LINKING VERBS PAGES 57-58

Irish Americans are on of this country’s largest immigrant groups. About 40 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. This total is almost ten times the number of people in the country of Ireland today. Among the states with the largest number of Irish Americans are Massachusetts, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Irish immigrants came to this country very early in its history. Ireland was a country with a large population.

7. The large number of people caused a rise in the poverty level. 8. Many Irish elt hopeful about the endless job opportunities in America. 9. In 1845 a terrible potato famine struck Ireland. The first big wave of Irish immigrants started in the 1840s. Most Irish immigrants settled in the large cities of the Northeast. Irish immigrants were important in building the famous Erie Canal and many highways, railroads, and cities. The Irish had an advantage over other immigrants because they could speak English.

In spite of this however many Irish suffered discrimination. Irish Americans have made important contributions in many areas of American life and society. One well-known Irish American was President John F. Kennedy. Irish American Eugene O’Neill, an outstanding dramatist, won the Nobel Prize in literature for his plays. John L. Sullivan, America’s first sports superstar, reigned as world heavyweight boxing champion in the late 1800s.

Other famous Irish Americans are actor John Wayne, singer Bing Crosby, and Ronald Reagan the former president. March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, is the day when Irish Americans celebrate their heritage. Ex: 2 Was - Presdident Was - child / seemed - easy Appeared - eager Became - author Is - account Grew - bleaker Stayed - neutral

Felt - confident Grew - dangerous became - hero became - politician was - congressman - senator Was - responsive Looked - vigorous - strong Became - supporter Was - candidate Remains - person Sounded - eloquent Were - new - exciting Was - great

Helping Verbs Forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been Forms of have: has, have, had Other helping verbs: can could, may, might, shall, will, do, does, did, must, should, would

Verb Phrases / HELPING VERBS No one has been more successful in auto races than Richard Petty. The stock car race driver was known to millions of fans as “King Richard.” Stock cars are quite different from the sleek cars in the Indianapolis 500. On the outside, stock cars may appear normal. But under the hood, stock cars have always had special, powerful engines.

The cars also have additional saety features. From 1960 to 1984, Richard Petty was winning in his trademark blue car. He had crossed the finish line first more than two hundred times. Did Richard Petty ever crash his race car? The King was involved in many crashed, including a nasty one at the 1976 Daytona 500. Richard Petty won his last race on July 4, 1984. Did Richard Petty’s great success go to his head?

No, he remained a favorite with fans because of his friendliness. Thousands of fans have visited his headquarters in Level Cross, North Carolina. For many fans, stock car racing is a family affair. Men and women, boys and girls, and people of all ages enjoy watching the races. For drivers, racing can also be a family affair. Richard Petty’s father, Lee, had been one of the first great stock car drivers.

19. Not surprisingly, Richard’s son is following in his father’s footsteps. Any interested people should attend a stock car race.