Advanced English Conversations - Robert Allans, Ahmet Mustafaoglu, Metin Emir 2019

Set (19) - Thinking out of the box pays dividends!

Dialogue

Carl: Good opportunities always come my brother's way, whether he works hard for them or not. Sounds like things are looking up for him all the time.

Alice: No wonder. He thinks out of the box and he doesn’t mind taking on more responsibility. In short, Steven is cut out to be a leader.

Carl: You’ve got a point there! Thinking out of the box pays dividends!

Alice: For the record, I’ve made up my mind to get married and settle down.

Carl: Really? What wonderful news! Obviously, I’m the only loser here.

Alice: Cheer up, man. Things are bound to look up sooner or later.

Vocabulary

Come one’s way: present itself, happen to.

Things are looking up: things are improving or becoming better.

Think out of the box: to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective.

Not to mind doing something: to be happy or willing to do something.

To be cut out to be/for something: To be well-suited for a certain position or role.

You’ve got a point there! Your point of view or opinion makes sense.

Pay dividends: to cause good results at a time in the future.

For the record: So that the true facts about something are clear or known.

Make up one’s mind to: to take a decision to do something.

Settle down: live a quieter life by getting married or staying permanently in a place.

Cheer up: to start to feel happier.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;

come one’s way

things are looking up

think out of the box

not to mind doing something

to be cut out to/for

you’ve got a point there!

pay dividends

for the record

make up one’s mind to

settle down

cheer up

a. One day I'll want to .......... and have a family.

b. .........! It can't be as bad as all that.

c. I can't .......... where to take my vacation.

d. I am trying to .......... to make this event a success.

e. I really hope this promotion .......... because it sounds fascinating.

f. .......... for families across the country as the economy continues to rebound.

g. I .......... going if no one else wants to.

h. With his skinny build, he is just not .......... a linebacker.

i. A: "It's snowing—should we really go out for ice cream?" B: "Hmm, .........."

j. .........., it was she who approached me about such a deal, not the other way around.

k. Taking time out to get fit will .......... in the long run.