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

Set 32 - Things can easily slip your mind

Student: Uh, excuse me, Professor Tim. I know your office hours are tomorrow, but I was wondering if you had a minute. It just can’t wait as I’ve to give the speech today.

Professor: Okay, let’s see! First things first. Consider bringing a laptop. Things can easily slip your mind and that’s the last thing you want. Well, if you can’t lay your hand on a laptop, a notepad can serve a purpose.

Student: Wow! That’s really helpful. What if a new idea comes to mind during the talk or someone asked an off-topic question?

Professor: Well; you will have to discard new stuff as your time is limited and there’s no use in introducing them. When you get a question, keep your cool and try to answer it with reference to the subject at hand and make sure you don’t lose track of time.

Student: Yes. I get it. Should I stick to the use of formal language?

Professor: Not at all! You need to use simple language because you’re going to explain your project to people with general knowledge about the subject, say your parents.

Vocabulary;

office hours: the hours during the day when people who work in offices are usually at work.

something can’t wait: it is not very urgent.

first things first: important matters should be dealt with before other things.

slip one’s mind: to be overlooked or forgotten.

the last thing one wants or needs: something that you certainly do not want, need, etc.

lay/get one’s hand on: to obtain something that you want or need very much

serve a purpose: to fit or satisfy the necessary requirements; to be useful.

come to mind: to suddenly or immediately materialize in one's mind.

off-topic: (adjective) not related to the matter being discussed.

there’s no use: there is no point or reason (in doing something).

keep one’s cool: to remain calm and in control.

with reference to: in connection with someone or something.

lose track of: to forget about, misplace, or neglect to pay close attention to something.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. I understand that you have the authority to schedule a conference if the situation dictates. But I have a problem that can't .......... till then.

2. There's no .......... asking Dave about the numbers—he can't even balance his own check book.

3. He's not a writer who comes to .......... when you think of crime thrillers, but his books are edgy, brilliant page-turners.

4. With .......... to my opponent's remarks, let me state for the record that I have always condemned hate speech in all forms.

5. I'm sorry I'm late—we were having so much fun that I completely lost .......... of time.

6. I tried to keep my .......... during the interview, but I was extremely nervous the whole time.

7. Reviews which use profane and hateful language, or reviews which are off-.......... are removed from the "Reviews" section below the apps.

8. Do you know where I can get my .......... on a Russian dictionary? I need to check a translation.

9. A fancy new computer I have no idea how to use is the last ................................. I need right now!

10. Well, it isn't very flashy, but this old truck ought to serve a .......... somewhere on the ranch.

11. We can all forget things it's true, Trivial thoughts can easily slip our .........., Phones or keys can be misplaced, Sometimes you lose track of the time.

12. The company provided social events for workers to encourage them to get together out of .......... hours.

13. First .......... first: read the directions carefully before you try to assemble the bookcase.

1. wait 2. use 3. mind 4. reference 5. track 6. cool 7. topic 8. hands 9. thing 10. purpose 11. mind 12. office 13. things