Unit 1: Reading Skills
Unit 1 introduces you to the parts of speech used in Standard American English. In this unit, you will learn how to recognize the different parts of speech and see when and where they are used. Finally, you will practice identifying the parts of speech and placing them in sentences.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- use correct word order and parts of speech in simple sentence patterns; and
- distinguish between phrases, clauses, and sentences.
- use correct word order and parts of speech in simple sentence patterns; and
1.1: Word Basics: The Eight Parts of Speech
We start Unit 1 with grammar by learning about the eight English Parts of Speech. Grammar is difficult, but the more comfortable you are with it, the easier it will be to read and write in English. Because the parts of speech are considered the building blocks of the language, we learn the parts of speech for two main reasons:- by knowing the elements of English, you'll have an easier time using them correctly in your writing;
- by knowing how these elements are being used, you'll also have an easier time learning their meaning.
1.1.1: Word Basics: Let's Study
The materials below include information about the parts of speech. After you read the explanations and watch the videos to learn about the eight parts of speech, you will have a chance to test your understanding by completing practice activities.
Let's start by first reviewing a list of the parts of speech to know their definition and examples. Next, we will learn about each part of speech in more detail to understand how we can use the correct form of a word to build sentences.
Now that we know what all parts of speech are, let's look at them in more detail to see how they are different from each other and how they are used in sentences. First, let's see what other information we can learn more about nouns, adjectives, and pronouns.
Next, let's see what additional information we can review to learn more about verbs and adverbs.
Now that we know more about using nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs, we need to learn how they can be put together to make sentences. Conjunctions and prepositions help us do that. Let's see what other information we can review to learn more about how conjunctions and prepositions are used to make sentences.
1.1.2: Word Basics: Let's Practice
Now that we know what all the parts of speech are and we reviewed how each one is used, let's put our knowledge into practice.
The activities here give you the opportunity to find out how well you understand parts of speech. If you have a difficult time identifying the parts of speech, you may return to review the information in the Let's Study section and then try these practice activities again.
1.1.3: Word Basics: Let's Apply
Now that you know the eight parts of speech and how they are used correctly in a sentence, let's see if we can easily identify them in any text.
- View Make forum posts: 2
- by knowing the elements of English, you'll have an easier time using them correctly in your writing;
1.2: Sentence Basics: Word Order
Now we know and recognize the different parts of speech. This is helpful for understanding grammar rules and explanations. We can continue by learning when and where the parts of speech are used in sentences. Standard English uses specific rules about word order, so it is important to know and follow them to communicate successfully.1.2.1: Sentence Basics: Let's Study
The materials here include information about basic word order used in Standard English. After you read the explanations and watch the videos to learn about word order, you will have a chance to test your understanding by completing practice activities.
Let's start by first reviewing the required parts of a sentence in Standard English. Next, we will look at each sentence part to understand which part of speech can be used to do that job in a sentence.
Now that we know the parts of a sentence and what parts of speech can do those jobs, let's look at them in more detail to see the order in which they must be used. This order is important to communicate clearly in Standard English. Using the correct word order will also help you avoid errors that many new students of Standard English often make when writing.
Now that we know the parts of a sentence and their order in a sentence, let's review why a group of words is called a sentence. We learned in the first part of Unit 1 that we can group parts of speech to create phrases, so it is necessary to understand the difference between a phrase and a sentence to write correctly in English.
1.2.2: Sentence Basics: Let's Practice
Now that we know what all parts of a sentence are and the order in which they are used, let's put our knowledge into practice.
The activities below give you the opportunity to find out how well you understand basic word order in Standard English. If you have a difficult time recognizing correct word order, you may return to review the information in the Let's Study section and then try these practice activities again.
1.2.3: Sentence Basics: Let's Apply
Now that you know the basic correct word order in Standard English, let's see if we can easily identify the different patterns and parts of a sentence in a short text.
- View Make forum posts: 2
1.3: Sentence Basics: Types
In this last part of Unit 1, we look at what makes a good sentence in Standard English. We will discuss the specific requirements for writing complete sentences. Also, we will look at how we can use conjunctions to connect clauses and create different types of sentences.
1.3.1: Sentence Types: Let's Study
These materials include information about basic sentence types in Standard English. After you read the explanations and watch the videos to learn about types of sentences, you will have a chance to test your understanding by completing practice activities.
We learned that sentences are made of groups of words. We use parts of speech to create phrases and clauses. Clauses can be connected with conjunctions to create different types of sentences. Let's review how these groups of words are different.
We learned that punctuation is important for good sentences. Punctuation is especially important to show when a sentence ends. However, there are different choices to end a sentence: a period or full stop, a question mark (!), or a question mark (?). We make this choice based on the type of sentence.
1.3.2: Sentence Types: Let's Practice
Now that we know different types of sentences, let's put our knowledge into practice.
The activities below give you the opportunity to find out how well you understand types of sentences in Standard English. If you have a difficult time recognizing sentence types, you may return to review the information in the Let's Study section and then try these practice activities again.
1.3.3: Sentence Types: Let's Apply
You introduced yourself at the start of the course by answering three simple questions. Now that you know more about basic sentence patterns and different sentence types, we can share more information about ourselves.
- View Make forum posts: 1
1.4: Putting It All Together
You have learned about many different parts of speech and some basic guidelines to correct usage. This is a lot to take in, for sure! This section will help you review what you have learned in Unit 1.
Go through the interactive video presentation, which provides a basic overview of what you have learned about the parts of speech and types of sentences. Then, look at the sentences in the second activity and complete the exercise by typing your answer with the correct punctuation and capitalization.
Unit 1 Assessment
In these activities, you will use parts of speech in the correct word order to create sentences.