Story of Speak English Like an American (15)

 

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