Writing Better English for ESL Learners

Exercise 4.3 I’m No Cook!The story line: A man is taking care of his children

and his house by himself. He wants to make a nice supper for his children.

Although he prepares the foods carefully, he makes some mistakes, and the fam-

ily has to go to a restaurant for dinner.

My wife was called away to New York on business. I took some

vacation time and. Our

two kids were in school during the day, and

. They were old enough to take care of themselves,

but I had to. John was

eleven and spent his time.

Anne was ten and enjoyed sports like.

Everything started out smoothly the first day. I cleaned the kitchen

and. I ironed

and took the dog.

And for lunch I made myself.

The kids ate lunch ,

because.

At four o’clock I realized that the kids

, so I decided to.

I got a recipe book from the shelf and found

120 Writing Better English