INTRODUCE
Reading reports about strange phenomena can help you be more aware of what’s happening around the world.
PRESENT
STEP A EXPRESSIONS
Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.
1. I know what I saw/heard is used to stress that you are very confident about what you experienced.
I told you there was a scary-looking man in the basement. Why don’t you believe me? I know what I saw.
Q: In which situation would you say “I know what I saw”? Why?
your friends are all ears about your story |
your friends don’t believe your story |
2. To corroborate someone’s story means to support or confirm what another person said.
Carly corroborated my story that I was at her apartment last night. Now the police no longer consider me a suspect. Phew!
Q: If you saw something strange outside your house, which person would most likely corroborate your story? Why?
your neighbor |
a police officer |
3. Extraterrestrial is used to describe something that originated from outside the earth.
My neighbor claimed that the lights in the sky were from an extraterrestrial spaceship. He said they looked nothing like any airplane he had ever seen!
Q: Which of the following things would you describe as extraterrestrial? Why?
a horse |
aliens |
STEP B PRONUNCIATION
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
what I saw / wuh-tahy saw / |
I know / wuh-tahy saw /. |
what I heard / wuh-tahy heard / |
I know / wuh-tahy heard /. |
UNDERSTAND
READING
Toru is reading a blog about Area 51.
 |
Johnny’s Blog Entry No. 256
Hey, guys! You won’t believe what I just saw. While I was taking out my trash, I saw something flying in the sky. At first, I thought it was just an airplane, but when I looked more carefully, I realized it was actually a UFO! I know some of you will be skeptical about that, but I know what I saw! It was totally round and looked just like the UFOs that you see in movies!
As you know, for several years, I’ve been writing about other people’s experiences on this blog, but this was actually the first time that I experienced something extraterrestrial myself. Now, I’m super convinced that we’re not the only living creatures here in our universe.
Comments:
Anonymous July 13, 2018 at 2:00 PM
@JellyJay123 Nice! This corroborates my story – the one I posted about on my own blog last night!
GalSci July 15, 2018 at 6:48 AM
Did you take pictures of the UFO? Wow! I would love to see one!
TRIVIA
In 1982, a sci-fi movie about a young boy and an alien who became best friends was released. Its title was just two letters that came from the term extraterrestrial. It became a huge international success and is well known even today.
PRACTICE
STEP A EXERCISE
Rephrase the underlined sentences using expressions from the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.
- Where did this huge metal thing come from? It must be a part of a spaceship that originated from outside the earth!
- I told you I saw a headless man. I’m not joking. I’m confident about what I experienced.
- I don’t think Sean’s lying about that strange noise coming from the woods. His friend Lizzy confirmed what he said.
STEP B EXERCISE
Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.
1.
Tutor: Are you sure a burglar was trying to break into your house?
Student: (Say yes and explain that you’re very confident about what you heard last night.)
2.
Tutor: You’re lying again!
Student: (Say that you’re not lying and tell your tutor that your sister can confirm your story.)
3.
Tutor: What are you researching?
Student: (Say that you’re researching the possibility of life that originated from outside the earth.)
CHALLENGE
Challenge 1
While you were browsing the internet, you came across an interesting news report. Read the report. Then, talk to your friend about it.
Today's Expressions
- I know what I saw/heard.
- corroborate someone's story
- extraterrestrial
 |
Strange lights seen in Nevada sky
A number of locals residing near Area 51 have reported seeing strange lights in the sky.
According to resident Mike Topman, a number of pink lights first appeared in the sky around 8:30 pm on Tuesday. “They were pink at first, but they suddenly started to change colors really fast,” he said. “Pink, then blue, then green, and then they started to spin around each other! I’d never seen anything like it before.”
Another eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, corroborated Mr. Topman’s story. “The military is just going to say they were doing training exercises like they always do, but I know what I saw! It was an extraterrestrial spaceship, not an airplane!”
The state police refused to comment on the incident. Commander Steve Jenkins of the US Army, however, issued a statement that military aircraft were conducting drills in the area that night.
Challenge 2
Discuss your ideas.
If TimeAllows
1 EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE |
2 CORROBORATING A STORY |
3 ALIENS AND UFOS |
|---|---|---|
|
1 EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE
|
2CORROBORATING A STORY
|
3ALIENS AND UFOS
|
FEEDBACK
I can read and understand a report about strange phenomena.
LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT
-
4
Very GoodCould complete the task with ease
-
3
GoodCould complete the task with some clarifications
-
2
FairCould complete the task with additional instructions
-
1
PoorCould somehow complete the task with difficulty
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
- RANGE
the ability to use a wide variety of vocabulary - ACCURACY
the ability to speak correctly - FLUENCY
the ability to speak smoothly without pauses or fillers - INTERACTION
the ability to manage a conversation
