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.
It’s one thing to tell a friend that he has food in his teeth, or that a pair of jeans doesn’t look great on her. But if you have to confront someone about his halitosis, it’s important to find the right way to say it. A problem with hygiene is a sensitive topic after all, and how you talk about it can affect your friendship.
You can make subtle hints, like asking if your friend would like a piece of peppermint candy. You can take a scientific angle and ask about your friend’s diet, which can make a difference in one’s breath. Another choice is to invite your friend to sit down and just be honest. However you do it, it won’t be easy!
Jessica has a friend with bad breath, and she’s not sure how to tell him. Listen to Gary and Jessica talk about health in today’s English lesson.
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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Jessica: So, Gary.
Gary: Yeah.
Jessica: I have a really close friend of mine who happens to have halitosis.
Gary: Oh, no!
Jessica: Really, really bad breath.
Gary: That must be so difficult to confront.
Jessica: I know. It’s a really sensitive topic.
Gary: Yeah.
Jessica: And I’ve tried giving subtle hints, but I don’t really know how to let him know about it.
Gary: Does he have other hygiene issues? I hate to say this, but is there a smell other than his breath?
Jessica: No. I know he doesn’t have the best diet...
Gary: OK.
Jessica: ...and that can affect breath.
Gary: That definitely can.
Jessica: But other than that, I don’t really know what angle to take to approach it.
Gary: I feel really bad for someone like that. He obviously isn’t doing this on purpose.
Jessica: I know.
Gary: He must brush his teeth on a regular basis.
Jessica: He does.
Gary: What’s he going to do?
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Jessica has a problem. Her close friend has halitosis, and she doesn’t know how to tell him. It’s clear that Jessica wants to say something, but it’s a sensitive topic and she doesn’t want to embarrass her friend. Not saying something might be worse, though.
Gary doesn’t know how to help Jessica. They agree that the real problem could be her friend’s diet, but they can’t be sure. It’s difficult to confront a friend about personal hygiene, and Jessica’s subtle hints aren’t working.
What’s the best way to tell a friend that he or she has bad breath?
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