Learn English with The Big Bang Theory

• ☐ ☐ ☐ reciprocity [n] - exchanging things with others for mutual benefit
• ☐ ☐ ☐ an obligation [n] - a requirement (no choice)
• ☐ ☐ ☐ in return [exp] - give back because something was received
• ☐ ☐ ☐ the essence of the custom [exp] - the main point of the tradition
• ☐ ☐ ☐ purchase [v] - buy
• ☐ ☐ ☐ commensurate value [exp] - near equal value
• ☐ ☐ ☐ perceived [adj] - believed, understood
• ☐ ☐ ☐ an elf sticker [n] - a sticker for writing names on a gift (with a picture of an elf on it) [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ build-a-bear [n] - a toy bear [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ terrifying [adj] - very scary
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a scented candle [n] - a candle with a nice smell
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a cleansing buff [n] - a type of face cleaning cream [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ spearmint [n] - a type of smell (or taste)
• ☐ ☐ ☐ scented bath oil [n] - bath oil with a nice smell
• ☐ ☐ ☐ tense [adj] - nervous, stressed
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a hypothesis [n] - a theory
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a conundrum [n] - a question, a problem
• ☐ ☐ ☐ lay it at your feet [exp] - present an idea to you so that you can consider it
• ☐ ☐ ☐ infer [v] - guess
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a hypothetical relationship [exp] - an imaginary relationship
• ☐ ☐ ☐ colleagues [n] - coworkers
• ☐ ☐ ☐ dilemma [n] - a difficult decision or problem
• ☐ ☐ ☐ over-reciprocate [v] - give back too much in return
• ☐ ☐ ☐ under-reciprocate [v] - not give back enough in return
• ☐ ☐ ☐ feigning digestive distress [exp] - pretending to have stomach problems
• ☐ ☐ ☐ look up [exp] - research, check
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a full refund [exp] - 100% of your money back
• ☐ ☐ ☐ Live long and prosper. [exp] - the famous expression of the character Spock from Star Trek
• ☐ ☐ ☐ Leonard Nimoy [exp] - the actor who played the character Spock in Star Trek [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a napkin [exp] - a cloth tissue used to wipe the face during a meal [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ DNA [exp] - genetic information

[n] - noun,  [v] - verb,  [phv] - phrasal verb,  [adj] - adjective,  [exp] - expression

Sheldon	Penny	Howard	Raj

• Christmas is coming soon.
• Leonard Nimoy is the name of the actor who played Spock on Star Trek.
• Star Trek is Sheldon's favorite TV show, and Leonard Nimoy is his favorite actor.
• Penny is a waitress at a restaurant.

1. Penny _______ a Christmas gift for Sheldon.
   bought
   didn't buy
   
   
2. Sheldon ______ a Christmas gift from Penny.
   wants
   doesn't want
   
   
3. Sheldon now feels that he ______ buy a Christmas gift for Penny.
   must
   should
   shouldn't
   must not
   doesn't have to
   
   
4. ______ thinks that bath stuff is the perfect gift for Penny.
   Sheldon
   Howard
   Raj
   
   
5. Sheldon can't decide ______ for Penny.
   whether to buy a basket
   how many baskets to buy
   how big a basket to buy
   what kind of basket to buy
   
   
6. Sheldon decides to buy _______.
   two baskets
   a small basket
   the largest basket
   all of the baskets
   
   
7. Sheldon plans to choose a gift basket based on ______.
   the level of friendship between Penny and him
   the price of the gift that Penny gives him
   the size of the gift that Penny gives him
   
   
8. Penny gives Sheldon a napkin _______.
   that Leonard Nimoy used
   with some of her DNA on it
   from Sheldon's favorite restaurant
   
   
9. Sheldon is ______ when he gets the napkin.
   content
   confused
   overjoyed
   disappointed
   
   
10. Sheldon decides to give Penny _______.
    two baskets
    a small basket
    the largest basket
    all of the baskets
    
    
11. Sheldon is worried that his present for Penny is ______.
    too much
    not enough
    
    

1. Why does Sheldon seem angry when he finds out that Penny bought him a gift?
2. Can you describe Sheldon's plan? Why did he buy so many gift baskets?
3. Why is Sheldon so excited to receive the napkin?
4. If you were Sheldon, what gift would you buy for Penny?
5. Howard thinks that bath stuff is the ideal gift for women. Do you agree? In your opinion, what is the ideal gift for women? What is the ideal gift for men?
6. What is the best (Christmas) gift that you have ever received? What is the best gift that you have ever given?
7. Do you prefer expensive (but impersonal) gifts, or personal (but inexpensive) gifts?
8. How do you usually celebrate Christmas? Do you usually give gifts? Who do you usually exchange gifts with? (Just your immediate family? Your extended family? Friends? Coworkers? Classmates?)