Includes glossary, appendices and index.

About the Author: Irene E. Schoenberg has taught ESL for more than two decades at Hunter College's International English Language Institute and at Columbia University's American Language Program. She holds a master's degree in TESOL from Columbia University. She has trained ESL and EFL teachers at Columbia University's Teachers College, the New School University, and Hunter College's English Language Institute. She has given workshops and academic presentations at conferences, English language schools, and universities in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dubai, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and throughout the United States. She is the author of Talk about Trivia; Talk about Values; Speaking of Values 1: Conversation and Listening: Topics from A to Z, Books 1 and 2; and Focus on Grammar 2 (editions 1-5). She is the co-author with Jay Maurer of the True Colors series and Focus on Grammar 1 (editions 1-4) and is one of the authors of Future 1: English for Results and Future 3: English for Results. (p. xxvi)

"Building on the success of previous editions, Focus on Grammar continues to provide an integrated-skills approach to engage students and help them accomplish their goals of communicating confidently, accurately, and fluently. With comprehensive grammar coverage, abundant practice, and ongoing assessment Focus on Grammar delivers immediate and visible progress through its unique and proven pedagogy that takes learners from comprehension to communication.

New to this Edition:
New and updated content engages, motivates, and appeals to learners from various cultural backgrounds. Many new readings and activities include topics of high interest to today's learners.
Updated charts and redesigned notes offer clear, corpus-informed grammar presentations that reflect real and natural language usage. Clear signposting draws attention to most common usage, the difference between spoken and written registers, and common errors.
Additional communicative activities encourage collaboration and the application of the target grammar in a variety of settings.
Expanded writing practice helps students to confidently apply each unit's grammar to their own writing.
New comprehensive assessment program with a variety of new assessment tools informs instruction and ensures that progress is measurable.
Revised MyEnglishLab delivers rich online content and video media to engage and motivate students." (Book Cover)

CONTENTS:

Welcome to Focus on Grammar

The Focus on Grammar Unit

Scope and Sequence

About the Author

Acknowledgements

PART 1 BE: PRESENT AND PAST

UNIT 1 Present of Be: Statements Theme: Sports

Grammar Can use the verb be in simple present affirmative and negative statements Can use contractions in speaking and writing

Reading Personal Story: Ana and Soccer Can determine the general meaning of a short, simple personal description with visual support

Listening A conversation about athletes Can identify key details about people in conversations that are conducted clearly and slowly

Speaking Can discuss likes and dislikes Can describe something in a simple list of points

Writing Can write personal information about a friend or colleague, using notes for guidance

Vocabulary athlete; fan (n); in the middle; only; popular; the rest of

UNIT 2 Present of Be: Questions Theme: School

Grammar Can ask a range of yes/no and wh- questions with be in the simple present Can construct short answers to questions in the simple present

Reading Conversation Transcript: Are We Late? Can understand details in a conversation in classroom setting

Listening A conversation about classmates Can recognize and describe basic information about people in conversations that are conducted clearly and slowly

Speaking Can ask simple questions to find out more about someone Can use brief, everyday expressions to ask for and give personal details

Writing Can write a detailed list of questions about a familiar place

Vocabulary excuse me; office; on time; right (adj); room (n)

UNIT 3 Past of Be Theme: A First Day

Grammar Can make simple past statements with be Can ask simple past yes/no and wh- questions with be Can use a range of common time markers for the past

Reading Narrative: Sarah's First Day Can identify specific information in a narrative article

Listening A series of phone messages Can extract key factual information from a recorded phone message

Speaking Can communicate in routine tasks that require simple, direct exchanges of information, such as descriptions of the weather and everyday activities

Writing Can write a paragraph about a personal experience (first day of school)

Vocabulary afraid (of); difficult; nervous; principal (n); surprise (n)

PART 2 NOUNS, ADJECTIVES, AND PREPOSITIONS

UNIT 4 Count Nouns and Proper Nouns Theme: Photographs and Photographers

Grammar Can use a/an with singular count nouns Can use common regular and irregular nouns in the plural form Can identify and use proper nouns Pronunciation: Plural Noun Endings

Reading Biography: A Photographer and a Photo Can identify specific information in a short biography

Listening A lecture about art Can identify important details in a brief lecture about a famous artist

Speaking Can give a brief presentation about people, places, or things

Writing Can write short basic descriptions about people, places, or things

Vocabulary all over; occasion; public (n); striking (adj); to be born

UNIT 5 Descriptive Adjectives Theme: Interesting and Unusual Places

Grammar Can place adjectives in the correct position before nouns Can use the appropriate articles with adjectives that come before count nouns

Reading Information Article: Cappadocia Can identify key details in an article about a location and its geographical features

Listening A telephone conversation Can recognize details in a conversation about a vacation if delivered slowly and clearly

Speaking Can share information about known places Can offer opinions and comment on statements provided by one's peers

Writing Can write a detailed paragraph about a location that has personal significance

Vocabulary climate; comfortable; dry; safe; unusual

UNIT 6 Prepositions of Place Theme: Locations

Grammar Can use a range of prepositions of place Can use on, at, and in for specific addresses and locations

Reading Magazine Article: The American Museum of Natural History Can recognize important details in a descriptive passage

Listening A recorded description Can infer information about a location by recognizing important details in a recorded description

Speaking Can give directions to help one's peers find information on a map or brochure

Writing Can write a short invitation to a part or event, including important details like time and location

Vocabulary app; dinosaur; huge; interested; locate; tour (n)

PART 3 IMPERATIVES AND THE SIMPLE PRESENT

UNIT 7 Imperatives; Suggestions with Let's, Why don't we . . . ? Theme: Long Life

Grammar Can use verbs in the imperative Can make offers and suggestions with why not/why don't you/we . . .? Can make suggestions with let's and let's not

Reading Health Article: Secrets to a Long Life Can recognize an author's opinions in a short passage about an academic topic

Listening A product advertisement Can follow the main points in a recorded advertisement

Speaking Can discuss what to do and where to go, and make arrangements to meet Can give basic advice about everyday topics, using simple language

Writing Can write an advertisement for a hotel, using a model for guidance

Vocabulary advice; dead; island; nap (n); pray; secret

UNIT 8 Simple Present: Affirmative and Negative Statements Theme: Holidays

Grammar Can use the simple present in a range of situations Can use adverbs of frequency in the correct position in a sentence Can use expressions of frequency as time markers Pronunciation: Third-Person Singular Verbs

Reading Anthropology Article: New Year Traditions Around the World Can identify language related to customs, cultures, and traditions in a short article

Listening A conversation about holidays Can take detailed notes on a short conversation, listing both main ideas and supporting details

Speaking Can work with one's peers to prepare short presentation about a holiday or custom Can describe habits and routines

Writing Can write a paragraph about a favourite holiday or tradition, using notes for support

Vocabulary at the stroke of; culture; eve; get together; look ahead; tradition

UNIT 9 Simple Present: Yes/No Questions and Short Answers Theme: Roommates

Grammar Can ask yes/no questions in the simple present Can construct short answers to yes/no questions in the simple present

Reading Questionnaire: Roommate Questionnaire Can understand responses to a questionnaire on a familiar topic

Listening A conversation about roommates Can identify a speaker's likes and dislikes in a simple conversation

Speaking Can answer simple questions in a face-to-face survey Can use a limited range of fixed expressions to describe objects, possessions, or products

Writing Can write a simple email that provides personal information and asks routine questions

Vocabulary bother; easygoing; messy; outgoing; private (adj); stay up

UNIT 10 Simple Present: Wh- Questions Theme: Dreams

Grammar Can ask wh- questions in the simple present Can use who and whom to ask about the subject or the object of a sentence

Reading Radio Show Transcript: Dreams Can identify the main points in a written transcript of a radio show

Listening A conversation about dreams Can identify key details in a conversation about dreams

Speaking Can give and elicit personal information about sleep habits, taking turns with a partner

Writing Can ask for personal details in written form and use the material to write an interview

Vocabulary author (n); guest; nightmare; remember; unfortunately

PART 4 THERE IS / THERE ARE; POSSESSIVES

UNIT 11 There is / There are Theme: Places to Shop

Grammar Can use there is and there are to introduce people or things into a conversation, or to talk about a location or time of an event Can ask yes/no questions with there + be

Reading Guidebook Excerpt: The Dubai Mall Can identify details that describe a specific location in a travel brochure or guide

Listening A conversation about a place Can provide directions to someone, based on information heard in a prior conversation

Speaking Can gather information about a place from a partner or group, summarize it, and present it to others

Writing Can write a short description of a favorite place to shop

Vocabulary aquarium; including (prep); indoor; join; luxury; parking space

UNIT 12 Possessive Nouns and Adjectives; Pronouns; Questions with Whose Theme: Possessions

Grammar Can use possessive adjectives, nouns, and pronouns Can use an apostrophe to show possession with a variety of nouns Can form questions with whose to ask about possessions

Conversation Transcript: Whose Composition Is This? Can identify the main facts in a conversation in a classroom setting

Listening A conversation about possessions Can identify ownership of possessions in a conversation that's delivered slowly and clearly

Speaking Can describe an everyday object in detail, also indicating who owns it Can ask and answer questions about possessions

Writing Can write a detailed paragraph that describes people in one's family

Vocabulary back (prep); composition; excellent; grade (n); recognize

PART 5 MODALS: ABILITY AND PERMISSION

UNIT 13 Ability Can or Could Theme: Animals and Their Abilities

Grammar Can use can and can't to refer to present ability or lack of ability and possibility Can express ability or lack of ability in the past using could and couldn't Pronunciation: Stress on Can and Can't

Reading Scientific Article: A Genius Parrot Can confirm the validity of important information in a short non-fiction article

Listening A conversation about dolphins Can identify abilities of animals in a short conversation

Speaking Can offer one's opinions or beliefs about a common topic to a partner or group Can exchange information on animals and their behaviour

Writing Can write a paragraph about a pet, using notes for guidance

Vocabulary genius; intelligent; invent; professor; surprised (adj)

UNIT 14 Permission: Can or May Theme: Special Diets

Grammar Can give, deny, or ask about permission with can and may Can use Can I or May I to ask for permission

Reading Magazine Article: Vegetarians and Vegans Can use information in a short article to categorize items based on their characteristics

Listening A conversation between a doctor and a patient Can identify foods that a patient can or cannot have due to allergies or adverse reactions

Speaking Can tell a peer or medical professional what one can or cannot eat Can communicate simple rules and regulations

Writing Can write a note that describes the dietary restrictions of oneself or of others

Vocabulary dairy; in common; nutritious; recipe; substitute

PART 6 PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

UNIT 15 Present Progressive: Affirmative and Negative Statements Theme: People Watching

Grammar Can use the present progressive to refer to situations happening now or in the extended present Can use common time expressions with the present progressive

Reading Online Article: People Watching Can confirm whether certain actions or conditions are true, based on information in an online article

Listening A telephone conversation between friends Can use the information from a phone call to describe the location of people or objects

Speaking Can describe basic activities or events that are happening at the time of speaking

Writing Can write a short narrative about what is currently happening in one's life or immediate environment

Vocabulary bored; departure; detective; psychologist; suit

UNIT 16 Present Progressive: Yes/No and Wh- Questions Theme: Movies

Grammar Can use yes/no and wh- questions in the present progressive to ask for information about something happening now or in the extended present

Reading Conversation Transcript: A Very Funny Movie Can identify the reason for specific actions in a movie or conversation

Listening A telephone conversation about family Can identify a speaker's current location and describe what he or she is doing

Speaking Can rehearse a structures conversation with a partner, using prompts for guidance Can discuss basic activities or events that are happening at the time of speaking

Writing Can write a telephone conversation between friends about seeing a famous person

Vocabulary catch a cold; cough; fever; scene; still (adv)

UNIT 17 Simple Present and Present Progressive; Non-Action Verbs
Theme: Smartphones

Grammar Can determine when to use the simple present and when to use the present progressive Can use a variety of non-action verbs to describe emotions, experiences, thoughts and preferences

Reading Technology Article: Smartphone Mania Can identify specific information in an article about technology

Listening A series of phone messages Can identify a speaker's main purpose in a phone call or recorded message

Speaking Can express a variety of likes and dislikes to one's peers Can collaborate with peers to prepare for and participate in a debate

Writing Can write a short fictional story about everyday events, using an illustration as a prompt

Vocabulary connect; constantly; feature (n); improve; waterproof

PART 7 SIMPLE PAST UNIT 18 Simple Past: Statements with Regular Verbs Theme: Travel

Grammar Can refer to past events using common regular past simple forms Can use common time markers such as ago and yesterday to denote the past Pronunciation: Regular Past Tense Endings

Reading Personal Messages: Greetings from Brazil Can understand short, simple personal emails

Listening A conversation about a trip to Japan Can confirm the length of time that someone did something in a conversation about travel

Speaking Can give a description of everyday topics, such as past habits, plans, and experiences Can ask and answer simple questions about the past

Writing Can write a detailed email about a vacation

Vocabulary cancel; freeze; land (v); miss (v); pick up

UNIT 19 Simple Past: Statements with Irregular Verbs Theme: You Never Know

Grammar Can refer to past events using common irregular verbs in the simple past Can use was or were + born to tell when or where people were born

Reading Chinese Folktale: You Never Know What Will Happen Can place information from a literary text in chronological order

Listening A story about the past Can confirm important details from an oral story about past events

Speaking Can use time markers to tell a story that has a sequence of events

Writing Can write a short descriptive story

Vocabulary appear; border (v); fight (v); ride (v); run away; unlucky

UNIT 20 Simple Past: Questions Theme: Writers

Grammar Can form yes/no and wh-questions with the simple past

Reading Biography: The Great William Shakespeare Can confirm facts about places and dates in a short biographical article

Listening A conversation about a movie Can take detailed notes during a conversation, using them to answer detailed wh-questions based on that information

Speaking Can take turns with a partner, asking questions about their favorite book, play, or movie Can ask and answer questions about the life of a famous writer

Writing Can write a series of questions and answers about the life of a famous person

Vocabulary exact; jealousy; mystery (n); play (n); pride (n)

UNIT 21 Simple Past: Review Theme: Biographies

Grammar Can use both regular and irregular verbs in the simple past Can form yes/no questions, wh-questions, and negative statements with the simple past

Reading Biography: A Loyal Friend Can confirm facts about places and dates in a short biographical article

Listening A conversation about a quiz show Can answer wh- questions based on information in a short conversation

Speaking Can take turns with a partner or group, asking questions about famous people and past events Can discuss one's childhood in detail and prompt similar responses from others

Writing Can write a short autobiographical passage, using a series of qh- questions for guidance

Vocabulary admire; base on; notice; routine; statue

PART 8 THE FUTURE

UNIT 22 Be going to for the Future Theme: City and Campus Planning

Grammar Can use be going to to state facts about the future, make predictions, and discuss future plans Can use the present progressive to talk about future plans Can use be going to with common future time markers Pronunciation: Going to and Gonna

Reading Letters to the Editor: Why We Go to College Can we recognize opinions expressed in letters to the editor

Listening A conversation about a building Can follow a slow-paced conversation about a location or place and provide key details about it

Speaking Can describe future plans and intentions using a variety of time markers Can discuss a life-changing event with a partner or small group

Writing Can write a letter or email that expresses and defends an opinion on a controversial topic

Vocabulary against; announce; gain; increase; in my opinion; tuition

UNIT 23 Will for the Future Theme: The Future

Grammar Can use will to talk about future facts, to make predictions and promises, and to ask for or refuse to do something

Reading Magazine Article: The World in 2050 Can answer questions based on information in a short article about future possibilities

Listening A conversation between a TV news reporter and two people Can identify who the main speaker is referring to in a conversation with multiple participants

Speaking Can make predictions about future events, providing an opinion or rationale for each prediction Can offer suggestions or solutions to help others with everyday problems and complaints

Writing Can write a paragraph that offers detailed predictions about future events

Vocabulary disappear; majority; memory; robot; spend time

UNIT 24 May or Might for Possibility Theme: The Weather

Grammar Can use might and may to express likelihood in the present and the immediate future Can use will and won't to express what is certain and what is impossible Can use be going to to ask questions about future possibility

Reading News Report: The Weather Forecast Can identify detailed information in a weather report

Listening A conversation about a trip Can distinguish what actions a speaker takes when he or she is debating among several possibilities

Speaking Can explain why certain objects or actions might be necessary in certain situations Can explain reason and possibilities for different situations and events Can discuss possible or tentative plans with a partner or small group

Writing Can write a weather report that makes predictions about the present and future

Vocabulary commute (n); flood (v); highway; mild; predict (v); storm (n)

UNIT 25 Gerunds and Infinitives Theme: Careers

Grammar Can use gerund and infinitives after certain verbs

Reading Magazine Article: The Right Career for You Can match people with their characteristics based on information in a magazine article

Listening A lecture about design Can identify how a speakers feels about his or her job after listening to a short lecture

Speaking Can discuss career interests with a partner or in small groups Can use a short questionnaire to elicit information from others than communicate that information to one's peers

Writing Can write a paragraph about future career goals and aspirations, detailing how these goals will be achieved

Vocabulary career; chef; compete; deadline; lawyer; salary

PART 9 COUNT/NON-COUNT NOUNS; MUCH/MANY; QUANTIFIERS

UNIT 26 Articles with Count and Non-Count Nous; Some/Any Theme: Restaurants and Food

Grammar Can use indefinite articles to refer to general subjects and definite articles to refer to specific subjects Can use some and any as quantifiers with count and non-count nouns Pronunciation: Indefinite Articles

Reading Restaurant Review: Kassandra's Food Review Can understand recommendations in restaurant reviews

Listening A conversation about part preparations Can recognize a great number of details in a conversation about everyday topics

Speaking Can use simple phrases to order a meal Can offer recommendations to others about food and restaurants

Writing Can write a review of a restaurant that includes information about its prices, food, quality, atmosphere, and service

Vocabulary atmosphere; delicious; main course; menu; reservation; service (n)

Theme: Desserts

Grammar Can ask for information about quantity with how much/many Can use a lot, a few, and a little to refer to quantities with nouns Can describe quantities using (not) any, a lot, much, or many

Reading Conversation Transcript: International Desserts Can identify the quantities of things that were listed in a short conversation about food

Listening A conversation about a recipe Can list the ingredients in a recipe that was discussed in a conversation about food

Speaking Can work with others to answer items on a quiz about desserts Can research and discuss how much of an item is needed to make a specific kind of food

Writing Can write a simple conversation between a shopper and a clerk, referring back to a list of items

Vocabulary ingredient; in season; neighborhood; prepare; pretty good; taste

UNIT 28 Too many and Too much; Enough + Noun Theme: The Right Place to Live

Grammar Can express sufficiency and insufficiency with enough and too Can use too many and too few with plural count nouns and too much and too little with non-count nouns

Reading Blog Post: Dream Locations

Listening A conversation about real estate Can recognize and recall specific details about apartments described in a conversation

Speaking Can describe the pros and cons of living in the city versus the suburbs Can provide a list of criticisms about one's hometown or city

Writing Can write a letter to a newspaper or blog that describes a major problem in one's hometown or city

Vocabulary cosmopolitan; crime; pollution; traffic; transportation; unemployment

PART 10 MODALS: ADVICE AND NECESSITY

UNIT 29: Advice: Should and Has better Theme: Dos and Don'ts of the Business World

Grammar Can use should, shouldn't, or ought to to offer or ask for advice and suggestions Can give strong advice with had better (not)

Reading Business Article: Global Business Can identify important customs or habits that predominate in different cultures

Listening A conversation about a business trip Can recognize and recall specific details about someone else's ravel or work plans

Speaking Can describe cultural and business customs in one's home an country and around the world Can explain the meaning of different body language in one's home country

Writing Can write one or two paragraphs that provide someone with advice on how to do business in one's home country

Vocabulary confusion; head for; insult (v); reception; timing (n)

UNIT 30 Necessity: Have to and Must Theme: Rules at School

Grammar Can express obligation and necessity in the present with have to and must and in the past with had to Can deny permission in the present with must not

Reading Conversation Transcript: The First Day of Class Can understand requirements for a history class describes in a conversation from the first day of class

Listening A conversation about academics Can identify what things a speaker must do in order to achieve his or her academic career goals

Speaking Can describe rules and requirements at different schools Can discuss and determine ways to solve common problems that occur in schools

Writing Can write a paragraph about the different types of rules at a school

Vocabulary average (n); due (adj); fail; midterm; outline (n); pass (v)

PART 11 COMPARISONS

UNIT 31 The Comparative
Theme: Cities

Grammar
Can make comparisons with regular, shorter adjectives + -er
Can make comparisons with more + longer adjectives
Can use the irregular comparative forms of common adjectives like good and bad

Reading
Magazine Article: A Tale of Two Portlands
Can identify details that describe and distinguish two different places

Listening
A conversation about a city
Can identify what changes are happening in a speaker's hometown or current environment

Speaking
Can describe the similarities and differences between popular locations
Can compare and contrast the transportation systems of two major cities

Writing
Can write a paragraph that compares and contrasts the different ways one can get around a major city

Vocabulary
coast (n); diverse (AWL); personality; population; wonder (v)

UNIT 32 Adverbs of Manner
Theme: Public Speaking

Grammar
Can form basic adverbs by adding -ly to certain adjectives
Can use a variety of linking verbs to connect a subject and an adjective

Reading
Magazine Article: Public Speaking
Can accurately identify instructions and advice given in an article about self-improvement

Listening
A presentation about public speaking
Can identify and recall specific instructions in a talk or a lecture given at a slow, clear pace

Speaking Can use tone to communicate the different levels of emotion, such as excitement or anger Can describe the way someone is performing an action

Writing Can write a paragraph about a talent, providing specific examples of the actions one does well

Vocabulary applause; appreciate; audience; fact; joke (n); serious

UNIT 34 The Superlative Theme: Animals Around the World

Grammar Can form the superlative of regular adjectives with -est Can form the superlative with most + longer adjectives Can form irregular superlatives of adjectives and adverbs such as best and worst

Reading Scientific Article: The Penguin Can use the information in a short article to categorize things based on their descriptions or characteristics

Listening A quiz show about animals Can, after listening to a speaker, recall detailed information and distinguishing characteristics about animals

Speaking Can discuss the characteristics of different animals in detail

Can write a paragraph that provides a throughout description of animals encountered a zoo or in one's local areas

Vocabulary centimeter; extinct; inch; kilogram; pound (n); species

Intended for English language learners at the A2 level.