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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

Being famous might seem like living the dream, but celebrity status comes with its own set of challenges that aren't always obvious. Two big issues that stand out are the lack of privacy and the pressure to maintain a perfect image.

First off, imagine not being able to step outside without cameras following your every move. Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence have shared stories about photographers camping outside their homes or chasing them during a simple grocery run. This constant surveillance means every little mistake or bad day gets broadcasted to the world, which sounds pretty exhausting to me. I remember reading about how Jennifer once tripped at a big event, and instead of just being a funny story among friends, it became global news.

Then there's the pressure to always look and act perfectly. Social media and magazines often only show the glamorous side of fame, making it easy to forget that celebrities are human too. Selena Gomez has talked openly about the mental health struggles that come from trying to meet these unrealistic standards. Hearing her speak about taking breaks from social media for her well-being really hit home for me. It reminded me that it's okay not to be perfect all the time, even if you're not in the spotlight.

So, while fame might bring opportunities and adoration, it also comes with significant challenges that make you think twice about whether it's all worth it.

60 Second Task

Mixing cultures in one place boosts creativity and innovation significantly. Different backgrounds mean diverse perspectives, leading to unique and innovative solutions. Take, for instance, a tech startup in my city founded by people from four countries. Their varied insights resulted in an app that approached a common issue in a novel way, showcasing the power of combining diverse viewpoints.

Cultural diversity also serves as a rich source of inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians. I once experienced a music festival where a band fused traditional African rhythms with European electronic music, creating an entirely new sound. This blend of cultural elements can spark groundbreaking work across arts and technology.

Moreover, the presence of multiple cultures pushes individuals to think outside their comfort zones, embracing new ideas and methodologies. This openness is crucial for fostering an environment where creativity and innovation can flourish.

In essence, the confluence of cultures not only enriches societal fabric but also propels creative and innovative advancements, driving progress in a multitude of fields.

The trend of "country first" politics is reshaping global relations. Leaders now favor direct bilateral deals over group agreements, like the U.S. opting out of the TPP for one-on-one negotiations with countries like China and Canada. This approach, while straightforward, complicates broader cooperation.

Also, traditional alliances such as NATO face tension over financial contributions, adding uncertainty to their future. Moreover, the shift towards protectionism, seen in tariffs and trade barriers, aims to protect local industries but can trigger trade wars, impacting global markets and prices.

These changes show a move towards prioritizing national interests, challenging the fabric of international unity and economic stability in a deeply interconnected world.

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. Hearing her speak really hit home for me.

2. Celebrity status comes with its own set of challenges.

3. It reminded me that it's okay not to be perfect all the time.

4. This blend of cultural elements can spark groundbreaking work.

5. Leaders now favor direct bilateral deals over group agreements.

6. Social media makes it easy to forget that celebrities are human too.

7. Instead of just being a funny story among friends, it became global news.

8. Protectionism aims to protect local industries but can impact global markets.

9. Constant surveillance means every little mistake gets broadcasted to the world.

10. Imagine not being able to step outside without cameras following your every move.

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.

Mixing cultures in one place boosts creativity and innovation significantly. Different backgrounds mean diverse perspectives, leading t_ unique and innovative solutions. Take, for in_______, a tech startup in my city fo_____ by people from four countries.

Their va____ insights resulted in an app that ap________ a common issue in a novel wa__, showcasing the power of combining diverse vi_________. Cultural diversity also serves as a ri__ source of inspiration for artists, writers, an_ musicians. I once experienced a music fe______ where a band fused traditional African rh_____ with European electronic music, creating an en______ new sound. This blend of cultural el______ can spark groundbreaking work across arts an_ technology.

Moreover, the presence of multiple cultures pu____ individuals to think outside their comfort zo____, embracing new ideas and methodologies. This op______ is crucial for fostering an environment wh___ creativity and innovation can flourish. In essence, the confluence of cultures no_ only enriches societal fabric but also pr_____ creative and innovative advancements, driving progress i_ a multitude of fields.

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