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Emma is not a morning person, but she has learned to get up early the hard way. Every weekday, her alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m., and she has to drag herself out of bed. She usually hits the snooze button at least twice before she finally wakes up. By the time she gets out of bed, she already feels like she is running late.

The first thing Emma does is head straight to the bathroom to freshen up. She takes a quick shower, brushes her teeth, and tries to wake herself up. Some mornings, she feels full of energy, but most of the time she is still half asleep. To get going, she makes herself a strong cup of coffee.

While the coffee is brewing, Emma checks her phone. She scrolls through messages and emails to see if anything urgent has come up. Sometimes this is a bad idea because it puts her in a bad mood before the day has even started. Still, she finds it hard to break the habit.

After that, she gets dressed for work. Picking an outfit can be stressful when she is in a hurry. On good days, she lays out her clothes the night before, but she doesn’t always stick to this plan. When she can’t decide what to wear, she ends up wasting precious time.

Breakfast is another challenge. Emma knows it is important not to skip breakfast, but she often doesn’t have enough time. When she is really busy, she grabs something quick, like a banana or a piece of toast, and eats it on the go. On better mornings, she manages to sit down and enjoy a proper meal.

Before leaving the apartment, Emma makes a quick mental checklist: keys, phone, wallet. She has learned this the hard way after locking herself out more than once. Even so, there are days when she forgets something and has to go back home.

Commuting to work can be unpredictable. If she leaves early, she can beat the traffic and get to the office on time. But if she is late, she gets stuck in traffic and starts to stress out. Sometimes, everything seems to go wrong at once.

By the time Emma arrives at work, she often feels like she has already had a full day. Still, she tries to pull herself together, take a deep breath, and focus on her tasks. No matter how chaotic her morning is, she knows she has to get on with her day.

Vocabulary: Useful Expressions

not a morning person — не жаворонок

Example: I’m not a morning person, so I need coffee to function.

get up early the hard way — приучиться рано вставать через трудности

Example: He got up early the hard way after starting his new job.

alarm goes off — будильник звонит

Example: My alarm went off at 7 a.m.

drag oneself out of bed — с трудом вылезти из кровати

Example: She dragged herself out of bed after a sleepless night.

hit the snooze button — нажать «отложить» на будильнике

Example: He hit the snooze button three times.

run late — опаздывать

Example: Sorry, I’m running late.

head straight to — направиться сразу куда-то

Example: She headed straight to the kitchen.

freshen up — освежиться

Example: I need a minute to freshen up.

half asleep — полусонный

Example: I was still half asleep during the meeting.

get going — раскачаться, начать действовать

Example: It takes me a while to get going in the morning.

come up — возникнуть (о проблеме/ситуации)

Example: Something urgent came up at work.

be in a bad mood — быть в плохом настроении

Example: He was in a bad mood all day.

break the habit — избавиться от привычки

Example: It’s hard to break the habit of checking my phone.

be in a hurry — спешить

Example: I can’t talk, I’m in a hurry.

stick to the plan — придерживаться плана

Example: Try to stick to the plan.

waste time — тратить время впустую

Example: Don’t waste time on unimportant things.

skip breakfast — пропускать завтрак

Example: You shouldn’t skip breakfast.

on the go — на ходу

Example: I had lunch on the go.

make a checklist — составить список

Example: She made a checklist before leaving.

lock oneself out — захлопнуть дверь, оставшись снаружи

Example: I locked myself out of my apartment.

beat the traffic — избежать пробок

Example: Leave early to beat the traffic.

get stuck in traffic — застрять в пробке

Example: We got stuck in traffic for an hour.

stress out — сильно нервничать

Example: Don’t stress out over small things.

pull oneself together — взять себя в руки

Example: He took a moment to pull himself together.

get on with — продолжать (дело)

Example: Let’s get on with the work.

Exercise: Fill in the Gaps

Fill in the gaps using the expressions from the list.

I’m sorry I’m late — I __________.

She __________ and went to the kitchen.

He always __________ before an important meeting.

I had no time for breakfast, so I ate __________.

My alarm __________ at 6 a.m.

I __________ this morning and had to call a locksmith.

Try not to __________ — everything will be fine.

It’s hard to __________ when you check your phone every five minutes.

If we leave now, we can __________.

He was so tired that he had to __________ just to stand up.

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For many people, getting ready for work is a routine they don’t think much about. However, for Daniel, it is a process that requires careful planning and a lot of discipline. He believes that how you start your morning can set the tone for the rest of the day.

Daniel wakes up at 6:00 a.m. every day. Unlike some of his friends, he doesn’t hit the snooze button. Instead, he gets out of bed right away and makes his bed. He thinks this small habit helps him feel more in control and ready to take on the day.

After that, Daniel goes to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He prefers something simple but healthy, like oatmeal or eggs. While he is eating, he goes over his schedule for the day. This helps him stay on track and avoid surprises later.

Once breakfast is over, Daniel moves on to getting dressed. He works in an office where appearance matters, so he always tries to look neat and professional. To save time, he plans his outfits in advance. This way, he doesn’t have to think on his feet in the morning.

Even with a plan, things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes he spills coffee on his shirt or realizes that something doesn’t fit as well as he thought. When that happens, he has to change quickly and make up for lost time.

Before leaving the house, Daniel takes a few minutes to double-check everything. He makes sure he has all the documents he needs, as well as his laptop and charger. He used to forget things often, but now he tries to stay organized.

Another important part of Daniel’s routine is mental preparation. He takes a moment to think about his priorities and remind himself of his goals. This helps him stay focused and not get distracted by minor problems during the day.

On his way to work, Daniel listens to podcasts or music. He believes this is a good way to make the most of his time. Instead of worrying about traffic or delays, he uses this time to learn something new or simply relax.

Despite all his efforts, there are days when everything goes wrong. He might wake up late, lose track of time, or run into unexpected problems. When that happens, Daniel tries not to panic. He knows that staying calm is the best way to deal with difficult situations.

By the time he arrives at the office, Daniel feels prepared and confident. His routine may seem simple, but it helps him stay productive and positive throughout the day. For him, getting ready for work is not just about physical preparation — it is also about getting into the right mindset.

Vocabulary: Useful Expressions

set the tone — задать тон

Example: This meeting will set the tone for the whole project.

right away — сразу, немедленно

Example: I’ll do it right away.

be in control — контролировать ситуацию

Example: She likes to feel in control of her schedule.

take on the day — принять вызов дня

Example: He felt ready to take on the day.

go over (a plan/schedule) — просматривать, повторять

Example: Let’s go over the plan again.

stay on track — придерживаться курса

Example: We need to stay on track to finish on time.

move on to — перейти к следующему

Example: Let’s move on to the next task.

in advance — заранее

Example: Book your tickets in advance.

think on one’s feet — быстро соображать

Example: You need to think on your feet in this job.

go smoothly — проходить гладко

Example: The event went smoothly.

make up for (lost time) — наверстать (упущенное время)

Example: He worked late to make up for lost time.

double-check — перепроверить

Example: Always double-check your work.

stay organized — оставаться организованным

Example: She uses apps to stay organized.

a few minutes — несколько минут

Example: Give me a few minutes.

stay focused — оставаться сосредоточенным

Example: Try to stay focused on your goals.

get distracted — отвлекаться

Example: I get distracted easily.

make the most of — использовать по максимуму

Example: Make the most of your free time.

run into (a problem) — столкнуться с проблемой

Example: We ran into a problem.

lose track of time — потерять счет времени

Example: I lost track of time while working.

deal with — справляться с

Example: He knows how to deal with stress.

stay calm — сохранять спокойствие

Example: Stay calm in difficult situations.

by the time — к тому времени как

Example: By the time I arrived, they had left.

feel prepared — чувствовать себя готовым

Example: She felt prepared for the exam.

throughout the day — в течение дня

Example: He checked his email throughout the day.

get into the right mindset — настроиться правильно

Example: Meditation helps me get into the right mindset.

Exercise: Fill in the Gaps

Fill in the gaps using the expressions from the list.

This speech will __________ for the entire conference.

I’ll call you back __________.

We need to __________ the plan before the meeting.

Try to __________ and not get distracted.

She prepared everything __________ to save time.

The project didn’t __________ because of unexpected issues.

He had to work late to __________.

Always __________ your emails before sending them.

I completely __________ while watching that movie.

It’s important to __________ and not panic in stressful situations.

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For many people, going to the supermarket is a simple task, but for Laura, it is something that requires planning and attention. She prefers to shop once a week to stock up on everything she needs, rather than make multiple trips.

Before leaving home, Laura always makes a shopping list. She has learned the hard way that going to the supermarket without a plan often leads to buying things she doesn’t need. A list helps her stick to what is important and avoid unnecessary expenses.

When she arrives at the supermarket, the first thing she notices is how crowded it can be, especially in the evenings. She tries to get there early to avoid long lines and busy aisles. Still, it doesn’t always work out that way.

Laura usually starts with the fresh produce section. She takes her time to pick out fruits and vegetables, making sure they are fresh and of good quality. Sometimes it’s hard to decide, especially when everything looks good. She often compares prices and checks for discounts to get the best deal.

After that, she moves on to other sections of the store. She walks up and down the aisles, looking for items on her list. Occasionally, she comes across products that catch her eye, even if they are not on the list. This is where she has to be careful not to give in to impulse buying.

One of the most challenging parts of grocery shopping for Laura is staying within her budget. Prices can add up quickly, and it’s easy to spend more than planned. She keeps an eye on the total cost as she puts items into her cart, trying not to go over her limit.

Another thing that can slow her down is not being able to find certain products. Sometimes items are out of stock, or they have been moved to a different aisle. When that happens, Laura has to ask a store assistant for help, which can take extra time.

Once she has everything she needs, Laura heads to the checkout. If she is lucky, the line is short, but often she has to wait. While standing in line, she sometimes picks up small items like chocolate or gum, even though she didn’t plan to buy them.

After paying for her groceries, Laura packs her bags and leaves the store. Carrying heavy bags home can be tiring, but she feels satisfied knowing that she has everything she needs for the week.

Although a trip to the supermarket may seem like a routine activity, it involves many small decisions. For Laura, staying organized and disciplined helps make the process easier and more efficient.

Vocabulary: Useful Expressions

stock up on — запасаться

Example: We need to stock up on food for the weekend.

make a shopping list — составить список покупок

Example: Always make a shopping list before you go.

learn the hard way — научиться на собственных ошибках

Example: He learned the hard way not to be late.

stick to (a plan/list) — придерживаться

Example: Try to stick to your list.

work out (as planned) — получаться, как планировалось

Example: Things didn’t work out as planned.

pick out — выбирать

Example: She picked out some fresh apples.

take one’s time — не спешить

Example: Take your time when choosing.

of good quality — хорошего качества

Example: This product is of good quality.

compare prices — сравнивать цены

Example: It’s smart to compare prices.

get a good deal — выгодно купить

Example: I got a good deal on these shoes.

move on to — перейти к следующему

Example: Let’s move on to the next section.

walk up and down (aisles) — ходить туда-сюда

Example: He walked up and down the aisle.

catch one’s eye — привлечь внимание

Example: That dress caught my eye.

give in to — поддаться

Example: Don’t give in to temptation.

impulse buying — импульсивные покупки

Example: Stores encourage impulse buying.

stay within a budget — укладываться в бюджет

Example: Try to stay within your budget.

add up — накапливаться (о сумме)

Example: Small costs add up quickly.

keep an eye on — следить за

Example: Keep an eye on your spending.

go over (a limit) — превысить

Example: Don’t go over your limit.

out of stock — нет в наличии

Example: This item is out of stock.

ask for help — попросить помощи

Example: Don’t hesitate to ask for help.

head to — направиться

Example: She headed to the checkout.

stand in line — стоять в очереди

Example: We had to stand in line for 20 minutes.

pick up (items) — взять, купить по пути

Example: I picked up some snacks.

carry heavy bags — нести тяжелые сумки

Example: He helped her carry heavy bags.

Exercise: Fill in the Gaps

Fill in the gaps using the expressions from the list.

We need to __________ milk and bread.

She always __________ before going shopping.

Try not to __________ unnecessary things.

These small expenses can __________ over time.

I like to __________ when choosing fruit.

He found a cheaper option after he __________.

The product I wanted was __________.

Don’t forget to __________ your spending.

She tried not to __________ and stayed within her budget.

I had to __________ for almost 30 minutes at the store.

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For many people, cooking dinner at home is either a relaxing activity or a daily challenge. For Mark, it is a bit of both. After a long day at work, he often feels tired, but he still prefers to cook rather than order takeout.

Before he starts, Mark usually checks what ingredients he has in the fridge. If he is missing something, he has to figure out how to work around it or come up with a different plan. Over time, he has learned how to make simple meals with whatever he has on hand.

One of the first things Mark does is put on some music to help him unwind. Cooking becomes much more enjoyable when he is in a good mood. Then he washes his hands, gets out the necessary ingredients, and begins to prepare everything.

Chopping vegetables is the part he finds most relaxing. He takes his time to cut everything properly, even though he knows he could do it faster. He believes that good preparation makes a big difference in the final result.

Once everything is ready, Mark turns on the stove and starts cooking. He follows the recipe most of the time, but he is not afraid to experiment. Sometimes he adds extra spices or changes a few steps to suit his taste.

Of course, things don’t always go as planned. There are moments when he overcooks the meat or forgets to set a timer. When that happens, he tries not to get upset and instead learns from his mistakes.

Another challenge is cleaning as he goes. Mark used to leave everything until the end, which made the kitchen a mess. Now he tries to wash dishes and wipe surfaces while the food is cooking. This habit saves him a lot of time later.

While dinner is on the stove, Mark often sets the table and gets everything ready. By the time the meal is done, he wants to be able to sit down and enjoy it right away.

Cooking at home also allows him to eat healthier and save money. He knows exactly what goes into his food, and he can control the portion sizes. This makes a big difference in how he feels.

In the end, even if the meal is not perfect, Mark feels satisfied. Cooking dinner at home is not just about food — it is also a way to relax, be creative, and take care of himself.

Vocabulary: Useful Expressions

order takeout — заказывать еду на вынос

Example: We decided to order takeout tonight.

check what one has — проверить, что есть

Example: Check what you have before shopping.

figure out — разобраться, найти решение

Example: I need to figure out what to cook.

work around (a problem) — обойти проблему

Example: We worked around the issue.

come up with (a plan/idea) — придумать

Example: She came up with a great idea.

have on hand — иметь под рукой

Example: Use whatever ingredients you have on hand.

put on (music, etc.) — включить

Example: He put on some music.

unwind — расслабиться

Example: I watch TV to unwind.

get out (ingredients/tools) — достать

Example: She got out all the ingredients.

prepare everything — подготовить всё

Example: Prepare everything before cooking.

take one’s time — не спешить

Example: Take your time when cooking.

make a difference — иметь значение

Example: Small details make a difference.

turn on (the stove) — включить (плиту)

Example: Turn on the stove.

follow a recipe — следовать рецепту

Example: He followed the recipe carefully.

be afraid to (do something) — бояться

Example: Don’t be afraid to try.

go as planned — идти по плану

Example: Everything went as planned.