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The Half of It
The Half of It English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English meaning of 'the half of it'

Date: Oct 20 2015

Themes: Friend, Soap Opera, Work

Grammar: Passive Voice

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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There are many reasons to become a doctor. Doctors typically make a lot of money, help people who are sick, and are generally respected by society. It’s definitely a great job, but not everyone can do it. It takes a lot of skill and extra school. And medical school can be really expensive.

But paying for medical school isn’t even the half of it. It normally takes about five more years of school than a normal job. And when you finally start working, you often spend long nights in the hospital. If you don’t like having a busy work schedule, then being a doctor would probably leave you overwhelmed.

Sara is feeling a little too busy these days. Find out how Gary helps in today’s 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.

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

Gary

Gary

Sara_R

Sara_R

Gary:  Oh, hey! How’s it going, Sara?

Sara_R:  It’s OK. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.

Gary:  Oh, no. Really?

Sara_R:  You don’t know the half of it.

Gary:  Tell me what’s going on.

Sara_R:  Work is really busy right now. Usually I like that, but I’m trying to get my website operational, and there have been so many glitches. Plus, I’m still trying to find a new roommate.

Gary:  Wow. Do you remember your first job?

Sara_R:  Not really. Why do you ask?

Gary:  I was given a big project at my first job. I was staying at work late every night for months.

Sara_R:  That sounds awful.

Gary:  You don’t know the half of it. My best friend Joe was in the hospital, and I was going to see him every chance I could get.

Sara_R:  What did you do?

Gary:  I asked for help! I delegated some of the tasks to my co-workers at work. I set up a schedule with Joe’s family and friends so that we could take responsibility to check on him.

Sara_R:  I hear what you’re saying, Gary, and I appreciate it. But how can I delegate any of this?

Gary:  Just ask. I can help you with your website. And I’m sure that Marni can help you find a roommate through the university.

Sara_R:  I guess you’re right. Thank you, Gary. You’re a really good friend!

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Gary runs into Sara and finds out that she is feeling overwhelmed. She is trying to get her website operational, but it has too many glitches. She has also been trying to find a new roommate ever since Kellie left. Sara is finding out that life can be hard when one is really busy.

But Gary is there to help. He tells Sara that he has been in a similar situation, and so he delegated a lot of work when he couldn’t do it all himself. He offers to help Sara with her website, and tells her Marni will help her find a roommate. Friends are always there to help fix our problems, even when they don’t know the half of it!

What would you do in Sara’s situation? When was the last time you felt overwhelmed?

 

Comments

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La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

The look on Gary’s face at the end of the video shows that he finally began to see a thread of hope :))



If I’m in Sara’s situation, and definitely I am, I try to schedule my tasks. Even if it’s not all working right, at least I get some done.



The last time I really felt overwhelmed is when my mother got sick last year and it was at exams time, so I had to tackle all of the chores and trying to squeeze in some some study time. It was too much, but it had a happy ending :):)

08:14 PM Oct 20 2015 |

1 person likes this

NIJ321655

NIJ321655

United States

I rally like all of it not half.

02:34 PM Oct 20 2015 |

MrAlexey777

Monaco

actually i dont understand why should i help my friends, firs of all i will ask for money and maybe then i can help them. i love my friends but i love money more. (no pay, no help)

09:19 AM Oct 20 2015 |

1 person likes this

izamarvl

United States

Really rith know Im filling overwhelmed, I have to many too do, at work, i will need to take a english writhing test to keep my job. The problem of it if that i cant delegate the work wih noneone.

03:18 AM Oct 20 2015 |

1 person likes this

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