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Topic: Happiness

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

conv-top-happiness

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Happiness. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

on cloud nine A person who is on cloud nine is very happy because something wonderful has happened.
e.g. When the boss announced my promotion, I was on cloud nine.
life is just a bowl of cherries life is pleasant and uncomplicated.
e.g.I feel like ‘life is just a bowl of cherries’. Just because you’re having the time of your life doesn’t mean you will not have any catch 22 situations.
catch 22 situation A catch 22 situation refers to a frustrating situation where you cannot do one thing without doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first.
e.g.I feel like ‘life is just a bowl of cherries’. Just because you’re having the time of your life doesn’t mean you will not have any catch 22 situations.
never looked back If you say that you never looked back, you mean that after an event which changed your life for the better, you continue to be happy with the situation.
e.g. The day I decided to work from home, I have never looked back. I always feel like I’m on top of the world.
feel on top of the world If you feel on top of the world, you are extremely happy because everything is going well for you.
e.g. The day I decided to work from home, I have never looked back. I always feel like I’m on top of the world.
tickled pink e.g. I was tickled pink when she said yes!
whatever floats someone’s boat Although you don’t quite agree with someone, it’s their choice and you think they should do whatever makes them happy.
e.g. I asked if that was possible and was so happy when she replied, ‘whatever floats your boat.’
fool’s paradise If someone is living in a fool’s paradise, they are in a state of contentment that will not last because their happiness is based on illusion or false hope.
e.g. I would rather live in a fool’s paradise than to be Mr. Implacable.
implacable not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable
e.g. I would rather live in a fool’s paradise than to be Mr. Implacable.
paint the town red If you paint the town red, you go out and enjoy a lively evening in bars, night-clubs, etc.
e.g. To celebrate the victory, the team’s supporters painted the town red.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Are you a happy person?
  2. What makes you happy?
  3. When was the happiest moment in your life?
  4. How do you define happiness?
  5. Can we have happiness without sadness?
  6. If money cannot buy happiness, can you ever be truly happy with no money?
  7. Do people have a right to be happy or should they have to earn it?
  8. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
  9. What is true happiness?
  10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Use specific reasons to support your answer.

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Friendship

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Friendship. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

got on like a house on fire Two people who get on like a house on fire have similar interests and quickly become good friends
e.g. As soon as I met my boyfriend’s sister, we got on like a house on fire.
floormate Person with whom one shares a floor in a building.
e.g. My floormates in college became best buddies in the freshmen year, but after a few became items and others were at odds with those involved in the romantic relationship everyone became each other’s frenemy.
become items To say that two people are an item means that they are involved in a romantic relationship.
e.g. My floormates in college became best buddies in the freshmen year, but after a few became items and others were at odds with those involved in the romantic relationship everyone became each other’s frenemy.
be at odds with People, facts, and political parties can all be at odds when they are in a state of disagreement
e.g. My floormates in college became best buddies in the freshmen year, but after a few became items and others were at odds with those involved in the romantic relationship everyone became each other’s frenemy.
frenemy Someone who’s a friend and an enemy at the same time.
e.g. My floormates in college became best buddies in the freshmen year, but after a few became items and others were at odds with those involved in the romantic relationship everyone became each other’s frenemy.
speak the same language If two or more people speak the same language, they have similar opinions or ideas, so they understand each other very well.
e.g. My best friend and I know each other inside out; we speak the same language and are thick as thieves.
thick as thieves To say that two people are as thick as thieves, means that they are very close friends who are very loyal to each other.
e.g. My best friend and I know each other inside out; we speak the same language and are thick as thieves.
one-up (someone/something) To make a point of outdoing, outperforming, outclassing, etc., someone.
e.g. If your friend always dismisses or one-ups your successes, puts you down, and/or doesn’t believe you can succeed, then they aren’t a true friend — kick their unpleasant attitudes to the curb.
put someone down To belittle or degrade someone or something.
e.g. If your friend always dismisses or one-ups your successes, puts you down, and/or doesn’t believe you can succeed, then they aren’t a true friend — kick their unpleasant attitudes to the curb.
kick something to the curb To discard, abandon, or dismiss someone or something that has become redundant, obsolete, useless, or unwanted
e.g. If your friend always dismisses or one-ups your successes, puts you down, and/or doesn’t believe you can succeed, then they aren’t a true friend — kick their unpleasant attitudes to the curb.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Who is your best friend?
  2. Who were your best friends in school years? Are you still close friends with them?
  3. What kind of qualities do you look for in a good friend?
  4. Are any of your friends completely opposite to you or are most of them similar to you?
  5. Do you make friends easily or do you find it difficult to make new friends?
  6. What are the most common reasons for friendships to fall apart?
  7. What is the best way to meet new friends?
  8. What separates true friends from acquaintances?
  9. Are you a good friend? Why or why not?
  10. Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer. — Jean de La Fontaine. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Luck

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

conv-top-luck

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Luck. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

fall into one’s lap If something good falls into your lap, it happens to you without any effort on your part.
e.g. If something good falls into your lap, it happens to you without any effort on your part.
off-chance If you do something on the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success.
e.g. It would be off-chance for anyone but I’m still going to give my best shot.
give my best shot To try one’s very best
e.g. It would be off-chance for anyone but I’m still going to give my best shot.
jump on the bandwagon If a person or organization jumps on the bandwagon, they decide to seize the opportunity and do something when it is already successful or fashionable.
e.g. When startups became popular, many capable engineers were quick to jump on the bandwagon and get easy money.
get easy money Money earned without much effort
e.g. When startups became popular, many capable engineers were quick to jump on the bandwagon and get easy money.
luck of the devil to be very lucky
e.g. I had the luck of the devil to find the job I love.
anyone’s call This expression is used when the result of a contest or election is difficult to predict.
e.g. “Who do you think will win?” “It’s anyone’s call.“
that ship has sailed The expression ‘that ship has sailed’ means that a particular opportunity has passed by and now it’s too late.
e.g. Is the offer still open?’ ‘Sorry, that ship has sailed – you missed your chance!’
beginner’s luck unusual success that you have when you start doing something new
e.g. I got two strikes in a row, but that’s just a beginner’s luck.
cross one’s fingers As the gesture evolved, people used it not just for God’s favor or luck, but to ward off evils and illnesses, among other things. These days, you don’t even have to cross your fingers, with many simply saying “fingers crossed” or “I’ve got my fingers crossed for you,” as a way to say “good luck.”
e.g. “Fingers crossed!” = good luck!

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Do you believe in luck?
  2. When was your luckiest moment?
  3. Which do you think is more important: luck or hard work?
  4. Do you have any gestures to wish someone good luck?
  5. Do certain objects mean good or bad luck in your culture?
  6. Do you believe in “creating your own luck”?
  7. What’s your thought on the lottery?
  8. Do you think successful people are lucky?
  9. Would you say you’re a lucky person?
  10. Do you agree or disagree: “Everything in life is luck. — Donald Trump.” Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Beauty

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Beauty. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

exquisite very beautiful or delicate
e.g. Her singing voice is truly exquisite.
eye-candy someone or something that is attractive but is not serious or interesting
e.g. A lot of the material on their Web site is just eye candy.
sublime very beautiful or good: causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder
e.g. the sublime beauty of the canyon
stun to surprise or upset (someone) very much
e.g. His old friends were stunned at his success.
a drop in the ocean a very small amount compared to the amount needed
e.g. Fancy dresses only add a drop in the ocean to one’s true beauty.
face like a bulldog chewing a wasp To say that someone has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp means that you find them very unattractive because they have a screwed-up ugly expression on their face.
e.g. If you have a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp, what good would it do even if you are dressed to kill?
dressed to kill When someone, especially a woman, is dressed to kill, they are wearing very fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention
e.g. Fancy dresses only add a drop in the ocean to one’s true beauty. If you have a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp, what good would it do even if you are dressed to kill?
make a comeback to return to one’s former (successful) career
e.g. They say beard is are making a comeback these days, but I don’t approve of five o’clock shadow.
gaze to look at someone or something in a steady way and usually for a long time
e.g. She gazed intently/longingly into his eyes.
fresh as a daisy Someone who is (as) fresh as a daisy is lively and attractive, in a clean and fresh way.
e.g. I met Molly the other day. She looked as fresh as a daisy.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What makes a person beautiful to you?
  2. How have standards of beauty changed over the years?
  3. Can products be beautiful? What makes a product beautiful? What is the most beautiful product you own?
  4. Where is the most beautiful place you have been?
  5. Why do humans find things other than humans beautiful? How does it help us?
  6. Do you think women are more beautiful than men (or vice versa)?
  7. Is there beauty in everything we see and do?
  8. What is the most beautiful song you have heard?
  9. Who decides who or what is beautiful?
  10. Is beauty only in the eye of the beholder, or can we say some things are universally beautiful?

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Money

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

conv-top-money

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over the topic “Money”. Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor first. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice making a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

pay off to finish paying all money that is owed
e.g. I finally paid off my student loan!
put aside to save money for a specific purpose
e.g. I‘ve been putting aside some money for my marriage.
throw money at something to try to solve a problem by indiscriminately spending money on it.
e.g. This agency has thrown money at the housing problem, but it has been nothing but a long-term disaster. 
it’s a steal If you find something that you want for a very low price, much lower than what it is worth, you can say ‘it’s a steal!’.
e.g. He’s selling it for $20? At that price, it’s a steal!
out of your own pocket If you pay for something out of your own pocket, you cover the cost with your own money.
e.g. Breakfast is included but you must pay for lunch out of your own pocket.
loan shark A loan shark is a person who lends money at an extremely high-interest rate to people who are unable to obtain a loan from the bank.
e.g. The young immigrant was beaten because he was late paying back money to a loan shark.
eat/dip into one’s savings If you eat or dip into your savings, you spend part of the money you have put aside for future use.
e.g. I had to dip into my savings to have the car repaired.
cash in your chips If you cash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.
e.g. Andy cashed in his chips as soon as business started to slow down.
burn your fingers If you burn your fingers (or get your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result of foolish behavior.
e.g. Jack got his fingers burnt playing on the stock market.
back-of-the-envelope calculation This expression refers to a quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an envelope.
e.g. I don’t need the exact amount. Just give me a back-of-the-envelope calculation.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Is money important to you?
  2. What’s the most expensive thing that you have ever bought?
  3. How much money have you spent today? What did you spend it on?
  4. What is the minimum someone needs to live on in your country?
  5. How important do you think it is to save money?
  6. What is good about money? What is bad about it?
  7. Do you think money brings happiness?
  8. Do people worry about money too much?
  9. Can you be rich without a lot of money?
  10. Do you agree with the expression “money is the root of all evil”? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Lookism

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

conv-topic-lookism

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Lookism. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

Lookism stereotyping individuals or groups based on their physical appearance
e.g. We encourage lookism when we accept that some movie stars are only cast in films because of their good looks.
Anorexia a serious eating disorder associated with an excessive fear of being overweight
Put on makeup to wear cosmetic products, such as lipstick or blush
Dress up to wear clothes that are more fancy than usual
e.g. I’m excited to dress up for my graduation this weekend!
Plastic/cosmetic surgery This is the process of reconstructing or repairing parts of the body. Sometimes it is used to treat an injury, and other times it is to used to alter the appearance of a person.
Inner beauty inner beauty refers to the qualities of a person that you cannot see (e.g. kindness, creativity, intelligence).
Body image body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind.
Nose job plastic surgery on your nose to change its appearance
Clean up well to look good in formal attire, especially when it is not typically expected of a person
e.g. My brother usually wears plain t-shirts and sweatpants, but he cleaned up well at the wedding.
Gorgeous very beautiful

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Describe a face and body that you think is beautiful.
  2. Do you agree that someone’s state of mind affects his/her looks?
  3. Are you satisfied with your looks? If yes, what would you say to people who are not? If not, why not?
  4. Does beauty affect one’s success in life?
  5. Is beauty related to power?
  6. Can a beautiful person be ugly inside? How about the other way around?
  7. What is your opinion on plastic surgery?
  8. Do you think self-esteem affects beauty? Or the other way around?
  9. How important is beauty in your daily life?
  10. “Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.” Do you agree with this statement? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Health

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

Health

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Health. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

medical check-ups an examination of a person made by a doctor to make sure the person is healthy
e.g. I usually go in for a check-up once a year.
healthcare system a system designed to prevent or treat illness, involving doctors, dentists, psychologists, etc.
e.g. It’s important to see if a country’s healthcare system is really helping its people.
Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) is a healthcare reform law that expands and improves access to healthcare in the US.
hypochondriac a person who is often worried about being ill
e.g. My brother is a real hypochondriac. Every time he reads about some new disease, he thinks he has it.
secondhand smoke smoke from a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc., that can be inhaled by people who are near the person who is smoking
e.g. Secondhand smoke can be especially harmful to children’s health because their lungs still are developing.
over-the-counter a medicine available for purchase without a special note (called a prescription) from a doctor
e.g. Tylenol is an example of over-the-counter medication.
prescribe to officially tell someone to use (a medicine, therapy, diet, etc.) as a remedy or treatment
e.g. His doctor prescribed a pain reliever after he broke his arm.
FDA(Food and Drug Administration) a part of the US government that tests, approves, and sets standards for foods, drugs, chemicals, and household products
e.g. The new medicine has not yet been approved by the FDA.
acupuncture A method of relieving pain or curing illness by placing needles into a person’s skin at particular points on the body
e.g. Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine.
benign/malignant cancer Benign cancer is a type of cancer that does not cause death or serious injury. In contrast, malignant cancer is very dangerous, can spread rapidly, and can cause death.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What do you do to stay healthy?
  2. Are you worried about your health?
  3. What do you usually do when you get ill?
  4. Describe the medical system in your country. Are you satisfied with the current system? If you are not satisfied, what can be improved?
  5. Do many people smoke in your country?
  6. How do people get medicine in your country?
  7. Which disease causes the most death in your country? What can be done to prevent that disease?
  8. Have you or people you know ever had an operation? Describe what it was like.
  9. What alternative health therapies do you know of? What do you think of them?
  10. Gandhi said, “It is health that is real wealth and not piece of gold and silver.” Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Arguing

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

conv-top-arguing

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Arguing. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

Pros and cons arguments for (pro) and against (con)
e.g. We had to discuss all the pros and cons before we bought a house.
Reasoning the process of thinking about something in a logical way in order to form a conclusion or judgment
e.g. the reasoning behind the decision
Devil’s advocate During a discussion or debate, if you play devil’s advocate, you pretend to be against an idea or plan in order to determine the validity of the arguments in favor of it.
e.g. She decided to play devil’s advocate just to see how strongly people felt about the project.
Conform to obey or agree with something
e.g. Employees have to conform to company rules.
Contradict to say the opposite, or to say two statements that do not agree and that cannot both be true
e.g. The witness contradicted herself when she insisted she could identify the thief even though she had said that the night was too foggy to see clearly.
Controversial relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument
e.g. He is a controversial author because of his political opinions.
Antagonistic showing dislike or opposition
e.g. Many people are antagonistic to the idea of making major changes to the building.
Constructive criticism suggestions that are helpful to someone instead of upsetting and negative
e.g. The teacher offered constructive criticism to improve the short story.
bone to pick If you have a bone to pick with someone, you are annoyed with them and want to talk to them about it.
e.g. Mark wants to see the boss. He says he’s got a bone to pick with her.
pick a fight someone who picks a fight deliberately looks for an opportunity to start a quarrel or begin an argument
e.g. Our new neighbor seizes every occasion to pick a fight.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What do you argue the most about with your family or friends?
  2. What are some things people argue intensely over?
  3. Do you often impose your beliefs on others? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think it’s better to argue or just walk away? Why?
  5. What are some things that you cannot compromise on?
  6. How do you feel when someone disagrees with everything you have to say? What about someone who is the opposite?
  7. Do you think it is disrespectful to argue with elderly? Why or why not?
  8. At work, do you often voice your opinion on controversial issues? Describe your experience.
  9. Occasionally, do you enjoy “playing the devil’s advocate” (debating for the fun of it)?
  10. Dale Carnegie said, “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: The United States

Belle L ★★★, Conversation Topics

conv-top-the-united-states

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: The United States. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

Expat (expatriate) a person temporarily or permanently residing, as an immigrant, in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”).
e.g. Expat life is great, but it limits one’s exposure to their own local culture.
NRA (National Rifle Association) The National Rifle Association of America is an American nonprofit organization which advocates for gun rights.
Netflix A global provider of streaming movies and TV series that has over 75 million subscribers as of 2016. Netflix started as an American DVD-by-mail service in 1998 and began streaming in 2007.
e.g. Netflix and chill
American Football American football is a sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.
Hip-hop A sub-cultural movement that formed during the early 1970s by African-American youths residing in the South Bronx in New York City.
James Dean James Byron Dean was an American actor. He is a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause, in which he starred as a troubled teenager: Jim Stark.
The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald that follows a cast of characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on prosperous Long Island in the summer of 1922.
Open Primary a primary election in which voters are not required to declare party affiliation (such as Democrat or Republican).
Federal government The federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the President, and the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, respectively.
Pax Americana Pax Americana (Latin for “American Peace”, modeled after Pax Britannica and Pax Romana) is a term applied to the concept of relative peace in the Western Hemisphere and later the world as a result of the preponderance of power enjoyed by the United States beginning around the middle of the 20th century.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What are some things in your country that have been introduced from the US? What do you think of them?
  2. Have you ever been to the US? If you have, describe your experience. If you haven’t, do you want to visit someday? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think of the role that the US plays as one of the most powerful countries in the world? What do you think of the term Pax Americana?
  4. What do you think of American pop culture? Can you name some parts of it?
  5. What do you think about the lifestyle in the US?
  6. What are three things you admire about the US? Why do you admire these things?
  7. How are Americans often stereotyped in your country?
  8. What do you think about safety in the US?
  9. Do you think the US will move in a more positive direction in the future? Why or why not?
  10. What is your country’s relationship with the US these days?

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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