Efl Conversations & Social Talks

Questions 1. What do you do for fun? 2. Given the choice of “Here” or “There,” which do you choose? 3. Are you a home body or couch potato, or do you prefer going places frequently and traveling? 4. If given the choice to stay at home and relax or go out on a busy day in crowds of people on your day off, which will you choose? 5. When people ask you, “So, where do you want to go?” or “What do you want to do?” what comes to mind? 6. What do you think about amusement parks? Do you like amusement parks? Which rides do you or would you like most: roller coasters, bumper cars/bumper boats, Ferris wheels, house of mirrors, fun houses, drop towers, log ride, teacups, swing rides, dark rides/rides in the dark, kiddie rides, etc.? 7. What kind of theme do you like at theme parks: water parks, Seaworld, fairyland, comics book or superhero themes (i.e., Batman or Superman), world of adventures, mazes, futuristic, cultural themes, miniature golf, 8. Is it worth waiting in line for an hour or more to go on a five minute ride? 9. Many people say that life is like a rollercoaster, do you agree of disagree? Do you think life is like a ride?

“

Life is too short, enjoy the ride.”

Crossword Puzzle 纵横字谜

Slingshot 弹弓

Tug-Of-War 拔河

Frisbee 飞盘

Hide-And-Seek 捉迷藏

Poker 扑克

Jigsaw Puzzle 拼图

Dominoes 多米诺骨牌

Mahjong 麻将

Backgammon 西洋双陆棋

Chinese Chess 象棋

Chess 国际象棋

Tic-Tac-Toe 井字棋

Draughts 国际跳棋

Maze 迷宫

Yo-Yo 溜溜球

Hopscotch 跳房子

Sudoku 数独

Questions： ： 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

What is the most annoying thing for you? How do you usually respond? respond What does pet peeve mean? What is your pet peeve? What is your biggest fashion pet peeve? peeve If there were fashion police, police would you want to help people look more fashionable? What do you think about: o Baggy pants; pants; socks and sandals; sandals; High water pants o Jeans with holes (holy holy jeans) jeans What is more annoying, being told how to dress, or seeing people dress badly? What annoying habits does your best friend have? What is something that your parents do that annoys you? Can you think of some things children do that annoy adults? Do you annoy people with some of your habits? How do you change annoying habits? Can annoying someone be a good thing? Which of the following items are the most annoying: o Bad driving o Kissing in public o Loud repetitive noises o Babies crying or screaming o Someone with bad body odor, bad breath, or poor hygiene o Someone with a poor sense of style/fashion o Someone who begs for money but has a healthy body o Bad manners man ners (at the table, in public, etc.)
Picking nose
Blowing nose at table
Coughing and not covering one’s mouth
Not washing hands after using restroom o Being told to do something by your spouse or parents. o When someone cuts in front of you while you are waiting in line. line o Someone taking a phone call in class or a meeting. o Someone smoking o Someone standing too close to you or touching you (i.e., on the bus) o Someone leaving the lights, television, or computer on when not in use. o Someone talking too much/not talking enough (silent)

12. Other Annoying things (continued) o People who read out loud what they're typing in an email or letter. o

Kids who tease dogs through a fence.

o

People who drink directly out of the milk/orange juice container.

o

Couples who sit on the same side of the booth when there is no one on the other side.

o

People walking around in ridiculous 'fashionable' shoes that are

o

Whenever anyone says "Ya know what I'm sayin"...

o

Using speaker phones in public areas at work.

o

People who are mean to animals.

o

When a person makes a sucking noise with a straw when the cup

clearly hurting their feet.

becomes almost empty. o

People that snoop.

o

People who push alcohol at social functions.

o

Tapping fingers

o

Dirty dishes in the sink.

o

People who clear their throats in a disgusting way.

o

People who invite you out somewhere then cancel.

o

When you can't tell if someone is male or female.

o

People who talk, whistle or sing to themselves at work.

o

When people say "What's up?" instead of saying "hi or hello".

o

People who write "Keep in touch!" in your yearbook but never talk to you again.

o

Movie sequels that are unnecessary and predictable or stupid

o

When you will be talking to someone, and their replies seem to be

movies. limited to "ya", "cool", and "ok". o

People who can't complete a sentence without saying "you know".

o

Present from your pets (such as dead birds, rats, or mice, or going poop or pee on the floor/carpet)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7.

8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

What is anticipation (qīdài 期待)? Recently, what have you been waiting for? What do you look forward to or long for (pànwàng zuò mǒushì 盼望做某事)? Do you think waiting for things is good, or would you rather have a world in which you get what you want when you want it? Does anticipation tend to cause you pleasure (lèshì 乐事), excitement (xīngfèn 兴奋), anxiety (dān xīn, 担心 yōulǜ 忧虑), or irritation (nǎonù 恼怒)? In what cases might you feel pleasure, anxiety, or irritation? For example: a. An approaching school test b. An upcoming television show or movie c. Going to a special place (an amusement park [yóulèchǎng 游乐场], a restaurant, etc.) d. Calling or emailing someone you like or someone you fear (i.e., calling a boy a girl you like or calling your boss or for a new job). e. Waiting for good or bad news (news about a job, sick person, something you want to buy or sell) f. Experiencing stage fright (chùchǎng 怵场, qièchǎng 怯场)while waiting to perform or give a speech to many people. g. An approaching birth or death. h. Waiting in bumper to bumper traffic ([qì chē] yí liàng jiē yí liàng de（汽车）一辆接一 辆的)or a long line or queue (chánglóng 长龙, rénlóng 人龙, duì 队) i. Waiting for the doctor or dentist With a partner discuss a time you have experienced one or more of the above situations and how you dealt with it or handled it? (chǔlǐ处理) Do you find that you have tense nerves (shén jīng jǐn zhāng de 神经紧张的), become antsy (zuò lì bù ān 坐立不安), jittery (神经过敏的, 战战兢兢的,抖动着), fidgety (fán zào 烦躁, bù'ān 不安), nervous, (jǐn zhāng 紧张), anxious, and irritated (nǎo nù 恼怒), or do you remain calm (zhèn jìng 镇静), patient (nàixīn de 耐心的), and relaxed (fàngsōng de 放松的)? Do you have more trouble making calls or waiting for calls? Do you dislike television shows that make you wait a week for a show that is only 45 minutes? Will/do you wait for a boyfriend/girlfriend, or husband/wife, or will/do you go and find one? If you are expecting someone and they don’t show, what will you do? Are you waiting on the world to change, or do you try to change the world?

ARE YOU SAFE? 1. Are you the kind of person who plays it safe and feels it is better to be safe than sorry, or do you enjoy taking risks and learning from your mistakes? For example, “Just to be on the safe side, we checked the tires of the car again.” 2. What do you do to ensure your safety or safeguard against accidents and problems? Consider the following: a) Bicycle safety (e.g., wears a bicycle helmet, have reflectors on your bicycle so you can be seen at night, use hand signals when turning, don’t allow others to sit on your bike b) Air safety (e.g., use of air traffic controllers, inspection of airplane, sit in seat when plane is taking off and landing.) c) Traffic and Road safety (e.g., drive within the speed limit, honk your horn, wear your seat belt) d) Child safety (e.g., toy safety, child safety seat, keep small things and plastic bags out of reach so children won’t choke or suffocate, etc.) e) Pedestrian safety (e.g., only cross the street when the light is green, look both ways). f) Workplace safety (wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles, hardhat; know about dangerous chemicals; use caution signs.) g) Home safety (e.g., lock on your door, bars on your windows, alarm system) 3. Have you experienced an accident or problem with any of the above because you were not being cautious? 4. If it is late out at night, will you go out? Why or why not? What precautions can you take if you must go out? (e.g., safety in numbers – don’t go alone). 5. If you meet with a thief, will you confront them or do nothing? 6. Have you ever experienced something dangerous, but came out of it safe and sound. 7. Do you have a safety net of money, resources, or friends for hard times? Which of the three is most important for you? Talk about a time you turned or would turn to your safety net. 8. “Your secret is safe with me.” Do you have someone you feel safe telling your secrets to? 9. Where do you feel the safest? What makes you feel safe? (e.g., did you ever have a security blanket?) 10. Describe a time in which you felt you were in good hands or safe hands. (e.g., you start a new job and the most trusted employee shows you the ropes).

1. Are you a cautious person? Do you prefer to err on the side of caution (i.e., do what is safest instead of taking a risk) and be safe than sorry? 2. Do you think twice before you do something? Do you double check yourself? 3. Describe situations in which you are cautious. For instance: a) Checking doors several times to make sure they are locked. b) Walking slowly in the rain. c) Carrying an umbrella even if it probably won’t rain. d) Calling friends and family when you arrive somewhere. e) Wearing your bag or purse in front of you. f) Wearing a face mask to avoid getting sick. 4. Describe a time you took a risk and threw caution to the wind. If you haven’t would you ever: a) Do an extreme sport like sky diving, river rafting, surfing? b) Withdraw money late at night? c) Drink more alcohol (wine, beer, or spirits) than usual? d) Spend more money than usual? (what is the occasion?) e) Tell someone you like them (i.e., to be boyfriend or girlfriend) at the risk of losing their friendship? 5. If you think your friend, brother or sister is dating somebody they shouldn’t would you caution them or warn them about that person? Do you think you should interfere? 6. Describe a time you took a shortcut and later regretted it. 7. When do you think taking shortcuts is a good idea? 8. Do you pay attention to the things around you, or do you always get in accidents? Describe a time you had an accident. a) Do you bump into things? b) Do you trip over things? c) Do you forget things? d) Other______________. 9. Did you learn your lesson, or do you continue to make the same mistake or accident? 10. Do you think some people are accident prone? (i.e., more likely to have or get into accidents) Why?

Questions for conversation: 1. What is your favorite bird? Have you ever had a bird as a pet? Are you a bird watcher? 2. Do you like mimicking birds, such as the parrot that says, “Polly want a cracker!” 3. What is a bird of prey? What are domesticated birds? What are wild birds? 4. What birds are good for eating? What birds would you never eat? Why? Would you eat pigeon? Quail? Crow? Etc. 5. Do you think it is sad to see a caged bird, preferring that they fly freely, or do you advocate/support/agree with keeping birds? Do you like bird feeders? 6. Would you ever consider breeding birds as a form of income or for food? 7. Are you aware of bird control problems? For instance, in America, birds like pigeons are pests that make a mess (waste, poop) all over people’s property. Do you have this problem in China? Should Americans eat pigeons? 8. In America there are people termed, “Pigeon Man/Woman,” because they feed the pigeons and let them perch on them. Others raise homing pigeons. What do you think of this? 9. What do you think about bird’s rights activists? Should birds be hunted and killed? 10. Have you heard about the Avian Bird Flu? 11. In what ways are birds important to our ecosystem? What are some urban birds? Idioms The early bird catches the worm; birds of a feather flock together; kill two birds with one stone; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; a bird’s eye view; the bird has flown the coop

Boredom Questions: 1. What is boredom? 2. What makes you bored? Why do people get bored? 3. What creates boredom: Not enough choices, too many choices? School? Work? Routine Tasks and monotony? Too much leisure time and entertainment? Uninspired? Unsatisfied? 4. Describe a time in which you were extremely bored out of your mind? 5. What are some fun things to do when you are bored to death/bored stiff? 6. Have you ever made a prank phone call when you were bored silly? 7. What are some stupid things you have done or can do when you are bored? (Examples below) a) Surf the internet aimlessly. b) Chat on the internet or phone about nothing (small talk & gossip) c) Burn things with a magnifying glass d) Play useless games on the internet or QQ (i.e. the owning people game), send/reply to chain letters. e) Spend hours and hours of your life leveling up your power on a videogame. f) Try to learn another accent or strange sound. g) Pick a random word and say it aloud to yourself until it becomes a meaningless set of noises. h) Rate passers by / People watch. i) Stare at the back of someone's head until they turn around. j) If you are right handed do things with your left hand and vice versa. k) Twiddle your fingers. 8. What can you do to pass the time? What are some worthwhile cures for boredom? 9. Have you ever been in a slump, and always felt bored? How do you cheer up and find meaning and purpose in life to keep things creative, energetic, and inspired? 10. Some Boredom Idioms: a) Bore someone stiff and bore someone to death; bore someone to tears b) Bore the pants off of someone c) Bored silly and bored to distraction; bored stiff; bored to death; bored to tears d) [beat/bore/charm etc.] the socks off somebody e) bore the arse off somebody (British & Australian very informal!); Also bore the ass off somebody (American very informal!) f) Bored out of your mind g) Bores me shitless h) Bored as hell/Boring as hell i) Overcome with boredom j) Die of boredom Idle hands are the devil’s workshop / playground! It’s as exciting as watching paint dry!

Bugs Pests Insects Opening questions: 1. What insect are you most afraid of? What would be your insect nightmare? (e.g., getting trapped in a huge spider web, being eaten alive on an ant hill by fire ants, or being killed by a swarm of bees.) 2. What insects are most annoying to you? (e.g., the buzzing or chirping noise some insects make.) 3. What insect do you like? What insect do you dislike? (e.g., head lice and fleas) 4. Would you ever eat an insect to stay alive? 5. What are some of the positive things that insects do? 6. What are some of the negative things that insects do? 7. Describe a time you were bit or stung by an insect? 8. What’s your favorite way to kill or avoid insects? (e.g., fly swatter, insect repellent, mosquito net, bug zapper (tennis racket), bug spray, roach hotel, poison, magnifying glass, call the exterminator or pest control expert, stomping and slapping them.) 9. Did you ever feel sad when you killed a bug? 10. With a partner choose an insect below and describe it to them. Let them guess what it is. Beetle 甲虫, ants 蚂蚁, honeybee / bees / bumblebee 蜜蜂, wasps / yellow jackets 黄蜂,胡蜂, butterflies 蝴蝶, moths 蛾子, lice 虱子, fleas 跳蚤, termite 白蚁, cockroaches 蟑螂, praying mantis 螳螂, earwigs / pincher bugs 蠼螋, dragonflies 蜻蜓, spiders 蜘蛛, scorpions 蝎子, worm 虫,蠕虫, housefly/ flies 苍蝇, maggots 蛆, gnat 蠓虫, grasshopper 蚱蜢, cricket 蟋蟀, ladybugs 瓢虫, mosquitoes 蚊子, tick 扁虱, centipede 蜈蚣, cicada 蝉, mite 小虫 Part of an insect: Body (head, thorax, abdomen), antennae 触角, wings 飞行章, exoskeleton 外骨骼

Questions 1. Has someone ever bumped into you accidentally? What did they say? What did you say? 2. Do you get upset when people bump into you carelessly? Would you ever say something rude to them in response? 3. When you are standing on the bus, and people are bumping into you, do you find this annoying, or do you enjoy being so close to so many people (smelly person vs. sexy person)? 4. Have you ever bumped into a friend or acquaintance by chance in a crowded place or in the middle of no where? 5. Do you find crowds of people to be maddening or relaxing (i.e. you can blend-in in a crowd and vanish from public eye). 6. How do you define your space and privacy in public and in private? Do you mind people who intrude in your business whether in public or private? Explain. 7. Do you like to be in the crowd or observe the crowd? Are you a people watcher? 8. Do you like or would you be interested in amusements like bumper cars, bumper boats, river rafting or kayaking? Do you like these kinds of extreme sports and amusements? 9. Do you think that bumpin’ and grindin’ as a dance is fun or embarrassing? Would you do it?

Bumping and Grinding •

Bump and Grind or bump-and-grind refers to various kinds of rough movement, e.g., kayaking through rapids, aggressive car racing, country/western line dancing, grinding (dance), a slang term for sexual intercourse, etc.

Part I Questions: •

What do you think of or remember about your childhood for the words below: o Toys 玩具 (Mr. Potato Head, Lincoln Logs, Barbie, Lego, etc.) o Bicycle 自行车/rollerskates 旱冰鞋/rollerblades 直排轮 o Video games 电子游戏 o Book(s) o Doctor/Dentist o Pet 宠物 o Stuffed Animal 填充动物玩具 or Doll 娃娃 o Accidents 事故(when you made a mistake or hurt yourself) o Childhood friends/classmates/neighbors o Special things your parents would do for you o Siblings 兄弟姐妹 (brothers and/or sisters), step-sister/step- brother, cousins. o Chores 家庭杂务 o Spanking 欠揍 o First lie 说谎 o First curse word, or bad word 诅咒; 咒骂的话 o First money or allowance 零用钱 from parents (what would you buy?) o Going to the park, outdoor activities, amusement parks 游乐园 o Childhood Nightmares 噩梦, phobias 恐惧, fears, worries, etc. o The childhood bully 恃强凌弱者, child bullying, or meanie 刻薄的人 o Temper tantrums 发脾气(e.g., screaming, yelling, crying, demanding for or about something) o Shy/Quiet/Reserved/Introverted OR Outgoing/Social Butterfly/Loud/Unreserved/Extroverted

Part II (choose several questions to discuss): • • • •

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? What are the positive or negative things about being a child? How do parents discipline 纪律 their children in China? When you have children (or if you have children), what will you do differently than your parents? What will you change?

Winter Holiday and the Christmas Wars: Jesus or Santa? Opening Questions: 1. Do you celebrate Christmas (in China)? What do you do for this holiday? 2. What do you know about Christmas? 3. What is the difference between Christmas, X-mas, and Winter Holiday? 4. Many people in the West will say, “Remember the reason for the season.” Do you know what this means? 5. Who is Santa Claus (Jolly Old St. Nick) and who is Jesus Christ? 6. Would you be upset if your parents told you stories that weren’t true as though they were, in order to create a magical moment (i.e., Santa Claus flying in a sleigh drawn by reindeer giving children presents; or the tooth fairy)? Have they ever done so? 7. Do you know what Christmas (Winter Festival: Winter Solstice) and Spring Festival have in common? 8. Why are people in China interested in Christmas? (gift giving, to make money, its just fun?) 9. We live in a world of diminishing resources, do you think the cutting down of Christmas trees, or use of fake trees, and the energy used for all the Christmas lights is a waste of resources? Pagan holiday Reindeer presents commercialism Gifts/presents Born of a virgin

3 wise men

Shepherds

Mary and Joseph

Stockings

Chimney

Apple Cider

Angels

manger Frosty the snowman

1. What are your favorite colors? Do you prefer dark colors or light/bright colors? 2. What are some of the meanings of colors? (blue=calm, red=passion) 3. Think of something with interesting colors and describe it to the person next to you? Describe its shape, colors, size, appearance, and where you can find it. 4. What kind of body shape do you prefer from the list below for yourself? How about for your boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife: a) apple b) pear c) hourglass d) ruler e) pencil f) strawberry 5. Think of something that is similar in appearance to the geometric shapes below and describe it to your partner. Some examples: a tree, table, television, or cup. You can also describe shapes as being: circular, rectangular, triangular, spherical, ovular,

6. Describe sizes of things with a partner: small, medium, large, huge, humongous, tiny, little,itty bitty,teeney,wide,long, short, thin, a) Comparatives: bigger, smaller, larger b) Superlatives: biggest, smallest, largest 7. What do you think these idioms mean: a) When he lost his temper at his wife, I began to see his true colors. b) He passed the test with flying colors. **Flying colors: based on the colorful flags flown (hung in the wind) on boats and ships. In a battle the loser would "strike colors" or lower flags. If you get through with flying colors you have won a battle.

Color

Meaning

RED:

warmth, love, anger, danger, boldness, excitement, speed, strength, determination, desire, courage

ORANGE:

cheerfulness, low cost, affordability, enthusiasm, stimulation, creativity

YELLOW:

attention-grabbing, comfort, liveliness, cowardliness, hunger, optimism, overwhelm, Summer, comfort, liveliness, intellect, happiness, energy

GREEN:

durability, reliability, environmental, luxurious, optimism, well-being, nature, calm, relaxation, Spring, safety, honesty, optimism, harmony, freshness

BLUE:

peace, professionalism, loyalty, reliability, honor, melancholia, boredom, coldness, Winter, depth, stability, professionalism, honor, trust

PURPLE:

power, royalty, nobility, elegance, sophistication, artificial, luxury, mystery, royalty, elegance, magic

GRAY:

conservatism, traditionalism, intelligence, serious, dull, uninteresting

BROWN:

relaxing, confident, casual, reassuring, nature, earthy, solid, reliable, genuine, Autumn, endurance Elegance, sophistication, formality, power, strength, illegality, depression, morbidity, night

BLACK:

WHITE:

Cleanliness, purity, newness, virginity, peace, innocence

1. What is the most dangerous thing you can imagine? imagine 2. Are you a thrill seeker who looks for danger, or do you shy away from and avoid danger? 3. What was the most dangerous thing that you have done? 4. What do you do when you see someone in danger? 5. If you are in danger, what should you do? 6. Is there an emergency number you can call on to when you are in danger? 7. Your mother/father and wife/husband are being swept away in a river, river who do you save? 8. Your child and spouse are being swept away in a river, who do you save? 9. You and your child are being swept away in a river and your spouse can only save one of you, would you tell your spouse to save your child and sacrifice your life? life 10.A building is burning down, would you run in to save someone or something? 11.You are surrounded by thieves who want to steal your purse or wallet. wallet Do you give it to them, try to force your way around them and run, or fight them all? 12.If you were going to die in a dangerous way which would you choose? What would be the worst way to die? Examples below: -burning to death, -being buried alive, alive -falling off a cliff or high place, -being swept up by a tornado, -being struck by lightning, -bleeding to death, -being suffocated or choked to death, -being shot, -being attacked and eaten by a wild animal, -falling into a volcano of burning lava,

-getting run over by a car, -drowning drowning, drowning -starving starving to death, death -being crushed under a cement slab or boulder, -being eaten by a shark, lion, bear, or tiger, -freezing to death, -trampled trampled in a soccer stadium, -being bit by a snake, -being squeezed to death by a large snake,(boa constrictor)

Dessert, Snacks, & Candy: 1. How do you say Dessert? How do you say Desert? What is the difference? 2. What are the different kinds of desserts? a) Ice-cream, Ice-cream cones, Ice-cream bars, Ice-cream Sundaes. (How many scoops?) b) Popsicle c) Cake d) Muffins e) Cheese Cake f) Pie g) Pudding h) Cookies i) Pastries, donuts, j) Candies, lollipop, cotton candy k) Milk shakes, (fruit) Smoothies, and Slurpees l) Rootbeer Float m) Fresh Fruit and nuts, candied apples n) Chocolate, assorted chocolates, Chocolate Easter Bunny, Fudge o) Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, Popcorn

3. How often do you eat desserts? (often, frequently, everyday, rarely, sometimes, occasionally) 4. Do you prefer natural desserts, such as fresh nuts, sweets, and fruit smoothies, or do you prefer sugary and sweet desserts, like cookies, ice-cream, cakes, etc. 5. Most children dream of eating desserts, sweets, and candies. Why do you think this is so? 6. When you were a child, did you dream of eating desserts, sweets and candies? Share stories with descriptions of your experiences. 7. What does it mean to have a sweet tooth? 8. Do you know when sweets and desserts are served (i.e., after dinner, Valentines, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, breakfast, etc). 9. What are some of the ingredients found in desserts? What is a recipe? 10. What is a dessert potluck? 11. How much dessert will you eat if it is “all you can eat” or buffet style? Have you ever eaten too much dessert? What was it? 12. Where do you normally buy your candy: Candy stores, at the check out line, from street peddlers, vending machine, amusement parks, gumball machine, movie theatre snack bar or concession stand, ice-cream man selling ice cream in an ice cream truck/ice-cream cart? 13. Have you ever sold snacks or candy for fundraising, such as Girl Scout Cookies in America?

Concession stand/snack bar

Fundraising by selling chocolate bars and cookies

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICECREAM

ELECTRONIC DEVICES With the Push of a Button what you want is Just a Click Away! Questions 1. How many different kinds of electronic devices do you own? This may include: a) Audio: Radio, CD player, stereos b) Audio & Visual: Television, Computers, DVD player, VCRs, VCD, Video Cameras, video games, Ipod c) For communication: Computers (internet), Cell phone / Mobile phone, telephone, cordless phone d) Household appliances: washing machine, dryer, dish washer, refrigerator, oven, microwave, blender / food processor / liquidiser, rice cooker, vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, sewing machine, iron, light bulb e) Other: electronic watches, handheld electronic dictionaries, camera, f) Office: calculator, copy machine, fax machine, printer 2. What electronic device could you live without? What electronic device would you have difficulty living without now? 3. What electronic devices have you used that are now becoming obsolete? (e.g., will televisions become obsolete with computers?) 4. If you had to choose between two of the electronic devices below, and not use the other, which would you choose: a) Computer or Cell phone b) Refrigerator or Washing Machine c) Microwave or Oven d) Rice Cooker or Air Conditioner 5. Describe a time when one of your electronic devices was not working, got broke, or lost? What did you feel? How did you live without it? 6. How many hours do you spend watching the television? How many hours do you spend on the computer? What do you watch? 7. Do you ever feel a strong attachment or addiction to electronics? Which ones? 8. Do you think electronics are helping us make life less complicated or more complicated? 9. Do you think electronics will make people smarter or dumber? (e.g., calculators and cash registers make people bad at using math in their heads but the internet allows for more information.) 10. What is the best way to go shopping for electronics? Do you buy your electronics at the cutting edge of technology / they are state-of-the art/ hi-tech or do you wait for awhile? (Cutting edge, meaning ‘in the forefront, in the most advanced position.’ The sharp edge of a knife or sword is what goes first and cuts through obstructions so the knife can go to its vital target. State-of-the art means the highest level of development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field, achieved at a particular time.) 11. Is it important to stay informed about the latest advances in technology? Explain why or why not?

Questions 1. What is an emergency? What is an accident? 2. What are some different kinds of emergencies? What about accidents? 3. What was the most impressionable emergency or accident that occurred in your life? How did you react to it? 4. Are you the type of person that hides your accidents and emergencies or tells everyone about them afterwards? 5. Do you think the most dramatic and traumatic experiences in life are the most interesting stories for retelling? Do we as people enjoy hearing stories of suffering or stories of bliss? 6. Describe a time when you hurt yourself? How did you react/respond? 7. Have you ever been badly burned? Had a bone broken and needed a cast or crutches? Etc.

事故 Accident

太平门 Emergency Exit

急救 First Aid

海难 Shipwreck

救护车 Ambulance

急救箱 Emergency Kit

救生员 Lifeguard

担架 Stretcher

盗窃 Burglary

火灾 Conflagration

急诊室 火警 Emergency Room Fire Alarm

救生衣 Life Jacket

氧气面罩 Oxygen Mask

灭火器 Fire Extinguisher

救生艇 Rescue Boat

Emotions Affection, Anger, Annoyance, Angst, Apathy, Anxiety, Awe, Boredom, Compassion, Contempt, Curiosity, Depression, Desire, Despair, Disappointment, Disgust, Ecstasy, Empathy, Envy, Embarrassment, Euphoria, Fear, Frustration, Gratitude, Grief, Guilt, Happiness, Hatred, Hope, Horror, Hostility, Hysteria, Joy, Jealousy, Loathing, Love, Pity, Pride, Rage, Regret, Remorse, Sadness, Shame, Suffering, Surprise, Wonder, Worry






Positive emotions highlighted in bold Negative emotions unchanged Neutral emotions underlined (some neutral emotions could become negative)

1. Are you more of an emotional (feeling, caring, warm-hearted, moved in feeling, stirred, affected by or showing emotion) or unemotional person (cool, rational, cold, cold-blooded, unaffected, unmoved, reserved, restrained)? Or perhaps both? Explain 2. Describe time(s) when you have felt emotional or unemotional? What do you feel for each below: a) When watching a movie (choose a movie) b) When watching a sports game c) When something bad / good happened? d) When you couldn’t do something you wanted to e) When someone hurt you f) When someone was crying or begging you for something 3. What are the best ways for you to become emotionally healthy when you feel low / feel down / feel in a slump? a) Make time for yourself so you can bounce back to normal; relax and do things you enjoy b) A balance between work and play, rest and activity, diet, etc. c) Get plenty of sleep but not too much sleep. d) Exercise regularly to relieve stress and lift your mood. e) Spend time with friends and family; build and maintain fulfilling relationships. f) Talk to other people about things which worry you g) Be aware of your strengths and things you find difficult h) Know the warning signs 4. Look at the list of positive, negative, or neutral emotions in the list near the top of the page. Choose several emotions that you know and describe times when you felt those emotions. Do the same for several emotions that you don’t know. 5. Do you think it is good to cry? When and where do you cry if you choose to? Do you like letting other people see you cry? 6. If you are in a bad mood / attitude, what do you usually do to change it? 7. Which pets make you the happiest when watching them? 8. If you want to make more friends or connections, how do you do it? 9. Do you use the emoticons on instant messengers? Do they work or do you prefer speaking in person?

Entertainment Questions: 1. What do you do for entertainment? 2. Do you enjoy passive entertainment or active entertainment? What is the difference? 3. Do you enjoy a challenge? (e.g. video games, chess, Chinese Chess, Chinese Checkers, checkers, discussion/debate with friends, etc.) 4. Do you prefer single player games, two player games, or multi-player games? 5. How much time do you spend entertaining yourself on a daily or weekly basis? 6. When you have guests over to your house how do you entertain them? 7. Would you ever play: Spin the bottle (spin a bottle and kiss whoever it lands on), Strip poker (remove clothing when you lose bets), Truth or Dare, Toilet Paper somebody’s house, or water warfare (Super Soakers and water balloons)? 8. Do you consider sporting activities to be entertainment? Do you prefer to observe sporting events or take part in them? 9. Is there a difference in your mind between sports like bowling, and ping pong, and other sports like football and basketball? 10. What forms of entertainment do you find to be boring or a waste of time? Why? 11. Are you addicted to any kind of entertainment (e.g. your eyes are glued to the screen)? If you are, what would you do with yourself, if TV, videogames, etc. did not exist?

Board games are a vanishing breed. breed At one point it would probably be safe to say that almost any home contained several board games that were played often. Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk and others were common pastimes. pastimes Today, board games are much less common. Part of it can be attributed to other diversions diversions; ersions radio and television, rolerole-playing games and collectible card games, video games and computers and the Internet. But, the games are still there and are still played by many people.

Fear – sticking your head in the sand Questions: 1. What are you most afraid of or scared of? Below is a list of top fears. Discuss times you have been afraid. What did you do? : Flying

Heights

Clowns

Intimacy

Death

War

People

Snakes

Success

Driving

Terrorism

Spiders

Rejection

Criminals

Speaking in public

Social rejection

The future Being late

Tunnels

Bridges

Being alone The dark

Water

Violence

Being a failure The Unknown

Lightning

Fire

Nuclear war Enclosed spaces

2. Which of the fears would you rank as being your top ten fears? (#1 being most feared) Are there any you would add to this list above? 3. Does someone in your family or a friend have an interesting fear that they wouldn’t mind you sharing? 4. Should we face our fears? Do you have difficulty facing your fears? Describe an experience. 5. Are you afraid of the unknown, such as going to a new place, or worries about the future? Explain in details. 6. Have you ever had a nightmare? What was it about? If so, describe. 7. Have you ever had a panic attack / anxiety attack, or felt scared to death? Describe. 8. Do you understand the meanings of the following idioms: a) Put the fear of God into someone. – to frighten someone very much. To fear your maker. b) Fear the worst - to feel sure that what was least wanted has happened or will happen c) Be out of your mind with fear – to be extremely afraid or so afraid you act crazy. d) Afraid of one’s own shadow - Fig. easily frightened; always frightened, timid, or suspicious. (An exaggeration.) e) I’m afraid to tell you that… – you are afraid to tell someone something bad. f) Be scared shitless – so afraid you shit your pants. g) Scare someone out of their pants – scare someone completely out of their pants. h) Frighten one out of their wits – frightened enough to lose one’s mind. i) Frighten the hell out of someone (using hell is a kind of crude or bad language) j) Scare the living daylights out of someone – scare the light or consciousness out of someone. k) Frighten / Scared to death

Feeling your feelings lately? Questions 1. How do you express your feelings? Are you introverted or extroverted? A social recluse / hermit or social butterfly? A little bit of both? 2. Would you ever go to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor for therapy? Or, do you just talk to friends and family? Explain why or why not. (Both psychologists and psychiatrist practice psychotherapy, but only the psychiatrist gives medication). 3. What is most difficult to deal with change or loss? What do you do when you feel frustrated, sad, or depressed? Describe a time you lost something or had to make a difficult change. 4. Would you ever consider any of the following therapies? a) Adventure therapy (exploring the unknown in a safe environment through adventure activities) b) Aromatherapy (healing through smells) c) Art therapy (using the creative process of art to heal and enhance one’s life). d) Bibliotherapy (reading and writing therapy) e) Color therapy (using color and light to balance energy) f) Counseling g) Dance therapy h) Group therapy (talking with a group of people) i) Hypnotherapy (during sleep a person is given suggestions to change their behavior) j) Massage therapy k) Dream work therapy l) Other_________ 5. Why do we have so many therapies today? Does this mean society today has more problems, or we have more ways to fix the problems facing humanity for thousands of years? 6. What do you feel is the one thing that you want to overcome in this life? (e.g., stage fright, afraid of heights, afraid of death, lack of confidence about something). Explain. How will you overcome? 7. Would you ever take your child, family member, or friend to any kind of therapy for behavior problems, psychological disorders, etc? 8. Giving medication to children with behavior problems is a good idea. Agree or disagree.

1. When do you wake up or get up? What is your daily routine? 2. Describe a time you went to bed too late. Did you feel horrible the next day? 3. Have you ever gotten up on the wrong side of the bed? (i.e., you had a bad start to your day and it continues throughout the day and people notice.) Describe. 4. Do you believe in the superstition (迷信, 没有根据的理论) that the left side of the bed is the wrong side of the bed? 5. Do you know any other superstitions about good or bad luck(运气,幸运)? 6. What can you do if you wake up with a bad mood, you feel grumpy, grouchy, irritable, or unpleasant for no apparent(明显的) reason? What makes you feel this way? 7. They say, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,” and “Don’t go to bed with a heavy heart.” What do you think these sayings mean? 8. Describe a time you went to bed with a heavy heart and didn’t sleep well. What were you worrying about? 9. What helps you to become light hearted? 10. If you get off /start off on the wrong foot with someone you just met, what can you do? (e.g., I don't really know why, but somehow Clare and I got off on the wrong foot.) 11. Have you ever been at the wrong place at the wrong time? What happened? How about being at the right place at the right time? Describe. Sometimes we get a bad start to our day, it continues throughout the day, and people notice. Example: "I told you to pick up your things! And don't play your music so loudly!" Reply: "Wow. It looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed!" It is as if we started our day ("got up") in the wrong way ("on the wrong side of the bed") and that has affected everything else that happened since. Example: "Don't start yelling at me just because you got up on the wrong side of the bed."

What's got into him today? What’s wrong with her today?

Giving and Receiving Questions 1. It is said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Bible, Acts 20:35) Do you agree or disagree with this statement? 2. In the West, some people pay 10% of their salary, wages, or earnings to the church. This is called a tithe and offering. What do you think of this? Would you support something you agree with by sacrificing 10% of your money each month? 3. What ways can one give of the heart, or show generosity? What can you do for your parents, your friends, your classmates or colleagues, etc.? How might you share your time? Consider the examples below: a) Gift of affection: hugs, kisses, and pats on the back. b) Gift of laughter: clip cartoons, share funny stories c) Gift of a written note: send a 'thank you' note. Write a letter to an old friend. d) Gift of a compliment: a simple 'you look great today', a sincere 'thank you for a wonderful meal'. e) Gift of listening: no interrupting, no daydreaming, no responding, just listening. f) Gift of lending a helping hand: helping mom or dad with the laundry, the dirty dishes, or cleaning the house after a long, hard day at work. 4. What is the best present or gift you have ever received? When did you receive it? What was the occasion? Who gave it to you? How did you feel? Describe in detail. 5. What is the best present or gift you have ever given to someone? When did you give it? Who did you give it to? What was the occasion? How did he/she/they feel? Describe in detail. 6. When you give a present to someone do you expect something back in return at some time? Do you think giving in China has strings attached? 7. What do you feel about the obligation, expectation, or feeling that you need to give? (e.g., for Christmas, Spring Festival, Valentines, etc.) Is something most special for you when it is expected or unexpected? 8. Have you ever made a donation to something, such as some kind of charity? Describe. If you haven’t, what would you consider donating to? 9. What do you think of adoption? (e.g., people who adopt children without parents or pets without owners.) Would you ever consider adoption? 10. How does Chinese culture encourage giving and receiving? In western culture, we have the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, seen in the bottom, right-hand corner. He is a greedy, selfish, person who dislikes giving. The story, “The Christmas Carol” shows how he becomes generous.

Going Extinct Questions 1. What does it mean for something to go extinct? 2. Do you like movies about the dinosaurs? Are you glad that they went extinct? Do you think dinosaurs and humans could co-exist? Would you bring them back if we could? 3. Do you think dinosaurs or dragons once co-existed with humans? Do you think dragons were friendly or evil? 4. Can you think of anything that is going extinct or disappearing recently? What used to be very common in China but is not anymore or is becoming obsolete? 5. Below is a list of things going extinct either in America or around the world: a) Yellow Pages: includes business listings, phone numbers, addresses, maps, driving directions and more

b) Classified Ads: for cars, jobs, real estate, and everything else c) Movie Rental Stores: borrowing or renting movies for a small prices. d) Phone Landlines: phones at home. e) Answering Machines: a machine which people can leave a message on when they call you and you are not home.

f) Cameras that use film g) The Milkman: makes home deliveries. h) Hand written letters: more people are text messaging and losing writing skills. i) Honey Bees: 50% to 90% of the colonies of many beekeepers have been wiped out. j) New Magazines and TV News: more people are turning to the internet instead. 6. What do you think is common now that will become unnecessary in the future? Explain. 7. Are these changes improving the environment or making it worse?

8. What do you think about people losing such skills as writing skills, their culture’s language, or traditions of the past? 9. Do think we should hold to traditions and older ways of doing things, or should we allow them to go extinct if enough people do not desire to keep them.

Gyms, Fitness Clubs, Health Spas, Parks, Physical Education Topic Questions: 1. Have you ever been part of a Fitness club or worked out at a gym? Did you run on the treadmill? Have you ever had a personal trainer? 2. Did you like Physical Education (P.E.) in school? Which sports or activities? 3. Do you consider yourself to be athletic? Do you want to become more physically fit? 4. How often do you exercise? Do you think exercise relieves your pressure and stress or makes you feel more tired? 5. Have you ever been to a health spa? Did you get a massage, sweat in the sauna, soak in the spa or jacuzzi, etc.? 6. What do you prefer, personal training (with or without a trainer) or group fitness? 7. What do you prefer: Circuit training (intervals of muscle conditioning), step workout, aerobics, dance workout, martial arts/kick boxing, boxing, cycling, water aerobics/swimming, yoga, pilates/ mat pilates (for balance and strength) resistance training, belly dancing, running or swimming laps? Keeping fit is not just a fad – it’s a way of life. Whether you want to slim down or tone up, up have more energy for work or for your family, or just look and feel better--we’re here to help. At LA Fitness we want you to exercise your options. From basketball to racquetball, swimming to indoor cycling, free weights to cardio equipment (training for the heart), personal training to group fitness and much more. We offer options in an environment that makes you feel at home, no matter what your current fitness level may be.

Topics Questions: 1. How often do you get a haircut or trim? 2. Do you like the Shampoo Chair? Does your hairdresser give you a head massage? 3. How often do you go to Salons (e.g., for weddings, proms, or meaningful events)? 4. Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? What happened? 5. Did you have someone in your family cut your hair (e.g., mother or father) or do you go to a hairdresser, hair salon, or barber? 6. What kind of haircut and style do you prefer (e.g., long, short, curly, perm, butch, spiked, pixie cut, skin-head (shaved head), military cut, etc.)? 7. What kind of haircut, hairdo, or style do you prefer on the opposite sex? 8. Have you ever had hair extensions? 9. Describe your feelings on a bad hair day, when your hair may be frizzy, tangled, unraveled, etc.? 10. Is hair care important to you? How often do you wash your hair? What is your favorite shampoo and conditioner? 11. Have you ever dyed your hair? What color(s)? 12. Do you use styling gel? 13. What’s the difference between scissors, razor, electronic razor, hairdryer, hair straightener or flat irons, electric shears, hair curlers, setters, hair wavers, hairbrush, and mirror?

Halloween Vocabulary & Talking Points Costumes: costume parties, masks, wigs, make-up, accessories, party supplies, Pumpkins: Jack O’ Lantern, carve/carving, Candy: Trick or Treat, candied apples, bobbing for apples, candy bowl. Candy corn, Mythical Monsters: Frankenstein, ghosts, ghouls and graveyards, vampires, skeletons, mummies, witches, goblins, zombies, demons, the reaper. Animals: bats, black cats, owls, spiders and spider webs, vultures, snakes Haunted attractions/houses, superstitions, horror movies, ghost stories, scarecrows, skull, full moon, coffin.

Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

What do you know about Halloween? What are some of the symbols of Halloween? What kind of costume are you going to wear to the Halloween party if you go? Have you ever dressed up in a costume? Do you think giving a lot of candy to children, from strangers, is ok? Do you believe in ghosts or any kind of monster? Are you superstitious or scared easily?

Heroes, Idols, and Villains 1. What is a hero (protagonist)? What is an idol? What is a villain (antagonist)? 2. Do you think society has more heroes or idols? 3. Connect the words in the box. Which column of words describes Villains? Which column describes Heroes? What words may be used to describe an idol?

4. Can a person be considered both a hero and a villain? 5. Who do you consider your hero? Is it someone close to you? Is it someone who is popular? 6. Would you ever consider an animal a hero? Have you seen any movies about animals who are heroes? Why do you think these movies are popular with people? 7. Rank the following professions/jobs from most to least heroic: doctor, nurse, police, firefighter, politician, teacher, life guard, crossing guard, security guard, soldier, sports star, parents, etc. 1.___________ 2.__________ 3.__________ 4.___________ 5.____________ 6.____________ 7.___________ 8.__________ 9.__________ 10.__________ 11.___________ 12.___________ 8. If people risk their life more by becoming shop attendants, bus drivers, truck drivers, plumbers, painters, street cleaners, etc., than those in (Question #7) do you consider their jobs heroic? 9. Do you like watching movies with: superheroes, tragic heroes, teen idols, real life heroes, comic book heroes, flawed (super) hero, heroic villains (Anti-Villain), villainous heroes (Anti-hero)? 10. If you could be a hero, what would you want to be remembered for? How would you most want to help other people? The difference between an idol and a hero or heroine is that a hero is a person that has done something good for the world. An idol is a person that is famous because his or her looks or because he or she is good in something. May also be something that people worship. Idol means uncritical worship, like a teen idol.

Hiding Questions: 1. Have you ever hid from someone or something? Did you feel excited, scared, aware of every sound, rustle, or movement, etc.? 2. What or where are some good hiding places? (Could be in your home, outside, in the forest, etc.) 3. Do you tend to hide your feelings or express your feelings? What does it mean to bottle up feelings of sadness and disguise inner feelings? 4. What are some clues, signs, or signals, that someone is hiding something from you, be it their feelings or something they are doing? What would be a dead giveaway? a. Body Language & Avoidance (folded arms, hands in pockets, etc.) b. Facial features (Its written all over their faces.) c. Contradictions in story 5. Is it ever ok to hide something from someone? 6. Have you ever played Hide and Seek/ Hide and Go Seek? 7.

What is camouflage, blending in, and mimicry: e.g. animal (prey) that hide from their predators by hiding or disguising themselves.

The Owl butterfly from Africa mimics the Owl quite remarkably fooling predators into perceiving something more ferocious.

Guessing Game: Choose an animal or insect and give clues, hints, or descriptions for the rest of the class to decide what it is. Example 1: Clue 1: It looks like a rat. Clue 2: It flies. Clue 3: It lives in a cave. Clue 4: It is nocturnal (It only comes out at night.) Clue 5: It eats insects and fruits, and some are vampires (i.e. suck blood).

Example 2: Clue 1: It lives in the ocean. Clue 2: It has two large snappers or a pincher claw and crusher claw. Clue 3: It has eight walking legs. Clue 4: It has a tail fin. Clue 5: It has two antennas.

Example 3: Clue 1: It lives in the ocean. Clue 2: It has wings. Clue 3: It has fins. Clue 4: It can not live outside the water for long. Clue 5: It lays eggs to reproduce.

Is My Life filled with Happy? • • • • • • • • • • •

Are you a happy person? What is happiness for you? What do you think is the color for happiness? Do you think that happiness lies within you? Or does it depend upon other people and external things? things Can money buy happiness? Is happiness a state of mind? mind What makes you feel happy? What are the three most important things for you to be happy? Is happiness relative, relative that is, does it have a different meaning for each person? Are you a happyhappy-gogo-lucky luck y, jumping for joy joy kind of person? (not worrying about what might happen cheerful and happy-go-lucky.) When do you feel sad, depressed, depressed gloomy, gloomy or under the weather? weather

Happiness is a noun; Happy, Happier, and Happiest are adjectives; Happily is an adverb. (The child smiled happily; Happily, (= Fortunately,) she arrived home safely.)

Decide which statements are correct (thumbs up) and incorrect (thumbs down): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

I am so happiness. I am full of happiness. I am happy and she is sadness. My sadness can not be changed by your happiness. She smiled happily when she smelled the roses. I am sadly informed to tell you, that your little pet Zhū Zhū (猪猪) has died. Hǎo xìngfú (好幸福),…You must be so happiness, your child is so cute, “guāi, guāi,…guāi,guāi.” (“乖乖…乖乖”)

I wish you happy every day. Which are correct: a) Be happy every day b) Happy every day c) Happy happy every day d) I am happy every day e) Be happy! 10. I will be happy when I see the greenbacks

It's A Small World "Hey, it's funny seeing you here." Reply: "It's a small world."

Questions It's a world of laughter, a world or tears Its a world of hopes, it’s a world of fear There’s so much that we share That it’s time we're aware It’s a small world after all CHORUS: It’s a small world after all It’s a small world after all It’s a small world after all It’s a small, small world There is just one moon and one golden sun And a smile means friendship to everyone. Though the mountains divide And the oceans are wide It's a small, small world (chorus)

1. Have you ever met someone you know on the street by chance or by coincidence 巧合? Where did you meet them? What were you doing that day? 2. Do you often run into people you know when you go somewhere? 3. Have you ever bumped into someone you didn’t know well, or someone you disliked? What did you do? What will you do in each situation: a)

You run into your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend.

b)

You run into your best friend who betrayed or cheated you.

c)

Other____________________.

4. If you meet someone by chance or coincidence, do you think it was meant to be 命运, or synchronicity [心]同 步性,同时发生? Do you think it’s creepy 令人毛骨悚 然的, incredible, or interesting? Does it have meaning?

5. The world is becoming a smaller place. If you could be a resident 居民 of more than one country, would you want to? Do you think dual citizenship 双重国籍 is a good idea? 6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a citizen 公民,市民 of one country and more than one country? What other countries would you want to live in? 7. What should the requirements 必需品,调整需要量 be to live in another country? (e.g., language requirements, health requirements, education requirements, etc.) 8. What do you think about immigration 移居,移民? Is it risky 危险的? What do you think about it? 9. What is your dream for the world?

JUST PLAIN TIRED 1. What are you fed up with or tired of doing lately (i.e., annoyed with or sick of doing something)? How can you get a change of pace or change of scene? Examples can include: a. A kind of food that you always eat. b. A household chore that you have to do each day or every week. c. Other____________. 2. What gets you pooped out (Middle English poupe, from the Latin puppim: the rear section of a ship or stern of a boat. If it shows damage it is called ‘pooped;’ the poop deck), run-down, worn-out, drained, dead dog-tired, wiped out, fatigued, and beat? Consider the following and describe any experiences you have had: a. Shopping b. After exercising (e.g., climbing up a mountain, running, swimming all day, etc.) c. Traveler experiencing jet lag. (Caused by time differences around the world). d. School or work (perhaps you are overworked) e. Other___________________. 3. Have you ever experienced serious burn-out and felt broken down? What did you do? If you haven’t, what will you do if you face this one day? 4. Do you prefer long breaks (two month vacations) or many short breaks (one to two weeks breaks)? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? 5. Are you a night owl or an early bird? Why do you prefer going to bed late (night owl) or waking up early (early bird)? Do you need an alarm to wake up, or does your body wake up by itself? 6. You have an important day ahead of you, and to prepare for it you pulled an all-nighter. You are feeling dazed and confused, groggy, and dead on your feet. Your head is drooping, and you just want to catch some ZZZs. You can not stop yawning and you are drossy, dozing off every second, or nodding off involuntarily/ drifting off to sleep. What do you do in each situation (do you cancel any and stay home?): a. Driving to work or school. b. Taking the bus somewhere. c. Important business meeting or class presentation. d. 8 hour shift e. 12 hour shift 7. What’s your favorite kind of pick-me-up? (e.g., cup of coffee/tea, a bite to eat, a shower, etc.) 8. Do you think counting sheep helps? What else helps you fall asleep when you can’t?

TIRED Main Entry: tired Part of Speech: adjective Definition: exhausted, weary Synonyms: all in, annoyed, asleep, beat*, bored, broken-down, burned out, collapsing, consumed, dead on one's feet, distressed, dog-tired, done for, done in, drained, drooping, droopy, drowsy, empty, enervated, exasperated, fagged, faint, fatigued, fed up*, finished, flagging, haggard, irked, irritated, jaded, narcoleptic, overtaxed, overworked, petered out, played out, pooped, prostrated, run-down, sick of, sleepy, spent, stale, tuckered out, wasted, worn, worn out Antonyms: activated, active, energized, fired up, fresh, invigorated, refreshed, rested Main Entry: tire Part of Speech: verb Definition: exhaust, weary Synonyms: annoy, bore, burn out, bush, collapse, crawl, debilitate, deject, depress, disgust, dishearten, dispirit, displease, distress, drain, droop, drop, enervate, ennui, exasperate, fag, fail, faint, fatigue, flag, fold, give out, go stale, grow weary, harass, irk, irritate, jade, nauseate, overburden, overstrain, overtax, overwork, pain, pall, peter out, poop out, prostrate, put to sleep, sap, sicken, sink, strain, tax, vex, weaken, wear, wear down, wear out, wilt, worry, yawn Antonyms: activate, energize, fire up, invigorate, refresh

Kicking the Habit Stopping is often more powerful than doing and what you don’t do determines what you can do.

1. If you were to write a “stop doing” list, what would you include in it/ put on it? (I want to stop…) 2. Do you feel very busy lately? What can you stop Stop biting your fingernails. doing to give yourself more time? Stop smoking. 3. Did you ever have to tell someone to stop doing Stop going to bed too late. something? (Perhaps they were hurting themselves Stop watching too much television. or being annoying). Describe. What happened? Stop playing too many video/computer games. 4. If you have a friend or family member(家族成员) Stop spending too much money / Gambling. with the addictions (耽溺,上瘾) below, how will Stop eating too much food. Stop putting yourself down. you help them stop or give up (放弃) the addiction? Stop trying to do everything. a. Alcohol / Smoking (酒精/吸烟) Stop trying to be a perfectionist. b. Betting / Gambling (打赌/赌博) Stop telling lies or little “white lies.” c. Body building/Weightlifting 健美运动/举重 Stop checking your email constantly. d. Soda pop / Colas / Coffee Stop using your cell phone 24/7. e. Money / Wealth / Fame & Fortune Stop procrastinating. f. Drug 毒品 Stop breaking your promises- letting people g. Chocolate down. h. Food Stop being a people pleaser. i. Internet addiction (pornography, (色情文 Stop leaving dirty dishes/laundry around the 学, 色情描写) excessive (过多的,过分的) house. online dating, etc.) Stop being lazy. j. Over working (workaholic) 工作狂 Stop telling other people what to do. k. Shopping Stop worrying about little things l. Television shows / Movies / Videogames / Computer games 电子游戏 m. Oversleeping (睡过头) 5. Describe your experiences with any of the above. Have you quit any? 6. Have you ever quit doing something “cold turkey” or “quit cold”? Were you successful? (“I want to quit drinking right now. As of this moment, I am going cold turkey.”) 7. What are some of your habits and routines? What do you do every day? 8. They say, “Old habits die hard.” (i.e., they are hard to stop) Which of the above do you consider the most difficult and least difficult to stop or quit? 9. When faced with addictions and bad habits, what is at the root of the problem?

Things to stop doing:

Cold Turkey 突然停止(坏习惯) At the root of our problems / troubles 我们各种问题的根源 Old Habits die hard. 积习难移. Kicking the habit 摆脱/除去某习惯

Laughing My Pants Off! A belly laugh 捧腹大笑 Burst or Bust out laughing 突然笑了起来 For laughs/ kicks For giggles; for shits and giggles 为了捣乱; 为了 取乐; 借以开心 Laughing until you cry 笑到你 哭

A laughing stock 笑柄 Laugh oneself silly (愚蠢的; 可 笑的) 笑的不行 了 Not know whether to laugh or cry; 不 知 道 是否笑或哭 laugh my ass off 超级好笑; 屁股 都笑掉了

Have the last laugh 笑在最后 Be a barrel or bundle of laughs

Laugh my head off 笑得要死 He’s laughing all the way to the

He has a sense of humor 幽默感 Somebody laughing in my

他们是一堆搞笑 的人 Split one’s sides laughing; He had me in stitches 捧 腹大笑；乐不可 支 No laughing matter 不是闹着玩的事

bank 他到银行去 一路都在笑呢. Rolling on the floor laughing 在 地板上滚着笑；

face.当面嘲笑

Laugh off the stage 喝倒彩

Laughed so hard I almost shit/ crapped/peed/wet my pants 笑得都 尿裤子了. Rolling in the aisles laughing 过道中笑得打滚

1. What kinds of things make you laugh? (e.g., a movie, pets, babies, people dressed badly, burping 打嗝, belching 嗳气, and farting 放屁.) What makes you laugh out loud 大笑? 2. Do you think laughter is the best medicine? Was there a time that someone raised your spirits with laughter/jokes? Do you know someone who is a riot (i.e., a very funny person)? 3. Are you ticklish? Do you have a funny bone or crazy bone and burst out laughing when people touch it, squeeze it, or tickle it? Would you ever tickle someone to death? Have you? 4. What gets you rolling on the floor laughing or rolling in the aisles (of a theater or church) laughing? 5. Describe a time when you were laughing about a serious matter, about something that was no laughing matter? (e.g., a sad story, a serious formal meeting, a funeral, during confession (告解, 作忏悔) at church, or your spouse wants a divorce and you laugh) What happened? 6. Have you witnessed someone laughing or giggling (咯咯地笑,咯咯笑) about a serious matter? 7. Did anyone ever laugh in your face and upset you? What did you do? What will you do if someone laughs in your face? 8. Have you ever had the last laugh when laughed at by others? (笑在最后[获得最后胜利,使 讥笑你的人]) For example, everyone said your business will fail, and it succeeds. You have the last laugh and laugh all the way to the bank with all the money you make. 9. Were you ever the laughing stock or the butt of a joke (stock: a butt, stump, or end) and everyone made fun of you? What would you do in such a situation? 10. What’s the funniest joke that you have ever heard or inside joke you know? Retell the joke. 11. Have you ever laughed at something and felt guilty about it? (e.g., laughing at midgets (侏儒, 极小者) or fat people (胖人). Rolling on the floor laughing

Making Choices 1. Describe a time you had to make a tough choice or you had a dilemma, meaning there are two or more solutions or possibilities to your problem decision? What did you do? 2. Have you ever set your mind on something and you didn’t want to change your mind? 3. What are some of the most difficult decisions you have ever had to make? 4. Have you ever postponed making a decision to keep your options open? 5. Have you ever been in a Catch 22 situation (you cannot do one thing without doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first) or felt damned if you do and damned if you don’t? 6. There are many problems in the world. Think of a problem, like the environment, and discuss solutions and alternatives. 7. If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do? 8. You were told you had a terminal illness and had six months to live. What three things would be most important for you to do? 9. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? 10. If you found a suitcase full of $1,000,000, what would you do? 11. If you had to choose between a wonderful romantic relationship that would end after only a year, or a so-so relationship that would last your entire life, which one would you choose? 12. If you had to choose between love and no money or money and no love for the rest of your life, which would you choose? 13. If you were given a choice between being given great wisdom or great wealth, which would you choose? 14. If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only take three things with you, what would you take? Why? Vocabulary: Weigh my options; weigh your options At the top of my priorities At the top of my list First things first Figure out Take charge Follow a set of guidelines Stick with it When the going gets tough, the tough get going! a. axe b. knife c. deserted island d. fins e snorkel and mask f. fishing pole g. whistle

h. raft i. watch j. tent k. pencil and paper l. hammock

Memories “You will look back on the times you laughed and you will cry. You will look back on the times you cried, and you will laugh. You will always remember close friends, and you will always keep memories of them in your heart.” Questions: 1. Memories make you. What do you think this means? Give examples. 2. Those who forget the past will repeat it. What do you think this means? Give examples. 3. Do you have a good memory or bad memory? Explain. 4. Do you usually remember things or forget things? Explain 5. Would you like to have a perfect memory? Why or why not? How would it change your life? 6. What's your earliest memory? When was it? Describe it in detail. 7. What's your most vivid (clear or sharp) memory? When was it? Describe it in detail. 8. Have you ever forgotten something important, like your keys, phone, or an important date? What happened? 9. Are there some things or times that you will never forget? Explain. 10. Are there some things or times that you wish you could forget? Explain. 11. Many people find that a certain sound, smell, or place brings back a memory very strongly (such as the smell of a food that your mother often cooked when you were young). a) Why do you think this is? b) What has this effect on you? c) Give examples. 12. If you could edit your memories, would you want to erase some and why? Would you want to make some clearer and more vivid? (Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) 13. If you could have a photographic memory for: Faces, Numbers/Digits, Words, or Places, which would you choose? 14. If you only had short-term memory, what would be the most important facts you would want to remember? What would be the safest place to save these facts so you never forget? (Movie: Memento) 15. Do you have any small mementos? If so, describe. 16. If your brain could be given a micro-memory chip, that helps you remember everything and records what you see, hear, or say, would you want it? (Movie: Final Cut) 17. If you could live another life on earth in another body, so long as you forgot most or everything about who you were before, would you want to? (e.g. reincarnation)

Moments 1. What were some of the defining moments in your life or perhaps a big moment that you had been waiting for? 2. Have you ever faced a moment of truth? (i.e., the point at which someone has to face the reality of a situation.) Some moments of truth to discuss: a) An examination, driving test b) Taste testing your food after cooking it. c) Parachute jump, bungee jumping d) Space shuttle lift off e) Sporting event (e.g., lifting w eights to discover they are too heavy). f) Asking a girl or boy if they like you and want to be your girlfriend or boyfriend. g) Opposing someone or something with others support. (Fight or flight?) 3. Has anyone ever visited you at a moments notice or on the spur of the moment (with very little advance notice; with just a little bit of warning)? Do you mind people dropping on by, or do you prefer that they call you first? 4. Do you have a friend or family member who you can spend time with and never have a dull moment? Describe their personality and what kinds of things they do. 5. Do you have a place you enjoy going where there are never dull moments? ( 6. Describe a time when every minute or moment counts and there is not a moment to spare. (i.e., time is very important.) There are some examples below. If you had to choose to be in one situation, except “a” which would you choose. a) Preparing for a test, which will determine your choices for the rest of your life. b) you or someone you love has a terminal illness, c) your parachute hasn’t opened, you are trying to open it, d) a bomb is going off, you have to stop it, e) you are caught in bad weather and it is very cold, you worry about hypothermia (freezing to death) f) You lose control of your car and drive into a river. The water is coming into your car and your seat belt is stuck. 7. Describe a time you lived for the moment (i.e., to live only for the pleasures of the present time without planning for the future.) or perhaps in the moment (you are focused)? Some people always plan ahead, others are very easy going and live for the moment, which do you think is best? 8. Have you ever done something in the heat of the moment which you later regretted? How did you make amends or apology later? Did you? (e.g., you said something you didn’t mean to say). 9. Have you ever experienced a moment of weakness when you let your guard down and did something you wouldn’t normally do? 10. When people ask you for help, do you often say, “Just a moment,” or do you do it promptly or immediately?

1. In pairs discuss what things you hope to change in the coming year. a) How do you plan to achieve your goal? b) What challenges do you expect to face? c) Have you tried to make a resolution before and been unsuccessful? d) Do you plan to change one thing or many things? Are you more successful if you strive to change just one thing or work on many things at once? 2. Do you think New Years Resolutions often fail? Should resolutions be made on a monthly basis? 3. Do you evaluate your progress daily, every other day, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, every three months, every six months, or yearly? How do you evaluate your progress? New Years Resolutions (Goals)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

How to achieve / challenges/ expectations

What is your biggest goal in life? How do you plan to achieve that goal? What are your "short term" goals? What are your "long term" goals? Should parents help their children set goals? What are your educational goals? What are your career goals? What are your financial goals? Why are goals important? Is having a goal in life effective in becoming successful? Is having a goal helpful in motivating a person? Do you think people have fewer goals as they get older? Do you have any goals that you feel are unrealistic? How do people's goals change from country to country? What are your goals in your current job? What are the main differences between male and female goals? Which of your goals have you already achieved? How would you feel if you failed to achieve any of your goals? Do you think it's a good idea to write your goals down and tick them off as you achieve them? How important are goals to you?

Pets – Canine and Feline Companions Questions 1. What is your favorite kind of pet and why? 2. Which pet do you dislike the most and why? 3. How old were you when you got your first pet? 4. Do you have any funny stories about your pet? 5. Are you a cat person or a dog person, other, or neither? 6. If you were to select a dog, would it be big or small, short haired or long haired, temperamental or always happy, etc.? 7. Did you ever try to train or teach your puppy/dog, kitten/cat a trick? Were you successful? 8. Do you like full breeds, cross breeds, or mutts? 9. Other people are known to have rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, birds, fish, and reptiles as pets? Have you ever had any of these animals as pets? 10. Have you ever adopted a pet? 11. What’s your favorite pet attire, accessories, or toys? What’s the most interesting? 12. Pets are great, but sometimes they are not! What do you dislike most about pets? 13. Can pets be food? Or can animals that people like as pets also be raised as food? 14. Is animal homelessness and abuse a serious problem? Should people be punished or fined for taking bad care of their animals or for cruelty to others pets, strays, or wild animals? 15. Does China have an animal humane society, and animal shelters? If not, should it?

Pets make great companions. Dogs are loyal companions. They listen, are trainable and have a lot of personality. Most dogs enjoy exercise and will help you to exercise too since you will need to walk them regularly. Cats are very independent and prefer to be on their own most of the time. For some, cats are ideal pets because they don't need to be walked and they're easy to take care of. Fish are quiet and serene pets. Although fish seem like very low maintenance pets, you should keep in mind that some fish do require a bit of work. It can be a challenge to maintain ideal conditions inside the tank and keep it clean. Birds make good companions and are fun to watch. Each bird has his own personality, but there are similarities in temperament and general behavior within species.

“Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” George Eliot “I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” Sir Winston Churchill

The term "potluck party" has an old-fashioned ring to it. Potluck parties are an ideal form of entertaining for the contemporary host or hostess who would like to gather with friends but is too busy running between the office and the soccer fields to host a formal party. Whenever the impulse to host a casual get-together strikes, you can call up your friends, neighbors or family, tell them you're organizing a potluck, and ask them to bring along one dish to share with the rest of the group.

Questions: 1. What did you bring to the potluck? Utensils 厨房用具 Appetizers/Starter 开胃食品 Main Dishes/Entree 主菜 Desserts 饭后甜点 Beverages 饮料 Main courses and bakery dessert 菜点 2. How did you prepare your dish for the potluck? Bake/Roast 烤, Stir- Fry 炒, fry, pan-fry, 油煎, Boil , 煮, 沸腾, Steam 蒸, Sauté 快炒 3. What are the ingredients 材料 in your dish? (Flour 面粉, egg, water, salt 盐, pepper 胡椒粉, MSG 味精, meat, vegetables, fruit, etc.) 4. Name the kind of meat (beef 牛肉, pork 猪肉, chicken, mutton 羊肉, fish), vegetables, and/or fruits in your dish. 5. Is your dish sweet 甜, salty 咸, spicy 辣, sour 酸, or bitter 苦? What kind of flavor 滋味 or taste 口味 do you prefer? 6. Do you prefer casual parties or formal parties? Discuss any parties you have been to in the past. 7. How often do you go out? Do you like to eat out or eat in? Or do you prefer take out 外卖店? 8. Besides going to potlucks, have you ever taken part in a barbecue 烤肉, picnic 野餐, or brunch 早午餐? When you go out for snacks 小吃, what do you usually get or order? 9. What is your favorite food group: fruits & vegetables, dairy products, meat & alternatives (beans, nuts, and soy products), or grain products 谷类? 10. What kinds of dishes do you like best with your favorite food group(s)? 11. Do you like eating junk food (soda, cake) 垃圾食品，无营养食品, raw food (salads, sushi) 食品 原料, frozen food (ice cream) 冷冻食品, and finger food 可供婴儿抓食之食物?

Seasons and Places Topic Questions: 1. What is your favorite time of the year: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall/Autumn? 2. What are some colors associated with each season? 3. Do you prefer: the beach/ocean, desert, mountains, tropics, tropical islands, countryside, country pond, suburbs, or cities? 4. What kinds of activities can you do in each of the places above? (Cycling, fishing, swimming, picking/wildflowers flowers, skiing, catching frogs and butterflies, playing in the leaves, motocross, etc.) 5. What is one activity you have not done yet that you would like to do some day in the future? 6. Do you travel often? Where have you been for a vacation, break, or getaway? 7. What kind of place would you want to stay in when you travel: hotel, motel, hostel, motorhome/RV, camping, friends place, etc.?

1. When do you usually go to bed? Are you like the early bird who catches the worm, or a night owl? Are you early to bed, early to rise or late to bed, late to rise? 2. When do you usually wake up and start your day? 3. Do you take naps/cat naps, or an hour-long snooze at anytime in your day or evening? 4. How do deal with sleep deprivation? (loss of sleep) 5. What do you do if you feel half awake, groggy, find yourself nodding off involuntarily or drifting off to sleep? Do you ever drink coffee, soda, or an energy drink? Will you crash a few hours later if you take coffee or soda? 6. Do you ever drool in your sleep, snore, talk in your sleep, or even sleep walk? 7. Do you usually feel alert and awake or exhausted bodily and sleepy? 8. Have you ever pulled an all-nighter or cram session for the next day’s deadline that lasted all night until the morning? Have you ever pulled an all-nighter¹ for recreation (i.e., videogames, computer games, online chat, etc.). 9.

Have you ever had a sequential all-nighter?

10. What are your all-nighter tricks and tips? If you had to stay up all night, what would you do to stay awake? (Set a timer or alarm, take a shower and freshen up every so often, sit on a hard chair or the cold floor, turn on the air-conditioning, etc.). 11. Do you procrastinate? (put things off) Do you have a large work load and keep on top of it or keep a good pace?

1. All-Nighter The term is popular with college students who spend the night before an exam studying (or 'cramming'), trying to learn a lot of material in a short period of time. The term is frequently used in the phrase 'pull an all-nighter'. It happens when you stay up all night for any purpose, to hang out, have sex, study, go online, drive, or any other activity Pulling multiple all nighters within a week can really take its toll on anyone. Pulling multiple all nighters within a week can really take its toll on anyone. Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite!

Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue. The saying above is a traditional wedding custom for good luck for a bride. The custom is based on an English poem: Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue And a silver sixpence in her shoe. Each item refers to a good luck token for a bride. The custom is that if the bride carries all four items on her wedding day, she will have a happy marriage. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true." If you were getting married, what might you choose for good luck that is old, new, borrowed, and blue? (Usually they are small trinkets, clothing, a family heirloom (e.g. Family Bible) or something of personal importance.) Questions: 1. What is something new that you recently bought? 2. What is the oldest thing that you own? 3. Have you ever bought something that was second-hand, used, or a hand-me-down? 4. Have you ever heard of or been to a garage sale? What kinds of things can you find? 5. Have you ever donated something of yours to charity/charitable organization, or to someone you know that was needy? Do you have pawn shops in China? (Pawn: to give or deposit (personal property) as security for the payment of money borrowed.) 6. Do you know any pack rats? Are you a pack rat? 7. When you make an expensive purchase are you more likely to buy something that has a warranty? Would you pay extra money for a warranty? 8. Do you pay close attention to the expiration dates on the things you buy, such as when your warranty expires, or when your milk or meat is no longer fresh and has expired? 9. Have you ever gotten a refund? What was it for? 10. How would you rate the things that you own: poor condition, good condition, or excellent condition? Would you ever buy something in poor condition and try to fix it or repair it yourself? Do you know any Mr. Fix Its? 11. Look at the words below. If you own something and it has any of these qualities, will you keep it or discard it? Ripped Scratched Busted Faded Ragged Stretched Twisted Burned out No charge 撕破 划破 打破 模糊 破衣 拉伸的 扭曲的 烧掉 无电 Tattered Rusty Cracked Discolored Stained Dirty Broken Empty Needs 破烂的 生锈的 破碎的 脱色的 玷污 肮脏的 打破 空的 Refill 空

STUFF

Some Meanings of Stuff: 1. Unspecified things 2. Special ability 3. To pack tightly or cram, to fill 4. To block 5. To overeat, gorge down

1. What kinds of stuff do you like? Do you like cute stuff, weird stuff, crazy stuff, scary stuff, funny stuff, sexy stuff / hot stuff, interesting stuff / cool stuff, stupid stuff, kids’ stuff, etc.? 2. Do you have a lot of stuff at home? Have you ever moved from one apartment to another and thought, “Wow, I have a lot of junk / stuff!” 3. If you had to sell all your stuff, and can only keep three things, what will you keep? 4. Are you in the habit of stuffing your face or feeling stuffed after eating dinner? Do you know someone who eats a lot of food and often gets stuffed? Would you ever take part in an eating contest (e.g., for dumplings, hotdogs, pizzas)? 5. Some people are really good at something and know their stuff. (e.g. ‘I know my stuff. I can do my job.’) What stuff do you know well? 6. What do you think of people who strut their stuff or show off their stuff? (‘Get out there on that stage and strut your stuff! I'm going to strut my stuff and become a star.’) Do you ever watch models strutting the runway / catwalk? 7. What do you consider to be kids’ stuff / child’s play / a piece of cake (i.e., an activity or piece of work that is very easy. ‘A five-mile bike ride? That's kids' stuff.’)? 8. What used to be hard for you but is now kids’ stuff? 9. Are you comfortable or uncomfortable with rough stuff / rough housing? (i.e., unnecessary roughness. ‘Okay, let's cut out the rough stuff! There was too much rough stuff in the football game.’)

10. Describe a time you had a stuffed up nose or felt sick. 11. Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? Do you still have it?

Surprise & Shock 1. Do you like surprises? 2. Have you ever been surprised? Can you recall a pleasant surprise? 3. What in your mind is or would be the best surprise? For example: a) Your boyfriend proposes to you in a romantic way. b) Someone throws you a surprise birthday party. c) A secret admirer or boyfriend/girlfriend gives you flowers, chocolate, jewelry, or some surprise present / gift. d) You get a promotion or pay raise from your company. e) You get a scholarship to study at a prestigious college in China or abroad after thinking you wouldn’t receive it f) Someone you know who had an incurable disease miraculously recovers g) You win a lot of money in the lottery. h) You lose something special to you and after many years you find it again. i) You write a book that you think won’t be successful, but it becomes an international best-seller. 4. What in your mind is or would be the worst surprise? For example: a) You or your girlfriend finds out you are unexpectedly pregnant. b) You get stuck in a surprise thunderstorm without an umbrella. c) Someone frightens you as a practical joke or prank. d) There is an insect, hair, or something gross in your food at a restaurant. e) You discover the fruit or vegetable you bought from the market is rotten inside. f) Your taxes are higher than expected, or your stock / shares in a company loss money. g) You go to the doctor and discover you have a health problem. h) You discover you have a lot of viruses on your computer. i) You are unexpectedly let go / laid off from your job. 5. Look at the list of best and worst surprises and share stories for any which have happened to you. 6. Have you ever done something that surprised or shocked the people around you or your parents? For instance, you act opposite to your personality, you get a tattoo, or you break some social convention or etiquette. 7. What do you consider to be shocking? 8. What is culture shock? Have you ever experienced it? How would you deal with cultural differences? 9. Do you like watching movies that have surprise endings or are predictable? Have you ever watched a shocking film? Discuss. 10. What’s the best April fools joke that was played on you or you heard about? A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is - full of surprises. - Isaac Bashevis Singer A nice blend of prediction and surprise seem to be at the heart of the best art. - Wendy Carlos

TAKE A BITE INTO THIS! A bite of the cherry (have a piece or part of something good, often only a few available) Have/Grab a bite to eat His bark is worse than his bite A barking dog never bites Bite back Bite off; Bit off (Bite off a piece of the meat.) Bite off more than one can chew (to take (on) more than one can deal with; to take a larger mouthful of food than one can chew easily.) Bite on (Are the fish biting on this today?) Bite the big one (to die) Bite the bullet (to die – wounded soldiers would bite a bullet to ease the pain before anesthetics. ) Bite the dust (to die- fall to the ground wounded or dead.) Bite the hand that feeds Bite the ice! (Go to hell!) Bite your head off (to speak sharply and with great anger to someone.) Bite into something Bite me! (The same as "blow me," "eat me," etc. - sexually insulting)

Questions 1. When you want to grab a bite to eat, eat where do you go? What do you usually order? 2. Have you ever said something that came back to bite you? you (i.e., what you said later gave you troubles or problems.) 3. If someone hurts you, will you bite back? back (i.e., you hurt them back) 4. Did you ever have to bite your tongue (i.e., stop yourself from saying something)? Explain. When should you keep silent? 5. Do you have the habit of biting your fingernails or accidentally biting your tongue (literally literally biting your tongue)? Describe. 6. Can you think of a time your parents upset you and you feel like biting the hand that feeds you? you 7. Are you afraid to bite the big one/ bite the bullet/ bite the dust? dust Bite your nails Are you afraid to die? What do Bite your tongue! (to literally bite your you think would be the worst way tongue, or to keep silent) to die? Come back to bite you 8. Describe a time when someone wanted Has more bark than bite to bite your head off, off or spoke to you I'll /He’ll bite (to answer, take the bait) sharply and with anger. Put the bite on someone (to try to get money 9. Have you ever bit off more than you from someone.) could chew? chew Take a bite out of [this apple] 10.Has anyone ever put the bite on you Won't bite (doesn’t take the bait) for money? (e.g., charity, beggar, friend, family member) 11.Are you afraid of being bit by a dog? Have you ever been bit by an animal or person?

1. What are talents? What are skills? What are gifts? What are abilities? 2. Make a list of the things you are good at doing. What do you hope to do with your talents, skills, gifts, and abilities? 3. What is a talent show? Have you ever taken part in one? Describe your performance. 4. Is there anything that you especially have a knack for, or a propensity for? 5. Are you a person of know-how (i.e., perhaps you have business know-how, technological know-how, parenting know-how, etc.) or savvy (i.e., you are business savvy, technologically savvy, etc.)? What do you know how to do? 6. Does anyone ever call you a know-it-all? What does this mean? 7. What do you want to develop more of? 8. How long does it take for you to get the hang of something? 9. Why would someone say you have a gifting for doing something? Do you think our abilities are gifts given to us (i.e., from the gods/a god) or from our parents (i.e., genetic abilities), from our environment (i.e., social class and education) or perhaps we developed them in another life (i.e., past lives)? 10. Why are some people naturally talented at science, math, and technology, while others are naturally talented in art, language, music, writing, etc.? Have you ever met someone talented in both, (i.e., they were both left brained and right brained)? 11. What is a genius or someone who is ingenious (from M.Fr. + L., lit. "that which is inborn," from in- "in" + gen- "produce.")? Is a genius born or does a genius make themselves? Do you think anyone can be a genius? Do you think one day you can be a genius? Explain. 12. Do you think you can one day be perfect, or perhaps reach higher and higher levels of perfection?

I can get along with anyone. I am a total optimist, my glass is always half full. I always see the silver lining, or at least rationalize that its there. (Silver lining: A hopeful or comforting prospect in the midst of difficulty. From the proverb “Every cloud has a silver lining”.) I can calm people down when they are freaking out. I am intelligent. I am creative. I am honest. I am dependable.

I put my all into whatever I'm doing. I have carpentry skills. I have computer skills. I have a lot of patience. I can learn anything I set my mind to.

I have excellent grammar, when I want to use it I have an eye for color. I am a good baker. I work well with children. I have a funny talent for being able to read people and tell what kind of person they are the first time I meet them.

I've learned to trust my gut instinct. I'm very loyal. I work well with my hands. I am very tolerant to strange weather. I like to sew and quilt, and am reasonably good at it.

I love to garden and grow my own food. I love working outside in the summer. I love animals and working with them (but no bugs!) I love learning new things.

I love making things. I have a very mild temperament (tolerant) and don't get angry very easily. I have a way of infectiously making everyone around me smile. I'm very positive and upbeat. I am humble I am a good artist. I am a great teacher. I have a great sense of humor and have the ability to lighten up some very heavy situations. I am intelligent (and I am ok with sometimes misspelling things).

I am compassionate and sincere. I am aware, awake and alive. I have a wide field of knowledge, and continue to expand it daily. I can figure things out... mechanically and mentally. (e.g. the Rubik’s cube) I am grateful. I am aware of my interactions and reactions to new and perhaps fearful situations. I keep myself in good shape and am attractive (at least my mom says so...) I can cut to the core of things, and do when required; but don't mind taking a more scenic, circumnavigational view. I can walk on my hands for up to 15 feet. I can design and build a house from concept to completion. I can dance and sing in ways that are pleasing to me (no guarantee to those watching/listening) I can create a wonderful, tasty and beautifully presented meal. I can weld.

I can arrange flowers. I have written proposals and received grants to do my work. I am convinced that I can make the world a better place, and am certain that it is not just "a phase" that my elders always tried to convince me I was going through. I don't "believe" easily... but I have tremendous faith. I have a great juggling act.

Talking to Strangers OPENING QUESTIONS: What are Strangers? Do you ever break out in a cold sweat when talking to new people? Do you ever feel it is difficult to fit in? Do you ever feel there is too much pressure to impress? Are first impression(s) important? Why? Do usually make the first move or wait for others to do so? What are some starting remarks or ways to break the ice? What gets the conversational ball rolling? What are neutral topics? What topics are off limits? Have you ever started a conversation with a stranger using your immediate surrounding or props? If you feel nervous, awkward, shy, or uncomfortable when talking to strangers or other people, what can be done? Do you believe new behaviors can become second nature to you? Do you talk to strangers? Do you make it a habit to talk to a new person all the time or rarely ever?

“Never Talk to Strangers!!!” Commonly said to young children in western countries by their parents who have a “Better safe than sorry” attitude. We live in a society that fears strangers, particularly in regard to our children. (Ironically, statistics show us that strangers aren't the ones we need to fear most -but that's another matter.) There's good reason for this fear: the innumerable news reports of kidnapping and abuse and killings, the lost faces that look out at us from the sides of milk cartons. In preschool the children are given instructions on what to do if a stranger offers them candy or a ride: kick, scream loudly for help, run to your house or a known adult as fast as you can. ---In America, people will get very upset if you touch their children without them knowing or asking. This is a very sensitive issue. How are things the same or different in China? Here's a very important lesson to learn about making conversation with people: Insisting to yourself that you have to be brilliant and dazzling in all your conversations will not win you new friends. It will not even improve your conversational performance. For conversational success, it's more important to be a good listener than to be a great talker. Do you agree with these statements about being a good conversationalist?

The Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

The grass is always greener (on the other side of the fence). something that you say which means that other people always seem to be in a better situation than you, although they may not be. And when I haven't been out for a while I start to envy Miriam with her great social life. Oh well, the grass is always greener.

What are some descriptors of the “greener grass” 1. A mowed lawn vs. long grass or “a jungle” 2. the leaves are raked vs. leaves being all over the grass 3. All the weeds are pulled vs. there are weeds in the grass and garden. 4. The lawn is fresh, green, and lively vs. the lawn being dry, brown, and dying. 5. The lawn is edged, or cut on the sides vs. the lawn is growing over the edges.

Vocabulary: Lawn, jungle, leaves, raked, weeds, garden, grass, edged, Fixed number, unlimited number,

Questions: 1. Why do we wish for things we don't have?

2. Have you ever had a wish come true? 3. Have you ever had a wish come true and later wished that it hadn’t? 4. If you had the choice between a fixed number of wishes or an unlimited number of wishes which would you choose? 5. Would you be happy in life if everything was easy? Do we, at heart, desire things to be challenging and difficult?

Vehicles in America Questions: 1. Which car do you think is the craziest, the weirdest, or the funniest? 2. Do you think the kind of car you drive is important? Would you drive a junkard, (a piece of junk, or junkyard car) a used car or a new car? 3. What style of car might you choose: a jacked up/raised vehicle, lowered car/truck/vehicle, super duty truck, convertible car, hot car, old car, hot rod, muscle car, futuristic car, gangsta (gangster) car? 4. What accessories (tinted windows, rims, sun roof, etc.) would you want to put on your car? 5. Would you want to drive a big car, small car, fuel efficient car, or fancy car? 6. Do you think Americans go overboard (out of control or over the top) with their cars? 7. What is most important in a car: Style, safety (air bags, seat belts, rear view mirror), cost, brand name, etc.? 8. What do you think of bumper stickers and bumper sticker madness? 9. Do babies and young children in China ride in cars with safety seats? Should they? 10. Would you ever pimp your ride or get it pimped out? (A pimp is a ladies man) 11. If you could drive anywhere right now, and go on a road trip, where would you drive? 12. Do you think it is important to drive energy saving cars, energy efficient cars, or hybrid cars? 13. Would you be interested in seeing a monster truck show, where trucks drive over cars and smash them?

Weather Questions 1. 2.

What is the weather like today? How was it yesterday? What did you do? What did you wear? What do you predict the weather will be like tomorrow? Do you know the weather forecast and do you pay attention to it on a daily basis or just look out the window? 3. What is your favorite kind of weather or ideal weather conditions? Explain why. (e.g., sunny, rainy, overcast / cloudy, windy, light breeze, fair skies, drizzling, is snowing, etc.) 4. Which weather conditions are you most scared of? (e.g., thunderstorms, stormy weather, sudden downpour, hurricane, thunder and lightning, hail storm, tornado, fire storm, etc.) 5. Have you ever been caught off guard by the changing weather or a freak weather storm? Did you experience any discomfort or a disaster? 6. What would you do in the following weather conditions: a. You live near the mountains. The rain is coming down in bucket loads. You are afraid of mudslides. You put sand bags around your house, but the water and mud keeps getting higher. Do you stay or leave? b. The street is flooded that goes to your work. You need to drive across that street to get to work. You have an important meeting and don’t want to be late, or miss it. Do you risk losing your car and possibly your life to get to work? c. You are in a bus or long distance bus. The bus driver is driving in poor and perhaps unsafe weather conditions and won’t stop. What do you do? d. You spent a lot of money for a vacation. The weather forecast predicts stormy weather and a severe snow storm. Do you stay home and lose your money, or go anyways? e. There is a strong gale, and gusts of wind. Because of the windstorm there are also sandstorms. Do you venture or go outside? Why would or wouldn’t you stay? f. The ground is slippery when wet. You are late. Do you run? Have you run before? 7. What will you wear or use in a rain storm: raincoat, poncho, hold an umbrella, rain shoes / galoshes (to walk through puddles), or wear nothing (you enjoy getting soaking wet). 8. Have you ever gotten a sun tan or sun burn? Do you bask in the sun or avoid it? Do you desire tan or pale skin? (Use either sun block or suntan lotion) Explain why? 9. If you had to choose between living in a place known for droughts, firestorms, flashfloods, and hot temperatures, or, cold temperatures in winter and humid in spring and summer, excessive rainfall, and flooding, which of the two do you choose? 10. Which of the activities do enjoy the most or want to do? a. Snow: skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow sled, make a snowman, igloo, b. Wind: fly a kite, c. Rain: walk under an umbrella with your boyfriend or girlfriend d. Clear skies / Sunny day: go to the beach, the park, or have a picnic e. Other: ____________________________________________

Wishes and Lucky Charms •

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What are three wishes you have for your life? o If you could choose only one of these to come true, which would it be and why? o What would be some positive and negative consequences (results) if each of these wishes came true? What other wishes do you have for yourself? What wishes do your parents have for you? Are they the same? What wishes do you have for your country? For your family members? For your classmates? For your roommates? How have your wishes changed since you were young? When you were young, how did you answer this questions: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Have you ever had a wish come true? Was it what you always wanted? Why do we wish for things we don't have? Have you ever: wished upon a star, star a.) a wishing well, well b.) a wish bone, bone a wishing tree, tree c.) when blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, cake d.) when blowing a dandelion, dandelion e.) when crossing your fingers or praying, praying f.) when throwing or tossing loose change into a wishing pond, pond g.) when you close your eyes, eyes h.) or when clicking your heels together. together Do you believe in lucky charms, charms like i.) rabbits feet, feet j.) four leaf clovers, clovers k.) charm bracelet, bracelet l.) dream catcher, catcher etc.