Monday, March 31, 2025

Ted Talks 1, Vocabulary Discussion, From article about Spring Flowers

 By Nate Feldman

*What are things you see all over the Philadelphia area?

*What are things you can find on your property? 

Ex. I have a swimming pool on my property.  I also have a garden. 

*When you go out somewhere, do you prefer to be accompanied by someone, or do you prefer to do it by yourself?

*What has truly been a wonderful experience for you?

>>My time in Philly has truly been a wonderful experience for me.

Friday, March 28, 2025

Friday, Ted Talks 1, P.13-15 Class Notes

 By Nate Feldman

I am talking to you now (happening at this moment)

Teaching English is fun (teaching is the subject of the sentence)

(Working at ELS) has been an interesting experience. 

I want to talk to you.

I enjoy talking to you. 

 

 

P.13

1. C: TED Talks spread ideas that can change lives

2. A: She was inspired by a TED Talks

3. A: Small changes can have a positive impact on the future

 

 

Later, Her first activity, Finally

I went home and I took a nap.  After, I went outside and ran for a while. 

First, I go to the LTC room.  After, I have SEC class with Mr. Nate.  Finally, I take SSP class with Ms. Page. 

Ted first began to put videos of TED Talks on the Internet in 2006.  Five years later, writer Kylie Dunn decided to change her life after watching a TED Talk by Matt Cutts.  She watched a lot of talks to get ideas.  Then, she used these ideas to decide her projects.  Where her projects were finally over, she gave her own TED Talk. 

November 2011  First activity inspired by talk called “Wear Nothing New.”

Feb 2012 Decides to eat less meat

Late 2012 Writes a letter to a friend or relative every day

January 2014 Gives a talk at TEDx event in Hobart, Australia. 

 

1.      Many people have goals or objectives that they want to accomplish in their lives

2.      A project is carefully planned work that has a special purpose

3.      Something that is individual is related to one person or thing

4.      Experiences are events that happen to you

 

1.      Inspired = motivated or stimulated

2.      Impact = a powerful effect

3.      Attitude = the ways you think and feel about someone or something

4.      Positive = good, beneficial

 

15, A

B. She decided to make changes in her life


Wednesday, March 26, 2025

SEC Intermediate, Class 2 Review

 By Nate Feldman



Choose the best definition for each word:

  1. Goals

    • A) The way someone feels about something or someone.

    • B) Things you aim to achieve in the future.

    • C) A specific task you complete once in a while.

    • D) An important event that changes everything.

  2. Inspired

    • A) Feeling excited to work on something because of a strong motivation.

    • B) Being forced to do something you don't want to do.

    • C) Having a bad attitude toward something.

    • D) Feeling lazy or unmotivated.

  3. A Project

    • A) A casual conversation with friends.

    • B) A task or assignment with specific goals and steps to complete.

    • C) A place where people go to relax.

    • D) A type of goal that is easy to achieve.

  4. Experiences

    • A) Things that happened in the past that taught you something.

    • B) Feelings you have every day.

    • C) Ways to avoid challenges.

    • D) The ability to sit back and relax.

  5. Attitudes

    • A) A collection of things you’ve done.

    • B) Your mindset or feelings toward something.

    • C) The actions you take to achieve a goal.

    • D) A specific goal to work toward.

  6. Impact

    • A) The result or influence something has on a situation or person.

    • B) A planned event that never happens.

    • C) The steps taken to complete a task.

    • D) A task that requires little effort.

  7. Individual

    • A) A group of people working together.

    • B) A single person, separate from others.

    • C) A collection of similar objects.

    • D) A set of rules to follow.

  8. Positive

    • A) Showing kindness, happiness, or good results.

    • B) A negative or harmful action.

    • C) A lack of effort in anything.

    • D) A neutral feeling toward something.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

SEC, Intermediate, Class 1 Review

 By Nate Feldman

1. What does the phrase "a physical" most likely refer to?

a) A workout routine
b) A check-up or examination by a doctor
c) A form of exercise equipment
d) A physical object


2. Where is "the fridge" typically found?

a) In a bedroom
b) In a garage
c) In a kitchen
d) In a living room


3. If someone is "out of shape," what does it mean?

a) They are very strong and fit
b) They have poor physical fitness
c) They are in good health
d) They are recovering from an injury


4. What does it mean to "cut back on" something?

a) To reduce the amount of something
b) To increase the amount of something
c) To remove something completely
d) To give something to someone else


5. What does the phrase "take up" mean?

a) To discard or throw away something
b) To start or begin a new activity or hobby
c) To avoid doing something
d) To continue an ongoing task


Assignment: Pick a listening activity from www.esl-lab.com.  Listen to it.  On Monday, you will do a summary of the presentation for the class.  The presentation only has to be 1-2 minutes.

Monday, March 24, 2025

SEC Intermediate, Class 1

 By Nate Feldman

Discussion:

1. What do you want to cut back on?

2. What physical activities do you do?

3. What is in your fridge right now?

4. Did you ever say "humph" to someone?  Why?  

5. Is there something you had to abandon?

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous Lesson

 Nate Feldman

I have worked here for many years

I have been working here for many years

 

I have lived in Philly for a few months

I have been living in Philly for a few months

 

I have studied at the ELS for the past few months

I have been studying at ELS for the past few months.

 

I had worked here for 10 years when I finally got a promotion.

I had been working here for here for 10 years when I finally got a promotion.

 

Why did Mr. Nate attack Abdulmajeed?

*Mr. Nate attacked him because he had been dissing him everyday when he came into class, and Mr. Nate just snapped.


Tuesday, March 18, 2025

SEC Master's

 *Sonic the Hedgehog 3 focuses on such themes as teamwork.  When you do things, do you like to be in control, or do you prefer to do things as a team?


SEC Advanced, Present vs. Past Perfect

 Question:

*What are things you have done in Philly that you hadn't done before you came here.

For example, here in the USA, I have studied with people from other countries.  Before I came here, I hadn't been in classes with people of other nationalities.

*Have you eaten mouse on toast?  Had you heard of such a meal before yesterday?


Grammar notes:

Here at ELS, I have done many interesting things.

*From the time I came to ELS until now

Before I came to ELS, I had studied English at another language center in my country.

*Until I came

 

In my life, I have gone to many interesting places. 

When I came to ELS, they put me in the advanced level because I had taken English courses. 

 

Tony knows Istanbul so well because he has been here many times. 

Last summer, I went to Istanbul, and I knew where to go because I had been there before.

 

I took medicine when I got home because I’d had a headache all day and really needed it.

 

When I showed up in class today, the students had arrived and were waiting for me. 

 

 

Here in Philly, I have done many interesting things that I hadn’t done before.  For example, I have studied with people from…I had never met someone from that place before.  I also have eaten cheesesteaks.  I had heard of them, but I had never tried one.  Now, I have eaten a million of them.  I have gone to baseball games here as well.  I had never watched a baseball game until I came to Philly.


Thursday, March 13, 2025

SSP Master's, Questions Related to Heart Eyes

 By Nate Feldman

Weekend Assignment: Write a summary of Heart Eyes.  What happened in the story and what did you think of it?

  1. What is the main genre of Heart Eyes?

    • A) Drama
    • B) Horror-Comedy
    • C) Action
    • D) Fantasy
  2. Who are the two lead characters in Heart Eyes?

    • A) Ally and Jason
    • B) Ally and Mike
    • C) Ally and Jay
    • D) Emma and Jay
  3. What holiday is central to the plot of Heart Eyes?

    • A) Christmas
    • B) Halloween
    • C) Valentine’s Day
    • D) New Year’s Eve
  4. What is the main conflict in Heart Eyes?

    • A) A group of friends competing for a prize
    • B) A slasher killer targeting couples on Valentine’s Day
    • C) A romantic misunderstanding between two characters
    • D) A search for a missing person
  5. How does Heart Eyes blend horror and comedy?

    • A) It uses slapstick humor during terrifying moments
    • B) The romantic leads make jokes during tense scenes
    • C) It balances the scary moments with comedic dialogue
    • D) It only focuses on the horror with no humor
  6. What motivates the killer in Heart Eyes?

    • A) Revenge for a broken heart
    • B) Random killings for fun
    • C) A twisted sense of love or obsession with Valentine’s Day
    • D) Money and power
  7. How do the characters Ally and Jay respond to the murders happening around them?

    • A) They try to ignore the danger and focus on their relationship
    • B) They investigate the murders themselves to find the killer
    • C) They run away from the city to avoid being next
    • D) They confront the killer directly in a showdown
  8. What is a key theme explored in Heart Eyes?

    • A) The importance of money in relationships
    • B) The clash between love and survival in dangerous situations
    • C) The value of friendship over romance
    • D) The consequences of being too honest in a relationship
  9. What tone does Heart Eyes primarily maintain throughout the film?

    • A) Light-hearted and purely comedic
    • B) Dark and dramatic
    • C) A balance of suspense, horror, and humor
    • D) Completely serious with no humor
  10. How does Heart Eyes compare to traditional holiday-themed horror films?

  • A) It completely avoids horror and focuses on romance
  • B) It combines elements of romance with classic slasher horror
  • C) It is a serious, gore-heavy slasher with no comedic elements
  • D) It centers on psychological horror without any physical killings

SSP Advanced, Vocab discussion, A Man Wants to Eat Every Animal on Earth

By Nate Feldman

Raucous:

    • Definition: Making a loud, harsh noise, or being rowdy and disorderly.
    • Example: The raucous crowd at the concert cheered wildly for the band.
  • Keen:

    • Definition: Having or showing a sharp interest, enthusiasm, or strong ability in something; also can mean sharp or acute in terms of senses or intellect.
    • Example: She has a keen interest in art history.
  • Advance:

    • Definition: To move forward in position, progress, or development; can also refer to giving money or support ahead of time.
    • Example: The scientist made significant advances in the study of genetics.
  • Rigorous:

    • Definition: Thorough and accurate; strict and harsh in nature or approach.
    • Example: The rigorous training program prepared the athletes for the competition.
  • Unconventional:

    • Definition: Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed; unusual or not traditional.
    • Example: His unconventional approach to business surprised everyone in the industry.
  • Unorthodox:

    • Definition: Contrary to what is traditionally accepted or established; not adhering to the usual methods or beliefs.
    • Example: Her unorthodox methods in teaching brought a fresh perspective to the classroom.
  • Bellow:

    • Definition: To shout or roar loudly, often in anger or excitement; can also refer to the loud cry of an animal, especially a bull or cow.
    • Example: The coach bellowed instructions to the players during the game.


    Discussion Questions:

    1. Where do you see raucous behavior?

    2. How would you feel about being fed mouse on toast?

    3. Do you think it would have been fun to live in the Buckland home?

    4. Where do you have to do rigorous work?

    5. What is something you would like help advance?

    6. Do you want to eat every animal?


    Reading Comprehension Questions:

  • What unusual activity did William Buckland engage in during the 1830s?

    • A) He hosted scientific conferences
    • B) He wrote books on geology and paleontology
    • C) He hosted dinner parties where he served exotic dishes
    • D) He traveled around the world studying fossils
  • What was one of the exotic dishes served by William Buckland at his dinner parties?

    • A) Crocodile stew
    • B) A mouse on toast
    • C) Roasted bat
    • D) Snake soup
  • What significant role did William Buckland play in the field of geology?

    • A) He discovered the first dinosaur fossil
    • B) He was the first person to study geology at the University of Oxford
    • C) He proposed the theory of plate tectonics
    • D) He invented the first geological survey method
  • What belief did William Buckland challenge in his scientific work?

    • A) The existence of volcanoes
    • B) The biblical account of the Great Flood
    • C) The theory of evolution
    • D) The classification of plants and animals
  • What discovery is William Buckland credited with that contributed to the understanding of dinosaurs?

    • A) The Archaeopteryx fossil
    • B) The first dinosaur egg
    • C) The Megalosaurus fossil
    • D) The Pteranodon fossil
  • Who else contributed significantly to William Buckland’s scientific work?

    • A) His children
    • B) His wife, Mary
    • C) His fellow scientists at Oxford
    • D) His students
  • What was one of Buckland’s dreams that remained unfulfilled?

    • A) To write a comprehensive book on dinosaurs
    • B) To prove the existence of extraterrestrial life
    • C) To eat every animal on Earth
    • D) To discover the first human fossil
  • What does the passage suggest about William Buckland’s approach to science?

    • A) It was highly traditional and serious
    • B) It was focused only on hard facts without creativity
    • C) It demonstrated that scientific exploration could be both rigorous and enjoyable
    • D) It was based purely on religious beliefs and theories

  • Tuesday, March 11, 2025

    SEC Advanced, Vocabulary and Discussion

     

    1. Innovative – (adjective) Refers to something that is new, creative, or original, often involving advanced ideas or methods that improve or change a process, product, or concept.

    2. Aspect – (noun) A particular part or feature of something; a specific element or perspective that contributes to the overall character or condition of a subject.

    3. Story of a building – (noun) A level or floor of a building. For example, a three-story building has three levels or floors.

    4. Skyscraper – (noun) A very tall, multi-story building, typically found in urban areas, that is designed to maximize space by building upwards rather than outwards.

    5. Core – (noun) The central or most important part of something. In buildings, the core usually refers to the central structure that houses elevators, stairs, and utility systems.

    6. Green technology – (noun) Technology that is environmentally friendly, designed to reduce harm to the planet, conserve resources, and promote sustainability. This can include renewable energy sources, energy-efficient systems, and eco-friendly building materials.

    7. Generate – (verb) To produce or create something. In the context of energy, it often refers to producing electricity or power, such as generating energy from solar panels or wind turbines.

    8. Solar panels – (noun) Devices made up of photovoltaic cells that capture and convert sunlight into electricity, often used as a sustainable energy source for buildings, homes, and other applications.

    9. Resources – (noun) Materials or assets that are used to achieve a goal or complete a task. In a business or environmental context, resources can refer to raw materials, energy, financial assets, or human labor.

    10. Clients – (noun) Individuals or organizations that engage the services of a professional or company. They are the customers who buy products or services from a business or professional.



    1. Which of the following is an example of green technology?
    a) A gas-powered car
    b) Solar panels
    c) A coal-powered power plant
    d) Single-use plastic


    2. What is the core of a building?
    a) The outer walls of the building
    b) The central part of the building that includes the elevators and stairs
    c) The roof of the building
    d) The external decorations


    3. If a company is looking for an innovative solution to improve its energy efficiency, what might they do?
    a) Install outdated equipment
    b) Upgrade to solar panels to generate clean energy
    c) Use more fossil fuels for energy
    d) Continue using inefficient technologies


    4. Which of these is a feature of a skyscraper?
    a) It is a small, single-story building
    b) It is a very tall building designed to maximize vertical space
    c) It is built primarily out of wood
    d) It has a traditional, single-level design


    5. What is the primary function of solar panels on a building?
    a) To generate electricity by capturing sunlight
    b) To enhance the building's exterior appearance
    c) To store water for later use
    d) To improve the structural integrity of the building


    Questions: 

    1. What kind of green technology do you use or are you interested in using?

    2. Are you innovative in any way?  If so, how are you innovative?

    3. What is your favorite aspect of the ELS program?

    4. What resources do you use a lot of?

    5. What is a good way to treat clients if you have a business?

    6. What are core values you have?

    7. If you have a company, how would you generate interest in your product/service?


    *Talal lives!!!!!!

    *Beautiful outfit Deustefen!!!!!!


    MRW, Vocabulary Activity and Reading Comprehension Questions

    Here are some key vocabulary words from the article, highlighted for emphasis:

    Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in NYC

    • Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
    • Art enthusiasts
    • Contemporary
    • Iconic
    • Works of art
    • Campbell Soup Cans
    • Pesticides
    • Unnaturally Grown
    • Organic

    Ryers Farm for Aged Equines

    • Ryers Farm for Aged Equines
    • Retired
    • Disabled
    • Stalls
    • Graze
    • Volunteer
    • Sponsor
    • Treats
    • Groom

    Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, MA

    • Kalmus Beach
    • Nantucket Sound
    • Relaxing
    • Atmosphere
    • Scenic


    Vocabulary Comprehension Questions

    1. What does the word “iconic” mean in the sentence, “I saw both older and contemporary works of art, ranging from Vincent Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night to works by Andy Warhol”?

      • a) Famous and widely recognized
      • b) New and modern
      • c) Ordinary and plain
      • d) Hard to understand
    2. In the sentence, "The Sun Mad Raisins painting showed the Sun Maid woman as a skeleton," what does the word “skeleton” mean?

      • a) A figure of a person without skin, showing only bones
      • b) A person in a costume
      • c) A living person
      • d) A cartoon character
    3. What is the meaning of the word “pesticides” as used in the context of the painting "Sun Mad Raisins"?

      • a) Chemicals used to protect crops from pests
      • b) Organic farming methods
      • c) A type of raisin
      • d) A brand of food
    4. In the sentence, “Ryers Farm for Aged Equines is a refuge for retired and disabled horses,” what does the word “refuge” mean?

      • a) A place of shelter or safety
      • b) A place to play
      • c) A place where people can shop
      • d) A place to exercise
    5. What does the word “volunteer” mean in the context of Ryers Farm for Aged Equines, where visitors can volunteer?

      • a) To work for free to help others
      • b) To pay to visit
      • c) To donate money
      • d) To sell items
    6. What does the word “atmosphere” refer to in the sentence, “I found the atmosphere relaxing and enjoyable at Kalmus Beach”?

      • a) The mood or feeling of a place
      • b) The physical weather conditions
      • c) The size of the beach
      • d) The decorations at the beach
    7. What does the word “scenic” mean in the sentence, “The farm’s property has scenic fields where the animals can graze”?

      • a) Beautiful and picturesque
      • b) Dangerous and rough
      • c) Plain and uninteresting
      • d) Urban and crowded
    8. What is the meaning of the word “sponsor” as used in the sentence, “People can sponsor one of the animals for $500 a year”?

      • a) To support or help financially
      • b) To adopt an animal permanently
      • c) To ride the animals
      • d) To sell the animals


    Travel: A Day at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in NYC, Ryers Farm in Chester County, PA, and Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, MA

    By Nate Feldman

    A painting at the MOMA museum

    The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

    On Monday, February 24, I did a day trip to New York City to visit the Museum of Modern Art, or MOMA, in Manhattan.

    Before I arrived there, I bumped into six of my students from the ELS language center I teach at, and we sat together for a while.

    At the museum, I saw both older and contemporary works of art, ranging from Vincent Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night to works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and other famous artists.  

    Some paintings that really stuck out to me included Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans paintings.  He painted all of the types of Campbell's Soup he had eaten over the years.  It made me think of things I often eat and if I should paint or draw pictures of them as well.

    Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans series of paintings


    There is also the Sun Mad Raisins painting, that shows the Sun Maid woman, found on all Sun Maid Raisins products, but as a skeleton.  It says on the painting: Unnaturally Grown with Pesticides.  What is interesting about that is that for years I ate the Sun Maid Raisins, but I specifically always got the Organic kinds to avoid that very issue.  The artist was depicting something I had always wondered about Sun Maid products.

    An afternoon at the MOMA is a great way for both art enthusiasts and others to enjoy their time in New York City. 

    Ryers Farm for Aged Equines


    On Monday, March 10, I visited Ryers Farm for Aged Equines in Chester County, PA.  Since 1888, this farm has been a refuge for retired and disabled horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies.  The animals have stalls where they reside, and during the day, they are able to graze and relax in the scenic fields on the farm's property.

    Visitors are able to come between 10-4 PM on a daily basis and can feed the animals treats as well as pat them if they animals permit it.  In addition, people are able to volunteer, and if they desire, they can sponsor one of the animals for $500 a year.  This gives a person access to the animal of their choice.  They can groom and get one-on-one time with them.

    Walking throughout the farm, I find it enjoyable feeding and interacting with these amazing creatures and strongly recommend people come and visit and do the same.

    A horse at Ryers' Farm

    Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, MA
    Kalmus Beach


    On a trip to Cape Cod in Massachusetts last June, I spent a couple of days in the town of Hyannis.  In Hyannis, there is a place called Kalmus Beach, located on Nantucket Sound on the southern part of the Cape.  I went there several times during my stay, and I found the atmosphere relaxing and enjoyable.  It is not a particularly large beach, but people who go there will more than likely have a good time.

    Reading Comprehension Questions:

    Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in NYC

    1. What type of art does the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) primarily showcase?

      • a) Classic art
      • b) Contemporary art
      • c) Abstract art
      • d) Traditional art
    2. Which word describes the famous paintings that stood out to the author, like Starry Night by Van Gogh?

      • a) Iconic
      • b) Ordinary
      • c) Modern
      • d) Abstract
    3. What was the author’s opinion about the Campbell Soup Cans series by Andy Warhol?

      • a) The paintings made the author think about the foods they often eat.
      • b) The author didn’t understand the meaning behind them.
      • c) The paintings reminded the author of their childhood.
      • d) The author didn’t like them at all.
    4. The Sun Mad Raisins painting depicted the Sun Maid woman as a skeleton to emphasize the dangers of what?

      • a) Organic foods
      • b) Pesticides
      • c) Eating too much sugar
      • d) Fast food

    Ryers Farm for Aged Equines

    1. What type of animals does Ryers Farm for Aged Equines care for?

      • a) Farm animals
      • b) Wild animals
      • c) Retired and disabled horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies
      • d) Exotic animals
    2. What can visitors do at Ryers Farm to interact with the animals?

      • a) Sponsor an animal and feed them treats
      • b) Take the animals for walks
      • c) Buy souvenirs
      • d) Take the animals home
    3. If you sponsor an animal at Ryers Farm, you can do which of the following?

      • a) Ride the animal whenever you want
      • b) Groom and have one-on-one time with the animal
      • c) Take the animal on vacation
      • d) Sell the animal's products

    Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, MA

    1. What word describes the feeling the author had when visiting Kalmus Beach?

      • a) Relaxing
      • b) Busy
      • c) Stressful
      • d) Crowded
    2. Kalmus Beach is located on which body of water?

      • a) The Atlantic Ocean
      • b) The Pacific Ocean
      • c) Nantucket Sound
      • d) Long Island Sound
    3. Which of the following best describes the size of Kalmus Beach?

      • a) Large
      • b) Small
      • c) Medium-sized
      • d) Very large

    SEC Master's Vocabulary

     By Nate Feldman

    1. What gives?  = what's the problem here

    2. a fetish = something you are obsessed with 

    3. a sugar daddy = an older man that pays money to attract a younger woman

    4. cringe = something that makes you very uncomfortable 

    5. stalk = to follow someone everywhere, either in person or on social media platforms


    Summary of Heart Eyes:

    *A woman and a man are planning to get married, but all of a sudden the photographer and the man are killed by the Heart Eyes Killer, also known as HEK.  HEK follows the woman into a building where he/she kills the security guard and then crushes the woman to death in a machine.  

    It turns out the Heart Eyes Killer has been killing couples on Valentine's Day in many cities across the USA, including Boston and Philadelphia.  Now HEK is in Seattle and ready to kill couples.  

    Meanwhile, Ally is having a lot problems in her life.  She broke up with her boyfriend, and now she is obsessed with him on Instagram because he has a new girlfriend.  Also, her boss at the jewelry company she works in advertising for is so angry at her because she made a commercial about people dying.  

    She meets Jay at a cafe because they order the exact same kind of latte with the same kind of ingredients, but she bumps into him and makes him bleed.  At the company meeting, it turns out that Jay has been brought by the company to help fix their problem, but she thinks he is just there to steal her job.  But, Jay wants to invite her to dinner to make things better.  Her friend thinks Jay is attractive, so she gets Ally to buy fancy clothes for the dinner.  


    Questions:

    1. Would you go out with friends or a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife if there was a killer that went after couples?

    2. Do you ever follow people's relationship status on social media?  

    3. Why do you think HEK hates romantic couples?




    Thursday, March 6, 2025

    SEC Master's Ted Talks Lecture

     By Nate Feldman

    H.W. Use Prepositions correctly in a short paragraph about your weekend.  For example, I went to Philly this weekend and walked along the Schuylkill River.  Then, I got on a bus and went to Center City Philly.  Then, I got off the bus, and I walked around the neighborhood.  I went into a cafe, and I had some coffee there.  There were some strange people sitting across from me talking about funny things! 

    Ted Talks Lecture: 

    1. Why did Lisa Bu initially start reading books?

    A) She wanted to learn about Western culture
    B) Her father encouraged her to read
    C) She was looking for a way to escape her surroundings
    D) She was interested in literature for academic purposes



    2. How did Lisa Bu view books when she was growing up in China?

    A) She saw books as a means to acquire wealth
    B) She viewed books as tools for gaining knowledge and power
    C) She thought books were a way to entertain oneself
    D) She saw books as tools to pass time without much importance



    3. What was Lisa Bu’s experience when she first came to the United States?

    A) She struggled to read in English
    B) She found that books were used as tools for entertainment rather than education
    C) She felt an instant connection to the American way of reading
    D) She was immediately overwhelmed by the number of books available



    4. According to Lisa Bu, what do books have the power to do?

    A) Make us smarter without effort
    B) Open our minds and expand our understanding of the world
    C) Limit our views by teaching us a specific perspective
    D) Provide a quick and easy way to succeed in life



    5. What transformation did Lisa Bu experience through reading?

    A) She became more successful in her career
    B) She found a new sense of purpose and her voice
    C) She started to dislike books and stopped reading
    D) She used books to avoid all real-world problems



    6. How does Lisa Bu describe the relationship between books and empathy?

    A) Books help us understand only our own culture
    B) Reading is mostly about gaining academic knowledge
    C) Books allow us to understand different perspectives and develop empathy
    D) Books teach us to avoid connecting with others' emotions



    7. What does Lisa Bu say about the books we choose to read?

    A) The books we read don’t really affect our lives
    B) Our choices of books can shape who we become and how we see the world
    C) Reading books from different cultures is not important
    D) Books are only helpful when we read them in large quantities



    8. According to Lisa Bu, how can books help bridge the gap between who we are and who we could become?

    A) By teaching us how to follow instructions
    B) By providing stories of successful people
    C) By exposing us to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking
    D) By making us aware of our limitations

    Answer: C) By exposing us to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking


    9. Why does Lisa Bu emphasize reading books from different cultures?

    A) To confirm what we already know
    B) To escape our everyday lives
    C) To build empathy and understand the experiences of others
    D) To find a quick solution to our problems



    10. What is Lisa Bu’s central message in her TED Talk?

    A) Reading can be a tool for personal growth and connecting with others
    B) Books should only be read for academic purposes
    C) It is important to read as much as possible, no matter the subject
    D) Books are irrelevant in today's digital world


    Vocabulary:

    1.       My dreams were shattered = broken

    2.      Second-class: not treated as well as others

    Ex. I am a second-class citizen

    3.      A calling = your purpose in life

    I became a teacher because helping others learn is a calling of mine. 

    4.      Obedience = I do what others tell me when they tell me, verb is obey

    I must obey what my parents tell me. 

    5.      Peasant = a person who works on the land

    6.      An epiphany = a moment when you discover the truth or something important

    7.      A temptation: a strong desire to do something


    SEC Advanced, Vocabulary List

     By Nate Feldman

  • Equipped: To be provided with the necessary tools, resources, or skills for a specific task or purpose. For example, "The team is equipped with advanced technology for the mission."

  • Recovered: To regain something that was lost, damaged, or in an undesirable condition. It can also refer to returning to a normal or improved state, such as recovering from illness or an accident.

  • Investigators: People who examine or research something in detail, usually to uncover facts, solve problems, or solve crimes. For example, "The investigators are examining the evidence for clues."

  • Automated: A process or system that operates without human intervention, typically controlled by technology or machines. For example, "The factory uses automated machinery to assemble products."

  • Guidance: Advice, direction, or leadership provided to help someone or something progress or function properly. For example, "The teacher offered guidance to the students on their projects."

  • Sensor: A device or instrument that detects and responds to changes in the environment, such as light, temperature, motion, or pressure. For example, "The motion sensor turned on the lights when someone entered the room."

  • Frozen: Something that has been turned into a solid by lowering its temperature below the freezing point, or something that is immobilized or unchanging. For example, "The lake is frozen in the winter."

  • Data: Facts, statistics, or information collected for analysis or reference. For example, "The researchers analyzed the data to find patterns in the experiment."

  • Manual Control: A method of operating a machine or system by hand, rather than by automation or automatic control systems. For example, "The pilot took manual control of the aircraft during the emergency."

  • Dramatically: In a way that is striking or significant, often involving a great change or effect. For example, "The weather changed dramatically overnight, going from sunny to stormy."

  • Revealed: Made something known or visible that was previously hidden or secret. For example, "The investigation revealed the truth about the incident."   

  • Wednesday, March 5, 2025

    SEC Master's, Preposition Review

     By Nate Feldman

    Preposition Quiz

    1. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The cat jumped __________ the fence.

    a) by
    b) over
    c) against
    d) in

    2. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The book is __________ the table.

    a) on
    b) around
    c) in
    d) through

    3. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    She walked __________ the street to get to her friend's house.

    a) across
    b) over
    c) by
    d) around

    4. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The painting hangs __________ the fireplace.

    a) above
    b) through
    c) against
    d) in

    5. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    We need to go __________ the tunnel to get to the other side.

    a) by
    b) through
    c) over
    d) across

    6. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The book was placed __________ the desk and the chair.

    a) by
    b) in
    c) on
    d) through

    7. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    She argued __________ the idea of using plastic bags for shopping.

    a) against
    b) by
    c) over
    d) on

    8. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The plane flew __________ the clouds.

    a) in
    b) around
    c) over
    d) across

    9. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    The children ran __________ the park all afternoon.

    a) around
    b) on
    c) by
    d) over

    10. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:

    He is sitting __________ the chair by the window.

    a) on
    b) by
    c) in
    d) around

    I am an Alien. I am not Human.

    By Nate Feldman