Mini Topics

Argument

Put each of the following words in its correct place in the passage below.

disagreement friction nag resentment

aggressive jealous row troublemaker

I've always had a feeling of (a) _ towards my older brother, John, because he always received more attention from our parents. There has always been (b) _ between us. And now that I'm more successful than he is in my job, he is (c) _ of me. We've never actually had a (d) _, just the occasional (e) _, but we've never got on well. And his wife likes to make things worse. She's a real (f) _ a nasty, argumentative, quarrelsome, (g) _ woman. I've heard her (h) _ John continually to get a better job, a bigger house, a nicer car.

Nervousness

Instructions as above.

blush sweat tongue-tied embarrassment shy

nerves stammer tremble tranquillizer faint

I have to tell you that my (a) _ aren't very good. Last week I went for a job interview and my hands began to (b) _ my palms started to (c) _ and my face was red because I always (d) _ with (e) _ on these occasions. I've always been very (f) _ with other people. When I was asked questions I was completely (g) _ and I could only (h) _. I felt (i) _ and wished I had a (j) _ to calm me down. I didn't get the job. A pity. I would like to have been a television newsreader.

Success

Put each of the following words in its correct place in the passage below.

achieve confidence ladder ambitious exploit

achievement determined power ruthless ability

I've never been (a) _ in the normal sense. I've never wanted to be a manager or director. I've never wanted to reach the top of the (b) _ or to have (c) _. But I've always had a wish to (d) _ something, to write a book, climb a mountain, win a prize. This is not because I want fame or money but just that simple feeling of (e) _ you get when you've done something difficult. I'm not very sure of myself and it would be good for my (f) _ to succeed in something. Some people will lie, (g) _ other people, be dishonest, do anything, in order to succeed. They will be absolutely (h) _. But I think the people who deserve to succeed are those who are (i) _ and have (j) _.

Pride

Instructions as above.

boast proud vain thick-skinned

conceited pride snob contemptuous

Mrs Watson next door thinks she is better than other people. She thinks she is superior, 'high class'. In other words, she's a (a) _. She is very (b) _ of herself and very (c) _ of other, 'ordinary' people. I've heard her (d) _ to neighbours about her lovely house, her big car, her husband's high salary. She's a very (e) _ person too, always admiring herself in a mirror. Mr Watson also has a very high opinion of himself. His neighbours think that he is a very (f) _ person, but the Watsons are both so (g) _ that other people's criticism of them has no effect on them at all. I think that one day they'll find that they have no friends left, and then they'll be sorry, (h) _ comes before a fall.

​