Peter: Are you going home for the holidays?
Liz: Yes I am. We're going to have a big, family get-together. It'll be fun, but there's loads to do. I think my mother is already stressed.
Peter: Stressed? Why get stressed at such a fun time of year?
Liz: She doesn't choose to get stressed. It's just what often happens. She has most of the responsibility for the get-together, so there is a lot to think about.
Peter: I can't see what the fuss is all about. She just has to do the cooking, right?
Liz: No, there's much more to organize. She has to make the sleeping arrangements for all the visitors, including buying more bedding. We can't have eighty year old aunt Betty sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. Then there's the food. I don't think we have enough chairs, so where will everyone sit for dinner? My job will be to make a huge grocery list, buy everything, and then put it all away neatly. My Dad and I will drive to the airport to pick everyone up, but they're all arriving at different times.
Peter: What a headache! When I go home for the holidays, I just turn up!
Liz: Well you're lucky, and spoilt!
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A few weeks ago, I went to pick up my son from High School. Usually I park away from the heavy traffic, on the right side of the parking lot, and he meets me there. I usually sit waiting for a few minutes, and catch up with(1) my emails while I wait. This particular day though, I suddenly heard the back of the car open, and a voice say, "Hey Mom, can you help me with this?" I looked back and saw an enormous, brown, wooden tower. Hudson was carrying it, and it was so large that I couldn't even see him. "Wow!" I said, as I jumped out of the car(2). "Let me put the back seats down for you(3), otherwise, it won't fit in the back." I lowered the two back seats of the car, and helped Hudson put his creation from his art lesson in carefully. As we drove home he showed me the gift certificate(4) that he and his team mates had won for building this mini- Eiffel Tower. "Well done, darling," I said. "It's quite a work of art." The night before, he had asked me if I had any extra Christmas lights that he could use for his art project. I gave him some, but didn't ask him about the project. I actually expected it to be some normal, small art project, perhaps something that shows a certain painting technique, or some specific medium, like oil paint, clay, or metal paper. This, however, was much more than I had expected(5). It completely took me by surprise(6). It sits in his bedroom now, and is lit up. I'm considering bringing it downstairs for our Christmas entryway decoration. It'll make a change from a Christmas tree.
1. 'To catch up with my email' this verbal phrase can be used in many contexts. It means to get up to date, or to read the latest emails, to hear the latest news etc.
a. Yesterday I caught up with my bills; thankfully I paid every one on time.
b. Last week I caught up with my best friend. She had a lot of news to tell me.
2. "....as I jumped out of the car." In this part of the podcast, I don't literally mean that I jumped out of the car. In English, we often use a verb such as jump to describe a quick, enthusiastic movement or decision.
a. I jumped to volunteer; I could see that he needed help. (speed)
b. He jumped up from his chair and started to sing. (enthusiasm).
3. "Let me put the back seats down for you." Here in the podcast, I literally mean, " Let me fold down the seats so the project will fit," or "Let me fold down the seats so we can fit your art project in the back of the car." You can see that these two sentences would be quite long and unnecessary. As in any language, English will often use a shorter version. It is understood that we have to make room in the back of the car for the project, so it is much simpler to say, "Let me + verb for you." If you are helping someone do anything physical, you can just use this phrase instead of going into detail.
a. Let me open the door for you. (to carry the old tv out and to bring the new one in).
b. Let me hold that up for you. (the sofa, while you look underneath for your phone).
4. Gift certificates are a very popular present for all occasions.
a. I got a Starbucks gift certificate for my birthday.
b. Let's buy him a gift certificate to the hardware store.
5. "This was much more than I had expected." I have included this sentence in the grammar notes because it is perfect to learn by heart in order to use it in multiple situations.
a. (Realising that there is a surprise party for you) "This is much more than I had expected."
b. (Being given the award for excellence by your company) "This is much more than I had expected."
6. "It completely took me by surprise." This is another 'ready made' sentence that you can use in your conversations.
a. The rain storm caught us/got us while we walked home. It completely took me by surprise.
b. He turned up with his luggage at midnight. It completely took us by surprise.
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'Luminous', 'glowing', 'radiating' are the words which came to my mind(1) after reading an article about a very special, new technology. It's called 'Starpath', an earth-friendly(2), inexpensive, and efficient way to light our streets. A company in England called Pro-Teq Surfacing, has developed a material made out of ultraviolet particles. These particles are spread onto a path, where they absorb sunlight during the day, and then they glow(3) blue at night. The first public demonstration of this took place in the city of Cambridge. I found a photograph of the path in the newspaper called 'The Telegraph', and it does show the path glowing at night. This is a very exciting development in lighting because it is clean, sustainable(4), and very cheap. I can imagine the cost of lighting our streets with traditional street lamps. However, this Starpath technology could cut our national lighting costs by hundreds of millions each year. We certainly cannot do without(5) light at night, to keep us safe, to help us find our way home, and to discourage crime. What a fantastic development. And this is just the beginning. Starpath technology offers the possibility of different colors of light as well. Also, the material used can last up to seventy years, so it is very sustainable stuff. As councils are turning off street lamps to save money and to meet carbon emissions targets, Starpath could be a valuable solution to both problems.
1. 'To come to mind' means that something reminds you of something else; it could be an image, a word, even a color.
a. When I think of my Kindergarten students, a tornado comes to mind.
b. When I think of my good friends, a garden of flowers comes to mind.
2. 'Earth-friendly' is a very popular and very important phrase. It means something that doesn't harm the natural environment.
a. This plastic bag is earth-friendly; it decomposes quickly and is not toxic.
b. My earth-friendly light bulbs take a few minutes to produce bright light.
3. 'Glow' is one of the main ideas in this podcast, and it means the same as 'radiate', or 'emit light'. It can be used figuratively as well.
a. His face was glowing with success when he found out that he had passed the exam.
b. The moon glowed through the clouds.
4. 'Sustainable' comes from the verb 'to sustain' which means 'to keep going' or 'to support'.
a. That forest is sustainable because the trees that are cut down are quickly replaced.
b. We need an educational program for prisoners that is sustainable.
5. 'To do without' is interchangeable with 'to go without', but the latter often means that a person lacks some basic necessity.
a. The homeless shelter cannot do without funding, even for a day.
b. The play cannot do without the main actor; it just wouldn't work.
c. People can only go without water for a few days, but they can go without food for about a month.
d. I can't do without/ go without my coffee in the morning.
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Brian: "What are all these boxes doing out in the hall?"
Liz: "I decided that it was finally time for me to get organized?"
Brian: "You? Organized?"
Liz: "I'm not that bad, am I?"
Brian: "Well, I don't know anyone else who loses her keys everyday, or her phone, or her bag."
Liz: "That's called being normal."
Brian: "Well, I don't lose my things everyday."
Liz: "That's because you're not normal, ha, ha! I've made a resolution: I will be more organized. I'll use my iPhone calendar. I'll get rid of my junk, and become more efficient."
Brian: "Wow! God help us all! An efficient Liz is hard to imagine."
Liz: "That's because overly organized people like you lack imagination."
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Recently, when I was substitute teaching in a local school, I came across a very unusual creature. It was an Austrian leaf bug. It was in the elementary classroom, along with(1) other animals such as a corn snake, a hampster, and an old display of tarantulas, moths, and beetles. This particular(2) insect didn't catch my eye at all at first because it was perfectly camouflaged. It was hanging from a raspberry branch, but it was so still, and looked so much like a dry leaf, that I thought there were no creatures in the cage at all. I asked the students about their classroom pets, and they had lots to say. They called the bugs, "gross", "wierd", "freaky", and even "boring". "They don't do much," said one boy. "They just hang there all day. They eat, and they poop, and that's all." I took a video of one of them and then looked them up on the internet. I found out that they are not as boring as they seem(3). They live a long time: 18 months for females, and about 6 months for males. The females produce huge amounts of eggs, and what's amazing is that(4)they don't even need the males. If there is no male, their eggs will all be female bugs; it's called parthenogenesis. The females are also twice as big as the males, but unlike them, they cannot fly. Poor males, they may aswell fly if they're not needed. So, for a classroom, the female Australian bug is an ideal and easy pet: cheap, durable, static, and 'wierd'.
1. 'Along with' is similar to saying 'as well as' or 'close to'.
a. Cats are perfect hunters. They are fast, quiet, and along with their sharp claws, they have nocturnal vision.
b. The kitchen drawer was a mess. In it were coins, wires, papers , and pins, along with old receipts and pebbles.
2. 'This particular..' is a useful short phrase used to emphasize a noun that you then describe.
a. There was a man in the crowd in a red coat. This particular man was well known.
b. Snakes can dislocate their jaws; this particular ability enables them to eat animals larger than themselves.
3. 'as ......as' praticing comparisons:
a. He's as tall as the man.
b. It's as sunny as it was yesterday.
c. She's as capable as anyone in the class.
4. 'What's amazing is that..' Here, 'amazing' can be replaced with any adjective, and often 'that' is omitted in speech, and after 'who', 'when', 'where', 'how' and 'why', or the infinitive or gerund of a verb.
a. What's tragic is (that) he doesn't study for his tests.
b. What's funny is how he eats so fast.
c. What's encouraging is seeing their progress.
5. 'Durable' means that it either lives a long time, or that it doesn't wear with age or use.
a. The new, efficient light bulbs are durable; they last up to 7 years.
b. those cheap tires are not durable; they'll wear out in a year or two.
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John: Hi Liz, are you still playing with that thing?
Liz: Oh yes, hi John. I'm still getting used to my new iPhone. I'm getting to know the apps really well.
John: I can see that. I was standing next to you for 5 minutes before you looked up.
Liz: Oh gosh, sorry! It's just so fascinating. I actually missed the bus yesterday because I wasn't paying attention.
John: Well, at least you weren't waiting to catch a plane!
Liz: Ha! Yes! It's absorbing a lot of my time at the moment. But, once I get used to it, I'm sure I'll be back to normal.
John: Sure, it takes a while to get used to new technology. How are you liking the bigger bill?
Liz: Not much. But I suppose you get what you pay for. Why do they make cell phone bills so complicated: data, minutes, plans, taxes, surcharges? It's more confusing than my Science teacher!
John: I know. I just pay the bill, and hope that they're being honest.
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In the United States, young men and women are allowed to start driving lessons when they are fifteen. They apply for an 'Initial Permit', take lessons, and have the opportunity to drive the family car. They have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian(1) who is over 21 and who has a proper(2) driver's license. After a year of good driving, on their sixteenth birthday, they can get their driver's license. None of this meant anything to me until my oldest son, Hudson, asked me if he could apply for his initial permit. "What!" I said to myself. "This is crazy! He's only fifteen! His brain isn't fully developed yet!" When I had calmed down, I realised that everybody starts young over here. And, the best way to keep my son safe, is to allow him to get proper training, and lots of experience. So, even though(3) I would like to say "No", I haven't. I am actually the one who sits next to him when he is driving around. Thankfully, he is very careful. It's nerve wracking(4), however, as a parent, to sit there in the passenger seat, and have no control at all. I'm definitely more nervous than he is in that situation. I have to control my breathing, bite my tongue(5), and try not to slam my foot onto my imaginary brake. As he is enouraged by his driving instructors to drive everywhere, in the morning, he drives his three siblings to school, and then goes on(6) to the High School. So, first thing in the morning, I find myself sitting in the passenger seat in my pyjamas, heart racing, wild eyed like a trapped cat, just hoping for it all to be over soon. I smile, of course, and say things like, "That was a really good corner, Hudson. You used the brakes really well." By the time I get home, though, I look like I've seen a ghost. So I destress with some Yoga, and a long shower.
1. 'Guardian' is a person who looks after someone, even though he is not a parent.
a. Tell your parents or guardians about the school meeting tonight.
b. Their aunt became their guardian.
2. 'Proper' is often used in English to mean, the 'actual', 'real', 'authentic'. It is also, occasionally, used as 'neat', or 'fully prepared.'
a. The little boy has a toy computer, but his older brother has a proper one.
b. He has become a proper baker, with his own business and delivery van.
3. 'Even though' is worth practicing:
a. Even though it's raining, we should go for a walk.
b. Even though it's late, you should do your homework.
c. Even though they didn't want to, they stayed behind after school.
d. She decided to quit her job, even though she had been offered a raise.
e. We went by train, even though by car would have been quicker.
4. 'Nerve wracking' is a common expression that expresses extreme stress.
a. I can't go on roller coasters anymore; it's too nerve wracking.
b. All the noise and demands of running a preschool can be nerve wracking.
5. 'To bite your tongue' means to deliberately keep quiet in order to not say the wrong thing and cause a problem.
a. He was going to say that she looked fat in her new dress, but he bit his tongue.
b. Please bite your tongue instead of arguing.
6. '...goes on' here is used instead of 'continues driving to'. Using the verb 'to go' + on is a quicker and more informal way than repeating the original verb.
a. We'll drive to the park first, and then go on to the shopping mall.
b. They skied to the valley, and went on to the hotel.
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As I look at the calendar, I realise that I have about five weeks left, five weeks before the snow 'flies'(1). There are lots of things to do before the beautiful, white blanket of snow covers our town. I'm a gardener, a self-proclaimed (2)addict. But that's not a bad thing. As I sit here typing, looking out at the back garden, or 'yard' as they say here, I see a transformation slowly evolving. There is a long, raised bed(3) of soil, two trees, and one, two, three bushes. Soon, I hope, that amount will be multiplied by four. So what is my goal? It's a mini-forest that will have a seating area in the middle, accessed only by two windy(4) paths. It will also hide the neighbor's ugly white barn that looks over my garden. To take on a project like this, you have to have a vision. And my vision has helped me to continue working hard. When the soil or 'dirt' was delivered, I thought, "Gosh, that's a lot of soil. Will I really be able to transport all of it from the front garden to the back garden?" The thought was intimidating. My children helped me a little bit, but I think they did that just to keep me happy(5). They had their own agenda. They took possession of this mountain of soft soil, like it was powdered gold. Before I knew it(6), they were digging tunnels, building rooves, and having battles right in the 'dirt pile'. In fact, my son Cass, who had just celebrated his birthday, suggested that next year I buy him his own dirt pile for a birthday present. My! How life has changed! When I was young, I played in dirt all the time, and drove my mother crazy. Now, in our ultra-clean, ultra-scheduled society, children are requesting dirt piles as presents. They are abandoning their computers and iPads, and waiting for Santa to pour three cubic feet of soil down the chimney. I applaud their connection with the soil. It's magnificent stuff, the foundation of nature's architecture.
1. 'Before the snow flies' is a phrase used here in the U.S which really means 'when the snow comes'.
a. I must get the bulbs planted before the snow flies.
b. After the snow flies we will build a snowman.
2. 'Self-proclaimed' is when a person calls himself or herself something.
a. Michael Jackson was the self-proclaimed 'Kind of Pop'.
b. She is a self-proclaimed authority on fashion.
3. 'A raised bed' is an area of soil that has been built up. It can be used for flowers, vegetables, or trees. However, planting beds do not have to be raised.
a. The raised bed will help to hide the neighbor's barn.
b. There is a bed of roses around the corner.
4. 'Windy' note the spelling. With a sharp 'i', as in 'ink', it describes weather that has a lot of wind. With a longer, softer 'i', as in 'hi', it describes a curvy line or path.
a. Hold on to your hats! It's a windy day today.
b. To get to the abandoned house, you must follow a windy path that goes through the forest.
5. 'To keep someone happy' means to appease them, usually for a purpose.
a. Walk your dog and feed him everyday. That will keep him happy, and stop him from misbehaving.
b. Big speeches with lots of promises often keep the voters happy.
6. 'Before I knew it' is a great phrase that communicates something quickly happening, taking you by surprise.
a. The carpet cleaner arrived while I was cooking, and, before I knew it, he had finished the carpet and left.
b. Dark clouds gathered while we walked, and before we knew it, we were in the middle of a storm.
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John: What have you got there?
Liz: Oh, it's a new cell phone.
John: Nice. Is it a smart phone?
Liz: Yep. I decided that it was about time for me to get one.
John: What kind is it?
Liz: An iPhone 4S; it's quite basic really. There are newer models, but this is all I need.
John: Well, you've got internet access and a camera. I think those are so useful.
Liz: And don't forget the apps. They really make life easier. My favorite is Google Maps. It's free, and there is a pleasant voice that tells me exactly where to go and when. I never get lost!
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Sam: So Liz, are you going to go to the doctor, or do I have to take you myself?
Liz: Yes, yes, I'm planning on going. You don't have to force me; believe me, I feel terrible.
Sam: Well, you look terrible.
Liz: Oh thanks! That makes me feel better.
Sam: You know what I mean. Look, you've had a temperature for two days, you have a sore throat, and you have no energy. If I were you, I would go immediately.
Liz: Yes, I suppose you're right. It's just that....
Sam: What?
Liz: I hate hospitals, and clinics, and needles, and pills....
Sam: So do I. I don't even like smell of hospitals, but what choice do you have? If you delay seeing a doctor, you might end up with an infection. And you know what that means.
Liz: Yes, antibiotics. Okay, you've convinced me. I'll call and make an appointment.
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These September days are glorious. They are still extremely sunny, but there is a coolness in the air which makes it easier(1) to be outside. On Sunday, we took a trip to Leavenworth, a nearby town. I often go there for a change of scenery. It is very mountainous and well kept(2). The town has been deliberately made to look German, and the calendar in Leavenworth is full of special German-style(3) celebrations. The reason we went, was to go to the park. What makes it special, is that part of it is an island, called Black Bird Island. It is surrounded by the Wenatchee River, and accessible from one bridge. As you cross the bridge, you enter into a gentle forest that has a maze(4) of pathways. We walked until we could see the river through the trees, went down an embankment, and chose a spot on one of the rocky, sandy beaches. I found a shady area to sit and take photos, while my kids took off their socks and shoes and got straight into the water. They became hunters, hunters of fish and unusual stones. We also took our metal detector, to see if we could find some treasure. Well, a coke can and an old nail aren't exactly treasure, but it was fun to hear the metal detector come alive and make noise. The embankment next to us was actually full of natural treasures. We found a snake, empty birds' nests, a bird's egg, and a little den full of seeds; it must have belonged to a mouse or some other rodent. The hours flew by(5); and before we knew it, we had to leave. It was a perfect day of simple relaxation and childlike discovery.
1. 'To make it easier' is a phrase that we use often in English.
a. The new parking area makes it easier to access the shops.
b. On-line shopping makes our lives much easier.
2. 'Well kept' means 'well looked after' or 'neat and tidy'.
a. My neighbor's garden is so well kept; it looks like a park.
b. The baskets of flowers outside that shop are really well kept.
3. 'German-style'. The use of '-style' is very common, and almost any noun can be put in front of it to add sense to a sentence. It is correct to do this, even if you the phrase appears 'made up' or 'newly created' by you. It is an informal grammar structure.
a. I love their French-style house; their English-style garden compliments it.
b. Their 1920's-style wedding was very classy.
4. 'A maze' means the same as 'a labyrinth'.
a. You can pay to walk around the corn maze, and try to find your way out.
b. The hotel was like a maze; there were so many hallways that you could get lost easily.
5. 'The hours flew by'. Time is often expressed with the verb 'to fly' to give the meaning of it going quickly.
a. The summer flew by; before we knew it, it was over.
b. The time I spend with my sister always flies by because we have so much fun.
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Samantha: Hello Liz!
Liz: Hi Samantha! How are you?
Samantha: Really well thanks. I'm calling because I have a question.
Liz: Oh, go ahead.
Samantha: Do you want to join us for the protest tomorrow?
Liz: What protest?
Samantha: Haven't you heard? The teachers' salaries are going to be cut by 30%, and the cost of tuition is going up.
Liz: Oh my gosh! No, I hadn't heard. When will the changes take effect?
Samantha: In a month. So, tomorrow, at noon, the teachers and some students are going to walk from the university to the governor's building in protest. We've got some banners to carry; it'll only take about two hours.
Liz: There won't be any trouble, will there?
Samantha: Oh of course not; it'll be totally peaceful. Nobody wants to cause any trouble. But something has to be said about the cuts, those poor teachers!
Liz: I agree. And students can't afford another rise in tuition. That's crazy! Well, count me in. I will definitely be there.
Samantha: Excellent. We'll meet at the fountain just before noon. I'll see you there!
Liz: Ok, thanks for letting me know. I'll see you at the fountain.
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Those of you who have followed my podcasts for a few years, will know that (1) I love trees. One of my dreams is to have a tree farm. Another, more ambitious dream, is to take back (2)deserts by planting heat tolerant trees. At the moment, I can't do any of that, but instead, I spend time in my large garden. I have plans this autumn to (3) plant quite a few trees to create a mini forest, a place of shade and comfort. One tree that I learned about this summer is the Mimosa. It is actually called the Persian Silk Tree, though it originates from China. It has a beautiful, round shape, with many thin leaves, and huge pink flowers that look like collections of feathers. It's also associated with sleep. It's Persian modern name is 'shabkhosh' which means 'sleeping tree', and in Japan its name is 'nemunoki' which means the same. Its leaves slowly close each night and bow down, and that is why it is associated with sleep. I came across this tree at a wedding. The event took place in a large, back garden which had been decorated with lots of pots of flowers. As I looked around and observed all the decorations, I found the Mimosa tree. It took my breath away (4). It looked as if it had been planted deliberately (5) for the wedding because of all the soft, pretty flowers. A lady there told me that she was surprised to see a Mimosa in Wenatchee. She grew up in New York where they are quite common. But here, they are very rare, in fact, that is probably the only one in the whole town. One place in the U.S where you find them a lot is Florida. They are classed (6) as 'invasive', just like a weed. In that state, many methods are used to get rid of them. Well, I wouldn't want to do that. In fact, Mimosa is at the top of my list of trees that I want to buy.
1. The use of 'will' in the first sentence is to be noted. It could be missed out. Both are correct.
a. Those people who have listened to his songs for thirty years, (will) know that he sings alot about his childhood.
b. Those of us who have skied for years, (will) have issues with our knees.
* There is a very slight difference between using 'will' in these sentences, and not using it. The word 'will' shows hypothesis, suggestion, not a definite conclusion. If you do not use 'will', the feeling is that you are sure about the experience of the subjects 'those of us', 'those people' etc.
2. 'To take back' has several meanings. Here, I'm using it in the sense of 'to reclaim'.
a. They took back the wasteland by introducing water, and planting crops.
b. They took back the land that had been stolen from them.
3. 'To have plans to ...'
a. We have plans to paint the house next month.
b. She has plans to move next year.
c. The government has plans to boost the economy by lowering taxes.
* Note that we usually use the word 'plans' and not 'a plan'.
4. 'It took my breath away' shows surprise and admiration.
a. She was so beautiful that she took my breath away.
b. The building was so impressive that it took my breath away.
5. 'Deliberately' can replace 'on purpose'.
a. He left his muddy boots on the carpet deliberately. / He deliberately left his muddy boots on the carpet.
b. They interrupted the film by deliberately make noise. / They deliberately interrupted the film by making noise.
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Liz: Come on you two, we need to get going.
Mother: I thought we didn't have to leave for another half hour.
Liz: We don't really. I want us to have extra time though, just in case there is a traffic problem.
Father: Good idea Liz. There's nothing worse than rushing to an airport. It's such a hassle!
Liz: Well, is this all your luggage? Tickets? Handbags? Let me help you.
Mother: How about you lock the door and Henry will press the button for the elevator?
Liz: Ok.
Mother: I can't believe that we're leaving already.
Father: Yes, the time has really flown. Great, there's the taxi; come on.
Liz: Mum, are you sure you have your passports? I have a feeling that we're missing something.
Mother: Yes darling, they're right......oh, hang on....they were here. Gosh,I must have left them in the bedrooom!
Liz: Oh great! Tell the taxi to wait. I'll run back up and get them. It's a good job we have some extra time!
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'There is an animal that helps to fight crime, is therapeutic(1)to be around, and is a good companion. However, this animal is also used for fighting and guarding illegal drugs. It's a Pitbull. It's a dog with a reputation. Over the past few centuries, this dog has been used as a tool and a weapon. When immigrants first came to North America, they brought this mixed breed(2) for defense and hunting. The English had crossed(3) bulldogs with terriers, and the result was an animal that had the best characteristics of both. Bulldogs are very strong and athletic, while terriers have a 'never-give-up' attitude. That combination makes a naturally dominant breed of dog. In fact, pitbulls, along with german shepards and rotweillers, are the three notorious(4) breeds that have been involved in attacks on humans. But there is no concensus about this. Some studies show that it is bad training, no training, and poor conditions that lead these dogs to violence. It's a bit like trying to drive a tank through town when you actually don't know how to drive. Something bad is bound to(5) happen. Humans need lots of guidance, and dogs are no different. Any dog needs to be trained properly, but a dog that has natural aggression and strength needs extra training. I saw a pitbull the other day while I was having coffee with a friend of mine. It wasn't aggressive or dominant. In fact, it wasn't even very big. It was a puppy, and oh my goodness, how cute. It's owner asked if he could leave 'Sally' with us while he went into the cafe to get his coffee. "Of course!" was our answer. "Be careful, because she nips when she gets excited," warned the owner. The little puppy was warm and wiggly and very enthusiastic. I could see how anyone could fall in love with a young pitbull, without realising the work and responsibility needed to bring it up properly. And yes, she did nip me. I thoroughly enjoyed petting and playing with her. I hope that Sally will be well trained, so she and people around her can always enjoy eachother safely.
1. 'Therapeutic' means healing in some way.
a. Foot massage can be quite therapeutic.
b. Knitting is very useful and also therapeutic.
2. A 'breed' is a kind of animal, a type of the species.
a. That breed of dog is very energetic.
b. Mixed breeds are often healthy and intelligent.
3. 'To cross' sometimes means to mix different breeds of animals, or types of plants.
a. They crossed a plum tree with a cherry, and made a tree that produces giant cherries.
b. What do you get when you cross a dinosaur with a pig? Jurassic pork.
4. 'Notorious' means a person, animal, or thing with a bad reputation.
a. He is a notorious thief. Don't lend him any money!
b. She is notorious for spreading people's secrets.
5. 'Bound' is followed by the infinitive of a verb. This combination means that something is destined to happen, like a natural consequence.
a. He's naturally clumsy. He's bound to have an accident sooner or later.
b. They are so talented. They're bound to be famous one day.
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Liz: It's nice to get back and put our feet up.
Mother: You're telling me! My feet are killing me. But we had such a lovely day, dear.
Father: I had no idea that there were such wonderful museums in this city.
Mother: I could have spent all day in the art gallery.
Liz: Me too Mum; and I was thrilled that there was an exhibition of Paul Klee. I love his work.
Father: No, that's not my cup of tea, - too many squares and rectangles.
Liz: Oh Dad. It's expressionism. There's a world of expression and depth in all his shapes.
Father: Well, there's nothing quite like a Rafael Santi's battle scene.
Liz: That's not my cup of tea, thank you very much. I'm a pacifist.
Mother: Oh, they're all splendid in their own ways. Today was just the ticket. We're so fortunate to have access to great art.
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"It's the best place in Wenatchee," I said to my husband, as I described the new Pybus Market. This all-year-round(1) shopping center and farmer's market is the latest addition(2) to Wenatchee. It is a real step forward for this town which, up until now, hasn't had a substantial farmer's market. Also, because our climate has very cold, snowy winters, and very hot summers, we need a place indoors where shoppers can find fresh produce and locally made goods. But it's not only about food. There is a certain amount of art in Pybus. Past the rows of fruit shops, cafes, and a bistro, is a side door that leads to a very different space. The first thing you see is a huge, unfinished clay(3) statue of Mr. Pybus, the English immigrant who built the steel(4) building that now houses this market. Beyond him, is a very hot and colorful corner of activity: glass blowing. It's the first I've ever seen in Wenatchee. There is a long, glass display cabinet full of large, ornaments of all colors of the rainbow. The craftsman sits at the end, goggles(5) on, holding a torch that has a white hot flame. He focuses totally on his art. He is melting a long stick of glass and shaping it into a flower. A small group of observers gather(6), and we all stand silently watching while he creates his art. When he finishes, he introduces himself and hands us some pamphlets, "We do glass blowing classes now down by the river," he says enthusiastically. Now that would be something unusual to try, fascinating, potentially dangerous, but also beautiful. I will return to Pybus, regularly I think, and perhaps eventually take a private class in that colorful craft.
1. 'All-year-round' is an adjectival phrase. Can you guess its meaning? Yes, it means 'all year long' or 'all year'.
a. They opened an all-year-round heated swimming pool.
b. The shop has all-year-round Christmas supplies.
2. 'The latest addition' is an efficient phrase that can be used in multiple ways.
a. That baby girl is the latest additon to their family.
b. The latest addition of the iPhone is now available in shops.
c. Do you have the latest addition of the monthly magazine?
3. 'Clay' is a super thick soil that can be used to make bricks and pottery.
a. Some bricks are made of clay mixed with straw.
b. He makes clay pots.
4. 'Steel' is a very strong metal alloy, made mainly from Iron.
a. The frame of the skyscraper is steel.
b. The film 'Man of Steel' is about Superman.
5. 'Goggles' are special glasses used in sports of all kinds. They usually have a rubber rim that has contact with the face.
a. Put your skiing goggles on so you can see when you come down the mountain.
b. These are the best swimming goggles I have ever bought.
6. 'To gather' means to collect.
a. We gathered the new flowers from the garden.
b. A crowd gathered outside the club.
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Liz: I hope the food gets here soon; I'm starving!
Father: Yes, sorry I slept for so long, I just couldn't seem to wake up.
Liz: That's alright Dad. It's better that you sleep than be grumpy all day.....
Father: Me? Grumpy? Never!
Liz: So, after breakfast what would you two like to do first? Art museum or park?
Mother: Well, we should do the park first while it's still cool, don't you think? Then, when it's hotter we can go to the art museum.
Father: Good thinking dear. But if I don't eat soon I'll pass out and you'll have to carry me. Where are my eggs and bacon?
Liz: Yes, they are taking a long time. I wonder what the problem is.
Father: It sounds like they're still gathering the eggs from the chickens and chasing the pigs!
Liz: Oh, so you're never grumpy, eh?
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Well, you've probably all heard about Nik Walenda, the man who recently walked 1,500 ft above the Gran Canyon on a two inch thick wire, with no protection, and no net. I watched him 'live' as he took every step, and every breath. I actually found myself(1) holding my breath while he walked and balanced and prayed. Judging by(2) his facial expression, he was more relaxed than I was. I was so nervous; my hands were sweaty, and my fingers were tingling. And then I remembered to breathe. "Oh, that's right. He's doing it, not me." It was too much for any normal person to see comfortably. And the "Thank you Jesus", and "Halleluyah" that he repeated, which I'm sure helped his performance, made it worse for me, because I kept on(3) imagining one of those Halleluyahs turning into a "Halleluyah!" His wife and three children and a group of friends and family were watching him from the other side of the Canyon. I couldn't decide if that was good or bad. Of course his family wanted to support him by being there(4), but what about them? What if he f-e-l-l in front of them? What a tragic and bizarre situation that would be for his kids. What would they do? Gasp, and then call out a quick, "Bye!" But, Nik Walenda is good. Infact, he's spectacular. He is 7th generation of a family of tightrope walkers, so as he says, "It's in my blood." I bet his wife wishes that accounting was in his blood instead. Imagine the sleepless nights that she has experienced, the nerves, and the stress. She must be a woman of steel, and unusual patience. He's done the same across the Niagara Falls, and plans to walk between two skyscrapers in New York. He is brave, focused, and determined. And he's now a bit of a national hero. But my hat goes off to(5) his wife. Most husbands come home and talk about what went on at the office. He comes home and talks about how much he wobbled(6) in practice. She's the one who I'd love to interview. What does she do to relieve stress? Does she have any hobbies? Is she an extreme knitter? If she is, her house must be full of the most amazing sweaters and socks. Maybe it's her knitting that drives(7) Nik Walenda to get as high up and far away as possible. Ok, I'm being strange and random. But, don't you think that crossing the Gran Canyon at 1,500 ft is strange and random? Add to that a wife and children. How does that all work? Well, even though I don't understand how extreme tightrope walking and a family can work well together, it does seem to. And I think it all works because of the wife. She is like the Gran Canyon, solid as a rock, and her patience just as big. As they say here in the U.S, "He owes her big time!"
1. 'To find oneself' + gerund is a common expression in English. It implies that you started doing something almost unconsciously or that some emotion or instinct pushed you into doing it.
a. She found herself agreeing with everything he said because he was so handsome.
b. He found himself washing his car. It was a habit; he always did it on Sunday's.
2. 'Judging by' speaks for itself really. It is like a comment on what you hear or see, and then a conclusion follows.
a. Judging by his tone of voice, he was not please at all.
b. Judging by their lazy attitude, the project won't be finished on time.
3. 'I kept on imagining' to keep on + gerund is the same as 'to continue + gerund'.
a. He kept on golfing even though it was raining hard.
b. They kept on interrupting while we were talking.
4. 'To support someone by + gerund'
a. We support them by donating every month.
b. They support the arts by giving talks in schools.
5. 'My hat goes off to' means I honour/ respect/ look up to/celebrate.
a. My hat goes off to the second place runner who had a knee injury.
b. Our hats go off to the even organizers who did such a great job.
6. 'To wobble' is to move in an unbalanced way.
a. The gymnist walked across the wooden beam and didn't wobble at all.
b. That ornament wobbles each time someone walks in the room.
7. 'To drive someone to do something' means that a person is emotionally forced into a situation.
a. My noisy neighbors have driven me to talk to the police about them.
b. His bad behavior drove them to leave early.
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It's so good to see you both again; I can't believe it's been almost 3 months!
That's what your father and I were saying darling. Time flies, but especially for you.
Yes, it's been a busy two and a half months. Lots of ups and downs, but mainly ups.
I'm glad. It's such an exciting time of your life.
Well Mum, I was thinking that as soon as Dad wakes up, we'll go to my favorite cafe for breakfast.
Oh, that sounds lovely. Frank does get jet-lagged quite badly, much more than me. I'm sure it's because he insists on drinking wine on the plane. It gets you so dehydrated, you know.
Yes, he would be better off drinking water on the plane. But hey, he's on vacation!
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"A change is as good as a rest" is a common saying in England. And that's what I've been having. It's summer, the children are out of school, our routine is up in the air(1), and we've been getting out of town. Have you noticed? I haven't been talking into my little snowball microphone recently because I've been going here and there(2). The place I've been to most recently is Lake Chelan. It's only a forty-five minute drive(3) from Wenatchee, but it feels as if you are in another state. Obviously, there is a lake there, and it's a huge one. It's actually the 26th deepest lake in the world, at 1,486 ft. It's name, Chelan, is taken from the Native American word 'Tsillan' which means 'deep waters'. It's also very long: 55 miles total. It's a popular place for boating, water skiing, and fishing. There are many species of salmon, trout, and bass in the lake. The salmon, called the Chinook, can get up to 30lbs in weight, with the average weighing between 9 and 16lbs. It's very exciting fishing when you can get such a big fish, and one that's so delicious. When we fished there unfortunately the salmon were not interested in our bait(4) or hooks. Maybe we were making too much noise because we were having too much fun. The fun continued later, back at the campsite, when we rode our dirt bikes(5) along a dirt road(6) that circled through the forest and back up to where we were camping. Night came, and we settled into our trailer, the trailer that we use for the dirt bikes. We slept on mats and in sleeping bags, all packed in like sardines. It was funny, uncomfortable, and we didn't sleep much, but that's all part of the camping experience.
1. 'Up in the air' is a phrase that means 'random', 'unorganized', 'unsure' and 'unplanned'.
a. My plans for summer are up in the air still; we haven't planned anything definite.
b. I don't know if their wedding is on or off; it's all up in the air.
2. 'Here and there' talks about unspecific locations.
a. Where have you been? Oh, here and there.
b. He leaves his shoes here and there, all over the house!
3. 'A forty five minute drive' 'a thirty minute walk' 'a two hour hike'. Can you see a pattern here? Even though we're mentioning more than one minute or hour, the phrases are singular.
a. It's just a twenty minute train ride into town.
b. It's a three hour flight to the capital.
4. 'Bait' is the word for food that is put on a hook for fish, or that is put in a trap for hunting.
a. The bait for fishing is usually worms.
b. Fresh meat is good bait if you want to hunt cougars.
5. 'Dirt bikes' are motor bikes that can ride on hills, and rough roads. They usually get very dirty.
a. I took the dirt bike on the mountain trail; it was so much fun!
b. If you get the right license, you can use a dirt bike on a normal road.
6. 'A dirt road' is usually a primitive road that is not paved, or tarmacked. It can be a private road that is not maintained by the local council. 'Dirt' in the U.S means 'soil' or 'earth'. In England it means any substance that is 'dirty', not necessarily soil.
a. We walked up the dirt road until we came to a sign that read 'Private Property'.
b. The road up to the houses is a nice asphalt, smooth road. Beyond the houses it turns into just a dirt road.
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A poet called Robert Southey who lived in the late 1700's and early 1800's wrote:
What are boys made of?
Slugs and snails and puppy dog tails.
That's what boys are made of.
What are girls made of?
Sugar and spice and all things nice.
That's what girls are made of.
I think that there is some truth to this poem. I know we can't always generalize, but I have noticed some differences between my boys and my girl and her girlfriends. The boys take more risks as far as physical danger, whereas the girls seem to be careful. The girls are very interested in social situations and 'playing' like adults, but the boys are more interested in adventure, survival-type situations, and the wilderness. And finally, boys seem to bring the outside world into the house a lot more than girls do(1).
My boys went to a large pond to fish with their father, and came back happy and tired. They had managed to catch creyfish. They talked about their trip, put their gear(2) away, and then didn't really say anything else. The next morning I woke up to a humming(3) sound coming from downstairs. I went down and found, on the desk next to the computer, a large, plastic box half full of brown water. The hum was coming from an air pump(4) that had been placed inside (this was one that we had used in the past for gold fish). I looked inside.To my horror, I saw about five shiny, black creyfish sitting on top of eachother on a rock. Their antenna were moving, their eyes were slimy, and when they saw me, they slid into the water. The smell that came up from the water was just like the stinky pond weed that they live in. I was not a happy camper(5). "Just how many days were you planning on keeping these creatures in the lounge?" I asked my boys with a frown. "I don't know," was their answer. Great! We've got two dogs, a cat, a mouse that sneezes all the time, and now some stinky, creepy wet things. As I put them outside under a tree, I asked myself, "What next? Frogs in the fridge? Slugs on the sofa? Beetles in the bathroom? Why don't I rename myself Noah, and open my front door to all the creatures of Wenatchee?" When I had calmed down, I told my boys that they had to look after the things in the box. I washed my hands, and sat down to watch television with my clean little girl.
1. The use of 'do' and 'does' at the end of a comparative sentence.
a. He reads a lot more than you do.
b. She eats a lot more than her husband does.
2. 'Gear' is a general word for all types of equipment, especially used for sports and hobbies.
a. After skiing, it takes a while to put all of the gear away.
b. The fishing gear had to be sprayed with water to wash off the stinky pond weed.
3. 'Humming' comes from the verb 'to hum'. It is a sound made by a human, animal, or device that is like a vibration. Someone 'hums' to music when they don't sing the words, but make the melody with their mouths closed.
a. He hummed happily while he worked in the garden.
b. I didn't know the lyrics, so I just hummed the tune.
4. An 'air pump' is a device which forces air to flow from one place to another, usually via a tube or pipe.
a. We need to find a high pressure air pump because my tires are flat.
b. We pumped air into the plastic mattress for a more comfortable camping experience.
5. 'Not a happy camper' is a jokey phrase often used in England to mean that a person was upset or angry.
a. He borrowed the car without asking permission; his mother was not a happy camper!
b. A stinky creyfish escaped and crawled across the carpet. I was not a happy camper!
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Last week we had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Spokane. It's a city of about 210,000 people, making it the second largest city in Washington State. It's about a three hour drive for us, but it's only 90 miles from the Canadian border. It's name is taken from the Native American Indian tribe that used to live in that area; Spokane meaning 'Children of the sun'. The reason we went there was for a basketball tournament. My son Cass had four games to play, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday. We set off early on Saturday morning, with everybody yawning and dozing(1) in the car. We checked into our hotel, and then made our way(2) to the High School where the basketball games were going to be played. When the second game was over, we decided to go downtown(3) and look around, as we are not familiar with the city. The center has a very large park with a river running through it that becomes Spokane Falls. This is a huge waterfall that tumbles(4) under a wide bridge. The river was high because of the recent melting of snow in the mountains, so the waterfall was extremely turbulent. In another part of the park we saw a monument that was built for the 1974 World's Fair. It was refreshing to be in a city again, especially one that is clean and interesting. We had dinner in the center of downtown Spokane, and then wandered through the shopping area. I happened to see the 'Mobius' center which is an interactive museum that I wrote about a few months ago. The streets, hotels, and restaurants were quite full, as it was the graduation weekend for both universities of Spokane: Whitworth, and Gonzaga University. So there were celebrations going on everywhere, and lots of students dressed up(5) looking very smart. Normally, our children's tournaments are only about sports, but I'm glad to say that(6) this trip turned into a cultural outing.
1. 'Dozing' comes from the verb 'to doze'; it's a sleepy verb. It means to half sleep.
a. During the university lecture I dozed.
b. We all doze during political speeches.
2. 'To make one's way..' means to find your way to a place; it can be figurative as well.
a. We made our way through the crowd to the museum.
b. She made her way through a difficult career.
3. 'Downtown' is the word we use to describe the center of a city or town. Note that it is not necessary to use 'the' with 'downtown' unless it is followed by another noun, such as area.
a. Let's go downtown and see what we can find.
b. They'll go downtown Spokane to visit the park.
c. I would like to visit the downtown area, as I've never been there before.
4. 'To tumble' is a wonderful verb that means to fall in a turning motion.
a. I opened the dryer and all the clothes tumbled onto the floor.
b. The children's toys tumbled down the stairs.
5. 'To dress up' is when a person puts on special clothes or a special costume. This is different from 'getting dressed' which is the normal, daily act of putting your clothes on.
a. You can't wear jeans to the wedding! You have to dress up!
b. We dressed up as ghosts for Halloween.
6. 'I'm glad to say' is a wonderful set phrase that can be included in many sentences, at the beginning or at the end.
a. He finally passed his exams, I'm glad to say.
b. I'm glad to say that the council approved the plans for the park.
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Liz (on the phone): Hi Mum, are you all packed and ready for your visit?
Mother: Yes darling; we're so excited to see you again.
Liz: Me too. But there's been a change of plans.
Mother: Oh, yes?
Liz: I've booked you into a hotel that is opposite my appartment.
Mother: Why? Don't you want us to stay with you?
Liz: It's not that, Mum. It's just that the appartment is tiny. You and Dad would have to squeeze into my bed or the sofa. That's not going to work.
Mother: Oh, I hadn't thought about that. Mmm, well, whatever you think is best is fine with us darling.
Liz: Your room has a King size bed; it's non-smoking, and has internet access.
Mother: Perfect. It sounds lovely dear. We'll see you in a couple of days!
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I volunteered this year to build my mother an arbor in her back garden. She has a small patio at the back of her house with three borders(1) for planting. Because it gets so hot from late spring to the middle of autumn, she decided that she'd like a cover of some kind. Parasols are not big enough to cover the whole area, and the housing rules(2) do not allow her to attach anything to the house itself for extra shade. So, the only option is to build a 'free standing' arbor, or one that stands alone. Now, I actually like building things, believe it or not. I have slowly accumulated some experience of cutting and shaping wood, using power tools, digging holes, measuring and leveling(3), and mixing and pouring concrete. It's hard work, but it's so satisfying to see the finished product. To make my mum's arbor safe, I have to use 10 ft poles(4) that go into 2ft holes, and sit in concrete(5). Then, the lateral beams(6) will be screwed across the length and width(7) of the patio on both sides of the poles. It'll be a very strong structure; well it has to be. I can't have anything falling on my mother's head! Then, when the basic frame has been made, I will attach a lattice in between the beams. A lattice is a criss-cross pattern of wood. This will create shade with a pretty pattern. I'm almost half way finished, and I need to hurry up and get it built(8), because the days are getting hotter. Shade is what we're after.
1. 'A border' is an area of land, usually in the shape of a strip. It is here that you can plant. This word is also used to represent the line of separation between two countries.
a. The border is full of flowers all year long.
b. We'll cross the border to Mexico next week.
2. 'Housing rules' are usually called 'covenants'. The limit what you can and cannot do with the outside of your house. Notice the word 'housing' sounds like it has a 'z' instead of an 's'.
a. The housing covenants don't let us paint the doors anything but brown.
b. I'll have to read the housing covenants to see if I can buid an attached arbor.
3. 'Measuring and leveling' could be one of the most important parts of building. You have to get the lengths correct. Making a pole or piece of structure level, means that it is either exactly 90 degrees, 0 degrees, or 180 degrees. A 'level' is the device which is has liquid and a bubble to show if something is level.
a. Make sure the pole is level; that way it'll be strong and safe.
b. The bubble in the level is not in the middle; it shows that the shelf is not level.
4. A 'pole' is a long, piece of wood used as a support.
a. The pole that holds up the raspberries is rotten.
b. We need lots of poles to build a tree house for the kids.
5. 'Concrete' is the white, pasty, rocky substance that we use to make side walks and floors.
a. The concrete will take all day to dry; then we can walk on it.
b. Mix the concrete with water, but don't breathe in the dust!
6. 'Lateral' is the same as saying 'side'.
a. She'll hang baskets of flowers from the lateral beams.
b. Side beams will make the structure even stronger.
7. The 'length and width' are the two most basic measurements. They measure how long something is and how wide it is.
a. She can swim a width of the pool, but not a length.
b. Check the length of the sofa before you buy it.
8. 'Get it built' is a command using the past participle. Most verbs can be used this way.
a. Hurry up and get the bathroom painted; you're taking too long.
b. Get the essay written and handed in as soon as possible.
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