Can You Believe It 1
Content
Can You Be ieve It?
stories and Idioms from Real Life
Oxford University Press
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ISBN 0-19- 37279-0
Copyright © 2000 Oxford niversity Press
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Huizenga, Jann.
Can you believe it?: stories and idioms from reallife/Jann
Huizenga.
p.cm.
includes index.
Contents: bk. 1
ISBN 0-19-437279-0
1. English language--Textbooks for foreign
speakers. 2. English language--United States--Idioms. 3.
Americanisms. 4. Readers. I. Title.
PE1128.H777 2000
428.6'4-dc21
00-021653
No unauthorized photocopying.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
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without the prior written permission of Oxford University Press.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of
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without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover
other than that in which it is published and without a similar
condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent
purchaser.
Editorial Manager: Susan Lanzano, Janet Aitchison
Editor: Lynne Barsky
Senior Production Editor: Robyn F. Clemente
Associate Production Editor: Justin Hartung
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Acknowledgments
Illustrations and realia by Patrick Merrell, Wally Neibart, Tom Powers,
William Waitzman
Cover illustration by Ken Condon
The publishers would like to thank the following for their permission
to reproduce photographs: APIWorldwide; Rachel Cobb; Wayne
Lockwood, David A. NorthcottiCorbis; Bill Cramer; Jann Huizenga;
Norman Y. LonolPeople Weekly c. 1998; Jack HollingsworthlPhotodisc;
Joshua SheldonIPhotonica; Gavriel Jecan, William Whitehurtffhe
Stock Market; Sid Avery/Stockfood; Ron Lee Browntrony Stone.
Credits
The stories in this book have been adapted from the following material:
p. 2, The New Mexican, December 3, 1997; p. 6, Ann Landers in The
New Mexican, November 11, 1997; p. 9, Reuters on-line, January 22,
1999; p. 10, Reuters on-line, November 1. 1998; p. 13, The Associated
Press on-line, June 7,1998; p. 14, Reuters on-line July 3,1998;
p. 18, Reuters on-line, January I, 1999; p. 21, Morning Edition,
National Public Radio, December 31,1998; p. 26, Morning Edition.
National Public Radio, October 9, 1998; p. 3D, The New Mexican,
January 24. 1999; p. 33, The Associated Press on-line, September 30,
1998; p. 34, The Funny Times; p. 38, Chicago Sun-Times, December 1,
1998; p. 42, The London Daily Telegraph, September 5,1998; p. 45
The Associated Press on-line, June 7, 1998; p. 50, The Associated Press
on-line, November 14, 1998; p. 53, Morning Edition, National Public
Radio, December 2,1998; p. 54, People Weekly, November 2,1998;
p. 57, Morning Edition, National Public Radio, November 27, 1997;
p. 58, The New Mexican, May 8,1998; p. 62. personal interview,
January 5, 1999; p. 66, People Weekly, September 21, 1998; p. 69,
People Weekly, September 21,1998.
"
-,
"
I:
Can You Be ieve t?
8t ries and Idioms from Real Life
Book 1
Jann Huizenga
OXFORD
NIVERSITY PRESS
---
- - -
- - - -
To the Student
In this book you will enjoy learning everyday idiomatic American English through amazing,
true stories from around the world.
When you study vocabulary, it is not enough to learn individual words. Everyday English is filled
with expressions that are two or more words long, such as tum over, get along with someone,
and after a while. These expressions are essential to successful communication in English, and
they need to be learned as individual units, in the same way as individual words. In this book
you will find idioms, fixed expressions, and phrasal verbs.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a group of words that has a meaning different from the meaning of its individual
parts. In the example below, you probably know all the individual words, but you still may
not understand the meaning of the expression. This is because the expressions are idiomatic.
Miguel is into computer games, but I can't stand them.
Be into means like very much and can't stand means dislike very much.
What is a fixed expression?
Take a vacation, again and again, and be at deaths door are fixed expressions. You will
understand the whole expression if you know the meaning of the parts. But the translation
of a fixed expression into your language may not be word for word.
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a particle such as in, at, on, for, etc. Look for and look
into are phrasal verbs that mean try to find and investigate. Phrasal verbs are usually
idiomatic. You can learn more about phrasal verbs in Appendix D, page 87.
The steps to learning idioms in this book are as follows:
1. Read the story quickly to get the main idea.
2. Listen several times to the story while you look at pictures to get used to the idioms.
3. Read the story and study the idioms.
4. Complete the idioms.
5. Tell the story using the idioms while looking only at pictures.
6. Talk about the story and then about yourself using the idioms.
7. Write about yourself using the idioms.
8. Take a dictation that uses the idioms.
9. Fill in the blanks in a. dialogue or story using the idioms. Then role-play the dialogue or
tell the story.
Extra study aids to use with this textbook include:
• A listening cassette
• Appendix A:. An Answer Key (page 74)
• Appendix B: Dictations (page 77)
• Appendix C: An appendix that groups the idioms in the book in various ways to help
you remember their form and meaning (page 80)
• Appendix D: An appendix that explains the grammar of phrasal verbs (page 87) and
gives a list of phrasal verbs (page 88)
• Lexicon: A lexicon that lists all the idioms in the book, and gives further examples,
language notes, and idiomatic synonyms and antonyms (page 91)
i"
To the Teacher
A General Introduction
The goal of Can You Believe It? Book 1 is to teach high-frequency idioms, two-word verbs, and
fixed expressions in the context of true, memorable stories to ESLIEFL students at a beginning
level. It is founded on two basic premises: 1) that everyone loves a good story, and 2) that
vocabulary acquisition occurs more readily when new items are embedded in engaging, whole
contexts and used in tasks that have meaning and purpose. The book is written for classroom
use, but it will also work well for self-study when used with the audio program.
Thanks in part to Michael Lewis's influential work on lexical issues, TESOL professionals are
increasingly aware that idioms and fixed expressions form a significant part of the lexicon of
English and are central to natural language use. These prefabricated multi-word expressions
must be acquired as wholes in the same way as individual words. Can You Believe It? Book 1
teaches the following kinds of high-frequency fixed lexical expressions:
• traditional, graphic idioms, such as: easy as pie, see eye to eye, and be dirt poor;
• non-traditional idioms, such as: spend time with, fall asleep, and can't stand;
• two- or three-word adverbial chunks, such as: on the way, after a while, and at once;
• two- or three-word phrasal verbs, such as: slow down, be frightened by, and get over;
• common expressions consisting of de-Iexicalized verbs, such as make or get + a noun or
adjective (make a living, get better), word partnerships that are likely to produce translation
mistakes and need to be learned as chunks.
Can You Believe It? Book 1 is compatible with comprehension approaches such as The Natural
Approach. The picture sequences that correspond to the stories provide the basis for great
"comprehensible input." So the book can be used for listening comprehension and general language
acquisition at a beginning level as well as for the specific mastery of idioms and expressions. (Note
that the first ten stories use only present tense, while the last five use past tense.)
The approach thoroughly integrates the four skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
Activities are sequenced so that input precedes output. The initial approach relies heavily on
listening, with picture sequences used as visual supports for comprehension. It is through this
richly contextualized (and repeated) listening that students begin to make hypotheses about
the new expressions and develop a feel for their use. Students then go on to read the story-an
essential step that will provide welcome written reinforcement for visually-oriented learners
and will help all students with their literacy skills. After students' pumps have been primed, so
to speak, with the listening and reading input, they are ready to begin producing the idioms in
speaking and \-vriting. The output activities become progressively more demanding: these
include story retelling, thought-provoking personal questions, personalized sentence
completions, and dictation.
Researchers contend that we acquire new lexical items by meeting them a number of times
(seven times, some say). Thus. in Can You Believe It? Book 1, students will revisit the idioms
and expressions many times within each unit as well as in review units and, to some extent,
from unit to unit. (The idioms that are recycled between units have been indicated as such in
the Table of Contents, as well as in the New Idioms and Expression Box which follows each
reading.)
Extra Features
Listening Cassette
The cassette features dramatic readings of all the stories in the text, and Dictations for each
unit (from Appendix B). The stories are read by different actors with varying voices and
styles so students are exposed to language variety.
Answer Key (Appendix A)
Students who use the book independently will especially appreciate this feature, though
classroom teachers will also find it handy.
Idiom Groups (Appendix C)
This appendix is a rich resource for those students who would like a better sense of how the
idioms in Can You Believe It? Book 1 can be grouped together semantically.
Phrasal Verbs (Appendix D)
Simple but detailed grammar explanations of phrasal verbs are included here for students who
feel ready for this information.
Lexicon
The Lexicon gives extra information about each idiom and fixed expression in the book.
Additional examples, grammar information, more collocations, and idiomatic synonyms and
antonyms are included.
Specific Teaching Suggestions
The exercises and activities in each unit can be used in a variety of ways, and you are
encouraged to experiment and adapt them as you see fit. The suggested sequence below can be
changed, depending on your goals and your specific class needs.
1. Quick Reading
Before students read the story quickly to get the gist, have them do one of the following
prediction activities:
a. Cover the story and look at the picture sequence on the opposite page. Discuss (in pairs
or small groups) what the story seems to be about.
b. Cover the story. Look at the title and the picture on the story page. Ma.ke predictions
about the story.
Then ask students to read the story quickly just to get the main idea or the basic story line. You
might give them a time limit of two or three minutes for this. (The details of the story will
become clear during Exercise 2 as they listen to it repeatedly while looking at the picture·
sequence.) Previewing the story in this manner will allow students, especially those who are
stronger visual than oral/aural learners, to relax and better comprehend the story and the new
idioms in context during the listening "input" stage. It is best to have students read silently at
this stage since they will want to process the text in their own way.
2. Listen
Ask students to cover the story. Play the cassette or, if you prefer, read the story to the students.
If you are not using the cassette, be sure to say the numbers as you move from picture to
picture so students can follow (at least during the first listening). Tell the story at a natural
speed, pausing somewhat longer than usual at the end of breath groups and sentences. This
will give students important processing time. The goal of this activity is to provide students
with truly "comprehensible input," i.e., an acquisition stage in which a high degree of
contextualization will allow them to formulate hypotheses and discover meaning in language
that they are hearing for the first time. Making inferences and hypotheses about new language
in context is a skill that all language learners need to feel comfortable with; this exercise thus
develops good learning strategies while helping students acquire new language. During the
third telling of the story, you may want to write the new idioms on the board, as reinforcement
for your visually-oriented students. (The easiest thing would be to write them on the board
prior to the retelling and point to them as they occur.)
As an assessment technique (to see how well students have understood and internalized the
new expressions in the story), tell students you are going to talk about the pictures out of
order. They should point to the picture you are describing. Or, as an alternative, retell the story
"i
making some major "mistakes." Have students signal somehow (by raising their hands, making
a face, or making a buzzing sound) when they hear a mistake.
3. Read the Story
Your more visual learners will be especially eager to take a closer look at the story at this point,
double-checking their hypotheses with the New Idioms and Expressions box. After students
have had some silent time for re-reading, you might want to have them read aloud for
pronunciation practice. Volunteers could take turns reading to the whole class, or pairs could
read to each other, helping each other with pronunciation. You may want to do part or all of
Exercise 6 at this point (see suggestions below).
For a bit of extra practice with the idioms, and as a good lead-in to Exercise 4, you could
conduct the following matching activity: Write the unit idioms on slips of paper or index cards.
Cut the idioms in half. Give half to each student. Tell students to stand up, walk around the
room, and find the other halves of their idioms. As a check, have the pairs say their idioms
aloud to the whole class.
4. Complete the Idiom/Match
This activity functions as an assessment of sorts, making sure students can put the parts of the
idiom together and understand its meaning before using the idioms in the story retelling in
Exercise 5.
5. Tell the Story
At this point, the exercises move away from recognition into production. Elicit the story orally
from the whole class first. Encourage students to call out the ideas of the story in
chronological order. They can, of course, look at the picture sequence during this activity, but
the story should be covered. The retelling will be a paraphrase of the original story, but
students will probably reuse most of the new idioms. (You could have the idioms listed on the
board to give students a bit of extra help.) You may want to run this activity as a variation on
Language Experience, writing down sentences and phrases on the board as students suggest
them. Underlining the idioms and fixed expressions that students generate will help to
highlight them.
Next, ask students to work in pairs or small groups to retell the story to each other. Once again,
make sure they cover the story. One way for them to work is with Talking Chips,
communication regulators used in Cooperative Learning. Working in pairs or groups of three,
each student takes four or five Talking Chips (e.g., tokens, such as buttons, poker chips, or
paint chips). Together, they reconstruct the story. As each student contributes a sentence, he or
she puts in a token. (The chips ensure that each student speaks and that all have an equal
opportunity to participate.)
6. Answer the Questions
The questions in the section either use an idiom from the unit or elicit an idiom in the answer.
As an alternative to the traditional Whole-Class-Question-Answer here, you might want to try
using Numbered Heads Togethe" a Cooperative Learning structure. The steps to Numbered
Heads Together are as follows:
a. Students get into teams of four and number off from 1 to 4.
b. The teacher asks a question.
c. Students on each team literally put their heads together and reach a consensus on the
answer and the phrasing of the answer.
d. The teacher calls a number at random. Students with that number raise their hands (or
stand up) and report on their team's answer. You will probably want to get each team's
answer, as there will be variations to discuss and comment on.
The advantages of this questioning technique over the traditional Whole-Class-Question
Answer are the following: All students are involved since no one knows who will be called on;
vii
---------------
-
- - -
stronger students help weaker ones; students have "think time" and "rehearsal time" in small
groups before they have to respond in front of the wholle class; and a wrong response is not so
embarrassing because it comes from a team rather than an individual.
The "About you" questions can be answered orally, either in a whole-class setting or in small
groups. These questions are also good springboards for mini-paragraph writing. Allow students
to choose their favorite one to respond to, and to share their writing with partners.
7. Write About Yourself
These sentence completions may be somewhat personal, so students may prefer to share them
in small groups rather than with the whole class. You might ask volunteers, though, to put
their sentences on the board after groups have shared. Be sure that the volunteers understand
that correction may be involved!
8. Take a Dictation
Play the cassette or use Appendix B to read students the dictation. A recommended procedure
for the dictation is as follows:
a. Read the dictation once at normal speed. Students should not write at this stage.
b. Read the dictation again, this time pausing long enough after each breath group for
students to write. (Be sure, in advance, that students know the words comma and
period.)
c. Read the dictation a third time, at near-normal speed, allowing students to check their
writing.
Students can correct their own work or the work of a partner using Appendix B. Students
might also like to try peer dictations, where one student dictates to another.
9. Complete the Dialogue/Story
After students work individually, in pairs, or groups to fill in the blanks with the appropriate
xpressions from the box, they can check their answers in Appendix A.
Seven of the fifteen units have a dialogue exercise. In this case students can practice the
dialogue in pairs, perhaps preparing for an expressive readin1?: for the whole class.
The other eight units have a story exercise. After filling in the blanks, students can either
practice reading the story to each other in pairs or paraphrase it to each other, being sure to
use the idioms in the box in the retelling.
viii
Acknowledgments
Many people contributed to Can You Believe It? Book 1, and I'm grateful to them all. Susan
Lanzano at Oxford niversity Press was the guiding light from start to finish. Lynne Barsky was
a generous and patient editor whose care and expertise made this a much better book. Special
thanks to Ju tin Hartung and Robyn Clemente, production editors, who toiled with good
humor under tight deadlines. Good friend and colleague Ken Sheppard was crucial in getting
the project off the ground, contributing key ideas during an autumnal stroll down Fifth
Avenue. Linda Huizenga's help with writing made the project fun, and husband Kim Crowley's
constant search for stories yielded some of the best ones. Thanks also to Joel and Dolly for
feeding me stories from their local papers. My reviewers were a gold mine of wonderful
suggestions and comments:
Lubie Alatriste, New York, NY
Christel Antonellis, Boston, MA
Vicki Blaho, Los Angeles, CA
Susan Burke, Atlanta, GA
Gloria Horton, Pasadena, CA
Thy Lesley. Los Angeles, CA
Ellen Pentkowski, Chicago, IL
Barbara Jane Pers, Brooklyn, NY
Barbara Smith-Palinkas, Tampa, FL
Stephanie Snider, Suffolk County, NY
Candice Ramirez, Moreno Valley, CA
Christine Tierney. Houston, TX
Barbara Webster. Phoenix, AZ
ix
Please G t
Rid of hat
Smell!
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 3.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
BALTIMORE, MO,
USA 1lt's winter. Barbara
Pridgen, 43, is driving her car. 2When she turns
on the heater, there's a terrible smell in her car.
31t gets worse and worse. She can't stand it!
4She takes the car to the repair shop. "What's
the m tter with my car?" she asks. lIean you
get rid of this smell?" 5The mechanic takes a
look at the engine. He examines the heating
system. 6Then Barbara screams. She loses it. The
mechanic pulls out a big, fat, dead python!
remove something
start a machine or the flow of electricity,
water, etc.
get worse and worse
become very bad
can't stand something
dislike something very much
What's the matter (with something or someone)'? . What's wrong (with something or someone)?
take a look (at something)
look quickly (at something)
lose it
become too excited; lose one's self-control
get rid of something*
turn something on*
Words in parentheses ( ) can occur with the idiom, but don't have to.
2 Can You Believe It?
phrasal verb (see Lexicon, pp. 91-113 and Appendix D, p .87-90)
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
Note: As the tape or teacher says a number, look at the corresponding picture.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Complete the Idiom
Cover page 2. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. look at quickly
= take a look A...i.
b. start a machine
= turn
c. dislike very much
= can't
= What's the - - - - - _ ?
d. What's wrong?
e. become very bad
f. become very excited
= get worse and
= lose
5. Tell the Story
I}
kJ
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, '>\lork with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 1
Can You Believe It?
3
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. Why does Barbara turn on her heater?
.
b. What happens when she turns it on?
c. Does Barbara like the smell?
d. What does she want the mechanic to do?
e. What does the mechanic take a look at?
f. Why does Barbara lose it?
g. Why do you think the snake was in the heater?
About you
.
h. What makes you lose it?
i. What things do you turn on in your house every day?
j. What are some smells or foods that you can't stand?
k. Think about the problems in your community, native country, or in the world.
Which ones are getting worse and worse? What can you do about them?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I want to get rid of my
_
b. I can't stand
_
c. I often turn on
because
~ 8. Take a Dictation
When Barbara
a terrible smell. It
her heater, there's
. She
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ itl She goes to the repair shop.
u
uPlease
mechanic
pulls out a big, dead python. Barbara
4 Can You Believe It?
with my car?" she asks.
that smell!" When the
the heating system, he
_
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
a. Amother and her teenage daughter are talking
about TV. Fill in the blanks with idioms from
the box.
•
•
•
•
•
take a look at
get rid of
can't stand
turn on
are getting worse
and worse
Carmen, why did you
(1)
_
that TV again? You've watched
enough for today.
But mom! This is a good show!
No, it's not.
I (2)
it.
Just sit down* a minute.
(3)
_
this, mom. It's funny!
These programs
(4)
_
TUrn it off** now. It's time to
do your homework.
Just ten more minutesl
We should just (5)
this stupid TV set!
_
• sit down: sit; have a seat
•• tum (something) off: stop a machine or the flow of electricity, water, etc.
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Unit 1
Can You Believe It? 5
Hedin
the F
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 7.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
VANCOUVER, CANADA 1A woman is taking a ferry
from Vancouver to Victoria. 2She leaves her car to
go to the deck. She sits
wn. Beside her, in a
chair, are her newspaper and candy bar. 3A man in
the next chair picks up the candy bar and eats it.
Then he takes the paper and walks off. The
woman is too shocked to speak. 4Later, she goes to
the cafeteria. She sees the man at a table, eating a
sandwich. SSti11 angry, she grabs his sandwich and
takes a bite, without saying a word. 6She goes
back to her car. On the seat are her newspaper
and candy bar. She never t ok them out of the
car! She is really red i
the face.
be red in the face
take a ferry (a bus, a train, a plane)
sit down *
pick something up*
walk off*
go back (to a place)*
take something out (of a place)*
be embarrassed
go by ferry (bus, train, plane)
sit; be seated
take or lift something off the floor (or a chair, etc.)
walk away; walk in the other direction
return (to a place)
remove something (from a place)
*phrasaJ verb (see Lexicon and Appendix Dj
6 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
§
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 6. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
2
a. walk in the other direction
1. go back
b. be embarrassed
2. be red in the face
c. return someplace
-3. walk off
d. remove
4. pick up
e. take from the floor
5. take out
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Ie]
Unit 2
Can You Believe It? 7
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. How is the woman getting to Victoria?
b. Where does she sit down?
c. What is beside her?
d. What does the man in the next chair do with the candy bar?
e. What does he do then?
f. Why does the woman take a bite of the man's sandwich?
g. What happens when she goes back to her car?
h. Why is she red in the face?
About you
.
i. Do you often take a bus, a train, a taxi, or a ferry?
j. tell about a time when you were red in the face.
k. Do you sit down or stand up most of the day?
I. What time do you usually go back to your house or apartment?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I sometimes take a bus/trainJplane/ferry to
_
b. My favorite place to sit down is
_
c. I want to go back to
~ 8. Take
because
a Dictation
Awoman
. She
_
on the deck. Next to her in a chair are her newspaper and candy bar. A man in the
next chair
the candy bar and eats it. Then he
takes the paper and
. Later, the woman goes to
the cafeteria and sees the man eating a sandwich. She grabs it and takes a bit.e.
Then she
her car. On the seat are her newspaper and
candy bar. She never
the car! She
8 Can You Believe It?
them
_
_
Book]
9. complete the story
a, Read the true story F'll··
.
idioms from the bo~. 1 In the blanks with
•
•
•
•
•
is red in the face
takes out
sits d
n
9
ack to
picks up
air tylist·
Red in the f ce
Hong ~ g, CHI A A Hong
Kong hair salon is having a
spedal promotion. Come in for 0 free hoircut, the sign
says. So a Hong Kong man. g Koon-man. enters the
salon and (I)
- ' The stylist
(2)_
his comb from his
pocket. Then he (3)
scissors and begins to cut the man's hair.
his
The stylist is in a urry* and cuts very qUickly.
Suddenly. Koon-man feels a terrible pain.The stylist has
cut off** part of his right ead Koon-m an has to go to
the hospital.
Later. Koon-m an takes the hair stylist to court. He
accuses him of working at a dangeroUS speed. The
stylist. of course, (4)
. And
Koon-man
is
still
angry.
"I'll
never
(5)
- that salon!" he says.
* be in a hurry: want to move quickly
** cut something off: separate something with scissors or a knife
b. Read or tell the story to a partner,
Unit 2
Can You Believe It?
9
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page II.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
CHANDIGARH, INDIA 'A four-year-old boy is at
o
e watching TV. 2He goes to the kitchen and
tells his mother, "There's a tiger in the bedroom."
She laughs, thinking he is talking about a TV
program. 3Later, she looks into the bedroom. She
is horrified by what she sees. There's a leopard
watching TV on the bed! 4She grabs her son and
runs
way. sThe leopard soon turns over and
falls asleep. 6When forest department officials
arrive, the leopard is still taking
nap_ They
take him to a zoo.
make oneself at home
at home·
be horrified by something
run away*
turn over*
fall asleep'
take a nap'
make yourself comfortable in someone else's home
in your house or apartment
feel shock and horror at something
leave quickly; escape
turn to the other side
begin to sleep
sleep for a short time during the day
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
10 Can You Believe It?
Bookl
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 10. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. leave quickly; escape
= run
b. begin to sleep
c. turn to the other side
= fall
= turn
d. sleep for a short time during the day
= take a
e. in your house
= at
5. Tell the story
Cover the story alld look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
ok 1
Unit 3
Can You Believe It?
11
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Where is the little boy watching TV?
b. What does he tell his mother? Does she believe him?
c. Later, what is she horrified by?
d. What does she do?
e. What does the leopard do after watching TV?
f. What is he doing when officials arrive?
g. In your opinion, how did the leopard get in the house?
About you
.
h. Who make themselves at home at your house?
i. What do you like to do at home?
j. Do you like to take a nap?
k. When do you usually fall asleep at night?
l. Do you ever have trouble falling asleep?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. Sometimes I dream about running away to
_
_
b. I'm horrified by
_
c. At home I always
l§ 8. Take a Dictation
A boy is
watching TV. He
goes to the kitchen and tells his mother, "There's a tiger in the
bedroom." She laughs. Later, she looks into his bedroom. She
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ what she sees. There's a leopard
watching TV on the bed! She
_
with her son. The leopard
and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . When forest department officials
arrive, the leopard is still
. They
take him to a zoo.
12 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
•
•
•
•
•
9. Complete the story
a. Read
. the
. blanks 'th
'd' the true sto ry. F'III In
I IOms from the box.
WI
is horrified by
runs away
taking a nap
turns over
as fallen asleep
e Himse' at Home
PITTSBURGH,
' PA,
A woman
USA
leaves her house
one
Saturday
evening for a few hours, When she goes back
home, she finds her front door open. Then she
sees a broken window, In the house, her jewelry
boxes
(1 )
are
on
the
-
floor.
She
the boxes and
sees they are empty,
She (2) _
what she
sees next. There's a man on the floor. The thief
The woman
(3) __- - - - - -
quietly goes to another room and calls the police.
"Please hurry," she says, "before he wakes up*
and (4) __- - - - - - -
The police arrive right away.** The thief is still
(5)
. The police arrest
the man, Walter Morgano, age 35 .
• wake up: stop sleeping (the opposite of fall asleep)
.. right away: immediately
b. Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 3
Can You Believe It?
13
ear
Wal s 0 e
Fast As e p
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 15.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
LEEDS, ENGLAND 1Michael Turner, 48, is in the
hospital. He is getting over a heart attack. There
are heart monitors and alarms next to his bed.
20ne night while Turner is sleeping, he unhooks
the machines. He turns off the alarms. Then he
gets out of bed. 3He gets on the elevator and
goes to the street. It's raining. 4Still fast asleep,
he walks five miles to his house. 5His wife opens
the door. "Hello, love.
1 was
jogging," he tells her.
6Turner says he doesn't remember anything about
his walk. "1 don't know how I got home." Turner
is now back in the hospital and getting
be fast asleep
get over something*
turn something off*
get out (of something)*
get on (something)*
be back
get better
etter.
be sleeping deeply
recover from an illness
stop a machine or the flow of water, electricity, etc.
leave (a bed, a car, a bath, work, class, school)
enter (an elevator, a plane, a train, a bus, or a ship)
be again in a place you were before
improve; become healthier
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
14 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
§
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the iJioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 14. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. become healthier
=get
_
b. be sleeping deeply
= be fast
c. stop a machine
= turn
d. enter an elevator, bus, etc.
= get _ _
e. be again in a place you were before
= be
s. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Book I
Unit 4
Can You Believe It?
15
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. Why is Turner in the hospital?
.
b. What does he do after he turns off the alarms next to his bed?
c. What does he get on?
d. Where does he walk? Is he awake?
e. What does he tell his wife?
f. Where is Turner now? How does he feel?
About you
.
g. Do you walk in your sleep?
h. Tell about a time when you were in the hospital.
i. What do you do when you want to get over a cold?
j. What do you turn off before you leave home?
k. Do you often get on a bus, train, or plane?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I usually get out of bed at
_
b. I get out of class at
_
c. I often forget to turn off
_
d. When r get a cold, r take/eat
to get over it.
e. I'm usually fast asleep by
~ 8. Take
o'clock.
a Dictation
Michael Turner is in the hospital
a
heart attack. One night while he is
unhooks the machines next to his bed. He
, he
-------------
the alarms. Then he
bed and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the elevator. He walks five miles to his
house. Turner doesn't remember anything about his walk. He
___________ in the hospital and
16 Can You Believe It?
_
Book 1
9.
complete the Dialogue
a. Cindy is talking with her boss, Ms. Ramirez,
about leaving work early. Fill in the blanks with
idioms from the box.
•
•
•
•
•
get better
get out of
turn off
get on
get over
Ms. Ramirez, can I
work early
today? I'd like to go home and go to bed.
(1)
Yes sure, Cindy. What's the matter?
I can't (2)
_
this cold. I have a headache.*
Oh, I'm sorry. This horrible weather isn't
going to help you (3)
_
It's snowing. Do you have a hat?
Yes, luckily.
Good. I hope you don't have to wait long
to (4)
the bus.
Will you (5)
_
the computers before you leave?
Sure. So long. **
• have a headache: feel pain in one's head
•• so long: goodbye
recycled idiom: What's the matter?
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Book 1
Unit 4
Can You Believe It?
17
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 19.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
KIEV, UKRAINE 1A Ukrainian businessman wants to buy
New Year's gifts for his 50 employees. 2He goes
shopping and decides to get a pager for each employee.
3The salesman explains how they work. "Look," he says,
"when someone calls, your pager rings. You see the
caller's phone number and a short message on the
screen." 4The businessman pays for the 50 pagers, puts
them in his car, and heads for the office. sOn he way,
he suddenly hears a very loud noise. All 50 pagers start
ringing at the same time! The businessman freaks 0 t
and crashes into a lamp post. 6When he calms down,
he sees the message on the 50 pagers.
It says,
"Congratulat"ons on a successful purchase!"
freak out*
go shopping
pay for something*
head for a place*
on the way (to a place)
calm down*
congratulations on something
lose one's self control
shop
give money for something
go in the direction of a place
along the route (to a place)
become calm and quiet
I commend/salute you for something important.
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
18 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
When someoV\e.calls,
Your- pager ringS.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Complete the Idiom
Cover page 18. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. go in the direction of
= head
b. give money for
=pay
c. become quiet
= calm
d. lose one's self control
= freak
_
e. along the route to a place = on the
f. shop
=go
_
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to reteH the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Book 1
Unit .5
Can You Believe It?
19
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Why does the businessman go shopping?
b. What does the businessman do after he pays for the pagers?
c. What happens on the way to the office?
d. How does the businessman react?
e. What is the message on the pagers?
f. Do you think the man likes the message?
About you
.
g. Do you have a pager or a cellular phone? Why? How much did you pay for it?
h. Do you like to go shopping? Where?
i. Do you usually head for home after class? If not, where do you go?
j. When do you congratulate people? What do you say?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. When I am nervous or worried,
_
helps me calm down.
b. I always freak out when
_
_
c. I like to go shopping at
I usually pay $
§
_
for
8. Take a Dictation
A Ukrainian businessman
for gifts for his 50
employees. He decides to get 50 pagers. He
them, puts them in his car, and
_
the office.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, there's a very loud noise. All 50 pagers
start ringing at the same time! The businessman
and crashes his car. When he
message on the pagers. It says, "
_
, he sees the
a
successful purchase!"
20 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. complete the Story
a. with'd'
Read the tru.e story and fIll
' in the blanks
1 \Oms from the box.
BI
T
KENTUCKY, USA
•
•
•
•
•
•
calms down
heads for
pay for
freaks out
goes shopping
on the way
Toyota
One day Betty Vaughn. a ~;;;;?,
- at
schoolteacher, (1)
a mall near her house. She lea es her blue Toyota in the big parking lot for a few
hours.
hen she goes back to the car, she ( 2 ) _ - - - - - - - - -
There's a deep ne," scratch on the car door.
Betty (3)_
-
home. ( 4 ) _ - - - - - - - -
she drive slowly, thinking about her husband. What is she going to tell him? He'll
be licked off.' He won t want to (51-
-
the repair to
the car.
When her husband takes a look at the car. he notices right away that it isn't their car.
Betty drove home in someone else's blue Toyota! (Even the keys were the same!)
After Betty (61
' she calls lhe po!iee to report the
problem.
.. be ticked off: be angry
recycled idioms: go back. take a look at
b. Read or tell the story t o a. partner.
1
Unit 5
Can You Believe It?
21
Revievv
1 :2 3 4 5
A. Idioms in pictures: What idioms do thes,e pictures show? Match the idiom to the picture.
_c_ l.
a. turn over
ilo,,,
2.
3.
-
-_.
-
b. freak out
[
c. get rid of
d. take a nap
e. make oneself at home
5.
8. Odd one out: Cross out the word or phrase that doesn't go with the verh.
1.
GO~-+
4. TAKE
a look at
out
a bus
at home
2. TURN
rid of
the matter
worse and worse
3. BE
22 Can You Believe It?
fast asleep
lose it
horrified by
red in the face
5.
GET~-+
Book 1
C. At, on, or UP? Complete each expression with the correct word.
1. Please turn
011
the light.
2. Sit down and make yourself
3. Get
home.
the train now!
4. Children, please pick
5. Take a look
6. I'll eat
your toys!
this funny photo.
the way.
7. Congratulations
8. I'll be
your new baby!
home tonight if you want to call me.
D. Two-line dialogues: Read each sentence in Aand find an appropriate response in B.
Write the letter on the line.
~
1. I'm freaking out. 1can't find my wallet.
a. Can you stop at the bank on the way?
__ 2. I want to take a nap.
b. No, let's take the train.
__ 3. Are you getting over your cold?
c. No, it's getting worse and worse.
_
d. Calm down. It's right here.
4. Shall we get on the bus?
__ 5. I'm going shopping.
e. Sorry. I'll pick them up.
__ 6. 1can't stand these dirty socks everywhere.
f. OK. I'll turn off the stereo.
Work with a partner. Role-play the two-line dialogues, adding appropriate body language
and intonation.
E. Similar or opposite? Look at each pair of idioms. Decide if they are similar or opposite in meaning.
Book 1
1. turn on
turn off
similar
GPpo~
2. get better
get over something
similar
opposite
3. freak out
calm down
similar
opposite
4. take a bus
get on a bus
similar
opposite
5. get better
get worse and worse
similar
opposite
6. freak out
lose it
similar
opposite
7. take a nap
fall asleep
similar
opposite
Review 1-5
Can You Believe It? 23
F. complete the sentences: Complete the sentences so they are true for you.
1. I can't stand to
2. Every morning I turn on
3. Yesterday, I paid $
for
_
4. I think
is getting worse and worse.
5. When I go to
, I make myself at home.
G. Emotional or calm? Is the person calm and relaxed or excited and emotional?
Write the sentences in the correct box.
He's freaking out.
He's falling asleep.
He's running away!
He's calming down.
He's red in the face.
He's
He's
He's
He's
He's
losing it.
taking a nap.
horrified by it.
fast asleep.
making himself at home.
H. Expressions with get: Complete each sentence with the correct expression.
get rid of
get over
get better
1. I hope I
get worse and worse
get on
get out of
---=t@=et-=---=()I/,-=--e=Y'
2. The problem will
3. I always
4. Please
5. Lupe doesn't want to
6. Chin does not speak English well, but he will
24 Can You Believe It?
thiscoldsoon!
if we do nothing.
the bus at Main Street.
this garbage.
bed.
_
Baoli
I. Find someone who... Fill in the chart with names of classmates. Try to write a
different name in each blank. Stand up and walk around the room. Ask questions such as:
Do you sit down most ofthe day?
Do you get on a bus every day?
se.
Find omeone wh
ne.
• ••
1. ...sits down most of the day.
2....gets on a bus every day.
3. ... often takes a nap in the afternoon.
4.... has a cat or dog at home.
5. ... is horrified by snakes.
6....falls asleep before 10:00 p.m.
7.... turns on the TV every night.
8. .. .loves to go shopping.
9.... takes a bus or train to school.
10....can't stand cold weather.
(Question: Do you like cold weather?)
11. ... is getting over a cold or the flu.
12....usually gets out of bed very early.
Book 1
Review 1-5
Can You Believe It? 25
1. QUick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 27.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
NOITINGHAM, ENGLAND
10ne evening Kerry Kelliby
drops by a local bar and plays a game of darts. 2He wins
the game and gets a small toy stethoscope as a joke prize.
3After a while, Kerry starts playing with the toy. He
listens to his heart. He is frightene
by what he hears
lots of beats and then silence. 4He goes to the doctor
right away. "Something's wrong with my heart," he says.
sThe doctor finds that Kerry really has a serious problem
a hole in his heart. 6Surgeons operate ·ust i
time and
now Kerry is fine. A toy saved his life!
drop by (a place)*
after a while
listen to someone or something*
be frightened by someone or something
lots of
right away '"
just in time
visit (a place) for a short time
later; at some time in the future
use your ears carefully to hear someone or something
be afraid of someone or something
many
immediately
just before the last minute; just soon enough
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
26 Can You Believe It?
Book
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 26. Draw a line from the first word of each idiom to the second.
Then match the definitions with the idioms.
a. drop ~ away
ng
1. later
b. after
by
_
2. immediately
c. listen
a while
4-
3. many
d. right
to
_
4. just before the last minute
e. just
of
f. lots
in time
a
5. visit for a short time
6. use your ears to hear something
s. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the v\lhole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
~ook
1
Unit 6
Can You Believe It?
27
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. What does Kerry get as a prize?
b. What does he do with the toy?
c. How does he feel about what he hears?
d. Where does he go right away?
e. What does he tell the doctor?
f. What is wrong with Kerry's heart? What do the surgeons do?
g. How is Kerry now?
About you
.
h. Where do you like to drop by after work or school?
i. What kind of music do you listen to?
j. What are you frightened by?
k. Do you usually get to class early, just in time, or late?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I have to
right away.
b. When I was a child, I was frightened by
_
Now I'm frightened by
_
c. I plan to
after a while.
d. I have lots of
§
_
8. Take a Dictation
One evening Kerry Kelliby
_
a local bar. He wins a game of darts and gets a toy stethoscope as a
joke prize.
toy to
1
Kerry uses the
his heart. He is
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ what he hears
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ beats and then silence. He
goes to the doctor
. The
doctor finds that Kerry has a hole in his heart. Surgeons operate
28 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
a. Giorgio and his friend are talking about
homework. Fill in the blanks with idioms
from the box.
•
•
•
•
•
•
right away
after a while
drop by
listen to
frightened by
lots of
Hey Giorgio. Why don't you
(1)
tonight?
I don't know, man. I have
(2)
_
homework.
Aw, come on. * We can
(3)
_
some of my new CDs.
I have a math test tomorrow. I should
hit the books** (4)
_
You know how horrible Ms. Klein's tests are.
You're (5)
_
her easy tests? You must be joking.
ot everyone can be
a genius like you.
I'll call you (6)
to see how it's going.
_
• come on: please do it! (informal)
•• hit the books: study
b. Work with a partner. Rote-play the dialogue together.
~ook
1
Unit 6
Can You Believe It? 29
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 31.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
SANTA FE, NM, USA 1Norma Vise, 60, is into hats.
She has a big collection of unusual hats and puts
on a different one each day. 20ne hat looks like
a carrot. Another looks like a big piece of cheese.
Another looks like a pig. 3Adults as well as
children laugh at her hats. 4"1 need a hat because
I'm very sensitive to light," says Vise. But she wears
crazy hats, she says, "because it's fun. Life can be
sad. I want to cheer people up." SVise, a college
Spanish teacher, also wears traditional hats from
Mexico. She is called the "Hat Lady" around
campus. 6What is the most popular hat? "People
are crazy about my hamburger hat," says Vise.
cheer someone up* •......................... make a sad person happier
be into something ...............•........... be very interested in something
put something on* •....................•.... wear c1oth'es
look like someone or something' ........•.... be similar in appearance to someone or something
as well as .•.....•.........•................. in addition to; and also
laugh at someone or something*
show joy at someone or something
be crazy about someone or something
like someone or something very much
*phrasaJ verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
30 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
~ 2.
listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
ow read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 30. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. wear clothes
= put _ _
b. like very much
= be crazy
c. and also
= as well
d. be similar in appearance to
= look
e. be interested in
= be
_
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and rook at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
hing
Unit 7
Can You Believe It?
31
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. What is Norma Vise into?
.
b. What does she put on everyday?
c. What do some of the hats look like?
d. \\Tho laughs at her hats?
e. Why does Vise wear unusual hats?
f. Which hat are people crazy about?
g. What do you think of Norma Vise?
About you
h. What are you into?
.
i. Name three foods you are crazy about.
j. Who (or what) cheers you up when you're sad?
k. Who do you look like?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. When I was younger, I was into
_
Now I'm into - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - b. I like to put on
_
c. I'm crazy about
_
d. I laugh at
[§
_
8. Take a Dictation
Norma Vise
hats. She
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a different unusual hat each
day. One hat
a carrot. Another
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a pig. Vise wears crazy hats
because "it's fun. I want to
- - - - - - - - - - ." Adults
children
most popular one? "People
people
---------her hats. What is her
my
hamburger hat," says Vise.
32 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
• ~r~n't laughing at
.Isinto
• cheer...up
• as well as
• are crazy about
9. complete the Story
a. Read the true story. Fill in
with'd'
the blanks
I lOms from the box.
Bubble La y
Ch er Pe
ants to
SANTA CRUZ, CA, USA Karen Turcotte, 35, ( 1 ) - - - - - - - - bubbles.
Eight hours a week: she blows soap bubbles at bus stopS and at busy intersections.
Drivers honk and wa e at her. People (21
Turcotte's bubbles,
hildreo. The Bubble Lady, as she is called, says
adults (31
,hat life is full of tragedy. "This is a way to (4)
But police (5)
her
bubbles. They've given Tur oUe a traffi
ticket. ''The bubbles could cause an accident,"
say police officer Brad
- people
1~~Jb.J\HJ~-
oodwin.
• a week: each we k
b. Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 7
an You Believe It?
33
n
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 35.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, USA 1An elderly
couple is taki g a
acation in Yellowstone Park.
They stop their car to tak
a p. ture of some bears.
They leave their car doors open. 2A young bear gets
in. He is lookin
for food.
he man and woman
do their best to get rid of the bear, but he refuses
to move. 450 they drive 17 miles to a park ranger
station with the bear in the back seat. sWhen the
man gets out to report the problem, the bear gets
the front seat. 6The rangers can not believe
their
yes! They find a woman in the passenger
seat and a bear behind the wheel.
on vacation
take a vacation
take a picture (of someone or something)
get in (something) *
look for someone or something *
do one's best
not believe one's eyes
recycled idioms: get rid of, get out
34 Can You Believe It?
away from work or school; on holiday
have time away from work or school
use a camera to get a photograph (of someone or
something)
enter (a car, bed, bathtub, shower, or small boat)
try to find someone or something
perform as well as you can
be very surprised to see something
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix DJ
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 34. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
~
[!]
a. try to find
1. get in
b. enter (a car, bed, etc.)
2. on vacation
c. be very surprised
3. do your best
d. away from work or school
4. look for
e. perform as well as you can
5. not believe your eyes
:or
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Teli the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Book 1
Unit 8
Can You Believe It?
35
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Where is the couple taking a vacation?
b. Why do they stop their car?
c. Why does a bear get in?
d, Does he get out?
e, What does the couple decide to do?
f. Why can't the rangers believe their eyes?
About you
.
g. What do you know about Yellowstone Park? Would you like to take a vacation
there? Why or why not?
h. Tell about a great vacation you took.
i. Do you like to take pictures? If so, of what?
j. Do you always do your best?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I would like to take a vacation to
_
because
_
b. When I go on vacation, I always look for
_
c. I always do my best when I am
~ 8. Take
_
a Dictation
An elderly couple
in Yellowstone
Park. They stop their car to
some
bears. Ayoung bear
, He's
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ food. The man and woman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to get rid of the bear, but he
refuses to move. So they drive 17 miles to a ranger station with the
bear in the back seat. When the man gets out to report the problem,
the bear
the front seat. The
rangers can
, They find a woman
in the passenger seat and a bear behind the wheel.
36 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
•
•
•
•
•
a. Marcella and Hyunwoo are neighbors. Marcella
sees Hyunwoo putting suitcases in the car. Fill
in the blanks with idioms from the box.
get in
won't believe your eyes
taking a vacation
on vacation
take pictures
Hi, Hyunwoo. What's up?*
Where are you going?
(1)
_
You are?
Didn't I tell you? To the Grand Canyon.
You're (2)
to the
Grand Canyon? How wonderful! Can I come?
Sure.
(3)
_
Great idea-ha hal I wish I could. I was there a few
years ago and loved it. Do you have your camera?
You'll want to (4)
_
Yes, and I have tons of** film.
It's so beautiful. You
(5)
_
• What's up?: What's happening?; How are you? (informal)
•• tons of: a lot of
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
~ook
1
Unit 8
Can You Believe It?
37
Man
on fo
Life
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 39.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
CHICAGO, IL, USA 'One day Charles Gardner, 35, sees two
teenage boys breaking into his car. 2As they tak
off,
Gardner jumps on the car and grabs the luggage rack. 3The
teenage driver speeds up. He hits a light pole. 4Then he
drives through two fences. Gardner hangs on or dear
life. sThe car gets on the highway. By this time, more than
two dozen police cars are following it. 6After 20 minutes,
the driver slows down. Police surround the car. The teens
are in big tr uble. As for Gardner, he has some cuts, but
he is okay. "It's a miracle that he wasn't killed," said police
officer Michael Kuemmeth.
hang on for dear life
hold something very tightly
break into something*
enter illegally by force
take off* ...................•........ leave (by car, on foot, by plane)
speed up *
go faster
slow down*
go more slowly
be in (big) trouble
have big problems; be in a difficult situation
as for someone or something'
regarding or concerning someone or something
recycled idiom: get on
38 Can You Believe It?
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
Book 1
~ 2.
listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 38. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
[!].
a. enter illegally by force
1. take off
b. go faster
2. hang on for dear life
c. leave
3. be in big trouble
d. hold something very tightly
4. break into
e. be in a difficult situation
5. speed up
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
~ook
1
Unit 9
Can You Believe It? 39
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. When Gardner first sees the boys, what are they doing?
b. What does he do when the car takes off?
c. When the teenage driver speeds up, what does Gardner do?
d. Why does the driver finally slow down?
e. Why are the teens in big trouble? What kind of punishment do you think they
should get?
About you
f. When you were a teen, were you ever in big trouble?
.
g. Are you a good driver? When do you speed up? When do you slow down?
h. Has anyone ever broken into your car, apartment, or house?
i. °Is your life busy and fast? How do you slow down?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. Recently I was in big trouble when
_
b. When I'm on a plane and it is taking off, I
_
[§ 8. Take a Dictation
One day Charles Gardner, 35, sees two boys
his car. They
car. The driver
_
, and Gardner jumps on the
' He hits a light pole. Then
he drives through two fences. Gardner
_
The car gets on the highway. By this time, more than two dozen police cars are
following it. After 20 minutes, the driver
and police surround the car. The teens
_
_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Gardner, he is okay.
40 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
r.
9. Complete the Dialogue
a. Blanca and Julia are going to school.
Blanca is giving Julia a ride on her bike.
Fill in the blanks with idioms from the box.
•
•
•
•
•
be in big trouble
slow down
as for
speed up
am hanging on for
dear life
Blanca, you're going too fast!
We're late! We have to
a little.
(1)
But not down this hill!
We'll (2)
if
we're late for school again. Ms. Vine will. ..
...1know, 1know, but please
(3)
a little. 1don't
--
want to fall. And ( 4 ) - - Ms. Vine, she can just wait.
Don't sweat it!*
Everything's under control!**
1(5)
_
,. Don't sweat it!: Don't worry about it. (informal)
** Everything's under control!: Everything is fine.
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
~ook
1
Unit 9
Can You Believe It?
41
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 43.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
LONDON, ENGLAND 1James Meadows, 28, doesn't
get along with his neighbors. He likes to play
loud music. 2But his neighbors are fed up with
it. 3Again and again they report the problem to
the police. They tell Meadows to turn down the
volume. 4But Meadows ignores the warnings and
continues to play loud music. 5Finally, the police
take away his $700 stereo. They smash it with a
hammer on a public street. "This is a warning to
everyone. Neighbors have rights," they say. 6But
Meadows is steaming. "The police should go
after criminals, not music lovers," he says.
be fed up (with someone or something) ......• be tired of; be at the end of your patience
(with someone or something)
get along (with someone)* ....•.•............ have a good relationship (with someone)
again and again ...•..................•...... many times; repeatedly
turn something down* •...................... make something less loud or less strong
take something away* ......•.......•.•....•. remove something
be steaming' .........•..................•... be angry
go after someone or something* ....•........ try to get or catch someone or something
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix Dj
42 Can You Believe It?
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
~~ffi Stop t~Qt
musIc!
. The police
should
after
•
Is....I
crImIna
ao
\J.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 42. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
b. try to get or catch
= be
= go
c. have a good relationship with
= get _ _ _ _ _
d. many times
= again and
e. be tired of
= be
a. be angry
with
_
up with
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
look 1
Unit 10
Can You Believe It? 43
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. How do Meadows' neighbors feel about his music?
b. What do they do about it?
c. What do the authorities tell Meadows?
d. Does he listen to them?
e. What do the police finally do with the stereo?
f. How does Meadows feel about it?
g. Do you think the police did the right thing?
About you
.
h. Do you get along with your neighbors?
i. Do they do anything that you are fed up with?
j. Do yOLl like loud music? If so, do people ask you to turn it down?
k. Are you steaming about something now? If so, what?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I'm fed up with
_
because
_
b. I like to
_
again and again.
c. I get along well with
_
because
[§ 8. Take
_
a Dictation
James Meadows doesn't
neighbors
his neighbors. His
his loud music. They report the
problem to the police
Meadows to
. The police tell
the volume, but Meadows
ignores the warnings. Finally, the police
_
his stereo. They smash it with a hammer on a public street. Meadows
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . "The police should
______________ criminals, not music lovers," he says.
44 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. complete the Story
a. Read the true story and fill in th
blanks WI.th'd'
I tOms from the box.e
an
• is steaming
• again and again
• going after
• ~et along with
• 15 fed up with
rres ed for Piano Playing
ORONO, ME, USA
Robert Noland
doesn't (1)
his
neighbor. oland has a Master's degree
in piano, and he plays concerts all over
the u.s. and Europe. When he is at home,
he practices the piano a lot. Sometimes
he
plays
the
same
music
(2)_
But his
neighbor, Mary Lou Dall, ( 3 ) _ - - - - - - - - - the noise.
One daY Noland is practicing the piano. It's very hot and his
windows are open. Two police officers appear at his door. They
tell Noland that Mary Lou Dall has called them about his loud
music. "You have to stop playing or shut the windoWs," they say.
Noland ignores the warning. He keeps on* playing the piano with
the windows open. The police return and arrest him. Noland is
waiting to go to court, and he (4)
. "Why
are the police (5)_
me? I'm not drunk in
the middle of the street. I'm only playing the piano!" he says.
* ke P on doing something: continue doing something
recycled idiom: at home
b. Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 10
Can You Believe It? 45
Revievv
6
7 8
9 10
A. Idioms in pictures: What do these pictures show? Write the second word of the idiom.
1. laugh
L..
a t
5. hang _ _
~
6. put _ _
listen
3. speed _ _
7. take
4. take
8. slow
---- iii
B. Word partners: Look at the common words and phrases that follow these idioms.
Can you add others?
1. put on
a dress
3. laugh at
ajoke
perfume
a TV show
lotion
a funny story
gloves
a clown
sunglasses
an idea
a hat
2. break into
a bank
4. get in
bed
a building
line
a store
the bathtub
an apartment
a truck
a safe
a taxi
Note: You get on a bus, train, plane, and ship.
46 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
C. Good or bad? Is the speaker feeling good or bad? Write the sentences in the correct box.
I'm fed up with all of this.
Please cheer me up!
I'm really into this!
I'm i big trouble now!
I'm
I'm
I'm
I'm
crazy about this.
steaming.
getting along with everyone.
frightened by it.
D. Expressions with take: Complete each sentence with the correct expression.
take off
take...away
take a picture of
take a vacation
1. The dog has my shoes!
them
_
from him!
2. I'd like to
, but my boss doesn't want me to.
3. Can you
me, please?
4. Hurry! The plane is going to
in ten minutes.
E. EXpressions with be: Complete each sentence with the correct expression.
Use the correct form of the verb be.
be fed up with
be steaming
be in big trouble
be into
be frightened by
be crazy about
1. I don't want to play this game anymore. I
2. I
it.
. The dog just ate my shoes.
3. You're late again! The boss is steaming. You
4. Basketball is her favorite sport. She
it.
5. Last year she was into tattoos. This year she
piercings.
6. I
Review 6-10
now.
body
spiders and snakes, aren't you?
Can You Believe It?
47
f. Crossword puzzle: Complete the idioms and fill in the crossword puzzle.
Across
1. The plane will
off at 11 o'clock.
2. I'm trying to sleep! Please turn
the TV.
4. Why are you driving so slowly? Let's
up.
5. Ivan doesn't get
with his mother-in-law.
6. Please
in the car.
7. She's studying Chinese as
as Japanese.
10. You're just in
! The movie just started.
Down
1. Do you want to listen
Mozart?
3. I'm leaving right away. As
John,
he'll leave next week.
4. I'm
. I just got a parking ticket.
8. What a surprise! I don't believe my
_
9. We went to Costa Rica
vacation.
11. I left messages with Katya again and
_
but I never got an answer.
12. I did my
on the test.
G. Complete the sentences: Complete the sentences so they are true for you.
1. This morning I put
2. Some of my friends are into
on.
_
but I'm not.
3. I want to take vacation
_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (where? when?).
4. I often drop by
_
in order to
5. I like to listen to
_
again and again.
6. I would like to buy lots of
48 Can You Believe It?
_
Book 1
H. Idiom game: Play this game in pairs or groups of three. Each player should put a
different marker (a penny, a button, etc.) on START. Players will take turns,
beginning with the person whose birthday comes first in the year.
Directions:
1. When it is your turn close your eyes. Use your pencil to
touch a number (in the box on the right). Move your
marker that. many spaces.
2. Try to make a personal, true sentence using the idiom.
3. If you can do it, stay on the space. [f you can't, go back
two spaces.
4. The first person to reach FINISH is the winner.
be crazy
about
on
vacation
be
steaming
take a
vacation
Review 6-10
look like
laugh at
4
J
2
1
2
2
4
J
4
J
1
2
2
J
1
put on
lots of
drop by
right
away
be into
look for
get in
be
frightened
by
be fed
up w~th
get along
with
after a
while
take a
vacation
get along
with
take
pictures of
listen to
cheer up
get in
take off
laugh at
look like
right away
be into
listen to
again
and
again
be crazy
about
Can You Believe It? 49
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 51.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
SUMATRA ISLAND, PAlEMBANG, INDONESIA 11t was
Sunday, visiting day, at the Merdeka prison. Families
were spe di
visiting hours
e
i h the prisoners. 2When
ere over, security guards opened
the front gate for the visitors and let them out.
3Later on that day, 106 prisoners escaped. 4How?
It was a
asy as pie. They walked out the front
gate! sThe guards had made a mistake and
forgotten to lock it. 6Prison officials are red in the
face. Police are looking for the escaped prisoners,
but s
far, they have caught only three.
(as) easy as pie
spend time (with someone)
be over
let someone out*
later on
make a mistake·
so far
recycled idioms: be red in the face, look for
50 Can You Believe It?
very simple, easy
use time (with someone)
be finished; end
allow someone to leave
later; at some time in the future
do something incorrectly
until now; up to the present time
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
Book 1
~ 2.
listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 50. Draw a line from the first word of the idiom to the second.
Then match the definitions with the idioms.
a. later
pie
_
1. very simple
b. make a
out
_
2. allow to go out
c. as easy as
over
3. end
d. be
on
4. at some time in the future
e. let
mistake
_
5. do something incorrectly
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the'story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 11
Can You Believe It? 51
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Why were families spending time with prisoners?
b. What happened when visiting hours were over?
c. When did the prisoners escape?
d. Why was their escape as easy as pie?
e. How do prison officials feel now?
f. How many prisoners have they found so far?
About you
.
g. Tell about a time when you made a big mistake.
h. What things are easy as pie for you?
I.
How do you spend your free time? Who do you like to spend it with?
j. Do you have a pet? Do you let it out of the house alone?
k. What time is your English class over?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. Yesterday, I spent time with
_
b. When school or work is over, I usually
_
c. Later on I plan to
_
d. So far in this book, I have learned
_
~ 8. Take
a Dictation
It was Sunday at the Merdeka prison. Families were
_
the prisoners. When visiting hours
, security
guards opened the front gate and
the
visitors.
escaped. How? It was
front gate! The guards had
that day, more than 100 prisoners
. They walked out the
and forgotten to
lock it. Prison officials are red in the face. Police are looking for the escaped
prisoners, but they've caught only three
52 Can You Believe It?
_
Book 1
9. Complete the Story
a. Read the t rue story and fH .
with 'd"
. I In the blanks
I Joms from the box.
• Was over
• later on
• easy as pie
• made a mistake
• spend time
• Ie out
r ma at McDonald's
BODENGRAVEN, THE NETHERLANDS People in Bodengraven
love to (1)
at their local
McDonald's restaurant. It's quick, and getting a meal there
is (2)
_
But one day, the fast-food restaurant didn't open on time. Customers wanted their Big
Macs. They called the police, and the police became worried. "McDonald's always
opens on time!*" they thought. The police were afraid there was a hostage situation
inside the restaurant. Soon there were more than 30 police cars around the restaurant.
(3)
, police called a special team to storm the building. It
was time to (4)
the hostages. Just then, the manager of
the restaurant arrived. "I'm sorry. I thought I was working the late shift," he said. The
drama (5)
. The police (6)
_
and they are red in the face .
• on time: at the correct time
recycled idiom: be red in the face
b. Read or tell the story to a
t
par nero
Unit 11
Can You Believe It? 53
•
Sma t Pig
Sav 5 t
Day
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 55.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA 1LuLu, a Vietnamese pig, is a very
smart pet. She belongs to Jo Ann Altsman, 57.
20 ne day when Jo Ann was alone at home, she had a
heart attack. She had trouble breathing and fell to the
floor. She was at deat 's
oor. 3But LuLu saved the
day. The pig ran into the fenced-in yard. Somehow she
pushed the gate open. 4Then she walked into the middle
of the road and lay down. sA surprised motorist
stopped and got out of his car. LuLu got up and led the
man into the house. He quickly called an ambulance.
6When the ambulance showed up, LuLu tried to get in
too. "She's very, very smart," the lucky owner said later.
save the day'
produce excellent results when things are going badly
belong to someone *
be the property of someone
have trouble doing something'
find something difficult to do
be at death's door
be near death
lie down*
rest in a horizontal position
get up* ...........................•. rise from a sitting or lying position
show up* ....•...................... appear; arrive
recycled idioms: at home, get out, get in
54 Can You Believe It?
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
'Cover page 54. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. be near death
= be at death's
b. arrive, appear
= show
c. be the property of
=belong _ _
d. produce excellent results
when things are bad
= save the
e. rest in a horizontal position
= lie
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 12
Can You Believe It? 55
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. Who does LuLu belong to?
.
b. Why was LuLu's owner at death's door?
c. What did she have trouble doing?
d. What did LuLu do to save the day?
e. When the motorist got out of his car, what did LuLu do?
f. What did LuLu try to do when the ambulance showed up? Why?
g. Would you like a pet like LuLu?
About you
.
h. Do you have a pet? If so, is your pet smart?
i. Tell about a situation when you (or someone you know) saved the day.
.
j. What time do you usually get up in the morning?
k. What do you have trouble doing? Do you ask for help?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I like to lie down on/in
to rest.
b. I'm very happy that
belongs to me.
c. I never have trouble
_
d. On weekends, I get up at
_
fffi] 8. Take a Dictation
One day Jo Ann Altsman, 57, had a heart attack. She
breathing and was
_
. But her pet pig LuLu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - . LuLu went into the middle of the road
and
. Finally, a motorist stopped. LuLu
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and led the man into the house, where he
called an ambulance. When it
, LuLu tried
to get in too. "She's very, very smart," the lucky owner said later.
56 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the story
• saved the day
a. Read
t
and fill in th bl
. the true sory
wIth idioms from the box.
e anks
a
• lay down
• belonged to
• showed up
• got up
n
B F ALO, NY, USA
One
e ening, Tracey Schelanski
(1)---------
and fell asleep. A few
hours later, she heard
(2)
a loud crash. She
and looked out the
window. A car had hit her house! But nO one got out.
Instead, the car backed np' and drove away!
The next morning, Tracey looked at the damage to
her house. It was bad, and Tracy was steaming. Bnt
then she noticed something. The car's license
plate as stuck in the house! The license plate
(3)
for Tracey. When police
(4)
they told her it
(5)
a 23-year-ol d man. They
arrested him right away.
.. back up: move in reverse
recycled idioms: fall asleep, get out. be steaming, right away
b. Read or tell the story to a partnero
Unit 12
Can You Believe It? 57
5
a•
Lett
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 59.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
OSLO, NORWAY 1Residents in one Oslo neighborhood
were not getting any mail. IIWhat is goin
on1
11
they
asked each other. 2They told the Norwegian Postal Service
~I-)out the problem. 3'fhe postal authorities sm lied a rat.
They began to look into the problem. 4They dropped in
at the home of the mailman for that neighborhood. They
couldn't believe their eyes. They came across piles of mail
in the man's house. There were at least 900 pounds of
letters and packages. Sit seems the mailman was too lazy
to finish his route every day. 6Most bosses are happy when
an employee takes work home, but not the Norwegian
Postal Service. They fired the mailman at once.
What is going on?
smell a rat
look into something*
drop in (at a place)*
come across something*
at least
at once
recycled idiom: not believe one's eyes
58 Can You Believe It?
.
What is happenin d ?
think there may be something wrong or illegal
investigate; examine something
visit for a short time, often unexpectedly
find something by chance
a minimum of; no fewer than
immediately
*phrasaJ verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
Book 1
§
~:;WllldI
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
_ three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 58. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. What is happening?
= What is going _ _?
b. investigate
= look
c. find by chance
= come
d. immediately
= at
e. a minimum of
= at
5. Tefl the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 13
Can You Believe It?
59
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. What did residents in Oslo ask each other?
b. When postal authorities smelled a rat, what did they do?
c. How did they react when they went to the mailman's home?
d. What did they come across?
e. How many pounds of mail were there?
f. Why didn't the mailman deliver the mail?
g. What did the Norwegian Postal Service do?
About you
.
h. Are you sometimes too lazy to finish things?
i. Tell about a situation when you smelled a rat.
j. Have you ever come across something valuable on the street?
k. What is going on this week at your school or at your job?
•
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I need to
_
at once.
b. I often drop in to see
_
c. I have at least
~
pairs of shoes.
8. Take a Dictation
Some residents in Oslo, Norway, were not getting any mail.
I<
?" they asked each other. The
Norwegian Postal Service
and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the problem. They
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ at the home of the mailman for
that neighborhood. They couldn't believe their eyes. They
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ piles of mail in the man's
house-
900 pounds! They fired
him - - - - - - - - - - - - -
60 Can You Believe It?
Book]
•
•
•
•
•
9. complete the Dialogue
a. Paco and Gianni are friends. They're talking
about Paco's car. Fill in the blanks with
idioms from the box.
Hey, Gianni. (1)
Where's my car? You said you
were returning it today.
at once
smell a rat
looking into
what's going on
at least
?
Uh, do you really need it today?
Yes, I do.
WelL ..
I need it now. (2)
_
Urn, Paco, the car. .. uh ... You don't want to see it.
. Where is my car?
I (3)
Well, uh, I parked it over there,
across the street.
Where? Oh! I don't believe my eyes! The front is smashed in.
Oh, no! Oh, man, you had an accident! It looks bad! That'll cost
me (4)
$1,000 bucks!*
Paco, calm down. Someone hit it in a parking lot.
I reported it to the police and they're
(5)
it. I'm really sorry, man.
Not half as sorry as I am.
* bucks: dollars (informal)
recycled idioms: I don't believe my eyes, calm down
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Unit 13
Can You Believe It? 61
Girl
MOl'e
Art
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 63.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
SANTA FE, NM, USA
1
11 Body art is -n,1I says Isabella
Ortega, 18. She has nine piercings on her face. 2First
she got a nose ring. Then she got her tongue pierced.
She couldn't stand to eat hot food for weeks after that.
3Next she got her cheeks, ears, chin, and the bridge of
her nose pierced. 41sabella and her mother don't see
eye to ye about body art. Her mother gets mad at
her each time she wants more. 5Does Isabella h ve
second thoughts about her piercings? "At times I
do,lI she admits.
II
People stare at me, and I hate that."
6But she is already thinking about her next piercing.
"1 want four or five rings in my lips," she says.
p..&-"'a........
-.L.IoI!.....I.Io.ooL
be in .•.....•....•.........•................... be in fashion; be popular
see eye to eye· .......•.......•...••............ agree completely
get mad (at someone)
become angry (at someone)
have second thoughts (about something) ..•...•. have doubts (about something)
at times
! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • sometimes; occasionally
stare at someone or something*
look at someone or something with wide eyes
think about someone or something*
consider; anticipate; form a mental image of
someone or something
recycled idiom: can't stand something
62 Can You Believe It?
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix DJ
Book 1
I§] 2. listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 62. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
a. be popular
1. stare at
b. look at with wide eyes
2. get mad at
c. sometimes
3. see eye to eye
d. agree completely
4. at times
e. become angry at
5. bein
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 14
Can You Believe It? 63
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. What do you think about Isabella's body art?
.
b. How does her mother react when Isabella wants another piercing?
c. Is Isabella always completely happy with her body art?
d. What do people do when she goes out?
e. What is Isabella thinking about now?
About you
.
f. Is body art in with your group of friends?
g. What is in with teens in your country (music, dance, fashion, etc.)? What is in
with you and your friends?
h. Who do you get mad at? Why?
i. Do you have second thoughts about a decision you made when you were
younger?
7. write about Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. At times I don't see eye to eye with
_
because
_
b. I am always thinking about
_
c. Last week I got mad at
_
because
§
_
8. Take a Dictation
"Body art
," says Isabella Ortega.
She has nine piercings on her face. First she got a nose ring. Then she got her
tongue pierced. Next she got her cheeks, ears, chin, and the bridge of her nose
(
pierced. Isabella's mother doesn't
her about body art. She
she gets another piercing.
with
Isabella when
, Isabella
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ her body art. She hates when people
______________ her. But she's
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ gett,ing rings in her lips.
64 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
•
•
•
•
•
a. Ivanka is talking with her mother about
changing her hair color. Fill in the blanks
with idioms from the box.
get mad at
is in
I'm thinking about
see eye to eye
at times
Mom, I want to do something to
my hair. (1)
_
changing the color.
What? Your hair is beautiful.
It's boring. I love red hair. Purple hair
(2)
too.
Purple hair? re you serious? Don't you dare.
Honey, (3)
I think
you're completely crazy.
Don't (4)
_
me, mom. It'll look good.
I don't think so.
Well, I do.
Well, we'll never
(5)
about this.
Let's discuss it at dinner with your father.
With dad? He doesn't have a clue about* fashion.
He doesn't know what's out** or what's in.
* not have a clue about something: not know anything about something
** be out: be out of fashion
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Unit 14
Can You Believe It? 65
One i
a M II
1. Quick Reac;Hng
Look at the pictures on page 67.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA
1Albert Lexie is one in
million. 2As a child, he was dirt poor and
dropped out of school. 3Today, Lexie, 56, makes
a living by shining shoes. He works at the Children's
Hospital in Pittsburgh. 4He charges $2 to shine
doctors' shoes and makes about $9,000 per year. In
addition, he gets tips from the doctors. sLexie is
not well-off, but he gives all his tips away to the
hospital. Since 1985, he has given more than $40,000
to help sick kids. 6" Albert's work is as important as
any doctor's work," says one regular customer, Dr.
Samuel Kocoshis. "He is a true humanitarian."
humanitarian: someone who helps people and society
one in a million'
be dirt poor
drop out (of something)*
make a living'
in addition
be well-off
give something away*
unique; very special
have very little money
quit (school, a race, etc.)
earn money for food, housing, etc.
also
have a lot of money; be rich
give something as a gift
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
66 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
§
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 66. Draw a line from the first part of each idiom to the second.
Then match the definitions with the idioms.
a. be dirt
away
_
1. give as a gift
b.
addition
_
2. earn money for food and housing
c. give
in a million
_
3. leave (school, a race, etc.)
d. make
poor
_
4. have very little money
e. drop
a living
_
5. unique; very special
f. one
out
In
6. also
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then teU the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 15
Can You Believe It? 67
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. What do you know about Lexie's childhood?
.
b. Did he finish school?
c. How does Lexie make a living?
d. Is he well-off? How much does he make per year?
e. What does he get in addition?
f. What does he do with his tips?
g. Do you agree that Lexie is one in a million? Why or why not?
About you
.
h. Do yOLl know someone (either famous or not) who is one in million? Tell why this
person is one in a million.
1.
How do you make a living now? How do you hope to make a living in the future?
J. In your opinion, is it necessary to be well-off to be happy?
k. In your opinion, why do children drop out of school?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I speak English. In addition,
_
b. I think
is one in a million
because
_
c. I gave
_
away to
~
_
8. Take a Dictation
As a child, Albert Lexie
and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ school. Today, Lexie, 56,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by shining shoes at a
hospital for children. He shines doctors' shoes, and he makes
about $9,000 per year.
gets tips. Lexie
, he
all his
tips to the hospital. Since 1985, he has given more than $40,000 to
help sick kids. Lexie
a true humanitarian. He's
68 Can You Believe It?
, but he's
_
Book]
9. complete the story
a, Read
. the blanks 'th
'd' the true sto ry. F'III In
I lOms from the box,
WI
• makes a living
• o!'e in a million
• dirt poor
• gives away
• well-off
• in addition
Man Gives way Free ash
NORFOLK, VA, USA
(1)
Don Stephenson is
- ' Stephenson, 36, was
living on the streets a few years ago. He was
homeless and (2)
____
, "I didn't
-~--_ .... knoW where my next meal was corning from," he says.
NoW Stephenson has a home and (3)
as a
mechanic. But he has not forgotten the people on the streets. One night a
week he goes to the poor side of town. Stephenson is not
(4)
, but he stands on street corners and hands
out' $5 or $10 to anyone whO needs it. (5)
, he
(6)
food and clothing. "I don't want to see anyone
hungry," he says. "\ understand these people because I've been the,e.""
• hand something out: distribute something
•• I've been there: I've experienced that
b, Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 15
Can You Believe
It?
69
Revievv
11 12 13 14 15
A. Idioms in pictures: Complete each idiom and match it to its definition.
-4--
1. spend _ _t..::...:/c..:..:·M...:...::e.=------_ with
a. have very little money
2. smell a
b. very simple
3. be
_
poor
__ 4. as easy as
c. be near death
_
d. agree completely
e. very special
5. save the - - - - - -
~~#qqPw
6. see - - - - - -
t.n
f. think there may be something wrong
J 'l
7. be at death's - - - - - - ..
g. use time with
8. one in a
h. produce excellent results when
things are going badly
_
B. opposites: Each question in A contains an idiom. Find an appropriate answer in B
which contains an opposite idiom. Write the letter on the line.
[K]
fLAre they well-off?
[!]
a. No, later on.
__ 2. Did they have trouble writing it?
b. No, they just got up.
__ 3. Are they lying down?
c. No, they always get mad at each other.
__ 4. Do they see eye to eye?
d. No, they saved the day.
__ 5. Will they begin at once?
e. No, it was easy as pie.
__ 6. Did they make a mistake?
f. No, dirt poor.
70 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
C. At or in? Complete each expression with the correct word.
once
l.
6.be
2. drop
7.
3. stare
8.be
addition
4.
5. one
death's door
times
9. get mad
a million
10.
least
D. Good or bad? Is the speaker feeling good or bad? Write the sentences in the correct box.
She says I'm one in a million.
I made a big mistake.
I feel like I'm at death's door.
It's easy as pie for me.
I'm making a good living.
I'm getting mad at you now.
I saved the day!
I need to lie down.
I'm dirt poor now.
I'm having a lot of trouble with this.
E. Time expressions: Match each idiom in Awith its definition in B. Then fill in the blanks below
with an idiom from A.
~
[I]
1. later on
a. immediately
2. at once
b. sometimes
3. so far
c. after a while
4. at times
d. until now
I love movies. When a new film comes to town, I go
month
I've seen at least 10 new ones. I prefer dramas
and comedies, but
In fact, I think I'm going to see a new movie
Review 11-15
. This
I go see an action film or a western.
today.
Can You Believe It? 71
F. Phasal verbs that take objects (transitive): The following phrasal verbs take direct
objects. Fill in the sentences with the correct verb.
stare at
look into
drop out of
give away
come across
belong to
think about
let out
1. The bikes
b::....:e=.:../.=...:ol/c:.:;9I-t-=..:o'----_ _
Johann.
2. What do you
3. I'll
this book?
myoid car.
4. Pavel wants to
5. Please don't
6. The police will
7. The teacher will
school.
me.
the crime.
the students early.
8. I looked everywhere for that photo, but I didn't
it.
G. Phrasal verbs that do not take objects (non-transitive): The following phrasal verbs
do not take direct objects. Fill in the sentences with the correct verb.
drop in
show up
lie down
getup
1. Hurry! If you don't
2. I miss you. Please
3. I have a headache. I'm going to
4. We were worried because Jason didn't
72 Can You Believe It?
now, you'll be late.
when you're in town.
_
_
Book]
H. Find someone who: Fill in the chart with names of classmates. Try to write a different
name in each blank. Stand up and walk around the room. Ask questions such as:
Do you want to be well-offin the future?
Will you watch TV later on today?
•
In
s me n who...
1. ... wants to be well-off in the future.
2....will watch TV later on today.
3....thinks learning English is easy as pie.
4.... has trouble learning English.
5....wants to make a living in the business world.
6....got mad at someone or something yesterday.
7....often thinks about getting married.
8.... likes to get up early.
9....spends a lot of time with family.
10.... has at least four brothers and sisters.
11. ... belongs to a club or organization.
12.... made a big mistake at work this week.
Review 11-15
Can You Believe It?
73
Appendix A: Ansvver Key
1:
Please Get Rid of that smell!
page 3: 4) a. at b. on c. stand d. matter e. worse f. it
page 4: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 5: 9) 1. turn on 2. can't stand 3. Take a look at 4. are getting worse and worse 5. get rid of
2:
Red in the Face
page 7: 4) a. 3 b. 2 c. 1 d. 5 e.4
page 8: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 9: 9) 1. sits down 2. takes out 3. picks up 4. is red in the face 5. go back to
3:
leopard Makes Himself at Home
page 11: 4) a. away b. asleep c. over d. nap e. home
page 12: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 13: 9) 1. turns over 2. is horrified by 3. has fallen asleep 4. runs away 5. taking a nap
4:
Heart Patient walks Home Fast Asleep
page 15: 4) a. better b. asleep c. off d. on e. back
page 16: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 17: 9) 1. get out of 2. get over 3. get better 4. get on 5. turn off
5:
Businessman Freaks out
page 19: 4) a. for b. for c. down d. out e. way f. shopping
page 20: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 21: 9) 1. goes shopping 2. freaks out 3. heads for 4. On the way 5. pay for 6. calms down
Review: lessons 1-5
page 22: A. 1. c 2. e 3. d 4. b 5. a
B. 1. rid of 2. for 3. lose it 4. at home 5. the matter
page 23: C. 1. on 2. at 3. on 4. up 5. at 6. on 7. on 8. at
D. 1. d 2. f 3. c 4. b 5. a 6. e
E. 1. opposite 2. similar 3. opposite 4. similar 5. opposite 6. similar 7. similar
page 24: F. Answers will vary.
G. EMOTIONAL: He's freaking out.; He's running away!; He's red in the face.; He's losing it.; He's
horrified by it.
CALM: He's falling asleep.; He's calming down.; He's taking a nap.; He's fast asleep.; He's
making himself at home.
H. 1. get over 2. get worse and worse 3. get on 4. get rid of 5. get out of 6. get better
page 25: L Answers will vary.
74 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
6:
Toy Saves Man's Life
page 27: 4) a. drop by (5) b. after a while (1) c.listen to (6) d. right away (2) e. just in time (4)
f. lots of (3)
page 28: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 29: 9) 1. drop by 2. lots of 3. listen to 4. right away 5. frightened by 6. after a while
7:
Hat lady Wants to Cheer You up
page 31: 4) a. on b. about c. as d. like e. into
page 32: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 33: 9) 1. is into 2. are crazy about 3. as well as 4. cheer ... up 5. aren't laughing at
8:
Bear Goes on Vacation
page 35: 4) a. 4 b. 1 c. 5 d.2 e.3
page 36: 8) See Appendix B. page 78
page 37: 9) 1. On vacation 2. taking a vacation 3. Get in 4. take pictures 5. won't believe your eyes
9:
Man Hangs on for Dear Life
page 39: 4) a. 4 b. 5 c. 1 d. 2 e. 3
page 40: 8) See Appendix B, page 78
page 41: 9) 1. speed up 2. be in big trouble 3. slow down 4. as for 5. am hanging on for dear life
10: Neighbors fed up with loud Music
page 43: 4) a. steaming b. after c. along d. again e. fed
page 44: 8) See Appendix B, page 78
page 45: 9) 1. get along with 2. again and again 3. is fed up with 4. is steaming 5. going after
Review: lessons 6-10
page 46: A. 1. at 2. to 3. up 4. off 5. on 6. on 7. away 8. down
B. Answers will vary but the following are possibilities: 1. a hat, pants, a coat, shoes 2. a house,
a car 3. a funny person, a funny movie, a cartoon, a comedy, a comedian 4. a car, the shower,
a sailboat, a canoe
page 47: C. GOOD: I'm really into this!; I'm crazy about this.; I'm getting along with everyone.;
BAD: I'm fed up with all of this.; Please cheer me up!; I'm in big trouble now!; I'm steaming.;
I'm frightened by it.
D. 1. Take ... away 2. take a vacation 3. take a picture of 4. take off
E. 1. am fed up with 2. am steaming 3. are in big trouble 4. is crazy about 5. is into 6. am
frightened by
page 48: F. Across: 1. take 2. down 4. speed 5. along 6. get 7. well 10. time
Down: 1. to 3. for 4. steaming 8. eyes 9. on 11. again 12. best
G. Answers will vary.
Page 49: H. Answers will vary.
Appendix A
Can You Believe It? 75
11;
Prison Escape is Easy as Pie
page 51: 4) a. later on (4) b. make a mistake (5) c. as easy as pie (1) d. be over (3) e. let out (2)
page 52: 8) See Appendix B, page 78.
page 53: 9) 1. spend time 2. easy as pie 3. Later on 4. let out 5. was over 6. made a mistake
12; Smart
Pig Saves the Day
page 55: 4) a. door b. up c. to d. day e. down
page 56: 8) See Appendix B, page 78.
Page 57: 9) 1. lay down 2. got up 3. saved the day 4. showed up 5. belonged to
13; lazy Mailman
Hides letters
page 59: 4) a. on b. into c. across d. once e. least
page 60: 8) See Appendix B, page 78.
page 61: 9) 1. What's going on 2. At once 3. smell at rat 4. at least 5. looking into
14; Girl
Wants More Body Art
page 63: 4) a. 5 b. 1 c. 4 d. 3 e. 2
page 64: 8) See Appendix B, page 79.
page 65: 9) 1. I'm thinking about 2. is in 3. At times 4. get mad at 5. see eye to eye
15; One
in a Million
page 67: 4) a. be dirt poor (4) b. in addition (6) c. give away (1) d. make a living (2) e. drop out (3)
f. one in a million (5)
page 68: 8) See Appendix B, page 79.
page 69: 9) 1. one in a million 2. dirt poor 3. makes a living 4. welt-off 5. In addition 6. gives away
Review: lessons 11-15
page 70: A. 1. g, time 2. f, rat 3. a, dirt 4. b, pie 5. h, day 6. d, eye to eye 7. c, door 8. e, million
B. 1. f 2. e 3. b 4. c 5. a 6. d
page 71: C. 1. at 2. in 3. at 4. in 5. in 6. at 7. at 8. in 9. at 10. at
D. GOOD: She says I'm one in a million.; It's easy as pie for me.; I'm making a good living.;
I saved the day.
BAD: I made a big mistake.; I feel like I'm at death s door.; I'm getting mad at you now.; I need
to lie down.; I'm dirt poor now.; I'm having a lot of trouble with this.
E. 1. c 2. a 3. d 4. b
at once, so far, at times, later on
page 72: F. 1. belong to 2. think about 3. give away 4. drop out of 5. stare at 6. look into 7. let out
8. come across
G. 1. get up 2. drop in 3. lie down 4. show up
76 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
Appendix B: Dictations
1. please
Get Rid of that Smell! (page 4)
When Barbara turns on her heater, there's a terrible smell. It is getting worse and worse. She
can't stand it! She goes to the repair shop. "What's the matter with my car?" she asks. "Please get
rid of that smell!" When the mechanic takes a look at the heating system, he pulls out a big, dead
python. Barbara loses it!
2.
Red in the Face (page 8)
A woman is taking a ferry. She sits down on the deck. Next to her in a chair are her newspaper
and candy bar. A man in the next chair picks up the candy bar and eats it. Then he takes the paper
and walks off. Later, the woman goes to the cafeteria and sees the man eating a sandwich. She
grabs it and takes a bite. Then she goes back to her car. On the seat are her newspaper and candy
bar. She never took them out of the car! She is red in the face.
3.
Leopard Makes Himself at Home (page 12)
A boy is at home watching TV. He goes to the kitchen and tells his mother, "There's a tiger in the
bedroom." She laughs. Later, she looks into his bedroom. She is horrified by what she sees.
There's a leopard watching TV on the bed! She runs away with her son. The leopard turns over
and falls asleep. When forest department officials arrive, the leopard is still taking a nap. They
take him to a zoo.
4.
Heart Patient Walks Home Fast Asleep (page 16)
Michael Turner is in the hospital getting over a heart attack. One night while he is fast asleep, he
unhooks the machines next to his bed. He turns off the alarms. Then he gets out of bed and gets
on the elevator. He walks five miles to his house. Turner doesn't remember anything about his
walk. He is back in the hospital and getting better.
5.
Businessman Freaks out (page 20)
A Ukrainian businessman goes shopping for gifts for his 50 employees. He decides to get 50
pagers. He pays for them, puts them in his car, and heads for the office. On the way, there's a very
loud noise. All 50 pagers start ringing at the same time! The businessman freaks out and crashes
his car. When he calms down, he sees the message on the pagers. It says, "Congratulations on a
successful purchase!"
6.
Toy Saves Man's Life (page 28)
One evening Kerry Kelliby drops by a local bar. He wins a game of darts and gets a toy stethoscope
as a joke prize. After a while, Kerry uses the toy to listen to his heart. He is frightened by what he
hears-lots of beats and then silence. He goes to the doctor right away. The doctor finds that
Kerry has a hole in his heart. Surgeons operate just in time!
Appendix B
Can You Believe It? 77
7.
Hat lady Wants to Cheer You Up
(page 32)
Norma Vise is into hats. She puts on a different unusual hat each day. One hat looks like a carrot.
Another looks like a pig. Vise wears crazy hats because "it's fun. I want to cheer people up." Adults
as well as children laugh at her hats. What is her most popular one? "People are crazy about my
hamburger hat," says Vise.
8.
Bear Goes on Vacation
(page 36)
An elderly couple is taking a vacation in Yellowstone Park. They stop their car to take a picture of
some bears. Ayoung bear gets in. He's looking for food. The man and woman do their best to get
rid of the bear, but he refuses to move. So they drive 17 miles to a ranger station with the bear in
the back seat. When the man gets out to report the problem, the bear gets in the front seat. The
rangers can not believe their eyes. They find a woman in the passenger seat and a bear behind the
wheel.
9.
10.
11.
Man Hangs on for Dear life (page 40)
One day Charles Gardner, 35, sees two boys breaking into his car. They take off, and Gardner
jumps on the car. The driver speeds up. He hits a light pole. Then he drives through two fences.
Gardner hangs on for dear life. The car gets on the highway. By this time, more than two dozen
police cars are following it. After 20 minutes, the driver slows down and police surround the car.
The teens are in big trouble. As for Gardner, he is okay.
Neighbors Fed Up with loud Music (page 44)
James Meadows doesn't get along with his neighbors. His neighbors are fed up with his loud
music. They report the problem to the police again and again. The police tell Meadows to tum
down the volume, but Meadows ignores the warnings. Finally, the police take away his stereo.
They smash it with a hammer on a public street. Meadows is steaming. "The police should go
after criminals, not music lovers," he says.
Prison Escape is Easy as Pie
(page 52)
It was Sunday at the Merdeka prison. Families were spending time with the prisoners. When
visiting hours were over, security guards opened the front gate and let out the visitors. Later on
that day, more than 100 prisoners escaped. How? It was as easy as pie. They walked out the front
gate! The guards had made a mistake and forgotten to lock it. Prison officials are red in the face.
Police are looking for the escaped prisoners, but they've caught only three so far.
12. Smart
Pig Saves the Day
(page 56)
One day Jo Ann Altsman, 57, had a heart attack. She bad trouble breathing and was at death's
door. But her pet pig Lulu saved the day. Lulu went into the middle of the road and lay down.
Finally, a motorist stopped. Lulu got up and led the man into the house, where he called an
ambulance. When it showed up, Lulu tried to get in too. "She's very, very smart," the lucky owner
said later.
13. lazy Mailman
Hides letters
(page 60)
Some residents in Oslo, Norway, were not getting any mail. "What is going on?" they asked each
other. The Norwegian Postal Service smelled a rat and looked into the problem. They dropped in
at the home of the mailman for that neighborhood. They couldn't believe their eyes. They came
across piles of mail in the man's house - at least 900 pounds! They fired him at once.
78 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
14. Girl wants More Body Art
(pgge64)
"Body art is in," says Isabella Ortega. She has nine piercings on her face. First she got a nose ring.
Then she got her tongue pierced. Next she got her cheeks, ears, chin, and the bridge of her nose
pierced. Isabella's mother doesn't see eye to eye with her about body art. She gets mad at Isabella
when she gets another piercing. At times, Isabella has second thoughts about her body art. She
hate when people stare at her. But she's thinking about getting rings in her lips.
15. One
in a Million (pgge 68)
As a child, Albert Lexie was dirt poor and dropped out of school. Today, Lexie, 56, makes a living
by shining shoes at a hospital for children. He shines doctors' shoes, and he makes about $9,000
per year. In addition, he gets tips. Lexie gives away all his tips to the hospital. Since 1985, he has
given more than $40,000 to help sick kids. Lexie is not well-off, but he's a true humanitarian. He's
one in a million.
Appendix B
Can You Believe It? 79
Appendix C: Idiom Groups
This appendix categorizes idioms and expressions in different ways to help you learn and remember.
pages 81-82 Idioms grouped according to form
Page 81
Idioms that use...
Life/death
As
Up/down
Numbers
Time
Body parts
Page 82
Idioms that use...
Get
Make
Look
Be
Go
Have
Take
Drop
Turn
pages 83-86 Idioms grouped according to meaning
Page 83
Idioms related to Feelings
Page 84
Idioms related to Changes
Page 85
Idioms related to Opposites, Time expressions, Performance
Page 86
Idioms related to Leaving/Returning/Arriving; Money;
Eyes/Nose/Ears; Health; Bed
80 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
Idioms grouped according to form
.------1
®3'iJ9
~l
5J
t:..::5
Numbers
~
b
one in a million
have second thoughts about
at once
lots of
Life/Death
hang on for dear life
make a living
at death's door
Time
at times
just in time
spend time with
Idioms
that
As
as for
as well as
as easy as pie
r-~~
///..-::.
Body Part ~ ~
see eye to eye ~
..---'
not believe one's eyes
be red in the face
head for
go back
(to a place)
up/Down
Appendix C
speed up
slow down
get up
sit down
lie down
cheer up
pick up
show up
be fed up with
calm down
turn down
Can You Believe It? 81
Idioms grouped according to form
Verbs
worse and worse
rid of
over
out (of)
on
better
in
along with
up
mad at
MAKE
GO
back to
shopping
after
on (What is going on?)
HAVE
second thoughts about
trouble doing something
TAKE
a look at
a ferry (bus, train, plane)
out (of)
a nap
a vacation
a picture (of)
off
away
oneself at home
a living
into
LOOK ~--+-- for
like
by
red in the face
horrified by
fast asleep
back
frightened by
into
crazy about
BE E - - - - + - in big trouble
fed up with
steaming
over
at death's door
DROP~~in
out of
TURN
on
off
over
down
in
dirt poor
well-off
82 Can You Believe It?
Book]
Idioms grouped according to meaning
Feelings
Like very much
be crazy about
be into
Agree with
see eye to eye (with)
get along (with)
Calm, relaxed
be fast asleep r - - - - = - - - - - - - - ,
take a nap
fall asleep
lie down
be on vacation
take a vacation
make oneself at home
calm down
Dislil<e
be fed up with
can't stand·
be horrified by
Disagree with
not see eye to eye (with)
get mad (at)
Emotional
lose it = freak out
ANGRY
be steaming
get mad at
IN TROUBLE
be in big trouble
AFRAID
be frightened by
SUSPICIOUS
smell a rat
ASHAMED
be red in the face
SURPRISED
not believe one's eyes
Appendix C
Can You Believe It? 83
Idioms grouped according to meaning
Changes
Change in position
Change in location
walk off
run away
take off
(on foot, in a car, in a plane)
lie down/get up
sit down/get up
head for
(on foot, in a car, in a plane)
get in/get out of
(bed, the shower, the bathtub, a car)
get on/get off
(a bus, a train, a ship, a plane, an elevator)
turn over
Change in mood
lose it = freak out
calm down
-- ------
cheer someone up
,---"----::;;>--,
Change in opinion
Change in speed
have second thoughts about
speed up
Change in health status
Change in eduational status
G)
get better
get over
get worse and worse
slow down
get in (to a school or university)
= be accepted
drop out of (school)
= leave before graduating
Change in the operation of an electrical device
turnon(+)
turn off (-)
84 Can You Believe It?
turn up (-.)
Book 1
Id·oms grouped according to meaning
Opposites
be dirt poor
turn on
get better
speed up
calm down
get in
can't stand, be fed up with
right away, at once
be in big trouble
get mad at
be well-off
turn off
get worse and worse
slow down
lose it, freak out
get out (of)
be crazy about, be into
after a while, later on
save the day
see eye to eye, get along with
'"
Time e pressions
When?
immediately:
after some time:
up to now:
in time:
right away, at once
later on, after a while
so far
just in time
How often?
sometimes:
repeatedly:
at times
again and again
Performance
Appendix C
Do something well:
do one's best
save the day
Do something poorly:
make a mistake
have trouble doing something
People may say:
"Congratulations on the good work!"
"You're one in a million!"
People may say·
"You're in big trouble."
"What's going on?"
"What's the matter?"
Can You Believe It? 85
Idioms grouped according to meaning
Leaving, Returning, and Arriving
.----.A....-_----,
Leaving
walk off (= leave on foot)
run away (= leave quickly on foot)
take off (= leave on foot, by car, in a plane, etc.)
get out (of) (= leave a bed, a car, the shower)
drop out (of) (= leave school, a race, a competition, etc.)
let out (= let someone leave)
Returning
go back (to)
be back (at)
Arriving
show up
drop in
drop by
Money
be well-off
be dirt poor
go shopping
pay for
make a living
Ir Eyes, Nose, and Ears
---~
Eyes
stare at
take a look at
look for
look into
not believe one's eyes
see eye to eye
///--=-
~~
c:~
Nose
smell a rat
Ears
listen to
\...
~~
"'"
~
Health
C£)
get better
get over (an illness)
S
get worse and worse
be at death's door
Bed
lie down/get up
get in/get out of
86 Can You Believe It?
fall asleep
be fast asleep
take a nap
Book J
Appendix D: Phrasal Verbs
I. What is a phrasal verb?
Aphrasal verb is a verb + a particle.
What time did you show up?
(verb) (particle)
The woman gave 1 million dollars away.
(verb)
(particle)
In English, many phrasal verbs are idiomatic; you cannot understand the meaning of the whole
from the parts. Show up means arrive and give away means give something as a gift.
II. Phrasal verbs fall into different categories.
Transitive (object)
~
separable
Intransitive (no object)
inseparable
I
tum on
tum off
I
get over
look for
lie down
run away
a. Some phrasal verbs are transitive; others are intransitive.
Transitive phrasal verbs take a direct object.
J'll turn on the TV.
She can't get over her cold.
He turned 0(( the water.
I'm looking (or my cat.
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object.
J want to lie down.
My do.q ran away.
b. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable (that is, the object can come between the two parts
of the verb); others are inseparable.
Separable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs
turn on
!'II turn on the TV.
!'II turn the TVon.
rtl turn it on.
get over
She can't get over her cold.
give away
He turned off the water.
He turned the water off.
He turned it off.
look (or
I'm looking (or my cat.
She can't get over it.
I'm looking (or it.
When a phrasal verb is separable, you can put a noun bebNeen the verb and the particle or after the
particle. If you use a pronoun (me, you, it, him, her, them), the pronoun must go between the verb
and particle. If a phrasal verb is inseparable, the noun and pronoun always come after the particle.
Appendix D
Can You Believe It?87
III. Phrasal verbs from this book
BELONG TO (transitive, inseparable): be the property of
That bag is not mine; it belongs to Maria.
That bag is not mine; it belongs to her.
BREAK INTO (transitive, inseparable): enter illegally by force
Someone broke into my car last week.
Someone broke into it last week.
CALM DOWN (intransitive): become calm and quiet
I'm nervous; I need to calm down.
CHEER (SOMEONE) UP (transitive, separable): make a sad person happier
The movie was funny, and it cheered up Bob.
The movie was funny, and it cheered Bob up.
The movie was funny and it cheered him up.
COME ACROSS (transitive, inseparable): find by chance
Did you come across my keys?
Did you come across them?
DROP BY (transitive, inseparable): visit for a short time
Let's drop by the library this evening.
Let's drop by it this evening.
DROP IN (intransitive): visit for a short time, often unexpectedly
I was out ofthe office when Jorge dropped in.
DROP IN TO (transitive, inseparable): visit for a short time, often unexpectedly
Jorge dropped in to the office today.
(The pronoun is not normally used with this phrasal verb.)
DROP OUT (intransitive): quit
He went to school until the age of 16; then he dropped out.
DROP OUT OF (transitive, inseparable): quit (school, a competition, a race, etc.)
Sandra got tired and dropped out of the race after an hour.
Sandra got tired and dropped out of it after an hour.
FREAK OUT (intransitive): lose your self control
When I won $5,000 in the lottery, I freaked out.
GET ALONG WITH (transitive, inseparable): have a good relationship with
Selma gets along with her classmates.
Selma gets along with them.
GET IN (transitive, inseparable): enter (a car, bed, bath, or small boat)
Hurry and get in the taxi.
Hurry and get in it.
The taxi is waiting! Get in!
GET ON (transitive, inseparable): enter (an elevator, a plane, a train, a bus, or a ship)
They got on the train at Grand Central.
They got on it at Grand Central.
They got on at Grand Central.
GET OUT (OF) (transitive, inseparable): leave (a bed, a car, a bath, work, class, school)
I got out of the bus quickly and fell.
I got out of it quickly and felt.
GET OVER (transitive, inseparable): recover from an illness
I hope you get over the flu soon.
I hope you get over it soon.
88 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
GET RID OF (transitive, inseparable): remove something
Will you please get rid of this junk?
Will you please get rid of it?
GET UP (intransitive): rise from a sitting or lying position
Erhan is very comfortable in bed; he doesn" want to get up.
GIVE AWAY (transitive, separable): give as a gift
I'm going to give away my bicycle; I don't ride it anymore.
I'm going to give my bicycle away; I don't ride it anymore.
I m going to give it away; I don't ride it anymore.
GO AFTER (transitive, inseparable): try to get or catch
The police went after the bank robber, but they didn't get him.
The police went after him, but they didn't get him.
GO BACK (intransitive): return
We've walked a long time; let's go back.
GO BACK TO (transitive, inseparable): return to a place
After 30 years Eva went back to her birthplace.
After 30 years, Eva went back to it. (ALSO: Eva went back there.)
HEAD FOR (transitive, inseparable): go in the direction of
I'm heading for the cafe now.
I'm heading for it now. (ALSO: I'm heading there now.)
LAUGH AT (transitive, inseparable): show joy at
You're going to laugh at this photo ofme.
You're going to laugh at it.
LET OUT (transitive, separable): allow to leave
Will you let out the dog?
Will you let the dog out?
Will you let him out?
LIE DOWN (intransitive): rest in a horizontal position
Maybe I won't sleep, but I need to lie down.
LISTEN TO (transitive, inseparable): use your ears carefully to hear something
Did you listen to that song?
Did you listen to it?
LOOK FOR (transitive, inseparable): try to find
She's looking for her glasses.
She's looking for them.
LOOK INTO (transitive, inseparable): investigate; examine
The police are looking into the bus accident.
The police are looking into it.
PAY FOR (transitive, inseparable): give money for something
I paid for the gas.
I paid for it.
NOTe: The verb can only be separated by a phrase that tells how much:
I paid a lot for the gas.
I paid $25.00 for it.
PICK UP (transitive, separable): take or lift off the floor (or a chair, etc.)
I cleaned my room and picked up my clothes.
I cleaned my room and picked my clothes up.
I cleaned my room and picked them up.
Appendix D
Can You Believe It? 89
PUT ON (transitive, separable): wear clothes
It's cold; you should put on a sweater.
ft's cold; you should put a sweater on.
It's cold; you should put it on.
RUN AWAY (intransitive): leave quickly; escape
Jane's dog ran away.
SHOW UP (intransitive): arrive; appear
The party starts at 9 PM. What time do you plan to show up?
SIT DOWN (intransitive): sit; be seated
There's a bench. Do you want to sit down?
SLOW DOWN (intransitive): go more slowly
There's ice on the road. Slow down!
SPEED UP (intran itive): go faster
This is a dangerous road. Don't speed up.
STARE AT (transitive, inseparable): look at with wide eyes
I'm staring at that woman because l think / know her.
I'm staring at her because [ think I know her.
TAKE AWAY (transitive, separable): remove
Tim never returned books, so they took away his library card.
Tim never returned books, so they took his library card away.
Tim never returned books) so they took it away.
TAKE OFF (intransitive): leave (by car, on foot, or hy plane)
The plane took off at 12:30.
TAKE OUT (transitive, separable): remove
J'll take out the garbage.
fll take the garbage out.
I'll take it out.
THINK ABOUT (transitive, inseparable): consider; anticipate; form a mental image of
I often think about leaving this crazy city.
I often think about it.
TURN DOWN (transitive, separable): make something less loud or less strong
Will you please turn down the volume?
Will you please turn the volume down?
Will you please turn it down?
TURN OFF (transitive, separable): stop a machine or the flow of water, electricity, etc.
Please turn off the computer when 110U finish.
Please turn the computer off when you finish.
Please turn it off when you finish.
TURN ON (transitive, separable): start a machine or the flow of water, electricity, etc.
I'll tum on the lights so you can see.
I II turn the lights on so you can see.
I'll tum them on so you can see.
TURN OVER (intransitive): turn to the other side
The car was going too fast, and it turned over.
TURN OVER (transitive, separable): turn to the other side
Tum over the plate so I can see where it was made.
Turn the plate over so I can see where it was made.
Turn it over so I can see where it was made.
WALK OFF (intransitive): walk away; walk in the other direction
Hilda got angry and she just walked off.
90 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
LEXICON
A
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
You'll get bored with that
video after a while.
in a while
later on
right away
I read the story again and
again, but I still don't
understand it.
over and over
time after time
time and time
again
Mathematics may be easy
as pie for you, but I think
it's hard.
The first as can be a piece of cake
(informal)
omitted. The
expression usually a breeze
(informal)
occurs \vith the
verb be. You can
also say: It's easy
as apple pie!
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
after a while (6)
informal
later; at some
time in the
future
again and again
(10)
many times;
repeatedly
(as) easy as pie
(II)
very simple, easy
as for someone
or something (9)
regarding,
concerning
someone or
something
as well as (7)
in addition to;
and also
at home (3)
in your house or
apartment
Le.xicon
informal
Language
notes
tough
a bear (informal)
a. Tatjana likes cola.
Ruben likes tea. As for
me, I prefer coffee.
b. I want to keep this
shirt. As for the dress,
it's too small.
I enjoy tennis as well as
golf.
As well as is used
Tomas is at home now.
Why don't you call him
there?
The verb go is
simply followed
by home-I'm
going home now.
The expression
feel at home
(with) means feel
comfortable with.
in addition to
at the middle of a
sentence to
connect two
things. As well is
used at the end
of a sentence: 1
enjoy tennis and
golfas well.
on the road
out of town
Can You Believe It? 91
LEXI ON
A B
Idiom and
Definition
Example
Language
notes
atleast (13)
a minimum of;
no fewer than
Cehan studies at least
five hours a night.
At least is
followed by a
number: at least
five hours; at
least $100; at
least ten
students.
at once (13)
immediately
If we don't leave at once,
we'll be late for the
movie.
right away
after a while
in a while
later on
at times (14)
sometimes;
occasionally
I'm usually happy, but at
times I get sad and
depressed.
now and then
now and again
once in a while
from time to
time
off and on
every so often
(a) round the
clock
day and night
all the time
After the car accident,
Jeff was at death's door,
but he is getting better.
be on one's last
legs
not be long for
this world
be between life
and death
be healthy
be fit
feel like a million
dollars
be at death's
door (12)
be near death
Usage
informal
be back (4)
be again in a
place you were
before
be crazy about
someone or
something (7)
like someone or
something very
much
92 Can You Believe It?
informal
Selma went to Peru for a
month, but she's back
now.
After you go back
to a place, you
are back.
I'm crazy about mambo
dancing. Do you like it?
Use a noun or
gerund after the
expression.
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
at most
be away
be gone
be mad/nuts/wild
about someone
or something
(informal)
be into
something
can't stand
something
be turned off by
something
(informal)
be lukewarm
about
something
(informal)
Bookl
B
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
be dirt poor (15)
have very little
money
informal
He's dirt poor; he doesn't
know how he'll find the
money for college.
Dirt cheap
be broke
be as poor as a
church mouse
be penniless
be well-off
be well-to-do
be loaded
(informal)
be sound asleep
be sleeping like a
baby
be sleeping like a
log (informal)
be dead to the
world
(informal)
be wide awake
be wired (slang)
Five minutes after the
plane took off, Jimmy
was fast asleep and
snoring.
be fast asleep (4)
be sleeping
deeply
be fed up (with
someone or
something) (10)
be tired of; be at
the end of your
patience with
someone or
something
means very
inexpensive.
I'm fed up with cooking;
let's go to a restaurant.
be sick (and tired)
of someone or
something
can't take it
(something)
unable to eat any
more food.
anymore
can't stand some
one or some
thing anymore
can't get enough
of something
be ready for more
be frightened by
someone or
something (6)
be afraid of
someone or
something
I was frightened by that
loud noise.
You can also be
Frightened of
someone or
something.
be terrified of
someone or
something
be scared of
someone or
something
be comfortable
with someone
or something
be at ease with
someone or
something
be horrified by
something (3)
feel shock and
horror at
something
The citizens of the small
town were horrified by
the murder.
You can also be
be shocked by
someone or
something
be comfortable
with someone
or something
feel at ease with
someone or
something
be hot
be cool
be in fashion
be hip
be the rage
be the thing
be the in thing
be out
be out of
fashion/style
be old fashioned
be old hat
be in (14)
be in fashion; be
popular
Lexicon
informal
informal
Blue jeans never go out
of fashion; they are
always in.
Don't confuse
this expression
with be full,
which means
horrified at
something.
Can You Believe It? 93
EXICON
B
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
be in big trouble
informal
The little girl is in big
trouble because she
painted on the kitchen
walls.
The expression
can be followed
by with: The
(9)
have (big)
problems; be in a
difficult situation
Similar
expressions
be in trouble
be in hot water
(informal)
little girl is in big be in a tight
spot/jam/pickle
trouble with her
(informal)
parents. It can
also be followed
by for + gerund:
Opposite
expressions
get out of trouble
be in the clear
The little girl is
in big trouble for
painting on the
kitchen walls.
be into
something (7)
be very
interested in
something
informal
be over (11)
be finished; end
be red in the face
(2)
be embarrassed
94 Can You Believe It?
informal
Roberto is into science
fiction; he reads all the
books and sees all the
movies.
be hot/stud\!
hooked on
something or
someone
(informal)
dig something or
someone
(informal)
be turned on by
something or
someone
(informal)
be crazy/wild!
nuts about
something or
someone
(informal)
not give two
hoots about
something
(informal)
be down on
something
(informal)
be turned off by
something or
someone
(informal)
can't stand
something or
someone
When dinner was over,
everyone helped with the
dishes.
be through
start up
be all wrapped up
(informal)
The waiter spilled cola on
me. I was sticky and he
was red in the face!
have a red face
be proud of
(informal)
something
have egg on one's
face (informal)
be ashamed (of
something)
Book 1
LEXICON
B
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
be steaming (10)
informal
Hassan was steaming
when he missed the
plane.
When water gets
very hot, it's
steaming.
be mad (as hell)
(informal)
be hot under the
collar
(informal)
be fuming
(informal)
be ticked off
(informal)
be cool
(informal)
be mellow
(informal)
be well-to-do
be loaded
be dirt poor
be as poor as a
church mouse
be penniless
be low on funds
be angry
be well-off (15)
have a lot of
money; be rich
belong to
someone (12)
be the property
of someone
Bill Gates, founder of
Microsoft, is extremely
well-off.
The motorcycle belongs
to Silvio, and the car
belongs to me.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
The example
could also be
written: The
motorcycle is
Silvio's and the
car is mine.
break into
something (9)
enter illegally by
force
The thieves broke into
the car last night.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
force one's way
into something
Common words
following the
expression
include: a car,
a house, a
building, a bank,
a store, and
a computer
system.
Lexicon
Can You Believe It? 95
LEXI
C
Idiom and
Definition
calm down (5)
become calm and
quiet
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Don't get so excited
about thisl Calm down!
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
chill (out)
(informal)
cool down
(informal)
freak (out)
(informal)
lose it (informal)
flip(out)
(informal)
The expression
calm someone
down means
make someone
calm; and is
transitive and
separable.
can't stand
something (1)
dislike
something very
much
cheer someone
up (7)
make a sad
person happier
come across
something (13)
find something
by chance
congratulations
on something
(5)
I commend!
salute you for
something
important.
96 Can You Believe It?
When I was younger I
Sometimes the
can't bear
liked to exercise, but now expression is
something
expanded to can't
I can't stand it!
stand the sight/
smell/sound/
thought of
something
be crazy/wild!
nuts about
something
(informal)
be into
something
(informal)
Seher was feeling bad
about her exams, so I
tried to cheer her up.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
lift someone's
spirits
give someone a
boost
make someone's
day (informal)
dampen
someone's
spirits
bum someone
out (slang)
drag/bringlget
someone down
(slang)
Did you come across my
keys when you cleaned
the house?
Phrasal verb
(tran itive,
inseparable)
happen upon
something
stumble upon
something
happen to find
something
look (high and
low) for
something
I heard the great news,
Zoran. Congratulations
on your engagement!
Some common
phrases with this
expression
include:
Congratulations
on your
engagement/
marriage/new
baby/new job/
promotion/award/
graduation
Book 1
D
Idiom and
Definition
do one's best (8)
perform as well
as you an
drop by (a place)
(6)
visit (a place) for
a short time
drop in (at a
place) (13)
visit for a short
time, often
unexpectedly
drop out (of
something) (15)
quit (school, a
race, etc.)
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
I worked day and night
on the project. I did my
best!
This expression
can be followed
by on + noun, as
in I did my best
on the project or
by to + verb as
in: I did my best
to contact you.
give it (or
something)
your best shot
(informal)
give it (or
something) all
you've got
(informal)
give it 100%
(informal)
work like a dog
(informal)
fall down on the
job
slack off
(informal = not
work hard)
a. I'll drop by at 2
o'clock. Will you be
there?
b. I dropped by the
library.
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
drop in
stop by
stop in
come by
pay a quick visit
a. Guess who dropped in
today? Myoid friend
Jorge!
b. Guess who dropped in
at/to the office today?
Myoid friend Jorge!
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
a. He dropped out of
college after 3 years.
b. He dropped out before
he graduated.
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
drop by
stop by
stop in
come by
pay a (quick) visit
stick with
something (to
the bitter end)
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
Other common
words following
drop out of
include: a group,
a competition,
an organization.
Lexicon
Can You Believe It? 97
LEXICON
Ci
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
get mad (at
someone) (14)
informal
I'm sorry I'm late. Don't
get mad at me.
Language
notes
enter (an
elevator, a plane,
a train, a bus, or
a ship)
I usually get on the bus
at the corner of First and
Main.
Opposite
expressions
be steaming
see eye to eye
get hot under the
with someone
keep (one's) cool
collar
be mad as hell at
be mad as a
hornet
see red
become angry (at
someone)
get on
(something) (4)
Similar
expressions
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
get off
(something)
Don't confuse get
on with get in,
which is used
when referring
to: a car, a small
boat, a bathtub,
a shower, or a
bed.
get out (of
something) (4)
leave (a bed, a
car, a bath, work,
class, school)
It's so cold that I don't
want to get out of the
car.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
get up (=get out
of bed)
get in
(something)
shake an illness
get better
come down with
an illness
catch an illness
(a cold, the flu)
Don't confuse get
out of with get
of~
which is used
with other forms
of transportation:
get off a bus, a
train, a plane, a
large ship.
get over
something (4)
recover from an
illness
Lexicon
I can't get over this cold;
I've had it for two weeks!
Get over can also
mean recover
from an
emotional shock.
You get over a
shock, a surprise,
grief, or a love
affai r.
Can You Believe It? 99
LEXICON
Ci
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
get rid of
something (1)
Example
Language
notes
Similar
xpressions
Opposite
expressions
I cleaned my closet and
got rid of myoid clothes.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
throw something
away
do away with
something
toss something
away/out
hold on tolhang
on to (=keep)
something
I'm tired; I don t want to
get up!
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
get out of bed
lie down
go to bed
hit the hay/sack
sit down
go from bad to
worse
get better and
better
remove
something
get up (12)
rise from a
sitting or lying
position
get worse and
worse (1)
become very bad
Get up usually
refers to getting
out of bed, but
you also get up
from a chair, a
sofa, or the floor.
Another murder! Crime
is getting worse and
worse here.
An illness, a
problem (such as
crime), or the
weather can get
worse and worse.
give something
away (15)
give something
as a gift
go after someone
or something
(10)
try to get or
catch someone
or something
go back (to a
place) (2)
return (to a
place)
100 Can You Believe It?
a. When she got her new Phrasal verb
computer, she gave
(transitive,
separable)
away her old one.
b. When she got her n w
computer, she gave her
old one away.
a. The thief ran away, but
the police went after
him.
b. Tarik wants to go after
a job at IBM.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
I want to go back to
Mexico City. I haven t
been there for 5 years.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
take off (=leave)
Book 1
LEXICON
G H I
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
go shopping (5)
shop
hang on for dear
life (9)
hold something
very tightly
have second
thoughts (about
something) (14)
have doubts
(about
something)
have trouble
doing something
(12)
informal
Example
Language
notes
Boris likes to go
shopping at Bell's
because the prices are
low.
Other common
expressions using
go includego
skiing, go
swimming, and
go fishing.
Similar
expressions
The sea was rough and
our boat was smaJ\. We
hung on for dear life.
let go (of
something)
Susan wanted to study
architecture, but now
she's having second
thoughts.
get second
thoughts
(about
something)
change one's
mind (about
something)
be (loa percent)
sure (about
something)
be certain (about
something)
I have trouble learning
languages, but I keep
trying.
have a hard time
doing
something
take to
something like
a duck takes to
water
find something
difficult to do
head for a place
(5)
go in the
direction of a
place
in addition (15)
also
Lexicon
Opposite
expressions
I'm tired; I'm heading for
bed now.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
Keiko speaks English and In addition to is
Japanese. In addition, she used as follows:
knows French.
In addition to
English and
Japanese, Keiko
speaks French.
go away from a
place
as well (as)
Can You Believe It? 101
102 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
L
Idiom and
Definition
listen to
someone or
something (6)
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Did you listen to the
news this morning?
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
lend an ear to
someone
turn a deaf ear to
(someone)
use your ears
carefully to hear
someone or
something
look for
someone or
something (8)
try to find
someone or
something
look into
something (13)
investigate;
examine
something
look like
someone or
something (7)
be similar in
appearance to
someone or
something
Lexicon
You can listen to
a person, music,
the radio, a CD, a
tape, etc.
I looked for a birthday
gift for my father, but I
couldn't find the right
thing.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
search for
someone or
something
You can put
adverbs such as
everywhere or all
over between
look and f01; but
you can't separate
them with a noun
or pronoun: I
looked
everywhere for
my glasses, but [
couldn't find
them.
The mayor is looking
into the traffic problem
and will report the
findings next week.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
check into
something
You can look into
a problem, a
crime, an issue, a
matter, a
question, a
possibility of
something, etc.
Francoise looks like her
mother.
Often the words
just or exactly
occur in this
expression: She
looks exactly like
her mother or
She looks just
like her mother.
look alike
(Francoise and
her mother
look alike.)
look different
from someone
look nothing like
someone
look nothing
alike
Can You Believe It? 103
L M
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
note
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
lose it (I)
become excited'
lose one's selfcontrol
informal
When I heard the bad
news, I totally lost it.
This expression
is usually used in
the past tense: I
lost it; He lost it,
etc. The words
totally, really, or
completely often
occur before the
expression. He
really lost it!
lose one's cool
freak out
(informal)
flip out
(informal)
go bananas
(informal)
calm down
cool off/cool
down
(informal)
chill out (slang)
pull oneself
together
lots of (6)
many
informal
I should do the laundry.
There are lots of dirty
clothes.
Lots ofis followed a lot of
by a noun:
quite a few
There's lots of
water, There are
lots ofbooks. You
can also use lots
by itself, as in
Friends? 1 have
lots! .
make a living
(15)
earn money for
food, housing,
etc.
a. Sandra makes a living
as a painter.
b. Sandra makes a living
by painting.
After the
make a buck
expression, you
(informal)
can use as + job
bring home the
or by + gerund as
bacon
in the examples.
(informal)
The expression is earn one's keep
(informal)
also used as
follows: She
makes a good/
decent living as a
painter.
make a mistake
I made a big mistake. I
burned our dinner!
Other common
expressions with
make include
make the bed,
make dinner,
make money and
make a living.
(11)
do something
incorrectly
104 Can You Believe It?
precious few
mess up
(informal)
screw up
(informal)
goof up
(informal)
Book 1
EXIO
MNOP
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
make oneself at
home (3)
make yourself
comfortable in
someone else s
home
not believe one's
eyes (8)
informal
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
When Seville visited us,
she made herself at
home. She cooked her
favorite food and joined
all our family activities.
This expression
is often used as a
welcoming
command: Please
make yourselfat
home!
make oneself
comfortable
I can't believe my eyes!
You got a new car!
This expression
often starts with
I can't, I
couldn't, [don't,
[ didn 'I, and I
could hardly.
be dumbfounded
not believe one's
ears (=be very
surprised to
hear something)
be very surprised
to see something
on the way (to a
place) (5)
along the route
(to a place)
on vacation (8)
away from work
or school; on
holiday
one in a million
(15)
unique; very
special
pay for
something (5)
give money for
something
Lexicon
You can be on .
on a break (from at work
work or school)
vacation or go on
vacation.
on holiday
Berta is really one in a
million; she helps
everyone with their
problems.
I paid for the shoes with
my credit card.
feel ill at ease
feel out of place
feel uncomfortable
feel like a fish out
of water'
(informal)
en route to a
place
Did you know Charles is
on the way to China?
I'll be on vacation next
week, so I can't attend
the meeting.
Opposite
expressions
one of a kind
a dime a dozen
(=very common)
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
ote that you pay
for dinner, a new
car, a new Tv, etc.,
but you pay bills,
tuition, and rent.
Pay for can also
mean be
punished for
something, as in:
The criminal is
paying for his
crime in prison.
Can You Believe It? 105
106 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
show up (12)
appear; arrive
sit down (2)
sit; be seated
I waited and waited for
John. Finally, he showed
up three hours late.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
turn up
vanish into
thin air
(=disappear)
go away, take off
(=leave)
My feet hurt. Can we sit
down for a few minutes?
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
have a seat
take a seat
stand up
get up
Often used as a
welcoming
phrase when
someone enters a
room: Please sit
down! Don't
confuse the
expression with
set down, which
means put
something down.
Lexicon
Can You Believe
[t7
107
5
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
slow down (9)
go more slowly
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Slow down! You're
walking too fast.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
slow up
(informal)
speed up
hurry up
Slow it down! is
an informal way
to say Slow
down. The
expression is also
used when
talking about
slowing down
one's life: You're
working too
hard. You should
slow down.
smell a rat (13)
informal
think there may
be something
wrong or illegal
so far (11)
until now; up to
the present time
speed up (9)
go faster
When 1couldn't find my
car keys, 1smelled a rat.
Sure enough, my car was
missing!
I think something
is fishy.
(=1 smell a rat.)
I have seen 10 movies so
far this month.
This phrase is
used with the
present perfect.
up to now
from now on
(=from this
moment into
the future)
We're late. Could you
speed up a little?
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
pick up speed
slow down
slow up
(informal)
Speed it up is an
informal way to
say Speed up.
spend time (with
someone) (11)
use time (with
someone)
108 Can You Believe It?
Petra spends a lot of time
with her friends.
You can spend an
hour with
someone, spend
a day with
someone, spend
a few minutes
with someone,
etc.
Book 1
5 T
Idiom and
Definition
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
stare at someone
or something
(14)
look at someone
or something
with wide eyes
I'm sorry to stare at you,
but you look so much
like my brother!
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
look at someone
or something
look away
look down
take a quick look
at someone or
something
glance at
someone or
something
take a ferry (a
bus, a train, or a
plane) (2)
go by ferry (bus,
train, or plane)
I usually walk to school,
but today I took a bus.
get on (a ferry,
bus, train, or
plane)
get off (a ferry,
bus, train, or
plane)
take a look (at
something) (l)
look quickly (at
something)
Will you take a look at
this letter before I send
it?
have a look at
something
take a nap (3)
sleep for a short
time during the
day
I didn't get much sleep
last night; I'm going to
take a nap now.
take a siesta
(informal)
take a snooze
(informal)
catch 40 winks
(informal)
catch some Zs
(slang)
get some shut
eye (slang)
take a picture (of
someone or
something) (8)
use a camera to
get a photograph
(of someone or
something)
Twant to take a picture
of you; please smile!
Lexicon
Usage
The expression is
often followed by
of + person, as in
the example;
however, take a
picture with
someone means
be in the picture
with someone.
stay up
stay awake
take a photo of
someone or
something
snap a photo of
someone or
something
(informal)
Can You Believe It? 109
LEXie N
T
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
take a vacation
(8)
Example
Language
notes
We plan to take a
vacation in August.
have time away
from work or
school
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
go on vacation
take time off
take a trip
get away
work day and
night
work like a dog
(informal)
take out (of)
(=remove an
object that is
In<:,\M
something)
You take away an
object that is Q.!l
something.
Compare this
expression with
take out, which
means remove an
object that is
inside something.
take something
away (10)
remove
something
Please take these dishes
away. I want to work at
the table.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
take off (9)
leave (by car, on
foot, by plane)
Mitsu took off right after
class.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
go away
show up
You can indicate
b..Qw. a person
took off' He took
orf on his bike/in
his car/on foot.
Take off has
another common
meaning. As a
transitive,
separable phrasal
verb it means to
remove clothing;
in this sense it is
the opposite of
put on.
110 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
T
Idiom and
Definition
take something
out (of a place)
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Please take the eggs out
of the refrigerator.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
take away
(=remove an
object that is
on something)
put (back) in
(2)
remove (from a
place)
think about
someone or
something (14)
You take out an
object that is
inside something.
Compare this
expression with
take away, which
means remove
and object that is
on something.
I'm thinking about
dinner; what shall we
have?
consider;
anticipate; form a
mental image of
someone or
something
tum something
down (10)
make something
less loud or less
strong
Lexicon
Phrasal verb
(transi tive,
inseparable)
think something
over
Think about can
be followed by a
noun, as in the
example, or a
gerund (verb +
ing), as in: I'm
thinking about
cooking dinner.
The TV is much too loud.
Please turn it down!
Phrasal verb
(transi tive,
separable)
turn up
You can tum
down the
volume, the TV,
the stereo, the
music, the heat,
the temperature,
the air
conditioner, the
oven, etc. Tum
down has
another common
meaning: refuse
an invitation.
Can You Believe It? 111
EXI
T
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
tum something
off (4)
stop a machine
or the flow of
water, electricity,
etc.
tum something
on (1)
start a machine
or the flow of
electricity, water,
etc.
tum over (3)
turn to the other
side
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
a. Did you turn off the
water?
b. Did you turn the water
off?
Ph rasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
switch something
off
turn something
on
switch something
on
switch something
on
turn something
off
In informal
usage, tum
someone off
means disgust, as
in I hate that
music; it really
turns me ofr.
a. I can't see. Will you
turn on the light,
please?
b. I can't see. Will you
turn the light on,
please?
a. The car was going too
fast on the ice and
turned over.
b. Please turn your paper
over and write on the
other side.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
In informal
usage, tum
someone on
means interest or
excite, as in:
Chocolate
doesn't tum me
on. f don't like it.
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
(A car can tum
over or a person
can tum over in
bed.)
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(transitive and
separable)
Here, tum over
refers to
someone turning
something over.
112 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
.......N
w
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
What is going
on? (13)
What is
happening?
informal
What is going on? Why
don't you call me?
Also used as an
informal
greeting: Hey
What is
happening?
What's up?
(informal)
What's cooking?
(informal)
man, what's
going on? A
negative answer
to this question
is Nothing (is
XYZ
Opposite
expressions
going on).
What's the
matter (with
someone or
something)? (1)
What's the matter with
Lily? She hasn't been in
class for a week.
The expression is
often followed by
with + person, as
in the example.
what's up (with
someone or
something)
(informal)
what's going on
(with someone
or something)
(informal)
When I told John the
truth, he just walked off.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
take off
What's wrong
(with someone' or
something)?
walk off (2)
walk away; walk
in the other
direction
nothing's the
matter (with
someone or
something)
nothing's wrong
(with someone
or something)
People often
walk olTbecause
they're angry, as
in the example.
Don't confuse
walk olfwith
walk out, which
means to
abandon or [eave
someone. Note
that walk offwith
something
means to steal
something.
Lexicon
Can You Believe It? 113
Can You Believe It?
Stories and Idioms from Real Life
Book 1
Can You Believe It? is a three-level series that integrates true and memorable readings
with idioms and vocabulary development. Can You Believe It? combines a holistic
approach to readi"ng with a thorough treatment of high-frequency idioms, phrasal
verbs, and fixed expressions.
Designed for young adult and adult students of ESLIEFL at the beginning through
intermediate levels, Can You Believe It? aUows teachers to address reading, oral, and
vocabulary acquisition skiUs together. With its lively visual and aural presentation, the
stories and lexical expressions in the series come to lite, enhancing student recall of
content and vocabulary.
Features:
• Unusual, and true news stories on a wide rang,e of topics capture student interest
from the very start
• Common and essential idioms are pr,esented in engaging, rea] contexts
that provide clear meaning and natural use of new vocabulary
• Lively comic-strip style illustrations and accompanying cassettes provide richly
contextualized visual and aural input and reinforcement of content and idioms
• Ample opportunities for producing idioms in spea ing and writing are provided
through story retelling, thought-provoking personal questions, dialogue
production, and dictation
• Review Units allow additional practice of ~orm and meaning of idioms in
enjoyable new contexts.
• A complete Lexicon offers additional information on collocations, grammar,
synonyms, and antonyms
Can You Believe It?
Beginning Level
High-Beginning Level
Book 1 0-19-437279-0
Book 2 0-19-437275-8
Cassette 0-19-437280-4
Cassette 0-19-437277-4
OxfOrd UnIversity PreS9
ISBN 0-19-437279-0
9 780194 372794
Low-Intermediate Level
Book 3 0-19-437276-6
Cassette 0-19-437278-2
stories and Idioms from Real Life
Oxford University Press
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ISBN 0-19- 37279-0
Copyright © 2000 Oxford niversity Press
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Huizenga, Jann.
Can you believe it?: stories and idioms from reallife/Jann
Huizenga.
p.cm.
includes index.
Contents: bk. 1
ISBN 0-19-437279-0
1. English language--Textbooks for foreign
speakers. 2. English language--United States--Idioms. 3.
Americanisms. 4. Readers. I. Title.
PE1128.H777 2000
428.6'4-dc21
00-021653
No unauthorized photocopying.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Oxford University Press.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of
trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated
without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover
other than that in which it is published and without a similar
condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent
purchaser.
Editorial Manager: Susan Lanzano, Janet Aitchison
Editor: Lynne Barsky
Senior Production Editor: Robyn F. Clemente
Associate Production Editor: Justin Hartung
Design Manager: Lynne Torrey
Designer: Elizabeth Onorato
Art BuyerlPhoto researcher: Stacy Godlesky
Production Manager: Abram Hall
Production Controller: Shanta Persaud
Printing (last digit): 10 9 8
Printed in Hong Kong
Acknowledgments
Illustrations and realia by Patrick Merrell, Wally Neibart, Tom Powers,
William Waitzman
Cover illustration by Ken Condon
The publishers would like to thank the following for their permission
to reproduce photographs: APIWorldwide; Rachel Cobb; Wayne
Lockwood, David A. NorthcottiCorbis; Bill Cramer; Jann Huizenga;
Norman Y. LonolPeople Weekly c. 1998; Jack HollingsworthlPhotodisc;
Joshua SheldonIPhotonica; Gavriel Jecan, William Whitehurtffhe
Stock Market; Sid Avery/Stockfood; Ron Lee Browntrony Stone.
Credits
The stories in this book have been adapted from the following material:
p. 2, The New Mexican, December 3, 1997; p. 6, Ann Landers in The
New Mexican, November 11, 1997; p. 9, Reuters on-line, January 22,
1999; p. 10, Reuters on-line, November 1. 1998; p. 13, The Associated
Press on-line, June 7,1998; p. 14, Reuters on-line July 3,1998;
p. 18, Reuters on-line, January I, 1999; p. 21, Morning Edition,
National Public Radio, December 31,1998; p. 26, Morning Edition.
National Public Radio, October 9, 1998; p. 3D, The New Mexican,
January 24. 1999; p. 33, The Associated Press on-line, September 30,
1998; p. 34, The Funny Times; p. 38, Chicago Sun-Times, December 1,
1998; p. 42, The London Daily Telegraph, September 5,1998; p. 45
The Associated Press on-line, June 7, 1998; p. 50, The Associated Press
on-line, November 14, 1998; p. 53, Morning Edition, National Public
Radio, December 2,1998; p. 54, People Weekly, November 2,1998;
p. 57, Morning Edition, National Public Radio, November 27, 1997;
p. 58, The New Mexican, May 8,1998; p. 62. personal interview,
January 5, 1999; p. 66, People Weekly, September 21, 1998; p. 69,
People Weekly, September 21,1998.
"
-,
"
I:
Can You Be ieve t?
8t ries and Idioms from Real Life
Book 1
Jann Huizenga
OXFORD
NIVERSITY PRESS
---
- - -
- - - -
To the Student
In this book you will enjoy learning everyday idiomatic American English through amazing,
true stories from around the world.
When you study vocabulary, it is not enough to learn individual words. Everyday English is filled
with expressions that are two or more words long, such as tum over, get along with someone,
and after a while. These expressions are essential to successful communication in English, and
they need to be learned as individual units, in the same way as individual words. In this book
you will find idioms, fixed expressions, and phrasal verbs.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a group of words that has a meaning different from the meaning of its individual
parts. In the example below, you probably know all the individual words, but you still may
not understand the meaning of the expression. This is because the expressions are idiomatic.
Miguel is into computer games, but I can't stand them.
Be into means like very much and can't stand means dislike very much.
What is a fixed expression?
Take a vacation, again and again, and be at deaths door are fixed expressions. You will
understand the whole expression if you know the meaning of the parts. But the translation
of a fixed expression into your language may not be word for word.
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb followed by a particle such as in, at, on, for, etc. Look for and look
into are phrasal verbs that mean try to find and investigate. Phrasal verbs are usually
idiomatic. You can learn more about phrasal verbs in Appendix D, page 87.
The steps to learning idioms in this book are as follows:
1. Read the story quickly to get the main idea.
2. Listen several times to the story while you look at pictures to get used to the idioms.
3. Read the story and study the idioms.
4. Complete the idioms.
5. Tell the story using the idioms while looking only at pictures.
6. Talk about the story and then about yourself using the idioms.
7. Write about yourself using the idioms.
8. Take a dictation that uses the idioms.
9. Fill in the blanks in a. dialogue or story using the idioms. Then role-play the dialogue or
tell the story.
Extra study aids to use with this textbook include:
• A listening cassette
• Appendix A:. An Answer Key (page 74)
• Appendix B: Dictations (page 77)
• Appendix C: An appendix that groups the idioms in the book in various ways to help
you remember their form and meaning (page 80)
• Appendix D: An appendix that explains the grammar of phrasal verbs (page 87) and
gives a list of phrasal verbs (page 88)
• Lexicon: A lexicon that lists all the idioms in the book, and gives further examples,
language notes, and idiomatic synonyms and antonyms (page 91)
i"
To the Teacher
A General Introduction
The goal of Can You Believe It? Book 1 is to teach high-frequency idioms, two-word verbs, and
fixed expressions in the context of true, memorable stories to ESLIEFL students at a beginning
level. It is founded on two basic premises: 1) that everyone loves a good story, and 2) that
vocabulary acquisition occurs more readily when new items are embedded in engaging, whole
contexts and used in tasks that have meaning and purpose. The book is written for classroom
use, but it will also work well for self-study when used with the audio program.
Thanks in part to Michael Lewis's influential work on lexical issues, TESOL professionals are
increasingly aware that idioms and fixed expressions form a significant part of the lexicon of
English and are central to natural language use. These prefabricated multi-word expressions
must be acquired as wholes in the same way as individual words. Can You Believe It? Book 1
teaches the following kinds of high-frequency fixed lexical expressions:
• traditional, graphic idioms, such as: easy as pie, see eye to eye, and be dirt poor;
• non-traditional idioms, such as: spend time with, fall asleep, and can't stand;
• two- or three-word adverbial chunks, such as: on the way, after a while, and at once;
• two- or three-word phrasal verbs, such as: slow down, be frightened by, and get over;
• common expressions consisting of de-Iexicalized verbs, such as make or get + a noun or
adjective (make a living, get better), word partnerships that are likely to produce translation
mistakes and need to be learned as chunks.
Can You Believe It? Book 1 is compatible with comprehension approaches such as The Natural
Approach. The picture sequences that correspond to the stories provide the basis for great
"comprehensible input." So the book can be used for listening comprehension and general language
acquisition at a beginning level as well as for the specific mastery of idioms and expressions. (Note
that the first ten stories use only present tense, while the last five use past tense.)
The approach thoroughly integrates the four skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
Activities are sequenced so that input precedes output. The initial approach relies heavily on
listening, with picture sequences used as visual supports for comprehension. It is through this
richly contextualized (and repeated) listening that students begin to make hypotheses about
the new expressions and develop a feel for their use. Students then go on to read the story-an
essential step that will provide welcome written reinforcement for visually-oriented learners
and will help all students with their literacy skills. After students' pumps have been primed, so
to speak, with the listening and reading input, they are ready to begin producing the idioms in
speaking and \-vriting. The output activities become progressively more demanding: these
include story retelling, thought-provoking personal questions, personalized sentence
completions, and dictation.
Researchers contend that we acquire new lexical items by meeting them a number of times
(seven times, some say). Thus. in Can You Believe It? Book 1, students will revisit the idioms
and expressions many times within each unit as well as in review units and, to some extent,
from unit to unit. (The idioms that are recycled between units have been indicated as such in
the Table of Contents, as well as in the New Idioms and Expression Box which follows each
reading.)
Extra Features
Listening Cassette
The cassette features dramatic readings of all the stories in the text, and Dictations for each
unit (from Appendix B). The stories are read by different actors with varying voices and
styles so students are exposed to language variety.
Answer Key (Appendix A)
Students who use the book independently will especially appreciate this feature, though
classroom teachers will also find it handy.
Idiom Groups (Appendix C)
This appendix is a rich resource for those students who would like a better sense of how the
idioms in Can You Believe It? Book 1 can be grouped together semantically.
Phrasal Verbs (Appendix D)
Simple but detailed grammar explanations of phrasal verbs are included here for students who
feel ready for this information.
Lexicon
The Lexicon gives extra information about each idiom and fixed expression in the book.
Additional examples, grammar information, more collocations, and idiomatic synonyms and
antonyms are included.
Specific Teaching Suggestions
The exercises and activities in each unit can be used in a variety of ways, and you are
encouraged to experiment and adapt them as you see fit. The suggested sequence below can be
changed, depending on your goals and your specific class needs.
1. Quick Reading
Before students read the story quickly to get the gist, have them do one of the following
prediction activities:
a. Cover the story and look at the picture sequence on the opposite page. Discuss (in pairs
or small groups) what the story seems to be about.
b. Cover the story. Look at the title and the picture on the story page. Ma.ke predictions
about the story.
Then ask students to read the story quickly just to get the main idea or the basic story line. You
might give them a time limit of two or three minutes for this. (The details of the story will
become clear during Exercise 2 as they listen to it repeatedly while looking at the picture·
sequence.) Previewing the story in this manner will allow students, especially those who are
stronger visual than oral/aural learners, to relax and better comprehend the story and the new
idioms in context during the listening "input" stage. It is best to have students read silently at
this stage since they will want to process the text in their own way.
2. Listen
Ask students to cover the story. Play the cassette or, if you prefer, read the story to the students.
If you are not using the cassette, be sure to say the numbers as you move from picture to
picture so students can follow (at least during the first listening). Tell the story at a natural
speed, pausing somewhat longer than usual at the end of breath groups and sentences. This
will give students important processing time. The goal of this activity is to provide students
with truly "comprehensible input," i.e., an acquisition stage in which a high degree of
contextualization will allow them to formulate hypotheses and discover meaning in language
that they are hearing for the first time. Making inferences and hypotheses about new language
in context is a skill that all language learners need to feel comfortable with; this exercise thus
develops good learning strategies while helping students acquire new language. During the
third telling of the story, you may want to write the new idioms on the board, as reinforcement
for your visually-oriented students. (The easiest thing would be to write them on the board
prior to the retelling and point to them as they occur.)
As an assessment technique (to see how well students have understood and internalized the
new expressions in the story), tell students you are going to talk about the pictures out of
order. They should point to the picture you are describing. Or, as an alternative, retell the story
"i
making some major "mistakes." Have students signal somehow (by raising their hands, making
a face, or making a buzzing sound) when they hear a mistake.
3. Read the Story
Your more visual learners will be especially eager to take a closer look at the story at this point,
double-checking their hypotheses with the New Idioms and Expressions box. After students
have had some silent time for re-reading, you might want to have them read aloud for
pronunciation practice. Volunteers could take turns reading to the whole class, or pairs could
read to each other, helping each other with pronunciation. You may want to do part or all of
Exercise 6 at this point (see suggestions below).
For a bit of extra practice with the idioms, and as a good lead-in to Exercise 4, you could
conduct the following matching activity: Write the unit idioms on slips of paper or index cards.
Cut the idioms in half. Give half to each student. Tell students to stand up, walk around the
room, and find the other halves of their idioms. As a check, have the pairs say their idioms
aloud to the whole class.
4. Complete the Idiom/Match
This activity functions as an assessment of sorts, making sure students can put the parts of the
idiom together and understand its meaning before using the idioms in the story retelling in
Exercise 5.
5. Tell the Story
At this point, the exercises move away from recognition into production. Elicit the story orally
from the whole class first. Encourage students to call out the ideas of the story in
chronological order. They can, of course, look at the picture sequence during this activity, but
the story should be covered. The retelling will be a paraphrase of the original story, but
students will probably reuse most of the new idioms. (You could have the idioms listed on the
board to give students a bit of extra help.) You may want to run this activity as a variation on
Language Experience, writing down sentences and phrases on the board as students suggest
them. Underlining the idioms and fixed expressions that students generate will help to
highlight them.
Next, ask students to work in pairs or small groups to retell the story to each other. Once again,
make sure they cover the story. One way for them to work is with Talking Chips,
communication regulators used in Cooperative Learning. Working in pairs or groups of three,
each student takes four or five Talking Chips (e.g., tokens, such as buttons, poker chips, or
paint chips). Together, they reconstruct the story. As each student contributes a sentence, he or
she puts in a token. (The chips ensure that each student speaks and that all have an equal
opportunity to participate.)
6. Answer the Questions
The questions in the section either use an idiom from the unit or elicit an idiom in the answer.
As an alternative to the traditional Whole-Class-Question-Answer here, you might want to try
using Numbered Heads Togethe" a Cooperative Learning structure. The steps to Numbered
Heads Together are as follows:
a. Students get into teams of four and number off from 1 to 4.
b. The teacher asks a question.
c. Students on each team literally put their heads together and reach a consensus on the
answer and the phrasing of the answer.
d. The teacher calls a number at random. Students with that number raise their hands (or
stand up) and report on their team's answer. You will probably want to get each team's
answer, as there will be variations to discuss and comment on.
The advantages of this questioning technique over the traditional Whole-Class-Question
Answer are the following: All students are involved since no one knows who will be called on;
vii
---------------
-
- - -
stronger students help weaker ones; students have "think time" and "rehearsal time" in small
groups before they have to respond in front of the wholle class; and a wrong response is not so
embarrassing because it comes from a team rather than an individual.
The "About you" questions can be answered orally, either in a whole-class setting or in small
groups. These questions are also good springboards for mini-paragraph writing. Allow students
to choose their favorite one to respond to, and to share their writing with partners.
7. Write About Yourself
These sentence completions may be somewhat personal, so students may prefer to share them
in small groups rather than with the whole class. You might ask volunteers, though, to put
their sentences on the board after groups have shared. Be sure that the volunteers understand
that correction may be involved!
8. Take a Dictation
Play the cassette or use Appendix B to read students the dictation. A recommended procedure
for the dictation is as follows:
a. Read the dictation once at normal speed. Students should not write at this stage.
b. Read the dictation again, this time pausing long enough after each breath group for
students to write. (Be sure, in advance, that students know the words comma and
period.)
c. Read the dictation a third time, at near-normal speed, allowing students to check their
writing.
Students can correct their own work or the work of a partner using Appendix B. Students
might also like to try peer dictations, where one student dictates to another.
9. Complete the Dialogue/Story
After students work individually, in pairs, or groups to fill in the blanks with the appropriate
xpressions from the box, they can check their answers in Appendix A.
Seven of the fifteen units have a dialogue exercise. In this case students can practice the
dialogue in pairs, perhaps preparing for an expressive readin1?: for the whole class.
The other eight units have a story exercise. After filling in the blanks, students can either
practice reading the story to each other in pairs or paraphrase it to each other, being sure to
use the idioms in the box in the retelling.
viii
Acknowledgments
Many people contributed to Can You Believe It? Book 1, and I'm grateful to them all. Susan
Lanzano at Oxford niversity Press was the guiding light from start to finish. Lynne Barsky was
a generous and patient editor whose care and expertise made this a much better book. Special
thanks to Ju tin Hartung and Robyn Clemente, production editors, who toiled with good
humor under tight deadlines. Good friend and colleague Ken Sheppard was crucial in getting
the project off the ground, contributing key ideas during an autumnal stroll down Fifth
Avenue. Linda Huizenga's help with writing made the project fun, and husband Kim Crowley's
constant search for stories yielded some of the best ones. Thanks also to Joel and Dolly for
feeding me stories from their local papers. My reviewers were a gold mine of wonderful
suggestions and comments:
Lubie Alatriste, New York, NY
Christel Antonellis, Boston, MA
Vicki Blaho, Los Angeles, CA
Susan Burke, Atlanta, GA
Gloria Horton, Pasadena, CA
Thy Lesley. Los Angeles, CA
Ellen Pentkowski, Chicago, IL
Barbara Jane Pers, Brooklyn, NY
Barbara Smith-Palinkas, Tampa, FL
Stephanie Snider, Suffolk County, NY
Candice Ramirez, Moreno Valley, CA
Christine Tierney. Houston, TX
Barbara Webster. Phoenix, AZ
ix
Please G t
Rid of hat
Smell!
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 3.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
BALTIMORE, MO,
USA 1lt's winter. Barbara
Pridgen, 43, is driving her car. 2When she turns
on the heater, there's a terrible smell in her car.
31t gets worse and worse. She can't stand it!
4She takes the car to the repair shop. "What's
the m tter with my car?" she asks. lIean you
get rid of this smell?" 5The mechanic takes a
look at the engine. He examines the heating
system. 6Then Barbara screams. She loses it. The
mechanic pulls out a big, fat, dead python!
remove something
start a machine or the flow of electricity,
water, etc.
get worse and worse
become very bad
can't stand something
dislike something very much
What's the matter (with something or someone)'? . What's wrong (with something or someone)?
take a look (at something)
look quickly (at something)
lose it
become too excited; lose one's self-control
get rid of something*
turn something on*
Words in parentheses ( ) can occur with the idiom, but don't have to.
2 Can You Believe It?
phrasal verb (see Lexicon, pp. 91-113 and Appendix D, p .87-90)
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
Note: As the tape or teacher says a number, look at the corresponding picture.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Complete the Idiom
Cover page 2. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. look at quickly
= take a look A...i.
b. start a machine
= turn
c. dislike very much
= can't
= What's the - - - - - _ ?
d. What's wrong?
e. become very bad
f. become very excited
= get worse and
= lose
5. Tell the Story
I}
kJ
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, '>\lork with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 1
Can You Believe It?
3
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. Why does Barbara turn on her heater?
.
b. What happens when she turns it on?
c. Does Barbara like the smell?
d. What does she want the mechanic to do?
e. What does the mechanic take a look at?
f. Why does Barbara lose it?
g. Why do you think the snake was in the heater?
About you
.
h. What makes you lose it?
i. What things do you turn on in your house every day?
j. What are some smells or foods that you can't stand?
k. Think about the problems in your community, native country, or in the world.
Which ones are getting worse and worse? What can you do about them?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I want to get rid of my
_
b. I can't stand
_
c. I often turn on
because
~ 8. Take a Dictation
When Barbara
a terrible smell. It
her heater, there's
. She
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ itl She goes to the repair shop.
u
uPlease
mechanic
pulls out a big, dead python. Barbara
4 Can You Believe It?
with my car?" she asks.
that smell!" When the
the heating system, he
_
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
a. Amother and her teenage daughter are talking
about TV. Fill in the blanks with idioms from
the box.
•
•
•
•
•
take a look at
get rid of
can't stand
turn on
are getting worse
and worse
Carmen, why did you
(1)
_
that TV again? You've watched
enough for today.
But mom! This is a good show!
No, it's not.
I (2)
it.
Just sit down* a minute.
(3)
_
this, mom. It's funny!
These programs
(4)
_
TUrn it off** now. It's time to
do your homework.
Just ten more minutesl
We should just (5)
this stupid TV set!
_
• sit down: sit; have a seat
•• tum (something) off: stop a machine or the flow of electricity, water, etc.
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Unit 1
Can You Believe It? 5
Hedin
the F
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 7.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
VANCOUVER, CANADA 1A woman is taking a ferry
from Vancouver to Victoria. 2She leaves her car to
go to the deck. She sits
wn. Beside her, in a
chair, are her newspaper and candy bar. 3A man in
the next chair picks up the candy bar and eats it.
Then he takes the paper and walks off. The
woman is too shocked to speak. 4Later, she goes to
the cafeteria. She sees the man at a table, eating a
sandwich. SSti11 angry, she grabs his sandwich and
takes a bite, without saying a word. 6She goes
back to her car. On the seat are her newspaper
and candy bar. She never t ok them out of the
car! She is really red i
the face.
be red in the face
take a ferry (a bus, a train, a plane)
sit down *
pick something up*
walk off*
go back (to a place)*
take something out (of a place)*
be embarrassed
go by ferry (bus, train, plane)
sit; be seated
take or lift something off the floor (or a chair, etc.)
walk away; walk in the other direction
return (to a place)
remove something (from a place)
*phrasaJ verb (see Lexicon and Appendix Dj
6 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
§
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 6. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
2
a. walk in the other direction
1. go back
b. be embarrassed
2. be red in the face
c. return someplace
-3. walk off
d. remove
4. pick up
e. take from the floor
5. take out
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Ie]
Unit 2
Can You Believe It? 7
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. How is the woman getting to Victoria?
b. Where does she sit down?
c. What is beside her?
d. What does the man in the next chair do with the candy bar?
e. What does he do then?
f. Why does the woman take a bite of the man's sandwich?
g. What happens when she goes back to her car?
h. Why is she red in the face?
About you
.
i. Do you often take a bus, a train, a taxi, or a ferry?
j. tell about a time when you were red in the face.
k. Do you sit down or stand up most of the day?
I. What time do you usually go back to your house or apartment?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I sometimes take a bus/trainJplane/ferry to
_
b. My favorite place to sit down is
_
c. I want to go back to
~ 8. Take
because
a Dictation
Awoman
. She
_
on the deck. Next to her in a chair are her newspaper and candy bar. A man in the
next chair
the candy bar and eats it. Then he
takes the paper and
. Later, the woman goes to
the cafeteria and sees the man eating a sandwich. She grabs it and takes a bit.e.
Then she
her car. On the seat are her newspaper and
candy bar. She never
the car! She
8 Can You Believe It?
them
_
_
Book]
9. complete the story
a, Read the true story F'll··
.
idioms from the bo~. 1 In the blanks with
•
•
•
•
•
is red in the face
takes out
sits d
n
9
ack to
picks up
air tylist·
Red in the f ce
Hong ~ g, CHI A A Hong
Kong hair salon is having a
spedal promotion. Come in for 0 free hoircut, the sign
says. So a Hong Kong man. g Koon-man. enters the
salon and (I)
- ' The stylist
(2)_
his comb from his
pocket. Then he (3)
scissors and begins to cut the man's hair.
his
The stylist is in a urry* and cuts very qUickly.
Suddenly. Koon-man feels a terrible pain.The stylist has
cut off** part of his right ead Koon-m an has to go to
the hospital.
Later. Koon-m an takes the hair stylist to court. He
accuses him of working at a dangeroUS speed. The
stylist. of course, (4)
. And
Koon-man
is
still
angry.
"I'll
never
(5)
- that salon!" he says.
* be in a hurry: want to move quickly
** cut something off: separate something with scissors or a knife
b. Read or tell the story to a partner,
Unit 2
Can You Believe It?
9
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page II.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
CHANDIGARH, INDIA 'A four-year-old boy is at
o
e watching TV. 2He goes to the kitchen and
tells his mother, "There's a tiger in the bedroom."
She laughs, thinking he is talking about a TV
program. 3Later, she looks into the bedroom. She
is horrified by what she sees. There's a leopard
watching TV on the bed! 4She grabs her son and
runs
way. sThe leopard soon turns over and
falls asleep. 6When forest department officials
arrive, the leopard is still taking
nap_ They
take him to a zoo.
make oneself at home
at home·
be horrified by something
run away*
turn over*
fall asleep'
take a nap'
make yourself comfortable in someone else's home
in your house or apartment
feel shock and horror at something
leave quickly; escape
turn to the other side
begin to sleep
sleep for a short time during the day
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
10 Can You Believe It?
Bookl
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 10. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. leave quickly; escape
= run
b. begin to sleep
c. turn to the other side
= fall
= turn
d. sleep for a short time during the day
= take a
e. in your house
= at
5. Tell the story
Cover the story alld look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
ok 1
Unit 3
Can You Believe It?
11
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Where is the little boy watching TV?
b. What does he tell his mother? Does she believe him?
c. Later, what is she horrified by?
d. What does she do?
e. What does the leopard do after watching TV?
f. What is he doing when officials arrive?
g. In your opinion, how did the leopard get in the house?
About you
.
h. Who make themselves at home at your house?
i. What do you like to do at home?
j. Do you like to take a nap?
k. When do you usually fall asleep at night?
l. Do you ever have trouble falling asleep?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. Sometimes I dream about running away to
_
_
b. I'm horrified by
_
c. At home I always
l§ 8. Take a Dictation
A boy is
watching TV. He
goes to the kitchen and tells his mother, "There's a tiger in the
bedroom." She laughs. Later, she looks into his bedroom. She
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ what she sees. There's a leopard
watching TV on the bed! She
_
with her son. The leopard
and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . When forest department officials
arrive, the leopard is still
. They
take him to a zoo.
12 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
•
•
•
•
•
9. Complete the story
a. Read
. the
. blanks 'th
'd' the true sto ry. F'III In
I IOms from the box.
WI
is horrified by
runs away
taking a nap
turns over
as fallen asleep
e Himse' at Home
PITTSBURGH,
' PA,
A woman
USA
leaves her house
one
Saturday
evening for a few hours, When she goes back
home, she finds her front door open. Then she
sees a broken window, In the house, her jewelry
boxes
(1 )
are
on
the
-
floor.
She
the boxes and
sees they are empty,
She (2) _
what she
sees next. There's a man on the floor. The thief
The woman
(3) __- - - - - -
quietly goes to another room and calls the police.
"Please hurry," she says, "before he wakes up*
and (4) __- - - - - - -
The police arrive right away.** The thief is still
(5)
. The police arrest
the man, Walter Morgano, age 35 .
• wake up: stop sleeping (the opposite of fall asleep)
.. right away: immediately
b. Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 3
Can You Believe It?
13
ear
Wal s 0 e
Fast As e p
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 15.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
LEEDS, ENGLAND 1Michael Turner, 48, is in the
hospital. He is getting over a heart attack. There
are heart monitors and alarms next to his bed.
20ne night while Turner is sleeping, he unhooks
the machines. He turns off the alarms. Then he
gets out of bed. 3He gets on the elevator and
goes to the street. It's raining. 4Still fast asleep,
he walks five miles to his house. 5His wife opens
the door. "Hello, love.
1 was
jogging," he tells her.
6Turner says he doesn't remember anything about
his walk. "1 don't know how I got home." Turner
is now back in the hospital and getting
be fast asleep
get over something*
turn something off*
get out (of something)*
get on (something)*
be back
get better
etter.
be sleeping deeply
recover from an illness
stop a machine or the flow of water, electricity, etc.
leave (a bed, a car, a bath, work, class, school)
enter (an elevator, a plane, a train, a bus, or a ship)
be again in a place you were before
improve; become healthier
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
14 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
§
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the iJioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 14. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. become healthier
=get
_
b. be sleeping deeply
= be fast
c. stop a machine
= turn
d. enter an elevator, bus, etc.
= get _ _
e. be again in a place you were before
= be
s. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Book I
Unit 4
Can You Believe It?
15
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. Why is Turner in the hospital?
.
b. What does he do after he turns off the alarms next to his bed?
c. What does he get on?
d. Where does he walk? Is he awake?
e. What does he tell his wife?
f. Where is Turner now? How does he feel?
About you
.
g. Do you walk in your sleep?
h. Tell about a time when you were in the hospital.
i. What do you do when you want to get over a cold?
j. What do you turn off before you leave home?
k. Do you often get on a bus, train, or plane?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I usually get out of bed at
_
b. I get out of class at
_
c. I often forget to turn off
_
d. When r get a cold, r take/eat
to get over it.
e. I'm usually fast asleep by
~ 8. Take
o'clock.
a Dictation
Michael Turner is in the hospital
a
heart attack. One night while he is
unhooks the machines next to his bed. He
, he
-------------
the alarms. Then he
bed and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the elevator. He walks five miles to his
house. Turner doesn't remember anything about his walk. He
___________ in the hospital and
16 Can You Believe It?
_
Book 1
9.
complete the Dialogue
a. Cindy is talking with her boss, Ms. Ramirez,
about leaving work early. Fill in the blanks with
idioms from the box.
•
•
•
•
•
get better
get out of
turn off
get on
get over
Ms. Ramirez, can I
work early
today? I'd like to go home and go to bed.
(1)
Yes sure, Cindy. What's the matter?
I can't (2)
_
this cold. I have a headache.*
Oh, I'm sorry. This horrible weather isn't
going to help you (3)
_
It's snowing. Do you have a hat?
Yes, luckily.
Good. I hope you don't have to wait long
to (4)
the bus.
Will you (5)
_
the computers before you leave?
Sure. So long. **
• have a headache: feel pain in one's head
•• so long: goodbye
recycled idiom: What's the matter?
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Book 1
Unit 4
Can You Believe It?
17
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 19.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
KIEV, UKRAINE 1A Ukrainian businessman wants to buy
New Year's gifts for his 50 employees. 2He goes
shopping and decides to get a pager for each employee.
3The salesman explains how they work. "Look," he says,
"when someone calls, your pager rings. You see the
caller's phone number and a short message on the
screen." 4The businessman pays for the 50 pagers, puts
them in his car, and heads for the office. sOn he way,
he suddenly hears a very loud noise. All 50 pagers start
ringing at the same time! The businessman freaks 0 t
and crashes into a lamp post. 6When he calms down,
he sees the message on the 50 pagers.
It says,
"Congratulat"ons on a successful purchase!"
freak out*
go shopping
pay for something*
head for a place*
on the way (to a place)
calm down*
congratulations on something
lose one's self control
shop
give money for something
go in the direction of a place
along the route (to a place)
become calm and quiet
I commend/salute you for something important.
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
18 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
When someoV\e.calls,
Your- pager ringS.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Complete the Idiom
Cover page 18. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. go in the direction of
= head
b. give money for
=pay
c. become quiet
= calm
d. lose one's self control
= freak
_
e. along the route to a place = on the
f. shop
=go
_
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to reteH the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Book 1
Unit .5
Can You Believe It?
19
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Why does the businessman go shopping?
b. What does the businessman do after he pays for the pagers?
c. What happens on the way to the office?
d. How does the businessman react?
e. What is the message on the pagers?
f. Do you think the man likes the message?
About you
.
g. Do you have a pager or a cellular phone? Why? How much did you pay for it?
h. Do you like to go shopping? Where?
i. Do you usually head for home after class? If not, where do you go?
j. When do you congratulate people? What do you say?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. When I am nervous or worried,
_
helps me calm down.
b. I always freak out when
_
_
c. I like to go shopping at
I usually pay $
§
_
for
8. Take a Dictation
A Ukrainian businessman
for gifts for his 50
employees. He decides to get 50 pagers. He
them, puts them in his car, and
_
the office.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, there's a very loud noise. All 50 pagers
start ringing at the same time! The businessman
and crashes his car. When he
message on the pagers. It says, "
_
, he sees the
a
successful purchase!"
20 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. complete the Story
a. with'd'
Read the tru.e story and fIll
' in the blanks
1 \Oms from the box.
BI
T
KENTUCKY, USA
•
•
•
•
•
•
calms down
heads for
pay for
freaks out
goes shopping
on the way
Toyota
One day Betty Vaughn. a ~;;;;?,
- at
schoolteacher, (1)
a mall near her house. She lea es her blue Toyota in the big parking lot for a few
hours.
hen she goes back to the car, she ( 2 ) _ - - - - - - - - -
There's a deep ne," scratch on the car door.
Betty (3)_
-
home. ( 4 ) _ - - - - - - - -
she drive slowly, thinking about her husband. What is she going to tell him? He'll
be licked off.' He won t want to (51-
-
the repair to
the car.
When her husband takes a look at the car. he notices right away that it isn't their car.
Betty drove home in someone else's blue Toyota! (Even the keys were the same!)
After Betty (61
' she calls lhe po!iee to report the
problem.
.. be ticked off: be angry
recycled idioms: go back. take a look at
b. Read or tell the story t o a. partner.
1
Unit 5
Can You Believe It?
21
Revievv
1 :2 3 4 5
A. Idioms in pictures: What idioms do thes,e pictures show? Match the idiom to the picture.
_c_ l.
a. turn over
ilo,,,
2.
3.
-
-_.
-
b. freak out
[
c. get rid of
d. take a nap
e. make oneself at home
5.
8. Odd one out: Cross out the word or phrase that doesn't go with the verh.
1.
GO~-+
4. TAKE
a look at
out
a bus
at home
2. TURN
rid of
the matter
worse and worse
3. BE
22 Can You Believe It?
fast asleep
lose it
horrified by
red in the face
5.
GET~-+
Book 1
C. At, on, or UP? Complete each expression with the correct word.
1. Please turn
011
the light.
2. Sit down and make yourself
3. Get
home.
the train now!
4. Children, please pick
5. Take a look
6. I'll eat
your toys!
this funny photo.
the way.
7. Congratulations
8. I'll be
your new baby!
home tonight if you want to call me.
D. Two-line dialogues: Read each sentence in Aand find an appropriate response in B.
Write the letter on the line.
~
1. I'm freaking out. 1can't find my wallet.
a. Can you stop at the bank on the way?
__ 2. I want to take a nap.
b. No, let's take the train.
__ 3. Are you getting over your cold?
c. No, it's getting worse and worse.
_
d. Calm down. It's right here.
4. Shall we get on the bus?
__ 5. I'm going shopping.
e. Sorry. I'll pick them up.
__ 6. 1can't stand these dirty socks everywhere.
f. OK. I'll turn off the stereo.
Work with a partner. Role-play the two-line dialogues, adding appropriate body language
and intonation.
E. Similar or opposite? Look at each pair of idioms. Decide if they are similar or opposite in meaning.
Book 1
1. turn on
turn off
similar
GPpo~
2. get better
get over something
similar
opposite
3. freak out
calm down
similar
opposite
4. take a bus
get on a bus
similar
opposite
5. get better
get worse and worse
similar
opposite
6. freak out
lose it
similar
opposite
7. take a nap
fall asleep
similar
opposite
Review 1-5
Can You Believe It? 23
F. complete the sentences: Complete the sentences so they are true for you.
1. I can't stand to
2. Every morning I turn on
3. Yesterday, I paid $
for
_
4. I think
is getting worse and worse.
5. When I go to
, I make myself at home.
G. Emotional or calm? Is the person calm and relaxed or excited and emotional?
Write the sentences in the correct box.
He's freaking out.
He's falling asleep.
He's running away!
He's calming down.
He's red in the face.
He's
He's
He's
He's
He's
losing it.
taking a nap.
horrified by it.
fast asleep.
making himself at home.
H. Expressions with get: Complete each sentence with the correct expression.
get rid of
get over
get better
1. I hope I
get worse and worse
get on
get out of
---=t@=et-=---=()I/,-=--e=Y'
2. The problem will
3. I always
4. Please
5. Lupe doesn't want to
6. Chin does not speak English well, but he will
24 Can You Believe It?
thiscoldsoon!
if we do nothing.
the bus at Main Street.
this garbage.
bed.
_
Baoli
I. Find someone who... Fill in the chart with names of classmates. Try to write a
different name in each blank. Stand up and walk around the room. Ask questions such as:
Do you sit down most ofthe day?
Do you get on a bus every day?
se.
Find omeone wh
ne.
• ••
1. ...sits down most of the day.
2....gets on a bus every day.
3. ... often takes a nap in the afternoon.
4.... has a cat or dog at home.
5. ... is horrified by snakes.
6....falls asleep before 10:00 p.m.
7.... turns on the TV every night.
8. .. .loves to go shopping.
9.... takes a bus or train to school.
10....can't stand cold weather.
(Question: Do you like cold weather?)
11. ... is getting over a cold or the flu.
12....usually gets out of bed very early.
Book 1
Review 1-5
Can You Believe It? 25
1. QUick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 27.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
NOITINGHAM, ENGLAND
10ne evening Kerry Kelliby
drops by a local bar and plays a game of darts. 2He wins
the game and gets a small toy stethoscope as a joke prize.
3After a while, Kerry starts playing with the toy. He
listens to his heart. He is frightene
by what he hears
lots of beats and then silence. 4He goes to the doctor
right away. "Something's wrong with my heart," he says.
sThe doctor finds that Kerry really has a serious problem
a hole in his heart. 6Surgeons operate ·ust i
time and
now Kerry is fine. A toy saved his life!
drop by (a place)*
after a while
listen to someone or something*
be frightened by someone or something
lots of
right away '"
just in time
visit (a place) for a short time
later; at some time in the future
use your ears carefully to hear someone or something
be afraid of someone or something
many
immediately
just before the last minute; just soon enough
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
26 Can You Believe It?
Book
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 26. Draw a line from the first word of each idiom to the second.
Then match the definitions with the idioms.
a. drop ~ away
ng
1. later
b. after
by
_
2. immediately
c. listen
a while
4-
3. many
d. right
to
_
4. just before the last minute
e. just
of
f. lots
in time
a
5. visit for a short time
6. use your ears to hear something
s. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the v\lhole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
~ook
1
Unit 6
Can You Believe It?
27
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. What does Kerry get as a prize?
b. What does he do with the toy?
c. How does he feel about what he hears?
d. Where does he go right away?
e. What does he tell the doctor?
f. What is wrong with Kerry's heart? What do the surgeons do?
g. How is Kerry now?
About you
.
h. Where do you like to drop by after work or school?
i. What kind of music do you listen to?
j. What are you frightened by?
k. Do you usually get to class early, just in time, or late?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I have to
right away.
b. When I was a child, I was frightened by
_
Now I'm frightened by
_
c. I plan to
after a while.
d. I have lots of
§
_
8. Take a Dictation
One evening Kerry Kelliby
_
a local bar. He wins a game of darts and gets a toy stethoscope as a
joke prize.
toy to
1
Kerry uses the
his heart. He is
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ what he hears
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ beats and then silence. He
goes to the doctor
. The
doctor finds that Kerry has a hole in his heart. Surgeons operate
28 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
a. Giorgio and his friend are talking about
homework. Fill in the blanks with idioms
from the box.
•
•
•
•
•
•
right away
after a while
drop by
listen to
frightened by
lots of
Hey Giorgio. Why don't you
(1)
tonight?
I don't know, man. I have
(2)
_
homework.
Aw, come on. * We can
(3)
_
some of my new CDs.
I have a math test tomorrow. I should
hit the books** (4)
_
You know how horrible Ms. Klein's tests are.
You're (5)
_
her easy tests? You must be joking.
ot everyone can be
a genius like you.
I'll call you (6)
to see how it's going.
_
• come on: please do it! (informal)
•• hit the books: study
b. Work with a partner. Rote-play the dialogue together.
~ook
1
Unit 6
Can You Believe It? 29
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 31.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
SANTA FE, NM, USA 1Norma Vise, 60, is into hats.
She has a big collection of unusual hats and puts
on a different one each day. 20ne hat looks like
a carrot. Another looks like a big piece of cheese.
Another looks like a pig. 3Adults as well as
children laugh at her hats. 4"1 need a hat because
I'm very sensitive to light," says Vise. But she wears
crazy hats, she says, "because it's fun. Life can be
sad. I want to cheer people up." SVise, a college
Spanish teacher, also wears traditional hats from
Mexico. She is called the "Hat Lady" around
campus. 6What is the most popular hat? "People
are crazy about my hamburger hat," says Vise.
cheer someone up* •......................... make a sad person happier
be into something ...............•........... be very interested in something
put something on* •....................•.... wear c1oth'es
look like someone or something' ........•.... be similar in appearance to someone or something
as well as .•.....•.........•................. in addition to; and also
laugh at someone or something*
show joy at someone or something
be crazy about someone or something
like someone or something very much
*phrasaJ verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
30 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
~ 2.
listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
ow read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 30. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. wear clothes
= put _ _
b. like very much
= be crazy
c. and also
= as well
d. be similar in appearance to
= look
e. be interested in
= be
_
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and rook at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
hing
Unit 7
Can You Believe It?
31
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. What is Norma Vise into?
.
b. What does she put on everyday?
c. What do some of the hats look like?
d. \\Tho laughs at her hats?
e. Why does Vise wear unusual hats?
f. Which hat are people crazy about?
g. What do you think of Norma Vise?
About you
h. What are you into?
.
i. Name three foods you are crazy about.
j. Who (or what) cheers you up when you're sad?
k. Who do you look like?
7. write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. When I was younger, I was into
_
Now I'm into - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - b. I like to put on
_
c. I'm crazy about
_
d. I laugh at
[§
_
8. Take a Dictation
Norma Vise
hats. She
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a different unusual hat each
day. One hat
a carrot. Another
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a pig. Vise wears crazy hats
because "it's fun. I want to
- - - - - - - - - - ." Adults
children
most popular one? "People
people
---------her hats. What is her
my
hamburger hat," says Vise.
32 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
• ~r~n't laughing at
.Isinto
• cheer...up
• as well as
• are crazy about
9. complete the Story
a. Read the true story. Fill in
with'd'
the blanks
I lOms from the box.
Bubble La y
Ch er Pe
ants to
SANTA CRUZ, CA, USA Karen Turcotte, 35, ( 1 ) - - - - - - - - bubbles.
Eight hours a week: she blows soap bubbles at bus stopS and at busy intersections.
Drivers honk and wa e at her. People (21
Turcotte's bubbles,
hildreo. The Bubble Lady, as she is called, says
adults (31
,hat life is full of tragedy. "This is a way to (4)
But police (5)
her
bubbles. They've given Tur oUe a traffi
ticket. ''The bubbles could cause an accident,"
say police officer Brad
- people
1~~Jb.J\HJ~-
oodwin.
• a week: each we k
b. Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 7
an You Believe It?
33
n
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 35.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, USA 1An elderly
couple is taki g a
acation in Yellowstone Park.
They stop their car to tak
a p. ture of some bears.
They leave their car doors open. 2A young bear gets
in. He is lookin
for food.
he man and woman
do their best to get rid of the bear, but he refuses
to move. 450 they drive 17 miles to a park ranger
station with the bear in the back seat. sWhen the
man gets out to report the problem, the bear gets
the front seat. 6The rangers can not believe
their
yes! They find a woman in the passenger
seat and a bear behind the wheel.
on vacation
take a vacation
take a picture (of someone or something)
get in (something) *
look for someone or something *
do one's best
not believe one's eyes
recycled idioms: get rid of, get out
34 Can You Believe It?
away from work or school; on holiday
have time away from work or school
use a camera to get a photograph (of someone or
something)
enter (a car, bed, bathtub, shower, or small boat)
try to find someone or something
perform as well as you can
be very surprised to see something
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix DJ
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 34. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
~
[!]
a. try to find
1. get in
b. enter (a car, bed, etc.)
2. on vacation
c. be very surprised
3. do your best
d. away from work or school
4. look for
e. perform as well as you can
5. not believe your eyes
:or
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Teli the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Book 1
Unit 8
Can You Believe It?
35
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Where is the couple taking a vacation?
b. Why do they stop their car?
c. Why does a bear get in?
d, Does he get out?
e, What does the couple decide to do?
f. Why can't the rangers believe their eyes?
About you
.
g. What do you know about Yellowstone Park? Would you like to take a vacation
there? Why or why not?
h. Tell about a great vacation you took.
i. Do you like to take pictures? If so, of what?
j. Do you always do your best?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I would like to take a vacation to
_
because
_
b. When I go on vacation, I always look for
_
c. I always do my best when I am
~ 8. Take
_
a Dictation
An elderly couple
in Yellowstone
Park. They stop their car to
some
bears. Ayoung bear
, He's
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ food. The man and woman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to get rid of the bear, but he
refuses to move. So they drive 17 miles to a ranger station with the
bear in the back seat. When the man gets out to report the problem,
the bear
the front seat. The
rangers can
, They find a woman
in the passenger seat and a bear behind the wheel.
36 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
•
•
•
•
•
a. Marcella and Hyunwoo are neighbors. Marcella
sees Hyunwoo putting suitcases in the car. Fill
in the blanks with idioms from the box.
get in
won't believe your eyes
taking a vacation
on vacation
take pictures
Hi, Hyunwoo. What's up?*
Where are you going?
(1)
_
You are?
Didn't I tell you? To the Grand Canyon.
You're (2)
to the
Grand Canyon? How wonderful! Can I come?
Sure.
(3)
_
Great idea-ha hal I wish I could. I was there a few
years ago and loved it. Do you have your camera?
You'll want to (4)
_
Yes, and I have tons of** film.
It's so beautiful. You
(5)
_
• What's up?: What's happening?; How are you? (informal)
•• tons of: a lot of
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
~ook
1
Unit 8
Can You Believe It?
37
Man
on fo
Life
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 39.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
CHICAGO, IL, USA 'One day Charles Gardner, 35, sees two
teenage boys breaking into his car. 2As they tak
off,
Gardner jumps on the car and grabs the luggage rack. 3The
teenage driver speeds up. He hits a light pole. 4Then he
drives through two fences. Gardner hangs on or dear
life. sThe car gets on the highway. By this time, more than
two dozen police cars are following it. 6After 20 minutes,
the driver slows down. Police surround the car. The teens
are in big tr uble. As for Gardner, he has some cuts, but
he is okay. "It's a miracle that he wasn't killed," said police
officer Michael Kuemmeth.
hang on for dear life
hold something very tightly
break into something*
enter illegally by force
take off* ...................•........ leave (by car, on foot, by plane)
speed up *
go faster
slow down*
go more slowly
be in (big) trouble
have big problems; be in a difficult situation
as for someone or something'
regarding or concerning someone or something
recycled idiom: get on
38 Can You Believe It?
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
Book 1
~ 2.
listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 38. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
[!].
a. enter illegally by force
1. take off
b. go faster
2. hang on for dear life
c. leave
3. be in big trouble
d. hold something very tightly
4. break into
e. be in a difficult situation
5. speed up
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
~ook
1
Unit 9
Can You Believe It? 39
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. When Gardner first sees the boys, what are they doing?
b. What does he do when the car takes off?
c. When the teenage driver speeds up, what does Gardner do?
d. Why does the driver finally slow down?
e. Why are the teens in big trouble? What kind of punishment do you think they
should get?
About you
f. When you were a teen, were you ever in big trouble?
.
g. Are you a good driver? When do you speed up? When do you slow down?
h. Has anyone ever broken into your car, apartment, or house?
i. °Is your life busy and fast? How do you slow down?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. Recently I was in big trouble when
_
b. When I'm on a plane and it is taking off, I
_
[§ 8. Take a Dictation
One day Charles Gardner, 35, sees two boys
his car. They
car. The driver
_
, and Gardner jumps on the
' He hits a light pole. Then
he drives through two fences. Gardner
_
The car gets on the highway. By this time, more than two dozen police cars are
following it. After 20 minutes, the driver
and police surround the car. The teens
_
_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Gardner, he is okay.
40 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
r.
9. Complete the Dialogue
a. Blanca and Julia are going to school.
Blanca is giving Julia a ride on her bike.
Fill in the blanks with idioms from the box.
•
•
•
•
•
be in big trouble
slow down
as for
speed up
am hanging on for
dear life
Blanca, you're going too fast!
We're late! We have to
a little.
(1)
But not down this hill!
We'll (2)
if
we're late for school again. Ms. Vine will. ..
...1know, 1know, but please
(3)
a little. 1don't
--
want to fall. And ( 4 ) - - Ms. Vine, she can just wait.
Don't sweat it!*
Everything's under control!**
1(5)
_
,. Don't sweat it!: Don't worry about it. (informal)
** Everything's under control!: Everything is fine.
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
~ook
1
Unit 9
Can You Believe It?
41
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 43.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
LONDON, ENGLAND 1James Meadows, 28, doesn't
get along with his neighbors. He likes to play
loud music. 2But his neighbors are fed up with
it. 3Again and again they report the problem to
the police. They tell Meadows to turn down the
volume. 4But Meadows ignores the warnings and
continues to play loud music. 5Finally, the police
take away his $700 stereo. They smash it with a
hammer on a public street. "This is a warning to
everyone. Neighbors have rights," they say. 6But
Meadows is steaming. "The police should go
after criminals, not music lovers," he says.
be fed up (with someone or something) ......• be tired of; be at the end of your patience
(with someone or something)
get along (with someone)* ....•.•............ have a good relationship (with someone)
again and again ...•..................•...... many times; repeatedly
turn something down* •...................... make something less loud or less strong
take something away* ......•.......•.•....•. remove something
be steaming' .........•..................•... be angry
go after someone or something* ....•........ try to get or catch someone or something
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix Dj
42 Can You Believe It?
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
~~ffi Stop t~Qt
musIc!
. The police
should
after
•
Is....I
crImIna
ao
\J.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 42. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
b. try to get or catch
= be
= go
c. have a good relationship with
= get _ _ _ _ _
d. many times
= again and
e. be tired of
= be
a. be angry
with
_
up with
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
look 1
Unit 10
Can You Believe It? 43
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. How do Meadows' neighbors feel about his music?
b. What do they do about it?
c. What do the authorities tell Meadows?
d. Does he listen to them?
e. What do the police finally do with the stereo?
f. How does Meadows feel about it?
g. Do you think the police did the right thing?
About you
.
h. Do you get along with your neighbors?
i. Do they do anything that you are fed up with?
j. Do yOLl like loud music? If so, do people ask you to turn it down?
k. Are you steaming about something now? If so, what?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I'm fed up with
_
because
_
b. I like to
_
again and again.
c. I get along well with
_
because
[§ 8. Take
_
a Dictation
James Meadows doesn't
neighbors
his neighbors. His
his loud music. They report the
problem to the police
Meadows to
. The police tell
the volume, but Meadows
ignores the warnings. Finally, the police
_
his stereo. They smash it with a hammer on a public street. Meadows
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . "The police should
______________ criminals, not music lovers," he says.
44 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. complete the Story
a. Read the true story and fill in th
blanks WI.th'd'
I tOms from the box.e
an
• is steaming
• again and again
• going after
• ~et along with
• 15 fed up with
rres ed for Piano Playing
ORONO, ME, USA
Robert Noland
doesn't (1)
his
neighbor. oland has a Master's degree
in piano, and he plays concerts all over
the u.s. and Europe. When he is at home,
he practices the piano a lot. Sometimes
he
plays
the
same
music
(2)_
But his
neighbor, Mary Lou Dall, ( 3 ) _ - - - - - - - - - the noise.
One daY Noland is practicing the piano. It's very hot and his
windows are open. Two police officers appear at his door. They
tell Noland that Mary Lou Dall has called them about his loud
music. "You have to stop playing or shut the windoWs," they say.
Noland ignores the warning. He keeps on* playing the piano with
the windows open. The police return and arrest him. Noland is
waiting to go to court, and he (4)
. "Why
are the police (5)_
me? I'm not drunk in
the middle of the street. I'm only playing the piano!" he says.
* ke P on doing something: continue doing something
recycled idiom: at home
b. Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 10
Can You Believe It? 45
Revievv
6
7 8
9 10
A. Idioms in pictures: What do these pictures show? Write the second word of the idiom.
1. laugh
L..
a t
5. hang _ _
~
6. put _ _
listen
3. speed _ _
7. take
4. take
8. slow
---- iii
B. Word partners: Look at the common words and phrases that follow these idioms.
Can you add others?
1. put on
a dress
3. laugh at
ajoke
perfume
a TV show
lotion
a funny story
gloves
a clown
sunglasses
an idea
a hat
2. break into
a bank
4. get in
bed
a building
line
a store
the bathtub
an apartment
a truck
a safe
a taxi
Note: You get on a bus, train, plane, and ship.
46 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
C. Good or bad? Is the speaker feeling good or bad? Write the sentences in the correct box.
I'm fed up with all of this.
Please cheer me up!
I'm really into this!
I'm i big trouble now!
I'm
I'm
I'm
I'm
crazy about this.
steaming.
getting along with everyone.
frightened by it.
D. Expressions with take: Complete each sentence with the correct expression.
take off
take...away
take a picture of
take a vacation
1. The dog has my shoes!
them
_
from him!
2. I'd like to
, but my boss doesn't want me to.
3. Can you
me, please?
4. Hurry! The plane is going to
in ten minutes.
E. EXpressions with be: Complete each sentence with the correct expression.
Use the correct form of the verb be.
be fed up with
be steaming
be in big trouble
be into
be frightened by
be crazy about
1. I don't want to play this game anymore. I
2. I
it.
. The dog just ate my shoes.
3. You're late again! The boss is steaming. You
4. Basketball is her favorite sport. She
it.
5. Last year she was into tattoos. This year she
piercings.
6. I
Review 6-10
now.
body
spiders and snakes, aren't you?
Can You Believe It?
47
f. Crossword puzzle: Complete the idioms and fill in the crossword puzzle.
Across
1. The plane will
off at 11 o'clock.
2. I'm trying to sleep! Please turn
the TV.
4. Why are you driving so slowly? Let's
up.
5. Ivan doesn't get
with his mother-in-law.
6. Please
in the car.
7. She's studying Chinese as
as Japanese.
10. You're just in
! The movie just started.
Down
1. Do you want to listen
Mozart?
3. I'm leaving right away. As
John,
he'll leave next week.
4. I'm
. I just got a parking ticket.
8. What a surprise! I don't believe my
_
9. We went to Costa Rica
vacation.
11. I left messages with Katya again and
_
but I never got an answer.
12. I did my
on the test.
G. Complete the sentences: Complete the sentences so they are true for you.
1. This morning I put
2. Some of my friends are into
on.
_
but I'm not.
3. I want to take vacation
_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (where? when?).
4. I often drop by
_
in order to
5. I like to listen to
_
again and again.
6. I would like to buy lots of
48 Can You Believe It?
_
Book 1
H. Idiom game: Play this game in pairs or groups of three. Each player should put a
different marker (a penny, a button, etc.) on START. Players will take turns,
beginning with the person whose birthday comes first in the year.
Directions:
1. When it is your turn close your eyes. Use your pencil to
touch a number (in the box on the right). Move your
marker that. many spaces.
2. Try to make a personal, true sentence using the idiom.
3. If you can do it, stay on the space. [f you can't, go back
two spaces.
4. The first person to reach FINISH is the winner.
be crazy
about
on
vacation
be
steaming
take a
vacation
Review 6-10
look like
laugh at
4
J
2
1
2
2
4
J
4
J
1
2
2
J
1
put on
lots of
drop by
right
away
be into
look for
get in
be
frightened
by
be fed
up w~th
get along
with
after a
while
take a
vacation
get along
with
take
pictures of
listen to
cheer up
get in
take off
laugh at
look like
right away
be into
listen to
again
and
again
be crazy
about
Can You Believe It? 49
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 51.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
SUMATRA ISLAND, PAlEMBANG, INDONESIA 11t was
Sunday, visiting day, at the Merdeka prison. Families
were spe di
visiting hours
e
i h the prisoners. 2When
ere over, security guards opened
the front gate for the visitors and let them out.
3Later on that day, 106 prisoners escaped. 4How?
It was a
asy as pie. They walked out the front
gate! sThe guards had made a mistake and
forgotten to lock it. 6Prison officials are red in the
face. Police are looking for the escaped prisoners,
but s
far, they have caught only three.
(as) easy as pie
spend time (with someone)
be over
let someone out*
later on
make a mistake·
so far
recycled idioms: be red in the face, look for
50 Can You Believe It?
very simple, easy
use time (with someone)
be finished; end
allow someone to leave
later; at some time in the future
do something incorrectly
until now; up to the present time
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
Book 1
~ 2.
listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 50. Draw a line from the first word of the idiom to the second.
Then match the definitions with the idioms.
a. later
pie
_
1. very simple
b. make a
out
_
2. allow to go out
c. as easy as
over
3. end
d. be
on
4. at some time in the future
e. let
mistake
_
5. do something incorrectly
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the'story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 11
Can You Believe It? 51
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. Why were families spending time with prisoners?
b. What happened when visiting hours were over?
c. When did the prisoners escape?
d. Why was their escape as easy as pie?
e. How do prison officials feel now?
f. How many prisoners have they found so far?
About you
.
g. Tell about a time when you made a big mistake.
h. What things are easy as pie for you?
I.
How do you spend your free time? Who do you like to spend it with?
j. Do you have a pet? Do you let it out of the house alone?
k. What time is your English class over?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. Yesterday, I spent time with
_
b. When school or work is over, I usually
_
c. Later on I plan to
_
d. So far in this book, I have learned
_
~ 8. Take
a Dictation
It was Sunday at the Merdeka prison. Families were
_
the prisoners. When visiting hours
, security
guards opened the front gate and
the
visitors.
escaped. How? It was
front gate! The guards had
that day, more than 100 prisoners
. They walked out the
and forgotten to
lock it. Prison officials are red in the face. Police are looking for the escaped
prisoners, but they've caught only three
52 Can You Believe It?
_
Book 1
9. Complete the Story
a. Read the t rue story and fH .
with 'd"
. I In the blanks
I Joms from the box.
• Was over
• later on
• easy as pie
• made a mistake
• spend time
• Ie out
r ma at McDonald's
BODENGRAVEN, THE NETHERLANDS People in Bodengraven
love to (1)
at their local
McDonald's restaurant. It's quick, and getting a meal there
is (2)
_
But one day, the fast-food restaurant didn't open on time. Customers wanted their Big
Macs. They called the police, and the police became worried. "McDonald's always
opens on time!*" they thought. The police were afraid there was a hostage situation
inside the restaurant. Soon there were more than 30 police cars around the restaurant.
(3)
, police called a special team to storm the building. It
was time to (4)
the hostages. Just then, the manager of
the restaurant arrived. "I'm sorry. I thought I was working the late shift," he said. The
drama (5)
. The police (6)
_
and they are red in the face .
• on time: at the correct time
recycled idiom: be red in the face
b. Read or tell the story to a
t
par nero
Unit 11
Can You Believe It? 53
•
Sma t Pig
Sav 5 t
Day
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 55.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA 1LuLu, a Vietnamese pig, is a very
smart pet. She belongs to Jo Ann Altsman, 57.
20 ne day when Jo Ann was alone at home, she had a
heart attack. She had trouble breathing and fell to the
floor. She was at deat 's
oor. 3But LuLu saved the
day. The pig ran into the fenced-in yard. Somehow she
pushed the gate open. 4Then she walked into the middle
of the road and lay down. sA surprised motorist
stopped and got out of his car. LuLu got up and led the
man into the house. He quickly called an ambulance.
6When the ambulance showed up, LuLu tried to get in
too. "She's very, very smart," the lucky owner said later.
save the day'
produce excellent results when things are going badly
belong to someone *
be the property of someone
have trouble doing something'
find something difficult to do
be at death's door
be near death
lie down*
rest in a horizontal position
get up* ...........................•. rise from a sitting or lying position
show up* ....•...................... appear; arrive
recycled idioms: at home, get out, get in
54 Can You Believe It?
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix 0)
Book 1
~ 2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
'Cover page 54. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. be near death
= be at death's
b. arrive, appear
= show
c. be the property of
=belong _ _
d. produce excellent results
when things are bad
= save the
e. rest in a horizontal position
= lie
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 12
Can You Believe It? 55
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. Who does LuLu belong to?
.
b. Why was LuLu's owner at death's door?
c. What did she have trouble doing?
d. What did LuLu do to save the day?
e. When the motorist got out of his car, what did LuLu do?
f. What did LuLu try to do when the ambulance showed up? Why?
g. Would you like a pet like LuLu?
About you
.
h. Do you have a pet? If so, is your pet smart?
i. Tell about a situation when you (or someone you know) saved the day.
.
j. What time do you usually get up in the morning?
k. What do you have trouble doing? Do you ask for help?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I like to lie down on/in
to rest.
b. I'm very happy that
belongs to me.
c. I never have trouble
_
d. On weekends, I get up at
_
fffi] 8. Take a Dictation
One day Jo Ann Altsman, 57, had a heart attack. She
breathing and was
_
. But her pet pig LuLu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - . LuLu went into the middle of the road
and
. Finally, a motorist stopped. LuLu
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and led the man into the house, where he
called an ambulance. When it
, LuLu tried
to get in too. "She's very, very smart," the lucky owner said later.
56 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the story
• saved the day
a. Read
t
and fill in th bl
. the true sory
wIth idioms from the box.
e anks
a
• lay down
• belonged to
• showed up
• got up
n
B F ALO, NY, USA
One
e ening, Tracey Schelanski
(1)---------
and fell asleep. A few
hours later, she heard
(2)
a loud crash. She
and looked out the
window. A car had hit her house! But nO one got out.
Instead, the car backed np' and drove away!
The next morning, Tracey looked at the damage to
her house. It was bad, and Tracy was steaming. Bnt
then she noticed something. The car's license
plate as stuck in the house! The license plate
(3)
for Tracey. When police
(4)
they told her it
(5)
a 23-year-ol d man. They
arrested him right away.
.. back up: move in reverse
recycled idioms: fall asleep, get out. be steaming, right away
b. Read or tell the story to a partnero
Unit 12
Can You Believe It? 57
5
a•
Lett
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 59.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
OSLO, NORWAY 1Residents in one Oslo neighborhood
were not getting any mail. IIWhat is goin
on1
11
they
asked each other. 2They told the Norwegian Postal Service
~I-)out the problem. 3'fhe postal authorities sm lied a rat.
They began to look into the problem. 4They dropped in
at the home of the mailman for that neighborhood. They
couldn't believe their eyes. They came across piles of mail
in the man's house. There were at least 900 pounds of
letters and packages. Sit seems the mailman was too lazy
to finish his route every day. 6Most bosses are happy when
an employee takes work home, but not the Norwegian
Postal Service. They fired the mailman at once.
What is going on?
smell a rat
look into something*
drop in (at a place)*
come across something*
at least
at once
recycled idiom: not believe one's eyes
58 Can You Believe It?
.
What is happenin d ?
think there may be something wrong or illegal
investigate; examine something
visit for a short time, often unexpectedly
find something by chance
a minimum of; no fewer than
immediately
*phrasaJ verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
Book 1
§
~:;WllldI
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
_ three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. complete the Idiom
Cover page 58. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. What is happening?
= What is going _ _?
b. investigate
= look
c. find by chance
= come
d. immediately
= at
e. a minimum of
= at
5. Tefl the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 13
Can You Believe It?
59
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
.
a. What did residents in Oslo ask each other?
b. When postal authorities smelled a rat, what did they do?
c. How did they react when they went to the mailman's home?
d. What did they come across?
e. How many pounds of mail were there?
f. Why didn't the mailman deliver the mail?
g. What did the Norwegian Postal Service do?
About you
.
h. Are you sometimes too lazy to finish things?
i. Tell about a situation when you smelled a rat.
j. Have you ever come across something valuable on the street?
k. What is going on this week at your school or at your job?
•
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I need to
_
at once.
b. I often drop in to see
_
c. I have at least
~
pairs of shoes.
8. Take a Dictation
Some residents in Oslo, Norway, were not getting any mail.
I<
?" they asked each other. The
Norwegian Postal Service
and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the problem. They
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ at the home of the mailman for
that neighborhood. They couldn't believe their eyes. They
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ piles of mail in the man's
house-
900 pounds! They fired
him - - - - - - - - - - - - -
60 Can You Believe It?
Book]
•
•
•
•
•
9. complete the Dialogue
a. Paco and Gianni are friends. They're talking
about Paco's car. Fill in the blanks with
idioms from the box.
Hey, Gianni. (1)
Where's my car? You said you
were returning it today.
at once
smell a rat
looking into
what's going on
at least
?
Uh, do you really need it today?
Yes, I do.
WelL ..
I need it now. (2)
_
Urn, Paco, the car. .. uh ... You don't want to see it.
. Where is my car?
I (3)
Well, uh, I parked it over there,
across the street.
Where? Oh! I don't believe my eyes! The front is smashed in.
Oh, no! Oh, man, you had an accident! It looks bad! That'll cost
me (4)
$1,000 bucks!*
Paco, calm down. Someone hit it in a parking lot.
I reported it to the police and they're
(5)
it. I'm really sorry, man.
Not half as sorry as I am.
* bucks: dollars (informal)
recycled idioms: I don't believe my eyes, calm down
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Unit 13
Can You Believe It? 61
Girl
MOl'e
Art
1. Quick Reading
Look at the pictures on page 63.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
SANTA FE, NM, USA
1
11 Body art is -n,1I says Isabella
Ortega, 18. She has nine piercings on her face. 2First
she got a nose ring. Then she got her tongue pierced.
She couldn't stand to eat hot food for weeks after that.
3Next she got her cheeks, ears, chin, and the bridge of
her nose pierced. 41sabella and her mother don't see
eye to ye about body art. Her mother gets mad at
her each time she wants more. 5Does Isabella h ve
second thoughts about her piercings? "At times I
do,lI she admits.
II
People stare at me, and I hate that."
6But she is already thinking about her next piercing.
"1 want four or five rings in my lips," she says.
p..&-"'a........
-.L.IoI!.....I.Io.ooL
be in .•.....•....•.........•................... be in fashion; be popular
see eye to eye· .......•.......•...••............ agree completely
get mad (at someone)
become angry (at someone)
have second thoughts (about something) ..•...•. have doubts (about something)
at times
! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • sometimes; occasionally
stare at someone or something*
look at someone or something with wide eyes
think about someone or something*
consider; anticipate; form a mental image of
someone or something
recycled idiom: can't stand something
62 Can You Believe It?
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix DJ
Book 1
I§] 2. listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 62. Match the definition in column Ato the idiom in column B.
a. be popular
1. stare at
b. look at with wide eyes
2. get mad at
c. sometimes
3. see eye to eye
d. agree completely
4. at times
e. become angry at
5. bein
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 14
Can You Believe It? 63
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. What do you think about Isabella's body art?
.
b. How does her mother react when Isabella wants another piercing?
c. Is Isabella always completely happy with her body art?
d. What do people do when she goes out?
e. What is Isabella thinking about now?
About you
.
f. Is body art in with your group of friends?
g. What is in with teens in your country (music, dance, fashion, etc.)? What is in
with you and your friends?
h. Who do you get mad at? Why?
i. Do you have second thoughts about a decision you made when you were
younger?
7. write about Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. At times I don't see eye to eye with
_
because
_
b. I am always thinking about
_
c. Last week I got mad at
_
because
§
_
8. Take a Dictation
"Body art
," says Isabella Ortega.
She has nine piercings on her face. First she got a nose ring. Then she got her
tongue pierced. Next she got her cheeks, ears, chin, and the bridge of her nose
(
pierced. Isabella's mother doesn't
her about body art. She
she gets another piercing.
with
Isabella when
, Isabella
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ her body art. She hates when people
______________ her. But she's
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ gett,ing rings in her lips.
64 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
9. Complete the Dialogue
•
•
•
•
•
a. Ivanka is talking with her mother about
changing her hair color. Fill in the blanks
with idioms from the box.
get mad at
is in
I'm thinking about
see eye to eye
at times
Mom, I want to do something to
my hair. (1)
_
changing the color.
What? Your hair is beautiful.
It's boring. I love red hair. Purple hair
(2)
too.
Purple hair? re you serious? Don't you dare.
Honey, (3)
I think
you're completely crazy.
Don't (4)
_
me, mom. It'll look good.
I don't think so.
Well, I do.
Well, we'll never
(5)
about this.
Let's discuss it at dinner with your father.
With dad? He doesn't have a clue about* fashion.
He doesn't know what's out** or what's in.
* not have a clue about something: not know anything about something
** be out: be out of fashion
b. Work with a partner. Role-play the dialogue together.
Unit 14
Can You Believe It? 65
One i
a M II
1. Quick Reac;Hng
Look at the pictures on page 67.
What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA
1Albert Lexie is one in
million. 2As a child, he was dirt poor and
dropped out of school. 3Today, Lexie, 56, makes
a living by shining shoes. He works at the Children's
Hospital in Pittsburgh. 4He charges $2 to shine
doctors' shoes and makes about $9,000 per year. In
addition, he gets tips from the doctors. sLexie is
not well-off, but he gives all his tips away to the
hospital. Since 1985, he has given more than $40,000
to help sick kids. 6" Albert's work is as important as
any doctor's work," says one regular customer, Dr.
Samuel Kocoshis. "He is a true humanitarian."
humanitarian: someone who helps people and society
one in a million'
be dirt poor
drop out (of something)*
make a living'
in addition
be well-off
give something away*
unique; very special
have very little money
quit (school, a race, etc.)
earn money for food, housing, etc.
also
have a lot of money; be rich
give something as a gift
*phrasal verb (see Lexicon and Appendix D)
66 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
§
2. Listen
Cover the story and look only at these pictures. Listen to the story two or
three times.
3. Read the story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you're ready for Exercise 4.
4. Match
Cover page 66. Draw a line from the first part of each idiom to the second.
Then match the definitions with the idioms.
a. be dirt
away
_
1. give as a gift
b.
addition
_
2. earn money for food and housing
c. give
in a million
_
3. leave (school, a race, etc.)
d. make
poor
_
4. have very little money
e. drop
a living
_
5. unique; very special
f. one
out
In
6. also
5. Tell the story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using as many
idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then teU the story to a partner or small group.
Unit 15
Can You Believe It? 67
6. Answer the Questions
About the story
a. What do you know about Lexie's childhood?
.
b. Did he finish school?
c. How does Lexie make a living?
d. Is he well-off? How much does he make per year?
e. What does he get in addition?
f. What does he do with his tips?
g. Do you agree that Lexie is one in a million? Why or why not?
About you
.
h. Do yOLl know someone (either famous or not) who is one in million? Tell why this
person is one in a million.
1.
How do you make a living now? How do you hope to make a living in the future?
J. In your opinion, is it necessary to be well-off to be happy?
k. In your opinion, why do children drop out of school?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I speak English. In addition,
_
b. I think
is one in a million
because
_
c. I gave
_
away to
~
_
8. Take a Dictation
As a child, Albert Lexie
and
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ school. Today, Lexie, 56,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by shining shoes at a
hospital for children. He shines doctors' shoes, and he makes
about $9,000 per year.
gets tips. Lexie
, he
all his
tips to the hospital. Since 1985, he has given more than $40,000 to
help sick kids. Lexie
a true humanitarian. He's
68 Can You Believe It?
, but he's
_
Book]
9. complete the story
a, Read
. the blanks 'th
'd' the true sto ry. F'III In
I lOms from the box,
WI
• makes a living
• o!'e in a million
• dirt poor
• gives away
• well-off
• in addition
Man Gives way Free ash
NORFOLK, VA, USA
(1)
Don Stephenson is
- ' Stephenson, 36, was
living on the streets a few years ago. He was
homeless and (2)
____
, "I didn't
-~--_ .... knoW where my next meal was corning from," he says.
NoW Stephenson has a home and (3)
as a
mechanic. But he has not forgotten the people on the streets. One night a
week he goes to the poor side of town. Stephenson is not
(4)
, but he stands on street corners and hands
out' $5 or $10 to anyone whO needs it. (5)
, he
(6)
food and clothing. "I don't want to see anyone
hungry," he says. "\ understand these people because I've been the,e.""
• hand something out: distribute something
•• I've been there: I've experienced that
b, Read or tell the story to a partner.
Unit 15
Can You Believe
It?
69
Revievv
11 12 13 14 15
A. Idioms in pictures: Complete each idiom and match it to its definition.
-4--
1. spend _ _t..::...:/c..:..:·M...:...::e.=------_ with
a. have very little money
2. smell a
b. very simple
3. be
_
poor
__ 4. as easy as
c. be near death
_
d. agree completely
e. very special
5. save the - - - - - -
~~#qqPw
6. see - - - - - -
t.n
f. think there may be something wrong
J 'l
7. be at death's - - - - - - ..
g. use time with
8. one in a
h. produce excellent results when
things are going badly
_
B. opposites: Each question in A contains an idiom. Find an appropriate answer in B
which contains an opposite idiom. Write the letter on the line.
[K]
fLAre they well-off?
[!]
a. No, later on.
__ 2. Did they have trouble writing it?
b. No, they just got up.
__ 3. Are they lying down?
c. No, they always get mad at each other.
__ 4. Do they see eye to eye?
d. No, they saved the day.
__ 5. Will they begin at once?
e. No, it was easy as pie.
__ 6. Did they make a mistake?
f. No, dirt poor.
70 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
C. At or in? Complete each expression with the correct word.
once
l.
6.be
2. drop
7.
3. stare
8.be
addition
4.
5. one
death's door
times
9. get mad
a million
10.
least
D. Good or bad? Is the speaker feeling good or bad? Write the sentences in the correct box.
She says I'm one in a million.
I made a big mistake.
I feel like I'm at death's door.
It's easy as pie for me.
I'm making a good living.
I'm getting mad at you now.
I saved the day!
I need to lie down.
I'm dirt poor now.
I'm having a lot of trouble with this.
E. Time expressions: Match each idiom in Awith its definition in B. Then fill in the blanks below
with an idiom from A.
~
[I]
1. later on
a. immediately
2. at once
b. sometimes
3. so far
c. after a while
4. at times
d. until now
I love movies. When a new film comes to town, I go
month
I've seen at least 10 new ones. I prefer dramas
and comedies, but
In fact, I think I'm going to see a new movie
Review 11-15
. This
I go see an action film or a western.
today.
Can You Believe It? 71
F. Phasal verbs that take objects (transitive): The following phrasal verbs take direct
objects. Fill in the sentences with the correct verb.
stare at
look into
drop out of
give away
come across
belong to
think about
let out
1. The bikes
b::....:e=.:../.=...:ol/c:.:;9I-t-=..:o'----_ _
Johann.
2. What do you
3. I'll
this book?
myoid car.
4. Pavel wants to
5. Please don't
6. The police will
7. The teacher will
school.
me.
the crime.
the students early.
8. I looked everywhere for that photo, but I didn't
it.
G. Phrasal verbs that do not take objects (non-transitive): The following phrasal verbs
do not take direct objects. Fill in the sentences with the correct verb.
drop in
show up
lie down
getup
1. Hurry! If you don't
2. I miss you. Please
3. I have a headache. I'm going to
4. We were worried because Jason didn't
72 Can You Believe It?
now, you'll be late.
when you're in town.
_
_
Book]
H. Find someone who: Fill in the chart with names of classmates. Try to write a different
name in each blank. Stand up and walk around the room. Ask questions such as:
Do you want to be well-offin the future?
Will you watch TV later on today?
•
In
s me n who...
1. ... wants to be well-off in the future.
2....will watch TV later on today.
3....thinks learning English is easy as pie.
4.... has trouble learning English.
5....wants to make a living in the business world.
6....got mad at someone or something yesterday.
7....often thinks about getting married.
8.... likes to get up early.
9....spends a lot of time with family.
10.... has at least four brothers and sisters.
11. ... belongs to a club or organization.
12.... made a big mistake at work this week.
Review 11-15
Can You Believe It?
73
Appendix A: Ansvver Key
1:
Please Get Rid of that smell!
page 3: 4) a. at b. on c. stand d. matter e. worse f. it
page 4: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 5: 9) 1. turn on 2. can't stand 3. Take a look at 4. are getting worse and worse 5. get rid of
2:
Red in the Face
page 7: 4) a. 3 b. 2 c. 1 d. 5 e.4
page 8: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 9: 9) 1. sits down 2. takes out 3. picks up 4. is red in the face 5. go back to
3:
leopard Makes Himself at Home
page 11: 4) a. away b. asleep c. over d. nap e. home
page 12: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 13: 9) 1. turns over 2. is horrified by 3. has fallen asleep 4. runs away 5. taking a nap
4:
Heart Patient walks Home Fast Asleep
page 15: 4) a. better b. asleep c. off d. on e. back
page 16: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 17: 9) 1. get out of 2. get over 3. get better 4. get on 5. turn off
5:
Businessman Freaks out
page 19: 4) a. for b. for c. down d. out e. way f. shopping
page 20: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 21: 9) 1. goes shopping 2. freaks out 3. heads for 4. On the way 5. pay for 6. calms down
Review: lessons 1-5
page 22: A. 1. c 2. e 3. d 4. b 5. a
B. 1. rid of 2. for 3. lose it 4. at home 5. the matter
page 23: C. 1. on 2. at 3. on 4. up 5. at 6. on 7. on 8. at
D. 1. d 2. f 3. c 4. b 5. a 6. e
E. 1. opposite 2. similar 3. opposite 4. similar 5. opposite 6. similar 7. similar
page 24: F. Answers will vary.
G. EMOTIONAL: He's freaking out.; He's running away!; He's red in the face.; He's losing it.; He's
horrified by it.
CALM: He's falling asleep.; He's calming down.; He's taking a nap.; He's fast asleep.; He's
making himself at home.
H. 1. get over 2. get worse and worse 3. get on 4. get rid of 5. get out of 6. get better
page 25: L Answers will vary.
74 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
6:
Toy Saves Man's Life
page 27: 4) a. drop by (5) b. after a while (1) c.listen to (6) d. right away (2) e. just in time (4)
f. lots of (3)
page 28: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 29: 9) 1. drop by 2. lots of 3. listen to 4. right away 5. frightened by 6. after a while
7:
Hat lady Wants to Cheer You up
page 31: 4) a. on b. about c. as d. like e. into
page 32: 8) See Appendix B, page 77
page 33: 9) 1. is into 2. are crazy about 3. as well as 4. cheer ... up 5. aren't laughing at
8:
Bear Goes on Vacation
page 35: 4) a. 4 b. 1 c. 5 d.2 e.3
page 36: 8) See Appendix B. page 78
page 37: 9) 1. On vacation 2. taking a vacation 3. Get in 4. take pictures 5. won't believe your eyes
9:
Man Hangs on for Dear Life
page 39: 4) a. 4 b. 5 c. 1 d. 2 e. 3
page 40: 8) See Appendix B, page 78
page 41: 9) 1. speed up 2. be in big trouble 3. slow down 4. as for 5. am hanging on for dear life
10: Neighbors fed up with loud Music
page 43: 4) a. steaming b. after c. along d. again e. fed
page 44: 8) See Appendix B, page 78
page 45: 9) 1. get along with 2. again and again 3. is fed up with 4. is steaming 5. going after
Review: lessons 6-10
page 46: A. 1. at 2. to 3. up 4. off 5. on 6. on 7. away 8. down
B. Answers will vary but the following are possibilities: 1. a hat, pants, a coat, shoes 2. a house,
a car 3. a funny person, a funny movie, a cartoon, a comedy, a comedian 4. a car, the shower,
a sailboat, a canoe
page 47: C. GOOD: I'm really into this!; I'm crazy about this.; I'm getting along with everyone.;
BAD: I'm fed up with all of this.; Please cheer me up!; I'm in big trouble now!; I'm steaming.;
I'm frightened by it.
D. 1. Take ... away 2. take a vacation 3. take a picture of 4. take off
E. 1. am fed up with 2. am steaming 3. are in big trouble 4. is crazy about 5. is into 6. am
frightened by
page 48: F. Across: 1. take 2. down 4. speed 5. along 6. get 7. well 10. time
Down: 1. to 3. for 4. steaming 8. eyes 9. on 11. again 12. best
G. Answers will vary.
Page 49: H. Answers will vary.
Appendix A
Can You Believe It? 75
11;
Prison Escape is Easy as Pie
page 51: 4) a. later on (4) b. make a mistake (5) c. as easy as pie (1) d. be over (3) e. let out (2)
page 52: 8) See Appendix B, page 78.
page 53: 9) 1. spend time 2. easy as pie 3. Later on 4. let out 5. was over 6. made a mistake
12; Smart
Pig Saves the Day
page 55: 4) a. door b. up c. to d. day e. down
page 56: 8) See Appendix B, page 78.
Page 57: 9) 1. lay down 2. got up 3. saved the day 4. showed up 5. belonged to
13; lazy Mailman
Hides letters
page 59: 4) a. on b. into c. across d. once e. least
page 60: 8) See Appendix B, page 78.
page 61: 9) 1. What's going on 2. At once 3. smell at rat 4. at least 5. looking into
14; Girl
Wants More Body Art
page 63: 4) a. 5 b. 1 c. 4 d. 3 e. 2
page 64: 8) See Appendix B, page 79.
page 65: 9) 1. I'm thinking about 2. is in 3. At times 4. get mad at 5. see eye to eye
15; One
in a Million
page 67: 4) a. be dirt poor (4) b. in addition (6) c. give away (1) d. make a living (2) e. drop out (3)
f. one in a million (5)
page 68: 8) See Appendix B, page 79.
page 69: 9) 1. one in a million 2. dirt poor 3. makes a living 4. welt-off 5. In addition 6. gives away
Review: lessons 11-15
page 70: A. 1. g, time 2. f, rat 3. a, dirt 4. b, pie 5. h, day 6. d, eye to eye 7. c, door 8. e, million
B. 1. f 2. e 3. b 4. c 5. a 6. d
page 71: C. 1. at 2. in 3. at 4. in 5. in 6. at 7. at 8. in 9. at 10. at
D. GOOD: She says I'm one in a million.; It's easy as pie for me.; I'm making a good living.;
I saved the day.
BAD: I made a big mistake.; I feel like I'm at death s door.; I'm getting mad at you now.; I need
to lie down.; I'm dirt poor now.; I'm having a lot of trouble with this.
E. 1. c 2. a 3. d 4. b
at once, so far, at times, later on
page 72: F. 1. belong to 2. think about 3. give away 4. drop out of 5. stare at 6. look into 7. let out
8. come across
G. 1. get up 2. drop in 3. lie down 4. show up
76 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
Appendix B: Dictations
1. please
Get Rid of that Smell! (page 4)
When Barbara turns on her heater, there's a terrible smell. It is getting worse and worse. She
can't stand it! She goes to the repair shop. "What's the matter with my car?" she asks. "Please get
rid of that smell!" When the mechanic takes a look at the heating system, he pulls out a big, dead
python. Barbara loses it!
2.
Red in the Face (page 8)
A woman is taking a ferry. She sits down on the deck. Next to her in a chair are her newspaper
and candy bar. A man in the next chair picks up the candy bar and eats it. Then he takes the paper
and walks off. Later, the woman goes to the cafeteria and sees the man eating a sandwich. She
grabs it and takes a bite. Then she goes back to her car. On the seat are her newspaper and candy
bar. She never took them out of the car! She is red in the face.
3.
Leopard Makes Himself at Home (page 12)
A boy is at home watching TV. He goes to the kitchen and tells his mother, "There's a tiger in the
bedroom." She laughs. Later, she looks into his bedroom. She is horrified by what she sees.
There's a leopard watching TV on the bed! She runs away with her son. The leopard turns over
and falls asleep. When forest department officials arrive, the leopard is still taking a nap. They
take him to a zoo.
4.
Heart Patient Walks Home Fast Asleep (page 16)
Michael Turner is in the hospital getting over a heart attack. One night while he is fast asleep, he
unhooks the machines next to his bed. He turns off the alarms. Then he gets out of bed and gets
on the elevator. He walks five miles to his house. Turner doesn't remember anything about his
walk. He is back in the hospital and getting better.
5.
Businessman Freaks out (page 20)
A Ukrainian businessman goes shopping for gifts for his 50 employees. He decides to get 50
pagers. He pays for them, puts them in his car, and heads for the office. On the way, there's a very
loud noise. All 50 pagers start ringing at the same time! The businessman freaks out and crashes
his car. When he calms down, he sees the message on the pagers. It says, "Congratulations on a
successful purchase!"
6.
Toy Saves Man's Life (page 28)
One evening Kerry Kelliby drops by a local bar. He wins a game of darts and gets a toy stethoscope
as a joke prize. After a while, Kerry uses the toy to listen to his heart. He is frightened by what he
hears-lots of beats and then silence. He goes to the doctor right away. The doctor finds that
Kerry has a hole in his heart. Surgeons operate just in time!
Appendix B
Can You Believe It? 77
7.
Hat lady Wants to Cheer You Up
(page 32)
Norma Vise is into hats. She puts on a different unusual hat each day. One hat looks like a carrot.
Another looks like a pig. Vise wears crazy hats because "it's fun. I want to cheer people up." Adults
as well as children laugh at her hats. What is her most popular one? "People are crazy about my
hamburger hat," says Vise.
8.
Bear Goes on Vacation
(page 36)
An elderly couple is taking a vacation in Yellowstone Park. They stop their car to take a picture of
some bears. Ayoung bear gets in. He's looking for food. The man and woman do their best to get
rid of the bear, but he refuses to move. So they drive 17 miles to a ranger station with the bear in
the back seat. When the man gets out to report the problem, the bear gets in the front seat. The
rangers can not believe their eyes. They find a woman in the passenger seat and a bear behind the
wheel.
9.
10.
11.
Man Hangs on for Dear life (page 40)
One day Charles Gardner, 35, sees two boys breaking into his car. They take off, and Gardner
jumps on the car. The driver speeds up. He hits a light pole. Then he drives through two fences.
Gardner hangs on for dear life. The car gets on the highway. By this time, more than two dozen
police cars are following it. After 20 minutes, the driver slows down and police surround the car.
The teens are in big trouble. As for Gardner, he is okay.
Neighbors Fed Up with loud Music (page 44)
James Meadows doesn't get along with his neighbors. His neighbors are fed up with his loud
music. They report the problem to the police again and again. The police tell Meadows to tum
down the volume, but Meadows ignores the warnings. Finally, the police take away his stereo.
They smash it with a hammer on a public street. Meadows is steaming. "The police should go
after criminals, not music lovers," he says.
Prison Escape is Easy as Pie
(page 52)
It was Sunday at the Merdeka prison. Families were spending time with the prisoners. When
visiting hours were over, security guards opened the front gate and let out the visitors. Later on
that day, more than 100 prisoners escaped. How? It was as easy as pie. They walked out the front
gate! The guards had made a mistake and forgotten to lock it. Prison officials are red in the face.
Police are looking for the escaped prisoners, but they've caught only three so far.
12. Smart
Pig Saves the Day
(page 56)
One day Jo Ann Altsman, 57, had a heart attack. She bad trouble breathing and was at death's
door. But her pet pig Lulu saved the day. Lulu went into the middle of the road and lay down.
Finally, a motorist stopped. Lulu got up and led the man into the house, where he called an
ambulance. When it showed up, Lulu tried to get in too. "She's very, very smart," the lucky owner
said later.
13. lazy Mailman
Hides letters
(page 60)
Some residents in Oslo, Norway, were not getting any mail. "What is going on?" they asked each
other. The Norwegian Postal Service smelled a rat and looked into the problem. They dropped in
at the home of the mailman for that neighborhood. They couldn't believe their eyes. They came
across piles of mail in the man's house - at least 900 pounds! They fired him at once.
78 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
14. Girl wants More Body Art
(pgge64)
"Body art is in," says Isabella Ortega. She has nine piercings on her face. First she got a nose ring.
Then she got her tongue pierced. Next she got her cheeks, ears, chin, and the bridge of her nose
pierced. Isabella's mother doesn't see eye to eye with her about body art. She gets mad at Isabella
when she gets another piercing. At times, Isabella has second thoughts about her body art. She
hate when people stare at her. But she's thinking about getting rings in her lips.
15. One
in a Million (pgge 68)
As a child, Albert Lexie was dirt poor and dropped out of school. Today, Lexie, 56, makes a living
by shining shoes at a hospital for children. He shines doctors' shoes, and he makes about $9,000
per year. In addition, he gets tips. Lexie gives away all his tips to the hospital. Since 1985, he has
given more than $40,000 to help sick kids. Lexie is not well-off, but he's a true humanitarian. He's
one in a million.
Appendix B
Can You Believe It? 79
Appendix C: Idiom Groups
This appendix categorizes idioms and expressions in different ways to help you learn and remember.
pages 81-82 Idioms grouped according to form
Page 81
Idioms that use...
Life/death
As
Up/down
Numbers
Time
Body parts
Page 82
Idioms that use...
Get
Make
Look
Be
Go
Have
Take
Drop
Turn
pages 83-86 Idioms grouped according to meaning
Page 83
Idioms related to Feelings
Page 84
Idioms related to Changes
Page 85
Idioms related to Opposites, Time expressions, Performance
Page 86
Idioms related to Leaving/Returning/Arriving; Money;
Eyes/Nose/Ears; Health; Bed
80 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
Idioms grouped according to form
.------1
®3'iJ9
~l
5J
t:..::5
Numbers
~
b
one in a million
have second thoughts about
at once
lots of
Life/Death
hang on for dear life
make a living
at death's door
Time
at times
just in time
spend time with
Idioms
that
As
as for
as well as
as easy as pie
r-~~
///..-::.
Body Part ~ ~
see eye to eye ~
..---'
not believe one's eyes
be red in the face
head for
go back
(to a place)
up/Down
Appendix C
speed up
slow down
get up
sit down
lie down
cheer up
pick up
show up
be fed up with
calm down
turn down
Can You Believe It? 81
Idioms grouped according to form
Verbs
worse and worse
rid of
over
out (of)
on
better
in
along with
up
mad at
MAKE
GO
back to
shopping
after
on (What is going on?)
HAVE
second thoughts about
trouble doing something
TAKE
a look at
a ferry (bus, train, plane)
out (of)
a nap
a vacation
a picture (of)
off
away
oneself at home
a living
into
LOOK ~--+-- for
like
by
red in the face
horrified by
fast asleep
back
frightened by
into
crazy about
BE E - - - - + - in big trouble
fed up with
steaming
over
at death's door
DROP~~in
out of
TURN
on
off
over
down
in
dirt poor
well-off
82 Can You Believe It?
Book]
Idioms grouped according to meaning
Feelings
Like very much
be crazy about
be into
Agree with
see eye to eye (with)
get along (with)
Calm, relaxed
be fast asleep r - - - - = - - - - - - - - ,
take a nap
fall asleep
lie down
be on vacation
take a vacation
make oneself at home
calm down
Dislil<e
be fed up with
can't stand·
be horrified by
Disagree with
not see eye to eye (with)
get mad (at)
Emotional
lose it = freak out
ANGRY
be steaming
get mad at
IN TROUBLE
be in big trouble
AFRAID
be frightened by
SUSPICIOUS
smell a rat
ASHAMED
be red in the face
SURPRISED
not believe one's eyes
Appendix C
Can You Believe It? 83
Idioms grouped according to meaning
Changes
Change in position
Change in location
walk off
run away
take off
(on foot, in a car, in a plane)
lie down/get up
sit down/get up
head for
(on foot, in a car, in a plane)
get in/get out of
(bed, the shower, the bathtub, a car)
get on/get off
(a bus, a train, a ship, a plane, an elevator)
turn over
Change in mood
lose it = freak out
calm down
-- ------
cheer someone up
,---"----::;;>--,
Change in opinion
Change in speed
have second thoughts about
speed up
Change in health status
Change in eduational status
G)
get better
get over
get worse and worse
slow down
get in (to a school or university)
= be accepted
drop out of (school)
= leave before graduating
Change in the operation of an electrical device
turnon(+)
turn off (-)
84 Can You Believe It?
turn up (-.)
Book 1
Id·oms grouped according to meaning
Opposites
be dirt poor
turn on
get better
speed up
calm down
get in
can't stand, be fed up with
right away, at once
be in big trouble
get mad at
be well-off
turn off
get worse and worse
slow down
lose it, freak out
get out (of)
be crazy about, be into
after a while, later on
save the day
see eye to eye, get along with
'"
Time e pressions
When?
immediately:
after some time:
up to now:
in time:
right away, at once
later on, after a while
so far
just in time
How often?
sometimes:
repeatedly:
at times
again and again
Performance
Appendix C
Do something well:
do one's best
save the day
Do something poorly:
make a mistake
have trouble doing something
People may say:
"Congratulations on the good work!"
"You're one in a million!"
People may say·
"You're in big trouble."
"What's going on?"
"What's the matter?"
Can You Believe It? 85
Idioms grouped according to meaning
Leaving, Returning, and Arriving
.----.A....-_----,
Leaving
walk off (= leave on foot)
run away (= leave quickly on foot)
take off (= leave on foot, by car, in a plane, etc.)
get out (of) (= leave a bed, a car, the shower)
drop out (of) (= leave school, a race, a competition, etc.)
let out (= let someone leave)
Returning
go back (to)
be back (at)
Arriving
show up
drop in
drop by
Money
be well-off
be dirt poor
go shopping
pay for
make a living
Ir Eyes, Nose, and Ears
---~
Eyes
stare at
take a look at
look for
look into
not believe one's eyes
see eye to eye
///--=-
~~
c:~
Nose
smell a rat
Ears
listen to
\...
~~
"'"
~
Health
C£)
get better
get over (an illness)
S
get worse and worse
be at death's door
Bed
lie down/get up
get in/get out of
86 Can You Believe It?
fall asleep
be fast asleep
take a nap
Book J
Appendix D: Phrasal Verbs
I. What is a phrasal verb?
Aphrasal verb is a verb + a particle.
What time did you show up?
(verb) (particle)
The woman gave 1 million dollars away.
(verb)
(particle)
In English, many phrasal verbs are idiomatic; you cannot understand the meaning of the whole
from the parts. Show up means arrive and give away means give something as a gift.
II. Phrasal verbs fall into different categories.
Transitive (object)
~
separable
Intransitive (no object)
inseparable
I
tum on
tum off
I
get over
look for
lie down
run away
a. Some phrasal verbs are transitive; others are intransitive.
Transitive phrasal verbs take a direct object.
J'll turn on the TV.
She can't get over her cold.
He turned 0(( the water.
I'm looking (or my cat.
Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object.
J want to lie down.
My do.q ran away.
b. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable (that is, the object can come between the two parts
of the verb); others are inseparable.
Separable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs
turn on
!'II turn on the TV.
!'II turn the TVon.
rtl turn it on.
get over
She can't get over her cold.
give away
He turned off the water.
He turned the water off.
He turned it off.
look (or
I'm looking (or my cat.
She can't get over it.
I'm looking (or it.
When a phrasal verb is separable, you can put a noun bebNeen the verb and the particle or after the
particle. If you use a pronoun (me, you, it, him, her, them), the pronoun must go between the verb
and particle. If a phrasal verb is inseparable, the noun and pronoun always come after the particle.
Appendix D
Can You Believe It?87
III. Phrasal verbs from this book
BELONG TO (transitive, inseparable): be the property of
That bag is not mine; it belongs to Maria.
That bag is not mine; it belongs to her.
BREAK INTO (transitive, inseparable): enter illegally by force
Someone broke into my car last week.
Someone broke into it last week.
CALM DOWN (intransitive): become calm and quiet
I'm nervous; I need to calm down.
CHEER (SOMEONE) UP (transitive, separable): make a sad person happier
The movie was funny, and it cheered up Bob.
The movie was funny, and it cheered Bob up.
The movie was funny and it cheered him up.
COME ACROSS (transitive, inseparable): find by chance
Did you come across my keys?
Did you come across them?
DROP BY (transitive, inseparable): visit for a short time
Let's drop by the library this evening.
Let's drop by it this evening.
DROP IN (intransitive): visit for a short time, often unexpectedly
I was out ofthe office when Jorge dropped in.
DROP IN TO (transitive, inseparable): visit for a short time, often unexpectedly
Jorge dropped in to the office today.
(The pronoun is not normally used with this phrasal verb.)
DROP OUT (intransitive): quit
He went to school until the age of 16; then he dropped out.
DROP OUT OF (transitive, inseparable): quit (school, a competition, a race, etc.)
Sandra got tired and dropped out of the race after an hour.
Sandra got tired and dropped out of it after an hour.
FREAK OUT (intransitive): lose your self control
When I won $5,000 in the lottery, I freaked out.
GET ALONG WITH (transitive, inseparable): have a good relationship with
Selma gets along with her classmates.
Selma gets along with them.
GET IN (transitive, inseparable): enter (a car, bed, bath, or small boat)
Hurry and get in the taxi.
Hurry and get in it.
The taxi is waiting! Get in!
GET ON (transitive, inseparable): enter (an elevator, a plane, a train, a bus, or a ship)
They got on the train at Grand Central.
They got on it at Grand Central.
They got on at Grand Central.
GET OUT (OF) (transitive, inseparable): leave (a bed, a car, a bath, work, class, school)
I got out of the bus quickly and fell.
I got out of it quickly and felt.
GET OVER (transitive, inseparable): recover from an illness
I hope you get over the flu soon.
I hope you get over it soon.
88 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
GET RID OF (transitive, inseparable): remove something
Will you please get rid of this junk?
Will you please get rid of it?
GET UP (intransitive): rise from a sitting or lying position
Erhan is very comfortable in bed; he doesn" want to get up.
GIVE AWAY (transitive, separable): give as a gift
I'm going to give away my bicycle; I don't ride it anymore.
I'm going to give my bicycle away; I don't ride it anymore.
I m going to give it away; I don't ride it anymore.
GO AFTER (transitive, inseparable): try to get or catch
The police went after the bank robber, but they didn't get him.
The police went after him, but they didn't get him.
GO BACK (intransitive): return
We've walked a long time; let's go back.
GO BACK TO (transitive, inseparable): return to a place
After 30 years Eva went back to her birthplace.
After 30 years, Eva went back to it. (ALSO: Eva went back there.)
HEAD FOR (transitive, inseparable): go in the direction of
I'm heading for the cafe now.
I'm heading for it now. (ALSO: I'm heading there now.)
LAUGH AT (transitive, inseparable): show joy at
You're going to laugh at this photo ofme.
You're going to laugh at it.
LET OUT (transitive, separable): allow to leave
Will you let out the dog?
Will you let the dog out?
Will you let him out?
LIE DOWN (intransitive): rest in a horizontal position
Maybe I won't sleep, but I need to lie down.
LISTEN TO (transitive, inseparable): use your ears carefully to hear something
Did you listen to that song?
Did you listen to it?
LOOK FOR (transitive, inseparable): try to find
She's looking for her glasses.
She's looking for them.
LOOK INTO (transitive, inseparable): investigate; examine
The police are looking into the bus accident.
The police are looking into it.
PAY FOR (transitive, inseparable): give money for something
I paid for the gas.
I paid for it.
NOTe: The verb can only be separated by a phrase that tells how much:
I paid a lot for the gas.
I paid $25.00 for it.
PICK UP (transitive, separable): take or lift off the floor (or a chair, etc.)
I cleaned my room and picked up my clothes.
I cleaned my room and picked my clothes up.
I cleaned my room and picked them up.
Appendix D
Can You Believe It? 89
PUT ON (transitive, separable): wear clothes
It's cold; you should put on a sweater.
ft's cold; you should put a sweater on.
It's cold; you should put it on.
RUN AWAY (intransitive): leave quickly; escape
Jane's dog ran away.
SHOW UP (intransitive): arrive; appear
The party starts at 9 PM. What time do you plan to show up?
SIT DOWN (intransitive): sit; be seated
There's a bench. Do you want to sit down?
SLOW DOWN (intransitive): go more slowly
There's ice on the road. Slow down!
SPEED UP (intran itive): go faster
This is a dangerous road. Don't speed up.
STARE AT (transitive, inseparable): look at with wide eyes
I'm staring at that woman because l think / know her.
I'm staring at her because [ think I know her.
TAKE AWAY (transitive, separable): remove
Tim never returned books, so they took away his library card.
Tim never returned books, so they took his library card away.
Tim never returned books) so they took it away.
TAKE OFF (intransitive): leave (by car, on foot, or hy plane)
The plane took off at 12:30.
TAKE OUT (transitive, separable): remove
J'll take out the garbage.
fll take the garbage out.
I'll take it out.
THINK ABOUT (transitive, inseparable): consider; anticipate; form a mental image of
I often think about leaving this crazy city.
I often think about it.
TURN DOWN (transitive, separable): make something less loud or less strong
Will you please turn down the volume?
Will you please turn the volume down?
Will you please turn it down?
TURN OFF (transitive, separable): stop a machine or the flow of water, electricity, etc.
Please turn off the computer when 110U finish.
Please turn the computer off when you finish.
Please turn it off when you finish.
TURN ON (transitive, separable): start a machine or the flow of water, electricity, etc.
I'll tum on the lights so you can see.
I II turn the lights on so you can see.
I'll tum them on so you can see.
TURN OVER (intransitive): turn to the other side
The car was going too fast, and it turned over.
TURN OVER (transitive, separable): turn to the other side
Tum over the plate so I can see where it was made.
Turn the plate over so I can see where it was made.
Turn it over so I can see where it was made.
WALK OFF (intransitive): walk away; walk in the other direction
Hilda got angry and she just walked off.
90 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
LEXICON
A
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
You'll get bored with that
video after a while.
in a while
later on
right away
I read the story again and
again, but I still don't
understand it.
over and over
time after time
time and time
again
Mathematics may be easy
as pie for you, but I think
it's hard.
The first as can be a piece of cake
(informal)
omitted. The
expression usually a breeze
(informal)
occurs \vith the
verb be. You can
also say: It's easy
as apple pie!
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
after a while (6)
informal
later; at some
time in the
future
again and again
(10)
many times;
repeatedly
(as) easy as pie
(II)
very simple, easy
as for someone
or something (9)
regarding,
concerning
someone or
something
as well as (7)
in addition to;
and also
at home (3)
in your house or
apartment
Le.xicon
informal
Language
notes
tough
a bear (informal)
a. Tatjana likes cola.
Ruben likes tea. As for
me, I prefer coffee.
b. I want to keep this
shirt. As for the dress,
it's too small.
I enjoy tennis as well as
golf.
As well as is used
Tomas is at home now.
Why don't you call him
there?
The verb go is
simply followed
by home-I'm
going home now.
The expression
feel at home
(with) means feel
comfortable with.
in addition to
at the middle of a
sentence to
connect two
things. As well is
used at the end
of a sentence: 1
enjoy tennis and
golfas well.
on the road
out of town
Can You Believe It? 91
LEXI ON
A B
Idiom and
Definition
Example
Language
notes
atleast (13)
a minimum of;
no fewer than
Cehan studies at least
five hours a night.
At least is
followed by a
number: at least
five hours; at
least $100; at
least ten
students.
at once (13)
immediately
If we don't leave at once,
we'll be late for the
movie.
right away
after a while
in a while
later on
at times (14)
sometimes;
occasionally
I'm usually happy, but at
times I get sad and
depressed.
now and then
now and again
once in a while
from time to
time
off and on
every so often
(a) round the
clock
day and night
all the time
After the car accident,
Jeff was at death's door,
but he is getting better.
be on one's last
legs
not be long for
this world
be between life
and death
be healthy
be fit
feel like a million
dollars
be at death's
door (12)
be near death
Usage
informal
be back (4)
be again in a
place you were
before
be crazy about
someone or
something (7)
like someone or
something very
much
92 Can You Believe It?
informal
Selma went to Peru for a
month, but she's back
now.
After you go back
to a place, you
are back.
I'm crazy about mambo
dancing. Do you like it?
Use a noun or
gerund after the
expression.
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
at most
be away
be gone
be mad/nuts/wild
about someone
or something
(informal)
be into
something
can't stand
something
be turned off by
something
(informal)
be lukewarm
about
something
(informal)
Bookl
B
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
be dirt poor (15)
have very little
money
informal
He's dirt poor; he doesn't
know how he'll find the
money for college.
Dirt cheap
be broke
be as poor as a
church mouse
be penniless
be well-off
be well-to-do
be loaded
(informal)
be sound asleep
be sleeping like a
baby
be sleeping like a
log (informal)
be dead to the
world
(informal)
be wide awake
be wired (slang)
Five minutes after the
plane took off, Jimmy
was fast asleep and
snoring.
be fast asleep (4)
be sleeping
deeply
be fed up (with
someone or
something) (10)
be tired of; be at
the end of your
patience with
someone or
something
means very
inexpensive.
I'm fed up with cooking;
let's go to a restaurant.
be sick (and tired)
of someone or
something
can't take it
(something)
unable to eat any
more food.
anymore
can't stand some
one or some
thing anymore
can't get enough
of something
be ready for more
be frightened by
someone or
something (6)
be afraid of
someone or
something
I was frightened by that
loud noise.
You can also be
Frightened of
someone or
something.
be terrified of
someone or
something
be scared of
someone or
something
be comfortable
with someone
or something
be at ease with
someone or
something
be horrified by
something (3)
feel shock and
horror at
something
The citizens of the small
town were horrified by
the murder.
You can also be
be shocked by
someone or
something
be comfortable
with someone
or something
feel at ease with
someone or
something
be hot
be cool
be in fashion
be hip
be the rage
be the thing
be the in thing
be out
be out of
fashion/style
be old fashioned
be old hat
be in (14)
be in fashion; be
popular
Lexicon
informal
informal
Blue jeans never go out
of fashion; they are
always in.
Don't confuse
this expression
with be full,
which means
horrified at
something.
Can You Believe It? 93
EXICON
B
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
be in big trouble
informal
The little girl is in big
trouble because she
painted on the kitchen
walls.
The expression
can be followed
by with: The
(9)
have (big)
problems; be in a
difficult situation
Similar
expressions
be in trouble
be in hot water
(informal)
little girl is in big be in a tight
spot/jam/pickle
trouble with her
(informal)
parents. It can
also be followed
by for + gerund:
Opposite
expressions
get out of trouble
be in the clear
The little girl is
in big trouble for
painting on the
kitchen walls.
be into
something (7)
be very
interested in
something
informal
be over (11)
be finished; end
be red in the face
(2)
be embarrassed
94 Can You Believe It?
informal
Roberto is into science
fiction; he reads all the
books and sees all the
movies.
be hot/stud\!
hooked on
something or
someone
(informal)
dig something or
someone
(informal)
be turned on by
something or
someone
(informal)
be crazy/wild!
nuts about
something or
someone
(informal)
not give two
hoots about
something
(informal)
be down on
something
(informal)
be turned off by
something or
someone
(informal)
can't stand
something or
someone
When dinner was over,
everyone helped with the
dishes.
be through
start up
be all wrapped up
(informal)
The waiter spilled cola on
me. I was sticky and he
was red in the face!
have a red face
be proud of
(informal)
something
have egg on one's
face (informal)
be ashamed (of
something)
Book 1
LEXICON
B
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
be steaming (10)
informal
Hassan was steaming
when he missed the
plane.
When water gets
very hot, it's
steaming.
be mad (as hell)
(informal)
be hot under the
collar
(informal)
be fuming
(informal)
be ticked off
(informal)
be cool
(informal)
be mellow
(informal)
be well-to-do
be loaded
be dirt poor
be as poor as a
church mouse
be penniless
be low on funds
be angry
be well-off (15)
have a lot of
money; be rich
belong to
someone (12)
be the property
of someone
Bill Gates, founder of
Microsoft, is extremely
well-off.
The motorcycle belongs
to Silvio, and the car
belongs to me.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
The example
could also be
written: The
motorcycle is
Silvio's and the
car is mine.
break into
something (9)
enter illegally by
force
The thieves broke into
the car last night.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
force one's way
into something
Common words
following the
expression
include: a car,
a house, a
building, a bank,
a store, and
a computer
system.
Lexicon
Can You Believe It? 95
LEXI
C
Idiom and
Definition
calm down (5)
become calm and
quiet
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Don't get so excited
about thisl Calm down!
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
chill (out)
(informal)
cool down
(informal)
freak (out)
(informal)
lose it (informal)
flip(out)
(informal)
The expression
calm someone
down means
make someone
calm; and is
transitive and
separable.
can't stand
something (1)
dislike
something very
much
cheer someone
up (7)
make a sad
person happier
come across
something (13)
find something
by chance
congratulations
on something
(5)
I commend!
salute you for
something
important.
96 Can You Believe It?
When I was younger I
Sometimes the
can't bear
liked to exercise, but now expression is
something
expanded to can't
I can't stand it!
stand the sight/
smell/sound/
thought of
something
be crazy/wild!
nuts about
something
(informal)
be into
something
(informal)
Seher was feeling bad
about her exams, so I
tried to cheer her up.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
lift someone's
spirits
give someone a
boost
make someone's
day (informal)
dampen
someone's
spirits
bum someone
out (slang)
drag/bringlget
someone down
(slang)
Did you come across my
keys when you cleaned
the house?
Phrasal verb
(tran itive,
inseparable)
happen upon
something
stumble upon
something
happen to find
something
look (high and
low) for
something
I heard the great news,
Zoran. Congratulations
on your engagement!
Some common
phrases with this
expression
include:
Congratulations
on your
engagement/
marriage/new
baby/new job/
promotion/award/
graduation
Book 1
D
Idiom and
Definition
do one's best (8)
perform as well
as you an
drop by (a place)
(6)
visit (a place) for
a short time
drop in (at a
place) (13)
visit for a short
time, often
unexpectedly
drop out (of
something) (15)
quit (school, a
race, etc.)
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
I worked day and night
on the project. I did my
best!
This expression
can be followed
by on + noun, as
in I did my best
on the project or
by to + verb as
in: I did my best
to contact you.
give it (or
something)
your best shot
(informal)
give it (or
something) all
you've got
(informal)
give it 100%
(informal)
work like a dog
(informal)
fall down on the
job
slack off
(informal = not
work hard)
a. I'll drop by at 2
o'clock. Will you be
there?
b. I dropped by the
library.
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
drop in
stop by
stop in
come by
pay a quick visit
a. Guess who dropped in
today? Myoid friend
Jorge!
b. Guess who dropped in
at/to the office today?
Myoid friend Jorge!
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
a. He dropped out of
college after 3 years.
b. He dropped out before
he graduated.
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
drop by
stop by
stop in
come by
pay a (quick) visit
stick with
something (to
the bitter end)
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
Other common
words following
drop out of
include: a group,
a competition,
an organization.
Lexicon
Can You Believe It? 97
LEXICON
Ci
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
get mad (at
someone) (14)
informal
I'm sorry I'm late. Don't
get mad at me.
Language
notes
enter (an
elevator, a plane,
a train, a bus, or
a ship)
I usually get on the bus
at the corner of First and
Main.
Opposite
expressions
be steaming
see eye to eye
get hot under the
with someone
keep (one's) cool
collar
be mad as hell at
be mad as a
hornet
see red
become angry (at
someone)
get on
(something) (4)
Similar
expressions
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
get off
(something)
Don't confuse get
on with get in,
which is used
when referring
to: a car, a small
boat, a bathtub,
a shower, or a
bed.
get out (of
something) (4)
leave (a bed, a
car, a bath, work,
class, school)
It's so cold that I don't
want to get out of the
car.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
get up (=get out
of bed)
get in
(something)
shake an illness
get better
come down with
an illness
catch an illness
(a cold, the flu)
Don't confuse get
out of with get
of~
which is used
with other forms
of transportation:
get off a bus, a
train, a plane, a
large ship.
get over
something (4)
recover from an
illness
Lexicon
I can't get over this cold;
I've had it for two weeks!
Get over can also
mean recover
from an
emotional shock.
You get over a
shock, a surprise,
grief, or a love
affai r.
Can You Believe It? 99
LEXICON
Ci
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
get rid of
something (1)
Example
Language
notes
Similar
xpressions
Opposite
expressions
I cleaned my closet and
got rid of myoid clothes.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
throw something
away
do away with
something
toss something
away/out
hold on tolhang
on to (=keep)
something
I'm tired; I don t want to
get up!
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
get out of bed
lie down
go to bed
hit the hay/sack
sit down
go from bad to
worse
get better and
better
remove
something
get up (12)
rise from a
sitting or lying
position
get worse and
worse (1)
become very bad
Get up usually
refers to getting
out of bed, but
you also get up
from a chair, a
sofa, or the floor.
Another murder! Crime
is getting worse and
worse here.
An illness, a
problem (such as
crime), or the
weather can get
worse and worse.
give something
away (15)
give something
as a gift
go after someone
or something
(10)
try to get or
catch someone
or something
go back (to a
place) (2)
return (to a
place)
100 Can You Believe It?
a. When she got her new Phrasal verb
computer, she gave
(transitive,
separable)
away her old one.
b. When she got her n w
computer, she gave her
old one away.
a. The thief ran away, but
the police went after
him.
b. Tarik wants to go after
a job at IBM.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
I want to go back to
Mexico City. I haven t
been there for 5 years.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
take off (=leave)
Book 1
LEXICON
G H I
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
go shopping (5)
shop
hang on for dear
life (9)
hold something
very tightly
have second
thoughts (about
something) (14)
have doubts
(about
something)
have trouble
doing something
(12)
informal
Example
Language
notes
Boris likes to go
shopping at Bell's
because the prices are
low.
Other common
expressions using
go includego
skiing, go
swimming, and
go fishing.
Similar
expressions
The sea was rough and
our boat was smaJ\. We
hung on for dear life.
let go (of
something)
Susan wanted to study
architecture, but now
she's having second
thoughts.
get second
thoughts
(about
something)
change one's
mind (about
something)
be (loa percent)
sure (about
something)
be certain (about
something)
I have trouble learning
languages, but I keep
trying.
have a hard time
doing
something
take to
something like
a duck takes to
water
find something
difficult to do
head for a place
(5)
go in the
direction of a
place
in addition (15)
also
Lexicon
Opposite
expressions
I'm tired; I'm heading for
bed now.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
Keiko speaks English and In addition to is
Japanese. In addition, she used as follows:
knows French.
In addition to
English and
Japanese, Keiko
speaks French.
go away from a
place
as well (as)
Can You Believe It? 101
102 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
L
Idiom and
Definition
listen to
someone or
something (6)
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Did you listen to the
news this morning?
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
lend an ear to
someone
turn a deaf ear to
(someone)
use your ears
carefully to hear
someone or
something
look for
someone or
something (8)
try to find
someone or
something
look into
something (13)
investigate;
examine
something
look like
someone or
something (7)
be similar in
appearance to
someone or
something
Lexicon
You can listen to
a person, music,
the radio, a CD, a
tape, etc.
I looked for a birthday
gift for my father, but I
couldn't find the right
thing.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
search for
someone or
something
You can put
adverbs such as
everywhere or all
over between
look and f01; but
you can't separate
them with a noun
or pronoun: I
looked
everywhere for
my glasses, but [
couldn't find
them.
The mayor is looking
into the traffic problem
and will report the
findings next week.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
check into
something
You can look into
a problem, a
crime, an issue, a
matter, a
question, a
possibility of
something, etc.
Francoise looks like her
mother.
Often the words
just or exactly
occur in this
expression: She
looks exactly like
her mother or
She looks just
like her mother.
look alike
(Francoise and
her mother
look alike.)
look different
from someone
look nothing like
someone
look nothing
alike
Can You Believe It? 103
L M
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
note
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
lose it (I)
become excited'
lose one's selfcontrol
informal
When I heard the bad
news, I totally lost it.
This expression
is usually used in
the past tense: I
lost it; He lost it,
etc. The words
totally, really, or
completely often
occur before the
expression. He
really lost it!
lose one's cool
freak out
(informal)
flip out
(informal)
go bananas
(informal)
calm down
cool off/cool
down
(informal)
chill out (slang)
pull oneself
together
lots of (6)
many
informal
I should do the laundry.
There are lots of dirty
clothes.
Lots ofis followed a lot of
by a noun:
quite a few
There's lots of
water, There are
lots ofbooks. You
can also use lots
by itself, as in
Friends? 1 have
lots! .
make a living
(15)
earn money for
food, housing,
etc.
a. Sandra makes a living
as a painter.
b. Sandra makes a living
by painting.
After the
make a buck
expression, you
(informal)
can use as + job
bring home the
or by + gerund as
bacon
in the examples.
(informal)
The expression is earn one's keep
(informal)
also used as
follows: She
makes a good/
decent living as a
painter.
make a mistake
I made a big mistake. I
burned our dinner!
Other common
expressions with
make include
make the bed,
make dinner,
make money and
make a living.
(11)
do something
incorrectly
104 Can You Believe It?
precious few
mess up
(informal)
screw up
(informal)
goof up
(informal)
Book 1
EXIO
MNOP
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
make oneself at
home (3)
make yourself
comfortable in
someone else s
home
not believe one's
eyes (8)
informal
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
When Seville visited us,
she made herself at
home. She cooked her
favorite food and joined
all our family activities.
This expression
is often used as a
welcoming
command: Please
make yourselfat
home!
make oneself
comfortable
I can't believe my eyes!
You got a new car!
This expression
often starts with
I can't, I
couldn't, [don't,
[ didn 'I, and I
could hardly.
be dumbfounded
not believe one's
ears (=be very
surprised to
hear something)
be very surprised
to see something
on the way (to a
place) (5)
along the route
(to a place)
on vacation (8)
away from work
or school; on
holiday
one in a million
(15)
unique; very
special
pay for
something (5)
give money for
something
Lexicon
You can be on .
on a break (from at work
work or school)
vacation or go on
vacation.
on holiday
Berta is really one in a
million; she helps
everyone with their
problems.
I paid for the shoes with
my credit card.
feel ill at ease
feel out of place
feel uncomfortable
feel like a fish out
of water'
(informal)
en route to a
place
Did you know Charles is
on the way to China?
I'll be on vacation next
week, so I can't attend
the meeting.
Opposite
expressions
one of a kind
a dime a dozen
(=very common)
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
ote that you pay
for dinner, a new
car, a new Tv, etc.,
but you pay bills,
tuition, and rent.
Pay for can also
mean be
punished for
something, as in:
The criminal is
paying for his
crime in prison.
Can You Believe It? 105
106 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
show up (12)
appear; arrive
sit down (2)
sit; be seated
I waited and waited for
John. Finally, he showed
up three hours late.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
turn up
vanish into
thin air
(=disappear)
go away, take off
(=leave)
My feet hurt. Can we sit
down for a few minutes?
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
have a seat
take a seat
stand up
get up
Often used as a
welcoming
phrase when
someone enters a
room: Please sit
down! Don't
confuse the
expression with
set down, which
means put
something down.
Lexicon
Can You Believe
[t7
107
5
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
slow down (9)
go more slowly
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Slow down! You're
walking too fast.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
slow up
(informal)
speed up
hurry up
Slow it down! is
an informal way
to say Slow
down. The
expression is also
used when
talking about
slowing down
one's life: You're
working too
hard. You should
slow down.
smell a rat (13)
informal
think there may
be something
wrong or illegal
so far (11)
until now; up to
the present time
speed up (9)
go faster
When 1couldn't find my
car keys, 1smelled a rat.
Sure enough, my car was
missing!
I think something
is fishy.
(=1 smell a rat.)
I have seen 10 movies so
far this month.
This phrase is
used with the
present perfect.
up to now
from now on
(=from this
moment into
the future)
We're late. Could you
speed up a little?
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
pick up speed
slow down
slow up
(informal)
Speed it up is an
informal way to
say Speed up.
spend time (with
someone) (11)
use time (with
someone)
108 Can You Believe It?
Petra spends a lot of time
with her friends.
You can spend an
hour with
someone, spend
a day with
someone, spend
a few minutes
with someone,
etc.
Book 1
5 T
Idiom and
Definition
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
stare at someone
or something
(14)
look at someone
or something
with wide eyes
I'm sorry to stare at you,
but you look so much
like my brother!
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
inseparable)
look at someone
or something
look away
look down
take a quick look
at someone or
something
glance at
someone or
something
take a ferry (a
bus, a train, or a
plane) (2)
go by ferry (bus,
train, or plane)
I usually walk to school,
but today I took a bus.
get on (a ferry,
bus, train, or
plane)
get off (a ferry,
bus, train, or
plane)
take a look (at
something) (l)
look quickly (at
something)
Will you take a look at
this letter before I send
it?
have a look at
something
take a nap (3)
sleep for a short
time during the
day
I didn't get much sleep
last night; I'm going to
take a nap now.
take a siesta
(informal)
take a snooze
(informal)
catch 40 winks
(informal)
catch some Zs
(slang)
get some shut
eye (slang)
take a picture (of
someone or
something) (8)
use a camera to
get a photograph
(of someone or
something)
Twant to take a picture
of you; please smile!
Lexicon
Usage
The expression is
often followed by
of + person, as in
the example;
however, take a
picture with
someone means
be in the picture
with someone.
stay up
stay awake
take a photo of
someone or
something
snap a photo of
someone or
something
(informal)
Can You Believe It? 109
LEXie N
T
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
take a vacation
(8)
Example
Language
notes
We plan to take a
vacation in August.
have time away
from work or
school
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
go on vacation
take time off
take a trip
get away
work day and
night
work like a dog
(informal)
take out (of)
(=remove an
object that is
In<:,\M
something)
You take away an
object that is Q.!l
something.
Compare this
expression with
take out, which
means remove an
object that is
inside something.
take something
away (10)
remove
something
Please take these dishes
away. I want to work at
the table.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
take off (9)
leave (by car, on
foot, by plane)
Mitsu took off right after
class.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
go away
show up
You can indicate
b..Qw. a person
took off' He took
orf on his bike/in
his car/on foot.
Take off has
another common
meaning. As a
transitive,
separable phrasal
verb it means to
remove clothing;
in this sense it is
the opposite of
put on.
110 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
T
Idiom and
Definition
take something
out (of a place)
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
Please take the eggs out
of the refrigerator.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
take away
(=remove an
object that is
on something)
put (back) in
(2)
remove (from a
place)
think about
someone or
something (14)
You take out an
object that is
inside something.
Compare this
expression with
take away, which
means remove
and object that is
on something.
I'm thinking about
dinner; what shall we
have?
consider;
anticipate; form a
mental image of
someone or
something
tum something
down (10)
make something
less loud or less
strong
Lexicon
Phrasal verb
(transi tive,
inseparable)
think something
over
Think about can
be followed by a
noun, as in the
example, or a
gerund (verb +
ing), as in: I'm
thinking about
cooking dinner.
The TV is much too loud.
Please turn it down!
Phrasal verb
(transi tive,
separable)
turn up
You can tum
down the
volume, the TV,
the stereo, the
music, the heat,
the temperature,
the air
conditioner, the
oven, etc. Tum
down has
another common
meaning: refuse
an invitation.
Can You Believe It? 111
EXI
T
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
tum something
off (4)
stop a machine
or the flow of
water, electricity,
etc.
tum something
on (1)
start a machine
or the flow of
electricity, water,
etc.
tum over (3)
turn to the other
side
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
Opposite
expressions
a. Did you turn off the
water?
b. Did you turn the water
off?
Ph rasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
switch something
off
turn something
on
switch something
on
switch something
on
turn something
off
In informal
usage, tum
someone off
means disgust, as
in I hate that
music; it really
turns me ofr.
a. I can't see. Will you
turn on the light,
please?
b. I can't see. Will you
turn the light on,
please?
a. The car was going too
fast on the ice and
turned over.
b. Please turn your paper
over and write on the
other side.
Phrasal verb
(transitive,
separable)
In informal
usage, tum
someone on
means interest or
excite, as in:
Chocolate
doesn't tum me
on. f don't like it.
Example a:
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
(A car can tum
over or a person
can tum over in
bed.)
Example b:
Phrasal verb
(transitive and
separable)
Here, tum over
refers to
someone turning
something over.
112 Can You Believe It?
Book 1
.......N
w
Idiom and
Definition
Usage
Example
Language
notes
Similar
expressions
What is going
on? (13)
What is
happening?
informal
What is going on? Why
don't you call me?
Also used as an
informal
greeting: Hey
What is
happening?
What's up?
(informal)
What's cooking?
(informal)
man, what's
going on? A
negative answer
to this question
is Nothing (is
XYZ
Opposite
expressions
going on).
What's the
matter (with
someone or
something)? (1)
What's the matter with
Lily? She hasn't been in
class for a week.
The expression is
often followed by
with + person, as
in the example.
what's up (with
someone or
something)
(informal)
what's going on
(with someone
or something)
(informal)
When I told John the
truth, he just walked off.
Phrasal verb
(intransitive)
take off
What's wrong
(with someone' or
something)?
walk off (2)
walk away; walk
in the other
direction
nothing's the
matter (with
someone or
something)
nothing's wrong
(with someone
or something)
People often
walk olTbecause
they're angry, as
in the example.
Don't confuse
walk olfwith
walk out, which
means to
abandon or [eave
someone. Note
that walk offwith
something
means to steal
something.
Lexicon
Can You Believe It? 113
Can You Believe It?
Stories and Idioms from Real Life
Book 1
Can You Believe It? is a three-level series that integrates true and memorable readings
with idioms and vocabulary development. Can You Believe It? combines a holistic
approach to readi"ng with a thorough treatment of high-frequency idioms, phrasal
verbs, and fixed expressions.
Designed for young adult and adult students of ESLIEFL at the beginning through
intermediate levels, Can You Believe It? aUows teachers to address reading, oral, and
vocabulary acquisition skiUs together. With its lively visual and aural presentation, the
stories and lexical expressions in the series come to lite, enhancing student recall of
content and vocabulary.
Features:
• Unusual, and true news stories on a wide rang,e of topics capture student interest
from the very start
• Common and essential idioms are pr,esented in engaging, rea] contexts
that provide clear meaning and natural use of new vocabulary
• Lively comic-strip style illustrations and accompanying cassettes provide richly
contextualized visual and aural input and reinforcement of content and idioms
• Ample opportunities for producing idioms in spea ing and writing are provided
through story retelling, thought-provoking personal questions, dialogue
production, and dictation
• Review Units allow additional practice of ~orm and meaning of idioms in
enjoyable new contexts.
• A complete Lexicon offers additional information on collocations, grammar,
synonyms, and antonyms
Can You Believe It?
Beginning Level
High-Beginning Level
Book 1 0-19-437279-0
Book 2 0-19-437275-8
Cassette 0-19-437280-4
Cassette 0-19-437277-4
OxfOrd UnIversity PreS9
ISBN 0-19-437279-0
9 780194 372794
Low-Intermediate Level
Book 3 0-19-437276-6
Cassette 0-19-437278-2
