient Relieved

Nervous Ashamed Lonely Puzzled

Hopeless Satisfied Envious Furious

Surprised Anxious Bubble Worried

Embarrassed Frustrated Regretful Annoying

Coincidence Exasperate Immediate Miserable

C. Go to the multimedia and listen to the following sentences. Click on the word
that has been pronounced with a weak form.

Note: There can be more than one weak form in a sentence.

heard!
My husband had cleaned the house.

Marion and Jefferson left the country. Can you imagine?

By the time I came outside to thank him, he had already left.
 All of a sudden, a door opened.
When she rang the bell, there was no answer.

The bomb exploded when the police arrived.

Before Mario moved to Chapinero, Luisa had bought a house there.
My son had finished all his homework before I came back home.
All of a sudden, nobody felt sad.
What grandpa said made them think.
It had been a really hard week.

Now, listen and repeat. Try to imitate the natural rhythm of English by
weakening the highlighted words in each sentence. Remember, practice makes
perfect.

You what I heard!

My husband had cleaned the house.
never forget the day my daughter was born.
Marion and Jefferson left the country. Can you imagine?
By the time I came outside to thank him, he had already left.
All of a sudden, a door opened.
When she rang the bell, there was no answer.
I had planned to see everything but
The bomb exploded when the police arrived.
Before Mario moved to Chapinero, Luisa had bought a house there.
My son had made all his homework before I came back home.
All of a sudden, nobody felt sad.
What grandpa said made them think.
It had been a really hard week.
 Document control

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert Dirección de

Formación
Nicole Bruskewitz Asesor English Dot October
Author Works - Programa Profesional.
2014
de bilingüismo Dirección General

Centro
Rachman Copy editor Línea November
Agroindustrial.
Adaptation Bustillo Martínez de producción 2014
Regional Quindío