edubest secondary english programme se module

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Pusat Tuisyen Didikan Genius

Edubest Secondary English Programme

SE1

Module 5

Name : ___________________________

COMPREHENSION

A. (i) Reading

Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Educational qualifications are considered to be very important in the modern world.

They are essential for people who want to find reasonably well-paid employment in

the professions. For this reason, most parents try to get their children to work hard at

school and achieve academic success by doing well in exams. Many parental

aspirations also include their children going to university and graduating with a

good degree.

Not all children, however, are capable of achieving academic success. This does not

matter as long as parents are willing to accept this, but it is quite common for parents

to think that all their children have to do is to study hard and they will pass their

exams. All too often, they just succeed in causing too much stress in their offspring,

with the result that the children either get ill or fail exams that they might otherwise

have passed.

There are some children who are quite bright, but who are simply not interested in

formal learning. Some might be of an artistic bent and wish to become an artist or

designer while some might have a talent for acting. Others may show an aptitude for

working with their hands, or want to start their own businesses and become

entrepreneurs.

It is perfectly possible for children to achieve such ambitions. However, their parents

may well have other ideas, which can lead to family conflict. Strangely enough,

many parents are often reluctant to allow children to follow in their footsteps. For

example, actors may not wish their children to have a career in the theatre, because of

the uncertainty of the profession. Business people may feel that their children will

have more status in an academic profession than in the world of commerce.

The opposite situation also arises. Parents who have worked hard to establish a

business may want their children to become part of it, only to find that their sons and

daughters prefer to look for completely different occupations.

Each generation has different ideas, making communication between the two

extremely difficult. Thus, has arisen the aptly named generation gap.

Edubest English Programme SE105 1

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A. (ii) Vocabulary Practice

a. Match each word in Column A with its meaning in Column B by writing the

corresponding letters in the box next to the word.

Column A Column B

1. degree a. outcome

2. stress b. goals

3. offspring c. business or trade

4. result d. university qualification

5. aptitude e. worry

6. ambitions f. jobs or professions

7. commerce g. ability

8. occupations h. children

( %)

b. Match each word in Column A with its opposite meaning in Column B by writing

the corresponding letters in the box next to the word.

Column A Column B

1. modern a. dull

2. success b. failure

3. accept c. ancient

4. common d. willing

5. bright e. slightly

6. conflict f. unusual

7. reluctant g. harmony

8. extremely h. reject

( %)

c. Choose the most appropriate word for each of the blanks.

communicate success stress well well-paid

1. People with good educational qualifications are likely to get ________________

jobs.

2. Not every child can do ________ in school.


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3. The generation gap happens when parents and children find it difficult to

___________________ with one another.

4. Though we work hard we may sometimes not get __________ results.

5. Children who face a ______________ school life can fall sick.

( %)

B. Comprehension

Answer these questions in full sentences based on the passage given.

1. In the modern world, what do many parents want for their children?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. What can happen to children if they face too much stress in their studies?

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. Other than doing well in examinations, name one other ability children could have.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________


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Discuss your answers with your classmates to the questions below. Then write out

each of your answers in one or two sentences.

4. Do you think that educational qualifications are important? Give your reasons.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

5. Give one advantage if children take up the careers that their parents want for them.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

6. Give one disadvantage if children take up the careers that their parents want for

them.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

7. Give an example when parents and children are not able to understand one another.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

( %)


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PHRASAL VERB

Faster and Slower

Read the following passage. Can you guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs in

bold?

'Go faster, Dad,' said Jimmy. 'The game starts in ten minutes.'

Jimmy's dad pressed his foot down on the accelerator. The car went I faster. The

fields and trees at the side of the road flashed past.

'Slow down, George,' said Jimmy's mum. 'It's much more important to arrive safely.

Anyway, the game doesn't start until half past seven.'

Jimmy's dad took his foot off the accelerator. The car went slower. They could read

the advertisements at the side of the road as they entered the town.

'Dad, Dad!' screamed Jimmy. 'Look at that poster. It says the game starts at seven

o'clock. Please rev up!'

'Keep your eyes on the road, George,' said Jimmy's mother. Then she added,

'Perhaps you could speed up a little.'

Jimmy's dad pressed his foot down on the accelerator again. The car suddenly went

faster.

'Pull over, George,' said Jimmy's grandma. She was sitting next to Jimmy in the back

seat. 'All this stopping and starting is making me feel sick.'

A Closer Look at the Meaning

bring forward

You bring forward an event, or bring it forward, when you make it happen

at an earlier time than you planned.

catch up

You catch up someone who is ahead of you, or catch up with them, when you

go faster than them and reach them.


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come on

You tell someone to come on to make them go faster or do something faster.

draw up

A car draws up somewhere when it stops there.

fall behind

You fall behind when someone is going faster than you and getting further

ahead.

flash past

Things flash past when they move, or seem to move, very fast while you are

standing still or moving more slowly.

hold up

You hold up someone, or hold them up, when you delay them.

hurry up

You hurry up when you start to go faster or do things faster.

keep up with

You keep up with someone when you go as fast as they are going.

lag behind

You lag behind when you move slowly so that other people get ahead of you.

pull over

A car pulls over when it goes to the side of the road and stops.

rev up

If you rev up a car's engine, you make it operate faster.

rush in

You rush in when you go into a place very fast.

slow down

You slow down when you start to move more slowly.

speed up

You speed up when you start to move faster.


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GRAMMAR

Adjectives

Adjectives are words used to describe nouns. Examples: a beautiful woman ,a

flowering plant ,a creative idea ,an enjoyable day

In comparing adjectives, there are comparative forms and superlative forms of

adjectives.

The comparative form, which is usually indicated by the suffix -er or by adding

the word more before the adjective, is used when two items are being

compared. Examples: the taller of the twins

James is busier than Joe

this room is more crowded than the next one

The superlative form, which is usually indicated by the suffix -est or by adding

the word most before the adjective, is used when three or more items are being

compared. Examples: Zoe is the youngest of the four girls

the funniest clown contest

this company provides the most reliable service

As adjectives are used to describe people, places and things in general, they are

used more widely in texts that involve the sharing of descriptions, information

and details. Examples of such text types are Factual Recounts, Information

Reports, Procedures, Narratives and Personal Recounts.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in the brackets.

1. The ________________ (melody) tune is both light-hearted and catchy.

2. He is a ______________ (distance) relative of mine.

3. Please keep this information to yourself. It is _______________ (confident).

4. My uncle was given a ______________ (talk) parrot but it refused to say a word.


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5. The _______________ (courage) firemen gave no thought to their own safety but

hoped only to save the lives of others.

6. We're so thankful to have such a ______________ (patience) teacher as Miss Koh.

7. 1 didn't know that my classmates would celebrate my birthday. What a

________________ (please) surprise!

8. The tailor measured me using his ___________________ (measure) tape.

9. That event was the most ________________ (memory) of all my childhood

experiences.

10. Our family only eats a particular brand of _____________ (fragrance) Thai rice.

11. He often dreams of sailing around the world in a ______________ (luxury) yacht.

12. We're getting our results tomorrow. I hope mine will be _____________ (favour).

13. It was kind of you to lend us a _________________ (help) hand.

14. This is an _________________ (introduce) offer. Buy now while stocks last!

15. This judge is reputed to be wise and ____________ (justice). He will judge the

case well.

( %)

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in the brackets.

1. In preparation for the hike, I have bought myself a pair of good _______________

(walk) shoes.

2. This flower is very attractive but it is also very _____________________ (poison).

3. The hands-on approach gave us ___________________ (practise) knowledge of

the subject.

4. This movie contains scenes that may not be suitable for children. ______________

(Parent) guidance is advised.

5. We are going to the new _________________ (Italy) restaurant down the road.


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6. Rohaida loves to dress up in _______________ (trend) outfits wherever she goes.

7. Since she dented his car, it is quite _______________ (reason) that she

compensates him for the damage.

8. Grandma gave me a ___________________ (value) bracelet for my last birthday.

9. 1 love to travel to places where I can admire ________________ (picture) scenery

and beautiful sights.

10. All he wanted to do was help but the result was _______________ (disaster).

11. My parents love to buy _______________ (educate) software programmes for my

brother and me.

12. This school has groomed many _______________ (talent) musicians in the past.

13. Although Timothy is so playful, his sister is very ___________________ (study).

14. Thank you for helping. That was really ________________ (thought) of you.

15. We will reach our destination once we get through this ____________________

(mountain) region.

( %)

Exercise 3

Choose the most suitable answer for each blank.

1. After solving the problem together, Robert and Murali have become _____ friends

than before.

(a) good (c) more better

(b) better (d) best ( )

2. Of all the subjects I have studied, I find that History is the ________.

(a) interesting (c) most interesting

(b) more interesting (d) less interesting ( )

3. Yours is the _______ group around. Can you lower your volume please?

(a) noisy (c) most noisy

(b) noisier (d) noisiest ( )

4. This drug has a _______ effect than the one the doctor prescribed previously.


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(a) great (c) greatest

(b) greater (d) more great ( )

5. Whose answer is the __________ - yours or mine?

(a) accuratest (c) most accurate

(b) more accurate (d) accurate ( )

6. Mrs Maniam gave us the ________ mangoes we've ever tasted.

(a) juice (c) juicier

(b) juicy (d) juiciest ( )

7. Julian is the ________ of the twins.

(a) old (c) elder

(b) older (d) eldest ( )

8. "The __________ Girl in the School" was a very popular book many years ago.

(a) Naughty (c) Most Naughty

(b) Naughtier (d) Naughtiest ( )

9. In this new year, I resolve to quit my bad habits and be a person _____ than before.

(a) responsible (c) less responsible

(b) more responsible (d) most ( )

10. Mine is the _______ room in the building, but it is also the coolest.

(a) most dark (c) darkest

(b) more dark (d) darker ( )

( %)

Exercise 4


1. Of all my relatives, I'm ______ to my cousin, Louisa.

(a) close (c) closest

(b) closer (d) most close ( )

2. They watch ________ cartoons as a form of stress relief.

(a) funny (c) more funnier

(b) funnier (d) funniest ( )

3. I was the _______ to arrive, so they made me buy them each a drink.

(a) later (c) late

(b) latest (d) most late ( )

4. We need to build a _______ society than what we have now.


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(a) gracious (c) more gracious

(b) less gracious (d) most gracious ( )

5. I would say that reading is a far _______ pastime than shopping.

(a) good (c) best

(b) better (d) gooder ( )

6. This expedition has proven that George is ____ than anyone else in the team.

(a) brave (c) bravest

(b) braver (d) more bravest ( )

7. Susie is the ______ member in our group. Her presence really boosts our morale.

(a) cheerfuler (c) more cheerful

(b) cheerfulest (d) most cheerful ( )

8. I haven't met anyone _____ than Teck Beng. He never seems to have enough.

(a) most greedy (c) greedier

(b) more greedy (d) greediest ( )

9. She is the __________ businesswoman of the year.

(a) more successful (c) successful

(b) most successful (d) successfullest ( )

10. He is the _______ of the Lim brothers and he is also the most helpful one.

(a) friendlier (c) friendliest

(b) most friendliest (d) more friendlier ( )

( %)

Exercise 5

In the following text of an advertising brochure, underline all the adjectives. There

should be 20 in total.

The new light-weight M-Buddy is the smallest and coolest handheld gaming

device available today. It comes in a range of attractive colours and combines

portability with the latest technology. Be totally impressed by the sharp graphics,

vivid colours, high speed and durability.

The M-Buddy has a complete range of highly entertaining and interactive

games. Each M-Buddy comes with four free games. With your purchase of the M-

Buddy, you can purchase each additional game at a special discount.


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You can bring your M-Buddy on a picnic or a holiday. You can play it alone or with

a friend. The M-Buddy is the perfect device to keep you and your loved ones

entertained.

( %)

Exercise 6

In the following story, fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in

the brackets.

The Tan family celebrates each new year with a 1. ______________ (wonder)

party. Their carefully planned parties are 2. _______________ (specially) and the

food is always 3. ______________ (taste). Mr and Mrs Tan will personally invite all

their 4. ____________(close) neighbours to the party and our family is always

included. Their parties are the 5. _____________ (good) times for us to catch up with

one another.

At the last party , Lily and Mavis, the Tan's 6. ___________ (create) daughters,

took charge of the games. We had the 7. _______________ (entertaining) time of our

lives. From the beginning of the games session, we laughed so much that towards the

end, our mouths were too 8._______________ (tire) to function normally.

After our games, we joined the adults in their singing contest and new year

lucky dip. The 9. ______________ (attract) prizes were contributed by the Rajendran

family who live next door. We also had a good time sharing our new year resolutions

with one another and enjoying the 10. _____________ (appetiser) buffet.

( %)

Exercise 7


1. As the saying goes, blood is ______ than water.

(a) more thicker (c) more thick

(b) thicker (d) thickest ( )

2. Lavender is her ______ flower and she likes its fragrance too.

(a) favourite (c) most favourite

(b) more favourite (d) favouritest ( )

3. Mrs Ferdinand's baby seems to be the _______ one I've ever seen.

(a) fussy (c) most fussy

(b) fussiest (d) more fussier ( )


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4. This documentary gives us a _____ look at the lives of real-life scientists.

(a) fascinate (c) fascinating

(b) fascination (d) fascinated ( )

5. He loves to drive _____ cars and drink expensive wines.

(a) fast (c) fastest

(b) faster (d) fasting ( )

6. We regret to inform you that your application has been _______ .

(a) success (c) successful

(b) succeed (d) unsuccessful ( )

7. Please tell me which is the _______ way to the community centre.

(a) quickest (c) quickiest

(b) quickliest (d) most quick ( )

8. Gopal told us an _____ tale about how his great-grandfather survived the war.

(a) incredibility (c) credible

(b) increditable (d) incredible ( )

9. The eccentric old man would drink nothing but _____ coffee all day long.

(a) Brazil (c) brazilian

(b) Brazilian (d) brazil ( )

10. When she heard the news, she collapsed on the floor into a _____ heap.

(a) formed (c) formless

(b) formful (d) form ( )

( %)

Exercise 8


1. A handshake is a more ______ way of greeting someone.

(a) former (c) formality

(b) formal (d) formed ( )

2. This muddy segment must be the ______ part of the river.

(a) dirty (c) dirtier

(b) most dirty (d) dirtiest ( )

3. I like his organised and ______ way of doing things.

(a) systematic (c) systematical

(b) system (d) systemic ( )


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4. Since we were not allowed to bring any _____ luggage, we had to leave some of

our belongings behind.

(a) exceed (c) excess

(b) exceeding (d) excessive ( )

5. You'll be ________ if you're willing to work harder.

(a) success (c) successfully

(b) successful (d) succession ( )

6. Rani is the ______ of the two sisters.

(a) serious (c) more serious

(b) seriouser (d) most serious ( )

7. _______ prizes await the winner of the short story writing competition.

(a) Attractive (c) Attract

(b) Attraction (d) Attracted ( )

8. Johari told her the _______ news as gently as he could.

(a) terror (c) terrorising

(b) terrible (d) terribly ( )

9. Our class believes that Mrs Goh is the ________ teacher in the entire school.

(a) strict (c) strictest

(b) stricter (d) strictliest ( )

10. I thought I was stubborn, but you are _____ .

(a) bad (c) worse

(b) badder (d) worst ( )

( %)

Listening and Speaking

A. Expressing an Opinion

When you express an opinion, you are stating your beliefs or ideas about a particular

subject or matter. These seem likely to be true, but they may not be based on

conclusive evidence.

To express an opinion:

1. State it is your opinion:


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My opinion is ...

As I see it , ...

My point of view is ...

I am convinced of/that …

To my mind …

2. If you are not absolutely sure, say:

I believe ...

It is my belief that . . .

It seems to me . . .

3. If your opinion is actually an expression of an intention (to do something), say:

I would like to . . .

I intend to . . .

4. When proposing an idea you would like people to agree with, say:

I suggest ...

I am toying with . . . (informal)

Sentences illustrating the above points:

(i) As I see it, I am mature enough to go to college.

(ii) I believe I can succeed in a difficult major such as Mathematics.

(iii) I intend to register for college when applications open.

(iv) I am toying with the idea of becoming a science teacher after university.

B. Expressing Agreement and Disagreement

It is not unusual to find that other people have the same beliefs or ideas as we do.

Then we may want to express agreement with or support of them. However,

there are also times when others do not share our opinions. Then we may want to

express our disapproval of or disagreement with them too.

1. When you want to assert your support for someone's opinion, you may

begin with:

I agree . . .

I'm in favour of . . .

I support . . .

I approve of . . .

I couldn't agree more . .

I'd go along with . . .

I'm in favour of your ideas.


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I support the resolution.

You may also use these modifiers:

exactly definitely absolutely

entirely reasonably fair enough

That is exactly what I think.

You are definitely right.

Your analysis is entirely correct.

2. To reject a proposal or an idea:

I can't accept . . .

I reject . . .

I cannot comply with .. .

I do not believe in.. .

I am against . . .

I disapprove of . . .

I differ .. .

I refuse . . .

I am afraid I do not agree . . .

I see your point but . . .

3. To disagree:

I think not.

I disagree.

Is that true?

I don't think much of ...

Is it the right way?

Your ideas are interesting but I don't think they are feasible.

I don't think much of buying a house.

I disagree with point B.

Writing

Personal Recounts – A Journal Entry

In this lesson, you will learn about how to write personal recounts. You will study the

example to discover the following:

Who the composition is written for and what its aim is

How the structure of the composition reflects these goals

The thinking skill of using your memory


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How you improve personal recounts by better observation

How to write informally but interest the reader

The importance of the simple past tense in recounts

Useful vocabulary to do with remembering

Read the example on the next page to learn how to write a good personal recount.


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A. Decide who will read the composition and what its aim is.

This is a diary or journal entry, mainly written for oneself. Presumably, the

writer hopes to record not only what happened but also his thoughts about it.

At some future date, the writer will return to read it.

Notice that the writer twice makes notes for himself about future behaviour.

Where does he do this?

B. Consider how the structure of the writing reflects these goals.

The basic structure of a personal recount is:

1. Orientation (unless you are writing one of many extracts in a diary/journal)

2. Sequence of events in chronological order

3. Personal comment (possibly)

There will be a series of events. In the example, these things happen:

1. The bus arriving early

2. The accident and slow journey

3. Getting caught studying Science by Mr. Toh

4. Detention

5. Avoiding Mark

6. Seeing Charlene

Notice that the events do not have to be connected in a diary. This writer

makes a connection between avoiding Mark and seeing Charlene (both are 'not

bad') but there is no need to connect events in a diary or journal recount.

Around the basic structure come the other features of a personal recount,

mostly personal comments. It is probably these personal comments in this case

that will make this worth reading later, but they would mean nothing without

the series of events.

C. Use your memory!

Many students faced with a personal recount composition complain that they

do not have enough to write about. If you use your memory, there is plenty to

write about!

At first, that visit you made to the school bookshop, for instance, might seem

too boring to write about, but if you recalled precisely what had happened, you


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could write a whole composition! There was that joke Ming Jin told you while

you were waiting. Then the bookshop lady embarrassed you by not knowing

what you wanted. Do you remember how you felt? That might lead you to

remember previous problems you have had in the shop and so on.

Associate words with other words . Remember by drawing pictures and

diagrams. If you feel that your memory truly is bad, get yourself a book on

improving your memory. You can improve it! You will need a good memory

throughout your life for all sorts of reasons. Start now!

► Grammar Focus : The importance of the simple past tense in

recounts

It's simple really. If you are going to recount - to tell about something that has

already happened - then the tense you will mostly be using is the simple past.

That's what recounting is - telling about the past.

You use the simple past tense for anything that happened in the past compared

to the 'now' of the writing. It might be a second ago or decades ago - it just has

to be in the past compared to 'now'.

If you are recounting events that happened, remember that once you have

started using the simple past tense, you continue unless there is a good reason

for changing the tense. And that good reason is usually (but not always) made

clear by other words in the sentence.

While the main tense will be the simple past, there will be other tenses as well,

as these examples illustrate:

I know I've failed it.

I should have revised properly…

If you forget to use the simple past tense when it is needed, you are going to

fail your examinations in English. It's that important and that simple. Work to

get this right!

A footnote: for some students, the problem is not knowing what a verb is. If

you are one of these students, get remedial help now. Your writing will not

improve as much as it could if this problem persists.


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D. Improve recounts by better observation

You cannot include details and names - and therefore score good marks if you

do not observe much in the first place - if you go round with your eyes closed!

So make an effort to be awake - except when in bed!

Let your mind visualise the scene. What was right in front of you? What colour

was it? Where did it/he go? Was it sunny or cloudy? Hot or just very warm?

Run the scene through your senses:

1. What could you hear?

2. What could you smell?

3. What did the object feel like?

4. Could you taste the object? What did it taste like?

5. What could you see?

If you think your observation is weak, practise remembering. Play Kim's

Game: get someone to hide a number of objects under a cloth. Take the cloth

away and observe the objects for a minute. Put the cloth back. Now write down

a list of all the objects. It is good fun and stimulates the memory.

Remembering details will help you when you write many compositions, not

just recounts.

E. Write informally to interest your reader.

The tone of your diary entry will probably reflect your mood when you write it

more than any other kind of writing. You can 'be yourself' more in this type of

composition than any other. But remember that if you are doing a personal

recount for a teacher or examiner, you have another reader who needs to be

pleased!

You can be light-hearted and make a joke of things, as in the conclusion:

Perhaps I should get myself a detention every day. Only joking!

You can include your own personal comments of any kind, but remember to be

sensible if you know that your writing will be read and given a mark!


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► Vocabulary Corner : Useful vocabulary to do with remembering

A recount obviously involves remembering. Here are some words and phrases

that may help you remember things more precisely. You know most of these

words when you meet them in reading - but do you use them when you write?

Box 1

touch finger tap grab press

grasp handle paw pat snatch stroke

In Box 1 are verbs for describing different ways of touching. Write sentences using

them.

Box 2

see stare gaze witness notice observe

glimpse peek glance peer distinguish

In Box 2 are verbs to describe different kinds of seeing. In each case, who do you

imagine is seeing and what are they seeing?

If you have problems with the above activities, remember to consult your dictionary.


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Exercise

Instructions: Write an essay about a memorable surprise party for your father.


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Exercise

Instructions: Write an essay about a memorable holiday with your best friends.


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Language Arts

to be green : inexperienced, immature

He is rather green and doesn’t have enough experience to drive the large piece

of machinery yet.

green with envy : full of envy, very jealous

I was green with envy when I heard that she would be going to London for a

month while I had to stay and work.

give someone the green light : give permission to go ahead with a project

We were finally given the green light to begin setting up the new project.

get the green light : receive permission to go ahead with a project

We got the green light to go ahead with the new advertising campaign.

grass is always greener on the other side : a place that is far away or different

seems better than where we are now

He realized that the grass is always greener on the other side when he saw

that his new job wasn’t perfect and had its own problems too.

green belt : an area of fields and trees around a town

The city has a policy of increasing the green belt around the city.

green thumb : a talent for gardening, ability to make things grow

She has a green thumb and is able to grow one of the best gardens in our

neighbourhood.


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a golden opportunity : a great opportunity that might never come again

This is a golden opportunity to make a business deal with that big company.

a golden handshake : a large sum of money paid to a retiring manager or

director, or to a redundant worker.

The company chairman received a huge golden handshake on retiring.

a golden boy : a young man idolized for a great skill, usually in sport.

“David Beckham is the golden boy of English soccer”

tickled pink : be very pleased, thrilled, delighted

She was tickled pink that you made the effort to go and visit her when you

were in town.

to be shown the red card : to be dismissed from your job.

“The accountant was shown the red card for hiding company money.”

to be in the red : to have an overdraft, to be in debt.

”I am overdrawn again. I hate being in the red.”

to catch someone red-handed : to catch someone in the act of committing a crime,

usually a theft.

“ The manager caught the new employee red-handed taking money out of the

box.”


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to look through rose-coloured/tinted spectacles : to see things in a flattering or

over-optimistic light.

“It annoys me that she sees everything through rose-coloured spectacles, but

she would feel differently if she had to live there.”

to see red : to react with uncontrollable rage against someone or something.

“John saw red when he saw his girlfriend laughing with another guy.”

red tape : bureaucratic delay, excessive attention to rules and regulations, often

resulting in injustice to the ordinary citizen.

“I want to start a new business but the red tape involved is very frustrating.”

to see the red light : to recognize approaching danger, the red light being a

danger signal.

“When the doctor warned his patient that further drinking would damage his

liver, the man saw the red light and quit.”

paint the town red : go out and party and have a good time

“ When my cousin came to visit us we decided to go out and paint the town

red.”

roll out the red carpet : greet a person with great respect, give a big welcome

When Nelson Mandela visited Washington, they rolled out the red carpet and

gave him a great welcome.

a redneck : an ignorant, insensitive person.

“Our new co-worker is a real redneck. He doesn’t seem to know anything

about life.”


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Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks.

1. They caught the thief ____________ .

2. I'm overdrawn again- my account's ___________.

3. It's his first week in the job, so he's really __________.

4. What a beautiful car ! I was _________________.

5. A person who is very concerned about the environment is ____________.

6. Forms, paperwork and bureaucracy are sometimes called ____________ .

7. Mr. Cameron is very important to the success of this programme. Make sure to roll

out the _______________ when he arrives.

8. We’re looking for a new home in the _____________. We love greenery

surrounding.

9. Jack gave me the ______________ on the project. I was resposible to get it done

by next month.

10. Don’t you know anything? You are a ______________.

( %)

Exercise 2

Write the correct idiom for each meaning.

1. be very pleased, thrilled, delighted ______________________

2. a large sum of money paid to a retiring manager ______________________

3. a young man idolized for his great skill in sport ______________________

4. go out and party and have a good time ______________________

5. a great chance that is rare ______________________

( %)


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Glossary

academic adjective

connected with education and studying; involving a great deal of reading and

studying, rather than practical skills.

academic noun

a person who teaches or carries out research at a university or college.

ambition noun

1 something which you want to achieve very much.

2 a strong desire for success, especially success in your job.

aptitude noun

a natural ability or skill at something.

artistic adjective

1 showing a natural skill at, or enjoyment of, art; showing a natural skill at, or

enjoyment of, the creative arts, such as music.

2 connected with art or artists.

3 showing taste and imagination; attractively made or designed.

aspiration noun

(formal) a strong desire or hope to achieve something.

aspire verb

to want very much to achieve something or to become someone.

bent noun

a natural ability, skill or interest in something.

commerce noun

the activities connected with business or trade; the large-scale buying and

selling of goods and services.

commercial adjective

connected with business or trade.

communication noun

the exchange of information or the expression of ideas or feelings between

people, for example, by speaking, letters, telephone, emails, sign language,

etc.


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entrepreneur noun

a person who sets up a new business or businesses, especially when this

involves financial risk, in the hope of making a profit and getting a lot of

money.

footsteps , follow in your footsteps

to act in the same way, often to do the same work, as someone else has done

before you.

generation gap noun

the difference in attitudes, behaviour, tastes, experience, etc between younger

and older people, which can lead to a lack of understanding.

graduate verb

to receive a degree from a university or college.

graduate noun

a person who has obtained a degree from a university or college.

occupation noun

a job or profession.

offspring noun

(often humorous) 1 the child of a particular person or couple.

2 the young of an animal or plant.

profession noun

a job which requires a high level and/or specialist training.

professional adjective

connected with the professions.

status noun

1 the position of someone in relation to other people in society, a profession, a

group, etc.

2 a high position in relation to other people in society, a profession, a group,

etc.

stress noun

1 worry and anxiety caused by overwork or some other difficult situation.

stressful adjective

1 causing stress; involving stress.


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2 the special importance or emphasis given to something.

3 an extra force or emphasis used when pronouncing a particular syllable or

word.

talent noun

a natural ability to do something well.

talented adjective

having talent.


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Pelan Lokasi

@ Pusat Tuisyen Didikan Genius

No.2-1, Jalan 4/109E, Desa Business Centre, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-7983 7650

http://www.edubest.com.my

edubest secondary english programme se module

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