Lesson 4: Unique Events
That kind of event is not really my thing…

I can express my interest (or lack of interest) in a unique event.

INTRODUCE

People have different opinions about unique events. Some may find them interesting, while others don’t.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

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

    1. When someone is up for something, it means that he/she is willing to do that thing or activity.

    We should all hang out after work. Do you want to have some drinks?

    Sure! I’m up for some drinks tonight. I’ll invite the others.

    Q: Are you up for some outdoor sports on the weekend?

     

     

    2. If you say something is not your thing, you’re politely explaining that you’re not interested in it.

    Do you like heavy metal?

    Not really. It’s not my thing.

    Q: What’s an example of something that’s not your thing?

     

     

    3. A once-in-a-lifetime event refers to something really special that you may never experience again.

    Did you hear about the special solar eclipse that’s happening on Thursday?

    Yeah, I’m really excited! I heard it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. It won’t happen again for another 100 years.

    Q: What once-in-a-lifetime event do you want to go to?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When one word ends with a vowel sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound, a consonant sound is sometimes added to connect them.
Phrase Example

be up

/ be-yuhp /

I’d / be-yuhp / for a movie this weekend.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

While on their way home, Toru and his wife Holly are talking at the airport.

Holly:

I can’t believe our trip is already over. (sigh) I just realized that we should’ve come a week later! We could’ve gone to Burning Man.

Toru:

Burning Man? What’s that?

Holly:

It’s an annual summer event held in the Black Rock Desert. I’m really disappointed that we’re missing it. I don’t know about you, but I’m up for some dancing in the sun!

Toru:

Well, we can go next year. It’s not like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Holly:

Technically it isn’t, but this year is the 30th anniversary. I heard they’re going to do a lot of extra special stuff to celebrate it.

Toru:

Well, maybe we can come back next weekend. Do you think tickets are still available? Maybe we can still get good seats.

Holly:

Good seats? Toru, it’s an outdoor event held in the desert, not a stadium! Look, they even have a personal survival checklist on their site: You have to bring 1.5 gallons of water per person per day, a first-aid kit, a bucket to use as an emergency toilet, goggles to protect your eyes during sandstorms…

Toru:

Goggles to protect your eyes during sandstorms?

Holly:

Yup! And dust masks to protect your face.

Toru:

Uh, now I’m thinking that that kind of event is not really my thing… Maybe you can go with your friends instead?

Holly:

Well, the last time I checked, aliens weren’t really your thing either! (laughs)

TRIVIA

Burning Man is an annual event in the northwest of Nevada. Its name comes from the event’s finale, when participants burn a gigantic wooden statue in the shape of a man. The act of burning the giant wooden man is a symbol of self-expression and art.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

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

1. Emma is up for celebrating tonight. She just got promoted.

2. Collecting toy cars isn’t my thing. I think I have around 5,000 of them in my house.

 

3. A number of retired bands are coming back just to perform at the Hollyhanna Music Festival this year. It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event!

STEP B EXERCISE

Rephrase the underlined sentences using the expressions in parentheses. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

  1. (be up for something) Do you want to have dinner later? There’s a new restaurant across from our office.
  2. (not one’s thing) Jessica doesn’t like cosplaying. She thinks it’s only for geeks.
  3. (a once-in-a-lifetime event) I hope it’s not cloudy so we can see the comet tonight. It won’t come back to Earth for another 300 years!

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend are staying in Las Vegas for a week-long vacation. Your friend wants to go to a unique event. Ask him/her for details about the event, and express your interest (or lack of interest) in it.

Today's Expressions

  • be up for something
  • not one's thing
  • a once-in-a-lifetime event

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

NOT YOUR THING
2

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCES
3

UNIQUE EVENTS
1

NOT YOUR THING

  1. What musical genres are not your thing?
  2. What movie genres are not your thing?
  3. What sports are not your thing?
  4. What activities are not your thing (ex. cooking, hiking)?

2ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCES

  1. What’s something you consider to be a once-in-a-lifetime event?
  2. If a once-in-a-lifetime event cost a fortune, would you still attend it?
  3. How would you feel if you missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime event?
  4. If you had a chance to attend a once-in-a-lifetime event, who would you invite to go with you?

3UNIQUE EVENTS

  1. What makes an event unique?
  2. What are some unique events in your local area?
  3. Do you think foreigners would also find them unique?
  4. If you could start your own unique event, what kind of event would it be?

FEEDBACK

I can express my interest (or lack of interest) in a unique event.

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