My thoughts about a quote

My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates you never know what you’re gonna get.” This is a quote from the popular movie Forest Gump which was aired in 1994. It says a lot about life’s unpredictability and unfairness. Like when you open a chocolate box, you have no clue what the sweets taste or look like, they might taste bad or look unappetizing. You can never truly predict what the future has to give and most of the time it’s unfair or just not what you wanted.

The power of dream

I think that dreams are really important and very useful. Everyone has dreams, but there are two types of people. The first type is just dreaming, while the second type turns dreams into goals, and eventually, they make their dreams come true. Most of us don’t even consider making our dreams come true because we don’t believe in it and think that it is way too good to be true. Of course, reality will not be as easy and perfect as you dreamed because you will face a lot of difficulties, and the path to achieving your task can be really long and hard, but that’s the beauty of it; it will be very rewarding once you make your dream come true.

The power in dreaming is in visualizing your perfect life or wish. When you are dreaming, you know what you want, and you get that desire to bring it to reality. I myself sometimes get tired of everything and just want to rest from everything and sleep, doing nothing. However, when I review my dream, I suddenly get motivation to continue working.

Phrases with get

a. Complete the sentences with the expressions in the list.

1. I get the impression you’re a bit annoyed with me.
2. You’ll get a shock when you see him. He looks awful.
3. Since we stopped working together, we hardly ever get the change to see each other.
4. Everyone else laughed, but I didn’t get the joke.
5. When you get to know him, I think you’ll really like him.
6. I need to speak to Martina urgently, but I just can’t get hold of her.
7. I want to get rid of that awful painting, but I can’t because it was a wedding present from my mother-in-law.
8. I’m going to get my own back on my brother for telling my parents I got home late. Now I won’t lend him my bike.
9. He’s going to get in trouble with his wife if he’s late again.
10. I tried to walk past him, but he wouldn’t get out of the way.
    
    b. Match sentences.

1. There’s no way you can afford that car! Get real!
2. You’re 40 and you’re still living with your parents! Get a life!
3. It’s just too difficult for me. I’m not getting anywhere with the crossword.
4. Everything about her irritates me, her voice, her smile — everything! She really gets on my nerves.
5. Her exam is in two weeks and she hasn’t even started studying. She really needs to get her act together.
6. They have exactly the same tastes and interests. They get on like a house on fire.
7. If you don’t leave soon, you’ll miss the train. You should get a move on.
8. Your grandfather must be getting on a bit. Is he in his eighties now?
9. My boyfriend just never gets the message. I keep dropping hints about us getting engaged, but he takes no notice.
10. She always gets her own way. He just does whatever she tells him to.

c. Match the bold phrasal verbs.

1. How often do you get together with your extended family? Meet socially (J)
2. How long do you think it usually takes people to get over a break-up? Recover from (A)
3. How do you react if somebody interrupts you when you’re trying to get on with some work? Continue doing (K)
4. Do you have any friends who you find it difficult to get through to in spite of trying to talk to them honestly? Make somebody understand (D)
5. What are the best subjects to study in your country if you want to get into politics? Start a career or profession. (B)
6. What’s the best way to get around your city, on foot or by public transport? Move from place to place (C)
7. Have you ever cheated in an exam but got away with it? Do something wrong without getting caught (L)
8. What’s the minimum amount of money you would need to get by if you were living alone in your town? Manage with what you have (E)
9. If you get a bit behind with your work or studies during the week, do you make up for it at the weekend? Fail to make enough progress (F)
10. Does bad weather ever get you down? Depress you (G)
11. In your family, who is best at getting out of doing their share of the housework? Avoid responsibility or obligation (I)
12. If you leave people a message, does it annoy you if they don’t get back to you immediately? Respond to somebody by speaking or writing (H)

Sounds and human voice

a. Now complete the Sounds column with the words in the list.

1. This clock has a very loud tick.
2. Don’t sniff! Get a tissue and blow your nose.
3. To get the new software, just click on the ‘download’ icon.
4. There was a splash when he jumped into the swimming pool.
5. Did you hear that bang? It sounded like a gun.
6. I heard a floorboard creak and I knew somebody had come into the room.
7. I could hear the buzz of a fly, but I couldn’t see it anywhere.
8. I hate people who hoot at me when I slow down at an amber light.
9. When I’m nervous, I often tap my fingers on the table.
10. Don’t slurp your soup! Eat it quietly.
11. The snake reared its head and gave an angry hiss.
12. Please turn the tap off properly, otherwise it’ll drip.
13. We could hear the roar of the crowd in the football stadium from our hotel.
14. Some of the players carried on playing because they hadn’t heard the whistle.
15. I don’t remember the words of the song, but I can hum the tune.
16. Please don’t slam the door. Close it gently.
17. I heard the crunch of their feet walking through the crisp snow.
18. I can’t share a room with you if you snore — I won’t be able to sleep.
19. Every time a bus or lorry goes by, the windows rattle.
20. I heard the screech of brakes as the driver tried to stop and then a loud crash.

b. Match the verbs and definitions.

1. To make a loud, high cry because you are hurt, frightened or excited-Scream
2. To shout loudly, e.g. because you are angry-Yell
3. To laugh in a silly way-Giggle
4. To speak very quietly, so that other people can’t hear what you’re saying-Whisper
5. To speak or say something in a quiet voice in a way that is not clear-Mumble
6. To make a long deep sound because you are in pain or annoyed-Groan
7. To speak with difficulty, often repeating sounds or words-Stammer
8. To cry noisily, taking sudden sharp breaths-Sob
9. To take in and then let out a long deep breath, e.g. to show that you are disappointed or tired-Sigh

C. Answer the question using one of the verbs in a.

1. When people are nervous-tap their fingers
2. When people are terrified-scream
3. When people lose their temper-yell
4. When people are not supposed to be making any noise-whisper
5. When people are amused or embarrassed-stammer
6. When people speak without opening their mouth enough-mumble
7. When people are relieved-sigh
8. When people’s team misses a penalty-groan
9. When people are very unhappy about something-sob