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Lesson 7: Packing
Have you packed your stuff?

I can talk about what to pack.

INTRODUCE

It is important to know exactly what to pack for a trip so you don’t bring too much or too little.

PRESENT

STEP A VOCABULARY

I. Listen and repeat.

toothpaste  

a toothbrush  

a cotton swab  

lotion  

a hairbrush  

a razor  

II. Which of the things above do you take with you when you travel?  

 

 

III. Practice reading the words.

/t/

 

/ɵ/

 

cotton

 

author

 

button

 

birthday

 

futon

 

frothy

 

STEP B GRAMMAR TIP

Use articles like a, an, and the to modify nouns.

 

Use a or an:

  • to talk about someone or something in a general way.
  • to talk about someone or something for the first time.
  • to say that someone or something is one of many.

 

  • Most hotels provide toothbrush.

 

  • I chose hotel.

 

  • He’s a tourist in Japan.

 

Use the before singular or plural nouns:

  • to talk about specific people or things.
  • to talk about the same people or things for a second time.
  • when it is clear which people or things you are talking about.

 

  • The toothbrush on the table is mine.

 

  • We’re staying at the hotel that I told you about in my email.

 

  • Did you see the tourist?

 

Do not use a, an, or the:

  • to talk about plural nouns in a general way.
  • to talk about uncountable nouns in a general way.
  • with words like my, your, some, any, every, etc.

 

  • Pajamas are provided in most hotels.

 

  • Let’s bring rice.

 

  • My luggage is too heavy.

 

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Sho and Daniel are talking in the elevator on their way to the office.

 

Daniel:

We’re happy that you’re safe and back in Japan, Sho!

 

Sho:

Yeah, me too. Our trip to Brazil was fun but a little scary because of my passport issue.

 

Daniel:

I can imagine. By the way, Mr. Goto said that you can take me to Nikko this weekend.

 

Sho:

Yeah, he asked me last night. Nikko is a really nice place. Have you packed your stuff?

 

Daniel:

I packed some toiletries last night, like my toothbrush and razor. I’m still deciding what clothes to bring.

 

Sho:

You don’t need to pack toiletries. The ryokan has toothpaste, toothbrushes, and even pajamas there.

 

Daniel:

Really? How convenient! How about an umbrella?

 

Sho:

I don’t think it’s going to rain.

 

TRIVIA

A lot of the amenities that are common for even low-cost Japanese hotels such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and pajamas are not usually provided at hotels in the US. Many American tourists are happily surprised when they stay at Japanese hotels.

 

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Complete the speech with a, an, the, or no article.

 

I love traveling to ___ nice beaches. When I travel, I always bring ___ big bottle of sunscreen. ___ umbrella is important too!  I also pack ___ hairbrush because not every ___ hotel has one. I’ve been using ___ same brush for all of my ___ travels. It’s silly, I know, but it’s become a habit!

 

STEP B EXERCISE

Describe the picture. Make sentences with a, an, the, or no article.

 

ex. There are huge windows.

 

  1. There’s __________.
  2. I like __________.
  3. I don’t like __________.

 

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You are going to go on a weekend trip with your friend.

 


Talk about what you need to prepare before the trip.

 

Today's grammar tip

  • a
  • an
  • the
  • no article

 

 

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

PACKING FOR A TRIP  

2

WEEKEND TRIPS  

3

HOTEL AMENITIES  

1

PACKING FOR A TRIP  

  1. How long does it usually take you to pack?  
  2. Do you prefer to use suitcases or another type of bag?  
  3. What do you consider before packing (ex. location, length of stay)?  
  4. Are you a careful packer, or do you just throw things into your bag?  

2WEEKEND TRIPS  

  1. Do you prefer traveling on weekdays or weekends?  
  2. What’s your best memory of a weekend trip?  
  3. What places do you recommend for a weekend trip?  
  4. Do you think that two days is enough time to visit a new place?  

3HOTEL AMENITIES  

  1. Do you think all hotels should provide amenities?  
  2. What amenities are the most important?  
  3. What hotel amenities are unnecessary?  
  4. Are you willing to pay a lot for a hotel with many amenities?  

FEEDBACK

I can talk about what to pack.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK