Unit 2 (The amazing body)
Your hands can clap, your legs can move and your eyes can look at a picture. The amazing body helps you name body parts and explain what a person can do in English. This English 2AC semester 1 lesson connects vocabulary with descriptions, can and can’t, classroom instructions and simple advice. You will use the language to read a club notice, explain a task and write a respectful character description.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- Name common body parts and form regular and irregular plurals
- Describe a person using be, have and possessive adjectives
- Express abilities with can and can’t
- Give and follow positive and negative instructions
- Distinguish an ability, advice and a rule
- Read a club notice and write a character description
Before you startBe, have, subject pronouns and possessive adjectives · Simple adjectives and familiar present-simple sentences
Un bon cours, ça se partage.
What are the main body parts in English?
| Body part | Plural | Useful phrase |
|---|---|---|
| head | heads | turn your head |
| eye | eyes | close your eyes |
| ear | ears | two ears |
| nose | noses | point to your nose |
| mouth | mouths | open your mouth |
| shoulder | shoulders | touch your shoulders |
| arm | arms | raise your arm |
| hand | hands | clap your hands |
| finger | fingers | five fingers on one hand |
| leg | legs | move your leg |
| knee | knees | bend your knee |
| foot | feet | one foot, two feet |
| tooth | teeth | one tooth, two teeth |
Most plurals add s. Foot and tooth are different: feet and teeth. Hair is usually uncountable when you describe all the hair on a head: She has dark hair. Do not add s in that description. To learn a body word, point to the labelled part on the picture, say the word, then put it in a phrase.
How can pronunciation help you remember these words?
The initial k in knee is silent. The ee in knee and teeth represents the long vowel sound /iː/. Foot has /ʊ/, while feet has /iː/. Say one foot, two feet as a pair. Listen to your teacher’s model, repeat at a comfortable pace and ask for the word again if you need it.
How do you describe a person with be and have?
| Purpose | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| General description | subject + be + adjective | The character is tall. |
| Hair or eyes | subject + have/has + description | She has short dark hair. |
| Several features | adjectives before the noun | He has brown eyes. |
| Temporary feeling | subject + be + feeling | I am tired. |
| Negative possession | doesn’t + have | The robot doesn’t have ears. |
Keep the verb and the adjective separate: He is tall, but He has long arms. Say She has brown eyes, rather than She is brown eyes. Adjectives do not take a plural s: two long arms. With colours and length, a natural phrase is short dark hair or long brown hair.
Remember
Use respectful descriptions and only details needed for the task. You can describe a fictional character or a robot instead of a classmate. A person’s appearance does not tell you what they like or what they can do.
Meet a drawing-club mascot
Our mascot is a friendly robot. It has a round head, two green eyes and long arms. It has three fingers on each hand. It is small, but it can carry a drawing board.
- Is introduces general descriptions: friendly and small.
- Has introduces features: a head, eyes, arms and fingers.
- Can introduces an ability; it does not describe appearance.
How do you use can and can’t for ability?
Definition
Can for ability : Can describes an ability. Its form stays the same with every subject and is followed by a base verb: I can draw. She can draw. For the negative, use cannot or can’t.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + can + base verb | Aya can jump. |
| Negative | subject + can’t + base verb | Aya can’t juggle. |
| Question | Can + subject + base verb? | Can Aya draw? |
| Positive short answer | Yes, subject + can. | Yes, she can. |
| Negative short answer | No, subject + can’t. | No, she can’t. |
Can does not take s: He can swim, rather than He cans swim. Do not add to after can: She can draw. Do not add do to its question: Can she draw? Practice sentences about abilities do not assume that every learner can do the same activities. You can choose drawing, remembering words or another ability that fits your example.
How do you give positive and negative instructions?
| Purpose | Instruction | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for an action | Raise your hand. | base verb + the rest of the instruction |
| Tell someone to stop an action | Don’t run in the classroom. | Don’t + base verb |
| Make an instruction polite | Point to the picture, please. | please at the end or beginning |
| Suggest doing something together | Let’s draw a robot. | Let’s + base verb |
An imperative does not normally begin with you: Touch your shoulder. A negative imperative uses Don’t even if you are addressing one person. Use a sequence word to give several steps: First, raise one hand. Then, point to the board. Finally, sit down. Read the task context and choose gestures everyone in your group can comfortably use.
Step by step
A body-word listening game
- Partner A chooses three instructions from the vocabulary table and reads them slowly.
- Partner B listens and points to the relevant labels on the picture.
- Partner B repeats the words in the same order to check understanding.
- Swap roles and change the instructions. You may point on the picture instead of moving your body.
What is the difference between can, should and must?
| Word | Main meaning in this task | Example |
|---|---|---|
| can | ability | I can label the picture. |
| should | advice or recommendation | You should check your spelling. |
| must | a requirement or rule | We must follow the teacher’s instructions. |
| mustn’t | a prohibition | We mustn’t write on the desks. |
| don’t have to | something is not required | You don’t have to use every colour. |
Should and must also take a base verb, without to or s: She should check the labels. He must listen. Mustn’t means an action is forbidden. Don’t have to means you can choose whether to do it. Compare You mustn’t draw on the desk with You don’t have to draw a border around the poster.
Remember
A quiz asking for advice should contain an advice context; a quiz asking for a rule should name the rule. Can, should and must cannot be swapped merely because they all come before a verb.
How do you express a feeling or a problem?
| Situation | Useful sentence | Language pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling tired | I’m tired. | be + adjective |
| Feeling cold | I’m cold. | be + adjective |
| Naming a headache | I have a headache. | have + a + noun |
| Naming a toothache | I have a toothache. | have + a + noun |
| Asking for help | Can you help me, please? | polite question with can |
These are language examples for saying how you feel and asking for help. Compare I am tired with I have a headache: tired is an adjective, while headache is a noun. In a classroom role-play, one pupil can say the problem and another can ask a teacher for help. No treatment instructions are needed to practise these sentences.
Reading: the drawing club’s robot challenge
The drawing club meets on Thursday. Today the pupils are designing a robot mascot called Nori. Nori has a square head, two round eyes and two long arms. It has wheels instead of feet. It can carry books, but it can’t climb stairs. The club’s instructions are clear: first, draw the body; then, label five parts; finally, write two sentences about abilities. Pupils should check their spelling with a partner. They must keep the desks clean. They don’t have to use every colour.
Step by step
Find a description, an ability and a rule
- For a description, look for is or has and a feature: Nori has a square head.
- For an ability, look for can or can’t: it can carry books.
- For a rule, locate must: pupils must keep the desks clean.
- For optional work, locate don’t have to: every colour is not required.
Speaking and writing: explain your own mascot
Draw or imagine a club mascot. Give it a name, describe four features and include one ability and one limitation. Work with a partner: ask Can it…? and answer Yes, it can or No, it can’t. Then give two drawing instructions, for example Draw a round head and Don’t forget the labels.
Write 60–80 words for the club’s display. Use is/has, two body-word plurals, can/can’t and one recommendation with should. Read the paragraph aloud. Check that your reader can picture the character and understand its abilities. Finish by choosing one word or structure you want to practise again.
Frequently asked questions
What does The amazing body cover in English 2AC?
What are the plurals of foot and tooth?
Do we use can draw or can to draw?
What is the difference between mustn’t and don’t have to?
How do you describe hair and eyes in English?
How can I practise body vocabulary with a partner?
Quiz: 20 questions
20 questions are randomly selected from this lesson’s 24-question bank. Choose one answer for each question and get an immediate explanation.
Q1Which word names the part above the neck?
Incorrect answer
The head is the body part above the neck.
Correct answer: Head
The head is the body part above the neck.
Q2Which word names the joint in the middle of a leg?
Incorrect answer
Knee names the joint between the upper and lower leg.
Correct answer: Knee
Knee names the joint between the upper and lower leg.
Q3What is the plural of foot?
Incorrect answer
Foot has the irregular plural feet.
Correct answer: Feet
Foot has the irregular plural feet.
Q4What is the plural of tooth?
Incorrect answer
Tooth has the irregular plural teeth.
Correct answer: Teeth
Tooth has the irregular plural teeth.
Q5Choose a description of all the hair on a head.
Incorrect answer
Hair is usually uncountable in this description and is used with has.
Correct answer: She has dark hair.
Hair is usually uncountable in this description and is used with has.
Q6Complete: The character … tall.
Incorrect answer
Tall is an adjective, so the description uses be: is tall.
Correct answer: is
Tall is an adjective, so the description uses be: is tall.
Q7Complete: It … two green eyes.
Incorrect answer
Has introduces features such as eyes with the singular subject it.
Correct answer: has
Has introduces features such as eyes with the singular subject it.
Q8Choose the correct phrase.
Incorrect answer
Adjectives go before nouns and do not take plural s.
Correct answer: two long arms
Adjectives go before nouns and do not take plural s.
Q9Choose the correct ability sentence.
Incorrect answer
Can stays unchanged and is followed by a base verb.
Correct answer: She can draw.
Can stays unchanged and is followed by a base verb.
Q10Choose a negative ability sentence.
Incorrect answer
Can’t gives the negative form and takes the base verb juggle.
Correct answer: He can’t juggle.
Can’t gives the negative form and takes the base verb juggle.
Q11Choose a question about ability.
Incorrect answer
Put can before the subject and use the base verb.
Correct answer: Can she draw?
Put can before the subject and use the base verb.
Q12Can Nori climb stairs? No, …
Incorrect answer
A negative short answer to a can question uses can’t.
Correct answer: it can’t.
A negative short answer to a can question uses can’t.
Q13Choose a positive instruction.
Incorrect answer
An imperative begins with a base verb: Raise.
Correct answer: Raise your hand.
An imperative begins with a base verb: Raise.
Q14Choose a negative instruction.
Incorrect answer
A negative imperative uses Don’t + base verb.
Correct answer: Don’t run in the classroom.
A negative imperative uses Don’t + base verb.
Q15Choose a suggestion for the whole group.
Incorrect answer
Let’s is followed by a base verb to suggest a shared action.
Correct answer: Let’s draw a robot.
Let’s is followed by a base verb to suggest a shared action.
Q16Which sentence gives advice?
Incorrect answer
Should marks a recommendation in this classroom task.
Correct answer: You should check the spelling.
Should marks a recommendation in this classroom task.
Q17A club rule requires clean desks. Choose the sentence.
Incorrect answer
Must states the requirement named in the question.
Correct answer: We must keep the desks clean.
Must states the requirement named in the question.
Q18A border is optional. What does that mean?
Incorrect answer
Don’t have to means the action is not required.
Correct answer: You don’t have to draw a border.
Don’t have to means the action is not required.
Q19Writing on desks is forbidden. Choose the rule.
Incorrect answer
Mustn’t expresses a prohibition, not optional work.
Correct answer: You mustn’t write on desks.
Mustn’t expresses a prohibition, not optional work.
Q20Complete: She should … the labels.
Incorrect answer
Should is followed by the base verb check, without s or to.
Correct answer: check
Should is followed by the base verb check, without s or to.
Q21Choose the feeling sentence.
Incorrect answer
Tired is an adjective and follows be without an article here.
Correct answer: I am tired.
Tired is an adjective and follows be without an article here.
Q22What shape is Nori’s head in the reading?
Incorrect answer
The reading explicitly describes Nori’s head as square.
Correct answer: Square
The reading explicitly describes Nori’s head as square.
Q23What does Nori have instead of feet?
Incorrect answer
The passage says Nori has wheels instead of feet.
Correct answer: Wheels
The passage says Nori has wheels instead of feet.
Q24What can Nori do in the reading?
Incorrect answer
Nori can carry books, but it cannot climb stairs; flying is not stated.
Correct answer: Carry books
Nori can carry books, but it cannot climb stairs; flying is not stated.
Your score
0/20
Start with the worked examples
Read the lesson in small sections. Write your own example for each rule and try the Easy exercises before returning to the quiz.
Review: 20 missed questions
Which word names the part above the neck?
Correct answerHead
The head is the body part above the neck.
Which word names the joint in the middle of a leg?
Correct answerKnee
Knee names the joint between the upper and lower leg.
What is the plural of foot?
Correct answerFeet
Foot has the irregular plural feet.
What is the plural of tooth?
Correct answerTeeth
Tooth has the irregular plural teeth.
Choose a description of all the hair on a head.
Correct answerShe has dark hair.
Hair is usually uncountable in this description and is used with has.
Complete: The character … tall.
Correct answeris
Tall is an adjective, so the description uses be: is tall.
Complete: It … two green eyes.
Correct answerhas
Has introduces features such as eyes with the singular subject it.
Choose the correct phrase.
Correct answertwo long arms
Adjectives go before nouns and do not take plural s.
Choose the correct ability sentence.
Correct answerShe can draw.
Can stays unchanged and is followed by a base verb.
Choose a negative ability sentence.
Correct answerHe can’t juggle.
Can’t gives the negative form and takes the base verb juggle.
Choose a question about ability.
Correct answerCan she draw?
Put can before the subject and use the base verb.
Can Nori climb stairs? No, …
Correct answerit can’t.
A negative short answer to a can question uses can’t.
Choose a positive instruction.
Correct answerRaise your hand.
An imperative begins with a base verb: Raise.
Choose a negative instruction.
Correct answerDon’t run in the classroom.
A negative imperative uses Don’t + base verb.
Choose a suggestion for the whole group.
Correct answerLet’s draw a robot.
Let’s is followed by a base verb to suggest a shared action.
Which sentence gives advice?
Correct answerYou should check the spelling.
Should marks a recommendation in this classroom task.
A club rule requires clean desks. Choose the sentence.
Correct answerWe must keep the desks clean.
Must states the requirement named in the question.
A border is optional. What does that mean?
Correct answerYou don’t have to draw a border.
Don’t have to means the action is not required.
Writing on desks is forbidden. Choose the rule.
Correct answerYou mustn’t write on desks.
Mustn’t expresses a prohibition, not optional work.
Complete: She should … the labels.
Correct answercheck
Should is followed by the base verb check, without s or to.
Exercises with answers
14 exercises, from easy practice to challenges. Try each one yourself, then reveal the answer and explanation.
Exercise 1
EasyLook at the body picture. Name the part above the neck, the joint between the upper and lower leg, and the part at the end of an arm.
Answer and explanation
Head; knee; hand. Use the picture’s leader lines to connect each word to its location.
Exercise 2
EasyWrite the plural of arm, hand, knee, foot and tooth.
Answer and explanation
Arms, hands, knees, feet and teeth. Foot and tooth are irregular; they do not become foots and tooths.
Exercise 3
EasyComplete: Nori … small. It … two arms. Aya … short hair. Sami … tired.
Answer and explanation
Nori is small. It has two arms. Aya has short hair. Sami is tired. Be links an adjective to a subject; has introduces a feature or possession.
Exercise 4
EasyCorrect the verb after can: She can draws. They can to jump. He cans remember words.
Answer and explanation
She can draw. They can jump. He can remember words. Can never takes s, and the verb after it is a base verb without to.
Exercise 5
EasyMake instructions with these words: raise / your hand ; touch / your shoulder ; not run / in the classroom.
Answer and explanation
Raise your hand. Touch your shoulder. Don’t run in the classroom. Use Don’t + base verb for the negative instruction.
Exercise 6
IntermediateMake questions and short answers: Aya can draw. (yes) Nori can climb stairs. (no) They can label the poster. (yes)
Answer and explanation
Can Aya draw? Yes, she can. Can Nori climb stairs? No, it can’t. Can they label the poster? Yes, they can. Do not use do or does with can.
Exercise 7
IntermediateUse: a tall robot; two green eyes; long arms; small hands. Write four sentences with is or has.
Answer and explanation
It is a tall robot. It has two green eyes. It has long arms. It has small hands. Adjectives stay unchanged before plural nouns.
Exercise 8
IntermediateChoose should or must. Advice: You … check the spelling with a partner. Club rule: Pupils … keep the desks clean. Explain the difference.
Answer and explanation
You should check the spelling with a partner. Pupils must keep the desks clean. The first is a recommendation; the second is a named club requirement.
Exercise 9
IntermediateChoose mustn’t or don’t have to. Writing on desks is forbidden: You … write on desks. A coloured border is optional: You … draw a coloured border.
Answer and explanation
You mustn’t write on desks. You don’t have to draw a coloured border. Mustn’t forbids an action; don’t have to means it is not required.
Exercise 10
IntermediateUse the reading. What shape is Nori’s head? What does it have instead of feet? What can’t it do? What is the final drawing task?
Answer and explanation
Its head is square. It has wheels instead of feet. It can’t climb stairs. The final task is to write two sentences about abilities. Find each detail in the text.
Exercise 11
IntermediateChoose am or have: I … tired. I … a headache. I … cold. I … a toothache. Then write a polite request for help.
Answer and explanation
I am tired. I have a headache. I am cold. I have a toothache. A suitable request is Can you help me, please? Use be with adjectives and have with these problem nouns.
Exercise 12
ChallengeHave a partner read while you look away: First, point to the robot’s head. Then, find its two arms. Finally, read the sentence about its wheels. Repeat the three steps in order using the reading about Nori.
Answer and explanation
Order: head, two arms, wheels. Nori has a square head, two long arms and wheels instead of feet. Repeat the order as well as the vocabulary.
Exercise 13
ChallengeCorrect: My robot are small. It have two foots. It cans carry books. It can’t to jump. You should checks the labels.
Answer and explanation
My robot is small. It has two feet. It can carry books. It can’t jump. You should check the labels. Fix be/have agreement, the irregular plural and the base verbs after can and should.
Exercise 14
ChallengeWrite 60–80 words about an invented mascot. Include four features, one ability, one limitation and a spelling recommendation.
Answer and explanation
Model: Our mascot is called Tiko. It is a small robot with a round head. It has two blue eyes, long arms and three fingers on each hand. It has wheels instead of feet. Tiko can carry our drawing boards, but it can’t climb stairs. Draw it on a poster and label the body parts. You should check the spelling with a partner.
Other mascots are acceptable. Check the requested features, is/has, regular and irregular plurals, can + base verb and should + base verb. Do not infer abilities from appearance.