Episode 54 B

EPISODE 54
LEVEL B2

 

 

READING COMPREHENSION 

 

FRIENDS

 

If you are keen to find your old school friends, there are now some websites that help you look for friends of yours (= your friends) who you lost touch with (= lose contact with) years ago.
I remember the first person I made friends with at primary school was Betty (= we started to be friends). We didn’t seem to get on well together at first (= to have a good relationship), but as we got to know each other better (= when we knew more and more about each other), we found out we had a lot in common (= we had similar interests, opinions etc.) and became close friends (= really good friends). We were friends through the whole of primary and secondary school, but then we drifted apart due to our choice of studies and places where we decided to live (= our relationship ended). At one point we completely lost contact with each other.
But one day this friend of a friend told me about a website which was designed to help people find old friends (= someone my friend knows). I decided to try it and thanks to that Betty and me were reunited after something like 10 years (= we met again after years). We were both eager to meet, but that was possible only a year later. Now we are going to spend a week together during the summer holidays.

 

More contexts for the new words: 

• You’ve been wondering how she got that job? Well, she’s got friends in high places. 

(= her friends are influential people) 

• ‘I’m giving a party on Thursday and you are invited.’
  ‘That’s great! Can I bring a friend?’ 

(= Can I come with a friend?)

 

 

 

EXERCISE 1 

Complete each gap with one preposition.

 

1. I made friends ……………………. John at primary school.
2. This friend ……………………. a friend told me that Angela is getting married!
3. I have a lot ……………………. common with my husband.
4. To be good friends with someone, you have to get ……………………. know them really well.
5. Unfortunately, I lost touch ……………………. my best school friend after we started studies.
6. What was the name of that friend ……………………. yours? Sarah or Mary?

 

EXERCISE 2 

Add the missing vowels (a, e, I, o, u), then answer the questions.

 

1. How did you ……………………. MK FRNDS with your best friend?
2. Is it necessary to have a lot in ……………………. CMMN with your husband/ wife? Why/ Why not?
3. Why do friends ……………………. DRFT PRT?

 

 

ENGLISH IN USE  

 

The grammar area we are going to deal with in the next three lessons is going to be different ways of expressing the future in English. One of them has been included in the sentence above: BE GOING TO, as well as in one of the sentences from the text:

Now we are going to spend a week together during the summer holidays.

1. We use GOING TO for plans and intentions. The plan may be in the near future or more distant.

 

We are going to work hard this month.
She is going to travel all over Asia when she finishes university.
What are you going to do now?
I’m not going to sit here and do nothing.

2. We can also use GOING TO for predictions, based on some evidence in the present situation, e.g. when we can see something:

Look out! The glass is going to fall! (when you see the glass change its position)
It’s going to snow, so let’s stay at home. (when you see snowy clouds in the sky)

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

A/ Are you and Joanna close friends?

B/ More than that. We’re BOSOM BUDDIES.

 

Bosom buddies (or bosom friends, bosom pals) are very close friends. Be careful about the pronunciation of ‘bosom’: /ˈbʊz(ə)m/.

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

 

1. When you FALL FOR somebody, you are very attracted to them and start to love them.

 

He fell for Hannah when he was in hospital and she was his nurse.

Susan always falls for unsuitable men.

 

2. When you FALL OUT WITH somebody, you stop being friendly with them because you have had a disagreement with them.

 

I’ve just fallen out with my parents.

Have you two fallen out?

 

EXERCISE 3 

Match the sentence halves.

 

1. He left home after a. falling out with his parents.
2. He’s fallen for her b. bosom buddies.
3. The two of them are c. in a big way.

 

 

NEWS

 

CHARM BRACELETS

 

As you probably know, charm bracelets are items of jewellery worn around the wrist, with personal ‘charms’ attached to them. These decorative pendants or trinkets symbolize crucial events in the wearer’s life. They are sometimes called ‘friendship bracelets,’ as it is customary to receive one from your best friend or close family member. They are also the ones to give you new charms on special occasions of your life.

 

Charm bracelets were in vogue around the world in the early 2000s. Surprisingly, the fashion for them has only recently come to Poland. You can see women flocking to jewellery stores in their droves, obsessed with the latest charm they want to have. And you? Have you got your charm bracelet yet?

 

GLOSSARY 

– charms – small objects worn on a piece of jewellery

– pendant – a piece of jewellery that hangs from a chain around your neck

– trinket – a small decoration that is not very valuable, e.g. a small piece of jewellery

– in vogue – fashionable

– flock in droves – come in large numbers

 

 

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