Examples Explained:
1. Ella saw that the walls were covered with ornate tapestries.
- Function: Description of the environment.
- Grammar Reference: Past simple tense.
- Formula: Subject + past tense verb + that + subject + past tense verb + complement.
Aditional Examples:
- “Jacob noticed that the gallery walls were adorned with vibrant abstract paintings .”
- “She observed that the dining room was set with silver cutlery and crystal glasses.”
- “The teacher saw that the chalkboard was filled with equations and diagrams.”
- “He realized that the garden was blooming with countless varieties of flowers.”
- “Laura found that the bookstore shelves were stacked with old, rare editions.”
2. As if the artists were right there, telling their stories through their work.
- Function: Simile used to create a vivid description.
- Grammar Reference: Past continuous tense used in a simile (figure of speech, analogy).
- Formula: As if + subject + past continuous verb + complement.
Aditional Examples:
- “As if the chef was in the room, sharing his culinary secrets through each dish.”
- “As if the musician were right beside us, expressing his emotions through the melodies.”
- “As if the architect was guiding us, explaining the vision behind each design element.”
- “As if the author were sitting with us, narrating her thoughts behind every chapter.”
- “As if the sculptor were present, revealing the inspiration for each stroke of the chisel.”
3. The big fireplace was still the main feature though the stones were cold.
- Function: Contrast between the fireplace’s importance and its current state.
- Grammar Reference: Past simple tense; conjunction used to express contrast.
- Formula: Subject + past tense verb + complement + conjunction + subject + past tense verb + complement.
Aditional Examples:
- “The grand staircase was still the focal point even though the steps were worn.”
- “The old clock was still the centerpiece although it had stopped ticking.”
- “The large window was still the highlight even though the glass was foggy.”
- “The vintage piano was still the attraction despite being out of tune.”
- “The antique chandelier was still the room’s charm even though the light was dim.”
4. There were pictures of the Ashcroft family, who first lived in the manor.
- Function: Explanation of what was present and a relative clause providing additional information.
- Grammar Reference: Past simple tense; relative clause.
- Formula: There + past tense verb + subject + prepositional phrase + relative clause.
Aditional Examples:
- “There were portraits of the Windsor family, who once owned the estate.”
- “There were photographs of the Thompson family, who had built the house.”
- “There were images of the Clark family, who were the original settlers of the farm.”
- “There were sketches of the Rivera family, who had first established the vineyard.”
- “There were canvases painted by the Green family, who had inaugurated the gallery.”
5. His eyes made it seem as if he was still looking after the manor.
- Function: Descriptive imagery to suggest ongoing care or presence.
- Grammar Reference: Past simple tense; as if in a subjunctive mood.
- Formula: Subject + past tense verb + object + infinitive + as if + subject + past tense verb + complement.
Aditional Examples:
- “Her smile made it seem as if she was still enjoying the party.”
- “His tone made it seem as if he was still involved in the discussion.”
- “Their laughter made it seem as if they were still relishing the evening.”
- “Her presence made it seem as if she was still leading the project.”
- “His attitude made it seem as if he was still managing the team.”
6. Lady Elizabeth Ashcroft was shown in her favorite rose garden in her portrait.
- Function: Descriptive detail about a portrait’s content.
- Grammar Reference: Passive voice.
- Formula: Subject + past passive (was/were + past participle) + prepositional phrases.
Aditional Examples:
- “Sir John Franklin was depicted in his beloved library in his portrait.”
- “Miss Clara Bennett was illustrated in her cherished orchard in her painting.”
- “Lord William was captured in his prized boat in his photograph.”
- “Mrs. Amelia Thompson was portrayed in her favorite sitting room in her sketch.”
- “Dr. Robert King was represented in his renowned laboratory in his artwork.”
7. The manor is not just a home.
- Function: Emphasizing the greater significance of the manor.
- Grammar Reference: Present simple tense; negation.
- Formula: Subject + present tense verb + not + complement.
Aditional Examples:
- “The library is not just a place for books.”
- “The garden is not just a space for plants.”
- “The studio is not just a room for painting.”
- “The kitchen is not just a room for cooking.”
- “The theater is not just a venue for performances.”
8. It is a place full of memories and dreams.
- Function: Defining the place.
- Grammar Reference: Present simple tense.
- Formula: Subject + present tense verb + complement.
Aditional Examples:
- “It is a school filled with hopes and aspirations.”
- “It is a garden teeming with life and colors.”
- “It is a museum rich with history and culture.”
- “It is a theater vibrant with performances and creativity.”
- “It is a kitchen bustling with flavors and traditions.”
9. The columns in the east wing were made to look like the wide streets of Paris.
- Function: Descriptive comparison.
- Grammar Reference: Passive voice; infinitive purpose clause.
- Formula: Subject + past passive (was/were + past participle) + infinitive.
Aditional Examples:
- “The arches in the courtyard were designed to resemble the famous aqueducts of Rome.”
- “The tiles in the foyer were laid out to mimic the grand plazas of Madrid.”
- “The windows in the sunroom were crafted to echo the glasshouses of London.”
- “The staircase in the lobby was built to reflect the sweeping stairways of Vienna.”
- “The fountains in the garden were structured to emulate the water features of Versailles.”
10. Ella’s walk through the house was like a trip back in time.
- Function: This sentence uses a simile to compare Ella’s experience walking through the house to traveling back in time, enhancing the sense of historical depth and immersion.
- Grammar Reference: Past simple tense is used for a factual statement. A simile (indicated by “like”) is used for the comparison.
- Formula: Subject + past tense verb + complement + simile (like + noun phrase).
Aditional Examples:
- “Jake’s hike through the forest was like a journey into the wilderness.”
- “Sara’s stroll around the city was like a tour through history.”
- “Ben’s exploration of the old factory was like an adventure into the past.”
- “Lily’s visit to the museum was like a voyage through civilizations.”
- “Mark’s journey through the book was like a trek across different worlds.”
11. It was a story waiting to be told.
- Function: This sentence personifies the manor’s history as a ‘story,’ suggesting it has potential or readiness to be shared. The use of passive voice emphasizes the story’s readiness, rather than the action of telling.
- Grammar Reference: Past simple tense is used to describe the state or condition. The phrase “waiting to be told” is a passive infinitive structure, which highlights the ongoing potential for action.
- Formula: Subject + past tense verb + noun phrase + present participle + passive infinitive (to be + past participle).
Aditional Examples:
- “It was a secret waiting to be revealed.”
- “It was a discovery waiting to be shared.”
- “It was a song waiting to be sung.”
- “It was a lesson waiting to be learned.”
- “It was a mystery waiting to be solved.”
Exercise 1
Instructions: Listen to the audio and fill in the blanks
Exercise 2
Instructions: Listen to the audio and fill in the blanks
