# 330. The Great Gatsby (B2-level extract)

An episode of [Practising English](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1576254905), 7 Oct 2026, 31 min.

Audio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1783332/episodes/19925536-330-the-great-gatsby-b2-level-extract.mp3

These are the B2 words and phrases I'll be explaining today: You can see the transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-330.htm 1) From time to time Definition: Sometimes, but not regularly or very often. Example 1: When revising for my history exam, I take a short break from time to time to rest my eyes. Example 2: From time to time, the professor gives us a small quiz to check we understand the topic. 2) denied Definition: Said that something was not true, or refused to admit to doing something. Example 1: He strongly denied that he had copied the answers during the final maths exam. Example 2: The student denied cheating, even though the teacher found notes hidden in his desk. 3) embarrassment Definition: A feeling of being nervous, ashamed, or uncomfortable, especially in front of other people. Example 1: To save himself the embarrassment of failing the course, he studied in the library every evening. Example 2: She felt a lot of embarrassment when her mind went completely blank during the oral examination. 4) casually Definition: In a relaxed and informal way, without seeming to worry or care too much. Example 1: Instead of making careful notes, he just casually read the textbook the night before the big test. Example 2: She casually looked through her flashcards while waiting outside the hall for the exam to begin. 5) confidently Definition: In a way that shows you are sure of your own abilities and certain that you will do well. Example 1: After weeks of hard revision, she walked confidently into the university exam room. Example 2: He confidently answered the essay question because he knew the subject perfectly. 6) mumbling Definition: Speaking very quietly and not clearly, making it difficult for other people to hear or understand you. Example 1: While trying to memorise the chemical formulas, she walked around her bedroom mumbling the words to herself. Example 2: The nervous student stood at the front of the class, mumbling his presentation instead of speaking clearly. 7) looked as if Definition: Seemed or appeared to be true, based on the situation or on what you could see. Example 1: He looked as if he had not slept for days because he was up all night studying for his degree. Example 2: When I first read the paper, it looked as if the test was going to be impossible, but it actually got easier. Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams). To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform): https://amzn.to/46AVFe9 Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

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