LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
proficiency
[ pruh-'fish-uhn-see ]
noun
The students' proficiency in speaking English was tested.
deductible
[ dih-'duhk-tuh-buhl ]
noun
Judy’s car insurance policy had a $500 deductible.
pre-existing
[ pri-ig-'zis-ting ]
adjective
Inform your doctor of any pre-existing medical condition.
put up for a vote
adjective
The proposal to increase the employee's benefits package was put up for a vote during the company's annual general meeting.
How is someone holding up?
I heard about the recent closure of your company. How are you holding up?
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
A. fine print
- the rules, restrictions and conditions, which are often written in very small letters.
Dialogue
Alex
Melly
Oh, I completely forgot to mention. I've applied for an insurance plan, and I'm reviewing the contract.
Alex
Make sure you read the fine print on these plans, as some may not cover pre-existing medical or dental conditions, and others have a higher deductible.
Melly
I nearly overlooked that detail. Thank you for reminding me.
B. a tall order
- a task, request or favor which is not reasonable / a difficult demand
Dialogue
Sally
Have you considered which college you're planning to attend?
Cindy
I haven't given it much thought. To be honest, I don't have the financial means to afford any school, and I'd rather not apply for student loans.
Sally
Financing your education might seem like a tall order, but there are numerous resources available. If you'd like, I can assist you in applying for a scholarship.
Cindy
Seriously? That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for offering to help.
C. a matter of opinion
- something that depends on personal preference
Dialogue
Mike
Did you hear about the new policy that was put up for a vote in the company?
Alexa
Yes, I heard about it. It seems like people have mixed reactions to it.
Mike
That's true. Some employees are supportive of the policy, while others have concerns. It's definitely matter of opinion.
D. a question mark over
- an expression used when doubt exists about a particular thing
Dialogue
Bill
How is Alex holding up? Is his injury serious?
Cindy
Thankfully, it's not too severe. However, with the upcoming tournament in mind, it could be quite disappointing for him.
Bill
He must be feeling a bit down now. His injured ankle casts a big question mark over his ability to participate in the upcoming tournament.
E. lingua franca
- a language used for communication between groups of people who speak different languages
Dialogue
Alex
I'm feeling quite exhausted today. The meeting went on for over 2 hours.
Melly
Was it a client meeting you had?
Alex
Yes, it was. In the business community, English is widely regarded as the lingua franca. However, our client today had only a limited proficiency in English, so it took us some time to reach a mutual agreement on the proposal.
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct idiomatic expression.
a question mark over | lingua franca |
a matter of opinion | fine print |
a tall order |
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In international conferences, interpreters are often employed to facilitate communication between participants who do not share a common .
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John's frequent absences from work has raised his commitment to the project.
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When it comes to art, beauty is often , with different individuals having diverse preferences.
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Finishing this project by tomorrow is , considering the complexity and limited time available.
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Before signing the contract, make sure to read the carefully to avoid any hidden fees or unexpected obligations.
Part II
Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.
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Part III
Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.
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The CEO's sudden resignation has put a question mark over the company's future direction.
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Completing the project within such a tight deadline is a tall order, but we'll give it our best shot.
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What are these documents for?