综合英语教程1册U3

Describing Objects and Talking about Jobs

Describing Objects

If you describe an object (someone or something), you say what sort of thing it is (what kind of person he or she is), or what they are like, such as its size, color or shape. You should mention some basic, striking characteristics or perhaps give some of your attitudes towards the object, or you can make a comment on it.

Note: Some explanations may be necessary concerning the order of adjectives that modify a noun. The simple rule is: Size + Color + Material, e.g.

a large white paper bag/ short golden hair/ light blue eyes

The adjectives below are used to describe objects:

There are many ways of talking about one's job. The common expressions used to ask one's job are: What do you do? / What's your job? / Where do you work? etc. When you talk about your job, you can use some adjectives to describe it, such as boring / lucrative / interesting / decent / challenging / part-time / full-time, etc..If you want to express unemployment, you can say: Someone is dismissed /discharged / fired / sacked / laid off / out of job.

Describing Objects

You may describe objects like this:

A: Which apple do you like? B: The red one.

A: What did your father look like? B: He was short and fat.

A: How old is your English teacher? B: He is middle-aged, about forty. She has short golden hair and light blue eyes.

My hometown is small and clean.

The landscape was easy on the eyes.

The day was hot and dusty.

The house was old, damp and smelly.

Talking about Jobs

If you want to know something about someone's work, you may ask: Where do you work?

What do you do?/What do you do for a living?

What is your line of business?

What is your job/occupation?

What does your father's job involve? /What's your father?

What is your routine work?/What do you do exactly every day? Could you tell me something about your job?

What made you decide to become a teacher?

Common Answers:

I work for Anderson office.

I'm a tour guide.

I'm a doctor.

I'm a secretary.

He is the headmaster of our school.

He is a gardener.

I find a part-time job in a business company.

I'm looking for a better job.

My job doesn't require special skills.

To be a housewife is so boring.

Useful Structures

1.I'll leave you two here to do ...

[structure] Subject + leave (vt.) + sb.(pron.) + to do sth.

You use the structure " leave someone to do something" to mean that you go away from them so that they do it on their own.

[grammatical points]

In this structure the infinitive (to do) is used as objective complement.

You can leave an assistant to look after the shop.

I will leave you to cook.

2. Did anyone find ...?

[structure] Did + (Subject) + V. ...?

[grammatical point]

In this structure, did is the past form of do as an auxiliary. In past tense questions, we put auxiliary did in front of the subject. We use did in any cases, no matter it is a second person or a third person, or whether the subject is singular or plural.

__Did you go to the party yesterday?

__Yes, we did.

__Did he go there?

__No, he didn't.

3. I'm afraid ...

[structure] I'm afraid + object clause

This structure is used to express your regret in a polite way because sth. unpleasant might happen. The introductive word "that" is often omitted.

I'm afraid we can't come.

I can't help you, I'm afraid.

4.Or the problem could get worse.

[structure] or (conj.) + sentence

We use conjunction "or" to warn someone that he should do something, for if he does not do it , the unpleasant thing will happen.

Similars: otherwise, or else, if not

Hurry up or you will lose your job.

[grammatical point]

"Get" here means "become".

She's getting better.

You'll get wet if you go out in the rain without an umbrella.

5.It's hard to believe that ...

[structure] It (pron.) + be(link verb) + adj.＋to do sth.

You can use "it" with a link verb and an adjective to describe an experience. After the adjective, you use an"-ing" form or a"to"-infinitive.

It was sad to see her the victim of continual pain.

It is nice meeting you.

[grammatical point]

The pronoun "it" can be used as a preparatory subject or preparatory object.

It is impossible for us to get there in time. ( "it" as preparatory subject)