English Advanced C1 Part 1

Hello, and welcome to New Leader language school’s first lesson for Advanced level. For your convenience there will be a script below this video that you can follow as well.

Our first topic is going to be about vocabulary connected to names — both the different types of names we have and some common expressions related to them.

Your first name is your personal name — for example: Peter, David, or Emma. It’s sometimes called your given name, because it is the name given to you at birth.

Your family name, also called your surname, is the name you share with your family. For example, in the name Peter Johnson Williams, the family name or surname is Williams.

We also have the middle name, which comes between the first name and the family name — in this case it is Johnson. Usually, this name is taken from the father.

It’s also very common for people to have nicknames. Let’s take a look at the conversation. A: Hi, Peter! Have you got a nickname? B: Yes, you can call me Pete.

A nickname is an informal or friendly name. For example, someone named Elizabeth might be called Liz or Beth.

There are also names connected to marriage. A woman’s maiden name is her family name before she gets married. After marriage, if she changes it, she may use her husband’s surname as her married name.

Finally, if you are named after someone, it means you were given the same name as another person — often a relative. For example, “I was named after my grandfather Simon.” “So, my name is also Simon”.

Good! Now, let’s look at some idioms and expressions with the word “name.”

If you live up to your name, you behave in a way that matches what people expect from your name or reputation. For example, if someone named Victor is very successful, you might say, “He really lives up to his name!”

If you make a name for yourself, you become successful or well-known because of your work. For instance, an entrepreneur might move abroad and make a name for herself in the tech industry.

A household name is someone so famous that almost everyone knows them. For example, Taylor Swift is a household name around the world.

To put your name forward means to suggest yourself for a position or opportunity. For example, “She put her name forward to become team leader.”

And finally, to clear someone’s name means to prove that they are not guilty of something. For example, a lawyer might work hard to clear her client’s name.