Pizza and Pipes
Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
Fads come and go, but there is one I remember fondly from my childhood in the U.S.: pizza joints with big organs. Yep, usually, you can only find these monstrous, magical instruments in the largest cathedrals in Europe, but in the 1970s and 80s in the US, you could also find them in pizza parlors for family entertainment.
Read more about this fun fad in this article here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-18/remembering-the-dining-fad-of-pizza-and-pipes
Vocabulary
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Origin (n)
- Otherwise (adv)
- Outcome (n)
- Outer (adj)
- Outline (n, v)
- Overall (adj, adv)
- Owe (v)
- Pace (n,v)
- Package (v)
- Panel (n)
Study this set with this quizlet
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B1
Idioms are expressions where the meaning isn’t obvious from the words alone. Understanding them helps your English sound more natural and fluent.
For example:
- Break the ice → to start a conversation and make people feel relaxed
Example: She told a joke to break the ice at the party.
- Hit the books → to study hard
Example: I have exams next week, so it’s time to hit the books.
- Piece of cake → something that is easy to do
Example: This homework was a piece of cake.
Some common idioms:
- On cloud nine → very happy
Example: He was on cloud nine after passing the test.
- Under the weather → feeling slightly unwell
Example: She’s under the weather today.
- Let the cat out of the bag → reveal a secret
Example: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Let’s practice!
Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence below:
(on cloud nine, under the weather, let the cat out of the bag, break the ice, hit the books, piece of cake)
- I need to __________ because I have a big test tomorrow.
- She felt __________, so she went home early.
- Passing my driving test was a __________.
- He was __________ after winning the championship.
- The teacher played a fun game to __________ on the first day of class.
- Don’t tell Sam about the gift; he’ll __________.
- Learning to ride a bicycle was a __________ for my little brother.
- I was __________ all weekend, so I missed the party.
Listening and Reading Tip
Language Level – B2
Watch this news story about the largest Wurlitzer theatre organ at Organ Stop Pizza in Arizona:
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – C1
Practice Shadowing to improve your fluency and pronunciation with this video:
How can I help?
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