Straightforward C1 Advanced Vocabulary, Lesson 4A

Supplemental post for the origiinal post found here:

Straightforward C1 Advanced Vocabulary, Lesson 4A

Date taught: 6 March 2024

4A – Voicing Complaints

Theme: Expressing complaints.

distractible (adj): easily distracted, or unable to pay attention to somebody/something because you are worried or thinking about something else

Synonyms:
annoy: to cause (someone) to feel slightly angry

bothered (adj) [B1]: to feel troubled, worried, or concerned

mad/angry (adj) [A1]: having strong feelings about something that you dislike very much or about an unfair situation

frustrated (adj) [C1]: feeling annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want

dumbfounded (adj) [C2]: (also dumbstruck) unable to speak because of surprise

flabbergasted (adj) [C2]: extremely surprised and/or shocked

miffed (adj) [C2]: slightly angry or upset

salty (adj): (of language or humour) funny and sometimes slightly rude
EXAMPLE: She has a salty sense of humour.

irked (v): to feel quite annoyed

deaf and dumb (adj): (of a person – offensive and dated) both deaf (unable to hear anything or unable to hear very well) and unable to speak

at a loss for words (phrase): unable to think of anything to say
EXAMPLE: I was so surprised to see her that I was at a loss for words.

if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (idiom): said when you recognize that something is in a satisfactory state, and there is no reason to try to change it

pissed (adj): (ususally pissed off) very angry or annoyed

cow pies (n): a round flat piece of solid waste from a cow

I don’t get paid enough for this:

bend over backwards for somone:

came outta nowhere:

out of the blue/out of nowhere/out of left field:

exasperated:

time crunch:

shame finger:

rush hour / traffic congestion / foot traffic vs. traffic jam

turnstiles (n): (турникеты) a device that controls the way into or out of a building, room, or area of land, especially one that you have to pay to enter. It is a post with a number of short poles sticking out from it that have to be pushed round as each person walks through the entrance

I’ll humor her:

cold calls:

rubbed the wrong way:

came to prominance:

advice column:

snarky:

quip:

better safe than sorry:

backstory: to give context

mop top:

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

Listening audio from Randall’s ESL Lab.

tenant (n) [C2]: occupant, resident, lessee
Example: I have to talk to the tenant next door about his barking dog.

blaring (v) [C2]: very loud
Example: I can’t do my homework with the TV blaring next door.

walking refrigerator (noun phrase): a very big person (slang)

pungent (adj) [C2]: strong, harsh

odor (n) [C2]: smell
Example: Your dog has a real pungent odor. When was the last time you gave it a bath?

zone (v) [C1]: designated, marked, set aside for
Example: This area is zoned for commercial use only, and the city is planning to build several shops here.

agriculture (n) [C1]: also agricultural (adjective): farming
Example: The main livelihood of those in this region is agriculture.

livestock (n) [C2]: farm animals
Example: We will sell some of our livestock this summer.

resume (v) [C1]: continue, start again
Example: Classes will resume at the beginning of September.

exercises (n) [C1]: drills, maneuvers, activities, operations
Example: The fire department will carry out its emergency preparedness exercises later this week.

artillery (n) [C2]: large guns, often on wheels, used by armies
Example: The army has removed its artillery in anticipation of the peace treaty.

protest (v) [B2]: complain, challenge
Example: The residents protested the building of the waste plant within 20 miles of their neighborhood for safety reasons.

cease (v) [C1]: end, stop
Example: It is unclear when the steel factory will cease its operations.

Level C1 – vocab list here.

How to Complain Politely (In a British Way)

“would like to…” to say what we want.
“I am unhappy about” + noun phrase. Add very or really to make it stronger.
“it’s unacceptable that…” + clause.

Idiom: lose (one’s) temper: appear very angry.
Seen as very rude.

Level B2 – vocab list here. Transcript and activities here.

1) Tell a story

Don’t go straight into your problem or complaint. Give a little background first, so the listener understands your situation better. Don’t make it too long though! Here are two good examples from the programme:

I checked into the room on the 4th floor just a few minutes ago. It’s a lovely room, but the problem is that I was really desperate for a drink and the mini-bar’s empty.
Because I couldn’t get a drink out of the mini-bar I was trying to make a cup of tea, but
the kettle isn’t working.

2) Use softening language

Instead of directly saying that something is bad or not working, you can soften it by using seem to or appear to.

The form is seem to + infinitive + the problem

Often, the infinitive is be. For example:

Sorry, there seems to be a problem with the radio.
Excuse me, there appears to be a problem with your ticket.

And these sentences, in the negative, take auxiliaries like can’t and don’t:

I can’t seem to switch on the TV.
There don’t appear to be any slippers in the room.

Discussion about Advice Columns, and Dear Abby, vocab for video here.

pioneering (n) [B1] – °To take part in the development of something new

salty (adj) [C1] – Coarse, provocative, earthy; said of language.

common-sense (adj) [B1] – the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way

barged (v) [B2] – To intrude or break through, particularly in an unwelcome or clumsy manner. To push your way into a place or conversation.

chronicle (n) [B2] – A written account of events and when they happened, ordered by time.

one-liners (n) – a short joke or witty remark, typically consisting of one line.

profess (v) [B2] – To make open declaration of, as of one’s knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely.

Dear Abby format:

Dear Abby,

1) Introduction

2) Explanation of problem – tell a story, justify why you need the advice.

3) Question – ask the advice

Name – funny summary between one and four words

Additional, if there is enough time.

settle up (ph.v) – to pay someone the money that you owe them

Idiom: My bad – used for saying that you accept that you are wrong or that something is your fault

Idiom: What gives? – used to ask the reason for something

Examples: You’ve been acting weird all week. What gives? [=why are you acting weird?]
Hey! What gives? I thought you were on your way back to Florida.

Idiom: Sing for my supper – earn a favor or benefit by providing a service in return.

unstable (adj) [C2] – If someone is unstable, their moods and behavior change suddenly, especially if they are mentally ill.

Straightforward C1 Advanced Vocabulary, Lesson 4A

4A – Voicing Complaints