Sunday, September 13, 2026

Adjectives after link verbs

Mbiemrat pas foljeve lidhëse

We use some adjectives only after a link verb:

Ne përdorim disa mbiemra vetëm pas një foljeje lidhëse:

afraid alive alone asleep content glad ill ready sorry sure unable well

Some of the commonest -ed adjectives are normally used only after a link verb:

Disa nga mbiemrat me -ed më të zakonshëm, normalisht përdoren vetëm pas një foljeje lidhëse:

annoyed bored finished pleased thrilled

We say:

Ne themi:

· Our teacher was ill.

· My uncle was very glad when he heard the news.

· The policeman seemed to be very annoyed.

but we do not say:

por ne nuk themi:

· We had an ill teacher.

· When he heard the news he was a very glad uncle.

· He seemed to be a very annoyed policeman.

Choose the sentence which is NOT correct.

Zgjidhni fjalinë e cila NUK është e saktë.

afraid and frightened

o Please, don’t be afraid.

o Please, don’t be frightened.

o Tom looked like an afraid rabbit.

o Tom looked like a frightened rabbit.

alive and living

o Is your great-grandmother still alive?

o Is your great-grandmother still living?

o The tsunami destroyed every living thing.

o The tsunami destroyed every alive thing.

asleep and sleeping

o The thief walked quietly past the asleep dogs.

o The thief walked quietly past the sleeping dogs.

o Shh! The children are asleep.

o Shh! The children are sleeping.

well and healthy

o George isn’t looking very well these days, is he?

o George isn’t looking very healthy these days, is he?

o Bright eyes are a sign of a healthy dog.

o Bright eyes are a sign of a well dog.

ill and sick

o I don’t like hospitals. They’re full of ill people.

o I don’t like hospitals. They’re full of sick people.

o Dave’s not coming to work today. He’s ill.

o Dave’s not coming to work today. He’s sick.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Try to make the best use of the following knowledge in English

1. above dhe over

1. ‘më lartë se …’’ , ‘mbi…’ , above ose over

Si above ashtu edhe over mund të përdoren me kuptimin ‘më lart se…’ , ‘mbi…’.

- The water came up above/over our knees.

- Can you see the helicopter above/over the palace?

2. above – ‘jo drejtpërsëdrejti mbi…’

Above është më e përdorshme kur duam të flasim për dicka që ndodhet ‘jo drejtpërsëdrejti mbi… (dicka tjetër)’.

- We ’got a little house above the lake.

3. over : ‘duke mbuluar’

Over përdoret për të treguar që një gjë mbulon dhe/ose prek një tjetër.

- There is cloud over the South of Albania.

- He put on a coat over his pyjamas.

Over / across përdoren për të treguar që një gjë përshkon një tjetër (shiko9).

- The plane was flying over / across Denmark.

- Electricity cables stretch over / across the fields.

4. above : për madhësi

Above përdoret në matjet e temperaturës dhe të lartësisë si dhe në raste të tjera kur mendojmë që ekziston një parametër vertikal.

- The temperature is three degrees above zero.

- The summit of Everest is about 8000 metres above sea level.

- She’s well above average in intelligence.

5. over : për moshë , shpejtësi , ‘më shumë se’

Kur duam të flasim për moshën dhe shpejtësinë, si dhe kur duam të themi ‘më tepër se…’ , përdorim zakonisht over dhe JO above.

- You have to be over 18 to see this film.

- The police said she was driving at over 120 kmph.

- There were over 100,000 people at the festival.

6. see above / over

E shkruar në një libër ose në një tekst, ‘see above’ ka kuptimin ‘shiko dicka të shkruar më parë/më lart’ ; ‘see over’ do të thotë ‘shiko në faqen tjetër’.

Ndryshimet ndërmjet below dhe under janë të ngjashme.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Preface

A key is usually a small piece of metal, but it can open something valuable. Some keys open doors, others open boxes, and a few open our minds. Education is often described as a key because it gives people the opportunity to discover new ideas, solve problems, and understand the world more clearly. As you read the following story, think about this question:

What is the greatest key you have ever received?

Main Text

The Library Key

When the old village library was renovated, every student received a small brass key. It was not a key to the front door, because the library was open to everyone. Instead, it opened a small wooden locker where each student could keep books, notebooks, and personal reading projects.

Most students were excited. They decorated their lockers with drawings, favorite quotations, and photographs. One boy, however, was different.

His name was Leon.

Although he enjoyed football and cycling, he believed that reading was boring. For several weeks, his locker remained almost empty except for a pencil and a notebook.

One rainy afternoon, Leon could not play outside. With nothing else to do, he opened one of the books that had been left on a nearby table. It told the story of a young explorer who crossed deserts, climbed mountains, and learned from people in distant countries.

Leon forgot about the rain.

The next day, he borrowed another book. Then another. Soon his locker was full.

His teachers noticed that he was asking better questions in class. His vocabulary became richer, and his writing became more interesting. Even his friends enjoyed listening to the stories he shared.

At the end of the school year, the librarian asked each student one simple question:

"What has your library key opened?"

Some students answered, "A locker."

Others replied, "A place to keep books."

Leon smiled before saying,

"It opened my curiosity."

The librarian nodded.

"The best keys," she said, "do not open doors. They open minds."

Comprehension Questions

A. Answer the Questions

Why did every student receive a key?
What was Leon's opinion about reading at first?
Why did he begin reading one afternoon?
What kind of story did he read first?
How did Leon change during the school year?
What changes did his teachers notice?
What question did the librarian ask?
What was Leon's answer?
What did the librarian mean by "The best keys do not open doors"?
What is the main lesson of the story?

B. True or False

The key opened the main entrance to the library.
Leon loved reading from the beginning.
Rainy weather led Leon to open a book.
Reading improved Leon's vocabulary.
The story suggests that books can change people.

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words with their meanings.

renovated
curiosity
quotation
explorer
borrow

a. to take something for a time and return it later

b. completely repaired or improved

c. a person who travels to discover new places

d. a desire to learn or know more

e. a sentence spoken or written by another person

Grammar Practice

A. Present Perfect or Simple Past

Choose the correct form.

Leon ______ many books since that rainy afternoon.
(has read / read)
He ______ his first book because it was raining.
(opened / has opened)
His teachers ______ a great improvement in his writing.
(noticed / have noticed)
The librarian ______ the students an important question yesterday.
(asked / has asked)
Leon ______ much more curious over the past year.
(became / has become)

B. Modal Verbs

Complete the sentences using can, could, should, must, or may.

Books ______ help us understand different cultures.
Students ______ return borrowed books on time.
Leon ______ not see the value of reading at first.
You ______ discover something wonderful if you keep reading.
Everyone ______ learn something new every day.

Discussion

Discuss these questions with a partner.

What book has influenced you the most?
Why do some young people dislike reading?
How can a library help a community?
If you could write a book, what would it be about?
What does curiosity mean to you?

Writing Task

A Book That Changed My Thinking

Write 150–180 words.

Include:

The title or type of book.
Why you chose it.
What you learned from it.
Whether you would recommend it to others.
How it influenced your way of thinking.

Try to use:

at least three modal verbs;
two Present Perfect sentences;
three linking words (however, therefore, because, finally, although).

Sunday, August 9, 2026

The Clockmaker's Secret

Preface

Time is one of the few things that every person receives equally. Rich or poor, young or old, each of us has twenty-four hours every day. Some people seem to accomplish a great deal, while others wonder where their time has gone. The difference is often not the amount of time they have, but how wisely they use it. The following story reminds us that every minute has value.

Main Text

The Clockmaker's Secret

In a quiet village there lived an old clockmaker named Stefan. His small shop was filled with clocks of every shape and size. Some were large enough to stand on the floor, while others were small enough to fit into a pocket. Every clock kept perfect time.

People often asked Stefan why his clocks were so reliable.

"My secret is simple," he would answer with a smile. "I take care of small problems before they become big ones."

One afternoon, a young apprentice came to work with him.

"I want to learn how to repair clocks," the boy said.

Stefan nodded and handed him a beautiful old clock.

The apprentice looked at the tiny gears inside and sighed.

"There are too many parts," he complained.

Stefan replied, "Never try to repair the whole clock at once. Understand one piece, then the next. Small improvements lead to great results."

For several months, the apprentice followed his teacher's advice. He cleaned one wheel, adjusted one spring, and polished one tiny screw at a time. Gradually, he understood how every small part worked together.

Years later, the apprentice opened a workshop of his own. Above the entrance he placed a simple sign:

Great work begins with careful attention to small things.

Whenever customers admired his work, he remembered Stefan's lesson. He realized that the secret had never been about clocks. It had always been about life.

Comprehension Questions

A. Answer the Questions

What was Stefan's profession?
Why did people admire his clocks?
What secret did Stefan share?
Who came to learn from him?
Why did the apprentice become discouraged?
What advice did Stefan give him?
How long did the apprentice study with Stefan?
What sign did he place above his workshop?
What did he finally understand?
What is the main message of the story?

B. True or False

Stefan lived in a large city.
His shop contained many different clocks.
The apprentice repaired the clock immediately.
Stefan believed that small improvements were important.
The story is really about life as much as about clocks.

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words with their meanings.

apprentice
reliable
gradually
adjust
workshop

a. a place where things are made or repaired

b. slowly over time

c. someone learning a trade from an experienced person

d. dependable

e. to make something work better by changing it slightly

Grammar Practice

A. Present Perfect or Simple Past

Choose the correct answer.

Stefan ______ clocks for many years.
(repaired / has repaired)
The apprentice ______ to the shop one afternoon.
(came / has come)
He ______ a great deal since he began learning.
(learned / has learned)
Stefan ______ him excellent advice.
(gave / has given)
They ______ together for several months.
(worked / have worked)

B. Relative Clauses

Join the sentences using who, which, or that.

Stefan was an old clockmaker. He taught many people.
The apprentice repaired a clock. The clock was very old.
The shop contained clocks. The clocks kept perfect time.
The lesson changed his life. The lesson was unforgettable.
Customers admired the workshop. It became famous in the village.

Discussion

Discuss these questions with a partner.

Why are small details important?
Have you ever learned a skill step by step?
What difficult task became easier when you divided it into smaller parts?
Which quality is more important: talent or patience? Why?

Writing Task

Small Steps Toward Success

Write 150–180 words on the following topic:

"A Skill I Would Like to Master."

Include:

What the skill is.
Why you want to learn it.
The small steps you will take.
The difficulties you may face.
How you will know you have succeeded.

Try to use:

at least three linking words (however, therefore, although, finally, because);
two relative clauses;
one Present Perfect sentence.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

The Clockmaker's Secret

Preface

Main Text

The Clockmaker's Secret

People often asked Stefan why his clocks were so reliable.

"My secret is simple," he would answer with a smile. "I take care of small problems before they become big ones."

One afternoon, a young apprentice came to work with him.

"I want to learn how to repair clocks," the boy said.

Stefan nodded and handed him a beautiful old clock.

The apprentice looked at the tiny gears inside and sighed.

"There are too many parts," he complained.

Stefan replied, "Never try to repair the whole clock at once. Understand one piece, then the next. Small improvements lead to great results."

Years later, the apprentice opened a workshop of his own. Above the entrance he placed a simple sign:

Great work begins with careful attention to small things.

Whenever customers admired his work, he remembered Stefan's lesson. He realized that the secret had never been about clocks. It had always been about life.

Comprehension Questions

A. Answer the Questions

What was Stefan's profession?
Why did people admire his clocks?
What secret did Stefan share?
Who came to learn from him?
Why did the apprentice become discouraged?
What advice did Stefan give him?
How long did the apprentice study with Stefan?
What sign did he place above his workshop?
What did he finally understand?
What is the main message of the story?

B. True or False

Stefan lived in a large city.
His shop contained many different clocks.
The apprentice repaired the clock immediately.
Stefan believed that small improvements were important.
The story is really about life as much as about clocks.

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words with their meanings.

apprentice
reliable
gradually
adjust
workshop

a. a place where things are made or repaired

b. slowly over time

c. someone learning a trade from an experienced person

d. dependable

e. to make something work better by changing it slightly

Grammar Practice

A. Present Perfect or Simple Past

Choose the correct answer.

Stefan ______ clocks for many years.
(repaired / has repaired)
The apprentice ______ to the shop one afternoon.
(came / has come)
He ______ a great deal since he began learning.
(learned / has learned)
Stefan ______ him excellent advice.
(gave / has given)
They ______ together for several months.
(worked / have worked)

B. Relative Clauses

Join the sentences using who, which, or that.

Stefan was an old clockmaker. He taught many people.
The apprentice repaired a clock. The clock was very old.
The shop contained clocks. The clocks kept perfect time.
The lesson changed his life. The lesson was unforgettable.
Customers admired the workshop. It became famous in the village.

Discussion

Discuss these questions with a partner.

Why are small details important?
Have you ever learned a skill step by step?
What difficult task became easier when you divided it into smaller parts?
Which quality is more important: talent or patience? Why?

Writing Task

Small Steps Toward Success

Write 150–180 words on the following topic:

"A Skill I Would Like to Master."

Include:

What the skill is.
Why you want to learn it.
The small steps you will take.
The difficulties you may face.
How you will know you have succeeded.

Try to use:

at least three linking words (however, therefore, although, finally, because);
two relative clauses;
one Present Perfect sentence.

Friday, August 7, 2026

Home and responsibility

Home and Responsibility

Preface

Read the passage carefully before answering the questions. Think about the ideas as well as the language. Then complete the grammar exercise and finish with the writing task using your own ideas.

Main Reading (≈200 words)

Many people believe that a house becomes a home because of the people who live in it rather than its size or appearance. Every family has different routines and responsibilities, but working together often creates a happier and more peaceful environment.

Emma lives with her parents and her younger brother. During the week, everyone has a small job to do. Emma sets the table before dinner, her brother waters the flowers, and their father takes out the rubbish. Their mother enjoys cooking, but everyone helps clean the kitchen after the meal. These simple tasks save time and teach the children that every family member is important.

At weekends, the family usually works together in the garden. They plant flowers, cut the grass, and sometimes grow vegetables. After finishing the work, they often sit outside, drink tea, and talk about their plans for the following week.

Emma says that helping at home has taught her valuable lessons. She has learned to be responsible, to respect other people's work, and to understand that cooperation makes everyday life easier. Although household chores are not always exciting, they help build stronger relationships and prepare young people for adult life.

Section 1 – Reading Comprehension

Why does the writer say that a house becomes a home?
What household job does Emma do every day?
Why does the family work together in the garden?
What lessons has Emma learned from helping at home?
What is the main message of the passage?

Section 2 – Grammar (Present Simple vs. Present Continuous)

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Emma usually __________ (set) the table before dinner.
Look! Her brother __________ (water) the flowers now.
Their parents __________ (work) in the garden every weekend.
This afternoon they __________ (plant) new flowers.
The family always __________ (help) one another.

Section 3 – Writing

Write 80–120 words.

Describe how responsibilities are shared in your home.

Include:

who lives with you,
what jobs each person does,
which task you like most,
why working together is important.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

The strength of keeping your word

The Strength of Keeping Your Word

Preface

People are remembered not only for what they know but also for what they do. One of the qualities that earns lasting respect is reliability—the habit of keeping one's promises. Whether we are students, teachers, friends, or family members, our words have value only when our actions support them. The following story shows how one simple promise changed a young person's life.

Main Text

The Strength of Keeping Your Word

Daniel was one of the brightest students in his class. He answered questions confidently, completed difficult exercises, and enjoyed helping his classmates. However, he had one habit that often disappointed people. He frequently promised to do things but forgot about them a few days later.

One Monday, his grandfather asked him to water a young apple tree while he was away visiting relatives.

"It only needs a few minutes each evening," his grandfather said.

Daniel smiled and replied, "Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

The first evening, Daniel remembered immediately. On the second evening, he almost forgot but watered the tree just before sunset. By the third day, he was busy playing football with his friends and completely forgot his promise.

Several days later, his grandfather returned home. The tree had not died, but its leaves looked dry and weak.

His grandfather said nothing for a moment. Then he quietly asked,

"Daniel, which is easier: making a promise or keeping one?"

Daniel lowered his head.

"Making one," he answered softly.

His grandfather nodded.

"Most people can make promises. The people others truly trust are those who keep them."

Those words stayed with Daniel for many years. From that day onward, whenever he agreed to do something, he wrote it in a small notebook and completed it before doing anything else.

Months later, his teachers noticed that he always finished his work on time. His friends knew they could depend on him, and his family trusted him with greater responsibilities.

Looking back, Daniel often smiled when he thought about the little apple tree. It had grown into a strong tree, just as his sense of responsibility had grown inside him.

Comprehension Questions

A. Answer the Questions

What was Daniel good at?
What weakness did he have?
What did his grandfather ask him to do?
Why did Daniel forget his promise?
What happened to the apple tree?
What question did the grandfather ask?
How did Daniel change his habits?
What changes did other people notice?
Why did Daniel remember the apple tree years later?
What is the main lesson of the story?

B. True or False

Daniel disliked studying English.
His grandfather asked him to water a tree.
Daniel remembered every evening.
The grandfather became very angry.
Daniel became more responsible after the experience.

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words with their meanings.

reliability
responsibility
depend on
weak
promise

a. something you say you will do

b. not strong

c. to trust someone to do what is expected

d. the quality of being dependable

e. the duty to take care of something

Grammar Practice

A. Present Perfect or Simple Past

Choose the correct answer.

Daniel ______ his grandfather many times before.
(has helped / helped)
Last Monday, he ______ to water the tree.
(promised / has promised)
His teachers ______ a great change in him.
(noticed / have noticed)
He ______ much more responsible since then.
(became / has become)
His grandfather ______ home a few days later.
(returned / has returned)

B. Conditional Sentences (First Conditional)

Complete the sentences.

If you keep your promises, people ______ (trust) you.
If Daniel forgets his duties again, he ______ (learn) another lesson.
If we are responsible, others ______ (respect) us.
If you water a tree regularly, it ______ (grow).
If students study consistently, they ______ (improve).

Discussion

Discuss these questions with a partner.

Why is it important to keep promises?
Have you ever forgotten an important promise?
How do people earn trust?
Is it difficult to become more responsible? Why or why not?
What small promise can you make to yourself this week?

Writing Task

A Promise I Will Keep

Write 150–180 words.

Include:

A promise you have made or want to make.
Why it is important.
What difficulties you may face.
How you plan to keep your promise.
What you hope to achieve.

Try to use:

at least three linking words (however, therefore, although, finally, because);
two examples;
at least two first conditional sentences.