The Flatmates episode 38 (including Video/Vocabulary)

Episode 38: A chat with the professor
Prof. Lewis:	Come in Helen, sit down. Now how are you?
Helen:	Fine really. Honestly, I'm fine.
Prof. Lewis:	Are you? That's not what your marks are saying to me. They tell a very different story. You failed this mid-term test quite badly. Even John, who seems to do no work at all in class, managed to do so much better than you.
Helen:	Humph!
Prof. Lewis:	Is there something you want to talk about?
Helen:	No, it's nothing.
Prof. Lewis:	You and John just don't seem as close as you used to be. Is there something wrong?
Helen:	No, it's just that..Oh I don't know.
Prof. Lewis:	Helen, I'm here to help. Now why don't you just tell me what's on your mind.

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Vocabulary:

honestly (adverb) - without cheating or lying : in an honest way, used to stress that a statement is true and express annoyance or disapproval 

mark (noun) - a number or letter that indicates how a student has performed in a class or on a test

mid-term (noun) - an examination given at the middle of a school term

to manage (verb) - to have control of, to succeed in doing (something)

humph (interjection) - used to express doubt, displeasure, or contempt

interjection (noun)  - a word or remark expressing emotion; exclamation

to be close (adjective) - to care about each other very much

close friends  (noun) - pals who like each other very much

on your mind (noun phrase)   - what you're thinking about, is there something troubling you, are you worried or bothered about something

The Flatmates episode 37 (including Video/Vocabulary)

Episode 37: The interview
Interviewer:	How long have you been working at McCarthy's?
Tim:	For the last 3 years.
Interviewer:	And have you always worked in retail?
Tim:	Yes I have. In fact ever since I was young I've been interested in commerce. My first job was in a newsagent's when I was still at school.
Interviewer:	I see, and what are your strengths and weaknesses?
Tim:	Well, some might say I'm a little head-strong. I do leap into projects and sometimes my enthusiasm can be a bit overwhelming. My strengths? I'm a great team-player. For example, when the stockroom was understaffed recently, I jumped at the chance to help out.
Interviewer:	Lovely. Well thank you for coming in today. We'll be in touch very soon.

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Vocabulary:

retail (noun) - the business of selling things directly to customers for their own use

 in fact (noun phrase) - in truth —used to stress that a statement is true although it may be surprising or unlikely

ever since (adverb phrase) - continually from the time in the past when, continually or often from a past time until now

commerce (noun) - activities that relate to the buying and selling of goods and services

newsagent (noun) - (British)  a person or shop that sells newspapers, magazines, and often paperback books

strength (noun) -  the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way

weakness (noun) - a quality or feature that prevents someone or something from being effective or useful, something that you like so much that you are often unable to resist it

head-strong (adjective) - not willing to do what other people want, very stubborn

to leap (verb) -to move quickly,  to eagerly take

enthusiasm (noun) -  strong excitement about something, a strong feeling of active interest in something that you like or enjoy

a bit (noun) - a little, somewhat or rather

overwhelming (adjective) - used to describe something that is so confusing, difficult, etc., that you feel unable to do it 

team-player (noun) -  someone who cares more about helping a group or team to succeed than about his or her individual success

understaffed   (adjective) - not having enough workers, having a staff that is too small

to jump at the chance (phrase) - to eagerly accept a challenge or chance to do something

The Flatmates episode 36 (including Video/Vocabulary)

Episode 36: Test results
John:	How did you do in the economics test Helen?
Helen:	I failed miserably.
John:	Oh poor you! I got 98%. Didn't want to get a perfect score. Might have looked a bit suspicious, given me recent track record. Bet you wished you'd sneaked a peek at the answers when you had your chance.
Helen:	Oh I don't ...
John:	You're a fool! It was the easiest bit of photocopying I've ever done.
Prof. Lewis:	John, Helen hello!
John:	Oh good morning Professor Lewis. I was just saying how much I've been enjoying your lectures recently.
Prof. Lewis:	Oh really? Helen, I think it's about time we had a little chat, don't you? Come to my office later and make an appointment, OK?

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Vocabulary:

economics (noun) - a science concerned with the process or system by which goods and services are produced, sold, and bought

miserably (adverb) - very poor in condition or quality,  very bad

perfect (adjective) - having no mistakes or flaws, completely correct or accurate

suspicious (adjective) - causing a feeling that something is wrong or that someone is behaving wrongly, causing suspicion, having or showing a feeling that something is wrong or that someone is behaving wrongly

track record (noun) -  a record of actual performance or accomplishment

 to sneak a peek (British phrase) - to tell someone (such as a parent or teacher) about something wrong that someone else has done, to look at something quickly and secretly or furtively

 to photocopy (verb) -to make a photographic reproduction of (printed or graphic material), especially by xerography

xerography (noun) - a dry photographic or photocopying process in which a negative image formed by a resinous powder on an electrically charged plate is electrically transferred to and thermally fixed as positive on a paper or other copying surface.

me recent track record (phrase) - my performance or achievements in the last few months or years (note in some regional accents 'me' is used instead of 'my')