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At the library

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English Learning: At the Library

Dialogue

Alice: Bob? Is that really you hiding behind that enormous book?

Bob: Alice! Hi! Uh, yes. I’m on a top-secret mission.

Alice: A top-secret mission… in the children’s picture book section?

Bob: It’s research! For my… *imagination*.

Alice: Right. And I suppose that’s why you have a unicorn sticker on your nose?

Bob: Uh, artistic expression! It just… *popped* on.

Alice: Okay, Mr. Imagination. What are you actually looking for?

Bob: I’m trying to find a book about… how to train a very stubborn goldfish.

Alice: A goldfish? Bob, goldfish usually just swim and eat.

Bob: Mine looks like it’s plotting world domination. I need instructions!

Alice: I think you might be in the wrong section. Maybe try ‘Pets’ or ‘Fantasy’?

Bob: Good idea! Or maybe ‘Advanced Aquatic Psychology’?

Alice: Let’s stick with ‘Pets’ for now. Do you need help finding it?

Bob: Yes, please! My goldfish, Bartholomew, is counting on me.

Alice: Bartholomew, huh? Come on, Bob. Let’s save the world… or at least Bartholomew’s world.

Current Situation

Libraries are wonderful public places where people can borrow books, movies, music, and sometimes even digital devices for free. They are not just for reading; many libraries offer quiet spaces to study, free computer and internet access, and host events like story time for children or workshops for adults. In the modern age, libraries also provide access to e-books, audiobooks, and online databases, making them valuable community hubs for learning and discovery for everyone.

Key Phrases

  • on a top-secret mission: doing something very important and private.
    Example: My brother is on a top-secret mission to find my birthday present.
  • children’s picture book section: the area in a library with books for very young children, often with many illustrations.
    Example: My little niece loves visiting the children’s picture book section.
  • artistic expression: showing your feelings or ideas through art, music, writing, etc.
    Example: Painting is a great form of artistic expression.
  • plotting world domination: planning to take control of the whole world (often used humorously).
    Example: My cat always looks like it’s plotting world domination when it stares at me.
  • in the wrong section: in the incorrect area or part of a place.
    Example: Excuse me, I think I’m in the wrong section. Where are the travel guides?
  • counting on me: depending on me to do something.
    Example: My team is counting on me to finish this report by Friday.
  • save the world: to rescue the world from danger (often used humorously for small tasks too).
    Example: Let’s quickly finish this task; we have to save the world before lunch!

Grammar Points

1. Present Simple Tense

We use the Present Simple tense to talk about habits, facts, general truths, and things that happen regularly.

  • Form (Positive): Subject + Verb (add -s or -es for he/she/it)
    • I / You / We / They swim.
    • He / She / It swims.
  • Examples from dialogue:
    • “Goldfish usually just swim and eat.” (General truth)
    • “Mine looks like it’s plotting world domination.” (Fact about Bob’s goldfish)

2. Prepositions of Place: “at” and “in”

Prepositions tell us about the location of something.

  • at: Used for a general location, a point, or an address.
    • “at the library” (general location)
    • “at the information desk”
  • in: Used for an enclosed space, a container, or within a larger area.
    • “in the children’s picture book section” (specific area inside the library)
    • “in the wrong section”
    • “in the book”

3. Question Words: “What” and “Where”

We use question words to ask for specific information.

  • What: Asks for information about things, actions, or ideas.
    • “What are you actually looking for?” (Asking about the thing Bob wants)
  • Where: Asks for information about a place or location.
    • “Where are the travel guides?” (Asking about a location)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Key Phrases)

Complete the sentences with the correct key phrase from the list above.

  1. My dog always looks like he’s __________. (He’s very serious!)
  2. He said he was __________ to find the best coffee shop in town.
  3. The toys are in the __________, next to the big teddy bear.
  4. Don’t worry, I’ll be there. You can be __________ me.
  5. Dancing is a beautiful form of __________.

Exercise 2: Present Simple Tense

Rewrite the sentences using the Present Simple tense. Remember to add -s or -es for he/she/it.

  1. (He / look for / a book) → _________________________.
  2. (They / study / at the library) → _________________________.
  3. (I / read / comics) → _________________________.
  4. (She / visit / the library / often) → _________________________.
  5. (The goldfish / swim / in the bowl) → _________________________.

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Preposition (“at” or “in”)

Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence.

  1. Alice saw Bob ___ the library.
  2. He was hiding ___ the children’s picture book section.
  3. The book about cooking is probably ___ the ‘Food’ section.
  4. Let’s meet ___ the front door ___ 3 PM.
  5. My friend likes to read comics ___ his room.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

  1. plotting world domination
  2. on a top-secret mission
  3. children’s picture book section
  4. counting on
  5. artistic expression

Exercise 2: Present Simple Tense

  1. He looks for a book.
  2. They study at the library.
  3. I read comics.
  4. She visits the library often.
  5. The goldfish swims in the bowl.

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Preposition

  1. at
  2. in
  3. in
  4. at, at
  5. in

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