Top 6 Best Lesson Plans on 'Verb Phrases' for 6th Grade

A. KEY CONCEPTS

1. What are Verb Phrases?

1.1. Which bolded words in the following sentence add meaning to the verbs? The official traveled to many places, and wherever he went, he would ask everyone tricky questions.

(The smart child)

Answer:

The bolded words are modifiers for the main verbs: 'traveled' and 'asked'. 'To many places' adds meaning to 'traveled', while 'tricky questions to ask everyone' adds meaning to 'asked'.

1.2. Try removing the bolded words and make observations about their role. If we remove the bolded words, the sentence becomes: The official traveled, and wherever he went, he asked. This makes the sentence unclear and harder to understand. Therefore, the bolded words are crucial in providing clarity and meaning to the verbs.

1.3. Find a verb phrase. Use it in a sentence and compare its action with that of a single verb.

Example: The verb phrase 'is eating rice'.
Sentence: I am eating rice when he came to visit.
Observation: A verb phrase provides more detail and structure than a single verb alone.

2. Structure of a Verb Phrase

2.1. Draw a diagram to illustrate the structure of verb phrases from the examples above.

3. Key Takeaways

A verb phrase is a combination of a verb with other words that modify or complete its meaning. Many verbs require additional words to form a complete verb phrase with full meaning.
Verb phrases offer more detailed meaning and are structurally more complex than a single verb, but function in the sentence just like a verb.
Verb Phrase Structure:

In a verb phrase:
The modifiers before the verb add meanings like time, progression, encouragement, or negation of an action.
The modifiers after the verb add details about the object, direction, location, time, purpose, reason, means, and manner of the action.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: (Page 148, 6th Grade Literature Book) Identify the verb phrases in the following sentences:
a. The child is still playing outside.
b. The king deeply loved Mi Nuong and wished to find her the perfect husband.
c. Finally, the court found a way to keep the envoy in the guest house to buy time and ask the smart child for advice.

Answer:
The verb phrases in these sentences are:

a. The child is still playing outside.

b. The king deeply loved Mi Nuong and wished to find her the perfect husband.

c. Finally, the court found a way to keep the envoy in the guest house to buy time and ask the smart child for advice.

Question 2: (Page 149, 6th Grade Literature Book) Write the verb phrases from the sentences above into a verb phrase diagram.

Answer:

Before - Center - After

is still - playing - outside.

deeply loved - Mi Nuong.

wished - to find - her the perfect husband.

found a way - to keep - the envoy in the guest house to buy time and ask the smart child for advice.

Question 3: (Page 149, 6th Grade Literature Book) Explain the meaning of the bolded modifiers in the following passage:
The father stood speechless, unsure how to answer, when the seven or eight-year-old child quickly asked the official... The official was stunned, unable to respond appropriately, thinking to himself that this must be a great talent, no need to search any further.
(The Smart Child)
Answer:
The modifier 'speechless' shows the father's confusion, and is a negation indicating uncertainty.
The modifier 'stunned' indicates the official's inability to respond to the situation, and is also a form of negation.
Both modifiers emphasize the confusion of the father and the official, highlighting the exceptional intelligence and quick thinking of the child.

Question 4: (Page 149, 6th Grade Literature Book) Write a sentence summarizing the meaning of the story “Hanging the Sign”, and identify the verb phrases in that sentence.
Answer:
Sentence: The story “Hanging the Sign” subtly critiques those who work without initiative while also bringing joy and laughter to the reader.
The sentence contains two verb phrases:
subtly critiques, with 'critiques' as the main verb.
brings joy and laughter, with 'brings' as the main verb.

Write a short paragraph using verb phrases.
Answer:
Example 1:
“Small tasks, done with dedication” – this is a great saying from President Ho Chi Minh, reminding us to focus on studying well to become better individuals. As a member of the school team, I strive to set a good example for others. I make every effort to study diligently and follow all school rules. Every day, I encourage my classmates to attend school and complete their homework. In class, I frequently raise my hand to participate and contribute to discussions. During lessons, I listen attentively as if hearing a story from my grandmother. I truly hope to be a good role model for everyone.
Verb Phrases: 'set a good example', 'complete homework'.

Example 2:
At dawn, as the sun slowly rises from the east, the workday begins. The clouds drift lazily across the sky. The rice fields are covered with a green coat stretching endlessly to the horizon. The dew drops sparkle like rare crystal beads. Occasionally, a stork flies by searching for food. The farmers start their day of work in the fields. The whole village begins to bustle, eagerly welcoming the new day.
Verb Phrases: 'is drifting lazily', 'is sparkling'.

Answer questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 on page 75 of the Exercise Book (SBT) for Vietnamese 6. 4. Compare the meaning of the adverbs preceding verbs in the following sentences:

Exercises

1. Exercise 1, pages 148-149, Textbook.

2. Exercise 2, page 149, Textbook.

3. Exercise 3, page 149, Textbook.

4. Compare the meanings of the adverbs before the verbs in these sentences:

a) - I have read this book.

- I just read this book.

b) - I will go on vacation.

- I am about to go on vacation.

5. Fill in the appropriate adverbs in the blanks:

a) Yesterday, Nam came when I... was playing soccer. (adverb indicating time relation)

b) Nam likes playing football, and I ... like playing football. (adverb indicating similar continuation)

c) Every day, I... wake up early to exercise. (adverb indicating similar continuation)

d) I... did my homework until the afternoon. (adverb indicating negation)

6. State the meaning of the emphasized adverbs in these sentences:

a) Upon returning home, I drew the household items on the wall [...].

(From The Magic Pen)

b) The horse ran for days and nights without stopping [...].

(From The Magic Pen)

c) Finally, Mã Lương stopped at a small town.

(From The Magic Pen)

d) In the end, the court decided to keep the ambassador at the inn to have time to consult the clever child.

(From The Clever Child)

7. Based on the story The Magic Pen, answer the following questions with a sentence:

a) When did Mã Lương start enjoying drawing?

b) What did Mã Lương draw for the poor villagers?

c) When locked in the horse stable, what did Mã Lương draw a ladder for?

d) After escaping from the landlord’s house, where did Mã Lương stop?

đ) Why did the king die?

e) Where did the king send Mã Lương?

8. Based on the exercise above, identify the meaning of each type of adverb. Come up with additional questions for each type of adverb.

Suggested approach

Question 1. First, students should find the verbs in the given sentences, then identify the verbs with adverbs to determine the verb phrases. For example:

a) still playing behind the house

Question 2. Students should arrange the identified verb phrases in the appropriate sections based on the model provided in the textbook. For example:

Before

Center

After

still

playing

behind the house

Question 3. The words “yet” and “no” in the exercises all indicate negation of actions.

To analyze the meaning of the adverbs, students should refer to the meanings of the words “yet” and “no.” “Yet” indicates an action that could still happen in the future; “no” indicates an action that will not happen. This can be seen in the sentence where the boy questions the official immediately, before his father could formulate an answer.

Question 4. The exercise requires students to compare the meanings of two sets of words:

a) have - just

b) will - about to

Students should pay attention to the temporal relationship each adverb implies in the sentence.

Question 5. In parentheses following each sentence, there’s a requirement to fill in a certain type of adverb. Students should choose appropriate words. For example:

- Adverbs indicating time relation: have, ever, just, still, will, about to, ...

- Adverbs indicating similar continuation: still, just, also, frequently, usually, ...

- Adverbs indicating negation: not, never, none, ...

Question 6. Students should use the meanings of the adverbs provided to determine the meaning of each adverb as required in the exercise:

- indicates the object of the action;

- indicates the direction of the action;

- indicates the location of the action;

- indicates the time of the action;

- indicates the purpose of the action;

- indicates the reason for the action;

- indicates the means of the action;

- indicates the method of the action.

Note: Multiple adverbs can accompany a verb. For example, in the sentence: When returning home, I drew the household items on the wall. The verb phrase “return home” has one adverb “home” (indicating direction); while the verb phrase “drew the items on the wall” has two adverbs:

household items (indicating object)

on the wall (indicating direction)

Students should try the same with other examples.

Question 7. Students should reread the story The Magic Pen, focusing on details that will help them answer the questions.

They will use those details to formulate answers. Sometimes, they will need to summarize details to form adverbs. For instance, for question b, students cannot use the exact wording from the story, but should summarize it, e.g. “Mã Lương drew necessary items for the villagers...”

Question 8. Students should identify the meaning of each type of adverb based on the questions and answers from Exercise 7. For example, in the sentence “Mã Lương liked drawing from an early age,” the adverb “from an early age” indicates the time of the action.

Similarly, students will identify the meaning of adverbs like “what was drawn?” (indicating the object of the action), “for what purpose?” (indicating the purpose), “how?” (indicating method), “where?” (indicating location), “where to?” (indicating direction), “why?” (indicating cause).

I. What is a Verb Phrase?

1. Exercise 1 on page 147, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1

The words “already” and “many places” add meaning to the verb “go.”

The word “also” and the phrase “puzzling riddles to ask people” add meaning to the verb “go out.”

2. Exercise 2 on page 147, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1:

If you remove the emphasized words, only the verbs remain. The words that provide emphasis or indicate time, characteristics, etc., are removed, making the sentence incomplete and hard to understand.

3. Exercise 3 on page 147, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1

Verb phrase: “go around the streets”

Example sentence: “During Tet, traffic is busy, cars go around the streets.”

→ The verb phrase acts as the predicate in the sentence.

II. Types of Main Verbs

Exercise 1 on page 148, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1:

Preposition - Center - Postposition

already - go - many places

also - go out - puzzling riddles

Exercise 2 on page 148, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1:

- Words acting as prepositions before the verb: already, will, still, about to...

- Words acting as postpositions that modify the central part: typically nouns.

III. Practice:

Exercise 1 on page 148, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1:

Verb phrases:

a) still playing around

b) - loving Mi Nuong deeply

- wanting to choose a worthy husband for my daughter

c) decided to find a way to keep the envoy at the inn to have time to consult the clever child

Exercise 2 on page 149, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1:

Preposition - Center - Postposition

Still - Playing around - behind the house

Loving - Mi Nuong deeply

Wanting - to choose - A worthy husband for my daughter

Decided - to find a way - Keep the envoy at the inn

To consult - the clever child

Exercise 3 on page 149, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1

The emphasized adverbs “yet” and “no” reflect the confusion and hesitation of the father and the official. While both were unsure how to respond, the child showed her intelligence.

These emphasized words highlight the boy’s quick wit, clarity, and sharp mind.

Exercise 4 on page 149, Vietnamese 6 Textbook, Part 1

The story of the fish restaurant, where anyone who “offered suggestions” about the name sign was followed, humorously addresses the issue of people lacking independent judgment and acting thoughtlessly in response to others' advice.

- Verb phrase in the passage: “has gently criticized those who…”

I. What is a phrasal verb?

1. The words "already" and "in many places" add meaning to the verb "go".

- The word "also" and the phrase "riddles to ask others" give further context to the verb "come out".

2. Removing the bolded words in the sentence would make it incomplete and hard for the listener to understand.

3. Example of a phrasal verb: jumping around on a branch.

Example sentence: At dawn, the sparrow flock was jumping around on the branch.

→ The phrasal verb functions as the predicate in the sentence.

II. Types of Main Verbs

Structure of a phrasal verb:

Pre-modifier - Main verb - Post-modifier
already-go-in many places
also-come out-riddles to ask others
2. Words that serve as pre-modifiers: already, will, are, about to...

Post-modifiers usually complement the main verb and are often nouns.

III. PRACTICE

Exercise 1 (Page 148, Grade 6 Textbook)

Identifying phrasal verbs:

a. still playing around behind the house

b. loving Mị Nương deeply

c. had to find a way to keep the ambassador

Exercise 2 (Page 149, Grade 6 Textbook)

Pre-modifier - Main verb - Post-modifier
Still playing around - Behind the house
Loving deeply - Mị Nương
Had to - Find a way - Keep the ambassador

Exercise 3 (Page 149, Grade 6 Textbook)

- The bolded words show if an action could happen (possible) or not (impossible).

→ This shows the child's quick thinking as he already has an answer before the father can react.

Exercise 4 (Page 149, Grade 6 Textbook)

The story "Treo Biển" offers light-hearted humor by showcasing a fish shop owner who follows public feedback on the signboard name without much thought. The story criticizes people who lack independent judgment and rush to act without considering the consequences.

- Phrasal verbs examples: brings light-hearted humor; gives feedback about the signboard; rushes into decisions without thinking; listens to others' opinions.

I. WHAT ARE PHRASAL VERBS?

Answer to Question 1 (Page 147, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

In the following sentences, which bolded words provide additional meaning to specific words?

The official traveled to many places, and at each location, he would present tricky riddles to the people.

(The Clever Child)

Answer:

1. The bolded words add meaning to:

- already, many places ⟶ traveled

- also, tricky riddles ⟶ present

Answer to Question 2 (Page 147, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Remove the bolded words and observe their impact on the sentence.

Answer:

Without the bolded words, the verbs they modify become vague and disconnected, making the sentence ambiguous or meaningless.

Answer to Question 3 (Page 147, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Identify a phrasal verb. Use it in a sentence and compare its role with a single verb.

Answer:

- Phrasal verb: doing homework

- Sentence: Hà is doing homework.

Subject Predicate

- Observation:

+ The simple verb functions as the predicate in the sentence.

+ The phrasal verb also acts as the predicate in the sentence.

II. STRUCTURE OF A PHRASAL VERB

Answer to Question 1 (Page 148, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Illustrate the structure of the phrasal verb discussed in Section 1 of the textbook.

Answer:

Pre-modifier - Main verb - Post-modifier

already - traveled - many places

also - present - tricky riddles to everyone

Answer to Question 2 (Page 148, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Words that can serve as pre-modifiers or post-modifiers in a phrasal verb:

- Pre-modifiers:

+ Examples: already, still, will, don't, never, etc.

+ These words provide context such as time, continuity, encouragement, or negation.

- Post-modifiers:

+ Examples: finished, well, smart, book, house…

+ These words provide additional meaning about objects, direction, place, time, purpose, cause, or manner of action.

III. PRACTICE

Answer to Question 1 (Page 149, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Identify the phrasal verbs in the following sentences:

a) The child is still playing around behind the house.

(The Clever Child)

b) The king deeply loves Mị Nương and wants to find a truly deserving husband for her.

(The Legend of Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh)

c) Eventually, the court had to find a way to keep the ambassador at the guesthouse in order to have time to seek advice from the clever child.

(The Clever Child)

Detailed Answer:

* Phrasal verbs:

a) still playing around behind the house

b) - loves Mị Nương deeply

- wants to find a deserving husband for her

c) - had to find a way to keep the ambassador at the guesthouse to seek advice from the clever child

Answer to Question 2 (Page 149, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Write the identified phrasal verbs in the phrasal verb structure model.

Detailed Answer:

Pre-modifier - Main verb - Post-modifier

still playing - around - behind the house

loves - Mị Nương deeply

wants - to find - a truly deserving husband

had to - find a way to keep - the ambassador at the guesthouse...

Answer to Question 3 (Page 149, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Explain the meaning of the bolded pre-modifiers in the passage below. How do these modifiers describe the intelligence of the child in the story?

The father stood there, unsure of how to respond, when the child, about seven or eight years old, quickly retorted to the official's question. The official, stunned, did not know how to answer. The official thought to himself, there is definitely a talent here, no need to search elsewhere.

(The Clever Child)

Detailed Answer:

- The pre-modifier "still" before the verbs "know" and "answer" indicates a relative negation.

- The pre-modifier "not" before "know" and "answer" indicates an absolute negation.

Both pre-modifiers highlight the child's quick thinking and intelligence: before the father could come up with a response, the child already had a reply that left the official speechless.

Answer to Question 4 (Page 149, Grade 6 Literature Textbook):

Write a sentence that summarizes the lesson of the story "Treo Biển". Identify the phrasal verbs in that passage.

Detailed Answer:

The story "Treo Biển" critiques those who lack strong principles and convictions.

Phrasal verb:

critiqued - those without principles and beliefs