Warm-up
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Celebrities. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
| 15 minutes of fame | A brief period of celebrity or notoriety. The term was coined by artist Andy Warhol. Jane had her 15 minutes of fame when she appeared on the nightly news broadcast. e.g. I had my 15 minutes of fame when I took that interview. |
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| infamous | well-known for being bad: known for evil acts or crimes e.g. an infamous traitor e.g. a city infamous for poverty and crime |
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| limelight | public attention or notice thought of as a bright light that shines on someone e.g. She is a very private woman who never sought the limelight. [=who has never sought to be famous] |
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| shoot for the stars | To set one’s goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult. e.g. My parents always taught me to shoot for the stars when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to! |
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| star in something | to be a featured actor in a play, movie, opera, etc. Roger starred in an off-Broadway play last season. e.g. Mary always wanted to star in her own movie, but it was not to be. |
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| class act | To say that someone like an athlete or entertainer is a class act, means that they are very good at what they do. e.g. Her career is just beginning but she’s already a class act. |
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| down to earth | Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer but a realistic and practical person who has sensible reactions and expectations. e.g. Don’t ask Suzy for help. She’s fun, but not very down to earth. |
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| going places | To say that someone is going places means that they show talent and ability that will no doubt lead to a successful future. e.g. Even in college, it was obvious that Paul was going places. |
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| high and mighty | Someone who is high and mighty behaves in a haughty manner as though they were superior to others. e.g. “Don’t get all high and mighty!” said my grandmother to my cousin. “Everyone helps with the housework in this house.” |
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| larger than life | A person who is larger than life attracts special attention because they are very impressive or unusually remarkable in their appearance, behavior or personality. e.g. He was a larger-than-life character, both onstage and behind the scene. |
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Conversation
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.
- Who is your favorite celebrity?
- Would you like to be famous? Why or why not?
- Which celebrity do you most admire and why?
- Have you ever met a famous person?
- Why are so many people obsessed with celebrities?
- What do you think of the paparazzi?
- Do you think the society needs to protect the private lives of famous people?
- Do you think anyone can become a celebrity?
- Do you think fame makes people happy?
- “Fame always brings loneliness. Success is as ice cold and lonely as the North Pole.” Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!
Wrap-up
Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.
Cambly Content 