Lesson 10: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Present Perfect Continuous vs. Present Continuous)

A: "How long ___ you been waiting for the bus?"

B: "I ___ waiting for 20 minutes."

a) have / am
b) have / have been
c) are / am

Answer: b) have / have been - Present Perfect Continuous is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

(Second Conditional)

A: "If I ___ a car, I would drive to work."

B: "That's a good idea."

a) have
b) had
c) will have

Answer: b) had - Second Conditional uses 'if' + past simple to talk about hypothetical situations.

(Relative Clauses)

A: "The movie ___ we watched last night was fantastic."

B: "I agree, it was really good."

a) which
b) who
c) whose

Answer: a) which - 'Which' is used for things in relative clauses.

(Modals of Possibility)

A: "She ___ be at home. Her car is not in the driveway."

B: "She might have gone out."

a) must
b) can't
c) should

Answer: b) can't - 'Can't' is used to express impossibility.

(Past Perfect Continuous)

A: "He ___ been working for hours before he took a break."

B: "He must be exhausted."

a) has
b) had
c) was

Answer: b) had - Past Perfect Continuous is used for actions that were ongoing in the past before another action.

(Future Continuous)

A: "This time tomorrow, I ___ flying to Paris."

B: "Have a great trip!"

a) will
b) am
c) will be

Answer: c) will be - Future Continuous is used to describe actions happening at a specific time in the future.

(Comparative and Superlative Adjectives)

A: "This is the ___ pizza I've ever had."

B: "I think the one from last week was ___. "

a) best / better
b) better / good
c) good / better

Answer: a) best / better - 'Best' is the superlative form, and 'better' is the comparative form.

(Prepositions of Place)

A: "The cat is hiding ___ the table."

B: "I can see it now."

a) on
b) in
c) under

Answer: c) under - 'Under' indicates the position below something.

(Reported Speech: Questions)

A: "He asked me where ___ going."

B: "What did you tell him?"

a) am I
b) was I
c) I was

Answer: c) I was - Reported Speech for questions uses subject-verb order.

(Articles: A, An, The)

A: "She bought ___ new dress for the party."

B: "It looks beautiful!"

a) a
b) an
c) the

Answer: a) a - 'A' is used before singular, countable nouns that are not specific.

Thailand & Efforts to Join the International Criminal Court (ICC)

 Thailand has not joined the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, there have been discussions and considerations over the years regarding its potential membership. Here are some chronological details about Thailand and its stance on joining the ICC:

1. 1998: The Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, was adopted on July 17, 1998. Thailand participated in the negotiations but did not sign the treaty at this time.
2. 2002: The Rome Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002, after 60 countries ratified it. Thailand continued to observe the ICC's development without committing to membership.
3. 2003: Thailand signed the Rome Statute on October 2, 2003, signaling its initial intent to join the ICC. However, signing the statute is only the first step, and ratification is required to become a full member.
4. Post-2003: Despite signing the Rome Statute, Thailand has not ratified it. Ratification would require changes to national legislation and political commitment, which successive Thai governments have not undertaken.
5. 2006-2014: Political instability in Thailand, including military coups in 2006 and 2014, contributed to the lack of progress toward ICC ratification. Political priorities during these periods focused on domestic issues rather than international commitments.
6. 2012: The Thai Ministry of Justice's Rights and Liberties Protection Department conducted a public seminar to discuss the implications of joining the ICC. The seminar aimed to educate the public and stakeholders about the ICC and gather opinions on whether Thailand should proceed with ratification.
7. 2014-Present: Political and legal reforms have continued to be a focus in Thailand, but the issue of ICC ratification has not been prioritized. Human rights organizations and civil society groups have periodically advocated for Thailand to ratify the Rome Statute and join the ICC.

In summary, while Thailand signed the Rome Statute in 2003, it has not ratified the treaty and therefore is not a member of the International Criminal Court. Political instability and domestic priorities have influenced this decision, and discussions about joining the ICC remain ongoing.

What can be done to push Thailand toward ratifying the Rome Statute?

Pushing Thailand toward ratifying the Rome Statute involves a combination of domestic advocacy, international pressure, and comprehensive education on the benefits and implications of joining the International Criminal Court (ICC). Here are several strategies that could be employed:

1. Domestic Advocacy and Public Awareness:
• Public Campaigns: Increase public awareness about the ICC and the Rome Statute through campaigns, seminars, and educational programs. Highlight the importance of international justice and the benefits of ratification for Thailand.
• Engage Civil Society: Encourage civil society organizations, human rights groups, and legal professionals to advocate for ratification. These groups can play a crucial role in lobbying the government and educating the public.
• Media Engagement: Utilize traditional and social media to disseminate information about the ICC, its role, and why Thailand should join. Media coverage can help generate public interest and support.

1. Political Engagement:

• Lobby Government Officials: Engage with key government officials, including members of parliament, the Ministry of Justice, and the Prime Minister's Office, to advocate for ratification. Present them with well-researched arguments and data on the benefits of joining the ICC.
• Parliamentary Support: Work with sympathetic members of parliament to introduce and support legislation necessary for ratification. Building a coalition of lawmakers who back the ICC can be crucial.
• Political Parties: Encourage political parties to include ICC ratification in their platforms and manifestos. This can help make the issue a part of the broader political discourse.

1. International Pressure and Support:

• Diplomatic Engagement: Other ICC member states can engage in diplomatic efforts to encourage Thailand to ratify the Rome Statute. This can include bilateral discussions, as well as advocacy through regional organizations like ASEAN.
• International Organizations: Work with international organizations, such as the United Nations and the ICC itself, to provide support and pressure for ratification. These organizations can offer technical assistance and guidance on implementing necessary legal reforms.
• Peer Pressure: Highlight the fact that many of Thailand's regional and international peers have joined the ICC. Emphasize the benefits these countries have gained from membership.

1. Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions:

• Legal Reforms: Provide technical assistance and expertise to help Thailand align its domestic laws with the requirements of the Rome Statute. Address any legal concerns that may be hindering ratification.
• Clarify Sovereignty Issues: Address concerns about sovereignty and the perceived loss of judicial independence. Explain how the ICC operates on the principle of complementarity, which respects national judicial systems.
• Military and Security Concerns: Engage with the military and security sectors to address their concerns about ICC jurisdiction and potential implications for national security. Assure them that the ICC focuses on serious international crimes and that a strong national judicial system can mitigate concerns about ICC intervention.

1. Educational Initiatives:

• Academic Research: Promote academic research and publications on the ICC and its relevance to Thailand. Encourage universities and research institutions to study and disseminate findings on the benefits of ratification.
• Workshops and Training: Organize workshops and training sessions for legal professionals, government officials, and civil society representatives on the ICC and the Rome Statute. Provide detailed information on the ratification process and its implications.

By combining these strategies, stakeholders can create a multifaceted approach to encourage Thailand to ratify the Rome Statute and join the International Criminal Court.

Lesson 9: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Present Simple vs. Present Continuous)

A: "What ___ you usually do on weekends?"

B: "I usually ___ hiking."

a) do / go
b) are / going
c) do / going

Answer: a) do / go - Present Simple is used for habitual actions, and 'go' is the correct form after 'usually.'

(Third Conditional)

A: "If I ___ harder, I would have passed the test."

B: "Don't worry, you can try again."

a) study
b) studied
c) had studied

Answer: c) had studied - Third Conditional uses 'if' + past perfect to talk about hypothetical past situations.

(Relative Pronouns)

A: "The woman ___ works at the bakery is very friendly."

B: "Yes, I like her a lot."

a) which
b) who
c) whose

Answer: b) who - 'Who' is used for people in relative clauses.

(Modals of Permission)

A: "___ I leave early today?"

B: "Yes, you can."

a) Must
b) Should
c) May

Answer: c) May - 'May' is used to ask for permission.

(Past Perfect vs. Past Simple)

A: "By the time we arrived, the movie ___. "

B: "That's too bad."

a) had started
b) started
c) has started

Answer: a) had started - Past Perfect is used for actions completed before another action in the past.

(Adverbs of Frequency)

A: "He ___ goes to the gym, that's why he's so fit."

B: "I should go more often too."

a) never
b) rarely
c) always

Answer: c) always - Adverbs of frequency describe how often something happens.

(Conditionals: Type 1)

A: "If it ___ tomorrow, we will go to the beach."

B: "I hope it does!"

a) doesn't rain
b) won't rain
c) don't rain

Answer: a) doesn't rain - First Conditional uses 'if' + present simple to describe future possibilities.

(Passive Voice: Present Simple)

A: "English ___ all over the world."

B: "Yes, it's a very popular language."

a) speaks
b) is spoken
c) spoken

Answer: b) is spoken - Passive Voice in Present Simple is formed with 'is' + past participle.

(Reported Speech: Commands)

A: "She told me to ___ the door."

B: "Did you do it?"

a) close
b) closed
c) closing

Answer: a) close - Reported Speech for commands uses the base form of the verb.

(Comparative Adjectives)

A: "This bag is ___ than the one I bought last year."

B: "It looks sturdier too."

a) more expensive
b) expensive
c) most expensive

Answer: a) more expensive - Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things.

TOEFL Written Expression Practice Quiz - Set 21

Lesson 8: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Present Perfect vs. Past Simple)

A: "Have you ever ___ to Japan?"

B: "Yes, I ___ there last year."

a) been / went
b) went / have been
c) been / have been

Answer: a) been / went - Present Perfect is used for experiences, and Past Simple is used for completed actions at a specific time.

(First Conditional)

A: "If it ___ tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic."

B: "Let's hope for good weather."

a) rains
b) will rain
c) rained

Answer: a) rains - First Conditional uses 'if' + present simple to describe future possibilities.

(Relative Clauses)

A: "Do you know the man ___ is standing over there?"

B: "Yes, he's our new neighbor."

a) which
b) who
c) whose

Answer: b) who - 'Who' is used for people in relative clauses.

(Gerunds and Infinitives)

A: "She enjoys ___ in the morning."

B: "It's a great way to start the day."

a) to jog
b) jog
c) jogging

Answer: c) jogging - Gerunds are used as objects after certain verbs.

(Modals of Advice)

A: "I have a headache."

B: "You ___ take some medicine."

a) should
b) must
c) can

Answer: a) should - 'Should' is used to give advice.

(Past Continuous vs. Past Simple)

A: "I ___ when the phone rang."

B: "Who was it?"

a) was reading / answered
b) read / was answering
c) was reading / was answering

Answer: c) was reading / was answering - Past Continuous is used for ongoing actions in the past interrupted by another action.

(Future Perfect)

A: "By this time next month, I ___ my project."

B: "Good luck with it!"

a) will finish
b) will have finished
c) have finished

Answer: b) will have finished - Future Perfect is used to describe actions that will be completed before a specific future time.

(Passive Voice: Past Simple)

A: "The cake ___ by my grandmother."

B: "It's delicious!"

a) was made
b) is made
c) made

Answer: a) was made - Passive Voice in Past Simple is formed with 'was' + past participle.

(Comparative Adjectives)

A: "This book is ___ than the last one."

B: "Yes, I find it more interesting."

a) good
b) better
c) best

Answer: b) better - Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things.

(Present Continuous)

A: "What ___ you doing right now?"

B: "I'm studying for my exams."

a) do
b) are
c) is

Answer: b) are - Present Continuous is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking.

Lesson 7: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Past Simple vs. Present Perfect)

A: "How long ___ you lived here?"

B: "I ___ here for five years."

a) did / lived
b) have / lived
c) have / have lived

Answer: c) have / have lived - Present Perfect is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

(Modals of Obligation)

A: "You ___ wear a helmet when riding a bike."

B: "I always do."

a) should
b) must
c) can

Answer: b) must - 'Must' indicates strong obligation or necessity.

(Future Continuous)

A: "What ___ you be doing at 8 PM tonight?"

B: "I ___ watching a movie."

a) will / will be
b) will / am
c) will / will

Answer: a) will / will be - Future Continuous is used to describe actions happening at a specific time in the future.

(Comparative and Superlative Adjectives)

A: "This is the ___ restaurant in town."

B: "Yes, it's even ___ than the one we went to last week."

a) good / better
b) better / best
c) best / better

Answer: c) best / better - 'Best' is the superlative form, and 'better' is the comparative form.

(Prepositions of Place)

A: "The cat is hiding ___ the bed."

B: "I see its tail sticking out."

a) on
b) in
c) under

Answer: c) under - 'Under' indicates the position below something.

(Zero Conditional)

A: "If you ___ water to 100 degrees Celsius, it ___. "

B: "That's right."

a) heat / boils
b) will heat / boil
c) heated / boiled

Answer: a) heat / boils - Zero Conditional is used for general truths or scientific facts.

(Passive Voice: Present Perfect)

A: "The project ___ finished by the team."

B: "That's great news!"

a) has been
b) was
c) is

Answer: a) has been - Passive Voice in Present Perfect is formed with 'has been' + past participle.

(Reported Speech: Statements)

A: "She said that she ___ the meeting."

B: "I hope she finds it useful."

a) enjoys
b) enjoyed
c) enjoy

Answer: b) enjoyed - Reported Speech shifts the tense back one step from the present to the past.

(Present Continuous for Future Arrangements)

A: "We ___ dinner with friends tomorrow night."

B: "That sounds fun!"

a) have
b) are having
c) will have

Answer: b) are having - Present Continuous is used for future arrangements.

(Articles: A, An, The)

A: "Can you pass me ___ salt, please?"

B: "Sure, here it is."

a) a
b) an
c) the

Answer: c) the - 'The' is used for specific items known to both speaker and listener.

Lesson 6: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Present Simple for Future Events)

A: "What time ___ the train leave tomorrow?"

B: "It leaves at 9 AM."

a) do
b) does
c) is

Answer: b) does - Present Simple is used to talk about scheduled future events.

(Relative Clauses: Defining vs. Non-defining)

A: "My brother, ___ lives in New York, is coming to visit."

B: "That's great!"

a) that
b) who
c) which

Answer: b) who - Non-defining relative clauses use 'who' to add extra information about a person.

(Gerunds as Subjects)

A: "___ is good for your health."

B: "I agree."

a) To exercise
b) Exercising
c) Exercise

Answer: b) Exercising - Gerunds can act as subjects of a sentence.

(Second Conditional)

A: "If I ___ you, I would accept the job offer."

B: "Thank you for the advice."

a) am
b) were
c) was

Answer: b) were - Second Conditional uses 'if' + past simple to talk about hypothetical situations.

(Reported Speech: Requests)

A: "Could you please tell him to call me?"

B: "Sure, I’ll tell him you ___. "

a) said
b) say
c) asked

Answer: c) asked - Reported speech uses 'asked' for requests.

(Comparative Adjectives)

A: "This book is ___ than the one I read last week."

B: "It does seem more interesting."

a) good
b) better
c) best

Answer: b) better - Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things.

(Infinitives of Purpose)

A: "She went to the store ___ some groceries."

B: "Did she get everything she needed?"

a) buy
b) buying
c) to buy

Answer: c) to buy - Infinitives are used to express purpose.

(Modal Verbs: Probability)

A: "He ___ be at home now. It's too early."

B: "I think he's still at work."

a) can't
b) mustn't
c) shouldn't

Answer: a) can't - 'Can't' is used to express improbability.

(Present Perfect Continuous)

A: "How long ___ you been learning Spanish?"

B: "For about two years."

a) have
b) has
c) are

Answer: a) have - Present Perfect Continuous uses 'have' for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

(Passive Voice: Present Continuous)

A: "The new bridge ___ built over the river."

B: "It's going to be a major improvement."

a) is being
b) is
c) was being

Answer: a) is being - Passive voice in Present Continuous is formed with 'is being' + past participle.

Lesson 5: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Future Perfect)

A: "By this time next year, I ___ my degree."

B: "That's wonderful!"

a) will have completed
b) will complete
c) have completed

Answer: a) will have completed - Future Perfect is used to describe an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future.

(Modals of Necessity)

A: "You ___ finish your homework before you go out."

B: "I know, I'm almost done."

a) must
b) can
c) may

Answer: a) must - 'Must' is used to indicate necessity or obligation.

(Past Perfect Continuous)

A: "She ___ for hours when she finally found her keys."

B: "What a relief!"

a) had been looking
b) has been looking
c) was looking

Answer: a) had been looking - Past Perfect Continuous is used to describe an ongoing action that was happening before another action in the past.

(Indirect Questions)

A: "Can you tell me where ___?"

B: "It's on the second floor."

a) is the restroom
b) the restroom is
c) was the restroom

Answer: b) the restroom is - Indirect questions use subject-verb order.

(Quantifiers: Some vs. Any)

A: "Do you have ___ sugar?"

B: "No, we don't have ___ left."

a) some / any
b) any / some
c) some / some

Answer: a) some / any - 'Some' is used in positive sentences, and 'any' is used in negative sentences.

(Reported Speech)

A: "She said she ___ coming to the party."

B: "Great! It'll be fun."

a) is
b) was
c) will be

Answer: b) was - Reported speech shifts the tense back one step from the present to the past.

(Conditionals: Type 2 vs. Type 3)

A: "If I ___ you, I would have helped."

B: "Thank you, but it's too late now."

a) saw
b) had seen
c) see

Answer: b) had seen - Type 3 Conditional uses 'if' + past perfect to describe hypothetical past situations.

(Passive Voice: Future Simple)

A: "The project ___ next month."

B: "I'm looking forward to it."

a) will be completed
b) is completed
c) will complete

Answer: a) will be completed - Passive voice in Future Simple is formed with 'will be' + past participle.

(Prepositions of Time)

A: "The meeting is ___ 3 PM."

B: "I'll be there on time."

a) in
b) on
c) at

Answer: c) at - 'At' is used for specific times.

(Adverbs of Frequency)

A: "She ___ goes to the gym."

B: "That's why she's so fit."

a) always
b) never
c) seldom

Answer: a) always - Adverbs of frequency describe how often something happens.

Lesson 4: Learning Grammar Through Conversations by Dr. Snea Thinsan

(Present Perfect vs. Past Simple)

A: "I ___ my keys. I can't find them anywhere."

B: "When ___ you last see them?"

a) lost / did
b) have lost / did
c) have lost / do

Answer: b) have lost / did - Present Perfect is used to indicate something that happened at an unspecified time before now, and Past Simple is used to refer to a specific time in the past.

(Second Conditional)

A: "If I ___ a million dollars, I would travel the world."

B: "That's a great dream!"

a) have
b) had
c) will have

Answer: b) had - Second Conditional uses 'if' + past simple to talk about hypothetical situations.

(Gerunds vs. Infinitives)

A: "I enjoy ___ to music."

B: "Me too. It's very relaxing."

a) listen
b) listening
c) to listen

Answer: b) listening - Gerunds are used as nouns and 'listening' functions as the object of 'enjoy.'

(Modals of Possibility)

A: "Where's John? He ___ be at work."

B: "No, he has the day off."

a) must
b) might
c) can

Answer: b) might - 'Might' is used to indicate possibility.

(Adjective Order)

A: "She has a ___ car."

B: "It's beautiful!"

a) red small
b) small red
c) red small

Answer: b) small red - Adjectives follow a specific order: size before color.

(Relative Pronouns)

A: "The book ___ I borrowed was excellent."

B: "I'm glad you liked it."

a) who
b) whose
c) that

Answer: c) that - 'That' is used as a relative pronoun for things.

(Present Perfect Continuous vs. Present Continuous)

A: "How long ___ you been waiting?"

B: "For about an hour."

a) have
b) are
c) do

Answer: a) have - Present Perfect Continuous tense is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

(Third Conditional)

A: "If I ___ harder, I would have passed the exam."

B: "Don't worry, you can try again."

a) studied
b) had studied
c) study

Answer: b) had studied - Third Conditional uses 'if' + past perfect to talk about hypothetical past situations.

(Passive Voice: Past Simple)

A: "The cake ___ by my mom."

B: "It's delicious!"

a) was made
b) made
c) is made

Answer: a) was made - Passive voice in Past Simple is formed with 'was' + past participle.

(Comparative and Superlative Adjectives)

A: "This is the ___ movie I've ever seen."

B: "I agree, it's really good."

a) better
b) best
c) good

Answer: b) best - Superlative adjectives are used to describe the highest degree of a quality.