English Portal Newsletter

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سلام ...

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Issue 133
08 August 2010

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Slang
love handles
A deposit of fat at the waistline. Often used in the plural


Proverbs
Where there´s a will there´s a way.

If we have the determination to do something, we can always find the path or method to do it.


Tongue Twisters
Supposed to be pistachio,
supposed to be pistachio,
supposed to be pistachio

Quotes
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. - Les Brown

Word of the Day
Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer

direct flight

a flight on which passengers do not have to change planes, but may involve one or more stops en route

an airline flight that requires a passenger to get off one plane and get onto another plane to complete the journey

a service which gives guidance to aircraft, to prevent collisions and manage efficient traffic flow

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation i.e., stand for?

e.g. Please send me the complete list of materials - i.e., include the paper, pens and folders.

• index estimated
• inside economy
• id est / that is

Idioms



Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

it boils down to -

E.g. What it all boils down to is he is leaving.

• To be hard working.
• How to cook something.
• The basic result something will produce.
• The final result after working a certain task.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 134
15 August 2010

Slang

pig out
make a pig of oneself, to eat large amounts of food quickly and without good manners; to overeat

Proverbs

Live and let live.

We should not interfere in other people´s business. We should live our own lives and let others live their lives.

Tongue Twisters

Denise sees the fleece, Denise sees the fleas.

At least Denise could sneeze and feed and freeze the fleas.

Quotes

A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. - John Maxwell

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

immigration officer

• a scheduled trip by plane between designated airports
• government official responsible for checking passengers’ passports
• an airline flight that requires a passenger to get off one plane and get onto another plane to complete the journey

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation EU stand for?



e.g. Many of the former communist countries are considering to join the EU as a solution to their economic problems.

• European Union
• Economic Union
• European Unit

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

bring home the bacon -

e.g., Women nowadays not only take care of the household but also bring home the bacon.

• earn a living, especially for a family; achieve desired results; have success
• have a dream job
• working at a second job in order to supplement the income from a permanent position

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 135
22 August 2010

Slang

clock-watcher
a person who is eager for the time to pass, as at work or school

Proverbs

A man is known by the company he keeps.

Your reputation will be judged by your friends.

Tongue Twisters

It's not the cough that carries you off,
it's the coffin they carry you off in!

Quotes

That which does not kill you makes you stronger. - Nietzsche

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

in favour of

• in opposition to, contrary to
• not against
• refuse to accept, turn down, decline

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation dept stand for?



e.g. Could you take this package to the deliveries dept? I don´t have time to do it myself now.

• department
• depending
• deploy

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

Since they argued, she has been given the cold shoulder by her friend.

• Since they argued, she has been ignored by her friend.
• Since they argued, her shoulder has been cold.
• Since they argued, her friend’s shoulder has been cold.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 136
29 August 2010

Slang

smart aleck
an obnoxious know-it-all, a person who makes sarcastic or annoying remarks

Proverbs

Rome wasn´t built in a day.

Be patient and keep struggling.

Tongue Twisters

Stupid superstition! I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.

Quotes

"Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries." - Corita Kent

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

contribution

• any one of a number of individual efforts in a common endeavour
• express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution
• the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization
• an informal vote made by participants holding up one hand each to indicate a choice

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation CBT stand for?



e.g. For my new job I need CBT, the company is paying for a two-week course.

• Checkbook Transfer
• Computer-Based Training
• Committee for Business Transactions

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

In his mother’s eyes, he could do no wrong.

• In his mother’s opinion, he was perfect.
• In his mother’s eyes, he is a wrongdoer.
• His mother could cause no harm to him.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 137
05 September 2010

Talking about Influenza

Influenza FAQ
Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract caused by one of three strains of influenza virus (A, B, and C). This highly contagious disease rapidly spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics, imposing considerable economic burden in the form of health care costs and lost productivity.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

High fever
Headache
Tiredness or weakness (can be extreme)
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Severe aches and pains in the joints and muscles and around the eyes
Diarrhea (US spelling) / diarrhoea (UK spelling) and vomiting also can occur, but are more common in children.

These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms." A lot of different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

What are general steps to take if you get sick?

Get plenty of rest
Drink a lot of liquids
Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
Consider taking over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of flu
Stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to protect others from your germs.

Who should get vaccinated?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

What is a ‘flu s’?

The ‘flu s’—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu s is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

Vaccine side effects

Different side effects can be associated with the flu s. Some minor ones that could occur are:
Soreness, redness, or swelling where the s was given
Fever (low grade) and
Aches
Practise vocabulary: http://www.talking-about.net/english-Influenza-6.php

Slang

wrong side of the tracks
the poor part of town, slum

Proverbs

All that glitters is not gold.

Don´t be allured by flashy temptations.

Tongue Twisters

How many cookies could a good cook cook If a good cook could cook cookies? A good cook could cook as much cookies as a good cook who could cook cookies.

Quotes

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. - Charles Spurgeon

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

one-way ticket

• a tour arranged by a travel agent; transportation and food and lodging are all provided at an inclusive price
• an air ticket that only takes the traveller from their origin to their destination with no return flight back to their origin
• referring to accommodation in which guests can take care of their own meal and laundry needs

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation attn stand for?



e.g.
- as a heading on a letter/memo/fax to specify the person who is being addressed.

- as closing line i.e.; “thanks for the attn” abbreviated.

• attention
• attempted
• attorney

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

Bite your tongue!

• Don’t say that or it might happen.
• See how painful it is.
• Go to the doctor otherwise it is too late.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 138
12 September 2010

Slang

bad mouth
say negative things about someone or something

Proverbs

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
One sure thing is better than two maybes.

Tongue Twisters

Four furious friends fought for the phone.

Quotes

For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. - author unknown

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

domestic tourism

• travel within the traveller’s country of residence
• the season when travel is least active and rates are lowest
• a tour arranged by a travel agent; transportation and food and lodging are all provided at an inclusive price

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation A.D. stand for?



e.g. The Saracens sacked St. Peter´s Church in A.D. 847.

• Anno Domini
• After Dawn
• Anticipated Destination

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

Keep your options open and don't burn any bridges.

• Be careful while smoking a cigarette on a bridge, it can burn.
• Take time before you decide on the best course for you, and don’t make enemies of people you might need in the future.
• Don’t burn any bridges, it is criminal.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 139
19 September 2010

Slang

gibberish
a generic term for talking that sounds like speech but has no actual meaning

Proverbs

All that glitters is not gold.
Don´t be allured by flashy temptations.

Tongue Twisters

Seven slick slimey snakes slowly sliding southward.

Quotes

When having 'more' leaves you empty, you discover true happiness lies in 'enough'! - Bob Perks

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

bone

• rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
• dense growth of hairs covering the body or parts of it (as on the human head)
• the fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped by the heart
• a natural protective covering of the body

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation s.a.e. stand for?

• stamped addressed envelope
• subsidiary accounts executive
• submit actual Eurocheque
• supply annual extras

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

The boss is coming in to take stock of the situation.

• The boss is coming to pick up his dividend.
• The boss is coming in to assess the situation.
• The boss is asking where the stocks are bought and sold.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Issue 140
26 September 2010

Slang

idiot box
a television

Proverbs

When in Rome do as the Romans do.
Adapt to the local customs.

Tongue Twisters

How much caramel can a canny cannonball cram in a camel if a canny cannonball can cram caramel in a camel?

Quotes

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

forearm

• the part of the superior limb between the elbow and the wrist
• the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
• the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
• the joint or the region of the joint between the human hand and the arm

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation "sms" stand for?

• snail mail system
• short mail service
• short messaging system
• simple mail service
• short massaging system

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

to lay one’s cards on the table -

E.g. ‘If we are to make a deal we both have to lay our cards on the table.’

• To have secrets.
• To have a secretive personality.
• To be honest about opinions and plans.
• To be planning something in secret.

Copyright 2010 by English Portal, Rudolf-Angermeier-Straße 6, 64625 Bensheim

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Slang

bum
a lazy person who seeks to live solely by the support of others

Proverbs

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Accept a gift graciously.

Tongue Twisters

She stood on the balcony, inexplicably mimicking him hiccuping, and amicably welcoming him in.
(An actor's vocal warmup for lips and tongue.)

Quotes

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” W. Clement Stone

Word of the Day

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

dismantle a stand

• build up a stand
• take apart a stand
• show or demonstrate something to an interested audience

Abbreviations

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

What does the abbreviation ISBN stand for?

• information statistics budget nomination
• international standard book number
• international safety brochure numeration

Idioms

Read the task below and click on a link which you think is the correct answer.

easier said than done -

E.g. To climb Mount Everest is easier said than done.

• To talk a lot about something.
• To believe in one’s own abilities or skills.
• More difficult to do than talk about.
• To have difficulty doing something.