At the Public Library

A paragraph in the present time frame

by Marsha Chan

The Sunnyvale Public Library has been open for two hours, and citizens have been entering singly and in groups. At the computers, patrons are looking up books and periodicals for research and leisure purposes. Adults are searching for nonfiction books according to the Dewey decimal system. I hear younger voices in the youth corner, where four teenagers have gathered. They are discussing the effects of global warming on the environment; they must be preparing to give a group presentation. Nearby, a family of four is browsing children's books. The mother is leading her son by the hand to investigate the picture books, and the father is leafing through books with his daughter to find out which ones she is able to read. Several patrons are checking out books at the self-service devices. Two librarians are helping others check out periodicals, videos, and CDs at the counter. As I'm leaving the library, I feel sunshine on my face and smell the scent of roses in the garden. 

(167 words)

Vocabulary Profile

http://www.lextutor.ca/vp/eng

the sunnyvale public library has been open for two hours and citizens have been entering singly and in groups at the computers patrons are looking up books and periodicals for research and leisure purposes adults are searching for nonfiction books according to the dewey decimal system i hear younger voices in the youth corner where four teenagers have gathered they are discussing the effects of global warming on the environment they must be preparing to give a group presentation nearby a family of four is browsing children books the mother is leading her son by the hand to investigate the picture books and the father is leafing through books with his daughter to find out which ones she can is able to read several patrons are checking out books at the self service devices two librarians are helping others check out periodicals videos and cds at the counter as i am leaving the library i feel sunshine on my face and smell the scent of roses in the garden

K1 Words (1 to 1000): 80.47%

K2 Words (1001 to 2000): 5.33%

AWL Words (academic): 5.33% 8 families, 9 tokens

Off-List Words: 8.88%

Analysis of sentence structure and verb forms:

1.             The Sunnyvale Public Library has been open for two hours, and citizens have been entering singly and in groups.
(Compound sentence. Pres. perf. nonaction vi. Pres. perf. prog. action vi.)

2.             At the computers, patrons are looking up books and periodicals for research and leisure purposes.
(Simple sentence.  Pres. prog. action phrasal vt.)

3.             Adults are searching for nonfiction books according to the Dewey decimal system.
(Simple sentence.  Pres. prog. action vi.)

4.             I hear younger voices in the youth corner, where four teenagers have gathered.
(Complex sentence. Simp. pres. nonaction vt. Pres. perf. action vi.)

5.             They are discussing the effects of global warming on the environment; they must be preparing to give a group presentation.
(Compound sentence. Pres. prog. action vt. Modal of deduction/guessing + pres. prog. action vt.)

6.             Nearby, a family of four is browsing childrenšs books.
(Simple sentence.  Pres. prog. action vt.)

7.             The mother is leading her son by the hand to investigate the picture books, and the father is leafing through books with his daughter to find out which ones she is able to read.
(Compound-complex sentence. Pres. prog. action vt.Pres. prog. action vt. Modal of ability + action vt.)

8.             Several patrons are checking out books at the self-service devices.
(Simple sentence.  Pres. prog. action phrasal vt.)

9.             Two librarians are helping others check out periodicals, videos, and CDs at the counter.
(Simple sentence.  Pres. prog. action vt.)

10.        As Išm leaving the library, I feel sunshine on my face and smell the scent of roses in the garden.
(Complex sentence. Pres. prog. action vi. Simp. pres. nonaction vt. Simp. pres. nonaction vt.)

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