Idioms & Expressions:
take a load off / kick back / power down / keep it low-key (verbs; these all refer to relaxation)
Come over tonight and take a load off. We’ll watch a movie.
I’m keeping it low-key tonight, because I don’t feel like going out and being social.
don’t look a gift horse in the mouth (expression that means you shouldn’t inspect a gift too closely, or else you will appear ungrateful)
I got you a little something / it’s nothing big (both phrases you can use when you give someone a gift)
I got you a little something for your birthday. I hope you like it.
regift (verb; this term means to give someone a gift that someone else gave you)
For her birthday present, I regifted a book that my brother gave me last year.
work out (verb; say this instead of “do exercise”)
I’m going to work out after work.
do laps (verb; this means to swim back and forth in a pool or run around a track)
We did a lot of laps last night in the pool, and I’m very tired today.
the ball is in (someone’s) court (phrase meaning it’s your turn to take action/respond to communication)
I texted her, so the ball is in her court.
break a sweat (verb; another term for sweating/beginning to sweat)
We were walking so quickly that I was breaking a sweat.
Part I: Group Discussion
- Do you have a lot of free time?
No, I’m very busy. I only have a few hours of free time on the weekends, during the day, and that’s it.
- What do you do in your spare time?
I’m a very boring person. I usually play guitar, go get some coffee, or meet up with my friends to hang out.
- Do you like giving or receiving gifts? Why?
This is a very weird question – of course everyone likes to receive gifts. I think they like to give gifts to people as well. Treating others well feels very good.
- What kind of gifts do you prefer?
I like unexpected gifts the most. On my birthday, I expect something, but when I receive a gift randomly, that’s pretty cool.
Part II: Individual Presentations
Describe sport facilities in your area such as stadiums, sport clubs and so on. Please say:
What events are organized in your area?
What facilities are available?
Do you use these facilities? Why/ Why not?
I don’t really play sports in this city, but I know that there are many facilities for playing football, basketball, badminton and tennis. And I assume that these facilities are all very well-used, because in a city of millions of people, you are going to have people who play these sports. Any developed city has options for sports. I don’t use these facilities because I don’t play these sports. I exercise, but I just do it at the gym.
Part III: Class Discussion
- Why do people participate in international events such as the Olympic Games?
It’s to see how well they stack up against international competition and possibly win a medal. It’s also to try to improve the relationships between the countries that are competing.
- What are the benefits of hosting such an event?
The host country can see an influx of tourism during the event and also after afterwards.
- Do the benefits outweigh the costs of hosting such events? Why do you think so?
The costs are significantly higher and they do outweigh the benefits. For example, Brazil hosted the Olympics in 2014 and the World Cup in 2016. All of the venues they constructed for those event cost billions of dollars in total, and now sit unused. The country is now in financial trouble and is mired in corruption.
Additional Questions
- Would you like your country to host the Olympics or the World Cup? Why or why not?
