Mind-Boggling Expressions with Mind

Image credit: thetraveledteacher.blogspot.com

Follow me on twitter @RobbioDobbio

I’m running the Barcelona Half-Marathon dressed as David Bowie to raise money for Cancer Research, sponsor me here:

https://www.justgiving.com/Timothy-Warre/

This is a vocabulary activity designed with proficiency students (C2) in mind. However, it can be adapted for advanced students. Students will learn expressions with the word “mind” and use them in a discussion. Download the students’ handout and teacher’s notes below:

Mind Expressions teachers notes

Mind Expressions student handout

Sentence completion

Give out the handout and have students work in pairs to complete as many as they can. For lower levels or if students struggle you could write all the missing words on the board and students could use them to complete the activity. Students can use the list on the back to check their own answers.

Key

1.       Great 2.       Load 3.       Meeting 4.       Frame/state 5.       Right 6.       Give piece 7.       Have own 8.       Boggling 9.       In/of 10.   Cast 11.   Bearing

12.   Crossed 13.   If do 14.   Half 15.   Sieve 16.   Tracked 17.   Running 18.   Put 19.   Own business 20.   P’s q’s 21.   Slipped

Definitions

1. Great minds think alike – When two people have had the same good idea
2. A load off one’s mind – news that brings relief
3. A meeting of the minds – group of experts meeting to discuss something
4. In a frame of mind – in a mental condition
5. No one in their right mind would – no sane person would
6. Give sb a piece of one’s mind – to angrily express disapproval to someone
7. Have a mind of its own – does things on its own
8. Mind-boggling – so big/complex that it’s difficult to comprehend
9. To be in/of two minds about something – to be undecided
10. Cast one’s mind back – think about a specific time in the past/make an effort to remember
11. Bear in mind/It’s worth bearing in mind – Remember/take into account
12. Cross one’s mind/It never crossed my mind to – I never thought about (normally in relation to a solution to a problem)
13. Don’t mind if I do – I would like to, used when accepting an offer, usually food/drink
14. Have half a mind to – to be considering doing something (normally something you’re not going to do)
15. Have a mind like a sieve – bad memory
16. Have a one-tracked mind – always thinking about one thing, almost always sex
17. Run through one’s mind – something you’re constantly thinking about
18. Put one’s mind to st – make a considerable effort to focus on doing something
19. Mind one’s own business – not interfere in other people’s lives/problems
20. Mind one’s p’s and q’s – be polite and follow social rules (please, thank you etc.)
21. Slip one’s mind – forget something

Analysis

This section is important as it gives students an opportunity to process the expressions on a deeper cognitive level and relate them to their lives, this will increase the chances of retention. Allow them to discuss the questions and then briefly in open class.

Discussion Key

1. Sieve slip
2. One
3. Cast
4. P’s q’s
5. Own business
6. Gave
7. Put
8. In/of
9. Right
10. Own
11. Bear
12. Load
13. Running

 

Student’s Handout

Sentence completion

Complete the sentences with 1 word to form expressions with “mind”.

1. So you’ve decided to do a masters too! ________ minds think alike!
2. They found the lost pendrive down the back of the sofa. Phew! That’s a ________ off my mind.
3. The UN has organised a council of scientists to discuss the best way to solve the issue, it’s going to be a real _________ of the minds.
4. Due to the recent speculation about a move to Real Madrid, the player has stated that he’s not in the right _________ of mind to play tomorrow.
5. No one in their _________ mind would buy that car, it’s a death-trap!
6. If you two don’t be quiet and go to sleep, I’m going to come up there and _____ you a ______ of my mind!
7. My mobile phone seems to _______ a mind of its _______. It’s always calling people in my bag.
8. The distances we’d have to travel to reach another habitable planet are mind-___________, it’s not going to be possible in our lifetime.
9. I’m ___ two minds about what to do on Sunday, we could have a picnic or we could go to the cinema.
10. ______ your mind back to the day of the robbery Mrs. Jones, what time did your husband arrive home?
11. It’s worth __________ in mind that the sun goes down at 5:30 in winter, so we have to be off the mountain by then.
12. It never ___________my mind to ask Tony for help, I figured he didn’t know anything about computers.
13. Would you like another martini George? Oooo don’t mind ____ I _____.
14. I have ______ a mind to go up there myself and tell them to turn the music down.
15. I’m sorry but I’ve completely forgotten your name, I’ve got a mind like a _________.
16. Most teenage boys have a one-_________ mind, and we all know what that means!
17. Hi babe, are you tired? No, why? Because you’ve been ________through my mind all night.
18. You can achieve anything if you ______ your mind to it!
19. I was just sat at the bus-stop minding my _____ _______ when this guy walked up and started insulting me!
20. You have to mind your ___’s and ____’s around my grandma, she’s quite sensitive about that sort of thing.
21. Oh no! I forgot to bring you that letter, sorry, it completely ________ my mind.

Key

Below are the expressions from ex 1. Look at them with a partner, how can you express them in other words?

1.       Great minds think alike 2.       A load off one’s mind 3.       A meeting of the minds 4.       In a frame of mind 5.       No one in their right mind would 6.       Give sb a piece of one’s mind 7.       Have a mind of its own 8.       Mind-boggling 9.       To be in/of two minds about something 10.   Cast one’s mind back 11.   Bear in mind/It’s worth bearing in mind

12.   Cross one’s mind/It never crossed my mind to 13.   Don’t mind if I do 14.   Have half a mind to 15.   Have a mind like a sieve 16.   Have a one-tracked mind 17.   Run through one’s mind 18.   Put one’s mind to st 19.   Mind one’s own business 20.   Mind one’s p’s and q’s 21.   Slip one’s mind

Analysis

With your partner, look at the expressions and answer the questions below.

1. Which ones are easy to guess from the individual meaning of the words?
2. Which ones do you like?
3. Which ones sound good?
4. Which ones can be used in the most situations? And which in the least?
5. Which ones can you easily relate to your life? Why?
6. Which ones would you use in a letter/email/text message?
7. Which ones would you use in speech?

Discussion

1. Do you have a mind like a ________? What things normally _______ your mind?
2. Is it true that men have a ______-track mind?
3. How far can you ______ your mind back?
4. Is it important to mind your ___’s and ___’s around your family?
5. Are you a busy-body? Or do you tend to mind your _____ _____________?
6. When was the last time you _______ someone a piece of your mind?
7. You can achieve anything if you ________ your mind to it. Do you agree?
8. Are you ____ two minds about anything at the moment?
9. Complete the sentence about something in your city/life/country at the moment: No one in their _______ mind would…..
10. Do any of your things have a mind of their ________?
11. What should people ________ in mind if they want to do your favourite hobby/past-time?
12. Can you think of any news you’ve received recently that was a _______ off your mind?
13. Has anything been __________through your mind a lot recently? What are you going to do about it?