IDIOM CONNECTION

lesson 36

Cooperation Idioms and a Garbage Problem

Introduction

Do you know anyone who will never cooperate with other people?

Reading

We are having a problem with garbage and crows in our neighborhood. And, by the way, this problem includes every kind of garbage – food, newspapers, bottles. It is sort of like a hurricane passes through every morning. People take out their garbage and one hour later the crows have scattered it everywhere. Recently, the neighbors have decided to do something. They plan to go through the proper channels and ask the city to help solve this problem. They will also try and do something themselves. If everyone sticks together they should be successful. Starting next week everyone will take turns keeping the garbage secure. If each person holds his or her end of the bargain up, then they should be able to solve the problem. If some people are out of step with the others and do not cooperate then the plan will probably fail.

Reading Questions

Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.

1. By the way, what kind of garbage are they talking about?

2. Does it sort of look like a hurricane passes through every morning?

3. Do the crows scatter the garbage everywhere after people take it out?

4. Will the neighbors go through proper channels to solve the problem?

5. If everyone sticks together, will they probably be successful?

6. Will they take turns keeping the garbage secure?

7. If each person holds up his or her end of the bargain will they be able to solve the problem?

8. If some people are out of step will the plan probably fail?

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:

1. by the way (this expression is used when you want to introduce a new topic or add some information to what you are talking about)
a)   however
b)   later
c)   incidentally

2. sort of something
a)   exactly like something
b)   one of something
c)   similar to something

3. to take out something
a)   to remove something from somewhere
b)   to give something to someone
c)   to try and sell something

4. A channel is a route that is used for communication with someone. It is also a special route that is used for television signals. What would to go through channels mean when trying to communicate with someone or do something? What would to go through the proper channels mean?
a)   to do something very quickly
b)   to do something in the wrong manner
c)   to use the correct procedures to do something

5. When you stick two things together, they usually become attached and stay together. You often use glue to do this. What does it mean when people stick together?
a)   to stick something on a wall
b)   to remain together as a group
c)   to try hard to do something

6. to take turns
a)   to turn something over
b)   to turn around and do something
c)   to do something in turns

7. Sometimes when two people carry a large object, each person must support or hold up one end. Therefore, each person must hold up his or her end of the object up. A bargain is an agreement. What does to hold one's end of the bargain up?
a)   to make an agreement with someone
b)   to disagree with someone
c)   to do what you have agreed to do

8. When a band is marching in step, everybody is marching together in harmony and at the same time. If they are out of step, then they are not marching together in harmony. What does to be out of step with other people or other members of your group mean?
a)   to be out of harmony
b)   to sing together
c)   to step on someone's foot

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Correct or Incorrect

Which of these sentences uses the idiom correctly? Which uses it incorrectly? Why?

1. “By the way, the movie may begin before I get to the theater but I will definitely be able to see the whole movie.”
a)   Correct
b)   Incorrect

2. I was sort of tired last evening. I had energy to do many things.
a)   Correct
b)   Incorrect

3. The girl likes to go to the library in order to take out books because she likes to read.
a)   Correct
b)   Incorrect

4. I went through the proper channels to get my driver's license. I did not follow the correct procedures.
a)   Correct
b)   Incorrect

5. The office staff always sticks together when there is a problem. They work well as a group.
a)   Correct
b)   Incorrect

6. We took turns caring for my friend's pet. Nobody would help me care for it.
a)   Correct
b)   Incorrect

7. My friend will never hold his end of the bargain up. I cannot really trust him.
a)  Correct
b)  Incorrect

8. The local politician is out of step with the other members of his political party. He does not have a good relationship with them.
a)  Correct
b)  Incorrect

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Grammar Focus

Choose the word or expression that makes each of the following sentences correct:

1. “_________________ , what time shall we meet tomorrow?”
a)   By a way
b)   By one way
c)   By the way

2. The dog was _____________ a strange mixture of several kinds of dogs.
a)   sort of
b)   sort over
c)   sort in

3. The man usually ________________ his dog for a walk every evening.
a)   takes out
b)   takes in
c)   takes over

4. I always ____________________ when I want to do something with the city government.
a)   go to the proper channels
b)   go in the proper channels
c)   go through the proper channels

5. The group of campers tried to ______________ during the storm.
a)   stick over
b)   stick about
c)   stick together

6. The children had to _______________ using the computer in the classroom.
a)   take turn
b)   take turns
c)   take to turn

7. The man will often not __________________________ so many people do not like him.
a)  hold his end of the bargain up
b)  hold his end of the bargain down
c)  hold his end of the bargain over

8. The boy is always _______________ the other members of his class.
a)  out of step to
b)  out of step in
c)  out of step with

Your score is: ___  out of 8




Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. By the way, do you know any good restaurants where you live?

2. By the way, are you free this Saturday?

3. Do you know any night clubs that are sort of like a restaurant?

4. Are you sort of busy these days?

5. Do you ever take out the garbage at your house?

6. Did you ever take out any furniture from your house in order to sell it?

7. Do you know how to go through the proper channels to get a business license?

8. Have you ever had to go through channels to get a visa?

9. Do you always stick together with your friends when you are in an unknown place?

10. Do you know anyone who will not stick together with someone who is having a serious problem?

11. Do you know any children who do not like to take turns?

12. Do you ever take turns driving when you drive somewhere?

13. Do you know someone who does not hold his or her end of the bargain up when they make an agreement?

14. Do you always hold your end of the bargain up when you make an agreement?

15. Are you sometimes out of step with the people around you?

16. Do you know anyone who seems to be out of step with everybody around him or her?

Role Play

Student A: You are having a problem with mice in your apartment building. It is partly caused by people who do not take out their garbage. You want everyone to stick together and solve the problem.

Student B: You are out of step with your friend and you do not believe that there is a problem at all.

lesson 36