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Real Language
Introduction
This lesson will help you learn or review some common expressions used in spoken English. “Real Language” refers to language that is used by English native speakers when interacting with one another. By learning and using this language, your English will sound more authentic and meaningful.
Part 1 Learning Expressions
Part 2 Mini Conversations
Part 3 Personalizing Expressions
Answers and Teachers' Notes
Part 1. Learning Expressions
The expressions in Column A are incomplete. You must match Column A with Column B in order to complete each expression. Try your best and guess as much as you need. After you have matched Column A with Column B, guess the meanings of the expressions by matching Column C with Column A.
Column A | Column B | Column C |
1. Hang __________ | a. into it | a. not interested in |
2. We get _____ very well | b. a deal | b. use a lot of effort |
3. throw a __________ | c. way | c. being very busy |
4. I was like no ______ | d. into it | d. take care of it |
5. It's not too big _______ | e. around | e. have a party |
6. I wasn't really ______ | f. as much as | f. fit in a lot |
7. deal with _______ | g. party | g. spend time (doing nothing special |
8. put a lot of energy _____ | h. out | h. our relationship is very good |
9. running _____ | i. along | i. It's not a big problem |
10. jam in ______ possible | j. it | j. I though "no/not possible" |
In pairs, practice the expressions or “chunks” of language you have just reviewed.
1. | Friend One: | Hey, I called you yesterday. Your weren't home all day long. Where were you? |
| Friend Two: | Yesterday, I was _________ trying to finish packing for my trip. I was so busy. In the morning I had to go to the passport office, the insurance office, the medical clinic and then the rest of the day I spent visiting relatives |
| Friend One: | I know what you mean. Getting ready for a long trip can really take a lot of time. |
2. | Acquaintance One: | My sister and I ________ really well. We have a great time going shopping together, watching movies and talking about life. |
| Acquaintance Two: | Really? That's great. My sister and I are not very close. I mean she is a wonderful sister, but we have very different personalities. |
3. | Friend One: | Wat are we going to do for Lee's birthday? Do you have any ideas? |
| Friend Two: | I have a great idea. Let's __________ for him. It can be a surprise. I can buy a cake and maybe you can invite some people. |
4. | Classmate One: | I have to go back to my country in just another week and I haven’t seen |
| Classmate Two: | Yeah me too. I’m also leaving soon. I guess we have no choice. We are going to |
5. | Sister One: | Yesterday, my girlfriend wanted me to go shopping with her, but I didn’t |
| Sister Two: | Well, sometimes I’m not interested in going shopping either. |
| Sister One: | Usually, I like going shopping, but I just wasn’t in the mood yesterday. |
6. | Colleague One: | I have a really bad headache. Do you think it’s o.k. to take some medicine before I drive? |
| Colleague Two: | Your medication is not that strong. I think __________________________ if |
7. | Teacher: | What are you going to do after class today? |
| Student: | othing special. I’m just going to ______________at home. Maybe I’ll watch some T.V. or something. |
8. | Friend One: | When my co-worker asked me to sing at Karaoke, ______________________. |
| Friend Two: | Why didn’t you sing? You have a great voice. |
| Friend One: | Well you know, I do like to sing, but I’m too shy to sing in front of my colleagues. |
9. | Brother One: | If we don’t leave now, we will be late for the concert. |
| Brother Two: | I can’t leave right now. There’s a problem at work and because no one is here, _____________________. |
| Brother One: | You should call you boss. He should handle the situation. |
10. | Friend One: | I love my job. I really ________________ because it is a great job. |
| Friend Two: | I know you love your job, but don’t you think you are putting too much time |
| Friend One: | You’re right. I should also put energy into my personal life. |
Part 3. Personalizing Expressions
Work in pairs and discuss the following expressions. Please use the bolded language in your discussions and explain your answers.
1. Are you always running around doing things?
2. What do you put a lot of energy into?
3. What was something you had to deal with recently?
4. Who do you get along with very well?
5. Where do you usually hang out during your lunch break?
6. What is something you are not really into?
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