Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
When you were a kid, you probably watched your mom or dad make their bed. Maybe you even helped. Or perhaps you’ve stayed in a hotel where someone else makes your bed. In both cases, the way to make a bed look good and in order is to make sure it has smooth sheets and blankets.
If two people are fighting, they probably aren’t having a good time. They want the fight to be over as soon as possible, and they need to find a way to smooth things over between them. It’s like taking a messy bed and making it neat again. It may take a little effort, but in the end, the room looks and feels better.
Find out why Amanda and Mason need to smooth things over in this English lesson about excited parents.
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.
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Amanda: Look, Mason, don’t get me wrong. I’m super excited. I just think your enthusiasm is a little over the top. I mean, those pictures that you took of me at the OB/GYN. Did you really need to post them on Facebook? It’s driving me nuts.
Mason: OK, listen. I just want our friends to be part of this process. Right? I’m so excited! Come on, you can’t be mad at me for being excited.
Amanda: What’s happening here?
Marni: Surprise! Happy baby!
Mason: Look, they threw us an impromptu baby shower! Isn’t this great?
Amanda: Perfect. What do we have here? Nice giraffe.
Lily: Isn’t she cute? Her skin is as smooth as a real baby’s.
Amanda: A real baby giraffe’s?
Lily: Sure!
Marni: Do you guys want to sit down and have some cake? Or maybe play some baby-themed games?
Jeff: Or not.
Marni: Right. Or not. They seem kind of mad at each other. Maybe this baby shower wasn’t such a good idea.
Jeff: Yeah, Amanda seems really ticked off.
Lily: You know what? Maybe I can help to smooth things over. I did learn some really good conflict management skills when I was at Rolling Hills. So, Amanda and Mason? We have all noticed that you might be having some sort of conflict in between you, and a very important first step is just to air out any issues you may have with each other. So, Mason? Why don’t you start and just tell us how you’re feeling?
Mason: Well, OK. I mean, I guess sometimes when Amanda likes to…
Amanda: OK. You know what, guys? I think it’s actually kind of sweet that you put this party together for us and I appreciate it a little bit, but I don’t remember signing up for group therapy. So, since I have a lot of work to do, I’m going to go.
Jeff: Yeah. Real smooth, boss. Real smooth.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Comparing Quality" from this lesson
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Discussion
Amanda is starting to feel ticked off by Mason’s behavior. He’s so excited about their baby that he’s sharing too much with their friends and family. He even put photos of Amanda at the doctor’s office on the internet!
The two of them soon learn that Marni, Lily and Jeff are giving them a surprise baby shower at the office. Amanda’s in a bad mood and isn’t happy to be there, but Mason loves the attention and the gifts. Lily tries to smooth things over between Amanda and Mason, but she’s unsuccessful. In fact, Amanda gets up and leaves.
Is Amanda right to be upset with Mason? How can Mason smooth things over with his wife?
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