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

Set 27 - Willing to make sacrifices

Simon: In retrospect, I did miss some high school dances and parties. I did lose the chance to hang out with people. But I knew I had the opportunity to do something extraordinary enough to stand out from the crowd. That made me willing to make those sacrifices.

Carl: Yes. I go along with you on that. To get outstanding results, you're going to have to make sacrifices. You have to. That's just part of it.

Simon: So when I was asked to be a global ambassador for water conservation, to help spread a message we already care about. It was a no-brainer. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. At least to set a good example for my kids.

Carl: Well! When you drew the analogy of wasting bottles of water, that really struck a nerve with me. Unfortunately, Most of us take water for granted. We turn on the faucet and it's there.

Simon: Stats and numbers make a huge difference, especially when they're relatable. When you can show people not just the total potential change but also how they can make a real difference... that's when they'll jump onboard.

Vocabulary;

In retrospect: thinking now about something in the past.

extraordinary: (adjective) very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange

stand out from the crowd: to be clearly better than or noticeably different from others.

make a sacrifice: to choose not to do or have something important in order to have something that is more important.

outstanding: (adjective) exceptionally good.

go along with: to be in harmony or agreement with something.

no-brainer: something such as a decision that is very easy or obvious.

set an example: to behave in a way that other people should copy

draw an analogy: to say that two situations/things/etc are similar.

strike/hit/touch a nerve: to make someone feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc.

take sb/sth for granted: to underestimate or undervalue someone or something.

relatable: (adjective) 1. related, or able to be related to something else. 2. that someone can understand or feel sympathy for.

jump onboard: o join a group, activity, etc.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. He drew an .......... between the Roman Empire and the United States, stating that they were both the superpower of their day.

2. They'll be getting hundreds of applications from people with similar experience, so you need to do something to make your resume stand out from the ..........

3. One of the reasons for her success is that the characters in her books are so ..........

4. Your column must have hit a .........., because we are getting slammed with feedback from readers—and they're not happy.

5. After some hesitation, he jumped .......... and contributed heavily to the campaign.

6. I'm just getting fed up because it feels like you take everything I do around the house for ..........

7. The decision to invest in the energy company was a no-..........

8. Don’t act childishly. Will you? You should be setting a good .......... to your younger brother.

9. David was the head of the committee back then and was willing to .......... any sacrifice for peace.

10. Unfortunately, the information we learned does not go .......... with the doctor's claims.

11. I'm sure my university days seem happier in .......... than they really were.

12. Her .......... performances set a new benchmark for singers throughout the world.

13. She has an .......... memory and can remember details and names that I've long forgotten.

1. analogy 2. crowd 3. relatable 4. nerve 5. onboard 6. granted 7. brainer 8. example 9. make 10. along 11. retrospect 12. outstanding 13. extraordinary