Learn English in this lesson about optimism and pessimism

Intro

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

Go Super to Listen

• the glass is half empty
• negative
• hopeful
• the glass is half full

• optimistic
• pessimistic
• positive
• outlook

• discouraged
• boost one's spirits

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

Go Super to Listen

Do you think life is good? Do you feel bad about life? If you answered yes to the first question, you might be an optimist. If you answered yes to the second question, you could be a pessimist. Maybe you answered yes to both! Like many people, you feel optimistic sometimes and pessimistic sometimes.

It can be hard to keep a positive outlook when bad things happen. You might feel sad and discouraged. Maybe you need to boost your spirits by doing your favorite hobby. Maybe you need to spend some time with your family. You could also talk to a friend.

Marni is feeling pessimistic today. Listen to Marni and Gary talk about optimism versus pessimism.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Gary

Marni:  Oh, Gary.

Gary:  What’s up?

Marni:  I just feel like the world is against me.

Gary:  Oh, no.

Marni:  I’m really having a glass half empty kind of day.

Gary:  I’m sorry. Are you feeling discouraged from something specific?

Marni:  You know, I just feel like life is beating me down a little bit. I used to be more optimistic. I used to be like you. But now I just see all the negative things happening in the world and I just think, “What’s the point?”

Gary:  Sometimes, it’s really hard to see the good in people. I think our society just does a really good job of reminding us of all the bad things happening. But we really do live in this really hopeful place, with wonderful things happening that people are doing to save lives, to clean up the environment…

Marni:  That’s what I love about you. You see everything in a positive light… a totally glass half full kind of guy. I need your positive energy to boost my spirits.

Gary:  Glad I could help!

Marni:  Thanks.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Present Progressive Tense" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3