I like to think I am an interested (0) AND committed language learner. Well, that's the idea. (1) WHAT it means is that, before travelling to another country, I spend time learning a little (2) BIT of that country's language. To be honest, this time may be only (3) TAKE a small number of hours. So the result may be no more (4) IMPRESSING than a few words and phrases. However, if possible, I like to work out (5) JUST how the equivalent of the verb 'be' works. I want to see (6) WHETHER or not the language has masculine and feminine. Do verbs change according (7) to the speaker? Is there a fixed order for words within a sentence? Anyway, I believe the attempt is a good investment. Just being able to say things like 'hello', 'thank you', 'two coffees, please' and so (8) ON – it all helps to make a positive impression. People appreciate the effort – (9) WHY wouldn't they? But (10) THERE is a difficulty in all this. Because I travel a lot for my work, I am constantly learning small quantities of different languages. Sadly, then, I speak (11) NO language very well, and I tend to forget everything (12) JUST as fast as I learn.
The story (takes) place in the late 1950s. Mr Greenleaf and his wife, a wealthy American couple, (send) a young man named Ripley to bring back their son Dickie from Italy. Ripley (goes) to Italy and pretends to be friends with Dickie but does not tell) him the real reason for his visit. The son does not want) to return to America and (gets) annoyed with Ripley. So Ripley (kills) him and (steals) his identity and all of his money. (Do Dickie's parents find out the truth? (Does Ripley get away with murder? See the film and find out.
However, if possible, I like to work out (5) JUST how the equivalent of the verb 'be' works. I want to see (6) WHETHER or not the language has masculine and feminine. Do verbs change according (7) to the speaker? Is there a fixed order for words within a sentence?
Anyway, I believe the attempt is a good investment. Just being able to say things like 'hello', 'thank you', 'two coffees, please' and so (8) ON – it all helps to make a positive impression. People appreciate the effort – (9) WHY wouldn't they?
But (10) THERE is a difficulty in all this. Because I travel a lot for my work, I am constantly learning small quantities of different languages. Sadly, then, I speak (11) NO language very well, and I tend to forget everything (12) JUST as fast as I learn.