This document discusses ways to cheer someone up who is feeling down. It provides examples of phrases to use when asking about someone's problem, describing a problem, and trying to cheer them up. Some examples of cheer up phrases included are "come on, it isn't that bad", "every cloud has a silver lining", and "there are plenty more fish in the sea". The document also includes a sample dialogue where one character is feeling down and their friend tries different techniques to cheer them up, such as thinking positive thoughts, motivational quotes, and going for a walk.

1. Think about it!
What do you do if you're feeling a bit bad or depressed? Have you ever had to cheer someone up? What did you do?
Did it work? If you’ve had a bad day, what do you do to feel better? Do you agree that laughter is the best medicine?
Why?
TRACK 6: ENGLISHMAN & US WOMAN
Gary is drowning his sorrows in a bar. His
old friend Denise happens to walk past
FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE
and sees him. [Complete the dialogue
with the correct expressions. Then, listen
once to check your answers.]
Dialogue
Denise: Hey Gary, what’s up?
Cheer up! Gary: Oh, everything.
This month, we’re looking at ways to cheer someone up and make Denise: What happened?
them feel better. Gary: My girlfriend dumped me last night.
Denise: Oh no, I’m so sorry. You poor thing! I
Asking about a problem Trying to cheer someone up broke up with a guy once, and he told
me (1) it was horrible / it wasn’t
What’s wrong? Come on, it isn’t that bad. nice. So, I can imagine how you must
Is there anything wrong? It could be a lot worse. feel. He was devastated – a bit like you
Is there anything I can do? It isn’t all that bad in the whole are now, in fact.
Can I help in any way? scheme of things. Gary: She meant everything to me.
What’s up? Come on, just look on the bright Denise: Cheer up! There are plenty more fish
side, you could have... in the sea.
Describing a problem Every cloud has a silver lining. [It Gary: But none of them (2) will be like her
Oh, it’s nothing. is always possible to get something / will be as nice as her.
It’s nothing serious. positive out of a situation, no matter Denise: Well, nothing lasts forever. And look
on the bright side, you’ve got a job you
Oh, it’s just that... how bad it is.] love and…
I’ve just had some bad news. Nothing lasts forever. Gary: I got fired this morning…
I’ve just found out that... There are plenty more fish in the Denise: Oh no… that is tough! And ironic…
I’ve decided that... sea. [There are lots of other people.] because I just got a raise… But
I’ve just been told that... It’s not all doom and gloom. anyway… Well, it obviously can’t (3)
[It’s not all bad.] get any worse / be that bad.
Worse things happen at sea. Gary: Yes, it can. My pet fish died just as I
[It could be a lot worse.] was leaving to come to the bar.
Get over it! [Stop thinking about it!] Denise: Wow, you really are having a run of bad
luck. But I’m sure the worst is behind
Just count your blessings. [Think you now. Erm… did you (4) watch that
about the good things you’ve already film / see that movie on TV last night?
I’M SURE THAT got.] The one with Jim Carrey. It was hilarious!
THIS WILL Gary: Jim Carrey was my girlfriend’s
CHEER YOU UP!
The future’s looking brighter favourite actor…
We’ve turned the corner. Denise: Oh sorry… Erm… You know what I do
when I’m feeling low?
There’s a light at the end of the
Gary: Get drunk?
tunnel.
Things can only get better. Denise: No! I think positive thoughts! One
I really like, which I (5) repeat to
It can’t get any worse. myself / say over and over again
I think we’ve been through the is, “Anything is possible!” I find that
worst of it. really puts things in perspective.
Gary: I don’t want perspective. I want
another drink.
Denise: Also, there are some great motivational
quotes by famous people. The writer
Alexander Solzhenitsyn once said, “A
man is happy so long as he chooses to
be happy.”
Gary: Yeah, but I bet he never lost his pet fish.
Denise: No, probably not. Come on… it’s not
all doom and gloom. It’s a beautiful
day. Let’s (6) go for a walk / go to
the park.
Gary: I hate walking.
Denise: Oh, just get over it will you!
GLOSSARY
[Please to dump vb informal
if A and B are in a relationship and A
turn to page “dumps” B, A leaves B
27 for some to get fired exp
if someone “gets fired”, they lose their job
motivational a raise n
quotes.] an increase in the amount of money you
receive
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