GRADE 9 English INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES – READING:EXTENSIVE READING -FRICTION Notes
English: Reading (Extensive Reading) — Friction
Subject: English | Topic: Income-generating activities | Age: 14 (Kenya)
Key grammar points to notice while reading
Form: subject + base verb (he/ she/ it + -s). Use when a sentence gives a fact or describes a usual action.
Examples (income activities):
- Many families sell vegetables at the market.
- She bakes bread every morning.
- Friction increases when a machine is not oiled.
- Friction between partners causes delays in decision-making.
Form: am/is/are + verb-ing. Use for ongoing activities or temporary situations.
Examples:
- He is repairing the bicycle to start a delivery service.
- They are arguing because of friction over how to share profit.
Form: verb + -ed (regular) or irregular verbs. Use for telling stories or events.
Examples:
- Last year they opened a small shop near the road.
- The machine broke, and friction damaged the belt.
Form: have/has + past participle. Use for experiences or changes that matter now.
Examples:
- She has sold crafts for five years and knows many customers.
- We have fixed the motor, so there is less friction now.
Form: be + past participle. Often used in instructions or reports.
Examples:
- The grain is sold to local traders.
- The belt was replaced after it was worn by friction.
Use should/must for advice and rules; can/may for ability or permission.
Examples:
- You should save some profit each month.
- The machine must be oiled to reduce friction.
- She can sell her vegetables at the market.
- Zero conditional (general truth): if + present, present - First conditional (possible future): if + present, will + base verb
Examples:
- Zero: If you water the seedlings, they grow.
- First: If we reduce friction, the machine will last longer.
Some verbs are followed by a gerund, others by an infinitive. Pay attention while reading.
Examples:
- They enjoy selling crafts. (enjoy + gerund)
- He wants to start a tailoring business. (want + infinitive)
Use comparatives to compare two things, superlatives for three or more.
Examples:
- This method is cheaper than hiring a mechanic.
- She is the most experienced vendor in the market.
Read-and-spot activity (while doing extensive reading)
When you read a long text about income activities, underline or write down:
- All verbs in present simple — these show facts.
- Modals that give advice (should/must).
- Any passive sentences — often in instructions.
- Examples of "friction" — is it physical or people-problems?
Practice exercises
- She (sell / is selling) fresh vegetables every day.
- Right now, they (repair / are repairing) the sewing machine.
- Friction (cause / is causing) the tyre to wear out quickly.
- The mechanic fixed the belt. → ____________________________.
- Farmers sell maize to traders. → ____________________________.
- You _________ clean the grinder to reduce friction.
- They _________ open a savings account for their income.
- If you polish the metal, it _________ (reduce) friction. (use present)
- If we save profit, we _________ (buy) a new motor. (possible future)
- They enjoy (to sell / selling) second-hand clothes.
- He plans (to repair / repairing) the generator this week.
Answers
Exercise 2: 1. The belt was fixed by the mechanic. 2. Maize is sold to traders by farmers.
Exercise 3: 1. should 2. should / can (either: should = good advice; can = ability/possibility)
Exercise 4: 1. reduce 2. will buy
Exercise 5: 1. selling (gerund) 2. to repair (infinitive)
- Read a long passage about an income activity slowly. Mark all verbs and note their tenses.
- Find sentences with "friction" and decide whether the text means physical friction or disagreement between people.
- Try to write 3 sentences about a business in your area using different grammar points above.
Good luck — keep reading and noticing grammar in real-life examples! 🏠 💵 🔧