Lesson 42: Rumors
16May
DIALOGUE
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: rumors. First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Emily and Devin are talking about rumors and gossip.
Emily: Devin, have you heard the rumor about Gar?
Devin: No, who is spreading rumors about Gar?
Emily: I don’t know, but the hearsay is that he’s leaving ABC for another company.
Devin: Hmmm, the rumor mill is normally a bad thing. Sometimes people have big mouths.
Emily: I don’t like when people talk behind your back!
Devin: I think people are just jealous and that’s why they spread rumors.
Emily: I agree. I wish people would tell the truth.
Devin: Me too! Lies can be hurtful.
Emily: If people only knew how bad rumors can be, they would not spread them.
Devin: I don’t think gossip will ever stop.
VOCABULARY
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
have you heard | (phrase) a question used to introduce news or rumors
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spreading rumors | (phrase) when people start talking about another person; usually not true
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hearsay | (n) something heard from another person; usually not true (synonym of rumor)
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rumor mill | (n) the process of how information about someone is spread from one person or group to othersThe rumor mill says that Apple is introducing a new iPhone. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
big mouth (mouths) | (n) someone who says things that are meant to be secret or are only rumors
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behind your back | (idiom) the act of talking about someone without them being present
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jealous | (adj) unhappy and angry because someone has something you want
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truth | (n) a fact or belief that is accepted as being trueTell me the truth. Did you eat my chocolate? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
lies | (n – plural) a false or untrue statement about someone or somethingMy best friend is telling lies about me cheating on my wife. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gossip | (n) information about the lives of other people; not always true (synonym of rumor)Have you heard the latest gossip about one of our co-workers? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EXERCISE
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the sample answers to come up with your own answer.
- Is there a rumor mill at your work or school?
- There are always rumors about someone going around.
- On occasion, I hear something from the rumor mill.
- Your answer:
- Have you ever talked about someone behind their back?
- Once in awhile, I talk about a co-worker with my wife.
- I don’t like to talk about people behind their back, but sometimes I do.
- Your answer:
- Do you know someone with a big mouth?
- One of my friends always has a big mouth. He’s can’t keep a secret.
- Sometimes I have a big mouth and let out information I shouldn’t.
- Your answer:
- Why do people spread rumors?
- I think it’s human nature.
- Some people just like to talk bad about others before they know the truth.
- Your answer:
- Is being jealous a good or bad thing?
- I think being jealous can be a good or bad thing.
- Being jealous can lead to problems with relationships with family and friends.
- Your answer:
CONVERSATION
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.
- Why do people spread rumors about other people?
- Tell me about a time when a rumor was spread about you.
- Why do people lie?
- Have you ever told a lie about someone else? If yes, describe the lie.
- In your opinion, are lies hurtful?
WRAP-UP
Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.
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