Cohesive Devices - Exercise

Taylor Swift's song "Blank Space" is a great way to learn English. Her lyrics are easy to understand and remember, and she uses a lot of natural English expressions. She is also a very popular singer, so her songs are a fun way to learn English.

Lyrics

Nice to meet you, where you been?
I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin
Saw you there and I thought
"Oh, my God, look at that face
You look like my next mistake
Love's a game, wanna play?" Ay

New money, suit and tie
I can read you like a magazine
Ain't it funny? Rumors fly
And I know you heard about me
So hey, let's be friends
I'm dying to see how this one ends
Grab your passport and my hand
I can make the bad guys good for a weekend

So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over, mm
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game

'Cause we're young, and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far
It'll leave you breathless, mm
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name

Cherry lips, crystal skies
I could show you incredible things
Stolen kisses, pretty lies
You're the King, baby, I'm your Queen
Find out what you want
Be that girl for a month
Wait, the worst is yet to come, oh, no

Screaming, crying, perfect storms
I can make all the tables turn
Rose garden filled with thorns
Keep you second guessing like
"Oh, my God, who is she?"
I get drunk on jealousy
But you'll come back each time you leave
'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream

So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over, mm
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game

'Cause we're young, and we're reckless (oh)
We'll take this way too far
It'll leave you breathless, mm (oh)
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane (insane)
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name

Boys only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn ya
Boys only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn ya

So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over (over)
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane (I'm insane)
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game

'Cause we're young, and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far (ooh)
It'll leave you breathless, mm
Or with a nasty scar (leave a nasty scar)
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name

 

Summary:
"Blank Space" by Taylor Swift is like a playful joke about how the media sees her love life. People used to think of her as a really nice and normal girl, but then the media started talking a lot about her dating famous people. The song makes fun of the idea that she's always in love and having lots of relationships. Taylor Swift didn't like how the media portrayed her, so she wrote this song to poke fun at the rumors and show that she can make a joke about it. The lyrics talk about love as if it's a game and challenge what people think about her. It's a clever way for her to respond to all the gossip while still making catchy music.

Let's break down the song and learn some vocabulary, phrases and expressions.  Make your own sentences and speak them out loud while going through each one below.

1
Incredible things
Incredible is a very common word used by native speakers.

The food at that new restaurant was so incredible; I'm definitely going back.
She's incredibly talented on the guitar; I could listen to her play all day.
The weather this weekend was incredible, making the beach trip even more enjoyable.
I didn't expect those plot twists in the movie; it made the film incredibly interesting.
From the top of the mountain, the view is incredible; you can see for miles.
Everyone's incredible support for the project is making a real difference.
You have to check out this book; it's incredibly well-written and captivating.
I can't believe how fast my kid is growing up – it's incredible!

2
look at that face
you can use "look at that" to indicate that something is really amazing. Here are some examples of how to use the expression in this way:

Look at that sunset! It's so beautiful!
Look at that car! It's amazing!
Look at that dress! It's perfect for you!
Look at that painting! It's so realistic!
Look at that house! It's huge!
Look at that cake! It looks delicious!
Look at that score! We won by a landslide!

In all of these examples, "look at that" is being used to draw attention to something that is really impressive. The speaker is saying that the thing in question is so amazing that it deserves to be seen and admired.

Here are a few more examples of how "look at that" can be used in a more informal way:

Look at that! I just made a three-pointer!
Look at that! I just scored a touchdown!
Look at that! I just won the lottery!

In these examples, the speaker is using "look at that" to express their excitement about something that has just happened. They are saying that the thing in question is so amazing that they can't believe it happened.

3
New money and old money
The terms "new money" and "old money" are used to distinguish between people based on the source of their wealth.

Old money refers to families who have inherited wealth that has been passed down through generations. These families are often associated with traditional values, discretion, and a sense of social responsibility. They may have inherited large estates, businesses, or investments, and they often have a strong network of connections within the upper class.

New money, on the other hand, refers to individuals who have earned their wealth themselves, often through entrepreneurship, innovation, or entertainment. They may be self-made millionaires or billionaires, and they are often associated with a more ostentatious and visible lifestyle.

Here are some example sentences using the terms "new money" and "old money":

The Astors and the Vanderbilts are considered old money families.
Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are examples of new money.
"The new money crowd is often seen as being more flashy and less traditional than the old money families.
Some people say that old money has a sense of social responsibility that new money does not.
The rivalry between new money and old money is a common theme in literature and film.

4
suit and tie
You can use it when you are referring to a formal outfit, usually when someone is going to an event that requires more elaborate attire. For example,
"He wore a suit and tie for his graduation ceremony.".

Suit and tie also means Formal, serious, and professional
"This is not a suit and tie kind of job."

5
I can read you like a magazine
The phrase "read someone like a book" is an idiom that means someone can understand another person's thoughts, feelings, or intentions very easily or accurately. It implies a high level of insight or understanding about someone's character or behavior. Variations of this usage might include:

Read someone like an open book:
After spending years together, Jane could read John like an open book and always knew when something was bothering him.
Read someone like a well-worn book:
Tom had known Sarah for so long that he could read her like a well-worn book, even when she tried to hide her emotions.

6
I'm dying to see how this one ends
be dying for/to do something
The phrase "be dying to do something" is an idiom used to express a strong desire or eagerness to do a particular thing. It conveys a sense of anticipation or longing.
To be extremely eager or enthusiastic about doing something; to have a strong, almost desperate, desire to do a specific activity or achieve a particular goal.

I'm dying to see the new movie everyone's talking about.
She's been dying to meet you since she heard so much about you.
They are dying to announce the big news, but they have to wait until everything is confirmed.
Ever since I read the book, I've been dying to visit the places described in it.
I'm dying to try that new restaurant downtown.
The kids are dying to open their presents on Christmas morning.

7
This one
We asked them to provide information about their campus behavior,
including pretty sensitive questions, such as this one.
Have you ever cheated in an exam?

Trust me on this one
I am with you on this one
I really like this one
You cannot go wrong with this one
I am no sure about this one


8
Go down in flames
The idiom "go down in flames" is an expression used to describe a situation where something, such as a project, plan, or endeavor, fails dramatically or disastrously. It implies a complete and often public failure, often with a sense of intensity or spectacle.

Example Sentences
The new business venture went down in flames after just a few months, leaving the investors with significant losses.
Despite months of preparation, the team's performance in the championship game went down in flames, losing by a large margin.
Her attempt to organize a surprise party for him went down in flames when he found out about it in advance.
The ambitious political campaign went down in flames after a series of scandals and controversies.
The experimental technology, once hailed as groundbreaking, ultimately went down in flames due to unforeseen technical issues.

9
Turn the table
The phrase "turn the tables" is an idiom that means to reverse a situation, often transforming a disadvantage into an advantage. It implies a shift in power, control, or fortune.

Examples:
After a slow start, the underdog team managed to turn the tables and win the championship.
During the negotiation, she skillfully turned the tables on her opponents and secured a better deal for her company.
In the middle of the game, the momentum suddenly shifted, and the losing team turned the tables with a series of strategic moves.
He was initially accused of the crime, but new evidence emerged that turned the tables in his favor.
The political candidate, facing criticism in the beginning, turned the tables with a compelling speech that won over the voters.

10
Insane
Insane is an adjective that originally refers to something that is mentally deranged, irrational, or exhibiting a serious mental disorder. However, in informal use, it has taken on a broader meaning, often used to describe something extraordinary, amazing, or extreme.

Informal Use and Examples:
The concert last night was insane! The energy, the music—it was just mind-blowing.
She has this insane ability to remember people's names after meeting them once.
The amount of food they served at the buffet was insane; I couldn't even try everything.
His new car is insane—top speed, sleek design, the works.
The traffic during rush hour is always insane; it takes forever to get anywhere.
She has an insane collection of vintage vinyl records.
The view from the mountaintop is insane; you can see for miles.

In informal use, "insane" often conveys a sense of excitement, amazement, or extremeness rather than indicating something clinically deranged

10+1
Grab your passport and my hand
This one reminds you of a figure of speech called zeugma.
Zeugma involves a single word (usually a verb or an adjective) that governs or modifies two or more words, though its effect may vary with each. It often produces a humorous or clever effect.

Here's an example:
"He stole my heart and my wallet."
In this sentence, the verb "stole" is applied to both "heart" and "wallet," but in different senses. The use of zeugma allows for a play on words, creating a clever or amusing effect by blending literal and metaphorical meanings.

Signature Idioms of Taylor Swift:

Though these may not be purely her inventions, because of her popularity people may be able to associate these usages with her songs and lend a unique shade of meaning to these expressions.

Incredible things
You look like my next mistake
I can make the bad guys good for a weekend
If the high was worth the pain
I love the players and you love the game
I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name
Boys only want love if it's torture
Nasty scar
I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream