Learn the Zero Conditional

Intro

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

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• raw
• break someone's heart
• trample on
• heartfelt

• make or break
• scandalous
• soul
• sultry

• accessible
• dull

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

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In those long, long ago days before MTV, a singer’s voice was what would make or break her. But now there’s more to becoming a famous singer than just how well you can sing. You also have to be sexy, stylish, beautiful…and it doesn’t hurt to have a crazy past or a scandalous personal life, too.

The British soul singer Adele is like an artist from an earlier time. She may be sultry and beautiful, but it’s her voice that millions of fans are most attracted to. Hear Marni and Amy talk about this pop star with soul.

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.

Marni

Amy

Marni:  I was just listening to the new Adele album, are you a fan of hers at all, or do you know who she is?

Amy:  I know who she is. I don’t know, I find her kind of A-dull.

Marni:  Oh, so clever. Why do you find her dull? I think that’s interesting, ‘cause I think she’s got a really sultry, powerful voice. I’m excited about her.

Amy:  I don’t know, I mean, when I think of someone who’s doing kind of that soul era sound, to me, it has to come from a more sort of raw, emotional place. And she just seems a little too in control to be a real, a true soul singer.

Marni:  That’s kind of interesting. You know, I think she wrote a lot of songs about her ex-boyfriend. Clearly that was a relationship that really broke her heart. I think if you have that element in place, if your heart was really taken out and trampled on, you sort of have the makings of good heartfelt songs.

Amy:  It definitely makes her, you know, one of us. We all have that kind of experience, so it makes her music pretty accessible. But you don’t find it cliche at all, the heartbreak song?

Marni:  Oh, a good heartbreak song is timeless. I really think she’s got a good voice, I think there’s something to her.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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