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 first complete then ask and answer the discussion questions to put the language into more creative practice.
You could then use this quizizz game for future spaced recall/repetition of the expressions.
Version 1
- He bears a close resemblance to his uncle.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- The little boy was green with envy to see his cousin riding his new bike.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- She’s been a bit down in the mouth for the last few days.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Look on the bright side, at least it isn’t raining.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- The film is a far cry from the book.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- In his autobiography, he finally set the record straight about the infamous argument with his manager.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Listen, I’ll get straight to the point, we love the house and we want to make an offer.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Keep me posted on the progress with the order, you can call or text anytime.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- The England supporters put their team’s failure to qualify down to bad luck.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- The waiters at the restaurant couldn’t have been more attentive.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Listen, I think we got off on the wrong foot yesterday, can we start over?
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- The police think Julia had something to do with the robbery but I think they’re barking up the wrong tree.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- We can go and have a look but there’s no guarantee that there will be space to park.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- He prides himself on his ability to remember names and dates.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- She’s definitely at home, I caught a glimpse of her when she walked past the window.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- There were no rooms left in the hotel whatsoever.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- At the height of his success, he could get a table at any restaurant he wanted.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- There’s no telling how she’s going to react when you tell her.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- We need to face up to the fact that the money’s gone and we can’t get it back.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- I’m not averse to going to the cinema by myself.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- You’ll have to work your socks off if you want to impress the boss, she’s very demanding.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- I was really nervous when I met my girlfriend’s parents for the first time but they soon put me at ease.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
- Listen, I’ve said my piece, this matter is no longer open to discussion. Goodbye.
Meaning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Version 2
- He looks very similar to his uncle. (BEARS)
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- The little boy was very jealous to see his cousin riding his new bike. (GREEN)
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- She’s been a bit sad for the last few days. (MOUTH)
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- Be optimistic, at least it isn’t raining. (BRIGHT)
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- The film is very different from the book. (CRY)
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- In his autobiography, he finally told the truth about the infamous argument with his manager. (RECORD)
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- Listen, I’ll talk about the most important thing first, we love the house and we want to make an offer. (POINT)
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- Give me updates about the progress with the order, you can call or text anytime. (POSTED)
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- The England supporters said that bad luck was the reason for their team’s failure to qualify. (PUT)
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- The waiters at the restaurant were extremely attentive. (COULD)
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- Listen, I think we didn’t start our relationship well yesterday, can we begin again? (FOOT/START)
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- The police think Julia had something to do with the robbery but I think they’re choosing the wrong course of action. (TREE)
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- We can go and have a look but we can’t be sure that there will be space to park. (GUARANTEE)
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- He takes great satisfaction in his ability to remember names and dates. (PRIDES)
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- She’s definitely at home, I saw her briefly when she walked past the window. (CAUGHT)
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- There wasn’t a single room left at the hotel. (WHATSOEVER)
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- When he was most successful, he could get a table at any restaurant he wanted. (HEIGHT)
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- Who knows how she’s going to react when you tell her? (TELLING)
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- We need to accept the fact that the money’s gone and we can’t get it back. (FACE)
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- I don’t mind going to the cinema by myself. (AVERSE)
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- You’ll have to work very hard if you want to impress the boss, she’s very demanding. (SOCKS)
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- I was really nervous when I met my girlfriend’s parents for the first time but they soon made me feel comfortable. (EASE)
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- Listen, I’ve said what I want to say, I don’t want to discuss this matter anymore. Goodbye. (PIECE/OPEN)
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Conversation
Complete the questions, then ask and answer them with a partner.
- Which member(s) of your family do you …….. the closest resemblance to?
- Are you the kind of person that often feels green with …….. about your friends’ achievements or possessions? Do you think it’s normal to have these feelings? What can we do about them?
- If you’re feeling …….. in the mouth, how do you cheer yourself up? Are you someone who tends to look on the bright ……..? Or do you have a more gloomy outlook on life?
- Think of a place you’ve visited that was a far …….. from the place where you grew up. How was it different? Was it a good different or a bad different?
- If you have to talk to someone about a difficult subject, do you tend to get ……… to the point, beat around the bush or avoid confrontation altogether? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
- Think of a celebrity who has recently ……… the record straight about something they did or said in the past. What happened? Do you think they were right to speak out?
- When a person becomes extremely successful or famous, how much of their success do you think can be ……… down to luck and how much is about real talent?
- What’s the best customer service you’ve ever received? A place where the staff couldn’t ……… been more attentive. How did it make you feel? Does your country generally have good customer service?
- Have you ever ……… off on the wrong foot with someone and had to start ………? Did you then go on to become good friends with that person?
- Which of your skills/abilities do you pride yourself ………? Why do you think people tend to be overly modest or hide their best talents and abilities?
- Have you ever ……… a glimpse of a really famous celebrity? Where were you? What was the celebrity doing? If you could live that moment again, would you do anything differently?
- Think of an example of a famous person who is no longer at the height ……… their success. What are they doing now? Do you feel sorry for them?
- Are you someone who tends to ……… up to facts when they’re staring you in the face? Or are you sometimes in denial?
- “I’m not averse ……… going to the cinema by myself.” – Is this true for you? What are the pros and cons of going to see a film alone?
- Did/do you work your ……… off at school or uni? Or just coast along doing the bare minimum?
- How can the parents of a new girl/boyfriend ……… you at ease the first time you meet them? Have you ever been in this situation? How did it feel?
