Daily Conversation Part 2

7/30/2019 Daily Conversation Part 2

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Daily conversation (Part 2)

He kept changing channels on the remote !!!

Sharon My mother got really annoyed with my father yesterday evening.Heather Why, did he complain about her cooking ?

Sharon Oh no, she's a great cook. It was when they were watching television.

Heather Don't tell me he fell asleep in front of the television and started snoring.

Sharon No, he does that sometimes but this was because he kept changing

channels on the remote.

Heather All men do that, it's one of their most annoying habits.

My luggage went astray !!!

Maggie I had a terrible time on my last trip to Europe.

Bernard Why, what happened ? Did you have an accident ?

Maggie No, my luggage went astray. When I arrived in Paris and went to collect

my case from the baggage carousel, it never arrived.

Bernard What happened to it ? Had somebody collected it by mistake or stolen it ?

Maggie No, it had been sent on to London by mistake.Bernard Did you get it back.

Maggie Yes I did, but it took two whole days. I was absolutely furious.

Explanation:

If something goes astray, it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere.

Example : Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray.

They've probably been held up by the traffic !!!

Tom You're not looking too cheerful.


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Henry Well, I arranged with Bob and Chris to meet me here for a drink at seven

o'clock. It's now a quarter to eight and neither of them has turned up.

Tom I wouldn't give up hope.They've probably been held up by the traffic.

It's been very heavy for the past hour.

Henry Even so, they should have turned up by now.Tom Well, I'd give them another quarter of an hour or so.

Henry OK, but after that I'm going home.

Explanation:

To hold somebody or something up means to delay somebody or something.

Example : Traffic was held up for several hours by the accident.

It really gets up my nose !!!

Teddy It's been a pretty tight game so far, don't you think ?

Martin Yes, neither side have looked like scoring a goal so far.

Teddy Except that one time when our striker was almost through but was fouled

by the fullback. The referee didn't see it.

Martin Yes, it really gets up my nose when something like that happens.

Teddy Well, let's hope that the ref will be looking right way if that fullback tries

playing dirty again.

Martin And then we'll get a penalty.

Explanation:

If you say that someone or something gets up your nose, you mean that they annoy you.

Example : He's just getting up my nose so much at the moment.

Stick at it !!!


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Niall Don't you find these rowing machines hard work ?

Harry I certainly do, but they're supposed to be.

Niall How often do you come to the gym for a workout ?

Harry Three times a week at least if I can manage it.

Niall No wonder you look so fit and trim.

Harry Thanks. Stick at it and you can be the same.

Explanation:

If you stick at a task or activity, you continue doing it, even if it is difficult.

Example : He became more and more irritated by her inability to stick atanything.

Let's go for a spin !!!

Clyde I'm feeling energetic today. Let's go for a spin.

Al OK. I need some exercise.

Clyde Where shall we go ?

Al Let's go around the lake, over the hill and come back through the wood.

Clyde Fine, that's about 15 kilometers, enough for one day.

Al Don't forget your puncture outfit and crash helmet.

Explanation:

If you go for a spin, or take a car for a spin, you make a short journey in a car just to

enjoy yourself.

Go at steady pace !!!

James Where are you going on the weekend ?

Harry I'm going hiking with some classmate.


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James Hiking ? Isn't that rather strenuous ?

Harry Not if you go at a steady pace and take the occasional break.

James Oh, that doesn't sound too bad.

Harry Why don't you join us ? You'll have a great time.

Explanation:

If you do something at a steady pace , you do it at a speed that is comfortable for you.

She just seems to have the knack !!!

Melanie I'm so envious of Lara's cooking.

Anne Me too, everything she does tastes perfect.

Melanie I tried some of her recipes myself, but they just don't seem to turn out

right.

Anne You're not the only one, I tried to make her Black Forest cake the other

day. It tasted all right but not half as good as Lara's.

Melanie How does she do it I wonder ?

Anne She just seems to have the knack.

Explanation:

A knack is a particularly clever or skilful way of doing something successfully,

especially something which most people find difficult.

Example : He's got the knack of getting people to listen.

My battery must be low !!!

Girl "Hello " ?

AJ "Hi it's me what's up baby ? I'm sorry ! Listen ! I'm gonna be late tonight

so don't stay up and wait for me OK ?"

Girl "Where are you ?"


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AJ "Wait wait ! Say that again ?"

Girl "Hello ?"

AJ "You're coming in and out I think my battery must be low. Listen ! If

you can hear me we're going to a place nearby, alright ? Gotta go " ( click

)

Explanation:

That battery is low means you are running out of battery.

Work like a charm !!!

Salesman Lowest prices! Best quality! Hello, sir!

Buyer Oh, hi. I'm just looking. I have a computer already.

Salesman How long have you had it?

Buyer Years. Works like a charm.

Salesman Years? What a dinosaur! I can't believe you still use it.

Buyer It's fine for writing letters and ...

Explanation:

If you say that something worked like a charm, you mean that it was very effective or

successful.

Example :

Economically, the policy worked like a charm.

He is a good catch !!!

Joe Guess who else is falling into the love trap.

Judy It better not be Bobbie. I don't want to lose another friend to the death of

love.


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Joe It's Marie. With the guy from New York..

Judy No wonder! I saw her wearing a promise ring.

Joe I encouraged her. I thinkhe's a good catch.

Judy It better not be just 'cuz he looks like Tom Cruise. Marriage is more than afling with a movie-star look-alike.

Explanation:

If you describe someone as a good catch, you mean that they have lots of good qualities

and you think their partner or employer is very lucky to have found them.

Example :

I was so in love with him and all my friends said what a good catch he was.

Don't flatter yourself !!!

Jean What is that noise ?

Harry What noise?

JeanI hear a girl saying "Harry, honey. Please pick up the phone, you stud..."

Harry Oh! That's my new cell phone. It must be my latest squeeze, Jane.

Jean Jane ?

Harry Yeah. She's totally into me. She calls me all the time.

Jean Don't flatter yourself!

Explanation:

If someone says to you ' don't flatter yourself ', they mean that they disagree with your

good opinion of yourself.

Example :


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I flatter myselfthat this campaign will put an end to the war.

In the air !!!

Jenny Vanessa! Guess what. Leo proposed to me!

Vanessa Wow. Love is in the air. Did you accept?

JennyNot yet. I have some doubts...like the age factor. I'm really robbing the

cradle here.

Vanessa So he's eight years younger...he's mature for his age.

Jenny I'm worried about the cultural differences, too.

VanessaYou guys have the same interests and similar personalities. AND you have

the same dreams.

Explanation:

If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about

Example :

There was great excitement in the air ...

Up to something !!!

Jennifer Yeah, great. But who recorded these for you?

Billy My classmate, as a joke. It makes me sound like a womanizer.

Jennifer Well, then let me record one for you.

Billy OK. Cool. Be sexy. Here. Go!

Jennifer Hey, jerk! Answer the phone, you idiot!

Billy Hey! I should have known you were up to something.

Explanation:

If you say that someone is up to something, you mean that they are secretly doing

smething that they should not be doing.


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Example :

Why did you need a room unless you were up to something.

In a row !!!

Jane The new year will be here before you know it.

Mei This year really went by fast.

Jane It seems every year goes by faster.

Mei I especially enjoy the new year, though.

Jane Why ?

Mei We have three holidays in a row.

Explanation :

If something happens several times in a row, it happens that number of times without a

break. If something happens several days in a row, it happens on each of those days.

Example :

They have won five championships in a row.

I'll tell you what !!!

Dave Let's go to the movies in Prickly tomorrow.

Kuno Ok, where should we meet. Do you know where Lot 10 is ? We went there

together.Dave No, I don't remember. Let's meet somewhere outside Prickly.

Kuno I'll tell you what -- name the place and I'll pick you up.

Explanation :


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In spoken English, you use I'll tell you what or I tell you what to introduce suggestion

or a new topic of conversation.

Example :

I tell you what, I'll bring the water in a separate glass.

Give it to me straight !!!

Boss As you know Steven, you are a highly-valued worker. However, the

company has run into financial difficulty lately that are causing some

unexpected repercussions.

Steven Like what ! Give it to me straight.

Boss I am afraid we have to lay you off.

Explanation :

If you give someone a straight answer , you speak honestly and frankly to them.

Example :

What a shifty arguer he is, refusing ever to give a straight answer to a straight question.

Don't get me wrong !!!

Marcie Don't get me wrong ! I think Calvin is a very nice person, but you have to

admit he isn't very responsible.

Teddy I think you are right, he has got a lot of growing up to do.


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Explanation :

You say 'Don't get me wrong' when you want to make sure that someone does not

misunderstand what you are doing or sayng or why you are doing or saying it.

Example :

Dont get me wrong, it is interesting work .....

You can say that again !!!

Yin I think there is a sharp contrast between Americans and Chinese. For example,

the Americans are very individualistic, while the Chinese are very group-

oriented.

Yang You can say that again. Chinese are very concious of what other people think

of them.

Explanation :

You use 'You can say that again' to express strong agreement with what someone has

just said; an informal expression.

Example :

What a tedious job. -- You can say that again !!!

You are on the right track !!!

Greg I am trying to figure out who the murderer is in this story.

Curtis Who do you think it is !


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Greg I think it's Mr. Johnson because he was in the house at the time of the murder.

Curtis No, but you are on the right track.

Explanation :

If you are on the right track , you are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to

result in success.

Example :

Guests are returning in increasing numbers - a sure sign that we are on the right track ...

It's beyond me !!!

Anthony How long have you been in this country ?

Seung Two months.

Anthony Is it hard for you to study at an American college ?

Seung Yes, I find it very difficult. Especially when you can't follow the professor's

lecture.

Anthony That's because you just arrived. Do you like biology ?Seung No. It's beyond me.

Explanation :

If you say that something is beyond someone, you mean that they cannot deal with it.

Example :

Although he could give her sympathy, any practical help would almost certainlybe

beyond him ......

Whatever you say !!!


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Kato How about having dinner together after work?

Mori Fine.

Kato Should we have Japanese or American food ?

Mori Whatever you say !

Kato There is a good steak house around the corner.

Mori That's a good idea.

Explanation :

You say whatever you say to indicate that you accept what someone has said, even

though you do not really them or do not think it is a good idea.

Example :

We'll go in your car, Billy. --- ' Whatever you say '.

I am starving !!!

Yin I think we should get something to eat.

Linda Are you hungry ?

Yin Hungry ? I'm starving.

Linda There is an Italian restaurant near here.

Yin Is the food very hot ?

Linda It's kind of hot, but it's very tasty.

Explanation :

If you say that you are starving , you mean that you are very hungry.

Example :


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Apart from anything else I was starving.

Rain Check !!!

Jean My brother and his family will be coming into town next week.

Joe Is he the one who writes articles for the English Post ?

Jean Right, why don't you come over next Sunday to meet him.

Joe I'd love to but I can't. Can you give me a rain check !!!

Jean Sure, they'll be here for a week. So just let me know when you can come.

Joe Ok! I will be very interested in seeing him.

Explanation :

If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion, you mean that you do not

want to accept it straight away, but you might accept it at another time.

Example :

I was planning to ask you in for a brandy, but if you want to take a rain check, that's fine

.......

Brush up on !!!

Jeff Do you have a driver's license ?

Mike No. I am going to take the test in a couple of weeks .

Jeff Didn't you drive in your country ?

Mike Yes, but I have to brush up on my driving.

Jeff And. You have to study the traffic rules too !

Mike Yes, there is a lot of new things I must learn.

Explanation:


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If you brush up something or brush up on it, you practise it or improve your knowledge

of it.

Example :

Eleanor spent much of the summer brushing up on her driving.

I am broke !!!

Robert Are you going to Hawaii on your vacation ?

James Not this year.

Robert Why not ?

James For a good reason, I am broke.

Robert Oh! Come on.

James Seriously, I am flat broke.

Explanation :

Ifyou are broke, you have no money.

If a company or person goes broke they lose money and are unable to continue in

business or to pay their debts.

If you gofor broke, you take the most extreme or risky of the possible courses of action

in order to try and achieve success

Out of the question !!!

Robert I am going to look at new cars tomorrow.

James I wish I could have one.

Robert Why don't you come along ?

James I'd like to but I don't want to be tempted.


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Robert I am sure you could get a good deal.

James No, buying a new car is out of the question for me right now.

Explanation :

If you say that something is out of the question, you are emphasing that it is completely

impossible or unacceptable.

Example : -

For the homeless, private medical care is simply out of the question .......

Don't get me wrong !!!

Billy Bill is going to sing tonight.

Lucy Oh, no !

Billy Don't you like his singing ?

Lucy It's not that.Don't get me wrong !!!

Billy What's the problem then ?

Lucy He only knows one song.

Explanation :

If you say ' Don't get me wrong ' when you want to make sure that someone does not

misunderstand what you are doing or saying, or why you are doing or saying it.

Example : -

Don't get me wrong, it's interesting work.

I'll keep my fingers crossed !!!


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Peters Please have a seat.

Albert Thank you

Peters I'm Mr. Peters. The personnel manager. What can I do for you.

Albert I am looking for a position as a sales representative.

Peters We may have an opening next week. Please leave your resume, I will keep

in touch with you.

Albert Thanks. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Explanation :

If you cross your fingers , you put one finger on top of another and hope for good luck.

If you say that someone is keeping their fingers crossed,you mean they are hoping forgood luck.

Example : -

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they turn up soon.

Does it ring a bell !!!

Shirley Guess who I met at the grocery store.

Leonard I can't imagine.

Shirley Do you remember Mr. Johnson from our old neighborhood.

Leonard That name rings a bell, but I can't place him.

Shirley He used to live in the building next to ours.

Leonard Oh yes, now I remember. He had dark hair and wore glasses.

Explanation :

If you say that something rings a bell , you mean that it reminds you of something else,

but you cannot remember exactly what it is ......

Let's get to the point !!!


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Janet Good afternoon Bob, isn't it a lovely day ?

Bob Yes, it is Janet !

Janet It is the kind of day when you want to go outside.

Bob Janet, let's get to the point. Do you want the afternoon off ?

Janet Yes, Bob.

Bob Alright. As soon as you finish typing. You can go.

Explanation :

When someone comes to the point or gets to the point, they start talking about the thing

that is most important to them.

I tossed and turned all night !!!

Robb Are you ill ?

Seles Not really ! I am just tired.

Bobb Didn't you sleep well last night.

Seles No, I tossed and turned all night.

Robb I am sorry to hear that, I hope you sleep better tonight.

Seles Thank you. I'm sure I will.

Explanation :

If you toss and turn, you move restlessly in bed and cannot sleep properly, for example

because you are ill or worried.

Example : -

You feel as if you've beentossing and turning all night, and wake up feeling worn out.

It's a piece of cake !!!


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Han What kind of Chinese food would you like to have.

Joe I'd like to have spring rolls.

Han Fine. By the way, do you know how to use chopsticks ?

Joe It's a piece of cake.

Han How in the world did you learn to use them ?

Joe I was stationed in Taiwan for five years, you know.

Explanation :

If you think something is very easy to do, you can say it is a piece of cake. People often

say this to stop someone feeling worried about doing something they have to do.

Not that I know of !!!

Mei Is Mrs. Johnson joining us for dinner ?

Susie Not that I know of.

Mei I was hoping she would come with us.

Susie Why ?

Mei I would like her to try some of our traditional Chinese foods.

Susie That's very kind of you.

Explanation :

You say ' Not that I know of' when someone has asked you whether or not something is

true and you think the answer is; ' no ' but you cannot be sure because you do not know

all the facts.

It is on the tip of my tongue !!!

Mahoney Do you remember the restaurant we went to Friday.

Marcus Sure I do. It was the ' Silver Castle '.


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Mahoney No, we've never been to the ' Silver Castle '.

Marcus Maybe it was the Gold Coin.

Mahoney No Gee. It is on the tip of my tongue.

Marcus Never mind. The food was terrible.

Explanation :

If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it

and that you will be able to remember it very soon.

Example : -

A sarcastic remark was on the tip of her tongue.

Chances are slim !!!

Carol What are your chances of getting into Yale ?

Judy My chances are slim.

Carol I hear those Ivy League Colleges are tough to get into.

Judy I know. I'd have better chance at the state University.

Carol Sure. It's not a bad school either.

Judy I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond.

Explanation :

If you say that someone doesn't stand a chance of achieving something, you mean that

they cannot possibly achieve it.

Example : -

Neither is seen as standing any chance of snatching the leadership from him.


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It doesn't make any difference !!!

Mike Shall I pick you up at 5 or 6 ?

JoeiIt doesn't make any difference

.Mike O.K, I will pick you up at 5.

Joei No problem !

Mike Shall we play badminton or table tennis on Sunday ?

Joei It doesn't make any difference.

Explanation :

If something makes no difference, it does not have any effect on what you are doing.

Example : -

It is sad to see him go but it won't make any difference to the way we conduct our

affairs.

It's better than nothing!!!

Jim Did you ask Mr. Davidson for a raise ?

Carmen Yes, I asked for 80 cents any hour more.

Jim Did you get it ?

Carmen No, I got 30 cents

Jim That's too bad.

Carmen Oh, it is alright. It is better than nothing.

Explanation :

If you say that something is better than nothing, you mean that it is not what is

required, but that it is better to have that thing than to have nothing at all.


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Example : -

After all, 15 minutes of exercise is better than nothing.

You can count on us !!!

Stacey Sue, can you drive Jane and I to the doctor on Monday ?

Sue I think so.

Stacey We need a ride very badly, are you sure you will be able to help out ?

Sue Sure. I will mark it on my calendar so I don't forget.

Stacey Thanks you are a good friend.

Sue You can always count on me when you need help.

Explanation :

If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help

you.

Example : -

I can always count on you to cheer me up .........

It is up to you!!!

John Would you like to go out to dinner or to a movie ?

Karen Either one, it isup to you .

John What would you prefer ?

Karen I really don't care, I just want to get out of the house.

John Well, then how about dinner and a movie ?

Karen That's a great idea !

Explanation :


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If you say that it is up to someone to do something, you mean that it is their

responsibility to do it.

Example : -

The choice was up to Paula.

I couldn't help it !!!

Daryl I am upset. Somebody told my boss I have a part-time job.

Smith And he doesn't like that ?

Daryl No, he doesn't. He thinks that I am too tired to work.

Smith I am sorry. I have to admit I told him.

Daryl You told him ? Why ?

Smith I couldn't help it. He asked me point-blank.

Explanation :

If you can't help the way you feel or behave, you cannot control it or stop it fromhappening. You can also say that you can't help yourself.

If you say somethingpoint-blank, you say it very directly or rudely, without explaining or

apologizing.

Reducing and enlarging facility !!!

Walter I have to photocopy these two documents. I need a copy of this one

smaller than the original, and of the other larger.Dawn Well you'll need to use the reducing and enlarging facility on the

photocopier.

Walter The copy of this one should be half the size of the original, and the other

twice the size.

Dawn Lift the lid and put the first document on the glass face down. then press

the button marked 200% and you'll get a copy twice the size of the


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original.

Walter OK. What about the other one ?

Dawn When you've copied the first one, put the other one face down on the glass,

press the button marked 50% and you'll get a half-size copy.

That's really wasteful !!!

Nerys Look at all the waste paper in the waste bin next to the photocopier.

Rolf There is rather a lot but it's the same with all the photocopier.

Nerys What do they do with all that waste paper ?

Rolf As far as I know they just throw it out as trash.

Nerys That's really wasteful. There's a better way of dealing with it than that.

Rolf Well we should try to recycle all our waste paper. That would save the

company a lot of money and help the environment.

Explanation :

Wasteful - Action that is wasteful uses too much of something valuable such as time,

money, or energy.

Example : This kind of training is ineffective, and wasteful of scarce resources ........

It's very temperamental !!!

Billie Why has the photocopier stopped ?

Lesley Oh, it's probably because the paper has jammed. You'll have to open the

door and look inside the machine to check.

Billie Oh yes, I can see where a sheet of paper has got stuck.

Lesley You need to follow the instructions printed inside the door to remove itand restart the machine.

Billie That wasn't too difficult. Well, I'll restart the machine and hope for the

best.

Lesley You'll need a lot of hope for that machine. It's very temperamental and

really needs replacing.


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Explanation :

Temperamental - If you describe something such as a machine car astemperamental,

you mean that it often does not work properly.

Example : I first started cruising in yachts with temperamental petrol engines ........

It doesn't collate !!!

Lucas I've got this 32-page report and I need to make 40 copies.

Elyst Well you can't do that on our photocopier.

Lucas Why not ? There's nothing wrong with it, is there ?

Elyst No, but it's a basic model and doesn't collate.

Lucas Where can I find a photocopier which does ?

Elyst Try the Project Department. They're always producing reports so I'm sure

they must have a machine that does the job.

Explanation :

Collate - To collect and arrange the sheets of a report, book, etc., in the correct order

Example : The photocopier will collate the documents for you.

A3-sized copies !!!

Quentin This document is A3 size and I've got to make three A3-sized copies.

Vicky That's no problem on this photocopier as it's got an A3 paper tray.Quentin I've put the document face down on the glass, what do I do next ?

Vicky Open the door and check that there's paper in the A3 paper tray.

Quentin Yes, it's almost full.

Vicky Close the door, select the A3 paper tray on the control panel and then press


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the green button to start copying.

Put the document face down !!!

Ginny I want to make some A4 copies but I've never used a photocopier before.

Could you please help me ?

Heather Of course. First of all lift the lid and put the document you want to

copy face down on the glass.

Ginny OK. What do I do now ?

Heather Make sure that it's straight and within the A4 lines marked on the glass.

Then lower the lid.

Ginny There, done that. Now what ?

Heather Enter the number of copies you want using these button and then press thebig green button to start.

Ginny That's a breeze !

Explanation :

Face down - In a position so that the face is down

Double-sided printing !!!

Cary Have you seen the e-mail from the supplies department ?

Bud No, I haven't. What does it say ?

Cary It says that in future when photocopying we should use double-sided

printing wherever possible.

Bud Well I suppose only using one side of the paper is wasteful.

Cary Doing this should cut out paper bill by 50 percent.

Bud Yes. And think of all the trees we'll save by using double-sided.

Explanation :

Double-sided printing - To print on both sides of a paper


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You need to increase the contrast !!!

Roy My copies have started coming out a bit faint.

Sadie Let me have a look. Yes they should be a bit darker than that.

Roy How can I do that on this machine ?

Sadie You need to increase the contrast by pressing this button here. You've

got a choice of five levels. Try the third one. You'll need to press the

button three times.

Roy The copies look fine now, just what the doctor ordered. Thanks a lot.

Sadie Don't mention it.

Explanation :

A contrast is a great difference between two or more things which is clear when you

compare them.

Example : Silk was used with wool for contrast.

The copies are faint !!!

Terry That's annoying. The copies are suddenly coming out very faint.

Yuri Let's have a look. Yes, you can hardly read the text.

Terry What should I do ?

Yuri Well you could try taking out the toner cartridge, giving it a good shake,

and putting it back.

Terry It worked. The copies are much clearer. Thanks a lot.

Yuri No problem. That trick will work a couple of times. After that, themachine will need a new toner cartridge.

Explanation :

Faint - A faint sound, color, mark, feeling, or quality has very little strength or intensity.


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Example : He could see faint lines in her face .....

Run out of !!!

Belinda Oh no ! It's always the same.

Henry What's the matter ?

Belinda The photocopier's run out ofpaper.

Henry Have you looked in the store cupboard for more ?

Belinda Yes, of course. But that's out of paper as well.

Henry That's really bad luck. If your job's really urgent, I would go to the copy

bureau across the street.Belinda Thanks. It is and I will.

Explanation :

If you run out ofsomething, you have no more of it left

Example : We are running out oftime ...........

Have a go at you !!!

Foreigner That man at the bar got really annoyed with me just now.

Friend Yes, I could see him having a go at you. What was the reason ?

Foreigner I wanted to get drinks for us and he said I had jumped the queue. But

people weren't standing in line at the bar.

Friend That's true, but there actually was still a queue in the sense that the rule is "

first come, first served " and he must have been at the bar before you.Foreigner Where I come from, it's every man for himself.

Friend But not here I'm afraid, so it's best to follow the local rule if you want to

avoid such unpleasantness.

Explanation :


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Has a go at - If someone has a go at you, they criticize you, often in a way that you feel

is unfair.

Example : Some people had a go at us for it, which made us more angry.

You must be starving !!!

Hanna You've been working on that file for almost five hours without a

break. You must be starving.

Lenore Yes, I am a bit peckish, especially as I didn't have anything for breakfast.

Hanna Well the only place you can get food around here at this time of day is the

" Dog and Duck " across the road.

Lenore What's the food like there ?

Hanna It's not bad. They don't do hot food but their ploughman's lunch is really

tasty. The bread and cheese are always really fresh and they make their

own pickle.

Lenore Sounds good. I'll shoot over straight away. Care to join me ?

He stood us all a round of drinks !!!

Nick You missed a treat last night.

Jonas Why, what happened ?

Nick Well, Benny came into our local, told us that he'd just played a round of

golf and scored a hole in one at the 18th.

Jonas So what ? Everyone gets lucky now and again.

Nick Ah, but he stood us all a round of drinks.

Jonas Now that's what I call a real sportsman

Explanation :

Stand - If you stand someone a meal or a drink, you buy it for them.

Example : You can stand me a pint.


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Is this just a one-off ?

Kenny You must come to my local tomorrow evening.

Brendon Why, what's on ?

Kenny It's darts night. Our pub's team is playing against the team from the " Lord

Nelson " across the park. I'm in the team and we need all the support we

can get.

Brendon Is this just a one-off ?

Kenny Oh no. We're in a league of 20 pub teams and there's a game every week.

Brendon Where does your team stand ?

Kenny

We're second in the league and could go top if we beat the " Lord Nelson "

tomorrow.

Explanation :

One-off - Something that happens or is made or done only once

Example : Will you be doing more talks in the future or was that just a one-off?

Let's go to my local !!!

Jeff Well, we've got through a pile of work and it's past opening time. Let's go

for a pint.

Doug Good idea, where shall we go ?

Jeff Let's go to my local, it's just around the corner.

Doug I think I must have passed it on the way here. Is it the " Rose and Crown "

?

Jeff That's it. It's a really old place with lots of atmosphere.

Doug Great stuff, lead on MacDuff.

Explanation :


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Local - In British English, your local is a pub which is near where you live and where

you often go for a drink.

Example : Black Horse is my local.

What's it for ?

Brenda What's that above the bar ? It looks like a long glass trumpet with a glass

bulb at the end.

Jim It's a yard of ale, that's to say it's a bit less than a meter long.

Brenda What's it for ?

Jim It's for a traditional beer-drinking competition.

Brenda Who wins ?

Jim The person who can drink a pint of beer from it fastest without spilling a

drop. It's very difficult. The record in this pub is 9 seconds.

You were really tipsy !!!

Myrtle Lulu's hen party last night was really wild, wasn't it ?

May Yes, look at the horrible bags under our eyes.

Myrtle I really had a bit too much to drink. No wonder I feel so rough.

May Yes, you were really tipsy by the end.

Myrtle I think I'd better keep off alcohol for a bit.

May Good idea, I think I'll do the same. Our systems need to recover.

Explanation :

Tipsy - If someone is tipsy, they are slightly drunk.

Example : I am feeling a bit tipsy.

Draught or bottled ?


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Laurie I've worked up a bit of a thirst after all that walking and this looks like a

really nice pub. Shall we go in ?

Marge Why not ? We could do with a rest.

Laurie ( At the bar ) Now what can I get you ?

Marge I'd like a half of lager please.

Laurie Draught or bottled ?

Marge Bottled please. I prefer German beer and they don't seem to have any on

draught.

Explanation :

Draught (draft in American English) - Beer that is on draught is kept in and served

from a barrel rather than a bottle.

Example : They drink bitter on draught in the local bar.

Change hands !!!

Vernon This pub's just changed hands you know.

Perry Is that right ? Who's got it now ?

Vernon The publican wanted to retire so he sold it to one of the big breweries.Perry ( Rings bell ). Last orders, please !

Vernon Oh no, the saddest words a man will ever hear. One more before we go ?

Perry Yes please, but be careful you don't get trampled in the rush.

Explanation :

Change hands - To go from one owner to another

Example : That Italian restaurant is nowhere near as good since it changed hands.

Are you a regular ?


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Stranger 1 Ah, great taste ! They certainly know how to keep beer here.

Stranger 2 Yes, the publican's very fussy about how it's stored and at what

temperature.

Stranger 1 And the variety of beers seems to be much greater than in your average

pub.Stranger 2 That's true. He's very keen on beers from small, independent breweries and

we've got quite a few around here.

Stranger 1 Are you a regular ?

Stranger 2 Oh yes, I've been coming here once or twice a week for years. Can't keep

me away.

Explanation :

Regular - If you are a regular customer at a shop or a regular visitor to a place, you go

there often.

Example : She has become a regular visitor to Houghton Hall.

He's down the pub !!!

Alf Where's Paul ? I've been looking for him everywhere.

Ted I don't know, haven't seen him all day.

Alf What's the time ?

Ted It's just gone 7.

Alf Well, what a silly question !

Ted What do you mean ?

Alf Well he's down the pub of course. He's there every night.

Explanation :

Down - If you are down at a place, you are at that place.

Example : People are down the pub, getting drunk ...........


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Fancy another ?

Jock Have you enjoyed the evening ?

Tracy Oh yes, you've taken me to places I never knew existed.

Jock Well you're pretty new here and I've been working in this area for almost

five years, so I know most of the good places by now.

Tracy And this is one of the nicest pubs I've been in.

Jock It is very attractive. Fancy another ?

Tracy I'd better not. It's time to go and I really need my beauty sleep as I've got to

get up very early in the morning.

Explanation :

Fancy - If you fancy something, you want to have it or to do it.

Example : What do you fancy doing, anyway ?

He only drinks shorts !!!

Henry I was out on the town with Ollie last night.

Vince Where did you go ?

Henry Oh, lots of places, but we ended up in the " Queen's Head ".

Vince Have a good time ?

Henry Oh sure, but Ollie's a rather expensive drinking companion.

Vince Why's that ?

Henry He only drinks shorts and he can certainly put them away.

Explanation :

Short - A short is a small, strong alcoholic drink of a spirit such as whisky, gin, or

vodka, rather than a weaker alcoholic drink like beer or wine that you can drink in larger


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quantities.

It's my round !!!

Dave Fantastic shot.

Greg Yes, he really did bend it like Beckham.

Dave This is a great pub for football, they've got such a big screen.

Greg Yes, it's almost like actually being at the match.

Dave Would you like another drink ?

Greg I certainly could, but stay put, it's my round.

Explanation :

It's my round - It's my turn to buy drinks.

They hold a referendum !!!

Clive I've been working in Switzerland for some time now and I find their

political system very interesting.

Ben Isn't it very similar to ours ?

Clive Not really, there is much more direct democracy there.

Ben How does it work ?

Clive If there is an important question to be decided, at national or local

level, they hold a referendum so that the people can decide for

themselves.

Ben That's quite different from our representative system.

Explanation :

Referendum - If a country holds a referendum on a particular policy, they ask the

people to vote on the policy and show whether or not they agree with it.

Example : Estonia said today it too plans to hold a referendum on independence.


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Won by a landslide !!!

Fay You look pretty depressed, what's the matter ?

Craig I've just come from our party's headquarters. Everyone there feels the

same.

Fay You must have lost the election then ?

Craig We did, and after all that hard work, canvassing for days on end.

Fay Is it really that bad ?

Craig It is. The other side won by a landslide. It's our worst defeat in ten years.

Explanation :

Landslide - A landslide is a victory in an election in which a person or political party

gets far more votes or seats than their opponents.

Example : He won last month's presidential election by a landslide.

A real cliff-hanger !!!

Jerry This is one of the closest elections I can remember.

Natalie Yes, that's true whichever part of the country you look at.

Jerry In the west, the candidates have equal support in the polls.

Natalie And in the rest of the country there is very little to separate them.

Jerry This election is clearly going to be a real cliff-hanger.

Natalie Yes, we won't know the result until all the votes have been counted.

Explanation :

Cliff-hanger - A cliff-hanger is a situation that is very exciting or frightening because

you are left for a long time not knowing what will happen next.


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Example : Wednesday's election is likely to be a cliff-hanger.

First-past-the-post voting system !!!

Ronnie I think the result of that election was really unfair.

Quentin Why do you say that ?

Ronnie Well, there were three candidates and the total votes the two losers got

were more than the winning candidate received.

Quentin But he did get more votes than either of them got individually.

Ronnie Maybe, but this first-past-the-post voting system is not genuinely

democratic because someone can win without getting an absolute majority

of the votes.

Quentin Well, a proportional representation system would solve that problem.

Explanation :

First-past-the-post - Using a voting system in which a person is elected by obtaining

more votes than anyone else in the area that they want to represent, whether or not their

political party obtains more votes than any other party in the whole of the country

According to the exit polls !!!

Luke I'm a bit more optimistic about the election than I was.

Matt I'm surprised, all the opinion polls are predicting that your party is going to

lose.

Luke That may be true, but I think they may have got it wrong ?

Matt What makes you say that ?

Luke Well, according to the latest exit polls, our party is doing far better than

expected.Matt Perhaps you have been picking up a lot of last-minute support.

Explanation :

Exit poll - The organized questioning of people as they leave a polling station (= place at


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which people vote) about how they voted, to try to discover who will win the election

Cast their votes for !!!

Thomas Have you studied the election statistics ?

Digby Yes I have. Of the votes cast, 40 percent were cast for the White Party, 35

percent for the Blue Party and 25 per cent for the Black Party.

Thomas So, since more voters cast their votes for the White Party than either of

the other two parties, it's a White victory.

Digby Under our first-past-the-post electoral system that's true.

Thomas How many voters actually voted ?

Digby Seventy percent of those eligible to vote actually voted, which is more

than that at the last election.

Explanation :

Cast - When you cast your vote in an election, you vote.

Example : About ninety-five percent of those who cast their votes approve the new

constitution.

I can't be bothered !!!

Lenore It's election day today, so don't forget to vote.

Abby I can't be bothered, what difference will it make ? The parties are all the

same.

Lenore It took a long struggle to get everyone the right to vote. You should

exercise your democratic right, otherwise one day you may find it's been

taken away.

Abby Oh, well all right. What time does the polling station close tonight ?

Lenore At 10 pm

Abby I'll go as soon as I get home from work.

Explanation :


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Can't be bothered - If you say that you can't be bothered to do something, you mean

that you are not going to do it because you think it is unnecessary or because you are too

lazy.

Example : I just can't be bothered to look after the house.

Things are hotting up !!!

Tim Have you been following the election so far ?

Leila Yes and with only two weeks to go things are really hotting up.

Tim That's true and it's one of the dirtiest election campaigns I can remember.

Leila I have to agree with you. Both campaign teams have been spreading nastyrumors and even lies about the opposing candidate.

Tim Their television advertising has also been very negative, attacking the

opponent's character and record.

Leila It's not really much of a recommendation for democracy.

Explanation :

Hot up - When something hots up, a lot of activity and excitement starts to happen.

Example : Campaigning is expected to start hotting up today.

That's one of my favorites !!!

Jeff Well, it's almost lunch time, what would you like to eat ?

Danny Oh, I'd like some really typical city food.

Jeff Well, for that we'll have to go to the east side of town.

Danny What sort of food can you get there ?

Jeff The sort of food the locals really like.

Danny Like what ?


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Jeff Pie and mash, that's is one of my favorites too and I know one of the best

places to get it.

They heckled him throughout his speech !!!

Jamie That was one of the rowdiest election meetings I've ever been to.

Alasdair I'm not surprised, I could hear the noise from some distance away. Why

was it so rowdy ?

Jamie A section of the crowd was very hostile to the candidate and they heckled

him throughout his speech.

Alasdair What sort of things were they shouting at him ?

Jamie They were attacking his support for the government's employment

policies.

Alasdair They were probably dissatisfied or unemployed.

Explanation :

Heckle - If people in an audience heckle public speakers or performers, they interrupt

them, for example by making rude remarks.

Example : They heckled him and interrupted his address with angry questions.

What's her platform ?

Merry Who are you going to vote for ?

Sandra I haven't decided yet. How about you ?

Merry I'm going to vote for Shirley Day.

Sandra What's her platform ?

Merry She is promising to introduce much more family-friendly policies if she iselected and that's the most important thing for me.

Sandra If that's the case, I might vote for her too.

Explanation :


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Platform - The platform of a political party is what they say they will do if they are

elected.

Example : The Socialist Party won a landslide victory on a nationalist platform.

Our party is ahead !!!

Theo How has the election been going so far ?

Gary Very well as far as our party is concerned.

Theo How can you be sure ?

Gary Well the results of the latest opinion polls are in this morning's

newspapers.

Theo What do they say ?

Gary They show that our party is ahead in all of them by at least 7 percent, so

we're pretty confident about the election result.

Explanation :

Ahead - Ifyou are ahead in your work or achievements, you have made more progress

than you expected to and are performing well.

Example : Children in small classes were 1.5 months ahead in reading and 2.5

months ahead in mathematics.

Face to face !!!

Vera My feet are killing me !

Dan Why ? What have you been doing all day ?

Vera I have been going from house to house canvassing voters to vote for ourparty at the next general election.

Dan Is that really necessary ?

Vera Oh yes ! Most voters want to discuss the election issues face to face with a

party representative and to express their own views.

Dan Democracy in action !


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Explanation :

Face to face - If you come face to face with someone, you meet them and can talk to

them or look at them directly.

Example : It was the first face to face meeting between the two men.

It seems to have been heated !!!

Joseph We're having a really big battle inside our party at the moment.

Beth Yes, I've seen the newspaper headlines. It seems to have been heated.

Joseph It's always the same when we are trying to write the party's manifesto forthe next general election.

Beth What were the arguments about ?

Joseph One of the main ones is about whether we are going to promise lower

taxes in the manifesto if we win the election.

Beth That's always one of the most controversial topics.

What is he aiming for ?

Henry My brother has decided to go into politics.

Una Really ? Why is that ? He's such a successful businessman.

Henry Well, he's gone as far as he wants to go in business and is looking for a

new challenge.

Una What is he aiming for ?

Henry The city hall. He's going to run for mayor at the next mayoral election.

Una Well with his reputation and money, he should succeed.

Pasties are very filling !!!

Harley I'd like something to eat to go with our beer. Fancy a pasty ?

Evan Never heard of that, what is it ?


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Harley It's minced beef and potatoes baked in a pastry casing in a half-circle

shape.

Evan Sounds good, I'll go for it.

Harley You won't regret it; pasties are very filling and very tasty.

Evan What's their origin ?

Harley They say that miners' wives used to make them as lunch for their husbands

to eat in the mine.

Explanation :

Pasty - In Britain, a pasty is a small pie which consists of pastry folded around meat,

vegetables, or cheese.

Time for elevenses !!!

Gemma I haven't started work so early in weeks.

Meryl Yes, it's only a quarter to ten and we've been at it for almost four hours.

Gemma Time for elevenses before we die of hunger and thirst.

Meryl Great idea. I'll pop out and get some doughnuts.

Gemma And I'll put the kettle on.

Meryl Oh yes, I'm just dying for a cup of tea.

Explanation :

Elevenses is a short break when you have a cup of tea or coffee, and sometimes biscuits,

at around eleven o'clock in the morning.

A light supper wouldn't do us any harm !!!

Robbie It's some time since we've eaten. I'm quite hungry, what about you ?

Gayle I'm a bit peckish too, but it's quite late and we don't want anything too

heavy before we go to bed.

Robbie What do you suggest ?


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Gayle Well, a little light supper wouldn't do us any harm !

Robbie Such as ?

Gayle I could make a cheese and potato salad.

Robbie That'll do nicely.

We'll be able to dine alfresco !!!

Olive Where shall we eat after the show ?

Sean What about that restaurant down by the river ?

Olive Do you mean the one with peacocks running around the garden ?

SeanThat's the one. It's very traditional and I just love the atmosphere.

Olive And it's such a warm and pleasant evening that we'll be able to dine

alfresco on the riverside terrace.

Sean Yes, that would be lovely. And with the sky so clear we'll be dining by

moonlight. How romantic !

Explanation :

Alfresco - An alfresco activity, especially a meal, is one that takes place in the open air.

Take me back !!!

Jilly This takes me back, I haven't been to the seaside since I was a child.

Nicola I haven't been for ages either.

Jilly Tell you what, let's go on the pier and get some cotton candy.

Nicola But that's for kids and it's pure sugar; it'll ruin your figure.

Jilly I don't care, it was one of my favorite things to have when we came to theseaside.

Nicola Well, if you're going to relive your childhood, I'm going to have to do the

same.

Explanation :


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Take sb back - If you say that something takes you back, you mean that it reminds you

of a period of your past life and makes you think about it again.

Example : I enjoyed experimenting with colors - it took me back to being five years old.

Stock up on that !!!

Granville I've almost finished the preparations for our expedition.

Hector Where are you planning to go ?

Granville We're going to spend two weeks in northern Norway.

HectorThat's pretty tough country. You'll need a lot of energy.

Granville That's why we're taking lots of Kendal mint cake.

Hector I'm not surprised. A lot of expeditions stock up on that before they go.

Explanation :

Stock up - To buy a large quantity of something

Example : During the emergency, people stocked up on essential items like candles,medicines and tins of food.

Go in for a pie and a pint !!!

Leslie Punting's thirsty work and it's almost one o'clock.

Alastair Talk about thirsty, I'm pretty hungry as well.

Leslie Do you see what I see ?

Alastair You mean that pub just on the next bend in the river ?

Leslie Right first time. Are you thinking what I'm thinking ?

Alastair Yes, let's tie up there and go in for a pie and a pint.

Let the teapot stand !!!


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Frank Teach me how to make a pot of tea.

Brian Well, first of all you need a china teapot. Tea doesn't taste so good from a

metal one.

Frank What next ?

Brian Rinse out the teapot with very hot water to make it hot.

Frank Then boil the kettle ?

Brian That's right. Then put two or three teaspoons of tea into the teapot, take the

kettle to the pot and pour the boiling water over the tea.

Frank Can you drink it straight away ?

Brian No, you have to let the teapot stand for a few minutes and then the tea

will be ready to drink.

I love your tea cozy !!!

Corey May I pour you another cup of tea ?

Stella Thank you, that's very kind. I must say I love your tea cozy. The design is

very attractive.

Corey I'm glad you like it. It's one of many my mother made.

Stella Well, she was clearly very skilled with the needle.

Corey Yes, she was; needlework was her favorite hobby.

Explanation :

Cozy - A cozy is a soft cover which you put over a teapot or a boiled egg to keep it

warm.

What beautiful china !!!

Laura Thank you for inviting me to tea, it's really good of you.

Melanie Not at all, we're delighted to have you. May I pour you a cup of tea ?

Laura Oh, yes, thank you very much. What beautiful china !


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Melanie I'm glad you like it. This is part of tea service which my grandmother left

me. I was her only granddaughter.

Laura It's all so artistically decorated.

Melanie It is very fine work and genuine Chinese porcelain.

Laura No doubt that's why your tea tastes so good.

Melanie Thank you. They do say that tea always tastes better from real porcelain.

Explanation :

China - China is a very thin clay from which cups, sauces, plates, and ornaments are

made.

Example : Judy collects blue and white china.

What's clotted cream ?

Marie Now we're in the countryside, there's one thing we just mustn't miss.

Sean What's that, drinking the local cider ?

Marie No, it's having a real cream tea.

Sean What's so special about that ?

Marie Well, it's having real clotted cream on your scones with home-made

strawberry jam to go with your tea.

Sean What's clotted cream ?

Marie It's thickest and most delicious cream there is.

Explanation : -

Clotted cream - A thick cream made primarily in England by heating milk until a layer

of cream forms on its surface that is then cooled and skimmed off.

Just what the doctor ordered !!!


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Josie I'm dying for a cup of tea and I'm also a bit peckish.

Alan What about that place over there. " Ye Olde Tea Shoppe " ?

Josie Just what the doctor ordered. It's almost 4 o'clock, let's go in and have

afternoon tea.

Alan ( To waitress ) A pot of tea for two please.

Josie And I'd like some salmon sandwiches and a cream cake

Alan Watch your figure there. I think I'll just have some toast with strawberry

jam.

Explanation :

Just what the doctor ordered - Exactly what is wanted or needed.

Example : Ooh thank you, a nice cup of tea. Just what the doctor ordered.

Time for high tea !!!

Anne It's 4 o'clock, time for high tea.

Elisabeth So early ? Six o'clock or thereabouts is high tea time.

Anne What ? Tea, sandwiches and cakes at 6 o'clock ? That's a surely far toolate.

Elisabeth No, no. I think you're mixing up high tea and afternoon tea.

Anne Aren't they the same ?

Elisabeth No, not at all. Afternoon tea means tea, perhaps sandwiches and definitely

cakes around 4.

Anne What's high tea, then ?

Elisabeth That's a proper meal, often with meat or fish, but also of course with tea to

drink.

Explanation : -

High tea - ( British ) A fairly substantial meal that includes tea and is served in the late

afternoon or early evening.


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It showed documentaries !!!

Giles Have you seen the movie Fahrenheit 9/11 ?

Tony No, what is it, a science fiction adventure ?

Giles No it's a documentary about American politics after the World Trade

Center tragedy in September 2001.

Tony Did you see it on television ?

Giles No, at our local movie theater. It's been on all this week.

Tony I didn't know it showed documentaries.

Giles It doesn't normally, but there has been huge demand to see this one.

Explanation :

Documentary - A documentary is a television or radio program, or a film , which shows

real events or provides factual information about a particular subject

Example : ...... a TV documentary on homelessness.

Some love interest !!!

Sharon I didn't really enjoy that movie at all.

Gareth Why not ? I thought it was really exciting with lots of action.

Sharon Typical man, that's just what you would like.

Gareth Well what would you have wanted ?

Sharon Some love interest, not just car chases and fights.

Gareth Typical female, you're only interested in romance.

Explanation :

Love interest - Details about love and romance


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Example : Fay Wray was the love interest in the 1933 version of King Kong.

The score was fantastic !!!

Zara I haven't enjoyed a movie so much in years.

Abigail Yes, it really was something special.

Zara It had a great story and the acting was absolutely fantastic.

Abigail The score was fantastic too. It really added to the action.

Zara Yes it was really good music and it had such a haunting theme.

Abigail If they bring it out on CD, I'll be the first to buy it.

Explanation :

Score - The music written for a film, play etc

Example : The dance is accompanied by an original score by Henry Torgue.

A movie crew was shooting on location !!!

Lennie You'll never guess what was going on in our town last week.

Freda Go on, surprise me.

Lennie A movie crew was shooting on location in the town square.

Freda Really ? Why did they choose your town ?

Lennie Because the square's full of old buildings which were a perfect background

for the kind of historical movie they were making.

Freda I'd love to have been there. I've never seen a movie crew in action before.

Explanation :

On location - A place away from a studio where all or part of a film or a television show

is recorded


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Example : The documentary was made on location in the Gobi desert.

I had to rely on the subtitles !!!

Carl I've just seen the latest movie from China.

Vera Good ?

Carl Oh yes. It was about a family who lived in the late Qing dynasty.

Vera I know you're learning Chinese. Did you understand everything ?

Carl No, not really. They spoke too fast for me to catch much, so I had to rely

on the subtitles.

Vera Yes, they're always very helpful when you're watching a foreign-language

movie.

Explanation :

Subtitles - Subtitles are the printed translation that you can read at the bottom of the

screen when you are watching a foreign film.

Example : The dialogue is in Spanish, with English subtitles.

Violence is good box office !!!

Marie That was a really violent movie.

Jean It certainly was. There seemed to be one killing about every ten minutes.

Marie I know. I began to get a bit sick of it long before the end.

Jean Why are so many movies so full of violence ?

Marie It's because violence is good box office I suppose.

Jean You must be right. Well the next movie I go to see will be romanticcomedy.

Explanation :

1) Box office - The box office in a theater, cinema, or concert hall is the place where the

tickets are sold.

2) Box office - When people talk about the box office, they are referring to the degree of


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success of a film or play in terms of the number of people who go to watch it or the

amount of money it makes.

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Daily Conversation Part 2

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