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.
Vintage toys can be very creepy. Clown dolls, pale porcelain dolls, talking monkeys, crazy, purple bunnies are some terrifying examples. It seems like toys improved over time. Now, they look more realistic, natural, fun, and interactive. Technology is now more sophisticated and advanced. So now, toys can talk, dance, and move around.
Does technology make toys less creepy? Some people might say toys are creepier than ever. Teddy Ruxpin is a great example. Teddy Ruxpin is animatronic, has huge LED eyes, plays cassettes, and comes to life. He was made in the 1980s. Some people think he’s really cute. Other people think he’s very creepy and downright terrifying!
Andy saw a new, upgraded Teddy Ruxpin at the mall. Listen as Romeo and Andy talk about this toy 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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Andy_H: Oh my gosh, Romeo. I just got back from the mall. They have the single creepiest toy! It’s got these bright LED lights, it’s animatronic, and it’s called Teddy…Roix-pin or something?
Romeo: Ruxpin. Teddy Ruxpin.
Andy_H: You know about this?
Romeo: Oh, I remember Teddy Ruxpin. I’m a little old school, I’m not going to lie to you.
Andy_H: Old school? This thing is brand spanking new!
Romeo: So, you’re telling me they’re bringing it back?
Andy_H: I guess, I didn’t know it was a thing!
Romeo: But it’s got a cassette player. That’s way played out. I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be bringing back Teddy.
Andy_H: Wait, the old one had a cassette player?
Romeo: Yeah you put the cassette in the back. It has a little opening spot for you to put the cassette tape in. And then, he like comes to life and he sings and dances…well, maybe he doesn’t do all that, but… I think that was the ultimate idea.
Andy_H: Well, I’ll tell you what. Looks like he’s got you know, blinking LED eyes, he’s motorized. He seems pretty interactive.
Romeo: He’s still animatronic though, right?
Andy_H: Oh yeah. I mean, like I said…it looks like something out of a Black Mirror episode. It’s creepy! If the kids like it, that’s cool with me, but I am not a fan.
Romeo: Hey, I’m down with it, sounds like an upgrade. I never got to get one in the first place.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Andy says he saw a creepy, talking bear at the mall. He doesn’t know how to say the toy’s name. Romeo knows what bear he is talking about. Its name is Teddy Ruxpin. Teddy Ruxpin is an old school toy. Andy is surprised. Andy thought Teddy Ruxpin was brand spanking new! Romeo doesn’t believe they are bringing Teddy Ruxpin back.
Romeo doesn’t think the bear still has a cassette player. A cassette player is too old. Andy didn’t know Teddy Ruxpin had a cassette player. Romeo says that you put a cassette in the bear and it will dance, sing, and come to life. Andy thinks the bear is very interactive but creepy. Andy says Teddy Ruxpin looks like he’s from a Black Mirror episode. Andy never had a Teddy Ruxpin.
What do you think of animatronic toys? Are they creepy or cute?
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