Friday Class - September 4th -

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Improving your vocabulary by answering general questions.

1- Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan both portrayed what fictional spy?

a) Austin Powers
b) Alex Rider
c) James Bond
d) Agent 99
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2- Which actor started the Happy Madison film production company ?

a) Rob Schneider
b) David Spade
c) Adam Sandler
d) Dana Carvey
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3- What are the two official languages of Canada ?

a) English and French.
b) German and finnish.
c) Italian and Polish.
d) Russian and Slovene.
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4- Which of the following is a hot sauce ?

a) Tobasco
b) Mayonnaise
c) Tartar sauce
d) Soy sauce
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5- Who originally recorded the theme song or the 1997 film "Titanic"?

a) Mariah Carey
b) Whitney Houston
c) Shania Twain
d) Celine Dion
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6- Who directed the 2004 film " The passion of the Christ?"

a) Bill Paxton
b) Mel Gibson
c) Kevin Costner
d) Andrew Adamson
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7- Who directed the 2004 documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11?

a) Ron Howard
b) Cassio and Tassio
c) Steven Spielberg
d) Michael Moore
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8- What should you make if "life hands you lemons?"

a) Lemon Meringue pie
b) Lemonade
c) Jelly
d) Lemon juice
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9- Who was the winner of the first "American survivors" series?

a) Rudy Boesch
b) Richard Hatch
c) Jenna Lewis
d) Gervase Peterson
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10 - At which restaurant would you be able to order " Chicken Mc nuggets?"

a) Taco Bell
b) Burguer King
c) Mc Donald's
d) Tatto's bar
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11- Which of the following is not a typical color of candy corn ?

a) White
b) Blue
c) Yellow
d) orange
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12- What is the national bird of the United States?

a) Cardinal
b) Bald Eagle
c) Stunk
d) Wild turkey
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13- Napster was originally a service which allowed sharing of what?

a) files
b) lunches
c) ideas
d) stories
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14- What is the name of the technique in which an advertiser implies that a product is widely used?

a) Association
b) Repetition
c) Guerrilla advertising
d) Bandwagon
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15- What is the seventh planet of the sun?

a) Neptune
b) Jupiter
c) Saturn
d) Uranus
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English Class - August 28th - Regular Verbs

Hello Renato and Andre , as you can see , we have a guest in our class tonight. Andressa and her boyfriend came here to get further informations about your English Lessons at Lia's association. For this special reason I'll let you free to talk to them and after that I'll start my lesson . Today we'll learn the most useful regular verbs. If you allow me I will be glad if I can review some structures about our last class. Well , let's keep the ball rolling!

* accept - accepted - accepted - aceitar - aceitei - aceitado
•add - added - added - adicionar - adicionei - adicionado
•admire - admired - admired - admirar - admirei - admirado
•admit - admitted - admitted - admitir - admiti - admitido
•advise - advised - advised - avisar - avisei avisado*** I advised him do not add strange people on msn but he didn't accept my oppinion. Now he admits that I was right and admires me for this.
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•afford - afforded - afforded - arcar - arquei - arcado
•agree - agreed - agreed - concordar - concordei - concordado
•alert - alerted - alerted - alertar - alertei - alertado
•allow - allowed - allowed - permitir - permiti - permitido
•amuse - amused - amused - divertir - diverti - divertido

*** I was alerted that I couldn't afford that work alone and I agree with you that I should allow somebody to help me...but believe me I have amused a lot doing it by myself.
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•analyse - analysed - analysed - analisar
•announce - announced - announced - anunciar
•annoy - annoyed - annoyed - aborrecer
•answer - answered - answered - responder
•apologize - apologized - apologized - se desculpar 

*** You shouldn't announce the end of the project without analyse all details in it. Your actitude really annoyed me because now I need to answer the boss and certainly to apologize for this terrible mistake.
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•appear - appeared - appeared - aparecer
•applaud - aplauded - aplauded - aplaudir
•appreciate - appreciated - appreciated - apreciar
•approve - approved - approved - aprovar
•argue - argued - argued - argumentar*** When she appeared in the stage she was applauded for five minutes. The audience really appreciated her new look and approved her way to sing romantic songs. I am not her fan but I couldn't argue against it.
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•arrange - arranged - arranged -                              arranjar
•arrest - arrested - arrested -                                    prender
•arrive - arrived - arrived -                                      chegar
•ask - asked - asked -                                              perguntar
•attach - attached attached -                                    anexar 

*** He was arrested on Saturday at two o'clock at the same time his wife arrived from Japan. This information must be attached to files because she wasn't with him during the crime. When the police officer asked him about his wife's participation, he lied saying that she arranged everything and took part on it.

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•attack - attacked - attacked - atacar
•attempt - attempted - attempted - tentar
•attend - attended - attended - assistir
•attract - attracted - attracted - atrair
•avoid - avoided - avoided - evitar*** If you had attended the class you would have known that the USA attempted to attack the borders of Iraq but they were attracted to an ambush and couldn't avoid the death of 200 soldiers.

English Class - August 30th - Regular Verbs - Letter B

•back - backed - backed - voltar - voltei - voltado (retornado)
•bake - baked - baked - assar - assei - assado
•balance - balanced - balanced - equilibrar - equilibrei - equilibrado
•ban - banned - banned - banir - bani - banido
•bang- banged - banged - golpear - golpeei - golpeado
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*** My sister banned me from the kitchen because she doesn't like anybody looking at her when she is baking a cake. Even though I understand her I backed , but when she saw me She banged me with the spoon ...sometimes she is not a balanced woman.
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•bare - bared - bared - despir - despi - despido
•bat - batted - batted - espancar - espanquei - espancado
•bathe - bathed - bathed - banhar - banhei - banhado ( tomar banho)
•battle - battled - battled - batalhar - batalhei - batalhado
•beam - beamed - beamed - irradiar - irradiei - irradiado
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*** What is the place where somebody can bathe and do not bare? The answer is : the beach. There you can be batted by water and to battle against the waves. The beamed light of the sun is an invitation to the liberty.
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beg - begged - begged - implorar - implorei - implorado
•behave - behaved - behaved - se comportar - me comportei - me comportado
•belong - belonged - belonged - pertencer - pertenci - pertencido
•bleach - bleached - bleached - alvejar - alvejei - alvejado ( alvejante )
•bless - blessed - blessed - abençoar - abençoei - abençoado
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*** My blessed son behaved badly once again. He was playing with a shirt that didn't belong to him , it was his friend's shirt. And now this shirt is completely dirty , so my wife is trying to bleach it. His mother begged him do not do it again.
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blind - blinded - blinded - cegar - geguei - cegado
•blink - blinked - blinked - piscar - pisquei - piscado
•boast - boasted - boasted - vangloriar - vangloriei - vangloriado
•boil - boiled - boiled - ferver - fervi - fervido
•bolt - bolted - bolted - arremessar - arremessei - arremessado
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*** I don't want to boast but I am really good in basketball. I can bolt the ball with an eye blinded from a long distance .
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*** When you put the milk on the stove you can't blink , because the milk can boil faster than you imagine.
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•book - booked - booked - reservar - reservei - reservado
•bore - bored - bored - cansar - cansei - cansado
•borrow - borrowed - borrowed - emprestar - emprestei - emprestado
•bounce - bounced - bounced - contar vantagem
•bow - bowed - bowed - se curvar - me curvei - curvado
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*** I was bored of trying to book a bedroom at that hotel. I asked my father 200 dollars borrowed and he didn't give me anything, I had to bow to my sister's will and she gave the money. I have the right to bounce after all of this.
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*box - boxed - boxed - encaixotar
•brake - braked - braked - frear - freei - freado
•branch - branched - branched - ramificar - ramifiquei - ramificado
•breathe - breathed - breathed - respirar - respirei - respirado
•bruise - bruised - bruised - magoar - magoei - magoado.
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*** I boxed the fruits , put them in the trunk, breathed deeply and took the highway. A car braked in front of mine and I had to break too. All the fruits escaped from the boxes . I am bruised because of this.
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•brush - brushed - brushed - escovar - escovei - escovado
•bump - bumped - bumped - colidir - colidi - colidido
•burn - burned - burned - queimar - queimei - queimado
•bury - buried - buried - enterrar - enterrei - enterrado
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*** The girls were brushing their hair in the car when a truck bumped against the car. It was a horrible tragedy. Their burned bodies were buried yesterday in a sad ceremony.

Using your imagination to create sentences

Well, I'd like to know how good you are . Try to create sentences by using the verbs below:

* accept - accepted - accepted - aceitar - aceitei - aceitado
•add - added - added - adicionar - adicionei - adicionado
•admire - admired - admired - admirar - admirei - admirado
•admit - admitted - admitted - admitir - admiti - admitido
•advise - advised - advised - avisar - avisei avisado

Renato's:

"Last week I had the awesome idea to bake a cake. My mom advised me to keep my eyes on the oven, in order to keep my house untouchble.My family was so proud of me and admired me so much, until they discover that I added a lot of "extra sugar".Well, I admit that I didn't do a good job, and I accepted that bad words I had to hear and all that the roaring in my ears.
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Andrew's :

" ...That's enougth!I admit!You'll have to accept that!I admire you chick! I fuckin love ya!!I already advised that a bomb would come!!
-And what you want me to do???You just add an extra number to list, you sucker!
-Ok, so i'll continue doing kébi
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##•back - backed - backed - voltar - voltei - voltado (retornado)
•bake - baked - baked - assar - assei - assado
•balance - balanced - balanced - equilibrar - equilibrei - equilibrado
•ban - banned - banned - banir - bani - banido
•bang- banged - banged - golpear - golpeei - golpeado

Andrew again

"I was baking a cake at my friends house, and so, out of the blue he said that i made the cake lose the balance and banned me of his house!I get mad and so I backed there and banged him till he faints!Was a nice day!

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Rê Nato

" Diary of a smooth criminal:

Last year I escaped from the jail, but I didn't intend to get back there again. When I appeared at home, my mother banned me from there and said: "How you dare to step on carpet, to eat of my food again?"
Well, at that moment the only thing I could thing was to keep the balance.Two years later I coudn't resist and got back to the life of crimes, and banged a cop.I was arrested again and had to bake for the other criminal guys, being their woman!

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Vídeos - Listening and learning

Though I've tried before to tell her
Of the feelings I have for her in my heart
Every time that I come near her
I just lose my nerve
As I've done from the start


Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she does just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on

Do I have to tell the story
Of a thousand rainy days since we first met
It's a big enough umbrella
But it's always me that ends up getting wet

Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she does just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on

I resolve to call her up a thousand times a day
And ask her if she'll marry me in some old fashioned way
But my silent fears have gripped me
Long before I reach the phone
Long before my tongue has tripped me
Must I always be alone?

Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she does just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on

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Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home

Chorus:

When you call my name its like a little prayer
Im down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour I can feel your power
Just like a prayer you know Ill take you there

I hear your voice, its like an angel sighing
I have no choice, I hear your voice
Feels like flying
I close my eyes, oh God I think Im falling
Out of the sky, I close my eyes
Heaven help me

(chorus)

Like a child you whisper softly to me
Youre in control just like a child
Now Im dancing
Its like a dream, no end and no beginning
Youre here with me, its like a dream
Let the choir sing

(chorus)

Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there

Just like a prayer, Ill take you there
Its like a dream to me

Hillary Clinton flies to Luanda/Angola

Dear Student , as long as we've missed last tuesday appointment in class. I'm giving you a great opportunity to make it up for it by translating this CNN story highlight below. After you've translated it ; send it to me by comment or letter. If you don't recognize any word or context in it , go to the translator above and ask for help. Good luck!

(CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton headed to Luanda, Angola, on Sunday on the third leg of a journey that is taking her to seven African nations in 11 days.


## The State Department has described Angola as a nation with "enormous economic potential."

## The African country is one of the largest energy producers south of the Sahara Desert and is a major supplier of petroleum and liquefied natural gas to the U.S. market.

## Clinton flew to Angola after a two-day stop in South Africa, where she met with the country's new leader, President Jacob Zuma, and the foreign minister.

## She ended the South African trip Saturday with a visit to a housing project on the outskirts of Cape Town, where she and daughter, Chelsea, laid the first bricks 12 years ago.

## Clinton opened her Africa trip in Kenya. She will also travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde.


"In each nation, she will emphasize Africa as a place of opportunity, built on an ethic of responsibility," said Ian Kelly, state department spokesman.

"She will underline America's commitment to partner with governments, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations and private citizens to build societies where each individual can realize their potential."

Friday Class - August - 14th

A- What were you doing in front of the mall last tuesday morning?

R- I was checking out some ladies.

A- Stop showing off , dude!

R- Actually I was waiting someone to give the tickets for the new Aerosmith show away .

A- Are you trying to make me a fool?

R- No way! They were supposed to hand two thousand tickets out but unfortunately they took long and I needed to go away.

A- Is there another way to go after it for free?

R- I really don't know.

A- Hang in there bro! I'm sure you'll find a way around it. Come to think of it , how is your mother? Has she gotten over ?

R- Thanks for your concern. She , as well as my father , is getting over the flu .

A- What about you? Are you feeling well?

R- As far as I'm concerned I'm still with the flu , the common type , don't worry. I'm looking after it by taking some medicines.

A- I was really worried , essentially when I drank that "I dunno something" at J.B"s.

R- Were you afraid of taking the flu?

A- I just can't put up with a friend that puts me in the doghouse. I think we shouldn't drink that with the same glass. It's disgusting and dangerous.

R- Are you telling me you are a fuck chicken?

A- No. I'm trying to tell you I'm not a fuck idiot.

R- So the teacher is an idiot , too.

T- Calm down folks! You both are right and wrong. This groomy conversation is bringing me down cos' I'm the responsible for it. I know that none of you is going to back down. Renato is right cos' I've offered the "I dunno something" and you " Neo guy" is right cos' it's really dangerous to use the same glass to drink " I dunno something". So , in order to bring the peace back , I 'll break in this class.

Phrasal Verbs in this conversation

1- to check out = look at ( informal)
2- to show off = to boast
3- to give st away = to give something to someone for free
4- to make sb a fool = to play a joke on sb
5- to hand st out = to distribute to a group of people
6- to take long = to let sb waiting
7- to go after st = try to achieve something
8- to hang in = stay positive
9- to get over = recover from an illness,loss, difficulty
10- to look after st = to take care of st
11- to take medicine = to use some medicine in order to get over from some illness.
12- to put up with st = can not afford or tolerate st
13- to calm down = relax after being angry
14- to bring sb down = make unhappy
15- to back down = stop defending your opinion in a debate.
16- to bring st back = to remember st
17 - to break in = interrupt


EXERCISE:

*** Using some of the phrasals we've studied today , try to create a composition or conversation. Whilst someone is figuring it out , the other one will have a conversation with me using the phrasals he knows. Are you ready?
*** Well , I decided that Renato will be the first to write.
*** So André ... let's talk in English!

Taken by surprise - written by Renato

Once upon a time a guy who was just trying get a class and get back home without problems, when out of the blue his teacher asked him to write a text: it doesn't ADD UP at all!
We had a little discussion and as you know, I coudn't BACK DOWN in my opinion.In the end I finally had te courage to do it, and I WENT ABOUT IT. In my posicion at that time, you can't judge me, I PUT UP WITH HIM and his ideas.
Out of the blue the miracle happened: I ran out of papper to write, and it was a good excuse to keep my routine of not writing!!!Lol
When I thought that everything was going ok, unfortunatelly J.B gave me the BACK OUT to keep on my attempt.Well, as you must had already realized, there was no way out, I had to write!

The legend of El Matador

The ancient elder's of Tiradentes city tell us a legend about a superior man, who never back down, who alwais come out of the blue on the weirdest situations,and anyone that stays on his way will be on the doghouse!They call him El matador!!On the coldest day, when it's raining cats and dogs, he will be there!"but old elder!can you run that by me again???he's real???"as real as it gets!so let me keep the ball rolling or i will blurt of, so clam out!hang in, i will continue!he´s alais showing off his skills as a killer, with his sharp coca-cola blade, if he hurt you ith that, you will never get over!

Sunday - August - 16th

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"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people. Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
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Tuesday Class - August - 18th

Hi,everybody!This is Mr. J.B in Cidade Tiradentes, São Paulo, Brazil..How are you today? In this lesson we are going to talk about idioms.What is an idiom?
An idiom is a phrase or saying that has a deep meaning.We've often used idioms as a way of giving advices to other people.Today I'll give you some examples of idioms.Ready?

But before we blow the roof of the mother using these idioms, I'd like to congratulate you guys for the success of your blog. The flag counter above is showing that there are many other people interested in what you are learning.

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***Pot calling the kettle black.
This is a common idiom normally used to describe a person who is blaming an other for the same fault that they have.For example: If I said to you "you are a lazy person and I am also a lazy person,you could say:"Mr. J.B you are a pot calling the kettle black"!You are the same as me.
In Portuguese is something refering to : " O sujo falando do mal lavado"
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***Don't beat about the bush.
This means "get to the point , don't spend too much time explaining things.
This one is similar to " beat around the bush". Can you remember it?
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***All that glitters is not gold.
Something that appears available in the outside maybe is in the reality completely worthless.
In Portuguese is similar to = "Nem tudo que reluz é ouro"
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***Easier said than done.
It's easier to talk about doing something than to act and do it.
It's something like: " Falar é fácil, difícil é fazer"
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***Waste not want not.
If you never waste things then you'll never lose things.The more you save the more you gain.
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***Look before you leap.
This means to check out something before you do it.Make sure you know what you're doing before you begin.
Something like " Pense antes de fazer"
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***Don't judge the book by the cover.
Don't look at something and decide that the way it is. Maybe a person it seems , nice , kind and friendly...and really isn't.
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***Once bitten twice shy.
This means: You never make the same mistake twice.You learn from your mistakes.
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***Back to the drawing board.
If you are going back to the drawing board it means you'll start all ever again.You'll begin from the start.
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***His bark is worse than his bite.
Something like ; "Cão que late não morde"
Maybe a person appears to be dangerous but in reality they are not.
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***Don't count your chickens before they have hatched.
This means that you not always assume that things will go as planned.
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***Laugh all the way to the bank.
This means to make money without doing very much work.
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***Throw the baby out with the bathwater.
This means to throw away the useful things as well as the useless things at the same time.
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***There are no flies on him/her.
This means a person who is obviously intelligent and not easy to fool.
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***A penny saved is a penny gained.
This means that even a small action can have a big effect.

Sunday - August - 23th

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"Hello,Hello,Hello!...and welcome to " privateenglishportal.com" . My name is Steve and you've come to "Peppy 26". My question this week comes from my online English student George from Hungary..., and George would like to know some phrasal verbs with regard to the verb to run. So , George without further ado ...I give you ...Steve in Brazil"
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"Attention all passengers this is your captain speaking . We are just passing over the northern shore of Copacabana. We should be touching down at Tom Jobim International Airport in approximately 15 to 20 minutes for an on time arrival.The current weather is sunny with a few scattered clouds...and the temperature is approximately 29 degrees celcious.We are now coming up on Sugar Loaf and on behalf of myself and the rest of the crew.I would like to thank you for flying ith Peppy Airlines."
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"Some years ago I was living in Brazil and I had the opportunity to travel to Rio de Janeiro.I had already been to some of the major tourist attractions like Christ Redeemer , Sugar Loaf and last but not least Ipanema Beach ...because I just had to know where that famous song "The girl from Ipanema" was born.
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"On this particular day , I decided to go for a run down Copacabana Beach.The sun was shining, people were laughing, chatting , sunbathing and the beach was packed.There were people playing volleyball and children were running around , flying kites and having a wonderful time.I stopped my run momentarily because I needed to make a phone call and I noticed that I had just run out of telephone tokens.So I decided to stop at a snackbar to buy some and also to buy some coconut water."
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"Because being in a tropical paradise like Brazil would not be complete without coconut water. As the vendor gave me my change, she looked down at my shoes and said:
___" Hey hun, watch out! Your shoes is undone!"
___Sorry , can you run that by me again?
___"Sorry hun !, I don't speak English but anyways check your shoes, your shoes!
"Tennis ...She then pointed to my shoes and I realised what she was trying to tell me. Ahh, tennis = running shoes.
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"I tied my shoes and I continued on with my run down Copacabana Beach. Shortly after, I saw someone with a white t-shirt and a canadian flag...and I called to this person and said:
___Hey! Are you Canadian too?
___You bet! Yourself?
___Yeah! Funny running into a fellow Canadian in Rio , eh?
___Yeah! That's for sure! Go figure!
___Well, enjoy your stay!
___You too,bud!
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"I went on with my run when suddenly I saw in front of me a strange commotion ! Ok! So , that is the first part of Steve in Brazil and I will be releasing the continuation as soon as possible...and here comes the explanations.
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***To run around = run in different directions.
##Look at all the little kids running around.

***To run out of something = no more supply
##I just ran out of paper.

***To run something by someone = explain again
## Can you run that by me again?...I didn't understand.

***To run into someone = meet someone by chance.
##Funny running into you here!
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"Alright! So here come the run phrasals verbs :
* My first phrasal verb was "run down". I said in my story that I ran down Copacabana Beach. In this case , "run down", has nothing to do with going up or down. It simply means to run in that direction.
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*My second phrasal verb was "run around". I said that the children were running around having a good time at the beach. In this case, run around means to run in different directions all at once.Children who are so full of energy are always doing that!They are running around having a good time.
However, run around, does have alternate meanings. Run around can also mean for example that " My husband was running around with another woman". In this case , "run around" means to have an affair with another woman.It means to cheat on someone.So be very careful how you use the phrasal verbs , because sometimes they have a different meaning for the same phrasal verb.
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*My third phrasal verb is "run out of"..and you want to be very careful how you use this! In many different languages , run out of is equivalent to finish or end. However , in English we do not say it like that. When we have no supply of something , as in my example, I ran out of telephone tokens. Then you would not say :"the telephone tokens are finished".You would say : " Iran out of telephone tokens" , other kinds of supply:
*I ran out of paper
*I ran out of money
*I ran out of milk.
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*My fourth phrasal verb is "run something by someone". In this case you are simply asking for someone to repeat something. So you can ask , sorry ...can you run that by me again?. This simply means to repeat something and it's a very popular expression here in North America.A very very popular question.
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*My last expression is "run into someone"...and this simply means to meet someone by chance. Now , in my travels many times I have gone to remote areas of the world...and by chance , by coincidence I have met people from my country.A great expression for that is "funny running into you here". To run into someone means that you didn't plan to meet them. You didn't sit at home in your country when you were planning your trip and say :" Ok I think on this future date I 'm going to meet somebody from my country in the strangest part of the world imaginable. No! It doesn't work like that! Sometimes it just happens by chance. Maybe it's happened to you.
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*My last piece of information was with regard to the point of confusion about tennis in Steve in Brazil. You will recall that the vendor had referred to my running shoes as "tênis". Now, I came to learn as I was living in Brazil that tennis = tênis " was synonymous with running shoes.So, what has happened ? A culture has taken a word from English and has adapted and modified that word to suit its own culture and language. This happens many times and not just in Brazil . I've seen it happen with many different cultures, many different countries. Ok George , that is Steve in Brazil. I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did.
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Try to find out the correct answer according to the new phrasal verbs you've learnt:

1- I ran down Copacabana Beach.

a) run in a downward direction.
b) run in one direction.
c) run in an upward direction.
d) run in different directions.
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2- Many children like to run around.

a) run in different directions energetically.
b) run in circles.
c) run slowly.
d) run in a straight line.
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3- Run out of

a) to have no idea.
b) to have no more supply.
c) to leave in a hurry.
d) to be in a hurry.
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4- Can you run that by me again?

a) can you come by later?
b) can you spell that?
c) can you repeat that?
d) can you translate that?
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5- Funny running into you here!

a) to meet someone by chance.
b) to meet someone at night.
c) to meet someone on purpose.
d) to meet someone as planned.
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6- Run around with someone else.

a) to cheat on someone.
b) to fight on someone.
c) to leave someone.
d) to excite someone.
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7- The beach was packed.

a) dangerous
b) dirty
c) crowded
d) hot
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8- Yeah! That's for sure! Go figure!

a) keep on moving!
b) go away!
c) go calculate!
d) imagine that!
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9- You bet! Yourself?

a) that's for sure!
b) you might be right.
c) you are wrong.
d) place your bet.
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10- Which way is correct?

a) Can you run that to me again?
b) can you run that with me again?
c) can you run again that by me?
d) can you run that by me again?
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Friday Class - Phrasal Verbs -

Hello,hello,hello!and welcome to 'privateenglishportal.com". My name is Steve Ford and you've come to Peppy 27, Steve in Brazil...the conclusion.
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Last time on Steve in Brazil.
I went on with my run when suddenly I saw in front of me a strange commotion. What could this commotion be? This carnivalesque commotion ! with coloured tents and coloured balloons and loads of people with live music and dancing...and costumes ...and fruit? fruit? What was fruit doing in the middle of all of this? ...jugglers and clowns . What were they doing here too? I needed to find out so I decided to phone my friend Amanda.
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So, I needed to find a public telephone, a payphone !

*** Excuse me!
## Sim!
## Is there something wrong ,dear?
*** No actually, Do you speak English?
## Of course , I do.
*** Oh wonderful!
## Are you American?
*** No, I'm not!
## English?
*** No , I'm not! I'm Canadian!
## Oh , what a coincidence ! I just came back from Ottawa.
*** Oh, Is that right?
## Yeah, I spent ten days there. I love your country , you know.
*** Well thank you so much! I love your country too!
## Oh, thank you!
*** Such a beautiful place!
## Thank you!
*** Yeah! Well anyways , I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find a phone booth.
## A phone booth! Yeah! "orelhão".
*** Wait,wait,wait! "ore","ore" what?
## Orelhão
*** o-re-lee-yao ! Actually, could you type that into my eletronic dictionary ?
## Of Course I can ! Can you hold that for me please?
*** Oh Yeah, sure!
## Look . "Orelhão" , There you go.
*** Orelhão. just let me hit "translate" ...orelhão = big ear...actually my ears are kind of small !!!
## Oh no, I'm not talking about your ears dear!
*** No?
## No! It is because it is ...um the telephone is inside of something that resembles a big ear . That's why!
*** Oh, I see!
## Let's see if I can find one here to show you. Oh , I know there is ...Oh , there, there , there ...can you see that blue thing there?
*** Oh, that big blue thing is a big ear!
## Yeah, and there is a telephone inside !
*** Right , so If I get inside that big ear , I can phone someone from my ear and I can phone somebody.
## Exactly , it's not that complicated. You will see...but Do you have telephone tokens?
*** Yes, Thank you very much for asking... I've already bought some.
## That's great then! You won't have any trouble.
*** Ok , well that's great! Thank you so much then.
## You're very welcome! I have to go , but I hope you enjoy your stay here in Rio.
*** Ok , thank you so much!
## Ok , see you later! Tchau,tchau..bye,bye!
*** Bye, tchau,tchau!
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Friday class - September - 4th

Sunday Class - September - 6th

tuesday August 4th - Phrasals verbs

;">Hello guys , what's up?
As you can see this is your personal English blog.
So , let's reach out our sleeves and go straight to the source.
We are studying the phrasals verbs.

act up = behave or function improperly

* I think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's acting up again.
# I think I need to take my car to the mechanic because it's not working.
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* What time is it?
# It's almost midday. Why are you asking me that? You have a watch,don't you?
* Yeah, of course ! but it's acting up again! Here it's 10:15.
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* Is your sister ok?
# Yeah, what for?
* I called her this morning and she didn't answer. I have no doubt she saw me.
# I don't know why she acted up like that. I'll ask her after it.
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add up = make sense

*Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.

*Renato told me that he broke up with Dani but I saw them kissing one each other in front of "Poli". It doesn't add up.

*Aurélio told everybody that Andre defeated him ...but André has a broken arm...it doesn't add up.
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ask someone over = to invite someone who lives close by to come to one's home [for a visit]. (Either to a house or apartment.)

* Can we ask J.B. over? He has been asked over a number of times.

* Tomorrow I intend to visit Andre's new apartment in Alphaville. I was wondering if you wouldn't like to follow me .
# I really appreciate your invitation. Can I ask my new girlfriend over?
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back down = stop defending your opinion in a debate.

*J.B. never backs down. He always wins arguments.

** Why don't you back down? Can't you see you are wrong?
## Even though you are right , I can't back down now.
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back out = To fail to keep a commitment or promise.

* Adriano backed out at the last minute and decided to come back to Brazil.
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back up = give support

* Probably you are right but you need some more examples to back up your opinion.
* She brought me some photos of mine with that gorgeous lady to back up her decision to leave me away.
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Friday Class - August 7th - I mean to ....

Today we meet the English expression “I meant to”. “Meant” is the past tense of “mean”, and I know you all know what “mean” means. (Sorry, there are a lot of “means” in that sentence!) I guess you often ask, “What does this word mean?” or you say “Now I understand what the sentence means”.

Now look at these sentences:

I meant to go to the supermarket, but I did not have any money with me.

I meant to do my English homework, but my friend visited, and we talked all evening.

I meant to speak to my mother, but she was not at home when I telephoned.

Renato probably should say:

I meant to go to J.B's home , but I really didn't know if he would be there.

“I meant to..” means “it was my plan, or my intention to..” do something. And it is an expression we often use when we have to explain why we have not done something! “I meant to send her a birthday card, but I could not find a good one.” “I meant to meet Danniele in town, but I had to stay late preparing Cadesc's class .”

Why am I explaining about “I meant to..” in this class? Well, This expression is very useful and I meant to teach you , but I really didn't have any idea whether you knew it or not. I have been worried. I meant to be a better teacher , but sometimes I forget you guys are teacher too. lol!
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Everyday Conversation

Renato: Er, excuse me. I need some help...

André: Oh, yes, sure.

Renato: Does this train go to Barra Funda?

André: No, it doesn't. This is the green line. Barra Funda... Do you have a subway map?

Renato: Sure, here it is.

André: Let's see... OK, this is where we are, Consolação. You have to take this train to Paraíso and then transfer to the blue line. Then you'll transfer again to the...

Renato: Wait. I'm sorry, where do I transfer?

André: At the Paraíso station.

Renato: Paraíso... Let me make a note. And then which train do I take?

André: Take the blue line, and then get off at the Sé station. That's S-E.

Renato: S-E. Are we almost there?

André: Almost. At Sé, take the red line. Barra Funda will be your 5th stop.

Renato: I think I got it. Paraiso, blue line, Sé, red line. Thanks!

André: No problem.

Sunday Class - August 9th

André: TV is so evil.

Renato: ( teacher's oppinion ; when André says that you laugh)

A: I mean, don’t…don’t even get me started on TV – what a time waster and a time sucker it is, and…and all of the horrible…all of the horrible messages that you’re bombarded with if you are, you know, just one of these people who comes home in the evening, turns on the TV and just has the TV on kind of in the background until you go to bed at night. Some people even fall asleep in their bedrooms with the TV on.Teacher J.B. , for instance, use to sleep while tv is on.

R: Yeah, well I don’t know…I think people would perhaps use this for different reasons. If you just want some background noise, maybe they just regard it the same way they would do putting on a piece of music…

A: Yeah

R: …in the background, just to have some ambiance…

A: Yeah.

R: …as they’re going about their evening, but I do know what you mean. I think that a lot of programs are a complete waste of time.

A: Well see, that’s the thing. I don’t think people should be limited to watching things that are educational. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with watching something that’s just entertaining. [It's just] that there’s so much…umm…just really negative stuff out there.

R: Yes. I…But I think that’s…that’s the commercial side of it, and unless you have something like in England for example – the BBC – they don’t have advertisements.

A: [I suggest it's your time to laugh)

R: They… they get their…

A: Ads!

R: …revenue from…

A: Do you really say that, advertisements? You don’t say…?

R: Yes! That’s right, well we would say adverts but, or advertisements, yeah.

A: Even for the ones that are on the TV? You don’t call them commercials?

R: No, no! We wouldn’t…I mean, I know…we know what commercials are, but no, we would say the adverts.

A: Really?

R: “I’m going to make a cup of tea whilst the adverts are on,” that’s what we would say.

A: Oh that’s funny because as…I can’t speak for everybody who speaks English, but for us Brazilian ... we would definitely call those things you see on TV commercials.

R: Right, right that’s… that’s what I hear both Americans and brazilians calling them but we…

A: Yeah.

R: …we call them adverts.

A: OK, interesting.

R: But that’s, umm, with the BBC they don’t get their money from adv-…advertising, they get it from the TV license, which you have to pay just for owning a TV every year, and that’s what… you know, they keep it free from adverts.

A: OK.

R: So you don’t have to put up with that, which is really quite nice because all the satellite channels and the independent TV channels in England are umm…full of adverts, all the time, and you really get that impression that people are trying to sell things to you all the time and it’s, err…all the things showing you that you have to be young and beautiful and all this kind of…

A: Yeah.

R: And “If you buy our products. you will be like these people in these… perfect people…”

A: Yeah, the myth of transformation.

R: Yes, exactly, exactly.

A: Yeah it’s like, “let’s create things that make you feel bad about yourself and then show you the things you need to buy to…”

R: That’s the ticket!!!

A: “…improve yourself so you will feel better.”

R: That’s it, and I think that’s… that’s mean, that’s… that’s not nice.

A: It’s horrible!

R: So, but I… that’s… that’s what I see when I see the adverts, I… I see through it so…

A: Yeah.

R: But I… I don’t watch much TV either, so umm…

A: Uh huh. No, it’s horrible – horrible time waster. There are lot of interesting things to do instead of watching tv all day long.

R: I totally agree with you but where is the popcorn you've promised? Game is about to start!



Vocabulary list

* Don’t even get me started

## If someone says, “Don’t get me started (on X)” it means that they have strong feelings and a lot to say about the current topic. The idea is that if they start talking about it, you won’t be able to get them to stop. You can say it about other people, for example “Don’t get Renato started on Corinthians , Ronaldo , Riquelme and on…he’ll bore you for hours!”

* going about

## In this context, to go about something means to continue an activity for a period of time. If you are going about your evening, you are engaging in your typical evening activities.

* revenue

## Income (money) that a business, organization or government receives regularly. TV licenses generate revenue (money) for the government.

* to put up with

## To put up with (something or somebody) means to tolerate it, even though you don’t like it.

* mean (adj)

## Mean in this context means unkind (or even cruel). In Br.E, the adjective mean can also mean being selfish and ungenerous (particularly about money).

* see through it

## In this context, to see through something/somebody means to understand the truth about a person or situation that is intended to deceive or manipulate you.

As you can see , you are not taking advanced class anymore. You are on your way to fluency. What does that mean? It means that the gold times of ' I am , you are something " is gone. lol!