Lesson #168
Welcome to another lesson where you’ll practice reading, listening, and discussing current events in English.
Our Word #1 memorial (to somebody/something)
noun [C]
: a ceremony that is held to remember somebody who has died or an important past event:
a memorial to victims of the Holocaust
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
(You have to reload the page if you want to watch the clip more than once.)
“We’ve stood together at the memorial to our Korean War veterans.”
We’ve stood together …
Our World #2 is somber
adjective US /ˈsɑːmbər/
UK sombre /ˈsɒmbə(r)/
: serious, sad, and without humor or entertainment:
a somber atmosphere/voice/face
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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I used to think his poems were …
Our World #3 is to spar (with someone/over something/on something)
verb [ I ]
: to practice boxing, without hitting hard;
: to argue:
Frank and Jill always spar with each other at meetings, but really they’re good friends.
[Source]
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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The candidates sparred over …
Our Phrase #4 is to claim victory (over someone)
: to declare that you are the winner, even if the victory has not been officially recognized or confirmed:
The general claimed victory over the enemy, even though the fighting wasn’t over.
Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:
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“After 30 minutes, they’ll either claim victory or they’ll have to admit defeat.”
After 30 minutes, they’ll either …
or they’ll have to …
Please fill in the blanks out loud with our word/phrase #1, 2, 3, or 4:
State officials are still ……… over funding.
State officials are still sparring over funding.
[Source]
State officials are still …
I left them in a …………. mood.
I left them in a somber mood.
[Source]
I left them …
A …………. was organized for the victims of the tragic accident last year.
A memorial was organized for the victims of the tragic accident last year.
A memorial was organized …
The CEO ………… …………. over competitors.
The CEO claimed victory over competitors.
The CEO …
Time for our final clip. Watch the clips first, and then fill in the blanks out loud.
(You have to reload the page if you want to watch the clip more than once.)
Reference: “Debate verdict: defensive Trump rattled by confident Harris | BBC News.” YouTube, Sep 12, 2024
US presidential …………. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have attended a …………. in New York on the 23rd …………. of the 9/11 attacks.
It was a much more ………….. affair after last night’s head-to-head TV debate …………. of the election in November.
There were insults and a …………. of personal attacks and they ………….. on issues including abortion, …………. policy and the …………. .
Both sides ………. ………… after the 90-…………. debate watched by more than 57 ……….. people.
US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have attended a memorial in New York on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
It was a much more somber affair after last night’s head-to-head TV debate ahead of the election in November.
There were insults and a stream of personal attacks and they sparred on issues including abortion, foreign policy and the economy.
Both sides claim victory after the 90-minute debate watched by more than 57 million people.
US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have attended ….
on the 23rd anniversary of …
It was a much more …
after last night’s head-to-head TV debate ahead of …
There were insults and a stream of …
and they sparred on issues including …
Both sides claim victory after the 90-minute debate watched by …
Questions for a Coffee Session:
- Have you ever claimed victory over a significant challenge in your life? How did you achieve it?
- Can you think of a song or piece of music that has a somber quality? How does it make you feel?
- Can you think of a public memorial that had a significant impact on you? What made it memorable
- What topics do you usually spar over with your friends or family?
- What role do you think presidential debates play in shaping voter decisions?
- What are some common mistakes that candidates should avoid in a presidential debate?
- Can you recall a presidential debate that significantly influenced your opinion about a candidate?
- Did you see the Trump Harris debate? Who won, in your opinion?