B2_05_Valeria

Question 1

1. you need time for all that… jeez… what a dirty rotten trick about your boss. (Elvi)
2. Explain N = jeez
3. dressed in some straight jeans and a blue fitted (or tailored) blouse (Valeria) [expl adj ← vb]
4. She herself made a point of saying it whenever Lola told her off for wearing it everywhere. (her pearls) [Explain how vb means this in the context?][What other loc vb = to scold]

Answer 1

1. necesitas tiempo para todo eso.. jolín.. qué faena lo de tu jefa. (eg ¡Menuda faena!)
2. jolín = euphemism for joder in front of children, old ladies etc. Use in same way as fuck/shit in Eng + related euphemisms
3. vestida con unos vaqueros rectos y una blusa azul entallada. [entallado ← entallar(se) = to fit or to shorten or to adjust, clothes so that fit better]
4. Ella misma se encargaba de decirlo cada vez que Lola la increpaba por llevarlo a todas partes. [encargarse de hacer algo = to be responsible for, but also idea of to take it on oneself to do s.th] [increpar = dar caña]

Question 2

1. She was tying the [shoe]laces of her slippers.
2. I forced Aitana to help me clean up all that mess. [1. Exp origing colq N. 2. What alt N know? 3. What alt mean?]
3. In the evening I crashed [vb = to crash, as in sleep OR to drop, as in exhausted]
4. The sound of the rain pounding on the leaves [vb, as in sound repeatedly - what mean re a bell? a drum?]
5. But it all seemed such hard work** (or **a struggle) [Explain loc vb]

Answer 2

1. ella se estaba atando los cordones de sus zapatillas
2. obligué a Aitana a que me ayudara a limpiar todo aquel desaguisado [1. ← guisado = stew + suitable or convenient (old-fash.) 2. un lío 3. = a crime]
3. Por la noche_ caí rendida [caer rendido]
4. El sonido de la lluvia al repicar sobre las hojas [repicar = to ring, a bell, to beat, a drum]
5. Pero todo me pareció _muy cuesta arriba. [cuesta arriba = uphill → hacerse cuesta arriba = to be tough, or to be hard work]

Question 3

1. With the vow that I wouldn’t take it off until she alone broke it (una pulsera de mano) (What also alone adj mean?)
2. And even though I had become fond of her, I couldn’t help … [loc vb - to become fond of]
3. That way you sway your hips when you walk… [vb, also = wiggle]
4. Just thinking about it + makes me hard again. [1. vb] [2. vb = to get it up, exp ← reflex vb ←vb]
5. One wank after another. [as in, hand job]

Answer 3

1. Con el juramento de que no me la quitaría hasta que se rompiera ella solita (also = lonesome)
2. Y a pesar de que le había cogido cariño, no podía evitar …[coger cariño]
3. Esa forma de contonearte al andar
4. Solo de acordarme + se me vuelve a _poner dura. [1.me ponerse dura] [empinarse ← to get steeper a slope + to stand on tiptoes ← empinar = to tip up, eg a wheelbarrow]
5. Una paja detrás de otra.

Question 4

1. I felt beside me, but the sheets were already cold. [vb - to feel, ie by touch]
2. The sound of the keys of his computer, up in the loft.
3. I found him with his glasses on and so intent on what he was writing. [What adj also mean?]
4. Well, it must + be there any minute now. [loc vb]
5. I want to ride the wave** (or **take FULL advantage of) [Context: inspiration re writing]

Answer 4

1. Palpé a mi lado, pero las sábanas ya estaban frías.
2. El sonido de las teclas de su ordenador, arriba en la buhardilla
3. Lo encontré con las gafas puestas y tan entregado a lo que estaba escibiendo [entregado = dedicated, to a cause or passionate, about sth]
4. Pues debe de + estar al caer.
5. Quiero aprovechar el tirón

Question 5

1. And how could she become (or get) pregnant if you didn’t want kids yet? [Q: why that become vb?]
2. And I lied with half-truths all the time.
3. he said without a hint of a smile [What N usually mean?]
4. he didn’t have the faintest idea

Answer 5

1. ¿Y cómo se pudo quedar embarazada si tú no querías tener niños aún? [quedarse = a state]
2. Y mentía con verdades a medias continuamente. [verdad a medias]
3. dijo sin un ápice de sonrisa [an iota or a scintilla or a shred etc.]
4. No tenía la más remota idea

Question 6

1. • With whom? - It’s none of your business. [What N lit mean?]
2. She pursed her lips. [Clue: not labios. Explain phrase]
3. Tell me, will you run away if I bring it up** (or **broach the subject)?
4. You’re so uptight. (also stand-offish or snooty, depending on context)

Answer 6

1. -¿Con quién? - No es _de_ tu _incumbencia._ [incumbencia = responsibility]
2. Ella apretó el morrito [hacer morritos** = **to pout]
3. Dime, ¿saldrás huyendo si te saco el tema?
4. Eres una estirada. (adj ← estirar = to stretch]

Question 7

1. As she was about to flag down (or hail) a taxi with the green light [what loc vb mean in military context?]
2. His smile widened [What vb lit mean?]
3. But tomorrow I’m leaving early (loc vb = to leave early) [Clue: NOT temprano]
4. part-time competitors, and a full-time couple

Answer 7

1. Cuando estaba a punto de dar el alto a un taxi con la luz verde [dar el alto = to halt, usually order by police or military)
2. La sonrisa se le agrandó [agrandarse = to get bigger]
3. Pero mañana salgo antes (salir antes)
4. competidores a tiempo parcial, y pareja a tiempo completo

Question 8

1. I asked her to pour us both a drink. [Nb - word order]
2. And it’s as good as if it were gold-plated**. **You’ve been warned. [Q: what vb to gold plate mean re student? + alt →N]
3. If he doesn’t make me come, out on the fucking street.
4. But? - she said, half-closing her eyes, suspicious. [1. vb - to half close s.th 2. vb - to squint]
5. She cracked up** in my face. (vb = 1. **to piss oneself laughing 2. non-vulgar to say = )

Answer 8

1. le pedí que nos pusiera una copa a las dos
2. Y vale como si estuviera enchapada en oro**. **Avisado/a quedas. [enchapar = to swot = empollar →(un) empollón]
3. Si no haces que me corra, a la puta calle.
4. ¿Pero? - Le dijo entornando, suspicaz, los ojos. [1. entornar + N 2. bizquear]
5. Se descojonó** en mi cara. (1. descojonarse 2. **reirse a carcajadas)

Question 9

1. Fuck. Fuck it (all). Fucking fucking suitcase. (she’s really mad. 1st could be hombre (ie emphasis)(Nb structure)
2. Ay. Please, I can’t wait (means “cuánto le gustaría hacer algo) + explain short-hand form)
3. What swaying/wobbling. (she was walking in high heels)
4. I know that all this might sound a a little bit [like] a stab in the back, but …

Answer 9

1. Joder. Me cago en todo. Puta + maleta + de los cojones.
2. Ay. Por favor, qué ganas (Qué ganas + de comer/bailar, with + bit implied)
3. Qué bamboleos. (-> bambolear = to sway, to totter)
4. Yo sé que todo esto puede sonar un pelín + a puñalada trapera, pero …

Question 10

1. I’m back from Valencia to my respectable/proper reality (v. Madrid, otherwise = pure, traditional eg of a place)
2. I’ll send you (pl) an encore
3. This one gets dirty big time or heaps or loads (talking about a sofa)
4. I am very thirsty

Answer 10

1. ya he vuelto de Valencia a mi castiza realidad
2. Os mando un bis
3. Este se ensucia mogollón
4. Estoy muy sedienta.

Question 11

1. sometimes people show up that you didn’t think were going to come (clue: were going to come + vb tense?)
2. I don´t know what the fuck happened in Cambodia, but you´ve just come out, you´re really cranky/mean/rude (ie word is a bit of all of them)
3. Don´t be mean
4. And if you’re not able to balance your relationship with your profession …

Answer 11

1. a veces aparece gente que no pensabas que fuera a venir
2. No sé que coña te ha pasado en Camboya, pero acabas de haber salido de armario, hueles mucho a rancio.
3. no seas rancio
4. Y si tú no es capaz de compaginar tu relación con tú profesión …