Advanced English Conversations - Robert Allans, Ahmet Mustafaoglu, Metin Emir 2019
Set (62) - The hustle and bustle of cities
Dialogue
Lucy: I can’t take it anymore! Living in this run-down (1) building is like hell. I’m completely run-down (2). Besides, we’re in the middle of nowhere.
Jenny: Isn’t it better than living amidst the hustle and bustle of cities?
Lucy: Not on your life! As soon as we pay off our loan, I’ll move back to the city. I have had enough of this life!
Jenny: Won’t you give me a rundown (3) of the new semester’s schedule?
Lucy: Provided you take over the cooking tomorrow.
Jenny: touche
Vocabulary
Run-down (1); (adj) old; ancient; in a poor or neglected state.
Hell: a situation or place of evil, misery, discord, or destruction.
Run-down (2): tired and rather unwell, especially through overwork.
In the middle of nowhere: a place that is very remote.
Hustle and bustle: large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding.
Not on your life: No way.
Rundown (3): (noun) an analysis or summary of something.
Take over: to begin to do something that someone else was doing
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the correct phrases;
run-down (old)
hell
run-down (tired)
in the middle of nowhere
hustle and bustle
not on your life
rundown (analysis)
take over
a. The army is/are threatening to .......... if civil unrest continues.
b. A. “You’re going to pick up the equipment. Aren’t you?” B.” ..........
c. I can give you a brief .......... on each of the job applicants
d. He buys up .......... properties, fixes them up and resells them.
e. We're completely .......... and need a thorough rest.
f. Shell Cottage provides the perfect retreat from the .......... of London.
g. One time we got stranded in a little town ..........
h. With the presence of this blabbermouth, work is sheer ..........