Set 10 - that helps melt our blues away

Advanced English Conversations (2) - Robert Allans, Matt Edie, A. Mustafaoglu 2020

Set 10 - that helps melt our blues away

Naomi: So, what do you do Rachel, to cheer yourself up?

Rachel: Well; when I feel really down about things, I’ll go through old photographs of my birthdays, concerts and the like. It kind of reminds me of the good times I had with friends and loved ones which is sure to give me a good lift. What about you?

Naomi: When I’m feeling in a funk, nothing beats music in terms of lifting my spirits. I listen to heavy metal or Goth music, wallow in my self-pity for a bit and then switch to dance music. Music is my refuge in times of bad moods and frustrations. How about you Sarah?

Sarah: Cool! For me; my preferred pick-me-up is my dogs. I cuddle with them. They literally love me unconditionally. They seem to know when you’re sad or hurting. Animals don’t have judgment so are able to convey an unconditional love that helps melt our blues away.

Naomi: I agree; animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.

Vocabulary;

cheer up: to stop feeling depressed and become more cheerful.

feel down: to feel sad and depressed.

loved ones: family members or/and close friends.

give a lift: to raise someone's spirits; to make a person feel better.

in a funk: feeling sad.

nothing beats: this is the best option; there is nothing better.

lift one’s spirits: cause someone to become more cheerful.

wallow in something: to allow yourself to enjoy something completely

refuge: protection or shelter from danger, trouble, etc., or a place that provides this.

pick-me-up: a thing that makes one feel more energetic or cheerful.

unconditionally: without conditions or limits.

melt away: to lessen and disappear.

blues: depressed spirits; despondency; melancholy.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. It may .......... you up to learn that the weather forecast is promising.

2. Jack is frank enough to admit that all this criticism put him in a ..........

3. My idea of a holiday is to stay in a five-star hotel and just .......... in luxury for a week.

4. We’re going to send Diana a gift to lift her .......... on her birthday.

5. She emphasized that the Japanese should .......... release this fishing boat captain.

6. Caffeine is known more as a .......... -me-up than a home remedy, but for years scientists have wondered whether it may have benefits for people with asthma.

7. This rainy spell is giving me the .......... I hope it ends right away.

8. My nerves just .......... away as soon as I stepped on the stage and started to sing.

9. Learning is an ornament in prosperity, a .......... in adversity, and a provision in old age.

10. Nothing .......... spending a day at the beach with a good book and your best friend.

11. I struggle with homesickness a lot, but talking to my family back home gives me a ..........

12. You will be popular with acquaintances; however, .......... ones could feel left out and insecure.

13. When you're feeling .........., chatting to friends is a great way to perk up.

1. cheer 2. funk 3. wallow 4. spirits 5. unconditionally 6. pick 7. blues 8. melted 9. refuge 10. beats 11. lift 12. loved 13. down