Lesson #91

The prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is considered to be a popular and effective leader. And yet she has just announced her resignation. Was she involved in some scandal? No, she wasn’t. So why is she stepping down? And what do you think of her decision?

Our word #1 is fulfilling

adjective

UK, US  /fʊlˈfɪl.ɪŋ/

: making you feel happy and satisfied:

Nursing is hard work, but it can be very fulfilling.

Reference: Definition of fulfilling from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press

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.)

Our word #2 is tank

UK, US  /tæŋk/ 

: a container that holds liquid or gas:

The car blew up when flames reached its fuel tank.

Reference: Definition of tank from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press

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.)

Our word #3 is to do justice to someone/something

: to treat someone or something in a way that is fair and shows their or its true qualities:

Just calling the movie “fun” doesn’t do it justice. (= it is better than just “fun”)

Reference: Definition of do justice to someone/something from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press

Please take a look at this example and repeat it out loud:

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Please fill in the blanks out loud with our word/phrase #1, 2, or 3:

Now it’s time for our final clip. Watch the clip first, and then fill in the blanks out loud.

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Reference: “Jacinda Ardern resigns as prime minister of New Zealand in shock announcement.” Guardian News. YouTube, ​​https://youtu.be/MWmecuK8M-8. Accessed 20 January 2023.

Thank you 🙂

Questions for a Coffee Session:

These questions can be helpful if you want to organize your own Coffee Session. Paste them in the Zoom chat, so you and your partner can see them. I strongly encourage you to organize your own Coffee Sessions. Contact other Club Members and schedule your own meetings on Zoom. The more you practice your English, the better 🙂

1. Ask your partner questions with the following words:

  • fulfilling
  • tank (noun, C)
  • to do somebody/something justice

2. Discuss in pairs the following questions:

  • What do you find fulfilling in your life?
  • Do you sometimes feel that your tank is empty? What do you do then?
  • “I know what this job takes and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice.” What do you think Jacinda Ardern meant? What do these words say about her?
  • What is your opinion on Jacinda Ardern’s choice? Is it an indication of strength and responsibility or perhaps a sign of weakness?
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