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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

Celebrities have this unique platform where they can reach millions of people in an instant, making them incredibly influential in raising awareness about critical issues. When they speak, people listen. Two in particular that stand out to me are Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Emma Watson, better known as Hermione from "Harry Potter," is doing some amazing work beyond the film set. She's all about fighting for women's rights and has even become a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. She kicked off the HeForShe campaign, pushing for guys to join the fight for gender equality. Watching her give one of her passionate speeches for HeForShe online totally inspired me. It's cool to see someone famous use their spotlight to talk about important stuff like this.

Then there's Leonardo DiCaprio, who's not just about winning Oscars. He's seriously into saving the planet. Through his foundation, he's donated loads to help endangered species and tackle climate change. And his documentary, "Before the Flood," really opened my eyes to how serious global warming is. It kind of nudged me to be more eco-friendly in my everyday life.

It's awesome to see celebs like Emma and Leo not just talking the talk but walking the walk. They've definitely inspired me to think about what I can do to help out with these big issues. It goes to show that fame can be used for more than just glitz and glamour—it can spark real change.

60 Second Task

Big international companies have a major impact on the world economy and local businesses, and there are two key points to understand here.

Firstly, these companies drive globalization. Take Apple, for example. They design their products in the US but manufacture them in China. This approach makes products cheaper for us, but it can lead to job outsourcing. Jobs might be moved to places with lower labor costs, affecting employment in the company's home country.

Secondly, they really influence local markets. When a big retailer like Walmart enters a new area, it offers a wide range of products at low prices. Great for consumers, sure, but tough for small local businesses. These smaller shops often can't compete with such low prices and variety, leading to some of them closing down.

In summary, international companies bring us the benefits of globalization like cheaper products and more choices. However, they also pose a challenge to local businesses, sometimes leading to job losses and the closure of small shops.

Living 40 years ago would drastically change my daily life, primarily in communication and information access. Without modern technology, staying in touch would mean writing letters or using landlines, leading to longer waits for replies. For instance, sharing news would transition from instant messaging to sending a letter and waiting days for a response.

Accessing information would also be markedly different. Instead of quick online searches, I'd turn to newspapers, TV, and radio, and for research, spend extensive time in libraries browsing through books and periodicals. This method contrasts sharply with today’s digital convenience.

In summary, life 40 years ago would necessitate slower communication methods and more traditional information sources, profoundly altering the pace and approach of daily activities, and highlighting the value of direct, simpler experiences.

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. She's all about fighting for women's rights.

2. Jobs might be moved to places with lower labor costs.

3. Accessing information would also be markedly different.

4. They design their products in the US but manufacture them in China.

5. His documentary really opened my eyes to how serious global warming is.

6. These smaller shops often can't compete with such low prices and variety.

7. Watching her give one of her passionate speeches online totally inspired me.

8. This approach makes products cheaper for us, but it can lead to job outsourcing.

9. Celebrities have a unique platform to influence millions instantly on critical issues.

10. When a big retailer enters a new area, it offers a wide range of products at low prices.

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.

Big international companies have a major impact on the world economy and local businesses, and there are two key points to understand here. Firstly, these companies drive globalization.

Take Apple, for example. They design th___ products in the US but manufacture th__ in China. This approach makes products ch_____ for us, but it can lead t_ job outsourcing. Jobs might be moved t_ places with lower labor costs, affecting em________ in the company's home country. Secondly, they really influence local markets. Wh__ a big retailer like Walmart enters a_ new area, it offers a wide ra___ of products at low prices. Great fo_ consumers, sure, but tough for small lo___ businesses.

These smaller shops often can't co_____ with such low prices and variety, le_____ to some of them closing down. In summary, international companies bring us th_ benefits of globalization like cheaper products an_ more choices. However, they also pose a_ challenge to local businesses, sometimes leading t_ job losses and the closure of sm___ shops.

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