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VOCABULARY

1. Belligerent

Definition: Hostile and aggressive; ready or eager to fight or argue; characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight.

Example 1: His belligerent tone made it difficult to have a constructive conversation about the project changes.
Example 2: The belligerent customer was asked to leave the store after shouting at several employees.
Example 3: The diplomat warned that belligerent actions from either country could escalate the border dispute into a serious conflict.

2. Benevolent

Definition: Well-meaning and kindly; characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings.

Example 1: The benevolent CEO established a scholarship fund for employees’ children pursuing higher education.
Example 2: Their grandmother was known throughout the community for her benevolent spirit and willingness to help neighbors in need.
Example 3: The foundation’s benevolent mission is to provide medical care to those who cannot afford it.

3. Bureaucratic

Definition: Relating to or characterized by bureaucracy; overly concerned with procedure and red tape rather than efficiency or human needs.

Example 1: The bureaucratic process for obtaining a building permit required submitting the same information to three different departments.
Example 2: Many citizens feel frustrated by the bureaucratic nature of government agencies when trying to access basic services.
Example 3: The company’s bureaucratic structure slowed decision-making and hindered innovation in a rapidly changing market.

EXPRESSIONS

1. Beat around the bush

Definition: To avoid addressing a subject directly; to talk about unimportant things because you are avoiding saying what is important or uncomfortable.

Example 1: Stop beating around the bush and tell me directly whether you’re accepting the job offer or not.
Example 2: The politician beat around the bush when asked directly about the controversial policy change.
Example 3: I appreciate that you don’t want to hurt my feelings, but please don’t beat around the bush.

2. Bite the bullet

Definition: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage; to endure a painful or unpleasant experience bravely and without complaint.

Example 1: I’ve been postponing my dental surgery for months, but I finally decided to bite the bullet and schedule it for next week.
Example 2: The company had to bite the bullet and lay off several employees to avoid bankruptcy.
Example 3: Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and apologize even when you don’t think you’re entirely wrong.

3. Back to square one

Definition: To return to the beginning after a failed attempt; to start over; to go back to the planning stage.

Example 1: After the client rejected all our design proposals, we’re back to square one with this project.
Example 2: The experiment failed completely, so we’re back to square one in our research.
Example 3: Just when we thought we had resolved the software issue, it crashed again, putting us back to square one.

IDIOMS

1. Burn the midnight oil

Definition: To work or study late into the night; to work very hard, especially during the night.

Example 1: The lawyer had to burn the midnight oil to prepare for the important case the next morning.
Example 2: During finals week, students across campus were burning the midnight oil in the library.
Example 3: She’s been burning the midnight oil for weeks to finish the manuscript before the publisher’s deadline.

2. Bark up the wrong tree

Definition: To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action; to make the wrong choice; to ask or accuse the wrong person.

Example 1: If you think John took your laptop, you’re barking up the wrong tree – he was out of town all weekend.
Example 2: The detective realized he had been barking up the wrong tree when the suspect provided a solid alibi.
Example 3: Researchers spent years barking up the wrong tree before discovering the true cause of the disease.

3. Blessing in disguise

Definition: Something that appears to be bad or unfortunate at first but results in something beneficial or positive later on.

Example 1: Losing my job was actually a blessing in disguise because it led me to start my own business, which is now thriving.
Example 2: The flight delay was a blessing in disguise as it gave us time to meet another traveler who offered us valuable tips for our destination.
Example 3: Her rejection from her top-choice university proved to be a blessing in disguise when she received a full scholarship from her second choice.

PHRASAL VERBS

1. Back up

Definition: To provide support or evidence; to make a copy of data for security; to move backward; to cause a delay or obstruction.

Example 1: Make sure you back up all your important files before updating your computer’s operating system.
Example 2: Her colleagues backed her up when she presented the controversial proposal to management.
Example 3: The accident backed up traffic for several miles during the morning rush hour.

2. Break down

Definition: To stop functioning; to analyze in detail; to lose control of one’s emotions; to collapse physically or mentally.

Example 1: Our car broke down on the highway, and we had to call a tow truck.
Example 2: The coach broke down the complex play into simple steps that the team could understand.
Example 3: She broke down in tears when she heard the devastating news about her friend.

3. Bring up

Definition: To raise a topic for discussion; to rear or raise a child

Example 1: I’d like to bring up the issue of overtime pay during tomorrow’s meeting.
Example 2: They brought up their children to respect others and value education.
Example 3: Can you bring up the sales figures on your screen so we can review them together?

SENTENCE PATTERNS

Before [doing something], + [person/people] + [should/must/need to] + [do something else]

Definition: A sentence pattern that emphasizes the importance of completing one action prior to another action, often indicating a necessary sequence or prerequisite.

Example 1: Before applying for a loan, you should check your credit score and address any issues.
Example 2: Before traveling internationally, passengers must ensure their passports are valid for at least six months beyond their return date.
Example 3: Before implementing the new software, the company needs to train all employees on its features and functionality.

AMERICAN CULTURE

Baseball: “America’s Pastime”

Definition: A bat-and-ball sport that has been a significant part of American culture since the late 19th century, often called “America’s pastime” due to its historical popularity and cultural significance.

Example 1: The ritual of singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch exemplifies how baseball traditions have become embedded in American cultural practices.
Example 2: Baseball metaphors like “stepping up to the plate,” “hitting it out of the park,” and “striking out” have become common expressions in American business and everyday conversation.
Example 3: Major League Baseball’s Opening Day each spring symbolizes renewal and hope for millions of Americans, marking the end of winter and the beginning of warmer weather.

REVIEW

The Business Conference

Maria was nervous as she prepared for her first international business conference in New York. As a non-native English speaker who had been studying diligently for years, this was her chance to showcase her language skills and business acumen.

The conference began with a challenging situation. A belligerent attendee was arguing loudly with the registration staff. Instead of joining the commotion, Maria approached with a benevolent smile and helped defuse the situation by explaining the bureaucratic registration process in simple terms.

“There’s no need to beat around the bush,” she told the frustrated attendee. “The system is complicated, but I can help you navigate it.”

Later that day, Maria was scheduled to give a presentation, but her laptop suddenly broke down fifteen minutes before her slot. Rather than panic, she decided to bite the bullet and deliver her presentation without slides.

“Sometimes technology fails us,” she explained to the audience, “and we find ourselves back to square one. But that can be a blessing in disguise because it forces us to be more creative.”

Her presentation was so well-received that several executives asked her to bring up her innovative ideas at the next planning meeting. One even offered her a job on the spot!

That evening, Maria had to burn the midnight oil to prepare for the next day’s networking events. She carefully reviewed her notes on industry leaders, knowing that approaching the wrong people would mean barking up the wrong tree.

When a colleague suggested cutting corners on research, Maria replied, “Before diving into networking opportunities, you should know exactly who you’re talking to and what value you can offer them.”

During the final day’s baseball-themed networking event, Maria impressed everyone with her knowledge of American sports culture. “I find baseball fascinating,” she told a group of executives. “The way Americans use baseball metaphors in business—like ‘stepping up to the plate’ or ‘hitting it out of the park’—helped me understand the culture better than any textbook.”

On her flight home, Maria reflected on how far her English skills had taken her. What had once been overwhelming vocabulary and confusing idioms had become tools that helped her connect with others and advance her career. All those hours practicing had paid off—she hadn’t just learned English; she had learned to communicate effectively in any situation.

EnglishFluencyABCs_ReviewStory_LetterB.pdf