Life Lessons and Reflections
1. The Unfinished House
They and their children were due to move house soon, but their new house was still far from finished.
2. Expensive Mistakes in Restoring a House
When it comes to restoring a house, you never know how much things are going to cost. I made several expensive mistakes that I now regret.
3. Learning the Hard Way with Skilled Workers
People only learn the hard way. I was advised to hire skilled workers, but I was only interested in saving as much money as possible.
4. The Consequences of Drinking and Driving
I’d never realized how stupid it is to drink and drive until the accident happened to me. Next time I’ll think twice before driving carelessly.
5. The Importance of Falling in Love
Falling in love is an essential part of growing up. One’s feelings of love towards another person play an important role in our psychological development.
6. Determination and Perseverance
I’m determined to solve the problem. I refuse to give up. Nothing will stand in my way.
7. The Importance of One’s Home
I’d like to know what your house is like. You may think I’m very inquisitive, but I give much importance to the place people live in.
8. Overcoming a Breakdown
The car broke down, but we managed to get there in time for the lecture.
9. The Universality of Laws
Laws are to be enforced. Laws apply to everyone without exception.
10. Accepting a Temporary Offer
We’ll have to accept their offer for the time being and hope to get a better deal next year.
11. Killing Time Before the Play
The play didn’t start until 9:30, so we decided to kill time by walking around the park.
12. Time for Travel and Dreams
I intend to take some time off in order to travel. It’s the only way to make my dream come true. Otherwise, you never have time to spare to do what you like.
13. Chapman’s Confession and Sentence
Chapman confessed to stealing the jewels, so he’s likely to serve a two-year sentence.
14. Henry’s Pride and Conceit
Henry is such a proud and conceited man that he’d never stoop to talking to me.
15. Emigration from Spain in the 1960s
In the 1960s, the employment situation went from bad to worse, which led many Spaniards to emigrate to Europe and South America.
16. Reasons for Not Going on Holiday
What’s your main reason for not going on holiday?
- Firstly, I hate package holidays, and these are the only ones I can afford.
- Secondly, I hate overcrowded beaches and bustling tourist resorts.
- Finally, I’m a workaholic. I just can’t do without working ten hours a day, so I rarely take more than a few days’ holiday a year.
17. The Subject of Immigrants in Spain
Would you be so kind as to let me speak, for a change? I’d like to bring up the subject of immigrants in Spain.
18. A Successful Business Deal with Americans
I’ve just made an important business deal. At first, I thought I’d have difficulty doing business with the Americans, but they are such professional businessmen that everything went well.
19. Fred’s Underestimation
What Fred didn’t realize was the huge amount of money he would have to spend and the time it would take.
20. The Burden of Perfectionism
I just can’t help being so perfectionistic. If I weren’t, I would have finished my homework a long time ago.
21. The Benefits of Sports
Almost any sport you do will prove effective for you to keep fit. In addition, your mental well-being is bound to improve immediately.
22. Defining Mammals
Mammals are animals whose young are born fully formed rather than as eggs.
23. The Missing Application Form
What had surprised me was the fact that they hadn’t sent me a proper application form to fill in or asked me for a photograph.
24. The Importance of Universities in Africa
On the grounds of prestige and in order to retain their most able youngsters, it is important for African countries to develop their own universities.
25. Too Late for Bed
It was so late when we got home that it wasn’t worth going to bed.
26. Feeling Sorry for Henry
When he told me that everybody had made fun of him, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.
27. Waiting at the Station
Whenever I have to take a train, I’m worried about missing it, so I don’t mind waiting at the station.
28. The Elite Family
He attended the best school in the town. His family belongs to the local elite.
29. Interpreting Dreams
To be able to interpret dreams, some knowledge of the dreamer is essential. However, there has always been much disagreement about what a dream means.
30. Animals and Dreams
As far as we know, spiders don’t dream, and neither do snakes.
31. Finding Answers in Dreams
I’m far from being the only one to find answers to problems by dreaming about them.
32. The Symbolism of Flying
Flying can represent both a wish to overcome daily difficulties and achieve greater strength.
33. Self-Confidence and Success
Self-confidence is the key to success. If you want to climb the social ladder, trust your abilities.
34. Mr. Blondin’s Approach to Clients
Mr. Blondin, unlike other proprietors of restaurants, doesn’t usually flatter the clients of the upper class.
35. An Awful Sight
When she entered the ballroom so awfully dressed, I couldn’t help exclaiming: “What a sight!”
36. A Brand-New Car
It took me a long time to make up my mind, but I have just bought a brand-new car.
37. Expecting a Baby
My first baby will be born in less than a month, and I’m looking forward to seeing him.
38. A Superb Garden
If you went there, the first thing that would catch your eye is a superb garden full of the strangest plants.
39. Sarah’s Laziness
Sarah is getting lazier and lazier. She has been lying in bed until midday.
40. The Need for Imagination and Creativity in Education
We need an education system that enables children to use their imagination and creativity.
41. The Habit of Reading Newspapers
It wasn’t easy for me to get used to reading newspapers, but now I couldn’t do without them.
42. The Car Crash
The car wouldn’t have crashed into the van if it had stopped at the red traffic lights.
43. The Impact of Social Class on Education
I think that the quality of education students get depends, partly, on the social class they belong to, which will give rise to an unjust society.
44. Independence in Other European Countries
In other European countries, children learn to manage without their parents’ help at a younger age so that they can learn to deal with daily problems independently.
45. Punctuality and Hard Work
He is not punctual. He makes up for it by working hard.
46. The Importance of Arriving Early
I don’t care where you are as long as you come early. You know you must come with me whether you like it or not.
47. Missing the Plane
Assuming that we miss the plane, what shall we do?
48. Empty Threats
No matter how much you threaten me, you won’t get anything.
49. Safety and Children
Doing things yourself is safer than letting kids do them.
50. The Unfriendly Waiter
We were served by an unfriendly French waiter.
51. The Job Search
Actually, I’m not working now, but I’m trying hard to find a job, although it isn’t very easy.
52. A Hole in the Boat
Quick! There’s a hole at the bottom of the boat, and water is coming through it.
53. The Olympic Games
It is true that the Olympic Games are commercialized, and there is much greed and drug abuse, but all countries take part in them.
54. A Desire for a Simpler Life
She has a very important job in an office, but what she’d really like is to run a house.
55. The Drawbacks of Legal Action
Taking legal action is time-consuming and does nothing to improve the already difficult relations.
56. The Difficulty of Getting an Honest Opinion
It is pointless, after all, to hope that the people who are trying to sell their house will give you a factual opinion of their neighbors.
57. The Importance of Knowing Your Neighbors
Since most problems offend the ears rather than the eyes, it is surprising that so few buyers take the trouble to find out what their neighbors are like.
58. Staying Home to Save Money
We stayed at home to avoid spending more money.
59. The Importance of an Umbrella
If you hadn’t had an umbrella, you would have gotten wet.
60. The Decline of Home-Made Recipes
Few cooks cook as well as my grandmother because they are less and less interested in home-made recipes.
61. Saving for a Rainy Day
When I started to earn my living as a journalist, my parents advised me to save some for a rainy day, but I preferred not to listen to them, so I am now in the red.
62. The Impact of a Stable Home
Children who lack the security of a good home are more likely to break the law.
63. The Ease of Travel and Cultural Differences
Traveling anywhere in the world is increasingly easy. But I don’t know how to behave properly abroad.
64. The Sadness of Parting with Belongings
Parting with some of their belongings filled them with sadness because they reminded them of their father’s murder and happy childhood.
65. The Importance of Deciphering the Inscription
Since the news spread fast all over Europe, the scholars realized how important it was to decipher the inscription as soon as possible.
66. Dr. Sheppard’s Wrongful Conviction
Dr. Sheppard was convicted of his wife’s death, but in fact, it was the family window cleaner who had committed the crime.
67. Jim’s Difficult Promise
Jim made such a difficult promise to achieve that only his strong will and ability to learn new languages made it come true.
68. Made for Each Other
I couldn’t do without her. In fact, we are made for each other.
69. Making a Fool of Myself
Whenever I try to make a good impression on my boss, I make a fool of myself.
70. Settling Down and Doing What’s Right
My parents want me to settle down. However, I tell them it wouldn’t do me any good to do what is right.
71. Peter’s Unfriendliness
Although I did my best to make friends with Peter, he just made fun of me.
72. A Nightmare
My dream turned into a nightmare that had nothing to do with me.
73. Doubts and Excuses
I can’t help thinking he’s lying. He is always making excuses not to do anything.
74. Doing Business with the Chinese
Before doing business with the Chinese, I’d make sure they don’t make trouble.
75. Earning a Living as a Lawyer
I’d like to earn my living as a lawyer. They usually tend to make more money than teachers.
76. Students’ Duty
Students do their duty when they do their homework.
77. An Uncertain Future
I’ve been doing well, but the future is uncertain. Anyway, every cloud has a silver lining.
78. Weight Gain and Sweets
I have put on at least seven kilos since I got married. I should do without so many sweets.
79. Still Feeling Cold
Although she made sure to turn on all the heaters, she was still very cold.
80. Pressure on Students
Teachers sometimes put too much pressure on students. Although they do their best, it isn’t good enough.
81. Choosing the Right Profession
Politician, butcher, economist, lawyer, electrician, and so on. Although there are so many different professions, I find it difficult to choose the right one for me.
82. Lack of Influence
Since she couldn’t influence the jury, she isn’t to blame for what happened.
83. The Difficulties of Fame
Famous people find it difficult to settle down and lead a normal life. They are always being hounded, and their fame quickly turns into a nightmare.
84. A Healthy Lifestyle and Longevity
The healthier you live, the longer you’ll live. In other words, leading a healthy and relaxed lifestyle seems a good reason for a longer life.