200 Expressions - Speak English With Vanessa

Speak English With Vanessa
Free PDF Worksheet

200 Important English Expressions
Dear English Learner,
Get ready to speak confidently! I recommend reading the worksheet out loud and using
the blank space on the last page to answer my challenge question. Click here to watch
the original video. Thanks so much for learning English with me!
Your teacher,
Vanessa
Words to Describe Big Features of Nature

1. Forest: a large area covered mostly with trees and undergrowth
The trees in the forest were so tall, I couldn’t see the sky.
2. Jungle: a large area in the tropics, covered in dense trees and undergrowth
On our trip to Costa Rica, we went on some hikes through the jungle.
3. Fjord: a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs
When my kids get older, I want to take them on a trip to see the fjords of Norway.
4. Canyon: a deep, narrow valley with steep sides and (usually) a river running
through it
I have never visited the Grand Canyon, but I flew over it in an airplane–it’s huge!
5. River/Stream/Creek: bodies of water that run or flow into a larger body of water
We have a stream or creek in our backyard, and the kids love to look for fish,
frogs, bugs, and pretty rocks.
www.SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com 1
6. Lake: a large body of water surrounded by land
When I was growing up, my family spent a lot of time at the lake–fishing,
swimming, even water skiing/wakeboarding/tubing!
7. Ocean: a large body of saltwater that covers three fourths of the earth’s surface
The ocean is so large that we haven’t even explored it all yet. It’s as unknown to
us as outer space!
8. Mountains: a large landform that rises above the surrounding area

It is a goal of mine to visit all the tallest mountains in my country.
9. Beach: where the ocean meets land, typically sandy or rocky

When you go to the beach, make sure you bring sunscreen and a towel.
10. Desert: a large area of land, usually with sand, that has very little water or
vegetation
Something that I want to experience is riding a camel across the desert.
Words to Describe Beautiful Nature

11. Breathtaking: when something is so beautiful, it takes your breath away
The view from the top of the mountain of the valley down below was
breathtaking.
12. Refreshing: something new or different that gives you strength or energy
When I need a break from work, I like to take a walk outside and get some fresh
air and sunshine. It’s so refreshing!
13. Flourishing: when something develops quickly and successfully; thriving

I always love to see how some plants flourish after a wildfire.
14. Evergreen: plants and foliage that stay green year-round
I like taking walks in this area because there are a lot of evergreens and even
when it’s hot in the summer, there is a lot of shade.
15. Verdant: a bright green color, like you would see with rich grass and other
vegetation
The valley looks so verdant in the springtime–everything is so green!
16. Crisp: when the weather is pleasantly fresh, cold, and dry
I love going to the mountains for the scenery and the crisp, clean air.
17. Pristine: something that is clean, fresh, and not polluted

This is my favorite place to camp because every time I am here, it’s
pristine–there’s no litter and it’s always quiet.
18. Lush: in nature, rich with vegetation

The jungle in Costa Rica is lush with all kinds of trees, flowers, and fruit.
19. Majestic: beautiful, powerful, and causing feelings of admiration or respect

The view of the ocean from the top of the cliff was majestic.
20. Sweeping: extending over a wide range

From where we are on the mountain, I have a sweeping view of the entire valley.
Words to Describe Problems with Nature

21. Environmental issues: the harmful effects that human can have on nature,
including pollution, overpopulation, and climate change
I am concerned about environmental issues like pollution and climate change
because I want my children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy nature.
22. Flood: when a large amount of water overflows its normal boundaries
Every spring, there is heavy rain that sometimes leads to a flood.
23. Drought: a lack of rain over a long period of time
The farmers lost their crops because there was a drought–it didn’t rain for over
100 days.
24. Pollution: a chemical or substance that has harmful or poisonous effects

To cut back on pollution, we walk or ride our bikes as much as possible.
25. Endangered/extinction: something that is at risk of no longer existing; something

that no longer exists
Many animals are endangered and will become extinct if nothing is done to
save them.
26. Habitat loss: when a species loses its natural habitat as a result of natural or
(most commonly) man-made destruction
Tigers and elephants are two animals that are impacted by habitat loss.
27. Loss of biodiversity: the loss of various types of life (plants, animals, fungi) in an
area that causes an imbalance
Overfishing and pollution are two big factors in the loss of biodiversity.
28. Invasive: a plant or animal that is brought in and causes harm to that
environment
Feral hogs are an invasive species in the United States. They destroy farmland
and cause erosion and deforestation.
29. Erosion: when earth is worn away by wind or water

Cutting down trees can cause erosion because the roots hold the soil in place.
30. Wildfires: when an unplanned fire burns out of control in a rural area, destroying
vegetation and habitat
The recent wildfire in Canada was so large that we could see the smoke in the
air where I live in the US!
Verbs to Describe Nature
31. To Plant: to place a seed, bulb, or root in the ground so that it can grow
Our family loves maple trees so much that we decided to plant one in our yard.
32. To Grow: when something develops, increasing and changing in size

Every year, we take a family picture with our tree to see how much both the tree
and our kids have grown over the year.
33. To Rot: when something dead starts to break down or decay

Mushrooms and moss like to grow on trees that are rotting.
34. To Hibernate: when plants or animals spend the winter in a dormant state; it’s like
everything gets paused for the season
Before bears hibernate, they spend the summer and fall eating and getting really
fat. Then they sleep through the winter!
35. To Flower: when a plant produces flowers or blooms

I love when the tulips start to flower in the spring–they’re so bright and colorful!
36. To Pollinate: to move pollen among plants, allowing fertilization and the
production of seeds
Birds, bees, and other animals help pollinate plants and crops.
37. To Forage: to search for food

Where I live, we have to be very careful with our trash because bears like to
forage for food and it can be dangerous for them.
38. To Regenerate: when a living organism regrows tissue as a result of loss

If you cut off a section of some plants, it can regenerate into a whole new plant.
39. To Babble: this is a type of sound that people, especially babies make; it’s also
used to describe the sound of running water, like in a stream
I love falling asleep to the sound of a babbling stream when I go camping.
40. Blowing in the breeze: the swaying motion and swishing sound that the wind
makes when it moves through things like tall grass and trees
At our house, we like to hang windchimes and pinwheels that blow in the
breeze.
Words to Describe Small Features of Nature

41. Petals: the colorful leaves surrounding the middle of a flower
In the United States, it is a tradition for someone, usually called a “flower girl” to
scatter flower petals down the aisle before the bride walks down it.
42. Stem: the part of the plant that supports the leaves, flowers, and fruit and
transports water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant
Roses are beautiful flowers but watch out for thorns on the stem!
43. Trunk: the thick base of a tree

The trunk of the old tree was so wide that I couldn’t reach my arms around it.
44. Bark: the thick, woody skin of a tree

You can identify trees by the type of bark they have–is it smooth or rough? What
kind of pattern does it make?
45. Branch: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk
I tried to climb the tree, but I couldn’t make it to the first branch.
46. Leaves/Needles: the parts of a plant that are usually green and on the ends of
branches; leaves are typically broad and flat, needles look like, you guessed it,
green needles
In the fall, leaves turn red, orange and gold, but needles stay green.
47. Acorns/pinecones: these are two types of seeds from some very common trees
in North America. Acorns are the seeds of oak trees and pinecones are the seed
pods of pine trees.
We went out in the woods to gather acorns and pinecones for an art project.
48. Blades of grass: a single, long narrow leaf of the plant grass
My son watched the bug crawling on the blade of grass.
49. Moss: a very small green or yellow plant that grows in wet earth or on rocks,
walls, and tree trunks
Moss is very soft and squishy, it almost feels like carpet when you walk on it.
50. Rocks/stones/Pebbles: a rock is a solid mass of material or collection of

minerals; stones are smaller pieces of rocks; pebbles are smaller, smoother bits
of rocks
That big rock looks like an animal; this stone is perfect for skipping across the
water; I think I have a pebble in my shoe!
10 Items in the Classroom
1. Desk: the small table where a student can sit and work during class
Every student in the classroom has their own desk.
2. Chair: a seat, usually with a back and four legs

I was so embarrassed when I fell out of my chair in the middle of class!
3. Notebook: a small book with lined or blank pages for writing in

I forgot my notebook. Can I borrow some paper for class?
4. Pen or pencil: an instrument used for writing; pens have ink, pencils have
graphite
I like using a pen during class, but my teacher wants us to use pencils when we
take tests.
5. Whiteboard or Smartboard: a whiteboard uses erasable markers to illustrate,

teach, or make presentations ; a smartboard is interactive, allowing the user to
write or move things around on the display
The students were excited when they got to upgrade from a whiteboard to a
Smartboard–it was going to make learning a lot more fun!
6. Paperclip: noun and verb; a piece of bent wire or plastic used to hold papers
together
I put a red paperclip on the left corner of my ten-page writing assignment.
Make sure you paperclip your report together.
7. Cubbies/Lockers: a small space used for storing books or personal items

I forgot my backpack in my locker/cubby. Can I go get it?
8. Tape: a narrow strip of sticky material that is used to hold or fasten something
I tore the paper, so I had to use tape to put it back together.
9. Highlighter: noun and verb; a marker that uses bright, transparent colors to
emphasize material when reading or studying
I use colorful highlighters to help me remember things when I am studying.
I like to highlight important sections in my notes.
10. Scissors: an instrument with two blades that is used for cutting
I need to cut this paper, can you hand me the scissors?
10 Phrases Teachers Say

1. “Hi, my name is Ms. Vanessa. Today we are going to be learning about [X]”
This is called an introduction. The teacher introduces themself and tells you what
they will be teaching you.
2. “We can’t get started until everyone is in their own seat and quiet.”
This is what a teacher will say to get everyone to be quiet and pay attention so
that the lesson can begin.
3. “Open up your books/workbooks to page [X].”

This is a phrase a teacher will use to begin the lesson. If they are teaching from a
book or workbook, they will tell you which page to look at.
4. “We’re going to split up into groups for this exercise/project.”

To split up into groups means that the whole classroom will divide into smaller
groups to work on something.
5. “Keep your eyes on your own test.” or “No discussing answers.”

A teacher may say this phrase to make sure that no one is cheating, which is
dishonest and against the rules, especially in school.
6. “Today we are going to have a pop quiz, so I hope you did your homework
last night!”
A pop quiz is a quiz that the teacher surprises you with. Sometimes a teacher will
use a pop quiz to make sure that students are paying attention and doing the
work that they have been assigned.
7. “You will have 15 minutes to finish this quiz. No talking. Turn your paper
over when you are finished.”
This is a common phrase that teachers will use. It tells you how long you have to
finish the quiz, that talking isn’t allowed during the quiz, and that when you
complete the quiz, you need to turn the paper over face down on your desk.
8. “Tell me in your own words…”

A teacher may say this when they want to make sure that students understand a
certain concept. They don’t want their students to memorize answers, they want
their students to be able to describe something in their own words.
9. “Time’s up. Pencils down.”

A teacher may say this when the time for an assignment is over. It means to stop
writing and put your pencil down.
10. “That’s all for today. Don’t forget to do your homework tonight!”
A teacher might say this at the end of class, before all the students leave. If there
was a homework assignment, you better not forget–there might be a pop quiz the
next day!
10 Phrases Students Say

1. “I don’t have my [books, paper, pencil]”
A student may say this when they come to class unprepared. If you are a
student, always do your best to come to class prepared and if you don’t have
something, ask your classmates before you ask your teacher.
2. “Ms. Vanessa, my dog ate my homework…”
This is a common excuse that students have used for several decades in the
United States to the point where it is a joke. They use it to explain to their teacher
why they don’t have their homework. In reality, they probably didn’t do their
homework and they’re lying.
3. “I don’t get it.” or “I don’t understand.”

A student might use this phrase if they don’t understand something. Don’t ever
be afraid to tell your teacher that you don’t understand something– the whole
reason they are there is to help you learn and understand!
4. “I need to cram for this test if I’m going to get a good grade.”
This is a phrase that a student may use if there is a lot of information that they
need to study before a test. Imagine trying to “cram” or shove a bunch of
knowledge and information into your brain.
5. “I haven’t studied for the test tomorrow. I am going to pull an all-nighter.”

This is a common phrase that older students use, but it is a very bad idea. To pull
an all-nighter is to stay up all night, with no sleep, to either study for a test, write
a paper, or finish a project. To do well in school you need sleep–all-nighters are a
bad idea.
6. “Hey, can I borrow your notes?”

This is a phrase you would say to one of your classmates if you missed class or
missed something the teacher said. If you borrow their notes, it typically means
you are going to make a copy of them.
7. “He’s a real teacher’s pet. Ms. Vanessa always picks him to write on the
whiteboard.”
A teacher’s pet is a term for a student that the teacher treats as their favorite. It’s
usually not a nice term.
8. “Are there extra credit or bonus points?”
A student might say this if their grades aren’t very good or if they always want to
have perfect grades. Some teachers offer extra credit, some don’t, but it doesn’t
hurt to ask!
9. “I’m totally lost.”

A student might say this if they really don’t understand what is being taught. This
is more than “I don’t get it”. Imagine a young child trying to do advanced
calculus–they would be totally lost!
10. “When am I ever going to use this…?”

This is a phrase a student might use if they are frustrated or bored with a subject
in school. They may not understand why they have to try to learn something if
they will never be able to use it beyond the classroom.
10 Most Common Classroom Questions
1. “Can anyone tell me / Who can tell me…?”

A teacher would say this if they want a student to raise their hand to answer a
question.
2. “Any questions?”
A teacher would use this phrase to ask the students if they have any questions
about the material being taught.
3. “Who hasn’t gone yet?”

If students have been taking turns doing something, a teacher will ask this
question to make sure that people who haven’t had a turn get one.
4. “Whose turn is it?”

If students are taking turns doing something in the classroom, like reading or
writing on the board, a teacher will use this phrase to make sure that the process
keeps going in order. Students might ask this, too.
5. “What page are we on?”
A student may ask this if they get lost during the lesson.
6. “Can you repeat the question?”

A student may ask the teacher this if they don’t understand the question.
7. “When is the test?”

A student may ask this if they don’t know when the test is.
8. “Is this going to be on the test?”

Students ask this when they don’t want to memorize everything.
9. “Do you want to work together?”

A student might say this to another student if the teacher allows working in
groups.
10. “Can I borrow [X]?”

A student would say this to another student if they forgot something or came to
class unprepared. It’s better to ask a classmate before you ask your teacher
because they want to see you take school seriously, which means always being
prepared.
10 Phrases for Encouragement/Feedback

1. “Show your work.”
A teacher will use this phrase with math problems because they want to see the
process you used to arrive at the answer. This way, they can make sure you
know how to solve a problem, not just memorize answers.
2. “Explain your answer.”
Similar to math problems, a teacher may say this when they want to make sure
that you understand certain concepts that were taught. When you explain your
reasoning, you can show that you understand it well.
3. “Almost. Try again.”

A teacher might use this as a way to make a student keep guessing, especially if
they are close to the right answer.
4. “Keep practicing. You’ve almost got it.”

This is a phrase a teacher would use to encourage a student to keep practicing
and learning something.
5. “You’ve got it, keep going!”

A teacher will say this to encourage a student who is doing something correctly
to keep doing whatever it is they are doing.
6. “You’re on the right track.”

A teacher would say this if a student was close to getting something right or
understanding something. It is encouragement to keep going.
7. “What about…?”
A teacher might use this question to get a student or classroom of students to
consider something. Usually a teacher will use this if the concept is unexpected
or surprising and the students wouldn’t have thought of it on their own.
8. “I can tell you’ve been working hard on this.”

This is a phrase a teacher would use to encourage a student who had improved
on something as a result of practice and hard work.
9. “Here are some things to focus on before the next test.”
A teacher might say this if a student got a bad grade or if the whole class was
needing help preparing before the next test.
10. “You passed with flying colors!”

A teacher would say this if a student got a really good grade.
Greetings
1. “How’s your day goin’?”
Pretty good, how about yours?
2. “Ya been doin’ ok?”

Eh, it’s been kind of a hard week, but it’s getting better.
3. “How ya been?”
I’ve been good. I haven’t seen you in so long! How are you?
4. “What’s new with you?”

I just had my third baby. Our family is so excited!
5. “What’s new in your world?”

We have a newborn, so it’s been a little bit of an adjustment, but
everything is going great!
6. “What’s been going on?”

The boys are excited about going back to school, and we’re working on
growing our business. It’s an exciting time in our house!
7. “How’s it going?”
It’s going! It’s been a busy week. I am ready for some down time to relax.
8. “What’s up?”
Not a lot. Enjoying the last days of summer before fall gets here. What
about you?
9. “How’s everything [going]?”

Pretty good. It's been a really fun summer, but I think we’re ready to get
back to the routine of the school year. How’s everything with you?
10. “Y’ doin’ alright?”
I’m doing ok, I think I just need to eat something and take a nap.
*This can be a question you ask someone if you’re concerned about them, like
they look unwell.
Plans
11. “What are you up to today?/Whatcha up to today?”
I need to answer some emails and then do some work around the house.
You wanna help?
12. “Do ya wanna hang out later?”

If I can get all my work finished in time, yeah, I’d love to!
13. “Ya doin anything fun this weekend?”

No big plans. Just hanging out with family. How about you?
14. “Ya got anything fun planned?”

It’s my best friend’s birthday on Saturday so we have a surprise party
planned. Do you wanna come?
15. “Wanna grab lunch/dinner later?”

Actually, I was gonna make a huge salad with fresh ingredients from our
garden. Do ya wanna join us?
16. “ Where ya headed?”

I was gonna go drop some books off at the library and then go to the
farmer’s market. Ya wanna come with me?
17. “Whatcha got goin’ on this weekend/summer/holiday?”

For the long weekend, we are going to take a family hiking trip and then
have a big cookout at our house. Ya wanna come?
18. “What are your plans for dinner?”
I don’t have any, do you? I don’t wanna cook. Do ya wanna pick
something up?
19. “Are you gonna be around later?”

Yep! Gimme a call or stop by if you wanna catch up.
*This is usually something someone says if they have to go or can’t speak freely
at the moment, but still want to have a conversation.
20. “Have you decided where you’re going on vacation?”

I think we’re going to take a roadtrip to visit friends, and make some fun
stops along the way. What about you?
Interests/Hobbies
21. “What do you like to do in your free time?”
I like to make jewelry out of recycled materials and sell them at craft
shows.
22. “How long have you been doing that?”

Not always, I just started doing it in the last few years.
23. “What got you into that?”

I enjoy being creative, and I like to reduce waste anywhere I can.
24. “Ya wanna try it?”

I’m not very creative when it comes to art, but I’ll give it a shot.
25. “What are you into?”

I love being outdoors and in nature, so I just started volunteering with an
organization that helps kids learn more about nature and preservation.
26. “What’s that like?”
It’s amazing! It’s so much fun to learn about their perspectives and the
way they see the world. Honestly, I think I learn more from them than they
learn from me.
27. “How did you learn that?”

I’ve always loved the outdoors and as I’ve gotten older it’s become
important to me to pass this love on to younger generations. I learned
about this organization and knew I had to get involved.
28. “Have you seen the latest Superman movie?”

I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard good things about it!
29. “Have you read the book Atomic Habits?”

I haven’t heard about it, what’s it about?
30. “I think I want to learn to play the piano. Can you teach me?”
Of course! I love teaching people.
Around the House

31. “Can you help me with something?”
Sure, give me one second, and I’ll be right there.
32. “Have you seen my jacket?”

I think it’s on the chair.
33. “Did you check the closet?”

I did check the closet, but I didn’t see my shoes in there.
34. “Can you pass me the salt and pepper?”

Of course! Here ya go.
35. “Did you check the mail today?”
I did. We didn’t get anything good.
36. “Have you fed the chickens yet?”

I watched while the boys did it. They did such a good job!
37. “Is it time to eat?”

It’s kinda early, but I’m hungry, too. Let’s eat!
38. “Would you rather fold laundry or put away dishes?”

I’ll put away dishes if you’ll fold the laundry!
39. “Do I have to?”

I know, I don’t like doing chores either. They feel never ending!
*This is a common phrase that children will use when they really don’t want to do
something. Sometimes adults will use it too!
40. “Will you hit the light?”

Yep, one sec. I wanna read two more pages before bed.
*This is a common phrase and can mean either turning on or turning off the light.
Job/Work
41. “How’s the project going?”
It’s going pretty well. I am learning a lot, and I really like my team.
42. “Are you working on anything fun?”

Nothing too exciting yet, but I think something new is starting soon.
43. “What do you do? / What are you studying?”

I help people learn skills that help them get better jobs. I love helping
people!
44. “What is your dream job?”
I don’t have a “dream job” in mind, but I have always enjoyed jobs that
help people see their own potential, grow, and achieve amazing things. It’s
pretty awesome!
45. “I’m looking for a new job. Is your company hiring?”

I’m not sure, but I can ask around for you.
46. “What kind of work experience do you have?”

I am really great with computers and learning new software and
technology. I love solving problems!
47. “What’s your favorite part of your job?”

I really love helping people and seeing them develop skills.
48. “What’s your least favorite part of your job?”

I really don’t like the “business” part of running a business–spreadsheets,
payroll, taxes–blech!
49. “Would you rather do manual labor or have a desk job?”

Hmm.. Manual labor can be really tough when the weather is bad, but
sometimes when you have a desk job, you never get to go outside. So
maybe neither–I like the job I have right now!
50. “How long have you worked in education?”

Officially, I have worked in education for 10 years. But I have always been
interested in education. Even when I was little, I would pretend to be a
teacher and fill a classroom with my dolls and stuffed animals.
50 Phrasal Verbs with a Mug
1. To pick up: to take hold of and lift something

I pick up the mug to take a drink.
2. To put down: to stop holding something and place it on a surface

I put down the mug because it’s too hot for me to hold right now.
3. To fill up: to become full

I fill up the mug with hot water to make tea.
4. To set down: to place something on a surface

I set the mug down on the countertop.
5. To knock over: to hit something so that it falls over

Be careful–don’t knock over the mug!
6. To break out: to start using something

It’s almost time to break out my holiday mugs!
7. To brush off: to remove dust or dirt from something using your hand
I haven’t used this mug in a while, so I brush off the dust.
8. To wipe out: to clean or dry the inside of something using a cloth

I wipe the mug out using this towel.
9. To clean out: to thoroughly clean the inside of something

This mug is dustier than I thought it was, so I need to clean it out before I drink
anything from it.
10. To clean off: to remove something from something by brushing or rubbing
I clean off the outside of the mug using a sponge.
11. To wipe off: to clean someone or something using a towel or hand

I wipe off the mug when I am done cleaning it.
12. To wipe up: to remove a liquid using a cloth

I wipe up the ring that the mug left on the countertop.
13. To stir up: to continuously move a spoon through liquid to cool, mix, or dissolve
I stir up my tea before I take a sip from my mug.
14. To stir in: to mix something in as it is added

I stir in the chocolate as I pour it into the mug
15. To mix in: adding ingredients to something to change its flavor or texture
He mixes the milk and chocolate in the mug before he adds his coffee.
16. To drizzle in: to slowly add a thick liquid or substance to something

I drizzle in some honey as I pour tea into my mug.
17. To sprinkle into: to scatter a small amount of a substance on something

I sprinkle some sugar into my mug before I add my tea.
18. To pour in: to fill a container with a liquid

I pour in hot tea.
19. To heat up: to make something warmer

I use the mug to heat up my hands when it’s cold.
20. To cool down: to make something cooler, slowly

I put the hot mug on the countertop to let it cool down.
21. To cool off: to make something cooler, quickly
He put the hot mug in the refrigerator to cool it off.
22. To mess up: to make a mistake or damage something

I messed up this mug in pottery class, but I still use it.
23. To hand over: to give something, usually unwillingly

I hand over Dan’s favorite mug so that he can use it for his coffee.
24. To hang on to: to hold something tightly

I hang on to the handle of the mug.
25. To hold on to: to hold something tightly (same as above)

Kids use both hands to hold on to the mug when they take a drink.
26. To give away: to give away something for free

I can’t believe you wanted to give away my favorite mug!
27. To wear off: to fade away

The color on this mug is starting to wear off from years of use.
28. To wrap up: to cover something in paper for protection or as a gift

When we moved, I wrapped up all my mugs in newspaper so they didn’t get
broken.
29. To slam down: to put something down forcefully

Try not to slam down the mug after you take a drink.
30. To lift up: to raise something
I lift up the mug to take a sip of tea.
31. To tip over: to fall over or cause something to fall over

The mug tipped over, spilling coffee on the table and floor.
32. To keep away from: to not go near someone or something

I have to keep this mug away from the edge of the counter so that it doesn’t fall
and break.
33. To add in: to include something with something else

Theo likes to add his cup in with our mug collection.
34. To clean up: to tidy something

I clean up the mug collection so it looks nice and organized.
35. To stack up: to make an organized pile

I like to stack up the mugs in the cabinet.
36. To pick out: to select something

I let Theo pick out which mug he wants to use.
37. To pour out: to empty a container of its contents

I poured out the cold tea that was in my mug.
38. To scrape out: to remove something from inside something else using a sharp or
hard tool
I used a spoon to scrape the ice cream out of the mug.
39. To run out of: to have nothing left

We have run out of clean mugs, so I need to wash one.
40. To pile up: to accumulate in a large amount
If we don’t wash the mugs after we use them, they will pile up on the counter.
41. To rinse off: to wash off residue or soap

After I wash my mug, I rinse off the soap.
42. To rinse out: to clean the inside of a container using water

I rinse out my mug when I am done with my tea.
43. To turn over: to move something so the bottom side is upward facing
I turn over the mug to let it dry after I wash it.
44. To dry off: to remove the moisture from something

I dry off my mug before I put it in the cabinet.
45. To put away: to put something back in its place when you’re done using it
I put away the mug after I wash it.
46. To knock off: to cause something to fall off a higher surface, like a table
I accidentally knocked the mug off the table.
47. To break off: to become detached

When the mug fell, the handle broke off.
48. To sweep up: to push something together with a brush, then remove it
I sweep up the small pieces of the broken mug.
49. To dump out: to discard, throw away, toss out

I dump the broken pieces of the mug out.
50. To curl up with: to be in a quiet, peaceful, cozy setting with something
I like to curl up with a mug of hot tea and a good book.
Vanessa’s Challenge Question

Use the space below to write a few sentences answering this question: Describe your
favorite place to visit in nature. Write a few sentences using vocabulary from this
lesson.
Sample answer: One of my favorite places to visit in nature is the fjords of Norway. In
my opinion, it’s a perfect combination of mountains and ocean without dealing with a
sandy beach. The view is breathtaking, and the air is so fresh and crisp. The landscape
is pristine because there is so little pollution in this part of the country. It is a majestic
place, and I can’t wait to visit again.
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200 Expressions - Speak English With Vanessa

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Words to Describe Big Features of Nature

8. Mountains: a large landform that rises above the surrounding area

9. Beach: where the ocean meets land, typically sandy or rocky

Words to Describe Beautiful Nature

13. Flourishing: when something develops quickly and successfully; thriving

17. Pristine: something that is clean, fresh, and not polluted

18. Lush: in nature, rich with vegetation

19. Majestic: beautiful, powerful, and causing feelings of admiration or respect

20. Sweeping: extending over a wide range

Words to Describe Problems with Nature

24. Pollution: a chemical or substance that has harmful or poisonous effects

25. Endangered/extinction: something that is at risk of no longer existing; something

29. Erosion: when earth is worn away by wind or water

32. To Grow: when something develops, increasing and changing in size

33. To Rot: when something dead starts to break down or decay

35. To Flower: when a plant produces flowers or blooms

37. To Forage: to search for food

38. To Regenerate: when a living organism regrows tissue as a result of loss

Words to Describe Small Features of Nature

43. Trunk: the thick base of a tree

44. Bark: the thick, woody skin of a tree

50. Rocks/stones/Pebbles: a rock is a solid mass of material or collection of

2. Chair: a seat, usually with a back and four legs

3. Notebook: a small book with lined or blank pages for writing in

5. Whiteboard or Smartboard: a whiteboard uses erasable markers to illustrate,

7. Cubbies/Lockers: a small space used for storing books or personal items

10 Phrases Teachers Say

3. “Open up your books/workbooks to page [X].”

4. “We’re going to split up into groups for this exercise/project.”

5. “Keep your eyes on your own test.” or “No discussing answers.”

8. “Tell me in your own words…”

9. “Time’s up. Pencils down.”

10 Phrases Students Say

3. “I don’t get it.” or “I don’t understand.”

5. “I haven’t studied for the test tomorrow. I am going to pull an all-nighter.”

6. “Hey, can I borrow your notes?”

9. “I’m totally lost.”

10. “When am I ever going to use this…?”

10 Most Common Classroom Questions

1. “Can anyone tell me / Who can tell me…?”

3. “Who hasn’t gone yet?”

4. “Whose turn is it?”

6. “Can you repeat the question?”

7. “When is the test?”

8. “Is this going to be on the test?”

9. “Do you want to work together?”

10. “Can I borrow [X]?”

10 Phrases for Encouragement/Feedback

3. “Almost. Try again.”

4. “Keep practicing. You’ve almost got it.”

5. “You’ve got it, keep going!”

6. “You’re on the right track.”

8. “I can tell you’ve been working hard on this.”

10. “You passed with flying colors!”

2. “Ya been doin’ ok?”

4. “What’s new with you?”

5. “What’s new in your world?”

6. “What’s been going on?”

9. “How’s everything [going]?”

12. “Do ya wanna hang out later?”

13. “Ya doin anything fun this weekend?”