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.
The problem with keeping a painful secret is that things will remind you of it all the time, but you won’t be able to say anything about it. Think about it. Whenever you have a broken heart, the world is suddenly full of happy couples mocking you. If you have a broken leg, you’ll suddenly notice how often people run and jump around you. And you probably won’t notice how often cancer comes up in conversation until you have it.
A few weeks ago, Devan informed Jason that she has cancer. She’s been trying to keep it from the rest of the group, but Amanda accidentally hits on the topic in this video.
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.
Amanda: So I know you’re not really into this whole pop culture thing, but I was just reading this week’s US and Christina Applegate was just diagnosed with breast cancer.
Devan: Yeah.
Amanda: And she’s, like, my age. She’s 36 years old and you just don’t
Devan: Well sometimes people get cancer really young. Even as young as 22.
Amanda: I don’t know anyone that young who has…
Devan: Oh, I’ve heard stories about people that young.
Amanda: Is it anyone you know? I mean, I’ve been hit hard in my family, but it’s my parents’ generation, my aunts and uncles and some grand…Are you OK? I’m sorry. Did I say something? Does one of your parents or one of your grandparents…
Devan: Actually I…
Amanda: Talk to me.
Devan: I just found out that I…
Amanda: What!? Is that why…
Devan: Yeah.
Amanda: I didn’t even think about that. I just thought because it was so hot outside you wanted your hair off your neck.
Devan: I’ve just been trying to keep it a secret.
Amanda: I’m the worst friend in the world. How could I not know that
Devan: I’m sorry. I should have told you. I’ve just been trying to tell everybody slowly.
Amanda: No, I understand. You’re a very private person and this isn’t
Devan: But you know what, it’s gonna be OK. I actually read this article about Christina Applegate and it’s pretty inspiring because you can beat it. It’s a cancer you can beat.
Amanda: Well, absolutely. It was talking about your chances for survival are increased if you catch it early. So, have you…
Devan: Yeah. We caught it early and I’m gonna get through this.
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Discussion
Amanda comments that it’s strange that Christina Applegate has breast cancer, an illness more common for women much older than 36. But Devan says that she’s heard of cases of people even younger with breast cancer. Amanda pressures her to be more specific and she starts crying. Still not getting it, Amanda guesses that someone close to Devan has cancer. She feels terrible when she learns the truth.
But Devan is surprisingly optimistic. She says that she caught her cancer early and hopes to beat it. Has anyone you know ever battled cancer? If you were Amanda, what would you say to Devan to help her feel better?
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