Professional Documents
Culture Documents
100 Interactive English Lessons CANDY
100 Interactive English Lessons CANDY
37 Accidents at Home 98
38 Behavior 100
39 Advice 103
40 Advertising 105
41 Childhood 108
42 Spending 111
43 Fame 113
44 Beauty & Physical Attractiveness 115
45 Makeup 118
46 Cars & Driving 121
47 Art 123
48 Technology 125
49 Nature 128
50 Fears 130
51 Education 132
52 Future 135
53 Gestures 137
54 Have you ever… 139
55 Machines 141
56 Skin Care 143
57 Memory 145
58 Movies & Movie Industry 147
59 News 150
60 Dreams & Nightmares 153
61 Photography 155
62 Stress 157
63 Ghosts & Superstitions 159
64 Time 161
65 Wishes 164
66 Cooking 166
67 Neighborhood 169
68 Arguments 172
69 Creativity 174
70 Culture 176
71 Goals 178
72 Gender Roles 180
73 Gossip & Rumors 182
74 Happiness 184
75 Immigration 186
76 Inventions 188
77 Job Interview 190
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78 Marriage 193
79 Towns and Cities 195
80 Personality 197
81 Poverty 199
82 Prejudice 201
83 Privacy 203
84 Discrimination 205
85 Retirement 207
86 Science 209
87 Books and Movies 211
88 Relationships 213
89 Social problems 215
90 Social Networking 217
91 Stereotypes 219
92 Unemployment 222
93 Talent 225
94 Natural Disasters 228
95 Mass Media 231
96 Risk & Risk taking 233
97 Motivation 235
98 Telling lies 238
99 Energy sources 240
100 Competition 243
4
Topic 1: Friends
DISCUSSION
1. How do you make new friends? Do you make friends easily?
2. Why do you need a friend?
3. What do you usually do with your friends?
4. Do you tell your best friend everything?
5. What do you do when you have a misunderstanding with your friend?
6. Do you trust all of your friends? Why?
7. Can you describe one of your close friends?
8. Can you talk about the longest friendship that you have had?
9. Have you made any friends over the Internet? Have you ever met them in person?
10. Do you have any long-distance friends? How often do you see your long-distance friends? How
do you keep in touch with your long-distance friends?
11. How do you maintain a good friendship?
12. What qualities do you think are important in a friend?
13. What things should friends never do?
14. There is a proverb that says, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Do you agree?
15. Has a friend ever let you down?
16. How are your friendships different now than they were when you were a child?
17. How many people do you consider your "best friends?"
18. Is it common to have friendships across generations?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of friendships?
Do you have any friends from a different generation than you?
19. Do you think it is possible to have a best friend of the opposite sex without becoming a
girlfriend or boyfriend?
20. Do you believe your parents should be your friends?
21. What are some ways your best friend has influenced your life in a positive way?
22. There is a saying that "to lose a friend you need to start sharing a flat with him/her". Do you
agree? Why/Why not?
VOCABULARY
5
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
spare time: free time
I go shopping in my spare time.
leisure time: time when you are not working and you can relax and do things that you enjoy;
spare time
I am very busy with my work, and I don’t have much leisure time.
leisure activities: things you do during your leisure time
Going to the cinema is a popular leisure activity in Vietnam.
activities:
8
EXPRESSIONS
I often + V:
I often do the daily chores when I have free time.
I don’t often + V:
I don’t often watch TV in the evening.
spend time + V(ing): use time (to do something)
I spend most of my spare time sleeping.
spend time with someone:
I usually spend my free time with my family.
second conditional: If + S + V(simple past), S + would/wouldn’t + V(base form)
If I had more free time, I would visit my grandparents more frequently.
take up (a sport/a new language) : to learn or start to do something, especially for pleasure
I have taken up swimming.
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Topic 3: Hobbies
DISCUSSION
1. What is a hobby?
2. Why do people need hobbies?
3. What are your hobbies?
4. How long have you had your hobby/hobbies?
5. Do you spend money on your hobby?
6. Which hobbies are the most expensive?
7. Which hobbies cost nothing at all?
8. Which hobbies are the most popular with women/men in your country?
9. Do you prefer watching or playing sports?
10. Are there any hobbies you would like to try?
11. Which hobbies are the most popular in your country?
12. Can a hobby be dangerous?
13. Can you make money from doing your hobby?
14. Does your hobby interfere with your work/study/personal life?
15. Does your hobby influence your choice of friends?
16. Can a hobby save a child from bad peer influence?
VOCABULARY
hobby: an activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working
My hobby is doing yoga.
pastime: something that you enjoy doing when you are not working
Going on Facebook is now a popular national pastime.
interest: wanting to know or learn more about somebody/something
I have an interest in photography.
outdoor activities: activities that happen outside a building
I enjoy outdoor activities.
indoor activities: activities that happen inside a building
We can do some indoor activities on a rainy day.
dangerous: not safe, likely to harm somebody, or to damage something
Mountain climbing can be dangerous.
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extreme sports: sports that are extremely exciting to do and often dangerous, for example
skydiving and bungee jumping
Some people like extreme sports.
interfere: prevent (a process or activity) from continuing properly
Sometimes my hobby can interfere with my work.
some hobbies:
cycling skateboarding collecting
gymnastics auto racing photography
yoga mountain climbing bodybuilding
travelling playing a musical instrument
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
skip: to not do something that you usually do or should do
Breakfast is important, so I don’t usually skip it.
diet : the variety or amount of food that you eat
12
EXPRESSIONS
Topic 5: Family
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
sibling: a brother or sister
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EXPRESSIONS
Topic 6: Habits
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
habit: a thing that you do often and almost without thinking, especially something that is hard to
stop doing
16
EXPRESSIONS
I often/always/usually/never
I often eat junk food.
One of my good/bad habits is...
One of my good habits is doing exercise in the morning.
One habit that I need to break is...
One habit that I need to break is smoking.
S + used to + V
I used to smoke a lot in the past, but now I don’t smoke anymore.
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Topic 7: Internet
DISCUSSION
1. Do you often use the Internet? When did you first use the Internet?
2. What is the best thing about the Internet?
3. How many hours a day do you use the Internet?
4. Do you think our lives have been improved by the Internet?
5. How does the Internet help people from different countries to communicate with each other?
Is it dangerous to meet people on the Internet?
6. How can the internet help you learn English? Do you take advantage of this?
7. Have you ever bought something using the Internet? Is it better to buy online or to go to a
shop? Why?
8. Do you think that online banking will become popular in all countries? What is a disadvantage
of this?
9. Do you think that the Internet safe for children? Why?
10. What are some security issues you must think about when you access the Internet?
11. Do men and women use the internet for different purposes?
12. Do you use the Internet for fun or education?
What are some of the ways the Internet can be used for education?
What are some of the ways the Internet can be used for entertainment?
13. What problems does the Internet create? What problems does it solve?
14. Would you like to go on a date with someone you meet on the Internet?
15. Do you think governments have the right to censor the Internet?
16. Why is it a good idea to have books and magazines published on the Internet?
17. Why should you be careful about giving out personal information to people that you meet in
chat rooms?
18. Give me a reason why you think that email is a good way for people to communicate.
19. Do you think that working at home using the Internet is good or bad?
20. Do you think that meeting people is easier than meeting people face to face?
21. Many Universities are now offering online courses. Give me some reasons why this is a bad
thing.
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22. If you give personal information to a Website do you think that they will always keep this
private? Sometimes they sell this information. Is this a good or bad thing?
23. How can we stop students from "cutting and pasting" from the Internet when they do their
assignments?
24. How has the Internet changed society?
VOCABULARY
wireless internet (Wi-Fi): a system of connecting to the Internet that does not
need wires or cables.
Many places provide free wireless Internet.
modem: a device that connects one computer system to another using a telephone line so that
data can be sent
The wireless modem is in my room, so the Wi-Fi signal is very strong.
connect: join together two or more things; to be joined together
When the Wi-Fi signal is weak, it’s very hard to connect to the internet.
disconnect: to end a connection to the Internet
I was disconnected from the internet yesterday, when I was chatting with my friend.
bad content: the information or other material contained on a website or other digital media,
which is bad
Some websites may have bad content.
inappropriate: not suitable
Many web pages are inappropriate for children.
replace: to remove something and put another thing in their place
I don’t think e-books will replace paper books.
online shopping/online purchase: The buying of products and services on the Internet
Online shopping is very convenient.
EXPRESSIONS
take advantage of: make good use of the opportunities offered by (something).
You should take advantage of the internet. All information you need is there.
surf the internet: to spend time visiting a lot of websites
In my free time, I often surf the internet using my cell phone.
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VOCABULARY
pet: an animal, a bird, etc. that you have at home for pleasure, rather than one that is kept for
work or food
I have a pet hamster.
feed: to give food to a person or an animal
Some zoos do not allow us to feed the zoo animals.
breed: a particular type of animal that has been developed by people in a controlled way
Labradors is a large breed of dog.
poisonous: producing a poison that can cause death or illness if the animal or insect bites you
Many kinds of snakes are poisonous.
hunting: chasing and killing wild animals and birds as a sport or for food
Endangered animal hunting is illegal in many countries including Vietnam.
soul: the spiritual part of a person that some people believe continues to exist in some form
after their body has died, or the part of a person that is not physical and experiences deep
feelings and emotions
I believe all creatures do have a soul.
endangered: at risk of no longer existing
We should protect the endangered animals.
species: a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to
each other and can breed with each other
There are many species of dogs.
medical research: research in the field of medicine
I’m strongly against the use of animals in medical research. It’s very cruel.
EXPRESSIONS
pros and cons: The pros and cons of something are its advantages and disadvantages, which
you consider carefully so that you can make a sensible decision.
You should consider the pros and cons of studying abroad before you decide.
ride a horse
I’ve never ridden a horse before.
be afraid of
I’m afraid of snakes and worms.
be frightened of = be scared of
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Topic 9: Health
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
medical check-up/health check-up: a thorough physical examination; includes a variety of tests
depending on the age and sex and health of the person
You should go for a medical check-up every six months.
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symptom: a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy
Symptoms of flu include sneezing, coughing and headache.
diagnosis: the act of discovering or identifying the exact cause of an illness or a problem
I have to wait for the doctor’s diagnosis before buying medicine.
cough: to force out air suddenly and noisily through your throat, for example when you have a
cold
I couldn’t stop coughing.
sneeze: to have air come suddenly and noisily out through your nose and mouth in a way that
you cannot control, for example because you have a cold
I've been sneezing all morning.
prescription: an official piece of paper on which a doctor writes the type of medicine you
should have, and which enables you to get it from a chemist’s shop/drugstore
In my country, you can buy medicine easily without doctor’s prescription.
recover: to get well again after being ill/sick, hurt, etc.
I’ve just recovered from an illness.
EXPRESSIONS
lose/gain weight: reduce/increase body weight.
I’m trying to gain weight because I’m too thin.
have a (bad) flu/cold
I had a bad cold last week.
have a runny nose/fever/backache/toothache/stomachache/headache/sore throat
I have a toothache and it hurts terribly.
have sore eyes
My eyes are red. I think I have sore eyes.
take temperature: to measure a person's body temperature
The nurse took my temperature and said I was okay.
take a rest: have a period of relaxing, sleeping or doing nothing after a period of activity
Take a rest from all your hard work.
under the weather: if you are or feel under the weather, you feel slightly ill/sick and not as well
as usual
I feel under the weather today.
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VOCABULARY
swimsuit: a piece of clothing worn for swimming, especially the type worn by women and girls
I need a new swimsuit for my vacation to the beach next weekend.
bikini: a two-piece swimsuit for women
She’s not confident enough to wear bikinis.
monokini: a one-piece swimsuit for women
Many people prefer a monokini to a bikini.
suntan: pleasantly brown skin caused by being in hot sun
She’s on the beach all day, trying to get a suntan.
sunburn: the condition of having painful red skin because you have spent too much time in the
sun
I need to go to the hospital because of severe sunburn.
sunblock/sunscreen: the lotion you apply to your skin to protect it from the sun.
Remember to use sunscreen whenever you go swimming on the beach.
life guard: professional who works at the beach (or at swimming pools) to help swimmers stay
safe
You don’t usually see life guards at the public beaches in Vietnam.
seashore: the land along the edge of the sea or ocean, usually where there is sand and rocks
I often look for shells on the seashore.
tide: a regular rise and fall in the level of the sea, caused by the pull of the moon and sun
The tide is high in the afternoon.
dive: to jump into water with your head and arms going in first/ to swim underwater wearing
breathing equipment
He dived off the bridge.
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EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. How many national holidays are there in your country?
2. What is your favorite holiday? Has your favorite holiday changed since you were a kid?
3. What foreign holidays do you know about?
4. Do people in your country stay at home or travel during national holidays?
5. Talk about your best memory from a holiday.
6. What is the strangest holiday or festival you have heard of?
7. Does your country have parades during holidays? Have you ever been to a parade?
8. Do you think your country should have more, or less, holidays? Why?
9. What is the longest holiday in your country?
Does your family celebrate this holiday?
What does the holiday stand for? Why is this holiday celebrated?
When does the celebration for this holiday generally start?
Is attending a temple or a church on that day part of the celebration?
Are there specific prayers or blessings that go with the holiday?
Are there special foods connected with the holiday?
Have you eaten any of these foods?
Do you or did you like the foods?
Can you make these foods? Are you good at making them?
Is gift giving a part of this holiday?
Are there specific types of gifts to be given?
Who are they given to?
Are the banks, post offices or schools closed for this holiday?
Is there a person or god connected with the holiday?
Who are they and do you believe in them?
If you do not believe in these people or gods, does the celebration of these bother you in any
way (e.g., ignored, dismissed, angry, etc.)?
Do you enjoy this holiday? Why or why not?
Do you decorate the outside of your house for the holiday?
Do your neighbors decorate their house?
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VOCABULARY
summer holiday: the time during the summer when you do not have to go to school
Summer holiday in Vietnam is from June to August.
celebration: a special event that people organize in order to celebrate something
Tet celebration is the longest holiday for Vietnamese people.
parade: a public celebration of a special day or event, usually with bands in the streets and
decorated vehicles
There’re parades on Independence Day.
greeting card: a card with a picture on the front and a message inside that you send to
somebody on a particular occasion
We usually send greeting cards to wish others a happy new year.
ancestors’ altar: a holy table to honor and remember their ancestors.
Every Vietnamese family has an ancestors’ altar in their homes.
five-fruit tray: a plate filled with five types of fruits to place on the ancestors’ altar
People often prepare a five-fruit tray for Tet.
some national holidays in Vietnam:
Independence Day – September 2
Lunar New Year/ Tet holiday
Hung King’s Commemorations – 10th day of the 3rd lunar month
Liberation Day/Reunification Day – April 30
International Labour’s Day – May 1
EXPRESSIONS
30
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
gift/present: a thing that you give to somebody, especially on a special occasion or to say thank
you
The watch was a gift from my mother.
surprise: something that is unexpected or that happens suddenly
The gift was a surprise to me.
special: not ordinary or usual; different from what is normal
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EXPRESSIONS
go (well) with: If one thing goes with another, they suit each other or they look or
taste good together
Those shoes I gave her went well with her dress.
buy somebody something
My mom often buys me a big cake for my birthday.
buy something for somebody
Dad bought the first cellphone for me on my 16th birthday.
I hope you like it.
This is a small gift for you. I hope you like it.
It’s something that I have always wanted.
That’s a really nice gift! It’s something that I have always wanted.
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VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
parking ticket: a notice telling a driver of a fine imposed for parking illegally, typically attached
to a car windshield
I’ve never got any parking ticket.
speed limit: the maximum speed at which a vehicle may legally travel on a particular stretch of
road
I have been fined for breaking speed limits twice.
public transportation: buses, trains, subways, and other forms of transportation that charge set
fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to the public
Using public transportation helps reduce traffic jams.
rush hour: a time during each day when traffic is at its heaviest
I’m really scared of travelling during rush hour.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
fashion: a popular trend, especially in styles of dress and ornament or manners of behavior
She’s really into fashion.
fashionable: dressing or behaving according to the current trend
She must be rich because she always wears fashionable clothes.
high- heeled shoes: women's shoes in which the heels are raised high off the ground.
I can’t understand why she can wear high-heeled shoes all the time.
clothes: items worn to cover the body
He always dresses smartly. He only wears fashionable clothes.
accessories: a thing that can be added to something else in order to make it more useful,
versatile, or attractive
She’s wearing a lot of accessories.
EXPRESSIONS
brand- name clothes: clothes that are made by a famous maker or manufacturer
When shopping, I don’t care much about brand-name clothes.
good quality: of a high standard
Many cheap clothes have good quality.
look comfortable: to make you feel physically and emotionally relaxed
I tend to wear the clothes that make me look comfortable.
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Topic 16
Schools and classrooms
DISCUSSION
21. What does the term coeducational mean? Did you go to coeducational schools?
Are boys and girls treated differently by teachers in coeducational schools that you have
attended? If so, how?
VOCABULARY
characteristic: a typical or noticeable quality of someone or something
Unfortunately a big nose is a family characteristic.
treat: to behave towards someone or deal with something in a particular way
My parents treated us all the same when we were kids.
memory: the ability to remember information, experiences, and people
She has an excellent memory for names.
unforgettable: having such a strong effect or influence on you that you cannot forget it
One unforgettable morning, we were among the elephants, perfectly situated to watch
their descent to the river.
skip: to leave one thing or place, especially quickly, in order to go to another
This part of the book isn't very interesting, so I'm going to skip (over) it.
absent: not in the place where you are expected to be, especially at school or work
John has been absent from school/work for three days now.
private: controlled or paid for by a person or company and not by the government
I went to a private school.
EXPRESSIONS
drop out of university: leaving school, college, or university before completing a qualification
He dropped out of Harvard in 1998 to start working in an unknown company.
to put pressure on somebody: to put someone or something in a difficult situation
Parents tend to put too much pressure on their children nowadays.
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VOCABULARY
villain: (in a film, novel, or play) a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the
plot
Not all villains are completely bad.
superpower: excessive or superior power
If I had a superpower, it would be flying.
violence: behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or
something
Action-packed movies may make people think more about violence.
comic book: a magazine that contains stories told in pictures
I started reading comic books when I was 10.
complaint: a statement that a situation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable
I have received a lot of complaints from our clients recently.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
expression: a word or group of words having a particular meaning or used in a particular way
That’s an expression he’s never heard before.
culture: the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of
people at a particular time
We have to respect their culture.
affect: have an effect on; make a difference to
The dampness began to affect my health.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
Like is a way of showing you approve of a post. Click the Like button (it looks like a thumbs
up sign) on status updates, pictures, articles, videos, and even comments.
The news feed is a list of status updates and other activity from those that you are friends with
or subscribed to.
Your profile photo is an image that is intended to be the icon representing you visually — the
face of your profile, so to speak. Your profile picture appears on the top left of your timeline
(profile), overlapping the bottom part of your cover photo.
When you share, you repost content to your timeline for your friends list to see.
A status update is a post on your timeline — you create a status update by typing in the box
that says “What’s on your mind?”
Your personal timeline (you may also see it called your profile) is the public display of your
information on Facebook.
troll: in social media, a troll is a person who deliberately starts arguments in the comments
sections of sites.
Vlogger: Blogs have been around for a while (as readers of this one will know). Now that video
equipment is cheaper than ever, lots of people have turned to blogging through video instead of
writing, this is vlogging.
Meme: You know those funny pictures with text on them? Those are memes. They are a fun
way to make people laugh and often end up going viral.
mash-up: Take the best parts of one thing, combine them with another, and you have a mash-
up. Whether it’s comic characters from different comics or combining parts of two different
music tracks, mash-ups are an interesting way to create something new out of what is already
there.
viral: Anything shared across social networks that get passed along rapidly.
hashtag: HubSpot defines a hashtag as a "word or string of characters that starts with a number
sign." Identical hashtags are then grouped into a search thread.
trending: A word, phrase or topic that is popular on Twitter at a given moment.
blog: A site updated frequently by an individual or group to record opinions or information.
tag: Indicates or labels what content is about.
EXPRESSIONS
have impact on: have a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a
situation or person
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15. What are the areas of your life where stress situations take place more often?
Work?
Family?
Relationships with friends?
While commuting to work?
16. Is there any connection between the person's style of life and the duration of his life?
17. What do you prefer, to eat everything you like, drink a lot, smoke, have no physical exercise
and die at the age of 60 or lead a healthy life and live until 100?
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
pay attention to: to listen to, watch, or consider something or someone very carefully
I want you to pay attention to what I am saying.
balanced lifestyle: managing time and making adjustments where there is need
Having a balanced lifestyle needs a lot of work and patience.
to focus on: to give a lot of attention to one particular person, subject, or thing
People nowadays only focus on their work, not their health.
to keep fit: to keep in good physical condition
She does everything she can to keep fit.
have trouble stick to: find it difficult to limit yourself to doing or using one particular thing
People nowadays usually have trouble stick to their daily exercises.
a coach potato: a person who spends little or no time exercising and a great deal of time
watching television
It’s easy to become a coach potato if you don’t spend time on exercising.
stay physically healthy: to be in a state of health and well-being
I really pay attention to what I eat and try to exercise every day in order to stay
physically healthy.
avoid something: to stay away from something
She always avoids eating too much fat or sugar.
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24. Which are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small house/flat/apartment? And
living in a big one?
25. Do you have a nice garden at your home? Do you plant flowers and trees in your garden? Do
you help your mother/father to water those plants/flowers?
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
bargain: to discuss prices, conditions, etc. with somebody in order to reach an agreement that is
acceptable
My mother always bargains when she buys anything.
big brand names: large well-known companies or product names
I don’t care much about big brand names when shopping.
customer service: the degree to which customers are treated well
The customer service she’s received during four years has been excellent.
local shops: community shops
We’ve got a few local shops nearby.
must-have product: a product that is very popular that a lot of people want to have
On ‘Black Friday’, people are encouraged to shop until they drop and buy the latest
must-have products.
shop assistant: the person who serves customers
I also get annoyed when shop assistants try to give me the hard sell.
window shopping: to visit a store to look at items without the intention of buying anything
I usually do window shopping when I’m on a tight budget.
high street names: well-known shops
There’re no high street names in our area.
EXPRESSIONS
to pick up a bargain: to buy something much cheaper than the normal price
We tried to shop around to see if we could pick up a bargain.
to be value for money: to be worth the cost
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VOCABULARY
surname (last name, family name, first name, forename, Christian name, given name (US)): a
hereditary name common to all members of a family
middle name: the name some people have between their first name and their last name
full name: the first name, any middle names, and surname of a person
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nickname: an informal name for someone or something, especially a name that you are called
by your friends or family, usually based on your real name or your character
We always use the nickname Beth for our daughter Elizabeth.
pen-name: a name chosen by a writer to use instead of using his or her real name when publishing
books
His early work was written under the pen name of Owen Meredith.
maiden name: a woman's family name before marriage
Many women choose to work under their maiden names.
nameless: without a name
Some pictures were taken by a nameless photographer.
bad name: bad reputation
The incident gave that company such a bad name.
good name: good reputation
The article damaged the good name of the company.
big/important name: famous person
Are there any big names in the movie?
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
baby shower: a party for a woman who is expecting a baby, at which party guests give presents
for the baby
bachelor party: a party that a man has with his male friends on the night before his wedding
barbecue party: an outdoor party where people cook and eat barbecued food
booze-up: a party where people can usually drink a lot of alcohol
bridal shower: a party for a woman who is going to get married, at which she gets presents from
the guests
caterer: a person or company who is responsible for providing and serving food and drinks at a
party
celebrate: to do something special and enjoyable to mark an important occasion or event
Christmas party: a party to celebrate Christmas
clambake: an outdoor party by the sea where people cook and eat clams
cocktail party: a formal party in the early evening where guests are served alcoholic drinks and
small meals
confetti: small pieces of colored paper that people throw in the air at wedding parties, parades,
etc.
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decorate: to make something look more attractive by putting things on it such as flowers or
balloons
entertainer: a person whose job is to entertain people by telling jokes, singing or dancing
farewell party: a party to celebrate someone’s moving to another place after staying for a certain
period of time
graduation party: a party to celebrate graduation from school, college or university
greetings card: a card with a message on it that you give or send to someone on a special
occasion such as birthday or wedding
I sent her a nice hand-made greeting card for her birthday.
guest: a person who is invited to a party or an event
hold: to organize an event or a party
We’re going to hold an outdoor party this weekend.
pool party: a party where the guests gather in or around a swimming pool
reception: a large formal party to celebrate a special event or to welcome someone
They hosted a reception for 75 guests.
thank you note: a short letter to express gratitude for a gift or service
Ron wrote a thank you note to the staff before leaving.
toast: to drink a glass of wine or other alcoholic drink to thank someone, wish someone luck or
celebrate something
He raised his glass in a toast to his son.
venue: a place where an event or party takes place
This is the city's main venue for live music.
EXPRESSIONS
to have/throw/give/host a party: put on or hold a social gathering
They're throwing a party to introduce their nephew to the neighbors.
Rosie has offered to host the party at her place.
to mark the occasion: to celebrate a particular event or day
They held a dinner party to mark the occasion of their fortieth wedding
family gathering: is an occasion when many members of an extended family congregate
There’s usually some sort of family gathering at Easter.
to attend a party: to go to a party
I received an invitation to attend a Christmas party from an old college friend.
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Topic 26
Restaurants & Eating Out
DISCUSSION
1. How often do you eat out?
2. Where do you usually go when you eat out?
3. How much do you usually pay when you eat out?
4. Who do you usually go with when you eat out?
5. Do you like western food?
6. Do you ever drink alcoholic beverages when you eat out?
If so, what do you drink?
7. Do you worry about calories and fat content when you eat out?
8. Would you send a dish back if it did not taste good or if you received the wrong food?
9. Do you ever leave a tip at a restaurant? How much?
10. How have your eating habits changed over the years?
11. What's the worst experience you ever had at a restaurant?
12. Do you like eating at buffets? Why or why not?
13. Do you ever order out from a restaurant?
14. Do you like to try new restaurants, or do you prefer to go to those you have already been to?
Why?
15. Do you care what a restaurant looks like, or is the food the only thing you care about?
16. Do you prefer fresh ingredients prepared by a chef as you order or do you prefer pre-cooked
food?
VOCABULARY
eat out: to eat a meal at a restaurant
Let's eat out tonight. I'm tired.
alcoholic beverage: simply any drink that contains more than a minimal amount of ethanol or
ethyl alcohol. Vodka, gin, tequila, rum, whisky, brandy, Singani and soju are examples of
alcoholic beverages.
Some restaurants don't serve alcohol beverages.
buffet: a meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves
Dinner will be a cold buffet, not a sit-down meal.
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order out: to request that some food be delivered from a restaurant to another place, such as
one's home or office
We wanted to stay home, so we ordered out for pizza.
fresh ingredients: any of fresh foods or substances that are combined to make a particular dish
A meal with fresh ingredients doesn't take long to prepare.
pre-cooked food: food that is cooked partially or completely in advanced
Nowadays, precooked food is very common in markets because some people barely
have time to cook.
booking: an arrangement made with a restaurant in advance to eat there at a particular time
I would like to book a table for a party of five, please.
menu: a printed list of meals that a restaurant serves
Could I see the menu, please?
set menu: a list of dishes you can order together for a set price
drinks menu: a list of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks that you can choose from
today’s specials: extra dishes cooked on the day, which are not on the main menu
cutlery: knives, forks, and spoons
napkin: a cloth or folded piece of soft paper that you use to mop up spilt food
She was eating hot dog and wiping her lips with a napkin.
starter: the first course of a meal
main course: the main part of a meal
side dish: a small portion of food, typically bread, salad, or vegetables in sauce, that you eat
with a main meal
dessert: the last course of a meal
vegetarian option: dishes suitable for people who don’t eat meat or fish
vegan option: dishes suitable for people who don’t eat meat, fish, or dairy products
tip: a small sum of money often given to restaurant staff, for good service
He gave the waiter a generous tip.
EXPRESSIONS
1. Asking for a table
Do you have any free table?
I’d like to make a reservation.
I’d like to book a table, please.
I’ve got a reservation in the name of…
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VOCABULARY
badminton: a sport in which two or four people hit a shuttlecock over a high net
baseball: a ball game played between two teams of nine on a diamond-shaped circuit of four
bases
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basketball: a game played between two teams of five players in which goals are scored by
throwing a ball through a netted hoop fixed at each end of the court
billiards: a game played by two people on a table covered in green cloth, in which a cue is used
to hit balls against each other and into pockets around the table
bodybuilding: special exercises that you do regularly to make your muscles bigger
bowling: a game played inside, in which you roll a heavy ball down a track to try to knock down
a group of pins
boxing: a game played inside, in which you roll a heavy ball down a track to try to knock down
a group of pins
Many doctors believe that boxing is too dangerous and should be banned.
chess: a game played by two people on a square board, in which each player has 16 pieces that
can be moved on the board in different ways
In chess, the pieces can only move in certain directions.
marathon: A long-distance running race, strictly one of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 km)
These are the running shoes favored by marathon runners.
surfing: the sport of riding on a wave on a special board
They go surfing every weekend.
weightlifting: the activity of lifting heavy objects either as a sport or for exercise
roller skating: the activity or sport of gliding across a hard surface on roller skates
gymnastics: a sport that involves exercises intended to display strength and balance and agility
I quite liked gymnastics at school.
high jump: a competition that involves jumping as high as possible over a horizontal bar
long jump: the act of jumping as far as possible from a running start
parachute jumping: a game that players jump from aircraft using a parachute
opening ceremony: a ceremony held in celebration of the start of something
Then a torch relay will lead to the opening ceremony in London on Wednesday.
closing ceremony: a ceremony held in celebration of the completion of something
The closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics was held on 21 August 2016.
field events: a sports event in which athletes take part one after the other rather than racing or
competing together
The high jump and the long jump are field events.
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final: the last game in a sports tournament or other competition, which will decide the winner
of the tournament
The men's football final will be on Sunday.
semi-final: a match or round immediately preceding the final, the winner of which goes on to
the final
She's done really well to reach the semifinal.
quarter-final: one of the four competitions in an elimination tournament whose winners go on
to play in the semifinals
She was knocked out in the semifinal.
champion: a person who has surpassed all rivals in a sporting contest or other competition
She is the world champion for the third year in succession.
gold medal: a trophy made of gold, awarded to the winner of a competition or race
He has more Olympic gold medals than anyone in the world.
silver medal: a trophy made of silver that is usually awarded for winning second place in a
competition
She was a talented gymnast who took home a silver medal at the 2004 Junior
Olympics.
bronze medal: a trophy made of bronze that is usually awarded for winning third place in a
competition
This year my aim is to get a bronze medal.
stadium: an athletic or sports ground with tiers of seats for spectators
Thousands of fans are packing into the stadium.
football field: the playing field on which football is played
The football field is about four blocks form here.
court: a quadrangular area, either open or covered, marked out for ball games such as tennis,
basketball, squash …
Guests at the villa have access to their own swimming pool and tennis court.
EXPRESSIONS
to cheer for: to give a shout of encouragement for someone or something
Everyone cheered for the team. I cheered for the winning goal.
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to keep fit/healthy: physical exercises to keep your body healthy, often done regularly with
other people
He keeps fit by going to the gym.
to lose weight: to become less heavy
I'll need to lose weight if I want to fit into my old jeans.
to warm up: to prepare for physical exercise by stretching or exercising beforehand
to cool down: to relax the body after physical exercise by stretching
When you exercise, you should always make sure that you warm up and cool down.
to drop out: to no longer be involved in something; to stop participation in a game, club or
school
The gymnast broke her leg a few days before a big competition, which meant that she
had to drop out.
to work out: hard exercise with the aim to improve physical fitness and appearance
If I work out at the gym every day next week maybe I’ll get a body like Michael Phelps.
have the upper hand: to have an advantage, or better chance of succeeding
During his match against Roger Federer, it was clear that Rafael Nadal had the upper
hand.
time out: to finish or have a break
I’m exhausted. Let’s take some time out and come back to the work later.
knock (someone) out: literally to make someone unconscious, or to eliminate your
competition
In the first two rounds the boxer had knocked out his opponent.
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VOCABULARY
handset: mobile phone hardware
service plan: a monthly contract that charges calls at a set rate and sometimes gives you a
certain amount of free calls
service provider: a company that provides the connection for your mobile phone
coverage: the area where your mobile phone can be used
pre-paid: a service you pay for before you use it
reception: signal strength
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text message: a message of up to 160 characters sent from a mobile phone (also called sms)
sim card: the small plastic card that enables your phone to connect to the service provider
credit: money to make calls on a pre-paid phone service
mobile internet: internet on a mobile phone
monthly contract: the contract you sign when you use a service plan
direct debit: when money is automatically taken out of your bank account
a top-up voucher: a ticket to add credit to your mobile phone
smartphone: a mobile phone with many extra functions
EXPRESSIONS
to ring: the act of making a phone call to someone
Listen! The phone is ringing.
to pick up the telephone: to make a phone call to someone
If you need me, you just have to pick up the phone.
to answer the telephone: to receive the call
There is nobody to answer the phone.
leave a message: leave a note for a person who is not available on the telephone
Bill: Can I talk to Fred? - Mary: He's not here.
Bill: Could I leave a message? - Mary: Sure, I can leave a message for him.
to call back: an act of making a phone call back to someone
She said she'd call back later to confirm the information.
to return a call: to call back on the telephone to someone who has called earlier
I left him a message to return my call.
to dial the number: to press numbers on the phone
When you want to make a phone call, you start by dialing the number.
busy signal: a sound that means that the phone you are calling is being used
When you call your friend, but she’s already on the phone with someone else, you’ll
hear a busy signal.
on hold: to keep the phone in your hand or arms
I'm putting you on hold to answer another call.
to hang up: to end a phone conversation
Let me speak to Melanie before you hang up.
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VOCABULARY
chore: a routine task, especially a household one
Shopping is a real chore for me.
dishwasher: a machine for washing dishes automatically
Back to the kitchen, she loaded the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and started it.
stove: a large box-shaped device that is used to cook and heat food, either by putting the food
inside or by putting it on the top
She placed the skillet on the stove and turned the burner on to dry it thoroughly.
rug: a piece of thick heavy cloth smaller than a carpet, used for covering the floor or for
decoration
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EXPRESSIONS
In the kitchen
to clear the table
to load dishes into the dishwasher
to start the dishwasher
to wipe the table
to clean the stove
to clean the sink
to sweep the floor
to mop the floor
to empty the dishwasher
to put dishes into cupboards
In the bedroom
to tidy up the room
to put away clean clothes
to put dirty clothes in the linen basket
to make the bed
to beat the rug
to vacuum the floor
to dust furniture
In the garden
to water plants
to rake leaves
to mow the lawn
to pain the fence
Other chores
to iron
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VOCABULARY
destination: the place where someone is going, or something is being sent or taken
We arrived at our destination tired and hungry.
complimentary: if tickets books or any other items are complimentary, it means they are given
free, especially by a business
You will easily find complimentary soap and shampoo in a hotel.
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one-way, single ticket: a ticket that allows a passenger to travel only to his/her destination,
without returning
hitchhike: to travel by getting free rides in someone else's vehicle
They hitchhiked to Paris.
package tour: a holiday at a fixed price in which the travel company arranges your travel, hotels,
and sometimes meals for you
We bought a cheap package tour to Spain and stayed in a big hotel by the sea.
travel light: to make a journey without taking a lot of heavy things with you
I always try to travel light.
EXPRESSIONS
At the Airport
I would like…
What time is my flight?
What airline am I flying?
Where is my gate?
Where is the restroom?
On the Airplane
May I have something to eat/drink?
May I purchase headphones?
What time is it?
At Customs
I have a connecting flight.
I am traveling for leisure.
I am traveling for work.
I will be here for ___ days.
I am visiting my family.
I am staying at _____.
At the Hotel
Does the room have a bathroom?
How many beds are in the room?
I would like one queen bed, please
I would like two double beds, please. .
Where are the elevators?
What is the password for the Wi-Fi?”
Is there free breakfast?
My room needs towels.
My room is messy, and I would like it cleaned.
How do I call for room service?
How do I call down to the front desk?
Around Town
Where can I find a grocery store
Where can I find a restaurant?
Where is the bank?
How do you get to ____?
How far is it to _____?
Common Problems
I have lost my passport.
Someone stole my money.
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VOCABULARY
blizzard: a storm with lots of snow and wind
The airplane couldn't take-off because of the blizzard.
breeze: light wind
Don't bother with a hat. There is always a breeze near the ocean.
chilly: cold
It's a bit chilly today, so I think you should wear a coat.
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clear: when the sky is blue because no clouds are blocking the sun
On a clear night you can see a lot of stars.
cloud/ cloudy: water in the sky that appears as a white or grey mass
It may look cloudy in the morning, but the sun always comes out by afternoon.
cool: temperature in between warm and cold
The days were boiling hot, but the nights were cool and comfortable for sleeping.
drizzling: raining slightly
I think I'll take the dog for a walk. It's only drizzling now.
drought: a long period with no rainfall
Forest fires are a serious danger during a drought.
flood: a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry
The heavy rain has caused floods in many parts of the country.
flurry: very light snowfall
There are a few flurries but the snow isn't sticking to the roads.
fog/ foggy: thick water vapor that blocks one's vision
The fog is expected to have cleared away by midday.
frost: ice crystals on a frozen surface
Some flowers are so strong they can withstand frost.
hail: small pieces of ice that fall during a storm
There was so much hail that some of the trailer homes were destroyed.
humid/ humidity: moisture in the air
I feel a lot hotter than it actually is because of the humidity.
hurricane: a tropical storm with very strong wind and rain
Half of the buildings on the island were flattened by the hurricane.
icy: slippery because of ice
The roads are icy so please avoid driving down any hills.
lightning: electrical discharge and flash between a cloud and the ground
The outdoor pool always closes when the lifeguards think lightning is coming.
mild: temperature that is warmer than average(in a cold season)
It's quite mild out so I didn't bother with a hat or mittens.
rainbow: a band of colours found in the sky after a rainfall
According to legend you can find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
shower: quick/light rainstorm
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They've been calling for showers all week, but so far it's been dry.
smog: heavy, dark cloud cover caused by pollution
You really notice the smog down town in this type of humidity.
snowstorm: large amounts of wind and snow
All of the schools were closed because of the snowstorm.
sun/ sunshine/ sunny: the gassy star that warms the earth
We hope to have sunshine on the day of the beach picnic.
thunder/ thunderstorm: thunder is a loud noise after lightning, caused by rapid expansion of air
superheated by the lightning
Let's close all of the windows. It looks like a thunderstorm is coming.
tornado: violently spinning windstorm
The tornado picked up everything in its path, including animals and cars.
wind/ windy: blowing air outside
It's too windy to play golf today.
forecast: the expected weather for the future
According to the 5 day forecast, it's going to rain on our wedding day.
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. How do you usually spend your weekends?
2. What time do you usually wake up on the weekend? What time do you usually go to bed?
3. Do you like working on weekends?
4. Do you ever have to work on the weekend? If yes, how do you feel about this?
5. Do you think employees should have to work on weekends?
6. Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?
7. Which are better – weekends now or weekends when you were a child?
8. What is your idea of perfect weekends?
9. Do you have any hobbies that you like to do on the weekend?
10. Do you usually go out to eat on the weekend?
11. When it rains on weekends, what do you usually do?
12. What do you like to do on the weekend in the summer? What about in the winter?
13. What’s the most memorable weekend have you had in the past years?
14. What would life be like without weekends?
15. How do you feel when your weekend is over?
16. Is there anything you dislike about weekends?
17. Do you do everything you want to do at the weekends?
18. Some countries have a 6-day work week. How do you feel about that?
19. Are you happy with a two-day weekend or should it be longer?
20. Sweden just reduced the length of work days to 6-hour. Do you think this is a good idea? What
are the advantages and disadvantages?
VOCABULARY
Saturday + Sunday = the weekend
at/on the weekend: at some point during the weekend
I played football at (on) the weekend.
over the weekend = during the weekend: on both days (Saturday and Sunday)
They will be staying with us over the weekend.
I will try and fix your bike during the weekend.
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every weekend
next weekend
every weekend
a long weekend: a weekend that has at least three days due to a public holiday falling on either
the Friday or Monday
We spent a long weekend with my parents.
EXPRESSIONS
go to the cinema
watch TV
spend time with family
go out with friends = hang out with friends
surf the internet
play video games
play a musical instrument
listen to music
go to the park
go to cultural locations and events
go shopping
exercise and play a sport
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VOCABULARY
outgoing: to be friendly and sociable
good natured: to be friendly and pleasant to be around, a person with an overall good attitude
broad-minded (open-minded): prepared to accept other views or behaviors
easy-going: relaxed and not easily worried about anything
fair-minded: to treat people equally
fun-loving: to enjoy having fun
good sense of humor: the ability to understand what is funny
introvert: someone who is shy
laid-back: see ‘easy-going’
narrow minded: opposite of ‘broad-minded’ (see above)
painfully shy: very shy
quick-tempered: to become angry quickly
reserved: shy
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self-assured: confident
self-centred: thinks only of oneself
self-confident: believes in one’s own ability or knowledge
self-effacing: to not try to get the attention of others (especially in terms of hiding one’s skills or
abilities)
thick-skinned: not easily affected by criticism
trustworthy: can be trusted
two-faced: not honest or sincere, will say one thing to someone to their face and another when
they are not present
EXPRESSIONS
to be the life and soul of the party: be the type of person who enjoys social occasions and
makes them more enjoyable for other people
He's a very sweet man but he's not exactly the life and soul of the party.
to bend over backwards: to try very hard to help someone
I bent over backwards for you, and you showed no thanks!
to hide one’s light under a bushel: to hide one’s talents and skills
Don't hide your light under a bushel. Share your thoughts with other people.
to lose one’s temper: to suddenly become angry
Lisa lost her temper and began shouting at Bob.
to put others first: to think of others before yourself
She all too often puts others first and never stops to think of herself.
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VOCABULARY
broke: without money
I can't afford to go out tonight. I'm broke.
cheque: a printed form, used instead of money, to make payments from your bank account
Could I pay by cheque or do you prefer cash?
currency: the money that is used in a particular country
I enjoyed living in Europe when there were many different colorful currencies.
debt: money which is owed to someone else
Too much debt can ruin your life.
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fund: an amount of money that has been saved or has been made available for a particular
purpose
The company does not have the funds to buy new equipment.
inherit: to receive money from somebody when they die
She will inherit her father's estate when she is 21.
loan: a sum of money which is borrowed, often from a bank, and has to be paid back
He took out a loan to purchase the car.
mortgage: an agreement that allows you to borrow money from a bank or similar organization,
especially in order to buy a house
Most people have to take out a mortgage to buy a house.
withdraw: to take out or remove money from the bank
I’d like to withdraw $500 from my account.
EXPRESSIONS
make ends meet: to have enough money to pay for your basic expenses
My wages were so low that I had to take a second job just to make ends meet.
A penny saved is a penny earned: this phrase means that you should spend your money
carefully and watch every single penny, because for every penny you save, you will have an
extra penny
easy money: money that can be earned with little effort
Some people think that playing stocks is easy money.
Money talks: money has influence in a situation
Just remember money talks. If they really want you for the position, they'll meet your
salary demands.
smart money: the best option, money of smart people investing in something
The smart money is on congress changing the law.
throw money at something: waste money on a situation
Some governments feel that throwing money at a program always helps.
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DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
entertainer: a person whose job is amusing or interesting people, for example, by singing, telling
jokes or dancing
Street entertainers perform on this street every night.
entertaining: interesting and amusing
She was always so funny and entertaining.
relaxing: helping you to rest and become less anxious
Going to a concert is relaxing.
live performance: a performance given in front of an audience, rather than being recorded and
then broadcast or shown in a film
I love seeing the live performances of my music idol.
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amusement park: a large park which has a lot of things that you can ride and play on and many
different activities to enjoy
Vinpearl Land amusement parks are popular in Vietnam.
stadium: a large sports ground surrounded by rows of seats and usually other buildings
I went to the stadium to watch a football match last week.
concert : a public performance of music
I sometimes go to the concert with my family.
gambling: the activity of playing games of chance for money
I’m not interested in gambling.
lottery: a way of raising money for a government, charity, etc. by selling tickets that have
different numbers on them that people have chosen. Numbers are then chosen by chance and
the people who have those numbers on their tickets win prizes.
Paul had a dream that he won the lottery.
casino: a public building or room where people play gambling games for money
There are not many casinos in Vietnam.
EXPRESSIONS
Let’s go to …
Let’s go to the rock show tomorrow.
What’s on at the cinema?
What’s on at the cinema today? – There’s a new action movies.
make a clown of oneself: to make oneself appear foolish or stupid
The entertainer made a clown of himself.
steal the show: to win the greatest applause and to be better than all the other performers
All the singers were good, but Anna stole the show.
throw a party: to organize a party, especially in your own home
Let’s throw a dinner party for him.
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VOCABULARY
face-to-face: involving people who are close together and looking at each other
I deal with customers on the phone and rarely meet them face-to-face.
introduce: to tell two or more people who have not met before what each other’s names are; to
tell somebody what your name is
He introduced me to his friends at the party.
touch: to put your hand or another part of your body onto somebody/something
I don’t often touch others the first time I meet them.
handshake: an act of shaking somebody’s hand with your own, used especially to say hello or
goodbye or when you have made an agreement
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EXPRESSIONS
get acquainted with somebody: met and started to get to know each other
We got acquainted at a concert.
give somebody a hug
I gave my new foreign friend a hug.
keep somebody at arm’s length: to avoid having a close relationship with somebody
He keeps all his clients at arm's length.
run across somebody/run into something = meet somebody by chance: to meet someone
unexpectedly, meet someone without planning to
I ran into a college friend this morning.
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DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
accident: an unpleasant event, that happens unexpectedly and causes injury or damage
The accident happened at 3 p.m.
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EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. What is good behavior?
What are some examples of good behavior?
What are some examples of bad behavior?
What is the worst behavior you have seen?
2. Were you well-behaved as a child?
3. What should you do with a child who has very bad behavior?
4. Have you ever not tolerated someone's behavior?
5. Is your behavior affected by mood?
6. Can friends influence your behavior?
7. Is it important to surround yourself with good people?
8. How should you behave when you see someone you don't like?
9. Is it possible to change one's behavior?
10. How can we teach our children good behavior? Are words or example more important?
11. Should children be punished in public for bad behavior?
12. Can bad behavior lead to crime?
13. Can you think of a behavior that is 'good' behavior in one culture and a 'bad' behavior in
another culture?
14. What influences you to make good choices?
15. Would you teach your child to "hit back" at school if somebody hit him?
16. Do friends influence you?
Can you influence your friends?
Is it important to surround yourself with good people?
17. How has the media affected society? Has TV made society better or worse?
18. How does religion influence people's behavior?
19. Do you care what other people think of you?
20. Do you care about the private behavior of a politician?
Can you judge a politician by how he behaves toward his family?
Do you give up your private life when you become a politician?
21. Should people behave differently with friends than with family? Do you treat people who are
close to you better than strangers, or vice versa?
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22. Does the behavior of well-known people, such as celebrities and politicians, affect how average
people behave?
23. Does economic status affect people's behavior? For example, are people more generous if they
have more money?
24. Does your happiness depend on the behavior of others?
25. Will we be judged for our behavior? Do you believe in a God who punishes bad people and
rewards good people?
26. Do you believe we have a moral obligation to act happy, even if we do not feel happy?
27. Do you set goals to improve yourself?
28. What behaviors are expected from children towards their parents?
29. Should parents be held responsible for their children's behavior?
30. What would you do if you saw somebody spanking their child behaves for bad behavior?
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
make friend: become friend
It’s easy for me to make friends with others.
within limit: without going beyond what is considered reasonable or allowable
They told us that we could do whatever we liked, but within certain limits.
can/can’t tolerate (something)
I can’t tolerate rude behavior.
put up with something: to accept someone or something unpleasant in a patient way
I will not put up with your bad behavior any longer!
break the rule: not following the rule
You should teach young kids not to break the rules.
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DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
advice: an opinion or a suggestion about what somebody should do in a particular situation
I really need your advice.
advise: to tell somebody what you think they should do in a particular situation
My mother was away and couldn't advise me.
suggestion: an idea or a plan that you mention for somebody else to think about
Do you have any suggestions?
recommend: to tell somebody that something is good or useful
I highly recommend this restaurant.
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EXPRESSIONS
a piece of advice
Let me give you a piece of advice.
seek (somebody’s) advice
I can’t handle the problem myself, and I need to seek your advice.
advise somebody to do/not to do something
I'd advise you not to tell him.
If I were you/ If I were in your place, I would …
If I were you, I would not argue with my parents about that.
My suggestion/advice is (to)…
My suggestion is to spend some time exercising each day.
Why don’t you …
Why don’t you change your eating habit? It’s unhealthy.
You’d better + V (You had better + V)
You'd better see a doctor!
Have you tried (V-ing)?
Have you tried asking her to go out with you?
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DISCUSSION
26. When out walking or shopping in the city, do you accept advertising fliers or free samples that
are offered to you?
VOCABULARY
advertise: to tell the public about a product or a service in order to encourage people to buy or
to use it
If you want to attract more customers, you need to advertise your products.
advertising: the business of trying to persuade people to buy products or services
She works in the advertising industry.
advertisement/advert/ad: a notice, picture or film telling people about a product, job or service
I saw a job advertisement on the newspaper and I think the job suits you.
commercial: advertisement on radio or television
Television commercials are very popular in my country.
billboard: a large board on the outside of a building or at the side of the road, used for putting
advertisements on
I saw your company’s new products on the billboard.
flyer: a small sheet of paper that advertises a product or an event and is given to a large number
of people
We need to hand out flyers for our new showroom.
persuasive: able to persuade somebody to do or believe something
He can be very persuasive.
eye-catching: immediately noticeable because it is particularly interesting, bright or attractive
That’s the most eye-catching advertisement I’ve ever seen.
misleading: giving the wrong idea or impression and making you believe something that is not
true
Many advertisements contain misleading information.
advertising agency: marketing services firm that assists companies in planning advertisements.
I work for an advertising agency.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
childhood: the period of time during which a person is a child
I think I had a happy childhood.
childhood friend: a friend that a person had when both of them were children
We are childhood friends.
memory: a thought of something that you remember from the past
My best childhood memories are my holiday trips with my grandma.
toddler: a child who has only recently learnt to walk
I can’t remember the time when I was a toddler.
adolescent : a young person who is developing from a child into an adult
When I was an adolescent, I was very stubborn.
tricycle: a vehicle similar to a bicycle, but with one wheel at the front and two at the back
Mom bought a nice tricycle for me when I was 3 years old.
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EXPRESSIONS
ride a tricycle
Like many Vietnamese children, I learnt to ride a tricycle first.
ride the sea-saw
I used to ride the sea-saw in our school’s playground.
play hide-and-seek/ play blind mans’ bluff/ play marbles/ play hopscotch
Vietnamese kids love playing games like hide-and-seek, hopscotch, or blind man’s
bluff.
fly paper planes
I folded and flied paper planes with the kids next door.
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DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
spend: to give money to pay for goods, services, etc.
I’ve spent all my money already.
save: to keep money instead of spending it, especially in order to buy a particular thing
I have no money left to save.
savings: The money people save, usually in a bank
I opened a savings account at my local bank.
bargain(v): to discuss prices, conditions, etc. with somebody in order to reach an agreement
that is acceptable
You shouldn’t try to bargain in the supermarket or shopping mall.
bargain(n): a thing bought for less than the usual price
I bought this new scarf in a sale; it was a real bargain!
thrifty: careful about spending money and not wasting things
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EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. Who is your idol? Is he/she famous in your country?
2. Can you name some other famous people?
3. Would you like to be famous? Why or why not?
4. Who is a celebrity?
5. Have you ever seen a celebrity in person? What did you do?
6. Which celebrity would you like to meet? What would you do if you could spend a day with
this person?
7. What are the pros and cons of being a celebrity?
8. Are famous people happy?
9. What do you think of fans and fan-clubs?
10. Are you a member of any fan-club?
11. Who are paparazzi?
12. What do you think of paparazzi?
13. Do you think famous people have the right to have a private life?
14. Is it easy to become famous?
VOCABULARY
fame: the state of being known and talked about by many people
She went to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune.
idol: a person or thing that is loved and admired very much
My idol is J.K.Rowling, the author of Harry Potter series.
fan: a person who admires somebody/something or enjoys watching or listening to
I’m a big fan of rock music.
fan club: an organization that a person’s fans belong to and that sends them information, etc.
about that person
I haven’t joined any fan clubs.
admire : to respect somebody for what they have done or to respect their qualities
I really admire her talent.
paparazzi : a photographer who follows famous people around in order to get interesting
photographs of them to sell to a newspaper
Paparazzi interfere too much in his personal life.
private: belonging to or for the use of a particular person or group; not for public use
Celebrities have little private time.
privacy : the state of being alone and not watched or disturbed by other people
She wants some privacy.
gossip magazine: a magazine where you can read a lot about private lives of celebrities
I never buy gossip magazines. Why should I care about the others’ lives?
rumor/rumour: a piece of information, or a story, that people talk about, but that may not be
true
I heard a rumor that they are getting married.
talent show: a performance, for example on television or in a school, in which people compete
to show how well they can sing, dance, play a musical instrument, etc.
She became a star after winning a TV talent show.
EXPRESSIONS
see somebody in person: see somebody in the same place as them, rather than, for example,
speaking to them on the telephone, writing to them, or seeing them on television
It was the first time I had seen him in person.
have the right to + V: have a just or legal claim on something or on some action
She has the right to live as she chooses.
to be destined for stardom: to have a high chance of becoming famous
From childhood, Britney Spears seemed destined for stardom.
to become famous almost overnight: to become famous very quickly
She became famous almost overnight.
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Topic 44
Beauty and Physical Attractiveness
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
beauty: the quality of being pleasing, especially to look at, or someone or something that
gives great pleasure, especially when you look at
They were attracted by her beauty.
attractiveness: the quality of being pleasant to look at
Physical attractiveness is quite important to me.
appearance: the way that somebody/something looks on the outside
She’s really concerned about her appearance.
beauty salon: a place where you can pay for treatment to your face, hair, nails, etc., which is
intended to make you more beautiful
My girlfriend visits a beauty salon every weekend.
hairstyle: the style in which somebody’s hair is cut or arranged
I want to change my hairstyle.
plastic surgery: medical operations to repair injury to a person’s skin, or to improve a person’s
appearance
She needs extensive plastic surgery to her face.
cosmetic surgery: any medical operation that is intended to improve a person’s
appearance rather than their health
I’m considering having cosmetic surgery.
advantage: a thing that helps you to be better or more successful than other people
Being beautiful gave her an advantage over the other interviewees.
drawback: a disadvantage or problem that makes something a less attractive idea
The main drawback to cosmetic surgery is the high cost.
ageing: the process of growing old
Women are afraid of ageing, and they may try anything that makes them look younger.
wrinkle: a line or small fold in your skin, especially on your face, that forms as you get older
There were wrinkles around her eyes.
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Botox/filler: a substance that is injected into the face to remove lines and make the skin look
younger
I’ve never thought about doing Botox.
EXPRESSIONS
cut a dash: If a person cuts a dash, they make a striking impression by their appearance and
attractive clothes.
Wearing his uniform, my grandfather cut a dash on his wedding day.
dressed to kill: When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to kill, they are wearing very
fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention.
She arrived at the reception dressed to kill.
dressed up to the nines: Someone dressed up to the nines is wearing very smart or glamorous
clothes.
Caroline must be going to a party - she's dressed up to the nines.
not a hair out of place: To say that someone does not have a hair out of place means that
their appearance is perfect.
Angela is always perfectly dressed - never a hair out of place!
pretty as a picture: Someone who is (as) “pretty as a picture” is very attractive or appealing in
appearance.
The young bride looked (as) pretty as a picture in her beautiful dress.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: different people have different ideas about what is
beautiful.
Mary always says she’s ugly, but I think she’s really pretty. Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder.
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DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
cosmetic /makeup: substances used to enhance the appearance of the face and body
There’re many kinds of cosmetics in the market; it’s very hard for me to choose the
best ones.
toner: a liquid or cream used for making the skin on your face firm and smooth
I often use toner after washing my face.
moisturizer: a cream that is used to make the skin less dry
After sunbathing, always apply moisturizer.
foundation: is a skin coloured makeup applied to the face to create an even, uniform colour
to the complexion, or to change the natural skin tone
I apply foundation after using moisturizer.
concealer: a skin-coloured cream or powder used to cover spots or marks on the skin or dark
circles under the eyes
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EXPRESSIONS
have something + past participle: This structure is generally used when we talk about
professional services provided for a customer. It means that we are not doing something
ourselves but arranging for someone to do it for us
I often have my hair cut in a local hair salon.
wear makeup
Most high school girls in my city wear makeup.
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DISCUSSION
1. How old were you when you first learned to drive?
2. Do you have a car? If so, what kind of car do you have?
3. What are the advantages of owning a car?
4. What are the disadvantages of owning a car?
5. Have you ever been pulled over by the police?
6. Do you know anything about repairing or maintaining a car?
7. Do you think cars should be banned from city centers?
8. Is drunk driving a problem in your country?
9. What is the longest trip you have ever taken by car?
10. Are men better drivers than women?
11. What can we tell or imagine about a person by looking at the car they drive?
12. Do you really think that car manufacturers are interested in global warming?
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
to pull over: (of a vehicle or its driver) move to the side of or off the road
You need to pull over man.
to be interested in: showing curiosity or concern about something or someone; having a feeling
of interest
I had always been interested in history.
to be a big fan of: an admirer, someone who really likes something
I am a big fan of football.
to be into: really like something
I am really into history.
self-driving travelling: renting and driving a car yourself
I’m really into self-driving travelling because it’s not only very convenient but I can also
take as many things as possible without worrying about where to put them.
take turn: (of two or more people) do something alternately or in succession
I’d like to travel with my friends so that we are not tired on the road because we can
take turns to drive.
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VOCABULARY
creative: relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production
of an artistic work
Wow! It’s such a creative idea!
design: decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), typically
by making a detailed drawing of it
A number of architectural students were designing a factory.
portray: depict (someone or something) in a work of art or literature
The author wanted to portray a new type of hero.
motivate: provide (someone) with a motive for doing something
It can motivate him to work harder and better.
masterpiece: a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship
There’s no doubt that Mona Lisa is a masterpiece.
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. What is technology?
2. What are some of the greatest technological achievements?
3. What are the advantages of technology? What are the disadvantages of technology?
4. Do you think modern technology reduces or increases stress? Why?
5. Do you feel comfortable with the idea of Artificial Intelligence (that robots can think)?
6. How will science change the world in the next 100 years?
7. Do you think that one day science will find a way to make people live forever? If so, do you
think that that would be a good or a bad thing?
8. What do you think about GMO (genetically modified organisms) vegetables?
Is it better to use natural food although it might not produce as much or should we use
GMO crops?
What do you think about GMO farm animals?
Would you eat pork from a GMO cow?
9. Are you willing to pay more for food that is really organic?
How much more?
10. What do you think robots should be used for?
Do you think robots will cause unemployment (loss of jobs) in the future or make more
work? Why?
11. Do you think using cell phones too much is bad for our physical or mental health? Why?
12. If you could copy your brain for future generations, would you?
13. How do you think face to face communication differs from communication using computers?
14. What social changes have cell phones made?
15. What are good and bad points of using computers?
16. Do you think to stop global warming that the amount of car driving should be limited or
changed?
17. What are some local ways you have seen to reduce waste and pollution or conserve energy?
18. Do you think money should be spent to explore space or is it better spent helping people on
earth? Why?
19. How have technological advances affected our life?
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VOCABULARY
technology: the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry
The development of technology has also caused a lot of troubles to human beings.
achievement: a thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill
To reach this stage is a great achievement.
artificial: made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, typically as a
copy of something natural
Her skin glowed in the artificial light.
operating system: the software that tells the computer how to work
The latest operating system boots up really quickly.
social media: media used to interact with other people such as Facebook or Twitter
Social media like Facebook is a good way to meet up with friends.
a techie: somebody who has an interest in technology
I wouldn’t call myself a techie or a computer buff but I enjoy using computers.
Internet security: Internet safety
Internet security is something that all people should care about.
a computer buff: an expert computer user
I have never had troubles with my computer since my boyfriend is a computer buff.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
exhaust fumes: the toxic gases given off by vehicles powered by petrol
Exhaust fumes from cars and lorries are definitely one reason for the problem.
wildlife conservation: to protect animals and plants and their habitats
We have lots of organisations that focus on wildlife conservation.
man-made disaster: widespread damage or loss of life brought about by the action of humans
There are various worldwide agencies that are always the first on the scene with
humanitarian aid after natural and man-made disasters.
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. What is fear?
2. Are there any parts of the city where you live which you are afraid to visit after dark? Where?
Why?
3. Are there certain weather conditions that scare people? What are they? Why do people
become scared?
4. Are you afraid of flying?
5. Are you afraid of ghosts?
6. Are you afraid of giving a speech in public?
7. Are you afraid of going to the dentist?
8. Are you afraid of heights?
9. Are you afraid of scary movies?
10. Are you afraid of the dark?
11. Are you afraid to die? Why?
12. Are you afraid of getting old? Why?
13. Are there any numbers that people are afraid of in your culture?
14. Do you fear certain insects or animals? Why?
15. Do you know anyone with a phobia?
16. How do you react when you see something frightening?
17. Is there any person you are afraid of?
18. What is your biggest fear in life? Are you afraid that it might come true?
19. What kinds of things make you nervous?
20. Would you ever face one of your fears for money?
21. How would you help someone to get over their fear?
22. If you 'put the fear of God into someone,' how do you think that person feels?
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
send shivers down my spine: When something sends shivers down your spine, it terrifies you.
I watched a horror movie yesterday. Some of the scenes and the sound effects were so
frightening that they sent shivers down my spine.
give smb goose bumps: make someone feel frightened
I can’t watch horror films. They give me goose bumps.
scare the hell out of somebody: scare someone
I don’t like to watch horror films because they scare the hell out of me.
bated breath: anxious and excited about an imminent event
We waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced.
make your blood run cold: shock or scare someone
The look in the prisoner's eye made my blood run cold!
bundle of nerves: very nervous, tense or worried
My son is doing his driving test today. Needless to say he's a bundle of nerves!
can't stand the pace: unable to do things well when there is a lot of pressure
She once worked for a famous fashion designer but she couldn't stand the pace.
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VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
You should not work too many hours, or you may fall behind with your studies.
to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
I’m waiting for my teacher to give feedback on my essay.
to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
I’m keeping up with my studies after the serious sickness.
to learn something by heart: to memorize it
I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful when learning a language.
to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines.
to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
I had lots of friends and I never played truant like some pupils.
to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
Some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8 years.
to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself
financially
I had to work my way through university so I was very busy.
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VOCABULARY
career: an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life and with
opportunities for progress
She always talks about her career every time we meet.
recruitment: the act or process of finding new people to join a company, an organization, the
armed forces, etc.
There is a big recruitment in my company now; you should apply for a position.
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EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. Can you think of some gestures that have different meanings in different countries?
2. What are some good gestures in your country?
3. What are some insulting gestures in your country?
4. What are some gestures that you didn't learn until you were a teenager or a young adult?
5. What are some gestures you know that relate to the sporting world?
6. Have you ever made a social mistake using wrong gestures in foreign countries?
7. What gesture in your culture do you think is unique from other cultures?
8. Do gestures help you to understand others and express yourself, or are they sometimes
confusing and distracting?
9. Why do you think people express with gestures?
10. Do you "talk" with your hands? Why or why not?
11. Do you know any gestures you can make with your feet? What do they mean?
VOCABULARY
gesture: a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or
meaning
Alex made a gesture of apology.
insulting: disrespectful or scornfully abusive
Don’t ever talk to me that way! It’s very insulting.
impolite: not having or showing good manners; rude
It would have been impolite to refuse.
confusing: bewildering or perplexing
What she is saying is very confusing to me.
distracting: preventing concentration or diverting attention; disturbing
She found his nearness distracting.
body language: the process of communicating nonverbally through conscious or unconscious
gestures and movements
His intent was clearly expressed in his body language.
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EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
regret: feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done,
especially a loss or missed opportunity)
She immediately regretted her words.
religion: the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal
God or gods
I believe science and religion are strongly connected.
EXPRESSIONS
laugh out loud: laugh when you think that something is very funny
He suddenly laughed out loud when she started singing.
find out: discover
I found out that they used to date.
be smitten with: having suddenly started to like or love something or someone very much
I’m smitten with her voice.
in high spirits: lively and cheerful behavior or mood
The team returned in high spirits.
dig one’s self a hole: to get yourself into a difficult situation
The party has really dug itself into a hole with its economic policies.
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VOCABULARY
machine: an apparatus using or applying mechanical power and having several parts, each with
a definite function and together performing a particular task
Machines make our lives a lot easier.
invent: create or design (something that has not existed before); be the originator of
He invented an improved form of the steam engine.
complicated: involving a lot of different parts, in a way that is difficult to understand
Her life is so complicated that I hardy can understand even a part of it.
function: an activity or purpose natural to or intended for a person or thing
This phone has a lot of useful functions.
purpose: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists
The purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee.
vacuum: an electrical apparatus that by means of suction collects dust and small particles from
floors and other surfaces
My wife can’t live without the vacuum.
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automatic: (of a device or process) working by itself with little or no direct human control
I love using automatic machines since it helps me save a lot of time.
microwave: an oven in which food is cooked or heated quickly by very short waves of
electromagnetic energy
Using microwave too often is not good for health.
dishwasher: a machine for washing dishes automatically
This dishwasher really makes my life a lot easier.
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. Have you ever gone out without makeup?
2. Do you think you have a fair complexion?
3. Do you think women should pay more attention to their skin? Why?
4. How many minutes do you spend on skin care a day?
5. What do you usually do to protect your skin?
6. Do you prefer using natural products to chemical products?
7. Do you think good eating habit can help protect your skin?
8. Are you afraid of getting old?
9. How often do you go to a spa?
10. Do you always wear sunscreen when you go out to do your daily activities?
11. Do you think wearing makeup too often can affect your skin?
12. How old were you when you first started to wear makeup?
VOCABULARY
hormone: any of various chemicals made by living cells that influence the development, growth,
sex, etc. of an animal and are carried around the body in the blood
Hormones between men and women are very different.
antioxidants: a substance that slows down the rate at which something decays because of
oxidization
Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage caused by oxidants.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
catchy: pleasing and easy to remember
She has a catchy name.
conscious: a conscious thought, memory, experience etc. is one that you realize you are having
She's out of the operating theatre, but she's not fully conscious yet.
dim: a dim memory is something that you cannot remember very well because it happened a
long time ago
I had a dim recollection of having met her before.
haunting: beautiful in a way that makes you feel sad and remember something for a long time
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EXPRESSIONS
a trip/walk down memory lane: an occasion when people remember or talk about things that
happened in the past
My grandmother spends more time taking trips down memory lane these days than
talking about the present.
resonant with/of something: making you think of or remember a feeling or experience
Her art is resonant with centuries of tradition.
in living memory: during the time that anyone still alive can remember
Water levels on the Mississippi River haven't been this high inliving memory.
in your mind’s eye: in your imagination or memory
In my mind's eye, she is still the little girl she was the last time I saw her.
fond memory: something that you remember with pleasure
Jane has fond memories of a happy childhood.
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Topic 58
Movies & Movie Industry
DISCUSSION
1. What kind of movie do you like?
2. What is your all-time favorite movie?
3. Are there any kinds of movies you dislike? Why?
4. Do you like to watch horror movies?
5. Do you usually watch movies at home or at a movie theater?
6. How often do you go to the cinema?
7. If a book has been made into a movie, which do you prefer to do first, see the movie or
read the book? Why?
8. What do you think of people who talk during movies at a movie theater?
9. Which do you like better, action movies or comedy movies?
10. Who is your favorite actor or actress?
11. What do you think of reality shows?
12. Do you think that films can be educational?
13. Is there a movie you could watch over and over again?
14. Do you think movies have been developing technology or technology has been developing
movies?
15. Do you think action movies are bad for children?
16. What do you prefer, animated movies or real movies?
17. What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
18. Do you like documentaries?
19. Are movie trailers common at the cinema in your country?
20. Do you prefer watching films in their original version or in your mother language?
21. Do you think there is too much nudity in movies, or not enough?
22. Do you think there is too much violence in movies? Does it affect children?
VOCABULARY
action movie: a movie with many exciting and violent scenes
Our teenage boys love watching action movies.
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sci-fi (or "science fiction"): a genre with stories set in the future or in outer space
Have you seen that sci-fi film Interstellar yet?
screen: the flat surface that a movie is projected onto
Do you like sitting at the back, or close to the screen?
EXPRESSIONS
Producer
produced by
Director
a film directed by
well-directed
expertly directed
Actors/characters
exceptional performance
well-acted
be absolutely remarkable
especially memorable as
be very/less convincing
Music/soundtrack
The music conveys a sad/happy/melancholy atmosphere.
The music underlines a mood/evokes feelings/shows a character’s emotions/connects scenes.
Evaluation
a must-see/a smash hit
worth seeing
not to be missed
an emotionally strong film
a skillful piece of filmmaking
an impressive debut
I highly/strongly/definitely recommend the film.
It’s a film that will change the way you think about …
I was impressed by …
150
VOCABULARY
journalist: a person who writes and reports the news
My cousin wants to be a journalist because he likes to write and he is interested in
current events.
151
correspondent: a journalist who works for a media network and (usually) reports on a specific
topic (such as foreign news, sports, business, etc.)
Major news networks often have several foreign correspondents working in many
different countries.
politician: a person who works in politics or serves in the government
Journalists often interview politicians about important government stories.
celebrity: a person who is famous (usually an actor, actress, singer, etc.)
Many people are interested in the love lives of celebrities.
Many celebrities attended the awards show last night.
tabloids: newspapers and magazines that focus on celebrity news and exciting stories
Tabloids are very popular because people enjoy reading about celebrities and
their relationships.
coverage: the attention given to a news story by a media outlet
The BBC gives a lot of coverage to international news.
cover: to report about a story or issue
Tabloids tend to cover celebrity news and romantic stories.
bias: a strong opinion about an issue; an unwillingness to consider other opinions
Reporters must be impartial and not show political bias.
biased: having an opinion about an issue and being unwilling to consider other opinions
Liverpool only lost the game because the referee was biased.
headline: a line of words printed in large letters as the title of a story in a newspaper, or the
main points of the news that are broadcast on television or radio
I only had time to read the headlines. I'll read more later.
exclusive: limited to only one person or group of people
Read this exclusive story. I'm surprised no other paper mentions it.
daily/weekly/monthly newspapers: papers printed once a day/ once a week/ once a month
columns: news that is printed in vertical columns rather than taking a whole page
She writes a weekly fashion column for the Evening Standard.
weather report: a section in the newspaper for weather forecasts
business section: a section in the newspaper with business news
world news section: a section in the newspaper which focuses on news from abroad
caption: an explanation or title matching a picture or cartoon
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letter to the editor: a section in the newspaper for people to express their views to the editor of
the newspaper
special feature: a special story
editorial: a news article containing the editor’s opinions
comic strip: a cartoon series in the news paper
advice column: a column in the newspaper where advice is given to people who write in for it
TV guide: a section in the newspaper with a guide for TV programs for the coming day or
week
circulation: the number of copies a newspaper distributes on an average day
EXPRESSIONS
grab attention: draw attention
The bright colors on the poster are there to grab your attention.
eye catching: a picture or layout which catches a person’s eye
This magazine’s covers are always eye catching.
in-depth: with many details
How long does it take you to write an in-depth article (1500+ words)?
front page: the first page of a newspaper
The story is still front-page news.
proof reader: a person who checks a text for errors
fact checkers: a person who checks if the newspaper facts and information in an article are
correct
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VOCABULARY
nightmare: a bad dream, when something goes badly wrong, we use the word nightmare to
describe them
The whole journey was a nightmare - we lost our luggage and both flights were delayed.
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daydream: a series of pleasant thoughts about something you would prefer to be doing or
something you would like to achieve in the future
He never paid attention in class and seemed to be in a permanent daydream.
prophecy: a statement that says what is going to happen in the future
Her prophecy is coming true.
EXPRESSIONS
to dream about: to have mental pictures about someone or something, especially in one's sleep
I dreamed about you all night last night.
sweet dreams: We use the expression to say good night to people at bed time.
Good night, children, sweet dreams.
the American Dream: the beliefs that the USA is a land of opportunity where people work
hard are guaranteed a prosperous and happy life
He could achieve the American dream only by hard work.
a dream come true: when plans fall into place and things turn out just as we hoped that they
would
Our vacation by the ocean was a dream come true.
live in a dream world: A person lives in a dream world is someone who is out of touch with
reality.
Stop living in a dream world. You cannot travel the world if you have not saved any
money.
dream on: This expression is used to indicate that something isn’t going to happen, or we are
unwilling to comply with a request to do something.
Dean thinks he's going to get the job. Dream on, babe.
broken dreams: wishes or desires that cannot be fulfilled
My life has been full of broken dreams.
beyond one’s wildest dreams: when something happens that is far better than hoped for or
imagined
Receiving a scholarship to a top university was beyond my wildest dreams.
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VOCABULARY
camera-shy: not willing to have your photograph taken
My daughter is camera shy.
candid: A candid photograph of someone is natural and informal and is taken without them
knowing that they are being photographed.
He took the candid shots which were much more fun than the formal group
photographs.
photobombing: the practice of spoiling other people’s photographs by making silly expressions
or moving into the background just before the photograph is taken
We were photobombed by a guy dressed in a gorilla suit.
photocall: a photo opportunity
After the conference, there was the usual photocall for everybody involved.
photogenic: someone who is photogenic looks good in photographs
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EXPRESSIONS
to take a photo
I'd love to take a photo of your garden.
say cheese: used for telling someone to smile when you are taking their photograph
“Look at the camera! Say cheese!”
to strike a pose: position oneself in a certain way
I never strike a pose in front of the camera. I’m not really photogenic.
to zoom in on: use a zoom lens to get a closer view on a camera
My camera has a room lens so I can zoom in on things to get fine details in my shots.
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1. What is stress?
2. What causes stress?
3. How do you recognize stress in your life?
4. Have you been under stress recently?
5. How does stress affect you?
6. How do you get control of a stressful situation that is getting too tough?
7. Do you have a kind of red warning flag that indicates too much stress?
8. When you are stressful, how do you feel physically?
Do you feel tired during the day?
Can you sleep well at night?
Does your stomach hurt?
9. How do you feel emotionally?
Do you feel nervous or worried about stressful situations?
Do you get angry easily?
10. Have you ever helped someone who was feeling stressful?
What did you do?
Did you give them advice?
Did you listen to them?
Did you do most of the talking?
Did you take some action to help them?
11. Do you think stress is ever good, useful, or necessary? Why or why not?
12. Is your home life stressful?
Are you busy at home?
Can you relax at home?
13. In what way does a too full schedule lead to stress?
14. If you are very busy at work or at school, do you have ways to balance your life?
15. Does stress make it hard for you to think or act?
16. Is your stress caused by relationships with other people?
At work? At school?
At home?
With best friends?
With partners?
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17. Do you work or study for long hours under stressful conditions?
18. Can alcohol cure stress temporarily?
19. What are some positive ways people deal with stress?
20. When was the most stressful time of your life? Did you learn anything from that experience?
21. What do you think is the greatest cause of stress for most people?
22. How can you live a stress free life?
VOCABULARY
stressed out: You can talk about the feeling of being stressed by saying you are stressed out.
She’s just been stressing me out.
de-stress: to relax after working hard or experiencing stress; to reduce the amount of stress that
you experience
I began doing yoga as a way to de-stress.
overworked: If you feel like you are doing too much work, you can say you are overworked.
You look exhausted - I hope you’re not overworked.
wind down: to gradually relax after doing something that has made you tired or worried
When he goes on holiday, it takes him the first couple of days just to wind down.
EXPRESSIONS
to take a break: Interrupt one's activity briefly
It's ten o'clock -time to take a break.
I don't usually take my break until 10:30.
to take one’s mind off: stop you thinking about something unpleasant
I took my mind off everything by going to the gym yesterday. It was good.
to drive someone crazy: to annoy or irritate someone
This itch is driving me crazy.
under a lot of pressures: facing or enduring something such as pressure or a deadline
I have to get back to work. I am under a deadline. I am under a lot of pressure lately.
to treat oneself to something: do or have something that gives one great pleasure
Tonight, I’m treating myself to a hot bath and a novel.
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Topic 63
Ghosts, Supernatural and Superstitions
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
160
EXPRESSIONS
as white as a ghost: extremely pale, as if frightened. When someone is very shocked at
something that they see or that has happened, they may appear white as a ghost.
Did something scare you? You're as white as a ghost!
bless my soul: an expression of surprise
body and soul: involving every aspect of a person; completely
I belong to him body and soul.
give up the ghost: die
Our old TV had finally given up the ghost.
ghost town: A deserted town with few or no remaining inhabitants
It's like a ghost town at weekends.
DISCUSSION
1. What time do you get up in the morning?
2. What time do you go to bed?
3. What time does school start?
4. What time do you go to work?
5. What time does your work begin?
6. What time does your work end?
7. What takes up most of your time?
8. Do you think you manage your time wisely?
9. Do you manage time, or does time manage you?
10. Are you on time?
11. What do you do if you show up too early for something?
12. What do you do if you show up too late for something?
13. Do you spend a lot of time when preparing for something?
14. Do you schedule out what you have to do every week? Do you make a schedule for every day?
15. Are you good at getting things done on time?
16. Do you think time moves slowly or quickly?
17. What would you do if you had a few extra hours in a day?
18. Would you rather have more time or more money?
19. What's the most significant time of your life? (Significant for any reason: because you liked it or
hated it; because of your profession; because of a relationship; or because it was a turning point
in your life)
20. Which time of day do you feel you are most productive in your work or study?
21. If you are a punctual person and your mate is not, how do you resolve conflicts that arise?
22. In your culture, is it polite to always show up on time, or to show up a little late? How
important is time in your culture?
VOCABULARY
1) Say the hour first and then the minutes. (Hour + Minutes)
2) Say the minutes first and then the hour. (Minutes + PAST / TO + Hour)
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4)12:00
EXPRESSIONS
Asking for the Time
The common question forms we use to ask for the time right now are:
What time is it?
What is the time?
A more polite way to ask for the time, especially from a stranger is:
Could you tell me the time please?
The common question forms we use to ask at what time a specific event will happen are:
What time...?
When...?
We use It is or It's to respond to the questions that ask for the time right now.
It is half past five (5:30).
It's ten to twelve (11:50)
We use the structure AT + time when giving the time of a specific event.
The bus arrives at midday (12:00).
The flight leaves at a quarter to two (1:45).
The concert begins at ten o'clock. (10:00)
We can also use subject pronouns in these responses.
It arrives at midday (12:00).
It leaves at a quarter to two (1:45).
It begins at ten o'clock. (10:00)
AM vs. PM
We use a.m. (am) for the morning and p.m. (pm) for the afternoon and night.
3am = Three o'clock in the morning.
3pm = Three o'clock in the afternoon.
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VOCABULARY
If you want to use "I hope" and "I wish" correctly, you just need to memorize these two phrases:
I hope I can...
I wish I could...
You may be wondering: why do English speakers use the present tense for "hope" and the past tense
for "wish"?
The secret is that "could" is not really past tense. It looks like past tense, but it's secretly something
different. It's the "unreal" aspect. In other words, it expresses something that's not really true, or not
very likely.
We use "wish" to talk about things that are impossible, or things that probably won't happen:
I wish I could fly.
I wish there were more hours in the day.
I wish I'd studied something a little more practical.
On the other hand, we use "I hope..." when there's a good chance that something might happen. You
can use it to say what you want to happen in the future:
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EXPRESSIONS
The phrase I wish I had… is the most common structure used to talk about our wishes. Here are some
common wishes people have.
I wish I had more money.
I wish I had more friends.
I wish I had a bigger house.
I wish I was taller.
I wish I was more beautiful.
In the phrase I wish I had… ‘had’ is the simple past form of the verb ‘have’. Instead of had, you can
use the simple past form of other verbs as well.
I wish I spoke French.
I wish I knew Italian.
I wish I looked smarter.
I wish I drove a Ferrari.
I wish I lived in Shanghai.
I wish I had a golden voice.
I wish I knew more people.
I wish I played the piano.
Although we use past tense forms in this structure, we are not referring to the past in these sentences.
Instead, we are merely expressing our wishes in the present.
To talk about past wishes, we can use the structure I wish I had had… Note that the second had in
this structure is the past participle form of have. Past participle forms of other verbs are also possible
in this case.
VOCABULARY
Preparation
slice: to cut through or across into slices, generally of uniform size
chop: to cut food into smaller pieces of no particular size or shape
dice: to cut foods into uniform square pieces
mince: to cut food into very small pieces
peel: to remove the peels from vegetables or fruits
stir: to mix ingredients with a circular motion until well blended or of uniform consistency
mix: to combine ingredients usually by stirring
add: to put ingredients together; to put one ingredient with the others
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EXPRESSIONS
boil down: to reduce a liquid by cooking to a thick sauce
She boiled down the sauce to make it more flavorsome.
boil over: to cause liquid to overflow during boiling
She was cooking pasta on high heat and it boiled over.
bolt down: to eat food very quickly
Jeffrey had only 15 minutes for lunch so he had to bolt it down.
chop up: to cut into pieces, especially with a few sharp blows
Mary chopped up the onions for the salad.
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VOCABULARY
neighborhood: the area or region around or near some place or thing; a number of persons
living in a particular area or place
This is a safe neighborhood.
The whole neighborhood showed up for the funeral.
locality: a particular area
Many people are opting to live in the city rather than in rural localities.
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precinct: a part of a city or a town in which vehicles are not allowed, used for a special
purpose, such as shopping
A shopping precinct/ a pedestrian precinct
block: the length of one side of a block, especially as a measure of distance.
He lives a few blocks away from the museum.
ward: an administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a
council or councilors
First there were ward officers - police officers responsible for a particular ward of the
city who work with local communities to tackle local crime.
doorstep: a step leading up to the outer door of a house
He put his foot on the doorstep of the cottage.
EXPRESSION
in the neighborhood of: approximately, nearly, about
The job will pay in the neighborhood of six thousand dollars.
Good fences make good neighbors: It is easier to be friendly with your neighbor if neither of
you trespasses upon the other's property or privacy.
Jane: The guy next door is letting his party guests wander across our lawn again. Alan: I
guess we'll have to build a fence there. Good fences make good neighbors, like they say.
neighbor on something: to be directly adjacent to something
Our house neighbors on a park. The park neighbors on a stretch of beach.
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DISCUSSION
1. What is an argument?
2. What does your family often argue about?
3. What are some reasons why people argue?
4. Do you feel bad after having an argument?
5. How do you avoid arguments?
6. Do you get along with argumentative people?
7. Would you describe yourself as an argumentative person?
8. Are you easily persuaded in an argument?
9. Have you ever tried to impose your beliefs on others?
10. In your opinion is being argumentative a positive or a negative trait?
11. How do you feel when someone disagrees with everything you have to say?
12. At work do you often voice your opinions on controversial issues?
13. Do you think it's disrespectful to argue with your elders?
14. How do you grab someone's attention when you're making a point?
VOCABULARY
argue: to speak angrily to somebody because you disagree with them
My brothers frequently argue with each other.
argument: a conversation or discussion in which two or more people disagree, often angrily
We had an argument with the waiter about the bill.
argumentative: a person who is argumentative likes arguing or often starts arguing
My younger sister is argumentative.
conflict: a situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement
or argument
She found herself in conflict with her parents over her future career.
disagree: If two people disagree or one person disagrees with another about something,
they have a different opinion about it.
Even friends disagree sometimes.
quarrel: an angry argument or disagreement between people, often about a personal matter
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EXPRESSIONS
disagree (with somebody) (about/on/over something)
He disagreed with his parents on most things.
argue (with somebody) (about/over something)
I never argue with my husband about money.
impose something (on/upon somebody): to make somebody accept the same opinions,
wishes, etc. as your own
Don't try to impose your ideas on me!
grab someone's attention: to draw or attract someone's attention
Before giving my opinion, I need to grab their attention.
voice your opinion: speak out your opinion
Don’t just agree with anything they say. Voice your opinion.
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1. What is creativity?
2. Do you consider yourself a creative person (Do you think you are a creative person)? Why?
3. Tell me something creative that you have done.
4. Is creativity a good thing? Why or why not?
5. Can you describe a creative advertisement you have seen?
6. What are some ways that a person can be creative?
7. Is taking risk a part of creativity?
8. Do you like to take risks? Give an example
9. Do you like to improve things?
10. What kinds of job/career require creativity the most?
11. What is a startup? Do you think startup founders are creative?
12. Who do you think is a great innovator and why?
13. Can you think of a device that would make people's life easier?
14. What are some creative ways to entertain children?
15. Does the education system in your country encourage creativity? How?
VOCABULARY
innovator: a person or company that introduces new things, ideas or ways of doing something
He was one of the greatest innovators of the 20th century.
startup: a small business that has just been started
I’m running a startup.
founder: a person who starts an organization, institution, etc. or causes something to be built
He’s the founder of the business.
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
1. Do you know much about your own culture?
2. Can you tell me something special about your culture?
3. What do you like about your culture?
4. What don't you like about your culture?
5. What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, food, etc.?
6. When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of?
7. What is considered rude in your culture?
8. How do young people in your culture behave differently from older people?
9. Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture?
10. What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
11. Do you think "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is always good advice? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture?
13. What is culture shock?
14. Have you ever experienced culture shock?
VOCABULARY
culture: the customs and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country
or group
Thang Long- Hanoi is a city with 1000-year-old culture.
custom: an accepted way of behaving or of doing things in a society or a community
Giving red envelopes (lucky money) to children at New Year is a custom in our
country.
culture shock: a feeling of confusion and anxiety that somebody may feel when they live in or
visit another country
It was a real culture shock when I first moved to New York.
identity: the characteristics, feelings or beliefs that distinguish people from others
National flag and national anthem are parts of our country’s identity.
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EXPRESSIONS
1. What is a goal?
2. What are your "short term" goals?
3. What are your "long term" goals?
4. What do you hope to have achieved by the time you're fifty?
5. What is your biggest goal in life?
6. What are your
educational goals?
career goals?
financial goals?
7. Is it important to set goals? Why?
8. Is having a goal helpful in motivating a person?
9. Do you have any goals that you feel are unrealistic?
10. Do you think people have fewer goals as they get older?
11. What are the main differences between male and female goals?
12. Which of your goals have you already achieved?
13. How would you feel if you failed to achieve any of your goals?
14. How important are goals to you?
15. Should parents help their children set goals?
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
set goal(s)
You need to set yourself some long-term goals.
achieve a goal
He worked hard to achieve his goals.
fail to achieve a goal
It’s ok if you fail to achieve a goal. You can try again.
reach a goal
I set an action plan for reaching my long-term goal.
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VOCABULARY
gender: the physical and/or social condition of being male or female
I have many friends of both genders.
typical: having the usual qualities or features of a particular type of person, thing or group
She’s a typical Vietnamese girl.
equality: the fact of being equal in rights, status, advantages, etc.
Don't you believe in equality between men and women?
inequality: the unfair difference between groups of people in society, when some have more
wealth, status or opportunities than others
In some areas, gender inequality still exists.
discrimination: the practice of treating somebody or a particular group in society less fairly than
others
I’m against gender discrimination.
unfair: not right or fair according to a set of rules or principles; not treating people equally
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EXPRESSIONS
gender gap: the difference that separates men and women, in terms of attitudes, opportunities
and status
Women have closed the gender gap in education in recent years.
join the army
I joined the army for 2 years before finding a job in my hometown.
gender pay gap: the difference between the amounts of money paid to women and men,
often for doing the same work
The Government's aim is to enable women to know whether or not their employer
has a gender pay gap.
man up: tell someone that they should deal with something more bravely
You need to man up and admit you were wrong.
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VOCABULARY
gossip (v): to talk about other people’s private lives, often in an unkind way
She's been gossiping about you.
gossip (n): informal talk or stories about other people’s private lives, that may be unkind or not
true
Don't believe all the gossip you hear.
rumor/rumour: a piece of information, or a story, that people talk about, but that may not be
true
I heard a rumor that they are getting married.
uncover: to discover something that was previously hidden or secret
It will be difficult to uncover the truth.
reveal: to make something known to somebody
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EXPRESSIONS
start a rumor
She started the rumor without checking if the information is true.
spread a rumor
I don’t spread rumors about other people.
gossip newspapers/magazines: newspapers/magazines that feature scandalous stories about the
personal lives of celebrities and other well-known individuals
I read it in a gossip newspaper this morning.
gossip about someone
She usually gossips about her neighbors.
talk behind one’s back: saying bad things about someone, but not saying anything directly to
the person
I found out that he’s talking about me behind my back.
Rumor has it that …: There is a rumor that…
Rumor has it that they are engaged.
spread like wildfire: to become known by more and more people very quickly
Rumors of his death spread like wildfire.
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DISCUSSION
1. Are you a happy person?
2. What makes you feel happy? Why does this thing make you happy?
3. Does having an animal/pet make you happy? Why?
4. How can you tell when other people are feeling happy?
5. What is or was the happiest time of your life?
6. Can money buy happiness?
7. Can you be happy if you are poor?
8. Is happiness a goal?
9. What makes you unhappy?
10. What is something you can do to make others happy?
11. Do you think that happiness lies within you? Or does it depend upon other people and
external things?
12. Do you agree that older people are less happy?
13. Do you think some nations are happier than others?
VOCABULARY
cheerful: happy, and showing it by the way that you behave
You’re in a cheerful mood.
ecstatic: very happy, excited and enthusiastic; feeling or showing great enthusiasm
Sally was ecstatic about her new job.
ecstasy: a feeling or state of very great happiness
She threw her head back as if in ecstasy.
fulfilled: feeling happy and satisfied that you are doing something useful with your life
He’s having a happy and fulfilled old age.
heartwarming: causing feelings of happiness and pleasure
It was a heart-warming story.
welfare: the general health, happiness and safety of a person, an animal or a group
These organizations have fought very hard for the rights and
welfare of immigrants.
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
illegal immigrants: people who enter a country illegally
The US has been finding ways to reduce the number of illegal immigrants.
economic migrants: people who move country to earn more money
Some economic migrants are highly-educated professionals who seek new
opportunities in the labour market.
influx of immigrants: the arrival of immigrants in large numbers
The growth of towns was due to an influx of migrants from the villages.
first generation immigrant: a citizen or resident who is an immigrant or has immigrant parents
Her parents are first-generation immigrants who were born in Kurdistan, and
immigrated to the United States.
unskilled labour: is a segment of the workforce associated with a limited skill set or minimal
economic value for the work performed
The demand for unskilled labor is going down.
skilled labour: is a segment of the work force with a high skill level that creates significant
economic value through the work performed
There is a shortage of skilled labour.
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1. What is an invention?
2. What famous inventors do you know?
3. What were their inventions?
4. How was the world before the invention of the wheel?
5. How did the invention of television change people's life?
6. Do you think you can live without your mobile phone?
7. What do you think is the greatest invention? What is its function? How has it help your life
better?
8. Do you think time machine is a future invention?
9. Do you think one day people can live on other planets? What inventions do they need to
realize this dream?
10. What is the world’s most dangerous invention?
11. Have you ever thought about inventing anything?
12. Do new inventions always create new problems?
13. Do you think new inventions always make people rich?
VOCABULARY
invent: to produce or design something that has not existed before
I wish mobile phones had never been invented!
invention: a thing or an idea that has been invented
I think the internet is the greatest invention ever.
inventor: a person who has invented something or whose job is inventing things
Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell are some of the famous
inventors.
indispensable: too important to be without
Cars have become an indispensable part of our lives.
labour-saving: designed to reduce the amount of work or effort needed to do something
Our housework is much easier with modern labour-saving appliances.
time-saving: designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to do something
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EXPRESSIONS
Necessity is the mother of invention: When people really need to do something, they will
figure out a way to do it.
We can't afford expensive paper to paint on so we use old envelopes and newspaper.
They do say necessity is the mother of invention.
reinvent the wheel: to waste one's time doing something that has already been done
satisfactorily
Just use our guide book to and don't try to reinvent the wheel.
light years ahead: a long way ahead of someone or something in terms of development or
success
I keep trying to tell her that the I-phone is light years ahead of the flip phone and that
she will see how much easier it is with a smart phone.
“One of the greatest labor-saving inventions of today is tomorrow.”- Vincent T. Foss (quote)
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DISCUSSION
1. How many job interviews have you been to?
2. What positive aspects were there? What negative aspects were there?
3. Have you ever been to a job interview and left thinking that you wouldn't get the job, and then
been offered it?
4. Have you ever had to have more than one interview for the same job?
5. Have you ever turned down a job after an interview? Why?
6. Have you ever been for a job interview even though you were working and not actually looking
for another job?
7. Put the following in order of influence at a job interview:
a. dress
b. CV
c. social skills
d. work experience in general
e. work experience in a similar job
8. Do you think social skills are more important for a job interview than the skills required by the
job itself?
9. Put the following in order of influence for accepting a job:
a. salary
b. timetable
c. atmosphere at workplace
d. size of company
e. distance from home
VOCABULARY
interviewer: the person who asks the questions in an interview
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EXPRESSIONS
conduct an interview: carry out an interview
As a recruiter for my company, I conduct several interviews each day.
apply for a job
I started applying for jobs right after my graduation, but it took 3 months for me to get
my first job.
I had to turn down their job offer. Though the pay was good, the job involved too
much business travel.
land a job: to find a job and be hired
I managed to land a job at a factory.
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VOCABULARY
fiancé: the man that a woman is engaged to
Linda and her fiancé were there.
fiancée: the woman that a man is engaged to
Paul and his fiancée joined our party last week.
wedding: a marriage ceremony, and the meal or party that usually follows it
We didn’t invite too many guests to our wedding.
arranged marriage: a marriage in which the parents choose who their son or daughter will
marry
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in-laws: your relatives by marriage, especially the parents of your husband or wife
I visit my in-laws every Sunday.
spouse: a husband or wife
I don’t usually see Mary going out with her spouse.
cohabitation: the state of living with another person like husband and wife without being
married
There have been great changes in the patterns of marriage, divorce and cohabitation.
divorce: the legal ending of a marriage
He remarried after a divorce from his first wife, Kate.
EXPRESSIONS
1. Are you living in the city or in the countryside? Describe where you live.
2. What are some of the advantages of living in a city?
3. What are some of the disadvantages of living in a city?
4. What are the major problems in your city?
5. What do you think should be done to improve living conditions in cities?
6. Would you prefer to live in a really old historical city, or a really new modern city?
7. Do you walk alone at night in your home city? Why?
8. Do you like modern cosmopolitan architecture?
9. How would you describe the architecture of your city?
10. What do you hate most about living in the city?
11. What are some tourist attractions in your city? What makes those places famous?
12. Which cities would you like to visit in your home country? Why?
13. Which cities would you like to visit around the world? Why?
14. Which cities in the world do you feel safe in?
15. Which cities in the world have the best bus services/taxis/metro?
16. Do you think that each city should have their own laws or could all cities share the same
general laws?
VOCABULARY
inner-city: the central part of a city where people live and where conditions are often poor
I live in the inner-city and the area is a little run down.
local facilities: local buildings or services serving the public
Local facilities are one of the reasons why I chose to live in the city.
office block: a large building that contains offices
My city is full of ugly office blocks.
pavement cafe: cafes with tables outside on the pavement
You can easily find pavement cafes everywhere in the city.
places of interest: buildings that have a particular interest for visitors
I’m willing to show you some places of interest in the city.
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EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
I can describe myself as an introverted person. That’s why it’s hard for me to have so
many friends.
extroverted: outgoing and socially confident
She is extroverted, confident, and gives rousing lectures.
even-tempered: not easily annoyed or angered
I’m so satisfied about my daughter’s boyfriend because he is a gentle and even-
tempered man.
easy-going: relaxed and not easily worried about anything
It’s easy to talk to her since she is very calm and easy-going.
fair-minded: to treat people equally
If you are fair-minded you’ll be less likely to overreact to situations or be quick-
tempered.
self-centred: thinks only of oneself
I’d hope they wouldn’t be self-centred … but remembered to think about others.
thick-skinned: not easily affected by criticism
I’m a thick-skinned person. I don’t care about what people say about me.
EXPRESSIONS
to be the life and soul of the party: a fun person, someone who is the centre of activity
My brother is certainly the life and soul of all parties.
to bend over backwards: to try very hard to help someone
She always bends over backwards to help us with our work.
to hide one’s light under a bushel: to hide one’s talents and skills
She is the type that always hides her light under a bushel.
good sense of humour: the ability to understand what is funny
I love talking to her since she has a good sense of humour.
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
privacy: the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people
She returned to the privacy of her own home.
invade: to spoil a situation or quality for another person without thinking about their feelings
Famous people often find their privacy is invaded by the press.
fingerprint: record the fingerprints of (someone)
I was booked, fingerprinted, and locked up for the night
illegal: contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law
Entering a house without owner’s permission is illegal.
respect: the feeling you show when you accept that different customs or cultures are different
from your own and behave towards them in a way that would not cause offence
You should show him some respect because he has helped you a lot.
EXPRESSIONS
invasion of privacy
It’s such an invasion of privacy. I’m going to call the police.
keep it under one’s hat: keep secret
Promise me that you will keep it under your hat.
just between you and me: keep secret just between two people
What I have told you is just between you and me. You understand?
keep it on the low down: keep secret
You’d better keep it on the low down. It’s not a good thing if a third person knows
about it.
let the cat out of the bag: reveal a secret
Let’s let the cat out of the bag! We’re all tired of your secrets.
keep under wraps: keep a new piece of work or information as a secret
They didn’t know whether to make the announcement immediately or keep it under
wraps for a few weeks.
205
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
DISCUSSION
VOCABULARY
mandatory retirement: a situation in which you are forced to leave your job at a particular age,
either because of a law or a company rule
Mandatory retirement age varies from society to society, perhaps a reflection of
economics, population pressures or simply value systems.
custom: a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to
a particular society, place, or time
Retiring at the age of 60 is a custom in my country.
reflection: a sign or result of something
The fact that soldiers are on the streets is a reflection of how terrified the government
is.
208
EXPRESSIONS
be self-employed: not working for an employer but finding work for yourself or having your
own business
Do you pay less tax if you're self-employed?
to be retired: If someone is retired, they have stopped working permanently, usually because of
age
Both my parents are retired.
to look for another job: to seek another job
I am looking for another job. I’m tired of my current one.
to be made redundant: to dismiss (a person who is no longer needed) from a job
To keep the company alive, half the workforce is being made redundant.
to be out of work: without a paid job
I've been out of work for the past six months.
to carry out: to do or complete something, especially that you have said you would do or that
you have been told to do
Dr. Carter is carrying out research on early Christian art.
to insist on: to keep doing something, even if it annoys other people, or people think it is not
good for you
I don't know why you insist on talking about it.
209
VOCABULARY
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
an action movie: a film with fast moving scenes, often containing violence
Watching movies on the big screen is more exciting than at home on TV, especially if
it’s an action movie.
bedtime reading: something to read in bed before you go to sleep
I can’t go to sleep at night without some good bedtime reading.
a box-office hit: a financially successful film
I usually avoid seeing popular box-office hits which I’m not always keen on seeing.
a blockbuster: a film that is a big commercial success
There’s a blockbuster coming in. Let’s go to the cinema on Sunday!
a classic: of the highest quality
I prefer reading a paperback or hardback … especially if I’m reading a classic.
a page turner: a book that you want to keep reading
Sherlock Holmes is a real page turner.
a historical novel: a story set in the past
“Gone with the wind” is a historical novel.
212
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
date: to regularly spend time with someone you have a romantic relationship with
They dated for five years before they got married.
quality: a characteristic or feature of someone or something
He has a lot of good qualities but being organized isn't one of them.
attract: to pull or draw someone or something towards them, by the qualities they have,
especially good ones
These flowers are brightly coloured in order to attract butterflies.
relationship: the way in which two things are connected
Scientists have established the relationship between lung cancer and smoking.
maintain: to continue to have; to keep in existence, or not allow to become less
Despite living in different countries, the two families have maintained close links.
214
EXPRESSIONS
VOCABULARY
social issues: problems that influences a considerable number of the individuals within a
society
Our country has been facing a lot of serious social issues.
crime: illegal activities
I believe that poverty and crime are strongly connected.
discrimination: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things,
especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex
I used to experience discrimination when I was little.
poverty-stricken: to describe places or people that are extremely poor
The Prime Minister visited the poverty-stricken areas of the country.
beggar: a person who asks people in the street to give him/ her some money
They say you shouldn’t give change to beggars. They will never get a job if they can
make enough money begging.
famine: When a lot of people starve/ don’t have enough food to eat, we call it a famine.
The Irish famine of 1845 forced thousands of families to leave the country.
216
EXPRESSIONS
get rid of: take action so as to be free of (a troublesome or unwanted person or thing)
I wanna get rid of all the troubles she has brought to me.
be used to: become familiar with something
I am used to drinking coffee even though I couldn’t stand its smell at first.
engulfed in debt: to be overwhelmed in debt
The druggist son steals cash and kinds to purchase drugs. Later, the family is engulfed in
debt.
to wipe out: to destroy or eradicate
To wipe out drug from society, educational programs should be organised in school,
colleges.
keep an eye on: keep under careful observation
Dealers are keeping an eye on the currency markets.
crack down on: take severe measures against
We need to crack down hard on workplaces that break safety regulations.
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VOCABULARY
cyber-bullying: the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person
Cyber-bullying is becoming more and more common among teenagers.
interaction: an occasion when two or more people or things communicate with or react to each
other
There's not enough interaction between the management and the workers.
218
networking: the process of meeting and talking to a lot of people, esp. in order to get
information that can help you
Students find networking essential to finding the right job.
negative: bad/harmful
The warm winter has had a very negative effect/impact on the ski industry.
EXPRESSIONS
to go viral: When something is popular and spreads quickly, we can say it has ‘gone viral’.
When a real virus spreads through people or computers, it’s a bad thing, however when a piece
of social media content goes viral, it’s usually positive.
219
VOCABULARY
stereotype: an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things
with a particular characteristic (usually associated with race or religion)
Here was a man who fit our stereotypes of the nice American.
ethnicity: of or relating to races or large groups of people who have the same customs, religion,
origin, etc.
They reflect the increasing importance of ethnicity in national and local politics.
generalize: to make a general statement or to form a general opinion especially to state an
opinion about a larger group that is based on a smaller number of people or things within that
group
It's actually difficult to generalize about Canada.
racism: poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race
220
He once defended himself against an accusation of racism by saying that black people
were good at sport.
intolerance: not willing to allow some people to have equality, freedom, or other social rights
By reaching out and protecting each other from intolerance and injustice, we hope to
forge a better future for our children.
assumption: something that is believed to be true or probably true but that is not known to be
true: something that is assumed
I made the assumption that he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn’t show up.
prejudice: an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, gender, religion,
etc.
The organization fights against racial prejudice.
oversimplify: to describe (something) in a way that does not include all the facts and details and
that causes misunderstanding
I think this statement is so oversimplified as to be dangerously misleading.
EXPRESSIONS
Negative Stereotypes
All blond women are dumb.
Guys are messy and unclean.
Men who spend too much time on the computer or read are geeks.
Girls are not good at sports.
Positive Stereotypes
All Blacks are great basketball players.
All Asians are geniuses.
All Indians are deeply spiritual.
All Latinos dance well.
All Whites are successful.
Asians have high IQs. They are smarter than most in Math and Science. These people
are more likely to succeed in school.
All Canadians are exceptionally polite.
French are romantic.
All Asians know Kung Fu.
Racial Stereotypes
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19. What effect would early retirement have on unemployment? Would this cost the state more
money? Why/why not?
20. What effect will the low birth rates have on unemployment? What effect will it have on
immigration?
VOCABULARY
to resign: to give up (a job or position) in a formal or official way
to quit: to leave (a job, school, career, etc.)
demonstration: an act of showing someone how something is used or done
reforms: an action, plan, rule, etc., that is meant to improve something
strike: a period of time when workers stop work in order to force an employer to agree to their
demands
boycott: to refuse to buy, use, or participate in (something) as a way of protesting
apprentice: a person who learns a job or skill by working for a fixed period of time for
someone who is very good at that job or skill
trainee: a person who is being trained for a job
intern: a student or recent graduate who works for a period of time at a job in order to get
experience
shifts: the scheduled period of time during which a person works
overtime: time spent working at your job that is in addition to your normal working hours
flexi-time: a system in which employees are required to work a certain number of hours but are
allowed to choose their own times for starting and finishing work
profession: a type of job that requires special education, training, or skill
maternity leave: not going to work for a specific period of time since you have just given birth.
salary: an amount of money that an employee is paid each year
wage: very similar to salary, an amount of money that a worker is paid based on the number of
hours, days, etc., that are worked
to resign: to give up (a job or position) in a formal or official way
to quit: to leave (a job, school, career, etc.)
unemployment benefit: money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by
a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc.
224
EXPRESSIONS
period of notice: a statement telling someone that an agreement, job, etc., will end soon
to be unemployed: to be without a job
to be out of work: to be without a job
to be on the dole: money that a government gives to people who do not have jobs or who are
very poor
to fire somebody: to dismiss (someone) from a job
to sack somebody: to dismiss (someone) from a job
to make somebody redundant: dismissed from a job because you are no longer needed
to hand in one’s notice: to give your boss a statement telling someone that an agreement, job,
etc., will end soon
earn your living: to get (money, a salary, etc.) for work that you have done.
to get a raise: to receive an increase in the amount of your pay
225
VOCABULARY
226
EXPRESSIONS
think ahead: to think carefully about what might happen in the future, or to make plans for
things you want to do in the future
The new year is a natural time to think ahead and make plans for the future.
eye for detail: If you have an eye for detail or a fine/good/keen eye for detail, you are good at
noticing small but important things that other people might not notice.
It is helpful to have a good eye for detail when you are building a house.
green thumb: natural talent for growing plants
If you have a green thumb, you’re good at making plants grow.
228
VOCABULARY
tsunami: an extremely large wave caused by a violent movement of the earth under the sea
The loss of human lives from this latest tsunami is staggering.
tornado: a strong, dangerous wind that forms itself into an upside-down spinning cone and is
able to destroy buildings as it moves across the ground
229
The tornado, a violently rotating column of air, extends from a thunderstorm to the
ground.
blizzard: a severe snow storm with strong winds
We once got stuck in a blizzard for six hours.
tremor: a slight earthquake
The tremor was felt as far as 200 miles away.
twister: a tornado or a whirlwind
With an average of one tornado every three years, it's the twister capital of the world.
cyclone: a violent tropical storm or wind in which the air moves very fast in a circular direction
A cyclone in Bangladesh during 1991 caused 150,000 deaths.
hurricane: a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean
The state of Florida was hit by a hurricane that did serious damage.
whirlpool: a small area of the sea or other water in which there is a powerful, circular current
of water that can pull objects down into its centre
Quickly, a whirlpool began to form at the center of the river.
gale: a very strong wind
I slept well despite the howling gales outside.
snowstorm: a heavy fall of snow, especially with a high wind
When you have to drive your car through a heavy snowstorm, you can't help but pay
attention to every bump and slide.
drought: a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water
Crops have failed because of drought.
dust storm: a strong, turbulent wind which carries clouds of fine dust, soil, and sand over a
large area
In late October last year, Queensland had its largest dust storm in more than 40 years.
windstorm: a storm with very strong wind but little or no rain or snow; a gale
He enjoys the experience of being in the center of the windstorm for it is the only calm
part of the tempest.
forest fire: a large, destructive fire that spreads over a forest or area of woodland
A helicopter had been engaged in extinguishing a huge forest fire.
thunderstorm: a storm with thunder and lightning and typically also heavy rain or hail
Lightning easily strikes many miles from the edge of the thunderstorm.
230
volcano: mountain with a large, circular hole at the top through which lava (= hot liquid rock)
gases, steam, and dust are or have been forced out
Lava from the volcano was flowing down the hillside.
earthquake: a sudden violent movement of the earth's surface, sometimes causing great damage
In 1906 an earthquake destroyed much of San Francisco.
EXPRESSIONS
act of God: an event such as a flood, lightning, or an earthquake that is produced by natural
forces, and that people have no control over
state of emergency: a situation in which a government takes action to deal with
an event such as a flood or a fire that is putting a lot of people in danger
natural disaster: something that happens in nature and causes a lot of damage or kills a lot
of people, for example a flood or an earthquake
231
1. What images spring to mind when you hear the word “media”?
2. What is the media?
3. Do you think the media have too much power?
4. What are the good and bad things about the media in your country?
5. Do you like the fact that today, media coverage of world events in instantaneous and extensive?
6. What do you think about countries that ban or restrict the media?
7. Do you always believe in the media?
8. Is the media of your country biased towards the views of your government over the war on
terror?
9. How is today’s media different from that of 30 year ago?
10. Can you think of any examples of the media being irresponsible?
11. Which is more reliable as a source of information: newspaper, TV, radio or the Internet?
Why?
12. Does the media in your country report the whole truth, mostly truth, or mostly lies?
13. How has the internet changed the news in your country?
14. Who has the most control over the media in your country?
15. How does the media help create a healthy society?
16. Should the media just report the facts or should the media interpret the facts?
17. Can you think of a politician who used the media in a successful way? How about a politician
who was destroyed by the media?
18. What is the most fair and balanced media outlet in your country?
VOCABULARY
mass media: newspapers, television, radio, and the internet
The mass media has become one of the main instruments of political change.
prime time: in television and radio broadcasting, the time when the largest number of people
are watching or listening
The interview will be broadcast during prime time.
access: the method or possibility of getting near to a place or person
232
The system has been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the required
information.
audience: the (number of) people watching or listening to a particular television or radio
programme, reading a particular book, or visiting a particular website
The television company has lost a large part of its audience since it changed its
programming.
monopoly: complete control of something, especially an area of business, so that others have
no share
The government is determined to protect its tobacco monopoly.
transparency: the quality of being done in an open way without secrets
We want more transparency in government.
EXPRESSIONS
1. Think of five words that come to your mind when you hear the word “risk”.
2. What is “risk”?
3. What are some of the risks associated with smoking cigarettes?
4. What are some of the risks associated with texting while driving?
5. What are some of the risks associated with drinking alcohol?
6. Have you ever taken a risk with money and it paid off?
7. Are you a risk taking kind of person or are you averse to risks?
8. What's the biggest risk you have ever taken? What was the outcome?
9. Does your job involve taking risks? How? Do you consider your job to involve high or low
risk?
10. If you invested money, would you be cautious and spread your risks, or be adventurous and
invest high risk investments?
11. Would you ever risk your life for anyone? How about your money?
12. Are risk takers more successful in life?
13. Would life be boring without risk?
14. Do you think life is riskier today than it was 50 years ago?
15. What is risk management? Have you ever applied it in your life?
16. Have you ever gambled? What was the outcome?
17. Have you ever wished you had taken more of risk? When?
18. Have you ever participated in an extreme sport? What was it?
19. Do you always wear your seatbelt while driving? Why or why not?
20. Have you ever hitchhiked or picked up a hitch-hiker? If so, describe the experience.
VOCABULARY
They wouldn't let their cat outside for fear (that) it would get run over.
endurance: the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant, or painful for a long time
Running a marathon is a test of human endurance.
dangerous: A dangerous person, animal, thing, or activity could harm you.
She walked home by herself, although she knew that it was dangerous.
extreme sports: a sport that is very dangerous and exciting, for example, skydiving and bungee
jumping
I don’t think I will try any extreme sports.
overconfident: excessively confident
There's a reason we feel confident, but I hardly feel overconfident.
EXPRESSIONS
to accept risks
to avoid risks
to aim higher
to take up
to give up
to face danger
to be under pressure
to find a balance
to be willing to try new things
to get a thrill out of
to look for excitement
to test someone’s limit
to meet new challenge
235
VOCABULARY
admirable: deserving respect or approval
The police did an admirable job in keeping the fans calm.
236
adorable: used to describe people or animals that are easy to love because they are so attractive
and often small
She has the most adorable two-year-old girl.
amazing: extremely surprising
This stain remover really works - it's amazing!
brilliant: extremely intelligent or skilled
He gave a brilliant performance.
exceptional: much greater than usual, especially in skill, intelligence, quality, etc.
The Company has shown exceptional growth over the past two years.
fabulous: very good; excellent
She looked absolutely fabulous in her dress.
far-sighted: having good judgment about what will be needed in the future and making wise
decisions based on this
Buying those shares was a very far-sighted move - they must be worth ten times their
original value now.
gifted: clever, or having a special ability
Schools often fail to meet the needs of gifted children.
gorgeous: very beautiful or pleasant
The bride looked gorgeous.
masterful: able to control people and situations in a confident way
He has a deep, masterful voice.
miraculous: very effective or surprising, or difficult to believe
The diet promised miraculous weight loss.
terrific: very good
You've passed your exam? That's terrific!
EXPRESSIONS
If you want to achieve greatness, stop asking for permission.
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.
If you are not willing to risk the usual you will have to settle for the ordinary.
All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get
them.
237
VOCABULARY
trick: an action that is intended to deceive, either as a way of cheating someone, or as a joke
or form of entertainment
She played a really nasty trick on me - she put syrup in my shampoo bottle!
deceive: to persuade someone that something false is the truth, or to keep the truth hidden
from someone for your own advantage
The company deceived customers by selling old computers as new ones.
betray: to not be loyal to your country or a person, often by doing something harmful such as
helping their enemies
He was accused of betraying his country during the war.
cheat: to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want
Anyone caught cheating will be immediately disqualified from the exam.
239
dupe: to deceive someone, usually by making that person do something that they did not
intend to do
The girls were duped by drug smugglers into carrying heroin for them.
mislead: to cause someone to believe something that is not true
He has admitted misleading the police about his movements on the night of the
murder.
pretend: to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to
deceive people or as a game
He pretended (that) he didn't mind, but I knew that he did.
white lie: a lie to avoid a difficult situation or to prevent us hurting or offending someone
A white lie is not harmful.
liar: a person who tells lies
He's such a liar - you can't trust a word he says.
EXPRESSIONS
cover up: to stop people from discovering the truth about something bad
I just know that the CEO is covering something up—why else would those documents
suddenly go missing? The administration is clearly trying to cover up the scandal.
dig up: to discover new facts about a person or situation after a lot of searching
The editor assigned him to dig up all the dirt on the candidates.
catch out: to discover that someone is lying or doing something wrong
The investigator tried to catch me out, but I stuck to my story.
The teacher caught out the student and punished him immediately.
to pull the wool over somebody eyes: to deceive someone
You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I know what's going on. Don't try to pull the wool
over her eyes. She's too smart.
Honesty is the best policy: It is better to try to be honest with people even if what you say may
hurt or upset them.
Jill: I borrowed Jane's white blouse without asking her, and then I spilled tomato sauce
on it. Should I tell her what happened, or should I just put the blouse back in her closet
and hope she won't notice?
Jane: Honesty is the best policy.
240
VOCABULARY
biodiesel: fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fat
All the government has to do is write a law saying that all diesels have to contain bio-
diesel, and that in five years all cars have to be hybrids.
biofuel: a fuel that is made from living things or their waste
In addition, the incentives for alternatives - such as hydro, solar, nuclear and - crucially
biofuels - grow exponentially.
ethanol: a chemical compound that is a type of alcohol
241
Hybrid cars powered by ethanol and petrol are now outselling traditional petrol-
engined vehicles in the country.
fossil fuel: fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and
animal remains millions of years ago
Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, producing mostly just water vapor and
carbon dioxide.
gasoline: formal for gas noun
The price of gasoline has risen sharply in recent years.
greenhouse effect: an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the
atmosphere (= mixture of gases around the earth), that is believed to be the cause of a gradual
warming of the surface of the earth
The problem is that we are increasing the greenhouse effect, and this is likely to change
the earth's climate.
nuclear power: electric or motive power generated by a nuclear reactor
The Chinese are claiming this is the biggest advance in nuclear power generation for 25
years.
solar power: power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun's rays
The project will be powered by wind, wave and solar power, with any excess energy
used to power the town.
wind farm: an area of land with a group of energy-producing windmills or wind turbines
She is happy for the Wellington Regional Council to own the wind farm.
windmill: a structure using wind to generate electricity or draw water
wind power: power obtained by harnessing the energy of the wind
Today, we purchase 30 percent of our energy from wind power.
alternative fuels: a fuel other than petrol or diesel for powering motor vehicles, such as natural
gas, methanol, or electricity
We also help companies to consider alternative fuels and look at minimising mileage.
atomic energy: another term for nuclear energy
The country has fiercely denied US allegations that it is using an ambitious atomic
energy project as a cover to develop nuclear weapons.
sustainable energy: energy derived from natural resources that are capable of being
replenished, such as water, wind, or solar power, and hence can be sustained in the long term;
frequently (and in earliest use) attributive
242
DISCUSSION
1. What images spring to mind when you hear the word “competition”?
2. Are you a competitive person? Why or why not?
3. Is competition good for you? Do you compete with yourself?
4. Do you like competitive people?
5. Are men more competitive than woman?
6. In what way is education a competition in your country?
7. Do you think life is a competition?
8. Do we learn to be competitive or are we born competitive?
9. Have you ever worked in a competitive company?
10. What are the benefits of competition among colleagues?
11. What are the drawbacks of competition among colleagues?
12. What do you think is meant by ‘healthy competition’?
Do you think there is such a thing as unhealthy competition?
13. Do you try to be ‘ahead of the game’ in the workplace?
14. Have you ever been ‘thrown in at the deep end’ at work?
15. Do you think competition between companies is a good thing?
16. What are the advantages of competition between businesses?
17. What are the disadvantages of competition between businesses
18. What should a company do to keep ahead of the game?
19. What are some of the factors that cause small businesses to close?
20. Do you think that new companies must either sink or swim?
VOCABULARY
competitor: a person, team, or company that is competing against others
Their prices are better than any of their competitors.
contest: a competition to do better than other people, usually in which prizes are given
He's won a lot of beauty contests.
rival: a person, group, etc. competing with others for the same thing or in the same area
244
The company has decided not to go through with the takeover of its smaller rival.
contender: someone who competes with other people to try to win something
Now aged 42, he is no longer considered a serious contender for the title.
challenger: someone who tries to win a competition, fight, or sports event from someone who
has previously won it
tournament: a competition for teams or single players in which a series of games is played,
and the winners of each game play against each other until only one winner is left
They were defeated in the first round of the tournament.
bidding: he process of the players saying , before play starts, how many points they expect to
win in a particular game
In this course, we will cover the basics of Contract Bridge, including bidding, playing
and scorekeeping.
EXPRESSIONS
catch up with: to make up the difference between oneself and someone or something, so as to
be at an equal level, status, or point of progress
If they focus on advertising more, they may be able to catch up with their competitors.
fight off: to repel an attack from someone or something
Small, local bookshops can no longer fight off the competition from large chain stores.
up against: in opposition to someone or something, as in a contest
If you open a small grocery store next to a big supermarket you will be up against some
very strong competition.
every man for himself: when people try to save themselves from a difficult situation without
trying to help anyone else
I don't feel sorry for a company that is losing money. In life, it's every man for himself.
a level playing field: a situation of fair competition
It’s not a level playing field any more. As a small company it is difficult for us to
compete with the big multinationals.
to be neck and neck: being at the same level as the competitor
We have exactly the same market share as our rival. We are neck and neck in terms of
profits.
keep your eye on the ball: staying focused
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We really need to concentrate on what our competitors are doing. In today’s market
you need to keep your eye on the ball at all times.
ahead of the game: being in front of the competition
We have left all our competitors behind. We spend a lot of money on advertising so we
can stay ahead of the game.
to sink or swim: to succeed or to fail
In the current climate of strong competition, new companies just have to sink or swim.
to be thrown in at the deep end: to be given something difficult to do without any help
Young entrepreneurs often feel that they have been thrown in at the deep end. They
have so much to learn but very little help.