Episode 13: A Nervous Wreck – Everyday Idioms 3 – ESL Library
Transcript of Episode 13: A Nervous Wreck – Everyday Idioms 3 – ESL Library
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 1
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Warm-UpStand up and chat with a bunch of different classmates.
1. How do you usually feel before a test?
2. Do you consider yourself a lucky or unlucky person? Why?
3. What do you sometimes have trouble remembering?
4. Do you think students should be allowed to use dictionaries or calculators during tests? Why or why not?
Vocabulary Preview
B. Matching
Match these words to their correct definitions.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
an expression used sarcastically to say that you are unlucky
in big trouble
You aren’t the one with the problem.
an expression used before trying something difficult or risky
to make assumptions
That’s exactly how I feel.
someone can’t remember anything
really easy
a person who is very worried
Be quiet.
Just my luck.
breeze
Easy for you to say.
jump to conclusions
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
one’s mind goes blank
nervous wreck
Pipe down.
Here goes nothing.
toast
A. Idioms and Expressions
Your teacher will give each student one or more strips of paper. Your strip(s) will have an English idiom/expression OR a definition for an idiom/expression. Try to find the student that has your match. When all of the matches have been found, read the strips out loud to see if they all make sense.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
A Nervous Wreck: IntroductionIn the thirteenth episode of Moving to New York, Eugene and Carlos are about to take a test. Who is relaxed and who is a nervous wreck?
Listening – Gap FillFill in the gaps as you listen. Then read the dialogue with your partner a few times. Take turns being each character. Practice your intonation and pronunciation. Underline or highlight any new words or phrases that you don’t understand.
. Can we leave when we’re done?
Ah! There’s that word again. Now I’m really .
. I left my dictionary on the subway.
, Eugene. You’ve been working like a dog.
Sorry. I’ll try not to .
.
You’re a , Carlos! Relax. It’s no biggie.
All books away except English-English dictionaries.
No worries. This test is going to be a .
Hey, just because I’m late every day doesn’t mean I never hit the books.
Just try to think in English, buddy.
But when I hear the word “test.”
Okay, , everyone.
By all means. You’re free to go as soon as you hand in your test.
EugeneMrs. LynnCarlos
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 3
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Listen Again – Put in OrderListen to the dialogue again and put the sentences into the correct order by numbering them.
Just try to think in English, buddy.
Easy for you to say, Eugene. You’ve been working like a dog.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
All books away except English-English dictionaries.
Sorry. I’ll try not to jump to conclusions.
Ah! There’s that word again. Now I’m really toast.
Just my luck. I left my dictionary on the subway.
Hey, just because I’m late every day doesn’t mean I never hit the books.
Here goes nothing. Can we leave when we’re done?
You’re a nervous wreck, Carlos! Relax. It’s no biggie.
By all means. You’re free to go as soon as you hand in your test.
Okay, pipe down, everyone.
No worries. This test is going to be a breeze.
But my mind goes blank when I hear the word “test.”
EugeneMrs. LynnCarlos
Making PredictionsHint: The title of the next episode is “Down-to-Earth”
and it takes place in a library.
1.
2.
What do you think will happen? Make two predictions. Discuss your predictions with a partner.
• I think Carlos will ace the test.• I bet Eugene will flunk.
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A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Comprehension QuestionsAnswer and discuss these questions in pairs or as a class.
Vocabulary ReviewSubstitute the idiom or expression with another word or phrase.
1. The interview is going to be . I bet I already have the job.
2. whenever I have to remember people’s names.
3. . It’s time to hit the books.
4. Why do you think Ella stole the money? Don’t .
5. A: Karen is talented and kind. She’s perfect for the job. B: .
(a breeze)
(My mind goes blank)
(Pipe down)
(jump to conclusions)
(I couldn’t have said it better myself)
1. Where does the conversation take place?
2. What word does Carlos not like, and why?
3. How does Eugene feel during the conversation?
4. What suggestion does Eugene give to Carlos?
5. Why does Carlos say “Now I’m really toast”?
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 5
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
It’s a Breeze!PRONOUNCING WORDS WITH “BR”
Write Your Own DialogueIn your notebook, write a new dialogue with a partner. Use idioms and expressions from page 1. Use the same subject (“A Nervous Wreck”) but make it between you and one of your classmates. What is making one of you nervous? Practice and present the dialogue to your class.
Write an EmailWrite an email telling a friend or family member that you are nervous about an upcoming event. Tell them why you are afraid. If possible, try to use a few idioms that you learned from this episode. Write your letter in your notebook or type it on the computer and email it to your teacher or a partner.
• breeze• brain• branch• Brad• breath
• breakfast• broccoli• brush• number• November
• October• barber• cucumber
Words that start with “br-” are pronounced “burr.” This is the same sound that you will find in words that end in “-ber.” Practice these words with a partner.
Note:Some words that end in “-mber” have a silent b, such as “plumber,” “dumber,” and “climber,”
KeywordsWrite your own example sentences using the idioms and expressions you’ve learned.
Just my luck.
breeze
Easy for you to say.
jump to conclusions
one’s mind goes blank
Pipe down.
toast
nervous wreck
Here goes nothing.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 6
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
A Nervous Wreck – SurveyWalk around your class and survey your classmates.
# Find someone... Classmate
1 who is nervous of flying.
2 who is nervous of driving.
3 who is nervous of talking to native English speakers.
4 who is nervous of singing in public.
5 who is nervous of having an interview.
6 who is nervous of doing presentations.
7 who is nervous of dogs.
8 who is nervous of dating.
9 who is nervous of crowds.
10 who is nervous of talking to people of the opposite sex.
11 who is nervous of talking to their friends’ parents.
12 who is nervous of walking in the dark.
13 who is nervous of being home alone.
14 who bites their nails when they are nervous.
15 who clenches their teeth when they are nervous.
16 who moves around a lot when they are nervous.
17 who sweats when they are nervous.
18 who doesn’t make eye contact when they are nervous.
19 who breathes heavily when they are nervous.
20 who holds their breath when they are nervous.
What other things are your classmates nervous of? What other things do your classmates do when they are nervous?
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A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Vocabulary Review
More than one option is possible.
1. This interview is going to be so easy / simple.
2. I can’t remember anything whenever
I have to remember people’s names.
3. Be quiet. It’s time to hit the books.
4. Why do you think Ella stole the money?
Don’t make assumptions.
5. B: That’s exactly how I feel.
Comprehension Questions
1. The conversation takes place at the school.
2. Carlos does not like the word “test”
because it makes him nervous.
3. Eugene feels fine. He is ready for
the test and thinks it will be easy.
4. Eugene tells Carlos to relax/to think in English.
5. Carlos says, “Now I’m really toast”
when his teacher says the word “test.”
Teachers’ Answer KeyNOTE:
Written answers may vary. Use the images on
pages 11–14 to preview and review this episode.
Warm-Up
Put students in pairs or discuss as a class.
Vocabulary Preview
A. IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS
Optional. Cut-up strips are on page 9.
B. MATCHING
1. a
2. h
3. c
4. e
5. f
6. g
7. i
8. j
9. d
10. b
Listening – Gap Fill
Have students fill in the blanks as they listen to the dialogue.
After correction, have them practice reading it aloud in pairs.
The full transcript is on page 10 (optional handout).
Listen Again – Put in Order
Play the audio again and have your students write the correct
number beside each line. The correct order is on page 11.
(continued on the next page...)
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 8
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Write Your Own Dialogue
Put students in pairs and make sure they use some
of the idioms and expressions on page 1. Give each
pair a chance to present their dialogue to the class.
Write an Email
Individual writing task. Can be done for homework
or when a student finishes something early.
Keywords
Have students write their own example sentences. Check
to make sure they’re using the new vocabulary correctly.
A Nervous Wreck – Survey
Have your students walk around the room surveying
each other about their nervous habits and fears. Then
have a class discussion about what makes people nervous
and how people show their nervousness. Do any of
your students have tips for calming people’s nerves?
SPELLING NOTE:
This lesson shows the American spelling of the word Practice.
Most other English-speaking countries spell it this way: Practise
(when used as a verb; Practice when used as a noun). Make it a
challenge for your students to find this word in the lesson and
see if they know the alternate spelling.
Teachers’ Answer Key cont.
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 9
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Vocabulary PreviewA. Idioms and Expressions
Cut up these vocabulary strips. Refer to the instructions on page 1.
Just my luck. an expression used sarcastically to say that you are unlucky
breeze really easy
Easy for you to say. You aren’t the one with the problem.
jump to conclusions to make assumptions
I couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s exactly how I feel.
one’s mind goes blank someone can’t remember anything
nervous wreck a person who is very worried
Pipe down. Be quiet.
Here goes nothing. an expression used before trying something difficult or tricky
toast in big trouble
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 10
A Nervous WreckEveryday Idioms 3 – Lesson 13 of 20
Dialogue TranscriptRead the dialogue with your partner a few times. Take turns being each character. Practice your intonation and pronunciation. Underline or highlight any new words or phrases that you don’t understand.
No worries. This test is going to be a breeze.
Just try to think in English, buddy.
You’re a nervous wreck, Carlos! Relax. It’s no biggie.
Ah! There’s that word again. Now I’m really toast.
Just my luck. I left my dictionary on the subway.
Hey, just because I’m late every day doesn’t mean I never hit the books.
Here goes nothing. Can we leave when we’re done?
But my mind goes blank when I hear the word “test.”
Easy for you to say, Eugene. You’ve been working like a dog.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
All books away except English-English dictionaries.
Sorry. I’ll try not to jump to conclusions.
Okay, pipe down, everyone.
By all means. You’re free to go as soon as you hand in your test.
EugeneMrs. LynnCarlos
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