FREDERICK AND ISABELLA: AN IDIOMATIC LOVE STORY

2011

Teaching Idioms

Effectively with Web 2.0 Tools

by Janet Bianchini

J A N E T ’ S A B R U Z Z O E D U B L O G

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Chapter One -Taking The Bull by the Horns

Walking along the deserted road in the gloomy fog, the lonely figure made its way wearily

towards the village in the distance. He hadn't eaten or drunk for days and he was feeling

undernourished and parched. What would he find up ahead? His thoughts lingered as he

trudged slowly towards the looming houses.

Having lost everything he owed on the horses a few days before, he knew he would have to

start from square one again. He was in the red, he knew it. He had blown everything

on one last crazy gamble on a horse race. He knew people would say he had lost his marbles, but he didn't give two hoots about them.

He came within sight of the main square of the tiny village. It was time to take the bull by

the horns.....

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Can you match the meanings below with the idioms highlighted in the story above?

Chapter Two - The Return of the Lost Soul

As he approached the bar in the tiny Abruzzo village, he paused for a moment and savoured

the smells of cooking wafting across the terracotta rooftops. He was so hungry he could eat

a horse, or a chicken or two.

Coming towards him was the most stunningly beautiful cat he had ever set eyes upon. The

cat's eyes bored into him and made him feel uncomfortable. He looked away, full of remorse.

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Bar Del Principe was within a stone’s throw away.

He was absolutely penniless, without a bean to his name, but he was hoping the

barman's daughter would take pity on him and forgive him, if he gave her one of his

devastatingly charming smiles.

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He opened the door of the bar and walked in, slowly. The few customers drinking their

glasses of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine, stopped and stared, mouths wide open in utter

amazement. It was as if they had seen a ghost. "Non e possibile!! Frederick!! Ma... che fai

qui???? We thought you had been kidnapped, and then you had got involved with some bad

types. You were wanted dead or alive by the police and.... .....", their voices trailed off in

disbelief.

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Frederick sought the eyes of the ravishingly beautiful Isabella behind the bar. She had just

made a fresh Tiramisu and Kaki jam, and was busily arranging the food on the counter.

www.fodey.com

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Chapter Three - A narrow Escape

Chapter Four - Broken-Hearted!

I felt lost without you,

Isabella. I thought

about you night and

day.

I realised that my heart

belonged to you forever. I

was broke, down in the

dumps and broken

hearted. Then out of the

blue, I hit the jackpot.

Suddenly I had an

amazing brainwave.

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Chapter 5 - In The Money!

I set up a casino and I made shedloads of money. I put my shoulder to the wheel

and amassed a great fortune.

www.dvolver.com

I’m in the

money!!!

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Chapter Six - In a Jam

Chapter Seven- Descent Into the Abyss

As I was falling rapidly down into the abyss, all I had on my mind was you, my love.

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Chapter Eight

Then suddenly I woke up. I realised it had all been a terrible dream, a nightmare in fact. I

knew I had to go back to the village to woo you back.

So, my beloved Isabella. Do you still love me?? Do you still want me? Do you still need

me??

Will you forgive me? Will you take pity on me? Will you find it in your heart of hearts to

forget my terrible betrayal??

Or

Will you give me the cold shoulder? Will you break my heart???

Chapter Nine - A Bad Ending?

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Chapter Ten – A Good Ending?