Today’s photo: Classic Car, Napier, New Zealand 2007

Part 1: Today's word

Your ‘status’ is your position in society – in other words, the amount of respect that you receive from other people. If you have a high status, people respect you. Generally, doctors, architects and lawyers are seen as high status professions. Expensive cars, watches etc are seen as status symbols, because they show that you are rich enough to afford them.

He enjoys a high status among his colleagues.

Click here for more practice.

Part 2: Test

Here are FOUR sentences with the word of the day. But only THREE are correct. Which is the Odd One Out?

The success of ‘Lord of the Rings’ undoubtedly contributed to the status of New Zealand film-making in a worldwide context.

The company suffered a substantial loss of status following the scandal.

The university enjoys a high status, particularly in the fields of management and economic research.

The company is looking for a new status in the South Island in response to the growing demand there.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

Do you feel teaching is a high status profession?

What are the most popular status symbols in your town or country?

Part 4: The Phrasal Five

hang around / about
wait (while doing nothing)
I’m tired of hanging around here. Let’s go home.

hang out (with sb)
socialise
She likes to hang out with actors, although she herself works in the City.

hit it off
establish a good rapport
I never really hit it off with my new boss.

hold sb back
stop or obstruct
I found it hard to hold back the tears at the end of the film.
If I were you, I’d apply for the job. What’s holding you back?

hold on
wait
Can you hold on a minute while I look for a pen?

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

What is New Zealand’s best-selling car?

Part 6: Today's online listening

This is a short report from Radio New Zealand on the launch of the world’s cheapest car, the Nano

Vocabulary for the article:

no frills
perks
tout

Questions for the article:

How much does the Nano cost?
How can you buy a Nano?
How many models of Nano are there?
Where did the idea for come from?
What future expansion plans does the company have?
What other cars are produced by the same group?

Today’s Musical Suggestion: from the UK

Brand New Cadillac by The Clash

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