Mother's Day

4th May (the first Sunday of May) is Mother's Day in Spain

Thank you Mum is a video which Michael Marantz filmed for Mother's Day and which I heard about through Larry Ferlazzo.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video and complete the blanks in the transcript with the missing words.


Thank You Mom from Michael Marantz on Vimeo.

You’re ready? Standby, focusing, initiating, sound speeds. Thanks mum. You did a lot of good work. Here we is
Thank you mum for lying for me to get me out of trouble when I (1)...  . I (1) ... .
Thank you mummy for making my (2) ... .
Thank you for teaching me to eat (3) ... .
Thank you mum for giving me (4) ... .
Thank you for helping me with my (5) ... .
For making me (6) ... in front of your friends.
For showing me (7) ...  when I was young.
For my first (8) ... camera
Thank you for buying me this (9)... .
For keeping me out of (10) ... and thank you for taking care of me when I was in (10) ... .
Thank you for being a nut-job and dancing spontaneously and (11)... .
Thank you for teaching me how to (12) ... .
For never getting on to me about the (13) ... .
For getting me out of trouble when I burnt down a (14) ... .
For teaching me the (15) ... .
For letting me (16) ... you.
For helping me (17) ... the little things.
For standing by me no matter how many stupid (18) ... I made.
For always making me (19) ... .
For teaching me how to (20) ... .
For (21) ...  my whole life.
For not giving up on me when I (22) ... .
For teaching me how to make (23) ... .
For always being the (24) ...  to cry on when I need you.
For being my (25) ... .
Thank you mum.
Thanks mum.
Thank you. I love you.

Key:
1shoplifted 2 breakfast 3 fruit and vegetables 4 good looks 5 homework 6 dance 7 punk music 8 SLR 9 t-shirt 10 jail 11 having fun 12 laugh 13 beard 14 forest 15 tune of life 16 love 17 appreciate 18 choices 19 feel better 20 love 21 taking care of me 22 ran away 23 mistakes 24 shoulder 25 rock

From 1994

Casey Warren made this story in memory of his mom. This is the way this short film is presented in Vimeo.

"What you say to a loved one if you only had one chance to say it all?" From 1994 seeks to answer this along with the importance of remembering those who we've lost in our lives. We are incredibly humbled by all those who supported our project and want to say thank you for all those involved. It has been our labor of love and we are excited to finally release it. -Casey & Danielle."

The topic of death might usually strike a chord, but Casey handles it beautifully. Just watch it and judge for yourself.

Lesson idea:
What would you write as your last words to your beloved ones?  The idea in the film reminded of the BBC Programme 'Letters to Myself', where you can write a letter to yourself and post it to futureme.org, which will send it back to you at the time in the future you pick. When you receive your own letter, you can see what you were like when you sent it, and what your life expectations were at the time.




"From 1994" Short Film from Casey Warren | MINDCASTLE on Vimeo.

Dear, Casey,
If I could look into a crystal ball, I have no doubts I would find you still blonde, handsome and as full of love and questions as you are now at the age of five.
My favorite time of my life is the years that you’ve been alive, because you have made me feel truly alive. So far in raising you, you have been the child every parent wants, one whom I delight in taking places rather than leaving with a babysitter.
What did you wish for this year son? If I have one wish for you, it is that you have already found a direction in life, a talent or desire that has pointed you towards a life’s work that will bring you joy.
Speaking of hobbies, what are yours now? your five year old self likes to collect and experiment with bugs, do karate, play with micromachines, draw maps, write ‘Chinese-secret hieroglyphics’style
on bitty pieces of paper folded a dozen ways from Sunday.
Don’t be afraid to explore new things, always remember that. You are never bored, and you can entertain yourself for hours without any toy in sight. You’d die for a secret room or passageway all your own. Wouldn't we all?
As I write you are in bed. We let you stay up later than most because you never get tired and crabby like some kids do. Before I say good night, I want you to remember I will always be here for you even-though I may not be with you.
Bye for now, from 1994, see you in the next lifetime.

The Last -short film

A simple question, "How many have you loved?" 

Is your answer, "one and only"? 

Or is it "several", all of whom have shaped your life?

This is the rather simple background to this Philip Wang short film, released in 2012, and whose comments on his own film you can read on the Wong Fu Productions blog.

Watch this slow-paced, rather philosophical short film and find out what WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY refer to.

You can read the transcript here.

Back to solitude

Back to solitude is a short film by Joschka Laukeninks. It is the story of a relationship backwards.

The idea seems really original to me, the voice-over is appealing and I think the acting and the photography are also excellent, though I'm no expert.

I have tried to find the film without subtitles but I have been unable to, so if you wish to practise your listening skills you will have to scroll down the screen a little bit until the subtitles are covered.

I think Básico 2 students can give the film a try.

Self-study activity:
We can make the most of having the subtitles on the screen to practise our English pronunciation by shadow reading.

After listening to the story and being familiar with it, play the film again and read the subtitles at the same pace as the narrator. Try to imitate the rhythm, the intonation and, of course, the pronunciation of the individual worlds.


'Back to Solitude' (2011) from Joschka Laukeninks on Vimeo.

Happiness and Mr Happy Man

Self-study activity:
This is a listening and speaking activity for strong intermediate students. To be honest, I think that it is more suitable for advanced students, but I did want it to let you know about this beautiful film about 88-year-old Bermudian Johnny Barnes, who devotes six hours a day to an endearing traffic ritual that has made him one of the island’s most cherished citizens.

Get together with an English speaking friend or relative and discuss these questions:

What makes you happy?
How could you be happier than you are now?
What might help people in general to feel happier?
How closely is money related to happiness?
What problems may prevent people from feeling happy?
Have you heard of any famous rich people who do a lot for the needy?
What can people do to help others apart from giving money?
Have you ever made a sacrifice for another person? If so, what happened?
Has anyone ever helped you at a difficult moment in your life? If so, what happened?
In what practical ways can we be kind to other people in our everyday life?


Now watch Matt Morris film on Johnny Barnes, Mr Happy Man. It is longish, around 10 minutes. Note down any information you understand, be it Johnny's routine, Johnny's life story, his neighbours' reactions and feelings, encounters different people have had with him, whatever.


Compare your notes with those of the person you are working with.



Mr. Happy Man from Matt Morris Films on Vimeo.



You can read the transcript here.

Sign language

Only yesterday we posted an entry about more and more men choosing pink-collar jobs nowadays. Along these lines comes today's post, Sign language, an award-winning short-film about some other non-traditional occupations and the feelings that boil inside the workers doing them.

Somehow it reminded me of a lesson we did in May this year about the most hated occupations. The list featured jobs like estate agents, motorcycle couriers, nightclub bouncers, tax inspectors, telesales reps and traffic wardens, but funnily enough, no mention of board boys.

Self-study activity:
Watch the film and enjoy it. There are some difficult parts in what Ben says, but some others are well within the grasp of intermediate students. You can find the transcript below.



Yeah, my work place is wonderful and I want to share it.
My name is Ben. I am a static outdoor information technician – a board guy.
I’ve been doing it for about 15 years, ah, but I’ve just been promoted. So today is my last day.
London is the most exciting city in the world and I’m in the heart of it. Started out in the provinces, learning the trade, get the technique down. Worked the night shift for a few years. And then my dad retired, passed his patch on to me. But I had to earn it, really. This is Granddad’s pole actually.
Ah, my workmates are amazing. That’s Harry, he’s a joker. He’s always larking around. You know last year he held his sign upside down all day, just for a laugh.
You alright, Harry? Must be planning some high jinks.
Then there’s Chris, Steve, completely inseparable, two peas in a pod.
That’s Alex, work experience, degree in urban semiotics. Still got lots to learn though.
Then there’s Anya. She only started last month. You can tell she really gets it though. Terrible condition those flyerers, I wish I could help. She’s non-union though, so I can’t talk to her.
Yeah, hi Dad. Yeah, hi. No, ah, new post… first day new post starts tomorrow. Yeah, I am excited. Look, Dad, I’m at work. Ah, yeah, can I call you back? Ok, bye, bye.
Don’t get me wrong, the promotion is great. You know, it’s an honour to be recognized, Dad's over the moon.
It’s just that, this… place… You know we’re on a 12th century road surrounded by 19th century buildings - they’re works of art. Beneath us, there’s an underground river. There’s so much community here, so much life. And most people don’t see past the neon. This job teaches you about things like that.
You know, I’m here to point out less obvious things. "From the ruts of Oxford Street to open ways", Thomas Hardy, 1872.
There’s so much beauty, you know, so much opportunity, right under our noses. We shouldn’t just ignore it.
Well, that’s it. Shift's over. Thought the guys might give me a send-off or something. I guess they’re too busy. Oh well.
Yeah, it’s not too bad. Not so many people as before, but, I still love Mondays.
Off to work

Why

The Nikon short film Why is most probably the hardest clip to understand on the blog. I was really in two minds about whether to post it or not, but the sheer beauty of the film is something worth watching, and whatever Dane Jackson, Rebecca Rush and Alex Honnold say about kayaking, mountain-biking and solo climbing is secondary, although I have included the transcript for English fanatics.

We have also touched on the topic of extreme sports on this blog in the post Berghaus, and in the Why Files.

We seem to come across extreme sports more and more often in the English class, so the Nikon short film Why may come in handy to discuss the topic. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



Nikon - WHY from Corey Rich on Vimeo.

You can read the transcript here.

Same place, same time tomorrow

Same place, same time tomorrow is a five-minute film by Antoine Shaphiro about taking chances and love at first sight.

I think  Same place, same time tomorrow  makes a nice love story which I hope you enjoy. The level is suitable for Intermedio 1 and Intermedio 2 students.

Lesson idea:
Watch the film and retell the story in your own words.
Get together with an English  speaking friend or relative and make up a different ending for the story.



You can read the transcript here.

Homelessness

The topic of homelessness is touched on in unit 5 of module 8 in the That's English! programme, so the video on this post fits in perfectly with that unit.

I first saw this Homeless video on Rob Whyte's excellent ESLWriting. As a matter of fact, you can find a listening activity there.

However, I think that the level of difficulty is a bit high for intermediate students to understand it fully, which made me think that I should provide the transcript if I wanted students to make something out of it.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video and complete the blanks in the transcript with the missing words.



I served in the (1)...  . I’d been working (2) ... years. Right up to my retirement I hurt my (3) ...  . Yeah, I lost my job and next thing I knew I was in the street, you know? (4) ... .

I’m sorry, man.

Hurts to live in this country, shouldn’t have to live like that.

It could happen to anybody. When you are in a situation like this you don’t think nobody (5) ... . It’s great to have somebody care about you. People that (6) ... me was good enough. They helped me a whole lot.

I was off the street and now I have a nice (7) ... place of my own. There’s a whole lot of people out there need help. A lot of them don’t even  know where to go. I am a lucky one. I am lucky.

Key:
1 military 2 thirty-five 3 leg 4 Homeless 5 care 6 helped 7 clean

Day one after retirement

Day One Stories is a site created by Prudential financial services to give us the opportunity to look at the photos, read the quotes and watch the films of some of the thousands of Americans on their first day of retirement. Many look back on their lives and think about the future, where financial worries take top priority.

The video on the blog shows Linda on her first day after retirement. Watch the sheer beauty of the film and try to understand as much as possible. You can find the transcript below and many more video and audio testimonials on 



Well I think that happy is a momentary thing. Happiness comes and goes. I think contentment is there all the time even underneath when you’re having a problem. I mean to be content, you have to work with what you’ve got.

I guess there is something in me that I’ve always been strong. I’ve always gotten through some pretty rough stuff without falling to pieces. It’s my nature to survive, it’s my nature to land on my feet.

It’s kind of hard to make decisions by yourself all of a sudden when you’ve been making them with somebody else for 35 years.

I had a wonderful, wonderful happy marriage and I was well loved and so many people don’t have that. So they gave him three to six months but we all knew better. He sort of sit enough and he reached out and touched my face and died in my arms.

The good thing about change is that you grow each time, you expand each time I think. My executive director and I started talking about it  in the spring that I might take early retirement and I just got antsy, I just said, you know I need to go and do this if I’m going to do it, I need to do it.

Good morning, buddy, what’s up there? Ok, Ok, I’m getting up, I’m doing it.

He don’t talk back, he just looks like he understands.

Tom didn’t leave very much but  he left me a little money. I bought Dicken with the last of the money that he left me. Just the companionship is, made a huge difference. I think when you hug somebody you just feel that sense of being loved and being held. I think that’s contentment. I think if you can carry that with you which pretty much do just feel like I’m walking around in one big hug.

Day one. First day of my retirement. First day I never had to answer anybody for anything, except Dicken. Gotta give him his treats or he’d be unhappy.

Love Sick

Love Sick is a short film by Kevin Mark which won the 2011 Utah Arts Fringe Film Festival. I found it entertaining and with an easy story line to follow.

Just watch it and enjoy it, and see if you can predict the ending. You can find the transcript below.



It couldn't really end like this, could it? Not after what I've just been through.  We're gonna get through this, right?  We're gonna be together forever, right?

I'm starting to think otherwise.  Maybe Justin Bieber was right.  Maybe there was no Juliet for this Romeo.  No Meg Ryan for this Tom Hanks. Maybe there is no such thing as love.

And just as I was about to resign myself to a life of cat ownership, I saw her.  The girl of my dreams! I have to think fast.  A train leaves the station travelling at 27 miles per hour. The next station is 14 city blocks away. If a man leaves that same station on foot but takes one massive shortcut, will he spend the rest of his life alone?  I was incredibly out of shape. But every fiber of my being told me I couldn't let this one go. I have to keep pushing. I was going to make it! I wasn't going to make it. What was this? Wait a minute! Bieber!

And just like that, she was gone. The next station was in for miles. I had nothing left but flat tire and a broken heart. It couldn't really end like this, could it? Not after what I've just been through. We're gonna get through this, right? We're gonna be together forever, right?

I'm starting to think otherwise. Maybe Justin Bieber was right. Maybe there was no Juliet for this Romeo. No, no Courtney Love for this Kurt Cobain. Maybe there is no such thing as love. And just as I was about to renew my "World of Warcraft" membership, I saw her. The girl of my dreams.

Thank you, mum

Thank you Mum is a video which Michael Marantz filmed for Mother's Day and which I heard about through Larry Ferlazzo.

Self-study activity:

Watch the video and complete the blanks in the transcript with the missing words.



You’re ready? Standby, focusing, initiating, sound speeds. Thanks mum. You did a lot of good work. Here we is
Thank you mum for lying for me to get me out of trouble when I (1)...  . I (1) ... .
Thank you mummy for making my (2) ... .
Thank you for teaching me to eat (3) ... .
Thank you mum for giving me (4) ... .
Thank you for helping me with my (5) ... .
For making me (6) ... in front of your friends.
For showing me (7) ...  when I was young.
For my first (8) ... camera
Thank you for buying me this (9)... .
For keeping me out of (10) ... and thank you for taking care of me when I was in (10) ... .
Thank you for being a nut-job and dancing spontaneously and (11)... .
Thank you for teaching me how to (12) ... .
For never getting on to me about the (13) ... .
For getting me out of trouble when I burnt down a (14) ... .
For teaching me the (15) ... .
For letting me (16) ... you.
For helping me (17) ... the little things.
For standing by me no matter how many stupid (18) ... I made.
For always making me (19) ... .
For teaching me how to (20) ... .
For (21) ...  my whole life.
For not giving up on me when I (22) ... .
For teaching me how to make (23) ... .
For always being the (24) ...  to cry on when I need you.
For being my (25) ... .
Thank you mum.
Thanks mum.
Thank you. I love you.

Key:
1shoplifted 2 breakfast 3 fruit and vegetables 4 good looks 5 homework 6 dance 7 punk music 8 SLR 9 t-shirt 10 jail 11 having fun 12 laugh 13 beard 14 forest 15 tune of life 16 love 17 appreciate 18 choices 19 feel better 20 love 21 taking care of me 22 ran away 23 mistakes 24 shoulder 25 rock

An ordinary day

What's a typical day in your life like?
How is a typical day in your life today compared to 20 years back?
What can make your typical day different?
Do you have memories of days when something extraordinary happened?

Think about the questions above before watching An ordinary day. Then compared your ideas with the film.

Self-study activity:
Watch the film and complete the blanks in the transcript with the missing words.




You wake up today, like any other day. You get dressed, you make yourself breakfast, you brush your teeth. Everything you do starts to feel like some sort of elaborate (1) ... routine. After a while, you’ve realized that how much of your life is really an accumulation of these seemingly insignificant moments.

You go through the day only half awake, finding (2) ... in the mundane and finding ways to escape from it all. It becomes hard to tell one day from the next. The days turn into weeks, the weeks into years. And before you know it, your whole life has passed you by.

What was once and exciting and mysterious future is now behind you. You come to accept the (3) ... you’ve made, the life you’ve created for yourself. You tell yourself that you’re different, that you’re not just another one of the billions of people put here on this earth only to be forgotten.

But somehow, all your (4) ... will amount to something, but you know there is nothing inherently special about you. All your dreams and memories which you know so intimately. All your thoughts and feelings which define who you are; are destined to become nothing more than a non-written part of history.

And as the rest of the world moves on, all that is left are a collection of photographs that only provide (5) ... of who you were. But then something happens, right there in that ordinary day, maybe it’s only a kiss, a conversation, a song on the radio, something that makes you (6) ... , an incredible view. You are suddenly (7) ... how beautiful life can be and when it does happen, it doesn’t matter to you how temporary life is or whether or not your existence is in any way significant.

All that matters is, for that (8) ... yet eternal moment in time, you’re there to experience it.

Key:
1 well-rehearsed 2 comfort 3 choices 4 accomplishments 5 glimpses 6 laugh 7 reminded 8 instantaneous

The plan

The plan is an award-winning film about a man who gives up his job, leaves his girlfriend and drives to Vegas to bet all his money.

Self-study activity:
Watch the film and enjoy it. What do you think of it? Did the ending surprise you?
You can read the transcript below for a full understanding.

You can use the film as a springboard for conversation:

• Retell the story in your own words.
• Tell your friends or classmates about personal stories you know of people who decided to leave everything behind to make a new start in life.
• Discuss the reasons that make people take these drastic decisions.

"The idea was simple. Quit my job. Pack the essentials needed to sustain life. Whatever happens, go through with it. Leave Claudia. For good this time. Take all of the money out of my bank account. Drive to Vegas. Walk up to a Roulette table, and put it all on red.

It's about going back to a time when life was unexpected, taking a change that would allow me to start over. Finding a new purpose, a new adventure, a new love. I will go through with it. No matter what the outcome is, at least it won’t be the life that I live now.

That’s a really good casino.
How do you know?
Because I just won 50 bucks on the nickel sludge.
Is it good?
Yeah!
You from around here?
Nope.
Thanks.
Did you just take a picture of me?
No. Yeah!
Well can I see it?
It’s not digital. It’s 35mm.
OK, then I think you should give me the film.
Why?
Because you just can’t go around stealing pictures of people. It’s rude.
How about after I get it developed I’ll send you a copy?
You know what, just forget it. Just keep it, asshole.
Hey, I just thought you are pretty!
I’d thought you’d take it as a compliment?

Hey, man, have you ever been to this place before?
Red light casino you see, you go down the 50…
Shit, you give me that back!
You should come out and play.
You gonna mess the film.

Fuck, fuck.

I will go through with it.

Ok, how much do you want on chips?
No more bets.
Black 35 no winners.

Mitch, come home. Just come home, Mitch. You there?

I guess it's about it's about going back to a time when life was unexpected. Finding a new purpose, a new adventure, a new love. And no matter what happens, at least it won’t be the life that I live now."

The Good Life

Watch New York Times author Mark Albion's 3-minute animated movie The Good Life based on his new book, More Than Money.

The Good Life takes you to a chance meeting between an MBA and a fisherman on a small island. As the MBA tries to teach the fisherman about business, the fisherman teaches him about life.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video and try to understand as much as possible. The story follows a linear, predictable path, and the pictures in the video also help with comprehension.

Anyway, you may need to check the transcript here for full comprehension or just to check out a few vocabulary items.

Then retell the story in your own words.

Tater Hill

I came across Tater Hill through Rob Whyte's ESL Writing. As a matter of fact, the activity is entirely Rob's, I've just added the transcript.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video and answer the questions below:

Road to Tater Hill from John Saunders on Vimeo.

1. What did the girl wish for?
2. What is grandmother doing?
3. Where will the box go?
4. What does the girl want to keep?
5. Did she keep it?
6. What was the girl’s hair color?
7. Why did she hold a large rock?
8. What did she see on the hill?
9. Why is the girl sad?
10. What is Tater Hill?
11. Summarize the story.

You can read the transcript below, where you will find the answers to the questions:

A month. I wished and wished the baby would be a girl. A little sister. Maybe I shouldn’t have wished so hard. A boy might’ve lived.
It’ll be easier for your mama if these are gone when she gets home.
The clothes were washed and ironed, ready for a new baby, but now grandma was packing them up for another family. It wasn’t fair.
What about the yellow blanket I made. Can’t we keep that?
I couldn’t touch the blanket and not think of the tiny amount of Mary Kate on the church graveyard.
As long as I was running I didn’t have to think about Mary Kate and how grandpa said she had red hair just like mine. I didn’t want to think. The rocks felt good in my hands. The harder I threw the more the lump on the back of my throat melted. Finally it was gone. Now I imagine the rock was a baby. It felt an empty hole inside me.
Who was that in the woods? I stared at the disappearing figure until the woman blended in with the shifting shadows. I wonder if I’ve really seen anyone at all.

Signs

Signs is a short film about love and fears and the reason for our existence.

A few months ago I came across  Signs on St George International Teacher Training Blog, where Bren Brennan published a fully-fledged lesson on the story for trainee teachers.

What you can read below is an adaptation of Bren's idea, adapted to intermediate students who are working independently or in small study groups. To find out about the original lesson, click on St George's link above.

Lesson idea:
Discuss with your friends before watching the film.
What are the dating habits in your country?
Where do people meet?
How do people meet?
What do you do on the first date?
How easy is it to find a partner?
Is it easier to find a partner in the city or in the country?
There are so many people living in cities, so why are there so many lonely people?
Have you ever been in a situation where you were in a new city and you didn’t have any/many friends?

Watch the film and stop at 3:08
What do you think will happen next?
What would you do if you were him?
Where should he go to meet new friends?
How could he stay in his job but make it more enjoyable for himself?
Should he quit his job?

Start the film at 3:08 and stop again at 3:20
What will happen with that girl?
Who is that girl?
What is her job?

After the film
Were you surprised by the end?
Do you think they will be together in one year?
Do you know about a real life similar story?
Did you like the music?



Now tell the story in your own words.

Diary of a disappointed book

Diary of a disappointed book is a beautiful video I found through David Deubel.

Just watch the video, enjoy its sheer beauty and compare your experience with books with what is shown on screen.


The Diary of a Disappointed Book from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.


David suggests a different activity: Write down the months of the year and then note what happened to the book each month. Do this as a writing exercise or just pause the video and speak about what happened each month. Any way you look at it – this video is a gem.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The break-up

The Break-Up is about the relationship between an advertiser and a consumer. They've agreed to meet in a restaurant. The man's feeling perfectly happy, until the woman makes the announcement that she wants a divorce. In the course of their conversation she makes it clear to him why she is leaving him. And he makes it very clear that he doesn't care much.

Self-study activity:
To be honest, I didn't know what to make of this short film beyond the analogy of a couple's break-up and that of a consumer and an advertiser, so I have decided to keep it to a simple activity: Just watch the video clip and try to understand as much as possible. Then complete the gaps in the transcript below.



-Hi there, long time no see looking good.
-Yeah. Let's just keep this simple. I want a (1) ... .
-What now?
- I think you heard me just fine.
-Come on, this is me. What's wrong?
- We don't talk any more.
-I just put down a mill on a TV commercial just to talk to you.
-Exactly. You do all the talking. I never get a (2) ... to...
-You can have a look at the website, can't you?
- Sure. If I want to say "Order this product".
-See.
- It's not exactly a dialogue.
-What about the print campaign, hmm? You can't tell me you missed the (3) ... in Times Square. That was like a 200 (4) ... tall declaration of love.
-You're saying you love me but you're not behaving like you love me. It's not genuine.
-I don't know. The agency said that I was genuinely being funny, genuinely being charming. They said you would love everything I did.
-Would you keep your voice down? You're not doing a radio commercial. Look, whether you're funny or not, it's just, I've changed. And you haven't. I mean, we don't even (5) ...   ... the same places any more.
- Hmm.
- And you're not even listening, are you?
-(6) ... . You want (6) ..., don't you? Look, come by the store, I've got two words for you: Loyalty, production. Am I right? That was it, wasn't it? Let' just (7) ... .
-If you knew me, you'd know I don't care about that.
- Know you? Sweetheart, I know everything about you. You're 28 to 34, your online interests include music, movies and (8) ...   ...   ...  . You have a modest but (9) ...   ...  income. Am I the only one not getting a problem here?
-I'd better be going.
- Oh come on, don't be like that! I tell you what, come back here tomorrow, I'll give you the (2) ... to win a Bahamas vacation. There's a small (2) ... , minuscule, but technically still a (2) ... . I want it to be like the old days.

Key:
1 divorce 2 chance 3 billboard 4 foot 5 hang out 6 coupons 7 hug 8 laser hair removal 9 dependable disposable

Seconds

Self-study activity:
Watch this video, which might help you to improve your listening ability for numbers, and complete the gaps in the transcript with the missing numbers.



One day consists of (1) ... seconds, each one containing countless options, possibilities and decisions of which only one can emerge. (1) ...  seconds. This is one of them.

One week consists of (2) ...  . One month, (3) ... seconds. One year, (4) ... seconds.

One lifetime (5) ... seconds, each one containing countless options, possibilities and decisions of which only one can emerge, each with the ability to create one life and erase another.

One day consists of (1) ...  seconds. This is one of them.

Now that we have all our seconds right, perhaps we could think about the video more carefully. Try and give an answer to these questions:

What happens in the supermarket?
What does the man decide to do in a single second?
In the house, what is the couple eating?
How does the couple’s relationship change?
What happens at the end of the story?
What is the main idea of the video?

I found this video and activity in ESL Writing.

Key:
(1) 86,400 (2) 604,800 (3) 2,629,746 (4) 31,556,926 (5) 2,366,820,000