Connectivity 5 , Unit 2: Building Character - Adjective Clause with practice and answer

Introduction

Learning common English phrases and vocabulary can help you communicate more naturally in everyday situations. In this lesson, you will learn useful expressions such as "It serves him right," "Own up to," "Tell on someone," and "Speak up." You will also learn adjectives and nouns related to honesty, trust, and behavior.

Read each meaning and example carefully, then try to use the words in your own sentences.

1. That's not the worst of it

Meaning: The situation is bad, but there is something even worse.

Khmer Meaning : 

Example: ប៉ុណ្ហឹងមិនទាន់អាក្រក់អស់ទេ

- I lost my phone, and that's not the worst of it. I also lost my wallet.

Easy explanation: This phrase introduces another, more serious problem.

2. Get so carried away

Meaning: To become so excited or involved in something that you forget to control yourself or notice the time.

Khmer meaning : សប្បាយដល់ភ្លេចខ្លួន

Example:

- I got so carried away playing games that I forgot to do my homework.

Easy explanation: You become very excited or interested and lose track of what you should do.

3. Things kind of got out of hand

Meaning: A situation becomes difficult to control.

Khmer meaning: គ្រប់គ្រងលែងបាន

Example:

- The students were making too much noise, and things kind of got out of hand.

Easy explanation: A situation starts becoming uncontrolled or problematic.

Note: The natural expression is "Things kind of get out of hand." You can also say, "Things got out of hand."

4. It serves sb right 

Meaning: Someone deserves what happened to them because of something bad they did.

Khmer meaning : គាត់សមនិងទទួលរឿងអាក្រក់ណ្ហឹងហើយ

Example:

- He kept teasing his friend, and now nobody wants to play with him. It serves him right.

Easy explanation: You think someone received a result they deserved.

Note: This expression can sound unkind or judgmental, so use it carefully.

5. Make things right

Meaning: To correct a mistake or solve a problem with someone.

Khmer meaning : កែរកំហុស ឬដោះស្រាយបញ្ហា

Example:

- I hurt my friend's feelings, so I apologized to make things right.

Easy explanation: You try to fix a problem or repair a relationship.

Grammar note: If you mean "right now," the phrase is "Make things right now." However, the expression for correcting a problem is simply "make things right."

6. Own up to sth/doing sth

Meaning: To admit that you did something wrong or made a mistake.

Khmer meaning :  ទទួលថាយើងពិតជាបានធ្វើខុសមែន

Example:

- You broke the window. You should own up to your mistake.

Easy explanation: You honestly admit what you did.

Common structure:

Own up to + noun / gerund (-ing)

• She owned up to cheating on the test.
• He owned up to his mistake.

7. Tell on somebody (Tell on sb)

Meaning: To report someone's bad behavior to a person in authority.

Khmer meaning : ទូលពិតគេ

Example:

- My little brother told on me because I took his toy.

Easy explanation: You tell a teacher, parent, or another authority figure about something wrong someone did.

Note: "Tell on someone" often sounds negative or childish. In some situations, reporting harmful behavior is important and responsible.

8. Trustworthy (Adjective)

Meaning: Someone or something that you can trust.

Reading guide: Trustworthy (TRUST-wur-thee)

Khmer Meaning : អ្វីដែលអាចទុកចិត្តបាន

Example:

- My best friend is trustworthy because she never shares my secrets.

Easy explanation: A trustworthy person is honest and reliable.

Related words

• Trust (verb): To believe someone is honest.
• Trustworthy (adjective): Able to be trusted.
• Untrustworthy (adjective): Not reliable or honest.

9. Gossip (about) 

Meaning: To talk about other people's private lives, often sharing information that may be unkind or unconfirmed.

Reading guide: Gossip (GOS-ip)

Khmer meaning : និយាយដើមគេ

Example:

- Some students gossip about their classmates during break time.

Easy explanation: You talk about other people, especially about their personal affairs.

Noun example:

- I don't like listening to gossip about my neighbors.

Note: Gossip can be harmless in some contexts, but spreading unverified or private information can hurt people.

10. Fool around 

Meaning: To waste time, behave playfully when you should be serious, or act without thinking carefully.

Reading guide: Fool around (fool uh-round)

Khmer meaning : ចំណាយពេលអត់ប្រយោជន៍

Example:

- Stop fooling around and finish your homework.

Easy explanation: You play or waste time instead of doing something important.

Another example:

- The boys were fooling around in the classroom.

Note: In some contexts, "fool around" can also refer to casual romantic or sexual behavior. The meaning depends on the situation.

11. Obnoxious (Adjective)

Meaning: Very annoying, rude, or unpleasant. ឈ្លើយ

Reading guide: Obnoxious (uhb-NOK-shus)

Example:

- The obnoxious boy kept shouting during the movie.

Easy explanation: Someone obnoxious behaves in a way that strongly annoys other people.

Another example:

- His obnoxious behavior made everyone uncomfortable.

12. Suppose (Verb)

Meaning 1: To think or believe something is probably true.

Reading guide: Suppose (suh-POHZ)

Khmer meaning : ជឿថា, ឧបមាថា

Example:

- I suppose he is busy because he hasn't replied to my message.

Easy explanation: You think something is true, but you are not completely sure.

Meaning 2: To imagine a situation.

Example:

- Suppose you lost your wallet. What would you do?

Easy explanation: You ask someone to imagine a possible situation.

Common expression:

- I suppose so. = I think that is probably true.

13. Speak up (Phrasal Verb)

Meaning 1: To speak louder so people can hear you.

Reading guide: Speak up (speek up)

Khmer meaning: និយាយអោយលឺ, លើកមកនិយាយ

Example:

- Please speak up. I can't hear you.

Meaning 2: To express your opinion or say something, especially when you need to be heard.

Example:

- If you see something wrong, you should speak up.

Easy explanation: You use your voice to be heard or express your opinion.

14. A snitch 

Meaning: A person who tells someone in authority about another person's wrongdoing, often in a disapproving way.

Reading guide: A snitch (uh snitch)

Khmer meaning : អ្នកទូលពិតគេ

Example:

- He called me a snitch because I told the teacher about the cheating.

Easy explanation: "Snitch" is an informal word that often criticizes someone for reporting another person's behavior.

Related verb: Snitch on someone = To report someone's wrongdoing.

Note: Reporting dangerous or harmful behavior is not automatically bad. The word "snitch" often reflects the speaker's negative attitude.

15. Truthful (Adjective)

Meaning: Honest and telling the truth. ដែលអាចទុកចិត្តបាន

Reading guide: Truthful (TROOTH-fuhl)

Example:

- Please be truthful and tell me what really happened.

Easy explanation: A truthful person says what they believe is true and does not deliberately lie.

Related words:
- Truth (noun): What is true.
- Truthful (adjective): Honest and accurate.
- Truthfully (adverb): In an honest way.

16. Continuum (Noun)

Meaning: A series of things that gradually change from one end to another, without clear separate stages.

Reading guide: Continuum (kuhn-TIN-yoo-um)

Khmer meaning: ដែលជាបន្តរបន្ទាប់

Example:

- Language learning is a continuum, from beginner to advanced levels.

Easy explanation: A continuum is a range where things change gradually.

Another example:

- There is a continuum between being completely honest and telling a small white lie.

Common expression:

- On a continuum = Somewhere along a range.

17. Cite (Verb)

Meaning 1: To mention a source, example, or evidence to support an idea.

Reading guide: Cite (syt)

Khmer meaning : បង្ហាញប្រភព

Example:

- The student cited a book to support her answer.

Easy explanation: You name a source or give evidence to support what you say.

Meaning 2: To officially praise someone for an achievement or action. (More formal use)

Example:

- The teacher cited the student for her outstanding work.

Easy explanation: In formal contexts, "cite" can mean to officially recognize someone.

Important difference:

• Cite = To mention a source.
• Site = A place or location.
• Sight = The ability to see or something you see.

18. White lie (Noun)

Meaning: A small or minor lie that someone tells to avoid hurting another person's feelings or to be polite.

Reading guide: White lie (wyt lye)

Khmer meaning : កុហកដើម្បីរឿងល្អ

Example:

- I told a white lie and said I liked the gift because I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

Easy explanation: A white lie is usually a small lie intended to be polite or avoid causing discomfort.

Another example:

- He told a white lie about being busy because he didn't want to attend the party.

Note: A white lie is still a lie. Whether it is appropriate depends on the situation and its consequences.

Vocabulary Review: Quick Summary

Here are the main ideas from today's lesson:

• That's not the worst of it — There is an even worse problem.
• Get carried away — Become too excited or involved.
• Get out of hand — Become difficult to control.
• It serves him right — He deserves what happened.
• Make things right — Fix a problem.
• Own up to — Admit a mistake.
• Tell on someone — Report someone's wrongdoing.
• Trustworthy — Able to be trusted.
• Gossip — Talk about other people's private lives.
• Fool around — Waste time or behave playfully.
• Obnoxious — Very annoying or rude.
• Suppose — Think or imagine.
• Speak up — Speak louder or express your opinion.
• A snitch — An informal term for someone who reports wrongdoing.
• Truthful — Honest.
• Continuum — A gradual range.
• Cite — Mention a source or formally recognize someone.
• White lie — A small lie told for politeness or to avoid hurt.

Conclusion

Understanding everyday English phrases and vocabulary helps you communicate more naturally and confidently. Practice these words by creating your own sentences, discussing real-life situations, and using them in conversations.

Vocabulary Quiz

Quiz Complete!

Adjective Clauses

1. What Is an Adjective Clause?

An adjective clause is a group of words that describes a noun or pronoun. It usually begins with a relative pronoun such as who, which, that, whose, or whom.

An adjective clause gives us more information about a person, place, thing, or idea.

Examples

1. The girl who is wearing a red dress is my sister.
2. I bought a book that explains English grammar.
3. This is the school where I studied.
4. The teacher whose car is blue is very friendly.

The bold parts are adjective clauses because they describe a noun.

Basic Structure

Noun + relative pronoun + subject/verb or verb + extra information

Example:

• The student who studies hard gets good results.

The adjective clause who studies hard describes the student.

2. Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns connect a main clause to an adjective clause.

Who

We use who for people.

Example:

• The teacher who teaches English is kind.
• I know a student who speaks three languages.

Which

We use which for things and animals.

Example:

• I have a phone which takes good pictures.
• The dog which is sleeping belongs to my neighbor.

That

We can use that for people or things in many defining relative clauses.

Examples:

• The man that lives next door is a doctor.
• This is the book that I bought yesterday.

We do not normally use that in non-defining relative clauses.

Whose

We use whose to show possession.

Examples:

• I know a girl whose father is a teacher.
• The student whose bag is missing is looking for it.

Whom

We use whom for people when they are the object of a verb or preposition. It is more formal than who.

Example:

• The woman whom I met yesterday is a doctor.

In everyday English, who or omitting the pronoun is often more natural.

Where

We use where to talk about places.

Examples:

• This is the restaurant where we had dinner.
• I visited the school where my mother teaches.

When

We use when to talk about time.

Examples:

• I remember the day when we first met.
• Sunday is the day when I usually relax.

3. Defining Relative Clauses

Meaning

A defining relative clause gives essential information about a noun. It tells us exactly which person or thing we mean.

Without the clause, the meaning may be unclear.

We do not use commas with defining relative clauses.

Examples

1. The student who sits near the window is my friend.
2. The book that you gave me is interesting.
3. The teacher who teaches Grade 9 is from Cambodia.
4. The phone which I bought last week is expensive.

In these sentences, the relative clauses identify the specific person or thing.

Defining Relative Clause with People

We can use who, that, or whom (in suitable contexts).

Examples:

• The boy who won the competition is my cousin.
• The woman that works at the bank is my aunt.
• The student whom the teacher praised was happy.

Defining Relative Clause with Things

We can use which or that.

Examples:

• The computer that I use is old.
• This is the movie which we watched yesterday.
• I like the bag that you bought.

Omitting the Relative Pronoun

We can often omit the relative pronoun when it is the object of the relative clause.

Examples:

• The book that I read was interesting.
• The book I read was interesting.

Both sentences have the same meaning.

More examples:

• The teacher whom I met was friendly.
• The teacher I met was friendly.

However, we cannot omit the relative pronoun when it is the subject of the clause.

Correct:

• The girl who lives next door is kind.

Incorrect:

• The girl lives next door is kind. (The relative pronoun cannot simply be removed here.)

4. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Meaning

A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a person, place, or thing. The noun is already identified, so the clause is not essential to identify it.

We use commas before and after a non-defining relative clause.

Examples

1. My brother, who lives in Phnom Penh, is a teacher.
2. English, which is spoken in many countries, is an international language.
3. Mr. Dara, who teaches English, is very helpful.
4. Phnom Penh, which is the capital of Cambodia, is a busy city.

The information between the commas is additional information.

Compare Defining and Non-Defining Clauses

Defining:

• The students who study hard often get good results.

Meaning: Only the students who study hard are being identified.

Non-defining:

• My students, who study hard, often get good results.

Meaning: The speaker is adding information about the students. The clause is separated by commas.

The exact meaning depends on context, so punctuation is important.

Rules for Non-Defining Relative Clauses

1. Use commas to separate the extra information.
2. Use who for people.
3. Use which for things.
4. Use whose for possession.
5. Do not normally use that.
6. Do not omit the relative pronoun.

Examples:

• My mother, who is a nurse, works at a hospital.
• This laptop, which I bought last year, still works well.
• Mr. Sok, whose son is my friend, lives nearby.

Defining vs. Non-Defining: Key Difference

A defining clause identifies the noun. A non-defining clause adds extra information about an already identified noun.

Remember: The choice of commas can change the meaning of a sentence.

5. Relative Clauses with Prepositions

A preposition is a word such as to, with, for, about, in, or on. We sometimes use prepositions in relative clauses.

Examples:

• The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
• This is the topic about which we talked.
• The friend with whom I traveled is from Cambodia.

There are two common ways to use prepositions with relative clauses.

A. Preposition at the End (Informal English)

In everyday English, we often place the preposition at the end of the clause.

Examples:

• Who are you talking to?
• This is the person who I was talking to.
• The chair that I sat on was uncomfortable.
• The friend who I went with is a teacher.

This style is common in spoken English.

B. Preposition Before the Relative Pronoun (Formal English)

In more formal English, the preposition can come before whom or which.

Examples:

• The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
• This is the topic about which we talked.
• The chair on which I sat was uncomfortable.
• The friend with whom I traveled is a teacher.

Important Rule

When a preposition comes directly before a relative pronoun, we usually use:

• whom for people.
• which for things.

We do not normally use that directly after a preposition in this formal structure.

Incorrect:

• The person to that I spoke.

Correct:

• The person to whom I spoke.
• The person who I spoke to.

More Examples

For people

• The teacher to whom I sent an email replied quickly.
• The friend with whom I studied passed the exam.

For things

• This is the subject about which we are learning.
• The table on which I put my books is wooden.

6. Defining and Non-Defining Clauses with Prepositions

Prepositions can be used in both types of relative clauses.

Defining Example

• The teacher to whom I spoke is from Canada.

The clause identifies which teacher the speaker means.

Non-Defining Example

• Mr. Brown, to whom I spoke yesterday, is from Canada.

The clause gives extra information about Mr. Brown.

Another example:

• My laptop, on which I wrote the lesson, is very useful.

The relative clause adds extra information about the laptop.

In formal writing, placing a preposition before whom or which is often preferred. In everyday speech, a preposition at the end is generally more natural.

7. Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using commas incorrectly

Incorrect:

• The student, who sits in front of me is friendly.

Correct:

• The student who sits in front of me is friendly.

A defining relative clause does not need commas.

For a non-defining clause:

• My brother, who lives in Siem Reap, is a teacher.

Mistake 2: Using "that" in non-defining clauses

Incorrect:

• My car, that is red, is new.

Correct:

• My car, which is red, is new.

Mistake 3: Using the wrong relative pronoun

Incorrect:

• The woman which teaches English is my aunt.

Correct:

• The woman who teaches English is my aunt.

Use who for people and which for things.

Mistake 4: Omitting the subject relative pronoun

Incorrect:

• The boy lives next door is my friend.

Correct:

• The boy who lives next door is my friend.

The pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, so it cannot be omitted.

Mistake 5: Using "that" after a preposition

Incorrect:

• The person to that I spoke was kind.

Correct:

• The person to whom I spoke was kind.
• The person who I spoke to was kind.