Conversation Questions and Activities to Aid in the Learning of English

Conversation Questions and Activities to Aid in the Learning of English 
Arranged according to tense, topic, and levels of difficulty 
By Prof. Mark McDowell, M.A. Mark’s ESL World ~ http://www.marksesl.com 
136 
check out (of) (1. inseparable): follow procedures for leaving (a hotel, etc.) 
"Don't forget to take your room key to the front desk when you check out 
(when you check out of the hotel)."
check out (2. separable): follow procedures for borrowing something (usually for 
a limited period of time). 
"I'm sorry, but you can't take that encyclopedia home. The library won't allow 
you to check reference books out." 
check out (3. separable): visually examine someone or something 
“Hey, check her out!” “Check out that cool sports car!” 
check out (4. separable): examine something to see if it needs to be repaired. 
“My car is making a strange noise, could you please check it out for me?” 
cheer up (separable): help someone feel less worried / depressed / sad. 
"Suzie's brother was depressed about not getting a promotion, so she sent 
him a funny card to cheer him up." 
chew out (separable): scold someone severely; berate. 
"Tom's father was really angry when Tom didn't come home until 3:00 AM. He 
chewed Tom out and then said Tom had to stay at home for two weeks." 
chicken out (no object): lose the courage or confidence to do something--often at 
the last minute. 
"Sam said he was going to ask Lulu for a date, but he chickened out." 
chip in (inseparable): contribute / donate (often money) to something done by a 
group. 
"We're going to buy a birthday cake for our boss and I'm collecting donations. 
Do you want to chip in?" 
clam up (inseparable): suddenly become quiet / refuse to talk about something. 
"Lila wouldn't talk about the accident. When I asked her what happened, she 
clamed up." 
come across (inseparable): find (unexpectedly). 
"I've lost my extra car keys. If you come across them while your're 
cleaning the room, please put them in a safe place." 
come down with _____ (inseparable): become ill with _____ .

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