Page 173 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

talking in general without People are funny.

We do not normally use the to talk about people or things in general. The does not mean 'all'. We use the
to talk about particular people or things (see page 154).

GENERAL PARTICULAR
People are funny. The people in that house are funny.
1 like music. The music's too loud - can you turn it down?
Sugar is fattening. Could you pass the sugar?
She's interested in dogs and horses. 'Why are the dogs barking?' 'There's somebody outside.'

4 Make some sentences from the words in the boxes.

Artists Builders Cats
build don't eat don't like cats dogs grass
Dogs Horses
eat learn like houses meat
Photographers Pianists
paint play sell take music photos
Shop assistants
teach pictures things
Students Teachers

► doiA/tlltee ccits; 4
► teaok thu*gs. 5

1 6
2 ............................................................................. 7
3 ............................................................................. 8

^ Circle the correct forms.
► The old people / Old people often forget the things /(things.
► I like talking to the old ladies'/ old ladies who live in that house.
1 The books / Books are expensive in my country.
2 'Where shall I put the books / booksT'On the floor.'
3 Japanese is a difficult language for the English people / English people.
4 The flowers / Flowers are beautiful.Thank you very much!

5 The life / Life is sometimes hard.
6 I don't understand the words / words of that song.
7 The food / Food in this restaurant is very expensive.
8 The water / Water turns into the ice / ice at 0°C.
9 Why are the windows / windows open in this room?

^ Here are some common sayings about men and women (not all true!). Complete the
sentences with words from the box, and give your opinion.

drivers lo s t/ money things things think think understand understand

► Men never ask the way when they're ...P .^ ................................ TRUE/NOT TRUE
1 Men are better..................................than women. TRUE / NOTTRUE
2 Women are more careful w ith ................................... than men. TRUE / NOTTRUE
3 Women................................... men. Men don't................................... women. TRUE/ NOTTRUE

4 Women................................... that men will change, but they don't, tr u e / NOTTRUE
5 Men don't................................... that women will change, but they do. tr u e / NOTTRUE
6 Men pay too much fo r............................................................................. that they want. Women buy.that
they don't want because they're cheap. TRUE / NOT TRUE

158 ARTICLES: A/AN AND THE