Lesson 1: Urban Legends
Contrary to popular belief, there aren’t any bodies buried in the dam.

I can listen to and understand someone talking about urban legends.

INTRODUCE

Knowing about urban legends can help you learn more about the places where they originated.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.

    1. Use Contrary to popular belief, … to introduce a statement that is the opposite of what most people think is true.

     

    Contrary to popular belief, vitamins and supplements don’t cure or prevent diseases.

     

     

    2. A myth refers to a false but widely accepted idea.

     

    My mom said that if I swam after eating, I would get cramps. I told her that was just a myth.

     

     

    3. You can use the phrase It’s widely believed that… when you’re talking about something that most people accept as true.

     

    It’s widely believed that you will catch a cold if you get caught in the rain.

     

    II. Talk about the following ideas using the expressions above.

    drinking milk makes

    you taller

    the full moon affects

    people’s behavior

    the word tema (テーマ)

    comes from English

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a consonant sound and the next word also starts with a consonant sound, one of the sounds may be dropped for easier pronunciation.
Phrase Example

believed that

/ buh-leev-that /

It’s widely / buh-leev-that / sugar is bad for your health.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Toru and his wife Holly decided to spend a long weekend in Nevada to work on their relationship. They’re now taking a tour of the Hoover Dam.

TRIVIA

The construction of Hoover Dam was extremely dangerous, especially for workers known as high scalers. Their job was to climb down the walls of the canyon using only ropes and plant dynamite. Many of the high scalers were actually former circus acrobats or sailors!

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

  1. Similar to popular beliefs, gum doesn’t really stay in your stomach for several years if you swallow it.
  2. Eating carrots doesn’t really improve your vision. That’s just mythical.
  3. It’s a wide belief that drinking warm water can help you live longer.

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the rephrased sentences correct? If not, correct them.

1. They say eating chocolate can cause you to have acne, but that’s just a myth.

→ The truth is, eating chocolate can give you acne.

 

2. It’s widely believed that headaches are caused by sleeping too much.

→ Nobody thinks that sleeping too much can cause headaches.

 

3. Contrary to popular belief, going out with wet hair will not give you a cold.

→ Many people think that going out with wet hair will give you a cold, but that’s not true.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re watching one of your favorite shows. Today’s first segment is about an interesting urban legend. Listen to the segment. Then, tell your friend about it.

Today's Expressions

  • Contrary to popular belief, …
  • a myth
  • It's widely believed that...

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

URBAN LEGENDS
2

MYTHS
3

STRANGE PLACES AND EVENTS
1

URBAN LEGENDS

  1. Do you like to talk about urban legends?
  2. Do you think some urban legends are actually true?
  3. How do urban legends spread?
  4. Do you think Japanese urban legends are scarier than foreign urban legends?

2MYTHS

  1. Do you think the idea that music can help plants grow is a myth?
  2. Do you think the idea that yawning is contagious is a myth?
  3. Is it important to correct people’s beliefs about myths?
  4. Do you think older people believe in myths more than younger people?

3STRANGE PLACES AND EVENTS

  1. Do you know any place that’s popular because of strange events?
  2. Why do you think some people like to visit strange places?
  3. Do you think strange events always have scientific explanations?
  4. Do you believe any stories about strange events?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone talking about urban legends.

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