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At a Loss

Learn English with this confusion English lesson

Date: Aug 19 2014

Themes: Romance, Soap Opera, Travel

Grammar: Phrasal Verbs

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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.

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A long time ago, the expression at a loss was used to describe the situation when hunting dogs lost the scent of the animal they were following. Without the scent, it was impossible to find and catch the animal the dogs were hunting. It was confusing for the dogs, and probably a little frustrating as well!

Today we use the expression to describe a confusing situation, too. If someone is at a loss, they’re not sure about what to say, think, or do. They might not have enough information to make a decision, or they might just be confused about what is the best choice. Someone who is at a loss may want your advice, or they may just need your patience.

Lily is at a loss when it comes to her love life. Find out who’s trying to get her attention in today’s 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.

Lily

Jeff

Marni

Lily: Hey, guys!

Jeff: Hey, Lily!

Marni: Welcome back. How was Spain?

Lily: Muy bien. Oh my gosh, the countryside was so beautiful. Every time I try and think of a word to describe it, I’m at a loss.

Marni: Did you meet any handsome Spanish men?

Lily: Actually, yeah. I did meet someone who swept me off my feet.

Jeff: Really? Tell us more.

Lily: Well, his name is Fernan—. Wait, what is that?

Jeff: What’s what?

Lily: This.

Marni: It looks like a love note. You should open it!

Lily: OK. “Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, Lily, please be my boo.”

Jeff: That’s forward. Who wrote it?

Lily: I don’t know. It’s not signed. Hold on a second.

Marni: Why are you smiling?

Lily: I just got a text from Fernando, that guy that I was telling you about that I met in Spain. He’s so romantic.

Jeff: Wait, do you even speak Spanish?

Lily: Enough to get by.

Marni: Let’s see that love note.

Lily: Here you go.

Marni: Oh, yeah. Pretty sure I know who this is from.

Jeff: Yeah, me too.

Marni: Brian!

Jeff: Brian.

Lily: Really?

Jeff: Yeah, Brian. Are you interested?

Lily: I don’t know. I’m kind of at a loss.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Lily just got home from Spain where she met a handsome Spanish man named Fernando. Fernando sends Lily romantic texts that make her smile, and she’s obviously a little excited about him.

As Lily begins to tell Jeff and Marni about Fernando, she finds a love note on her desk. Inside is a poem asking Lily to be someone’s girlfriend, but it isn’t signed. Marni and Jeff look at the note and tell Lily that it was written by Brian.

Jeff wants to know if Lily’s interested in Brian, but she’s just not sure. First Fernando, and now Brian? It’s hard to know what to do. She’s at a loss.

Who is a better choice for Lily, Fernando or Brian? Why?

Comments

ahmet55

Germany

Yeah. It is. Of course she is not. It was just a suggestion.

S&W

China

@ahmet,wow it’s a big jok.wish lily has chance to see this.It seems like Lily is “Man’s killer”.

ahmet55

Germany

Pome is poem. Sometimes makes sense often no. Guys don’t be curious about that.

Anyway, I’ve got a better idea for Lily. I want to be the third suitor. If so, I’ll take part in these short movies, I’ll improve my English in real life and help u so much and besides I’ll have Lily. If somebody can have a connection with Lily tell her this subject. Hah hah hah!!!! Here we go.

Beyond from joke, I think none of them are Lily’s type. I don’t know Fernando very well but it seems that he is a romantic man and i don’t like this sense for male.!!!!! About Brian, I’m afraid that Lilly accept him as her boo.

Dansil

Cuba

That poem sounds so silly!!! Come on!!!

lmedinaa9

Mexico

Well, first of all, let’s make a difference, Fernando lives so far and Brian looks so coward. I think, she might looking for a third. In Mexico said “Far Love is for fool”. Drink Tequila, thanks. At a loss = confused

S&W

China

@ttsuka,Dating is not a game from which you can see how good you are

ttsuka

Japan

I think Lily should date both. Making a man happy is good but making two men happy is noble.

S&W

China

i thought man and woman see the same thing in different angel,For me ,poem is just a way to express love.But ,the true love derserve to be respected.so,Brian please step by step,next time ,Do not forget to sign.

Fernando is a surprise for travel,who knows what will happen