Английские устойчивые выражения, коллокации и идиомы. Практическое пособие для уровня B1–B2

When she arrived at the stop, she checked the schedule on her phone. The next bus was supposed to come in five minutes, but she was not fully confident it would be punctual. While waiting, she reviewed her lecture topic mentally, trying to prepare herself for the class ahead.

Fortunately, the bus arrived with only a slight delay. Elena managed to find a seat near the window. As the bus moved through the city, she observed the traffic and thought about her plans for the day. She preferred using this time productively instead of simply scrolling through social media.

By the time she reached the university, she had regained her focus. She walked quickly across campus, greeted a few classmates, and entered the lecture hall just before the lesson began. She felt relieved that she had not missed anything important.

During the lecture, Elena paid close attention and took detailed notes. She knew that consistent attendance and preparation were key to academic success. Even though the morning had been slightly stressful, she managed to stay organized and composed.

Later that day, Elena reflected on her experience. She realized that going to work or school on time was not only about transportation, but also about discipline and preparation. Small delays in the morning could easily affect the entire day if not managed properly.

From that moment on, she decided to improve her morning routine even further, especially her time management skills. She understood that reliability and consistency were habits that could make her academic life much smoother.

2. Useful Words and Expressions

weekday morning — буднее утро

follow a route — следовать маршруту

manage time — управлять временем

leave home — выходить из дома

lose track of time — потерять счёт времени

get ready — собираться

pack a bag — собирать сумку

double-check — перепроверить

panic — паниковать

practical steps — практические действия

rush hour — час пик

public transport — общественный транспорт

bus stop — автобусная остановка

bus schedule — расписание автобусов

arrive on time — прийти вовремя

slight delay — небольшая задержка

find a seat — найти место

focus on — сосредоточиться на

scroll through social media — листать соцсети

regain focus — восстановить концентрацию

take notes — делать заметки

academic success — академический успех

stay composed — сохранять спокойствие

time management — управление временем

reliability — надёжность

consistency — последовательность

3. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Elena usually follows the same ___ to university.

She lost ___ of time while studying.

She quickly packed her ___ before leaving.

She avoided ___ and stayed focused.

The bus arrived with a slight ___.

She used the commute to regain ___.

She took detailed ___ during the lecture.

She understood the importance of time ___.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Why did Elena leave home later than usual?

A) She overslept

B) She spent too much time studying

C) She missed her alarm

What transport did she use?

A) Train

B) Bus

C) Taxi

What did she do while waiting for the bus?

A) Slept

B) Checked social media

C) Reviewed her lecture topic

How did she feel at the end of the morning?

A) Relieved

B) Angry

C) Confused

Exercise 3: Questions (Answer in 2—3 sentences)

Why was Elena’s morning slightly stressful?

How did she prepare herself while waiting for the bus?

What did she do during the bus ride?

Why is time management important in Elena’s experience?

What lesson did she learn from this morning?

4. Answer Key

Exercise 1

route

track

bag

panic

delay

focus

notes

management

Exercise 2

1 — B

2 — B

3 — C

4 — A

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

Elena’s morning was slightly stressful because she left home later than planned. This created a risk of being late for her first lecture.

While waiting for the bus, she mentally reviewed her lecture topic. This helped her prepare and stay focused for the upcoming class.

During the bus ride, she observed the city and organized her thoughts for the day. She avoided distractions and used the time productively.

Time management is important because small delays can affect the entire schedule. Elena understood that planning helps prevent unnecessary stress.

She learned that discipline and preparation are essential for reliability. Good time management contributes to academic success and reduces daily stress.

Managing Time During the Day

1. Story

Oliver often felt that his days were too short. Even when he started the morning with clear intentions, he frequently ended up delaying important tasks and spending too much time on less important activities. As a result, he sometimes worked late in the evening and felt that he had not used his time effectively.

One day, Oliver decided to take a more structured approach to his schedule. He began by writing down everything he needed to accomplish during the day. Instead of keeping tasks in his head, he created a clear to-do list and divided it into priorities. This helped him see what was truly important and what could wait.

In the morning, Oliver focused on his most demanding task first. He noticed that his concentration was highest during the first few hours of the day, so he wanted to use that time wisely. Instead of checking emails or social media, he worked without interruptions and made steady progress.

Later in the morning, he allowed himself a short break. He understood that continuous work without rest often leads to fatigue and lower productivity. During his break, he stretched, drank water, and briefly stepped outside to clear his mind. This helped him return to work with renewed focus.

In the afternoon, Oliver had several smaller tasks to complete. He grouped similar activities together, such as replying to messages and organizing documents. This made his workflow more efficient and reduced the time spent switching between different types of work.

At one point, Oliver received an unexpected phone call that interrupted his schedule. Instead of losing control of the rest of his day, he calmly adjusted his plan. He realized that flexibility was also an important part of time management. Not everything could be predicted in advance, but he could always choose how to respond.

By the end of the day, Oliver had completed most of his planned tasks. He still had some unfinished work, but he decided to leave it for the next day instead of working late into the night. He understood that rest was necessary for maintaining long-term productivity.

That evening, Oliver reflected on his progress. He noticed that his new approach had helped him feel more organized and less stressed. Although he was still learning how to manage his time perfectly, he felt that he was moving in the right direction.

He realized that effective time management was not about doing everything at once, but about making conscious decisions, setting priorities, and maintaining balance throughout the day.

2. Useful Words and Expressions

manage time — управлять временем

structured approach — структурированный подход

to-do list — список дел

set priorities — расставлять приоритеты

important task — важная задача

less important activity — менее важное дело

work efficiently — работать эффективно

concentration level — уровень концентрации

check emails — проверять почту

without interruptions — без отвлечений

make progress — делать прогресс

take a break — делать перерыв

clear the mind — очистить разум

productivity — продуктивность

group tasks — группировать задачи

workflow — рабочий процесс

switch between tasks — переключаться между задачами

unexpected interruption — неожиданное отвлечение

adjust the plan — корректировать план

stay calm — сохранять спокойствие

flexibility — гибкость

unfinished work — незавершённая работа

long-term productivity — долгосрочная продуктивность

reflect on the day — анализировать день

feel organized — чувствовать организованность

make conscious decisions — принимать осознанные решения

3. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Oliver created a ___ list for his tasks.

He focused on his most ___ task first.

He worked without ___.

He took a short ___ during the morning.

He grouped similar ___ together.

He stayed ___ during unexpected interruptions.

He adjusted his ___ when needed.

He reflected on the ___ at the end of the day.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

What did Oliver struggle with before?

A) Lack of money

B) Poor time management

C) Lack of sleep

What did he do first to improve his day?

A) Slept longer

B) Made a to-do list

C) Called a friend

How did he handle interruptions?

A) He panicked

B) He ignored them completely

C) He adjusted his plan calmly

What did Oliver realize about time management?

A) It is only about working more

B) It is about balance and priorities

C) It is unnecessary

Exercise 3: Questions (Answer in 2—3 sentences)

What problems did Oliver experience before improving his time management?

How did he organize his tasks during the day?

Why did he take breaks during work?

How did he react to unexpected interruptions?

What is the main lesson from Oliver’s experience?

4. Answer Key

Exercise 1

to-do

important

interruptions

break

tasks

calm

plan

day

Exercise 2

1 — B

2 — B

3 — C

4 — B

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

Oliver often struggled with poor time management and frequently delayed important tasks. This caused him to work late and feel unproductive.

He organized his tasks using a structured to-do list and prioritized important activities. He also grouped similar tasks to improve efficiency.

He took breaks to rest and clear his mind. This helped him maintain focus and avoid fatigue.

He reacted calmly and adjusted his schedule instead of panicking. He understood the importance of flexibility.

The main lesson is that effective time management requires prioritization, structure, and adaptability. Productivity depends on both planning and balance.

Taking a Break and Relaxing

1. Story

Sophie used to believe that being productive meant working without stopping. She often pushed herself through long hours of study or work, thinking that breaks were a waste of time. However, she gradually began to notice that her concentration dropped sharply after several hours of continuous effort. She also felt more tired and less motivated as the day went on.

One particularly busy week, Sophie had several deadlines to meet. She worked from early morning until late evening, trying to complete everything as quickly as possible. At first, she felt that she was making good progress. However, by the middle of the day, she started to lose focus and made small mistakes that took extra time to correct.

On the third day, Sophie realized that her approach was not sustainable. She felt mentally exhausted and found it difficult to concentrate even on simple tasks. Instead of continuing in the same way, she decided to change her routine and include proper breaks throughout the day.

She started by planning short pauses between work sessions. After every hour of focused work, she allowed herself a ten to fifteen-minute break. During these breaks, she stepped away from her desk, stretched her body, and avoided looking at screens. This helped her reduce mental fatigue and restore her energy.

Sophie also began to take a proper lunch break instead of eating quickly while working. She went outside for a short walk, enjoyed fresh air, and tried not to think about her tasks for a while. This change had a noticeable effect on her mood and productivity.

In the evenings, she introduced a relaxing routine. Instead of continuing to work late, she set a clear finishing time. After that, she did calming activities such as reading, listening to music, or simply resting. She noticed that her sleep improved and she woke up feeling more refreshed.

Over time, Sophie realized that breaks were not a sign of laziness but an essential part of effective work. When she returned to her tasks after resting, she was able to focus more clearly and complete her work faster.

By the end of the week, Sophie had not only met her deadlines but also felt healthier and more balanced. She understood that productivity is not only about how much time you spend working, but also about how well you manage your energy.

2. Useful Words and Expressions

take a break — делать перерыв

work without stopping — работать без остановки

waste of time — пустая трата времени

concentration drops — концентрация падает

lose focus — терять концентрацию

make progress — делать прогресс

meet deadlines — соблюдать сроки

mental exhaustion — умственное истощение

sustainable approach — устойчивый подход

focused work — сфокусированная работа

mental fatigue — умственная усталость

restore energy — восстановить энергию

step away from desk — отойти от рабочего места

screen time — время перед экраном

take a lunch break — делать обеденный перерыв

go for a walk — пойти на прогулку

fresh air — свежий воздух

improve mood — улучшить настроение

relaxing routine — расслабляющий режим

set a finishing time — установить время окончания работы

calm activity — спокойное занятие

feel refreshed — чувствовать себя отдохнувшим

productivity — продуктивность

manage energy — управлять энергией

avoid burnout — избегать выгорания

3. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Sophie used to work without ___.

Her concentration began to ___ during long work sessions.

She realized her approach was not ___.

She took short ___ during the day.

She stepped away from her ___.

She went for a ___ during lunch.

She set a clear ___ time in the evening.

Breaks helped her restore her ___.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

What did Sophie believe at first?

A) Breaks are important

B) Working without stopping is productive

C) Sleep is unnecessary

What problem did she experience?

A) Too much free time

B) Mental exhaustion and loss of focus

C) Lack of tasks

What did she do during breaks?

A) Checked emails

B) Continued working

C) Stretched and rested

What did she learn in the end?

A) Breaks are essential for productivity

B) Working longer is always better

C) Breaks slow down progress

Exercise 3: Questions (Answer in 2—3 sentences)

Why did Sophie’s productivity decrease during long working hours?

What changes did she make to her daily routine?

How did short breaks help her during the day?

Why is taking a lunch break important according to the story?

What is the main lesson from Sophie’s experience?

4. Answer Key

Exercise 1

stopping

drop

sustainable

breaks

desk

walk

finishing

energy

Exercise 2

1 — B

2 — B

3 — C

4 — A

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

Sophie’s productivity decreased because she worked for long periods without rest. This caused mental fatigue and reduced her ability to concentrate.

She introduced short breaks, took proper lunch breaks, and set a clear finishing time in the evening. She also included relaxing activities in her routine.

Short breaks helped her reduce mental fatigue and restore her energy. They allowed her to return to work with better focus.

Taking a lunch break was important because it helped her disconnect from work and recover mentally. It also improved her mood and overall productivity.

The main lesson is that breaks are essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. Effective work requires a balance between effort and rest.

Evening Routine After Work

1. Story

After long and demanding workdays, Lucas often felt mentally drained. In the past, he used to continue working at home, answering emails or thinking about unfinished tasks. As a result, he rarely had time to rest properly, and his sleep quality gradually worsened. He realized that his evenings had become an extension of his work rather than a time for recovery.

One day, Lucas decided to change this habit. He understood that a structured evening routine could help him relax, recharge, and prepare for the next day. He started by setting a clear boundary between work and personal time. Once he left the office, he made a conscious effort not to check work messages or think about deadlines.

When he arrived home, Lucas first focused on simple recovery activities. He changed into comfortable clothes, drank water, and gave himself a few minutes of silence to transition from work mode to rest mode. This small pause helped him feel more present and less mentally overloaded.

Instead of immediately turning on the television or scrolling through his phone, Lucas introduced a short walk after dinner. This became one of his most effective habits. Walking outside helped him clear his mind, reduce stress, and reflect on the day in a calm and natural way.

After his walk, Lucas usually had a light dinner. He avoided heavy meals late in the evening because they made him feel tired and uncomfortable. While eating, he tried to stay away from distractions and focused on the simple experience of the meal.

Later in the evening, Lucas dedicated time to quiet and relaxing activities. He sometimes read a book, listened to soft music, or planned the next day briefly. He noticed that writing a short plan for tomorrow reduced his anxiety and helped him fall asleep more easily.

He also established a consistent bedtime. Instead of going to bed at different times each night, he tried to follow a regular schedule. This improved his sleep quality and made it easier for him to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed.