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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

Having a mix of cultures in one place can really spark creativity and innovation. Let me explain how with a couple of key points.

First off, when people from different backgrounds come together, they bring unique perspectives and ideas. This diversity of thought can lead to some pretty amazing brainstorming sessions where innovative solutions are born. For example, in my city, there's a tech startup that was co-founded by people from four different countries. Their varied viewpoints helped create an app that solves a common problem in a way no one else had thought of. It's like they combined the best of all worlds!

Another point is about the inspiration that comes from being exposed to different cultures. Artists, writers, and musicians often draw upon diverse cultural experiences to create something new and exciting. I remember attending a music festival where a band blended traditional African rhythms with European electronic music. It was something I'd never heard before, and it was incredibly popular. This kind of cultural mash-up can lead to groundbreaking work in arts and technology.

Lastly, having many cultures in one place encourages people to step out of their comfort zones and think outside the box. It's all about being open to new ideas and ways of thinking, which is essential for creativity and innovation.

So, bringing cultures together not only enriches society but also fuels the creative and innovative energy that drives progress.

60 Second Task

With more leaders adopting a "country first" approach, international dynamics are shifting notably. Direct bilateral negotiations are becoming preferred over broader, multilateral agreements. The U.S. stepping away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in favor of one-on-one deals with nations like China and Canada exemplifies this trend. It simplifies agreements for the countries involved but complicates global cooperation, as each negotiation is a separate puzzle.

Traditional alliances, like NATO, are also under pressure. Criticisms over financial contributions have introduced uncertainty into these longstanding partnerships, questioning their future stability.

Moreover, the rise in protectionism, marked by increased tariffs and trade barriers, aims to shield domestic industries but risks sparking trade wars. The U.S.-China tariff dispute, for instance, has affected global markets and prices, illustrating the interconnectedness of national economies.

These shifts toward national prioritization are fragmenting international cooperation, presenting challenges for global unity and economic stability, yet they reflect a changing landscape where direct and protective measures are increasingly favored.

Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio leverage their fame for meaningful causes. Emma, globally recognized from "Harry Potter," actively promotes gender equality with the UN's HeForShe campaign, inspiring both men and women to advocate for change. Her work exemplifies how celebrities can use their influence for societal benefit. Leonardo DiCaprio, beyond his acting career, dedicates himself to environmental preservation. Through his foundation and the impactful documentary "Before the Flood," he brings attention to climate change, urging individuals towards eco-friendly practices.

Their commitment demonstrates that fame isn't just about glamour but can be a powerful tool for advocating global issues. By engaging in these causes, they inspire fans like me to think about how we can also make a difference. This shows the unique position celebrities have to drive significant change, making the world a better place by focusing on what truly matters.

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. Integrating various cultures enriches society.

2. They leverage their fame for meaningful causes.

3. Openness to diverse ideas is crucial for innovation.

4. The criticism has introduced doubts about future alliances.

5. A diverse team addressed the problem with a novel solution.

6. Tariff disputes demonstrate the fragile nature of global trade.

7. Individuals from different backgrounds offer unique perspectives.

8. Engaging with multiple cultures encourages out-of-the-box thinking.

9. A focus on national interests is reducing international collaboration.

10. His advocacy for climate change promotes sustainable, eco-friendly practices.

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.

With more leaders adopting a "country first" approach, international dynamics are shifting notably. Direct bilateral negotiations are becoming preferred ov__ broader, multilateral agreements. The U.S. stepping aw__ from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in fa___ of one-on-one deals with nations like Ch___ and Canada exemplifies this trend. It si________ agreements for the countries involved but co_________ global cooperation, as each negotiation is a_ separate puzzle.

Traditional alliances, like NATO, are also un___ pressure. Criticisms over financial contributions have in________ uncertainty into these longstanding partnerships, questioning th___ future stability. Moreover, the rise in protectionism, marked b_ increased tariffs and trade barriers, aims t_ shield domestic industries but risks sparking tr___ wars.

The U.S.-China tariff dispute, for in_______, has affected global markets and prices, il__________ the interconnectedness of national economies. These shifts toward national prioritization are fr_________ international cooperation, presenting challenges for global un___ and economic stability, yet they reflect a_ changing landscape where direct and protective me______ are increasingly favored.

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