Lesson 1: Preppers
Some people think we're paranoid.

I can listen to and understand someone talking about extreme disaster preparation.

INTRODUCE

In the UK and many other countries, the number of preppers is growing. The term prepper refers to a person who believes that a catastrophic disaster is likely to happen in the near future and prepares for it by storing huge amounts of food, ammunition, and other supplies.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the first two expressions with your tutor and answer the questions. Then, guess the meaning of the third expression based on the clues provided.

    1. If someone is paranoid, he/she exhibits extreme and irrational fear.

     

    Ever since I saw that accident three years ago, I’ve been paranoid about crossing the street.

     

    Q: Are you paranoid about anything?

     

     

    2. A worst-case scenario is the worst possible thing that could happen.

     

    It probably won’t happen, but you should always prepare for a worst-case scenario just in case.

     

    Q: What would be a worst-case scenario for someone traveling abroad alone?

     

     

    3.                                         .

     

    My friend watches the news about the major problems all across the world and talks about how doomsday is near, but I don’t think the end of the world is coming.

     

    Q: What do you think doomsday means?

STEP B SPEAK YOUR MIND

Sometimes you want to add extra information to stress the point you're making.

    Don’t you think Leo’s perfect?

    Yeah. He’s friendly and intelligent. Not to mention good-looking too! His girlfriend’s really lucky.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Makoto is a Japanese guy living in the UK. He’s visiting his British girlfriend Sophia’s family home.

TRIVIA

You know the word nut, of course, but did you know that it’s often used to mean crazy? The nouns nut, nutcase, and nutter are all used to refer to a crazy person, as are the adjectives nuts and nutty. Similarly, the idiom go nuts is a synonym for go crazy.

PRACTICE

Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box.

paranoid
a worst-case scenario
doomsday

1.

Tutor: No! I don’t want to go outside! What if someone kidnaps me?

Student: (Tell him/her to stop being so irrational.)

 

2.

Tutor: That guy on the street said that the world is going to end next year.

Student: (Tell him/her not to worry because no one can predict when the end of the world will come.)

 

3.

Tutor: What if Aaron’s dad doesn’t find a job soon? Are they going to lose their house?

Student: (Tell him/her that’s the worst thing that could happen, but you don’t think it will happen.)

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your favorite TV show is featuring an episode on preppers. Listen to the show. Then, talk to your friend about it.

Today's Expressions

  • paranoid
  • a worst-case scenario
  • doomsday

Speak Your Mind

  • Not to mention …!

Challenge 2

What do you think? What does your tutor think? Discuss.

If Time
Allows
1

DOOMSDAY
2

BEING PREPARED
1

DOOMSDAY

  1. Do you believe in doomsday?
  2. Why do you think some people are obsessed with the idea of doomsday?
  3. If the world were to end in 24 hours, how would you spend your last day?

2BEING PREPARED

  1. Are you the type of person who always prepares?
  2. Why do you think some people prepare more than others?
  3. For you, what’s the most important thing to prepare for (ex. earthquakes, solar flares)?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about extreme disaster preparation.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK