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.
People think about relationships in different ways. There are people who are always unhappy if they’re not dating or married, and others who enjoy being alone. If you’re one of the latter, then you like to fly solo. To you, spending time by yourself is a positive thing, and you’re not all that interested in finding a boyfriend or girlfriend.
There are many benefits to being single. You get to make all of the decisions about your life without asking anyone’s opinion. You choose what you’re cooking for dinner, what movies to see, where to travel, and how to spend all of your time after work. You don’t have to compromise with anyone about what you’re going to do, ever!
Is Jeff ready to fly solo? Find out in today’s English lesson about dating.
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: Someone’s been pretty quiet lately. What’s on your mind, Jeff?
Jeff: Not much.
Amanda: Are you going to hang out with Alexis tonight?
Jeff: No, actually she and I broke up.
Amanda: Sorry, I didn’t know.
Jeff: It’s OK. My gut tells me that maybe I need to fly solo...
Amanda: Is that right?
Jeff: ...for a while. Give it a shot.
Amanda: OK. Why?
Jeff: Greta and I were doing great, I thought. And then that didn’t work out. And then Alexis and I were… we were getting pretty serious. But I just changed my mind on that one. It wasn’t working out.
Amanda: How come?
Jeff: I’m not really sure. My gut was just telling me that I need to be on my own, maybe.
Amanda: Well, I think that you should listen to your gut.
Jeff: Yeah, now my gut’s telling me that maybe that would be the best thing to do. I mean, is single… what’s it like? Is it terrible?
Amanda: Well, I’ll be candid with you. I really miss being single.
Jeff: Really?
Amanda: Yeah. Going to the movies on my own, having the entire bed to myself, I don’t have to share popcorn with someone. It’s kind of nice not having to compromise with someone about everything. You know?
Jeff: Maybe I’ll give it a shot.
Amanda: You should. And don’t even get me started about this whole baby thing.
Jeff: Well, yeah. But you’re excited, right?
Amanda: Yeah, totally. I am. It’s just that I know that this is going to change my life forever.
Jeff: I guess there are some benefits to flying solo.
Amanda: It sounds good to me. And if I were you, I would go check out that new Scarlett Johansson film tonight. If I didn’t have so much to do, I’d come with you.
Jeff: Oh yeah, that movie. You know what? I think I will.
Amanda: Good for you.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Amanda notices that Jeff seems very quiet, so she asks him what’s wrong. Jeff’s sad about the women he’s been dating. His relationship ended with Greta because she didn’t want to date anymore. His relationship with Alexis ended because Jeff didn’t want to date anymore. Things just don’t seem to be working out in Jeff’s love life. He tells Amanda that he’s decided to fly solo.
Amanda is happy to be with Mason, but she admits to Jeff that sometimes she misses being single. She doesn’t like having to compromise all the time. For example, sometimes she just wants a big bowl of popcorn for herself, or to be able to use the whole bed. She points out to Jeff that there are benefits to doing things on your own sometimes. Amanda suggests that he go to the movies, and Jeff leaves, looking happier.
Do you like to fly solo? Which activities are better with friends, and which are better alone?
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