ESL: Very Well’s

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Today’s Themes and Tasks

Workout of the Day

Complete the Workout of the day. Click on the images to be linked to the videos hosted on YouTube.

1. Fluency Waterfall

2. Waterfall Model

3. Vocabulary Connections

4. EI. 10

Waterfall Model Transcripts

Review these transcripts to see other ways of responding to the Waterfall tasks and to look for grammar patterns and vocabulary that may be useful for you in your response. The example responses are C1+ in their level. How do your responses compare? What can you do to improve your responses during the next Fluency Waterfall?

90 Second Task

When we talk about animals in shows or zoos, a few things are super important to keep in mind. First, their wellbeing is key. They need the right space, food, and care, kind of like what they’d have in the wild. I remember this one zoo visit where the lions had this massive space that looked just like their natural habitat, even with savannah sounds playing from hidden speakers. It was so cool to see them moving around lively, way different from being stuck in tiny cages.

Education’s another big deal. Zoos and shows can teach us loads about animals and how we can help save them. This dolphin show I went to wasn’t just about tricks. The trainers talked about how smart dolphins are, what they do in the wild, and the threats they face. It really made me think more about how we can help protect marine life.

And, we've got to think about the message we're sending. Using animals for entertainment can make people forget they're wild creatures with their own lives. We need to make sure these places help us see animals with respect, not just as a fun show. Like, that dolphin show made me see dolphins in a whole new light, not just as performers but as amazing animals we need to protect.

So, yeah, looking after their wellbeing, educating people, and sending the right message are super important. It’s all about treating these incredible creatures with the respect and care they deserve.

60 Second Task

Cross-generational friendships truly enhance aging, blending youthful energy with seasoned wisdom. My grandpa and cousin are a perfect example; he's intrigued by her tech knowledge, while she loves hearing about his life experiences. It's a beautiful exchange that keeps him feeling vibrant and her grounded in history.

Such relationships also offer older adults a renewed sense of purpose. Take Mrs. Johnson, who runs our local garden club. Her expertise has turned her into a community star among mostly younger members. Her leadership not only brings her joy but also solidifies her sense of belonging and contribution.

In essence, fostering friendships between younger and older individuals enriches lives on both ends. Older individuals can share their life lessons, providing a comforting perspective during tough times, while younger ones offer fresh outlooks and energy. They provide a unique blend of perspectives, emotional support, and a sense of community, proving essential for a fulfilling and well-rounded life.

Growing food in places like balconies and rooftops isn't just practical; it's transformative. Starting a mini-garden on my balcony revolutionized my diet and slashed my grocery expenses, offering a fresh, green retreat amid urban sprawl. Moreover, these tiny green spaces combat urban heat, making cities cooler and reduce carbon emissions—imagine food traveling from your balcony to your plate, not from a different country on an airplane.

Community gardens amplify this impact, fostering connections among neighbors. Our communal rooftop garden became a hub for sharing knowledge, produce, and forming lasting bonds. In essence, cultivating food in compact urban areas enriches our diets, benefits the environment, and brings communities closer leading to impressive positive differences.

EI - 10

Compare your recording to the transcript below. What did you miss? What did you mess up? Don’t be afraid to do the task again. 

1. My grandpa's intrigued by her tech knowledge.

2. The trainers talked about how smart dolphins are.

3. Her expertise has turned her into a community star.

4. Cross-generational friendships are key to aging well.

5. Imagine food traveling from your balcony to your plate.

6. Cultivating food in compact urban areas enriches our diets.

7. Growing food on balconies or rooftops can change communities.

8. Our communal rooftop garden became a hub for sharing knowledge.

9. Such relationships also offer older adults a renewed sense of purpose.

10. The lions had this massive space that looked just like their natural habitat.

Vocabulary Connections

Here’s the vocabulary for today. This vocabulary is connected to the new topic and task introduced in the Waterfall today (90 second task). What words would help you better express your thoughts tomorrow? Which words could you substitute for more precise expression.

Cloze Exercise

Read the response out loud trying to remain fluent while filling in the gaps.

Cross-generational friendships truly enhance aging, blending youthful energy with seasoned wisdom. My grandpa and cousin are a pe_____ example; he's intrigued by her tech kn________, while she loves hearing about his li__ experiences. It's a beautiful exchange that ke___ him feeling vibrant and her grounded i_ history.

Such relationships also offer older adults a_ renewed sense of purpose. Take Mrs. Jo______, who runs our local garden club. He_ expertise has turned her into a co_______ star among mostly younger members. Her le________ not only brings her joy but al__ solidifies her sense of belonging and co___________.

In essence, fostering friendships between younger an_ older individuals enriches lives on both en__. Older individuals can share their life le______, providing a comforting perspective during tough ti____, while younger ones offer fresh outlooks an_ energy. They provide a unique blend o_ perspectives, emotional support, and a sense o_ community, proving essential for a fulfilling an_ well-rounded life.

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