Videos

The psychology of Game of Thrones | StarTalk – Listening comprehension

Published on by Anna2 Comments

This is a short video (3.10 minutes) realised by The National Geographic “The psychology of Game of Thrones”. On this video, the psychologist Travis Langley discusses how Game of Thrones affects the mind. I suggest that you read the vocabulary list before watching the video. Watch it a first time, then read the sentences in the exercise. After that, watch the video a second time and try to fill in the gaps. You can find a free PDF version with answers below.

Vocabulary

  • Warrior: a person who fights in battle or war., known for having courage, a great vigour and skills. 
  • To cope with something: to manage, to deal successfully with or handle a situation.
    Ex. The book is about coping with stress.

  • To shut down: to cause (an opponent) to be unsuccessful, unable to score; to close temporarily; to stop operating.
    Ex. There’s no way to shut down the simulation.     
  • Injury: harm or damage.
    Ex. John couldn’t compete in the race because he had an injury.

  • Revenge: the act of doing something to hurt someone because that person did something that hurt you; to take vengeance for.
    Ex. Nothing good ever came from seeking revenge.     
  • Recurring: happening many times, or happening again.
    Ex. This has been my recurring dream for the last 50 years.     
  • To restore: to bring back a situation or feeling that existed before.
    Ex. The order was restored after the riots.

Fill in the gaps in the following sentences

  1. Travis: I am a psychology professor, a big __________, and I love using fiction to talk about real psychology.

  2. Neil: So what’s the takeaway from all this violence in the minds of who’s ____________________ audience?

  3. Travis: We know that in experiments that watching violence produces short-term effects on someone’s __________________.

  4. Travis: That’s interesting because if you could __________________, that would be an amazing advance in our understanding of the psychological state of  ________________.

  5. Travis: There are people who, as a form of _______________ with horrible situations, do shut ___________ parts of themselves.

  6. Neil: Tell me about the psychology of __________________.

  7. Travis: And when we feel __________________, when something horrible has happened that made us feel helpless, it’s hard to maintain a sense of _________________ strong.

  8. Travis: And I always said I really think “Game of Thrones” is so popular because of the psychology of the __________________. It’s not about the dragons, the White __________________, or the magic. It’s about the human ______________.

  9. Travis: They hadn’t  ________________ dragons in a long time. For most of them, they’re __________________ about dragons–the                               of dragons.

  10. Neil: Thank you for sharing your psychological __________________.

Downloadable PDF version (with answers): the-psychology-of-game-of-thrones-startalk-listening-comprehension-free-english-materials-for-you

 

Short listening comprehension – This 11-Year-Old Is Keeping Homeless People Warm

Published on by Anna2 Comments

This is a short listening comprehension activity on Aj+ video “This 11-Year-Old Is Keeping Homeless People Warm“. Sometimes, it’s good to watch something that can cheer us up. I’m scared by the increasing racism against refugees, homeless people, and needy people in general. I hope this situation will change, I hope people will understand that we have to help each other. I hope this spreading anger and violence against people in need, will stop. I hope people will understand that sometimes you don’t need to be rich to be able to help someone else. Sometimes a small gesture can change someone’s day. 

Watch the video, then try to fill in the gaps and answer the questions below. There’s a downloadable PDF version with answers 😉 .

this-11-years-old-is-keeping-homeless-people-warm-femfy-free-english-materials-for-you-based-o

Fill in the gaps in the following sentences

  1. Rudy: Hi, I’m Rudy Washington, otherwise known as the sock-men and today I’m _________ _____ socks to the _____________________ people on this very cold day in Detroit.

  2. Homeless man: It only takes one man to change the world. Remember that it comes from the ___________ it comes from right here, that’s what makes the man.

  3. Rudy: It’s not about me … that’s somebody’s mum, dad, sister, brother … You never know how much you have until you ___________ what you have.

Answer the following questions:

  1. How did the idea of Sock Drive start?
  2. How many pairs of socks were donated to homeless people in 2016?
  3. What are Rudy’s hobbies, besides volunteer work?

PDF version with answers: listening-comprehension-this-11-year-old-is-keeping-homeless-people-warm

 

Burning Millions’ Worth of Illegal Ivory

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

I suggest that you read the vocabulary list before watching the video ;-):

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fajplusenglish%2Fvideos%2F725281944279982%2F&show_text=0&width=560

VOCABULARY

TUSK => a very long, large tooth that sticks out of the mouth of an animal (such as an elephant, walrus, or boar)

tusk.jpg
TO GO UP IN SMOKE => to burn up completely

to go up in smoke meaning.jpg

Image source

STOCKPILE => a large supply of something that is kept for future use

stockpile meaning.jpg
TO TORCH => to set fire to (something, such as a building) deliberately : to cause (something) to burn
TRADE => the activity or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services
STUNT => something that is done to get attention or publicity
TO BAN => to forbid, to prohibit; to say that something cannot be used or done
TO POACH => to hunt or fish illegally

What is the Zika Virus? – vocabulary, video, and exercises with answers.

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

I suggest that you read this list of words you may not know before watching the video.

VOCABULARY

To spread : to become larger or to affect a large area.
Ex. The fire spread through the six-storey building via the single staircase which acted as a chimney.

To detect : to discover or ascertain the existence.
Ex. Irregularities were detected on seven of the websites.

To break out : if something dangerous or unpleasant breaks out, it suddenly starts.
Ex. War broke out in 1914.

To transmit : to give or pass from one person to another; to cause (a virus, disease, etc.) to be given to.
Ex. Hepatitis C is a life-threatening viral disease transmitted primarily by blood contact.

To link : to make a connection between two or more things, ideas or people.

Paralysis : a condition in which you can’t move or feel al or part of your body.

Spike : a very high level.

Outbreak : a sudden increase, rise.

Mild : not strong in action or effect.

Vaccine : a substance injected into a person or animal to protect against a particular disease.

Downloadable PDF: What is the Zika Virus – vocabulary

Answer the following questions:

  1. How many people could be affected by Zika virus this year?

  2. Where was it discovered and when?

  3. Where did it break out in 2015?

  4. How is this virus transmitted?

  5. What are some of the effects of Zika virus?

  6. Is there a treatment for this virus?

  7. When could be ready a vaccine against Zika virus?

Fill in the gaps with the correct word from the box.

fill in the gaps

 

  1. Zika virus could _________ tofour million people this year.

  2. It was ____________ in Uganda in the 1940’s.

  3. It ______________ in the Americas and the Caribbean in 2015.

  4. Zika is _______________ through a particular species of mosquito that ______________ mostly in tropical regions.

  5. Zika has been _______________ to paralysis and birth defects.

  6. Officials are now _____________ pregnant women not to travel to places where there is an active Zika ___________.

  7. Officials say finding a vaccine could _____________ to a decade.

Downoadable PDF: What is the Zika Virus – exercises

Downloadable PDF: What is the Zika Virus – correct answers

 

Up – Olly Murs ft. Demi Lovato – Learn English with songs

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

Watch the video once, then try this game: Lyricstraining (You can choose between 4 different levels).

This is the lyrics:

I drew a broken heart
Right on your window pane
Waited for your reply
Here in the pouring rain
Just breathe against the glass
Leave me some kind of sign
I know the hurt won’t pass yeah
Just tell me it’s not the end of the line
Just tell me it’s not the end of the line

I never meant to break your heart
I won’t let this plane go down
I never meant to make you cry
I’ll do what it takes to make this fly
You gotta hold on
Hold on to what you’re feeling
That feeling is the best thing
The best thing alright
I’m gonna place my bet on us
I know this love is heading in the same direction
That’s up

You drew a question mark
But you know what I want
I wanna turn the clock yeah
Right back to where it was
So let’s a build a bridge yeah
From your side to mine
I’ll be the one to cross over
Just tell me it’s not the end of the line
Just tell me it’s not the end of the line

I never meant to break your heart
I won’t let this plane go down
I never meant to make you cry
I’ll do what it takes to make this fly
You gotta hold on
Hold on to what you’re feeling
That feeling is the best thing
The best thing alright
I’m gonna place my bet on us
I know this love is heading in the same direction
That’s up

Girl I know we could climb back to where we were then
Feel it here in my heart
Put my heart in your hand
Well I hope and I pray that you do understand
If you did all you have to say is
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I’m waiting for you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

I never meant to break your heart
I won’t let this plane go down
I never meant to make you cry
I’ll do what it takes to make this fly

You gotta hold on
Hold on to what you’re feeling
That feeling is the best thing
The best thing alright
I’m gonna place my bet on us
I know this love is heading in the same direction
That’s up

Old bones are found – News in levels (level 3)

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

Click here for the written version, or if you want to change the level: Old bones are found.

DIFFICULT WORDS:

CRYPT => An underground room for burying people.
TO STUMBLE => To find something by chance.
SCATTER => Things that are placed randomly over an area.
TEMPLE => A building for religious practice.
DISTURBANCE => A situation when people behave violently.
DISTINCT => Special; different in a way that you can see, hear, smell, feel, etc.
DESECRATION => The act of desecrating something or treating a place with violent disrespect.
MURAL => A painting on a wall.
NATIVITY SCENE => A model which represents the birth of Jesus Christ.