We still look on the bright side of life...

IT may come as a shock to many but Britain is a “cup half full” nation, it emerged yesterday.

Published: Thu, February 28, 2013

0Comments

Us Brits are a happy lot

Despite the economic gloom, most of us try to look on the bright side of life.

Six out of every 10 people questioned by researchers claimed that, just like in the Monty Python song, they always have a positive outlook on things.

The survey explored satisfaction levels in all aspects of modern life, with the average person rating themselves 64 per cent happy. Men are more likely than women to be optimistic, the study for Benenden Health found, and the over-55s are generally more upbeat than the young.

It perhaps demonstrates that the British ‘stiff upper lip’ is alive and well.

Paul Keenan

Paul Keenan, the mutual insurer’s head of communications, said: “Given the pessimistic economic outlook, the financial restraints everyone is under and the dark winter days that seem to drag on, it’s good to discover that deep down there seems to be a positive attitude across Britain.

“It perhaps demonstrates that the British ‘stiff upper lip’ is alive and well.”

‘stiff upper lip’= flema, impasibilidad ante la adversidad

Express

We still look on the bright side of life...

IT may come as a shock to many but Britain is a “cup half full” nation, it emerged yesterday.

Published: Thu, February 28, 2013

0Comments

Us Brits are a happy lot

Despite the economic gloom, most of us try to look on the bright side of life.

Six out of every 10 people questioned by researchers claimed that, just like in the Monty Python song, they always have a positive outlook on things.

The survey explored satisfaction levels in all aspects of modern life, with the average person rating themselves 64 per cent happy. Men are more likely than women to be optimistic, the study for Benenden Health found, and the over-55s are generally more upbeat than the young.

It perhaps demonstrates that the British ‘stiff upper lip’ is alive and well.

Paul Keenan

Paul Keenan, the mutual insurer’s head of communications, said: “Given the pessimistic economic outlook, the financial restraints everyone is under and the dark winter days that seem to drag on, it’s good to discover that deep down there seems to be a positive attitude across Britain.

“It perhaps demonstrates that the British ‘stiff upper lip’ is alive and well.”

‘stiff upper lip’= flema, impasibilidad ante la adversidad

Express

Sentence transformation, 14

For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning

Example:

Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.

obliged

Mr Jones is not obliged to go if he doesn’t want to.

31 He knows everything about flowers.

expert

He ……………………………… flowers.

32 If you are not old enough you cannot watch certain films.

age

If you ……………………………….. you cannot watch certain films.

33 I regret that I gave him the money.

lent

If only …………………………………………. him the money.

34 It was such a boring movie that we left.

so

The movie ………………………………………….. that we left.

35 People say that the pyramids are worth visiting.

supposed

The pyramids ………………………………………. worth visiting.

36 John cannot possibly borrow the car tonight.

question

It’s …………………………… for John to borrow the car tonight.

37 Could I continue what I was doing?

get

Could I …………………………… what I was doing?

38 Mary is slower at doing things than Jill.

fast

Mary is …………………………….. Jill at doing things.

39 I can’t make up my mind about the colour.

decide

I …………………………………….. the colour.

40 There are times when you have to do things by yourself.

own

There are times when you have to do things ……………….

Sentence transformation, 14

For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning

Example:

Mr Jones needn’t go if he doesn’t want to.

obliged

Mr Jones is not obliged to go if he doesn’t want to.

31 He knows everything about flowers.

expert

He ……………………………… flowers.

32 If you are not old enough you cannot watch certain films.

age

If you ……………………………….. you cannot watch certain films.

33 I regret that I gave him the money.

lent

If only …………………………………………. him the money.

34 It was such a boring movie that we left.

so

The movie ………………………………………….. that we left.

35 People say that the pyramids are worth visiting.

supposed

The pyramids ………………………………………. worth visiting.

36 John cannot possibly borrow the car tonight.

question

It’s …………………………… for John to borrow the car tonight.

37 Could I continue what I was doing?

get

Could I …………………………… what I was doing?

38 Mary is slower at doing things than Jill.

fast

Mary is …………………………….. Jill at doing things.

39 I can’t make up my mind about the colour.

decide

I …………………………………….. the colour.

40 There are times when you have to do things by yourself.

own

There are times when you have to do things ……………….

Sentence Transformation,14. Answers

31 He knows everything about flowers.

expert
He …is an expert on… flowers.
32 If you are not old enough you cannot watch certain films.
age
If you …are under age….. you cannot watch certain films.
33 I regret that I gave him the money.
lent
If only ……I hadn’t lent…. him the money.
34 It was such a boring movie that we left.
so
The movie ….was so boring……..….. that we left.
35 People say that the pyramids are worth visiting.
supposed
The pyramids …are supposed to be…. worth visiting.
36 John cannot possibly borrow the car tonight.
question
It’s …out of the question… for John to borrow the car tonight.
37 Could I continue what I was doing?
get
Could I …get on with… what I was doing?
38 Mary is slower at doing things than Jill.
fast
Mary is …not as fast as…….. Jill at doing things.
39 I can’t make up my mind about the colour.
decide
I …cannot decide on….. the colour.
40 There are times when you have to do things by yourself.
own
There are times when you have to do things …on your own….

Sentence Transformation,14. Answers

31 He knows everything about flowers.

expert
He …is an expert on… flowers.
32 If you are not old enough you cannot watch certain films.
age
If you …are under age….. you cannot watch certain films.
33 I regret that I gave him the money.
lent
If only ……I hadn’t lent…. him the money.
34 It was such a boring movie that we left.
so
The movie ….was so boring……..….. that we left.
35 People say that the pyramids are worth visiting.
supposed
The pyramids …are supposed to be…. worth visiting.
36 John cannot possibly borrow the car tonight.
question
It’s …out of the question… for John to borrow the car tonight.
37 Could I continue what I was doing?
get
Could I …get on with… what I was doing?
38 Mary is slower at doing things than Jill.
fast
Mary is …not as fast as…….. Jill at doing things.
39 I can’t make up my mind about the colour.
decide
I …cannot decide on….. the colour.
40 There are times when you have to do things by yourself.
own
There are times when you have to do things …on your own….

Word of the Day: slap

The word "slap" is very similar to the word "hit." It's a verb that's often used for the type of hitting that involves punishment. If a person does something wrong, he or she might get slapped.

• Gloria slapped a man who said something mean about her. She slapped him in the face and it surprised everyone who saw her do it.
• When I walked outside the building, the cold air slapped me in the face.
• The judge slapped a fine on the defendant because of his misbehavior in the courtroom.
• To all of us who worked with him on the project, our coworker's criticism felt like a slap in the face.

You can also use the word "slap" for the application of force or sudden, strong movement:

• Tony slapped a hundred dollars down on the bar and ordered drinks for everyone.
• A bricklayer slaps mortar on top of bricks when building a wall.
• A big gust of wind caused the door to suddenly slap shut.
• The members of the team slapped Albert on the back and gave him high fives after his third homeroom of the baseball game.