English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language and Culture in the U.S. » Review: Units 16–18

Vocabulary

Fill in the blanks. Use the words below.

  • stroll
  • cringe
  • propose
  • elope
  • overdo
  • choked
  • pack
  • soothe
  • crawl
  • dribble

EVA: I really want to get married. I wish Tom would hurry up and (1) _____ . He’s the love of my life!

LORETTA: Well, why don’t you go to the park for a romantic (2) _____ around the lake? Maybe he’ll think that’s the perfect time to ask!

EVA: If he does propose, maybe we’ll just (3) _____ , you know, run off and not tell anyone. It’s so much easier than planning a big wedding.

LORETTA: Make sure you remember to (4) _____ your bag with everything you need before you go!

EVA: Can you imagine what my mom would say?

LORETTA: The thought of that makes me (5) _____ . She’d be really upset.

EVA: I know. Well, at least you’d be around to (6) _____ her.

LORETTA: Thanks, pal! I think that would be (7) _____ ing it. You know how much your family would love to see you getting hitched. They’ll be all (8) _____ up seeing you in white.

EVA: I know, I know. They can’t wait till I’m in the family way, too, but I want to put it off a while. I don’t like it when babies (9) _____ all over the place when they are trying to eat.

LORETTA: Yes, but think how cute they are when they start to (10) _____ around on their hands and knees. Hey, don’t forget I want to be the godmother!

EVA: I’ll remember. But, hey, we still need to get Tom to hurry up and pop the question!

Informal Language

Match the expressions to their meanings. Try using them in a sentence.

______ 1. catch your eyea. listening very carefully
______ 2. chat someone upb. eating while pregnant
______ 3. let your hair downc. have something common in the family
______ 4. tie the knotd. try your hardest at something
______ 5. chip ine. be attractive to you
______ 6. all earsf. be sad or unhappy
______ 7. look downg. get married
______ 8. give it your best shoth. have a casual conversation with someone you find attractive
______ 9. eating for twoi. give money for a gift from a group of people
______ 10. run in the familyj. relax and have fun
Grammar

Look at the phrasal verbs in this short story. Can you explain what they mean?

Julia first began to (1) go out with Jason five years ago. They always had a rocky relationship. He (2) let her down many times, but she always gave him another chance, and they would (3) make up. Finally, when she found out he was having an affair with her best friend, she decided she couldn’t (4) put up with him any longer, and they (5) split up for good.

  1. go out:
    _____________
  2. let her down:
    _____________
  3. make up:
    _____________
  4. put up with:
    _____________
  5. split up:
    _____________

Decide whether you need will or going to for the future tense in the following sentences. Sometimes both are possible. Remember to add the verb to be if you are using going to.

  1. Look at those huge black clouds! It _____ rain.
  2. I _____ study to be a doctor this coming fall.
  3. I am freezing. I think I _____ run home and get a sweater.
  4. Your life _____ really change once you have a baby.
  5. We _____ surprise our parents this weekend with a party because it is their wedding anniversary.
Answer Key
Vocabulary
  1. propose
  2. stroll
  3. elope
  4. pack
  5. cringe
  6. soothe
  7. overdo
  8. choked
  9. dribble
  10. crawl
Informal Language
  1. e
    John, you are terrible! Every pretty girl who walks by catches your eye.
  2. h
    The first time I saw my wife, I chatted her up because I was sure she was someone special.
  3. j
    I always look forward to going out on a Friday night so I can let my hair down and have fun after a busy week.
  4. g
    Have you heard the news? Toby and Ann are going to tie the knot at last!
  5. i
    Let’s all chip in together to buy a really nice gift for Fiona’s new baby.
  6. a
    OK, I’m all ears. I just can’t wait to hear about your new boyfriend!
  7. f
    Alan, you really look down today. What’s going on?
  8. d
    It’s going to be a tough match against the All Stars, but I want everyone to give it their best shot. We can win if we try our hardest!
  9. b
    Have you heard? Janet is eating for two now. The baby is due in November.
  10. c
    My daughter and I both wear glasses. It runs in the family.
Grammar

Phrasal Verbs

  1. go out: meet and spend time with someone
  2. let someone down: disappoint someone
  3. make up: forgive and be friends again
  4. put up with: have patience to ignore something annoying
  5. split up: separate; no longer be together

Will or Going To

  1. is going to (The black clouds indicate something you can see is definitely going to happen.)
  2. am going to (This is something you have already decided.)
  3. will (This indicates a decision made right now.)
  4. will (It’s a fact!)
  5. are going to (This is something you have already decided.)
Answer Key
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