Work

VERBS
Read the text  below and match the words in bold with their definitions underneath. Use your dictionary to check your answers.

Brian James left University and decided to apply for a job which he saw advertised in the paper. He filled in the application forms and, a few weeks later, was asked to attend an interview. He was offered the job that same day.

As he lived in a small town outside the city, he had to commute every day. He was good at his job and very soon was promoted. However, the company he worked for was having problems. Two people were dismissed for stealing and two of their friends resigned in sympathy, the directors decided to lay off five more because the company couldn't afford to keep them, and the managing director decided to retire early. The atmosphere was so bad that Brian eventually decided to hand in his notice.

1. to give up a job.
2. to ask for a job, usually by writing a letter.
3. to be removed from a job, usually because you have done something bad.
4. same as 1.
5. to stop work and take a pension, usually when you are in late middle age.
6. to write in the empty spaces on a form.
7. to be given a better job in the organization you work for.
8. to be questioned by one or more people when you are applying for a job so that they can decide if
you are suitable for that job.
9. to travel to work from home each day, usually from one town to another.
10. to be dismissed from your job for a time until more work is available.

NOUNS
Read the text which follows and fill in the gaps with an appropriate word .
Use your dictionary to help you. In some cases, more than one answer is possible.

commission • prospects • candidates • references • manager • salary
promotion • applicants • increment • vacancy • employee
perks • qualifications • shortlist • pension • salesman

A computer company had a (1)__________ for position of (2)__________, and decided to advertise for a new (3)__________. A lot of (4)__________ with good (5)__________ and (6)__________ applied for the job, and after all the interviews had finished, the directors made a (7)__________ of the best (8)__________, then invited them to come back for another interview.
The person who eventually got the job was very happy. After all, he would receive an annual
(9)__________ of £25,000, with a 5% (10)__________ twice a year, a 15% (11) __________ for each computer he managed to sell, excellent (12)__________ such as private health insurance and a company car, a company (13)__________ to make sure he would be well-off when he retired, and the chance of(14)__________ from salesman to sales(15)__________ if he was successful. All in all, his future (16)__________ looked very good.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Match the numbered sentences  with an appropriate lettered sentence on the . The  numbered sentences on include an idiom or colloquialism connected with work in bold. Use your dictionary
to help you.

1. My brother is a manual worker in a factory.
2. My cousin is a secretary in an office.
3. I need to do some more hours at work so that I can make more money.
4. The train drivers are refusing to work.
5. I work from 10.00pm to 6.00am.
6. I work for a very small amount of money.
7. Jo is unemployed and receiving unemployment benefit.
8. Jim applied to his boss for more money.
9. Our boss makes his staff work too hard.
10. Bob works too hard. Yesterday, he started at 7.30 in the morning and didn't finish until
almost midnight!
11. Our company director was given a large sum of money when he retired before the end of
his contract.
12. Sarah has great potential and ambition.
13. My boss made a mistake and made me take responsibility for it.
14. Our company is still working in the usual way in spite of difficulties.
15. Steve has an unusual job; he looks for top managers and offers them jobs in other companies.
16. Have you heard? John has been dismissed for coming late all the time.

(A) She's always been a high-flyer.
(B) He put in for a rise.
(C) Like me, he's a blue collar worker.
(D) He's such a slave driver!
(E) I'm glad to say it's business as usual.
(F) Of course, I get paid more for working the night shift.
(G) If he continues like that, he'll burn himself out.
(H) I really hate working for peanuts.
(I) I think I'll ask if I can work overtime.
(J) They've decided to come out on strike.
(K) I hate it when I have to carry the can for someone else.
(L) I wish I could get a golden handshake like that!
(M) Like me, he's a white collar worker.
(N) I always knew he'd get fired one day.
(O) He's a headhunter.
(P) There's nothing worse than being on the dole.

The weather & natural phenomena

BAD WEATHER.

Use your dictionary to check the meanings of the nouns and adjectives in bold in the text, then use the words in the box to complete the text.

mist • frost • sleet • rain • hail • wind • fog
smog • snow • blizzard • lightning • thunder

Listen to the pouring (1)______ outside, and the roar of the (2)______ as it blows through the trees.

Listen to the clatter of icy (3)______ on the window and the crashing of the (4)______, while (5)______ flashes across the sky. See the thick, grey (6)______ and the thin, grey, wet (7)______ . Smell the dirty, bitter, yellow-grey (8)______ in the city. Feel the crunch of (9)______ under your feet as you walk on the icy grass, and shake the freezing, wet (10)______ and (11)______ from your hair as the howling (12)______ turns the world to white.

EXTREME WEATHER AND NATURAL PHENOMENA
Look at the words below and decide which definition, A, B or C, best describes each one. Then
check your answers in your dictionary.

1. hurricane
(A) a storm over high mountains, usually accompanied by snow.
(B) a tropical storm with strong winds and rain.
(C) a very quick, but very heavy, rain shower.

2. tornado
(A) a long, heavy snow shower, accompanied by strong winds.
(B) a long period when there is no rain and when the land is dry.
(C) a violent storm with a whirlwind.

3. volcano
(A) a violent shaking of the earth's surface.
(B) a strong wind caused by a drop in air pressure.
(C) a mountain with a hole in the top through which lava, ash and gas can come out.

4. drought
(A) a storm, usually without rain, which happens in hot countries.
(B) a very long period of rain.
(C) a long period when there is no rain and when the land is dry.

5. flood
(A) a large amount of water over land which is usually dry.
(B) a large area of dry land which should usually be wet (e.g., a dry lake).
(C) a lake or river which has been poisoned by pollution.

6. earthquake
(A) a long, heavy snow shower, accompanied by strong winds.
(B) a shaking of the earth caused by, for example, volcanic activity.
(C) a large area of dry land which should usually be wet.

7. tsunami
(A) a tropical storm with strong winds and rain.
(B) a huge wave in the sea, caused by an underwater earthquake.
(C) a long period when there is no rain and when the land is dry.

WEATHER WORD FORMS
Complete the table below to show the verbs and adjectives which we use for the nouns in the
left-hand column.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Replace the words and expressions in bold with a suitable word or expression from the box.

under a cloud • bucketing down • weather • boiling • steals my thunder
every cloud has a silver lining • on cloud nine • storm in a teacup
under the weather • cats and dogs • downpour • heavy weather of it

1. It's raining a lot.
2. It's pouring with rain.
3. It's very hot in our office at the moment.
4. We could ask him to sort out the invoices, but he'll make it unnecessarily difficult and complicated.
5. Jan's feeling unwell.
6. There was a sudden heavy fall of rain and all the spectators ran inside.
7. I don't know if we can survive this crisis without any extra cash (
cash, def 1).
8. However gloomy things may seem, there is always some aspect which is good.
9. They were very happy when they won the lottery.
10. Ben was under suspicion for a long time after the thefts were discovered.
11. Whenever I have a great idea, Penny spoils it by doing it first and getting all the credit.
12. Sarah thought it was important, but in fact it was a lot of fuss about something which was very trivial.

24 Hours

VERBS.
Look at the sentences below and fill in the gaps using the appropriate word or expression
from A, B or C.

1. My alarm clock __________ at half past six.

A. goes up B. goes out C. goes off
2. I usually lie in bed listening to the radio after I _______.
A. awake up B. wake up C. woken up
3. I always find it quite difficult to ________ in the morning.
A. get into B. get over C. get up
4. I have a shower and ________ my teeth.
A. brush B. comb C. sweep
5. When I get dressed, the first thing I ________ is my shirt.
A. put on B. wear C. try on
6. After breakfast, I ________ to the bus stop.
A. speedy B. quickly C. hurry
7. After work, I ________ the children from school.
A. pick up B. pick out C. pick on
8. Just before I go to bed, I _____ the cat _____.
A. put...off B. put...out C. put...up
9. The last thing I do before I go to bed is ________ the alarm clock.
A. prime B. set C. prepare

NOUNS

Below you will see a list of things we use or wear at home or at work. Put them into the box where we use / wear them most often.

shaver • briefcase • pyjamas • ring binder • nightie • iron
tumble drier • ironing board • kettle • computer • refrigerator
vacuum cleaner • fax • hair dryer • dishwasher
filing cabinet • hairbrush • microwave oven • suit • internet
slippers • file • dressing gown • business card • apron

Things we use / wear at home:

Things we use / wear at work:

Now complete the sentences using one of the words above.

1. You can contact me by phone or ________ if you want.
2. I never clean the silver in the ________; it would ruin it.
3. I bought two pairs of _______ in the sale.
4. Each bathroom in the hotel is equipped with a ________ .
5. He put all the files into his ________ .
6. Post it to me, or send a ________ .
7. I've just put the ________ on so we can all have a cup of tea.
8. Put the dish in the ________ for three minutes, but make sure the food is piping hot
before you eat it.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Match the numbered words and expressions in bold with their lettered definition .

1. Sarah staggered into work at ten o'clock, bleary-eyed.
2. I can't wait until Saturday comes. Then I can have a lie-in.
3. After his 12-mile walk, he slept like a log.
4. The doctor told him to take things easy after his operation.
5. His taxi was stuck in the rush-hour traffic.
6. Mary works the night shift.
7. She comes home every evening, worn out after a busy day at the office.
8. Jessie's a night owl and as a result finds it difficult to get up in time for work.
9. We only go to the theatre once in a blue moon.
10. I had to get up at some unearthly hour to catch the plane to Milan.
11. If we want to miss the traffic, we must set off at the crack of dawn.
12. He's an early bird.
13. I was so weary, I dropped off in my English lesson.

A. Much too early.
B. The time of day when traffic is bad, trains are full, etc.
C. Very tired.
D. To stay in bed longer than usual.
E. As soon as it starts to get light.
F. Someone who likes to work, eat, etc, until late at night and does not get up early in the
morning.
G. Someone who likes to get up early and work before breakfast, and who does not stay up
late at night.
H. Very rarely.
I. Sleep very soundly.
J. With eyes half closed from lack of sleep.
K. Work during the night.
L. To rest, not to do any hard work.
M. Fell asleep (usually unintentionally)

The sentences below all use expressions with the word ‘time’. Unfortunately, the
expressions are all in the wrong sentences. Rearrange them so that they are in the correct
sentences.

1. Don't hurry me. I like to time after time.
2. Bring back your boat; your in time.
3. Pressed for time I think he's quite mad.
4. They drove fast and got to the station just for the time being to catch the train.
5. She's never at times for meetings.
6. He's very old-fashioned; he's time's up.
7. I've told her waste time not to do it, but she never listens to me.
8. Don't take my time putting your shoes on; just go and answer the door in your bare feet.
9. We're in a hurry; we're a bit behind the times.
10.On time I'm staying at my mother's while I'm waiting for my flat to be redecorated.

Travel and Holidays

VERBS
The sentences below describe the different stages of a holiday. Unfortunately, they are in
the wrong order. Rearrange them so that they are in the correct order. The first one has been
done for you. 

(  ) A few weeks later I went to the airport and checked in for my flight.
( 1 ) I picked up some holiday brochures from the travel agency.
(  ) I spent the next two weeks sunbathing on the beach and sightseeing in the local area.
(  ) Three hours later, we landed.
(  ) I picked the holiday I wanted.
(  ) I left the airport and two hours later arrived at my hotel, where I checked in.
(  ) I found my seat and fastened my safety belt.
(  ) The flight took off at 10 o'clock.
(  ) I then booked my holiday.
(  ) It was with a great deal of reluctance that I eventually checked out of the hotel and returned
home.
(  ) All the passengers disembarked.
(  ) I did some shopping in the duty free and then boarded my flight.
(  ) I browsed through the brochures.

NOUNS
Types of holiday. Look at the numbered types of holiday , and match them with the lettered places you think you might stay in . Most have more than one answer.

1. a package holiday
2. a camping holiday
3. a cruise
4. a skiing holiday
5. a safari
6. a walking holiday
7. a sailing holiday
8. a caravanning holiday
9. a sightseeing holiday

A. a tent
B. a hotel
C. a resort
D. a youth hostel
E. a caravan
F. a guesthouse
G. a boat's / ship's cabin
H. a villa / chalet

Look at the sentences below, and fill in the gaps with an appropriate word from the box.

self-catering • single • tour operator • bed and breakfast (B & B)
shoulder bag • passport • travel agency • tour • foreign currency
voyage • excursion • family • trip • journey • full-board
en-suite • terrace • insurance • double • aisle • half-board
boarding card (USA = boarding pass) • reservation • twin
balcony • cheques • all-inclusive • suitcase

1. We're planning a(n) __________ to the seaside at the weekend.
2. The __________ from Southampton to New York by ship took about five days.
3. The best way to see London is by taking a guided __________.
4. Last year they went on a train __________ across China.
5. James is going on a business __________ to Singapore next week.
6. We went to the __________ on the High Street to book our holiday, but they were informed by the __________ that there were no more places left.
7. (At the airport check-in desk) Would you like a seat by the window or one by the ________?
8. Here's your ticket and __________. You're in 33B. It's a no smoking seat.
9. I've just made a list of the things I need to take on holiday with me. First of all I need my __________ so that I can enter the country. I must get __________ in case I have an accident or lose something important. I have to go to the bank to get some __________ and __________. Oh, and of course I need my __________ to carry my clothes and other things. I'll also take a __________ so that I can carry my camera, some books and other bits and pieces.
10. Quattro Vientos Holiday Club offers a variety of accommodation options. If you want a bedroom and something to eat in the morning, they have __________ accommodation. If you prefer to have breakfast and dinner, you can stay on a __________ basis. If you want breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can stay on a __________ basis. They also have rooms with cooking facilities if you want to prepare your own food and stay on a __________ basis. Alternatively, if you want all your meals and drinks included, you can stay on an __________ basis.
11. __________ rooms in the hotel have just one small bed. _________ rooms have two small beds.
__________ rooms have one large bed. __________ rooms have one large bed and two small beds.
Most of the rooms are __________, with their own private bath or shower. All rooms have a
__________ or a __________ with a view of the sea. Telephone 01645 98109 to make a __________.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Match the numbered sentences  with a suitable lettered reply . 

HE SAID:
1. Where shall we stay?
2. Can you recommend a good guest house in this area?
3. Last year I went to Australia, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and China.
4. How are we going to get home? We haven't got enough money for a taxi.
5. Last year, we went to one of those resorts where everything - food and drink - is free.
6. You don't have much luggage with you.
7. On my first visit to Indonesia, I found everything so different from England.
8. We left London at 7 o'clock in the morning and didn't arrive in Inverness until 8 in the evening!
9. I love going to busy, lively resorts for my holiday.
10. I spend most of my life travelling, moving from one hotel to the other.

SHE REPLIED:
A. Really? I prefer to go somewhere a bit quieter, off the beaten track.
B. Wow! I didn't realise you were such a globetrotter!
C. Poor you! You spent a whole day on the road.
D. Let's stop at the first hotel we find.
E. I would hate to live out of a suitcase like that.
F. Why don't we thumb a lift?
G. It sounds great. I've never been on an allinclusive holiday.
H. Yes, there's a nice B & B around the corner.
I. I know. I prefer to travel light.
J. I experienced similar culture shock when I went to Vietnam.

Sport

VERBS
Look at the sentences below and fill in the gaps using the appropriate word or expression
from A, B or C.
1. Does Eddie __________ rugby for the university?
A. do B. make C. play
2. You should __________ some exercise every day if you want to lose weight.
A. take B. make C. play
3. They often __________ jogging in the streets near their home.
A. make B. go C. do
4. I expect our team will __________ the game tomorrow.
A. succeed B. gain C. win
5. I hope our team doesn't __________ the match on Saturday.
A. lose B. fail C. defeat
6. Our football team will have to __________ France 2:0 if they want to get a place in the World Cup
final.
A. win B. succeed C. beat
7. If the two players __________, they will have to play the game again.
A. equal B. match C. draw
8. You will need to __________ hard to get a place on the Olympic team.
A. train B. develop c. learn
9. If our team manages to __________ another goal, they'll be national champions!
A. hit B. score C. enter
10. Which football team do you __________ ?
A. support B. encourage C. accept

NOUNS
A. Venues and equipment. Match the sports in the left-hand column with the venue in the
centre column and an item which you associate with that sport in the right-hand column.
There are two items which do not belong.

                                                                                                                                       trunks
swimming                                                            range                                               gloves
tennis                                                                   racetrack                                         target
football                                                                 ring                                                   strip
ice hockey                                                           pool                                                   helmet
horse-racing                                                       racecourse                                       racket
shooting                                                              court                                                  bow
motor racing                                                      rink                                                    saddle
boxing                                                                 pitch                                                  stick                                                                                                                                                                   shuttlecock

Jumbled words.

Rearrange the letters in the box on the next page to find some more words related to sports. The first letter of each word is in bold. The clues after each jumbled word will help you.

imudast: a large building for sports, with seating arranged around a sports field.
eerrfee: a person who supervises a game, making sure that it is played according to the rules.
irepmu: similar to the above, but usually associated with tennis or cricket.
senilanm: an official who stays on the sideline in a ball game to see if the ball goes over the line.
attropesc: a person who watches a football game, a horse show, etc.
ryelpa: a person who plays a game.
teehlta: a sportsman who competes in races, etc.
raobdsocer: a large board on which the score in a game is shown as the game progresses.
porsupret: a person who encourages a football team.
naaer: a building where sports, fights etc are held.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Look at the words and expressions below and decide which sports or games they are
connected with. Use your dictionary to help you. Write the words in the grid on the right. If
you do it correctly, you will reveal the name of a famous English football team in the shaded
vertical strip.

1. Bull's eye!
2. pole position
3. neck and neck
4. On your marks…get set…go!
5. Seconds out!
6. Foul!
7. Fore!

Shopping

Look at the sentences below and fill in the gaps using the appropriate word or expression from A, B or C.

1. What did you ________ your mother for her birthday?
A. purchase B. buy C. acquire
2. Why do we __________ so much money on food?
A. spend B. buy C. sell
3. I'll ________ you a pound to wash my car.
A. spend B. charge C. pay
4. Did you ________ the shoes in the shop before you bought them?
A. put on B. wear C. try on
5. Shop assistant: Can I help you?
Customer: Yes please. I'm __________ the soft furnishings department.
A. looking for B. wanting C. hunting for
6. If the trousers are too small you can take them back and ________ them for a larger pair.
A. sell back B. exchange C. replace
7. (Angry customer to shop manager). I'd like to __________ about one of your members of staff.
A. moan B. groan C. complain
8. She __________ her shopping at Mafebury's every Monday.
A. makes B. does C. goes
9. One of the advantages of shopping there is that their ________ are so low.
A. prices B. expenses C. costs

Where are they? Look at the numbered sentence and decide where the speaker is. Choose
from the lettered list of shops .

1. I'd like twelve red roses please.
2. How much is that silver bracelet?
3. I need a packet of envelopes and some writing paper please.
4. Do you have any photography magazines?
5. Is this cabinet 17th or 18th century?
6. Take the escalator to get to menswear.
7. Have you got anything for a sore throat?
8. Do you have the latest album by Coldplay?

A. a record shop
B. a department store
C. a florist's
D. a stationer's
E. a chemist
F. a jeweller's
G. an antiques shop
H. a newsagent's

Check your spelling.

One word in each of the following sentences is incorrectly spelt, or a wrong word has been used. Use your dictionary to help you correct them.

1. I'd like my money back. I'd like a refound.
2. £35 for a new television. What a bargein!
3. It usually costs £150, but I got it for £75 in the sails.
4. I don't like to buy things by male order - you never know exactly what you're going to get.
5. Don't forget to get a reciept from the sales assistant in case you need to return it to the store.
6. The lapel on the jacket says 'Wash in cold water only'.
7. I'm afraid your cashear has overcharged me.
8. If I pay in cash, can you give me a disscount?
9. I brought a new stereo system yesterday. It cost me almost £600.
10. I'm not going to that shop again; I think they treat their costumers very badly.
11. The serving in this shop is so slow. I've been waiting for almost fifteen minutes.
12. It's quite a good idea to buy some things in bulk, as it's more economic.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Look at the following sentences and decide whether the words and expressions in bold refer
to a small amount of money or a large amount of money. Use your dictionary to help you.

1. The shoes in that shop cost a fortune.
2. That car was a rip-off!
3. He paid through the nose for his ticket to Hong Kong.
4. Our local petrol station sells cut-price petrol.
5. The repairs to his car cost him an arm and a leg.
6. She bought it for a song in a flea market.

Now look at these sentences and decide if they are true or false:

1. If something is selling like hot cakes, not many people are buying it.
2. You spend a lot of money when you go window-shopping.
3. It's a good idea to shop around for the best price before you buy something expensive.
4. If you buy clothes off the peg, you have them specially made for you.
5. If you talk shop, you discuss your favourite shop with a friend.
6. A body shop is a shop which arranges funerals.

Services and facilities

Look at this list of words, and match them with the service or facility that you would normally associate them with. Some of the words can be used more than once.

academic • appointment • artefacts • art gallery • audio-visual • borrow                                   bureaucracy • cancellation • civic administration • classroom                                                                 commuters • conductor • councillor • curriculum • defendant                                                             delay doctor • driver • ducks • entrance fee • exam • exhibits                                                           fare • get fit • gymnasium • historical • journals • judge • jury                                                           lawyer • learn • main course • materials • mayor • membership                                                           menu • nurse passengers • personal trainer • pharmacist • picnic                                                         pictures • platform police • treat (verb) • pond • pupils • queue                                                        red tape • records reservation • resources • roundabout • sauna                                                  sculpture • sentence (verb) • service • shelter • staff • starters                                                        stroll • study • surgery • pool • swings • teachers • ticket office                                                          tip • trial • waiter • waiting room • witness

1. Bus stop

2. Health centre

3. Health club

4. Restaurant

5. Taxi rank

6. Park / public garden

7. Library

8. Station

9. School

10. Museum

11. Law courts

12. Town hall

Relationships

A LOVE STORY: part 1
Complete the first part of the story below using the words and expressions in the box.

tie the knot • split up • engagement • got engaged                                           courting • living in sin • got on • wined and dined                                           attracted to • proposed • chatted her up • fallen in love                                 asked her out • drift apart • cohabiting • go out

Laurence first met Carol at a party and was immediately 1.___________ her. He 2.___________ and at the end of the evening 3___________ to dinner at a nearby restaurant. She accepted his offer and the next evening he 4.___________ her in style, with champagne and delicious, exotic foods. They 5.___________ well with each other, decided to meet again and then started to 6.___________ on a regular basis.
Laurence's granny was delighted that he was 7.___________ at last. It wasn't long before they realised that they had 8.___________ with each other.
A few months later, they bought a flat and moved in together. Laurence's granny disapproved of them 9.___________, but Laurence explained that 10.___________ was quite normal these days.
One day, Laurence decided to ask Carol to marry him, so after a romantic meal, he got down on one knee and 11.___________ to her. They 12.___________ and the next day announced their 13.___________ to their friends and family. Their parents were delighted that they had decided to 14.___________.
Laurence's friends weren't so sure, however, and all agreed that they would 15.___________ and 16.___________ long before the wedding.

 A LOVE STORY: part 2

Read the second part of the story and choose the correct word for each number.

A week or so before the wedding, Laurence went out on a 1.stag night / bull night / lion night with his male friends, while Carol enjoyed her 2.chicken party / duck party / hen party with her female friends.
At last, the big day arrived. Laurence and Carol had wanted to get married in a 3. registered office / registry office / regimental office, but their parents insisted on a traditional church wedding. The church was packed, friends and family of the 4. bride / bright / blight on the left, friends and family of the 5. gloom / groom / doom on the right. Laurence sat nervously at the front with his 6. beast man / bent man / best man, who was carrying the 7. wedding rings / wedding rinks / wedding rims in his pocket. The organist started playing the 8. Wedding March / Wedding Crawl / Wedding Stagger and Carol walked up the 9. aisle / I'll / ail, accompanied by her father and followed by the 10. brightmaids / bridesmaids / bride's mates. The priest conducted the ceremony and, after Laurence and Carol had exchanged 11. cows / vows / vowels, pronounced them husband and wife.

THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
Match the words in the box with the definitions 1 - 10

best friend • acquaintance • fiancé / fiancée • housemate • workmate
ex-girlfriend / boyfriend • ex-husband / wife • roommate • classmate
colleague • relative / relation • (steady) girlfriend / boyfriend • flatmate

1. Somebody you are going out with.
2. Somebody you used to go out with.
3. Somebody you used to be married to.
4. Somebody you are going to marry.
5. Somebody you work with (two possible answers)
6. Somebody you share accommodation with (three possible answers)
7. Somebody you know well and get on very well with.
8. Somebody you share lessons at school with.
9. Somebody you know, but not very well.
10. A member of your family.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Match the numbered sentences  with a suitable lettered response. Use your dictionary to
look up the meanings of the words and expressions in bold.

1. They were going to get married, but at the last moment Allison broke it off.
2. I've got lots of friends, but only one real soul mate.
3. How do you get on with your in-laws?
4. Didn't you meet your future wife on a blind date?
5. I'm sorry you and Melanie have split up, but don't worry; there are plenty more fish in
the sea.
6. Don't go out with him; he's a real ladykiller!
7. Sally came to the party with her latest toy boy.
8. Your new secretary is a bit of a flirt, isn't she?
9. Is Meg still on the shelf?
10. Chris and Jo's marriage is on the rocks.
11. How do you get on with your exboyfriend?
12. Are you divorced?

A. Me too. We have similar feelings and get on really well.
B. She certainly is. She likes attracting the attention of all the men in the office.
C. Not yet, but we are separated.
D. Yes. My friends arranged it for me.
E. That's true; I should get out a bit and meet more people.
F. Although we don't go out together any more, we're still good friends.
G. Poor Ian! He must have been really upset.
H. Really? I thought they were getting on so well together.
I. I know. He seems to spend all his time chatting up women.
J. Not well, I'm afraid. They've never forgiven me for marrying their son.
K. No. Haven't you heard? She met the man of her dreams a few weeks ago.
L. I'm not surprised. She's always preferred younger men

Physical appearance

Here is a bank of useful words and expressions that we often use when we want to describe
somebody's physical appearance. Use your dictionary to make sure you understand what they
all mean, then use the words and expressions to write a description of yourself or somebody
you know well. There is an example to give you a few ideas.

Build:

tall short of medium / average height/  fat/  overweight/  slim/  thin/  of medium/average
build / well-built

Hair:

short/  long/  dark / blond / red / shoulder-length / straight / curly/  wavy / a parting / a
fringe / spiky / bald / thinning / fair-haired

Age:

young / old / middle-aged / elderly / a baby / a toddler / a teenager / in his early twenties / in
my mid-thirties/  in her late fifties

Facial features and characteristics:

wrinkles / weather-beaten / dimples / spots / freckles / beard / moustache

Nose:

hooked / turned-up / sharp  /bulbous

Skin colour:

tanned fair-/ pale- / dark-skinned a fair / pale / dark complexion

Other expressions:

a double chin / a generous mouth / long eyelashes / thin eyebrows / bushy eyebrows / broad
shoulders / well-developed muscles

Example.

My brother's in his early-thirties. He's of average height and a bit overweight, with a double chin.
He's got short, dark, curly hair (which is thinning slightly), a rather untidy beard and moustache,
and big, bushy eyebrows. He's got quite a fair complexion. When he smiles, he has dimples on his
cheeks, and he gets freckles when he goes out in the sun.

There are lots of English idiomatic and colloquial expressions which use parts of the body.
Complete the expressions in bold below with a word from the box. Some of the words can be used more than once.

fingers • nose • toe • muscle • chest • neck • elbow
ear • chin • foot • eye • hand • back • thumb • shoulder

1. He gave me a __________ with the washing-up.
2. They had been going out together for some time, and then she suddenly gave him the __________ .
3. Don't worry. I wasn't being serious. I was only pulling your __________ .
4. I hoped she would give me a friendly welcome, but in fact she gave me the cold __________ .
5. Poor old Peter is dominated by his wife! She's got him under her _________ .
6. Can you keep an ________ out for the traffic warden while I go into the bank?
7. He's always annoying me! He's such a pain in the ________ .
8. He really put his ________ in it when he said his boss's wife was too fat: she was standing right behind him!
9. She thinks she's better than other people and always looks down her ________ at them.
10. Make sure you follow what is happening. Keep your ________ to the ground.
11. Good luck in the exam. I'll be keeping my ________ crossed for you.
12. I know things are going badly, but keep your ________ up and try to remain cheerful.
13. We get on well, even though we don't always see ________ to ________.
14. You must obey the rules. You have to ________ the line.
15. If something is worrying you, talk to me about it. You'll feel much better if you get it off your
________.
16. He makes me so angry. He always manages to get my ________ up.
17. He interferes all the time. He's always trying to ________ in on our projects and get all the credit for them.
18. Mind your own business! Stop sticking your ________ in!

On the road

NOUNS

Complete the sentences with an appropriate word or expression from the box.

cyclists • speed limit • traffic • stop • motorway • junction                           pedestrians • roundabout • pedestrian crossing • one-way • bus lanes       petrol station • traffic lights • bridge • roadworks • car park

1. We need to get some fuel. There's a ________ just up the road.
2. The fastest way of getting from London to Oxford is to take the ________.
3. There's always a lot of ________ on the roads in the morning and evening.
4. The High Street is closed because of ________.
5. Go over the ________, turn left at the first _____, and then take the third exit on the ________.
6. You can't leave your car here. You'll have to use the ________.
7. Many towns have ________ so that people using public transport can get into and out of town more
quickly.
8. Wait for the ________ to turn green before you continue.
9. The ________ in most towns and cities is 30 miles per hour.
10. Many ________ fail to keep their bicycles in good condition or obey the rules of the road.
11. You can't turn right into that street. It's a ________ street.
12. When you're driving through town, be careful of ________ crossing the street.
13. This road is very busy and dangerous. If you want to get to the other side, use the ________.
14. I need to get a bus into town. Is there a (bus) ________ near here?

VERBS
Complete the story below with an appropriate word or expression.

crashed • accelerated • indicate • reverse • overtake
smashed • skidded • started up • braked • fasten • swerve
adjust • sounded • check • stalled • release • pulled away

I've just finished my driving test and I think it went quite well. OK, so I made a few mistakes, but nothing too serious. For example, I forgot to 1.______ the mirrors, with the result that I couldn't see anything behind me. Then, when I 2.______ the car, I forgot that I had left it in first gear, so I 3.______. Oh, and I forgot to 4.______ my seatbelt. And 5.______ the handbrake. When I eventually 6.______ from the side of the road, I forgot to 7.______ my mirrors; the driver of the car that almost 8.______ into me as a result 9.______ his horn and shouted something at me, but I didn't hear what. I nearly went through a red light,
but saw it at the last second and tried to stop. Unfortunately, I lost control and my car 10.______ across to the other side of the road - fortunately, the cars coming in the opposite direction managed to 11.______ out of the way. At one point, I 12.______ when I should have 13.______, so instead of stopping, the car just went faster! Fortunately, the police car that I 14.______ into the back of wasn't badly damaged and the policeman driving it didn't shout at me too loudly. At another time I had to 15.______ somebody who was driving a bit slowly, but I forgot to 16.______, so the drivers behind me had no idea what I was going to do. Finally, I managed to 17.______ into a wall which I couldn't see behind me. I don't know if I've passed
yet, because the examiner is still being treated for shock in the local hospital.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
The worst driver in the world? Read the following story and decide which of the words and
expressions in bold correspond to the dictionary definitions 1 - 14.

My brother Ted must be the world's worst driver. It started when he was young and used to go for joyrides, causing pile-ups which resulted in traffic jams and gridlocks for other drivers. As a young adult, he was a real boy racer, putting his foot down, driving like the clappers and then jamming on the brakes. I reckon he must have written off at least six of the bangers he used to drive. He's still a real road hog, tailgating other cars and getting involved in road rage incidents. He's offered to give me a lift home tonight, but to be honest, I'd rather thumb a lift. He's picking me up in a few minutes; maybe I'd better have one for the road. At least it's rush hour and the roads will be chock-a-block so he won't be able to drive too fast! Honestly - sometimes he drives me round the bend!

1. To follow very closely behind another vehicle.
2. An old car, usually in poor condition.
3. To hitch-hike, to ask a car driver or a truck driver to take you as a passenger.
4. A person who drives fast and dangerously.
5. To accelerate very quickly.
6. To make someone angry or crazy.
7. A young man who drives fast and dangerously.
8. A trip for pleasure, usually in a stolen car.
9. To stop a vehicle very suddenly.
10. A final drink before leaving a bar or pub.
11. A violent attack by a driver on another car or its driver.
12. To damage a car so badly that it can no longer be repaired.
13. A crash involving a series of vehicles which have smashed into one another.
14. The time of the day when traffic is very bad, trains are crowded, etc.

Nature and the environment

THE ENVIRONMENT
Complete the following sentences with a word or expression . There are some that you do not need.

CFC • unleaded petrol • endangered • tidal energy • ozone layer

natural resources • desertification • fumes • greenhouse effect

pollution • acid rain • extinct • global warming • fossil fuels • rainforest

solar power • wildlife • recycle • bottle bank • ecological

1. ________ falling on forests has killed a lot of trees in the last 20 years.
2. The council is encouraging us to ________ more household rubbish.
3. Factories and vehicles produce a lot of dangerous ________.
4. ________ of the atmosphere has increased over the last 50 years, making the environment very
dirty.
5. The effect of gases in the earth's atmosphere is preventing the earth from losing heat; this is
called the ________.
6. When ________ gases are released into the atmosphere, they rise slowly.
7. The hole in the ________ is getting larger every year.
8. If ________ continues, there is a danger that the polar ice-cap will start to melt.
9. We take all our empty bottles to the ________ so that the glass can be used again.
10. Long periods of drought have brought about the ________ of whole areas of central Africa.
11. Tigers, whales and panda bears are all ________ species.
12. People are worried that soon whales will become ________.
13. We should use fewer ________ such as oil and coal, and look to other energy sources such as ________ and ________.

CLASSIFICATIONS
Put the words below into their appropriate box depending on their classification. There are eight
words for each box.

cactus • fir • rose • salmon • bee • swan • seaweed • squid • owl
peacock • marigold • ladybird • palm • human • lily • shark • parrot
squirrel • crab • seagull • bamboo • lobster • tulip • orchid • trout
butterfly • crow • wasp • bat • snail • cedar • hedgehog • leopard
daffodil • eagle • octopus • deer • dolphin • whale • oak • penguin
oyster • mushroom • beetle • worm • ant • poppy • daisy

Mammals:

Birds:

Insects and invertebrates:

Flowers:

Trees and other plants:

Sea and river creatures:

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
In the grid at the bottom  you will find the names of several animals. Use these to
complete sentences 1 - 12. The first letter of each animal has been given to you after each
sentence. (One animal is mentioned twice.)

1. A _____ in the hand is worth two in the bush. (b)
2. How do I know? A little _____ told me! (b)
3. He seems inoffensive, but actually he's a ______ in sheep's clothing (w)
4. He walked to school at a _____'s pace. (s)
5. She was so nervous before the exam she had _____ in her stomach. (b)
6. Don't count your _____ before they're hatched! (c)
7. I can't get her to agree; she's as stubborn as a ____ . (m)
8. The new airport is a complete white ____(e)
9. Don't puzzle me; I hate it when you try to_____ me. (f)
10. Our company is having some serious financial problems. We're a lame _____ at the moment. (d)
11. It's been a long time since he came here. We haven't seen him for ________'s years! (d)
12. It was a difficult problem, but he decided to take the _____ by the horns and tell his father he was leaving the family firm. (b)

Money

VERBS

Look at the conversation between the bank manager and the customer, and fill in the gaps with an appropriate word from the following.

bank • lend • withdraw • earn • owe • afford • save
deposit • borrow • spend • pay back • open

Manager: So, Mr Jensen. How can I help you?

Customer: I'd like to (1)__________ £5,000 to buy a new car and I was wondering if your bank could help me.

Manager: I see. Can I ask if you (2)__________ money to any other banks?

Customer: Yes; £800 to the MidWest bank.

Manager: Right. I need to ask you about your salary. Could you tell me how much you (3) __________ each month, and how much of that you usually manage to (4)__________?

Customer: I make about £1,200 a month, and I usually (5)__________ most of that on rent, bills, food and general living expenses. I usually have about £250 left at the end of the
month.

Manager: If we agree to (6)__________ you the money, how much could you (7)__________ to (8)__________ each month?

Customer: About £200.

Manager: Well, that would probably be fine. Now, as you don't currently (9)__________ with us, you must (10)________ an account here. We will then (11)_________ the £5,000 in that account, and as soon as it goes in, you can (12)__________ it.

NOUNS
Explain the difference between the following pairs or groups of words. Use your dictionary to
help you.
1. a bank and a building society
2. a current account and a savings account
3. a withdrawal and a deposit
4. a statement and a balance
5. cash and a cheque
6. a credit card, a debit card and a cheque guarantee card.
7. a bill and a receipt
8. a standing order and a direct debit
9. a loan and an overdraft

Now choose one word from each pair or group to complete the sentences below.

1. The best place to invest money, or borrow it when you want to buy a house, is a ________ .
2. The advantage of a __________ is that you can take out money any time using a cheque book or cash card.
3. My husband made a £500 __________ from the bank and then lost it!
4. I have a __________ of £25 in my bank account.
5. The __________ is made out to Mr. Smith.
6. I have a spending limit of £3,000 on my American Express __________ .
7. Goods from this shop cannot be exchanged unless a sales __________ is shown.
8. I pay my electricity bills by __________ . The electric company transfers the money from my bank account to theirs.
9. I couldn't believe it when I looked at my bank statement. I had an ________ of nearly £500!

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
How would you feel, happy  or unhappy , if you...
1. were broke?
2. were hard up?
3. were well-off?
4. were unable to make ends meet?
5. were able to spend money like water?
6. had just paid through the nose for something?
7. were bankrupt?
8. were down on your luck?
9. were penniless?
10. were skint?
11. were loaded?
12. were in the black?
13. were in the red?
14. were on the dole?
15. had money to burn?
16. had a lot of dosh?
17. were strapped for cash? 

The media

Look at the clues, and use them to help you rearrange the jumbled letters  in the words in the sample sentences. The first letter of each word has been highlighted. Use these words to complete the crossword. You will find a lot of the answers in the clues to the other sentences.

Clues across
1. A person who writes for newspapers or other periodicals.
The aojurtlisn asked the police chief some difficult questions.
4. The amount of space (in a newspaper) or time (on television) that is given to a story or piece of news.
There wasn't much ogveerca of the Arsenal-Liverpool match.
5. Photographers who follow famous people to take pictures of them for newspapers.
They were followed by the rapaapziz from the theatre to the hotel.
6. A routine placed in a computer program which destroys or corrupts files.
I think there's a srivu on the computer.
7. The people watching a TV programme or listening to a radio broadcast.
The football match attracted an endaceui of almost 20 million.
9. To move information or programs from a computer network to an individual computer.
Is it illegal to aownldod music from the Internet?
11. A factual film about a real subject.
Did you see the mocdurtayen about South Africa on BBC1 last night?
13. Words in large letters on the front page of a newspaper.
Have you seen this dheneali: QUEEN IN RAP GUN VIDEO SHOCK?
16. A frequency band for radio or TV, or a station using this band.
The news is on anehCnl 4 at 7 o'clock.
18. A journalist in charge of a newspaper, or a person who gets a radio or TV programme ready.
He wrote to the etordi of 'The Times' to complain about the story they had printed.
20. An important item in a TV news programme, or an important article on a special subject in a
newspaper.
I read an interesting urefeat on the future of information technology.
21. To bring out a book or a newspaper for sale.
They were asked not to bliphus the book, but went ahead anyway.
23. A TV or radio show.
Last night we watched a rammrogep on life in 17th century France.
24. A collection of related pages on the internet, created by a company or individual.
If you want to know more about Bloomsbury books, visit their siwteeb at www.bloomsbury.com.

Clues down 

2. A journalist who writes reports of events for a newspaper or TV programme.
The BBC sent a pterorer to cover the earthquake.
3. The action to ban newspapers, books or films, or part of them.
The government imposed strict press epnscorshi to stop rumours being spread.
4. The number of copies of a magazine, newspaper, etc, which are sold.
The paper has a ircculionat of almost 2 million.
8. A newspaper with a large page size.
The problem with a bhrdseoaet is that it's difficult to read on the bus.
10. Important events (often political) that are happening now.
A lot of children study ctreurn faafirs as part of their educational curriculum.
12. The number of people who read a newspaper.
The paper targets a young shrdpereai who are tired of the usual broadsheets.
14. To explore websites on the Internet in no particular order.
Most people furs the internet as a way of relaxing.
15. A radio or TV programme, or a verb which means 'to send out on radio or TV'
The programme will be tbacroasd on Monday at 8 o'clock.
17 An untrue written statement which can damage someone's reputation.
It can be very difficult to sue a newspaper for blile.
19. A newspaper with a small page size.
The Sun is the most widely-read dloatbi in Britain.
22. A collective word for newspapers.                                                                                                   You shouldn't believe everything you read in the rpses.

Learning languages

Complete the sentences with a word or words from the following .

challenging • look it up • parrot-fashion • coming along • monolingual
get by • rewarding • mother tongue • pick some up • accent • multi-lingual
communicate • self-access centre • recycle • lingua franca • native • progress
fluent • second language • bi-lingual • pronunciation

1. People speak lots of different languages in my country, but the __________ is English - it is used in business, politics and education as the main language of communication.

2. My school has an excellent __________ where we can listen to tapes, watch videos and use computers to improve our English.

3. I have terrible problems with my English __________. Nobody can understand a word I say.

4. Always carry a good dictionary around with you. If you don't understand a word, you can then
__________.

5. When you learn a new word, you should try to __________ it as much as possible in your written and spoken English.

6. I didn't learn Spanish at school, but I managed to __________ when I was travelling around Spain.

7. He has an unusual __________; it's not British, and it's not American. It's something in between.

8. There are two types of dictionary you can use; a __________ one, which gives a translation of the word, and a __________ one, which explains the word in the same language.

9. I think my English is __________ well. Last year I passed my PET exam, this year I passed my FCE, and now I'm studying for the CAE. I can definitely say that I'm making good __________.

10. Of course I speak good English. I've spoken it all my life. It's my __________. I also speak French as a __________.

11. My English, French, Spanish and Portuguese are __________. I speak them perfectly, like a __________ of those countries. I suppose you could say that I'm __________.

12. When I learnt German at school, I learnt it __________; we listened to the teacher and simply repeated what he said. I never learnt to use it properly.

13. My Italian isn't great, but when I go to Italy I can usually __________ in restaurants, shops, bars, etc. Basically, people understand what I'm trying to say.

14. Learning a language can be __________, but it is always __________, especially when you find you can __________ with people in their own country.

Health

VERBS
Complete the text below with one of the words or expressions from the box.

fall ill • recuperate • examine • operate • take exercise • suffer • refer                                           treat • look after • keep fit • get well • cure • pick up

Most people believe it's very important to 1.__________ in order to 2.__________, but even the fittest person can sometimes 3.__________, no matter how hard they 4.__________ their health. If you do become ill, of course you want to 5.__________ as soon as possible. With most minor illnesses, such as a cold or flu, it's usually possible to 6.__________ yourself by taking lots of rest and drinking plenty of liquid. However, if you 7.__________ from something more serious, you will have to go to your doctor. He will 8.__________ you and, if possible, 9.__________ you with medicine which you can 10.__________ from your local chemist. If you have an unusual illness, your doctor may 11.__________ you to a specialist or a hospital, who may decide to 12.__________ on you if your illness is serious. You will then have to 13.__________, and this can take a long time.

NOUNS

Medical words. There are 12 words hidden in the box. Look at the definitions on the left and
find the words that match them in the box. The first letter of each word has been given to you.

1. room where a doctor or dentist sees and examines a patient. (s)
2. person who looks after sick people. (n)
3. order written by a doctor to a pharmacist asking for a drug to be prepared and sold to a
patient. (p)
4. doctor who specializes in surgery. (s)
5. department in a hospital for accident victims. (c)
6. sick person who is in hospital or who is being treated by a doctor, dentist, etc. (p)
7. room or set of rooms in a hospital, with beds for 6. above. (w)
8. person who studies and treats mental disease. (p)
9. agreed time for a meeting to see your doctor or dentist. (a)
10. medical specialist attached to a hospital. (c)
11. professional nurse who helps a woman give birth, often at home. (m)
12. change in the way a body works or looks, showing that a disease is present and has been
noticed by the patient or doctor. (s)

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Feeling well / feeling sick. How would you feel in the following situations?

1. You are under the weather:
2. Your condition is touch-and-go:
3. You look washed out:
4. You have come down with something:
5. You are as fit as a fiddle:
6. You are in good shape:
7. You have taken a turn for the worse:
8. You are not feeling yourself:
9. You are laid up with something:
10. You feel lousy:
11. You feel on top of the world:
12. You feel groggy:
13. You're glowing:
14. You're in the pink:
15. You look like death warmed up:
16. You feel a bit rough:
17. You're at death's door:
18. You're a picture of health: 

Geography

Places and features
Match the words on the first group with an example on the second one. There are some words on the  first group that do not match with any on the second geoup. Use your dictionary to check what these mean.

state • city • waterfall
county • canal • range • valley
province • ocean • mountain
harbour • island • river
capital (city) • village • country
continent • desert • stream

the Atlantic • Ankara • Munich
the Sahara • Niagara • Everest
Mexico • Bali • the Suez • Asia
the Himalayas • the Nile • Ohio

Town and country.
Complete the text with these words.

safer • amenities • peaceful • nature • pollution • commuters • jams
crowded • suburbs • fresh • rush hour • countryside • rural • stressful
fields • public • nightlife • urban • cosmopolitan

I've always preferred an _____ lifestyle to a _____ lifestyle. I'd much rather live in a city than in the _____ because there's so much more to do. The _____ is great - lots of bars, restaurants and nightclubs - and there are lots of _____ such as sports centres, swimming pools, museums and so on. What I particularly like is the fact that my home city is so _____; there are people there from all over the world.
Of course, with so many people everywhere it can get very _____, especially during the _____ (in my city, this is between 7 and 9 in the morning, and between 4 and 6 in the evening). At those times, the trains and buses are packed with _____ coming to the city to work, and then going back to the _____ around the city where many of them live. Those who don't use _____ transport drive to the city in their own cars; this causes terrible traffic _____ on the roads, and of course lots of _____, which makes the air dirty and unpleasant. It can get quite _____ at times.
Consequently, it is good to get away from the city now and then, and get back to _____; lots of lovely _____ air, green _____ and _____ villages where the only noise is the sound of birds and sheep. It's also much _____; there's less crime and the roads aren't as dangerous.

Free time activities

Look at the groups below.
In the first group, you will see a list of verbs in bold, and some of the words we use with them.
These are all things that people do in their free time.
In the second group, you will see a list of verbs we use to say that we like something.
In the third group, you will see a list of adjectives that we use to describe why we enjoy
different activities.
Use your dictionary to check that you understand all the words and expressions, then write a few sentences to say what you enjoy doing in your free time, and why you enjoy doing them.

watch television, films, videos, plays, sporting events (football matches, golf tournaments, etc)
listen to the radio, music, CD's
play sports (football, volleyball, tennis, golf, badminton, table tennis, etc)
play chess, video games, computer games, board games, cards, card games
play musical instrument (the piano, the guitar, the violin, the saxophone, the drums, etc)
go swimming, camping, skiing, shopping, running, jogging, climbing, walking, hiking, horse-riding, sailing, canoeing, cycling
go to the cinema, the theatre, concerts, shows, the pub, restaurants, the library, museums, art
galleries, football matches, amusement parks
read books, magazines, newspapers, journals, comics
collect stamps, postcards, antiques, coins, works of art, paintings
socialize with your friends (in pubs, bars, cafés, nightclubs, restaurants, at home, etc)
surf the Internet
For activities like photography, cooking, painting, writing, drawing, sewing and knitting, there are no special verbs. We usually use enjoy or other verbs (e.g., I enjoy photography / taking
photographs). Activities that you do outside the house are called outdoor activities.

like • enjoy • love • adore • am fond of
am keen on • mad about • am crazy about

interesting • creative • challenging • fun • exciting • relaxing                                                         inspiring • amusing • entertaining • stimulating • therapeutic • sociable

Food and drink

VERBS

Read the text  and match the words in bold with their definitions underneath. Use your dictionary to check your answers.

I recently went on a cookery course. It was very tiring work. First of all I had to learn how to
prepare food. The teacher showed us how to marinade meat before we cooked it, baste it while it was cooking and even how to slice it once it had been cooked. We were also shown how to chop, grate and dice vegetables. I had never realised before how many different ways there are of cooking food; I had to learn how to fry, bake, roast, grill, barbecue, stir-fry and steam it! The best part of the course was trying out the food we had cooked. Some of the students would nibble the food cautiously and (in the case of the drinks we had prepared), sip delicately before they would swallow. I, on the other hand, would gobble and gulp it, sometimes without even bothering to chew it properly first!

1. to make something soft with your teeth.

2. to swallow food or liquid quickly.

3. to make food into small pieces by rubbing it over a metal tool.

4. to cook over a pan of boiling water by allowing the hot mist from the water to pass through small holes in a container with food in.

5. to cook food outdoors on a metal grill over wood or charcoal

6. to soak meat or fish in a mixture of wine and herbs, etc, before cooking it

7. to eat something by taking small bites

8. to make food or liquid pass down your throat from your mouth to the stomach.

9. to eat greedily.

10. to pour melted fat and juices over meat as it is cooking.

11. to cut something into thin pieces

12. to cook food in oil or fat in a shallow pan.

13. to cook food using very strong heat directly above it.

14. to drink something by taking only a small amount of liquid at a time.

15. to cut food into small pieces with a knife.

16. to cook vegetables or meat quickly in hot oil. Chinese food is often cooked in this way

17. to cook in an oven without any extra liquid or fat. Bread and cakes are usually cooked this way.

18. to cut food into small cubes.

19. to cook food (especially meat) over a fire or in an oven.

NOUNS AND OTHER WORDS

Use the following words to complete the sentences

recipe / menu / fast food / takeaway / tip / side plate / ingredients
balanced diet / calories / dessert / health foods / bill / fatty / vegetarian
vegan / diet / starter / main course / carbohydrates / fibre

1. I had soup as a __________, followed by chicken and chips for the __________ , with a __________ of green salad, and finally a delicious __________ of strawberries and cream.
2. My friend Tim is a __________; he won't eat meat. His girlfriend won't eat any food that exploits animals (including eggs and cheese). She's a __________.
3. In the restaurant, I chose my food from the __________, and when I had finished, paid the __________ and left the waiter a small __________.
4. I'm on a __________ because I'm trying to lose weight, so I suppose I should eat more __________, but I'm afraid I can't resist hamburgers, pizzas and other __________ .
5. I bought a really good __________ book last week, but can't find some of the __________ I need for the dishes.
6. Shall we have dinner at home or shall we eat out? I know, let's do a bit of both. I'll go to the
Chinese __________ and bring something back.
7. Nutritionists tell us that we should eat a __________ We should eat less __________ food such as meat and cheese, and should eat more foods that contain __________, like brown bread and vegetables.
8. Cakes and biscuits contain lots of __________ and __________.

Did you know?

Diet can be used in 2 ways:
'You should eat a balanced diet'. Diet refers to the sorts of foods you eat. A balanced diet means that you eat the right amount from the different food groups.
'I'm on a diet’. When you are on a diet, you eat less because you want to lose weight.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS

The expressions in bold, which all use words connected with food, have been put into the wrong sentences below. Use your dictionary to help you rearrange them.

1. The exam was so easy! It was a butter-fingers.
2. I don't like horror films; they're bananas.
3. I don't get paid very much in my new job. In fact, my boss pays me sour grapes.
4. Jane is really angry with her boyfriend. As far as she's concerned, he's not warm as toast.
5. I've just seen the boss and he looks really angry. I think there's a different kettle of fish.
6. She became very embarrassed and her face turned cool as a cucumber.
7. Mr Lewis is a wonderful man. He's as different as chalk and cheese.
8. You're mad, crazy, completely not my cup of tea!
9. I'm always dropping things and breaking them. I'm such a piece of cake.
10. Although Joe and Brian are brothers, they're completely different. They're the salt of the earth.
11. The bank robbers were packed together like sardines when the police questioned them, and told them everything they knew about the robbery.
12. I'm not at all cold. In fact, I'm the flavour of the month.
13. Andy is always calm and relaxed. He never panics. He's as red as a beetroot.
14. Steven didn't congratulate me when I got the job. It was probably peanuts.
15. It was so crowded on the train we spilled the beans.

16. I don't mind you borrowing my umbrella without asking, but to borrow my car? That's trouble brewing.

Education

VERBS

Look at the sentences below and fill in the gaps using the appropriate word or expression from A, B or C.

1. He got a good grade in his maths, but ________ his English exam.

A. passed B. lost C. failed

2. She had to ________ her First Certificate exam three times.

A. study B. take C. make

3. She ________ her driving test first time!

A. passed B. succeeded C. won

4. He is ________ medicine because he wants to become a doctor.

A. studying B. learning C. acquiring

5. He's ________ to speak French at college.

A. studying B. learning C. teaching

6. She's ________ herself to speak Japanese.

A. learning B. studying C. teaching

7. She ________ from Edinburgh University last year.

A. left B. graduated C. passed

8. We need to ________ young people about the dangers of alcohol.

A. educate B. bring up C. raise

9. I'm ________ for my history test tomorrow.

A. learning B. revising C. remembering

10. School ________ next week; I can't wait for the holidays to begin!

A. breaks into B. breaks up C. breaks down

11. In my country, it is ________ to go to school between the ages of 5 and 16.

A. legal B. required C. compulsory

12. My favourite ________ at school was always History.

A. topic B. subject C. objec

NOUNS

A. Look at the definitions below, and write the words they define in the grid . The first
letter of each word has been given to you. If you do it correctly, you will find the name we give to a student at university in the shaded vertical strip. Use your dictionary to help you.

1. A child at school. (e.g., The piano teacher thinks she is her best p_ _ _ _ )

2. A person who is studying at a college or university. (e.g., She's a brilliant s _ _ _ _ _ _ )
3. A diploma from a university. (e.g., She has a d _ _ _ _ _ in mathematics from Oxford University)
4. A meeting of a small group of university students to discuss a subject with a teacher. (e.g. The
French s_ _ _ _ _ _ is being held in the conference room)
5. A talk given to a class of students, usually at a university or college (e.g., We are going to a        l _ _ _ _ _ _ on pollution).
6. A sum of money to help (e.g., Not many students get a full g _ _ _ _ )
7. A teaching session between a tutor and one or more students. (e.g., We had a t_ _ _ _ _ _ _ on
Russian history)
8. All the people who work in a company, school, college or other organization (e.g., Three
members of s_ _ _ _ are away sick)
9. A person with a degree from a university. (e.g., He's a g_ _ _ _ _ _ _ of London University)
10. An area of knowledge that you are studying. (e.g., Maths is his weakest s_ _ _ _ _ _)
11. The points given to a student for a test or a piece of work. (e.g., She got top m_ _ _ _ in English)
12. A school that is funded by the state. (e.g., He went to a s_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _)

13. A school for little children. (e.g., We send our youngest son to the local k_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _)

What's the difference? Use your dictionary to help you find the difference between the
following pairs of words.

1. a teacher and a professor
2. a primary school and a secondary school
3. a fee and a grant
4. a term and a semester
5. a graduate in Britain and a graduate in the USA
6. a state school and a public school

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS
Look at these sentences and decide which of the idioms and colloquialisms in bold is correct.
In each sentence, there are two expressions which we do not use in English.

1. He gets up early to go to college, and comes home late. I keep telling him he shouldn't
buy a dog with two tails / burn the candle at both ends / try to wear two pairs of trousers.
2. Sally always does her homework on time and buys the teacher little presents. The other children hate her. She's such a teacher's toy / teacher's jewel / teacher's pet.
3. He'll have to pull his socks up / polish his head / empty his washing basket and work harder or he'll fail his exams.
4. She didn't work hard enough and flunked / splodged / squidged her exams.
5. They didn't go to school, but chased the tiger / emptied their heads / played truant and went
fishing instead.
6. He never comes to his English lessons. He's always smirking / skiving / shrinking.

Crime

Look at this student's essay, and complete it with a word or expression . In some
cases, more than one answer may be possible.

attacked • protect • property • defend • locks • lights

victims • self-defence • burgled • security • possessions • violence

criminals • problem • drugs • break in • be aware • police • prevent

There is a lot of crime in our towns and cities. What do you think we could all do to reduce the risk to ourselves and our homes?

Crime is a big 1. __________ in some cities. There is a lot of 2. __________ on the streets at night, people buy and sell 3. __________ illegally, and a lot of houses are 4. __________ on a regular basis. The 5. __________ do their best to 6. __________ these things happening, but they are not always successful.
However, there are some things that people can do to make their lives safer, to 7. __________
themselves and their 8. __________ from crime. For example, they can improve 9. __________ by fixing good, strong 10. __________ so that thieves cannot 11. __________ and steal their 12. __________. When they go out at night, they should leave 13. __________ on so that thieves think there are people at home. When they are on the streets, they should 14. __________ of what is happening around them.
They could even consider doing a 15__________ course such as judo or jujitsu so that they can
16. __________ themselves if they are 17. __________ by muggers.
There will always be 18. __________ on our streets, but that doesn't mean we all need to be
19. __________ of crime, especially if we take the right preventative measures.

Complete the sentences below with one of these words or expressions .

guilty • falsified • smuggled • sentenced • tried • innocent • arrested
mugged • break • vandalized • stole • robbed • trafficking • charged

Richard Mann has been committing crimes since he was a boy.

1. When he was only 15 he _____________ telephone boxes and public toilets.                          2. As he grew older, he _____________ old ladies in the street and stole their money.              3. He also _____________ banks, post offices and jewellery shops.
4. On one occasion, he _____________ almost £20,000 from a post office.
5. In his late twenties, he _____________ cigarettes and alcohol from one country to another.
6. During his only proper job in an office, he _____________ the accounts and pocketed thousands ofpounds.
7. He then started _____________ drugs.
8. The police finally _____________ him last year.
9. They _____________ him with almost thirty crimes.
10. He was _____________ at a Crown Court.
11. He said he was _____________, but the jury decided he was _____________.
12. The judge _____________ him to 15 years in prison.

13. He won't _____________ the law again for a long time.

IDIOMS, COLLOQUIALISMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS

Complete the following story using one of these idiomatic words or expression .

behind bars • nick • boys in blue • doing time • got away with • nicking   spill the beans • hardened • cops • as thick as thieves • leg it • red handed

Brian and Bert had always been 1._____________, sharing each other's secrets and doing everything together. They turned to a life of crime in their teens, and by the time they were in their early twenties, they were already 2._____________ criminals. They burgled houses and stole cars and always 3._____________ it, discovering that they actually enjoyed the excitement of avoiding the 4._____________. However, their luck didn't last and one day the 5._____________ caught them 6._____________ while they were 7.______________ a car. They tried to 8._____________, but didn't get too far. The police interviewed them and told them to 9._____________. I'm glad to say that Brian and Bert are now 10._____________ in Wandsworth 11._____________, and expect to be 12._____________ for at least two years.