Episode 186
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Read the Transcript
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Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.
Speaking English is way easier than you think! You just have to use the right material and techniques.
- Do you like mysteries? I do, but only when they explain what's really going on. Today I'll talk about mysterious metallic monoliths.
SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast >
-And with a mini-story, you will improve your English fluency.
Before we get started, go to my website SpeakEnglishPodcast.com
By the way, thank you for your messages and feedback. It's my pleasure to help you speak English in a fun and entertaining way.
Okay. Let’s start!
Today's topic is about mystery. I don't know if you've seen this on social media or TV. In several places around the world, some very remote metal monoliths have appeared.
Many have speculated on the subject.
Some say it is simply a viral campaign on a global scale. Perhaps from some well-
known brand. Others say that it is simply an artistic expression and that they do it this way, without saying anything, to draw attention. There are always people who claim that it is part of an alien invasion.
What do you think?
I don't know if you remember the movie 2001. A Space Odyssey. This movie was released in 1968, and well, at the time, it was a landmark because of director Stanley Kubrick's innovative style. In the movie, several monoliths are shown, leaving the viewer to guess their meaning. I guess whoever created these monoliths that have recently appeared was inspired by this movie.
The first monolith, was found in the Utah desert in the United States. That was last November 2020. Environmental activists removed it.
I guess they also recycled it, but it is not clear.
Since then, structures of this type have been located in different parts of the world.
One wonders what it could be. Well, now I will explain the mystery: they are not aliens. I myself have placed all these monoliths with the message: "I am Georgiana and I want to help you speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks.”
Well, it was not me, but it would be a great idea! 🙂
Actually, the people responsible are an artist collective called The Most Famous Artist, or so it seems. It turns out that they sell these metal monoliths for the affordable amount of $45,000.
I think that's a lot of money, though. You know, if you want a monolith in your yard, you might want to start saving up.
Now let’s continue with a mini-story.
Now, let’s practice.
Speaking Practice
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer each question out loud, then listen to the answer and respond quickly. Don’t worry about mistakes.
Speaking practice
Let’s Start!
A crowd of people is looking at a monolith on the beach.
Is there a crowd of people or a few people?
A crowd of people. There is a crowd of people looking at a monolith.
What are the people looking at?
A monolith. They are looking at a monolith. They are looking at a monolith on the beach.
Where is the monolith?
On the beach. The monolith is on the beach.
A man named Tom comes within a foot of the monolith.
Is the man's name Jack?
No, his name is not Jack. His name is Tom.
Does Tom approach the monolith, or does he walk away?
He gets closer. Tom is getting closer.
How far away is Tom approaching?
Less than a foot away. He comes within a foot of the monolith.
People are afraid of what might happen.
Are people afraid of what might happen, or are they relaxed?
They are afraid. People are afraid; they are not relaxed. They are afraid of what might happen. They are not relaxed.
Who is afraid?
The people. People are afraid.
Tom inserts a coin and takes a soda can out of the monolith.
Does Tom insert a bill?
No. He doesn't insert a bill. He inserts a coin.
Does Tom insert a soda can and pull out a coin? Or the other way around?
The other way around. Tom inserts a coin and takes a can of soda out of the monolith.
Where does he get the can?
From the monolith. He pulls the can out of the monolith.
The monolith is actually a vending machine with a futuristic design.
Is the monolith actually an alien artifact?
No. The monolith is not an alien artifact. It's a vending machine.
How is the design of the machine? Retro or futuristic?
Futuristic. The machine has a futuristic design.
Very cool! Tom was a practical guy. He wasn't surprised by the monolith-like shape of that vending machine.
He was simply thirsty and used the machine to get a can of soda. 🙂
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary from This Episode
Review useful words and expressions before listening again.
01 monolith
a large single upright block or structure.
02 remote
far away from towns or other people.
03 speculate
form ideas without having all the facts.
04 viral campaign
a promotion that spreads rapidly online.
05 artistic expression
a creative way of communicating an idea.
06 alien invasion
an imagined arrival of beings from another planet.
07 landmark
an important or easily recognized object or place.
08 affordable
not too expensive for someone to buy.
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