tutorStudy Options
Improve your vocabulary, listening or reading skills with the quizzes below.
To download the audio, put your cursor (mouse arrow) over any blue audio link, right click and save.
Quiz 1: Vocabulary Focus
socialize • self-employed • amount of
progress • wind up
  1. Whenever I try to read in my bed I always falling asleep.
  2. My English is improving, but I'm not making as quickly as I thought I would.
  3. You will need a certain problem solving skills if you plan to move to a country where you don't speak the language.
  4. I am not organized enough to be .
  5. He travels so much for work that he doesn't get much of a chance to .
Quiz 2: Comprehension Q's
Answer the following questions about the interview.
VideoVideo Response
Mixer Topic

Mixer #20 Free Time Wish List

Listen to what these six people would do if they had more free time in their schedules.

  • Transcript
  • Audio Slide Show
  • Vocabulary

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

socialize

I wish I had more time to socialize

To 'socialize' means to do things together with friends outside of work or school.  Notice the following:

  1. Robert is a shy person.  He doesn't socialize much.
  2. With final exams next week, I don't have much time to socialize.

self-employed

I'm self-employed so I have to work everyday.

People who are 'self-employed' have their own business.  They do not work for others.  Notice the following:

  1. My dad is self-employed.  He works from home.
  2. One good thing about being self-employed is that you don't have a boss.

a certain amount of

I have to spend a certain amount of time each day studying.

A 'certain amount of' something means a specific or required amount. Notice the following:

  1. It takes a certain amount of confidence to be self-employed.
  2. Sean spends a certain amount of time each day studying English.

make progress

You have to study everyday, otherwise you won't make any progress.

The phrase 'make progress' means to move forward or to improve at something.  It is often used to talk about moving closer to a goal. Notice the following:

  1. To make progress in English, you must practice a little everyday.
  2. I took guitar lessons for a year, but I didn't make much progress so I quit.

wind up

I never have time to read and it's the one thing I wind up regretting.

Here, the phrase 'wind up' means the result of something.  It is usually negative.  Notice the following:

  1. If you keep shopping so much, you will wind up broke!
  2. I can't study at home.  I always wind up watching TV or surfing the internet.