ESL: Very Well’s

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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

Looking back at ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Romans, and Mayans, it's wild to think about what they achieved and how it still touches our lives. Let's chat about two big things we've picked up from them: building stuff and star gazing.

First off, the building skills of these old cultures were next level. Like, the Egyptians and their pyramids, right? Standing in front of the Great Pyramid for the first time, I was totally blown away. How did they get those massive stones to fit so perfectly without any of the gadgets we have today? It's crazy to think that these ancient techniques helped pave the way for the massive buildings and bridges we see now.

And then, there's the Mayans with their stars. Visiting Chichen Itza, I learned about their calendar and how they could predict solar eclipses ages ago. Seeing the Kukulkan Pyramid and hearing how it lines up with the sun on certain days was mind-blowing. It's like they were ancient astronomers without even having telescopes.

These old civilizations were super smart. They built incredible things and knew so much about the stars, teaching us to keep pushing the limits of what we know and can do. Every skyscraper and every time we look up at the night sky, it's like we're following in their footsteps. It's pretty awesome when you think about it.

60 Second Task

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.

I think most people would agree watching a movie with the sound off even if you have captions that give the dialogue just isn’t the same. Music serves as the invisible hand guiding viewers' emotions, whether heightening suspense or deepening romance. In "Jaws," John Williams's ominous score, with its iconic eerie rhthym elicits fear long before the shark's arrival.

Similarly, James Horner's emotive soundtrack, epitomized by "My Heart Will Go On" in "Titanic," immerses audiences in the film's poignant love story. Beyond mere accompaniment, music becomes a character in its own right, shaping the narrative's emotional landscape and leaving an indelible mark on viewers. These examples underscore the transformative power of music in cinema, solidifying its status as an integral component of a movie's success.

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. These old civilizations were super smart.

2. Freedom and responsibility are closely connected.

3. Taking care of family members has made my life richer.

4. Can you explain their influence on modern architecture?

5. Let's chat about two big things we've picked up from them.

6. They taught us to keep pushing the limits of what we know and can do.

7. These examples underscore the transformative power of music in cinema.

8. Taking on responsibilities can actually give you a deeper sense of freedom.

9. Standing in front of a pyramid for the first time, I was totally blown away.

10. Looking back at ancient civilizations it's wild to think about what they achieved.

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.

Getting to real happiness is kind of like a puzzle, you know? It’s more than just feeling good; it__ about that deep-down fulfillment. There ar_ a couple of ways t_ crack it, at least from what I’__ seen and felt.

First up, it’s all about the pe____ we vibe with - our family an_ friends. There's something special about those mo_____ when you're just hanging out, sharing st______ or cracking up over something silly. It__ like those connections feed your soul.

Then, there's the whole personal achievement th___. It’s not just about the big wi___, but also those little victories, like wh__ you finally get through a tough ta__. I remember this one time I fi______ a project that was a real he_______, and the feeling was amazing. It wa____ just about getting it done but re_______ I could push through challenges.

So, yeah, happiness can come from ch______ with loved ones or nailing your go___. It's pretty unique for everyone. What’s cl___ is that being happy is about fi_____ that sweet spot between connecting with ot____ and growing yourself.

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