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Stunts
Stunts

Learn English with this stunts English lesson

Date: Oct 05 2018

Grammar: Used to Do vs Be Used to

Intro

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

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

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Have you ever wondered how actors jump from buildings that are on fire, or into moving cars and trucks? Do you think they do it themselves? Nope. Most actors are replaced by a stuntman or stuntwoman. These people are trained to do things that look crazy, but do them safely. They may look like thrill seekers, but they actually know how to play it pretty safe.

Some of us like to take the plunge and try things that seem dangerous, but most of us would want to be strong and more than a little brave even to try extreme sports, much less be close to an explosion on a movie production. The best candidate for working in stunts is willing to push him or herself to the limits, but also understands when to stop. Not everyone is cut out for it.

Read more to find out what Lily and Marni think about stunts. It may surprise you!

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

Lily

Lily

Marni:  I was watching this incredible documentary all about female stuntwomen. It really inspired me. I think I might take the plunge and try to become a stuntperson. All the explosions and…!

Lily:  Do you have a death wish?

Marni:  Maybe I’m a little bit of a thrill seeker, but I really think I can do this. It’s kind of like extreme sports. You just push your body to the limits.

Lily:  But I’ve never known you to be a fan of extreme sports. It seems like you usually play it pretty safe. Was it just this documentary that got you really into wanting to be a stuntwoman?

Marni:  It just got me thinking. I used to really love doing gymnastics. I used to tumble. I used to love to jump off things. I don’t have much of a fear of heights. I’ve never broken a bone, so I figure I’m a really good candidate. I think I should just go for it. I need to do something with my life. I need to take risks.

Lily:  Go for it.

Marni:  Really? You think I should?

Lily:  No, but you’re obviously going to do it anyway.

Marni:  You’re right.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Lily is shocked. Marni has just told her that she wants to try being a stuntwoman. Lily knows that working in stunts is very dangerous, and Marni has never seemed like a thrill seeker. She wants to support Marni’s dream, but she also wonders if it’s a smart idea.

Marni got the idea from watching a documentary about women working in stunts. She remembers liking gymnastics when she was young, and she’s never been afraid of heights. She has never been badly hurt, either. It seems like Marni wants a big change in her life, and working in stunts feels like the right direction to her.

Would you ever work as a stuntperson? What kind of person gets that kind of job? Does it sound exciting, scary, or a little of both?

 

Comments

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Daggny

Daggny

Ukraine

Being a stuntperson is not really my cup of tea. I`d prefer to watch films where stuntpersons make extraordinary and stunned tricks. This job must be very strenuous, gruelling and demanding, but well paid, as well. In my opinion, running into risk only to have a good salary is quite stupid.

03:16 PM Sep 25 2013 |

1 person likes this

I M P E R I V M

United States

at Ola33 you misunderstood me. the risk involved in Extreme sports like american football or hockey is minimal. I was talking about “stunts” like the part in a movie where a car explodes or somebody falls from a buliding. Those things are dangerous and many proffesionals and stupid teenagers die every year while trying them

04:11 AM Sep 25 2013 |

1 person likes this

mitya09

Russian Federation

In my opinion, the man or women, which works as a stuntperson, hopes to get maximum payment to the limits of body. But in reality, their work includes nothing concrete result for payers: astonishment, wonder, excitement. As if they say to our: see on it in your cozy home, pay for some weak feels after our unique stunts and do grub work for penny, than use all your body and mind ability in really life every day.

10:09 AM Sep 24 2013 |

1 person likes this

ola33

ola33

Japan

Imperivm, it’s in the brain. Some people can sit days long and do rutine work and they find it fun, but for some people it’s like “breaking bones” to live without seeking thrills. They’re dying for some adventures – it’s like they need it. It’s like a drug for them. And believe me they know how to do it and get away from it safe and plus they’re having an enoumous fun. It’s not reckless, they practice hours and hours and plan how to make safe. It’s not like you dive from hight into the babies pool. They’re all athletes and physically fit for it. Any sport is thrilling if not done professionally. Like some “stunts” from yesterday game Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres. Toronto won!!!  Their self esteem is pretty high and… salary too ;)



 


 

02:58 PM Sep 23 2013 |

I M P E R I V M

United States

Once I read that many of these stuntmen have really low self estemm! how can that be? I thought they were very popular cool people but Alas! they have nothing to lose and many have destructive tendencies thats why they dont fear dying or breaking their bones here and there.


Thank you for reading my weekily creepy comment!!

02:35 PM Sep 23 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

I am definitely not cut out  for extreme sports, I had rather prefered  to play it safe all the time , if I can avoid it, broken bones are not for me. As for Marni, i understand that she is a young mom, why should  she  because after watching a documentary is entertaining the idea of becoming a stunt woman with all the risks involved  in this profession ? Well, maybe this is the big change that she needs  in her life, then go for it  !!!!!


02:27 PM Sep 23 2013 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

I love doing stunts when I swim. It’s safer if it’s deep ) It’s a nice letting go off the steam as well. After that you’re like a born baby until the next adventure. Some people need it.


My fav.  actress for pefroming stunts is Canadian Monique Ganderton. She was doing stunts in the recent fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Wow, much respects for her. She’s not only a looker but she’s damn cool as well. 


 


 

02:24 PM Sep 23 2013 |

majiaoqin

majiaoqin

China

eventhough I want to do something special ,I am not an thrill seeker,I just do things in safety.

11:09 AM Sep 23 2013 |

Jasonlongo

Jasonlongo

Congo, Democratic Republic Of The

My father teached how to drive a motobike, so that time I got the idea of being a stuntman, but I realized that it’s very dangerous than ever. But other sports like jumping are also dangerous. I tried  to jump when I was 15, but I broke my bone, it was amazing ! That’s why I said to myself I’ll never try these kind of sports.

10:03 AM Sep 23 2013 |

sherryleio

sherryleio

China

Being a stuntperson is exciting and scary both, but usually it is kinda dangerous, otherwise the actors would not use these stuntmen or stuntwomen.  The injury of the stunts sometimes is not avoidable.  Besides, even the movies become blockbusters, but these stunts would not be remembered by anyone, as the faces on the movies are not theirs.


 

09:31 AM Sep 23 2013 |

houstonboo

Hong Kong

I’ve never thought that I would be a stuntman because I dont like to risk pretty much. And now I am sure that I wont choose to be a stuntman as I have two kids to raise. Someone who get this type of job must be an adventurer, risk-oriented and mostly important – have no children. There is no doubt that being a stuntperson is exciting with a little scary (if you never try a new trick).

09:11 AM Sep 23 2013 |

VICKY_NEGI

VICKY_NEGI

India

I like to do dangress stunts myself.


07:22 AM Sep 23 2013 |

Zambuka

Zambuka

United States

it’s really nice to try yurself in anything, even if it comes to extreme sports. at first, it pushes you to the limits, and then, the transcendence comes!)

06:26 AM Sep 23 2013 |

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