Places 3

Places 2

Where Can You Buy These Things?

What do you call these places?

Alex

ALex

What I Look Like?

Bringing Home the Bacon on the Gravy Train

Activity I) What do you think these expressions mean?

Bob works hard to bring home the bacon1, and put bread and butter2 on his family's table. Every morning, he drags himself to his desk at the bank and faces his tedious 10-hour-a-day job. His boss, Mark, is a bad egg3 but has somehow taken a liking to Bob so he always speaks well of Bob in front of Mr. Davies, the owner and big cheese4 of the company. Mark tells Mr. Davies that Bob's the cream of the crop5 and is one smart cookie6 who uses his noodles7. Mark likes to chew the fat8 with Bob during coffee break and discusses half-baked9 company plans with him because he trusts Bob and knows that Bob won't spill the beans10 behind his back. On these occasions, Bob tries to avoid any hot potatoes11 and, even if Mark isn't his cup of tea12, Bob makes an effort to butter him up13 by leading Mark into discussions about electronic gadgets which Mark is nuts about14. Bob really thinks that Mark is out to lunch15 and nutty as a fruitcake16, but in a nutshell17, if he polishes the apple18, his job could become a piece of cake19 and maybe one day he will find his gravy train20




This is definitely an exaggerated use of idiomatic expressions. But you can see how these expressions make spoken informal language much more colourful and jovial.


NON-FOOD EXPRESSIONS
A boss
B food
C very easy
D on the table but still unofficial
E the best
F continues to be servile and brown-nose his boss
G scoundrel
H make a living
I is an intelligent person
J show admiration
K basically
L share confidential information
M means to a big income with little effort
N chat
O thinks
P a little out of touch with reality
Q problematic issues
R a little crazy
S really likes
T the type of person he likes

Wedding Gifts

The Story

Jack and his bride were opening their wedding gifts. After unwrapping each package, Lisa would exclaim enthusiastically, "We really need these towels" or "We'll enjoy eating off these pretty plates." Then she opened one very large box. It contained a vacuum cleaner.

"Jack," Lisa said, "look what you've got."

..................................................................................................... 

Vocabulary Practice

Mark the best choice

1. To 'unwrap' means to .....

a)     fasten

b)    break

c)     open

d)    write

2. Package' means .......

a)     plate

b)    parcel

c)     room

d)    book

3. Enthusiastic' means ......

a)     quite angry

b)    indifferent

c)     with great interest

d)    showing disliking

4. Another word for 'vacuum cleaner' is ..........

a)     electric fan

b)    cleaning machine

c)     Hoover

d)    electric machine

Questions for Discussion

1. What is funny about this story?

2. Who do you think should use the vacuum cleaner? Why?

Activities

1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words.

2. Pronounce the following words several times:

a)     Unwrap

b)    Package

c)     Enthusiastically

d)    Towel

e)     Vacuum

A Related Proverb

Cut your coat according to your cloth.

opposites2

Opposites

Questions

1. We opened the window.
What did we open?

2. Jason answered the question.
Who answered the question?

3. The cat ate the fish.
What did the cat eat?

4. My mother saw Mary.
Who did my mother see?

5. The thunder broke the window.
What broke the window?

6. My father washed the car.
Who washed the car?

7. Sue invited Tom at the party.
Who did Sue invite at the party?

8. Helen wrote a letter.
What did Helen write?

9. We caught an early train.
What did we catch?

10. The students failed the exams.
Who failed the exams?

11. The girls bought shoes.
What did the girls buy?

12. The boys rode their bikes.
What did the boys ride?

13. The mouse ate the cheese.
What ate the cheese?

14. Aristophanes wrote many comedies.
What did Aristophanes write?

15. Scott called his friends.
Who did Scott call?

16. Kate and Peter got married.
Who got married?

17. We watched a horror film.
What did we watch?

18. The flight was delayed.
What was delayed?

19. The dog chased the cat.
What did the dog chase?

20. Arthur sang a funny song.

What did Arthur sing?

Wedding Plans

A: Their wedding was absolutely beautiful.
B: It really was. I want a wedding like that.
A: How much do you think they spent on their wedding?
B: I think it might've cost them a nice chunk of change.
A: Do you want a big wedding like that?
B: Not really. I'd rather have a small wedding.
A: I wouldn't want a small wedding.
B: Why not?
A: I want my wedding to be big and memorable.
B: It can be small and memorable too.
A: Well, to each his own.
B: You are absolutely right.

Buying Flowers

A: I need some flowers for my wife because it is her birthday.
B: We have some fresh red roses.
A: How much are the roses?
B: Twenty dollars per dozen.
A: That sounds like a good deal.
B: Yes, that is today's sale price.
A: I'll take a dozen.
B: Is there anything else you'd like to get?
A: No, the roses will be fine.
B: I'm sure your wife will love them.

CLick this

What Happened to My Body?

The basic story:

In his native country, the man was very active and ate fresh, nutritious food every day. When he came to the United States he got a job as a taxi driver. He didn't get much exercise. He ate a lot of fast food. For breakfast, he ate at McDonalds (note golden arches behind taxi cab in the second frame). For lunch he ate pizza. For dinner he ate food he could microwave quickly. After dinner he ate snacks of ice cream and potato chips while watching TV. After one year, he had gained a lot of weight. He couldn't breathe while going up some stairs. His body had changed a lot in one year! He was not healthy!

http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/Health/img/body.gif

On the telephone

Tracy:      Hello, can I speak to Alex.
Alex:       This is Alex, who is speaking?
Tracy:      Hi, this is Tracy.
Alex:        Hi Tracy. What are you doing?
Tracy:      Oh, I'm just watching TV. What are you doing?
Alex:       Well, I'm cooking dinner.
Tracy:      What are you cooking?
Alex:       I'm baking some potatoes, boiling some carrots and       grilling  a steak.
Tracy:      It sounds delicious.
Alex:       What are you doing for dinner tonight?
Tracy:     Well, I don't have any plans...
Alex:       Would you like to come over for dinner?
Tracy:     Oh, I'd love to. Thanks.
Alex:      Great. Mary and Jack are also coming. They are arriving at seven.
Tracy:     OK, I'll be there at seven, too.
Alex:      OK, see you then. Bye.
Tracy:     Bye.

Have You Ever, Would You Ever Worksheet

Have You Ever, Would You Ever Worksheet


HAVE YOU EVER?

1. Left a shop or restaurant without paying?
2. Lied about your age?
3. Lied about your name?
4. Seen a ghost?
5. Swum in the ocean?
6. Flown in a plane?
7. Won a competition?
8. Had something stolen from you?
9. Broken something at home?
10. Met a famous person?
11. Passed an exam you thought you would fail?

WOULD YOU EVER?

1. Eat raw meat or raw fish?
2. Live in another country?
3. Steal?
4. Fight with someone?
5. Miss school?

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN …?

1. You can’t get to sleep?
2. Somebody pushes in front of you in line?
3. You fight with a friend?
4. You are served food you don’t like?
5. You’re late for a meeting?
6. You see someone hitting an animal?
7. You see a fight on the street?
8. You haven’t done your homework?

SUPERLATIVES?

1. What’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
2. What’s the best thing that has ever happened to you?
3. What’s the most expensive thing you own?
4. What’s the nicest thing you have ever done
5. What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done?

Travel Problems

Taking a Taxi

Example 1

You  : Excuse me. I'm looking for a book called "ABC"?
Mr.A : Ok sir. The book corner is right over there.
You : Thank you.
A     : You are welcome.

Example 2

You  : Excuse me. Do you know where is the book department?
Mr.A : Sure. Please follow me.
You : Thank you.

Example 3

You : Excuse me. How can I find the book called "ABC"?
Mr.A : Oh. I'm afraid it was sold out.
You  : It's ok. Thank you.

Asking

You  : Excuse me. Is the seat taken?
A     : I don't think so?
You  : Can I sit here?
A     : It's ok for me. 


 You  : Excuse me. Does anyone sit here?
A     : No go ahead.

Weather Forecast

The Story

While we were sailing, my friend tuned in to listen to the weather forecast on a local radio station. Over the airwaves, there was a pause and an audible shuffling of papers, followed by a voice saying, "I'm sorry, I can't find the forecast, but let me look out of the window--Oh! it's a lovely drying day."

Vocabulary Practice

Mark the best choice.

1. To '___' means to adjust a radio to receive a certain program.

• broadcast
• sail
• tune in
• shuffle

2. 'Airwaves' means ___.

• wind
• plane
• radio waves
• light waves

3. 'Forecast' is ___.

• a kind of radio
• statement of future events
• a person reading the news
• a kind of boat

4. To 'shuffle' here means to ___.

• walk heavily towards something
• move around to different positions
• write to somebody
• talk softly to someone

Questions for Discussion

1. What is wrong with such a forecast?
2. What's the weather like today?

Activity

1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words.

Proverb

"Red Sky at night, sailor's delight.  Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning."

How Are You?

 Steve: How are you?

Jane: I'm very good. Thanks. What about you?

Steve: I'm also very good. Thanks.

Jane: See you!

Steve: Good Bye!

Letter: Neighbor's Complaint

My husband and I have been owner/residents of 53 Blue Court for over fourteen years. During that time, we have never written to complain of the nuisance behavior of any fellow resident. Unfortunately, my husband and I have reached our capacity to deal with the constant level and frequency of noise coming from our next door neighbor at number 41.

The current residents are a young couple who have been there for approximately two months. The young woman is the the adult daughter of the absent owner and the young man is her boyfriend or husband. I believe the owner's name is Rebecca Buckley. I do not have her phone number, or I would have gotten in touch with her weeks ago.

Both day and night, the young man opens his garage door and creates a "wall of noise" with a variety of electric guitars. My husband has taught kids to play guitar for many years, and he informs me that the boy has not the slightest clue of how to play. Not only is it noisy..it does not even fall into the category of music. When he is not providing the "music" himself, he and the girl turn the CD player or radio up so loud that the bass beat reverberates through our house and the plates in the kitchen rattle.

My husband has gone to their door frequently to request that they turn down the noise. The boy nods blankly, and then the next day it begins all over again. The couple have also hosted several loud parties since they moved in keeping my husband, my daughter and myself awake. Needless to say, this has had a deleterious effect on our quality of life.

If you would please contact the owner or assist in any way possible, we would be most appreciative.

The Health and Sickness

Asking.... 

No. 1

Angelita: Is something wrong with your body?
Yoshie: Yes, there is.
Angelita: Do you have a sunburn?
Yoshie: Yes, I do.
Angelita: You'd better put on some lotion.

No. 2
Angelita: Is something wrong with your eye?
Yoshie: No, there isn't.

No. 3
 Angelita: Is something wrong with your head?
Yoshie: Yes, there is.
Angelita: Do you have a bump?
Yoshie: No, I don't

No. 4
Angelita: Is something wrong with your nose?
Yoshie: Yes, there is.
Angelita: Do you have a nosebleed?
Yoshie: Yes, I do.