Cohesive Devices - Exercise

 

(Learn to Sound More Natural in Conversation)

In an interview with actress Priyanka Chopra, several natural and informal expressions appeared that native speakers commonly use in everyday conversation. Learning such phrases helps students move beyond textbook English and speak more naturally.

Let us look at some useful expressions and how to use them.

1. “Go big” / “Go big or go home” (1:18)

Meaning:
To do something with maximum effort or ambition rather than doing it half-heartedly.
Example
If you're starting a business, go big or go home.
We decided to go big for the school festival this year.
Usage tip:
This phrase is often used to encourage someone to be bold.

2. “BTS” (Behind the Scenes)

Meaning:
Things that happen out of public view, especially during the making of a film, show, or event.
Examples
The documentary shows BTS footage from the movie shoot.
Let me show you some behind-the-scenes photos.

3. “Boo-boo” (2:02)

Meaning:
A small mistake or a minor injury.
Examples
I made a little boo-boo in the presentation.
Don’t worry, it’s just a boo-boo.
This expression is informal and sometimes used humorously.

4. “I don’t know how to explain it” (2:25)

Meaning:
Used when something is difficult to describe clearly.
Examples
I don’t know how to explain it, but the place felt magical.
I don’t know how to explain it, but the song just makes me happy.

5. “What gets you pumped up?” (2:28)

Meaning:
What excites or motivates you.
Examples
Music gets me pumped up before a match.
What gets you pumped up before an exam?

6. “Get in the zone” (2:28)

Meaning:
To reach a mental state where you are completely focused and performing well.
Examples
Athletes listen to music to get in the zone.
Once I start writing, I quickly get in the zone.

7. “I was really trying to think about…” (2:47)

Meaning:
Used when explaining your thought process.
Examples
I was really trying to think about what the audience would enjoy.
I was really trying to think about the best solution.

8. “I kept thinking about…” (2:52)

Meaning:
Used to show something stayed in your mind continuously.
Examples
I kept thinking about that idea all night.
I kept thinking about what she said.

9. “Give a shout-out to…” (3:53)

Meaning:
To publicly thank or mention someone.
Examples
I want to give a shout-out to my teachers.
She gave a shout-out to her team during the interview.

10. “Here’s what we’re going to do” (4:03)

Meaning:
Used when explaining a plan.
Examples
Here’s what we’re going to do: first we practice, then we perform.
Here’s what we’re going to do to fix the problem.

11. “I think I’m pretty good” (4:09)

Meaning:
A modest way of saying you are confident about your ability.
Examples
I think I’m pretty good at public speaking.
I think I’m pretty good at solving puzzles.

12. “Gentlemen first” (4:50)

This is a playful reversal of the traditional phrase “Ladies first.”
Example
“You go ahead.”
“No, gentlemen first!”

13. “Chivalry is not dead” (4:53)

Meaning:
People still show politeness and respectful behavior.
Examples
He held the door open for everyone. Chivalry is not dead!

14. “Pitch an idea” (6:25)

In the interview, she mentions pitching a song to Paul McCartney.
Meaning:
To present an idea hoping others will accept it.
Examples
She pitched an idea for a new project.
The writer pitched a story to the editor.

15. “I totally did” (6:29)

Meaning:
An emphatic way of saying “Yes, I did.”
Examples
“Did you finish the assignment?”
“Yes, I totally did.”

16. “I’m gonna get you!” (8:16)

Meaning:
Often used jokingly to mean “I will catch you” or “I will beat you.”
Examples
Run faster! I’m gonna get you!
Just wait — I’m gonna get you in the next round.

17. “That’s one of my useless talents” (9:35)

Meaning:
A humorous way to talk about a skill that is impressive but not very practical.
Examples
I can remember hundreds of movie dialogues.
That’s one of my useless talents.

 

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Phrase with the Meaning

Go big or go home
Give a shout-out
Get in the zone
Pitch an idea
Boo-boo

a. Become fully focused
b. Make a small mistake
c. Thank someone publicly
d. Present a proposal
e. Do something with full effort

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Music helps athletes ______ before the match.
I want to ______ my teachers for helping me.
Let’s ______ this project. No small plans!
I made a small ______ in my report.
The writer ______ a new story idea to the editor.

Exercise 3: Conversation Practice

Practice this dialogue with a partner.

A: What gets you pumped up before an exam?
B: Listening to music helps me get in the zone.

Now create your own conversation using:

go big or go home
shout-out
useless talent

Learning Tip
To sound natural in English, try to learn phrases instead of single words. Native speakers rely heavily on ready-made expressions like these.

 
Role-Play Exercises: Speaking Naturally in English

Role Play 1: Preparing for a Big Event

Situation:
Two friends are preparing for a college cultural festival. One wants to do something ambitious.

Useful phrases
Go big or go home
What gets you pumped up?
Get in the zone
Here’s what we’re going to do

Dialogue starter

A: The cultural festival is next week. What should we do for our performance?
B: If we’re doing it, let’s go big or go home.
A: True! So here’s what we’re going to do…

Task:
Continue the conversation for at least 6–8 lines. Discuss the plan and how to prepare.

Role Play 2: Talking About Ideas

Situation:
A student has an idea for a new school project and wants to present it to a teacher.

Useful phrases

I was really trying to think about…
I kept thinking about…
Pitch an idea
I think I’m pretty good at…
Dialogue starter

Student: Ma’am, I wanted to pitch an idea for the school magazine.
Teacher: Sure, what is it?
Student: I was really trying to think about something interesting…

Task:
Continue the discussion. The teacher may ask questions and the student explains the idea.

Role Play 3: Friendly Competition

Situation:
Two friends are playing a game.

Useful phrases

I totally did
I’m gonna get you
Gentlemen first
Chivalry is not dead
Dialogue starter

A: I scored 10 points!
B: No way! I totally did better than that.
A: Just wait… I’m gonna get you in the next round!

Task:
Continue the playful conversation.

Role Play 4: Talking About Talents

Situation:
Two friends are discussing their unusual talents.

Useful phrases

That’s one of my useless talents
I don’t know how to explain it
Boo-boo

Dialogue starter

A: I can imitate many movie actors.
B: Really?
A: Yes… that’s one of my useless talents.

Task:
Talk about strange or funny talents you have.

Role Play 5: Interview Practice

Situation:
One student plays the role of a talk-show host, the other plays the role of a celebrity guest.

Useful phrases

What gets you pumped up?
Give a shout-out to…
Behind the scenes (BTS)
I kept thinking about…

Dialogue starter

Host: Welcome to the show! What gets you pumped up before a performance?
Guest: Music helps me get in the zone.

Task:
Continue the interview for 8–10 lines.

Bonus Classroom Activity

Speed Role Play

Students work in pairs.
Each pair chooses two phrases from the lesson.
They create a 30-second conversation using those phrases.
Pairs perform their conversation for the class.

Teaching Tip
Encourage students to act naturally rather than read from a script. The goal is to make these expressions part of their spontaneous speech.