ESL: Very Well Protocol | Week 5 - Day 29

15 March 2024

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Today’s Themes and Tasks

Philosophy

Film

History

How do freedom and responsibility relate to each other? Can you be free if you're responsible for others?

How does music enhance the emotional impact of a film? What are examples where the music in a movie played a key role in the movie's success?

Who do you think was the most influential person in history, and why?

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


How do freedom and responsibility relate to each other? Can you be free if you're responsible for others?

Freedom and responsibility are closely linked, and understanding their connection is quite enlightening. It's indeed possible to feel free while being responsible for others, but it requires finding the right balance.

Talking about freedom, it means making our own choices and living life on our terms. However, with every choice comes the responsibility of dealing with the results. For example, choosing to enjoy yourself the night before an exam is a freedom, but if your exam results suffer because of it, you have to accept the consequences. I've been through this and learned the hard way that freedom comes with the duty to accept the outcomes of our choices.

Then there's the part about being responsible for others. You might think this would limit your freedom because of the commitment involved. However, in my experience, taking care of someone or helping a colleague at work has brought a new depth to my life. It has given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that's incredibly rewarding. Through these responsibilities, I've found a different kind of freedom, one that comes from contributing positively to someone else's life.

In short, freedom and responsibility complement each other. Accepting our responsibilities can lead to a more profound and meaningful sense of freedom, enriching our lives with purpose and joy. It's a beautiful thing when you truly understand it.

60 Second Task


How does music enhance the emotional impact of a film? What are examples where the music in a movie played a key role in the movie's success?

Music profoundly enhances a film's emotional landscape, guiding the audience's feelings and amplifying pivotal moments. Two iconic films exemplify music's pivotal role in cinematic success: "Jaws" and "Titanic."

In "Jaws," John Williams's suspenseful score is unforgettable. Before the shark is even seen, the menacing theme evokes a palpable sense of dread, masterfully heightening suspense and fear with just a few notes. This auditory cue has become synonymous with impending danger, showcasing how music can influence the audience's anticipation and tension.

"Titanic," on the other hand, uses James Horner's emotionally charged score to deepen the tragic love story of Jack and Rose. The film's signature song, "My Heart Will Go On," performed by Celine Dion, transcends the movie, becoming a global hit. This haunting melody encapsulates the film's essence, blending romance and sorrow, thereby enriching the narrative's emotional depth.

Whether creating suspense or amplifying a love story, music is integral to a movie's ability to resonate with audiences and achieve lasting success.


Who do you think was the most influential person in history, and why?

Isaac Newton? Absolutely the most game-changing person in history, if you ask me. His work totally turned our understanding of the world on its head. Take calculus, for example. It sounds super complex, and let's be honest, it kind of is. But it's also behind so many things we take for granted today. From how we build our cities to the tech in our pockets, Newton's thinking is at the core.

And then there's the whole gravity thing. The idea that an apple falling from a tree could lead to some of the most important scientific principles we have is just mind-blowing. Because of him, we understand why planets orbit the way they do and why we're not floating off into space right now. His work paved the way for all the space adventures we're so fascinated by today.

In a nutshell, Newton didn't just scribble some equations; he changed how we see the universe. Every time we send a satellite up into space or cross a bridge, we're living in the world Newton helped us understand. He's a true legend in the history of science.

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. He's a true legend in the history of science.

  2. It's a beautiful thing when you truly understand it.

  3. In a nutshell, Newton changed how we see the universe.

  4. In short, freedom and responsibility complement each other.

  5. It sounds super complex, and let's be honest, it kind of is.

  6. How would you describe the role of music in the movie "Titanic"?

  7. His work totally turned our understanding of the world on its head.

  8. If your exam results suffer because of it, you have to accept the consequences.

  9. Can you share an experience that affected your sense of freedom and fulfillment?

  10. In my experience, helping a colleague at work has brought a new depth to my life.

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.


How does music enhance the emotional impact of a film? What are examples where the music in a movie played a key role in the movie's success?

Music profoundly enhances a film's emotional landscape, guiding the audience's feelings and amplifying pivotal moments. Two iconic films exemplify music's pivotal ro__ in cinematic success: "Jaws" and "Titanic."

I_ "Jaws," John Williams's suspenseful score is un___________. Before the shark is even seen, th_ menacing theme evokes a palpable sense o_ dread, masterfully heightening suspense and fear wi__ just a few notes. This auditory cu_ has become synonymous with impending danger, sh________ how music can influence the audience's an__________ and tension.

"Titanic," on the other hand, us__ James Horner's emotionally charged score to deepen th_ tragic love story of Jack and Ro__. The film's signature song, "My Heart Wi__ Go On," performed by Celine Dion, tr________ the movie, becoming a global hit. Th__ haunting melody encapsulates the film's essence, bl______ romance and sorrow, thereby enriching the na_________ emotional depth.

Whether creating suspense or amplifying a lo__ story, music is integral to a mo_____ ability to resonate with audiences and ac_____ lasting success.

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