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Improve your vocabulary, listening or reading skills with the quizzes below.
Quiz 1: Vocabulary Focus
old and gray • drop tears • the coals
idolized • inherently
  1. My boss really raked me over for that decision.
  2. Many basketball fans Michael Jordon.
  3. She is good-looking. She looks fantastic from the second she wakes up
  4. I have to leave now because I promised you that I wouldn't .
  5. Before you know what's happening you will be .
Quiz 2: Comprehension Q's
Answer the following questions about the interview.
VideoVideo Response
Mixer Topic

MX36 Celebrity Life

Six people share what they would rather be: an athlete, politician, actor, or musician.

  • Transcript
  • Audio Slide Show
  • Vocabulary

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old and gray

You can do it until you're old and gray.

'Old and gray' is actually a time expression we use to talk about when we are old, our hair is gray, and we can no longer do the things we used to do.  Notice the following:

  1. I'll probably be a teacher until I am old and gray.
  2. My grandfather is old and gray, but he's still healthy and active.

drop tears

I can drop tears very easily.

The phrase 'drop tears' simply means to cry.  Notice the following:

  1. My girlfriend always drops tears at weddings.
  2. The movie was sad, but I didn't drop any tears.

raked over the coals

I don't really want to be raked over the coals.

To 'rake someone over the coals' means to talk about negative things from the past or to be severely reprimanded for something you have done.  Notice the following:

  1. Politicians are continuously raked over the coals by the media.
  2. I saw my ex-girlfriend yesterday.  She raked me over the coals for 20 minutes straight.

idolized

I wouldn't mind being idolized.

When we 'idolize' someone, that means we respect and admire them a lot, sometimes too much.  Notice the following:

  1. When Jacques was a kid, he idolized Zinedine Zidane.
  2. I still idolize my father.

inherently

Once you become a politician you inherently lie.

Something that is 'inherent' exists or happens naturally.  Notice the following:

  1. There is danger inherent in most contact sports.
  2. For me, riding a motorcycle in the city is inherently dangerous.