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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

Art, music, and stories have this amazing power to open our eyes and hearts to the struggles and hopes of others, helping us work towards a more just and fair world. Let's dive into two ways they do this: raising awareness and fostering empathy.

First up, raising awareness. Art and music can shine a light on issues that we might not notice in our daily lives. I remember seeing this powerful street art mural that depicted the challenges faced by refugees. It was so striking that it made me stop and think, leading me to learn more and eventually volunteer at a local refugee support center. It's like these creative expressions grab our attention and say, "Hey, look over here, this is important!"

Then there's empathy. Stories, in particular, let us step into someone else's shoes. I read a novel about a family's struggle with poverty, and it was a game-changer for me. Suddenly, statistics about poverty became real people with feelings and dreams. It made me more understanding and motivated to help in any way I could.

So, through art, music, and stories, we're not just entertained. We're invited to see the world differently, to care deeply, and to act kindly. They remind us that behind every issue, there are human faces and stories worth fighting for.

60 Second Task

Urban design plays a crucial role in our health, especially through green spaces and walkability.

Green areas like parks are essential for exercise and relaxation, offering an escape and boosting mental health. Personally, my local park is a sanctuary for jogging and peace. Studies support that proximity to greenery correlates with lower stress and higher happiness. These spaces motivate us to be active and mentally healthier.

Walkability also matters. Cities designed for walking or biking encourage us to choose these active modes over driving, promoting physical health and reducing pollution. I recently traveled to a smaller tourist town that has been designed around making it as walkable as possible. I found that we enjoyed the local town’s culture much more and we spent a lot of time walking the week we were there even though it didn’t feel like it.

In short, thoughtful urban planning that includes accessible green spaces and walkable streets can significantly enhance our health by encouraging physical activity and reducing stress.

Futuristic stories, whether they paint grim dystopias or flawless utopias, serve a crucial role beyond mere entertainment. Dystopian tales act as cautionary warnings, urging us to reconsider our current paths to avoid potential disaster. They challenge us to reflect on issues of power and justice, essentially asking, "What changes are necessary today to prevent this dark future?" Conversely, utopias, while seemingly perfect, prompt critical thinking about the concept of perfection itself. They highlight the sacrifices and compromises required to achieve an ideal society, pushing us to question the true cost of our ideals. Both genres not only envision the future but also critically engage with the present, encouraging a deeper examination of our societal values and choices.

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. "Hey, look over here, this is important!"

2. I read a novel that was a game-changer for me.

3. I remember seeing this powerful street art mural.

4. Art has an amazing power to open our eyes and hearts.

5. We're invited to see the world differently and act kindly.

6. These spaces motivate us to be active and mentally healthier.

7. Stories let us step into someone else's shoes.

8. Thoughtful urban planning should include accessible green spaces.

9. Cities designed for walking promote physical health and reduce pollution.

10. Art can shine a light on issues that we might not notice in our daily lives.

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.

Urban design plays a crucial role in our health, especially through green spaces and wa______.

Green areas like parks are essential for exercise and relaxation, offering an escape and bo______ mental health. Personally, my local park is a sanctuary for jogging and peace. St_____ support that proximity to greenery correlates wi____ lower stress and higher happiness. These sp____ motivate us to be active and me______ healthier.

Walkability also matters. Cities designed for walking or biking encourage us to ch____ these active modes over driving, promoting ph_____ health and reducing pollution. I recently tr_____ to a smaller tourist town that ha_ been designed around making it as wa______ as possible. I found that we en_____ the local town’s culture much more an_ we spent a lot of time walking th_ week we were there even though it didn’t feel like it.

In short, thoughtful urban planning that includes accessible green spaces and walkable st______ can significantly enhance our health by encouraging physical activity and re______ stress.

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