This week we’ve been doing some planning for 2013, and getting on with our Christmas shopping!

Let’s take a look at some of the amusing things that have been happening in the news over the last week:

GOOD WEEK FOR:

• Adventurous travellers, as you may soon be able to go to the moon!
  Read the story about moon tourism here:
  
  
• Christmas light fans, as a whole street has decided to create a dazzling spectacle this year for charity in the UK.
  See the amazingly decorated houses here:

BAD WEEK FOR:

• A newly-married couple who had to call the police on their wedding day – because one of the guests had apparently stolen their wedding cake!
  Read the story here:
  
  
• A group of local Scottish churchgoers, after they realised their reverend was the author of a sexy bestselling novel!
  Read the story here:

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“If you aren’t sure who you are, you may as well work on who you want to be.” – Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen


FACTS OF THE WEEK:

• On average, smokers eat more sugar than non-smokers do.
• The Earth gets approximately 100 tonnes heavier every day due to falling space dust.
• Most cows give more milk when they listen to music.
• Statistically you are more likely to be killed by a Champagne cork than by a poisonous spider.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK:


Last week we simply had to include the hilarious – and disturbing – video from a Brazilian TV show that played a terrible ghostly prank on unsuspecting users of a lift. Now the prank has been updated, and the results are just as funny! See the video here:


HOMEWORK:

OK, enough of the news. Here are the answers to last week's homework:

1. Paul's got a BEE in his BONNET about eating organic food.
2. John's girlfriend has just left him. I told him not to worry. There are plenty more FISH in the SEA.
3. I've arranged a surprise party for my wife's birthday. I just hope nobody lets the CAT out of the BAG by accident.
4. I went to a night-club for the first time in 10 years last night. I looked and felt like a FISH out of WATER.
5. If you think Tom's not doing his job properly, you're going to have to take the BULL by the HORNS and tell him.
6. Billy's just won't sit still in the class. I think he's got ANTS in his PANTS.
7. I never liked school. I was always getting into trouble. I suppose I was the black SHEEP of the FAMILY.
8. I love watching sport on the TV. I could sit and watch it until the COWS come HOME.

PART B

1. Olga: Did you buy that CD I asked you to?
Paul: No. You sent me on a wild GOOSE chase. I tried 3 different shops but it doesn't exist.

2. Olga: Paul, what a surprise!
Paul: Olga, how are you? I haven't seen you for DONKEY's years.

3. Olga: You can earn about GBP20,000 per year as a computer programme in London.
Paul: That's CHICKEN feed compared to what you can get in USA.

4. Olga: Are you sure you are getting a pay rise next month? Who told you?
Paul: I got it straight from the HORSE's mouth. The director told me himself.

5. Olga: You get a company pension, don't you?
Paul: Yes, it's not much but it keep the WOLF from the door.

6. Olga: Robert likes the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?
Paul: Yes, he can talk the hind legs off a DONKEY.

7. Olga: And when they asked me to work on Sundays, I just had to resign.
Paul: It sounds like that was the straw which broke the CAMELS's back.

8. Olga: If you prepare the soil and do all the digging, I'll plant the flowers.
Paul: No way ! I don't see why I should do all the DONKEY work!

9. Olga, I wish you would tidy up your room. It's like a PIG-sty.

10. I just didn't understand. I didn't know what to do. I was totally FOXED.


Reeds in Egypt were the start,
Now made by machine more than art.
Hard or soft, its use diverse,
You may find it in your purse.

The answer is "PAPER"



This week's homework is about Body Idioms.

PART A

Complete the idioms with the following expressions:

• AN OLD HAND
• MY HANDS
• CAME TO A HEAD
• BEHIND MY BACK
• ON ITS LAST LEGS
• HAND IT TO HIM
• COULDN'T FACE
• FACE THE FACT
• A GOOD HEAD
• GONE TO YOUR HEAD
• A BRAVE FACE
• OUR HEADS

1. I love my old car but I'm having more and more problems with it. I think it's ??????
2. My girlfriend and I have always argued quite a lot but the situation ????? last week when she accused me of lying.
3. I'm sorry Olga but we have to ?????? that we are no longer getting on.
4. I can't trust you any more Olga - you been talking about me ???????
5. What's the matter with you Olga ? You've changed since your promotion. I think power has ??????
6. Bob's an excellent chairman. He's ????? at controlling difficult people.
7. Ask Paul to help you. He's got ????? for figures.
8. There's nothing I can do to help. I'm afraid ??????? are tied.
9. I'm afraid I'm not coming to the concert. You know I am not ken on classical music and I ????? 3 hours of it!
10. I know Jane's in a lot of pain, but she puts ??????? on it.
11. Richard's businesses just go from strength to strength. You know, you've got to ??????.
12. We'll have to go the bank and ask for more money. We just can't go on burying ????? in the sand any longer.

PART B

Put the missing verbs into these expressions:

1. I'd ????? my right arm for it.
2. I ????? my foot in it.
3. I'm only ???? your leg.
4. I can't ???? my finger on it.
5. The situation ????? to a head.
6. Power has ????? to his head.
7. It ????? an arm and a leg.
8. He just ????? his head in the sand.
9. Come on, Olga, ?????? it off your chest !

And finally a difficult riddle for you to try and solve:

It started back in Roman days,
The massive walls, the leafy ways.
New houses, bridges, towers that soar,
All use the rock that you can pour.

Have a lovely weekend and we will write again next week.
Paul & Jill

Paul Stevens - Director (based in San Diego, USA)
Jill Tyler - General Manager (based in Plymouth, UK)


к следующему выпуску