IDIOM

"fill up on" = become full

"Hey, don't fill up on potato chips before lunch. You still need to eat your vegetables."

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"whip up" = quickly prepare

"Could you whip up a simple salad for the barbecue?"

IDIOMS

"no spring chicken" = no longer young don't think he'll be able to hike to the summit because he's no spring chicken."

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"play it safe" = be careful and not take chances

"My knee still hurts, so I'm going to play it safe and not go jogging todayo longer young ."

Train Your Accent

Actual Transcription

I have decided to move out of my parents' place to live on my own, and now I am looking for an apartment. However, it is a lot more difficult and expensive than I thought. First of all, a one-bedroom apartment is going for about $500, and that is a little over my budget. Second, you have to pay a deposit, often equal to your first month's rent. Next, most apartments are not furnished, so I have to come up with furniture and a washer and dryer. Finally, the utilities, including gas, electricity, and water are not included either, so that adds to the overall expenses of having your own place. I really think I need to get a roommate, or I will have to move back in with my parents.

Reduced Speech:

I've decided tə move out əf my parents' place tə live on my own, ən' now I'm looking fər ən apartment. However, it's ə lot more difficult ən' expensive than I thought. First əf all, ə one-bedroom apartment is going fər əbout $500, ən' that's ən' little over my budget. Second, yə have tə pay ə deposit, often equal tə your first month's rent. Next, most apartments aren't furnished, so I have tə come up with furniture ən' ə washer ən' dryer. Finally, thə utilities, including gas, electricity, ən' water are not included either, so that adds tə thə overall expenses əf having your own place. I really think I need tə get ə roommate, ər I'll have tə move back in with my parents.

IDIOMS

catch one's eye" = attract one's attention

"She was planning on renting a compact car, but a nice sports car caught her eye, and she left the parking lot with it."

 

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"pay through the nose" = pay a great deal for something, sacrifice for

"You'll pay through the nose to rent a car during the holiday season."

Airport Announcement

Hello. Passengers of flight 17 bound for Caracas, with stops in Atlanta and Miami. The departure gate has been changed to 30B. Also, there will be a slight departure delay due to inclement weather outside. The ground crew is in the process of deicing the wings in preparation for departure. It also looks like the flight is slightly overbooked, so we are offering complimentary round-trip tickets to a few passengers willing to take a later flight. We should be boarding about a quarter to the hour. Thank you for your patience.

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Key Vocabulary

 

• inclement (adjective): severe
  - The game was canceled due to inclement weather.
• crew (noun): an organized group of workers
  The ship's crew were very helpful during the cruise.
• deice (verb): make or become free of frost or ice, defrost
  - You need to deice the windshield this morning. It dropped below freezing last night.
• overbook (verb): too many seats, for example, have been reserved in advance
  - Airlines tend to overbook seats on their flights which can be an inconvenience to some passengers.
• complimentary (adjective): free, gratuitous
  This hotel provides a complimentary breakfast for all its guests.
• board (noun): to get on an aircraft, ship, train, bus, etc.
  - We should board the train at least ten minutes before departure.

Idioms and expressions

hot under the collar" = get angry

"Many of the passengers got really hot under the collar when they found out the plane would be delayed another two hours."

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"strike up" = begin a conversation

"He struck up a conversation with another passenger and found out that they attended the same high school."

Fast Food Restaurant

When I need a bite to eat, I often drop by a local fast food restaurant and buy a quick meal. I usually order a cheeseburger, a large order of fries, and a medium-size drink. On the cheeseburger, I ask them to put everything on it: onions, lettuce, mustard, ketchup, pickles, and tomato, but I ask them to hold the mayonnaise. I also order some water to wash everything down. If I'm really famished, I might order a chocolate shake. I sometimes pick up something for my roommate who eats like a horse, so I have to order at least three hamburgers. I usually pay with cash, but I sometimes pay for the meal using my debit card. I don't eat fast food too often because it contains a lot of fat, but more and more restaurants are offering healthier choices like salads and chili, so there's usually something for everyone.

Vocabulary

• cafeteria
• coffee shop
• deli
• fast food restaurant
• pizzeria (pizza parlor)

• atmosphere
• booth
• cheap / reasonable / expensive
• chef
• customer
• delicious
• decor
• host (hostess)
• meal
• menu
• receipt
• reservation
• server
• service
• special of the day
• table
• tip (gratuity)

Discount Clothing Store

Discount Clothing Store

One of my favorite places to shop is a discount clothing store in my town. The store sells both new and used clothing, but everything is in good condition, and the prices are unbeatable. All of the clothing is hanging on racks for you to see, and there are sections for children, men, and women's clothing. If you find something you like, you can try it on in the dressing room. If it doesn't fit, or you don't like the way it looks on you (e.g., it's too tight or baggy on you), then you can just return it to the rack. A price tag on the clothing indicates its price, but if you find a flaw in the clothing, you might be able to receive an additional discount. The store will also alter your clothing for a small fee. Once you've decided on the items you want, you can purchase everything at the checkout counter. The store accepts cash, debit and credit cards, and personal checks. If you decide later that you want to return something, you have two weeks to return it to the store, with the receipt, for a full refund or store credit.

Where do you usually buy your clothing? Have you every purchased clothing from a used clothing store? Why or why not? Is used clothing in fashion in your hometown?

Internet shopping has become very popular in recent years, including buying used clothing. Imagine you have only $100 to spend on clothing for the next school year. How many things could you buy for that amount of money? Search online and compare your shopping list with someone else. How can find the best bargains?

Bank Services

Yesterday, I went to a bank to open up a savings and checking account. I deposit about $300 every month in my savings account to save money for major purchases or for a rainy day when I have unexpected expenses. My paycheck is deposited directly into my checking account, and I write out checks to pay my bills. My checking account is free if I maintain a minimum balance of $25 in the account. I also have about $100 automatically transferred from my checking to my savings account on a monthly basis. The accounts earn very little interest, but it's better than earning nothing. Therefore, I also have a certificate of deposit that earns a higher rate of interest, but I can't withdraw the money from the account for one year. Actually, I need money because I'm planning on taking out a student loan to pay for college tuition. Also, I rent a safety deposit box at the bank and store my valuables there including important documents, some coins and jewelry, and the deed, or ownership record, to my house. Finally, I can exchange my money into the currency of other countries, or I can buy traveller's checks before I depart on a trip.

Part II: Discussion

More and more students are getting into debt because they don't know how to manage their money and avoid spending beyond their means. What are some ways that students can save money and still pay for living expenses

1. apply for a credit card
2. buy traveler's checks
3. cash a check
4. check your account balance
5. deposit money
6. exchange money
7. fill out a withdraw slip
8. open a checking account
9. open a savings account
10. order checks
11. pay off a loan
12. pay your bills online
13. rent a safety deposit box
14. review your bank statement
15. take out a loan
16. talk with a bank teller
17. talk with the bank manager
18. transfer money
19. use a debit card
20. withdraw money

Idioms and expressions

foot someone a loan" = loan someone money

"Uh, I was wondering if you could foot me a loan until I can get to the bank tomorrow."

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"fork over" = give up something like money

"Hey, fork over cash you owe me! I don't want a check."

Beginner Dialogues - In a Shop

Shopping for a Sweater

1. Can I help you
2. Yes, I'm looking for a sweater

1. What size are you
2. I'm an extra large

1. How about this one
2. Yes, that's nice. Can I try it on

1. Certainly, there's the changing rooms over there.
2. Thank you.

1. How does it fit
2. It's too large. Do you have a large

1. Yes, here you are.
2. Thank you. I'll have it, please.

1. OK, how would you like to pay
2. Do you take credit cards

1. Yes, we do. Visa, Master Card and American Express.
2. OK, here's my Visa.

1. Thank you. Have a nice day!
2. Thank you, goodbye.

Key Vocabulary

Can I help you
Can I try it (them) onsize - extra small, small, medium, large, extra large
How does it fitchanging rooms
How would you like to pay credit cards

Beginner Dialogues - At the Airport

Checking In

1. Good morning. Can I have your ticket, please
2. Here you are

1. Thank you. Would you like smoking or non-smoking
2. Non-smoking, please

1. Would you like a window or an aisle seat
2. An aisle seat, please.

1. Do you have any baggage
2. Yes, this suitcase and this carry-on bag

1. Here's your boarding pass. Have a nice flight.
2. Thank you.

Passport Control

1. Good morning. Can I see your passport
2. Here you are.

1. Thank you very much. Are you a tourist or on business
2. I'm a tourist.

1. That's fine. Have a pleasant stay.
2. Thank you.

Key Vocabulary

Can I have your ticketsmoking, non-smoking
window, aisle seat
baggage, suitcase, carry-on bag
boarding pass
flight
Can I see your passport tourist, business

Beginner Dialogues - At the Airport

Checking In

1. Good morning. Can I have your ticket, please
2. Here you are

1. Thank you. Would you like smoking or non-smoking
2. Non-smoking, please

1. Would you like a window or an aisle seat
2. An aisle seat, please.

1. Do you have any baggage
2. Yes, this suitcase and this carry-on bag

1. Here's your boarding pass. Have a nice flight.
2. Thank you.

Passport Control

1. Good morning. Can I see your passport
2. Here you are.

1. Thank you very much. Are you a tourist or on business
2. I'm a tourist.

1. That's fine. Have a pleasant stay.
2. Thank you.

Key Vocabulary

Can I have your ticketsmoking, non-smoking
window, aisle seat
baggage, suitcase, carry-on bag
boarding pass
flight
Can I see your passport tourist, business

ّIdiom

'to swallow the dictionary' / 'to swallow a dictionary'

Meaning: to use long and unnecessarily complicated words and expressions, especially in normal conversation.

Example: "He talks like he has swallowed a dictionary, I can't understand half of what he says."

Inspiring Thoughts

Anger is a condition in which

the tongue works faster than the mind.

You can"t change the past,

but you can ruin the present

by worrying over the future.

Love...and you shall be loved.

All people smile in the same language.

40راه بهتر زیستن ورسیدن به خوشبختی

Lest You Forget These Three in life

Don’t waste these three: Time, Money and Energy.

Like these three: Kindness, Sympathy and Cordiality.

Hate these three: Injustice, Pride and Faithlessness.

Love these three: Bravery, Gentility and Affection.

Leave these three: Laziness, Talkativeness and Hurried Judgment.

Value these three: Intelligence, Ability and Happiness.

Control these three: Temper, Desire and Tongue.

Preserve these three: Good books, Good deeds and Good friends.

40راه بهتر زیستن ورسیدن به خوشبختی

Take a 10-30 minute walkevery day and while you walk, smile

It is the ultimatet anti-depressant

روزانه 10 تا 30 دقیقه به قدم زدن بپردازید، و در هنگام قدم زدن لبخند بزنید.

این بهترین داروی ضد افسردگی ست.

 Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day if you have to

 حداقل 10 دقیقه در روز با خود خلوت کنید، اگر لازم شد یک  قفل بخرید

. Buy aTiVo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more

sleep

با استفاده از ویدئو برنامه های تلویزیونی آخر شب و مورد علاقه تان را ضبط کنید، و بیشتر بخوابید.  

بقیه در روزهای بعد.....