C2 Proficiency: Key Word Transformation Training #3

This is another training worksheet to introduce some of the expressions that typically come up in part 4 of the proficiency use of English paper. Students work together to guess the meaning of the expressions from the context, then attempt to recall them to complete version 2. Download the handout below:

Then put students in pairs and have them ask and answer the discussion questions to put the language into more creative practice.

You could then use this quizziz game for spaced recall of the expressions.

Look at the expressions in bold and try to guess their meaning with a partner.

1. Young women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in engineering due to sexist preconceptions.

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2. People who earn under €10,000 a year are exempt from paying income tax.

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3. I am behind with my rent payments, I owe my landlord €1000.

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4. Whether he’s hot or not is beside the point, he’s my ex-boyfriend so you can’t date him.

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5. There is no question of him staying the night with us, he can get a hotel.

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6. New restrictions will come into force on Friday night.

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7. Going camping in the mountains does not appeal to me at all.

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8. The police ruled out the obvious suspect because he had an alibi for the night in question.

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9. They made the decision to get married on the spur of the moment.

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10. He has set his heart on going to LA to be an actor.

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11. When what really happened comes to light, you’re going to be in big trouble.

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12. I’m not nearly as good-looking as him, it’s not fair!

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13. It is a foregone conclusion that Man City will win the league now.

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14. I just took it as read that anyone who applied for the course would have the necessary qualifications.

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15. Sadly, he’s just not cut out to be a professional basketball player.

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16. I have no idea whatsoever who’s going to win this match.

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17. He came in for a lot of criticism after his comments to the press.

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18. My horse couldn’t keep pace with the rest of the riders and we soon fell behind.

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Version 2

Try to recall the expressions using the key words.

1. Young women are often put off pursuing careers in engineering due to sexist preconceptions. (DISCOURAGED)

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2. People who earn under €10,000 a year don’t have to pay income tax. (EXEMPT)

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3. I have missed a few of my rent payments, I owe my landlord €1000. (BEHIND)

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4. Whether he’s hot or not doesn’t matter, he’s my ex-boyfriend so you can’t date him. (BESIDE)

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5. There’s no way he is staying the night with us, he can get a hotel. (QUESTION)

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6. New restrictions will become law on Friday night. (FORCE)

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7. Going camping in the mountains does not interest me at all. (APPEAL)

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8. The police eliminated the obvious suspect because he had an alibi for the night in question. (RULED)

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9. They made the decision to get married on a whim. (SPUR)

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10. He is determined to go to LA to be an actor. (HEART)

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11. When what really happened is revealed, you’re going to be in big trouble. (LIGHT)

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12. He’s much better looking than me, it’s not fair! (NEARLY)

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13. Man City will definitely win the league now. (FOREGONE)

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14. I just assumed that anyone who applied for the course would have the necessary qualifications. (READ)

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15. Sadly, he just doesn’t have what it takes to be a professional basketball player. (CUT)

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16. I haven’t the foggiest idea who’s going to win this match. (WHATSOEVER)

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17. He received a lot of criticism after his comments to the press. (CAME)

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18. My horse couldn’t go at the same speed as the rest of the riders and we soon fell behind. (PACE)

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Discussion

Young women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in engineering due to sexist preconceptions.

1. Is this true? If so, what can be done to change the situation?

People who earn under €10,000 a year are exempt from paying income tax.

2. Should anyone else be exempt from paying tax? What can we do to cut down on tax avoidance?

Whether he’s hot or not is beside the point, he’s my ex-boyfriend so you can’t date him.

3. Is it ever ok to date a friend’s ex? Why? Why not?

New restrictions will come into force on Friday night.

4. What will you do if new coronavirus restrictions do come into force?

Going camping in the mountains does not appeal to me at all.

5. Does it appeal to you? Why? Why not?

They made the decision to get married on the spur of the moment.

6. Have you ever made a big decision on the spur of the moment?

He has set his heart on going to LA to be an actor.

7. What do you have your heart set on? What will you do to achieve it?

Sadly, he’s just not cut out to be a professional basketball player.

8. Do you think you’re cut out to be a professional sportsperson? Why? Why not? What skills/traits do you think you’re lacking?

He came in for a lot of criticism after his comments to the press.

9. Think of a celebrity who has come in for a lot of criticism recently. What did they do? Do you think the criticism was deserved? What’s your opinion of cancel culture?