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.
It’s important to know when it’s time to call it quits. But for some bands, that can be a tough decision to make. Groups like the Rolling Stones have been around forever, or close to it. It seems like they might never break up.
But R.E.M. has chosen a different path. The band recently announced its decision to break up after more than 30 years together. There wasn’t a big falling out between any of the group members. They just decided that it was time to say goodbye. But are fans like Jeff and Devan ready to say goodbye to them?
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.
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Jeff: So I heard the other day that R.E.M. broke up. That’s pretty big. They’ve been a pretty successful band for around three decades.
Devan: Are you serious? R.E.M. broke up? They’ve been around my whole life. I thought they were gonna keep going until they were like 90.
Jeff: Yeah. I kinda respect it, you know? They didn’t really overstay their welcome. I mean, three decade…there’s a lot to be said about three decades of being a band, let alone a massively successful band.
Devan: But their last album was so good. I mean, I guess it makes sense to try to quit while you’re ahead though, right?
Jeff: Yeah. You don’t wanna, I don’t know, turn into the Rolling Stones. A bunch of 80 year old skeletons limping around on stage. It’s kind of embarrassing, if you ask me.
Devan: That’s a good point. Maybe it was time for R.E.M. to hang it up.
Jeff: Yep.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Simple Past Tense" from this lesson
Quizzes
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Discussion
Jeff tells Devan that R.E.M. broke up. Devan is shocked that a band she grew up with has decided to call it quits. She thought they would stay together forever. She is especially upset and surprised because she loved the band’s last album, Collapse into Now.
Jeff respects the fact that R.E.M. decided to quit while they were ahead. He thinks it’s better for bands to break up before they get too old and dull. Plus, R.E.M. was together for over 30 years. That’s long enough for Jeff.
Have you ever quit while you were ahead? How do you know when it is time to call it quits?
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