1. Be off the chart 非常好，出奇的好


chart n. 图表；海图；图纸；排行榜


vt. 绘制…的图表；在海图上标出；详细计划；记录；记述；跟踪


例如task1的人物类话题：Describe a person you admire/like. 可以用该短语形容这个人的品质或性格或优点，例如：Her IQ is off the charts. 她的智商非常高。


2. Middle ground 折中的办法；中间立场


ground n. 地面；土地；范围；战场;根据


此外，ground也有立场的意思。例如task2抽象类话题：If a student cheated on the exam, should he be asked to leave the school? 如果选的立场是不应该离开，那么其中一个理由就可以说：He’s just a child who is supposed to be given another chance. Maybe we could find a middle ground like lowering his credits. 他只是个孩子，应该给予一次机会，也许我们可以想一个折中的办法，比如，扣学分。


3. Show someone the ropes 给某人指点迷津，指点门道


例如task2抽象类话题：Do you think people should do some part-time job before entering into the university? 如果选的立场是应该做，那么理由可以是：We could gain a lot of relevant working experience from the colleagues who would show us the ropes that are helpful for our future career. 同事能给我们指点门道，从而获得许多工作经验。


4. Trans-fat and carbs 反式脂肪酸和碳水化合物


这两个属于食品类专业术语，如果能运用到口语话题里必会提升逼格。例如task1抽象话题：Describe the advantages and the disadvantages of the fast-food restaurant. 谈及缺点的时候即可用到该表达：Fast-food like chocolate bar or coco cola contain too much trans-fat and carbs which would lead to obesity. 像巧克力棒或可口可乐这样的快餐包含太多的反式脂肪酸和碳水化合物，而这些都是肥胖的罪魁祸首。


5. Long shot 希望不大，可能成功


shot n. 发射；炮弹；射手；镜头 v. 射击，发射


例如task2抽象话题：Some people prefer to watch a sport game from the audience seat, others prefer to be in the sport field and compete with others. Which do you prefer to do? 如果选择后者，那么理由可以是：I love challenging myself. Though it’s a long shot, I could gain much wonderful life experience. 我喜欢挑战自我。尽管在竞争中可能会输，但我能从中获得许多美妙的人生体验。


6. Blow out 挥霍，浪费


例如task2 抽象话题：Some people who unexpectedly receive a large amount of money spend it on practical things, while others spend it for pleasure only, which do you think is better and why? 如果选择前者，那么开头可以这样说：We need to spend it on practical things like tuition fee rather than blow out the money for pleasure. 我们要把钱花在实用之处，比如交学费 ，而不是挥霍这笔钱来享乐。