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Above Board

Learn English with this legitimate English lesson

Date: Sep 30 2014

Themes: Friend, Soap Opera, Work

Grammar: Second Conditional Progressive

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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.

Go Super to Listen

When playing a game of cards, it’s important to feel that everyone is being honest. If you’re playing with friends, you probably already know that. But if you’re playing with strangers, it can be hard to tell who to trust. If someone’s hands are under the table, that person could be cheating. But if everyone’s hands are above the table… or above board… it’s much harder for someone to cheat and win the card game unfairly.

Today’s use of above board is not usually about playing cards. It’s about doing things honestly, out in the open, and in a way that isn’t against the law. People often use this expression when it isn’t clear that what they’re doing or selling is permitted. If the activity isn’t above board, most people will not want to join in or buy anything. If you want the respect of your friends and family, you should always do things above board.

Gary has an offer for Jessica that’s above board, but she’s still a little unsure. What is it? You can find out by reading 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.

Gary

Jessica

Gary: Thank you for staying late, Jess. You’ve been working a lot lately.

Jessica: No problem.

Gary: First, I want to apologize for voicing my concern about you selling your yoga studio. It was your decision, and I shouldn’t have said anything.

Jessica: OK.

Gary: Secondly, I spoke with Brian this morning, just in time because we’d already set up this meeting, so I just wanted to make sure that everything was completely above board.

Jessica: Gary, what are you talking about?

Gary: Oh, yes. Here.

Jessica: What is this?

Gary: This is an offer for you to work as a full time staff member for StarScoop.com. I’ve been really impressed by your work, and how much you’ve helped grow the site. And Brian agrees. We both would like to have you as a permanent employee for our company.

Jessica: Are you serious?

Gary: I wouldn’t be making the offer if I wasn’t serious.

Jessica: I don’t know what to say.

Gary: Well, why don’t you take the contract home with you and read it over this weekend?

Jessica: Gary, this is amazing.

Gary: No, Jess, you’re amazing. I know we’ve had some troubles in the past, but I feel like we’re in a good place now. And if you agree, all you need to do is sign a contract and we’ll be 100% above board.

Jessica: Thank you, Gary. That really means a lot to me. I will take home this contract and read through it.

Gary: Great.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Go Super to Listen

Gary is talking to Jessica after work. The last time they talked, Gary was a little rude to her, so Jessica’s uncomfortable. She’s not sure what he’s going to say, and Jessica doesn’t enjoy fighting with Gary.

The surprising news is that Gary wants Jessica to join the company full time. He and Brian have talked about it, and they agree that with Jessica’s help, StarScoop.com has improved a lot. She was already their intern, but now they want Jessica to be a permanent staff member!

Jessica is so shocked that she doesn’t know what to say. Gary asks her to go home and look at the contract he has given her. She agrees and it feels like things are finally friendly between Jessica and Gary.

Is it important to you that everything is above board? Is it ever OK to do things that aren’t?

Comments

ijeni

United States

I found this blog is pretty useful and informative. Basically, I am searching blogs where people discuss regarding Charity Foundations for Children because as we know that today poverty raises day by day and it’s our duty to decrease them worldwide.

sothernie2

Afghanistan

Learn English with above board of the English lessons and for the themes. The reviews of the considered and wonderful ways. The chances of the English are essay writing services for the subtle and soft means of the success and rightly mentioned.

ahmet55

Germany

I’ve always say that trust brings trust. To be honest and have a good relationship with your friends as well in different other communities, things among people must be above board and quite clear. But sometimes things are very complicated to be explained and in these cases u have to don’t mention some information and keep hide some of evident. I know it sounds creepy but in special cases there is no other way except concealing something and avoid being complete clear about the subject.

But, to make a long story short, being thoroughly clear and honest even if it will not bring a good result sounds moral to me. I prefer to people treat like this to me and I try my best to perform like that

S&W

China

I hope everything around me is above board.Above board is a simple and fair way to solve problem.As for other people,it none of my business,after all we live in a big world,It too tired to care much

mahi7

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

if all the people treat above board to each other it would be universe with a few talks due to every one say the truth but unfortunately we see alot of people around us that they are always say lie and they just want to cheat you.

iwori

Japan

Of course we should be above board everything and anytime, if it could be.

That is the ideal and too clean to be.

Perhaps forgiving or accepting is more important than we should be above board for dear life.

No one could do right all the time, right?

Seiyf_khawas

Turkey

ohhh !! its very complex topic for me..

in today, many of people focus on Success and Wealth..and people want to have everything in a short time and with easy ways.and many people are greedy,over-ambitious,over-selfish ..

everyone sometimes make some things under the board..for having,for winning or not for losing someones or somethings..

ynbrian86

China

i think most people will be cheated more or less .It is time to make things above board ,when it comes to cheating ,someone feel guilty when i am saying ,coz i were cheated .Don’t go away ,of course ,i meant you .You know who i am talking about .Pls make everything above board next time .Don’t let me down ,ok ?

buttafly

Germany

Before I purchased my car from an international car dealer, I made sure that everything was legal and above board.

In business practices it’s not always the rule to be open and above board, but for me credibility and responsibility are crucial elements in any kind of partnership.

sunny_ling88

China

It is important to do something above board. I had a trouble lately, I had a trainning class but the boss ran away these days ago, he cheated some students, we want to find him and get back money.