A vakációnak talán senki nem örül annyira, mint az érettségizők, akik fellélegezhetnek és a tételek helyett a jó időre, haverokra, filmekre koncentrálhatnak. Bár nálunk még nem dívik az évfolyamelső búcsúbeszéde, azért nem árt egy pár dögös kifejezést lenyúlni kedvenc gimis filmjeinkből arra az esetre, ha a szeptember egy külföldi egyetemen lelne bennünket.

Legújabb leckénkben megmutatjuk, milyen is a bizonyítványosztás egy igazi, amerikai középiskolában. Mindebben pedig olyan filmek segítenek, mint a Doktor Szöszi vagy az Alkonyat – Napfogyatkozás és a Gilmore Girls.

I think there’s no doubt that every year those who most look forward to the beginning of the summer holiday are the school leavers. As soon as they finish the oral exams they can concentrate their energies on more important matters such as friends, parties and movies. Although in Hungary not too many schools have the tradition of valedictorian speeches, it’s high time for us to steal some of the cool phrases just in case some of us end up at a university abroad next fall.

Level: beginner - elementary
Szint: Kezdő-újrakezdő
Area of development: vocabulary - jobs

Jessica from Eclipse is giving her valedictorian speech

1. Unjumble the words to get the name of 14 jobs

• aratntosu
• orrs takc
• cbywoo
• octdor
• l dodialtgsem
• yearwl
• renus
• oiepco ilfcefr
• nietseprd
• inrpssec
• psnsaisto aths
• etndust
• etcaehr
• iawrte

Solution:

astronaut, cowboy, doctor, gold medalist, lawyer, nurse, police officer, president, princess, rock star, shop assistant, student, teacher, waiter

2. Now watch the clip. Which jobs does Jessica say in her speech?

_________, _________, _________, _________, _________, _________

Solution:

astronaut, president, princess, rock star, cowboy, gold medalist

3. Where do these people work? Match the jobs with the workplaces

Solution:

A-j, B-a, C-d, D-c, E-d, F-e, G-i, H-k, I-h, J-g, K-f, L-f, M-b

Level: Intermediate
Szint: haladó
Area of development: vocabulary – character adjectives

1. Watch the clip. Who do these adjectives describe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrrlaC4w7B0

dazzling, competitive, modest, decent, generous, hard-working, eccentric, full of love, kind, humble

Emily and Richard	Rory	Lorelei
______________ ______________ ______________	______________ ______________ ______________ ______________	______________

Solution:

Emily and Richard: kind, decent, generous
Rory: modest, humble, hard-working, competitive
Lorelei: dazzling

2. Choose the word that matches the definition.

1. characterized by hard work and perseverance
    1. kind
    2. hard-working
    3. dazzling
    4. decent

2. affectionate
    1. generous
    2. humble
    3. full of love
    4. competitive

3. not proud; modest
    1. humble
    2. modest
    3. decent
    4. kind

4. amazingly impressive
    1. decent
    2. humble
    3. kind
    4. dazzling

5. good and fair
    1. decent
    2. kind
    3. modest
    4. eccentric

6. tries hard to win or be the best
    1. decent
    2. modest
    3. competitive
    4. humble

7. happy to share with others
    1. kind
    2. decent
    3. eccentric
    4. generous

8. odd; unusual; quirky
    1. decent
    2. modest
    3. generous
    4. eccentric

9. having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature
    1. kind
    2. modest
    3. humble
    4. decent

10. not vain; humble
    1. kind
    2. modest
    3. humble
    4. decent

Solution:

1.: 2, 2.: 3, 3.: 1, 4.: 4, 5.: 1, 6.: 3, 7.: 4, 8.: 4, 9.: 1, 10.: 2

Level: Upper-Intermediate
Szint: felsőhaladó
Area of development: Vocabulary – prepositional phrases

1. Watch Elle’s valedictorian speech. What is her most important message?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyvDW1rinfs

a) The ability to quote Aristotle is an essential skill for lawyers.
b) Due to the fact that first impressions are almost always correct, people should have faith in their hunches.
c) It is of utmost importance that you believe in yourself and your fellow human beings.

Solution:

c

2. Match the verbs with the prepositions. Then fill in the gaps. Don’t forget to change the grammar where it’s necessary.

a) I am, personally, very _________________introduce this year's class-elected speaker.
b) After _______________a quite interesting start here at Harvard, she graduates today with an invitation to join one of Boston's most prestigious law firms.
c) I am sure we are going __________________her.
d) Well, _______________ Aristotle, but in my three years at Harvard I have come to find that passion is a _________________ the study and practice of law -- and of life.
e) You must always _______________ people.

Solution:

Check your answers by watching the film excerpt again.