Habitual Language
Movie Talk & Vocab
Grammar: Past Modals
Real Estate & Money
The "Tricky" Stuff
100

This three-word structure describes a past habit or state that is no longer true. For example, "I ... wear glasses, but now I wear contact lenses."

used to

100

This word describes a film that is so good you want to watch many episodes one after another, like a great Netflix series.

binge-worthy

100

The lights are off and no one is answering the door. They ... (go out).

must have gone out

100

Before you can buy a house with a mortgage, you usually need to save for this large, initial payment.

down payment

100

This idiom means something is very, very obvious. It's ... obvious.

glaringly obvious

200

Complete the sentence using a phrase from our lesson: "I love coffee, but I drink it ... because it keeps me awake at night." (It means not very often).

"hardly ever" or "rarely"

200

A movie that is very sad and makes you cry. A real ...

tear-jerker

200

She looks happy. She ... (get) some good news.

must have gotten

200

This three-word term refers to the money you save for unexpected problems, like if your car breaks down or you lose your job.

emergency fund

200

If someone is always trying to control access to information or opportunities and not share them, they are trying to ... the knowledge.

gatekeep

300

My brother is so addicted to his phone. He takes it everywhere. We can say his phone is ... to his hand.

glued

300

This adjective describes a film that is too violent or has images that upset you. It's the opposite of "uplifting".

disturbing

300

He's 15 minutes late, which is very unlike him. He ... (get) stuck in traffic.

"might have gotten" or "could have gotten"

300

This number represents your history of paying bills and loans. A high one helps you get a good mortgage rate.

credit score

300

My little brother keeps asking the same question over and over. It really ...! (Use the UK idiom that means it makes me annoyed).

winds me up

400

I haven't played the piano in years. If I tried now, I'd be terrible. I've definitely ... at it.

"gotten rusty" or "got rusty at"

400

This term describes a problem or weakness in a film, like bad acting or a predictable plot. Many films have common ones.

flaw

400

 I can't find my keys anywhere. I ... (leave) them at the office, but I really don't think so.

"couldn't have left" or "wouldn't have left"

400

This is a house that needs a lot of repairs. You might buy one cheaply to fix it up and sell it for a profit.

fixer-upper

400

This method of learning involves trying different things and learning from your mistakes. It's the only way to master some skills.

trial and error

500

When you stop doing something regularly, you ... of doing it. For example, "After the pandemic, I ... of waking up early."

"get out of the habit" or "lose the habit"

500

Solve the riddle: I'm a film that was once a book. You've probably seen me in a theater or read me in your hands. What am I?

"adaptation of a book" or simply "an adaptation"

500

The window is broken and this cookie is missing. A brownie ... (come in and take it)!  

"must have come in and taken it"

500

Slang: You want to buy that fixer-upper, but you must first deal with all the official rules, documents, and ... from the city to get a renovation permit. 

red tape

500

Riddle Time:

I have no mouth, but I can infect.
I have no legs, but I can spread.
I am a program, a thought, or even a germ.
If you don't have a plan, I can cause quite a term.
What action do I do?


"to contaminate" or "to infect"