209 handy tips for life

TASK 1: READING
The following hilarious tips are about different aspects of life. Choose
from the box and decide which tip refers to which aspect. There are
more tips referring to one aspect.

INEXPENSIVE ENTERTAINMENT

SAFETY

TRAVELLING

HOUSEHOLD

FINANCE

DIET

TIPS
1
2

3

4

5
6

7

8

9

10
11

12
13

Never attempt to fasten your shoe laces in a revolving
supermarket door.
Lose weight quickly by eating raw pork or rancid tuna. The
subsequent food poisoning/diarrhoea will enable you to lose
12 pounds in only 2 days
At work, put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once
everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to
espresso.
When out driving always turn left. Then, should you become
lost, you can find your way home by reversing the
procedure and always turning right.
When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!" "I
won!" "3rd time this week!"
Putting just the right amount of gin in your goldfish bowl
makes the fishes' eyes bulge and causes them to swim in an
amusing manner
Drill a one inch diameter hole in your refrigerator door. This
will allow you to check that the light goes off when the door
is closed
Save on gasoline by pushing your car to your destination.
Invariably passers-by will think you've broken down and

help
Buy a television set exactly like your neighbours. Then annoy
them by standing outside their window and changing their
channel using your identical remote control.
Save on electricity by turning off all the lights in your house
and walking around wearing a miner's hat
Old telephone directories make ideal personal address books.
Simply cross out the names and address of people you don't
know
During rush hour, sit in your parked car and point a hair
dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down
Avoid the need to pack bulky shampoo bottles, which can
leak in your suitcase, by arranging for the whole family to
have 'skinhead' haircuts a day or two before departure.

(source: />
WHAT DO THEY
REFER TO?


TASK 2: VOCABULARY
Read the tips again and find which words (in bold) the following
definitions refer to.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

a set of actions
make holes with a special tool
always
(of a liquid) escape from a hole
decaffeinated coffee
stick out
too big and taking up too much space
automated teller machine
tasting or smelling unpleasant because not fresh
device for controlling something from a distance
draw a line through something
moving round a central point or line

_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________

TASK 3: SPEAKING
Discuss the following questions with your partner.
•
•
•
•
•

Which tip(s) did you find the funniest? Why?
Have you heard of any other funny or serious tips to make your life
happier, more comfortable, better, less stressful?
What other aspects of life could be included in the list? (Suggestions:
physical appearance, school life, finding a perfect date, etc.)
Choose some of them and come up with your own tips and advice.
Share your ideas with other students in the group.

TASK 3: WRITING
Write an essay about your findings. (150 words)
___________________________________________
________________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________
Answer Key
Task 1:
1 – Safety; 2 – Diet, 3 – Inexpensive Entertainment; 4 – Travelling; 5 – Inexpensive
Entertainment; 6 – Inexpensive Entertainment, 7 – Household, 8 – Finance; 9 –
Inexpensive Entertainment, 10 – Finance; 11 – Household; 12 – Inexpensive
Entertainment, 13 – Travelling
Task 2:
1. procedure
2. drill
3. invariably
4. leak
5. decaf
6. bulge
7. bulky
8. ATM
9. rancid
10. remote control
11. cross out
12. revolving