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Game Shows
Game Shows

Learn English with this grand prize English lesson

Date: Jun 12 2019

Themes: Pop Culture

Grammar: Definite & Indefinite Articles

Intro

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

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

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Everyone’s attention is on this week’s contestant. Does she know the answer? Will she win the big prize? Each person in the audience is nervous for her, sitting on the edge of their seats. They’re caught up in the moment, hoping that she says the words that will give her a new car. And… she does!

It’s hard to deny that game shows are extremely exciting. But what are a person’s chances for winning? With some shows, the chances are good, and for others, the chances seem slim. Sometimes, contestants need to know a lot of facts, and sometimes they just need a lot of luck. No matter how it happens, it’s fun to watch someone win.

Are Jeff and Marni interested in game shows? Find out in this English lesson about a popular type of TV show.

Dialog

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

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

Marni

Marni

Jeff

Jeff

Marni:  Jeff, do you know what one of my biggest desires in life is?

Jeff:  I don’t know. Sleep until noon every day?

Marni:  That would be nice, but it’s actually to be a game show contestant.

Jeff:  What?

Marni:  I love game shows! The fabulous prizes... You get so excited. You’re caught up in the moment. And you know that question, that million dollar question? And you’re always at home shouting the answer to the contestant? I just want to be that person on set that has that possibility.

Jeff:  I think you just want attention, Marni.

Marni:  No, I want fabulous prizes.

Jeff:  You want to meet that well-tanned host?

Marni:  I’ve been an audience member before. I want to actually go on and be a contestant.

Jeff:  But how many of those people actually qualify? What are there, like, 500 people in the audience?

Marni:  I figure my chances have got to be good if I keep going to them. Right? I’ve got to get called.

Jeff:  I don’t know. I think every time you watch one of those shows you get caught up in the moment, and the chances are slim. Let’s face it.

Marni:  I’ve got to believe. I’ve got to believe!

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Marni loves the idea of being a contestant on a game show. She tells Jeff that she wants to win amazing prizes, and that she believes that her chances are good. Marni has been in the audience of many game shows, so she believes that in time, she will be chosen to get up and try her best to win.

Jeff acts like Marni is crazy to want to be on a game show. He points out that it’s really hard to be chosen, and he wonders if Marni simply wants some attention. It’s clear that Jeff has no interest in ever being a contestant, and he’s probably not interested in sitting in the audience, either. Their opinions could not be more different!

Would you ever want to be on a game show? Would you prefer to be a contestant, or would you be happy watching from the audience?

 

Comments

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divine26

divine26

United States


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08:20 PM Apr 19 2014 |

bravevivian

Ecuador

Hi,


Well, I have never been interested on game shows.  But there should be exciting for many people.  Maybe the idea of being a competitor, specially if you are a person who loves racing or competitions in any way could motivate to be a contestant in this kind of shows.


I think I have to watch a game show to have more idea what Marny is feeling.


Have a nice day :D

09:44 PM Feb 07 2014 |

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

Being optimistic is good in all stages of our life but more often the reality is another thing. Sincerely, i want to take part in a game show. In my view everything has the worth of experimenting at least for one time. 


But the chance, i suppose chance is getting ready against opportunities. 



Certainly, I prefer to be a contestant rather than watching bcz i think it’s more exciting.

02:08 PM Feb 06 2014 |

1 person likes this

pembeay

Turkey

yes i prefer because i like taking risk and try to my chance, so a game show is a  best places for this wanted ;)

04:23 PM Feb 05 2014 |

AryelLanes

AryelLanes

Brazil

I don’t think game shows are all about attention. I mean, it’s a fun way of helping others and making money at the same time!

I’d like to know what it is like to be a contestant… As the lesson says, you might get soooo caught up in the moment! It must be exciting! I’d probably take the chance at the drop of a hat!

12:32 PM Feb 03 2014 |

stillice

stillice

Saudi Arabia

 I think some are doing it just to grab the attention of others.

09:19 PM Feb 02 2014 |

rara_fe

rara_fe

Indonesia

Yes, I ever want to be on a game show. seem it’s so fun, although we don’t know will win or lose. mmm, I prefer to be a contestant, because we get fun of that game. and it’s really exciting than only watching from the audience.

11:38 AM Feb 02 2014 |

1 person likes this

Taylor177

Taylor177

China

Ja, das stimmt @ ghost.w050


6

05:11 PM Feb 01 2014 |

ghost.w0506

Germany

sorry


but for me, game shows are stupid, don t like them

05:03 PM Feb 01 2014 |

Michele1

Michele1

Italy

I don’t like all of the game shows. Some of them are so empty , meaningless and most of the people there have nothing to do… That is only my opinion, of course.

02:53 PM Feb 01 2014 |

Taylor177

Taylor177

China

Happy Chinese New Year ppl 

01:07 PM Feb 01 2014 |

Taylor177

Taylor177

China

Jeff is damn right, the chance is fat, hey, just look at her body, if I was the judge, i wouldnt be interested tho. 

01:00 PM Feb 01 2014 |

1 person likes this

 julito

julito

Argentina

I like game shows  although i know that  i wouldn´t qualified as a contestant  with a good chance of  getting back home with a fat check in my pocket .I say this because i am aware of my  limitations regarding  facts or general knowledge. As Marni, i am caught up in the moment  when i know the answer or i have it on the tip of my tongue while the contestant  appears clueless as what is the correct answer. 

12:34 PM Feb 01 2014 |

S&W

S&W

China

I want to be both of them,for me audiences are like a big team and sometimes audience can be more nervous than contestant,should i say audience dominate the whole atmosphere.on the other hand be a contestant needs to pay all your attentions on the questions,fabious prizes aren’t the only things waiting for you,the enjoy and the sence of achievement of success is incomparable.

10:49 AM Feb 01 2014 |

mike20012

mike20012

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Although I haven’t seen any good game shows for years, I still think


That’ll be fun if there would be such a quiz show or a game show, if you will, and who knows god willing I could turn into a slumdog millionaire.

08:09 PM Jan 31 2014 |

eduard12

eduard12

Ecuador

well i i don´t know i´ve never  thought about it maybe it´d be funny it, being contestand it is a hard choices ,whatching from the audience its so easy

07:22 PM Jan 31 2014 |

1 person likes this

palwashahassan

Pakistan

hi. i like game show ant become contestant.if i will get chance so i will catch up that opportunity.if no,so i would perfer t o watch it.

06:43 PM Jan 31 2014 |

1 person likes this

Loumi25

Loumi25

Algeria

i don’t really love game shows 


but it sounds nice


thnks for the lesson ^^

04:40 PM Jan 31 2014 |

ttsuka

ttsuka

Japan

Jeff has no reason to become so negative about Marni’s pursing her life dream.  Marni’s becoming a game show winner should have no effects on him, so why does he have to discourage her?  I have two possible answers. One: Jeff is jealous. Marni is in fact very smart and she would get the big prize if she indeed was chosen to contest. Two: Jeff is concerned. Marin is in fact plain ignorant and she would embarrass herself if she got to contest. Which one is correct? No prize here. 

12:23 PM Jan 31 2014 |

1 person likes this

saveme911

saveme911

Algeria

in fact , i don’t have nerves of steel ,so i can’t risk be a contestant ,unless i empty my skull and do it ,but i cannot ,can i ? :(


i may choose to be one of the audience although it’s not that easy either ; coz each time i watch a soccer match …no one can recognize the living room after that,coz me and soccer game have such a…. “stormy relachionship”...

10:47 AM Jan 31 2014 |

1 person likes this

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