Lesson 2: Conspiracy Theories
I find the whole thing very intriguing…

I can talk about conspiracy theories.

INTRODUCE

Conspiracy theories are very interesting, so they can be a good conversation topic with your friends.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. If someone is skeptical about something, it means he/she has doubts that it’s true.

     

    I’m skeptical about Charlie’s reason for quitting his job. I think he’s hiding something from us.

     

    Q: Which picture shows a skeptical person? Why?

    A

    B

     

    2. The term bonkers means mad or crazy.

     

    You’re bonkers if you’re thinking of getting back together with your ex! Just remember how many times you two fought.

     

    Q: Which picture shows a person who’s going bonkers? Why?

    A

    B

     

    3. Something is intriguing if it causes people to develop an interest in it.

     

    The trailer for that new horror movie was really intriguing, so I looked up more information about it online.

     

    Q: Which picture do you find more intriguing? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When a vowel is in an unstressed syllable, it’s often pronounced as /uh/.
Phrase Example

skeptical

/ skep-tuh-kuhl /

His family is / skep-tuh-kuhl / about his abilities.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Toru and his wife Holly are talking.

Holly:

You look so bored. Do you want to go somewhere?

Toru:

Actually, I’m not that bored. But yeah, maybe we should go somewhere. Do you have any ideas?

Holly:

Well, since we’re here in Nevada, I think we should go to Area 51.

Toru:

Area 51? That sounds familiar… I feel like I’ve heard it before, but I can’t remember why.

Holly:

Well, it’s an isolated military base in the Nevada desert.

Toru:

Oh… Then maybe I didn’t hear about it before.

Holly:

No, you probably did. It’s famous because there are lots of rumors surrounding it. First of all, the US government had denied its existence for decades. Officials finally admitted that it existed only in 2013! It’s still very restricted, though. Don’t you find that suspicious?

Toru:

(laughs) You sounded a little bonkers, Holly. I’m sure they have their reasons for restricting that place. They probably do secret military research.

Holly:

Well, you may be skeptical, but I believe they’re hiding something big. You know, a lot of people claim to see UFOs in that area. Some people even believe that an alien spaceship crashed there in the 1950s and the government covered it up.

Toru:

That sounds like a conspiracy theory to me.

Holly:

So you don’t want to go see it for yourself?

Toru:

Oh, no, I do want to go! I mean, I don’t really believe in aliens, but I find the whole thing very intriguing…

TRIVIA

In 2013, the US government was forced to finally reveal to the public that Area 51 truly did exist. Why? Because a satellite image of it appeared on the internet, making it impossible for the government to deny its existence any longer. However, they still refuse to comment about the true purpose or function of the facility.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks using the expressions in the box. Some expressions may be used more than once.

skeptical
bonkers
intriguing
  1. I’m _____ about Mia’s explanation. I think she’s hiding something from us.
  2. Don’t you find Steven’s resignation _____? I really want to know why he decided to leave the company just two weeks after he started!
  3. At first, many of us were _____ about Jane’s skills, but she turned out to be one of the best programmers on our team.
  4. Sarah is divorcing her husband of 15 years because of a dog? I think that’s _____!
  5. I came across this rare disease while I was browsing my social media. It was so _____ that I read about it all night.

STEP B EXERCISE

Are the underlined expressions used correctly? If not, change the sentences.

  1. Hannah is skeptical about her boyfriend’s excuses. She thinks he may be cheating on her.
  2. My family thinks I’m bonkers for selling my house for such a low price.
  3. The lyrics to Moxy’s latest song are so intriguing. They don’t make me wonder who it was written about.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your friend just read an online article about the first moon landing conspiracy theory and is now very interested in it. Talk to him/her about conspiracy theories.

Today's Expressions

  • skeptical
  • bonkers
  • intriguing

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

CONSPIRACY THEORIES
2

BEING SKEPTICAL
3

INTRIGUING THINGS
1

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

  1. Why do you think people create conspiracy theories?
  2. Why do people like talking about conspiracy theories?
  3. Do you think the internet helps conspiracy theories to spread?
  4. If you were to create a conspiracy theory, what would it be about?

2BEING SKEPTICAL

  1. What kinds of things or stories are people usually skeptical about?
  2. Would you consider yourself to be skeptical about many things?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being skeptical?
  4. How can you turn a skeptical person into a believer?

3INTRIGUING THINGS

  1. What are some things that you find intriguing?
  2. Do you find any people intriguing?
  3. What do you do when you find something or someone intriguing?
  4. Can you think of a TV show or movie that had a really intriguing plot?

FEEDBACK

I can talk about conspiracy theories.

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