Unit 2b Favorite Performance

Real life: Choosing an event 1 Look at the ads. Which event would you most like to go to? 2 Which would you not like to go to?

Read these examples of people discussing the ads. Each one has a description using adverb+adjective. It sounds really interesting. Apparently, it's absolutely amazing. It looks pretty good. That comedian is absolutely hilarious. He's not very funny.

CHOOSING AN EVENT Suggestions and responses Do you feel like going out tonight? Do you want to go to the theater? Would you like to see a movie? Do you like the sound of that? Yeah, why not? Yes, sure. I like the sound of that. I don't really like him. I'm not in the mood for anything depressing. It doesn't really appeal to me. That sounds great. What's playing? Who's in it? What else is showing? Who's it by? Where/ When/What time is it at? What's it about?

Try making your own descriptive phrases with these adverbs and adjectives. The book was ... The play is... Our presentation will be... That ride was... The movie is... Bungee jumping is... The lecture will be ... Winning was... The date was... The waiter was... The performances were... Adverbs. Adjectives absolutely fascinating really terrific very spectacular incredibly thrilling completely terrible totally unforgettable so boring amazingly depressing pretty entertaining unbelievably disappointing

Word Stress Usage #2 also includes the word "pretty" Word Stress Usage #2: Add doubt to a statement by stressing the opinion word. pretty=to a large degree ✅ PRETTY=(with rising intonation) expresses doubt.❓ I'm pretty SURE I'll be going I'm PRETTY sure I'll be going It's pretty HARD to explain. It's PRETTY hard to explain? (Is it actually hard) I'm pretty SURE she is lying I'm PRETTY sure she is lying (but not enough to bet) The game was pretty GOOD. The game was PRETTY good. I'm pretty SURE I'll be going. I'm PRETTY sure I'll be going. (Not enough to be excited)

The first conversation I had after work today used our practice intonation. I asked my daughter, “how was your day?” She answered, “It was PRETTY(rising intonation) good.” So based on that intonation do you think she had a good day? Should I respond, “that’s great!” Or should I say, “Really? What happened?”

Reading practice: The Movie Director Baz Luhrmann is a director whose movies include Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and Australia. I have seen every one of his movies, and in my opinion, Luhrmann's work just gets better and better. He says that "putting on a show" has always come naturally to him and that Bollywood is his biggest influence. Although he is best-known as a movie director, Luhrmann has also directed opera. Consequently, his movies are usually exciting, energetic, and spectacular. They have had box office success despite being unusual: in Romeo + Juliet, the actors speak in verse; In Moulin Rouge!, they sing their lines. On the other hand, the epic Australia wasn't so popular with the critics. Nevertheless, as an ordinary movie fan, I thought it was absolutely fantastic. Luhrmann says the high point of his career has been "achieving so many of the dreams I had as a kid-from going to the Oscars to getting a letter from Marlon Brando." To me, his movies have the power of dreams. They take you into thrilling, unforgettable worlds.

One of My Favorite Actresses Park Eun Bin, who began her acting career at the age of five, is known for her skilful acting and embracing several challenging television roles throughout her career, including an autistic lawyer in Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) and a princess who had to disguise herself as a man in The King’s Affection (2021). She studied how to play the violin for “Do you like Brahams?”, and now, she has proven herself to be a talented singer. In her recent K-drama Castaway Diva, which is available on Netflix, Park gained attention by recording 11 songs for the 12-episode romance, where she plays Seo Mok-ha, an aspiring singer who ends up being stranded on a deserted island for 15 years. Park reportedly practiced singing for three hours a day over a period of six months in preparation for the series. She thanked the Castaway Diva producers and her fans for their unwavering support, writing: “Thanks to Mok-ha, I was able to record songs that I’ll treasure for a lifetime. As a token of my appreciation, I’m excited to present music that showcases a new side of me, beyond what I could convey through Mok-ha. It’s a gift from Park Eun-bin, and I hope it will be received with as much love as it was made.”

2. "throughout_her career" → /thru owdər/ (h often drops in his and her) 4. "disguise_herself" → /dɪsˈɡaɪz‿hərˈsɛlf/ 5. "available_on" → /əˈveɪləbl‿ɒn/ 8. "period_of" → /ˈpɪəriəd‿əv/ 9. "side_of" → /saɪd‿əv/ 11. "she_is" → /ʃi‿jɪz/ Sheyiz 12. "I_am" → /aɪ‿jam/ Iyam 13. "I was able" → /aɪ‿wəz‿ˈeɪbl/ Wazable 14. "be_able" (implied from “was able to”) → /biː‿jeɪbl/ Beyable 15. "you_are" (in “Do you like Brahms?” contextually) → /juː‿wɑː/ Youware

Taiko Master Taiko is an ancient Japanese art form that brings together sound, body, and mind. Over 2,000 years ago, Japanese warriors used drums not only to communicate across distances and mark village boundaries, but also to intimidate their enemies with powerful rhythms. The deep, resonating beat of the taiko drum has long held cultural significance, symbolizing strength, unity, and community. Though the sound faded for a time, taiko has now returned with full force, spreading its energy far beyond Japan. The heart of taiko lies not just in drumming, but in the connection between drummers. The essence of taiko is the unity of the performers — each beat is synchronized with powerful movements and a shared focus of mind. This tradition has evolved in places like San Francisco, where modern style has added choreography to performances, turning them into a full-body expression of rhythm and spirit. A taiko master performs not with hands alone, but with their entire being, channeling emotion and discipline through every motion. Practicing taiko requires great physical and mental strength. Drummers must often push through pain and tiredness to master the demanding routines. Yet, the energy that flows through a taiko performance is unmatched. Seiichi Tanaka, a taiko pioneer in North America, has helped bring the excitement of this tradition to new audiences. Through his efforts, many people now experience the beauty and power of taiko — an art that continues to inspire and unite through the beat of a drum.

True/False Questions: 1. True or False: Japanese warriors used taiko drums to scare their enemies. 2. True or False: Taiko is only about making loud sounds with drums. 3. True or False: In San Francisco, taiko drumming now includes movement and choreography. 4. True or False: Seiichi Tanaka introduced taiko to European audiences.

Linked Speech Lesson: Connecting Vowel Sounds In natural spoken English, we often connect words together. When one word ends in a vowel sound and the next begins with a vowel sound, we may insert a slight /w/, or /j/(y), sound to link them. This makes speech smoother. It is not necessary to speak this way to be understood, but learning about length speech can help with listening to native speakers and understanding more easily. --- Examples from the Article "Taiko Master": 1. Taiko is an ancient art form. Link: Taikowis Explanation: A /w/ sound links the vowel sounds "o" and "i." 2. Energy and excitement... Link: Energyyand /j/ sound links the "y" sound from "energy" to "and." 3. The unity of the performers... Link: unityyof /j/ sound links "y" in "unity" to the "o" in "of." 4. Drummers amongst each other... Link: amongstteach A /t/ sound helps link these words (though not vowel to vowel, it's still a good example of connected speech). Practice Activity: Say These Sentences Smoothly **Try reading the following aloud, linking the vowel-ending word with the vowel-beginning word: Taiko is an amazing tradition. He is a talented drummer. The energy and emotion were powerful. Unity of the group is essential.

Linked speech practice: "Did you" often sounds like "didju" "Don't you" sounds like "donchu" This helps native speakers speak faster and more smoothly. Sound Changes to Focus On: Combination Becomes Sound d + y /dʒ/ like "j" in "jam" t + y /tʃ/ like "ch" in "chop" --- Examples from the Article: 1. Did you know taiko is over 2,000 years old? Linked: Didju know taiko... 2. Taiko drummers don’t usually give up easily. Linked: Don’tchusually give up... 3. Would you like to try playing taiko? Linked: Wouldju like to try... Practice: 1. Listen and Repeat Did you → Didju Don't you → Donchu Would you → Wouldju Donchu → Don't you Didju → Did you Wouldju → Would you 3. Sentence Practice (Say Both Ways): Practice the sentence first slowly and clearly, then with linked speech: Did you enjoy the performance? → Didju enjoy the performance? Don't you think it's powerful? → Donchu think it's powerful? Would you like to try? → Wouldju like to try?

Intonation Lesson: Expressing Meaning Through Tone Common Intonation Patterns: 1. Falling intonation – Used for statements and commands. Example: "Taiko is an ancient Japanese art form." (Your voice falls at the end.) 2. Rising intonation – Used for yes/no questions or when showing surprise. Example: "Is taiko only about drumming?" 3. Rise-Fall intonation – Used for strong feelings or emphasis. Example: "Taiko is not just drumming — it's a way of life!" Practice Using Sentences from the Article: "Taiko is an ancient Japanese art form." (Falling) "The essence of taiko is the unity of the performers." (Falling) "Taiko drummers sometimes have to play through PAIN and tiredness." (Falling with slight emphasis) "Is taiko popular in San Francisco?" (Rising) "Taiko is not just a performance, but a way of life!" (Rise-Fall for emphasis)