Michael Jackson, R.I.P.

Intro

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

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• second wind
• low point
• plastic surgery
• nose job

• pop
• of all time
• pass on
• sexual abuse

• last hurah
• comeback

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

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Michael Jackson was truly “The King of Pop.” He was officially the most successful entertainer of all time. He died last week. He was only 50 years old.

As soon as the news came out that Jackson had passed on, people began playing his music everywhere. Jackson’s pop songs could be heard coming from every car and every storefront. Some radio stations played nothing but Michael Jackson for the rest of the day. Even though Jackson has had health issues for a long time (you might notice in recent photos his skin is pale, not the brown color he was born with), people were surprised he died so young.

Though he hadn’t made an album since 2001 and had battled accusations of sexual abuse of children for many years, Jackson had planned to return to performing soon. Listen to Jason and Devan talk on the phone the day after Jackson’s death.

Dialog

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

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

Devan

Jason

Devan:  Hey, how’s it going?

Jason:  Uh, good. What are you up to tonight?

Devan:  Oh, I’m on my way to go get a drink at the bar because I’m so sad.

Jason:  About what? What happened to you?

Devan:  Michael Jackson died!

Jason:  Oh, that.

Devan:  What do you mean, “Oh that”?

Jason:  Well, like, Michael Jackson, the one that I love, was kind of already dead, you know what I mean?

Devan:  But he was about to make this huge comeback. He had 50 concerts scheduled in London and he was going to redeem his crown as “The King of Pop” again. I feel like he still had a second wind in him.

Jason:  Yeah, it’s true. It’s pretty sad that his life had to end at such a low point, $400 million in debt…

Devan:  But I think he could have gotten it back again. He was such a talented guy. And for all of his troubles and all the weird plastic surgery and scandal and everything else, I think his talent conquered all and his music, that’s something that’s going to be played forever. I think our grandchildren will be dancing to Thriller.

Jason:  I don’t know. Have you heard the reports that he was skin and bones when he died? That’s not really something a nose job can fix.

Devan:  Yeah, that’s true. Maybe it’s best that he died with the belief that he was going to make a big comeback without trying and failing. That probably would have been worse.

Jason:  Oh wow, I hadn’t even thought of that. But the best thing would have been if he could have done those shows in London.

Devan:  Yeah, his last hurrah. It’s a shame. Anyway, if you want to come get a drink with us and have a toast to Michael, you should.

Jason:  OK, let’s do it. “Don’t stop till you get enough.”

Devan:  OK.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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