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.
If someone wants to give you $1,000,000, should you take it? Definitely. If you could press a button and begin world peace, would you do so? Of course! If you were offered the best possible job that you can think of, would you agree to take it? Yes, thank you. Each of these situations is a no brainer because you don’t have to use much of your brain to decide what to do!
No brainers are different for everyone, though. A decision might be clear to you that feels difficult or confusing for your friend. Telling someone that you think the choice she has to make is a no brainer is sometimes helpful, sometimes not. It depends on the relationship you share and the topic you’re discussing, so it’s smart to think before you speak.
Rafael thinks that Gary’s decision is a no brainer, but Gary isn’t so sure. What’s your opinion? Learn more in today’s English lesson about choices.
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.
Rafael: I’m so glad to be out of the studio, man. When you said you were heading to the park after work today, it was like joining you was a no brainer.
Gary: I hear you. I get out of the office for work, but it’s just not the same. I used to play football all the time. I forgot how much I enjoy it.
Rafael: Yeah. Me too, man. Hey, is everything all right? You kind of sounded strange on the phone.
Gary: I’ve been thinking about an issue with work.
Rafael: Jessica?
Gary: Well, yeah.
Rafael: Man, you can’t fire her. She just sold me her yoga studio, and this is her dream job.
Gary: No, no. I’m not going to fire her!
Rafael: Oh. Do you want to ask her out?
Gary: No way. Those days are long gone.
Rafael: So, what’s the problem?
Gary: Since Brian went out chasing celebrities, Jessica has stepped up and done a great job for StarScoop.com. She’s really good at her job. I can’t believe how much the site has grown in the past month.
Rafael: So, again. What’s the problem?
Gary: I want Jessica to come on full time for StarScoop.com.
Rafael: Dude. That sounds like a really awesome idea, man. Seems to me like hiring her permanently is a no brainer. What does Brian think?
Gary: See, that’s the thing. Brian has barely communicated with me since he went out on assignment. He doesn’t answer the phone. He isn’t responding to email right away, if he writes back at all. He used to stay in touch, but now it…
Rafael: So the question is not whether or not you should hire Jessica, but whether or not you should fire Brian.
Gary: I can’t fire Brian. We own the site together. Besides, I don’t want to see Brian leave. I just need some time to think this over. I think I’m just going to sleep on it.
Rafael: Like I said, man. I feel like the issue’s really a no brainer. But you need to do what feels right for you.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Used to Do vs Be Used to" from this lesson
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Discussion
Gary wants to hire Jessica full time at StarScoop.com. He thinks she’s doing a great job, and he knows the website has improved because of her work. Even though they have had troubles in the past, Gary thinks that he and Jessica are in a good place now.
Unfortunately, there’s a problem. Brian, his partner in the company, is away on assignment. It’s hard for Gary to reach Brian by telephone, and Brian isn’t replying to Gary’s emails, either. Gary can’t make the decision to hire Jessica unless Brian agrees. He decides to sleep on it and think about the situation tomorrow.
Rafael thinks that Gary’s problem is a no brainer. Do you agree? Is it important for Gary to talk with Brian first, or should he go ahead and hire Jessica?
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