Unit 1: Bands and fans

Idioms related to music

I. SPEAKING: What are the advantages and disadvantages of having two jobs?

II Pia is a personal assistant in a marketing agency and is going to start a new job as a singer
in a pub. Her colleagues are talking about her. How do they feel about the news?

A: I was delighted to find out that Pia got a job as a singer in a pub. It was music to my ears! She’s
always wanted to have her own band.
B: Oh, yes. However, she will need a lot of energy with her job at the office and this new job.
A: I don’t think that will be a problem. She’s always been as fit as a fiddle. She’s always eating
healthily and does exercise every week.
C: Have you heard the news? Pia is having her first concert on Friday.
D: Who?
C: Pia, Laura’s personal assistant.
D: Her name rings a bell, but I can’t remember her very well.
C: Come on! She is the one who is always talking about music, rock bands and all that jazz.
E: So, what did Laura say about Pia’s new job?
F: She was a bit upset at first, but when Pia explained that it was a weekend job and that this new
job will allow her to make new contacts for the agency, she changed her tune.
E: Well, let’s hope Pia can handle both things.
F: If she makes a mistake, she will have to face the music. Laura is very exigent.

III. Underline the idioms in the conversations in the first exercise. Can you work out the meaning
from the context?

IV. Discuss together: How do you think Pia got interested in music?

V. Complete the following sentences about Pia and how she got interested in music. Use an
idiom from exercise I.

1. Pia’s family has always been into playing instruments, composing, singing and
……………………………………….
2. At the age of 6, Pia told her father she wanted to be a singer. It was ……………………………………….
as he was a musician and his other children hadn’t shown any interest in music.
3. When Pia finished school, she told her parents she wanted to be a singer. Her mother didn’t
accept this at the beginning, but when Pia explained that she was also going to university, she
……………………………………………………
4. Pia’s father has worked with famous singers. His name might
…………………………………………………… if you know about country music.
5. Pia knows that a music career is not easy, but she is willing to learn, accept her mistakes and
…………………………………. when any problems occur if necessary.

VI. Work in small groups and discuss the following questions.

1. Do you know someone who is as fit as a fiddle?

2. When was the last time you received news that was music to your ears?
3. Have you ever changed your tune about something?
4. Think about some situations in which you had to face the music. What happened?

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Unit 2: Relative values
Idioms to describe personality

I. SPEAKING: Would you like to work as a teacher? Why? Why not?

II. Paul is a teacher in a primary school and he is talking about his students. Read what he says
and ignore the gaps. What does he say about his students?

“I’ve been a teacher for more than ten years now and even though I love my job, it is quite complicated
to deal with so many personalities. I really feel that, in general, my students are as good as (1)
…………………………. because they are hard-working and conscientious, but they all have different
characteristics. For example, Anne is a (2) …………………. -it-all. She really thinks that her opinions
and ideas are the best and is quite reluctant to accept her classmates’ views. On the other hand,
Hugo is easy-going and this is why everybody loves him. Unfortunately, I have to admit that he is a (3)
……………………. since he hardly ever does his homework and gets distracted easily in class. Hugo
has a friend, Giovanni, who is very hard-working and usually helps Hugo. However, he has problems
when socialising. I’d say he’s a lone (4) ………………………,
but he can still work on that. Tania is also one of a kind. She is a bundle of (5) ………………. and
everybody has fun when she is around. Overall, I’m very happy with my group this year. I’ve had
groups that were a real pain in the (6) ………………., but these children are really nice and it’s easy
to work with them.”

III. Now complete the gaps with one of these words:

know – neck – layabout – gold – wolf – laughs

IV. Underline the idioms in the text in exercise I. Match up the idioms and the definitions:

a. Someone who is really annoying and most people can’t stand

b. Someone who thinks that they know much more than other people
c. Someone who is lazy and avoids responsibility
d. Someone who behaves very well (a child)
e. Someone who is funny and entertaining
f. Someone who likes doing things on their own without other people

V. Think about a person you know who could be described by the idioms. Talk to a partner about
them. For example:

- When I was at school, there was a boy who was a pain in the neck. He was always bothering me.
- I’d say my sister is a bundle of laughs. She is always telling jokes and everybody laughs at them.

VI. Work in small groups. Discuss the questions below.

1. Do you think that children can be a pain in the neck? Why?

2. Were you as good as gold when you were a child?
3. What do you prefer: working in groups or being a lone wolf?
4. Which of the idioms describe you?

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Unit 3: Things that matter
Idioms related to money

I. SPEAKING: What are the advantages and disadvantages of having your own business?

II. Julio started his own business some years ago. Read about his experience. Was it a good
experience? Why?

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Everything I have now is the result of hard work and
this is why after finishing my studies, I got a job in an important transnational company. However, I
was very enthusiastic about setting up my own business. My dad and my two brothers encouraged
me to do it since they said our family had the Midas touch.

As I had always been into technology, I opened a shop that sold all kinds of computer accessories. I
had savings from years of work, so I didn’t have to break the bank to start. Two weeks after, I realised
that people were not coming to the shop, so I needed to advertise. At the beginning, I thought that
distributing some flyers was enough, but I was wrong. I started to get upset because I was spending
all my savings on the shop and I was in the red for some months. Fortunately, my brothers told me
that nowadays, the way to promote something was through the Internet and they were absolutely
right. As soon as I created Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, my products were selling like
hot cakes. Now, I’m earning more money than before, I have two more shops in the city and I’m
planning to open a new one very soon.

III. Underline the idioms in the text and try to work out the meaning from the context.

IV. Match up the idioms and the definitions below.

1. To be always successful
2. To have a high social position and be rich from birth
3. To cost a lot of money
4. To have financial problems
5. To be bought quickly and in large numbers

V. Julio is giving some tips to set up your own business. Complete the sentences with an
appropriate idiom.

1. It might be useful to get tips from people who have ………………………………. as they can
provide you with useful advice.
2. Your customers need to feel that they don’t have to …………………………………… in order to
buy the products you sell.
3. It might be easier to have your own business if you ……………………………………. because you
probably have money and good contacts.
4. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have lots of money to start with. Some of the best ideas belonged to
people who were ……………………………………. and needed to be creative to pay their bills.
5. If your idea is good and you enjoy the business you are about to set up, your products will
……………………………………………. Don’t forget to use the Internet to advertise them, though.

VI. Can you add more tips to the ones Julio gave?

VII. Discuss the questions in groups

1. Do you think that people need to break the bank to go on holidays?
2. Think about products that sell like hot cakes. Why are they so successful?
3. If people are in the red, what can they do to get money?
4. Do you know anybody that was born with a silver spoon in his/her mouth?

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Unit 4: Things that matter
Idioms with weather words

I. SPEAKING: How do you usually spend your holidays?

II. Look at the posts of people talking about how they prefer to have holidays. Which one do you
agree with?

1. “When I travel, I don’t spend all the money I have. I think it’s good to have fun and get to know
other cities, but I’m aware of the fact that it’s necessary to save money for a rainy day”.

2. “I always travel on my holidays even if I’m a bit under the weather. I just take a pill and continue
with my plans”.

3. “You can’t chase rainbows when planning a holiday. You need to be sure that you will have enough
money for the tickets, the food, the tours, etc.”

4. “I hate spending time with a person who has a face like thunder when I’m supposed to be
enjoying myself”.

5. “Other people might feel on cloud nine when they travel, but I don’t. I prefer staying at home
watching series or films”.

III. Can you identify the idioms in the first exercise? Work with a partner and underline them.

IV. Work in pairs and try to give a definition.

V. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word
given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words including the
word given.

1. You should get health insurance in case you get sick during a trip and have to go to hospital
WEATHER
It is advisable to get health insurance if you ………………………………………. in the middle of a
trip and have to go to hospital for medical treatment.

2. I’d be delighted if I was given the opportunity to travel for a year.

CLOUD
If I had the opportunity to travel for a year, I’d ………………………………………….

3. I once travelled with a person who looked extremely angry and I didn’t know how to react.
THUNDER
I once travelled with a person who …………………………………………… and I didn’t know how
to react.

4. I’m the kind of person who likes to save money in case I need it unexpectedly. This is why I don’t
travel very much.
RAINY
I don’t travel very much because I firmly believe you should save ………………………………………

VI. Look at the sentences in exercise V. Which ones are true for you? Can you give more
information about what happened?

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Unit 5: Things that matter
Idioms with food words

I. SPEAKING: Do you like cooking? Why/ Why not? Is any member of your family keen on
cooking?

II. Read five different conversations, in which people are discussing the questions in exercise I.
Can you find anything in common with the speakers?

Conversation 1
Sarah: I can cook, but my father likes my sister’s food. He actually likes everything she does. She’s
the apple of his eye, his favourite.
Tanya: Really? I can’t cook and my siblings can’t either.

Conversation 2
Tim: Both my parents like cooking, so I don’t have to learn, I suppose.
Paul: I cook at home, but I do it at night because I have to work during the day. You know, I also have
to bring home the bacon.

Conversation 3
Olga: I once tried to learn to cook and I found it extremely difficult!
Edward: Seriously? I think it’s a piece of cake. I even know how to prepare desserts!

Conversation 4
Laura: My grandmother knows how to prepare delicious food. She says she will teach me some day.
Danna: Lucky you! My grandmother knows a lot of recipes, but she says she will never spill the beans
about the ingredients or how to prepare those dishes.

Conversation 5
Arthur: I absolutely love cooking. I like creating new dishes with different ingredients.
Grazia: I see. Well, cooking isn’t really my cup of tea, but I do it if I have to.

III. Can you identify the idioms in exercise II? Underline them and match them with the definitions
below:

1. Very easy
2. Something you like
3. The person who you love the most
4. To earn money to live on
5. To reveal a secret

IV. Complete the questions below using an idiom from exercise II. Use the appropriate form.

1. I’m responsible for ………………………… home the ………………………..

2. Desserts made of chocolates aren’t really my ………………… of …………………… They are too
sweet.
3. Preparing Peruvian food is a …………………….. of …………………… if you have a good recipe.
4. There is a person in my family who would never ………………… the ……………… about his/ her
cooking secrets.
5. I’m the ……………………………. of my grandparents’ / parents’ …………………. They’re so proud
of me.

V. Are the sentences in exercise IV true or false for you? Discuss with a partner.

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Unit 6: In the spotlight
Idioms related to performing arts

I. SPEAKING: Would you like to be an actor / actress? Why? Why not?

II. Read five comments from five different actors. Are they talking about a positive or negative
aspect or their job? Ignore the gaps at this stage.

1. Peter
We’ve worked very hard to make this play successful, but not many people are coming to the
theatre. But it isn’t over until the fat ………………. sings. There must be a way in which we can
attract more people.

2. Ramona
I love my job, but it is quite difficult when you don’t feel well. For example, I remember that I had
a stomachache one afternoon and two hours later, I had to perform in front of a full theatre. You
know, the ………………. must go on.

3. Joseph
The excitement you feel is indescribable. Even more when you work with a group of people who
always say ‘break a …………………….’ before every performance.

4. Kate
I worked with another actress in my last play and it was a nightmare. She was always late, didn’t
learn her lines and was always in a bad mood. I decided to talk to the director and explained that
I was doing my best, but it took two to …………………., so he talked to her and she changed her
attitude.

5. Ian
It is great to explore new topics, characters and settings. I learnt more on stage than when I was
a student. So far, all my plays have lived up to the …………………, so I think I’ve learnt to choose
well.

III. Complete the gaps with one of the words in the box:

tango – leg – lady – hype – show

IV. Underline the idioms in exercise I and match them with the definitions below.

1. Both people in a difficult situation should work together

2. It is still possible to change a situation for the better
3. Expression used to wish good luck in a performance
4. Be as good as expected by the public
5. To encourage someone to continue doing what they are doing even if they are experiencing
difficulties

V. Look again at the comments in exercise I. Can you think of a situation in which you can use
the idioms?

For example:
- We can say “Break a leg!” if we are about to give a presentation to a client at work.
- We can say “It isn’t over until the fat lady sings” if we fail a test, but we can still pass a course.

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Unit 7: A place to live
Idioms about travelling

I. SPEAKING: How do you decide where to travel on holiday? What is the best way to decide
where to go on holiday?

II. Anna enjoys travelling, but there is one aspect she doesn’t like. Read the extract and identify
the aspect she hates and why she hates it.

I usually get itchy feet at the end of the year. Perhaps it is because my job is quite stressful and
I need a break to start a new year in the best condition. However, there is one part I really hate
about travelling: the airport experience. I just can’t deal with all the procedures because they make
me feel nervous and I think they are endless. I don’t know if it is my impression, but I think the staff
are always in a hurry, talk a mile a minute and I often get confused about what to do next. Once,
I even missed a flight because of an unexpected traffic jam on the way to the airport. There were
other passengers who were in the same boat and we had to go to the nearest hotel so we could
catch the next plane.
On another occasion, I realised I didn’t have my passport when I arrived at the airport. My hotel
was very near so I decided to go back. Fortunately, the staff had found it under my bed and I didn’t
miss the flight. Now, I check all the documents I need before hitting the road. This year I’m going
to Greece and I’m worried because I read a webpage that said that they have the worst airports
in the world. But I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, I guess.

III. Have you ever had a bad experience when travelling? Tell a partner.

IV. Underline the idioms in the text and work out the meaning from the context.

V. Anna is now giving some tips for people who like travelling. Complete the second sentence
so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word given. Do not change the word
given. You must use between two and five words including the word given.

1. Leave your house early so you don’t have problems at the airport.
ROAD
To avoid problems at the airport you should ………………………………. early

2. If you don’t speak the language well, ask people not to speak so fast.
MILE
Ask people not to ……………………………………… if you are going to a country with a language
you don’t speak well.

3. Don’t think too much and plan a nice trip if you feel like travelling soon.
FEET
Plan a nice trip without overthinking it if you …………………………………….

4. Don’t worry too much about small details as you’ll be able to solve those problems if they appear.
BRIDGE
Don’t worry too much about small details, you can …………………………………… when you
come it.

5. Don’t panic if your flight is cancelled or delayed as there are many passengers in the same
difficult situation as you.
BOAT
Stay calm if your flight is cancelled or delayed because there are other people who are in
………………………………….

VI. Do you agree with the tips given in exercise V? Can you add other ones?

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Unit 8: Moving on
Idioms related to work

I. SPEAKING: Imagine you need to give a presentation about tips for people who are starting
work. Discuss what information you could include in your presentation.

II. Discuss with a partner if the tips below are good or bad.

1. If you are new, make sure you work extremely hard, so your boss gets a good impression.
2. Be prepared to do the hard or boring part of a job. Don’t complain about it. Remember you are the
new one.
3. If you go to a social meeting, talk about your job even if the other people are not interested in it.
You might get good pieces of advice for the problems you have.
4. You might not be convinced about your new job, but you don’t know if you will like it until you start
working. You have to take a risk in order to get something good.
5. You shouldn’t do more than what is expected from you. Your boss might get used to it and you will
have problems afterwards.

III. Try to find one idiom that can replace the underlined words in exercise II.

talk shop – go the extra mile – do the donkey work – break your back –
nothing ventured, nothing gained

IV. Read the conversation between two students who are discussing how effective the tips in
exercise II are. Complete the gaps with an idiom in the correct form.

Meg: So, what do you think about this one?

Rick: Unfortunately, I think it’s true. When you start working in a company, you must be ready to
……………………………………………. You know, classifying files, preparing coffee, doing
the photocopying. Once you get used to it, you’ll do more interesting things.
Meg: I think it will depend on your boss. They might want to give you important responsibilities from
the word go.
Rick: Maybe… What about this one? I don’t think it’s a good idea.
Meg: I couldn’t agree more! You go out to relax, not to ………………………………. and stress other
people out with your problems at work.
Rick: Totally. Look at this one. I’m not sure. I guess they have a point. At first, you might do your best
at work but then you might start behaving normally and your boss could think it is because
you are becoming lazy.
Meg: I disagree. I believe everyone should always ……………………………………. If you don’t, it’s
because you don’t really like what you are doing.
Rick: You’re probably right. This one is the opposite, I think. I guess it’s a good tip if we consider
what you’ve just said.
Meg: Sure. But don’t get me wrong. Doing your best doesn’t mean you have to
…………………………………… and do things such as working long hours or taking work
home. You must be aware of the limit between your job and your personal life.
Rick: That’s true. Well, this is the last one. I’m not sure, I have to say. If you aren’t sure about a job
offer, why would you take it?
Meg: To get experience, maybe something better will appear in the future. For example, I started
as an assistant and now I’m the supervisor. If I had not taken the risk, I wouldn’t have got this
opportunity. You know, ……………………………………….
Rick: You’re right!

V. Discuss the following questions in small groups:

1. Would you be willing to do the donkey work in a new job for a while? Why/ Why not?
2. Do you really believe in the saying “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”?
3. Do you know anyone who usually talks shop? How do you feel about it?
4. Do you always break your back at school / university / work / language school?

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Unit 9: Lucky break?
Idioms related to luck and making decisions

I. SPEAKING: What is the best decision you have made so far? Tell a partner.

II. Read about five people who are talking about a decision they made at some point in their
lives. Were they good or bad decisions? Why?

1. Marina
“Some years ago, I had the opportunity to study abroad for a year, but I was engaged at that time
and I turned the offer down. Two months later, my boyfriend broke up with me. I guess I missed
the opportunity, but I hope to get a second bite at the cherry someday.”

2. Helen
“My husband and I decided to resign from our jobs and start up our own business. We were very
successful and some friends said that it was a stroke of luck. I think those comments were unfair
because we invested a lot of time and money in the business.”

3. Paul
“Five years ago I was going to get married, but I had doubts and decided to call off the wedding
and end my relationship. Two years later, I realised I missed my ex-girlfriend and I contacted her.
I was very surprised to see that she was married and pregnant. It was difficult for me to accept
that, but I knew that that ship had sailed.”

4. Daniel
“I had an excellent job with great working conditions and a good salary when I was offered another
one which seemed to be better. I was on the fence for months until I finally made a decision: I left
my job to take on a new challenge. I’m now the manager of the company I currently work for and
I have more benefits than before.”

5. Ian
“I decided to go to Paris and surprise my aunt who lives there. I didn’t tell her anything but I was
planning to stay with her because she always puts me up. When I arrived there, I was shocked to
discover that she had had the same idea and had travelled to the States to surprise me. It was
the only thing that could have gone wrong and it happened. Murphy’s law, I guess.”

III. Discuss together which was the most difficult situation and why.

IV. Can you identify the idioms in exercise II? Work with a partner and match them with the
definitions below:

1. That opportunity has passed

2. To be the result of chance
3. To have another opportunity to do something
4. To be indecisive
5. The principle that if it is possible for something to go wrong, it will go wrong.

V. Discuss the questions below in small groups.

1. Tell the group if you have ever been on the fence. What decision did you have to make?
2. Have you ever been in a situation in which you said “that ship has sailed”? What happened?
3. Can you give examples of Murphy’s law in people’s everyday lives?
4. Is there any situation in which you would like to get a second bite at the cherry?
5. Do you believe that some important events can be the result of a stroke of luck? Why? Why not?

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Unit 10: Friends for life
Idioms related to friendship

I. SPEAKING: Do you think people usually meet their best friends when they’re at school? Why /
Why not?

II. Clare met her best friend at school and she is talking about it. How did Clare and Anna meet?
Ignore the gaps at this stage.

I was new in town and it was my first day at school. I remember that I was upset because everything
was new, but I had had to move because my father had got a new job and my mother and I went with
him. I had nobody to talk to about this nor a shoulder to cry (1) …………… since I was an only child
and didn’t have close friends in my previous school. Anyway, I spent my first day at school without
talking to anyone and when it was time to go home, I found myself in the middle of the street trying
to figure out my way home.

I was still thinking about what to do when a girl wearing the same school uniform as me showed up
and asked me if I was OK. I recognised her because she was in my class, so I told her what happened
and she said she lived in my street. I felt relieved and we started walking together. I don’t know how
to explain it, but the two of us hit it (2) ……………… right away. Anna –that was her name- and I had
similar interests such as watching romantic films, playing video games, spending time alone and as
she was also an only child, we spoke the (3) ………………… language.

Anna and I are now 25 years old and we’re still best friends. We’ve been through so many things
together and I feel she knows me inside (4) ……………………. It is true that even though we have
lots of things in common, we are not always (5) ………………… the same wavelength, but it doesn’t
mean that we don’t respect each other’s views. It is also true that we don’t speak as often as when
we were at school, but thanks to technology, we’re in touch frequently.

III. Choose the correct option to complete the gaps in exercise II.

1. A) in B) to C) on D) with
2. A) off B) out C) along D) ahead
3. A) similar B) same C) mother D) equal
4. A) up B) down C) out D) in
5. A) at B) into C) on D) of

IV. Underline the idioms and infer the meaning from the context.

V. Clare’s best friend, Anna, is giving her views on friendship. Complete the gaps with an
appropriate idiom.

1. I don’t think we need to like each other from the very beginning. For example, my friend Jair.
We didn’t …………………………….………………. immediately, but then we became very good
friends.
2. I think you and your friends generally need to be …………………………………………. in most
topics because if you don’t, you might be fighting all the time.
3. You might feel that someone and you ………………………….…………., but that doesn’t mean
you are going to be friends. Friendship is more than similar hobbies or beliefs.
4. A good friend doesn’t have to be …………………………….……………….. because not everybody
has those people skills.
5. You sometimes think you …………………………………………, but the truth is that people can
surprise you rather unpleasantly.

VI. Do you agree with Anna’s views? Discuss in small groups.

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Unit 11: Nothing to fear but fear
Idioms related to fear or nervousness

I. SPEAKING: When do you usually feel afraid or nervous? Do you do anything to stop feeling
like this?

II. Read about five people and their experiences. Have you or anyone you know ever had a
similar experience? What happened?

1. Lorena
A friend told me that there was a great job opportunity and I decided to give it a go. I went for an
interview and they said that I had to wait for two weeks to receive a call. As you can imagine, I
held my breath waiting for the final call. In the end, they did call and told me that someone else
had been selected for the position.

2. Peter
I visited Peru some years ago and I was delighted by the beauty of the country. But one night a
slight earth tremor hit the city I was staying in. It made my blood run cold because I live in an area
that is not prone to earthquakes. Fortunately, my wife is Peruvian and she was able to calm me
down.

3. Pia
I’m not the kind of person who is afraid of their own shadow, but when it comes to heights, that’s
quite another matter. I wouldn’t do things such as bungee jumping or paragliding. I even rent flats
that are on the first or second floor because I just can’t stand high places.

4. Kiara
I’ve always been a good student. I always pass my tests with very good marks and I’m also good
at writing assignments. However, there is only one thing that makes me feel as if I have butterflies
in my stomach: giving presentations. I get very nervous and my hands shake all the time. It’s
something I have to work on, I suppose.

5. Ignacio
I’m a very quiet person, so I enjoy nice walks and afternoons at home. I suppose that this is why
I’m not into speed. The last time I travelled by bus, I had my heart in my mouth because we were
going too fast. I actually had to ask the driver to slow down because I thought we were going to
crash.

III. Identify the idioms in exercise II and infer the meaning from the context.

IV. Look at the first column of the table. Complete the questions with one of the idioms in exercise II.

A B C

When was the last time you felt ……………………… stomach?

Do you know anyone who is ………………………? shadow?

What makes your blood …………………………………?

When was the last time you held…………………………?

V. Interview three people. Ask and answer the questions in the chart.

BRITANICO STUDENT’S BOOKLET - ADVANCED PHASE 11

Unit 12: Crime scene
Idioms related to crime

I. SPEAKING: Have you read a story about crimes recently? Tell your group.

II. Read the following articles and summarise each story.

1. Paul Smith has been a drug dealer for a couple of years now. In spite of having been accused of
committing several crimes, the police haven’t been able to prove he is guilty. He is still free and
enjoys quite a luxurious lifestyle. However, everybody agrees that sooner or later, the truth will
be revealed and he will get what he deserves because criminals are always punished for their
crimes.

2. Many years ago, Argentinians were shocked by the story of a woman called Rachel Winter, who
murdered her husband after finding out he had stolen money from her. What shocked everybody
was the fact that she apparently killed him without showing any emotion. When the police arrested
her, she seemed to be insane as she couldn’t say a word for almost a week.

3. What are the chances of coming across someone in the act of doing something illegal in your
own house? Olga Wright had woken up at midnight in order to drink a glass of water when she
found a thief inside her flat. Fortunately, the criminal didn’t realise she was there, so she hit him
with a vase. The man turned out to be Tim Scott, a famous cat burglar the police hadn’t been able
to catch.

4. Danny Morgan had an accident while driving to the south of the city. He was breaking the speed
limit and a woman who was crossing the road was injured. When the police arrested him, they
found that he had been drinking alcohol. Two months after the accident, the judge punished him
severely: he will spend six years in prison because he could have killed someone.

III. Look at the underlined expressions and try to replace them with one of the idioms below.
Make changes in the verb form if necessary.

throw the book at someone / crime doesn’t pay / catch someone red-handed /
behind bars / in cold blood

IV. Which story did you find the most surprising / disturbing / fair / unfair? Discuss with a partner

V. Complete the following questions with an appropriate idiom:

1. Nowadays, many criminals don’t go to prison because the police can’t find the evidence they
need. Do you really think that ……………………………………...? Why?
2. What kind of criminals should spend the rest of their lives ……………………………...? Why?
3. What would you do if you …………………………………………………?
4. Have you ever watched a film or read a book about someone who killed another person
…………………………………………………...? What was it about?
5. Do you think that judges should ………………………………………….? dishonest politicians?
Why?

VI. Work in small groups. Discuss the questions in exercise V.

12 BRITANICO STUDENT’S BOOKLET - ADVANCED PHASE