WORK SHEET #100 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORK SHEET #100

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #100 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary

 

    1.   I don’t want to talk politics tonight. This is a joyful get-together where no one is supposed to r______t about the insane politicians. (*meaning “to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner”)

 

      2.   The edited version of his manuscript was not to his _______________. (*meaning “appealing or enjoyable to someone; to be satisfactory, pleasing, or fits personal tastes and wishes”)

 

    3.   The current governor of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, has no clues about keeping the city environmentally friendly and healthy at all. His addle-headed ideas and plans to develop the city is quite the opposite of repris__________ing the place back to the state of its original beauty. (*meaning “to restore something to its original, "pristine" state or condition. It is often used in contexts of environmental renewal, historical restoration, or theological returns to earlier traditions”)

 

    4.   I still keep the recorded voice of my dad’s final days. Although he sounds so deli____________ in the recording, I miss the moment that I had been sitting next to him. (*meaning “in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence of thought and speech”)

 

    5.   Most moms miss those days when they used to pick up their children from school and be all ears to their little kids, ra___________ off how their days were at school. (*meaning “say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly”)

 

    6.   Hes needs to cut down on caffeine intake throughout the day. More than three cups of coffee make him ji____________. (*meaning “nervous or unable to relax”)

 

    7.   It was rich a_____vial soil capable of growing tremendous crops. (*meaning “a fine-grained fertile soil deposited by water flowing over flood plains or in river beds”)

 

    8.   Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used sit-ins and marches to c_______yze laws in the US. (*meaning “to cause (an action or process) to begin”)

 

    9.   Do you still buy grandpa’s f_______ story about his heroic battle against the enemy in the war zone? (*meaning “an exaggerated, unbelievable, or tall tale, typically used to describe boastful lies or doubtful claims, famously rooted in anglers overstating catch sizes”)

 

    10. M________ birds of different species put aside any differences they have in join forces against a mutual threat. (*meaning “birds’ communal defense behaviour, and as the name suggests, relies on grouping together, often to attack a predator”)

 

    11.  I have just s______ of 60 dollars in my wallet at the moment. (*meaning “just under, almost, or lacking a specific amount, time, or goal”)

 

    12. The bag was full of ______ag from the conference: coupons, samples, pens, etc. (*meaning “free promotional merchandise”)

 

    13. I sent him a package of gifts via air mail, hoping that it wouldn’t end up at Mount St. ______where. (*meaning “humorously to refer to an imaginary, unreachable, or distant place, similar to saying "out in Timbuktu" or "nowhere." It implies something is far away, lost, or non-existent”)

WORK SHEET #99 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

 WORKSHEET #99

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #99 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary

 

    1.   How asi__________ (*meaning “stupid/ absurd”) of him to say that to his boss? I guess he’s never afraid of getting fired.

 

    2.   Many runners have been taken a_________ at (*meaning “to be surprised by/ shocked at …”) the steep price of racing shoes for the past couple of years.

 

    3.   Thank goodness we were out of the principal’s ear______ when we were speaking ill of him! (*meaning “to be too far away to hear”)

 

    4.   Mr. Jedidiah would often stop by the café to walk down __________ lane and reconnect with his late wife Demi. (*meaning “to reminisce, fondly recall the past, or revisit old times, places, and photos”)

 

    5.   Jose st_________ out of the classroom as soon as Mr. Hatch told him to get out. (*meaning “to leave a place quickly when you are angry or upset about something”)

 

    6.   Be careful not to ski into that s_______mark (*meaning “a dent/ sunken area left in the snow by a skier falling backward”) left by the previous rider.

 

    7.   They decided to break up after years of skl_________ away from each other.  (*meaning “(both noun & verb) to move or lie on a slant/ to deviate from a straight course/to deviate from the truth; lie”)

 

    8.   Do you really think that I will be sold on that cheap chi_________? (*meaning “verbal deception or trickery, especially in legal quibbling; dishonest or sharp practice a trick, deception, or quibble”)

 

9.   Jack is a habitual mal__________ who calls in sick, especially when the deadline of his project is coming near. (*meaning “somebody who pretends to be ill (especially to avoid work)”  )

 

    10. I felt pins and needles on my glutes and legs after sitting all day at desk. I did some stretching to relieve the parest_________ right away. (*meaning “an abnormal sensation, typically tingling or prickling, caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves”)

 

11.W  She proved her critics wrong and declared “In your __________!” to those who doubted her. (*meaning “slang that refers to “behaving or done in a direct, often rude way that is annoying and cannot be ignored”)

WORK SHEET #98 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #98

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #98 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary

 

    1.   As a school counselor, I need to do _________ by every student.      (* meaning “to treat someone kindly”)

 

    2.   She made a mo___________ decision to reveal what she had experienced with her abusive boss at work. (*meaning “of great significance, importance, or consequence, often shaping the future”)

 

    3.   It is never too late to di_________ your bad habit in life. (*meaning “to get rid of something/ to give up something”)

 

    4.   What a relaxing retreat away from all that hustle and b__________ of your city life! (*meaning “noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive activity”)

   

    5.   We all need some breakthrough by which we feel stress-free now and then. However, ret___________ therapy (*meaning “shopping in order to make oneself feel happier”) could be quite dangerous.

 

    6.   He wrote a book about civil disobedience, which became a spear_________ of championing good causes of human rights and justice in our society.

 

    7.   Her better-than-thou hau________ (*meaning “haughtiness of manner, disdainful pride”) and condescending attitude always make me sick.

It's time to play the latest word puzzle from NPR On-Air Challenge! Using the given clues, try to find words that end in '-IUM'!

The suffix -IUM ends the names of most metallic elements. But it's also the ending of other words that aren't elements. Answer these clues for them.

Ex. Boredom  -->  TEDIUM

 

1. Size between small and large

 

2. Fish tank

 

3. Skull

 

4. Platform for a speaker

 

5. Large hall for physical exercise

 

6. Sun room

 

7. Building in which the stars of the night sky are projected on the ceiling

 

8. Individually owned apartment

 

9. Payment to a speaker

 

10. State of acute mental confusion

 

11. Garden flower also known as a cranesbill

 

12. Thousand years

 

Answer Keys

1.  MEDIUM

2.  AQUARIUM

3.  CRANIUM

4.  PODIUM

5.  GYMNASIUM

6.  SOLARIUM

7.  PLANETARIUM

8.  CONDOMINIUM

9.  HONORARIUM

10.      DELIRIUM

11.      GERANIUM

12.      MILLENIUM

Wanna learn some Idioms born with the spirits of the Olympics/ sports?

Are you following the 2026 Winter Olympics that are being held in Italy? If you are outdoorsy when it comes to engaging in the sports, even in the winter chill out there, watching the winter Olympic games might be one of your favorite activities these days. Today, I would like to share some useful idiomatic expressions that are related to the Olympics. You can certainly use the following expressions in any cases outside the sports.

 

 

    1.  Level Playing Field

Meaning: a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding

Example: I doubt the company has provided all the interviewees with a level playing field on the job interview.

 

 

    2.  Out of the Running (ó In the Running)

Meaning: No longer having a chance to win or succeed

Example: If you are late to meet the deadline of your project once again, you’re going to be out of running for promotion.  

 

 

    3.  Photo Finish

Meaning: A race so close that it requires a photograph to determine the winner.

Example: The election was a photo finish, with the winner declared by a narrow margin.

 

 

    4.  Throw in the Towel

Meaning: to abandon a struggle; to admit defeat.

Example: Coach Miller has always been telling his team never to throw in the towel before they do their very best.

 

 

    5.  Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Meaning: to keep one's attention focused on the matter in hand

Example: Jean was good at keeping her eye on the ball and delivered the project on schedule.

 

    6.  Going for Gold

Meaning: to aim for the best possible outcome, not just settling for less

Example: Michael Jackson was such a perfectionist who always went for gold in his every single concert. He wanted his audience to leave the show, saying that it was the best performance that they had ever seen.

 

7. Find Your Rhythm

 Meaning: to reach your optimum level of performance or effectiveness.

 Example: After a few months of training as the assistant chef,       Hannah’s finding her rhythm and excelling in her responsibilities.

 

8. On the Podium

    Meaning: finishing in the top three in a competition (getting a medal) or, more      broadly, giving a speech from a raised platform, often a lectern, to command        attention

    Example: The new cosmetic brand has earned its spot on the podium as a leader company in the field.

9.  Pass the Torch

        Meaning: to handing over responsibility or continuing a tradition. Example:       When he retired, he passed the torch to the next generation of leaders, ensuring a seamless transition.

    10.    Second Wind

Meaning: a fresh burst of energy or strength after feeling tired or exhausted.

Example: Grandma started to doze off right after the huge dinner, but she got second wind and even sang a song when I started to play the guitar.

11. On the Homestretch

Meaning: The final part of an activity or journey.

Example: Billie has been working on this project for months, but he’s on the home stretch now.

 

 

12.            In the Zone

Meaning: If you are in the zone, you are happy or excited because you are doing something very skillfully and easily; to be in a state of peak performance  

Example: The instructor of the SPIN class was in the zone today. She was full of energy and spirit, but the members in that class became terribly exhausted and drenched in sweat by the end.

 

 

13.            Jump the Gun

Meaning: to begin something too soon or before the right time.

Example: They jumped the gun by opening their manufactory too early before it was fully tested.

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE Series #9: The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart (autobiographical novel by Alice Walker)

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.

 

# 9. The Way Forward Is with a Broken Heart 

(autobiographical novel authored by Alice Walker)

 

“Across America elders are not speaking to each other, though most of us will find we have a lot to say, after we’ve cried in each other’s arms. We are a frightened, a brokenhearted nation; some of us wanting desperately to run back to the illusory “safety” of skin color, money or the nineteen fifties. We’ve never seen weather like the weather there is today. We’ve never seen greed or evil like the greed and evil we see today. We’ve never seen tomatoes either, like the ones being created today. There is much from which to recoil.”

 

….. As we are witnessing, America has been painfully polarized due to political and economic differences even among the elders. Furthermore, the drastically changed climate and the artificially/ genetically modified produce we eat are destroying the physical and mental health that we deserve to keep today. The author is pointing out the timid and irresponsible attitude of the old generation’s to avoid, hide, or withdraw from the aforementioned problems. In this semi-autobiography, Alice Walker wishes to tell us that moving the "forward" against all the odds in life requires the courage to face up to them even with pain.

 

·      ** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

Alice Walker is one of the most prominent writers in America in terms of bringing many a social issues and realization of one’s identities on the table for discussions. Through her novels and poems, she has tried to see through human emotions, self-empowerment, resilience, social justice, and the beauty and strength detected even in imperfection.

What I like about the author is that she never fears letting people know the inconvenient truth in the world we are living today.

"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow." is her quote that highlights how she has been living her life and shows how we are supposed to behave in this world full of black-or-white or friend-or-enemy type of demarcations. Labeling, stigmatizing, or drawing the right-or-wrong lines among people would stop them from growing or learning from mistakes. Once we stop growing mature or trusting one another, the world will soon face the end as if the freezing point of temperature would kill humanity of life.

WORK SHEET #97 of Dr. Jedidiah's Diary

WORKSHEET #97

Let’s practice some expressions from the episode #97 of Dr. Jedidiah’s Diary

 

    1.   His seemingly inno__________ (* meaning “harmless, inoffensive, or innocent, often used to describe comments, substances, or situations that seem safe but might not be”) remarks about the inner city gentrification made me disturbed. I could guess the hidden meaning or intention behind his comments that made me feel gu________ about his words. (*meaning “to feel disappointed or upset about something”)

 

    2.   Lime________ (*meaning “the state of being deeply infatuated or obsessed with another person; the feeling is often characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one’s feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship”) is some kind of an unhealthy feeling towards somebody especially when it is unrequited love.

 

    3.   Jenny has talked with her secret beau about their pe_____-up (*meaning “(feelings that are) held back and not expressed”) feelings br________ toward each other and the future they can’t possibly plan. (*meaning “formed/ developed”)

 

    4.   Have you checked out the new hamburger place? Their hot-spicy burgers made to ___________ (*meaning “designed specifically to fulfill a particular set of requirements”) is a killer!

 

    5.   Be careful not to get hornw___________ (*meaning “(transitive verb) to cheat, swindle, trick, or deceive someone, often in a sly or playful manner”) by Ellie’s glib talk.

 

    6.   Forensic experts analyzed the dact__________ to match it with the database. (*meaning “a technical term for a fingerprint, referring to the unique pattern of ridges and whorls on a fingertip, used for identification, especially in forensics”)

 

    7.   Hum________ robots could potentially act as a companion or home assistant for the elderly. (*meaning “designed to resemble the human body in shape, usually featuring a head, torso, two arms, and two legs”)