You and your friends are on vacation in the American Southwest.

Learn about the strange events and happenings in the region.

IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL

1. Listen to your tour guide tell a scary story about a local place.
2. Talk about strange phenomena with your tour guide.
3. Discuss conspiracy theories with your friend.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Match the expressions with their meanings.

1. a myth

 

2. skeptical

 

3. I know what I saw/heard.

 

4. extraterrestrial

 

5. corroborate someone’s story

a. used to stress that you are very confident about what you experienced

 

b. used to describe someone who has doubts that something is true

 

c. used to describe something that originated from outside the earth

 

d. a false but widely accepted idea

 

e. to support or confirm what another person said

STEP B EXERCISE

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

1. Contrary to popular belief, drinking cold water will not give you a fever. __________.

  • Many people know that it doesn’t.
  • It seems that many people weren’t paying attention enough in science class to know how silly that is.

2. It’s widely believed that drinking red wine damages the brain. __________.

  • Only a few people consider this to be true.
  • Many people think it’s true, but it’s actually a myth.

3. Drake found the painting intriguing. __________.

  • He couldn’t stop looking at it and thinking about its meaning.
  • He didn’t really pay much attention to it.

4. John corroborated Shane’s story about seeing strange lights in the sky last night. __________.

  • He said he didn’t know Shane and was alone last night.
  • He said he was with Shane last night and saw them too.

5. Sandra said she’s up for some movies and pizza tonight. __________.

  • She’s got some free time.
  • She’s very busy with work.

MISSION

Challenge 1

You and your friends are on vacation in the American Southwest. Your first destination is Rainbow Ridge Park, a popular tourist spot in the region. Listen to your tour guide.

Remember?

  • It’s widely believed that…
  • intriguing
  • Contrary to popular belief, …
  • bonkers
  • I know what I saw/heard.

Challenge 2

You found the story about Robb Canyon very interesting. Talk to your tour guide about that and other strange phenomena in the area.

Remember?

  • a myth
  • I know what I saw/heard.
  • skeptical
  • bonkers
  • intriguing
  • extraterrestrial

Challenge 3

Your tour group is taking a quick break for dinner. Tell one of your friends about what the tour guide said. Discuss your opinion on those strange stories and other conspiracy theories.

Remember?

  • a myth
  • skeptical
  • bonkers
  • intriguing
  • It’s widely believed that…
  • corroborate someone’s story
  • extraterrestrial
  • be up for something
  • not one’s thing
  • a once-in-a-lifetime event

FEEDBACK

Learn about the strange events and happenings in the region.

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