Vocabulary check

Exercise 16. Complete the expressions with the words: cross, crossed, point, stick, tail

1. She completely missed the ……………………… .

2. They were talking at …………….. purposes.

3. She got the wrong end of the ……………………. .

4. I think we both got our lines ……………… .

5. I couldn’t make head nor ……………. of what she was saying.

Exercise 17. Complete the sentences with the expressions below:

our lines crossed head or tail at cross purposes mix-up

the wrong end of the stick missed the point

1. I tried to make him understand but he completely ………………….. .

2. We both got ……………. and so I didn’t know what she was trying to do.

3. We’d been in conversation for at least three minutes before we realized we were talking ……………………… .

4. I know she was upset but she got ………………….. .

5. He started speaking to me in dialect and I couldn’t make ……………… of what he was saying.

6. There was a ………………… over the train times and we arrived three hours later.

READING FOR COMPREHENSION

Read about different modern ways of spending holidays and say which one you would prefer.

1. Sailing

As a sailing instructor, it is my experience that, while people who go sailing may have different professional lives and widely differing backgrounds, they all have one thing in common – they are all fun-loving, sociable and determined to get the most of what they do.

The great thing about sailing, is that you have to live and work together and it is a great leveller, wiping out differences in age, background and sex. There is no favouritism and no discrimination.

Sailing a yacht can be demanding, tiring, frustrating and wet. But it is also challenging, exciting, relaxing and wonderfully fulfilling. No experience is necessary and wet-weather and safety equipment is provided by schools, so all you need to bring is yourself. I can guarantee you will have a memorable time.

2. Walking

A walking holiday is not the most luxurious of trips but it does offer an opportunity to see remote areas of the world which cannot be visited any other way. And at the end of the day it gives you a wonderful sense of achievement. Camping is often part of this type of holiday and the joy is exploring totally uncivilized territory.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to carry your own luggage, only a day pack, as cook and camp teams do the everyday work, leaving you free to enjoy the experience. There’s a destination for every time of the year, so when you go is up to you. So get those boots out and walk the world.

3. Rock Climbing

You don’t have to be super-fit to go rock climbing: technique is more important than strength. It is also vital to plan and think ahead, as the easiest move may not be the best. What often looks like an impossible situation, with a little thought and a few small steps, becomes achievable and before you know it you are half way up a mountain.

You cannot climb without a safety system as even the best people can slip. Even beginners are expected to operate the safety system. It’s a frightening thought being responsible for another person’s safety, and just as challenging is knowing that you are totally dependent on the safety system. This is the perfect team-building exercise.

4. Flying

Within an hour you can be handling the controls of a light aircraft. After your instructor has given you details on the aircraft, its controls and where you are going to fly, you take off and climb to around 2000ft. You will then be allowed the chance to fly the plane itself. Not to worry. As when you learn to drive, the instructor has a set of controls too. An hour’s lesson costs 100$ and counts towards a private pilot’s license if, like many people, you find that you want to take up flying seriously. So if you fancy being a bird, this could be the nearest thing to it.