IDIOM CONNECTION

Ignore Idioms and a Problem Teacher

Introduction

Who was your favorite teacher at your elementary or high school?

Reading

The new teacher was causing many problems at his new school. He liked to argue and was making life miserable for everyone. Some teachers preferred to look the other way and ignore the problem. It was easier for them to close their eyes to it. The principal also did not think that the problem was serious. He thought that somehow they would get through this period and that things would then return to normal. On the other hand, many of the teachers thought differently. They thought that the principal was turning a blind eye to a very serious problem and that the situation could not go on. Finally, these teachers decided to turn their backs on the principal and ignore him. They planned to go directly to the local school board and try to find a solution to the problem there.

Reading Questions

Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.

1. Who was making life miserable for everyone?

2. Who preferred to look the other way and ignore the problem?

3. Was it easy for some teachers to close their eyes to the problem?

4. Did the principal think that they could get through this period?

5. On the other hand, who thought differently?

6. Did the teachers think that the principal was turning a blind eye to a serious problem?

7. Who thought that the situation could not go on?

8. Did many teachers decide to turn their backs on the principal?

Making Connections and Idiom Meanings

Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the underlined idioms:

1. The little boy is making life miserable for his mother.
a)   always trying to help
b)   much noisier than
c)   causing problems for

2. The boss looked the other way when the man arrived late for work.
a)   became angry
b)   ignored things
c)   talked loudly

3. The woman closed her eyes to her child's bad behavior.
a)   ignored
b)   punished
c)   criticized

4. The book was very difficult and I could not easily get through it.
a)   understand
b)   discuss
c)   finish

5. On the one hand is used when you are speaking about two opposite ways of thinking about a situation and you are looking at one half of the situation. What does on the other hand mean in the following sentence?

It is late and I want to go home. On the other hand, I have much work to do.
a)   I have much energy but
b)   From another point of view,
c)   I will go home now because

6. If you have a blind eye, then you cannot see with that eye. What would to turn a blind eye to something mean in the following sentence?

The teacher turned a blind eye to the student's bad behavior.
a)   did not see
b)   became angry with
c)   ignored

7. The noise was terrible. I did not want it to go on.
a)   continue
b)   stop
c)   become louder

8. The man turned his back on his friends.
a)   refused to help
b)   tried to help
c)   is always willing to help

Your score is: ___ out of 8

Statement and Response

Choose the best response to each of the following statements:

1. “My roommate is making life miserable for me.”
a) “Great, maybe I can help too.”
b) “Really, what is he doing?”

2. “My neighbor always looks the other way when her child does something bad.”
a) “Why doesn't she do something?”
b) “Who does she usually talk to?”

3. “I am trying not to close my eyes to the problems of my friend.”
a) “That is very kind of you.”
b) “That's not very nice.”

4. “I do not think that I will be able to get through my math course.”
a) “Maybe you should study math.”
b) “It is difficult for me too.”

5. “I don't want to spend my money but on the other hand I need some new clothes.”
a) “I don't need any either.”
b) “Yes, some of your clothes look pretty bad.”

6. “I usually turn a blind eye to my friend's bad behavior.”
a) “What does he do?”
b) “What happened to your eye?”

7. “The situation is terrible and I do not think that it should go on.”
a) “I agree, hopefully it can continue for a long time.”
b) “I agree, I hope it ends quickly.”

8. “My friend turned his back on me when I had a problem.”
a) “That's terrible.”
b) “Great news.”

Your score is: ___ out of 8

Grammar Focus

Choose the word or expression that makes each of the following sentences correct:

1. The man is making life miserable _______________ his friend.
a)   to
b)   in
c)   for

2. The teacher _________________ when the student was late.
a)   looked another way
b)   looked other ways
c)   looked the other way

3. The apartment manager ________________ the loud noise.
a)   closed her eyes for
b)   closed her eyes to
c)   closed her eyes in

4. The concert was terrible and it was difficult to _______________ it.
a)   get through for
b)   get through to
c)   get through

5. I am tired but _____________________ , I must continue to work.
a)   on one hand
b)   on the other hands
c)   on the other hand

6. The supervisor __________________ the late employee.
a)   turned a blind eye to
b)   turned a blind eye for
c)   turned a blind eye in

7. The concert will be very long and could _____________ for three hours.
a)  go out
b)  go on
c)  go over

8. The boy __________________ his friend when the friend got into trouble.
a)  turned his back with
b)  turned his back over
c)  turned his back on

Your score is: ___ out of 8

Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. Do you know anyone who is making life miserable for his or her friends.

2. Has your boss or teacher ever made life miserable for you?

3. Do you ever look the other way when you see something bad happening?

4. Do you know anyone who looked the other way after seeing a crime happen?

5. Did you ever close your eyes to a problem at school or work?

6. Do you know anyone who always closes his or her eyes to a problem?

7. Did you ever find it difficult to get through a school or university course?

8. Do you know anyone who finds it hard to get through each day?

9. What is your favorite vegetable? On the other hand, what is your least favorite vegetable?

10. Some people like comedy movies, while on the other hand, some people like horror movies. What about you?

11. Did you ever turn a blind eye to someone's problem?

12. Do you know anyone who always turns a blind eye to the problems of others?

13. Did you ever listen to a speech that seemed to go on for too much time?

14. Do you know anyone who goes on for too long when they talk?

15. Has anyone ever turned their back on you when you needed help?

16. Have you ever turned your back on someone when he or she needed help?

Role Play

Student A: You are in a class with some other students. One of the students is not very nice and is making life miserable for everyone else. You are talking to another student. You want to talk to the teacher and do something.

Student B: You want to turn your back on the problem and forget about it. You are willing to let the problem go on for a long time.

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