Fill in the gaps appropriately: For the last thirty-five years, ……………… in Palestine has meant ………………. and dispersion; the separation of families; the …………………..of human, civil, legal, political and economic ……………….. imposed by a system of military rule; the torture of thousands; the ………………………. of tens of thousands of acres of land; the uprooting of tens of thousands of trees; the destruction of more than 7,000 Palestinians homes; the building of illegal Israeli …………………. on Palestinian lands and the doubling of the settler-population over the last fifteen years: first the ………………….. of the Palestinian economy and now its destruction; closure; ……………………; geographic ……………………; demographic isolation; and collective punishment. The ……………..power continues to impose its blockade on the ………………… and to target Palestinian civilians by assassinations, air strikes and artillery …………………., persisting with its war of …………………… of three years ago on Gaza, which resulted in …………………. destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques and the thousands of martyrs and …………………. The …………………..power also continues its ………………. in areas of the Palestinian National Authority through raids, arrest and killing at the ……………….. In recent years, the criminal actions of armed settler …………….., who enjoy the special protection of the occupation army, has intensified with the ………………… of frequent attacks against our people, targeting their homes, schools, universities, mosques, fields, crops and trees. Despite repeated warnings of the Palestinians …………………, the occupying Power has not acted to curb these attacks; they are hold fully responsible for the crimes of the settlers.These are just a few examples of the policy of the Israeli ………………. settlement occupation, and this policy is responsible for the continued ………………….. of the successive international attempts to salvage the peace …………………... writing(T.L.E) Conference Fill in the gaps appropriately Answer: For the last thirty-five years, occupation in Palestine has meant dislocation and dispersion; the separation of families; the denial of human, civil, legal, political and economic rights imposed by a system of military rule; the torture of thousands; the confiscation of tens of thousands of acres of land; the uprooting of tens of thousands of trees; the destruction of more than 7,000 Palestinians homes; the building of illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands and the doubling of the settler-population over the last fifteen years: first the undermining of the Palestinian economy and now its destruction; closure; curfew; geographic fragmentation; demographic isolation; and collective punishment. The occupying power continues to impose its blockade on the Gaza Strip and to target Palestinian civilians by assassinations, air strikes and artillery shelling, persisting with its war of aggression of three years ago on Gaza, which resulted in massive destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques and the thousands of martyrs and wounded. The occupying power also continues its incursions in areas of the Palestinian National Authority through raids, arrest and killing at the checkpoints. In recent years, the criminal actions of armed settler militias, who enjoy the special protection of the occupation army, has intensified with the perpetration of frequent attacks against our people, targeting their homes, schools, universities, mosques, fields, crops and trees. Despite repeated warnings of the Palestinians authority, the occupying Power has not acted to curb these attacks; they are hold fully responsible for the crimes of the settlers. These are just a few examples of the policy of the Israeli colonial settlement occupation, and this policy is responsible for the continued failure of the successive international attempts to salvage the peace process writing(T.L.E) Conference fill in the gaps It might have begun as a youth movement but in the crowd now are religious conservatives protesting, News reported. Housewives, students, senior citizens, all united against a common enemy who …………. elections to keep a lockhold on ……………for 30 years. Billions were …………. on palaces, a pampered military and an inner circle of family and business cronies while ignoring the citizens’ most basic needs. “People, they’re so separated and segregated from those who make the decisions that the Egyptian people are strangers in their own country,” Noor Aiman Noor, a demonstrator, said. It cruel country for the 16 million who ……………… on less than $2 a day. Forty million don’t know even how to read, and those who do legions of dynamic young people who worked hard to get an education, find there’s nowhere to use it. Many of the street vendors you see in Egypt may have college degrees, but they have no hope of finding a job, no hope of really meeting their ambitions in life, and these are the people who are now taking their ……………..out on the streets. “People are here to congratulate them for finally standing up for their rights, Noor said. Once the people decided enough was enough, it only took them four days to shake a …………… system to the core. However, its one thing to shake the system, quite another to dismantle it or reform it. What are the implications of this instability and………..for the Middle East? There is a fear of a domino………..,similar to what happen in Eastern Europe in 1989,when successful…………..encourages other “people power” movement, leaving Arab autocrats nervous and oil prices in flux. And what are the implications for the west? Western politicians need to achieve the right balance between backing the people’s legitimate demands and protecting their own……………...it is not good for western ……………… to lend their support to …………..….regimes. But it is in no ones interest to have a ………………vacuum in countries where extremism and violence can …………….. and where much of the worlds oil ………………are managed. writing(T.L.E) Conference Answer It might have begun as a youth movement but in the crowd now are religious conservatives protesting, News reported. Housewives, students, senior citizens, all united against a common enemy who rigged elections to keep a lockhold on power for 30 years. Billions were squandered on palaces, a pampered military and an inner circle of family and business cronies while ignoring the citizens’ most basic needs. “People, they’re so separated and segregated from those who make the decisions that the Egyptian people are strangers in their own country,” Noor Aiman Noor, a demonstrator, said. It cruel country for the 16 million who eke out on less than $2 a day. Forty million don’t know even how to read, and those who do, legions of dynamic young people who worked hard to get an education, find there’s nowhere to use it. Many of the street vendors you see in Egypt may have college degrees, but they have no hope of finding a job, no hope of really meeting their ambitions in life, and these are the people who are now taking their grievances out on the streets. “People are here to congratulate them for finally standing up for their rights, Noor said. Once the people decided enough was enough, it only took them four days to shake a rotten system to the core. However, it is one thing to shake the system, quite another to dismantle it or reform it. What are the implications of this instability and unrest for the Middle East? There is a fear of a domino effect, similar to what happen in Eastern Europe in 1989, when successful uprising encourages other “people power” movement, leaving Arab autocrats nervous and oil prices in flux. And what are the implications for the west? Western politicians need to achieve the right balance between backing the people’s legitimate demands and protecting their own interest. It is not good for western power to lend their support to autocrat regimes. But it is in no ones interest to have a political vacuum in countries where extremism and violence can flourish and where much of the worlds oil reserves are managed. writing(T.L.E) Conferenc Unscramble the sentences and put them in correct order 1-Thus, shared elect interests favour the development of related ideological positions, as is also the case for the role of similar socialization, education, class background, gender, ethnicity, or political orientation of most elite groups. 2-Foreign policies without support from the press can hardly be legitimated and sustained and are difficult to implement when the corporate lobby is opposed to them. 3-Rather, it can be said that their common ideologies are jointly produced, each acting within its own sphere of influence and control, but each also dependent on the other. 4-International business is seriously hampered by bad publicity or by firm state antagonism. 5-And conversely, mainstream news media cannot operate without the cooperation of the political and corporate elites. 6-In other words, there is no question that the news media are being controlled by these other power elites. Answer:International business is seriously hampered by bad publicity or by firm state antagonism. Foreign policies without support from the press can hardly be legitimated and sustained and are difficult to implement when the corporate lobby is opposed to them In other words, there is no question that the news media are being controlled by these other power elites. And conversely, mainstream news media cannot operate without the cooperation of the political and corporate elites. Thus, shared elect interests favour the development of related ideological positions, as is also the case for the role of similar socialization, education, class background, gender, ethnicity, or political orientation of most elite groups. Rather, it can be said that their common ideologies are jointly produced, each acting within its own sphere of influence and control, but each also dependent on the other. writing(T.L.E) Conference Body movement Choose one of the words below to complete the following sentences. Put the verbs into the correct form (see example): Stretch punch pat Nudge grab stroke Grope squeeze shake beckon slap shrug crane wave nod When I asked him about his plans, he only shrugged his shoulder. 1- He………………..forward to see if there was a bus coming. 3- I asked him if he agreed and he ………………..his head. 4-Several people saw two men smash the shop-window,……………………some jewels, get into their car and drive away. 5- Some parents…………………their naughty children. 6- He …………………… his arm up as far as he could, but he still could not reach the shelf to take the book he wanted. 7- She loved cats, and always used to stop and…………………………any cat she saw. 8- If he says that to me again, I’ll ………………….him on the nose. 9- When it’s your turn for a luggage check, the customs officer will………………..you to come forward. 10- When I was going to cash a cheque a friend of mine………………………..to me across the street and persisted in walking. 11- My friend went to sleep during the film and I had to ………………………..him with elbow to wake. 12- When I was young, my father used to ………………………..me on head when he was pleased with me. 13- He was slim so he was just able to……………………..between the two tables. 14- it was absolutely dark and I had to …………………..in front of me to find the door. 15- The leaders of the two sides…………………….hands to show that the dispute was over. Stretch stretched punch punched pat patted nudge nudged grab grabbed stroke stroked Grope groped squeeze squeezed Shake shook shaken beckon beckoned slap slapped shrug shrugged crane craned wave waved nod nodded writing(T.L.E) Conference Answer: 1- When I asked him about his plans, he only shrugged his shoulder. 2- He craned forward to see if there was a bus coming. 3- I asked him if he agreed and he nodded his head. 4-Several people saw two men smash the shop-window, grabsome jewels, get into their car and drive away. 5- Some parents slap their naughty children. 6- He stretched his arm up as far as he could, but he still could not reach the shelf to take the book he wanted. 7- She loved cats, and always used to stop and stroke any cat she saw. 8- If he says that to me again, I’ll punch him on the nose. 9- When it’s your turn for a luggage check, the customs officer will beckon you to come forward. 10- When I was going to cash a cheque a friend of mine waved to me across the street and persisted in walking. 11- My friend went to sleep during the film and I had to nudge him with elbow to wake. 12- When I was young, my father used to pat me on head when he was pleased with me. 13- He was slim so he was just able to squeeze between the two tables. 14- It was absolutely dark and I had to grope in front of me to find the door. 15- The leaders of the two sides shook hands to show that the dispute was over. writing(T.L.E) Conference Travel Put each of the following words into the correct sentences: Trip tour outing travel voyage package tour Journey flight expedition cruise excursion run 1- Air Algerie …………………..809 from Algiers to London will be taking off in five minutes. 2- We are going to take part in an ………………….. to the south-pole. 3- The parents and children went on a day’s ………………… to the zoo in Algiers and whole family loved it. 4- During our stay in London we went on a day …………………. to Cambridge. 5- By train, it’s only two-hour …………………. from here to Algiers. 6- Last year our school went on a very interesting ………………….. to the seaside. 7- It was a beautiful day so we went for a …………………… in the country. 8- For general advice about …………………….., see a travel agent. 9- On our first day in Paris we went on a two hour …………………. of the city by bus, which showed us the main sights. 10- Last year we went by ship to America. The …………………. took two weeks. 11- My parents went on a two week ……………………… round the Mediterranean. 12- It’s cheaper to go on a……………………..but we prefer to make our own arrangements. writing(T.L.E) Conference Answer: 1- Air Algerie flight 809 from Algiers to London will be taking off in five minutes. 2- We are going to take part in an expedition to the south-pole. 3- The parents and children went on a day’s outing to the zoo in Algiers and whole family loved it. 4- During our stay in London, we went on a day trip to Cambridge. 5- By train, it’s only two-hour journey from here to Algiers. 6- Last year our school went on a very interesting excursion to the seaside. 7- It was a beautiful day so we went for a run in the country. 8- For general advice about travel, see a travel agent. 9- On our first day in Paris, we went on a two-hour tour of the city by bus, which showed us the main sights. 10-Last year we went by ship to America. The voyage took two weeks. 11-My parents went on a two-week cruise round the Mediterranean. 12-It is cheaper to go on a package tour but we prefer to make our own arrangements. writing(T.L.E) Conference Ways of looking Put each of the following words into the correct sentences. Use each word once only: Peer glare squint notice stare peep distinguish scan glance wink scrutinize look gaze blink recognize make out gape browse watch descry catch a glimpse of observe 1- Do please -------------- the baby while I go shopping. 2- When I was unemployed, I used to spend a lot of time sitting in cafes, -------------------------the way people rushed to their work. 3- She ------------------ her friend in the milling crowd, but soon lost sight of her again. 4- I thought he was serious until I saw him --------------- at me to show he was joking. 5- He -------------------- the document carefully to make sure that there were no errors in it. 6- He drank his coffee and -----------------the newspaper. 7- She ----------------- at the writing, but without her glasses, she really couldn’t make out the bad writing. 8- She was so angry; she ------------- at me as if she could kill me. 9- The doctor -------------- through the telescope in his laboratory. 10-He had changed so much since I last saw him that I hardly ------------- him. writing(T.L.E) Conference 11-“----------- at the black board, said the teacher” 12-I couldn’t concentrate waiting in the doctors surgery, so I ---------- through the magazine. 13-The old woman --------------- through the closed curtain at her new neighbours. 14-During the lecture, she --------------- out of the window then carried on studying. 15-Our host --------------- a lady of uncommon appearance standing studying. 16-If you go out into bright sunlight after being in the dark, you sometimes ---------------------. 17-The lesson which was incredibly boring she ------------ through the window dreaming of her coming holiday. 18-He ----------- at me for so long, I felt quite embarrassed. 19- The children --------------mindlessly at the television without a thought in their heads. 20-I can’t ------------- between the two types. They both look the same to me. 21-I ------------- to him across the street, but he walked away without noticed me. writing(T.L.E) Conference Answer: 1- Do please watch the baby while I go shopping. 2- When I was unemployed, I used to spend a lot of time sitting in cafes, observing the way people rushed to their work. 3- She caught a glimpse of her friend in the milling crowd, but soon lost sight of her again. 4- I thought he was serious until I saw him winking at me to show he was joking. 5- He scrutinized the document carefully to make sure that there were no errors in it. 6- He drank his coffee and scanned the newspaper. 7- She peered at the writing, but without her glasses, she really could not make out the bad writing. 8- She was so angry; she glared at me as if she could kill me. 9- The doctor squinted through the telescope in his laboratory. 10-He had changed so much since I last saw him that I hardly recognized him. 11-“look at the black board, said the teacher” 12-I couldn’t concentrate waiting in the doctors surgery, so I browsed through the magazine. 13-The old woman peeped through the closed curtain at her new neighbours. 14-During the lecture, she glanced out of the window then carried on studying. 15-Our host descried a lady of uncommon appearance standing studying. writing(T.L.E) Conference 16-If you go out into bright sunlight after being in the dark, you sometimes blink. 17-The lesson which was incredibly boring she gazed through the window dreaming of her coming holiday. 18-He stared at me for so long, I felt quite embarrassed. 19- The children gaped mindlessly at the television without a thought in their heads. 20-I can’t distinguish between the two types. They both look the same to me. 21-I waved to him across the street, but he walked away without noticing me. writing(T.L.E) Conference Sort of Light Glisten Gleam Dazzle Shimmer Flicker Shine Glimmer Twinkle glow Sparkle Glare Glint 1- A candle flame ------------- at slightest breath of air. 2-The coal was ----------------- in the fire. 3-There was a ----------------- of light through the mist. 4-The bus driver was ------------ by the bright lights of the head approaching car. 5-It was difficult to see through the ----------------- of the headlights. 6-A wet pavement -------------------. 7-In the distance, we could see the cottage windows -------------- in the sunlight. 8-I saw a light ------------------- in the distance. 9-Is the sun --------------------- at the moment? 10-The diamond ring at her finger ---------------------. 11-The stars ---------------- in the sky. 12-The sequins on her dress -----------------. (Past tense) writing(T.L.E) Conference Answer 1- A candle flame flickers at slightest breath of air. 2-The coal was glowing in the fire. 3-There was a glimmer of light through the mist. 4-The bus driver was dazzling by the bright lights of the head approaching car. 5-It was difficult to see through the glare of the headlights. 6-A wet pavement glistens. 7-In the distance, we could see the cottage windows glinting in the sunlight. 8-I saw a light gleaming in the distance. 9-Is the sun shining at the moment? 10-The diamond ring at her finger sparkles. 11-The stars twinkle in the sky. 12-The sequins on her dress shimmered. (Past tense) writing(T.L.E) Conference Sounds Rumble Crash Squeal Bang Creak Splash Hum Peal tick squeak Pop Pips Chime Clank Wail Howl screech Report Rustle Chose the correct word to complete the following sentences (see example): 1-one day quiet and I could hear the ……………….of leaves in wind. 2-I live in cottage, which is very quiet. Every night I hear a …………. of my watch. 3-I heard this morning the…………. of an ambulance siren. 4-I must oil my bicycle. There is ………….. somewhere in the front wheel. 5-a passing car made a …………….of mud on his cleaned-suit. 6-I heard a ……….......... of rifle in pour field. 7-the paper bag burst with a loud ……………... 8-I could hear the ………….. of thunder in the distance. 9-it was an enormous, heavy,old,wooden door and it make a loudly …………… every time it was opened. 10-the prisoner held with a chain, every time he moved, it make a …………... 11-the ……………. of the wind made the seawater rough. 12-I heard a ……………. of classes dropped on the floor. 13- We live near the main road of the city and at every weekend, the …………….of the traffic keeps me awake. 14-many years ago, we used to hear a …………………of bells in every school. 15-When I waved to the taxi; it stopped with a ………………… of break. 16-I heard a ……………. of tyers. It was a young people car turning a corner at top speed. 17-I got a…………….. on the head from a falling branch. 18-he put his watch right by the …………….. 19-the children are listening for the ……………of the grandfather clock. 20-there was a …………… of conversation coming from the next room. 21-the dishes were put in the sink with a ……………….. writing(T.L.E) Conference Answer 1-one day quiet and I could hear the rustle of leaves in wind. 2-I live in cottage, which is very quiet. Every night I hear a tick of my watch. 3-I heard this morning the wail of an ambulance siren. 4-I must oil my bicycle. There is squeak somewhere in the front wheel. 5-a passing car made a splash of mud on his cleaned-suit. 6-I heard a report of rifle in pour field. 7-the paper bag burst with a loud pop. 8-I could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. 9-it was an enormous, heavy, old, wooden door and it make a loudly creak every time it was opened. 10-the prisoner held with a chain, every time he moved, it make a clank. 11-the howl of the wind made the seawater rough. 12-I heard a crash of classes dropped on the floor. 13- We live near the main road of the city and at every weekend, the roar of the traffic keeps me awake. 14-many years ago, we used to hear a peal of bells in every school. 15-When I waved to the taxi; it stopped with a screech of break. 16-I heard a squeal of tyers. It was a young people car turning a corner at top speed. 17-I got a bang on the head from a falling branch. 18-he put his watch right by the pips. 19-the children are listening for the chime of the grandfather clock. 20-there was a hum of conversation coming from the next room. 21-the dishes were put in the sink with a clatter. writing(T.L.E) Conference Words confused exercise Choose the correct word for each space below: 1- Quite/quiet a-It is noisy here. Let’s find …………… place. b-i am …………….. satisfied with your advice. 2-maybe/may be a-we don’t know where he is. He …....... in Germany. b-He is not in the office ……………… he’s ill. 3-illegible/ineligible a-that writing ………………., no one can decipher it. b-owing to his age he was …………….. for the post. 4-imaginary/imaginative a-the greatest poet show a very high developed……………. power. b-he continually worries himself about ………………. 5-negligent/ negligible a-the difference between the twins is so slight as to be ………………... b-the boy was dismissed from the school because he was …………….. in the performance of his work. 6-practice/practice a-you won’t increase your typing speed unless you get more ………….... b-they learn swimming. They ………………… two hours every day. 7-advice/ advise a-I really know what to ……………. b-I am very grateful to you for your ………………. 8-steal/robe a-he was expelled from the school for …………… money. b- the two gun men………………a bank yesterday afternoon. 9-lend/borrow a-can you ……………. me some money until tomorrow? b-if you want to …………… books from the library. You have to be member. 10-lose/loose a-that bundle of sticks is a bit ……………. You’d better tighten it. b-look after your expensive watch or you will ……………. it. 11-Sensible/ sensitive a-it is ……………… to save part of your salary every month. b-a ………………. skin is easily damaged by a hot sun. 11-affect/ effect a-the punishment had no ……………..on him. As soon he left prison he started to steal again. b- the higher bus fares won’t ………………. me. I have a car. Choose the correct word for each space below: Answer 1-Quite/quiet a-It is noisy here. Let’s find quiet place. b-i am quite satisfied with your advice. 2-maybe/may be a-we don’t know where he is. He may be in Germany. b-He is not in the office maybe he’s ill. 3-illegible/ineligible a-that writing illegible, no one can decipher it. b-owing to his age he was ineligible for the post. 4-imaginary/imaginative a-the greatest poet show a very high developed imaginative power. b-he continually worries himself about imaginary. 5-negligent/ negligible a-the difference between the twins is so slight as to be negligible. b-the boy was dismissed from the school because he was negligent in the performance of his work. 6-practice/practice a-you won’t increase your typing speed unless you get more practice. b-they learn swimming. They practise two hours every day. 7-advice/ advise a-I really know what to advise. b-I am very grateful to you for your advice. 8-steal/robe a-he was expelled from the school for steal money. b- the two gun men robe a bank yesterday afternoon. 9-lend/borrow a-can you lend me some money until tomorrow? b-if you want to borrow books from the library. You have to be member. 10-lose/loose a-that bundle of sticks is a bit loose. You’d better tighten it. b-look after your expensive watch or you will lose it. 11-Sensible/ sensitive a-it is sensible to save part of your salary every month. b-a sensitive skin is easily damaged by a hot sun. 11-affect/ effect a-the punishment had no effect on him. As soon he left prison he started to steal again. b- the higher bus fares won’t affect me. I have a car. writing(T.L.E) Conference Quiet means silence. Quit means to leave. Quite means very or actually. Examples: I was quite tired and wanted a quiet place to nap. I asked the boys to quit playing games. Practice: (a) Henry needed peace and _____. (b) He _____ his job and moved to the woods. (c) Now he is _____ content. (a) Henry needed peace and quiet. (b) He quit his job and moved to the woods. (c) Now he is quite content writing(T.L.E) Conference Exsercice1 Explain the following *To be as plain as the nose on your face. *To take a lot of pain to do something *To tell somebody or something apart *On the wrong side of the bed *The last straw *To be in rags *To be all dressed up *To be on pins and needles *To be an old hat *If the shoe fits wear it Answer *To be as plain as the nose on your face: to be clear/ obvious/ evident. (to be clear as mud)(wodoh asshams) *To take a lot of pain to do something: effort, hard worker. *To tell somebody or something apart: make deference between. *On the wrong side: bad temper/ mood. *The last straw: to fed up (dernière goute) *To be in rags: ragged. (halla yourtha laha) *To be all dressed up: all dressed up and nowhere to go and all dressed up with nowhere to go completely ready for something *To be on pins and needles: (3ala ahari mina aljamri) *To be an old hat: not update(passive) *If the shoe fits wear it: feeling not involved. Exsercice2 Choose the correct idioms *Smell a rat *back to grinds tone *Rain cat and dog *quick one *ring a bell *hold (one’s) tongue *down the drain *tighten our belts *hit the roof * missed the bus *bear in mind *give (someone’s) a tinkle *Beat a path to (someone’s) door *Slip (one’s) mind *Piece of cake Exercise 1-it’s raining cats and dogs the streets are flooded (raining very hard) 2-he became so famous that people from the entire world ……………………..(visit him very often) 3-get job nowadays is not………………………………(not very easy) 4-the police set up a trap, but the thieve …………………………..and drove away (had a feeling) 5-I meant to send her a birthday card but I …………….her birthday was last week (missed an appointment) 6-…………………..that you will have to save some money if you want a holiday (remember) 7-your father will…………………..when you tell him you have crashed his car ? (Became very angry) 8-you have just time for a ………………before the cafes close.(a quick drink) 9-there were a lot of thing I wanted to say. But I thought I’d better just……… ……… (Remain silent) 10-I meant to ask him if he could come to my wedding party. But I …………………(forgotten) 11-his name ………………but I can’t remember where I have heard it before (have heard before but not remembered in detail) 12-We had to scrap everything and start again six month work………………. (Completely work) 13-I am not absolutely certain if you………………. I’d better (call him ) 14-lunch time is over now it’s…………………... (back to work) 15-in the economy gets worse we shall fast have to…………………. writing(T.L.E) Conference *be as plain as the nose on your face (old-fashioned) to be very obvious Theres no doubt that hes interested in her. Its as plain as the nose on your face. as plain as the nose on your face : comme le nez au milieu du visage It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say Its as plain as the nose on your face. But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you? * take a rain check (American, British & Australan informal) also Ill get a rain check (American informal) something that you say when you cannot accept someones invitation to do something but you would like to do it another time (often +on ) Ill take a rain check on that drink tonight, if thats all right. I wont play tennis this afternoon but can I get a rain check? (American informal) rain check: (idiomatic) In social interactions, a polite way to turn down an invitation, with the implication one is simply postponing it and that another time would be acceptable. I cant go with you to the museum this Saturday, but can I take a rain check and go some other day? Etymology: The expression may have originated in the era of open-air markets where the occurrence of significant rain usually required a vendor to pack up their goods and leave. The term may also be based on the issuing of tickets to claim property such as a coat or hat check. Before 1889, US baseball fans were issued a new ticket if rain was heavy enough to cause a game to be postponed. Abner Powell added a detachable stub called a rain check that year. This quickly became a standard practice for all major league teams. rain check (on something):a reissuance of an invitation at a later date. (Said to someone who has invited you to something that you cannot attend now, but would like to attend at a later time. *Typically: get ~; have ~; take ~; give someone ~.) We would love to come to your house, but we are busy next Saturday. Could we take a rain check on your kind invitation? Oh, yes. You have a rain check thats good anytime you can come by and visit. It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say Its as plain as the nose on your face. But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you? *The grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence). Prov. People always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances. (Usually implies that the other circumstances really are not any better.) Jill: My job is so tedious. I wish I had my own business, like Beatrice does. Jane: Beatrice probably wishes she had the security of her old job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence Refers to the way we tend to look at other people’s lives and other things that we dont have in general through rose colored glasses. Comes from the idea of looking at a neighbours lawn and seeing it as better looking, healthier and overall greener then your own when in reality you’re just ignoring anything negative about it and downplaying everything positive about your own. Friend#1: You’re so lucky, you went to a great college, have money and you’re so smart and will probably accomplish more by the time you’re 30 then I will in my entire life. Friend#2: Are you serious? I’ve always envied you. People expect so much out of me. I’ve never been able to have a life because of studying and other schoolwork. If I get less then an A, people freak out like I got an F. I may accomplish that much, but with all the pressure on me I’ll probably be insane by the time I’m 35. In so many ways, I wish I could just be a regular guy with normal expectations and a normal life. Friend#1: Wow, I honestly never looked at it that way. I guess its true that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. *let by gones be by gones Cliché Forgive someone for something he or she did in the past. Jill: Why dont you want to invite Ellen to your party? Jane: She was rude to me at the off ice picnic. Jill: But that was six months ago. Let bygones be bygones. Nancy held a grudge against her teacher for a long time, but she finally decided to let bygones be bygones. Let bygones be bygones Allow the unpleasant things that have happened in the past to be forgotten. Origin Let bygones be bygones is one of the small group of phrases the meaning of which people enquire about more than they do the origin. On the face of it, the meaning is obvious and seems to require no explanation - after all, bygones can hardly be anything other than bygones. We dont have sayings like let greengrocers be greengrocers, so is there more to it? As it turns out, there is. In the 15th century, a bygone was was simply a thing that has gone by, that is, a thing of the past. Shakespeare used it with that meaning in The Winters Tale, 1611: This satisfaction, The by-gone-day proclaymd, say this to him. As time progressed, bygones came to refer specifically to past events that had an unpleasant tinge to them; for example, quarrels or debts. The Scottish churchman Samuel Rutherford recorded that usage of the phrase in a letter during his detention in Aberdeen in 1636. In the letter he regrets the follies of his youth and acknowledges his debt to God in showing him the error of his ways: Pray that byegones betwixt me and my Lord may be byegones. So, there is a little more to the phrase let bygones be bygones than to the more literal let sleeping dogs lie or the old proverb let all things past, pass that was recorded by John Heywood in his 1562 edition of Proverbs. Let bygones be bygones uses both meanings of the word bygones and means, in extended form, let the unpleasantness between us become a thing of the past. *hold on to be patient. Just hold on. Everything will work out in good time. If you will just hold on, everything will probably be all right. hold on (a minute)! and Hold on for a minute! Stop right there!; Wait a minute! (Minute can be replaced by moment, second, or other time periods.) Bob: Hold on, Tom. Tom: What? Bob: I want to talk to you. Hold on! hollered Tom. Youre running off with my shopping cart! put a hold on something to place restriction on something so that it is reserved, delayed, or inactivated. The bank put a hold on my credit card until I paid my bill. The committee agreed to put a hold on the troublesome piece of business. *beat around the bush and beat about the bush Fig. to avoid answering a question; to stall; to waste time. Stop beating around the bush and answer my question. Lets stop beating about the bush and discuss this matter. beat around the bush To talk about something without mentioning it directly or avoid getting to the core of the subject--to try to bring up a subject in a roundabout way. Often motivated from a desire not to speak frankly about the subject, either because the subject is taboo, its impolite to bring it up directly, or the conversation is perceived likely to be painful. Well, Joe, I heard you were thinking about selling your car... instead of So, Joe, how much did you want for that Explorer of yours? Also, Susy, what are your plans for the future? instead of Susy, will you marry me? Explain the following 1-Please don’t say I told you. It was told me off the cuff off–the–cuff Adjective : Not prepared in advance: done without planning or preparation 2-Don’t judge a book by its cover: The English idiom Don’t judge a book by its cover is a metaphorical phrase which means you shouldnt prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone.[1] Don´t judge a book by its cover = (proverb) Don’t judge the value of a thing simply by its appearance; looks are not as important as what is inside. * You can´t judge a book by its cover = It means that when you have only seen the surface of something, you cannot know what is on the inside. The value of something is not always obvious from what we see on the surface, so we should save our judgments until we have more experience. :) Example: “That professor may seem slow and awkward, but don’t judge a book by its cover. He is one of the brightest minds in his field.” 3-It suits me to a tee. This new job suits me to a T. The sentence is from a dictionary and means I am quite satisfied with the job， but i dont understand why T conveys such a meaning？ 4-his daughter bought the trouser and her fiance fooled the bill 5-the early bird catches the worm something that you say in order to tell someone that if they want to be successful they should do something immediately If you see a job that interests you, apply as soon as possible. The early bird Prov. If you wake up and get to work early, you will succeed. (Sometimes used to remark that someone is awake and working surprisingly early, as in the first example.) Fred: What are you doing in the office at 7:30 A.M.? Jane: The early bird catches the worm. I didnt expect to see you studying at the library at this hour of the morning. The early bird catches the worm, huh?catches the worm. This proverb is used to tell you to act early or right now to be successful. If someone says, The early bird catches the worm, he/she means that if you do something early or before anyone else, you will have an advantage and be successful. Example: The early bird catches the worm! Dont miss this years best deal! The sale will start on Thursday, and the store opens at 5:00 a.m. Though you have more than 6 months before you leave, start looking for good deals on airline tickets and reserve your seats early. The early bird catches the worm. Picture: 6-its no use crying over split milk A past tense and a past participle of spill1. Its no good/use crying over spilt milk. also Theres no point crying over spilt milk. something that you say which means you should not get upset about something bad that has happened that you cannot changeSometimes I regret not taking that job in London. Oh well, theres no point crying over spilt milk. 7-i don’t know why but she always gets on my nerves get/grate on somebodys nerves (informal) to annoy someone, especially by doing something again and again If we spend too much time together, we end up getting on each others nerves. The telephone hadnt stopped ringing all morning and it was starting to grate on my nerves. It`s `You`re getting on my nerves` meaning you are irritating me and I`m getting fed up with you. Another way of saying the same thing is `You`re getting on my wick 8-i hope we will keep in touch and you will drop me on line drop somebody a line (slightly informal) to write a short letter to someone If youve got a few minutes to spare you could always drop her a line. Drop me a line originally meant Write me a letter. As with some other heavily used social phrases (Stop by sometime, Call me, etc.), the essence of many of them translates into: Lets keep in contact. So, if someone told you to Drop me a line, you could literally hand write them a letter (Option # 1). Or, if you are like most people who use e-mail for many written communications, you could reply with: Would you mind he dropped the hint that he will soon retireif I e-mailed you? (Option # 2) and then get their e-mail addy, if you dont already have it. If you wanted, as you mentioned, to call them instead of writing or e-mailing, I dont think it would be rude to do so, as long as you asked them first:Would you mind if I called you instead? (Option # 3). It all depends on how (and if) YOU want to stay in contact with THEM. 9-he dropped the hint that he will soon retirerop a hint Fig. to give a tiny or careful hint about something. Mary dropped a hint that she wanted a new ring for her birthday. See also: drop hint something to someone to give a hint or clue to someone. I thought she was leaving. She hinted that to me. She wasnt hinting anything to you! You made it all up! hint at something to refer to something; to insinuate something. What are you hinting at? I am not hinting at anything. I am telling you to do it! hint for something to give a hint that something is wanted. I could tell she was hinting for an invitation. Are you hinting for a second helping of fried chicken? take a hint to understand a hint and behave accordingly. I said I didnt want to see you anymore. Cant you take a hint? I dont like you. Sure I can take a hint, but Id rather be told directly. 10- I am at a loss to explain such behaviour Prepositional phrase[edit] at a loss 1. Below the cost or price of purchase. We sold those old computers at a loss. 2. Not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability. I have fixed the parts I understand, and the rest leaves me at a loss. His policies my be ineffective, but he is never at a loss for words. Im at a loss how to proceed. Translations[edit] [show ▼]below the cost or price of purchase [show ▼]not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability 11-i ll will keep her in the dark, it will be a nice surprise for her to see you keqep somebody in the dark also leave somebody in the dark to not tell someone about something Congress complained about being kept in the dark about the peace talks. he dark (about someone or something) Fig. uninformed about someone or something; ignorant about someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; keep someone ~; stay ~.) Im in the dark about who is in charge around here. I cant imagine why they are keeping me in the dark. Shes in the dark about how this machine works. 12-be like two peas in a pod to be very similar You can tell theyre brothers at a glance - theyre like two peas in a pod. Two identical items or people This simile derives, of course, from the fact that two peas from the same pod are virtually indistinguishable. The phrase, sometimes given as like as two peas, is quite old and versions of it date from the the 16th century; for example, John Lyly used the phrase in Euphues and his England, 1580: Wherin I am not unlike unto the unskilfull Painter, who having drawen the Twinnes of Hippocrates, (who wer as lyke as one pease is to an other). Lylys use of pease as the singular form was the norm in Tudor England. The word pea came into use as the singular in the 17th century, with peas as the plural, thus avoiding peases, which would have been something of a mouthful. This transition left pease out in the cold and we now hardly use the form, except in the name of the dish of dried peas cooked to a mush - pease pudding. The pudding is itself now becoming less common as it has largely been superseded by mushy peas, which are essentially the same thing. Once that process is complete, pease will be gone from the everyday language - a pity. 13-when he saw that somebody had scratched two new cars he hit the roof hit the roof also go through the roof to suddenly become very angry hit the ceiling Im afraid hell hit the roof when he finds out our vacation is canceled. Officials went through the roof when a local newspaper published the report. Definitions (informal) 1. to get extremely angry; become furious 2. to rise or increase steeply See roof (sense 7) Example Sentences Including hit the roof A HearSay source told me: She rang him up and he started apologising but Myleene hit the roof. SUN, NEWS OF THE WORLD (2001) According to reports, when the king of bling discovered that the tiny one wanted to go under the knife, he hit the roof. MEGASTAR (2004) But French medics have hit the roof , despite having empty beds. SUN, NEWS OF THE WORLD (2001) He dropped flat, rolled as far under the car as he could get, heard the two shots, in rapid succession, hit the roof of the car. Cleary, Jon MURDER SONG He had read Karl Markss review in the NME of Berlin at the Harp, and he had hit the roof. David Cavanagh MUSIC FOR BOYS (2003) Id go shopping for food and wed run out of money in the middle of the week and hed hit the roof. Butterworth, Jane WHY AM I AFRAID TO DIVORCE? IF YOUR credit card bill went skywards over Christmas, there is no need for you to hit the roof. THE MERCURY, SUNDAY TASMANIAN (2005) If a Labour leader did what the Taoiseach did two weeks ago, the business media would have hit the roof. IRISH TIMES (2002) She asked where they met and when he told her the bar of his club, she hit the roof. Pacter, Trudi YELLOW BIRD Extra Easily Confused Words Worksheet (Usage) There are many words that students often confuse for other words when they are writing. This worksheet will aid you in learning the correct meanings for these confusing words while learning how to correctly use them. To/Too/Two “To” is a preposition or part of an infinitive. It introduces a prepositional phrase or comes before a verb. It often answers the question where? Example: Jason is going to the store. “Too” is an adverb meaning also or very. Example: Juan felt too confused to ask any questions. “Two” is an adjective; it is the name of a number. Example: Raphael got two A’s on his report card. Quite/Quit/Quiet “Quite” is an adverb meaning completely, very, or entirely. It rhymes with “fight.” Example: The instructor was quite surprised by the student’s answer. “Quit” is a verb meaning stop or cease. It rhymes with “sit.” Example: I hope Dan can quit smoking this time. “Quiet” is an adjective meaning calm, silent, or noiseless. As a verb, it means soothe or calm. As a noun, it means tranquility or peaceful. Example: When the professor began handing out the exams, the room suddenly went quiet. Where/Wear/Were “Where” is an adverb referring to a place or location. Example: The father said, “Where do you think you are going, young man?” “Wear” is a verb that means put on or tire out. When it is a noun, it means weakening. Example: The kids will wear (tire out) those shoes if they wear (put on) them too often. “Were” is a verb; it is the plural past tense of be. Example: The jeans were too tight for him. Threw/Through/Thru “Threw” is a verb, the past tense of throw, meaning tossed. Example: Michael threw the ball for the winning touchdown. “Through” is an adverb or a preposition meaning in one side and out the other. Example: The waitress yelled, “Be careful going through the door!” “Thru” is simply a variation of the word “through”. It is used in very informal writing only; “thru” is never considered correct in formal academic writing! Passed/Past “Passed” is a verb, the past tense of pass, meaning transferred, went ahead or by, elapsed, or finished. Example: The first runner passed (transferred) the baton to the second just as she passed (went by) the stands. Three seconds passed (elapsed) before the next runner came by. “Past” as a noun means history; as an adjective, it means former. Example: I must have been a dolphin in a past (former) life. Avoid digging up the past (history) if possible. Peace/Piece “Peace” is a noun meaning tranquility. “Piece” as a noun means division or creation. As a verb, it means patch, repair. Example: If you can piece (patch) together the pieces (divisions) of the story, perhaps we can have some peace (tranquility) around here. Weak/Week “Weak” is an adjective meaning flimsy, frail, or powerless. Example: The patient’s heartbeat was so weak (frail) that the doctor was certain he would be dead soon. “Week” is a noun meaning a period of seven days. Example: I only have a week to finish the report for my supervisor. Which/Witch “Which” is a pronoun dealing with choice. As an adverb, it introduces a subordinate (less important) clause. Example: Which (choice) type of soup do you want? This car, which (introduces subordinate clause) I have never driven, is the one I’m thinking of buying. “Witch” is a noun meaning sorceress or enchantress. Example: I don’t know which (choice) witch (enchantress) I should consult about my future. By/Buy/Bye “By” is a preposition used to introduce a phrase. Example: We stopped by to visit my grandmother in the hospital. “Buy” is a verb meaning purchase; as a noun, it means bargain or deal. Example: That car was a great buy (deal). “Bye” is an interjection used in place of goodbye. Example: I turned and waved bye to my friends. Dear/Deer “Dear” is an adjective meaning valued or loved. Example: My dear daughter’s favorite movie is Miss Congeniality. “Deer” is a noun referring to an animal. Example: Yesterday while I was driving, a deer ran out in front of my car. Weather/Whether “Weather” is a noun referring to the condition outside. Example: The weather has gotten gloomy. “Whether” is an adverb used when referring to a possibility. Example: Let me know whether or not you are interested in the new class. Than/Then “Than” is a conjunctive word used to make a comparison. Example: I like cheese cake better than pie. “Then” is an adverb telling when or meaning next. Example: Then (next), the group discussed the ways in which the new procedures would work better. Choose/Chose “Choose” is a verb meaning select. It rhymes with “bruise.” Example: I will choose the same item off the menu that I had last week. “Chose” is the past tense of choose; it means selected. It rhymes with “hose.” Example: Henry chose flex hours on Friday afternoons. Loose/Lose/Loss “Loose” is an adjective meaning free, unrestrained, or not tight. It rhymes with “goose.” Example: The chickens ran loose in the yard. “Lose” is a verb meaning misplace, to be defeated or fail to keep. It rhymes with “shoes.” Example: Where did you lose your umbrella? “Loss” is a noun meaning defeat, downturn, or the opposite of victory or gain. It rhymes with “toss.” Example: The investors will lose (fail to keep) considerable capital if the market suffers a loss (downturn). Advice/Advise “Advice” is a noun meaning suggestion or suggestions. It rhymes with “ice.” Example: That was the best advice (suggestion) I’ve received so far. “Advise” is a verb meaning suggest to or warn. It rhymes with “wise.” Example: We advise (suggest to) you to proceed carefully. Affect/Effect “Affect” is a verb meaning alter, inspire or move emotionally or imitate. Example: How will this plan affect (alter) our jobs? “Effect” is a noun meaning consequences; as a verb, it means cause. Example: What effects (consequence) will this restructuring have on profits? Accept/Except “Accept” is a verb meaning to receive willingly or to approve. Example: This instructor accepts late essays. “Except” is a verb meaning to exclude or leave out. Example: I love all cats, except black ones. Idea/Ideal “Idea” is a noun meaning a concept or notion. Example: That is a brilliant idea! “Ideal” is a noun that means standard of perfection; as an adjective it means conforming to what is viewed as perfect. Example: Michelle has the ideal schedule this semester. Already/All ready “Already” is an adverb meaning as early as this, previously, or by the same time. Example: We had already (previously) finished the job. At the age of four, Bridgette is already (as early as this) reading. “All ready” means completely ready. Example: We are all ready (completely ready) to go to the movies. Altogether/All together “Altogether” is an adverb meaning entirely or completely. Example: These claims are altogether (entirely) false. “All together” means simultaneously. Example: The audience responded all together (simultaneously). Everyday/Every day “Everyday” is an adjective meaning ordinary or usual. Example: These are our everyday (usual) low prices. “Every day” means each day. Example: The associates sort the merchandise every day (each day). Maybe/May be “Maybe” is an adverb meaning perhaps. “May be” is a verb phrase meaning might be. Example: Maybe (perhaps) the next batch will be better than this one. On the other hand, it may be (might be) worse. Remember: The following words should always be separated, even though it is common to see them put together: All right Even though we often see this word written in informal documents, there is no such word as “alright.” A lot Even though we often see this word written in informal documents, there is no such word as “alot.” The two words must always be separated. Example: I thought it was all right that we allotted tickets to a lot of our best customers. Remember: None of the possessive pronouns are spelled with an apostrophe: mine, your, yours, his, hers, their, theirs, ours, and whose. An apostrophe in a pronoun is always replacing a missing letter in a contraction. The following are examples of contractions and words that they are commonly confused with. It’s/Its “It’s” means it is or it has. Example: It’s such a nice day. “Its” shows ownership before a noun. Example: Look at my book; its cover is ripped. You’re/Your “You’re” means you are. Example: You’re going to need a pen for the exam. “Your” shows ownership before a noun.. Example: Is this your pen? They’re/Their/There “They’re” means they are. Example: I found your glasses; they’re on the kitchen table. “Their” shows ownership before a noun. Example: Do you have their new address? “There” is an adverb used to show a place. Sometimes it is also used to start a thought when the true subject follows the verb. Example: Put the heavy box right there. I suspect that there are several files missing. There will be no meeting today. Who’s/Whose “Who’s” means who is or who has. Example: Who’s in charge of ordering the supplies? “Whose” shows ownership before a noun. Example: Whose book is on my desk? Our/Are “Our” shows ownership before a noun. Example: Where is our checkbook? “Are” is a verb. Example: Where are my keys? Could’ve/Could of “Could’ve” is the contraction for could have; therefore, “could of” (or “would of” or “should of”) is always incorrect! Example: If she had known I was worried, I am sure she would’ve (would have) called. Sources: Grammar That Works by Ann Honan Rodrigues Writing Skills Success in 20 Minutes a Day by Judith F. Olson Created by Jacqueline Myers for the Learning Enhancement Center
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:21:59 +0000
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