A quick shower

go blind = lose your ability to see
go deaf = lose your ability to hear
go crazy/insane = lose your mental control

Lesson 36 – Quiz

Complete the sentences with make, turn, change, become, get, or go:

(note: you may need to change the form of the verb: makes, made, making, etc.)

1. 
   After losing his job, George decided to a consultant.
   
2. 
   Daniel is embarrassed that he's starting to bald, so he often wears a hat.
   
3. 
   Her face red when she gets embarrassed.
   
4. 
   He's not going to his mind. He seems pretty firm in his decision.
   
5. 
   I like to experiment in the kitchen - I tweaks to the recipes in the cookbook.
   
6. 
   I'll be ready in 10 minutes - just let me my clothes.
   
7. 
   I'm annoyed with my bank's terrible customer service.
   
8. 
   My conversations with my sister always into arguments.
   
9. 
   We have fewer funds available than we expected, so we need to some adjustments to the budget.
   
10. 
    If you want to better at playing the piano, you should practice more.
    

Lesson 37 – Speaking

Want to become a better conversationalist? Here are a few tips for making small talk (talking casually about simple topics):

To strike up a conversation (start a conversation), you can make comments about the weather or the local surroundings.
Stay away from delicate subjects (sensitive topics) like religion and politics – you don’t want to get into a lengthy discussion (a long discussion) or have an argument (have a verbal fight).
If there’s a lull in the conversation (a pause in the conversation) ask the other person a question about themselves.
If you tell a story, don’t go on and on (talk too much) - remember that you’re having a brief chat
(a quick conversation); you’re not making a speech.
Be careful about cracking jokes – you might end up having to apologize profusely (apologize many times) if the person is offended.

Having good communication skills can really improve your relationships. People appreciate it when you get straight to the point (talk directly about the essential message) rather than dropping hints (trying to communicate very indirectly).

Of course, nobody trusts a person who tells lies (says things that aren’t true) or stretches the truth (exaggerates and distorts the facts). If you always tell the truth, then people know they can count on you when you give your word (make a promise or statement of the truth).

It’s also important to watch your tone of voice (the emotion with which you speak) and avoid making sarcastic remarks or disparaging comments (very negative and destructive comments). If you must make a complaint, try to give constructive criticism (criticism that helps the situation improve). And if you need to ask a favor of someone, always do it politely – don’t forget to say “Please”!