TED:Why I'm A Weekday Vegetarian

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Transcript

Audio Time: 3 min  58 sec

Level: 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

Vegetarian: a person who does not eat meat.

Hippie: a usually young person who rejects established social customs (such as by dressing in an unusual way or living in a commune) and who opposes violence and war; especially: a young person of this kind in the 1960s and 1970s.

Log: a long, heavy section of a tree that has fallen or been cut down.

Cabin: a small, simple house made of wood.

Mere: used to say that something or someone is small, unimportant, etc.

Cruelty: someone who hurt others and do not feel sorry about it; causing or helping to cause suffering.

Hypocritical: a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs.

Environment: the conditions that surround someone or something: the conditions and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, etc., of someone or something; in this case, natural world.

Emissions: the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source.

To convince: to cause (someone) to believe that something is true.

To stall: to avoid doing something or to delay someone in a deliberate way because you need more time, do not want to do something, etc.

To pitch: things that are said by someone (such as a salesman) in order to make someone want to buy, do, or accept something.

Binary: relating to or consisting of two things or parts.

To swap: to replace (something) with something else.

Sustainable: involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources.

Harvest: the amount of a natural product gathered in a single season.

To end up: to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected.

Intake: the amount of something (such as food or drink) that is taken into your body.

Pocketbook: the amount of money that someone has available to spend: someone's ability to pay for things.

Discussion questions:

1. What do you think about the idea of being a “weekday vegetarian”?

2. What were some of the reasons the speaker gave about becoming a weekday veg?

3. Are there many vegetarians where you live?

4. What are the pros and cons of being a vegetarian?

5. What do you think is the best diet for the health of people and the planet?

6 Common Mistakes And Confusing Words About Film

Watching movies can be an enjoyable and useful way to learn and practice languages. Here are six common mistakes and confusing words in English related to film. Some of these are specific mistakes that Russian speakers make, but any English learner might find them useful as well.

What's the difference between movie and film? 

In general, these two words mean the same thing. One can say, "I want to watch a good movie", or "I want to watch a good film"; the meaning is the same. However, movie tends to be used more in American English and film tends to be used more in British English.

Film also has a more artistic association.  In this sense, a film can refers to a work with greater artistic value instead of a movie, which may be made primarily for entertainment and profit and not artistic aims. For example:

I am an artist! I don't just make movies, I make films!

Lastly, Film (and the word cinema too, as we will see below) can refer to the art form itself.

Film is a fairly new art form as opposed to music, dance, painting and sculpture, which are thousands of years old.

What's the difference between a horror movie and a horrible movie?

Horror: an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.

Horrible: causing or likely to cause horror; shocking.

These two words are similar in meaning, which causes the confusion, but they have very different meanings with we use them with the words movie or film. A horror movie is a genre of film, a type of movie like comedy, drama, or romance, which is about scary things that makes one feel fear.

Dave doesn't like horror movies that are filled with blood, terror, and violence, because he thinks the real world has enough horror already-- just look at the news!

A horrible movie is a very bad movie that is of low quality and that people think isn’t good.

I can't believe I paid money to see that horrible movie. I just wasted two hours of my life!

What's the difference between a fantastic movie and a fantasy movie?

Fantastic has two meanings, which can lead the confusion here. The first meaning is similar to the world fantasy: imaginative or fanciful; remote from reality. However, the second meaning is "extraordinarily good or attractive." When we use this word with film or movie, it is the second meaning that we use.

The critics and the public thought it was a fantastic movie, and they highly recommend it. It will probably win at least one Academy Award.

Fantasy means "the ability of imagining things, especially things that are impossible or improbable." And we talk about the genre of fantasy when we talk about fantasy films or movies. These are movies that are about things that are not possible in the real world, such as films about fairy tales, dragons or magic.

Some people think fantasy films like "Lord or the Rings" or The Harry Potter series just help us to escape the harshness of reality, but these stories also help us to understand what is really important in life. They are modern fairy tales and myths.

What's the difference between hero and main character? 

Sometimes hero and main character are the same, but this is not always the case. The main character in a film is the leading character of a story. The story is centered around the main character, and it is this character that makes the key decisions in the story. A hero is a certain type of main character that does great and important things, which are usually for good or noble purposes. Heroes can be fictional characters like Hercules, King Arthur, Superman or Batman, who do great actions to save and help the world. A hero could also be a real person that has done great things like Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, or someone else who shows great courage in some way, for example, by running into a burning building to save someone. Thus, almost all movies have main characters, but not all of them have heroes.

Even if the main character of a film isn't someone whom we like and respect, a good film will help us to see the main character’s motivations and understand this person better. 

The film is about a simple lawyer who becomes a hero after showing great courage by fighting for justice against corrupt government officials.

What's the difference between scene and stage?

In Russian these words can both be translated as сцена. However, in English these words have different meanings. Scene is the time and place where the actions of a film (or play) happen.

The first scene of the movie happens in the 1940s, when the main character of the movie arrives in New York City for the first time. The last scene of the movie takes place 50 years later in the countryside, when the main character is an old women. 

A stage is the raised floor or platform usually in a theater on which actors, musicians or speakers perform.

We should have bought better tickets for the show, because our seats were so bad we could hardly see the actors on the stage.

"All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts..."

--William Shakespeare

What's the difference between the words movie theater and cinema?

The general meaning of these expressions are the same: they are both the theater where one goes to watch a movie or film. The difference, like movie and film, is that the first one is usually used in American English and other is usually used British English.

However, the word cinema also refers to the art form of film.

"Cinema is the most prestigious cultural activity in the modern world. It is for us what theatre was in the age of Shakespeare or painting was in the days of Leonardo da Vinci...”

--Alain de Botton and The School of Life

So, cinema can mean both the art form of film and the place where we go to watch a movie or film.

Hopefully, understanding these common mistakes will help you enjoy learning English with film better. What are some other common mistakes about film you make? Feel free to add them in the comments section.

What Asimov Predicted For 2019: Computerization And Lunar Life

Listen to Story

Transcript

Audio Time: 1 min 50 sec

Level: intermediate and up

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

Toronto star: a newspaper.

To predict: to say that (something) will or might happen in the future.

Off base: not correct: wrong or mistaken.

Forecast: to predict something will happen after looking at the available information.

Up and running: in operation; functioning.

Mining: the process or business of digging in mines to obtain minerals, metals, jewels, etc.

Faint: weak; very slight or small; no clearly seen.

Semblance: the state of being somewhat like something but not truly or fully the same thing — usually + of.

To take over to take control of something.

Assembly line: a line of machines, equipment, workers, etc., in a factory that builds a product by passing work from one station to the next until the product is finished.

Left out: to not include or mention (someone or something).

Utopian: an imaginary place in which the government, laws, and social conditions are perfect.

Laid off: the act of ending the employment of a worker or group of workers.

Paintbrush: a brush  used for putting paint on a surface (Brush: a tool with many stiff hairs, fibers, etc., that is used for cleaning, smoothing, or painting something).

To envision: to think of (something that you believe might exist or happen in the future) : to picture (something) in your mind.

Left to their own devices: to allow (someone) to do what he or she wants or is able to do without being controlled or helped by anyone else.

Avail oneself of: to make use of something.

Cosmos: all of space and everything in it including stars, planets, galaxies, etc.

Discussion questions:

1.  What were some of Asimov’s predictions for 2019?

2. What do you think the world will be like in 35 years?

3. Do you think we will have mining on the moon in 35 years?

4. How advanced do you think computers and robots will become after 35 years?

5. Read the original article that Isaac Asimov wrote. What other issues does he discuss in the article that weren’t discussed in the NPR story?

Nine Christmas And Winter Holiday Movies For English Practice

Happy holidays! Here are nine suggestions for movies to watch during the winter holidays to help with English practice. Most of these films are American classic and popular movies about Christmas and the winter holidays. In addition to helping you learn English in a fun way, they show a lot about the culture and traditions of Christmas and winter holidays in the USA.

Remember these tips to help you learn English with film:

1. You don't need to know every word to understand what's happening. Try to get the main idea through a combination of the language you understand and what you can see happening in the film.

2. Try to use subtitles only if you understand less than 75% of the film. If you can't understand something important, you can go back and watch that seen with subtitles again.

3. If you understand less than 75% of the film, try to get the script and read it beforehand. You can also watch the scenes first in your native language (with subtitles), and then in English.

4. Write down a few new words and phrases from the film to add to your vocabulary list. If it's helpful, try to associate the words or phrases with the actions that you saw in the film.

5: Make it social: watch the film with a friend who is also studying English, and discuss the film together afterwards. Or, start a film club where you watch films in English and then discuss them.




 A Christmas Carol

This classic story by Charles Dickens is one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time. Many film versions and adaptions exist of this story. Here are a few:

A Christmas Carol, 1951

A Muppet's Christmas Carol , 1992

A Christmas Carol, 1999

 A Christmas Carol, 2009

Scrooged, 1988

The Man Who Invented Christmas, 2017

This film is about Charles Dickens's life and how he created the story A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas Story, 1983

This comic story tells about a boy growing up in the USA in the 1950s during the Christmas season. It's a funny look at life and American holiday traditions at that time.

It's A Wonderful Life, 1946

This is a classic movie that many Americans watch around Christmas time. An angel helps a desperate businessman during the winter holidays by helping him understand what's truly important in life.

Miracle On 34th Street, 1947

In this classic movie about Christmas, Santa Claus comes to town (New York City, to be exact). A lawyer and a little girl try to save a man who says he is Santa Claus and is trying to save the spirit of Christmas.

The Polar Express, 2004

This movie is based on the beautifully illustrated children's book of the same name .On Christmas Eve, a boy goes on a magical  adventure on the Polar Express train to visit Santa at the North Pole, and learns about the spirit of Christmas.

Home Alone, 1990

A comedy about a 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left alone on Christmas when his big family goes on vacation, and must protect his house from a pair of robbers

The Snowman, 1982

This animated movie is based on a popular children's book of the same name. There is no dialogue, but there is a song for part of the film. For English practice, you can watch the film and describe the story to yourself or someone else.

Joyeux Noelle (Merry Christmas) , 2005

This film tells the true story of the Christmas truce* in 1914 during World War One. It shows how, in the middle of a bloody war, during Christmas soldiers from both sides met each other, exchanged gifts, sang songs, and even had a soccer match.

*Truce:an agreement between enemies to stop flight for a certain time.

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!, 1986

Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the other characters from the cartoon series Peanuts celebrate the New Year in this short film.

Watch whole film here

Short Story: Naturally by Fredric Brown

Level: Upper intermediate and up

Henry Blodgett looked at his wrist watch and saw that it was two o’clock in the morning. In despair, he slammed shut the textbook he’d been studying and let his head sink onto his arms on the table in front of him. He knew he’d never pass that examination tomorrow; the more he studied geometry the less he understood it. Mathematics in general had always been difficult for him and now he was finding that geometry was impossible for him to learn.

And if he flunked it, he was through with college; he’d flunked three other courses in his first two years and another failure this year would, under college rules, cause automatic expulsion.

He wanted that college degree badly too, since it was indispensable for the career he’d chosen and worked toward. Only a miracle could save him now.

He sat up suddenly as an idea struck him. Why not try magic? The occult had always interested him. He had books on it and he’d often read the simple instructions on how to conjure up a demon and make it obey his will. Up to now, he’d always figured that it was a bit risky and so had never actually tried it. But this was an emergency and might be worth the slight risk. Only through black magic could he suddenly become an expert in a subject that had always been difficult for him.

From the shelf he quickly took out his best book on black magic, found the right page and refreshed his memory on the few simple things he had to do.

Enthusiastically, he cleared the floor by pushing the furniture against the walls. He drew the pentagram figure on the carpet with chalk and stepped inside it. He then said the incantations.

The demon was considerably more horrible than he had anticipated. But he mustered his courage and started to explain his dilemma. “I’ve always been poor at geometry,” he began. 

“You’re telling me,” said the demon gleefully.

Smiling flames, it came for him across the chalk lines of the useless hexagram Henry had drawn by mistake instead of the protecting pentagram.

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 .

Geometry: a branch of mathematics that deals with points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids; see the pictures.

To flunk: to fail a test.

Expulsion: to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization.

Indispensable: extremely important and necessary.

Idea Struck: An idea comes to someone quickly.

Occult: of or relating to supernatural powers or practices.

To conjure up: to make (something) appear or seem to appear by using magic.

To obey: to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do.

Black magic: magic that is associated with the devil or with evil spirits: evil magic.

Pentagram: a shape that is like a star with five points formed by five straight lines and that is often used as a magic or religious symbol. See picture.

Incantation: a series of words used to make something magic happen.

To muster: to work hard to find or get (courage, support, etc.).

Dilemma: a situation in which you have to make a difficult choice.

Chalk: a substance that is made into white or colored sticks and used for writing or drawing.

You’re telling me: (slang): used for expressing strong agreement with something someone just said.

Gleeful: a strong feeling of happiness: great pleasure or satisfaction.

Hexagram: a six-pointed star, with all lines the same length and all angles the same. See picture.

Discussion questions:

1. What happened to the main character of this story?

2. Do you believe in magic?

3. Did you ever wish you could get something by magic?

4. If you could get something by magic, what would it be?

5. Do we need to work hard for everything we achieve?

Short Story: Naturally by Fredric Brown (adapted for intermediate level)

Level: intermediate

Henry Blodgett looked at his watch and saw that it was two o’clock in the morning. Without hope, he closed the textbook he’d been studying, and he put his head onto his arms on the table in front of him. He knew he would never pass that examination tomorrow; the more he studied geometry the less he understood it. Mathematics in general had always been difficult for him and now he was finding that geometry was impossible for him to learn.

And if he failed it, he would never be able to graduate from college; he already failed three other courses in his first two years, and if he failed another course this year, under college rules, he would be expelled.

He wanted that college degree badly too, since it was essential for the career he’d chosen and worked toward. Only a miracle could save him now.

He sat up suddenly as an idea hit him. Why not try magic? It had always interested him. He had books on it and he’d often read the simple instructions on how to call up a demon and make it obey him. Up to now, he’d always thought that it was a bit risky and so had never actually tried it. But this was an emergency and might be worth the small risk. Only through black magic could he suddenly become an expert in a subject that had always been difficult for him.

From the bookshelf he quickly took out his best book on black magic, found the right page and refreshed his memory on the few simple things he had to do.

Enthusiastically, he cleared the floor by pushing the furniture against the walls. He drew the pentagram figure on the carpet with chalk and stepped inside it. He then said the spell.

The demon was much more horrible than he had anticipated. But he gathered his courage and started to explain his problem. “I’ve always been poor at geometry,” he began . . .

“Yes, you have been poor at it,” said the demon smiling.

With a smile and in flames, the demon came for him across the chalk lines of the useless hexagram Henry had drawn by mistake instead of the protective pentagram.

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 .

Textbook: a book about a particular subject that is used in the study of that subject especially in a school.

To pass: to complete (a test, class, etc.) successfully.

Geometry: a branch of mathematics that deals with points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids; see the pictures.

To fail: to not succeed.

Graduate from: to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university.

To expel: to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization.

College degree: a degree that is given to a student by a college or university after completing study.

Miracle: a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement.

Demon: an evil spirit.

Obey: to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do.

Emergency: an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action.

Black magic: magic that is associated with the devil or with evil spirits : evil magic.

Bookshelf: a flat board which is attached to a wall, frame, etc., and on which books can be placed.

Enthusiastic: feeling or showing strong excitement about something : filled with or marked by enthusiasm.

Pentagram: a shape that is like a star with five points formed by five straight lines and that is often used as a magic or religious symbol. See picture.

Chalk: a substance that is made into white or colored sticks and used for writing or drawing.

Spell: magic that is performed by saying a group of special words.

Anticipate: to think of (something that will or might happen in the future): to expect.

Courage: the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous: bravery.

Flame: the hot, glowing gas that can be seen when a fire is burning.

Hexagram: a six-pointed star, with all lines the same length and all angles the same. See picture.

Protective: Used to keep (someone or something) from being harmed, lost, etc.

Discussion questions:

1. What happened to the main character of this story?

2. Do you believe in magic?

3. Did you ever wish you could get something by magic?

4. If you could get something by magic, what would it be?

5. Do we need to work hard for everything we achieve?

Which English Research Quiz

Take a short quiz for a research study, and find out if the program can guess what kind of English you speak:

Which English?

Is Throw me down the stairs my shoes a good English sentence?

The answer depends on where you live. Many people in Newfoundland find that sentence perfectly grammatical.

By taking this quiz, you will be helping train a machine algorithm that is mapping out the differences in English grammar around the world, both in traditionally English-speaking countries and also in countries like Mexico, China, and India.

At the end, you can see our algorithm's best guess as to which English you speak as well as whether your first (native) language is English or something else.

Take the quiz