Do you know the English expression “at the drop of a hat“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?
Keiko: Are you going to buy a new car?
Marie: I’d buy one at the drop of a hat if I could, but we can’t afford it.
Does it mean:
a) immediately
b) when someone drops their hat
c) much later
d) next week
The answer is below! ↓
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Answer: a) immediately
Do you know the English expression “to hand in (one’s) notice? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the answer?
Kate: I heard that Hiroko handed in her notice today.
Mari: No way! She didn’t tell anyone she was leaving!
Does it mean:
a) tell your boss you are going to quit
b) leave a job straight away
c) walk out of the office
d) be fired
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: a) tell your boss you are going to quit
Can you complete this expression? It means to learn the basics of something. For example, when you start a new job, you have to learn the basic duties of the job. You have to…
learn the….
a) action
b) post
c) figures
d) ropes
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: d) ropes
Learn the ropes
Can you complete this English expression? It means that something seems easy to do, but is actually difficult.
Easier said than….
a) did
b) do
c) completed
d) done
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: d) done
Easier said than done!
Do you know the English expression “control freak”? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?
Emma: How is your new supervisor?
Leon: She’s a control freak. She wants to know what we are doing all the time.
Does it mean:
a) someone who supervises other people
b) someone who wants to control everything
c) someone who is annoying
d) someone who is in charge of something important
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: b) someone who wants to control everything
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Over summer, it was too hot to go running outside, so I went to the gym instead. I like the gym because I can use the weights, machines and other equipment after using the treadmill. However, we are only allowed to use the treadmills for 30 minutes at a time. I like to run for an hour or more.
Now that it is getting cooler, I’m going to start running outside again. I am also going to continue going to the gym. I think weight training is important, and it is also fun. The gym also has a rowing machine. Not many people use it, so it is usually free when I go.
The gym is good, but I still think running outside is better. I like the breeze and the fresh air, and I like being outside. I also like running long distances. I usually run 10km, but this autumn, I want to run 15km or 20km. Eventually, I’d like to run a half marathon, and then maybe a full marathon, but I’ll have to train harder for that!
I belong to a running club. Many members continued running through the summer. They ran early in the morning or late at night. I work early in the morning and at night, so my time to exercise is the afternoon – the hottest part of the day. I haven’t run outside for three months. It’s time to start again.
By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press
Do you know the English expression “many moons ago”? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?
Ian: Have you ever been to India?
Ben: Yes I have. It was many moons ago though.
Does it mean:
a) a few weeks ago
b) a long time ago
c) 50 years ago
d) a few days ago
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: b) a long time ago
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I decided to keep a diary in Chinese. When I study Chinese, I read, listen and speak it, but I rarely write it. Writing is important. On the HSK test, there are some writing questions, so I need to be able to write.
Also, writing is output. I need more output. I practice speaking with my teacher once a week, but this is not enough. I need to practice more. When I have my Chinese lesson, I ask my teacher to correct my mistakes, and then we talk about the content of my diary.
When I write in my diary, I use the grammar patterns I have studied. I try to use the vocabulary I have studied too. This helps me to remember words and phrases.
I don’t write in my diary every day. I usually write once or twice a week. I want to write more though. I will try to schedule more time into my days to write.
By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press
Do you know the English expression “to be in the driver’s seat”? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?
Pat: How many people are working on the project?
Chris: Just me and Michelle. She is in the driver’s seat, I just do what I’m told.
Does it mean:
a) be in control
b) be in trouble
c) be driving
d) be sitting in a car
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: a) be in control
Do you know the English expression “to jump down (someone’s) throat? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?
Dan: Did you talk to Neil about his gambling?
Sue: Yes. When I told him to stop, he jumped down my throat.
Does it mean:
a) speak to someone in a nice way
b) speak to someone in a funny way
c) speak to someone in a polite way
d) speak to someone in an angry way
The answer is below!↓
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Answer: d) speak to someone in an angry way
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