This or It? - A1 Grammar

1. A: Who is that woman? B: Oh, ___ is my neighbour, Mrs Patel. She is very kind.

• A. this ✓
• B. it
• C. that
• D. these

Answer: this

Use 'this is' to introduce or identify a person.

2. I have a new laptop. ___ is much faster than my old one.

• A. It ✓
• B. This
• C. That
• D. These

Answer: It

The laptop was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

3. Taste ___ soup! I made it with fresh tomatoes from the garden.

• A. this ✓
• B. it
• C. that
• D. these

Answer: this

Use 'this' when pointing to something near you for the first time.

4. I read an article about climate change yesterday. ___ was very interesting.

• A. It ✓
• B. This
• C. That
• D. These

Answer: It

The article was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

5. Hi, ___ is James. I am calling about my appointment tomorrow.

• A. this ✓
• B. it
• C. that
• D. he

Answer: this

Use 'this is' to say who you are on the phone.

6. She showed me her new flat last week. ___ is in the city centre and very modern.

• A. It ✓
• B. This
• C. That
• D. These

Answer: It

The flat was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

7. Look at ___ dog! ___ is so tiny and fluffy.

• A. this / It ✓
• B. it / This
• C. this / This
• D. it / It

Answer: this / It

First mention: 'this dog' (pointing to it). Second mention: 'It' (already known).

8. I have been to a new café in the city centre. ___ has great coffee and amazing cakes.

• A. It ✓
• B. This
• C. That
• D. These

Answer: It

The café was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

9. Come and look at ___ view from the window. Is it not incredible?

• A. this ✓
• B. it
• C. that
• D. these

Answer: this

Use 'this' when pointing to something near you for the first time.

10. We had a meeting this morning. ___ lasted three hours. I am exhausted.

• A. It ✓
• B. This
• C. That
• D. These

Answer: It

The meeting was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

1. Yesterday my friend gave me a book about the life of Frida Kahlo. _____ is one of the most famous artists in history.<br> I started reading the book last night and I love _____. The writing is simple and very engaging.<br> The book has a lot of photos of her paintings. _____ is my favourite one right here. The colours are incredible.<br> Frida Kahlo had a very difficult life, but _____ made her art even more powerful. She painted over 140 pictures.

• A. It
• B. This
• C. it
• D. this
• E. This
• F. It
• G. it
• H. this

Answer: It, it, This, it

This: introducing something new or pointing to it. It: referring back to something already mentioned.

1. friend / this / my / is / Sara

Answer: This is my friend Sara.

Use 'this is' to introduce a person.

2. a / I / bought / yesterday / jacket / new / it / is / blue

Answer: I bought a new jacket yesterday. It is blue.

First sentence introduces the jacket. Second sentence uses 'it' to refer back.

3. restaurant / look / this / at / great / is / it / ?

Answer: Look at this restaurant. Is it great?

First mention: 'this restaurant' (pointing). Second mention: 'it' (already known).

4. is / James / hello / this / calling

Answer: Hello this is James calling.

Use 'this is' to identify yourself on the phone.

5. song / I / this / love / is / called / what / it / ?

Answer: I love this song. What is it called?

First mention: 'this song' (pointing to the song playing now). Second mention: 'it'.

6. saw / I / a / film / last / was / it / week / fantastic

Answer: I saw a film last week. It was fantastic.

The film was mentioned first. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

7. my / this / new / is / phone / very / it / fast / is

Answer: This is my new phone. It is very fast.

First mention: 'this is my new phone' (introducing it). Second mention: 'it'.

8. photo / this / at / look / took / I / it / yesterday

Answer: Look at this photo. I took it yesterday.

First mention: 'this photo' (pointing to it). Second mention: 'it' (already known).

9. colleague / is / David / my / this

Answer: This is my colleague David.

Use 'this is' to introduce a person to others.

10. a / he / has / dog / very / it / funny / is

Answer: He has a dog. It is very funny.

The dog was already mentioned. Use 'it' to refer back to it.

1. You are an English conversation tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A1 student. The grammar focus is: (1) use 'this' to point to something near you or introduce it for the first time, (2) use 'this is' to introduce a person or identify yourself on the phone, (3) use 'it' to refer back to something already mentioned, (4) never use 'this' to refer back to something already mentioned, (5) weather, time, and distance always use 'it', never 'this'. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer before continuing. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Tell me about something you bought recently. First introduce it with this, then describe it with it. For example: This is my new bag. It is very big and I use it every day.' (target: This is my new phone. It is fast and I love it.) 2. 'Imagine you are introducing three people to me. Use this is for each one.' (target: This is my friend Ana. This is my colleague Marco. This is my sister.) 3. 'I will say a sentence with this. You continue the description using it. Ready? This is my new laptop. / This is a great book. / This is my cat.' (target: It is very fast. / It is about a detective. / It is called Luna.) 4. 'Imagine you are on the phone. Introduce yourself and say why you are calling. Use this is.' (target: Hello, this is Maria. I am calling about the job.) 5. 'Tell me about a film or series you watched recently. Use this or it correctly. Introduce it first, then describe it.' (target: This is a great series I found last week. It is called The Bear. It is about a chef in Chicago.) 6. 'Tell me about your favourite place in your city. Introduce it with this is, then describe it with it.' (target: This is a small market near my house. It is open every Saturday. It has amazing food.) FEEDBACK RULES: - If the student uses 'this' to refer back to something already mentioned (e.g. 'I have a cat. This is very cute.'), recast: 'It is very cute! What is its name?' - If the student uses 'it is' to introduce someone (e.g. 'It is my friend Tom'), recast: 'This is your friend Tom! Nice to meet him.' - If the student uses 'this is' for weather (e.g. 'This is raining'), recast: 'It is raining! Do you have an umbrella?' - Do NOT explain the grammar rule. Only model the correct form in your reply. - After all 6 questions, give one warm sentence of feedback and say goodbye.

1. Question 1