CHAPTER 2

Lesson 9 · On/in/above

I don't know

I love my wife. But there is one thing that always causes problems. She likes running but always loses her running shoes and when she asks where they are, I say:
I don't know
Then she asks others. This is why our language coach first taught us how to indicate a place. He started with simple pictures and a ball to explain different positions.

Indicating where it is

I like my language coach. He makes it very simple.

very simple

these are the symbols he finally uses in our illustration language.
Now he takes flowers and he places these flowers at different positions.
First we show the symbols in a more abstract form:

1. on, in, in front of, behind

2. above, under, next to, between

Here are a few examples.
Once you know the illustration language, it is really easy!

1. the flowers are on the table

2. the flowers are under the table

3. the flowers are next to the table

4. the flowers are in front of the table

1. the flowers are above the table

2. the flowers are behind the table

3. the flowers are in the box
4. the flowers are between the table and the chair

Now with a question: where is?

1. where is the cat?
2. the cat is on the chair

1. where is Anna?

2. Anna sits on the chair

1. where is Harry?

2. Harry lies on the bed

1. where is Jerry?

2. Jerry stands next to a telephone

Remembering where things are

Everyone sometimes forgets where something is. Practise asking for an object and answering with its position.

Test: do you remember the words and expressions

1. On, in, in front of, behind

2. Above, under, next to, between

1. The flowers are above the table

2. The flowers are behind the table

3. The flowers are in the box

4. The flowers are between the table and the chair

Do you remember the sentences with a question: where is?

1. Where is the cat?

2. The cat is on the chair

1. Where is Anna?

2. Anna sits on the chair

1. Where is Harry?

2. Harry lies on the bed

1. Where is Jerry?

2. Jerry stands next to a telephone

Check your understanding

Say or write your answer first. Then open the answer to check.

Say: The flowers are under the table.
De bloemen zijn onder de tafel.
Say: The flowers are next to the table.
De bloemen zijn naast de tafel.