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The Holiday

Date: Jul 18 2007

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

As fun as it is, traveling can be really expensive. Wouldn’t it be great if you could see the world without having to pay for hotels? In the movie The Holiday, the characters find each other on the Internet and stay in each other’s homes for a month. Amanda asks Kevin if the service the characters use exists in real life.

Kevin tells her it is real, and he’s right. Listen to Kevin and Amanda talk about traveling and the international home exchange.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Kevin

Amanda

Kevin: So tonight, I’m going on a date. This good friend of mine is setting me up with someone. We’re gonna go to a movie, which kind of seems inappropriate because we haven’t met before. Any suggests for, like, a good date movie?

Amanda: You know, it’s no longer in the theaters, but it’s a solid DVD, and that way, since you’re at home, you can get to know each other and talk, you know, you can’t do that in the theater, right? So, The Holiday...why are you laughing? You’re thinking about the blanket on the couch thing?

Kevin: Guess it depends on what you’re doing, but yes, you can get to know each other. So the movie…

Amanda: Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black.

Kevin: Okay.

Amanda: Romantic comedy. But I wanted to ask you this. In the movie they do a home exchange where online you can find someone anywhere else in the world who’s willing to exchange their home and their life, but I don’t know if that really exists.

Kevin: Well, I’ve heard about the home thing, I don’t know if the life thing really exists.

Amanda: Home, car, job, if you want, friends.

Kevin: Oh…

Amanda: Is that a kind of a film fantasy thing or…

Kevin: I know that the home-car thing is real.

Amanda: Really?

Kevin: Yes. I know people who’ve done it.

Amanda: Would you consider doing that?

Kevin: Oh sure.

Amanda: Really? For what amount of time? I mean it was a month and I just thought…

Kevin: People that I know who have done it, have typically done it for like a month. Like, Portland and Paris kind of thing.

Amanda: And you would feel comfortable with someone in your home, your car…

Kevin: Sure.

Amanda: ...your dog…

Kevin: I don’t have one.

Amanda: Huh.

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Discussion

One of Kevin’s friends is setting him up for a date and he asks Amanda if she knows any good movies to go see on a first date. She suggests that they rent a movie so that they can talk a little bit and get to know each other. Kevin starts laughing because he thinks Amanda is implying something naughty. She asks if he’s laughing about “the blanket on the couch thing.” It’s not really clear what she has in mind exactly, but it’s clear that your parents wouldn’t approve.

The movie Amanda suggests that Kevin rent is The Holiday. It’s based on a home exchange program where people trade houses, and even their friends and jobs for a month. Kevin says he’s not sure about the jobs and friends part, but that he knows people who have traded homes for a little while.

Amanda seems uncomfortable with the idea of a home exchange, but Kevin sounds like he’d like to try one. Would lend your house and car out to someone in exchange for theirs?

Comments

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julito

Argentina

I don`t know about trading house, car and jobs for a month, but what about swingers,

aren´t they trading wife or husband for a while ?

chucha

Thailand

oh sound interesting

anniebananie

Moldova, Republic Of

Oh, I guess now, I have to watch this movie, sounds like fun =))

studenttimes

China

There's only one reason I began to see the movie, and there's another only one reason I went on with it.

Cameron Diaz is the type of Hollywood star I like, so I began watching the movie. I was watching, and I saw Jude Law – really cute! So I can't help it, and I had to go on with it till the end. Handsome figure, sexual eyes, naughty smiles… – that's Jude Law. I love him!!

abril sofia

Colombia

That movie is such a great movie, I love the role played by jude law, i think he was the best there !!and about changing homes… I can do it!!

lydianec

Brazil

I’m watched this movie yesterday! It’s so great!It’s a romantic movie for all ages and a good idea for a travel.

A lover of Ebaby

South Korea

What a interesting idea!

Lidia_partner

Brazil

Huh fantasy and crazy thing… Never heard anything like this before

michaell

Syrian Arab Republic

i think that is good idea

michaell

Syrian Arab Republic

oh that is good

Mao Diaz

Colombia

I agree with you. I hope do that, unlees one time in the life.

priceless

Qatar

it's very nice idea to have the experience of home exchange. in the middle east, i think it diffecult to be happened.

sendia

China

seems that some people have seem this film,i can feel free atmosphere here,hehe,maybe i should to see this movie too.

duongans

Viet Nam

hi Ha

arif ali

Turkey

That's interesting a movie. greating players and ideas.No longer I can exchange homes,but have a small problem.I stay at rent home.

pthuha85

Viet Nam

I love this movie.It is a very romantic story. I wish I would have such a beautiful moment in my life like Amanda had. Exchanging house for someone else is a great idea when you want to change something…

bokus21

Azerbaijan

I have seen this movie & really liked it. It's very pleasant romantic story about people who need company of different people & some changes in their lives.If I had a chance I would like to exchange "my life", my house with someone else from other country.