4. Help me out!

Icono IDevice Listening activity
Although Paco almost never asks for help, there are a lot of people worldwide who need the help of others, either in distress or not. Others think they are self-sufficient, and they do not realize human beings need each other in one way or another. In the end, they end up accepting they also need help such as "the singer" of the song below who, though he's not making a mayday call, shouts: Help me out!

 

 
 
 
 
 

Listen to the song twice. The first time do not look at the lyrics. On the second listening, use the lyrics, which you can find below.



Icono IDevice Important

What are multi-word verbs?

Multi-word verbs are verbs which are made up of more than one word. For example: In the sentence "Sonia helped Paco with the exercises", the verb "help" is not a multi-word verb. However, in the sentence "Sonia helped Paco out", the verb "help out" is a multi-word verb because it is made up of "help" and "out".

All multi-word verbs tend to be used in colloquial speech, that is, they are frequently used in informal speech. 


Icono de iDevice Solved exercise

Could you identify multi-word verbs in context?

Read the lyrics of the song "Help", by the Beatles, again and find at least three multi-word verbs.


Icono IDevice Further knowledge

To have a closer look at multi-word verbs, click the picture below. Remember that they will be studied in deep later in the unit.


Self-Assessment activity

Do the following sentences contain a multi-word verb?



By Robbie's Photo Art.en Flickr bajo C. Commons

1. Paco turned the TV off after the film


Verdadero Falso


2. Paco's mother ran to the supermarket.


Verdadero Falso


3. Have you run out of milk?


Verdadero Falso


4. Paco turned the TV towards him.


Verdadero Falso
Icono IDevice Writing activity
 
By Olivander en Flickr bajo CC

What's your opinion?

Quite often you may be asked to give your opinion on different subjects. It is very important that you  think carefully about what your opinion is and your reasons  before beginning to write.


Look at the following question. In no less than 100 words, how would you answer it?

Capital punishment should be reintroduced for serious crimes. Do you agree?



Now, let's have a look at other two important structures in English to express desire. But this will be in the last section of the topic.