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Rihanna & Chris Brown

Rihanna & Chris Brown

Date: Mar 02 2009

Themes: News

Grammar: Contractions and Abbreviations

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.

Until recently, Rihanna and Chris Brown seemed to have a fairytale romance. They were both rich, famous, beautiful, and in love. But something went terribly wrong.

On the night of the Grammys, police were called to the couple’s hotel room because of an alleged assault. Chris Brown was arrested, and is now charged with threatening Rihanna’s life.

More than 10% of Americans are affected by domestic violence. But we’re surprised when it happens to somebody we know or someone famous, especially when the couple seemed to have it all. Marni and Devan both think the news about Rihanna and Chirs Brown is very sad. Listen to them talk about it.

Dialog

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

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

Marni

Marni

Devan

Devan

Marni:  What do you think about this whole Rihanna and Chris Brown drama? Do you think that, you know, this whole domestic violence issue…Do you think he did it?

Devan:  I think his career is over.

Marni:  Yeah, quite possibly, huh. It seems really tragic. It sounds like he’s had a whole history of violence in his family and…

Devan:  Oh really? I didn’t know about that. I just know that he had this squeaky clean image and this is really going to ruin his image.

Marni:  Yeah, well it seems really horrible, I mean if it’s true, that he would beat up his girlfriend. They seemed really happy and all of a sudden this happens.

Devan:  I know, they were one of those couples that I actually thought, you know, might be together forever. There’s already rumors that she’s taken him back or that she’s gonna take him back, but…I don’t know, I mean right now she could be a spokesperson for women that are in relationships with domestic violence.

Marni:  Absolutely.

Devan:  So if she takes him back, that’s not going to make a very good statement, you know?

Marni:  Definitely, I think you’re absolutely right about that. And really, if there is that sort of violence in their relationship, she shouldn’t take him back.

Devan:  I just wonder what he’s gonna do to redeem himself so that his career doesn’t…

Marni:  Yeah, I don’t know. He’d have to do a lot. I think it’s kinda sad.

 

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Discussion

Marni and Devan were surprised and saddened by the news about Rihanna and Chris Brown. It seemed like they were a happy couple, so the news is shocking.

Devan thinks that this incident will ruin Chris Brown’s image. He used to have a squeaky clean image that attracted a lot of young fans. Now that he’s been arrested, he won’t be seen that way anymore.

Marni and Devan both agree that Rihanna shouldn’t return to Chris Brown. Instead, maybe she should become a spokesperson for women in abusive relationships.

What do you think will happen to Rihanna and Chris Brown? Should Rihanna take him back?

 

Comments

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johny_snooch

United States

HAHAHAHAHA

03:33 PM Mar 02 2009 |

johny_snooch

United States

We over here hustlin’ we over here grindin’,all about my paper,all about my paper

03:33 PM Mar 02 2009 |

Naomi1010

Naomi1010

Taiwan

Two of them are the BOMB!! And I really enjoy their music!! Hopefully, everything will get better for them.

03:28 PM Mar 02 2009 |

shou

shou

Taiwan

we should fix that man><!

taking care of our lover is our responsibility,right? 

03:19 PM Mar 02 2009 |

nil_fm

nil_fm

Turkey

i think,rihanna loves still chris so much,chris too,they won’t separate..and the fittest couple to each other..
but of course,so bad event…:(
a hard decision..:(

02:57 PM Mar 02 2009 |

kukuka

kukuka

Ukraine

I know sometimes girls can be such bitches…i mean intentioanlly  be very annoying. she got what she deseved

02:47 PM Mar 02 2009 |

arican

arican

Hungary

I couldn't listen this speaking because there was just a writing: English, baby! English lesson audio. :( But it generally works…

02:25 PM Mar 02 2009 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

As we can see it happens to everyone, regardless of social classes.

02:19 PM Mar 02 2009 |

scratchie

Turkey

I heard about that Chris Brown got mad because of Rihanna's complainings about the physical relationship between Chris Brown and Leona Lewis.The fight started with this reason.But nobody cant hurt a woman cuz of any reason.That's witness for a guy.Rihanna shouldn't take him back..

02:05 PM Mar 02 2009 |

皓月の银辉

China

Oh

01:31 PM Mar 02 2009 |

Athan

Athan

China

I don't know about these two famous people though,but I think Rihanna shouldn't take him back.That's not mean she shouldn't give him a chance,it's just they shouldn't be together again,maybe being friends is ok.As for Chris,he has to think through what he has done to a lover he loves,and the bad effects he has taken to public as a celebrity.Domestic violence is like happening in a lot of families these days,most of the victims are momen,on one side the husbands have to learn to control themselves when a fight happens.On the other side the society should do some project to let people know the bad effects that domestic violence could leave!

01:11 PM Mar 02 2009 |

yusufmister

Nigeria

can anybody help me with what actually happened between chris and rihana, becuase i have no clue on the rumor, is it true or not, did he, or did he not beat her up 

11:11 AM Mar 02 2009 |

kbjay

kbjay

Ghana

I guess everybody is saying what he or she likes. But if i may ask, do we exactly know the cause of the "fight"?

We need to know the exact story before we give out our comment(s). Everybody is now blaming Chris Brown but i don't blame him. It's not easy for famous people to live simple lives. If it had been 'ordinary people', do you think they would have had the same response from people or do you think their case would have been treated as a domestic violence or a mere relationship misunderstanding?

Lets wait till we hear from the horse's own mouth.

10:29 AM Mar 02 2009 |

cacarico

cacarico

Sudan

hell no shes not gonna take him back, but if she did ill beat the hell up of my girlfirend , she crazy likes her.

is there anyother way to break up instead of this a lame situation ??!! 

in reality i dont' have a girlfriend Laughing

10:04 AM Mar 02 2009 |

erzhuicao

China

It sounds like the voice is too low,I nearly don't hear it.

09:32 AM Mar 02 2009 |

The Paciffic Ocean

Viet Nam

uhm all things have happened , we can't blam on Chris . with loving a person like Rih, a person be usually jealous. he can stand until today . he was supper man.

09:22 AM Mar 02 2009 |

arrowge

arrowge

China

Absolutely it is true, Need do more thinking before action, young Chris Brown!

08:24 AM Mar 02 2009 |

tiffintime

tiffintime

Sri Lanka

The only thing that can be said on Chris' behalf is that he's still very young. There's still time for him to change for the better. However, I'm not too sure if he can improve himself if he has already made it a habit to be "under influence" most of the time.

07:00 AM Mar 02 2009 |

libbydi

libbydi

United States

love sometimes is weird.

but , if rihanna takes him back, that could be ruin her image,  who knows.

04:54 AM Mar 02 2009 |

Zeerak

Zeerak

Australia

Well, It seems something like Drama or planning against Chris Brown. I don't know him personaly but I think there is something behind. Rihanna is not a child.

04:43 AM Mar 02 2009 |

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