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The nosy neighbour

John Millen

She: Before you start DIGGING IN to your dinner, there's something we have to discuss.

He: Can't it wait until I've eaten? I'm hungry.

She: No. I've DUG OUT some very interesting information about our new neighbour.

He: Oh no! Have you been DIGGING INTO things that aren't your business again?

She: I don't know what you mean. Stop eating will you and listen! The new neighbour is our business.

He: No, he's not. You should not be DIGGING INTO his private life.

She: Just listen. Did you know that the man's name is Harry Wu and he used to work for your company?

He: So what?

She: I was out for lunch with Mandy, your old secretary, last week and she recognised his name. She said she would DIG OUT some more information for me.

He: You had no business to ask her to do that.

She: I didn't ask her. She volunteered. Stop DIGGING IN to your dinner and listen to me!

He: No. I've told you before about sticking your nose into other people's business. It causes trouble for both of us.

She: Mandy has DUG OUT a few facts about Mr Wu that you should know. He was dismissed from your company for stealing. Do you want to know more?

He: Please keep the information you have DUG OUT to yourself. I don't want to know. Keep quiet about Mr Wu. Let me get on with my dinner in peace.

YOUR TURN

1. TO DIG IN - to eat food greedily

He dug in to his hamburger as if he had never eaten one before.

2. TO DIG INTO - to find out information about something bit by bit

I will dig into his past and discover all his secrets.

3. TO DIG OUT - to discover facts by research or investigation. It can also

mean to dig something out from underneath soil or snow.

I'll dig out the dates of Napoleon's battles.

We must dig out those old rose bushes.

Note: Make sure you understand the difference between TO DIG INTO and TO

DIG IN to

I will dig into her past.

I will dig in to my dinner.

TASK 1

Which is the correct word in the brackets?

1. I am going to dig (in to / into) my breakfast.

2. Why have you been digging (into / in to) my private business?

3. I am looking forward to digging (into / in to) that delicious mango pudding.

4. Don't start digging (in to / into) your dinner yet.

5. We need to dig (into / in to) his past and find the truth.

TASK 2

Which is the correct meaning of these sentences?

1. We began digging in to the picnic early.

a) We began preparing for the picnic.

b) We began eating the food.

2. I am going to dig out everything I can about my new boss.

a) I am going to discover as many facts as I can.

b) I am going to be very pleasant to him.

3. You will have to dig out the path from under the snow.

a) You will have to uncover the path.

b) You will have to cover the path.

4. We must dig into the building's history before we start the project.

a) We must cover the building with earth.

b) We must find out all we can about the building's history.

5. Dig in to your lunch. We don't have much time.

a) Start eating your lunch quickly.

b) Throw your lunch into the rubbish bin.

Answers

Task 1: in to / into / in to / in to / into

Task 2: 1b / 2a / 3a / 4b / 5a

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