English Curriculum

Advanced | Lesson 6

1) Reading: Power Outage

Last night, there was a huge power outage due to a thunder and lightning storm. We didn’t have electricity for over five hours. It was startling at first, but once we found some flashlights and lit some candles, it wasn’t so bad. The wind was still pretty bad during the whole predicament, so we stayed in our cellar and waited out the storm.

The electricity wasn’t the only thing that went out, the local cell tower went out as well. I felt like a caveman, we didn’t have any technology available. Luckily, my brother found a deck of cards that kept us entertained for a while. My family used to play cards all the time, but it’s been a while.

1) Reading: Power Outage

The whole experience brought family closer together. Usually everyone is off in their own room doing their own thing, but this storm forced us to be together and to actually talk face-to-face.

We gathered some pillows and blankets and made some make-shift beds. We were all super tired, and the last thing I remember is falling asleep by candle light. Even though there was a terrible storm outside, I slept like a baby.

2) Conversation: Heavy Rain and Flooding

Paul: Hey Nick, do you think I can borrow your truck?Nick: Sure, what for?Paul: Well I was thinking if I borrow your truck, then I can help grab sand bags for you as well?Nick: Oh yeah, but I don’t need any sand bags.Paul: You’re not worried about the hurricane that is supposed to hit tomorrow?Nick: Wait, there’s a hurricane coming?Paul: You haven’t heard?!Nick: No, I have been so busy with work lately, I haven’t watched the news at all this week.Paul: Yeah well, it’s supposed to be a big one, you should start preparing. We bought a bunch of canned food and bottles of water yesterday.

2) Conversation: Heavy Rain and Flooding

Nick: Hmm, yeah maybe we can both use my truck and get some stuff to prepare.Paul: Yeah that would be great, my sedan can’t carry that much so using your truck will be a lot more effective.Nick: I will need to swing by the pet store too, I need to get some more food for my dogs.Paul: Yeah that’s fine, but we should get the sandbags first before they sell out.Nick: Ok and are you just putting them around your doors?Paul: Yeah around the doors and basement windows to prevent the water from getting inside.

3) Interview Practice: If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be? And why?

The most important thing about answering this question is to really choose an attribute that you care about. Then think of someone you knew that exemplifies that trait well. What is it about them that makes you want that trait? How would you apply it to who you are or the job position you are applying for? If you want more patience, how could that benefit you working in a sales or customer service career?

Take a minute to practice with your tutor answering this question. Then think about it more in depth later and solidify your answer.

5) Business Quote:

"I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure.It is: Try to please everybody.“

- Herbert Bayard Swope