Audio
Time: 9 min 54 sec
Level: Upper intermediate
Vocabulary: To help learners fully understand the audio
and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is
provided. Vocab in bold
is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8
to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn
no more than 8-10 new words a day).
Definitions
are written with the help of various sources including Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary
Astonishing: causing
a feeling of great surprise or wonder; amazing.
To induce: to cause
(something) to happen or exist.
To weep: (somewhat formal) to cry because you are very sad or are feeling some other strong
emotion.
Downcast: not
happy confident, or hopeful.
Strenuous: requiring
or showing great energy and effort.
Profound: having
or showing great knowledge or understanding.
Flick:
(informal): movie.
To conceive: to
think of or create (something) in the mind.
Predecessor: a person
who had a job or position before someone else.
Self-righteousness: having
or showing a strong belief that your own actions, opinions, etc., are right and
other people's are wrong.
Conscience: the
part of the mind that makes you aware of your actions as being either morally
right or wrong.
Compensate: to
provide something good as a balance against something bad or undesirable: to
make up for some defect or weakness.
Prone: likely
to do, have, or suffer from something — usually + to.
To grind
down:
to make (something hard) smaller and smoother by gradually rubbing off tiny
bits.
Solemn: very
serious or formal in manner, behavior, or expression.
Outlook: a set
of conditions that will probably exist in the future: the future of someone or
something.
Brittle: easily
broken or cracked.
To restore: to
return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it,
cleaning it, etc.
To edge: always
followed by an adverb or preposition: to move slowly or with small movements in
a specified direction.
Trauma: a very
difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or
emotional problems usually for a long time.
Lustful: feeling
or showing strong desire; usually sexual desire.
To spiral: to
greatly increase, decrease, or get worse in a continuous and usually fast and
uncontrolled way.
To speed
up:
to become faster or to make (something or someone) faster.
To erode: to
gradually destroy (something) or to be gradually destroyed by natural forces
(such as water, wind, or ice).
Vindictive: having
or showing a desire to hurt someone who has hurt or caused problems for you.
To crush: to
defeat (a person or group that opposes you) by using a lot of force.
To
witness: to see something happen.
Forthright: honest
and direct: providing answers or information in a very clear and direct way.
To head
off:
to prevent (something) from happening.
Inclined: not used
before a noun: wanting to do something or likely to do something.
Deserving: having
good qualities that deserve praise, support, etc.
Swank: very fashionable
and expensive.
Glamour: a very
exciting and attractive quality.
To eject:
to
force (someone) to leave — often + from
Bizarre: very
unusual or strange.
Appeal: a
quality that causes people to like someone or something.
Obvious: easy to
see or notice.
Timidity: feeling
or showing a lack of courage or confidence.
Victory: success
in defeating an opponent or enemy.
Ruthless: having
no pity: cruel and without mercy.
Outwit: to
defeat or trick someone by being more intelligent or cleaver: outsmart.
Awe: a strong
feeling of fear or respect and also wonder.
Daring: willing
to do dangerous or difficult things.
Immaturity: acting
in a childish way: having or showing a lack of emotional development.
Bearable: able to
be accepted or to be able to exist in the same state or condition.
Bully: someone
who frightens, hurts, or threatens smaller or weaker people.
Potent: very
effective or strong.
To swear: to use
offensive words when you speak.
Tentative: not
done with confidence: uncertain or hesitant.
Acknowledgement: the act
of showing that you know, admit, or accept that something exists or is true.
Subtle: hard to
notice or see: not obvious.
Merely: only,
just—used to say that someone or something is small, unimportant.
Folly: Not
having good sense or judgment: foolishness.
Vice: bad or
immoral behavior or habits; a bad habit or weakness.
Discussion
questions:
1. According to the video, why is film important?
2. Can you think of any other reasons film is important that
the video didn’t discuss?
3. Can you think of a film that helped you with one of the
problems mentioned?
4. Do you agree that film can be a type of therapy for
problems in life? How so?
5. What do you think of the idea in the video of giving
ratings for films according to how they can help people with different problems
in life?