Lesson 1: Bucket Lists
Come on, seize the day!

I can listen to and understand someone talking about his/her bucket list.

INTRODUCE

It can be exciting to talk about the amazing things you dream of doing and have already done.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and fill in the blanks.

    1. To seize the day means to enjoy the present moment without worrying about the future.

    Don’t worry about your household chores! It’s a nice day out. Let’s seize the day and go hiking!

    If I could seize the day, I would __________.

     

     

    2. To take part in something means to be involved in something.

    I want to take part in the marathon this year, but I’m worried I won’t be able to finish it.

    I’d like to take part in __________ this year.

     

     

    3. Live life to the fullest means to live the best life possible without holding back.

    Go to concerts every week, eat whatever you want, buy yourself that new car you’ve been wanting… Live life to the fullest! You only get one life, you know?

    I want to live life to the fullest, so I’ve decided to __________.

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

The is pronounced as /thuh/ when the next word starts with a consonant sound. It's pronounced as /thee/ when the next word starts with a vowel sound.
Phrase Example

seize the day

/ seez thuh dey /

You have to / seez thuh dey /!

the event

/ thee ih-vent /

Call in sick and go to / thee ih-vent / if you want to!

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Toru and his American coworker Holly are on a week-long business trip to Vancouver.

TRIVIA

Do you know where the term bucket list comes from? It comes from the expression kick the bucket, which is a very casual way to say die. A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. It may sound negative, but it’s actually considered a positive thing: Having a bucket list shows that you are living life to the fullest.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

The underlined expressions are close but not quite correct. Correct them.

  1. I don’t want to think about the future anymore! Let’s just seize today!
  2. Stop being afraid to take risks! You need to live life fuller.
  3. I want to take a part in the drinking contest! I’m sure I can win it!

STEP B EXERCISE

Choose the follow-up sentences that best match the bold sentences.

1. You should try to live life to the fullest. __________.

  1. Go on that backpacking trip you’ve been telling me about.
  2. Try your best to be on time for work every day.

2. Come on, seize the day! __________.

  1. You’d better finish your report.
  2. You can worry about that report tomorrow.

3. I advise my students to actively take part in the discussions. __________.

  1. I ask them to listen and take extensive notes.
  2. I tell them to speak up and express their opinions.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your coworker Annie just made a big decision. Listen to her talk about it. Then, tell your friend about Annie’s decision.

Today's Expressions

  • seize the day
  • take part in something
  • live life to the fullest

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

YOUR BUCKET LIST
2

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
3

TAKING PART IN SOMETHING
1

YOUR BUCKET LIST

  1. What destinations would you include on your bucket list?
  2. What food would you include on it?
  3. What extreme activities would you include on it?
  4. What common bucket list activities are you not interested in (ex. seeing the Northern Lights, going overseas)?

2LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

  1. Do you think most people live life to the fullest?
  2. What things can hold people back from living life to the fullest?
  3. Can you think of an example of someone who lives life to the fullest?
  4. Do you think it’s easier to live life to the fullest now than it was 100 years ago?

3TAKING PART IN SOMETHING

  1. Do you like taking part in contests/competitions?
  2. Do you like taking part in group activities?
  3. Which would you rather take part in, an eating competition or a drinking competition?
  4. Which would you rather take part in, a singing contest or a marathon?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about his/her bucket list.

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