English, baby!

简体

Fun

How to Form Contractions and Abbreviations

Date: Jul 11 2012

Themes: Music, Party

Grammar: Contractions and Abbreviations

Go Super!

Intro

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

Go Super to Listen

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

Go Super to Listen

Rock n’ roll has always been young people’s music. Since the days of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, it’s been all about energy and rebellion. People in the music industry know, if you want your record to top the charts, it has to appeal to the young.

That may be why the New York band Fun’s song “We Are Young” has been such a hit. Even though the song appeals to people in their teens and twenties, the lead singer of the band is 30 years old. Is 30 the new 20? Or is the band Fun just young at heart? Find out what Jason and Jeff think.

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.

Jason

Jeff

Jason: It’s pretty rare that I actually am really into the number one song in the country.

Jeff: What is that? I don’t listen to the radio.

Jason: Well, it may still be, it recently was “We Are Young” by Fun.

Jeff: Fun, huh? What is it?

Jason: They are a new band from New York. Sort of a dance indie rock kind of thing. But it really reminds me of Queen, the vocals.

Jeff: He’s got some pipes, huh?

Jason: Yeah. But it’s funny, the song, do you know it? It’s about being young, basically.

Jeff: I remember those days.

Jason: It’s funny because the lead singer is 30 years old. And that’s not old, but I don’t feel like I am the youth anymore, and I’m 28.

Jeff: Well, I’m 30 and I feel old.

Jason: Yeah! You’ve gotta admire him. I guess he sang that song to a record executive in a hotel room, and convinced him to sign him, so he’s got a lot of ambition.

Jeff: Yeah. That takes guts.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Contractions and Abbreviations" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen

Jason tells Jeff about the indie rock band Fun. They have a hit song called “We Are Young.” Jason likes the band and thinks the lead singer has some great pipes.

“We Are Young” is a song about how great it is to be young. Jason points out that the lead singer of Fun is 30 years old. Even though he sings about being young, he isn’t exactly young himself.

Jeff thinks the lead singer of Fun must have guts. He sang “We Are Young” to a music executive and convinced him to give him a record deal. The executive must have known that Fun would appeal to young people.

What do you think is the best part about being young? What is the worst part about being young?

Comments

< Previous
21 through 33 of 33
1 2

Ngubo Sixtus

South Africa

yes indie rock is a nice dance for the young but if you are a singer it is take time to giveup singing because sometime that what you feel in the heart. if you are between 15 and 25 you are still young.and another thing if you like that type of music you carry on with it because you like that type of music.

The Last Joke

Yemen

Ryo : why ? just tell me the reason ? why you are so different from others people ?

The Last Joke

Yemen

Joy :They can have the joy of seeing their children and grandchildren making progress in life or growing up around them. Moreover, if in their past lives they had great contributions to society, to their fatherland they would be remembered for ever and ever by the generations to come.

Joy : i let you to sleep ? i have to pray al-fjer ? have a sweet dreams !

Joy900

Japan

Baset : you know , after many years of hard work, when reaching their old age, the old man accumulated lots of experiences which will be valuable treasure for their future generations. They are now entitled to the pride in what they have bequeathed to their children.

The Last Joke

Yemen

Joy : it’s very right !The old age has been always considered as the worst age to be, but it is not necessary for the old to be unhappy.

Joy900

Japan

Baset : it’s right , then they grow up, they completely get rid of strict regulations and rules from their parents and schools but they have to work for their food, their clothes and their lodging. Now they must have responsibility towards their families and society.

Baset : i think the old age is the worst age to be ? right !

The Last Joke

Yemen

Joy : i’m sorry ! i can’t stop chewing Qat !

Joy : the pains in childhood , They are not allowed to do whatever they wish. If they do something wrong they will be punished. Therefore they are not quite happy.

Hey Ryo : you have been born as much anyone as born( can ) ! you lived your life !

Joy900

Japan

Baset : Are you crazy ? you are chewing Qat right now !! the time in sana’a 4:00 am !!! just stop chewng right now !!

Baset : that is true ! But childhood has its pains too ! Can you tell me what is childhood’s pains ??

The Last Joke

Yemen

qat

Joy : do you want some Qat ?

In fact , Childhood is the happiest time in one’s life. If the children are brought up by good families they will be well-bred, loved and taken care of carefully. They will become useful citizens to society.

six yvette

China

Good morning !

I think when you do what you like,you’ll forget your age.

Joy900

Japan

Baset : i couldn’t sleep at all ! but don’t worry , today i’m not going to work !

Baset very well ! Can you tell me something about childhood (young people ) ?

The Last Joke

Yemen

Joy : Good morning ! Did you sleep very well !

Generally children wish they were grown up and old people wish they were young again. Each age has its own pleasures and pains. To my mind, the happiest person is the one who knows how to enjoy fully what his age has brought to him.