Lesson 1: Questioning
I sometimes catch myself thinking that we’d be better off being friends.

I can listen to and understand someone questioning something.

INTRODUCE

Sometimes, your friends feel unsure about particular situations or decisions. It’s important to listen to them when they’re questioning something so that you’ll know how to help them.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. If you say that you’d be better off doing something, it means that you believe doing that thing would benefit you more than what you’re currently doing.

     

    I shouldn’t have gone to this boring party! I’d be better off relaxing at home and watching a movie.

     

    Q: In your opinion, what would someone who spends all his/her money shopping be better off doing?

     

     

    2. Something that’s touch-and-go is in a risky or delicate state. It means that what happens next is very uncertain and might be bad.

     

    Our business is doing better than it was last year, but it’s still touch-and-go. In this economy, things could get bad again very quickly.

     

    Q: What would you tell someone whose company is in a touch-and-go situation?

     

     

    3. A wishy-washy person is someone who finds it difficult to make firm decisions.

     

    My friends never ask me where I want to eat anymore. They say I’m too wishy-washy.

     

    Q: Would you consider yourself wishy-washy?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When two words are connected by and, the word and is often pronounced as /n/.
Phrase Example

touch and go

/ tuhch ’n go /

My sister’s condition has improved after the operation, but her health’s still / tuhch ’n go /.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Toru’s wife and coworker, Holly, is back in LA. She’s leaving a voicemail for her friend.

TRIVIA

The phrase wishful thinking refers to thoughts or imagined situations that a person wants to happen, but are very unlikely to come true.

 

O I’d like to find a good-paying job where I only need to go to work three times a week, but I guess that’s wishful thinking.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Rephrase the sentences using the expressions in the box. Some expressions may be used more than once, and the form of some expressions may need to be changed.

be better off doing something
touch-and-go
wishy-washy
  1. They got back together, but their relationship is still pretty unstable right now.
  2. Sheila’s majoring in architecture, but I think she would be happier studying literature.
  3. I don’t want to vote for him because his opinion on every issue is always changing!
  4. Jenna’s injury has put her career as a professional marathoner in an unsure situation.

STEP B EXERCISE

Choose the sentences that best use the underlined expressions.

1. __________.

  1. What Kevin wants seems to change every day. I think he’s really wishy-washy.
  2. Kevin’s really wishy-washy. He knew he wanted to become an engineer from the time he was five!

2. __________.

  • She enjoys her job so much that she sometimes thinks she’d be better off being a housewife.
  • If you’re unsure about your relationship, I think you’re better off postponing the wedding.

3. __________.

  1. The therapist said that my dad’s improving fast, so his recovery’s touch-and-go.
  2. We’re doing well this quarter, but our company’s situation is still touch-and-go because the housing market could crash at any time.

4. __________.

  1. It can be frustrating when someone is always wishy-washy.
  2. People like it when the leader is wishy-washy about which direction to take.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You recently had a birthday party, but your friend couldn’t come. He/She left you a voicemail explaining why. Listen to the voicemail. Then, meet your friend and talk to him/her about it.

Today's Expressions

  • be better off doing something
  • touch-and-go
  • wishy-washy

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

QUESTIONING THINGS
2

BEING WISHY-WASHY
3

TOUCH-AND-GO SITUATIONS
1

QUESTIONING THINGS

  1. In what situations do people usually find themselves questioning things (ex. job satisfaction, relationships)?
  2. Is it good to be someone who often questions things?
  3. How would you feel if someone seemed to be questioning you all the time?
  4. What do you do when you find yourself questioning a situation you’re in?

2BEING WISHY-WASHY

  1. How do you feel about people who are wishy-washy?
  2. Why do you think some people find it hard to be firm or decisive?
  3. How can people avoid being wishy-washy?
  4. In what kind of situation is it absolutely not okay to be wishy-washy?

3TOUCH-AND-GO SITUATIONS

  1. Have you ever found yourself in a touch-and-go situation?
  2. Do you try to stay positive in a touch-and-go situation, or do you quickly become negative?
  3. Why do you think some people don't give up even when a situation is touch-and-go?
  4. What would you advise someone who’s going through a touch-and-go situation (ex. at work, with his/her relationships)?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone questioning something.

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