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.
Do you ever think about what shape your life would take if someone plotted it on a graph? Some people might imagine their lives as a straight line. Others might see their lives in a zig-zag pattern that has many highs and lows. Other people see their lives in a hill shape. They spend the first part of their lives climbing and climbing to the top, and then, at a certain point, they reach the peak and it’s all downhill from there.
When you get to the other side of the hill, you’re not so young anymore. In fact, you’re probably getting old. Being over the hill means that you’re closer to the end of your life than to the beginning. It also means that you’re getting out of touch with what young people’s lives are like. You can’t see what youth is like anymore, because that darn hill is blocking your view.
Of course, not everyone who’s over the hill realizes that they’ve already hit their peak. Find out whether Marni, Greta, and Amanda are over the hill or still climbing up in this age English lesson.
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
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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Amanda: Well, you have to pick one.
Greta: But they’re all so uncool.
Amanda: Come on, Greta. Thousands of men responded to this contest to date you. They want to go on a date with our spokesperson, movie star, Greta Vanderlake. So surely you can pick one guy you’re willing to go on a date with. How else are we going to do this big promotion?
Greta: I know. I don’t know. I guess I thought the guys would be more hip.
Marni: Look at that guy! He’s hip. He’s got a Sheryl Crow T-shirt on. I love her!
Amanda: I love Sheryl Crow too, but I’m just not so sure how hip she is anymore, Marni.
Greta: Yeah. I want to meet guys who like artists like Deadmou5 and Ke$ha.
Marni: Is that a band?
Greta: Uh, no. It’s two separate and extremely popular artists. Guys, no offense, but maybe you need some more youthful energy around here.
Marni: Wow, I guess I’m starting to feel a little over the hill.
Amanda: Over the hill? We’re not over the hill. Just because we don’t know what 15-year-olds like to listen to doesn’t mean we’re over the hill. Besides, over the hill means that you’ve peaked in life, and we’re just getting started, right?
Greta: But maybe your knowledge of music, popular culture, and anything that’s cool has peaked.
Amanda: Um, I’m pretty sure I own an Internet company, so I am what’s cool. Come to think of it, I think when you’re over the hill, you actually have gray hair or something like that, right? And I don’t. I’m good to go.
Marni: Uh, Amanda.
Amanda: What? Alright. Fine. So maybe I’ll hire a young intern or something tomorrow, but it does not mean that I’m over the hill. What was the name of that artist you wanted me to look up? Dead Rat or something?
Greta: Yeah, Dead Rat. That’s it. You should Google that.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Gerunds vs. Infinitives" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
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Discussion
Greta is trying to find a guy to date on the company’s website. Unfortunately, she thinks they’re all uncool. She thinks their music tastes are boring. She thinks Marni and Amanda might be a little bit behind when it comes to their knowledge of what’s cool, too.
Amanda is surprised that Greta thinks she’s over the hill. She thinks she’s still getting started in life. She also thinks that she’s cool because she owns an Internet company.
Marni points out that Amanda is getting old in at least one way. Amanda has some gray hair. Amanda decides that maybe she should bring in someone younger to work in the office, after all.
How do you know when someone is over the hill? Have you ever felt over the hill? How can you try to stay young?
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