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 ..........