Here is Audio Word Study #053 from Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com
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I hope you enjoyed the audio article above about the first man on the moon! In this DailyStep Audio Word Study, you can learn some vocabulary and idioms about the moon. Remember, always learn the whole structure of an expression, including the prepositions – those little words such as in, on and over are so important if you want to speak correct English!
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1. Full moon, half moon and crescent moon (nouns)
Meaning: These expressions describe stages of the Moon in its cycle. A full moon is circular, a half moon is shaped like a semi-circle, and a crescent moon has a curved shape, pointed at both ends – in other words it is smaller than a half moon.
Example: 1. As it was a full moon and a clear night, we went for a walk in the bright moonlight.
2. A crescent moon is one of the images used on the Turkish flag.
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2. Lunar eclipse (noun)
Meaning: A lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its shadow.
Example: We all rushed outside to watch the lunar eclipse. I had never seen an eclipse of the Moon before, and it was a spectacular sight!
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3. Lunatic / Lunacy (nouns)
Meaning: A lunatic is a crazy person, and lunacy is crazy behaviour. Both of these words have their root in the Latin word ‘luna’, meaning ‘moon’. It was thought that the full moon affects the behaviour of some people – in fact it does seem to be the case that there are more accidents at the time of the full moon!
Examples: There was a lunatic on this bus this morning, shouting at everyone and waving his arms around.
2. That new government policy is lunacy! It will cause more problems that it solves.
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4. To be over the moon (idiom)
Meaning: If you are over the moon about something, you are extremely happy about it.
Examples: 1. Manchester City has always been my favourite football team so when they beat Manchester United 6-1 last year, I was over the moon.
2. When I lost my job, I was not exactly over the moon about it, but in some ways I was quite pleased. (note: this means that I was not really happy about it, but not unhappy about it either.)
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5. Once in a blue moon (idiom)
Meaning: almost never / extremely rarely
Example: I used to see my friends all the time but since my children were born I only ever see them once in a blue moon.. .
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Now, try to write your own sentences using these expressions. Try to write examples that are true to your own life, as this will help you to remember them better. That’s all for Audio Word Study #053 on DailyStep.com.