Active Skills for Reading Intro (Unit 6: Comparing Cultures)


CHAPTER 2 Homestay Diary

My Homestay Diary

June 13

It's my first week in the United States and my first time in another country. So much is new and unusual (to me). It's great to be here. I hope I do well!

June 25

I live with an American host family: Valerie and Tim and their daughter, Megan. They're really nice. Every day I learn something new. For example, this morning Valerie said, "Tim and I work late, and I can't cook tonight. Help yourself to anything for dinner."

I didn't understand Valerie. I thought she wanted help with dinner. So I bought takeout1 for everyone. When Valerie came home, she said, "Daniela, why did you buy food? We have a lot." I explained. She said, "Help yourself means eat anything you want." I was confused! We laughed and ate the Chinese food anyway.

July 1

My best friend from Brazil called today. I was really happy to talk to her, but after, I felt kind of down. Everything here is so different from home-the food, the people, even the weather (It gets cold here even in the summer sometimes!).

July 5

Yesterday was Independence Day. It's a big holiday here. My host family had a barbecue in their yard2 Their friends and neighbors came. Everyone was very friendly and warm. Later, I went with some friends from school to watch the fireworks. Then we went dancing. It was fun!

1 Takeout is food you get at a restaurant and take home to eat.
2 A yard is an open area in front of or behind a house.

Real Life Skill - Recognizing Common Abbreviations

English uses many abbreviations. An abbreviation is a word made from the first letters of the name of something (for example, digital video disk = DVD). It can also be made from sounds in one word. You see these abbreviations in many places in English speaking countries.

A. Say each abbreviation below. Then match the abbreviation with its full name.

1. AC a. grade point average (a number showing your grades in school)
2. ATM b. instant message
3. FYI c. identification
4. GPA d. air-conditioning
5. ID e. automated teller machine (to get money from a bank account)
6. IM f. for your information

B. Complete the sentences with the abbreviations in A.

  1. I need some money. Let's stop at the
  2. Can you turn on the ? It's hot in here.
  3. With your student , you can see the movie for only $3.
  4. In high school, Claire had a 4.0 . That's very good!
  5. Mario sent me a(n) . He's going to be 20 minutes late.
  6. everyone: There is no class on Monday

What do you think?

A student from another country is going to visit your country this summer. The student has some questions. Answer them with your ideas.
  1. How is the weather in summer?
  2. Are there special holidays or fun things to do in the summer?
  3. What are two common customs in your country?
  4. Tell me about meals in your country. What do people usually eat? What time do people eat?
Chapter - 2: Vocabulary Skill - The Prefix Un-

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