Day 3 Prefixes and Like

1. vocabulary prefixes

Prefixes: un-, in- and dis-
We can put prefixes at the beginning of some words to change their meaning. They are usually only a few letters long like these:

un- (unhappy) in- (inexpensive) dis- (disagree)
Here are the prefixes and examples used in the programme:

un-

unhappy
not happy
The football fans were very unhappy when their team lost.

uncooked
not cooked
You can’t eat these uncooked apples. They are very sour.

unclean
not clean
That water is unclean. You shouldn’t drink it.

in-

intolerable
cannot be tolerated or accepted
This heat is intolerable. It’s making me feel ill.

inexpensive
not expensive; cheap
The shop sells inexpensive second-hand computers.

inactive
not active
He’s put on weight because he is so inactive. He should join a gym!

dis-

disagree
to not agree
I disagree with my sister about everything.

disgrace
something to be ashamed of
Your table manners are a disgrace.

disgusting
so horrible that you feel sick
There’s a disgusting smell in the bathroom - open a window, quickly!

2.Grammar Reference

’Like’ for preference and description
Meaning and use
The word like can be used in a number of different ways. In this unit we look at two of these:

1. Like can be used as a verb to express a preference or interest in a person, place or thing.

I like your earrings. Where did you get them?

2. Like can also be used as a preposition to ask for a description of a person, place or thing.

Emily: What’s your English teacher like?

Bob: She’s kind and intelligent.

Form (as verb)
We use like as a verb in this way: subject + like + object

Emily: I like sports. Do you like playing football?

Bob: Yes, I do. I also like fishing. Do you like fishing?

Emily: No, I don’t.

Positive
I like shopping.

Bob likes playing football.

Negative

I don’t like sports.

Emily doesn’t like reading.

Question

Do you like horror movies?

Does Bob like cartoons?

Form (as preposition)
We use like as a preposition in this set phrase:

what + to be + noun/noun phrase + like?

Andrea: What’s California like?

Jamie: It’s hot and sunny.

Take note: Is the question asking for preference or description?
When asking for preference, we use like with do or does in the question.

Do you like playing tennis?

What sports do you like?

We don’t use do or does when asking for a description. Instead, we start the question with what and end with like.

What is she like?

What’s London like?

What was your weekend like?

Take note: Time and place
We can specify time and place when asking for a description by using a phrase at the end of the question.

What will the weather be like next weekend?

What are the beaches like in Barcelona?

Spoken English
In formal speech (or writing), each word in a question usually appears separately.

What is your new house like?

However, we usually use contractions in informal speech (and writing).

What’s your new house like?

3.Vocabulary Reference

loving - showing affection

independence - the state of not being controlled or helped by others

independent - not controlled by other things, free

fur - soft hair (used about animals)

furry - having a lot of soft hair (used about animals)

comforting - making you feel less worried or sad

comfort - a nice feeling of being relaxed and not in pain

stubborn - not changing your attitude or opinion, even if there is a good reason to.

tolerant - accepting opinions of others, or able to put up with difficult conditions or treatment

hunt - chase and kill another animal for food

shrew - a small, mouse-like animal with a long nose and tiny eyes

doesn’t go much further - doesn’t go beyond this distance

plenty - more than enough

supper - evening meal

homely - simple and comfortable like at home

countryside - natural or farm land outside towns and cities

friendly - pleasant and helpful

tends to - is usually

trapped - unable to move or escape from a place / stopped from leaving a place

scratched - cut or damaged the surface of something (for example, skin)

aggressive - behaving in an angry and violent way

domestic - if an animal is domestic, it lives with people

(to have) a screw loose - (to be) a bit crazy

feral - wild

kitten - a baby cat

duty - responsibility

menacing - scary, threatening

depression - (in weather) an area where the air pressure is low, bringing cold and wet weather

gale force - strong and damaging (wind)
- describes very strong wind that can cause damage

waterproof - does not allow water in; is not damaged by water

shelter - to find or stay in place where a person or thing is protected from bad weather

depression - an area of low pressure that causes cold, wind and rain

hammer down - describes very heavy rain

batten down the hatches - prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation

weather the storm - survive a difficult situation