IDIOM CONNECTION
Identify Idioms and Collecting Seashells
Introduction
1. Have you ever collected anything?
2. Do you collect anything now?
Reading
Last week our class went to the beach to search for seashells. We found many. I picked up several shells but they all seemed to look the same. It was difficult to tell them apart. I know some seashells by sight but most of them I do not know. I often mistake one shell for another. Their shapes and colors all have something in common so it is hard to tell for sure what kind of shell it is. I have a seashell book so I usually look up the shells there. Many of the shells in the book look the same. Sometimes, I can put my finger on exactly what kind of shell it is but often I cannot.
Reading Questions
Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.
1. What did he pick up?
2. Was it easy to tell the seashells apart?
3. Does he know some seashells by sight?
4. Does he often mistake one shell for another?
5. Do the shells have much in common with each other?
6. Can he usually tell for sure which kind of shell it is?
7. Can he look up the shells in a seashell book?
8. Is it always easy to put his finger on exactly which kind of shell he finds?
Making Connections and Idiom Meanings
Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the following idioms:
Your score is: ___ out of 8
Multiple Choice
Your score is: ___ out of 8
Grammar Focus
Your score is: ___ out of 8
Discussion Questions
Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:
1. Have you picked up anything from the sidewalk recently?
2. Did you ever pick up some money on the ground?
3. Do you know two people who you cannot tell apart?
4. Can you easily tell apart most trees in your local park?
5. Do you know many different types of cars by sight?
6. Is there any famous person who you do not know by sight?
7. Have you ever mistaken one person for another?
8. Do you ever mistake one type of toothpaste for another type?
9. Do you have a lot in common with all of your friends?
10. Do you know any singing styles that have nothing in common with each other?
11. Do you know what you will do next weekend for sure?
12. Do you know what you will do this evening for sure?
13. Do you often look up words in a dictionary?
14. When did you last look up some information in a book?
15. Can you always put your finger on the cause of a computer problem?
16. Do you know anyone who seems strange but you cannot put your finger on why he or she is strange?
Role Play
Student A: You are looking at your friend's rock collection.
All of the rocks are a dark color. They all look the same to you.
You cannot tell any of them apart. You think that it is not interesting to collect rocks.
You ask your friend why he or she collects them.
Student B: You love your rock collection. You think that it is very interesting. You never mistake one rock for another. You try to share your excitement with your friend.