🗽 Learn English With News: Advanced English Vocabulary, Grammar, Pronunciation | Free English Lesson

Summary

In this interactive English lesson, Jennifer guides learners through an article about the reopening of the Statue of Liberty's crown after a two and a half year closure due to the pandemic. She highlights key vocabulary, grammar, and expressions, such as 'reopen,' 'up to speed,' and 'needless to say,' while explaining the importance of these terms in real-world contexts. The video not only educates on grammar but also provides cultural insights about visiting the Statue of Liberty. Jennifer encourages learners to engage and share feedback for future lessons.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation naturally through reading an article is an effective method.
• 😀 The Statue of Liberty's crown has reopened to the public after a two-and-a-half-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 When using 'two and a half year,' the word 'year' is singular because it functions as an adjective.
• 😀 The prefix 're' added to a verb indicates doing something again, such as 'reopen' or 'rewatch.'
• 😀 'Tad bit' is a natural way of saying 'a little bit.' For example, 'I was a tad late today.'
• 😀 'According to' can be used to refer to someone or something providing information, such as 'according to CNN.'
• 😀 'Alas' is an adverb used to express disappointment, often used in a somewhat outdated or formal tone.
• 😀 'To hire' means to give someone a job, and 'to get someone up to speed' means to provide them with the necessary information.
• 😀 'Shuttered' is a business-specific verb meaning to permanently close a business or operation.
• 😀 The expression 'worth it' is used to describe something that is valuable or rewarding, such as 'climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty.'

Q & A

What is the main topic of the article in the video?

The article discusses the reopening of the crown of the Statue of Liberty after a two-and-a-half-year closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why was the crown of the Statue of Liberty closed until now?

The crown of the Statue of Liberty was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a two-and-a-half-year closure.

What is the difference between using 'year' and 'years' in the phrase 'two and a half year closure'?

'Year' is used as an adjective here, describing the type of closure. Adjectives don’t have plurals, so 'year' is used instead of 'years'.

What does the prefix 're-' mean when added to a verb?

The prefix 're-' means to do something again. For example, 'reopen' means to open again, 'rewatch' means to watch again.

What is the meaning of the phrase 'a tad bit'?

'A tad bit' is a natural, informal expression meaning 'a little bit.' It can be used to describe something in a slightly reduced or minor way, such as 'I was a tad late today.'

What is the grammatical difference between 'since' and 'for' when talking about time?

'Since' is used with a specific point in time, such as a date or event (e.g., 'since March 2020'), while 'for' is used with a duration of time (e.g., 'for two years').

What does the expression 'According to someone or something' mean?

The expression means that the information is coming from a source. It can be used with both people (e.g., 'According to Brad') and organizations (e.g., 'According to CNN').

What does the phrase 'Needless to say' mean in the context of the script?

'Needless to say' means that something is so obvious or expected that it doesn’t need to be stated. For example, 'Needless to say, the extra workout to climb to the top is worth it.'

What does 'to get someone up to speed' mean?

'To get someone up to speed' means to give someone all the information they need to complete a task or understand a situation.

How does the expression 'worth it' work in the sentence 'Climbing to the top is worth it'?

'Worth it' is used to indicate that something is valuable enough to justify the effort or cost involved. In this case, climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty is considered worth the effort.