1. She is baking an apple pie at the moment. 2. Anna is dancing with her dad. 3. John is doing his homework. 4. Andy and Maria are going to the cinema. 5. Mom is driving a car right now. 6. Hanna isn't going on foot. 7. Spencer and Lilly are not looking for a book.
Verse writing is very popular, especially when it is funny. One of the best things about limericks is that they nearly always give you a giggle. A good limerick is not an easy thing to write. When you read them, you might think they are simple to invent, but they are not, because there are rules you have to stick to. Limericks always have five lines and they are always nonsensical. The secret is to have a story in your limerick, to get a good couple of rhymes and always to have a funny last line. Limericks are certainly not a modern invention. In fact, they are so old, nobody is quite sure how they started, but something most people agree about is that they began in Ireland. As long ago as the year AD 800, Irishmen were writing verses in this rather peculiar way. They did not have jokes in them in those days but they all had five lines and they all went with a swing when you said them. So much so, that scholars called the rhythm of the verses the "swinging metre". Nobody knows for sure why a limerick is called a limerick, but it is also the name of one of the most famous towns in Ireland. As the years passed, limericks spread to England. In 1820 a set was written called "Anecdotes and Adventures of Fifteen Young Ladies"; then another one came out called "The history of Sixteen Wonderful Old Women". There were sixteen separate limericks, each one about a different old woman, and they were certainly were a very peculiar lot!
There was a young lady Whose nose was so long that it reached to her toes; So she hired an old lady Whose conduct was steady, To carry that wonderful nose. There was an old person of Fife, Who was greatly disgusted with life; They sang him a ballad, And fed him on salad, Which cured that old person of Fife.
One of the first complete books of limericks to be published was called "A Book of Nonsense". It was published in 1846 and the author was Edward Lear. He was actually a painter, so book, but it all started when he was working in the country mansion of the Earl of Derby. Edward Lear had been asked to do some coloured paintings of the Earl's collection of parrots. As well as parrots, the Earl had a lot of grandchildren, and Edward Lear somehow had to keep them amused as well. So he started writing his limericks, and to go with each one, he drew a little sketch. There was an old man of the North, Who fell into a basin of broth; But a laudable 2 cook Fished him out with a hook, Which saved that old man of the North.The earl of Derby's grandchildren thought these were great fun, and when "A Book of Nonsense" was published, so did everyone else. Limerick writing became very popular, and many great authors turned their hand to them. But it was in 1907 that the craze for limericks really caught on. Each week two famous London magazines ran competitions for the best limericks and hundreds of thousands of people used to enter. Since then people have never stopped writing limericks.
I wish I were in London now. If I were there I would organize an excursion and would give you a good idea about this wonderful city. As we know, London is the capital of Great Britain and one of the largest industrial and cultural centers in Europe. I suppose you will share the opinion that in this historic city modern rules shoulders with the old, the present arises from the past, the great and the small live side by side in mutual tolerance and respect and in every part of its noisy and complex life there is to be found a great affection for old traditions and history. I don’t know if you have had a possibility to visit this exciting city but I insist that you should do it. And I will give a piece of advice how to plan your tour of the city. The best starting point for all the excursions is well known Trafalgar square with Nelson’s Column in the center. The square was named to commemorate the victory of British vice-admiral Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and the Column is surmounted with his statue. I have managed to see this monument and it has made a great impression on me. Then I recommend you to see the Houses of Parliament on the north bank of the river Thames. It also has another name – the Palace of Westminster - as in the past here lived kings and queens. This ensemble is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture: the buildings seem to be directed high into the air and of course are worth seeing. And here you will find the famous Clock Tower, called “Big Ben”. The next stop is Westminster Abbey. It is a big church and a national shrine, a place, where English kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. It’s well known for its’ Poets’ Corner with memorials to English poets and writers who were buried here. Everybody has heard about Saint Paul’s Cathedral. It is the largest Protestant Church in England and a remarkable architectural masterpiece. It contains the unique Whispering Gallery where you can hear the whisper of the person, standing at the other end of the gallery. And at the end you should see the majestic and dreary Tower of London, which has an abundant history. It was one of the first and most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion of England in the 11th century. It has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, and arsenal and, finally, as a state prison. And now it’s a museum where you can see the Crown Jewels - the finest precious stones of the English nation and a great collection of armour. No doubt that in London there are many other sights – Tate Gallery, City, Hyde Park and others, and everyone will find a preference according to his taste. You should only remember that in this city you will get fresh impressions, take great delight in viewing monuments and discover the history of England. I think it necessary that every person should visit London!
They are swimming
She is singing
You are plaing
We are writting
They are discussing
It is stretching