“I walk the line” is a song by an American

musician named Johnny Cash. This is a single

that was written and recorded in 1956 and
became the singer’s number one Billboard hit.
According to Johnny, this song is a promise to
stay faithful to his wife at the time while he
was on the road for work. However, that
promise didn’t last long.

LISTENING COMPREHENSION
PART 1
ACTIVITY 1
Listen to Part 1 of the song and match the phrases in Column A
with the phrases in Column B to complete the lyrics.

Column A Column B

1. I keep a close watch 1- A. I walk the line.

2. I keep my eyes wide 2- B. out for the tie that binds.

3. I keep the ends 3- C. on this heart of mine.

4. Because you're mine, 4- D. open all the time.

ACTIVITY 2
Listen again to Part 1 and choose the correct meanings for the
following phrases.

1. keep a close watch on [something/someone]

A. to hurt something/someone
lastimar algo/alguien
B. to watch something/someone very carefully
mirar algo/alguien con mucho cuidado
 C. to avoid something/someone
para evitar algo/alguien

2. keep [one’s] eyes wide open

A. to open your eyes
para abrir los ojos
B. to not blink
no parpadear
C. to be careful
ser cuidadoso

3. walk the line

A. to stay true
para mantenerse fiel
B. to behave badly
comportarse mal
C. to devote your life to God
para dedicar tu vida a Dios

PART 2
ACTIVITY 3
Listen to Part 2 of the song and complete the English
translation. Use the Spanish version to help you out.

I'm a fool for you I find it very, very easy through

you’re mine I'll admit I find myself alone

Spanish Version English Version

Me parece muy, muy fácil para ser (1) _________________________ to be

verdad true
Me encuentro solo cuando cada día (2) ___________________ when each
termina day is (3) ______________
 Sí, admitiré que soy un tonto por ti Yes, (4) ______________ that (5)
__________________________
Porque eres mía, camino por la Because (6) ______________, I walk the
línea line

PART 3
ACTIVITY 4
Listen to Part 3 and correct the lyrics.
As sure as light is dark and day is night
➨ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
I keep you on my heart both night and day
➨ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
And loneliness I've known moves that it's right
➨ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Because you're mine, I walk the line

ACTIVITY 5
Listen to Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. How many things did he say
that he would do to ‘walk the line’?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

PART 4
ACTIVITY 6
Listen to Part 4 and fill in the blanks with the words you hear.
You've got a (1) ________ to keep me

on your (2) ________

You give me (3) ________ for love that

I can't (4) ________

For you, I know I'd even try to (5)

________ the (6) ________

Because you're mine, I walk the line

KEY PHRASES
● keep a close watch on
vigilar de cerca algo/alguien
[something/someone]
● keep [one’s] eyes wide open mantener los ojos bien abiertos
● all the time todo el tiempo
● walk the line caminar por la línea
● be a fool for someone ser un tonto por alguien
● keep [something/someone] on
mantener algo/alguien en mente
[one’s] mind
● on [one’s] side del lado de uno
● turn the tide cambiar el rumbo
Example sentences:
● Remember to keep a close watch on the children.
Recuerda mantener una estrecha vigilancia sobre los niños.
● Keep your eyes wide open for any mistakes.
Mantenga los ojos bien abiertos ante cualquier error.
● He complains all the time.
Se queja todo el tiempo.
● I will walk the line for you.
 Yo caminaré por la línea por ti.
● He’s a fool for her.
Él es un tonto por ella.
● Please keep that on your mind.
Por favor tenga eso en mente.
● He always keeps it on his side.
Siempre lo mantiene de su lado.
● They’re doing their best to turn the tide.
Están haciendo todo lo posible para cambiar el rumbo.

ACTIVITY 7
Complete the sentences below with the given phrases.
(You may need to conjugate the verbs)

is a fool for all the time

turn the tide keep a close watch on

1. He always ______________________ his children.

2. My brother ______________________ celebrities.
3. She will do anything to ______________________.
4. We go to that restaurant ______________________.

KEY STRUCTURES
I find it (very) [adjective] to
I find myself [adjective].
[verb in base form] object. Me encuentro a mí mismo
Lo encuentro (muy) [adjetivo] a [adjetivo].
[verbo en forma base] [objeto].

I find it very, very easy to be true. I find myself alone.

I find it hard to do it. I find myself bored of him.
I find it tiring to study. I find myself fascinated by her.

I’ll admit that I [verb in base You've got a way to [verb in

form] [object]. base form] [object].
Admitiré que I [verbo en forma Tienes una manera de [verbo forma
base] [objeto]. básica] [objeto].
 I'll admit that I'm a fool for you. You've got a way to keep me on
I’ll admit that I love her. your side.
I’ll admit that I hate it. You've got a way to convince them.
You've got a way to solve this.

I know I'd even try to [verb in

I can’t [verb in base form]. base form] [object].
No puedo [verbo en forma base]. Sé que incluso trataría de [verbo en
forma base] [objeto].

I can’t hide. I know I'd even try to turn the tide.

I can’t go. I know I'd even try to buy it.
I can’t leave. I know I'd even try to steal those.

ACTIVITY 8
Complete the dialogue below using the given phrases.

I find it... I can’t...

I’ll admit that I...

Toby: Hey, Nancy, do you have a spare pen?

Nancy: Why do you never even have a pen? ______________ believe it.

Toby: Uh, ______________ come to class unprepared a lot.

______________ hard not to lose pens and pencils!

Nancy: What?

KEY PRONUNCIATION
REVIEW LINKING
In English, words are written separately but are often said without pauses in
between them. This is why linking is such an important aspect of fluent
English.It will help you speak faster and sound more fluent.
In our previous lessons Yellow and Thinking out loud, we learned about
linking consonant-vowel and the two ways to link vowel-vowel.

1. Linking Consonant-Vowel
Linking consonant-vowel happens when one word ends in a consonant
sound and the following word starts with a vowel sound.
For example, we can find several linking sounds in Verse 1 of this song:

2. Linking Vowel-Vowel
Linking Vowel-Vowel happens when one word ends in a vowel sound and
the following word starts with a vowel sound.
There are two ways that we can link vowel-vowel:
a. Link Vowel-Vowel with the /w/ sound
The 1st rule in linking vowel-vowel is that if the first word ends in a rounded
vowel sound and the next word starts with any vowel sound, we add the
sound /w/ between them.
For example:

A rounded vowel is a sound that is pronounced with rounded lips, that is

your lips are round when you pronounce it. For example, like when
pronouncing the letter o or u, your lips have to come together to produce
the sound.
Below are some rounded vowels and words containing them.

Rounded vowels Words

/oʊ/ go, no, tow

/uː/ you, do, new

/aʊ/ now, how, allow

COMMON SPELLINGS OF ROUNDED VOWELS

/oʊ/ /uː/ /aʊ/

in go in do in now

o ew ow
so, ago, go knew, blew, flew how, cow, allow

oe oe
toe, Joe shoe

ow o
low, know, show do, too, two, who

b. Link Vowel-Vowel with the /y/ sound

When the first word ends in a smiling vowel sound (your lips are wide as if
you’re smiling) and the next word starts with any vowel sound, we add the
sound /y/ between them.
For example:

A smiling vowel sound is a sound that is pronounced with unrounded lips,

that is your lips are in smiling position.
 Below are some smiling vowels and words containing them.

Smiling vowels Words

/iː/ see, he, me

/eɪ/ pay, day, play

COMMON SPELLINGS OF SMILING VOWELS

/iː/ /eɪ/
in he in say

e ay
she, me, be way, day, lay

ee ey
agree, tree, bee they, grey, obey

Watch Video 2 - Key Pronunciation to practice more about linking.

ACTIVITY 9
Listen again to the song and mark all the linking
consonant-vowel and linking vowel-vowel.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine

I keep my eyes wide open all the time

I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

Because you're mine, I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true

I find myself alone when each day is through

Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you

Because you're mine, I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light You've got a way to keep

I keep you on my mind both day and night me on your side

And happiness I've known proves that it's right You give me cause for

Because you're mine, I walk the line love that I can't hide

For you, I know I'd even

try to turn the tide

Because you're mine, I

walk the line

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

WHEN TO USE THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE?
We can use the Present Perfect tense to describe different functions. In
today’s song, this tense is used to talk about things that started in an
unknown period of time in the past and continued up to now.
 And happiness I've known proves that it's right.
You've got a way to keep me on your side.

HOW TO FORM THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

To form the Present Perfect, we use has/have + verb (past participle). Note
that whether to use ‘has’ or ‘have’ will depend on the subjects of the
sentences.

Subject Verb Example sentences

I live I have lived here for 24 years.

He be He has been to 15 countries.

They buy They have bought 5 buildings in the last year.

ACTIVITY 10
Complete the sentences using the Present Perfect.

1. He (study) ______________ Spanish for 3 years.

2. They (know) ______________ Anna since they were little.
3. My sister (lose) ______________ her car keys again.
4. She (date) ______________ him for quite a while.
5. We (publish) ______________ 10 books.
 LYRICS
(ENGLISH AND SPANISH)
[Verse 1]
I keep a close watch on this heart of
mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the
time
I keep the ends out for the tie that
binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
[Verse 2]
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is
through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
[Verse 3]
As sure as night is dark and day is
light
I keep you on my mind both day and
night
And happiness I've known proves
that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
[Verse 4]
You've got a way to keep me on your
[Verso 1]
Vigilo de cerca mi corazón
Mantengo mis ojos bien abiertos todo
el tiempo
Sujeto los extremos de esa cuerda que
aprieta
Porque eres mía, camino por la línea
[Verso 2]
Me parece muy, muy fácil para ser
verdad
Me encuentro solo cuando cada día
termina
Sí, admitiré que soy un tonto por ti
Porque eres mía, camino por la línea
[Verso 3]
Tan seguro como que la noche es
oscura y el día es claro
Te mantengo en mi mente tanto de
día como de noche
Y la felicidad que he conocido
demuestra que está bien
Porque eres mía, camino por la línea
[Verso 4]
Tienes una manera de mantenerme
side
You give me cause for love that I
can't hide
For you, I know I'd even try to turn
the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line
[Verse 1]
I keep a close watch on this heart of
mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the
time
I keep the ends out for the tie that
binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
de tu lado
Me das motivo para el amor que no
puedo esconder
Por ti, sé que incluso intentaría
cambiar la marea
Porque eres mía, camino por la línea
[Verso 1]
Vigilo de cerca mi corazón
Mantengo mis ojos bien abiertos todo
el tiempo
Sujeto los extremos de esa cuerda que
aprieta
Porque eres mía, camino por la línea
 VOCABULARY
LEVEL A2
alone solo
even incluso
heart corazón
keep mantener
line línea
mine mía
myself yo mismo
side lado
sure por supuesto
through mediante
tie corbata
true cierto
try tratar
turn giro
way camino

LEVEL B1
admit admitir
fool tonto
happiness felicidad
hide esconder
mind mente
prove probar

LEVEL B2
cause causa
tide marea

LEVEL C2
bind enlazar
 ANSWER KEYS
ACTIVITY 1.

Column A Column B

1. I keep a close watch 1-C A. I walk the line.

2. I keep my eyes wide 2-D B. out for the tie that binds.

3. I keep the ends 3-B C. on this heart of mine.

4. Because you're mine, 4-A D. open all the time.

ACTIVITY 2.
1. B
2. C
3. A

ACTIVITY 3.

Spanish Version English Version

Me parece muy, muy fácil para ser
verdad
Me encuentro solo cuando cada día
termina
Sí, admitiré que soy un tonto por ti
Porque eres mía, camino por la
línea
(1) I find it very, very easy to be true
(2) I find myself alone when each
day is (3) through.
Yes, (4) I'll admit that (5) I'm a fool
for you
Because (6) you’re mine, I walk the
line

ACTIVITY 4.
As sure as light is dark and day is night
➨ night - light
I keep you on my heart both night and day
➨ mind - day - night
And loneliness I've known moves that it's right
 ➨ happiness - proves
Because you're mine, I walk the line

ACTIVITY 5.
There are 5 things that he mentioned:
● keep a close watch on his heart
● keep his eyes wide open all the time
● be true
● don’t be with other women
● keep her on his mind both day and night
ACTIVITY 6.
You've got a (1) way to keep me on your (2) side
You give me (3) cause for love that I can't (4) hide
For you, I know I'd even try to (5) turn the (6) tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line

ACTIVITY 7.
1. He always keeps a close watch on his children.
2. My brother is a fool for celebrities.
3. She will do anything to turn the tide.
4. We go to that restaurant all the time.

ACTIVITY 8.

Toby: Hey, Nancy, do you have a spare pen?

Nancy: Why do you never have a pen? I can’t believe it.

Toby: Uh, I’ll admit that I come to class unprepared a lot. I find it
hard not to lose pens and pencils!

Nancy: What?

ACTIVITY 9.
I keep-a close watch-on this heart-/r/-of mine
I keep my-eyes wide-open-all the time
 I keep the-/y/-ends-out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I find-it very, very easy to be true
I find myself-alone when-each day-/y/-is through
Yes, I'll-admit that-/r/-I'm-a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
As sure-as night-/r/-is dark-and day-/y/-is light
I keep you-/w/-on my mind both day-/y/-and night
And happiness-I've known proves that-/r/-it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got-/r/-a way to keep me-/y/-on your side
You give me cause for love that-/r/-I can't hide
For you,-/w/-I know-/w/-I'd-even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line

ACTIVITY 10.
1. He (study) has studied Spanish for 3 years.
2. They (know) have known Anna since they were little.
3. My sister (lose) has lost her car keys.
4. She (date) has dated him for quite a while.
5. We (publish) have published 10 books.

-----------------------------
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