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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. You can also access the workout of the day videos on Facebook.

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

Movies have a profound influence on society and culture, shaping our perceptions, values, and even behaviors. They can reflect societal issues, offer new perspectives, and inspire change.

One key way movies impact us is by addressing social issues. For instance, "To Kill a Mockingbird," based on Harper Lee's novel, played a significant role in highlighting racial injustice. Watching this film as a teenager opened my eyes to the harsh realities of racial discrimination and the importance of empathy and justice. It's a powerful example of how cinema can educate and prompt discussions on critical social matters.

Another aspect is the inspiration movies provide. "The Pursuit of Happyness," which portrays a father's struggle to provide for his son and achieve his dreams against all odds, deeply moved me. It's not just a story of hardship, but also of resilience and hope. This film motivated me to face challenges with determination and reinforced the belief that perseverance can lead to success.

Movies like these not only entertain but also serve as catalysts for reflection and action. They can challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and inspire us to make a difference. The impact of cinema on society and culture is undeniable, offering a mirror to our world and the potential to shape it for the better.

60 Second Task

When we dive into the topic of online security, it's clear that keeping our digital lives safe is a shared responsibility. However, if we're being honest, the heavy lifting should mostly be done by the big guys – the governments and internet companies. 

Why is that? Well, for starters, they've got the resources, the technology, and the brainpower to really make a difference. They can enforce rules that protect our data and penalize those who don't play by them. Like that time a major social media platform got hit with a huge fine for messing up with user data. That kind of action really shows that with the right pressure, companies can and will prioritize our security.

But here's the thing, us individual users, we've got a role to play too. Sure, we should pick strong passwords and be careful about what we share online. I learned this the hard way when my email was hacked despite my efforts to keep it secure. It was a real eye-opener that even the best personal practices can fall short without the backing of powerful security systems that only companies and governments can provide.

In summing up, while it's on all of us to be cyber-smart, the bulk of the responsibility rests with governments and companies. And as technology keeps advancing, their proactive stance in defending us from digital dangers becomes even more vital. It's about creating a partnership where their strength complements our vigilance.

Online learning is revolutionizing education by offering unmatched flexibility and accessibility. I experienced this firsthand by taking a course from a university thousands of miles away, directly from my home. This opens up education to those juggling work or family, making learning more inclusive.

However, transitioning to online poses questions about the social fabric of traditional schooling. Beyond academics, school is a vital space for socializing and developing interpersonal skills. As we embrace online platforms, finding innovative ways to foster these interactions is essential.

In summary, while online learning expands educational boundaries, it also prompts us to creatively address the social dynamics of schooling. Balancing academic flexibility with social engagement is key as we navigate this new educational landscape.

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. It's not just a story of hardship.

2. Online learning is revolutionizing education.

3. It's a powerful example of how cinema can educate.

4. I learned this the hard way when my email was hacked.

5. How do you think movies influence society and culture?

6. Movies have a profound influence on what we think and feel.

7. This opens up education to those juggling work or family.

8. Can you talk about a movie that really moved you emotionally?

9. Balancing academic flexibility with social engagement is key.

10. School is a vital space for socializing and developing interpersonal skills.

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.

When we dive into the topic of online security, it's clear that keeping our digital lives safe is a shared responsibility. However, if we're being honest, the he___ lifting should mostly be done by th_ big guys – the governments and in______ companies.

Why is that? Well, for starters, they've got the re________, the technology, and the brainpower to re____ make a difference. They can enforce ru___ that protect our data and penalize th___ who don't play by them. Like th__ time a major social media platform go_ hit with a huge fine for me_____ up with user data. That kind o_ action really shows that with the ri___ pressure, companies can and will prioritize ou_ security.

But here's the thing, us individual us____, we've got a role to play to_. Sure, we should pick strong passwords an_ be careful about what we share on____. I learned this the hard way wh__ my email was hacked despite my ef_____ to keep it secure. It was a_ real eye-opener that even the best pe______ practices can fall short without the ba_____ of powerful security systems that only co_______ and governments can provide.

In summing up, while it's on al_ of us to be cyber-smart, the bu__ of the responsibility rests with governments an_ companies. And as technology keeps advancing, th___ proactive stance in defending us from di_____ dangers becomes even more vital. It's ab___ creating a partnership where their strength co_________ our vigilance.

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