Learn to Speak English. Методическое пособие для студентов всех специальностей дневного отделения - Асафова Г. К. , Матр

IV. IDIOMS

Blow It

(fail at something)

How did you do on the history exam?

I think I blew it! There was a section on the Civil War, and that’s the chapter in the book that I studied the least.

Well, at this point you can’t really be sure that you completely failed the examination. You must have done okay on the rest of the test.

Perhaps I didn’t fail the entire exam, but I’m sure that I didn’t do well.

Get Away Clean (escape punishment)

After robbing a neighborhood bank, the robbers sped off in a waiting car and got away clean. In spite of all police efforts to apprehend them, the criminals were never caught and punished for their crime.

Push/ Press the Panic Button

(to become anxious or panicky; slang)

I do okay taking tests as long as I don’t push the panic button. Whatever you do, don’t press the panic button.

Have a Near Miss

(to nearly crash or collide)

The airplanes – flying much too close – had a near miss. I had a near miss while driving over here.

Have a Screw Loose (to act silly or crazy; slang)

John is such a clown. He acts like he has a screw loose.

What’s the matter with you? Do you have a screw loose or something?

Get Someone out of Jam

31

(to free someone from a problem or a bad situation)

I like John. He got me out of a jam once.

I would be glad to help get you out of a jam.

V. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

There is much traffic here.

The traffic is always congested (heavy) at this corner. Finally there’s a lull in the traffic after the rush hour. The traffic was blocked up for a long time.

There was a jam in the traffic for a quarter of an hour.

The pointsman won’t tell you anything. He is directing traffic (he is on point duty).

I could see her through a gap in the traffic. This is a busy traffic crossing.

Are you able to read traffic signs? Traffic keeps to the left in England. The noise of the traffic has lulled at last.

I must telephone (arrange, send)for a taxi to pick us up. Is it possible to hire the car by the hour?

Get into the car; there’s room for you in it. I don’t feel like going in a taxi.

Come with me; I’ll take you in my car.

The driver helped her into (out of; to) the car. Will you help me to the car with my luggage? The car has been in service for a long time.

I seldom have trouble with the car. The car is being overhauled.

Their car made its way for the airport.

Cars are parked tightly against the theatre fronts.

VII. SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

1.Speak on the following situations:

(a)You are in a hurry, but unfortunately you got into the traffic jam. You phone your colleague, explain the situation and say the hypothetical time of your arrival.

(b)You got into a road accident, and your car is badly damaged. What will you do in this situation?

2.Make up dialogues, using expressions from sections IV-VI.

3.Order a taxi for your friend, and ask if the driver will help him to the car with his luggage.

Lesson 22.

AN INVITATION TO DINNER

I. NOTE

Americans love to entertain in their homes. It is not unusual to receive a dinner invitation from someone you barely know. This is considered an excellent way to get acquainted.

If you receive an invitation to dinner, it is good idea to ask how you should dress. You might ask if you should dress casually or more formally. For a man, a jacket and tie are suggested unless you are told to dress less formally.

When invited to someone's house it is nice to bring a small gift, such as bouquet of flowers, candy, or a bottle of wine. Later, you might consider a

33

reciprocating the invitation by inviting your host to your house/apartment or to a restaurant if you are staying in a hotel.

II. DIALOGUE

Mrs. Jones: Good evening. I’m Ellen Jones. Won’t you come in? (You give her a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.)

Mrs. Jones: What lovely flowers! Thank you. I’ll call Michael. Please make yourself at home.

(You sit down in the living room.)

Mr. Jones: Hello, I’m so glad to meet you. Stephanie told me so much about you. You were her favorite, you know.

You: Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see her again before she died. (Mrs. Jones offers you a drink. You ask for a glass of wine.) Mr. Jones: So, what brings you to Chicago?

You: Aunt Stephanie wanted me to know more about the city. I guess she lived a few blocks from here.

Mrs. Jones: Yes, we became friends almost twenty years ago. She had moved here from Washington.

You: And I guess she left Chicago five years later and moved to the West coast. Mr. Jones: Chicago winters were too harsh for her. She wanted more sun and

warmer temperatures. Mrs. Jones: Dinner is ready.

(The three of you go into the dining room and sit down for a delightful dinner.)

III.GRAMMAR EXERCISES

1.Complete these sentences using the verbs in

brackets. You went back to your home town after many years and you found that many things were different.

Example: Most of my friends were no longer there. They ...had left... (leave).

1 My best friend, Kevin, was no longer there. He ... (go) away. 2 The local cinema was no longer open. It .... (close) down.

3 Mr. Johnson was no longer alive. He .... (die).

4 I didn’t recognize Mrs. Johnson. She ... (change) a lot. 5 Bill no longer had his car. He ... (sell) it.

2. In this exercise you have to complete each sentence with a suitable verb.

1 Tom refused ... me any money.

34

2 Jill has decided not ... a car.

3 The thief got into the house because I forgot ... the window.

4 There was a lot of traffic but we managed ... to the airport in time. 5 I’ve arranged ... tennis tomorrow afternoon.

6 One day I’d like to learn ... an airplane.

7 I shouted to him. He pretended not ... me but I'm sure he did. 8 Why hasn’t Sue arrived yet? She promised not ... late.

9 Our neighbour threatened ... the police if we didn't stop the noise. 10 Ann offered ... after our children while we were out.

11 The teacher was very strict. Nobody dared ... during his lessons.

IV. IDIOMS

Wet Blanket

(dull or boring person who spoils the happiness of others)

James was not invited to go on the outing with the rest of the group because he’s such a wet blanket. On many previous occasions he has kept others from enjoying themselves by his pessimism and lack of enthusiasm. It’s understandable that no one wants him around.

Dressed to Kill (wear one’s finest clothing)

The reception for the new Swedish ambassador at the Jennison’s was quite lavish. Naturally, everybody was dressed to kill. Since it was a formal occasion, everyone was dressed in their finest, most elegant clothes.

Eat Someone out of House and Home (eat a lot of someone else’s food)

He’s quite nice with good sense of humour but for his ability eating everyone out of house and home.

Have Someone Eating out of One’s Hand (have someone completely under one’s control)

One of my main difficulties is that I’m not good with an audience. There are guys who can come out and have a crowd eating out of their hand right away with a few jokes.

V. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

How do you do?

How are you?

How are you getting on?

How are things?

What’s the news?

35

I haven’t seen you for ages!

What would you like to drink?

Have some more salad!

Help yourself to some more fish.

What about another cup of coffee?

I have never tasted such a nice cake!

I don’t think I’ll have some more, thank you.

I’m fond of fruit pudding!

I have enjoyed it greatly!

Thank you very much for your invitation!

Thank you, the evening was marvelous!

VII. SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

1. Make up sentences filling in the blanks in the following pattern with the expressions given below:

The …(fish) … I had … (where?) yesterday … was … (tasty).

Tasteless; a bit overdone; a bit underdone; a bit sour, I don’t now why; a little oversalted; well roasted; badly stewed; a bit sweet; very bitter; well smoked; extremely hot (cold); etc.

2.Tell about traditional Russian\ British dishes.

3.Make up dialogues using expressions from sections V and VI.

Lesson 23.

A FLIGHT TO THE WEST COAST

I. NOTE

Although our protagonist has bought a one-way airplane ticket, most people purchase round-trip tickets. Sometimes a one-way ticket costs as much as round trip.

It is a good idea to go through a reliable travel agent when purchasing airplane tickets. There are so many different options and special packages available, as well as restrictions, that only a qualified travel agent can help you sort them out.

Most American airplanes offer two classes of travel — first class (more expensive) and coach (less expensive). On some large airplanes, there is an intermediary category called business class. Smoking is now forbidden on all flights within the continental U.S.

Finally, The preferred usage to refer to a member of the flight crew is “flight attendant”, even though people still use “stewardess” (female) and “steward”.

II. DIALOGUE

37

Ticket Agent: Yes, seat 12-A in the coach section. You’ll be boarding in about 30 minutes from Gate 16.

(You walk to Gate 16 after passing through airport security. A few minutes later, you board the plane and soon you’re in the air.)

Stewardess: Good morning. Can I offer you something to drink? You: Coffee, please. No cream or sugar.

Stewardess: Today we’ll be serving a light breakfast and lunch. You: How long will it take to get to San Francisco?

Stewardess: About four hours. Would you like a newspaper or magazine? You: No thanks, I brought a book. It’s all about U.S. history — fascinating!

Captain: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to United Airlines flight 260, nonstop service to San Francisco. We’ve just reached our cruising altitude of 32,000 feet. Thank you for flying United.

III.GRAMMAR EXERCISES

1.Now you have to read two sentences and then write

one sentence with the same meaning. Use a relative clause in your sentence.

Example: A girl was injured in the accident. She is now in hospital.

The girl ...who was injured in the accident is now in hospital...

1 A man answered the phone. He told me you were out. The man ...

2 A waitress served us. She was very impolite and impatient. The ...

3 Some boys were arrested. They have now been released. The boys ...

2. The sentences in this exercise are not complete. Choose the most suitable ending from the list and make it into a relative clause.

Example: Gerry works for a company ...that (or which) makes

typewriters...

1 The book is about a girl ...

3. Complete these sentences, where necessary, with that, who or what. If it is possible to write that or leave it out, write (that) - in brackets.

Examples: Did you hear ...what... I said?

Everything ...(that)... he said was true.

1 She gives her children everything .... they want. 2 Tell me ... you want and I’ll try to help you.

3 Why do you blame me for everything ... goes wrong?

4 I won’t be able to do very much but I’ll do the best ... I can. 5 I can’t lend you any money. All ... I've got is a pound.

6 Nora is the only person ... understands me.

7 Why do you always disagree with everything ... I say? 8 I don’t agree with ... you’ve just said.

9 This is an awful film. It’s the worst ... I’ve ever seen.

4. You were on holiday with a friend of yours. You met some people who had some bad experiences during their holiday. You met:

1 some people/their car broke down

2 a man/his wife became ill and was taken to hospital 3 a woman/her husband was arrested by the police

4 a girl/her passport was stolen

5 a couple/their luggage disappeared

You can’t remember the names of these people, so you ask your friend. Make sentences with whose.

39

IV. IDIOMS

Think Twice before Doing Something (to think about something more thoroughly)

I don’t think that going by plane in such weather is a good idea. I would think twice before buying the tickets.

At the Drop of a Hat

(without delay or good reason)

These days Russian visas are issued at the drop of a hat.

Fire in the (or one’s) Belly

(a powerful sense of ambition or determination)

There’s no fire in the belly, no sense of urgency.

Take a Flyer (take a chance)

I know it’s extremely difficult, but you can take a flyer at least.

V. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Going by plane

How do I get to the airport?

What’s the plane schedule from ... to ... ?

I’d like to make a round trip reservation

One ticket for the 6 p.m. plane for ...

Where can I buy a ticket for the shuttle flight?

What time do I have to be at the airport?

Where’s the check-in desk?

Where can I leave my luggage?

How much luggage is allowed free of charge?

Has the boarding time been announced?

Which direction is gate number ...?

When’s our plane taking off?

What’s the departure time for flight number ...?

When does the plane for ... take off?

When does the next plane leave for ...?

How long is the flight?

How long is the flight to ...?

Is this a non-stop (direct) flight?

Where does the plane stop on the way?

At what time does the plane arrive in ...?

What’s the arrival time at ...?

What airport will we arrive at?