Essential idioms 15:
1. Inside out
2. upside down
3. fill in
4. fill out
5. take advantage
6. no matter
7. take up
8. take up with
9. take after
10. in the long run
11. in touch
12. out of touch
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Five steps to composing a letter:
Step 1: Know what you want to achieve from it. Make a plan or brief outline, which lists the major points you want to cover or reply to. Keep checking your letter against your purpose and plan.
Step 2: Consider your reader at all times. It’s helpful to remember the following questions—
Who will be reading my letter?
What will be that person’s attitude toward my request?
What do I want the person to do for me?
How can I phrase my request so the recipient will be motivated to help me?
Step 3: Open with the name of the person you are writing to. Do everything realistically possible to obtain that name. “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Credit Department” are acceptable alternatives.
Step 4: Get to the main point immediately (in the first paragraph). Then follow with details and explanation.
Step 5: Use a conventional closing for people you don’t know. This would include, “Sincerely” or “Sincerely yours” followed by a comma. For acquaintances, you may use “With best wishes” or “Warm regards” etc.
Here are a few helpful hints to follow:
Wordiness. Use direct, concise language. Avoid stock phrases such as “the fact that,” or “in the order of” etc.
Naturalness. Read your letter out loud. It should sound natural and easy to understand, not stiff and overly-rhetorical.
Courtesy. Be positive, courteous and professional.
Active voice. Avoid too many “is” verbs;
use the active, not passive voice:
Active: Ellen wrote the report.
Passive: The report was written by Ellen.
Punctuation/ Spelling. If you’re not sure about a word or comma, LOOK IT UP.
Humor. Avoid humor; it can be risky unless you are completely sure of your audience’s reaction.
The Basic Business Letter
The Basic Business Letter
When writing a business letter, you must pay attention to both the parts of a business letter and to your choice of formats. This handout will explain both concepts.
Parts of a business letter
Date
The date line is used to indicate the date the letter was written. However, if your letter is completed over a number of days, use the date it was finished in the date line. When writing to companies within the United States, use the American date format. (The United States-based convention for formatting a date places the month before the day. For example: June 11, 2001. ) Write out the month, day and year two inches from the top of the page. Depending which format you are using for your letter, either left justify the date or center it horizontally.
Sender’s Address
Including the address of the sender is optional. If you choose to include it, place the address one line below the date. Do not write the sender’s name or title, as it is included in the letter’s closing. Include only the street address, city and zip code. Another option is to include the sender’s address directly after the closing signature.
Inside Address
The inside address is the recipient’s address. It is always best to write to a specific individual at the firm to which you are writing. If you do not have the person’s name, do some research by calling the company or speaking with employees from the company. Include a personal title such as Ms., Mrs., Mr., or Dr. Follow a woman’s preference in being addressed as Miss, Mrs., or Ms. If you are unsure of a woman’s preference in being addressed, use Ms. If there is a possibility that the person to whom you are writing is a Dr. or has some other title, use that title. Usually, people will not mind being addressed by a higher title than they actually possess. To write the address, use the U.S. Post Office Format. For international addresses, type the name of the country in all-capital letters on the last line. The inside address begins one line below the sender’s address or one inch below the date. It should be left justified, no matter which format you are using.
Salutation
Use the same name as the inside address, including the personal title. If you know the person and typically address them by their first name, it is acceptable to use only the first name in the salutation (i.e., Dear Lucy:). In all other cases, however, use the personal title and full name followed by a colon. Leave one line blank after the salutation.
If you don’t know a reader’s gender, use a nonsexist salutation, such as "To Whom it May Concern." It is also acceptable to use the full name in a salutation if you cannot determine gender. For example, you might write Dear Chris Harmon: if you were unsure of Chris's gender.
Body
For block and modified block formats, single space and left justify each paragraph within the body of the letter. Leave a blank line between each paragraph. When writing a business letter, be careful to remember that conciseness is very important. In the first paragraph, consider a friendly opening and then a statement of the main point. The next paragraph should begin justifying the importance of the main point. In the next few paragraphs, continue justification with background information and supporting details. The closing paragraph should restate the purpose of the letter and, in some cases, request some type of action.
Closing
The closing begins at the same horizontal point as your date and one line after the last body paragraph. Capitalize the first word only (i.e., Thank you) and leave four lines between the closing and the sender’s name for a signature. If a colon follows the salutation, a comma should follow the closing; otherwise, there is no punctuation after the closing.
Enclosures
If you have enclosed any documents along with the letter, such as a resume, you indicate this simply by typing Enclosures one line below the closing. As an option, you may list the name of each document you are including in the envelope. For instance, if you have included many documents and need to insure that the recipient is aware of each document, it may be a good idea to list the names.
Typist initials
Typist initials are used to indicate the person who typed the letter. If you typed the letter yourself, omit the typist initials.
A note about format and font
When writing business letters, you must pay special attention to the format and font used. The most common layout of a business letter is known as block format. Using this format, the entire letter is left justified and single spaced except for a double space between paragraphs. Another widely utilized format is known as modified block format. In this type, the body of the letter is left justified and single-spaced. However, the date and closing are in alignment in the center of the page. The final, and least used, style is semi-block. It is much like the modified block style except that each paragraph is indented instead of left justified.
The following table shows examples of the different formats.
March 16, 2001
Ernie English
1234 Writing Lab Lane
Write City, IN 12345
Dear Mr. English:
The first paragraph of a typical business letter is used to state the main point of the letter. Begin with a friendly opening; then quickly transition into the purpose of your letter. Use a couple of sentences to explain the purpose, but do not go in to detail until the next paragraph.
Beginning with the second paragraph, state the supporting details to justify your purpose. These may take the form of background information, statistics or first-hand accounts. A few short paragraphs within the body of the letter should be enough to support your reasoning.
Finally, in the closing paragraph, briefly restate your purpose and why it is important. If the purpose of your letter is employment related, consider ending your letter with your contact information. However, if the purpose is informational, think about closing with gratitude for the reader’s time.
Sincerely,
Lucy Letter
123 Winner’s Road
New Employee Town, PA 12345
March 16, 2001
Ernie English
1234 Writing Lab Lane
Write City, IN 12345
Dear Mr. English:
The first paragraph of a typical business letter is used to state the main point of the letter. Begin with a friendly opening; then quickly transition into the purpose of your letter. Use a couple of sentences to explain the purpose, but do not go in to detail until the next paragraph.
Beginning with the second paragraph, state the supporting details to justify your purpose. These may take the form of background information, statistics or first-hand accounts. A few short paragraphs within the body of the letter should be enough to support your reasoning.
Finally, in the closing paragraph, briefly restate your purpose and why it is important. If the purpose of your letter is employment related, consider ending your letter with your contact information. However, if the purpose is informational, think about closing with gratitude for the reader’s time.
Sincerely,
Lucy Letter
March 16, 2001
Ernie English
1234 Writing Lab Lane
Write City, IN 12345
Dear Mr. English:
The first paragraph of a typical business letter is used to state the main point of the letter. Begin with a friendly opening; then quickly transition into the purpose of your letter. Use a couple of sentences to explain the purpose, but do not go in to detail until the next paragraph.
Beginning with the second paragraph, state the supporting details to justify your purpose. These may take the form of background information, statistics or first-hand accounts. A few short paragraphs within the body of the letter should be enough to support your reasoning.
Finally, in the closing paragraph, briefly restate your purpose and why it is important. If the purpose of your letter is employment related, consider ending your letter with your contact information. However, if the purpose is informational, think about closing with gratitude for the reader’s time.
Sincerely,
Lucy Letter
Block Format
Modified Block Format
Semi-block format
If your computer is equipped with Microsoft Office 2000, the Letter Wizard can be used to take much of the guesswork out of formatting business letters. To access the Letter Wizard, click on the Tools menu and then choose Letter Wizard. The Wizard will present the three styles mentioned here and input the date, sender address and recipient address into the selected format. Letter Wizard should only be used if you have a basic understand of how to write a business letter. Its templates are not applicable in every setting. Therefore, you should consult a business writing handbook if you have any questions or doubt the accuracy of the Letter Wizard.
Another important factor in the readability of a letter is the chosen font. The generally accepted font is Times New Roman, size 12, although other fonts such as Arial may be used. When choosing a font, always consider your audience. If you are writing to a conservative company, you may want to use Times New Roman. However, if you are writing to a more liberal company, you have a little more freedom when choosing fonts.
As far as punctuation after the salutation and closing is concerned, the standard is to use a colon after the salutation (never a comma) and a comma after the closing. There is also a less accepted format, known as open punctuation, in which punctuation is excluded after the salutation and the closing.
Gender of a computer is .....
A language instructor was explaining to her class that in French,
nouns unlike their English counterparts, are grammatically designated as
masculine or feminine.
"House," in French, is feminine -- "la maison."
"Pencil," in French, is masculine -- "le crayon."
One puzzled student asked, "What gender is computer?"
The teacher did not know, and the word wasn't in her French dictionary . So
for fun she split the class into two groups appropriately enough, by gender,
and asked them to decide whether "computer" should be a masculine or
feminine noun.
Both groups were required to give four reasons for their recommendation.
The men's group decided that computers should definitely be of the feminine
order ("la computer"), because:
1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is
incomprehensible to everyone else;
3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for possible
later retrieval; and
4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half
your pay check on accessories for it.
The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine
("le computer"), because:
1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;
2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves;
3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE
the problem; and
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you'd waited a little
longer, you could have gotten a better model.
The Women won.
Pronounce:
Salon
Saloon
Secret
Spinach
Saliva
Prohibit
Occur
Octopus
Thyroid
Thesaurus
Thesis
Upon
Raisin
Parenthesis
Pasteurize
Renaissance
Sauna
Jacuzzi
Chauffer
Choir
Cathedral
First Class Expectations
by Alan Cohen
As I was driving to a lecture with my program sponsor, I told Suzanne that on a recent international airplane flight I was given a free upgrade to first class. "Oh, I get upgrades all the time," she responded, laughing. "It's sort of a miracle. I don't even ask. They just put me up front."
"But I guess I'm used to it," she explained. "When I was a child, my father was vice president of TWA. He took me traveling with him a lot, and whenever we flew, I got to sit in first class."
I wasn't surprised. Suzanne's account demonstrated how powerfully our subconscious beliefs affect our outer manifestations. Somewhere in Suzanne's psyche, the image of flying first class was deeply embedded. Although she did not think about it consciously, her expectation created results that matched it. The folks who gave her the passes had no idea they were agents of the universe more than the airlines.
As we enter this bright new year, let's notice the strong correlation between our expectations and our experience. Everything that happens to us is related to our beliefs about who we are, what we deserve, and what the universe is capable of supplying. The game is to keep stretching your beliefs to match the highest in and around you.
The movie Galaxy Quest offers a marvelous lesson about our power to manifest. The film chronicles the adventures of a bedraggled crew of actors whose popular science fiction television series has run its course. (Think Star Trek.) Their careers have dwindled to appearances at cult fan conventions. One day the crew is kidnapped by some real extraterrestrials who take them for a (long) ride and explain to them that their planet is under siege and they need the expertise of this crew to save their world.
"What makes you think we can help you?" asks the captain.
"We know of your heroism because we have reviewed many transmissions of your historical documents," the E.T. answers.
The "documents" he refers to are not historical at all. They are hysterical. From outer space the E.T.'s viewed rerun broadcasts of the series' television shows. They had no idea the stories were fictitious and the crew was just acting.
The crew tries to explain this, but the aliens don't quite understand; all they know is that they desperately need help and they believe the crew can handle the job. By this point the crew has no choice, so they throw themselves into the task at hand. Although they are at first inept, eventually they rise to the occasion and find the courage to extricate the aliens from their predicament. They were tricked into discovering the heroes they actually were.
Sometimes life tricks us into finding strength we did not know we had. We thought we were clumsy inept actors, while we actually embody the wisdom, courage, and strength to handle any task. We thought our greatness was fictitious, when it is for real. We might even be tempted to argue for our limits and explain why we are not who admirers think we are. But such an occasion is a great opportunity to keep your mouth shut and just go ahead and be great. All you have to lose is your identity as a loser.
"Think you can or think you can't, and either way you'll be correct," prophesied Henry Ford. When I was in high school I played saxophone in a rock band. I was just learning the instrument and didn't have a lot of experience or technique. I couldn't get a good tone out of the sax and planned to take it back to the store to get it fixed. Then one night our band was playing for a dance when a fellow approached and asked if he could sit in on sax for one song. Sure, I told him. The guy picked up the sax and wailed! I could hardly believe it was the same instrument! After the song he thanked me, handed the sax back, and disappeared into the crowd. I just stood there with my jaw hanging open. For a moment I felt embarrassed; he had just shown me up in a huge way. But soon my embarrassment shifted to excitement. He showed me a new possibility for myself and the instrument. Eventually I developed a good tone, too.
The year before us is brimming with new possibilities. It is a year that has never been lived before. Your expectations of what you can and will accomplish this year make all the difference in what will actually happen. Bring a big cup for the new year to fill.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Books,Plays and Films should be censored
Let us suppose that you are in the position of a parent. Would you allow your children to read any book they wanted to without first checking its contents? Would you take your children to see any film without first finding out whether it is suitable for them? If your answer to these questions is 'yes', then you are either extremely permissive, or just plain irresponsible. If your answer is 'no' , then you are exercising your right as a parent to protect your children from what you consider to be undesirable influences. In other words, by acting as a censor yourself, you are admitting that there is a strong case for censorship.
Now, of course, you will say that it is one thing to exercise censorship where children are concerned and quite another to do the same for adults. Children need protection and it is the parents' responsibility to provide it. But what about adults? Aren't they old enough to decide what is good for them? The answer is that many adults are, but don't make the mistake of thinking that all adults are like yourself. Censorship is for the good of society as a whole. Like the law, censorship contributes to the common good.
Some people think that it is disgraceful that a censor should interfere with works of art. Who is this person, they say, to ban this great book or cut that great film? No one can set himself up as a superior being. But we must remember two things. Firstly, where genuine works of art are concerned, modern censors are extremely liberal in their views -- often far more liberal than a large section of the public. Artistic merit is something which censors clearly recognize. And secondly, we must bear in mind that the great proportion of books, plays and films which come before the censor are very far from being 'works of art'.
When discussing censorship, therefore, we should not confine our attention to great masterpieces, but should consider the vast numbers of publications and films which make up the bulk of the entertainment industry. When censorship laws are relaxed, immoral people are given a license to produce virtually anything in the name of 'art'. There is an increasing tendency to equate artistic with 'pornographic'. The vast market for pornography would rapidly be exploited. One of the great things that censorship does is to prevent certain people from making fat profits by corrupting the, minds of others. To argue in favor of absolute freedom is to argue in favor of anarchy. Society would really be the poorer if it deprived itself of the wise counsel and the restraining influence which a censor provides.
36. Permissive parents would ______.
A) let their children read any books they like to
B) let their children see any films they like to
C) not let their children read any books without first checking their contents
D) both A) and B)
37. The fact that parents check the contents of the book or the film for their children to read or see shows ______.
A) the necessity of censorship
B) many books and films are bad
C) children need their parents to help them understand more
D) the parents are permissive
38. Which of the following statements is Not True?
A) Some adults can't tell right from wrong.
B) Censorship is compared to the law because both of them perform good service to society as a whole.
C) Censors pay attention only to genuine works of art.
D) Censorship is necessary because many books, plays and films are far from being "works of art".
39. The word "corrupt" in the sentence "One of the great things that censorship does is to prevent certain people from making fat profits by corrupting the minds of others" in Para. 4 means ______.
A) making morally bad
B) hurt
C) injure
D) damage
40. What would be the best title of this passage?
A) Permissive Parents and Responsible Parents.
B) Censorship and the Law.
C) Censors Value Artistic Merits.
D) Censorship Performs a Good Service to Society.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Topics:Swan
THE SWAN goes beyond where other makeover shows end, offering women the incredible opportunity to undergo complete life transformations, and then follows their journey afterwards as they accomplish their goals and bring their dreams to fruition. THE SWAN's team of Life Specialists – plastic surgeons, hair stylists, makeup artists, style consultants, speech therapists, and other life coaches – will work on each woman from the outside in so that she can accomplish what she always wanted to achieve but couldn't due to limitations, perceived or otherwise.
Each of the 18 contestants will be assigned a team of specialists -- a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeon, dentist and stylist -- who will work together to design the perfect individually- tailored program. The final reveal will be especially dramatic because the contestants will not be permitted to see themselves in a mirror during the three-month transformation process.
This chance of a lifetime comes with a price: hard work. The show does not end once the cosmetic surgery and physical transformations are complete. Rather, contestants must go through an intensive "boot camp" of exercise, diet, therapy and inspiration to achieve their goals.
Each woman's work ethic, growth and achievement will be monitored. Two women will be featured in each episode and at that show's conclusion, one of them will be selected to move on to The 1st Annual Swan Pageant and one will go home. The challenging and emotionally charged journey from ugly duckling to superstar-looks will culminate in the selection of "The Ultimate Swan" on the glamorous two-hour season finale.
Idiomatic Expresion 2:
1-Stand backphrasal verb
to move a short distance away from something or someone:
- Please stand back - then all of you will be able to see what I'm doing.
We STOOD BACK while he lit the firework.
2- Years back
(Of time) In times past; ago.
``Sixty or seventy years back.
3-back off (STOP) phrasal verb INFORMAL
to stop being involved in a situation, usually in order to allow other people to deal with it themselves:
- She started to criticize me, then she suddenly backed off.
- Just back off and let us do this on our own, will you?
4- Back taxes
Due taxes that have not been paid on time.
Have To Pay Back Taxes?
5-backdate make effective from an earlier date;
"The increase in tax was backdated to January"
5-backdate verb {T}
to make something, especially a pay increase, effective from an earlier time:
- They got a pay rise in March which was backdated to January.
6- in the background (THINGS BEHIND) noun
1 {S} the things that can be seen or heard behind other things that are closer or louder:
a sound that is in the background is present but is not the main thing that you
are listening to.
- The little figure that you can just see in the background of the photograph is me.
- If you listen carefully to this piece of music, you can hear a flute in the background.
- We couldn't hear what they were saying on the tape - there was too much background noise.
• A television was on in the background
7-backlog
a large amount of things that you should have done before and must do now:
- I've got a huge backlog of work to do.
• a large backlog of orders
8-back-to-back (CONTINUOUS) adjective {before noun}, adverb
happening one after another, without interruption:
- Coming up after the break, three Rolling Stones classics back-to-back.
- Schumacher is celebrating back-to-back victories in the French and British Grand Prix.
9-back-to-back (CLOSE TOGETHER) adjective {before noun}, adverb
close together and facing in opposite directions:
- UK back-to-back terraced houses
- The office was full of computers, and we had to sit back-to-back in long rows.
10-backtrack verb {I}
1 to go back along a path you have just followed:
- We went the wrong way and had to backtrack till we got to the right turning.
2 to say that you did not mean something you said earlier or say that you have changed your opinion:
- {+ speech} "All right, " he backtracked, "It's possible that I was mistaken."
- The officers were forced to backtrack on their statements.
- She refused to backtrack from her criticisms of the proposal.
11- say back : once again:
• Play the tape back for me, okay?
• I'll check back with you sometime next week.
12 -be in the bag INFORMAL
If something is in the bag, you are certain to get it or to achieve it:
- Once we'd scored the third goal, the match was pretty much in the bag.
13 bag ( verb) SPOKEN to decide not to do something:
• I'm tired of waiting. Bag this - I'm leaving.
14- on bail money left with a court of law to prove that a prisoner will return when their TRIAL starts:
• Harrell will be released on bail (= let out of prison when bail was paid) until his trial.
• Carpenter is free on bail while he appeals his conviction.
15- take the bait
something used to make someone do something, buy something etc., especially done in a way to deceive people:
• Plenty of people took the bait (= accepted what was offered) and ended up losing their life savings.
16- hang in the balance to be in a situation in which the result is not certain, and something bad may happen:
• World leaders are meeting to discuss the situation, with peace in the region hanging in the balance.
17- to balance [I,T] to be equal to something else in weight, amount, or importance, or to try to give something equal importance:
• They asked state officials to balance giving jobs to men and women. [balance sth with sth]:
• It's not always easy to balance a career with a family.
18- on the ball INFORMAL thinking or acting quickly and intelligently:
• A photographer who was on the ball got some great pictures of the incident.
19- in the (right) ball park INFORMAL close to the amount, price etc. that you want or are thinking about:
• The chief financial officer said that analysts' profit estimates are in the right ballpark.
20- baloney noun [U]
1 INFORMAL something that is silly or not true; nonsense
2 NONSTANDARD BOLOGNA
sound like also sound as if/though used to say that someone or something seems a particular way to you:
• Nick sounds like a nice guy. Will we get to meet him soon?
• He sounded like he had a cold or something.
bunchnoun [C] Spoken: 1000
[usually singular] a large number of similar things, or a large amount of something:
• The doctor asked me a bunch of questions.
21- the bane of my existence. (= a cause of continual trouble)
This stupid computer has become the bane of my existence. (= a cause of continual trouble)
22- get a bang out of sth SPOKEN to enjoy something very much:
• She got a real bang out of seeing the kids in the school play.
23- bang adverb
1 INFORMAL directly or exactly:
• It starts at eight, bang on the dot.
24- size sb/sth up phrasal verb [T]
to look at or consider a person or situation and make a judgment about them:
• They stood at opposite sides of the room, sizing each other up.
25- try sth on for size
a) to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits
b) INFORMAL to consider something to see if it is appropriate for you or your situation:
• Tell the school board to try this idea on for size: we could hold classes on buses.
Idiom Expresson:
1- above and beyond something
more than.
The support given to us by the police was above and beyond what we could have expected. She doesn't receive any extra money, above and beyond what she's paid by the council.
The number of hours she puts into her job is definitely above and beyond the call of duty. (= more than is expected of her)
2-Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
something that you say which means being apart from someone that you love makes you love them even more.
'My boyfriend's going to South America and I won't see him for six months.' 'Ah well, absence makes the heart grow fonder.'
3-(whether) by accident or design
whether intended to be this way or not.
The system, whether by accident or design, benefits people who live in the cities more than people who live in the country.
4-more by accident than (by) design
because of luck and not because of skill.
I kicked the ball and, more by accident than design, it found its way into the net.
5-accidentally on purpose (humorous)
if you do something accidentally on purpose, you intend to do it but you pretend that it was an accident.
If I, accidentally on purpose, forget to bring her address with us, we won't be able to visit her after all.
6-accidents will happen
something that you say in order to make someone feel less guilty when they have just damaged something that does not belong to them.
Oh well, accidents will happen. I can always buy another bowl.
7-of your own accord
if you do something of your own accord, you do it without being asked to do it.
She left of her own accord. I didn't tell her to go.
8-on someone's account
if you do something on someone's account, you do it because of that person.
Don't cook anything special on my account. I'm not even very hungry.
9-on no account must/should someone do something (formal)
if you tell someone that on no account must they do something, you mean that they must never, for any reason do that thing.
On no account must the contents of this document be shown to any other person.
10-an ace in the hole (American)
an advantage that you have that other people do not know about.
The local team has an ace in the hole with their new player.
11-an Achilles' heel
a small fault in a person or system which might cause them to fail.
As a team they're strong on attack but they have a weak defence that might prove to be their Achilles' heel.
12-catch someone in the act
to discover someone doing something wrong.
I was trying to clear up the mess on the carpet before anyone noticed it, but Isobel came in and caught me in the act.
13-get your act together (informal)
to organize your activities so that you do things in an effective way. If these people could ever get their act together, they could produce unbeatable wines. You'd better get your act together and start looking for a job.
14-be out of action
if a machine or vehicle is out of action, it is not working or cannot be used.
I'm afraid the TV's out of action.
15-put something out of action
be out of action - if a machine or vehicle is out of action, it is not working or cannot be used.
The freezing weather has put many trains out of action.
16-be out of action
if someone who plays sport is out of action, they are injured and cannot play.
Towers is out of action with a broken wrist.
17-put someone out of action
be out of action - if someone who plays sport is out of action, they are injured and cannot play.
A bad fall put him out of action for 2 months.
18-not know someone from Adam
to have never met someone and not know anything about them.
Why should I lend him money? I don't know him from Adam.
19-ad infinitum
if something happens or continues ad infinitum, it happens again and again in the same way, or it continues forever.
The TV station just shows repeats of old comedy programmes ad infinitum. Her list of complaints went on and on ad infinitum.
20-without further/more ado
without any delay.
And so, without further ado, let me introduce you to tonight's speaker.
Look Within & See
by Marie T. Russell
Have you ever found yourself wanting to 'fix' people? You know... when you can clearly see everything that's wrong with them and want to reorganize them and their life?
It seems so easy for us to look at someone else and see everything that they need to do to improve themselves. It seems so easy to 'fix' someone else... to see everything they could change in their personality, relationships, attitudes, patterns, and lives in general.
When you find yourself doing that, you can be sure that if you turned that projection around and applied it to yourself you would discover many truths and have some astonishing revelations.
For example, the other day I found myself in various situations in which the old 'beast' of judgment reared its ugly head. Seemed like I could do so much better... Yet when I applied the technique of taking whatever I was criticizing in someone else and applying it to myself, I discovered some amazing things... I also was 'guilty' of those same things I was judging in others.
If you desire to see where you need to do some clearing, try this... The next time you find yourself blaming, judging, or criticizing someone, ask yourself: "How do I exhibit this behavior also? How does this apply to my actions and thoughts?" I would be willing to bet that if you are honest with yourself you'll discover some amazing truths... or rather I should say, some amazing illusions.
Someone dropped in the other day who was exhibiting strong behavior of blame and other such energies. So I knew that if this was coming out in my presence, then obviously I needed to look within myself to see how I was harboring thoughts of blame. And sure enough, those thoughts were there...
If people around you are acting out anger, look within yourself and find out what you are angry about. If you find yourself in conversations where the 'other' is judging and criticizing, ask yourself how you are being judgmental and critical. It could be behavior that you are directing towards others or towards yourself. Have you been judging yourself? Have you been finding yourself wanting in certain areas?
Remember that the 'other' is always a reflection of you. So rather than expend energy trying to 'fix' the other, use that energy where it can really make a difference... 'fix' yourself. Look at yourself and see what needs clearing.
A saying that I really like from Peace Pilgrim is "If the thoughts you are thinking have not brought you peace, keep trying..."
Many times our past behavior has tended towards judging and blaming, when those energies definitely do not bring peace. How do you feel when you are in the middle of those energies? Definitely not peaceful and loving, right?
Not only is judging and blaming harmful to yourself, to your inner peace and joy, but it is futile... unless you turn it around and apply it to yourself! When you use it as a learning tool, then you can really make a difference -- in yourself.
The next time you find yourself judging or blaming someone else, remember to ask your Higher Self to show you how you are really judging and blaming yourself. And please forgive yourself for all of these old patterns. This was simply learned behavior, and it can be replaced with a more useful and loving energy.
When you find yourself in any situation that seems to call up unloving responses in you, remember that you have a choice. You can make yourself miserable by staying in the judgment and blame, or you can release the other person to Spirit. Everyone has the right to make their own 'mistakes' and to learn in the way they choose. Rather than place your focus on them, place it on yourself. Everything that comes to you is an opportunity for love and healing. Everything is there to help us regain our inner peace and innate state of love and harmony.
Make it a daily practice. Look around you (and within you) and see what situations have been bringing up thoughts unlike Love. Then use those situations as mirrors. Look at them and see... This is especially powerful in those situations where we find ourselves reacting strongly to someone or to a situation. If it's pushing your buttons, then you can be sure there is something you need to look at. As a wise friend of mine said, "If you didn't have any buttons, I wouldn't be able to push them!" So the next time someone pushes your button, get rid of the button... instead of blaming the button pusher.
phrases:Conversation in Doctor's appointment
Expressions about health...
Diet
o I'm on a diet!
Insomnia
o I didn't sleep a wink last night.
o I was all over the bed!
Cold
o I feel like a new person.
o You look run down.
o I think I'm running a temperature.
Other
o The cavity is killing me.
o She poked me in the eye.
o My head is spinning.
o You have an iron stomach.
o It wasn't just any snore.
o His snoring is getting worse and worse.
o I was burnt to a crisp.
o I think school is giving me hives.
o I feel like I've been run over by a freight train.
o My head is stuffed up.
o I slathered her in sunscreen.
----------------------------------
Feeling ill
• I feel really rough.
• I'm shattered.
• I'm on my last legs.
• You look poorly.
• You look like death warmed up.
• You're looking peaky.
All these are informal expressions that indicate you are feeling ill or unwell, tired and exhausted.
• I feel great! / I'm on top of the world / I feel like a million dollars! - I couldn't feel any better!
• He's glowing with health. - He looks very well.
• I'm a picture of health. - There's nothing at all wrong with me.
Common complaints
• She's sprained / twisted her ankle / wrist. - She's damaged her ankle or wrist in a fall.
• She's broken her arm. She'll be in plaster for weeks. - Her broken limb is in a hard plaster cast.
• My back aches / I've got backache - I have a sore back.
• I've got toothache. / a headache. / a stomachache. - These are phrases using -ache to describe what hurts.
• I feel sick. - I'm feeling nauseous.
• I think I've got food poisoning. - I've eaten something bad and I feel unwell.
• I've got a really bad cold. - I've got a temperature, a sore throat and a runny nose. [A typical English winter infection!]
Getting treatment
• Make an appointment at the doctor's / the GP. - Go and see the general practitioner.
• I've been refer red to a consultant at the hospital. - My doctor has arranged for me to see an expert at a hospital to help me recover.
• I need a check-up at the hospital. / I need an X-Ray. / an examination. / a scan. - These are treatments you might need at a hospital.
• I need to see the specialist- someone who knows about one health issue in particular.
On the medicine bottle
• Consult your doctor if symptoms persist. - If you still feel ill after taking the medicine, see your doctor.
• Do not take more than the stated dose. - Don't take more [pills or medicine] than you're told to.
• Always read the label. - Make sure you take the advice given on the medicine container.
• Keep out of the reach of children. - Do not let children play with the medicine or its container.
You will also hear:
• 'She's a pain in the neck!' and 'she's a pain in the ass!' (this is very impolite!) - This doesn't mean she's ill - it means she's very annoying!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Topics : Balancing work & family
I slipped into his room late one evening as I arrived home from work so that I could give him a goodnight snuggle and a kiss, only to find him wide awake. "Hey Dad, it's Wednesday!" my 12-year-old said. "Tonight was our date night, Dad! You forgot!"
Somewhere between the deadlines and the meetings and the to-do list, I'd forgotten the most important ministry God had entrusted to me: my family. It had also been weeks since my wife and I had a date together, and I knew things needed to change - and fast. Instead of focusing on work, I needed to focus on my family and let them know they were just as important as my work and my ministry.
We set out to meet our work goals and somehow in the midst of it all, we forget that waiting at home is that young boy wanting to play catch, that teenage girl who needs to talk about boys, or that spouse that needs to be treated with all the attention we used to give when we were dating. Why does it happen? How does it happen? How can you prevent it from happening to you?
Let me ask you this: if you and I were sitting at that Tim Hortons near your house discussing the state of our lives, could I ask you a pretty personal question? What is the real goal that you are striving for? Is it possible that the prize you're pursuing for has edged out your precious family, or that spouse you were madly in love with during your courtship days? They need some of your best time, not just your leftover time.
Well, before the coffee gets cold and we both need to run, here are ten ideas to help you as you strive to balance your work and your family. Got a pen? Jot 'em down on your napkin.
1. Get your family together and craft a family mission statement. It's just as important to be intentional as a family as it is in the workplace. We wanted our family to all be on the same page in terms of our life purposes and the principles that would govern our time together. Need a head start? Here's our family mission statement:
Our family is going through life's journey together, growing roots in Christ and wings for our mission, becoming equipped to make a difference in our world by learning to live like Jesus, for Jesus and in Jesus.
We've designed other elements of this mission statement into the shape of a house, with walls of laughter, doors of prayer and windows of other important character qualities.
2. Carve out time for your family each week…in advance. Put it on your calendar. Stop saying you have to get one more thing done before you leave for home. Plan your week with specific ending times and stick to them.
3. Jettison things from your schedule that aren't important. March to the mission that Jesus called you to, not the mission that others want you to do for them. Be ruthless here!
4. If your work situation requires constant excessive hours to get the job done, it's time to evaluate other ways to accomplish the task. You can't accomplish the mission of the organization single-handedly, so stop trying! Pray for the Lord to send workers into your harvest field and then sit back and watch Him go to work. Pray for supernatural results from the time you do put into your day, then go home and be a minister in the other mission field God gave you…your family.
5. If you're a leader of others, have them actually write into their job descriptions the need to be committed to their family and specific ways in which they will make this a priority.
6. Develop an activity together with your family as a whole, and/or with individual family members. Maybe it's hiking, a date at Denny's for breakfast on Saturday, or coffee and prayer with your spouse each day. As you do this, remember that teachable moments are almost like 'intentional accidents': they happen, but not always because you planned them. So be sure to plan large quantities of time with your family throughout the year so they'll have a chance to occur.
7. Create a 'spiritual life development plan' for each of your kids, outlining their strengths, their areas for improvement and your plans to shape their character as they grow up under your care. Our children are arrows that are being released into a world that we will never fully see. It's our job to shape them into arrows that will fly straight and travel the distance to the kingdom target that God has intended for them.
8. Schedule a date night of at least an hour once a week with each child and your spouse, where you focus solely on them. It doesn't have to be expensive; time is the critical ingredient here. When our budget has been tight, I've had this time in my backyard with my son.
9. When you're traveling, send an email or a postcard back to your family. Call them on the phone and pray with them, in addition to chatting.
10. At the end of a day, ask your kids and spouse these three questions: 'What happened today that you're proud of?' 'What happened today that you wish you could do over?' 'Where did you see God in your day today?'
If your spouse or children were to describe how your performance as a spouse and parent, what would they say? If you're not happy with the words that are echoing around in your head, it's time to make some changes. I love how Eugene Petersen puts it: "Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air" (Proverbs 11:29, The Message). When my work years have come to an end, I want to be holding more than air, don't you?
"Hey Dad! I passed!" exclaimed my 15-year-old girl. You see, I'm writing this morning from the Department of Motor Vehicles waiting room, where I came with my daughter to get her driving permit. Some days you just can't achieve balance, so lately I've been working on integration - aren't laptops wonderful? As my daughter and I celebrated her passing the test with a big hug in the lobby, I was glad I'd decided the to-do list at work could wait. The memory of this morning with her will last forever.
Shopping in America
Shopping in America
Conversation A:
INTRODUCTION
Conversation A is a typical conversation about shopping in the United States. Masahiro is an international student who has just arrived from Japan, and Anna and Will are introducing him to the shopping scenario in America.
Anna: As I was telling you, Masa, where you shop depends largely on what you need. So, if you want to buy an answering machine or a CD-player, your best bet would probably be an appliance store such as Radio Shack..
Will: Yup! Or Circuit City. I like Best Buy the best, though.
Masahiro: Why?
Will: Coz they usually have the best deals. They have sales on their TVs and CD-players every once in a while.
Anna: Hum. I'll bet they send you their glossy ads loaded with so-called "SALES"!
Masahiro: (laughs)
Anna: Well, I still think the CD-player I bought from them was a rip off.
Will: I'll admit some of their items are high-priced, but at least the shopper's guaranteed quality. There are very few places that have such a wide selection.
Masahiro: I need to buy disks, at least two disk holders, note cards, transparencies, and that kind of stuff.
Will: For office supplies, I suggest Office Max.
Anna: Or Comp USA. One good thing about living in a campus town, though, is that you can easily get that stuff at any of the bookstores. No doubt they do overcharge. I try to get around that by shopping around.
Masahiro: Shopping around?
Anna: Yes. That simply means you go to different stores, check out the prices of items you need and purchase them from the store(s) with the lowest price or prices.
Masahiro: I see. Sounds very practical.
Will: And time-consuming, too!
Masahiro: Where is Office Max located?
Anna: There's one in the mall, so we can stop by there this afternoon.
Masahiro: Great! Thanks.
Will: Hey, Masa. Just so you know, you can always run to the discount stores whenever you're out of something you need right away. There are several around campus.
Anna: That's right. And they carry pretty much everything a student needs. Pop, pasta, eggs, hair spray . . . you name it!
Will: They don't usually carry milk, though, so you might want to walk down to White Hen (Pantry), Walgreens, or some other convenience stores close by.
Anna: I wouldn't advise you to buy things in bulk from such stores, though. I mean, do your major shopping at the specialized stores. It's much cheaper, and more convenient in the long run.
Masahiro: Good advice!
Will: Sort of like Mom's!
Anna: Hey, watch it!
Will: Just kiddin'!
Masahiro (laughs). Life sounds great in this town! Oh! Before I forget, guys, where can I rent movies? I love watching movies in my spare time.
Anna: Me too! Let's see. There are two video stores close to your apartment. Lucky you! One's Blockbuster, and the other's That's Rentertainment. I believe they both have specials on weekdays, right Will?
Will: Yup. But not for the new releases. It's usually a buck each for the older movies.
Anna: Are you guys ready to go to the mall?
Masahiro & Will: Sure.
Anna: Masa, don't forget to take your shopping list with you.
Masahiro: Thanks for reminding me.
Anna: You're welcome. What are we waiting for? Let's go.
New Words and Expressions
Definitions of the Underlined Words and Expressions:
1 Your best bet is a commonly used idiom which refers to the best possible choice or option available. In Conversation A, it refers to the most suitable store for appliances, in Anna's opinion.
2 The best deals is a frequently used shopping-related expression that refers to items for sale at bargain prices (i.e., cheap). Sometimes, "good deals" or "a real steal/What a steal" are used instead.
3 Glossy ads are colorful advertisement pamphlets or catalogs (on rich/glossy paper) that entice shoppers and usually encourage them to be "smart shoppers" or people who look for "good deals" or "sales."
4 A rip off is another frequently employed shopping-related expression used by shoppers who feel that they have been cheated. It is generally the case that the item purchased was overpriced (i.e., too costly) when it was bought.
5 Items that are high-priced are very expensive.
6 A wide selection refers to a wide array of items (e.g., models of VCRs, TVs, microwaves, walkmans, etc., depending on the store in question).
7 Stuff is a "safe" word that can be used to refer to anything the speaker intends it to refer to. Often, it is used when a speaker cannot recall the names of things s/he wants to refer to, and when s/he wishes to avoid having to mention what may appear to be an endless list.
8 Stores are known to carry items. In other words, they have the items they "carry." However, stores could be "out" of certain items (when their supplies have been exhausted).
9 Convenience stores, as the name suggests, are stores that carry basic necessities such as bread, milk, eggs, soft drinks, tooth paste, newspapers, magazines, and so on. They are usually conveniently located (in small towns, suburbs, and big cities) which also accounts for the name.
10 In bulk is a shopping-related idiom that is used to refer to items purchased in large quantities. Such supplies are cheaper and last longer. Generally, families shop in bulk for items such as sugar, rice, candy, canned products, etc. However, perishable products (such as vegetables) are rarely purchased in bulk. Instead, they are usually purchased on a daily or weekly basis. Specialized stores are stores that sell particular things. In other words, they specialize in the sale of particular products (e.g., grocery stores sell groceries, hardware stores sell hardware products such as nuts and bolts, paint, nails, hammers, etc.)
11 Specials refer to discount deals/prices. In Conversation A, they refer to discount video rental rates.
12 A buck each refers to a dollar per item in question (video tapes in Conversation A)
13 A shopping list is a handy list of items a shopper intends to buy. Most Americans draw up shopping lists before they go shopping. Such a list makes shopping easier, as the shopper consults it while shopping, and that way, does not forget to buy what s/he needs.
Shopping in America
Conversation B
(At the mall)
Listen to Conversation B
Anna: Here we are, guys, I'm going to stop by Bergner's first. I might just get lucky today. Who knows, some of their dresses might be on SALE.
Masahiro:Bergner's?
Will: It's a fairly well-known department store. Sort of like Penny's. They've got some quality stuff. Wanna check it out?
Masahiro: Why not.
Anna: I need to get something for Lisa's birthday. She's into name brands. Any suggestions?
Will: A Gucci handbag or Calvin Klein T-shirt might be nice. Designer perfume is another option. Which reminds me! I have a 15% discount coupon for Lerner's and Penny's. I hardly ever shop at Lerner's, as I'm not that big on women's clothing. And I rarely shop at Penny's, so go ahead and use the coupons if you can. Here they are (handing them over).
Anna: Thanks a lot, Will. That's really very thoughtful of you.
Will: My pleasure, Ma'am!
Anna: Oh no! I was supposed to give Liz a buzz an hour ago! Hope I have a quarter (checks her purse).
Will: Need a nickle?
Anna: Actually, I don't have anything but pennies in change. Does any of you have a dollar in change?
Masahiro: Sorry, I don't, but I do have 35 cents on me. Will that be okay for the phone call?
Anna: Great! I really appreciate it. I'll make it quick. Do you guys want to go ahead?
Masahiro: We'll wait.
Will: Just don't forget us.
Anna: I won't. Why don't we just meet here in 30 minutes?
Will: Sounds good. I guess I'll just look around.
Salesperson: Can I help you, Sir?
Will: No thanks, I'm just looking. Well, just out of curiosity, how much is that necklace?
Salesperson: Twenty-nine, ninty nine.
Will: Really! My sister's birthday is tomorrow. She loves jewellry. I just wasn't sure I could afford it.
Saleperson: You'll find that a lot of our stuff is amazingly affordable.
Will: Well, that's certainly nice to know. I'll take it.
Saleperson: It's a good choice. I'm sure she'll love it.
Will: Let's hope so.
Salesperson: Cash or charge, Sir?
Will: Charge, please. Do you accept Discover?
Salesperson: Yes, we do.
Will: Great.
Salesperson: That comes to thirty one, ninty-nine with tax (handing him the charge sheet). Please sign next to the "X."
[Meanwhile, in another section of the store]
Salesperson: Do you need some help, Sir?
Masahiro: Well, I'm looking for . . . let's see. I've forgotten the name again! It's used to make fresh coffee.
Salesperson: A coffee maker?
Masahiro: That's right.
Salesperson: Well, we have a few in kitchenware, which is upstairs.
Masahiro: Thank you.
Salesperson: You're welcome.
[minutes later]
Anna: Oh, there you are, Masa! What did you get?
Masahiro: Just a simple coffee maker.
Anna: Good choice. And you, Will? Find anything interesting?
Will: A necklace for Stephanie's birthday.
Anna: Lucky her!
Will: Did you get anything?
Anna: Just a couple of silly earrings that I liked. I hope I wear 'em! I did a lot of window shopping.
Will: That can't hurt.
Anna: True. Well, do you guys need anything else from this place?
Masa: One last thing. Oh no! I've forgotten what you call it?
Will: Just describe it and we'll probably figure out what it's called.
Masa: It's a crystal container for flowers with long stems. I need to get one for my Mom.
Anna: Oh! A VASE!
Masa: That's it!
Anna: They should have a bunch in giftware.
Will: Let's go get one.
Anna: I'm going to have to stop by Jewel on my way home. Is that okay with you guys? I'm almost completely out of groceries.
Will: No problems. I could pick up a couple of things, too.
Shopping in America
Conversation C
Complaining about Some Purchases
Listen to the Conversation C
[Three weeks after Anna, Will, and Masahiro went to the mall]
Anna: Hi Masahiro! How's it going?
Masahiro: Fine, I guess. How about you?
Anna: Busy. Guess who's coming our way?
Will: Hi guys! What's up?
Anna: Nothing much. We just ran into each other.
Will: That's nice. So Masahiro, how's the coffee maker working?
Masahiro: Actually, it doesn't work well. It was a waste of money. I guess I should have shopped around for a good one.
Anna: Why don't you take it back?
Masahiro: I'd like to, but I've misplaced the receipt.
Will: Well, if it's any consolation, my shopping wasn't all that great either. I wish I'd never bought Stephanie a necklace. Just last night she was telling me how she wished she had Liz Taylor's new perfume.
Anna: That makes three displeased shoppers. Guess what? The camera I bought and shipped to Mike just this morning is now on sale! It's a pity that I bought it then. Then again, I guess I shouldn't complain. It was a good buy, even though I didn't get the best deal on it. Anyway, Masahiro, I suggest you look for that receipt and just go to the Complaints Department and say "I'd like to exchange this, please." It's as simple as that. And Will, it's not too late for you to ask for a refund.
Daily conversation
Communication
Conversations on the phone....
o You're so difficult to get through to!
o I kept getting a busy signal.
o Is your phone out of order?
o My telephone was disconnected.
o We seem to have a bad connection on this phone.
o Would you care to leave a message?
o He's out to lunch? Would you like to leave a message?
o Let me get back to you in a few minutes.
o I've put him on hold.
Telephone Service...
o I'd like to get telephone service.
o I'd like to have a phone installed.
o I'd like to have my phone disconnected.
Other...
o Don't beat about the bush!
Eating
Expressions about eating and food...
o It tastes stale!
o I couldn't help it. They were so od!
o How do you want your beef?
o Make it small, please.
o I want it to be very, very lean.
o How often do you eat out?
o I'd like to reserve a table for dinner.
o It's on me.
o It's my treat.
o A drink to you and your future wife!
Emotions
Anger
o I can stand him any longer.
o Don't take it out on me!
o No wonder you're livid.
o He flared up at me.
o Even the mention of his name starts me fuming.
Anxiety
o You look concerned. What's on your mind?
o I've t to quiet down and get focused.
Fear
o ing to the dentist really unnerves me.
Fashion
Expressions about skin care, clothing, and cosmetics...
o Her skin looks so newborn baby smooth!
o The razor burn is really irritating.
o It knocks out bacteria and fungi.
o Why! Age has set in!
o I'm ready for a lift.
o I'd suggest you get a facial for deep cleaning.
o She's behind the times.
o This parka has ne out this year.
Friendship
Expressions about friendship...
o Don't forget to drop me a line!
o It's hard to keep up contact!
o Why don't you have a heart-to-heart talk with her?
o Honesty is the best policy.
Health
Expressions about health...
Diet
o I'm on a diet!
Insomnia
o I didn't sleep a wink last night.
o I was all over the bed!
Cold
o I feel like a new person.
o You look run down.
o I think I'm running a temperature.
Other
o The cavity is killing me.
o She poked me in the eye.
o My head is spinning.
o You have an iron stomach.
o It wasn't just any snore.
o His snoring is getting worse and worse.
o I was burnt to a crisp.
o I think school is giving me hives.
o I feel like I've been run over by a freight train.
o My head is stuffed up.
o I slathered her in sunscreen.
Housing
Expressions about housing...
o Don't you have air-conditioning in your apartment?
o My kitchen sink is clogged!
o What's wrong with the drain?
o My water faucet is dripping badly now.
o I wonder why no one is on top of this!
o He moved out last weekend.
o Do you have an apartment available?
o Even my ose bumps have ose bumps.
o Can I open a window and get some ventilation in here?
Life
Busy life
o I've t a pretty tight schedule today!
o I'm up to my neck in work.
o Let's call it a day, shall we?
o We could do it first thing tomorrow morning.
o Why is life always rushie-rushie?
o I'll just grab something to eat.
o I'm tied up for the moment.
Things beyond one's control and expectation
o Something might have come up!
o I couldn't help it.
o That's how rumors get started.
o I don't know how to break it to you.
o I hope there's nothing serious.
o James went out of business recently.
o Things do happen.
Faith and hope
o Everything will work out just fine!
o Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best!
Memory
Expressions about memory...
o I can't think of it off hand.
o I've t to brush up on it.
o It slipped my mind.
o I left the keys in the car.
o I was locked out of my apartment last night.
o Let's back up. Where was I?
o I can't think of it off the top of my head.
Money
Expressions about money...
o Can you break a twenty dollar bill?
o Do you have change for a dollar?
o I have some coins I need to change.
o I need five dollars in quarters.
o It just costs me another 50 cents.
o I am out of quarters.
o I thought you were well-off.
o I'm kind of broke.
Romance
Expressions about romance...
o Someone has a crush on Jenny.
o I think he's my Mr. Right!
o I heard you're ing out with Jane.
o He's head over heels in love with you.
o There's plenty of fish in the sea.
o I'm breaking up with her.
o I just can't get it off my mind.
o We're not seeing each other any more.
Shopping
Expressions about shopping...
o Do you have these shoes in size seven?
o That's a rip-off!
o Are you being helped?
o I'm just browsing.
o Keep the receipt in a safe place.
o Do you want to take a ride to the mall with me?
o We can still do some window shopping, can't we?
o Do you need every color in the rainbow?
Time
Expressions about time...
o My alarm clock didn't off this morning.
o I always forget to put the clock back one hour.
o My watch always gains ten minutes a day.
o I always set my clock ahead ten minutes.
Traffic
Expressions about cars and car problems....
o My car broke down.
o The battery is dead.
o My car turned out to be a piece of junk.
Expressions about traffic accidents, traffic jams, etc.
o She wasn't badly hurt, but she was shaken up.
o You ran through the stop sign.
o I thought I could make a right turn here.
o If you could approve you are not at fault.
o Do you have the problem with road rage?
o Traffic was brought to a standstill.
o Traffic was bumper to bumper.
o The traffic is crawling.
Traveling
Expressions about traveling....
o Can you keep an eye on my bag?
o You should've kept an eye on it.
o Can you save my place, please?
o Is this seat taken?
o I really miss the comforts of home!
o East or west, home is the best.
o I'm low on gas.
o We're only staying overnight.
Vacation
Expressions about vacation....
o We've t three holidays in a row!
o I guess I can put it off until next month.
o I'm through for the summer.
o I wish I could get away for a while.
Weather
Expressions about heat
o Oh, my! The whole world is broiling!
o You've t to drink a lot of fluids.
o Oh, the heat is unbearable!
o The water just es off without a warning.
Rain
o It's raining cats and dogs today.
Drought
o It hasn't rained a drop for months!
o The drought conditions are severe!
Work
On the job
o Why does she have a long face?
o Chances are slim!
o I am overwhelmed with a heavy workload.
Looking for a job
o I'll keep that in mind.
o I believe I have a od chance.
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