4 March 2024

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. E.I. 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

Private companies are really shaking things up in space exploration. It's like they've brought a new energy to the scene, which has a couple of big effects on government space programs.

First up, companies like SpaceX are all about innovation, making things faster and cheaper. They came up with rockets that can be used again, which is a game-changer. It cuts down costs big time. Watching a SpaceX rocket land back on Earth blew my mind—it was like something out of a sci-fi movie but real. This pushes government agencies to up their game too, to keep up with these tech advances.

Then, there's the money side of things. Private companies are finding new ways to make money from space, like sending satellites up for businesses or planning trips for tourists. This new cash flow is huge because it means government space budgets can go further or even focus on bigger projects, like exploring more of outer space.

So, what we're seeing is a team-up between the private sector and government agencies that's super exciting. Private companies are speeding up progress with their cool tech and fresh funds, making big space dreams, like going to Mars, seem more possible. It's a win-win for everyone who's ever looked up at the stars and dreamed of exploring them.

60 Second Task

Art, music, and stories wield the power to drive us towards a more equitable world by raising awareness and cultivating empathy. For instance, a striking street art mural depicting refugee struggles once caught my eye, compelling me to delve deeper into the issue and eventually lead me to volunteer at a refugee center. This mural didn't just decorate a wall; it spotlighted a crucial global issue, urging passersby to take notice and act.

Similarly, empathy is deeply stirred through storytelling. A novel about a family grappling with poverty transformed abstract statistics into tangible human experiences for me. It wasn't just a story; it was an emotional journey that fostered a profound understanding and an eagerness to contribute to change.

Through these creative mediums, we're not merely consumers of content; we're participants in a larger conversation about justice and fairness. Art, music, and stories bridge the gap between diverse experiences and our own, motivating us to engage with the world more compassionately and actively. They remind us that at the heart of every societal issue are real people with stories that deserve attention and action.

45 Second Task

Urban design profoundly influences our health, notably through green spaces and walkability. Parks and green areas are not merely aesthetic; they're essential for mental and physical well-being. My experience jogging in a nearby park underscores its value as a space for relaxation and exercise, aligning with studies that link greenery with reduced stress and increased happiness.

Furthermore, walkable cities encourage active lifestyles, reducing reliance on cars, which benefits both health and the environment. A visit to a pedestrian-friendly town revealed the positive impact of such design on community connectivity and personal health.

In conclusion, integrating green spaces and prioritizing walkability in urban planning are key to promoting healthier lifestyles, a critical consideration for future city development.

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. Private companies are speeding up going to Mars.

2. Bigger countries have more borders to watch over.

3. This pushes government agencies to up their game too.

4. We're participants in a larger conversation about fairness.

5. It's a win-win for everyone who's dreamed of exploring the stars.

6. Private companies are really shaking things up in space exploration.

7. Singapore turns its small size into a plus by being a global finance hub.

8. Watching a SpaceX rocket was like something out of a sci-fi movie but real.

9. For example, the USA's vast lands allow it to be a major force in the oil market.

10. At the heart of every societal issue are real people with stories that deserve attention.

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.

Art, music, and stories wield the power to drive us towards a more equitable world by raising awareness and cultivating empathy. For instance, a striking street art mu____ depicting refugee struggles once caught my ey_, compelling me to delve deeper into th_ issue and eventually lead me to vo________ at a refugee center. This mural didn't ju___ decorate a wall; it spotlighted a cr_____ global issue, urging passersby to take no______ and act.

Similarly, empathy is deeply stirred through storytelling. A novel about a family grappling wi__ poverty transformed abstract statistics into tangible hu____ experiences for me. It wasn't just a st___; it was an emotional journey that fo_______ a profound understanding and an eagerness t_ contribute to change.

Through these creative mediums, we're not merely consumers of content; we're participants in a larger conversation ab___ justice and fairness. Art, music, and st_____ bridge the gap between diverse experiences an_ our own, motivating us to engage with th_ world more compassionately and actively. They re____ us that at the heart of ev___ societal issue are real people with st______ that deserve attention and action.

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