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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

It seems like everyday clothes are definitely getting more casual, and it's changing the way we interact with the world and each other. One big shift is in the workplace. Gone are the days of suits and ties every day for many of us. Now, it's all about "business casual" or even just casual. I remember my first day at a tech startup, showing up in a blazer, only to find my boss wearing a hoodie and jeans. It made the office feel more relaxed and approachable, breaking down some of those stiff, formal barriers.

Another area where you see this trend is in schools. Uniforms or strict dress codes used to be the norm, but now, there's a move towards letting students express themselves through their clothing. This shift towards casual wear allows for more personal expression and can help students feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin.

This casual trend also reflects a broader move towards valuing comfort and individuality in society. It's like we're saying it's okay to be ourselves and that we don't need to put on a formal facade to be taken seriously. This can lead to more genuine interactions and a sense of community because we're all a bit more relaxed and open.

In short, the move towards more casual everyday clothing is making our environments feel more laid-back and inclusive, encouraging personal expression and making formal settings a bit less intimidating.

60 Second Task

Streaming music has changed the game. Now, we've got endless tunes at our fingertips. Before, buying CDs or downloading was the norm; now, a quick scroll takes you around the musical world. I accidentally discovered K-pop on a playlist, and it was like hitting a musical jackpot.

But, there's a catch. With so much music available, picking something to listen to can be daunting. It's like being in the biggest music store without a clue where to start.

And here's another thing: while we're all tuning into global stars, local artists are finding it tough to stand out. The spotlight's on the big names, making it hard for new, local talent to break through. I've seen really good local bands struggle in this streaming-dominated scene.

Streaming's suggestion algorithms did get me into jazz, a leap I never thought I'd take. So, despite the downsides, like overwhelming choices and the challenge for local artists, streaming's still making our musical world richer and more diverse. Just remember to give those underdogs a listen too.

Sports in childhood are more than just games; they teach crucial life lessons. Teamwork stands out first. In soccer, I learned victory comes from collaboration, not individual effort. A memorable match where a collective play led to a winning goal underscored the power of working together.

Facing failures, like missing a key basketball shot, also taught me resilience. The support from my team transformed a low moment into a lesson on bouncing back.

Lastly, personal competition, especially in track, highlighted self-improvement. Striving to beat my own records, not just winning, brought a sense of achievement and growth, emphasizing the value of self-competition.

In essence, childhood sports instill teamwork, resilience, and a focus on self-growth, lessons that enrich one’s character and approach to challenges.

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. Streaming music has changed the game.

2. Now, we've got endless tunes at our fingertips.

3. Why is it hard for new musicians to get noticed?

4. Everyday clothes are definitely getting more casual.

5. Another area where you see this trend is in schools.

6. There's a move towards letting students express themselves.

7. Striving to beat my own records brought a sense of achievement.

8. How does dressing more casually make places feel more welcoming?

9. This casual trend also reflects a broader move towards valuing comfort.

10. I showed up in a blazer only to find my boss wearing a hoodie and jeans.

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.

Streaming music has changed the game. Now, we've got endless tunes at ou_ fingertips.

Before, buying CDs or downloading wa_ the norm; now, a quick scroll ta___ you around the musical world. I ac__________ discovered K-pop on a playlist, and i_ was like hitting a musical jackpot. But, there's a catch. With so mu__ music available, picking something to listen t_ can be daunting. It's like being i_ the biggest music store without a cl__ where to start.

And here's another thing: while we're al_ tuning into global stars, local artists ar_ finding it tough to stand out. Th_ spotlight's on the big names, making i_ hard for new, local talent to br___ through. I've seen really good local ba___ struggle in this streaming-dominated scene. Streaming's suggestion algorithms did get me in__ jazz, a leap I never thought I'_ take.

So, despite the downsides, like ov__________ choices and the challenge for local ar______ streaming's still making our musical world ri____ and more diverse. Just remember to gi__ those underdogs a listen too.

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