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Questions and Answers
What was the main focus of Patricia Dennis's 40-page thesis?
What was the main focus of Patricia Dennis's 40-page thesis?
What is one of Patricia Dennis's hobbies outside of her research?
What is one of Patricia Dennis's hobbies outside of her research?
How does Patricia feel about the expectations set by others regarding her behavior and abilities?
How does Patricia feel about the expectations set by others regarding her behavior and abilities?
What future plans does Patricia have regarding her research on the cerebellum?
What future plans does Patricia have regarding her research on the cerebellum?
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What was the purpose of the speaking guide mentioned in the content?
What was the purpose of the speaking guide mentioned in the content?
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What does the expression 'to break something to someone' imply?
What does the expression 'to break something to someone' imply?
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How is 'would you' commonly pronounced in natural speech?
How is 'would you' commonly pronounced in natural speech?
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What does the phrase 'cut it out' mean in a conversation?
What does the phrase 'cut it out' mean in a conversation?
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What does 'to kick something up a notch' suggest?
What does 'to kick something up a notch' suggest?
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When someone is told 'don't let him get to you', what is being advised?
When someone is told 'don't let him get to you', what is being advised?
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In the phrase 'you got to', how is it commonly contracted in speech?
In the phrase 'you got to', how is it commonly contracted in speech?
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What does the term 'get to you' refer to in a negative context?
What does the term 'get to you' refer to in a negative context?
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What occurs to the pronunciation of 'him' in fast speech?
What occurs to the pronunciation of 'him' in fast speech?
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How is the expression 'you got to kick it up a notch' usually used?
How is the expression 'you got to kick it up a notch' usually used?
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What change occurs to the pronunciation of 'not' in fast speech when combined with 'which'?
What change occurs to the pronunciation of 'not' in fast speech when combined with 'which'?
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In the phrase 'cut it out', what does the word 'cut' refer to?
In the phrase 'cut it out', what does the word 'cut' refer to?
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How often is the sound 't' pronounced distinctly in American English when found between vowels?
How often is the sound 't' pronounced distinctly in American English when found between vowels?
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What does the expression 'you can dish it out but you can't take it' imply?
What does the expression 'you can dish it out but you can't take it' imply?
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What does the phrase 'what are you looking at?' exemplify in terms of pronunciation?
What does the phrase 'what are you looking at?' exemplify in terms of pronunciation?
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What is the meaning of the phrasal verb 'to muddle through'?
What is the meaning of the phrasal verb 'to muddle through'?
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How many times is the phrase 'you got to kick it up a notch' repeated?
How many times is the phrase 'you got to kick it up a notch' repeated?
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Which sentence best illustrates the use of 'to nerd out'?
Which sentence best illustrates the use of 'to nerd out'?
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What is the purpose of the listening exercises mentioned?
What is the purpose of the listening exercises mentioned?
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Who is the audience for the training program mentioned?
Who is the audience for the training program mentioned?
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What are students encouraged to do after listening exercises?
What are students encouraged to do after listening exercises?
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What is a likely outcome of practicing with native speakers?
What is a likely outcome of practicing with native speakers?
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In what context is the phrase 'cut it out' used?
In what context is the phrase 'cut it out' used?
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What does the phrase 'whatever she dishes out' refer to?
What does the phrase 'whatever she dishes out' refer to?
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Which of the following best describes the phrase 'looking at' in the content?
Which of the following best describes the phrase 'looking at' in the content?
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What is the goal of combining expressions and idioms into vocabulary?
What is the goal of combining expressions and idioms into vocabulary?
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What does 'to dish out' mean in the context given?
What does 'to dish out' mean in the context given?
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What does the phrasal verb 'stick around' mean?
What does the phrasal verb 'stick around' mean?
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In the context of washing up, what is primarily meant by 'wash up'?
In the context of washing up, what is primarily meant by 'wash up'?
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What does 'lock up' imply in a household context?
What does 'lock up' imply in a household context?
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What is meant by 'yammering on'?
What is meant by 'yammering on'?
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The phrase 'mouthing off' usually describes what behavior?
The phrase 'mouthing off' usually describes what behavior?
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What does 'maxed out' refer to in finance?
What does 'maxed out' refer to in finance?
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When someone says they are 'loading up on carbs', what does it mean?
When someone says they are 'loading up on carbs', what does it mean?
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Why is it suggested to 'wash up' before dinner?
Why is it suggested to 'wash up' before dinner?
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What would likely involve 'locking up' in a workplace?
What would likely involve 'locking up' in a workplace?
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Who typically 'maxes out' a credit card?
Who typically 'maxes out' a credit card?
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What might signify that a person is 'mouthing off'?
What might signify that a person is 'mouthing off'?
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Which of the following is an example of 'sticking around'?
Which of the following is an example of 'sticking around'?
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What could be a reason to 'load up on' certain items?
What could be a reason to 'load up on' certain items?
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Why might someone advise to 'lock up' before bed?
Why might someone advise to 'lock up' before bed?
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What is emphasized by the term 'ever' in the phrase 'youngest ever University graduate'?
What is emphasized by the term 'ever' in the phrase 'youngest ever University graduate'?
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Why is there no 's' in '12-year-old' when describing the girl?
Why is there no 's' in '12-year-old' when describing the girl?
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What type of degree is the girl pursuing?
What type of degree is the girl pursuing?
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Which statement is incorrect regarding the usage of 'years' in age expression?
Which statement is incorrect regarding the usage of 'years' in age expression?
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What does the term 'peers' refer to in the context of the girl?
What does the term 'peers' refer to in the context of the girl?
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Which term describes a break for children during school hours?
Which term describes a break for children during school hours?
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At what age did the girl start her university program?
At what age did the girl start her university program?
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What is the meaning of 'pre-teen' in this context?
What is the meaning of 'pre-teen' in this context?
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Why might the girl be considered a 'child prodigy'?
Why might the girl be considered a 'child prodigy'?
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How does the phrase 'she is not your typical 12-year-old' function in the sentence?
How does the phrase 'she is not your typical 12-year-old' function in the sentence?
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Which of the following statements is true?
Which of the following statements is true?
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What does 'recess' typically allow children to do?
What does 'recess' typically allow children to do?
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Which of the following describes a challenge faced by the girl?
Which of the following describes a challenge faced by the girl?
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What is the meaning of 'preconceived notions' as described in relation to Patricia Dennis's experience?
What is the meaning of 'preconceived notions' as described in relation to Patricia Dennis's experience?
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How did Patricia Dennis react emotionally to the expectations placed on her by her peers?
How did Patricia Dennis react emotionally to the expectations placed on her by her peers?
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What was the highlight of Patricia Dennis's university career?
What was the highlight of Patricia Dennis's university career?
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What topic did Patricia Dennis's thesis address?
What topic did Patricia Dennis's thesis address?
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What can bring someone's emotions down according to the discussion?
What can bring someone's emotions down according to the discussion?
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What does the term 'highlight' refer to in the context of Patricia Dennis's university experience?
What does the term 'highlight' refer to in the context of Patricia Dennis's university experience?
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What is a key emotional challenge faced by young gifted students like Patricia Dennis?
What is a key emotional challenge faced by young gifted students like Patricia Dennis?
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What is implied about the perception of Patricia Dennis by older university students?
What is implied about the perception of Patricia Dennis by older university students?
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What aspect of her thesis concluded that differences exist between right-handed and left-handed individuals?
What aspect of her thesis concluded that differences exist between right-handed and left-handed individuals?
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What emotional effect might a grammar mistake have on a student, as related to the discussion?
What emotional effect might a grammar mistake have on a student, as related to the discussion?
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What is the cerebellum primarily associated with?
What is the cerebellum primarily associated with?
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What age is considered the transition from pre-teen to teenager?
What age is considered the transition from pre-teen to teenager?
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What is a common challenge for non-native speakers mentioned in relation to preconceived notions?
What is a common challenge for non-native speakers mentioned in relation to preconceived notions?
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What does the term 'binge watch' refer to?
What does the term 'binge watch' refer to?
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Which sentence best reflects the structure shared for expressing highlights of experiences?
Which sentence best reflects the structure shared for expressing highlights of experiences?
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What is the correct expression to indicate a personal interest in a topic?
What is the correct expression to indicate a personal interest in a topic?
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What does the phrase 'pick it back up' mean in this context?
What does the phrase 'pick it back up' mean in this context?
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Which age did Patricia Dennis begin her university program?
Which age did Patricia Dennis begin her university program?
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At what age is Patricia Dennis set to graduate from university?
At what age is Patricia Dennis set to graduate from university?
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What is Patricia Dennis studying for her bachelor's degree?
What is Patricia Dennis studying for her bachelor's degree?
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What does being 'in charge' imply?
What does being 'in charge' imply?
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Which of these terms best describes Patricia Dennis?
Which of these terms best describes Patricia Dennis?
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What does the word 'probably' indicate about certainty?
What does the word 'probably' indicate about certainty?
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Which activity does Patricia Dennis enjoy besides her academic pursuits?
Which activity does Patricia Dennis enjoy besides her academic pursuits?
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What is the age when most of Patricia's peers were still playing games?
What is the age when most of Patricia's peers were still playing games?
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What might students mistakenly say when using 'to be interested in'?
What might students mistakenly say when using 'to be interested in'?
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What kind of challenges has Patricia Dennis faced as a pre-teen in university?
What kind of challenges has Patricia Dennis faced as a pre-teen in university?
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Study Notes
Learning English with Real Speech
- The traditional method of learning English by memorizing word lists and definitions is not effective for daily communication.
- Learning full phrases and expressions used in real speech, like news articles, stories, and movies, is a better approach.
- In this lesson, we'll practice listening to real speech and learn natural expressions used in everyday conversations.
Pronunciation Changes
- Sounds like "did you" and "would you" are commonly pronounced as "didja" and "wouldja".
- The sound "him" often becomes "m" when used in a phrase or sentence.
- Words with "t" between vowels are often pronounced with a soft "d": "cut it out."
Common Expressions
- "Break it to someone" is used to share bad news with someone.
- "Cut it out" means to stop something annoying or frustrating.
- "Kick it up a notch" encourages someone to perform better or work harder.
- "Don't let them get to you" means to avoid becoming angry or frustrated by someone's behavior.
- "What are you looking at?" is a simple sentence often used in a confrontational way.
Phrasal Verbs
- "Dish out" means to criticize someone.
- "Muddling through" describes doing something accidentally without a specific plan.
- "Nerd out" is to discuss a topic in great detail.
- "Stick around" means to stay in a place for a period of time.
- "Wash up" signifies cleaning your hands and/or face.
- "Lock up" means to securely close windows, doors, and entrances.
- "Yammner on" describes talking continuously in an annoying way.
- "Mouth off" indicates speaking to someone disrespectfully or angrily.
- "Max out" means reaching a limit.
- "Load up on" signifies consuming or purchasing a large amount of something for a specific purpose.
Understanding Real Speech
- Learning real speech in context is essential to understanding various accents and regional variations.
- Native speakers often use contractions, slang, and informal language, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.
- By practicing with real audio and video materials, students can improve their listening comprehension and familiarity with spoken English.
Young University Graduate
- A 12-year-old girl from Ottawa, Canada, is making history as the youngest ever University graduate.
- The girl, AO Grace Patricia Dennis, is a child prodigy with extraordinary academic abilities.
- Her achievement highlights the potential of young people to succeed in challenging academic endeavors.
Patricia Dennis's University Journey
- Patricia Dennis is a 12-year-old girl from Ottawa, Canada
- She has a bachelor's degree in biomedical science
- She started her university program at the age of nine
- Patricia is a child prodigy
- Patricia has dealt with preconceived notions about her due to her age and academic achievements
- Patricia advises young people to ignore others' expectations and pursue their goals
- She completed a 40-page thesis on the relationship between handedness and cerebellum function
- Patricia concluded that brain-hand connectivity differs between right-handed and left-handed individuals.
- She is a violinist and enjoys spending time with her cats and binge-watching TV shows
Preconceived Notions
- Preconceived notions are opinions or ideas formed without sufficient thought or knowledge.
- They are often based on stereotypes or assumptions.
- They can be a barrier to progress and understanding.
Binge Watching
- Binge watching means watching multiple episodes of a TV show consecutively.
- It is common in today's society, where streaming services make it easy to access entire seasons of shows.
To Be Interested In
- "To be interested in" is a common English expression meaning to find something appealing or engaging.
- It is always followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing).
- The verb "to be" can be in the present tense (am, is, are) or past tense (was, were).
Examples
- I am interested in learning more about the cerebellum.
- She was interested in helping others.
Pick it Back Up
- "Pick it back up" means to resume an activity after a break.
- It is usually used for activities, sports, hobbies, or research interests.
- It implies that the activity was previously done and will now be done again.
Examples:
- I'm going to pick up my guitar playing again after a long break.
- She picked up her research project again after taking a year off for personal reasons.
To Be In Charge
- "To be in charge" means to be responsible for something or someone.
- It implies that someone is in control and has the authority to make decisions.
- Example: The manager is in charge of the team's performance.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
This quiz focuses on effective English learning methods that utilize real speech and common expressions. Explore how phrases from news articles, stories, and movies can enhance daily communication. Additionally, learn about pronunciation changes and common idiomatic expressions to improve your conversational skills.