Review 9 - 12
- What exactly is a…?
- I decided to…
- I spend too much time…
- You have a point, but…
Part 1
Preview
Look at the photos.
- What kind of changes do you think Maria is making to her lifestyle?
- Why?
Example answer
I think Maria is trying to save energy and do more recycling.
Part 2
Practice
Read the story below. Then watch the video and cross out the incorrect information.
Maria slept past noon on Saturday because she’d been up half the night updating her blog, Maria explained to Kate that she intended to make some changes to her lifestyle in order to save money. She planned to turn off the lights during the day, use flashlights instead of electric lights, and do more recycling.
Kate told Maria that she was trying to be more productive because she’d been very lazy lately. She was getting many things done at once: organizing papers, listening to music, chatting on the phone, doing laundry, and learning Chinese.
That afternoon, Tom and Maria got together at a park. Maria complained to Tom that her roommate was sarcastic and loud. Then Tom told Maria about an interesting woman named Kate that he’d met recently. When they realized that Tom’s new friend was the same person as Maria’s roommate, they had a good laugh.
Answer
Maria slept past noon on Saturday because she'd been up half the night updating her blog, Maria explained to Kate that she intended to make some changes to her lifestyle in order to save money. She planned to turn off the lights during the day, use flashlights instead of electric lights, and do more recycling.
Kate told Maria that she was trying to be more productive because she'd been very lazy lately. She was getting many things done at once: organizing papers, listening to music, chatting on the phone, doing laundry, and learning Chinese.
That afternoon, Tom and Maria got together at a park. Maria complained to Tom that her roommate was sarcastic and loud. Then Tom told Maria about an interesting woman named Kate that he'd met recently. When they realized that Tom's new friend was the same person as Maria's roommate, they had a good laugh.
Transcript
Maria: Good morning, Kate.
Kate: Good afternoon, you mean. You slept past noon!
Maria: I did? Wow. Well, I was up half the night. I’ve been really worried about climate change, so I decided to reduce my carbon footprint. And I was reading all these blogs by people who have changed their lifestyles. I guess I spend too much time online, huh?
Kate: Yeah, probably. So... carbon footprint…I should know this, but I don’t really get what carbon footprint means.
Maria: Oh, well, it means... I guess... the impact that everything you do has on climate change. You know, global warming.
Kate: Oh, right. Well, I’m impressed.
Maria: Like for example, we use way too much electricity. We don’t really need to have the lights on during the day. And don’t you think we should use candles instead of lights at night?
Kate: Oh. You have a point, but wouldn’t that be bad for our eyes?
Maria: Oh, no, I don’t think so. Not if we have enough candles. I think we have some…yeah, here they are. I mean, if everyone used candles, it would make a huge difference! See! It’s like turning on the lights.
Kate: Uh... right…
Maria: And we really could do a better job of recycling. You know, paperboard can be recycled.
Kate: Oh. Paperboard... what exactly is paperboard?
Maria: This is paperboard.
Kate: Um…I think there was some cereal left in that.
Maria: What have you been up to all morning?
Kate: Me? Oh, well, I’ve decided to try to be more productive because I’ve been feeling pretty stressed out lately... So now I’m getting lots of stuff done! I’m organizing all my papers... I’m listening to music… I’m chatting online… I’m doing laundry... I’m learning Portuguese... and now talking to you… all at once!
Maria: Great... Good for you.
[Later that day…]
Tom: So, how are things going with your new roommate?
Maria: Oh, nothing’s really changed. Kate’s not a bad person, but she’s just so messy! Her clutter is everywhere... I just can’t stand it. And she makes so much noise!
Tom: That’s a really tough situation.
Maria: Yeah. Anyway, how are things with you?
Tom: Really good, actually. I met this woman at Anna’s cafe opening, and we really hit it off. I think we’re going to get together this weekend.
Maria: Really? That’s great! What’s her name?
Tom: Kate.
Maria: Another Kate? I guess that’s a really popular name these days, huh?
Watch the video again. Correct the mistakes in the story above.
Example Answers
Maria slept past noon on Saturday because she'd been up half the night updating her blog reading a lot of blogs, Maria explained to Kate that she intended to make some changes to her lifestyle in order to save money reduce her impact on the environment and climate change. She planned to turn off the lights during the day, use flashlights candles instead of electric lights, and do more recycling.
Kate told Maria that she was trying to be more productive because she'd been very lazy lately feeling pretty stressed out lately. She was getting many things done at once: organizing papers, listening to music, chatting on the phone online, doing laundry, and learning Chinese Portuguese.
That afternoon, Tom and Maria got together at a park cafe. Maria complained to Tom that her roommate was sarcastic messy and loud. Then Tom told Maria about an interesting woman named Kate that he'd met recently. When they realized that Tom's new friend was the same person had the same name as Maria's roommate, they had a good laugh.
Part 3
Discuss
Answer the questions
Who would you rather have as a roommate, Maria or Kate? Why?
What qualities do you think are important in a good roommate?
Do you sometimes do several things at the same time? Which things?
Part 4
Review: What exactly is a...?
Choose one of the dietary restrictions below or think of your own. Ask for and give clarification as necessary.
dairy-free diet
nut-free diet
carb-free diet
Try to:
- ask for clarification
- give clarification
Asking for clarification
What do you mean by (“vegan”)?
What exactly is a…?
I don’t really get what … means.
I’m not sure what you mean by…
Giving clarification
A (vegan) is a person who (doesn’t eat any animal products)
It’s a…
It means…
What I mean is…
Example conversation
A: I can't eat lasagna. I am on a dairy-free diet.
B: What do you mean by dairy-free diet?
A: A dairy-free diet is when you don't eat any milk, cheese, or other milk products. I'm lactose intolerant.
Part 5
Review: I decided to...
Choose two of the actions below and imagine reasons why you would want to do them. Then explain the changes
and why you are making them.
You decided to reorganize your home.
You decided to get a complete makeover.
You decided to move to another country.
Try to:
- give reasons.
- express approval
Giving reasons
I decided to (get organized) because (I can never find anything.)
I’m always…, so I decided to…
Since I …, I decided to…
Expressing approval
Good for you!
That’s great
I’m impressed
Example conversation
A: I decided to get a complete makeover because I think it will help me get a better job.
B: That's great. I decided to reorganize my home because I think I waste a lot of time looking for stuff.
A: Good for you! I'm always...
Part 6
Review: I spend too much time...
Choose one of these lifestyle habits and come up with your own. Then discuss and evaluate the habit with your teacher.
I spend a lot of time shopping.
I stay up too late reading.
I play a lot of online games.
I watch sports a lot.
Try to:
- talk about lifestyles.
- evaluate lifestyles.
Talking about lifestyles
I was up half the night (update my website).
I spent the whole night (update my website).
I was out most of the day…
Evaluating lifestyles
I spend too much time (online).
I should really (get more sleep).
I need to limit…
Example conversation
A: I spend a lot of time shopping. And because I spend a lot of time shopping, I don't spend enough time studying. I should really make studying more of a priority.
B: To change, you first need to recognize what you need to change, so it sounds like you are on the right path. I...
Part 7
Review: You have a point, but...
Choose one of the actions below or think of your own. Persuade your teacher to do it while he or she disagrees politely.
Ride a bike to school or work.
Stop eating meat.
Try to:
- persuade someone.
- disagree politely.
Persuading (thuyết phục)
Don’t you think (we should do whatever we can)?
Isn’t it important to…?
If everyone …., then…
Disagreeing politely
You have a point, but (it’s still costly).
I see what you mean, but…
That may be true, but on the other hand…
I guess.., but I’m still not convinced…
Example conversation
A: If everyone rode a bike to school or work, then there would be a lot less air pollution.
B: You have a point, but then we'd get to work all hot and sweaty. We can't look like professionals after biking to work.
A: You could change clothes after getting there.
B: I see what you mean, but how would you carry a suit to work if you were biking?