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John Millen

We are surrounded by it. We can't see it. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't there. Breathe in - take a deep breath of air!
Definitions
Find the meanings of these 'air' words
aircraft / air rage / air steward / airbed / hot air balloon / air ambulance / air freight / air terminal / air drop /  air pocket / air freshener / air force / air mail / air mile
1. a large oblong rubber or plastic bag which you fill with air so that you can lie on it in water or use it as a bed
2. a plane or helicopter equipped for flying seriously ill or injured people to a hospital
3. delivering food or equipment by dropping them from aircraft to areas where there is war or famine
4. a spray that makes a room or car smell pleasant
5. an area in the sky where air suddenly flows in a different direction causing a plane to go up or down
6. the part of an airport where passengers wait before their flight leaves
7. a type of aircraft consisting of a massive bag filled with hot air or gas with a basket hanging underneath it in which people can ride
8. when a passenger suddenly becomes angry or violent on a plane during a flight
Air phrases
Do you know the meanings of these phrases?
1. mid-air (adj)
a) high up in the air
b) close to the ground
2. open air (adj)
a) describes a place without a roof or an event which takes place outside
b) near an airport
3. to float on air
a) to be depressed and sad
b) to be very happy
4. to be up in the air
a) to be very expensive
b) to be uncertain or not yet decided
5. to be like a breath of fresh air
a) to smell fresh and clean
b) to be new, different and exciting
6. to clear the air
a) to make sure everything is okay after an argument
b) to take a long-haul flight
Castles in the air
Pick out the correct meaning for each of these common phrasal verbs
1. to build castles in the air
a) to go for a ride in a hot air balloon
b) to make plans for something that has little chance of happening
2. to pluck something out of thin air
a) to wait a long time at an airport
b) to come up with an idea from nothing
3. to be a load of hot air
a) to boast about something that is worthless
b) to cook food with steam
4. to always have his / her nose in the air
a) to have a bad cold
b) to think that he / she is better than everyone else
5. to vanish into thin air
a) to explode
b) to suddenly disappear
6. to be air sick
a) to be sick on a plane
b) to be sick on a bus
Dialogues
Complete these dialogues and then practise them with a friend.
1. Did you hear what he said about his plans for the summer?
Yes, I did. He was just boasting as usual. What he said was (a load of hot
air / castles in the air).
2. What have you decided to do about moving to a new flat?
Oh, our plans are (in mid-air / up in the air) at the moment. We don't know what to do.
3. Where did you get those numbers from?
I (plucked them out of thin air / vanished into thin air).
4. That was a real bad argument you had with dad last night.
I know. I'm so sorry. I'll (float on air / clear the air) as soon as I can.
5. You look very happy!
I'm (clearing the air / floating on air). I passed my driving test yesterday.
6. Where is he?
I haven't a clue. He's (in mid-air / vanished into  thin air).
Answers
Definitions: airbed / air ambulance / air drop / air freshener / air pocket / air terminal / hot air balloon / air rage
Air phrases: 1. a / 2. a / 3. b / 4. b / 5. b / 6. a
Castles in the air: 1. b / 2. b / 3. a / 4. b /  5. b / 6. a
Dialogues: a load of hot air / up in the air / plucked them out of thin air / clear the air / floating on air / vanished into thin air



Up in the air