CHAPTER IV: WORKSHEET #86 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #86

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #86 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary! 

 

    1.   She was like the sunshine in his teneb_____________ life. (*meaning “dark; gloomy; causing gloom”)

 

    2.   Jean got tired of the way he ina_________ tried to cheer her up with silly jokes. (*meaning “not suited to circumstances; improperly; inappropriately; incongruously”)

 

    3.   My friends and I laughed so hard at our high school reunion, reminiscing about our funny old days when we were calling one another “coo________”! (*meaning “head lice or imaginary disease. "Cootie" is a small insect that lives in people's hair (a head louse) It is also a child's term for an imaginary germ or disease that one can catch by touching a person who is disliked or socially avoided”)

 

    4.   He was a total tatter________________ living in a dilapidated, crummy old hut. (*meaning “a person in tattered clothing; a shabby person”)

 

    5.   The film Dunkirk depicts the massive evacuation of allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, showcasing collective heroism of gall_______ soldiers. (*meaning “spirited; brave; courageous; heroic”)  

 

    6.   I love helping people in need. So volunteering at the soup kitchen is right up my ___________. (*meaning “to one’s taste; in one’s specialty”)

 

    7.   Luke is a grumpy and belli___________ old guy living next door to her. (*meaning “combative, aggressive, hostile, pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious, truculent, or warlike”) To top it all off, he is such a bili__________ person that no one wants to be around. (*meaning “1. (figurative) temperament: irritable, grouchy, bad-tempered, peevish, or grumpy  2. appearance/color: sickly, green or yellow, nauseatingly unpleasant”)  

 

    8.   He has no business acumen. All he brings out on the table for new projects is a non-_____________. (*meaning “an issue, plan, etc., that does not get or deserve to get under way”)

 

    9.   Robert seems to have tha_____phobia that drives him crazy while he has to sit still without anything particular to do in a day. (*meaning “an intense and irrational fear of being idle, sitting still, or having nothing to do, often leading to constant stimulation-seeking or restlessness/An overwhelming anxiety about periods of inactivity or lack of stimulation”)

 

     10.  Seth is so ada_____________ that he won’t join their trip this summer. (*meaning “refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind”)

 

     11.  Hank and his buddies used to shoot ____________ after school. (*meaning “to play basketball, especially casually by simply shooting and not engaging in a game”)

 

     12.  The aroma of freshly brewed coffee waf______ all the way through to his bedroom early in the morning. (*meaning “to pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air”)

 

     13. After mass shootings, the N______  suggests arming security guards in schools as a preventative measure. (*meaning “National Rifle Association”)

CHAPTER IV: WORKSHEET #85 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #85

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #85 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary! 

 

    1.   Joe did not know that his comments have been __________banned (*meaning “to block a user from a social media site or online  forum without their knowledge, typically by making their posts and comments no longer visible to other users”) by his close buddy Tim on Facebook.

 

    2.   When I saw the documentary film about the Holocaust survivors, I felt it was way above and much more than a flesh and ____________ could ever stand. (*meaning “living being with human emotions or frailty, often in contrast to something abstract, spiritual, or mechanical”)

 

    3.   My favorite actor Cillian Murphy is very good at interpreting the roles in the films that seem to be abst______________ directed to most movie goers. (*meaning “in a difficult way”)

 

    4.   To my surprise, he seems to be one of those few anom_________ (*meaning “deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected”) prosecutors who tries his very best to bring justice back to our evil society.

 

    5.   Margo is a self-proclaimed w__________-doctor who says she could make some kind of elixir or potion to cure mysterious illnesses in town, but medical doctors thought she is nothing more than a swindler who is out of k________ (*meaning “something is out of tune or not in harmony with…”) in the field of medicine today.

 

    6.   Roy has been criticized by the public as a political agi___________. (*meaning “a person who urges others to protest or rebel”) who destroys peace and prevents the satur_________ age from coming. (*meaning “(Latin origin) peaceful, prosperous, or happy”)

 

7.   The stupid former president Yoon of South Korea did nothing but throwing big or small car______________s and booze parties. (*meaning “a wild, drunken party or celebration”)

 

    8.   Anna com____________ herself with dignity even when she felt the dark shadow of death coming near. (*meaning “to behave in a certain way. used especially in situations where the behavior is admirable or appropriate”)

 

    9.   Hue told his friend the truth in good f____________, but he felt hurt by the truth. Yes, truth hurts quite oftentimes. (*meaning “in an honest and proper way”)

 

    10. Henry captured the beautiful moment of a seabird ready to fly away from the mountain led______ (*meaning “a narrow horizontal surface projecting from a wall, cliff, or other surface”) where it was nesting.

 

     11. Suzan saw the tw________h in her daughter’s eyelids when she asked her where she had been all day. (*meaning “noun: a brief spasmodic contraction of the muscle fibers/ verb: to tug or pull at with a quick, short movement”)

 

     12.  I never y_____k (*meaning “to pull or remove abruptly and vigorously”) on my doggie’s leash while walking him because I just don’t want him to feel controlled all the time.

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE #4

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films or listening to pop music? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#4. Appetite for Life: The Biography of Julia Child (authored by Noel Riley Fitch)

“In her old age, Julia joined that noble species, the Grand Old Gal – a common apotheosis for brilliant women. She may stand with her head tipped a little down and sideward, as Eleanor Roosevelt did when her back became stooped, but she is still the queen. Despite bum knees weakening her gait, and the occasional need to lean against the stove (or on the table), she worked at a barely diminished pace. After all, as she loved to point out, “Escoffier lived to be ninety-three and my old chef Max Bugnard lived to be ninety-six.”

-        “The Grand Old Gal” was a respectful and humorous nickname for Julia Child that showed her fans’ long-lasting admiration, the sense of ties, and fondness for her, even decades after her death. As the word “apotheosis” manifests, Julia child was viewed as a woman who reached her dream all the way to the highest point where she could happily create the taste of life like a divine chef from another country.

 

“Her appetite for life will never be sated. “Retired people are boring,” she claims. “In the line of work, you never have to retire. You keep right on until you’re through.”

-        Julia Child was a woman of passion whose indefatigable will to venture into the world of taste has no limits. She continued on with her culinary creations with insatiable desire until she passed.

 

·       ** Jean’s small thoughts:

 

When I first saw Julia Child on TV show, I was a bit surprised by her high-pitched and distinctively wavering voice with thick French accent in her English. It took me no longer than five minutes to be totally enamored by the tall French chef who tossed the dough as hard as she could onto the board with a great big smile.

 

Whenever I watched her collaboration with her life-long buddy Chef Jacques Pépin (i.e., Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home), I was amused by their steadfast friendship and playful arguments about the recipes and cooking process. Their genuine “down-to-earth” characters and kind smile on the cooking show always brought warmth and happiness to my own small kitchen.

 

By the end of your long day, you might bring out the leftover sandwich or spaghetti from the fridge to your dinner table. Add some more of your favorite “fromage” to those “not-so-hearty” kind of dish and say “Bon appetite!” What a good way to sign off your day!

CHAPTER IV: WORKSHEET #84 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #84

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #84 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary! 

 

    1.    Virginia says in her cooking class that these freshly picked  herbs are the un_________ heroes of her kitchen, elevating simple dishes with vibrant flavor and color. (*meaning “Someone or something that provides a great benefit, has done very good work, has performed some heroic deed or function, etc., but has not received the credit or recognition they deserve”)

   

    2.   Their relationship took on an inel_____________ (*meaning “unavoidable”) momentum of confusion and once-in-a-lifetime happiness when he said he loved her. They both had to face the reality that would impose a qu_________ of guilt about their love. (*feelings of doubt or uneasiness about doing something”)

 

    3.   Coach Harold has been com___________ all the technical trails to study the rough and tough terrains for the purpose of promoting injury-free races for elite trail runners. (*meaning “expertly navigating difficult mountain terrain (like scrambling or mountaineering), emphasizing detailed exploration or skillful movement across rugged, rocky slopes”)

 

    4.   Dan is a dedicated runner, but he also thinks riding his good old recumbent bicycle is one of the most exhil_______________ (*meaning “making one feel very animated/happy/ elated; thrilling”) activities he’s been enjoying through all those years.

 

    5.   Jean feels running is like a daily therapy for her mental and physical peace; she says running helps her become the best ren__________ (*meaning “the performance or interpretation of something (like music, a role, or a recipe) or the act of translating or depicting it”) of herself and feel most honest and unb_________ (*meaning “unconstrained; uncontrolled” ) with her mind at the same time.

 

    6.   Mr. Bennet was such a formidable orator who delivered the long speech extempore, but one thing that puzzled me was his harle___________ outfit (*meaning “in varied colors; variegated”) that did not quite look quite presentable or appropriate for the conference.

 

    7.   People might wonder how he could stand the ard____________ (*meaning “involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring”) work of preparing all those lectures of great quality all the time, but he says he enjoys the process of creating each and every lecture.  

Time to play the latest NPR SUNDAY PUZZLE!!!

Today's puzzle is called "Pet Theory." Every answer is a familiar two-word phrase or name in which the first word start starts PE- and the second word starts T-.

Ex. What walkways at intersections carry  -->  PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC

 

1. Chart that lists all the chemical elements

 

2. Place for a partridge in "The 12 Days of Christmas"

 

3. Male voyeur

 

4. What a coach gives a team during halftime in the locker room

 

5. Set of questions designed to reveal your traits

 

6. Something combatants sign to end a war

 

7. Someone who works with you one-on-one with physical exercises

 

8. Member of the Who

 

9. Incisors, canines, and premolars that grow in after you're a baby

 

10. Nadia Comaneci was the first gymnast to score this at the Olympics

 

11. What holds the fuel in a British car

 

Answer Keys 

    1.  Periodic Table  

    2.  Pear Tree

    3.  Peeping Tom

    4.  Pep Talk

    5.  Personality Test

    6.  Peace Treaty

    7.  Personal Trainer

    8.  Pete Townshend

    9.  Permanent Teeth

    10. Perfect Ten

    11. Petrol Tank

CHAPTER IV: WORKSHEET #83 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #83

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #83 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!  

 

1.   Ron has never been sick, ____________ on wood; I hope he’s going to make it big with this project without any glitch or health issues. (*meaning “a superstition used to bring good luck or ward off bad luck after saying something positive, essentially to avoid tempting fate, often after boasting or expressing hope for a future positive outcome”)

 

2.   Jenn’s boyfriend always says he loves her to the _____________ and back, but she knows he is a womanizer. All her friends tell her to leave him asap before she gets hurt. (*meaning “a phrase commonly used to express extreme love”)

 

3.   My friend hasn’t got his second __________ yet in his career of film making, but I am certain that he will present a sockeroo in any

 

4.   tired, common in sports, work, or even revitalizing a project”)

 

5.   Sam doesn’t want a neb____________ situationship with Mary any more. He thinks it’s time for them to get serious. (*meaning “unclear, vague, or cloud-like”)

 

6.   This is such a long-_______________ moment for the runner! He finally broke the unbelievable sub-two-hour record in the full marathon! (*meaning “having been hoped for or expected for a long time”)

 

7.   We hit the road very early in the morning to beat the _________ on the normally jam-packed roads. (*meaning “to do stuff without being bothered by other people, get something done before other people get in the way”)

 

8.   Mr. Hatch is now out and ___________ after the long and painful chemo therapy. (*meaning “(of a person, especially after inactivity) engaging in normal activity”)

 

9.   Avoid relying on ____________ courage if you still miss your ex-girlfriend. You might end up with drunk-dial and would terribly regret about it the next day. (*meaning “temporary confidence or bravery people might feel because of alcohol consumption”)

 

10.       I __________ my cousin up with a nice girl long time ago, but years and years later, he told me that he wasn’t attracted to her at all. My bad. (*meaning “to pair a person with someone for a date or the possibility of a romantic relationship”)

 

11.       I love this ru_______t (*meaning “tinged with red”) hue of the Italian roso________! (*meaning “a sweet cordial made in South Italy from alcohol, raisins, sugar, rose petals, cloves, and cinnamon”) It resembles the alpenglow that I saw years ago.

CHAPTER IV: WORKSHEET #82 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #82

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #82 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary!  

 

1.   Brian __________ the question to Jean after they had seen esach other for two years. (*meaning “to propose marriage”)

 

    2.   You’d better not go outside tonight. It’s blistering cold, just _______  you know. (*meaning “a phrase we use when we are giving a piece of information that we are not obligated to give. It implies that the information given is simply a courtesy”)

 

    3.   The book was pretty good, but I found the ba__________ lives of the characters depressing. (*meaning “bleak; lifeless”)

 

    4.   The injured athlete says the only saving g__________ of being bed-ridden is that he doesn’t have to think about the competitive race for a while. (*meaning “a redeeming quality that makes something or someone less bad; sentences using it often highlight a positive aspect amidst flaws”)

 

    5.   Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is truly the tour de ___________ , blending multiple musical genres seamlessly into a cohesive masterpiece. (*meaning “an impressive feat of skill, strength, or artistry, often seen in performances, literature, or complex projects”)

 

    6.   He doesn’t want to become a third _____________ on his friend’s date night, so he went out to dine out alone. (*meaning “a person who feels left out by a couple or a pair of besties”)

 

    7.   I really enjoyed the open _________ for the standup comedians. (*meaning “a live show in a club, bar, etc., in which anyone may perform but each performer is given a time limit”)

 

    8.   He would be a willing puppet for their v________riloquism. (*meaning “the art or practice of speaking, with little or no lip movement, in such a manner that the voice does not appear to come from the speaker but from another source, as from a wooden dummy”)

 

    9.   Theo was such a silly class _____________ who kept making jokes all the time. (*meaning “a student who tries to make other students laugh”)

 

    10.  It was so sad seeing my grandpa, who was suffering from dementia, getting mad and fighting against nothing in front him. His scia________ was the saddest symptoms that I had ever witnessed in my life. (*meaning “an act or instance of fighting a shadow or an imaginary enemy”)

 

     11. Because Ellen has a low tolerance for alcohol, she gets a little tip_____  after just one glass of wine. (*meaning “slightly intoxicated or drunk”)