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Phrase of the Week: Dead End
“I was sure this was the right road, but I don’t see the Johnsons’ house.” “Maybe it’s further down.” “No, it’s a dead end. We’ll have to turn around.” A dead end is a road that stops. You cannot go straight, you cannot turn right, and you cannot turn left. You have...
TOEIC Practice Question of the Week
Sally waited by the phone all evening but Bob never calls. Where is the mistake? A. waited B. by the phone C. all evening D. never calls サリーは電話のとなりで一晩中待っていたがボブは電話してこなかった。 間違いはどこですか？...
Trivia of the Week: How to write a postcard
Picture postcards are sold in all kinds of vacation destinations. They usually have pictures of the area or its attractions and sometimes bear slogans like “Wish you were here.” These are for sending to your friends or family while you are on vacation. Of course, you...
Idiom of the Week: Fit as a Fiddle
Dr. Jones: You should really think about toning down your workouts, Mr. Laurence. You’re not as young as you used to be. Mr. Laurence: Nonsense! I’m as fit as a fiddle! A fiddle is a stringed instrument like a violin. It is not really any healthier than any other...
Word of the Week: Lapdog
A lapdog is a cute little dog that fits on a person’s lap. Unlike working dogs or hunting dogs, lapdogs were bred to be companions to people. They are popular today because they take up less space in small apartments. Some breeds of lapdog are the Chihuahua, the pug,...
Picture of the Week: Zeppelin
A zeppelin flies because it is full of a gas that is lighter than air. The first zeppelin flew on July 2, 1900. What is the difference between a zeppelin and a blimp? A zeppelin has rigid “bones” but a blimp does not. A blimp is more like a balloon. The most famous...
Modern English Phrase of the Week #12: Don’t try this at home!
“Don’t try this at home!” is something performers or announcers say when they show a trick that would be very dangerous if not performed by a professional. It is dangerous for children to attempt to recreate things they see on television, such as jumping off a tall...
Today’s TOEIC Practice Question
The new factory had a negative affect on the surrounding forest. 上の文のどこが間違っていますか？ A. factory B. negative C. affect D. surrounding...
Trivia of the Week: Paul Bunyan
June 28 is Paul Bunyan Day. Paul Bunyan is an American folk tale. He was a giant lumberjack. They say he created the Grand Canyon with his axe. That’s how big he was. His pet was a giant blue ox named Babe. He carved Babe from a mountain so he wouldn’t be lonely....
Idiom of the Week: Blah blah blah.
“When I talk to my dog, he only hears ‘blah blah blah walk!’” “Blah blah blah” is the sound of boring or unintelligible speech. If a teacher gives a very boring or confusing class, her students might say, “She was just going blah blah blah!” They don’t remember what...
