Jana's exam

Jana's exam

Liz: Jana, your exams are soon aren't they?

Jana: Yes. I have the Reading, Writing and Listening on Saturday and the Speaking exam is next Tuesday.

Liz: I just wondered if you needed any extra time off... or any help. I am afraid David and I have been so tied up with work that we have rather neglected you!

Jana: Well sometimes the girls help me but Ann and Peter helped me with an exercise I was doing last week. It was about an article in a science magazine.

Liz: Oh Anne would be good at that, of course . She is a science teacher isn't she.

Jana: They were both very helpful. Peter has an English degree and apparently he did some optional ESL teaching course at university.

Liz: Yes most people don't really study the grammar of their own language. I certainly never did. I'm afraid I always find it a bit of a puzzle when my au pairs ask for help. I know what's right but I can't explain why!

Jana: I understand. It's the same for me with Czech. But now that I have been studying foreign languages I understand my own language a lot better too.

Liz: Well I never bothered much with languages at school. I was always interested in IT and business and as soon as I could, I got out of education and started work!

Jana: Do you regret not going to university?

Liz: Good heavens no! I haven't time for regrets! Maybe I'll study when I retire!

Jana: Peter seems to enjoy it. He has just started doing a Psychology course; another degree in a totally different subject!

Liz: Maybe he is one of these eternal students, always studying something.

Liz:          Come on girls, I am taking you to school today. Make sure that you have all your stuff and go and get in the car.

Charlotte: Is Jana sick?

Liz:           No, she is up in her room. She has an exam today.

Charlotte: Yes I know, but the exam isn't until this afternoon. Why can't she take us to school as usual?

Liz: I thought she would appreciate not having to bother with you lot today. She has the whole day off so she can concentrate on her exams. She is probably doing some last minute revision.

Charlotte: Miss Green says that it isn't a good idea to study at the last minute just before an exam.

Liz:          Jana isn't just studying at the last minute. She speaks very good English, she has been working hard the whole year she has been with us.

Charlotte:  So why doesn't she take us to school today?

Liz:          She needs to concentrate on her own concerns for today, without distractions from you three. Now stop arguing and get ready for school!

Jana: Hi Ann

Ann: Jana! How did the exams go?

Jana: OK I think. It's difficult to tell really.

Ann: Well best to forget about them until the results come.

Jana: Yes. All the class are having a party tonight.

Ann: Really?

Jana: Yes. We are starting at the Red Lion, and then we will go dancing at a club up in London.

Ann: Wow! You are  really letting your hair down!

Jana: Definitely! It has been a long haul. We have all been working really hard, staying in every evening, learning lists of phrasal verbs!

Ann: Phrasal verbs?

Jana: Yes... verbs like get over, get by, get into, get on, get through, get up to, get down, get down to, get away, get away with...

Ann: And these Phrasal Verbs are a problem are they?

Jana: Yes, for us foreigners, phrasal verbs are a big problem. A little verb like GET... and it completely changes its meaning with each different preposition.

Ann: Yes, I suppose so. I've never really thought about it.

Alphabetically listed iodiomatic phrasal verbs with GET

Get across

I cannot get across the idea that we don't have enough money to buy him everything he wants.

He drew a diagram to get the idea across to the students.

get around

The news soon got around, by the end of the week it was common knowledge.

As she got old and frail she had to use a walking stick to get around.

Get at

I don't see what you are getting at, I cannot understand you at all.

The gang managed to get at the jury and the murderer was acquitted.

He has put it on that high shelf where the children cannot get at it.

Oh no! The moths have got at that beautiful lace shawl that granny knitted  for her first baby.

get away,

Do you think we can get away next weekend for a little holiday? Just you and me?

The boss asked me to do some extra work and I didn't get away until 7pm.

They chased after him but he was too fast; he got away.

The thieves got away in a stolen car.

get away with

He won't get away with it. The law will catch up with him in the end.

She thinks she can get away with it just by smiling sweetly at the judge.

He gets away with murder, no one bothers to tell him he is wrong.

Get back

I won't get back until 11pm.

He hit his sister but she got him back by kicking him when Mum wasn't looking.

Get back at

They got back at her by shouting rude remarks across the room

Get back to

Ok, try rebooting it and get back to me if that doesn't work.

I tried phoning several times but I couldn't get back to him before the deadline

get by,

There is a big lorry parked in the road, I cannot get by.

I earn just enough to get by, it would be difficult to save.

He only does enough work to get by. If he really studied hard he could get much higher marks.

(survive)

get down,

The lecturer spoke so fast I just couldn't get down everything he said.

The medicine tasted so awful I just couldn't get it down.

The heat was really getting me down. In the end I had to give up and go and get a cold drink.

get down to,

Ok, let's get down to business.

It's time he got down to some hard work!

Get even (with)

Don't get mad get even.

Get in

Have you got high enough grades to get in?

If we get in another practice session before the game you stand a very good chance of winning.

get into,

I don't want to get into that, lets talk about something else. (discuss)

She got so fat she couldn't get into her uniform and had to buy a bigger size. (fit)

I managed to get in two more interviews before we closed. (fit)

Get in with

He got in with a bad crowd and began to neglect his studies. (make friends with)

Get nowhere   (fail)

He tried really hard but he got nowhere. She refused to even see him.

They didn't realise he was dyslexic and he got nowhere with his studies.

Get off

I just couldn't sleep last night. Finally I managed to get off by counting sheep! (fall sleep)

He really got off on computer games, you could see his eyes light up as soon as he saw a computer screen.  (become excited)

get on,

They don't get on, they are always arguing.

He's getting on a bit, he'll be too old soon.

We need to get on with tidying up the garden.

He is getting on really well; he has his own business.

get out

The secret got out because his friend told her sister.

Can we get the book out before Christmas?

Get out of

He got out of paying his share by pretending he had forgotten his wallet.

He got out of helping by pretending to be ill.

get over,

I hope that fierce dog cannot get over the fence!

She never really got over her husband's death.

It is taking him ages to get over that cold, he still has a bit of a cough!.

Get over it!   (= stop making a fuss)

(recover from)

Get round

He got round his granny and persuaded her to give him money to buy ice cream

He got round the problems somehow.

Get somewhere

I want to get somewhere, to make something of my life; I need to get good grades and get to uni.

get through,

Somehow she got through the day.

I tried to phone but I couldn't get through.

I tried to explain, but I just could get through to him, he just looked at me blankly

Get together

I hope we can get together again some time soon.

Get there

I am sure we will get there in the end.

Get up

What time do you get up in the morning?

She got herself up in a fancy silk gown rimmed with ostrich feathers!

get up to,

Take a look at the children, it has gone very quiet, see what they are getting up to.

I am up to Chapter six.