Business English Bits Issue 132
The 10-min homework newsletter that supports your advanced business and English language learning...
Greetings to this Tuesday’s edition of Business English Bits.
Today, during the summer holiday period (Europe), we will zero in on a slightly different video report as we return to CNBC’s Make It channel. Occasionally, it’s nice to look at alternative ways of life and how people get by* in other countries. As someone was has lived as an expat for over 25 years, I’m always intrigued** to see how others face the joys and frustrations of living overseas.
*To Get by (pv) - To manage to live
**Intrigued (adj) - Curious about or fascinated by smth
Jewells Chambers, left New York in 2016 to start a new life in Iceland. Originally moving for love and a new marketing job in the tourism sector, she is now an social media entrepreneur. Jewells makes her living from podcasts and web-based services promoting the culture and travel options of her new found home. She annually brings in a cool $73,000, but is resident in one of the most expensive countries in Europe.
The video report, however, doesn’t fully focus on her working life. Instead, it delves into how living in Iceland has added to Jewells’ quality of life. Here, in Iceland, she has a real connection with nature and she shares with us some spectacular landscapes the country has to offer.
The video also goes into the cost of living and local traditions. Anyone fancy paying $8 for a cup of coffee? Or eating dried fish as a health snack? We also get an inside scoop* on housing and heath related issues.
*Inside scoop (cn) - Newest, exclusive, or even confidential information
Focus on some key new adjectives from the video …
VIDEO: CNBC Make It - (12min) - I'm Much Happier Living in Iceland Than In The U.S.— Here's How Much it Costs
Key Words - (Smth = Something; Sb=Someone; Col=Colloquial)
To Put your finger on smth (ph) - To discover the exact reason of smth
In essence (ph) - Emphasising the most important or central idea
To Pay off (pv) - To pay a debt in full or in instalments
Pristine (adj) - Original and pure
Humble abode (cn) - Modest home
Cozy (adj) - Comfortable and warm
To Chill out (pv) - To relax
To Shed (v) - To get rid of
Weight off one’s shoulders (ph) - Relieve yourself of a burden
To Put aside (pv) - To save money for future use
Foreseeable (adj) - Able to be predicted
Word of the Day … Guess the missing key word. Answer given below with examples!
Some new phrasal verbs to review …
Word of the Day Answer:
Nimble (adj) - Quick and light in movement or action; Agile
Examples:
“IT managers must be nimble enough to embrace new technologies.”
“We need to be nimble we we are to purchase that local start-up.”
Have a great Tuesday and see you tomorrow for the phrasal verb test …
Kevin