Your friend is visiting Japan for the first time to see his/her favorite Japanese band live.

Attend the concert with your friend and talk about musicians you admire.

IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL

1. Read an email from your friend.
2. Express surprise about the performance of your friend’s favorite band.
3. Discuss musicians you admire.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

Student:

Hey, I saw your project for film class.

Tutor:

What did you think of it?

Student:

Well, I was gobsmackly about the visual effects. You must have put a lot of time and effort in them. I mean, jolly cow! The fight scene at the factory was Hollywood movie quality in my opinion.

Tutor:

Oh, thank you! We really worked hard on it.

Student:

I do have one piece of feedback… I think the story could be better. Your main character isn’t very likable… I don’t understand why the other characters think worldly of him even though he’s so mean to them.

Tutor:

Hmm… Do you have any suggestion on how to fix that?

Student:

Well, maybe he could have a chance of heart in the middle of the film? Like, at the beginning he doesn’t like to work with others, but later on, maybe he starts to appreciate their help. The other characters can adjust his eyes to how important teamwork is.

Tutor:

That actually sounds like a good idea! Thank you for your help!

STEP B EXERCISE

Make sentences using the pictures and expressions in parentheses.

1. (tell someone what a something he/she is)

2. (be beaming)

3. (be on cloud nine)

4. (be on top of the world)

MISSION

Challenge 1

Your foreign friend’s favorite band is having its last concert in Japan next month. You don’t really like the band, but your friend loves them, so you bought two tickets to the concert and told your friend about it in an email. Read the response from your friend.

Remember?

  • gobsmacked
  • be on cloud nine
  • be on top of the world

Hey!

I can’t believe you actually got us tickets to the Tenshi concert!!! Ahhhh!!! I’m on top of the world right now!!! This is their last concert ever, so I thought it would be impossible to get tickets. When I read your email saying you had gotten two, I was absolutely gobsmacked! I never thought I would ever be able to see them live. I’m on cloud nine right now! Thank you!!!

I know you’re not really a Tenshi fan, but I’m really happy that you’re going to the concert with me. I promise to make sure that you have a good time! Just don’t forget to bring cotton buds for your ears, okay? And some extra cash to get us Tenshi goods, of course! Hehehe!

I haven’t booked my flight or hotel yet. Maybe I shouldn’t ask, but, um… Would it be possible to stay at your place? That way, I can spend more money on CDs and stuff! Hehehe! Let me know what you think. If your place is too small for me to stay, can you recommend a good hotel?

Talk to you later!!!

Challenge 2

It’s a few weeks later. You and your friend just finished watching Tenshi’s performance. Tell your friend about the things that surprised you during the concert.

Remember?

  • have a change of heart
  • I didn’t see that coming.
  • Holy cow!
  • gobsmacked
  • remarkable
  • be on cloud nine
  • be on top of the world
  • be beaming

What happened during the concert:

  • The drummer’s 8-year-old daughter played the drums.
  • The vocalist jumped into the audience.
  • The guitarist gave away his guitar to a fan.
  • The band played lots of high-energy rock songs and then one slow acoustic song at the end.

Challenge 3

The day after the concert, your friend is taking you to dinner to thank you. During dinner, your friend got a notification about Tenshi‘s social media page. Talk about their latest social media post. Then, talk about what musicians you admire.

Remember?

  • Holy cow!
  • open someone’s eyes
  • gobsmacked
  • think the world of someone
  • tell someone what a something he/she is
  • remarkable
  • be on cloud nine
  • be on top of the world
  • be beaming

FEEDBACK

Attend the concert with your friend and talk about musicians you admire.

MISSION 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