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[B+] Survival and Suspense

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

podium

[ 'poh-dee-uhm ]

noun

- a raised area on which a person stands to speak to a large number of people

He looked nervous as he got up on the podium to make his speech.

swerve

[ swurv ]

verb

- to change direction, especially suddenly

The bus driver swerved to avoid hitting a bike rider.

close off something

phrasal verb

- to stop people or vehicles from going to a place

They closed Pennsylvania Avenue off to vehicles.

out of hand

idiom

- out of control

He went to see his doctor because he felt his drinking was getting out of hand.

suspension bridge

noun

- a bridge that is supported by strong steel ropes hung from a tower at each end of the bridge

It was then the longest suspension bridge in the country.

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

A. have a narrow escape

  • just manage to avoid danger or trouble

2024-VPP-SURVIVAL AND SUSPENSE

Dialogue

Icon_Alex

Alex

You won't believe what happened to me today!

John_Happy Icon

John

What happened?

Icon_Alex

Alex

I almost got hit by a speeding car while crossing the street. I jumped back just in time. I definitely had a narrow escape.

B. too close for comfort

  • so close in distance or similar in amount that you are worried or frightened

2024-VPP-SURVIVAL AND SUSPENSE

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

Did you see that huge spider in the living room this morning?

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Yes, I did! It was crawling right next to my foot.

Icon_Sally

Sally

That sounds too close for comfort.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Absolutely, I was terrified!

C. cut things fine

  • leave yourself only just enough time to do something

2024-VPP-SURVIVAL AND SUSPENSE

Dialogue

Icon_Alex

Alex

I heard you arrived just in time for your presentation at the conference.

John_Happy Icon

John

Yes, my flight got delayed, and traffic was terrible. I arrived and went straight to the podium.

Icon_Alex

Alex

Wow, that's really cutting things fine!

John_Happy Icon

John

Definitely! I prefer being early, but it was out of my hands this time.

D. something sets alarm bells ringing

  • something worries you because it is a sign that there may be a problem

2024-VPP-SURVIVAL AND SUSPENSE

Dialogue

Icon_Take

Take

I have just been offered the job of my dreams! The pay is very enticing and its part of my promotion. The only issue is that the job requires me to relocate to a different country, which means I have to leave my wife and kids behind.

Icon_Belle

Belle

Wow! That's really a great opportunity if you'd ask me. You should definitely seize it.

Icon_Take

Take

I can't make up my mind. I feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

Icon_Belle

Belle

Wow! That's really a great opportunity if you'd ask me. You should definitely seize it.

E. hang by a thread

  • if a serious situation hangs by a thread, it means that even a slight change can decide what will happen and that a bad result such as death and failure.

2024-VPP-SURVIVAL AND SUSPENSE

Dialogue

Icon_Alex

Alex

Did you hear about the old suspension bridge near the hiking trail?

John_Happy Icon

John

No, what about it?

Icon_Alex

Alex

It's been closed off. They say it's hanging by a thread and could collapse any day now.

F. your life is in someone's hands

  • likely to fail in the near future

2024-VPP-SURVIVAL AND SUSPENSE

Dialogue

Icon_Sam

Sam

I'm feeling nervous about the surgery tomorrow.

John_Happy Icon

John

It's natural to feel that way when your life is in someone's hands.

Icon_Sam

Sam

Yes, but I trust the surgeon. He comes highly recommended.

John_Happy Icon

John

That's good. Having trust in your surgeon is really important.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct idiomatic expression.

have a narrow escape too close for comfort
cut things fine set alarm bells ringing
ones life is in someone's hands hanging by a thread
  1. In that moment of crisis, I knew that , and it was a scary thought.

  2. The old overpass, creaking and swaying in the wind, was clearly .

  3. When he started asking for personal details over the phone, something for me.

  4. We arrived at the airport just as our boarding was closing, really with our timing.

  5. Standing so close to the wild bear was for me; I've never been so scared.

  6. When the car swerved in front of her at the last second, she realized she'd .

Part II

Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.

  1. 🔊

  2. 🔊

  3. 🔊

Part III

Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.

  1. As the firefighter carried the child out of the burning building, it was clear that her life was in someone's hands.

  2. The peace talks between the two countries are hanging by a thread; any minor disagreement could cause a breakdown in negotiations.