Speak English With Vanessa

Free PDF Worksheet

Bake With Us
Dear English Learner,

Get ready to speak confidently with real English. I recommend reading these sample sentences
out loud, watching the original lesson to view the original context, and using the blank space on
the last page to answer my challenge question using the vocabulary. Thanks so much for
learning English with me!

Your teacher,
Vanessa

Bake With Us: Blueberry Oat Muffins

Notice that the best way to learn language is to imitate, just like children do!

1. To eyeball something: to estimate a measurement

It doesn’t have to be exact, we’ll just eyeball it.
There isn’t an exact measurement in this recipe, so I’ll have to eyeball it.

2. To pass something off: to hand off or give something over to someone

You can pass it off to each other.
When I get tired of mixing, I’ll pass it off to you.

3. To take on the role of: to take on new responsibilities

Theo is taking on the role of teaching baking.
As they have gotten older, I have taken on the role of supervisor when the boys
help me in the kitchen.

4. You know what? A phrase used to convey a realization or a rhetorical question

used before a statement
You know what? I think you could even put in a lot.

www.SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com 1
 I was going to measure out these chocolate chips, but you know what? I love
chocolate, so I am going to pour in the whole bag.

5. Got the crazies: an informal term for when someone has a lot of energy and is
acting silly
You guys (have) got the crazies!
If I don’t get enough sleep, I start to feel like I’ve got the crazies!

6. To mush up something: to mash something into a soft, pulpy consistency

Can you mush up the bananas?
When the boys were really young, I would mush up their fruit and vegetables so
that it was easier for them to eat.

7. May the chaos ensue! A phrase meaning that something crazy (good or bad) is
happening as a result of something else
I taught Theo how to use the electric mixer–may the chaos ensue!
I just found out I won the lottery–may the chaos ensue!

8. I wouldn’t…: a polite way to give advice

I wouldn’t eat that, it’s been on the floor.
I wouldn’t say that if I were you. You never know who might hear you.

9. Taking turns: when two or more people alternate when doing something
First it’s my turn, then it will be his turn.
Can I have the next turn?
Parenting Note: Encouraging your children to “take turns” works better than
saying “You need to share.” Let the child decide when their “turn” is finished, and
help the other child wait as long as needed. This builds generosity and
companionship instead of creating battles for control.
*I highly recommend reading this book “Peaceful Parent, Happy Sibling.”

www.SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com 2
 10. Whole thing of: an informal way to indicate an entire measurement or container
of something
Can you dump that whole thing of blueberries in the bowl?
Did you really just eat that whole thing of cheese?

11. Why don’t you…: a polite suggestion, especially when giving directions to
children
Why don’t you put those in the batter.
Why don’t you pick up your toys, and I will make you a snack.

12. All you do to…: a way of simplifying something

All you do to make a shoelace cake is bake some shoelaces. 😂
All you do to make bread is mix together flour, yeast, salt, and water.

13. Bonding: spending time with someone to establish or build a relationship

The important thing is bonding and spending time together.
Cooking is one of my favorite ways to bond with my family.

14. Forgiving: when something is flexible, easy or safe to deal with

I like making recipes that are forgiving.
These tools are really forgiving–it’s actually hard to make a mistake when you’re
using them.

www.SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com 3
 Recipe for Oat Muffins
1 cup (120 grams) flour (you can also do ½ of white flour and ½ wheat flour)
2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking powder
1 teaspoon (3 grams) cinnamon
½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt
1 ½ cup (135 grams) oats
1 cup (about 250 mL) milk
⅓ cup (80 mL) oil or banana
½ cup (110 grams) brown sugar or other sweetener
2 eggs

Optional fillings: blueberries, seeds, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius)
2. In a large bowl, mix oats and milk. Let stand for 10 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
4. Add sugar, oil/banana, and eggs to the oat/milk mixture.
5. Add flour mixture until just combined; gently add fillings.
6. Bake muffins at 425 degrees for 7 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees
Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), continue to bake for 12-15 minutes until a
toothpick comes out clean.

www.SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com 4
 Vanessa’s Challenge Question
Use the space below to write a few sentences answering this question: What is your favorite
thing to do when bonding with your friends or family?

Sample answer: Food and nature are two things that I really love and appreciate. So when I am
bonding with friends and family, I like to grill or barbecue in my backyard when the weather is
nice. After dinner, we will sit around the firepit, making smores and telling stories. It’s such a
great way to spend time together.

Enjoying my English lessons??

>>Click here to start speaking fluent English with me!<<

www.SpeakEnglishWithVanessa.com 5