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V-E-I-PV-SP-AC-R

VOCABULARY

1. Diligent

Definition: Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties; characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.

Example 1: Her diligent study habits resulted in her graduating at the top of her class despite working part-time.
Example 2: The detective’s diligent investigation eventually led to the discovery of evidence that had been overlooked.
Example 3: A diligent approach to financial planning early in life can help ensure a comfortable retirement.

2. Diverse

Definition: Showing a great deal of variety; very different; including people from different backgrounds, races, genders, etc.

Example 1: The company prides itself on cultivating a diverse workforce with employees from over 30 countries.
Example 2: A diverse investment portfolio helps protect against market fluctuations in any single industry.
Example 3: The conference featured diverse perspectives on climate change from scientists, policymakers, and community activists.

3. Dilemma

Definition: A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.

Example 1: The doctor faced a dilemma when the treatment that could save the patient’s life also carried serious risks.
Example 2: Many parents face the dilemma of wanting to give their children independence while also keeping them safe.
Example 3: The ethical dilemma of balancing economic growth with environmental protection challenges policymakers worldwide.

EXPRESSIONS 🎵

1. Down to earth

Definition: Practical and realistic; unpretentious and straightforward.

Example 1: Despite her fame and fortune, the actress remains down to earth and still shops at local stores in her hometown.
Example 2: I appreciate his down to earth approach to management—he communicates clearly and doesn’t use unnecessary jargon.
Example 3: The down to earth explanation of quantum physics made complex concepts accessible to the general audience.

2. Double-edged sword

Definition: Something that has both positive and negative consequences or aspects.

Example 1: Social media is a double-edged sword—it connects people across vast distances but can also lead to privacy concerns and addiction.
Example 2: Their exceptional intelligence proved to be a double-edged sword, making academic work easy but causing them to become bored and unchallenged.
Example 3: Working remotely is a double-edged sword—you avoid commuting but might miss out on important workplace relationships.

3. Draw the line

Definition: To set a limit on what is acceptable; to establish a boundary that should not be crossed.

Example 1: I’m willing to help my colleague with their workload, but I draw the line at doing their entire project for them.
Example 2: The parent drew the line at allowing their teenager to attend the unsupervised party across town.
Example 3: Many countries are still debating where to draw the line between privacy rights and national security concerns.

IDIOMS

1. Don’t judge a book by its cover

Definition: Don’t form an opinion about someone or something based solely on outward appearance.

Example 1: The shabby restaurant didn’t look promising, but the food was extraordinary—a perfect reminder to not judge a book by its cover.
Example 2: Many people initially dismissed him because of his casual appearance, but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover—he’s actually a brilliant physicist.
Example 3: I’m glad I didn’t judge a book by its cover, because the company’s culture turned out to be very progressive.

2. Dime a dozen

Definition: Very common and of little value; so abundant as to be practically worthless.

Example 1: Generic action movies are a dime a dozen these days, but truly thought-provoking films are rare.
Example 2: In Silicon Valley, software engineers may be a dime a dozen, but finding someone with expertise in both AI and healthcare is challenging.
Example 3: Empty promises from politicians are a dime a dozen during election season—what matters is their actual voting record.

3. Devil’s advocate

Definition: Someone who expresses a contentious opinion in order to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments.

Example 1: Let me play devil’s advocate for a moment—what if our main competitor releases a similar product before we do?
Example 2: In our planning meetings, Sarah often plays devil’s advocate to ensure we’ve considered all potential problems before proceeding.
Example 3: The professor asked students to play devil’s advocate against their own beliefs to better understand different perspectives.

PHRASAL VERBS

1. Drop by

Definition: To visit a place or person, usually briefly and without formal arrangement.

Example 1: Feel free to drop by our office anytime this week if you have questions about the proposal.
Example 2: We decided to drop by the new café on our way home from the movie theater.
Example 3: My aunt called to say she might drop by this weekend while she’s in town for a conference.

2. Deal with

Definition: To take action to address a problem, situation, or person; to cope with something difficult.

Example 1: The new software helps companies deal with large volumes of customer data more efficiently.
Example 2: I’ve been dealing with a persistent cough for over a week now—I should probably see a doctor.
Example 3: The committee was formed specifically to deal with complaints about the building’s maintenance issues.

3. Die down

Definition: To become gradually less intense, active, or powerful; to decrease in strength or volume.

Example 1: We waited for the applause to die down before the speaker continued with her presentation.
Example 2: The controversy over the politician’s remarks finally died down after he issued a public apology.
Example 3: The strong winds began to die down toward evening, allowing the firefighters to gain control of the blaze.

SENTENCE PATTERNS

Despite [challenge/obstacle], + [person/people] + [positive action/outcome]

Definition: A sentence pattern that shows contrast between a difficult situation and a positive response or result, emphasizing resilience or determination.

Example 1: Despite the economic downturn, the small business managed to increase its sales through innovative marketing strategies.
Example 2: Despite having no formal training in programming, she developed a successful mobile app that now has millions of users.
Example 3: Despite facing numerous rejections, the author persevered and eventually found a publisher who believed in her work.

AMERICAN CULTURE

Drive-thru Culture

Definition: A distinctly American convenience-oriented phenomenon where businesses offer service to customers without requiring them to leave their vehicles.

Example 1: Drive-thru restaurants revolutionized American fast food culture in the mid-20th century, emphasizing speed and convenience that matched the country’s growing car-centric lifestyle.
Example 2: The concept of drive-thru service has expanded beyond food to include banking, pharmacies, wedding chapels in Las Vegas, and even drive-thru COVID-19 testing during the pandemic.
Example 3: Drive-thru culture reflects American values of efficiency, convenience, and mobility, though it has been criticized for contributing to environmental issues and discouraging community interaction.

REVIEW

A Day in the Life of an English Learner

Maya woke up early, determined to make the most of her English immersion program in Chicago. She was known for being diligent in her studies, often practicing her pronunciation before breakfast and reviewing vocabulary before bed.

Today was particularly important as she had her first job interview in English. “I can do this,” she whispered to herself. Maya had always been a down to earth person who believed in hard work rather than luck.

She decided to drop by her favorite café before heading to the interview. The café was located in a diverse neighborhood where she could hear many languages and accents, which always made her feel less self-conscious about her own.

While sipping her coffee, Maya found herself in a dilemma. Should she use more sophisticated vocabulary during the interview to impress the hiring manager, or should she stick to simpler terms to avoid mistakes? Social media advice on job interviews was truly a double-edged sword – helpful but often contradictory.

Maya had learned not to judge a book by its cover when it came to language learning resources. Some of the most helpful phrases she’d learned came from a tattered old textbook her roommate had given her, not the expensive app she’d purchased.

As she waited for her bus, she observed the drive-thru culture that was still so fascinating to her – people getting coffee, picking up prescriptions, and even banking without leaving their cars. In her country, such conveniences were rare.

On the bus, Maya overheard two businesspeople discussing a project. One said, “Let me play devil’s advocate for a moment – what if we launch in spring instead?” Maya smiled, recognizing the idiom she had just learned last week.

Generic interview advice was a dime a dozen, but Maya had found a mentor who provided personalized guidance. Despite her nervousness, Maya felt prepared for whatever questions might come her way.

When she arrived at the office building, Maya noticed a protest across the street that was beginning to die down as police asked people to disperse. She made a mental note to look up news about it later to practice her reading comprehension.

The receptionist was friendly but busy trying to deal with multiple calls. “I’ll have to draw the line at taking any more appointments today,” Maya heard her say into the phone.

During the interview, Maya used her carefully practiced sentence patterns: “Despite having learned English for only two years, I’ve achieved B2 level proficiency and can communicate effectively in professional settings.”

The interviewer looked impressed. As Maya walked out of the building an hour later, she felt a surge of pride. Whether she got the job or not, she had faced her fear and expressed herself clearly in her new language – and that was an accomplishment worth celebrating.