Episode 91 B

EPISODE 91
LEVEL B2

READING COMPREHENSION

 

ETIQUETTE:                                                                  

It is no secret that human beings have been replaced by baskets at toll-booth (=a special gate or line of gates on a road where drivers have to stop and pay a toll) stations throughout the country. I am not at all sentimental about the substitution since in the first place, human money collecting on highways is undignified (= not controlled, serious, and calm, and therefore deserving no respect) and probably boring, and in the second place, baskets are much better suited to the job than human hands. Baskets are bigger and never clammy  (=sticky and slightly wet in an unpleasant way). A basket cannot make change but that is only a temporary deficiency (= a state of not having, or not having enough, of something that is needed. With very little effort baskets are programmed to subtract 25 cents from anything up to a thousand-dollar bill. There would then remain only one problem for the basket. It cannot answer such questions as: what exit do I take if I’m going to New Hyde Park?”. Nevertheless, that problem can be solved by keeping one human being supplied abundantly (= more than enough) with towels, in some sort of emergency. Each basket has an appendage (= something that exists as a smaller and less important part of something larger) that has been programmed to flash : “Thank You” after the motorist has performed his civic duty. Common courtesy compels to motorist to respond. In these circumstances, however, one feels quite silly saying “You’re welcome” unless one has some sort of assurance that one’s courtesy (= polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark) has been understood and appreciated. There are some motorists who refuse to say anything to the basket only because they assume the basket is indifferent (= not thinking about or interested in someone or something) to their responses. There still remains a problem what one is to say when the coin has missed the basket. After you’ve retrieved the coin and thrown it in, the basket’s appendage still says” Thank You” but unquestionably (= obviously) the remark now has a sarcastic ring, which only adds to one’s sheepishness (= the feeling of being embarrassed because you know that you have done something wrong or silly.

 

EXERCISE 1

After reading a text, answer and discuss the following questions:

 

1. Do toll-booths in your country have baskets or people to collect the money?
2. Why is politeness important when dealing with people?
3. Can you notice anything that might be considered good or bad manners in your country?
4. Do you exchange cordialities (= behaviour that is friendly, but formal and polite) with people?

 

ENGLISH IN USE 

 

EXERCISE 2

Have a look at some prepositions and use them below in the sentences:

about   at   by   for   in   of   on   to   with 

 

1. A is …………………. apple.
2. He is a very good friend ………….. mine.
3. We both share a love ……………… music.
4. It’s warm……………… the time of year.
5. I’ve been waiting ……………. an hour.
6. I’m looking for a book ………… animals.
7. Hamlet was written …………….. Shakespeare.
8. She’s read all the words …………… Shakespeare.
9. He’s interested ……… sport and literature.

10.When does the train ……………. London leave?

11. Part-time workers are paid ………. hour.
12. How long has she been ………….. hospital?
13. The shops are close …………….. Sundays.
14. The bills must be paid ………….. Monday.
15. He was wearing a coat …………. a torn sleeve.
16. I opened a can………….. a tin-opener.

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

EXERCISE 3

LIVE AND BREATHE IT  = SPEND MUCH OF YOUR TIME DOING STH YOU LOVE

SPARE SB FEELINGS  = BE CAREFUL NOT TO SAY ANYTHING THAT MAY UPSET SB

COME TO LIGHT = BECOME TO KNOWN TO PEOPLE

 

Rewrite the sentences using the correct form of the word in capitals. Keep the meaning the same:

1. I made a terrible decision at work and then tried to cover it up and prevent the facts from becoming known. LIGHT =
2. I decided to keep the truth away from my mum not to hurt her . SPARE =
3. He adores socializing. LIVE =

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

Many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning:

FALL FOR STH = BE TRICKED INTO BELIEVING STH IS NOT TRUE
FACE UP TO  = ACCEPT AN DDEAL WITH STH THAT IS DIFFICULT OR UNPLEASANT
BE STRUCK BY STH = BE IMPRESSED BY OR INTEREST IN STH

 

 

EXERCISE 4

Fill in the sentences with the phrasal verbs:

1. He was lovely, though, and I was immediately ………………… his quirky sense of fun.
2. I realised that I just couldn’t …………………. the truth about my addiction.
3. All those adverts …why do all ……………….. them every time?

 

NEWS

 

OFFICE ETIQUETTE

“Office etiquette is something that helps smooth the wheels of daily interaction within the office. Getting along with people you’d probably never ask home to dinner is essential for good work outcomes and a happy co-existence, and it’s office etiquette that ensures this even where there is mutual dislike or disinterest. Moreover, office etiquette ensures that you don’t become office enemy number one because you’ve been irritating people with unhelpful habits or comments. Not that you’re deliberately aiming to be an office challenge but there are some actions that can unwittingly cause others discomfort or unease.

Moreover, office etiquette is the key deciding factor in how your colleagues will respond to you and come to your rescue when you need help. The manner in which you conduct yourself within the office environment among people who effectively become your „second family” will determine how you’re viewed and the ease with which you will be supported by others around you.”

TO SMOOTH = to remove difficulties and make something easier to do or achieve
MUTUAL = (of two or more people or groups) feeling the same emotion, or doing the same thing to or for each other
DELIBERATELY = intentionally
UNWITTINGLY = without knowing or planning:
TO DETERMINE = to control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen:
BE VIEWED = be seen

 

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