The Middle (Season 01 Episode 01 Pilot)

I. The family is made up of 5 members, namely:

a)
b)
c)
d)

(
(
(
(

) Frankie (the mother), Mike (the father), Axl (son), Sam (daughter), and Brick (son).
) Frankie (the mother), Peter (the father), Axl (son), Sue (daughter), and Brick (son).
) Frankie (the mother), Mike (the father), Axl (son), Sue (daughter), and Woody (son).
) Frankie (the mother), Mike (the father), Axl (son), Sue (daughter), and Brick (son).

II. In her new drivers license, the mother looks:

a)
b)
c)
d)

(
(
(
(

) Unhappy
) Depressed
) Worn out
) Shiny

III. The teacher describes Brick as being quirky, which means:

a) ( ) Impolite, rude, aggressive;
b) ( ) Unusual, unpredictable, strange;
c) ( ) Disruptive, restless, loud.

IV. What is the argument the mother uses to say there is something wrong with her paycheck?
a) ( ) The money doesnt pay for the food her family needs.
b) ( ) The money doesnt pay for all the troubles she faces during the day.
c) ( ) The money doesnt pay for the fuel she needs to get to work.

Phrasal verbs

V. Match the phrasal verbs to their meaning:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Give up
Put off
Put up with
Bring up
Pick up
Wear out

(
(
(
(
(
(

) To become exhausted or tired

) To stop making an effort
) To educate, raise
) To tolerate
) To postpone
) To get (someone at school)

VI. Now, complete the sentences with a phrasal verb from the box. Observe the correct form of the verb:

put off / give up / put up with / bring up / pick up / wear out

a) Although Sue was clumsy, she didnt ____________________ trying new things. This time she wanted to
participate in the show choir.
b) The parents cant ___________________ Axls attitude anymore. They think he needs to be punished.
c) It is very difficult for them _____________________ their children and focus on their career at the same time.
d) Frankie always ___________________ her working responsibilities to help her kids.
e) Frankie looks horrible in the new drivers license picture! She looks _____________________ because
having three children and being a working mother is really hard.
f) Frankie has to ___________ Brick __________ while she is with a customer on a test drive.

Grammar: Gerund and Infinitive

VII. Complete the sentences with gerund or infinitive form of the verbs:
a) The parents are thinking of ____________________ Axl for his attitude problems at school. (punish)
b) Sue decided _____________________ in the school choir. (participate)
c) The customer says she feels like ______________ into the car and _______________ away. (get / drive)
d) Frankie keeps _______________ Axl _______________ only in his underwear around the house. (tell /
not walk)
e) Frankie agrees ____________________ a costume to participate in Bricks show and tell project. (wear)
f) Frankie cant help __________________ when the customer tells her she understands why she is stressed
out, since she also has three kids ________________. (cry / raise)
g) Frankie works selling second hand cars _______________________ support her family. (help)
h) It is not easy _________________________ your children if you work full time. (bring up)
i)

__________________ of her three children and __________________ a working mom have been really
hard for Frankie. (take care / be)

Writing
VIII. What happens at the end of the episode? Write a short paragraph about it.
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Answers:
I. The family is made up of 5 members, namely:
a)
b)
c)
d)

( ) Frankie (the mother), Mike (the father), Axl (son), Sam (daughter), and Brick (son).
( ) Frankie (the mother), Peter (the father), Axl (son), Sue (daughter), and Brick (son).
( ) Frankie (the mother), Mike (the father), Axl (son), Sue (daughter), and Woody (son).
( X ) Frankie (the mother), Mike (the father), Axl (son), Sue (daughter), and Brick (son).

II. In her new drivers license, the mother looks:

e)
f)
g)
h)

( ) Unhappy
( ) Depressed
( X ) Worn out
( ) Shiny

III. The teacher describes Brick as being quirky, which means:

a) ( ) Impolite, rude, aggressive;
b) ( X ) Unusual, unpredictable, strange;
c) ( ) Disruptive, restless, loud.

IV. What is the argument the mother uses to say there is something wrong with her paycheck?
a) ( ) The money doesnt pay for the food her family needs.
b) ( ) The money doesnt pay for all the troubles she faces during the day.
c) (X) The money doesnt pay for the fuel she needs to get to work.

Phrasal verbs
V. Match the phrasal verbs to their meaning.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Give up
Put off
Put up with
Bring up
Pick up
Wear out

( F ) To become exhausted or tired

( A ) To stop making an effort
( D ) To educate, raise
( C ) To tolerate
(B ) To postpone
(E ) To get (someone at school)

VI. Now, complete the sentences with a phrasal verb from the box. Observe the correct form of the verb.

put off / give up / put up with / bring up / pick up / wear out

g) Although Sue was clumsy, she didnt _____ give up __ trying new things. This time she wanted to
participate in the show choir.

h) The parents cant ____ put up with __ Axls attitude anymore. They think he needs to be punished.
i)

It is very difficult for them _____to bring up ___ their children and focus on their career at the same time.

j)

Frankie always ____ puts off her working responsibilities to help her kids.

k) Frankie looks horrible in the new drivers license picture! She looks ___ worn out ___ because having three
children and being a working mother is really hard.
l)

Frankie has to __ pick ____ Brick _ up ___ while she is with a customer on a test drive.

Grammar: Gerund and Infinitive

VII. Complete the sentences with gerund or infinitive form of the verbs.
a) The parents are thinking of ___ punishing__ Axl for his attitude problems at school. (punish)
b) Sue decided ____to participate ___ in the school choir. (participate)
c) The customer says she feels like ____ getting__ into the car and _ driving__ away. (get / drive)
d) Frankie keeps ___telling_____ Axl ____not to walk__ only in his underwear around the house. (tell / not
walk)
e) Frankie agrees ______to wear__ a costume to participate in Bricks show and tell project. (wear)
f) Frankie cant help _____crying___ when the customer tells her she understands why she is stressed out, since
she also has three kids ____to raise_____. (cry / raise)
g) Frankie works selling second hand cars ______to help____ support her family. (help)
h) It is not easy ______to bring up _______ your children if you work full time. (bring up)
i)

_____Taking care____ of her three children and ____being_____ a working mom have been really hard for
Frankie. (take care / be)