Lesson 15 Nicole Practices Her Election Speech
Nicole is running for student body president.
She must give a speech next week.
She discusses the speech with her mother.
Susan: What's up, Nicole?
Niclole: I pulled an all-nighter working on my election speech.
Susan: No wonder you look like a basket case!Did you finish your speech?
Nicole: Yes, at 6 a.m.
Susan: That must be a load off your mind!
Nicole: It is not. I've got to give the speech tomorrow in front of 1500 people. I'm a nervous wreck!
Susan: Just remember the old rule of thumb: Imagine your audience naked.
Nicole: That's gross. Why would I want to do that?
Susan: According to conventional wisdom, it'll make you less nervous.
Nicole: Only practice will do the trick.
Susan: Okay, let's hear the speech.
Nicole: Good afternoon, everyone. There are four candidates running for president. You think you have several choices. In reality, you have just one choice: me!
Susan: You can't say that. You'll turn off your audience immediately.
Nicole: It sounds like I have a big head?
Susan: I'll say!
Idioms
basket case [slang] - someone or something in a useless or hopeless condition
(to have a) big head - arrogant; too pround of oneself
conventional wisdom - a widely held belief
(to) do the trick - to achieve the desired results
I'll say! - yes, definitely!
load off one's mind - a relief
look like - have the apprearance of
nervous wreck - a person feeling very worried
no wonder - it's not surprising
no wonder - it's not surprising
(to) pull an all-nighter - to stay up all night to do work
rule of thumb - a useful principle
(to) turn off - to cause to feel dislike or revulsion
what's up? - see Lesson 10
