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Shed Some Light

Learn English with this emergency English lesson

Date: Jan 15 2013

Themes: Soap Opera

Grammar: Direct vs. Reported Speech

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen

If you don’t have all the information about something, it can feel like you’re in the dark. Your eyes are open, but you just can’t see. If someone gives you some helpful information, you can say they shed some light on the situation.

When someone sheds light on something, they reveal something about it or help you see it more clearly. For instance, during a trial, new evidence can shed some light on the case and help everyone discover the truth.

Jeff was having a conversation with Greta when suddenly the lights went out because of a big storm outside. Learn English and find out if Jeff stays in the dark in this English lesson.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Greta: Finally, the phone company shed some light on the situation. They said, “The call is coming from inside the house!”

Mason: Whoa, dude. Whoa. Whoa!

Jeff: Amanda must have found the backup generator.

Amanda: No thanks to you guys.

Mason: It is scary out there!

Jeff: Let’s see what’s going out there.

Greta: Thanks for shedding some light on the situation, Amanda.

Jeff: Man, look at that.

Greta: Look at all the water in the streets…

Jeff: Yeah, the drains are clogged. The streets are flooding. That car is stuck right there. There’s no pressure out there. Look at these clouds, look how dark they are.

Greta: Really? You think so?

Jeff: Yeah. There’s another stuck car. It’s not safe to go out there. I think we’re gonna be stuck here all night, maybe all weekend.

Greta: No, we can’t! I have appointments. Where are we gonna sleep? What are we gonna eat? Are we going to have to eat each other!?

Amanda: Jeff, thanks for shedding some light on the situation with the storm. That’s top notch.

Jeff: Not a problem. I’m an amateur climatologist.

Amanda: OK. I think that’s enough.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Direct vs. Reported Speech" from this lesson

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Go Super to Listen

Greta is just finishing up a scary story, when the lights suddenly come on. Amanda found the backup energy source. She’s not very pleased that no one helped her do it.

Jeff and Greta take a look at the weather. The streets are full of water, and cars are stuck everywhere. The clouds are dark. Jeff thinks that they’ll be stuck at the office overnight, and maybe all weekend.

This news freaks Greta out. What will they eat? Where will they sleep? Will they become cannibals? Amanda tries to take control of the situation. She thanks Jeff for the information, but realizes that he might also be making people panic.

Have you ever been caught in an emergency situation like the one at the office? Were there any particular individuals who tried to shed some light on the situation? Do you tend to be a leader in an emergency?

Comments

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yuminaga

China

unforturnately I never experienced something like that.its almost hard to think of the situation that is stuck at the office overnight without food ,electricity,it could be a horrifying thing .

Mk-Babar

Pakistan

Anybody interested to practice English and to share knowledge.. add me at skype.. We will have chating, voice calls, conference calls.
skype id: cruiser40403

elisa9926

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

well. i have been in dangerous situations a lot. although i was shoked ،i kept cool quickly and instad i tried to shed light on situation and help other people. i belive dangerous situatons make us stronger.

wannicho

China

few years ago, i stayed with my parents , there was a shortage of running water in my hometown for weeks and rumors had it , the situation might be kept going on for months , and everyone was panicked, bec ppl were waiting in line (frankly, got all they had,include fighting ,finding connectons, bullying … to got water from the water truck they send to the town few times a day ), i didn’t had to face that since i was under my parents roof and was taken care of , so i miss my home

julito

Argentina

Ryanman, your welcome, practice, practice is the key .

julito

Argentina

In Buenos Aires , whenever we have a heavy storm , the capital turns into a nightmare , flooded streets, clogged sewers , cars drifting away with the current ,basements flooded , and to top it all off , power outages in many districts . Some businesses ,to cope with this situation, although it is too noisy ,have bought a back up generator . To shed some light on the situation, I have suggested to buy for my home a battery operated fluorescent lamp that at least will light up for about five hours. Better than nothing. !!!

ezel filiz

United States

My native country Where English Language is taught as a foreign language ,you can’t find such vocab words especially in the schools and even at the faculties,therefore I’d like to thank every doer in this unique work.

Englishty

Egypt

A few days ago it rained so hard in my city for a constant three or four days and the streets were full of water that the cars were literally swimming and some people were completely stuck in their houses and it was so crazy but fortunately it’s all over now. What a coincidence this lesson speaks to me.

friendlover

Turkey

I think I am not born to be a leader. Especially in tough stuations. Leadership is not for me.

finna.liu, I totally understand you because I felt van earthquake deeply last year. It was absolutely terrible.

ryanman

Nigeria

hi giys. i am ryanman frum africa. i cume here to lern engrilsh. wut practis shud i do hear?

Irene Forever

Ukraine

Thank you, dear Baset.:)

I am lucky to get a portion of attention from you today.

Happy to be your friend !

The Last Joke

Yemen

Dear Irene

Irene Forever

: i’m sorry to forget someone as nice as you !
In fact , it is very rare to find a friend like you in these days and I definitely consider myself very lucky to have friend as wonderful as you in Ebaby .

finna.liu

China

i think i will be panic and not a leader in the similar situation….

i remembered that when 2008. 5.12 WenChuan Earthquake, i was very scary when i realized that everything was shaking slightly. especially when some one shed some light about the earthquake i was very worried about my parents and sister( at that time i have been at a safe place) ! i was wondering where were they,whether my parents and sister were at a safe place and so on.

luckily， there was no loss in my place because my place is far away from earthquake focus. but i was a great loss in WenChuan China.

MINA~seven

China

I feel unsafe when I take the elevator everyday！‘！！

Irene Forever

Ukraine

Basset, Joy and Laila, what a great frienship, indeed!

LAILA ALI

Malaysia

Dear brother :

you always find the right words to say !

YOU ALWAYS SAY BEAUTIFUL WORDS !

DEAR BROTHER : THANK YOU !

The Last Joke

Yemen

Dear sister

LAILA ALI

I still remembering those days when I was alone at englishbaby ( you know ) in that point of my lives where I couldn’t see any hope in this site( i was in a dark place ) . You brought me the light of hope and paved me through the right way. You have always supported me and stood beside me in every ups and downs of my lives. Now, it’s my turn, I promise you ( Dear Sister ) that I will always treat you as my princess and will stand in front you and protect you from every problem.