IV. Language Focus. Grammar in Context

- forms of the simple past tense.

What do the sentences in Set 1 have in common? What do the sentences in Set 2 have in common! What is the difference between the sentences in Set 1 and Set 2? Discuss your answers in groups.

Set 1

• The people of Sheba were very happy.

• They knew nothing about Allah (SWT).

• The hoopoe flew back to Sheba and gave the letter to Balqis.

Set 2

• The king admired it and ordered his courtiers to change its appearance.

• She looked at it carefully.

• Later, he invited Balqis to visit his Palace of Glass.

b) Analysis.

Examples of regular simple past tense verbs are admired, ordered, looked. Examples of irregular simple past tense verbs are: were, knew, flew.

Read the passage and underline all the verbs in the simple past tense. Then write R for regular simple past tense verbs, and I for irregular simple past tense verbs.

She decided to send her messengers to the great king. She sent him gifts оf great beauty and value. However, the king was not happy. He wanted the queen herself to visit him. "You cannot buy my friendship!" he shouted. The queen’s messengers were surprised. The messengers quickly returned to Sheba and told the queen the bad news.

c) Comparing Structures

Compare the following sentences.

• One day, he noticed that one of his birds is missing.

• One day, he noticed that one of his birds was missing.

Rewrite the following sentences, changing the verbs to the simple past tense.

1. She knows how to solve most of the problems that her people bring to her.

2. Balqis quickly realizes that this is no ordinary king.

3. As they enter the palace, the glass seems to change into water.

d) Rule Formation.

Help to write the grammatical rules by completing the sentences.

1. Verbs like were, flew, gave, admired, looked, and decided are examples of verbs in the ………… tense.

2. Verbs in this tense such as wanted and returned are sometimes called ………… . This means that they are formed by adding to the end of the verb.

3. However, some verbs in this tense are not formed by adding ………… They change their spelling instead. They are called ………… verbs . Some examples are told, sent and was.

e) Grammar Cloze Task.

Fill the gaps in the passage below.

The people of Sheba (1) ………… a young and beautiful queen called Balqis, They (2) ………… very happy, as she was so wise that she (3) ……….. solve any problem they (4) …………to her. It was (5) ………… peaceful country, but surprisingly, the people (6) …………. the sun. They (7) ………….not know about Allah (SWT). When King Solomon (8) ………….. out about this country of Sheba, he (9) …………. determined to persuade the queen (10) …………….. submit to Allah the Almighty.

V. Critical Thinking.

King Solomon sent a letter to Balqis. The letter said, "In the Name of Allah (SWT), the Compassionate, the Merciful. Do not be too proud when you read this letter. Do not ignore my command. Come to me and submit to Allah (SWT) the Almighty."

^{Remember the following facts:}

• Balqis was the queen of a peaceful, happy country.

• She and her people worshipped the sun.

• Her country had lots of soldiers.

• King Solomon lived hundreds of miles away.

1. In groups imagine you are Balqis. Write a list of reasons for and against visiting King Solomon in person.

^{2. Why do you think Balqis decided not to visit King Solomon herself, but sent messengers?}

UNIT 3 MARIAM bint IMRAN.

4. Pre-Reading Tasks.

Look at the title of this unit and answer the questions.

4. You will read about a woman from Jerusalem who gave birth to a prophet of Allah (SWT). What do you know about this person? What people or events do you think of when you hear this person's name?

5. Work in groups. List your pieces of information about Mariam bint Imran in order of importance.

6. Compare your list with other groups. How are they similar or different?