Who knew that body lotion could lead to a pat-down at the airport?
The morning of my flight from San Diego back to New York, I chose to use the complimentary body lotion at the hotel. I normally use an all-natural, organic lotion, but I had run out. Since I don't like having dry skin, I used the hotel's lotion. Little did I know that this would lead to a pat down at the airport.
My husband and I arrived at the airport, and everything was going smoothly until I went through the scanner. The scanner beeped. I had taken off my belt, shoes, watch etc. I wondered what could be the cause of the beep. Well, the TSA agent brought me over to a booth and swabbed my hand. It turns out that it tested positive for a chemical called glycerin. I guess this chemical is sometimes found in explosives. I couldn't believe it.
Because I tested positive for this substance, they told me that I had to go through a pat-down. I had nothing to hide, so I agreed. The female agent did a pat down, then they swabbed her hands. Because my clothes were clean, they let me go. They explained that this has been an issue for a lot of people who use a lotion before going to the airport.
Vocabulary
complimentary (adj.) - given free of charge
lotion (n.) - smooth liquid one spreads on their body to prevent dry skin
organic (adj.) - items that are free of harmful chemicals
scanner (n.) - device at the airport that people must pass through while being screened by security
chemical (n.) substance created in a chemical process
positive (adj.) sure that something is true
Cloze Exercise
I used the ______________________ body ____________________ from the hotel. Later, when I went through the _____________________, they pulled me aside and swabbed my hands. The results of the test were ______________________ for a particular _____________________. The ____________________ they found was called glycerin. From now on, I will only use all-natural, ___________________ body lotion before going to the airport.
Grammar Point
Many teachers in the past have told me never to begin a sentence with the word because. That is because many people don't know how to use it at the beginning of a sentence. When you use because at the beginning of a sentence, you must remember that the word because is part of a dependent clause and therefore must be followed by a comma and an independent clause.
Locate the two sentences that I began with the word because. After locating these sentences, find the dependent and independent clause in each one.
When we went to Florida I was also selected to have my hands swabbed for chemicals, but I did not need to go through the pat down. However, when we returned from Florida, they detected a chemical on my stroller and as a result, I had to go through a pat down. The chemical was from a spray on sun tan lotion that I had used on my kids legs when they were sitting in the stroller. It was a little embarrassing, but I am also glad that they are taking these precautions for the sake of our safety. I also wanted to mention that your little grammar videos are not only hilarious, but also helpful!
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