The key answer of exercise 3
The key to exercise solutions in chapter 2 - Mixed messages for the textbook Outcomes Advanced - Student's Book with authors Carol Nuttall and Amanda French from National Geographic Learning
Question
Work in pairs. Check you understand the phrases in bold, then discuss the questions. Listen! again and check your ideas.
Answer
- mixed messages → dad (and grandmother) strict / mother soft when he was punished
- get back on the straight and narrow → proper punishment (treat him severely)
- ridiculous confrontation → he wouldn’t change desks
- unwilling to back down → he didn’t want to sit next to a particular girl / used to getting his own way / didn’t like the teacher / unhappy at home
- come as a shock → he has conducted himself well / he has taken things in his stride
- confide to his coach → his parents were unhappy (going through a rough patch) and issues at school
- remarkably good health → because of his age and because he suffered severe blows
- who came to his aid → a young man / Toby
- when it came down to it, why did they split up → Toby wasn’t committed enough to her and he was totally committed to football
- where was there a scene and what do you think caused it → a friend’s party – Toby was unhappy to see his ex- girlfriend, and was perhaps jealous of the people she was with