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100 INTERACTIVE ENGLISH LESSONS

No. List of Topics Page

1 Friends 4
2 Free Time 7
3 Hobbies 9
4 Food & Eating 11
5 Family 13
6 Habits 15
7 Internet 17
8 Animals & Pets 20
9 Health 23
10 Beach 25
11 Holidays 28
12 Gifts 31
13 Music 33
14 Transportation 37
15 Clothes & Fashion 40
16 School & Classrooms 43
17 Comic Books 46
18 Colors 48
19 Facebook 50
20 Healthy Lifestyle 53
21 Home 56
22 Jobs & Occupations 59
23 Shopping 62
24 Names 65
25 Planning a Party 67
26 Restaurants & Eating Out 69
27 Sports 72
28 Telephones 76
29 Chores 78
30 Travel 81
31 Weather 85
32 Weekends 88
33 Describing people 90
34 Money 92
35 Entertainment 94
36 Meeting people 96
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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
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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
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 friendship: a relationship between friends

Our friendship began in 1990.
 best friend: a person's closest or dearest friend
Phuong is my best friend. / My best friend’s name is Phuong.
 close friend: somebody who you can talk about everything with, who makes you feel
comfortable without fear of judgement
I have many close friends.
 old friend: a person who has been one's friend for a long time
I met an old friend in Nha Trang yesterday.
 pen pal: a person that you make friends with by writing letters, often somebody you have never
met
I write to my pen pal every week.
 mate: a friend (informal)
They've been best mates since school.
 childhood friend: a friend that a person had when both of them were children
He’s my childhood friend.
 long-distance friend: a friend that lives far away from you (in a different city/country)
I keep in touch with my long-distance friends through social networks.
 quality: a thing that is part of a person’s character, especially something good
A good friend should have some qualities such as honesty and reliability.
 proverb: a well-known phrase or sentence that gives advice or says something that is generally
true
“Out of sight, out of mind” is a popular proverb.

EXPRESSIONS

 make friend: become friend

It’s easy for me to make friends with others.
 hang out: to spend a lot of time in a place
We hang out almost every weekend.
 a friend in need is a friend indeed: a friend who gives you help when you need it is a true friend
She’s always be there when I need her help. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
 get on well (with someone): to have a good relationship
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I get on well with my neighbors, and we are good friends.

 maintain a friendship: keep a friendship
I always try to maintain our friendship, although I don’t see him frequently.
 keep in touch/ stay in touch: to maintain communications with someone
I still keep in touch with my high school friends.
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Topic 2: Free Time

DISCUSSION

1. When do you have free time?

2. Do you have much free time on weekends?
3. What do you do in your free time? /How do you spend your free time?
4. Do you like watching movies/playing computer games/surfing the internet in your free time?
5. Do you play any sports?
6. Where do you go when you have free time?
7. Who do you spend your free time with?
8. How do women in your family usually spend their free time?
9. How do men in your family usually spend their free time?
10. Do men and women spend their free time differently? How?
11. Do people's leisure time activities change as they get older? How?
12. Do you ever feel that you waste your free time? How?
 What can you do about this?
 Do you find that your works or studies takes up your free time?
13. If you had more free time, what would you do with it?
14. How do young people in this country usually spend their free time?

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:
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go camping visit relatives do some sports

go fishing surf the internet hang out with friends
go for a walk do the gardening watch a football match
go to a concert do daily chores exercise

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

 like + N/V (ing)

I like sports. / I like travelling.
 love + N/V (ing)
I love yoga. / I love doing yoga.
 enjoy + N/V (ing)
Do you enjoy this sport? / Do you enjoy playing this sport?
 be interested in + N/V (ing)
I’m interested in photography. / I’m interested in bodybuilding.
 be keen on + N/V (ing)
I’m keen on yoga. /I’m keen on playing guitar.
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Topic 4: Food & Eating

DISCUSSION

1. Do you like cooking? Why or why not?

2. Can you cook well? / Are you a good cook?
3. At what times do you usually eat your meals? (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner?)
4. Are you a vegetarian?
5. Are there any foods that you wouldn't eat as a child that you eat now?
6. Are you concerned about your daily calorie intake when choosing something to eat?
7. What is your favorite food/drink? Please describe your favorite food/drink.
8. Have you ever skipped breakfast? If so, how often and why?
9. Do you eat fruit every day? What fruit do you eat the most often?
10. Do you like food from other countries? If yes, which do you like the most?
11. Do you often eat out?
 Where do you usually go?
 Who do you usually go with?
 How often do you eat at a fast-food restaurant?
12. Have you ever been on a diet?
13. Is there any food that you really dislike eating?
14. Are you allergic to any kinds of food?
15. Do you like deep fried food?
16. Do you prefer fish or meat?
17. Do you prefer to eat at a restaurant or at home?
18. Do you prefer your own country's food or other kinds of food?
19. Do you read the nutritional information on the foods you buy?
20. Do you think a vegetarian diet is better than a diet that includes meat?
21. Do you think fast food, soda and sweets should be sold in school cafeterias?
22. What special foods do you eat on holidays? (Christmas, New Year's Day, etc.)

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
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My diet often includes meat and vegetables.

 nutritious: very good for you; containing many of the substances which help the body to grow
Avocado is my favourite fruit because it’s nutritious.
 unhealthy: not healthy, harmful to your health; likely to make you ill/sick
Fast-food is unhealthy.
 ingredient: one of the foods that are used together to make a particular dish
Egg is an ingredient to make cakes.
 ready meals: processed food
 a take-away: a cooked meal prepared in a restaurant and eaten at home
 home-cooked food: food cooked at home from individual ingredients
 main meal: the most important meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening
 a slap-up meal: a large meal
 processed food: commercially prepared food bought for convenience
 a quick snack: to eat a small amount of food between meals

EXPRESSIONS

 be on a diet: trying to lose weight by eating less food or specific foods

I can’t eat cakes. I’m on a diet.
 maintain a balanced diet: keep a diet that contains the proper proportions of carbohydrates,
fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water necessary to maintain good health
I try to maintain a balanced diet.
 have an allergy to something: a medical condition that causes you to react badly or feel ill/sick
when you eat or touch a particular substance
I have an allergy to seafood.
 be allergic to something: having an allergy to something
I’m allergic to onion.
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Topic 5: Family
DISCUSSION

1. How big is your family?

 Do you live in a nuclear family or an extended family?
2. How many siblings/cousins do you have?
3. How did you get your name?
4. Do you get along well with your family?
5. Do you often argue with your mother or father? What about?
6. Do you look more like your mother or your father?
7. What are your parents like?
8. What do you and your family like doing together?
9. Do you help your mother at home? What household chores do you do?
10. Should children help with the housework?
11. Do you think your parents/siblings/kids understand you? Why or why not?
12. What was the most important thing your parents taught you?
13. Which do you think is more important: following the dreams your parents want for you or
following your own dreams?
14. Are friends more important than family? What do you think?
15. Are you pressured by your family to act in a certain way?
16. Are your parents strict?
17. Do you like your family? Why or why not?
18. Do you live with any of your grandparents?
19. Do you live with your parents?
20. Do you often visit your grandparents?
21. Do your parents let you stay out late?
22. What time do you have to be home? Do you have a curfew?
23. What's the best thing about your mom?
24. Describe the perfect family.

VOCABULARY
 sibling: a brother or sister
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I have three siblings: two elder brothers and a younger sister.

 cousin: a child of your aunt or uncle
I often talk with my cousins.
 relative: a person who is in the same family as somebody else
My relatives are living in different cities.
 nuclear family: a family consisting of two parents and their children, but not including aunts,
uncles, grandparents, etc.
Not everybody nowadays lives in the traditional nuclear family.
 extended family: a family unit that includes grandparents, aunts, and uncles, etc. in addition to
parents and children
I grew up surrounded by my extended family.
 quarrel: an angry argument or disagreement between people, often about a personal matter
I often had quarrels with my siblings when I was a child.

EXPRESSIONS

 look like someone: to be similar in appearance to someone

The kids look like their father.
 be named after someone: to be given the same name as someone else
I was named after a famous singer.
 take after someone: to be similar to an older member of your family in appearance or character
You take after your mother— you have her nose and eyes.
 get along well with someone: to get a good relationship (= get on well with someone)
I get along well with my cousins.
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Topic 6: Habits

DISCUSSION

1. Tell me about some good habits that you have?

2. What are good study habits?
3. Do you have any bad habits?
4. What are bad eating habits? Do you eat late at night?
5. Do you throw rubbish on the street? Is it a bad habit?
6. Do you bite your nails?
7. Is always coming late a bad habit?
8. Do you smoke at public places?
9. Where do we learn our habits?
10. Is it easy or difficult to get rid of a bad habit? Have you been successful in getting rid of a bad
habit?
11. What unusual habits do you observe in your family members?
12. How can you develop a good habit?
13. Are you extremely lazy?
14. Do you cut people off in the middle of their stories and conversations?
15. Does your mother or father have any bad habits?
16. Do other people's bad habits get on your nerves?
17. What bad habits bother you the most?
18. What good habits do you most admire?
19. What unusual habits do you observe in your family members? Do they bother you?
20. Which good habit do you think would be the most difficult to develop? Why?
21. Which habit is the most important for parents to set as an example of for their children?
22. Are we be born with our bad habits? Or do we acquire them from the environment
surrounding us?

VOCABULARY
 habit: a thing that you do often and almost without thinking, especially something that is hard to
stop doing
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You need to change your eating habits.

 routine: the normal order and way in which you regularly do things
You should make exercise a part of your daily routine.
 unusual: different from what is usual or normal
My brother has an unusual habit of drinking lemonade without sugar.
 some bad habits:
gossiping staying up late eating junk food
drinking smoking coming late

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

 access the internet: to connect to the internet

I can’t access the internet in my office.
 browse the website: to look for or to look at information on a specific website
I browsed the website for information about my idol.
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 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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Topic 8: Animals & Pets

DISCUSSION

1. Do you have a pet?

 How old is it?
 Where did you get it from?
 What does it look like (color, breed, etc.)?
 What do you feed it?
2. If you don't have a pet, why not?
 Would you ever consider getting a pet?
3. What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet?
4. What is your favorite animal?
5. What is the largest animal you have ever seen?
6. Have you ever been to a farm? What animals did you see there?
7. Are you afraid of snakes? Are there any poisonous snakes in your country?
8. Are you frightened of spiders? What do you do if you see one?
9. Have you ever been to a zoo?
10. Can you name some endangered species?
11. Are there laws about hunting in your country?
12. Do you think animals have souls?
13. How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research?
14. Have you ever ridden a horse?
15. Are there birds or squirrels in your neighborhood?
16. Do you think it is okay to eat meat? Do you know any vegetarians?
17. Is there any kind of meat you would not eat?
18. Do you think people should buy and wear fur coats?
19. Have you ever seen a dog that helps people, such as one to assist a blind person or a
policeman?

 If so, what did you notice about the dog?

 How do you think that dog was trained?
20. What can children learn by having a pet?
21. Why do some people not like pets?
22. What can people learn from animals?
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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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I’m frightened of rats.

 A dog is a man’s best friend: A dog is more faithful than most other animals — and more
faithful than many people.
My favourite animal is dogs. A dog is a man’s best friend.
 Don’t keep a dog and bark yourself: Don't pay someone to do a task and then do it yourself.
Your new employee is not doing anything. Don’t keep a dog and bark yourself.
 The early bird catches the worm: The person who takes the earliest opportunity to do
something will gain the advantage over others.
If you see a good job, apply right away. The early bird catches the worm.
 rain cats and dogs: rain very hard
It’s raining cats and dogs outside.
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Topic 9: Health
DISCUSSION

1. Are you healthy?

2. How often do you get sick in one year?
3. Do you take medicine when you are sick?
4. Do think that you need to lose weight?
5. Do you exercise?
 What kind of exercise do you do?
 How often do you exercise?
6. How often do you eat junk food?
 What kinds of junk food do you eat?
7. Have you ever been hospitalized? (Have you ever been in the hospital?)
8. Do you go for regular medical check-ups?
9. How would you feel if you can't get to sleep?
10. How would you recommend treating a cold?
11. What disease frightens you the most? Why?
12. What are some things people can do to keep healthy?
13. What is the health care service like in your country?
14. Are your parents healthy?
15. Do you always eat healthy food?
16. Do you have a lot of stress? How can you reduce stress in your life?
17. Do you normally go one doctor in particular or any available doctor?
18. Do you smoke?
 If so, do you smoke more than two cigarettes a day?
 Do you think smoking is not bad for your health?
19. Do you take vitamins or mineral supplements? Why?
20. Do you think you will live until a ripe old age? Why or why not?

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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Topic 10: Beach

DISCUSSION

1. Can you swim?

 When did you learn to swim?
2. When was the last time you went to the beach? Where did you go?
3. What do people do at the beach?
4. Have you ever played sports on the beach?
 Which sports have you played?
5. Do you like to suntan?
6. Do you think sunblock is important?
7. Have you ever been to a famous beach? Can you tell me about some famous beaches in your
country?
8. Which is your favorite beach? How many times have you been to that beach?
9. Are there life guards at the beaches in your country?
10. How do you keep your personal belongings safe while you are swimming?
11. Is pollution a problem at your local beaches?
12. Is erosion a problem at your local beach?
13. What sort of animals lives at the beach?
14. Have you ever been fishing on the beach?
 What did you catch?
 What did you use as bait?
15. What is the "tide"?
 Why is there a tide?
 What is a "rip tide"?
16. Have you ever been on a sail boat or a row boat?
17. Have you ever used a surf board or body board?
18. Why is beachfront land so expensive?
 Why do so many people want to live there?
 Would you like to live there?
 What are some dangers of living on beachfront property
19. Do you prefer a calm sea or do you prefer big waves?
20. What do you wear to the beach?
 26

21. What do you think of people who swim in the nude?

 Is there a nude beach near where you live?
 What do you think about nude beaches?
 Would you ever want to swim in the nude?
 Have you ever gone to a nude beach?
 What do you think of topless swimming?

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.
 27

EXPRESSIONS

 go for a swim: go swimming

Let’s go for a swim!
 collect seashells
The kids love to collect seashells on the seashore.
 take a dip: to swim
I’ll take a quick dip in the ocean.
 a beachfront hotel: a hotel facing a beach
I always want to stay in a beachfront hotel.
 28

Topic 11: Holidays

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?
 29

 How is the house decorated?

 Are there special songs associated with the holiday?
 Are there parties?
 Do you see your relatives during this holiday?
 Are cards sent or given for this holiday?
 What traditional colors are associated with this holiday?
 Do you do something different during this holiday?

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

 wish somebody a happy new year/holiday

I wish you a happy holiday!
 trim the tree: to decorate a (Christmas) tree with ornaments and lights.
New Year is coming. It’s time to trim the tree.
 the holiday spirit: a positive feeling that people have during the holiday season
My work is too busy. I can’t get into the holiday spirit this year.
 spend the holidays with someone
People like to spend the holidays with people that they love.
 31

Topic 12: Gifts

DISCUSSION

1. What kinds of gifts do you like to give?

2. Have you ever re-gifted something?
3. Do you receive a lot of gifts on your birthday?
4. What was your last gift? Did you like it?
5. What was the best gift you ever received?
6. Is there a special gift you like to get?
7. How do you thank someone who gave you a gift?
8. About how many birthday gifts or cards do you send or give to people each year?
9. What are the times of the year that you give gifts?
10. What kinds of gifts do you like to give others?
11. Who was the last person you gave a gift to?
12. What gift do you recommend someone give in your culture?
 For children?
 For parents?
 For boyfriend? / Girlfriend?
13. When you travel abroad, do people expect you to return with gifts?
14. Is it enough for a husband/boyfriend to give flowers to his wife/girlfriend on her birthday?
15. Is the cost of a gift important to you?
16. Which is a better gift, a well-chosen gift or money?
17. What are some of the things that you do not give as gifts in your country?
18. What do you think of people who give gifts?

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
 32

I received a special gift from my parents on my 18th birthday.

 wrapping paper: coloured paper used for wrapping presents
I chose the nicest wrapping paper for my gifts.
 handmade: made by a person using their hands rather than by machines
I love handmade greeting cards.
 treasure: to have or keep something that you love and that is extremely valuable to you
I always treasure the gifts of my family and friends.
 some gift ideas:
purse/ wallet selfie stick lighter
makeup clothes watch
mobile phone case perfume mug

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.
 33

Topic 13: Music

DISCUSSION
1. Do you love music? What kind of music do you like?
2. Are you a good singer?
3. Can you concentrate on other things when you are listening to music?
4. Can you play a musical instrument?
 If so, what do you play?
 How long have you been playing?
 Are you good at it?
5. Do you enjoy music videos?
6. Do you like singing karaoke? How often do you sing karaoke?
7. Do you listen to music while doing your homework?
8. Do you think your favorite music twenty years from now will be the same as it is today?
9. Do you watch music shows on TV? If so, what do you watch?
10. Have you ever been to a concert?
11. Have you ever taken part in a singing competition?
12. How does music make you feel?
13. How many CD's do you have?
14. How much time do you spend listening to music?
15. Is live music popular in your country?
16. What are some special or traditional musical instruments in your country?
17. What do you think the world would be like without music?
18. What do you think of manufactured bands? Can you name any?
19. What is one of your favorite songs?
 Why do you like it?
 When did you first hear it?
 Who sings it?
20. Which do you prefer, songs in English or songs in your own language?
21. Who is your favorite singer?
22. Does music affect unborn children?
23. Do you think that people from different cultures react to music in different ways?
24. Why do you think music is important and how does it affect different people?
25. Do you think that music can help make world peace? How?
 34

VOCABULARY

 Acoustic: without inbuilt electrical equipment to amplify the sound

I can play acoustic guitar, but I can't play electric guitar.
 Alternative hip hop: any style that isn't mainstream commercial hip hop
Have you heard much alternative hip hop?
 Alternative rock: non-mainstream rock music inspired by punk and post-punk
My sister likes pop music, but I like alternative rock.
 Ambient music: calming, atmospheric background music
Have you heard Brian Eno's ambient music?
 Art music (noun): music written and performed by professional musicians mostly for the
upper classes, like classical Indian music and European opera
Wealthy Chinese lords paid musicians to play relaxing art music, while poor people
played lively folk music for fun.
 Ballad: a slow song usually about love
Janis sings up-tempo rock songs as well as slow ballads.
 (The) blues: African American guitar-based folk music that led to R&B and rock
I'm learning some old blues songs.
 Boy band: a group of three or more boys or young men who sing and dance
My little sister loves that Korean boy band Super Junior.
 Breakdancing: a style of street-dancing in hip hop culture
The breakdancing in this Turf Feinz video is incredible.
 Classical music: European orchestral and keyboard music that's written by composers
Sayoko loves classical music, especially Chopin's piano pieces.
 Contemporary R&B: recent R&B that mixes soul, pop and hip hop sounds
Contemporary R&B is really popular these days.
 Country music: a genre of American music with origins in the rural folk music of Europe
Harry only listens to country music.
 Country pop: a style that mixes pop and country music
Country pop is really popular in America these days.
 Country rock: a style that mixes rock and country music
He doesn't like country pop much, but he loves country rock.
 35

 Dance-pop: up-tempo pop music with a dance rhythm

Her dance-pop singles always become hits.
 Disco (also "discotheque"): a 70s nightclub in which DJs played dance records
The gay discos in New York were fabulous.
 EDM: electronic dance music
That band didn't start out playing EDM, did they?
 Folk music (noun): traditional music from a particular region or country
Did you hear any folk music while you were in Chile?
 Funk: rhythmic groove-based music that developed from soul in the 60s
Bootsy Collins was the best funk bass player ever.
 Hip hop: a musical genre in which artists rap over beats and sampled sounds
I love Kanye West's hip hop albums.
 Jazz: a genre in which artists improvise within a rhythmic and harmonic framework
We've got all John Coltrane's jazz records.
 Pop music: a popular music genre with catchy songs that are easy to remember
I love listening to pop music.
 Rap: a set of lyrics rapped to a hip hop beat
He's never done a rap about getting a job, has he?
 Rock music: rhythmic blues-based music played on guitar, bass, drums, etc
Let's listen to some rock music for a change.

EXPRESSIONS

 concentrate on: to use most of your time and effort to do something

She is really concentrating on the lesson.
 a big fan of: an admirer, someone who really likes something
I’m a big fan of pop music.
 catchy tune: a song with catchy lyrics (catchy: pleasing and easy to remember)
His songs always have catchy tune.
 good taste in music: have a wide-ranging knowledge and can identify the best stuff within each
genre and period
I can say that I have a good taste in music.
 be into something: to be interested in or enthusiastic about something
I am into reading nonfiction these days.
 36

 to take up: become interested or engaged in a pursuit

She took up tennis at the age of 11.
 that sounds great: you can use this phrase to say that the music is good and you are enjoying it
 I like the beat: if a song has great rhythm, a good voice and everything about it is good, then
you can use this phrase
 It has a pleasing melody: if the song has really great music and soft on the ears, very pleasing,
then you can use this phrase
 It makes my ears hurt: when the music is really bad, it hurts your ears and you just can’t listen
to one more sound that is when you can use this phase
 It heals or calms me down: so if you are in bad mood, listening to your favorite music can
always make you feel much better and relaxed
Well, music it heals me, when I’m down and out
 37

Topic 14: Transportation

DISCUSSION
1. Can you ride a motorcycle?
2. Do you have a car?
 If not, does your family have a car?
3. Is parking a problem in your country?
4. Are there speed limits in your country?
 If so, what is the average speed limit?
 Have you ever been stopped for speeding?
 What is the penalty for speeding in your country?
5. Do you have a driver's license? If so, when did you get it?
 At what age does the average person obtain a driver's license?
6. Do you drive a car often?
 Do you always wear a seat belt? Even if you are riding in the rear seat?
7. What are the most annoying bad driving habits of other drivers in your country (/or this
country /or compared to this country)?
8. What kind of things annoy you about other people's driving?
9. What kind of transportation do you use most often?
10. Do you often use public transportation?
11. How do you think countries can reduce congestion on the roads?
12. How important do you think it is to use public transportation?
13. Do you think that governments should encourage public transportation more?
14. Is there any environmentally-friendly transportation in your area?
15. What do you think is the most dangerous form of transportation? Why?
16. What do you think is the safest form of transportation? Why?
17. What's the most readily available form of public transportation where you live?
18. How do you "call" a taxi in your country from the side of the road? (ex. raise your hand in the
air, etc.)
 Is it expensive to take a taxi in your country?
 Is it common to give the cab driver a tip? If so, about how much do you give?
 Does the cab driver open the door for you, or do you open it yourself?
 Is it more appropriate to sit in the front or back of the taxi?
19. Do you think that we ought to be obligated to drive electrical and solar powered vehicles?
20. Is the public transportation in your city efficient?
 38

21. Is public transportation in your city too expensive?

22. If public transportation were free, would you use it more?
23. Do you think that your city government maintains the public transportation well? In other
words, are the buses and trains kept clean?
24. Do you feel safe when you use public transportation?

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.

 congestion: the state of being full or blocked, especially with traffic

There’re a lot of solutions to stop traffic congestion.
 habit: something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way
I’m quite annoyed with many people’s driving habit.

EXPRESSIONS

 to be congested: too blocked or crowded and causing difficulties

The roads were very congested at that time.
 to get around: to travel to a lot of places
Using the bus is the cheapest way to get around.
 to help traffic flow more freely: to help traffic move without anything stopping it
Widening the roads is one way to help traffic flow more freely.
 commute from my home to my workplace: travel from home to workplace
 39

I have to commute from my home to my workplace on a daily basis.

 take the lead: to start winning a race or competition
I think buses will take the lead.
 greenhouse gas emissions: the emission into the earth’s atmosphere of any of various gases,
esp. carbon dioxide, that contribute to the greenhouse effect
Public transport helps reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by vehicles.
 40

Topic 15: Clothes and Fashion

DISCUSSION

1. Do you like shopping for new clothes?

2. About how much money do you spend on clothes a year?
3. Do you think it is important to wear fashionable clothes?
4. Do you think people feel different when they wear different clothes?
5. Do you wear jewelry?
 If so, what kind of jewelry do you wear?
 How often do you wear jewelry?
 What is your most valuable piece of jewelry?
6. What colors do you think look good on you?
7. What's the most expensive piece of clothing you have ever bought?
8. Would you like to be a fashion model?
9. Have you ever made your own clothes?
10. What are some of the strangest fashions you have seen?
11. What do you think of women who wear high-heeled shoes?
 Do you think high heel shoes are bad for a person's health?
12. What fashions that you see today do you think will be out of fashion within two years?
13. What do you think of body piercing?
 Do you have pierced ears?
 Do you know anyone with a pierced nose?
 Would you ever pierce your tongue?
14. What do you think of people who dye their hair?
15. Do you think that the clothes we wear reflect what is inside us?
16. What do you think of people with tattoos?
 Do you have a tattoo?
 Do you know someone with a tattoo?
17. Would you ever wear contacts to change your eye color?
 What is the difference in the people who choose to wear contacts and the people who choose
to were glasses?
18. Is it possible for women to wear too much make-up?
 When is a person wearing to much make-up?
 What do you think of men who wear make-up?
 Is it possible to be beautiful without wearing any make-up, earrings or other accessories?
 41

19. Do fashionable clothes really change the way a person looks?

20. What do you think of men who wear tights?
21. What traditional clothes do people from your country wear?
 When do you wear them?
 Are they comfortable?
22. Do you think dress codes should be adhered to if requested on an invitation?
23. How much do you spend getting ready to go to school? Work? Out with friends? To a party?
24. Do you think there's a difference between" fashion" and "style" ?

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.

 secondhand clothes: clothes that are previously owned or used

I usually buy a lot of secondhand clothes because it helps save money.

EXPRESSIONS

 dress smartly: dress in a fashionable and slightly formal way

He has a date today. That’s why he dresses smartly.
 dress slovenly: dress poorly, dress untidily
I can’t explain why he’s dressing slovenly to meet his girlfriend.
 to dress up: dress in smart or formal clothes
I usually dress up when I meet my boyfriend.
 42

 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.
 43

Topic 16
Schools and classrooms
DISCUSSION

1. What's your favorite subject? Why do you like it?

2. What are the major characteristics you think a teacher should have?
3. Did you go to a public high school or a private one?
 What did you like best about your high school?
 What did you like the least about your school?
4. Did you belong to any clubs in high school?
5. Do you have any unforgettable memories about your time at high school? Tell me about it.
6. Did you have to wear a uniform at school?
 Do you think school uniform is a good idea? Why/Why not?
7. Did your high school have a band?
 If so, did you play in it?
 What instrument would you like to play in a high school band? Why?
8. Do most of your teachers take attendance?
9. Do some of your teachers let class out early?
 What do you think when the teacher lets the class out early?
10. Do you ever skip class?
11. Do you have any evening classes?
12. Do you play on any of the school's sports teams?
13. Do you still keep in touch with your best friend in elementary school?
14. Have you ever failed a class? (Maybe this is not polite to ask.)
15. Have you ever slept in class?
16. Was your high school strict?
17. What were some of the rules you had to follow at your high school?
 Which rules did you think were unfair?
 Did you ever get caught breaking any school rules?
 Were you allowed to smoke on campus?
 Were you allowed to eat food in the classroom?
18. Which subjects are you good at? (What are your strong subjects?)
19. Which subjects are you poor at? (Which subjects are difficult for you?)
20. What did you find the most surprising thing about the school system in the United States?
 44

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

 to fail an exam: to take an exam and not receive a passing grade on it

He’s in a bad mood. He has failed his exam.
 to pass an exam: to take an exam and receive a passing grade on it
She has been smiling all day because she has passed the exam.
 to graduate: successfully completed studies at a school or received a degree from a college or
university
I graduated from university in 2010.
 to take a gap year: to take a year between leaving school and starting university (usually spent
travelling or working)
She decides to take a gap year after being accepted by Harvard.
 45

 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.
 46

Topic 17: Comic books

DISCUSSION
1. Do you like comics?
2. Do you like comics from other countries? What country?
 How are comics different from one country to another?
3. Have you read any comics in English?
4. How have comics changed over time?
5. What can you learn from comics?
6. What is more important to you, the story or the pictures?
7. What is the best comic book you've ever read?
8. Does a person’s favorite super hero tell you anything about their personality? What does your
favorite super hero say about your personality?
9. When you read comics, who is more interesting the hero or the villain?
10. If you could have one superpower what would it be?
11. What are some complaints that some parents have about comic books?
12. Do violent comics make people think more about violence?
13. What type of comic appeals to girls?
 What types appeal to boys?
 What types appeal to adults?
14. Where do you usually read comic books?
15. Who do you think reads comic books?
16. Why do people like to read comics?
17. Why do you think Hollywood makes so many movies from comic books?
18. Are comic books better than (regular) books?
19. At what age is a person too old to read comics?

VOCABULARY

 character: a person in a novel, play, or movie

Batman is my all-time favorite character.
 hero: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble
qualities
Everyone has a hero whom they admire the most.
 47

 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

 change over time: change gradually during a long period

Comics have changed over time.
 learn from comics: gain or acquire knowledge from comics
I have learned a lot of things from comics.
 complain about: express dissatisfaction or annoyance about a state of affairs or an event
My parents complained a lot about me reading comics every day.
 take up: become interested or engaged in a pursuit
She took up tennis at the age of 10.
 draw attention: to attract someone to notice or focus on someone or something
He has done everything just to draw her attention.
 become popular: liked or enjoyed by many people
Comics have become popular since 1999.
 48

Topic 18: Colors

DISCUSSION
1. What's your favorite color?
2. Do you think colors affect your mood?
3. Do you think different cultures have different meanings for colors?
4. Can you think of different idioms or expressions involving color?
5. Do you think animals can see color?
6. What color clothes do you like to wear?
7. What does it means when someone says they are green with envy?
8. What does the black sheep of the family mean?
9. What does "a picture is worth a thousand words mean"?
10. What color of paper you like most if you want to write a letter to your friends or loved ones?
Why?
11. Do you have a color that you hate? Why?
12. How many colors are in the rainbow? What are they?
13. What colors are on your national flag? What do the colors in your home country's flag
represent?
14. Do you know anyone who is color blind?
15. What colors do most color blind people not see?
16. What would you think of life without colors?

VOCABULARY

 mood: a temporary state of mind or feeling

He appeared to be in a very good mood about something.
 idiom: a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of
the individual words
“It’s raining cats and dogs” is an idiom.
 envy: desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone
else)
He envied people who did not have to work on weekends.
 worth: equivalent in value to the sum or item specified
Jewelry worth $450 was taken.
 49

 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

 green with envy: very jealous

I am green with envy over Julio's new wardrobe.
 black sheep: the odd or bad member of the group
My oldest brother was the black sheep in our family. He dropped out of school at
fifteen.
 black and blue: bruised and beaten
We found the poor guy black and blue near the train tracks.
 black and white: straight forward, very clear
The rules we gave the kids were black and white. No answering the phone or the door.
 born with a silver spoon in one's mouth: born into a rich family
Keiko hasn't worked a day in her life. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
 catch red handed: catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal
The kids were caught red handed stealing chocolate bars.
 (have a) green thumb: be skillful in the garden
You can tell by her flower garden that Sheila has a green thumb.
 have the blues: be sad or depressed
I always have the blues during the winter time.
 in the red: in debt
When we were in the red we almost had to sell the house.
 50

Topic 19: Facebook

DISCUSSION

1. Do you have a Facebook account?

2. How long have you been using Facebook?
3. How many friends do you have on Facebook?
4. What do you do on Facebook?
5. Have you ever dated someone that you only know on Facebook?
6. What do you like most about Facebook? What do you hate most?
7. How often do you check your Facebook account?
8. Do you think you are addicted to Facebook?
9. Have you ever blocked your Facebook account? Why?
10. Have you ever experienced any troubles because of Facebook?
11. Do you know your boyfriend Facebook account’s password?
12. Do you think it’s necessary for lovers to know each other’s Facebook account’s password?
13. Are you well known on Facebook?
14. Do you chat on Facebook?
15. Do you accept any friend request?
16. Do you have any private album that none of your friends can see?
17. How do you protect your album privacy on Facebook?
18. What are some privacy concerns when using Facebook?

VOCABULARY

 Comments are responses to status updates, pictures, and so on.

 Your cover photo is an image on the top of your timeline that is intended to be expressive of
who you are.
 A friend is someone you’re connected to on Facebook.
 A follower is someone who follows another person. The follower can see everything a user
posts.
 A message is a private communication sent between you and one or more friends.
 You tag people in a photo when you want to include them in a post or a status update.
 51

 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
 52

The anti-smoking campaign had had/made quite an impact on young people.

 be neglected: not receiving enough care or attention
The cats were neglected and starving.
 become prevalent: become very common
These diseases are more prevalent among young children.
 to be receptive to: to be willing to listen to and accept new ideas and suggestions
The government is not receptive to the idea of a Freedom of Information Act.
 to draw attention: to cause the focus of attention to be directed to someone or something
He has tried everything just to draw attention.
 sleep deprivation: the situation or condition of suffering from a lack of sleep
The biggest challenge she faced as a new mother was something most parents can relate
to—sleep deprivation.
 to result in: to cause a particular situation to happen
The fire resulted in damage to their property.
 53

Topic 20: Healthy Lifestyle

DISCUSSION
1. Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle
 Is it possible to have a healthy life style in modern world?
 Why do many people try to have a healthy life style?
 What is the main purpose of it?
2. Do you try to eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner at a certain time every day?
3. Do you agree with the saying: "Eat your breakfast, share your lunch with a friend and give your
dinner to your enemy"? Why do people say so?
4. Is obesity a great problem in where you live?
5. What is your attitude to smoking?
6. Do you try to go to bed and get up at certain hours every day?
7. Have you ever tried to go on a diet? What kind of diet was it? Did it work?
 What is healthy food?
 Do you pay much attention to what you eat?
 Do you think it is more important for you to eat healthy or tasty food?
8. Do you have a snack every time you are hungry or do you wait for the lunch or dinner?
 What is better for health?
9. Is physical activity (jogging, going to a gym, swimming pool) an important part of a healthy life
style?
10. What is your attitude to smoking?
 What is the influence of smoking on health?
 What about passive smoking?
 Is it hard to give up smoking?
 Do you know someone who gave up smoking?
 What is the best way to give up smoking?
11. What is a healthy dose of alcohol?
 How mush beer, wine or vodka you can drink daily without any damage to your health?
 What is the damage of alcohol abuse to health?
12. How many hours of sleep do you need daily?
 If you don't sleep enough, how do you feel and look?
 Do you try to go to bed and get up at certain hours every day?
 What is good about it?
13. Do you often find yourself under stress?
14. How do you usually cope with stress?
 54

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

 healthy: in good health

I think I have a healthy lifestyle.
 lifestyle: the way in which a person or group lives
People should be aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
 tasty: having a pleasant, distinct flavor
I love to eat tasty food.
 enemy: a person who hates or opposes another person
Let’s treat your dinner as your enemy!
 obesity: the condition of being grossly fat or overweight
Obesity rate is becoming alarming in our country.
 attitude: a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is
reflected in a person's behavior
I want to know your attitude about her story.
 sedentary: tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive
Youngsters nowadays are inclined to have sedentary lifestyle.
 nutritious: nourishing; efficient as food
I only eat nutritious food.
 unhealthy: harmful to health
Junk food is very unhealthy.
 daily routine: a regular way of doing things in a particular order
Can I know more about your daily routine?
 junk food: food that has low nutritional value, typically produced in the form of packaged
snacks needing little or no preparation
Children always love to eat junk food that is absolutely not good to their health.
 55

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.
 56

Topic 21: Home

DISCUSSION
1. Is your home clean? Are you a very organized person?
2. Do you have a lot of decorations in your home or is it bare?
3. Are you happy with the size of your home?
4. What is your favorite appliance, electronic device, or piece of furniture in your home?
5. Do you agree with the saying “Wherever I lay my head is home.”?
6. How is your home different from your childhood home?
7. What would your ideal house or apartment look like?
8. Would you rather live in a house or an apartment?
9. Do you agree that ‘home is where the heart is’?
10. What are the differences between a house and a home?
11. Can you describe each room of your house?
 What is your favorite room in your house? Why?
12. Do you like the place where you are living? Why or why not?
 How long have you lived where you are living now?
 Is your home in a convenient location?
13. If you could change anything about your present home, what would it be?
14. Where would your dream home be?
15. Who are your neighbors?
 Do you get along well with your neighbors?
 How well do you know them?
 What have you done with your neighbors?
16. Who lives with you?
17. What makes 'a house' into 'a home'?
18. Do you like to keep pets in your home?
19. Are there any parks near your home?
20. How can houses be made more environmentally friendly?
21. Is it better to rent or buy? Give reasons for your answer.
22. Make a list of the 10 most important things you would look for when choosing a house to live
in.
23. Some people say houses are too much like boxes or cages. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
 57

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

 organized: able to plan things carefully and keep things neat

I need someone who is well-organized.
 decoration: the process or art of decorating or adorning something
We need to finish the decoration before our guests come.
 appliance: a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task, typically a
domestic one
My most favorite appliance in my house is the washing machine since it helps me save a
lot of time.
 furniture: large movable equipment, such as tables and chairs, used to make a house, office, or
other space suitable for living or working
There’s not so much furniture in my house.
 household chores: tasks such as cleaning , washing , and ironing that have to be done regularly
at home
I hate doing household chores.

 afford: to be able to financially support/have enough money to pay for something

My parents couldn’t afford a car at that time.
 family reunion: a usually large gathering for family members
I always look forward to my family reunion.
 cozy: giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation
I feel cozy and warm whenever I’m home.
 independent: not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence
I am independent since I went to university.
 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.
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EXPRESSIONS

 to make a living: to earn enough to support one’s self

If I can move out and start making a living on my own, I would try my best to have an
independent place
 chill out: relax
I chill out by reading, drawing and dancing all by myself.
 to do Sth all by one’s self : to do Sth alone
I have done everything all by myself.
 to share ups and downs: together being through good and bad times
It’s like a friend who is always there to share ups and downs with me.
 to be away: to or at a distance from a particular place, person, or thing
I would always miss my house, my room whenever I’m away.
 to go a day without Sth/doing Sth: to feel not necessary to do Sth on a day
We always try to keep the family dinner as something we cannot go a day without.
 all over again: used for saying that you do the whole of something again starting from the
beginning, or that the whole of a long process happens again
Cleaning and arranging everything all over again would be like torture to me.
 59

Topic 22: Jobs and occupations

DISCUSSION

1. What is your job?

 Do you like it? Why or why not?
 Can you talk about what a typical day at your current job is like?
 What are your main responsibilities?
 How many people does your firm employ at present?
 Can you have some time off whenever you want?
 How did you get it?
 Did you have to go to university to get it?
 Is it a popular job?
 Is it a job mainly for men, or for women?
 Did you need any special training to get your job?
 Is it an indoor, or outdoor job?
 Which do you think most people prefer, indoor or outdoor jobs?
 Does your job pay a good salary?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of your job?
 Is your job competitive?
 How is your relationship with your co-workers?
 Why do you find your job interesting?
2. What are normal working hours for most office jobs in your country?
3. Do you think it is more important to make a lot of money or to enjoy your job?
4. Do you think women and men should be paid the same for the same job?
5. Have you ever been promoted? How?
6. What kind of jobs gets very high salaries in your country?
7. How do you feel about your future prospects in the company?
8. At what age do people usually begin to work in your country?
9. At what age do people usually retire in your country?
10. Do women usually work after they get married in your country?
11. Do you ever work overtime?
 If so, do you get paid more for overtime work?
12. Do you have a part-time job?
 If so, what do you do?
13. Do you have to attend a lot of meetings for your job?
14. Do you have to do a lot of paperwork?
 60

15. Do you know someone who has worked as an undertaker?

 What is the job of an undertaker?
 Can women do this job or is it better for a man to be an undertaker?
16. Do you like your boss? Why or why not?
17. Do you think it's acceptable for women to be in the military? Why/why not?
18. Do you think women are good bosses?
19. Have you ever worked on a farm?
 Did you like it?
 Would you like to go back on this farm job?
 If not , why?
20. How have working conditions changed in recent years?
 Do you think that working conditions have improved?
 If so, in what ways?
21. If you could own your own business, what would it be?
22. Is it common for men and women to have the same jobs in your country?
23. What is the difference between work and a job?

VOCABULARY

 occupation: a job or profession

His prime occupation was as editor.
 prospect: the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
There was no prospect of reconciliation.
 responsibility: the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over
someone
Women bear children and take responsibility for child care.
 employ: give work to (someone) and pay them for it
The firm employs 150 people.
 a dead-end job: a job with no promotional opportunities
I’m stuck behind a desk doing something boring in a dead-end job.
 a good team player: a usually large gathering for family members
Everybody loves working with me since I’m a good team player.
 a heavy workload: to have a lot of work to do
Being an employee at the moment is very stressful since people have very heavy
workloads.
 61

 holiday entitlement: the number of days holiday allowed

I’m quite satisfied with my company’s holiday entitlement.
 full-time: the number of hours that people usually work in a complete week
There are many full-time jobs nowadays.
 working conditions: the hours, salary and other entitlements that comes with the job
I have no complaints about my company’s working conditions.

EXPRESSIONS

 to be called for an interview: to be invited to attend an interview

You’d probably need a degree to have any chance of being called for an interview.
 to be your own boss: to have your own business
It would be fantastic if I would be my own boss.
 to do a job-share: to share the weekly hours of work with another person
I do a job-share with a friend in a boutique and I enjoy it.
 one of the perks of the job: an extra benefit you get from a job
One of the perks of the job is I get a discount on the clothes.
 to be stuck behind a desk: to be unhappy in an office job
I’m feeling stuck behind the desk. I wanna quit my job.
 to be/get stuck in a rut: to be in a boring job that is hard to leave
I can’t imagine it being the kind of job where you get stuck in a rut.
 to be well paid: to earn a good salary
My job is not well-paid but money isn’t everything.
 62

Topic 23: Shopping

DISCUSSION

1. How much do you usually spend for shopping each day?

2. Are you good at saving money?
3. What makes you enjoy shopping?
4. Do you bargain when shopping?
5. Do you know anyone who is addicted to shopping? Are you addicted to shopping?
6. Have you ever bought any counterfeit products like fake designer bags, clothing, or jewelry?
7. What products do you prefer to shop online for?
8. What products do you prefer to shop in stores for?
9. What makes a pleasant shopping experience?
10. Do you think that men and women have different feelings about shopping?
11. Have you ever bought something and then never really used it? What was it and why didn't you
use it?
12. If you are buying an expensive item, do you compare prices at several shops and the internet?
13. Are you a price conscious shopper?
14. What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
 How much did it cost?
15. What is your opinion of discount stores?
16. What was the last thing you bought for someone else?
17. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
 Where did you buy it?
 Why did you buy it?
18. Where do you usually buy food?
19. Where is your favorite shopping area?
20. Which do you prefer, large stores or small stores?
21. Who do you often go shopping with?
22. Explain these proverbs: What do they mean? Say them in other English words.
 The best things in life are free.
 Time is money.
 Save your pennies for a rainy day.
 Money talks.
 63

 You can't take it with you when you go.

 Money doesn't grow on trees
23. When you buy something, what things are most important to you?
 Price?
 Quality?
 Fashion trends?
 Status?
 Image?

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
 64

She kept telling us they were value for money.

 to be on a tight budget: to have a limited amount of money to spend
I’m on a tight budget so I have to be careful with money.
 to try something on: to see if an item of clothing fits or is suitable
If I’m looking for clothes for example I like to take my time to try something on and to
ask for help if I need it.
 to shop around: to try different shops to find the best deal
I like shopping around before I decide to buy anything.
 a pay in cash: to pay for something using coins or paper money
The shop doesn’t accept any kind of card so I have to pay in cash.
 to pay the full price: to pay the full amount for something
I’m not good at bargaining so I always have to pay the full price.
 to give someone the hard sell: to put pressure on someone to buy something
When I first came there, two shop assistants followed me to every corner of the shop to
try to give me the hard sell.
 to get into debt: to owe money
People are more likely to get into debt because they are addicted to shopping.
 65

Topic 24: Names

DISCUSSION

1. What's your name?

2. Does your name have a meaning?
If so, what does it mean?
3. How did your parents choose your name?
4. Are you happy with your name?
If not, why not?
5. Do you think names shape our personality? To what degree?
6. In your culture, when you introduce yourself, does the last name come first or the first name?
7. Do women change their name after marriage in your country or keep their maiden name?
8. Do you have a nickname?
 If so, what is it?
 How did you get it?
 Do you like it?
9. Do people in your country predict the future according to names?
10. Are you named after anyone in your family?
11. Do you ever feel pressure to live up to your name?
12. Do you wish your name was less common, or more unusual?
13. What are some of the most common names for boys and girls in your country?
14. Do you believe some names or words have magical qualities?
15. Do you remember any kids whose names other kids in school made fun of? Why? What were
their names?
16. Are you named after ancestors that are already dead?
17. Are you named after a famous person?

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
 66

 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

 by the name of : named

The teacher that I enjoyed the most in high school was a man by the name of Don
Feinstein.
 by name: using the person's name
I only know her by name. I have no idea what she looks like.
 in name only: not in reality
Mr. Smith is the boss of the Smith Company in name only. Mrs. Smith handles all the
business affairs.
 to name somebody after: to give someone (usually a baby) the name of another person
We named our baby after my aunt.
 to take somebody's name in vain: to say someone's name when they are not there, usually
when you are criticizing them
Did I hear someone taking my name in vain?
 67

Topic 25: Planning a party

DISCUSSION
1. Do you like going to parties?
2. Do you enjoy hosting parties at your house?
3. What kind of decisions do you need to make when you plan a party?
4. What are the characteristics of a good host?
5. What time do you like for parties to start or to end?
6. Who will you invite?
7. Will you send out invitations?
8. What kind of people go to parties? Obligatory guests? Guests of honor?
9. Where would you like to have the party?
10. What are some parties that you are expected to bring gifts?
11. What do you need to think about if you are having a BBQ party outside?
12. What are some ways of describing guests at a party?

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.
 68

 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.
 69

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.
 70

 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…
 71

2. Ordering your meal

Could I see the menu, please?
Could I see the wine list, please?
Do you have any specials?
What’s the soup of the day?
What do you recommend?
What’s this dish?

3. Making changes to the order

Excuse me!
Could we have…?
Another bottle of wine
Some more bread.
Could you make this soup 1 by 2?
Please see to it that the food is spicy/nonspicy.

4. Problems with the food

This isn’t what I ordered.
This food’s cold.
This is too salty.
This doesn’t taste right.
We’ve been waiting a long time.
Is our meal on its way?
Will our food be long?
5. Asking for the check
The bill, please.
Could we have the bill, please?
Can I pay by card?
Do you take credit cards?
Is service charge included?
 72

Topic 27: Sports

DISCUSSION
1. Do you play any sports?
2. What are some of the benefits of sports?
How are sports beneficial to you?
3. Do you think playing sports helps people work better as a team at work?
4. Have you ever been to watch a professional sporting event?
5. Were you on any sports teams in high school?
6. What do you think is the most popular sport in the world?
7. What do you think of pro wrestling? Thai kick boxing? Japanese sumo?
8. What do you think the top five most watched sports are in the world?
9. What is the most dangerous sport?
10. What is the most expensive sport?
11. What is the most popular sport in your country?
12. What is your favorite team sport?
13. Which sport would you not let your child play? Why?
14. Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why?
15. How do you feel about extreme sports?
Would you like to try any of these?
16. Does it bother you that people gamble on sporting events?
17. Do you think professional athletes earn too much money? Why or why not? Which sport's
athletes do you think earn the most money?
18. Are people in your country crazy about sports?
19. Sometimes sports teams ask the city to help them build a new stadium. Do you think the city
should give money for this? Why or why not?
20. When the city helps build a new sports stadium, who benefits the most - the team, the city, the
nearby businesses, or the sports fans?

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
 73

 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.
 74

 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.
 75

 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.
 76

Topic 28: Telephones

DISCUSSION
1. Do you have a cellular/mobile phone?
2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of cell phones?
3. What cellphone brand do you use? How did you decide to use this brand?
4. Who pays for your cell phone?
5. Have you ever had a problem with your phone bill? What did you do?
6. What kind of features does your cell phone have?
7. How many phone calls do you usually receive and make in one day?
8. How many text messages do you send in a day?
9. What kind of cell phone plan do you have with your carrier?
10. Have you ever dialed the wrong number? What happened?
11. Why have you decided not to have a cell phone?
12. Is it in bad taste to leave your cell phone on when you are at a restaurant?
13. Could you live without your mobile phone?
14. What age do you think children should be allowed to have a mobile phone?
15. Do you know how to use all the functions on your phone?
16. Is it illegal to speak on your cell phone while you are driving in your country?
17. Has your cell phone ever broken down?
18. Are you aware of the current health risks associated with mobile phones?
19. Do you feel that these risks would stop you from using your mobile phone?
20. Mobile phones can be seen as fashion statement, can this put pressure on you to renew your
phone to the newest model?

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
 77

 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.
 78

Topic 29: Chores

DISCUSSION
1. Can you name some chores that need to be done every day?
2. What chores are you responsible for?
3. How does your family decide who does various chores around the house?
4. Which chores do you like/not like to do?
5. How do you decide on your children's chores?
6. What thing do you hate doing when you get home?
7. Do you like to clean up your room?
8. Do you wash the dishes in your house?
9. Do you wash clothes for your family?
10. Do you do the ironing?
11. Can you think of some dangerous chores that you can't do?
12. If you could buy only one of the two things, would you choose a dishwasher or a washing
machine? Why?
13. How long do you think you could live without a maid or someone to help you in the house?
14. Do you like to go to the supermarket?
15. Have you ever had an empty fridge for a long time only because you were too lazy to go
grocery shopping?
16. What kind of products does your family buy on the Internet?
17. Do your parents or grandparents help with chores?

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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My dog loves lying on the rug in front of the fire.

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 laundry room

 to sort colors and whites
 to put clothes in the washing machine
 to put clothes in the dryer
 to fold clothes
 to put away clothes

In the garden
 to water plants
 to rake leaves
 to mow the lawn
 to pain the fence
Other chores
 to iron
 80

 to take out the dustbin

 to clean the windows
 to do the shopping
 to feed the dog
 to walk the dog
 to cook the dinner
 to set the table
 to grocery shop
 81

Topic 30: Travel

DISCUSSION
1. Why do you travel?
2. What are some benefits of travel?
3. Have you ever been abroad? Where have you been?
4. What are some things that you always take with you on a trip?
5. Do you travel with a lot of baggage or do you like to travel light?
6. Who makes the decisions when your family decides to go on holiday?
7. Are you planning on going anywhere for your next vacation?
 If so, where?
 Who with?
 How long will you stay?
8. Do you prefer a budget or first class hotel? Why?
9. Which is better, package tour or a tour you organize and book yourself?
10. Do you prefer active or relaxing holidays? Why?
11. When you were a child did your family take a vacation every year?
12. Do you prefer summer vacations or winter vacations?
13. Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group? Why?
14. Do you prefer traveling by car, train, bus, plane or ship?
15. Have you ever been in a difficult situation while traveling?
16. Have you ever gotten lost while traveling? If so, tell about it.
17. Have you ever hitchhiked? If so, how many times?
18. Would you rather visit another country or travel within your own country?
19. Do you think the type of vacation one takes reflects one's social status?
20. What is the best kind of holiday for different ages of people? Children? Teenagers? Adults?
Elderly people?

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.
 82

 all-inclusive: Including everyone or everything. In holiday terms, this would refer to

a hotel deal where the price usually includes accommodation, meals and drinks (any extra
activities or facilities would be charged separately).
I've never thought that hotels with all-inclusive service are so comfortable!
 travel agency: a company or shop that makes travel arrangements for people
I've bought tickets for my trip through a travel agency.
 last minute deals: these are promotions that are advertised at the latest possible time for those
who are more spontaneous
I have just successfully booked the last minute hotel deal for my tomorrow trip.
 promotion: publicizing a product to increase sales or public awareness
There was a promotion in the supermarket and they were giving away free glasses of
wine.
 package deal: an offer or agreement involving a number of related items or the acceptance of
one being dependent on acceptance of another
We have a special promotion on at the moment, if you book a package deal to Spain,
you get free transfer to and from your hotel to the airport, plus one free meal each day.
 half-board: if you request ‘half-board’ at a hotel, breakfast and dinner would be included in the
hotel price (as part of the package)
 full-board: if you request ‘full-board’ at a hotel, that would include all three meals (breakfast,
lunch and dinner) in the price of your accommodation
Would you like full-board or half-board?
 self-catering: if you stay in self-catering accommodation, you would be in a place where you are
provided with the facilities to prepare and cook your own meals
 backpacking: to travel or hike carrying one’s belongings in a backpack
I’ve never done a backpacking trip.
 budget holiday: planning a trip using a minimal amount of money
If you're looking for budget family holiday ideas, here are 10 cheap, child-friendly
destinations that will make for a fantastic family trip.
 travel documents: all the necessary documents you would need to take with you on a holiday
i.e. passport or ID card, driving license, flight/bus/ train tickets, visa confirmation etc.
Remember to keep all your travel documents safe throughout the whole trip.
 two-way, return ticket (UK), round trip (US): a ticket that allows someone to travel to a place
and back again
 83

 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 _____.

Arriving at Your Destination

 Do you have a map?
 Where is the currency exchange?
 Where is the bus stop?
 Where can I find a taxi?
 I would like to go to _____.
 Do you know where this hotel is?
 84

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.
 85

Topic 31: Weather

DISCUSSION
1. What is the weather like in your country?
2. Are there any special traditions associated with different seasons in your country?
3. Which do you like better hot weather or cold weather?
4. What's the average temperature in your country in the summer time?
 How about in winter?
5. What month gets the most rain in your country?
6. Do you have tornadoes/typhoons/frost/frozen rain/hail/snow in your country?
7. Does your country have many disasters which are caused by weather?
8. In your opinion, which season is the most beautiful?
9. Where do you get your weather information?
 How do you depend on the weather reports on TV?
10. Do you think that in recent years we are losing our four distinct seasons? Why do you think it
is?
11. What kind of climate do you prefer when choosing a place to go on vacation?
12. What is the best season to get married?
13. Do you think weather affects the way people feel?
14. How does weather affect your attitude?
15. How does weather affect your lifestyle?
16. What is the relationship between weather and natural disasters?
17. Why is it important to know future weather conditions in advanced?
18. How can extreme weather conditions affect the economy and social life in countries?

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.
 86

 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

 raining cats and dogs: raining heavily

They cancelled the football game because it was raining cats and dogs.
 boiling hot: common expression for describing a very hot day
It was boiling hot, so we all jumped into the lake.
 below freezing: temperature less than 0 degrees Celsius
It's supposed to go below freezing before the weekend.
 freezing cold: common expression used to describe a very cold day
It was a freezing cold day for the Santa Claus parade.
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Topic 32: Weekends

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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Topic 33: Describing People

DISCUSSION
1. What kind of person are you? How would you describe yourself?
2. How do you think your best friend would describe you? What about your boss?
3. What are the most important character traits for a person to have? Why?
4. Describe a person you admire. What things do you admire about him/her?
5. Describe a person that you can’t stand. What are her/his worst straits?
6. What’s your zodiac sign? What are people with your sign like? Do you fit that description?
7. Do you know what these phrases referring to people mean?
 To be a pain the neck (ass)
 To be down-to-Earth
 To be worth one’ salt
 To be a (wo)man of many hats
 To have one’s head on straight
8. How important is a first impression? Are first impressions lasting?
9. Have you ever misjudged a person based on their appearance? Tell about it.
10. What do different physical traits tell about a person? Do you think a person’s hairstyle, eye
color, or foot size can be an indicator of what kind of person she/he is?

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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Topic 34: Money

DISCUSSION
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “money”?
2. How important is money to you?
3. How often do you think about money?
4. What would life be like without money?
5. What does the expression “money doesn’t grow on trees” mean? What would life be like if it
did?
6. What does the expression 'time is money' mean?
7. Do you think that money can buy love?
8. We are often told that "you can't buy happiness". If you were richer, do you think you would be
happier? Why/why not?
9. Can you think of any examples of people who are rich and miserable?
10. Can you think of any examples of people that are poor and happy?
11. Which do you think are generally happier - rich people or poor people?
12. Do you think money can have a negative effect on people? In what way?
13. Are you good at saving money?
14. How would the world be different if all the money in the world was shared out equally among
all people?
15. What’s the best way of making a lot of money?
16. Have you ever raised money for charity?

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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Topic 35: Entertainment

DISCUSSION

1. What do you do for fun?

2. How often do you go to parties?
3. What is one of your favorite TV shows?
 Why do you like it?
 When is it on?
 Do your parents like it, too?
4. Do you enjoy live performances?
5. Who is the most popular entertainer in your country?
6. Do you often go to the cinema? Who do you go with?
7. What are some of the good movies you have seen?
8. What kind of things do you like to read?
9. How often do you visit museums? When was the last time?
10. Do you often go drinking? Who do you go with?
11. Do you spend a lot of money on entertainment?
12. What are some of the most popular amusement parks in your country?
13. What are some forms of gambling people do in your country?
 Why do some people gamble?

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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Topic 36: Meeting people

DISCUSSION
1. Do you enjoy meeting new people?
2. What are some different ways of making introductions?
3. How do you introduce two people to each other?
4. What are some good things to ask someone you just met?
5. What are some things you shouldn't ask people you just met?
6. Is it OK to touch another person when you first meet them in your culture?
7. Do you usually shake hands with when you meet a new person?
8. Are you nervous when you are introduced to someone new?
9. Where are some good places to meet people?
10. What kind of people do you like to meet?
11. Who was the last new person you met and where did you meet them?
12. How important are first impressions to you?
13. Do people in your culture use a lot of body language when they communicate, or do they keep
their bodies relatively still?
14. Do you feel comfortable with people here?
 With people from other cultures?
15. What makes you remember a new person that you have just met? Do you remember them for
long?

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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We give handshakes before the meeting.

 polite: having or showing good manners and respect for the feelings of others
Please be polite to our guests.
 impolite: not polite
Some people think it is impolite to ask someone's age the first time you see them.
 sociable: enjoying spending time with other people
I’m a sociable person.
 body language: the process of communicating what you are feeling or thinking by the way you
place and move your body rather than by words
I had to use body language with him, because I don’t speak Chinese.
 gesture: a movement that you make with your hands, your head or your face to show a
particular meaning
They communicated entirely by gesture.
 still (adj): not moving; calm and quiet
The boy couldn’t stay still for more than 5 minutes.
 blind date: a meeting between two people who have not met each other before. The meeting is
sometimes organized by their friends because they want them to develop a romantic
relationship.
I’ve tried going on a blind date, and it was good.

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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Topic 37: Accidents at home

DISCUSSION

1. Have you ever got an accident at home? Was is serious?

 What was the cause of the accident?
2. What is the most dangerous thing in your home?
3. What is the most dangerous thing in your home for a child?
4. What dangers can be found in the kitchen that can cause accidents?
5. What dangers can be found in bathrooms that can cause accidents?
6. Where are these items found in a house, why could they be dangerous, to whom could they be
dangerous?
 hot pan/pot  medicines  staircase
 knife  gasoline  bathtub
 window  pool  electronic equipment
 iron  balcony

7. How do you call an ambulance in your country?

8. What do you need to do if...
 you cut your finger preparing food?
 the bathroom floor is slippery?
 a pan on the stove is on fire?
 a neighbor's dog is growling at you?
 your child falls off a chair and is bleeding?
9. Do you have a first aid kit in your house?
10. Where at home would you put your first aid kit?
 What would you have in it?
11. How can your home be made less dangerous?

VOCABULARY

 accident: an unpleasant event, that happens unexpectedly and causes injury or damage
The accident happened at 3 p.m.
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 clumsy: moving or doing things in a very awkward way

I cut myself while preparing dinner. I was so clumsy.
 slip: to slide a short distance by accident so that you fall or nearly fall
As I ran up the stairs, my foot slipped and I fell.
 slippery: difficult to hold or to stand or move on, because it is smooth, wet or polished
Be careful! The floor is wet and slippery.
 bleed: to lose blood, especially from a wound or an injury
My finger's bleeding.
 explode: to burst or make something burst loudly and violently, causing damage
The firework exploded in his hand.
 ambulance: a vehicle with special equipment, used for taking sick or injured people to a
hospital
There were a serious accident at our house last week, and we had to call an ambulance.
 first aid kit: a set of materials and tools used for giving emergency treatment to a sick or injured
person
Every household should have a first aid kit.
 bandage: a strip of cloth used for tying around a part of the body that has been hurt in order to
protect or support it
I put a bandage on her arm.

EXPRESSIONS

 fall off: drop to the ground

He fell off his bike and broke his leg.
 perform CPR: do the process of breathing air into the mouth of an unconscious person and
pressing on their chest to keep them alive by sending air around their body
I’ve learnt how to perform CPR.
 avoid contact with eyes
This chemical is hazardous; you must avoid contact with eyes and skin.
 keep (something) out of reach of children
You should keep the medicines out of reach of young children; they may swallow them.
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Topic 38: Behavior

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

 behave: to do things in a particular way

He behaved like a true gentleman.
 behavior: the way that somebody behaves, especially towards other people
His behaviour towards her was becoming more and more aggressive.
 well-behaved: behaving in a way that other people think is polite or correct
He’s a well-behaved child.
 badly-behaved: behaving in a way that violates standards of proper or appropriate behaviour.
His parents should pay more attention to their son; he’s a badly-behaved child.
 tolerate: to allow somebody to do something that you do not agree with or like
This sort of behavior will not be tolerated.
 swearing: rude or offensive language, bad words
I was shocked at the swearing.
 mood: the way you are feeling at a particular time
When I’m not in a good mood, I’m not so thoughtful.
 punish: to make somebody suffer because they have broken the law or done something wrong
My parents used to punish me by not letting me watch TV.
 discipline: the practice of training people to obey rules and orders and punishing them if they
do not; the controlled behaviour or situation that results from this training
She keeps good discipline in class.
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 crime: activities that involve breaking the law

Without control, bad behavior lead to crime when the kid grows up.
 some good and bad behavior:
stubborn: determined to do what he or she argumentative: often arguing with people
wants and refuses to do anything else bossy: always telling people what to do
caring: having desire to help people inconsiderate: not caring about others or their
considerate: thinking of others feelings
thoughtful: thinking things over rude: treating people badly; breaking social
aggressive: verbally or physically threatening rules

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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Topic 39: Advice

DISCUSSION

1. Are you good at giving advice? Why/Why not?

2. Do your friends often seek advice from you?
3. Who do you come to when you need advice?
4. I have a headache. What should I do?
5. I have a red nose. What should I do?
6. I want to quit smoking. What should I do?
7. I hate working. What should I do?
8. I am always late. What should I do?
9. I gained a lot of weight in last few years. I want to lose at least 10kg. What should I do?
10. I found a wallet which had 2,000 dollars in it. How should I spend it?
11. I want to get rich quickly. What should I do?
12. I have just lost my job. I haven't told my husband/wife yet. How should I tell him/her?
13. My girlfriend/boyfriend left me. I feel depressed. What should I do?
14. My husband doesn't help me with house chores. What should I do?
15. My son doesn't want to go to school. He says that his teacher and all other students hate him.
What should I do?
16. I want to protect the environment but I don't know how. What should I do?

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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Topic 40: Advertising

DISCUSSION

1. What are the different forms of advertising?

2. What is the most popular way of advertising?
3. What is the most advertised product in your country?
4. Do you find advertising persuasive? (Do you buy products because of advertising?)
5. What kinds of advertisements attract your attention?
6. Do favorite celebrities make you want to buy a product?
7. What is the funniest advertisement you have seen? Describe it.
8. What is the most shocking advertisement you have seen?
9. Do people use coupons where you live?
10. Do you think there are too many ads in television? Why/why not?
11. When you watch TV, how much attention do you pay to the advertisements?
12. Do you think that commercials on TV are annoying because they interrupt programs?
13. How easy do you think it is to influence children with advertising?
14. Why is it necessary to advertise?
15. Does advertising always tell the truth?
16. What makes an ad memorable?
17. Should alcohol or tobacco companies be allowed to advertise? Why or why not?
18. What do you think of celebrity endorsements?
19. Should there be advertisement-free zones?
20. What is the best way to advertise to children? Adults? Seniors?
21. Do you think advertising is too expensive?
22. Do you think that the Internet and cable/satellite TV have become more important than
national TV for advertising products?
23. What do you think is the best way of discovering the tastes and interests of teenage consumers?
24. How easy do you think it is to influence children with advertising?
25. Do you think the government has the right to ban advertising for junk food and soda during
children's TV programs. What do you think about this? Why do you think they made this
decision?
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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

 run an ad: to place or put an advertisement in a publication

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We’re running an ad on the local newspaper.

 word-of-mouth: to pass on information from one person to another; a form of advertising
where a satisfied customer tells friends about a particular product
A good marketing tool is word of mouth.
 plug a product: promote a product
Beer companies always plug their products during sports events.
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Topic 41: Childhood

DISCUSSION

1. Did you have a happy childhood?

2. What did you like to do when you were a child?
3. What did you look like?
4. Where were you born?
5. How old were you when you learned to ride a bicycle?
 Did you have your own bicycle?
 Do you remember who taught you to ride a bicycle?
 Did you have a bad bicycle accident?
6. What was your favorite game?
 Who did you play it with?
 Who gave it to you?
 When did you like to play it?
7. Do you remember anything about your personality when a child?
8. Were you good at making friends?
 How did you make friends?
 Did you have a lot of friends?
 What did you enjoy doing with your friends?
9. What were some embarrassing situations when you were a child?
10. Were you a good student?
11. Did you enjoy going to school?
 Did you get good grades?
 Did you enjoy doing your homework?
 What did you like about school?
 What didn't you like about school?
12. Who was your best friend?
 How did you meet this friend?
 What did you do together?
 Do you still do things with this childhood friend?
 What other things can you tell us about your best friend?
13. Were your parents super protective?
14. At what age could you go places by yourself?
15. Did your parents always tell you what to do?
16. Did you play outside?
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 What did you like to play?

 How long did you play outside a day?
 Could you play outside all year long?
 Did you play on the streets?
 Was it dangerous to play in the streets?
 What kind of things did you do in the streets?
 Did you ever have an accident while playing in the streets? What happened?
17. What kind of food did you like when you were a child?
 Did you used to eat anything or were you a picky eater?
 What foods did you like eating?
 What foods didn't you like to eat?
18. What was your favorite toy when you were a child?
 Who gave you this toy?
 Did it have a name?
 Do you still have it?
19. What was your worst punishment as a child?
20. Who took care of you when you were little? A parent? A grandparent? A nanny? A daycare
center?
21. How are you similar to your parents? How are you different?
22. Do you think children today eat too much fast food and don't play enough sports?

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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Topic 42: Spending

DISCUSSION

1. Do you spend a lot on shopping?

2. Do you compare prices at different stores when you shop?
3. Do you often bargain?
4. Does it take you much time to decide to buy something or not?
5. What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
6. Do you have a credit card? Do you prefer paying by credit card or in cash?
7. What do you spend most of your money on?
8. Have you ever bought something and then never used it?
9. How do you control your monthly spending?
10. Are you good at saving money?
11. Are you saving money to buy something?
12. What do you think this proverb means?
 Save your pennies for a rainy day.
13. Should parents give a credit card to teenagers?

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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I’m a thrifty shopper.

 budget: a plan for spending and saving money
I set a monthly budget so that I can control my spending.
 deposit: to put money in a bank
I deposit a part of my income in my bank account.
 withdraw: to take money out of a bank account
I withdrew all my money to pay for the new car.

EXPRESSIONS

 a saving account: a bank account that earns interest

You should deposit your money in your saving account and earn some extra money.
 pay in cash
I’d like to pay in cash.
 pay by credit card
It’s convenient to pay by credit card.
 a big spender: someone who likes to spend large amounts of money
He’s a big spender.
 a cheapskate / a tightwad: someone who does not like spending money and can be unpleasant
about it
My dad's such a cheapskate that he cuts his hair himself.
 a spendthrift: someone who spends a lot of money in a way that wastes it
She’s a spendthrift. She spends all her monthly salary in just 3 days.
 Money burns a hole in one’s pocket: money that someone has just acquired and is eager to
spend
As soon as she gets paid she goes shopping; money burns a hole in her pocket.
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Topic 43: Fame

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.

 celebrity: a famous person

Celebrities often stay in this resort.
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 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

1. Who do you think is the most beautiful person in your country?

2. Who was the most beautiful person in history?
3. Who is the most attractive in your family?
4. Does beauty affect one's success in life?
5. Is it better to be physically attractive or intelligent?
6. Is it better to be physically attractive or wealthy?
7. Is beauty related to power?
8. Can you think of anyone who is in a position of power that is not physically attractive?
9. Do people spend too much time and money on beauty?
10. How much time should be spent on making yourself look better each day?
11. Do you think people should have cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks?
 If so what is the minimum age when someone should have plastic surgery?
 How popular is plastic surgery in your country?
 What is the most popular feature for cosmetic alteration?
12. Do you think self-esteem affects beauty?
 Do you think beauty affects self-esteem?
13. How important is beauty in your daily life?
14. Have you ever noticed anyone ever feeling pressured to be more beautiful?
15. What do you think of the proverb, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder?"
16. Do you have any proverbs or idioms from your country that relate to beauty?
17. What do you think "beauty is skin deep" means?
18. What are some beauty tips that you could share?
19. What personality trait is the most important for inner beauty?
20. How do you define beauty, using your own words?
21. Would you ever date someone who was not conventionally attractive?
22. What makes one person more attractive than another?
23. Do you think people from different countries than you see attractive the same way?
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24. Are beauty pageants good or bad?

 Should children be entered into beauty pageants?
25. Do you think one gender or group worries more about beauty than another?
26. What are some of the drawbacks of being beautiful?

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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Topic 45: Makeup

DISCUSSION

1. Do you often wear makeup?

2. What are some brands of makeup that you use?
3. How old were you when you first started to wear makeup?
4. How long does it take you to apply your makeup?
5. Where do you usually buy your makeup?
6. Have you ever bought makeup online?
7. What is the most expensive makeup item that you have ever bought?
8. What cosmetics items would you not be able to live without?
9. What are some ways that you use to prevent wrinkles?
10. What is your opinion of men wearing makeup?
11. Do you get your nails "done" (get a manicure or pedicure)?
12. Do you prefer a more natural look or do you like women who wear heavy makeup?
13. Do you ever go out in public without any make up on?
14. Can you explain your techniques for applying your make up?

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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I often use concealer to hide the spots on my face.

 face powder: powder that you put on your face to make it look less shiny
The face powder helps my skin look brighter and less oily.
 blush/ blusher: a coloured cream or powder that some people put on their cheeks to give them
more colour
My friend gave me this new blush for my birthday, although I don’t usually use this
kind of makeup.
 eye shadow: a type of coloured makeup that is put on the skin above the
eyes (= the eyelids) to make them look more attractive
She picked a pinkish colored eye shadow, and a light orange blush.
 eyeliner: a type of makeup, usually black, that is put around the edge of the eyes to make them
more noticeable and attractive
Without eyeliner, her eyes look much smaller.
 false eyelashes: man-made eyelashes worn by women to thicken the their eyelashes
In Vietnam, most brides wear false eyelashes on their wedding day.
 eyelash curler: a device operated by hand for curling eyelashes (for cosmetic purposes)
I don’t use eyelash curlers.
 lipstick: a substance made into a small stick, used for colouring the lips
She can’t go out without using lipsticks.
 perfume: a liquid, often made from flowers, that you put on your skin to make yourself smell
nice
I have a collection of perfumes at home.
 nail polish: clear or coloured liquid that you paint on your nails to make them look attractive
She wore red nail polish.

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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 apply makeup/cosmetics : to put on makeup

I apply cosmetics once a day only, before going to work.
 heavy makeup: much makeup
I don’t like wearing too heavy makeup.
 nature beauty/natural look: The beauty that you are born with. You receive it from both of
your parents. Makeup, plastic surgery, etc. are the things that enhance this beauty, but it is not a
part of it.
Women should be confident with their natural beauty.
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Topic 46: Cars and driving

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

 own: have (something) as one's own; possess

His father owns a restaurant.
 repair: fix or mend (a thing suffering from damage or a fault)
Faulty electrical appliances should be repaired by an electrician.
 maintain: cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue
There is a need to maintain close links between industry and schools.
 global warming: a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere
generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide,
chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants
Everyone on earth should be worried about global warming.
 manufacture: the making of articles on a large scale using machinery
Car manufactures never cares about global warming.
 advantage: a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position
Companies with a computerized database are at an advantage.
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 disadvantage: an unfavorable circumstance or condition that reduces the chances of success or

effectiveness
A major disadvantage is the limited nature of the data.
 luxury: the state of great comfort and extravagant living
He lived a life of luxury.
 engine: a machine with moving parts that converts power into motion
There must be something wrong with the engine.

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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Topic 47: Art

DISCUSSION
1. Do you consider yourself a good artist?
2. Do you enjoy your art class at school?
3. Do you like to visit art museums?
4. Do you enjoy taking photographs?
5. Do you like wood carving?
6. Do you think it is proper to call nude paintings art?
7. Do you think music and dancing are forms of art?
8. Why do artist like to draw women's figures?
9. Do you find Picasso's work astonishing or weird?
10. Are movies a form of art?
11. Have you ever participated in any art competitions?
12. What would life be like without art?
13. If you could buy a great work of art, what would it be? (style, title, artist's name...)
14. Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive?
15. Do you think that art is important to society? Why?
16. What do you think about modern art paintings?
17. Is graffiti art? Why or why not?
18. What country do you think is the most creative?
19. In your opinion, is design an important part of culture?
20. Is design a great importance in your daily life?

VOCABULARY

 artist: a person who produces paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby

Being an artist is not an easy job.
 consider: regard (someone or something) as having a specified quality
I consider myself as a very responsible person.
 competition: an event or contest in which people compete
I have never taken part in any competition.
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 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

 to be good at something: can do something very well

She’s quite good at drawing.
 to be fascinated by: find something very interesting and attractive
I am fascinated by his talent.
 prefer doing something: like/love doing something better than another
I prefer going to the museum every weekend.
 make sense: be intelligible, justifiable, or practicable
What you have said doesn’t make sense!
 to have a passion for (v) to be enthusiastic about something
I have a lifelong passion for art since I was a child.
 think outside the box (idiom) think creatively
Learning arts, especially at a young age, can help stimulate children’s cognitive
development and encourage them to think outside the box.
 to be harmonized (n) to be well combined
I think what’s so interesting about painting is that you have no idea how harmonized
colors can become until you actually try.
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Topic 48: Technology

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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 Do you think technological advances are always good?

 Or can they sometimes be bad and harmful?
 How have technological advances affected communication/ how we receive news/ the
medical field/ education?
20. Do you think couples should be allowed to choose the sex or other characteristics of their baby
like eye color? Why or why not?

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

 to access websites/email: to locate

My mom doesn’t know how to access websites.
 to boot up: to start a computer
This computer can’t boot up.
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 to bookmark a webpage: to mark a webpage for future reference

I always bookmark a webpage that I find interesting.
 to go online: to start using the Internet
Wait a second! I’m going to go online now.
 to upgrade: to obtain a more powerful or feature-rich computer or piece of software
I decided to upgrade my computer.
 send an attachment: send an email with an accompanying file
I will send you an attachment. Please check your mailbox in 5 minutes.
 to crash: to suddenly stop working
My computer has suddenly crashed! I don’t know what happened!
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Topic 49: Nature

DISCUSSION
1. Do you love nature? How?
2. What have you done to protect nature?
3. What should government do to raise public awareness of nature?
4. Do you think people should recycle newspapers? Why or why not?
5. Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature?
6. How has the world changed since you were a child?
7. What can you do to make this world a better place?
8. Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the government?
Explain.
9. What is the most important issue facing the environment today?
10. What is the main problem with renewable energy sources?
11. Do think global warming is real?
12. Does your local government make it easy or hard for citizens to recycle?

VOCABULARY

 recycle: convert (waste) into reusable material

Car hulks were recycled into new steel.
 pollution: the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has
harmful or poisonous effects
Our city’s pollution level is really alarming.
 air quality: the cleanliness of the air we breathe
A lot of heavy industry in some areas results in poor air quality.
 climate change: the change in worldwide weather patterns
Everybody can now feel the threat of climate change.
 endangered species: categories of animals or plants that are in danger of becoming extinct
Government should show more effort protecting endangered species.
 energy conservation: the careful management of energy resources to ensure they last as long as
possible
My parents are really into energy conservation and they want to make sure we are too.
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 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

 raise awareness of: increase knowledge or perception of a situation or fact

We need to raise public awareness of the issue.
 to become extinct: to no longer exist
Lots of animals could actually become extinct in different African countries.
 to be under threat: to be in danger of becoming extinct
A large number of animals are being under threat.
 to die out: see ‘to become extinct’
We can put pressure on those in power to do something to stop creatures like these
dying out.
 to get back to nature: to live a life that is closer to nature
I’m tired of living in the city and I wanna get back to nature as soon as I can.
 impact on: the effect on
My parents have always tried to make us aware of our impact on the environment.
 loss of habitat: the decline in areas of land where animals and plants would normally exist
A large number of animals are becoming extinct due to a loss of habitat.
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Topic 50: Fears

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

 phobia: a strong unreasonable fear of something

He had a phobia about being under water.
 horror movie: a movie in which very frightening or unnatural things happen
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I never dare to watch horror movies alone.

 frightening: making someone afraid or anxious; terrifying
I have a frightening experience about going home alone at midnight.
 hypnosis: a mental state like sleep, in which a person's thoughts can be easily influenced by
someone else
Under deep hypnosis she remembered the traumatic events of that night.
 insect: a small arthropod animal that has six legs and generally one or two pairs of wings
He’s very scared of insects. He never comes near them.
 nightmare: a frightening or unpleasant dream
I had nightmares after watching the horror movie.
 insomnia: habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep
I've tried every wild remedy for insomnia, including cinnamon baths and standing on
my head.
 haunt: to cause repeated suffering or anxiety
That horror movie is still haunting me.

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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Topic 51: Education

DISCUSSION

1. Did you enjoy going to elementary school?

2. Does your country have middle schools?
3. Did you go to a good high school?
 Describe the students who attended your high school.
 Did they have a good influence on you?
 Did they make your childhood and teenage years harder or easier?
4. Did you go to college or university?
 What’s your major?
 Where did you go?
 How many years did you go?
 Did you work while you went there?
5. Do you know anyone who attended a private school? Do private schools offer higher quality
education or are they just prestigious?
6. Does your country provide a good public school system?
7. Do many people in your country study abroad?
8. Do you think it is easier to learn as a child or as an adult?
9. Do you think your country should spend more money on schools?
10. Are college graduates smarter than people who did not go to college?
11. What realistic changes would you make to your country's attitude toward education?
12. What are the skills that separate good students from bad students?
13. Were good grades important to you?
14. Did teachers grade students fairly? Did you ever feel like you should have gotten a better grade
then you did in a class?
15. Are college tuitions reasonable in your country? Is it easy to get scholarships or government
grants?
16. Do you think teachers are paid enough? Do you think teachers are well educated?
17. Does education guarantee a good job?
18. Do parents home-school their children in your country?
 What do you think of home schooling?
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 Do you know anyone who was home schooled?

 Do you wish you had been home schooled?
19. Do children have a right to an education? Should education be free?
20. Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?
 What are some ways a person can continue to learn?
21. Why do students cheat during tests and exams? How do they cheat?
 What is your attitude towards cheating?
 How should parents react?
 How should teachers react?
22. Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?
23. Which is more important, the essential skills in life you've learned to develop on your own or
the artificial structure in college about the "real" life?
24. What kind of world do you think this would be if people never went to school?

VOCABULARY

 Bachelor’s degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years

I am doing a Bachelor’s Degree and it’s such a bit of a challenge.
 boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
A lot of students in USA go to boarding school in the summer.
 distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
I’m thinking of doing a Master’s Degree through distance learning as I have a full-time
job now.
 a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her academic
degree
I had my graduation ceremony last year in the local cathedral.
 tuition fee: the money paid for a course of study
Her parents couldn’t afford her tuition fee at that time.
 an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a
time as possible
I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school.
 higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school
or secondary school
I really enjoyed higher education learning about a subject I loved.
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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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Topic 52: Future

DISCUSSION
1. What does the future hold?
2. Are you afraid of future? Why?
3. After your children grow up what will you do?
4. How will the development of robots that think change your future?
5. Do you think we create a new problem with each invention? Think of examples.
6. Is there anything that does not yet exist that you would like to see invented? What is it?
7. How can we preserve the future for the next generation?
8. How will computers change in the future?
9. How will cellphones change in the future?
10. How will transportation develop in future times?
11. What kind of developments might happen in health care in the future?
12. Could there be another world war in the future? How can we prevent a world war from
happening?
13. Can fortune-tellers predict the future?
14. Do you think life will be more difficult or easier for our grandchildren? In what ways?
15. How do you think your country will change in the future?
16. Do you believe faster-than-light travel is possible?
17. Would you like to live in cyberspace? What could you do there? How would it differ from life
in reality?
18. Do you think the Earth will become overpopulated? Will there be any forests left?
19. What will education be like in the future?
20. What are the positive and negative effects of technology in the future?

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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 broaden: to become wider, or to cause something to become wider

I’m trying to broaden my knowledge about health.
 uncertain: not able to be relied on; not known or definite
All I can see now is an uncertain future.

 unpredictable: not able to be predicted

I’m not sure if we can go. The weather is unpredictable.
 retirement: the action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work
I think I will enjoy my retirement at the age of 60.
 achieve: successfully bring about or reach (a desired objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or
courage
I have achieved a lot of success over the past few years.

EXPRESSIONS

 depend on: to rely on; place trust

Our trip depends on the weather condition.
 start business
At the age of 25, I will start my own business.
 get away from it all: go somewhere to escape from your usual daily routine
I think he needs to get away from it all for a while.
 go off the beaten track: go to a place where few people go, far from any main roads and towns
I’m not really in to the tourist traps; I often go off the beaten track to discover new
lands.
 proper plan
I have already drawn a proper plan for my future.
 take some steps forwards
I have already taken some steps towards achieving my future plan.
 fulfill dream: to make your dream come true
I can’t believe I have fulfilled my dream but I did.
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Topic 53: Gestures

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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 offensive: causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry

The allegations made are deeply offensive to us.
 annoying: causing irritation or annoyance
Please stop talking! It’s annoying!
 circumstance: a fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action
We wanted to get married but circumstances didn't permit.

EXPRESSIONS

 bowing the head: to bend the head forward

He bowed his head to show respect.
 cross the arms: a classic gesture of defensiveness
He suddenly crossed his arms when I said I was going to date his sister.
 non-verbal communication: communication without words
It’s important to understand non-verbal communication when you travel abroad.
 get (or have) one's (own) way: get or do what one wants in spite of opposition
Impatient people always get their way.
 take advantage of: to use someone's weakness to improve your situation
Some people take advantage of her niceness because they know she will never blame
them.
 stand up for someone/something: to defend or support a particular idea or a person who is
being criticized or attacked
We should all stand up for our rights.
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Topic 54: Have you ever…?

DISCUSSION
1. Have you ever been a guest at a surprise party?
2. Have you ever been in a fist fight?
3. Have you ever called your boyfriend or girlfriend by the wrong name?
4. Have you ever changed your appearance a lot in a short time? (For example, hair style, hair
color or weight)
5. Have you ever cheated on an exam?
6. Have you ever cried in public and embarrassed yourself?
7. Have you ever dated someone from another race, culture or religion?
8. Have you ever done something silly that you wish you had not done?
9. Have you ever eaten something that you thought you wouldn't like, but found out that you
actually liked it?
10. Have you ever gone to greet a friend or family member then noticed it was someone else?
11. Have you ever thought of something funny and started laughing out loud in the presence of
others?
12. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?

VOCABULARY

 fist fight: a fight with bare fists

I’ve never been in a fist fight before.
 cheat: act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game or
examination
She always cheats at cards.
 embarrass: cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed
She wouldn't embarrass either of them by making a scene.
 notice: become aware of
He noticed the youths behaving suspiciously.
 apologize: express regret for something that one has done wrong
I must apologize for disturbing you like this.
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 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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Topic 55: Machines

DISCUSSION

1. What do you think was the most important invention in history?

2. Do you think you can live without machine? Why?
3. What is the most important machine in your life?
4. Which machines do you think make our lives easier?
5. Which machines do you think make our lives more complicated?
6. Which are the most useless machines, the machines we could live without?
7. If you could invent any machine, what type of machine would you invent? How big would it
be? Would it be for everyone or only the very rich?
8. Which machines do you think had one purpose when they were invented, but now have many
or different ones?
9. What machines do you use every day in your life?
10. What things can you do faster without using a machine?
11. Which machines do you use on a daily basis?

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

 be of two minds about something: unable to make a decision

I was of two minds about whether to invite him to the wedding.
 to take care of: keep (someone or something) safe and provided for
She can’t take care of herself.
 to focus on: to give a lot of attention to one particular person, subject, or thing
He really focused on what I was saying.
 come to my mind: (of a thought or idea) occur to someone
It suddenly came to my mind when she said the word.
 make life simpler/more difficult/easier
Machines do make our lives simpler and easier.
 to be able to do something: possible for someone to do something
I truly believe that she’s quite able to make it come true.
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Topic 56: Skin care

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

 fair complexion: beautiful skin

I’m so jealous of you fair complexion.
 appearance: the way that someone or something looks
When I choose a boyfriend, I don’t really care much about his appearance.
 wrinkles: a small line in the skin caused by old age
All women are afraid of their wrinkles.
 sensitive: quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences
Please be careful! My skin is very sensitive.
 sunscreen: a cream or lotion rubbed onto the skin to protect it from the sun
I can’t go out without wearing sunscreen.
 acne: a skin disease common in young people, in which small, red spots appear on the face and
neck
Acne is the curse of adolescence.
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 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

 protect from sun, wind and sea

She always wears sunscreen when going out to protect her from sun, wind and sea.
 to have the perfect look
She always spends 1 hour in the evening on skin care to have the perfect look.
 leave you feeling fresh: make you feel confident and comfortable
A fair complexion will leave you feeling fresh.
 be suitable for your skin
This skin care product is very suitable for your sensitive skin.
 from head to toe: all over one's body
I was shaking from head to toe.
 leave skin feeling soft and smooth
A powerful moisturiser leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.
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Topic 57: Memory

DISCUSSION

1. What do you think of when you hear the word "memory"?

2. Do you have a good memory or a bad memory?
3. Do you have good memory for names/faces/numbers?
4. Do you train your memory?
5. Have you ever forgotten something important, like your keys or your phone?
Can you tell us what you did?
6. Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there?
7. Have you ever forgotten an important date, like a birthday or an anniversary?
Can you tell us what happened?
8. As people grow older, sometimes the distant past is easier to remember than the near past.
Why do you think this is? Have you ever seen examples of this?
9. “Memories make the man.” What do you think this means? Can you give some examples?
10. Many people find that a certain sound or smell brings back a childhood memory very strongly
(such as the smell of a food that your mother often cooked when you were young). Why do
you think this is? What has this effect on you? Give examples.
11. Many people find that visiting certain place brings back a childhood memory very strongly
(such as the scene of an old family holiday). Why do you think this is? Where has this effect on
you? Give examples.
12. If you could edit your memories, which ones would you erase and why?

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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That was a haunting melody.

 immortal: very well known, and therefore likely to be remembered for a long time
In the immortal words of Samuel Goldwyn, "Include me out."
 memorable: worth remembering or easy to remember, because of being special in some way
I haven't seen them since that memorable evening when the boat capsized.
 wistful: used when you are thinking about something that made you happy in the past
I thought about those days in Spain and grew wistful.

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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 cast: all the actors and actresses in a movie or TV show

It had a good cast, but the story wasn't very interesting.
 character: one of the people in a story
Harry likes movies with lots of interesting and unusual characters.
 cinema: a place where movies are shown on a big screen
Let's meet in front of the cinema just before the movie starts.
 comedy: a film with lots of funny scenes
Let's see a comedy and have a good laugh.
 director: the person in charge of making a movie
The director gets really angry when actors forget their lines.
 documentary: a film that's about real people, events or issues
How can you eat junk food after seeing that documentary Super Size Me?
 drama: a movie about realistic characters in dramatic situations
Maria loves legal dramas with lots of courtroom scenes.
 entertainment: enjoyment from movies, concerts, TV shows, etc.
Airlines offer plenty of entertainment on their flights these days.
 family movie: a movie that both children and adults can enjoy
Which entertainment company made the family movies Cinderella and 101
Dalmatians?
 film: another word for "movie" (also "motion picture")
This year's Academy Award for Best Picture was awarded to a British film.
 genre: a kind or style of music, movie, TV show, painting, etc.
For film class we had to compare movies from two different genres, such as comedy
and horror.
 horror movie: a movie that frightens and shocks people
If you love horror movies, you've got to see Fright Night.
 movie star: a very popular movie actor or actress
Movie stars earn millions of dollars every time they play a role.
 plot: the series of events that form the main story
It was a good film, but the plot was difficult to follow at times.
 scene: a small part of a film
The opening scene showed a young man leaving prison and walking to a bus stop.
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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 …
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Topic 59: News

DISCUSSION

1. Why do we read newspapers?

2. What is the role of newspapers in society?
3. What is your favorite section of the newspaper?
4. Which is more popular in your country, the traditional mass media such as newspapers, TV,
radio, or the modern mass media such as the Internet?
5. What would the world be like without news?
6. Do you think the news tells us just information without giving its opinion?
7. Do you think the news influences people too much?
8. Do you think the news is shocking now?
9. How has it changed over the years?
10. Do you think people need to know all of the news?
11. What do you think is the most important thing the news should report?
12. Where do you get most of your news?
13. Do you like to keep up with current events? Why?
14. Do you trust the information you get from the news?
15. Which is more reliable as a source of information, newspaper, TV, radio or the Internet?
Why?
16. How did people get their news twenty years ago? Have there been a lot of changes in the way
you get news in Vietnam? Are these changes for better or worse?
17. What are the reading habits of the Vietnamese peoples?
18. What are the criteria for a good newspaper or magazine?
19. Should there be more restrictions on media or more freedom?
20. Do you think the Internet will replace newspaper in the future?

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.
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 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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Topic 60: Dreams and Nightmares

DISCUSSION
1. Do you usually remember your dreams? Why or why not? Describe some of them.
2. Do you dream about things which happened during the day?
3. What was your nicest dream that you can remember?
4. How do you interpret a dream? Do you use your intuition/imagination to understand it?
5. Does having a dream affect the way you feel when you wake up?
6. Can you control your dreams?
7. Have you ever had recurring dreams?
8. Do you generally have pleasant dreams or nightmares?
9. What's the worst nightmare you've ever had?
10. What is "prophecy"?
11. Have you ever had or heard of a dream that foretold the future?
12. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln supposedly foresaw his own assassination in a dream?
What do you think about it?
13. Have you ever dreamed about dead people? Is it a good signal? Why/Why not?
14. Have you ever dreamt about dead friends or relatives? How was it? How did you feel?
15. Are dream messages sent from our unconscious, predictions of the future, or the brain's way of
cleaning out information?
16. Some people say that dreaming about losing money means that you will receive it. Have you
ever heard this? What other sayings about dreams do you know?
17. Do you usually dream in black and white or in color?
18. What language do you dream in? Have you ever dreamt in a language that you don't speak?
19. Have you ever woken up from a dream "in a cold sweat"?
20. Has anyone told you if you have walked or talked in your sleep?
21. What is a daydream? What is the difference between our daydreams and our dreams at night?
22. Do you agree with the idea that "Life is like a dream"?

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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Topic 61: Photography

DISCUSSION
1. Why do people take photos?
2. Do you like to take pictures?
3. What kind of photos do you enjoy looking at?
4. What type of pictures do you keep in your family's photo albums?
5. What kind of camera do you have?
6. Should pictures be posted on the internet without permission?
7. Have you ever wished you had not been in a particular picture?
8. When can taking pictures be an invasion of your privacy?
9. What do you do if your friend sends the guy you like bad pictures of you without her asking
permission first?
10. Do you always bring a camera wherever you go for vacation?
11. Are you a camera-shy?
12. What places have you taken for a picture?
13. Do you have lots of pictures at your home? Do you keep them as memories?
14. Are you photogenic? Or only attractive in person?
15. Do you have pictures of other people that you keep?

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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I'm not very photogenic.

 photoshoot: an occasion when someone takes a series of photographs or makes a film
The athletes took part in a photoshoot on the glacier at Tignes, modeling skiwear.

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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Topic 62: Stress

DISCUSSION

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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 Can you think of some examples?

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

1. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?

2. Do you like reading ghost stories?
3. Do you believe that dead people come back to life as ghosts?
4. Do you know anyone who has said that they have seen a ghost?
5. If one of your friends told you they had seen a ghost, would you believe him/her? Why/Why
not?
6. What is the scariest ghost story you know?
7. Is there an area where you live (park, house, etc.) that is known to be haunted?
If so, what is the story or legend that makes people believe this area is haunted? Have you ever
visited this place?
8. Were you ever touched or physically harmed by a ghost or "spirit"? If so, how?
9. Can you recall any strange or unexplained events in your life?
10. Do you believe your ancestors are watching you?
11. What do you think about the images movies give us about aliens?
12. Would you spend the night in a place where people say that there are ghosts?
13. What reasons might ghosts haunt?
14. Do you think that there is truth behind superstitions?
15. What are some superstitions in your country?
16. What are some things that are considered unlucky?
17. What are some things that are considered lucky?
18. What numbers are considered to be lucky and unlucky in your country?
19. Why do some people need fortunetellers?
20. How do people predict the future in your country?
21. Do you think that some people can predict the future?
22. Do you believe in horoscopes?
 Do you read your horoscope?
 If so, do you believe the predictions contained within your horoscope?

VOCABULARY
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 spirit: a dead person who comes back into the world

A year after he left, his spirit is still present.
 devil: an evil spirit
He was dangerous when the devil was in him.
 genie: an imaginary spirit with magic powers in ancient Middle Eastern stories
It was true that a person chosen to receive the help of a genie got three wishes.
 ghost: the spirit of a dead person that someone sees or hears
I didn't have to believe in ghosts, because there was no proof that they existed.
 guardian angel: a helpful spirit who some people believe has the job of looking after a
particular person
She looked like an angel, a guardian angel sitting on this bench with me in the rain.
 haunt: if a place is haunted by the spirit of a dead person, some people believe that it appears
there
Someone shouted that a teenage ghost haunted the place.
 haunted: lived in or visited by the spirit of a dead person
A reputedly haunted room is in the castle.
 shade: the spirit of someone who has died
The ghost is the shade of Lucy Walters, first mistress of Charles II.

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.

Topic 64: Time

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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)

 6:25 - It's six twenty-five

 8:05 - It's eight O-five (the O is said like the letter O)

2) Say the minutes first and then the hour. (Minutes + PAST / TO + Hour)
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For minutes 1-30 we use PAST after the minutes.

For minutes 31-59 we use TO after the minutes.
 2:35 - It's twenty-five to three
 11:20 - It's twenty past eleven
 4:18 - It's eighteen past four
 8:51 - It's nine to nine
When it is 15 minutes past the hour we normally say: (a) quarter past
 7:15 - It's (a) quarter past seven
When it is 15 minutes before the hour we normally say: a quarter to
 12:45 - It's (a) quarter to one
When it is 30 minutes past the hour we normally say: half past
 3:30 - It's half past three (but we can also say three-thirty)
3) O'clock

We use o'clock when there are NO minutes.

 10:00 - It's ten o'clock
Sometimes it is written as 9 o'clock (the number + o'clock)

4)12:00

For 12:00 there are four expressions in English.

 twelve o'clock
 midday = noon
 midnight

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...?

 What time does the flight to New York leave?

 When does the bus arrive from London?
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 When does the concert begin?

Giving the Time

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 don't normally use the 24-hour clock in English.

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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Topic 65: Wishes

DISCUSSION
1. What are three wishes you have for your life?
2. How have your wishes changed since you were young?
3. Have you ever had a wish come true?
4. If you have a wish but your family doesn't agree with you, what should you do?
5. Do you have any strange wishes?
6. Why are wishes very important to people?
7. Do you really want all your wishes to come true?
8. What would be one thing you would wish for your spouse?
9. What wishes do you have for your country?
 For your family members?
 For your classmates?
 For your roommates?
10. What in your life would you not change?
11. What are you thankful for?
12. Who are you thankful for?

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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 I hope this cake turns out OK.

 I hope we can still be friends.

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.

 I wish I had had more money.

 I wish I had worked harder. (= I didn’t work harder, but now I regret it.)
 I wish I had had more time on my business trip last week.
 I wish I hadn’t trusted him.
 I wish I had listened to his advice.
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Topic 66: Cooking

DISCUSSION

1. Do you like cooking? Why or why not?

2. How often do you cook?
3. Do you think that it’s important to know how to cook well?
4. What dish or food are you best at cooking?
5. Do you think you can cook better than your mother?
6. Who is a better cook, your mother or your grandmother?
7. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?
8. Are cooking shows popular in your country? Do you watch any cooking shows?
9. What is the hardest thing to cook?
10. What are some of the advantages of cooking your meals at home? How about the
disadvantages?
11. Is it important for husbands to know how to cook?
12. Does your father cook?
13. Who is the best cook you know?
14. Would you like to be a chef? Why?
15. If you had your own personal chef, what meal would you ask for most?
16. How hard is it to become a chef? What do you have to do to become a chef?

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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 beat: to mix quickly and continually, commonly used with eggs

 break: to separate into smaller parts by force
 carve: to cut meat into slices
 combine: to put two or more things together
 grease: to coat with oil or butter
Heat
 dry heat: cooking methods use hot air, the heat from a pan or grill, or hot fat to cook food
 bake: to cook food surrounded by hot air, usually in an oven
 roast: to cook meat, poultry or vegetables surrounded by hot air; usually in the oven; food is
not covered
 broil: to cook with the heat source above the food
 sauté: to cook food quickly in a small amount of fat
 barbecue/grill: similar to roasting, but done over a charcoal or hardwood fire
 deep-fry: to cook food by submerging it in hot oil
 fry: to cook by putting the food into extremely hot oil
 melt: to make something become liquid through heating
Moist heat
 moist heat: cooking methods use water or liquids such as broth to cook foods
 poach: to cook delicate foods in liquid that is hot but not boiling
 simmer: to cook food in a hot liquid that is bubbling but not boiling
 boil: to cook food in a rapid boil
 steaming: to cook food in steam created by boiling liquid in a covered pot; food does not
touch the liquid

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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 cut back: to eat/drink less of a particular thing or food group

Sue is lactose intolerant and had to cut back on dairy.
 cut out: to form or shape by cutting
After preparing the dough I cut out the cookies using cutter of different shapes.
 cut up: to cut into pieces
Joan cut up the pie into equal pieces.
 eat out: to eat outside your home, especially in a restaurant
John and Kate eat out at least once a week and every time they choose a different
restaurant.
 eat up: to eat all the food that you have been given, to eat until everything is finished
Matt, eat up. I don’t want you to leave out broccoli again, it’s good for you.
 warm up: to heat food that has already been cooked in order to eat it
My husband has to work late this week and I warm up food for him when he gets back
home.
 whip up: to prepare a meal very quickly
I had surprise visitors yesterday; thankfully I managed to whip up a light meal.
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Topic 67: Neighborhood

DISCUSSION
1. Can you tell me some things about your neighborhood?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of your neighborhood?
3. What types of facilities are available near to you?
4. How far are you from the city center?
5. Do you like living in your neighborhood or do you not have much choice?
6. What do you like about your community?
7. How can you help your community?
8. How many of your neighbors do you know?
9. Are there old people living in your community? Tell me about them.
10. Are there little children in your community? Tell me about them.
11. What do the people in your community do for recreation?
12. What do you think is the most important thing about community?
13. Does your community have special days to get together?
14. Does your community have meetings?
15. Is there a neighborhood watch program in your community?
16. Would you like to raise your children in a community like yours? Why or why not?
17. Is your community afraid of strangers?
18. Do you still live in the neighborhood you were born and brought up in? If not, have you ever
been back to visit it? Why/why not?
19. In what way is your neighborhood different from others?
20. How much has it changed over the years? What things have changed for the better and what
for the worse?

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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 vicinity: the area around a place or where the speaker is

There are several hotels in the immediate vicinity of the station.
 region: a particular area or part of the world, or any of the large official areas into which a
country is divided
There's a shortage of cheap housing in the region.
 suburb: an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city
often live
We drove from middle-class suburbs to a very poor inner-city area.
 subdivision: any of the parts into which something is divided, or the act of creating these
Each category has several subdivisions.
 community: the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit
because of their common interests, social group, or nationality
They wanted to build a closed community where they could practise polygamy away
from prying eyes.
 alley: a narrow road or path between buildings
They found the club along an alley behind a bingo hall.
 sidewalk: A paved path for pedestrians at the side of a road; a pavement
He turned his eyes to the street in front of the garage, watching the pedestrians stroll
down the sidewalks.
 village: a group of houses and other buildings that is smaller than a town, usually in the
countryside
Many people come from the outlying/surrounding villages to work in the town.
 district: an area of a country or town that has fixed borders that are used for official purposes,
or that has a particular feature that makes it different from surrounding areas
They like to shop for all but daily necessities at prestigious department stores in
downtown shopping districts.
 borough: A town or district which is an administrative unit
The city government attempted to distribute sample trash bags and discount coupons
during the trial period by utilizing the heads of local boroughs and neighborhoods.
 adjacent: very near, next to, or touching
They lived in a house adjacent to the railway.
 slum: a very poor and crowded area, especially of a city
She was brought up in the slums of Lima.
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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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Topic 68: Arguments

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
 173

They had a quarrel about money.

 avoid: to prevent something bad from happening
I always try to avoid arguments at work.
 opinion: your feelings or thoughts about somebody/something, rather than a fact
He never cares about my opinion.
 perspective: a particular attitude towards something; a way of thinking about something
I try to see the issue from different perspectives.
 persuade: to make somebody do something by giving them good reasons for doing it
She's always easily persuaded.
 solution: a way of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation
When we have disagreements, we often discuss to find a best solution to all.
 controversial: causing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement
We have opinions towards controversial issues.
 disrespectful: showing a lack of respect for somebody/something
Arguing with older people doesn’t always mean I’m disrespectful.

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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Topic 69: Creativity

DISCUSSION

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

 creative: having the skill and ability to produce something new

She's very creative—she writes poetry and paints.
 creativity: the ability to use skill and imagination to produce something new or to produce art
This job requires creativity.
 imaginative: good at thinking of new, original, and clever ideas
He is an imaginative writer.
 innovative: introducing or using new ideas, ways of doing something, etc.
There will be a prize for the most innovative design.

 innovation: introduction of new things, ideas or ways of doing something

My company is very interested in product design and innovation.
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 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

 consider somebody (as) somebody/something

I don’t consider myself a creative person. I can hardly think of a new idea.
 think outside the box: think outside the limits of conventional, traditional thinking
Our competitors are more creative than us - they really think outside the box!
 flight of fancy: To refer to an idea or plan as a flight of fancy means that it is very imaginative
but not at all practical or sensible.
He often has good ideas but his latest proposal is just a flight of fancy!
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Topic 70: Culture

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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 unique: being the only one of its kind

We should be proud of our unique cultural values.
 cultural barrier: a rule or expectation in any culture that prevents or impedes someone, from
outside of that culture, from being included or participating equally
Language is a cultural barrier when her family moved to France.
 cultural diversity: differences among people because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds,
language, dress and traditions
Vietnam has significant cultural diversity.
 ethnic group: a community or population made up of people who share a common cultural
background or descent
Vietnam is a multiethnic country with over fifty distinct ethnic groups.
 assimilation: the process of fitting into a new culture or becoming like others in that culture
It is said that the forced assimilation of native people to European-American values
caused the degradation of Native American art.

EXPRESSIONS

 maintain national identity

Each individual should try to maintain their national identity.
 ethical standard
Countries may have different ethical standards and values.
 respect cultural diversity/cultural differences
We should respect the cultural differences and learn something about the culture and
customs of a country before visiting that country.
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Topic 71: Goals

DISCUSSION

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

 goal: something that you hope to achieve

My goal is to become a doctor.
 short-term goal: something you want to do in the near future; something you want to
accomplish soon
My short-term goal is getting my driving license.
 long-term goal: Goal that takes a long time to achieve
My long-term goals include finding a job in an international company, and buying a new
house in the city center.
 objective: something that you are trying to achieve
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You must set realistic objectives for yourself.

 achieve: to succeed in reaching a particular goal, status or standard, especially by making an
effort for a long time
After years of great effort, he finally achieved success.
 achievement: a thing that somebody has done successfully, especially using their own effort and
skill
I’m proud to talk about my achievements.
 achievable : can be reached, especially by making an effort for a long time
Profits of $10m look achievable.
 unachievable: unable to reach or obtain
The sales target this month is unachievable.
 unrealistic: not showing or accepting things as they are, not realistic
His goals are unrealistic; they’re unachievable.
 ambition: something that you want to do or achieve very much
My ambition is becoming a professional photographer.
 motivate: to make somebody want to do something, especially something that involves hard
work and effort
The goal is designed to motivate employees to work more efficiently.
 motivation : the feeling of wanting to do something, especially something that involves hard
work and effort
He's intelligent enough but he lacks motivation.

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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Topic 72: Gender Roles

DISCUSSION
1. Do you see yourself as a typical man/woman? Why or why not?
2. What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?
3. What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?
4. What jobs are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
5. Are men and women equal in ability and intelligence?
6. What do people think of men or women crying?
7. Is it OK for men to appear weak?
8. Are fathers capable of carrying out the duties of a mother and vice versa?
9. What things can men or women do that the other cannot do and why?
10. Is it common for women and men to take part in sporting activities?
11. Are there more male or female managers and executives? Why do you think this is?
12. Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?
13. Is it compulsory for men and women to join the army in your country?
14. How would the world look like without women?

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
 181

It’s unfair that women have to do all housework.

 responsibility: a duty to deal with or take care of somebody/something, so that you may be
blamed if something goes wrong
Raising children is the responsibility of both their dad and mom.
 duty: something that you feel you have to do because it is your moral or legal responsibility
His work is very busy, but he never forgets his duties as a parent.
 housewife: a woman who stays at home to cook, clean, take care of the children, etc. while her
husband or partner goes out to work
In the past, women used to stay at home and become a housewife after getting married.
 appropriate: suitable, acceptable or correct for the particular circumstances
Building and construction jobs are more appropriate for men.
 inappropriate: not suitable or appropriate in a particular situation
Building and construction jobs seem inappropriate for women.
 breadwinner: a person who supports their family with the money they earn
When the baby was born, I became the sole breadwinner.
 child-bearing: the process of giving birth to children
Some women defer child-bearing in favour of a career.
 child-rearing: the work of taking care of children until they are old enough to take
care of themselves
Men’s participation in child-rearing improves their family relationship.

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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Topic 73: Gossip & Rumors

DISCUSSION
1. Do you like to gossip?
2. What are some of the things you like to gossip about?
3. Why do you think people like to listen to gossip?
4. Why do people like to gossip about the rich and famous?
5. What are the most common themes for gossip?
6. What are some ways which gossip can be harmful?
7. Do you think gossip can be used for something good?
8. Do you think women gossip more than men? Why is that?
9. What is your attitude to gossip newspapers?
10. Have you ever told a rumor that got someone in trouble?
11. Has someone ever spread a rumor about you?
12. What would you do if someone gossips about you?
13. Do you think that a friend who gossips or starts rumors will ever gossip or start a rumor about
you?
14. If you hear some harmful gossip about your friend, what will you do?
15. Has answering these questions changed your attitude towards gossip?

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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Her unhappy personal life was revealed by the local paper.

 spread: make something be known by, or be used by more and more people
I couldn’t believe that he was the one who spread rumors about me.
 victim: a person who has been attacked, damaged, injured or killed as the result of something
Many celebrities were the victims of cruel rumors.

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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Topic 74: Happiness

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.

 overjoyed: extremely happy or pleased

We were overjoyed to hear their good news.
 185

 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

 happy as a clam: very happy

Thomas was as happy as a clam when the test was canceled.
 in seventh heaven: extremely happy
Now that he's been promoted he's in seventh heaven.
 on cloud nine : extremely happy
I was on cloud nine and couldn’t stop smiling the whole day.
 jump for joy: very pleased or happy about something
He jumped for joy on being told the news.
 on top of the world: extremely happy
She was feeling on top of the world.
 walking on air: to feel extremely excited or happy
After the delivery of her baby, she was walking on air.
 the pursuit of happiness: the act of looking for or trying to find happiness
All people have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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Topic 75: Immigration

DISCUSSION
1. Are there a lot of immigrants in your community?
2. Do you know any immigrants?
3. Why do people immigrate to other countries?
4. Should immigrants be required to learn the local language?
5. Is immigration from one country to another a problem? In what ways do you see it as a
problem?
6. Do you think that immigrants are treated well in in most countries?
7. Do you think there is a relation between immigration and crime?
8. Should any government limit the number of immigrants entering the country?
9. Is local culture threatened by immigration?
10. Should immigrants have the same rights as native citizens?
11. Do you know any people who have emigrated from your country?
12. Have you ever thought of emigrating?
13. How does an immigrant become a citizen in your country?
14. How does immigration affect the economic situation in your community?
15. To what extent has the culture of your community become richer by immigrants?

VOCABULARY

 immigrant: someone who leaves their homeland to settle somewhere else

Most of the immigrants live in the south of my country.
 immigrate: to come and live permanently in a country after leaving your own country
About 6.6 million people immigrated to the United States in the 1970s.
 immigration: the process of coming to live permanently in a country that is not your own
There was a rise in immigration into the US.
 emigrate: to leave your own country to go and live permanently in another country
My grandparents emigrated from Vietnam to the US in the 1980s.
 settle: to make a place your permanent home
She settled in Vienna after her father's death.
 integration: the act or process of combining two or more things so that they work together
I think there’s nothing bad about cultural integration.
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 overcrowding: with too many people or things in it

Big cities are getting overcrowded.
 overpopulation: the fact of a country or city having too many people living in it
Many countries need to limit immigration because they are already suffering from
overpopulation.
 citizen: a person who has the legal right to belong to a particular country
She's Italian by birth but is now an Australian citizen.
 deport : to force somebody to leave a country, usually because they have broken the law or
because they have no legal right to be there
Some people believe that all illegal immigrants should be deported immediately.
 deportation: the act of forcing somebody to leave a country, usually because they have broken
the law or because they have no legal right to be there
Thousands of immigrants are now facing deportation.

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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Topic 76: Inventions

DISCUSSION

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
 189

This is a great time-saving gadget for the housewife.

 breakthrough: a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development
Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in the search for a cure for cancer.

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)
 190

Topic 77: Job Interview

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

10. Have you ever been headhunted?

11. What do you think the interviewer is looking for at the interview?
12. Have you ever interviewed anyone for a job?
13. Do you think it's easy to choose a candidate from an interview?

VOCABULARY
 interviewer: the person who asks the questions in an interview
 191

Interviewers rarely ask about your personal life.

 recruiter: a person whose job is to find new people to join a company, an organization, etc.
Corporate recruiters are visiting the university campus to interview final year students.
 interviewee: the person who answers the questions in an interview
Interviewees should not raise questions while the interviewer is still asking.
 candidate: a person who is trying to be elected or is applying for a job
There were a large number of candidates for the job.
 applicant: a person who makes a formal request for something (= applies for it), especially for
a job, a place at a college or university, etc.
Successful applicants will receive notification within the week.
 application: a formal (often written) request for something, such as a job, permission to do
something or a place at a college or university

Please enclose your curriculum vitae with your letter of application.

 qualification: an exam that you have passed or a course of study that you have successfully
completed
In this job, experience counts for more than paper qualifications.
 headhunt: to find somebody who is suitable for a senior job and persuade them to leave their
present job
I was headhunted by a marketing agency.
 job offer: an offer from an employer to give someone a job
I received a job offer from a big international company.

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.

 work for someone

I’m working for a small company in the food and beverage industry.
 turn down a job offer: reject a job offer
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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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Topic 78: Marriage

DISCUSSION
1. How many guests did you/would you invite to your wedding?
2. At what age do most people in your country get married?
3. At what age do you want to get married?
4. Do you know anyone who has had an arranged marriage?
5. Do you think arranged marriages are a good idea? Why or why not?
6. Do you think getting married means giving up freedom?
7. Do you think it is better to be single or to be married?
8. Do you think marriage is necessary?
9. Do you think it is okay for a couple to live together before getting married? Why or Why not?
10. Do you think it is okay to marry someone of a different race/religion?
11. How long do you think couples should know each other before they get married?
12. If your parents did not approve of a person you loved and wanted to marry, what would you
do?
13. What are some qualities that you think are important in a spouse or partner?
14. Do you know someone who has gotten a divorce?
15. Do you think marriages based on love are more successful than arranged marriages?
16. Do you think people change after getting married?
17. What do you think of same-sex marriages?
18. What do you think of single mothers?
19. What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?

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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Arranged marriage was popular in Vietnam in the past.

 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

 get engaged: having agreed to marry somebody

We got engaged last month.
 be engaged to someone
She's engaged to Peter.
 be married: having a husband or wife
They are a happily married couple.
 get married
I don’t want to get married before thirty.
 tie the knot: to get married
After dating for several years, the young couple decided to tie the knot.
 get hitched: to get married
Sue and her boyfriend surprised everyone when they suddenly got hitched last
weekend.
 ask for (someone's) hand in marriage: to ask someone to marry you
After dating his girlfriend for several years, the man finally asked for her hand in
marriage.
 sign the marriage register
I had thought a lot before signing the marriage register.
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Topic 79: Towns and Cities

DISCUSSION

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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 poor housing: housing that is not in good condition

There is a poor housing at the end of the road which hasn’t been repaired since 2000.

 tourist attraction: a place of interest to tourists

We have the narrow streets in the Gothic district with lots of fashionable boutiques and
tourist attractions.
 traffic congestion: heavy traffic making it difficult to move around a town or city
Traffic congestion in my city has really made my life a lot more difficult.
 sprawling city: a city spreading out wide area in a way that is not carefully planned
Los Angeles is one of the most famously sprawling cities.

EXPRESSIONS

 to get around: to travel around

After moving to Los Angeles, he spent the first few days to get around.
 in the suburbs: the outer area of large towns and cities where people live
My grandparents want to live in the suburbs.
 to close down: to stop doing business
If the rent goes up we'll have to close down.
 out of town shopping centre/retail park: large shopping centres outside of the town or city
I often go to out of town shopping centers, since they’re much larger than those in the
city center.
 public transport system: public vehicles such as buses and trains that operate at regular times
on fixed routes
We have a fantastic public transport system in our city.
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Topic 80: Personality

DISCUSSION
1. Can you describe your personality?
2. What makes you happy in your life?
3. What are some things that make you angry?
4. Are you happy with whom you are?
5. Would you like to be different from whom you are now?
6. Is your personality suited to your job?
7. Are you more introverted (focused on your inner world) or more extraverted (focused on other
people and the outer world)?
8. Do you think you can change a major characteristic of your personality if you try?
9. If you could change any aspect of your personality, what would it be?
10. What is one thing that many people don't know about you?
11. What sort of things would you do to amuse yourself during a car journey?
12. In what way has your personality changed? Why has it changed?

VOCABULARY

 personality: the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive

character
She had a sunny personality that was very engaging.
 characteristic: a feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to
identify it
His favorite movies tell us a lot about his characteristics.
 stubborn: having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on
something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so
She’s too stubborn. I can’t stand talking to her.
 determined: having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
Alice was determined to be heard.
 selfish: (of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with
one's own personal profit or pleasure
He’s a selfish man. He’s not going to understand you.
 introverted: shy, quiet, and unable to make friends easily
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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.

 to lose one’s temper: to suddenly become angry

My father lost his temper when I told him I was not going to university.
 to put others first: to think of others before yourself who is being criticized or attacked
My mother always puts us first no matter what.
 to take after: to be like (often another member of the family)
Lots of people say I take after my mom as I’m very easy-going.
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Topic 81: Poverty

DISCUSSION
1. How do you understand poverty?
2. Do you feel sorry for people who live on the street?
3. Have you ever done something to help the poor?
4. Do you believe that the rich are growing richer, and the poor are growing poorer?
5. Will there always be poverty in the world? Explain.
6. Are there more important issues than poverty? If so, name them in order of importance.
7. Do you consider yourself to be poor, middle-class, or rich?
8. Does poverty cause crime? How?
9. What are some of the reasons for poverty? What can government do to help the poor?
10. What programs does your city have for feeding the needy?
11. Would you pay more taxes, if this would eliminate poverty by creating jobs for everyone?

VOCABULARY

 poverty: the state of being extremely poor

Thousands of families are living in abject poverty.
 illiteracy: the inability to read or write
The ineffective educational system meant that illiteracy was widespread.
 unemployment: the state of being unemployed
Unemployment is one reason to cause poverty.
 inflation: a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money
Inflation is becoming serious in USA.
 vocational training: training that emphasizes skills and knowledge required for a particular job
function
Vocational training can certainly help create more job opportunities for the poor.
 starve: (of a person or animal) suffer severely or die from hunger
She left her animals to starve.

 alcoholic: a person suffering from alcoholism

Poor people are very easy to become alcoholic.
 social evil: any problem or issue that adversely affects society
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Poverty can lead people to social evils.

 imbalance: lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things
Tension is generated by the imbalance of power.

EXPRESSIONS

 poverty-stricken area: suffering from poverty, extremely poor

The president has visited some poverty-stricken areas in New York.
 deprive someone of something: take it away from someone or prevent someone from having
something
As a child he had been deprived of love and attention.
 on the the poverty line: have just enough income to buy the things in order to live
Lots of people in India are living on the poverty line.
 standard of living: the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or
community
Our government must do something to improve people’s living standard.
 for lack of something: the state of being without or not having enough of something
The case was dismissed for lack of evidence.
 overcome poverty: succeed in dealing with/defeat poverty
We hope the town will overcome poverty in the next three years.
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Topic 82: Prejudice

DISCUSSION

1. How do you understand prejudice?

2. Why does prejudice exists?
3. Are there gender role biased issues in your country? What are they?
4. Do gender issues affect the development of a country?
5. What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘prejudice’?
6. What does your government do to fight prejudice?
7. Have you ever suffered because of prejudice?
8. What would you do if prejudice was directed against you?
9. Will the world be free of prejudices one day?
10. How can prejudice and discrimination be reduced?
11. What social psychological factors contribute to prejudice?

VOCABULARY

 prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience

Government must do something to stop prejudice as soon as possible.
 bias: prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another,
usually in a way considered to be unfair
There was evidence of bias against foreign applicants.
 awareness: knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
We need to raise public awareness of the issue.
 regarded: consider or think of (someone or something) in a specified way
She regarded Omaha as her base.
 gender: the state of being male or female (typically used with reference to social and cultural
differences rather than biological ones)
Gender equality is seriously misunderstood.
 promotion: the action of raising someone to a higher position or rank or the fact of being so
raised
Many women want promotion as a reward for their devotion.
 destitute: without the basic necessities of life
The charity cares for destitute children.
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 equal: being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value

Men and women should receive equal salary.

EXPRESSIONS

 spring to mind: (of a thought or idea) occur to someone

Inequality springs to my mind every time I hear the word prejudice.
 directed against: to aim a critical remark or a weapon at someone or something
We directed the guns against the occupied village.
 get promoted: to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc.
I’m sure you will get promoted very soon.
 give shelter to: provide someone with a place to stay or live
She is always willing to give shelter to the poor.
 gender‐based violence against women: violence that is directed against a woman because she is
a woman or that affects women disproportionately
We have to stand together to fight gender-based violence against women.
 socio-economic upliftment: the process of social and economic development in a society
The government has done a lot of things to bring about the socio-economic upliftment
of poor women.
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Topic 83: Privacy

DISCUSSION
1. Can you define privacy?
2. How do you maintain your privacy at home?
3. Can you explain why privacy is important for you?
4. Do you think the government has the right to read your email?
5. How can using social networking sites invade your privacy?
6. What do you think about being fingerprinted when you enter a country?
7. How can the press balance freedom of expression with respect for privacy?
8. The only people who need privacy are people who are doing something illegal. Do you agree
or disagree? Why?
9. Do you think the Internet increases privacy or takes away privacy?
10. Where do you like to go when you want to be alone?
11. Should there be more, or less, security cameras around cities?
12. How is privacy viewed in your culture?

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.

 fragile: (of an object) easily broken or damaged

To me, fragile is something fragile.
 value: consider (someone or something) to be important or beneficial; have a high opinion of
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She had come to value her privacy and independence.

 require: need for a particular purpose
Three patients required operations.
 secretive: (of a person or an organization) inclined to conceal feelings and intentions or not to
disclose information
She was very secretive about her past.

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.
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Topic 84: Discrimination

DISCUSSION

1. Do you think discrimination should exist?

2. Have you been the victim of discrimination? What kind of discrimination?
3. Is racism common in your community? What forms of racist behavior have you noticed?
4. Do you have many friends of a different race or ethnicity? Are these differences meaningful?
5. Is criticizing a different culture the same as being racist?
6. Do people you know use racial slurs to refer to different groups of people? Or do they use
more politically correct language?
7. What are traditional male and female social roles and responsibilities? Are you a traditional
person?
8. Do you trust men or women more in any particular profession? How do you feel about male
nurses? How about a female president?
9. Women are on average paid less than men for doing the same job. Why is this?
10. If someone tells a racist or sexist joke, how do you react? If you laugh, does that mean you are
racist or sexist?
11. Do you know any homosexual people? What kind of discrimination do they face?
12. Is the level of discrimination in the world rising or dropping? What makes you think so?
13. What do you think about gay marriage? Should gay couples be allowed to adopt children?

VOCABULARY

 discrimination: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things,

especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex
The level of discrimination in the world is still rising.
 racism: prejudice, discrimination directed against someone of a different race based on the
belief that one's own race is superior
He used to be a victim of racism in his country.
 ethnicity: the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural
tradition
He said his ethnicity had not been important to him.
 criticize: indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way
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Criticizing him is not a good idea in this situation.

 suffer: experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant)
He'd suffered intense pain.
 react: respond or behave in a particular way in response to something
I didn’t expect him to react in that way.
 homosexual: (of a person) sexually attracted to people of one's own sex
I don’t have any problem with homosexual people.

EXPRESSIONS

 to be dominant in: to be in control in

With the advancement of time, now women are dominant in different roles while men
are suffering the sexual disparities.
 to be subject to: likely to experience or suffer from something
Earlier, before 2000, women were subject to be dominated everywhere.
 to be escorted by: to be controlled by
The woman who used to be escorted by family members is now free to move
anywhere, runs her own business, makes deals perfectly, and leads her own life.
 gender equality: the act of treating women and men equally
Gender equality does not imply that women and men are the same, but that they have
equal value and should be accorded equal treatment.
 to be regarded as: to be seen/considered as
In many communities, women are still regarded as inferior to men.
 to be of service to: to serve someone
Many men still believe that a woman should stay at home, raise the kids, and be of
service to her husband.
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Topic 85: Retirement

DISCUSSION

1. In your country, at what age do people usually retire from work?

2. Where would you like to spend your retirement years? Why?
3. Do you intend to look for another job after you retire? Why?
4. In one word, how would you describe your career?
5. In your country, what do old people do after they retire?
6. Are there any recreational or entertainment facilities in your hometown especially for old
people?
7. What are your goals before you retire?
8. Do you consider spending the rest of your career in your present company? Why?
9. Do you expect any promotion sometime soon?
10. Do you think you would be able to save enough for your retirement years?
11. Are you planning to open your own business when you retire? What kind of business would it
be?
12. Is this retirement age a law or is it just the custom in your country?

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.
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 pressure: a difficult situation that makes you feel worried or unhappy

She's got a lot of pressure on her at work just now.
 workforce: the group of people who work in a company, industry, country
The majority of factories in the region have a workforce of 50 to 100 (people).
 demand: a need for something to be sold or supplied
There was little demand for tickets.
 skilled: having the abilities needed to do an activity or job well
My mother is very skilled at/in dressmaking.
 unemployed: not having a job that provides money
He's been unemployed for over a year.

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.
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Topic 86: Science

DISCUSSION
1. What is the difference between science and technology?
2. Do you think people should be allowed to clone people or organs of people? Why?
3. What do you think about GMO (genetically modified organisms) vegetables?
4. Do you think robots will cause unemployment (loss of jobs) in the future or make more work?
Why?
5. Do you think money should be spent on exploring space or is it better spent on helping people
on earth? Why?
6. Do you remember any interesting, fun or dangerous lab experiments that you did at school?
7. What changes would you like to see science make to the world?
8. If you could copy your brain for future generations, would you?
9. What do you think robots should be used for?
10. Can you imagine how science can develop in the next century?
11. Can you name at least three greatest science achievements of the world until now?

VOCABULARY

 clone: to create a clone of a plant or animal

Scientists have already cloned a sheep.
 organic: not using artificial chemicals in the growing of plants and animals for food and other
products
Cheap organic food is still difficult to come by.
 achievement: something very good and difficult that you have succeeded in doing
An Olympic silver medal is a remarkable achievement for one so young.
 replace: to take the place of something, or to put something or someone in the place of
something or someone else
The factory replaced most of its workers with robots.
 impact: a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or
person
The anti-smoking campaign had had/made quite an impact on young people.
 210

 advance: the forward movement of something, or an improvement or development in

something
Recent advances in medical science mean that this illness can now be cured.
 artificial: made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a
copy of something natural
Now I work with Mahavir Seva Sadan, a manufacturer of artificial limbs.
 intriguing: very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious
She has a really intriguing personality.
 component: a part that combines with other parts to form something bigger
The course has four main components: business law, finance, computing and
management skills.
 experiment: a test done in order to learn something or to discover if something works or is true
Some people believe that experiments on animals should be banned.

EXPRESSIONS

 be related to: connected to something/someone

Experts believe that the large number of cancer cases in the area is directly related to
the new nuclear power station.
 lose interest in: no longer be interested in something/someone
At the age of 20, I suddenly lost interest in science.
 Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): plants, animals or micro-organisms that have
changed through genetic engineering
Most commercialised GMO crop plants are insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant.
 to be obsessed with: unable to stop thinking about something; too interested in or worried
about something
Why are people so obsessed with money?
 to contribute to: to help to cause an event or situation
Smoking contributed to his early death.
 be attracted to: to feel that you like something very much
I was attracted to science when I had my first experiment at school.
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Topic 87: Books and movies

DISCUSSION
1. How many books have you read in your life?
2. Who is your favorite author? Character?
3. What is the longest book you have ever read?
4. Have you ever belonged to a book club?
5. Is there a time in your life when you read all the time?
6. Have you ever been to a book signing or met an author? How was it?
7. Where is your favorite place to read?
8. Do you have an all-time favorite novel? What makes you like it so much? What do you learn
from it?
9. How often do you go to the cinema? With whom?
10. What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?
11. What kind of movies does you like the most?
12. What is your most favorite movie? Tell me about it?

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.
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 a low-budget film: a film made with a small amount of money

I prefer low-budget films because the content is normally quite good.

EXPRESSIONS

 to be a big reader: someone who reads a lot

I’m proud to say that I’m a big reader.
 to be based on: to use as a modal
This movie is based on a real story in London.
 to be heavy-going: difficult to read
I find books quite heavy-going … so I much prefer to see a film.
 to catch the latest movie: to see a film that has just come out
I always catch the latest movie and have never missed a blockbuster.
 to come highly recommended: to be praised by another person
One book that came highly recommended by my teacher was The Mayor of
Casterbridge.
 to read something from cover to cover: to read a book from the first page to the last
I regularly take out books from the library and usually read them from cover to cover in
no time.
 couldn’t put it down: wasn’t able to stop reading a book
Harry potter is so interesting. I couldn’t put it down.
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Topic 88: Relationships

DISCUSSION
1. How often do you arrange to meet friends?
2. How often do all the members of your family get together?
3. What differences has the internet made to people's ability to keep relationships going over long
distances?
4. In what ways can people keep in touch with friends/family over the internet?
5. Does it worry you that many children nowadays spend more time in front of computer games
than actually playing with their friends?
6. How many friends can the average person truly have?
7. How did you meet you present (or last) partner?
8. What qualities attract you to a partner?
9. Traditionally, on a date, the man would pay for everything. Is this still the case in your country
or has it changed? Why did it change?
10. Have you ever used an internet dating site? What do you think of this practice?
11. What do you think is the best way to meet new people?
12. A "blind date" is a date arranged for you by someone else and where you don't know the person
you are going to meet. Have you ever done this? What do you think of the idea?

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.
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 distance: the amount of space between two places

It’s hard to keep a close relationship over a long distance.
 get along: If two or more people get along, they like each other and are friendly to each other
I don't really get along with my sister's husband.

EXPRESSIONS

 to break up: to end a romantic relationship

She is very upset after she broke up with her boyfriend last week.
 to fall head over heels in love: to start to love someone a lot
If you fall head over heels in love, all plans can easily be forgotten.
 to get to know: to begin to know someone
We got to know each other at University almost 4 years ago.
 to have a lot in common: to share similar interests
They have a lot in common, that’s why they rarely argue.
 to have ups and downs: to have good and bad times
I believe all relationships have their ups and downs.
 to be in a relationship: to be romantically involved with someone
There’s no doubt that they’re in a relationship.
 to keep in touch with: to keep in contact with
Despite living in different cities, we still keep in touch.
 to lose touch with: to not see or hear from someone any longer
After I left town 3 years ago, I lost touch with my best friend.
 love at first sight: to fall in love immediately you meet someone
He told me that it was love at first sight.
 to work at a relationship: to try to maintain a positive relationship with someone
Some people prefer to break up rather than working at the relationship.
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Topic 89: Social Problems

DISCUSSION

1. Is crime a problem in your society?

2. What can we do to fix and possibly prevent social problems?
3. Are there social problems within your school?
4. Poverty and crime are incredibly connected. What do you think?
5. Have you ever experienced discrimination?
6. Are there organizations where you can volunteer to help with social problems?
7. Are drugs a social problem in your country?
8. What are social issues in your opinion?
9. How do industrialized countries such as the US, Great Britain, France, and Germany impact
poorer countries?
10. Should parents be allowed to hit their children?
11. What is the most serious social problem in your country?

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.
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 crime-infested: to describe a place where crime rates are very high

I grew up in a crime-infested ghetto, but I managed to stay out of trouble.
 addict: a person who is addicted to a particular substance, typically an illegal drug
My father doesn’t allow my sister to date him because he is an addict.
 drug abuse: the habitual taking of addictive or illegal drugs
Drug abuse is becoming more dangerous in our area.
 seductive: tempting and attractive; enticing
I can’t resist that seductive voice.
 adolescent: (of a young person) in the process of developing from a child into an adult
We must raise teenagers’ awareness of drug abuse during their adolescents.
 vulnerable: able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked
Teenagers are very vulnerable. That’s why we must try to understand them and guide
them how to follow the right direction.

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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Topic 90: Social Networking

DISCUSSION
1. What do you use the Internet for? What devices are you using to access it?
2. What social networking sites do you use?
3. How many hours a day or a week do you spend on the net when you are not working?
4. What are some good points about social networking?
5. What are some bad points about social networking?
6. Do you have a Facebook page? Do you use Twitter?
7. Who do you communicate with via social networks?
8. Have you been contacted by a stranger on the internet? How did you respond?
9. Do you think communicating with people you don’t know off-line is safe? Why?
10. What information do you have on your webpage?
11. How private is information you post on the internet? Who might see it?
12. Do your parents use social networking sites?
13. Do you think you can be more authentic when you are online – can you be more who you
really are – or do you think people like to be someone else and play around with their identity?
14. Teasing, lying gossiping, threatening, spreading rumors, and harassing are all forms of bullying.
If these things occur online, are they perceived as less “harming”? Has anyone done this to
you?
15. If you were asked to “disconnect” (no cell phones or internet) for a period of two weeks, how
easy or hard would it be for you? Why?
16. What are our rules for appropriate high-tech usage?
17. Some people "collect" friends in social networks. Is it possible to have 500 friends in real life?
18. Do you think Internet addiction is a real disease?

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.
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 media: the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered as a group

The issue has been much discussed in the media.
 harmful: to cause harm
Using computers too often is very harmful to people’ eyes.
 risk: the possibility of something bad happening
There's a high risk of another accident happening in this fog.

 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.
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Topic 91: Stereotypes

DISCUSSION
1. What do people think of when they think of your country?
2. Do you think the stereotypes about your country are true or false?
3. What comes to mind when you think about America?
4. Do you know of any stereotypes about British people?
5. What are some stereotypes you know of about women?
6. What are some stereotypes about men?
7. Where do we learn these gender stereotypes?
8. What stereotypes exist about people who are blonde?
9. Do you think some stereotypes are true?
10. What are the advantages of making a stereotype?
11. What are the disadvantages of making stereotypes?
12. What are stereotypes and how do they affect people’s lives?
13. What stereotypes exist about religion?
14. Can you think of any events in history that were influenced by stereotypes and biases?
15. How do people learn to make stereotypes? How might they unlearn them?
16. How can the media (newspapers, television, movies) help to reduce stereotyping?
17. What do you think an individual can do to help reduce bias and stereotyping?

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
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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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 All Muslims are terrorists.

 All Blacks are lazy.
 All Jewish people are greedy selfish money hungry people.
 Caucasians can’t dance.
 Russians are violent.
 All Americans are cowboys.
 All Italians are stylish and sophisticated. They are usually painters, sculptors or fashion
designers.
 Germans are Nazis or fascists.
 All Middle easterners hate America.
 All Italians are good cooks.
 All white people are all racist.
 Chinese will eat anything.
 The Japanese are engineering geniuses.
 Italian people eat pasta every day.
 The best machines come from Germany.
 British people are very serious.
 The French are the most romantic people.
 Americans like eating hamburgers.
 Australians see kangaroos every day.
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Topic 92: Unemployment

DISCUSSION
1. Have you ever been on the dole (unemployed)? If you were on the dole did you only apply for
jobs you were well suited for or would you try for any job?
2. What is the worst thing about being unemployed? If you have not been unemployed, what
would you imagine is the worst thing about it?
3. How much redundancy money are people given when they are made redundant? Is it possible
to live off the redundancy money for a long time or do people usually have difficulties in
supporting their families?
4. In your country, is it possible for an employer to sack employees when they are on strike? Do
you think it should be possible to do this?
5. Is unemployment a great problem in your country?
6. What do you think the role of the government is in regulating the unemployment situation in
your country?
7. How should the government help people who have lost their jobs?
8. Describe an employee whom the employer will never fire.
9. When is the best time for a person to start looking for a job?
10. Is it better to start job hunting while you are still studying and try to combine your studies with
work?
11. Can you share your experiences?
12. The stress caused by unemployment is high in the ranking of stress-related illnesses. What can
be done to combat this form of stress?
13. What are the social effects of being unemployed, for instance, depression, drugs, crime,
problems with families?
14. Is there anything good about being unemployed? Are you able to do interesting things in the
extra time?
15. What sort of things help people to get jobs? What things prevent them getting jobs?
16. How efficient is the "unemployment office"? What does it actually do?
17. If more people worked part-time as opposed to full-time would this be a good way to reduce
unemployment?
18. What effect would a shorter working week have on unemployment? What effect would it have
on industrial efficiency?
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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.
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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
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Topic 93: Talent

DISCUSSION

1. What are the things that you are good at?

2. What did you do to be good at those things?
3. Do you still do something to enhance your talent more? What do you do?
4. How would you differentiate talent and skill?
 How can we acquire talents?
 How can we acquire skills?
5. What are the talents you have that you are proud of?
6. How did those talents help you achieved what you have right now?
7. How important are those talents for you?
8. What talent/skill do you have that you want to teach to others? Why?
9. Did someone help you to acquire the talents that you have now?
 Who is that person?
 How will you describe that person?
10. Do you have any talents in music?
 If yes, what musical instrument can you play?
 If not, what musical instrument would you like to learn?
11. What skills would you like to acquire?
 Why do you want to acquire these skills?
 How will these skills help you in the future?
12. What do you think are the talents which we are born with? Why?
13. Does your mom or dad have those talents too?
14. Which one of your talents/skills would you like to enhance more?
 Why do you want to enhance those skills/talents?
 What must you do to enhance your talents and skills more?
15. How important do you think are talents and skills in becoming successful?
16. What will happen if no one has any talents or skills?
17. Which is more attractive for you, a talented or beautiful person? Why?
18. How important do you think are talents and skills in our everyday living? Why?
19. Can we survive without our talents and skills? - Why or why not?

VOCABULARY
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 capability: the power or ability to do something

He had an intuitive capability of bringing the best out in people.
 capacity: the ability or power to do or understand something
I was impressed by her capacity for hard work.
 expertise: expert skill or knowledge in a particular field
He is considered a strong asset as a result of his expertise in the justice field.
 flair: a special or instinctive aptitude or ability for doing something well
She had a flair for languages.
 genius: exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability
Her idea was a stroke of genius.
 know-how: practical knowledge or skill; expertise
Labour skills and technological know-how are crucially important.
 savvy: shrewdness and practical knowledge; the ability to make good judgments
Key to the success of this young firm has been the technical and business savvy of the
four partners.
 aptitude: a natural ability to do something
His aptitude for dealing with children got him the job.
 endowment: a quality or ability possessed or inherited by someone
His natural endowments were his height and intelligence.
 inventiveness: the quality of being inventive; creativity
It is done with all the skill and inventiveness of artists on the New York subway, but this
is not turf warfare-this is street politics.
 smart: having or showing a quick-witted intelligence
Green thumb: ‘if he was that smart he would never have been tricked.
 competence: the ability to do something successfully or efficiently
Some employees are enthusiastic about their supervisor's competence and skills.
 potentiality: having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future
The army's potentiality to intervene in politics remains strong.
 qualification: an ability, characteristic, or experience that makes you suitable for a particular
job or activity
Some experience is a necessary qualification for this job.

 command: a great knowledge of a subject and an ability to use that knowledge

 227

She has an impressive command of the English language.

 proficiency: great skill, ability, and experience
Candidates must be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in both languages.

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.
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Topic 94: Natural Disasters

DISCUSSION
1. What is a disaster?
2. Have you ever been in a disaster?
3. What are some different kinds of disasters?
4. What kinds of disasters are common in your country?
5. What is the difference between a typhoon and a hurricane?
6. What is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane?
7. What is disaster insurance? Do most people have it?
8. Are there ways we can prepare ourselves in advance to cope with disasters?
9. What is PTSD?
10. How are businesses affected by disasters?
11. How are families affected by disasters?
12. How are the problems solved after a disaster?
13. If you had the power to stop a natural disaster that has happened in the past, which would you
choose? Why?
14. Do some natural disasters occur repeatedly in the same area? Do many people live in these
areas?
15. What is the difference between natural disasters and manmade disasters?
What are examples of manmade disasters?
What examples are there of natural disasters?
What kind of damage can occur in each case?
16. Have you ever been in a natural disaster?
17. Do you know anyone who has been in a natural disaster?
18. What natural disasters occur in your country?

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
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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.
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 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
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Topic 95: Mass Media

DISCUSSION

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
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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

 behind closed doors: taking place secretly or without public knowledge

They held the meeting behind closed doors, as the law allowed.
Every important issue was decided behind closed doors.
 both sides of the coin: to see both points of view in an argument
Rewards and punishments are two sides of the same coin – both are used to control
people, and neither works very well.
 pull the wool over (someone’s) eyes: to deceive
Don't try to pull the wool over her eyes. She's too smart.
 raise/lift the curtain: to make something public; disclose
We won't know what the new design is until they lift the curtain on it.
 turn a blind eye: to ignore something and pretend not to see it
How can you turn a blind eye to all those starving children?
 No news is good news: If you don’t hear any news it means nothing is wrong.
Jane: I'm worried about my sister. She hasn't called me for months.
Alan: No news is good news, right?
 word-of-mouth: informal way in which media products become known by audiences
We get most of our work through word-of-mouth recommendations.
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Topic 96: Risk & Risk taking

DISCUSSION

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

 top priority: of greatest importance

This is one of the top-priority matters in upcoming talks between the two nations.
 achievement: something very good and difficult that you have succeeded in doing
An Olympic silver medal is a remarkable achievement for one so young.
 fear: because you are worried that a particular thing might happen
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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
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Topic 97: Motivation

DISCUSSION
1. What is motivation?
2. What are some of the factors of motivation?
3. What are three things that motivate you?
4. If your boss wanted you to work longer hours, what incentives would motivate you?
5. What’s the best way to motivate someone else?
6. Is it important to motivate children? How do you motivate children?
7. What motivated you when you were a teenager? What motivates your children now (if you
have children)?
8. What’s the ultimate goal in life? How can people achieve that?
9. Can some people destroy your motivation?
10. Do you feel motivated when you are at school?
11. Do you feel motivated when learning something new?
12. Does motivation affect learning?
13. In what way can we help people to increase their motivation?
14. What is the difference between internal and external motivation?
15. Do you find that motivated people are more successful than unmotivated people?
16. What do you do to keep your motivation?
17. How do you maintain your motivation when you fail?
18. Do you share goals and plans with others so that they will help you maintain your motivation
and drive?
19. How do you plan to motivate yourself to improve your English?
20. What role do teachers play in motivating students? What role do students play in motivating
teachers?
21. Under what conditions can motivation be influenced by ambition?
22. Can motivation influence competitive behavior?

VOCABULARY
 admirable: deserving respect or approval
The police did an admirable job in keeping the fans calm.
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 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.
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 Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.

 Successful entrepreneurs are givers and not takers of positive energy.
 Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.
 Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
 Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.
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Topic 98: Telling Lies

DISCUSSION
1. Why do people tell lies?
2. Is it ok to tell lies?
3. How often do you lie?
4. What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?
5. Children who are good liars often grow up to be very intelligent. Were you a good liar when
you were a child?
6. Have you ever lied in a job interview?
7. Have you told any lies today?
8. Who lies more, men or woman?
9. Has a lie someone told you ever hurt you?
10. What do you think of liars?
11. Do you think it is ok to lie to avoid hurting someone’s feelings?
12. What do you think about lie detector tests? Do you think it is possible to beat them?
13. Would you like to take a lie detector test just for fun?
14. When is a white lie acceptable?
15. What would you do if someone spread lies about you?

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.
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 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.
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Topic 99: Energy sources

DISCUSSION
1. What are sources of energy?
2. How much energy do you use every day?
3. Do you try to save energy? How can you save the amount of energy you use every day?
4. What is energy efficiency? Have you started buying energy-efficient appliances for your house?
5. Why is it so important to save energy?
6. What do you think of the world’s hugely increasing energy needs?
7. Do you think solar cells, wind farms, tidal power, hydropower and thermal energy will solve
our future energy needs?
8. How would the world be a better place if we used only clean energies?
9. Does your government need an energy conservation policy?
10. Does your country need a lot of energy?
11. Do you think scientists will solve the world’s energy problems?
12. What happens if we run out of energy?
13. Does your country use a lot of renewable energy?
14. What do you think of a future in which we totally rely on nuclear energy?
15. What are biofuels and what harm do they cause the environment?
16. Have you started buying energy-efficient appliances for your house?
17. Do you think it’s possible to get our future energy from some sources we don’t yet know?
18. What do you think when multinational energy and oil companies say they care about the
environment?

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
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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
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The government should promote the use of sustainable energy.

 renewable energy: energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar
power
By its very nature, the renewable-energy industry is one of the most innovative around.
 reservoir: a large supply of something
The universities constitute a reservoir of expert knowledge.
 geothermal: relating to or produced by the internal heat of the earth
Some 70 per cent of Iceland's energy needs are met from geothermal sources.
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Topic 100: Competition

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
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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.