Episode 45

EPISODE 45
LEVEL A1.2/A2.1

 

READING COMPREHENSION

 

IDIOMS TO TALK ABOUT HOLIDAYS 

 

I know I need to get away from it all (= to run away from all everyday problems), so I’ve decided to have a short break (= to have a short holiday) and spend some time in the middle of nowhere (= far from other places).
I like places off the beaten track (= places where not many people go) and I usually travel light (= without taking heavy things) so I don’t think I will take too much luggage with me. I hope I will have a whale of a time (= a great time, a lot of fun) because I think I will go hiking every day which I really love. I’m sure I will recharge my batteries (= I will feel energetic again) because my destination is peaceful and quiet without any people around. After a week I will probably think there is no place like home (= I will be happy to come back home).

 

More contexts for the new words:

• It’s just what the doctor ordered.
  (= It’s exactly what I needed.)

 

 

EXERCISE 1

Match the columns to make correct expressions.

 

1. there is no place        a. nowhere
2. have a whale of         b. break
3. recharge                     c. track
4. get away                     d. like home
5. in the middle of        e. a time
6. off the beaten            f. my batteries
7. have a short              g. from it all

 

 

EXERCISE 2

Complete the questions with the key words from the text. Then answer them.

 

1. Do you usually take a lot of luggage, or do you prefer to travel ………………………..? Why?
2. What do you usually do to recharge your ………………………..?
3. Where do you usually go when you need to get away ……………………….. it all?

 

ENGLISH IN USE 

 

This time we will focus on talking about the future once again. The sentences for today are:

I don’t think I will take too many things with me.
I think I will take too many things with me.

As you can see, in both sentences we use „will”. The part of the sentence with future simple tense stays the same. When we want to make a negative sentence, we change the part of the sentence with „think”. And here some more examples:

I think the weather will be nice.
I don’t think the weather will be nice.

I think I will buy it.
I don’t think I will buy it.

.

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

A/ What are your plans for the next long weekend?

B/ I think I will LET MY HAIR DOWN.

 

If you let your hair down, you behave more freely than usual and enjoy it.

 

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

1. If a train PULLS IN, it arrives at a station.

The train pulled in exactly on time.

 

2. If a train PULLS OUT, it leaves a station.

I didn’t catch the train – it was pulling out just as I arrived at the platform.

 

 

 

EXERCISE 3

Complete the dialogues with person’s B replies. Use the prompts in brackets and the idiom/phrasal verbs you have learned.

 

A: Did the train arrive on time?

B: [Yes] ……………………………………………………………

A: And did you manage to relax during the trip?

B: [Yes] ……………………………………………………………

A: I’ve heard you didn’t catch the connecting train.

B: [No] ……………………………………………………………

 

 

NEWS

 

 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

One of the latest surveys suggests that the majority of Poles do not travel anywhere during their summer holidays, and even a greater percentage choose to stay at home during the winter break. During the summer months, 56% of people in Poland usually stay at their usual place of residence, and 70% do so during the winter months. When asked to give reasons for this lack of travelling, most respondents mention having inadequate funds. Unfortunately, travelling on holidays is still too expensive for the average Pole. The second reason involved children and pets, and not having anyone to leave them with. Obviously, it’s hard to leave a dog or a child in an empty flat for a week. The third explanation was – surprisingly – laziness. Many people are too lazy to do research into holiday offers, and to check the prices and the destinations, so they choose the easier version – stay at home and watch TV!

 

 

GLOSSARY

– place of residence – home

– lack of – no

– inadequate funds – too little money

– destinations – places we travel to

 

 

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