Chess
I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language each week. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
Chess is certainly not an American invention. Some historians believe it was created in India. An ancient legend credits Grand Vizier Sissa Ben Dahir as the game’s originator, and he gifted the first chessboard to King Shirham of India in 1256.
While the exact origins may not be known, it is a game that transcends language. You can play a game of chess with a stranger without saying a word, and yet, much is communicated.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B2
Bobby Fischer was a record-setting chess master who became the youngest player to win the U.S. Chess Championship at 14, and the first American-born player to win the World Chess Championship.
Read more about Bobby Fischer in this article: https://www.biography.com/athlete/bobby-fischer
Listening Tip
Language Level – B2
Learn how to play chess and practice listening and reading English with this video:
Grammar Tip
Language Level – A2/B1
Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase is a phrase that includes:
- a preposition
- the object of the preposition
- any modifiers
Example: The book is (on the round table).
- Prepositional phrase = on the round table
- Preposition = on
- Object of the preposition = table
- Modifier = round
The function of a prepositional phrase is to modify (add or change meaning to) a noun or verb.
A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun = adjective phrase
Example: The man (on the phone) was talking loudly.
On the phone tells you which man is talking loudly.
A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb = adverb phrase
Example: The dog is lying (in the corner).
In the corner tells you where the dog is lying.
Why are prepositional phrases important?
- Helps you identify the subject of the sentence.
Example: The box (of knives) was opened.
Of knives tell you which box – box is the subject of the sentence.
2. It can help you determine if the subject is singular or plural.
Example: Most (of the cake) has been eaten. – singular
Most (of the cakes) have been eaten. – plural
Most is your subject, but the prepositional phrase clues you in about the number so you can make the correct verb choice.
3. Prepositional phrases can clarify meaning.
Example: John fed the shark (in the cage).
John was (in the cage) when he fed the shark.
It’s important to look at what the prepositional phrase is modifying for clarity when writing sentences. What’s wrong with this sentence:
We will not sell honey to anyone in glass bottles.
What is in the glass bottles – people or the honey?
Let’s Practice!
Find the prepositional phrase in each of the sentences below and determine which word it is modifying. (There may be more than one in a sentence) Here’s an example:
The truck driver fell asleep (at the wheel). – modifies “fell asleep”
- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
- The revised edition of the book is out of print.
- The car is in the garage.
- The doctor said that I should be on a diet.
- The best defense against the atomic bomb is not to be there when it goes off.
- A box of donuts is in the break room.
- Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts.
- Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.
Vocabulary Tip
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Association (n)
- Assume (v)
- Attempt (n, v)
- Back (v)
- Bacteria (n)
- Bar (v)
- Barrier (n)
- Basically (adv)
- Battle (v)
- Bear (v)
You will find the definitions for this list of B2- level words in this quizlet.
Each week new words are added to the same quizlet, so all of the B2 level words will be in one list for practice.
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – B2
Watch this Ted Talk about how Chess leads to success. It’s a bit challenging because the speaker speaks a little fast, so you may want to watch with the CC on.
Questions?
