4. Understanding idioms and expressions

A. Discuss the meanings of the following expressions.

into an early grave

melting pot

the tip of the iceberg

three square meals a day

Variety is the spice of life.

B. Complete each sentence with one of the expressions listed.

a bite coffee break over – the – counter

brown – bag it get hooked shelf life

carry – out nut

1. After the movie, let's stop in this coffee shop for ___________ to eat.

2. For lunch, do you _______ , order _______ food, or go out to eat?

3. This is a(n) _______ medication. I can buy it without a prescription.

4. I can keep this medicine for 2 years. It has a long _______ .

5. If you start smoking cigarettes, you might ______ .

6. He calls me a health food ________ because I eat only organic food.

5. Taking words apart

Adjectives to nouns Write the noun form for each adjective listed. Use a dictionary if you need help.

Example: pleasant pleasure

1. crowded __________ 5. obese _________

2. healthy ___________ 6. spicy __________

3. important ___________ 7. traditional _________

4. nutritious ___________ 8. varied __________

6. Sharing ideas

A. Issues

Debate these issues in small groups. Then choose one and write about it.

1. Some people argue that health-conscious Americans have taken all the fun out of eating. Has Americans' concern about calories and cholesterol turned food into an enemy to be feared and avoided? Does this attitude decrease the quality of their lives? Or are they better off because healthy eating probably increases their life span?

2. A common American expression is "You can never be too rich or too thin." This sentiment speaks especially to American women. Those who want to look glamorous must count calories carefully and often deny themselves the food they want. Do you agree with the saying "the thinner, the better"? Must a woman be thin to be beautiful?

3. Should cigarettes be made illegal? Or should people have the freedom to buy and use this product if they want to?

B. On a personal note

Write about one of these topics.

1. Do you have a healthy diet? Discuss why or why not.

2. Compare meals in other countries with American meals. (Think about when people eat, what they eat, and how much they eat at various times of the day.) Which eating habits do you prefer? Why?

3. Compare two similar packaged food products (for example, butter and margarine or two brands of vegetable soup). Check the ingredients, the number of calories, and the sodium (salt) and fat content. Which is healthier? Which one tastes better? Which one will you buy the next time you go shopping?

Unit 2 Cultural Diversity in the u.S. A Nation of Immigrants before you read

Discuss

1. What is an immigrant? What is a refugee? Are all immigrants refugees or vice versa?

2. What is an alien in the U.S.? What is an alien in a science fiction story? What is the difference between a legal alien and an illegal alien?

3. In your opinion, what are the main reasons why people immigrate?

Guess

Try to answer the questions. Then look for the answers in the reading.

1. Approximately what percentage of the U.S. population is foreign-born?

Check ( ) one:

_____5% ____ 10% _____ 20%

2. About how many illegal aliens currently live in the U.S.? Check ( ) one:

____ 1 million _____ 3 million _____ 6 million

3. More Americans say that their ancestors came from this country than from any other. Check ( ) one:

_____ England _____ Italy _____ Germany