Dialogue
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: rumors. First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Dorothy and Kevin are talking about rumors and gossip.
Dorothy:
Kevin, have you heard the rumor about Gar?
Kevin:
No, who is spreading rumors about Gar?
Dorothy:
I don’t know, but the hearsay is that he’s leaving Cambly for another company.
Kevin:
Hmmm, the rumor mill is normally a bad thing. Sometimes people have big mouths.
Dorothy:
I don’t like when people talk behind your back!
Kevin:
I think people are just jealous and that’s why they spread rumors.
Dorothy:
I agree. I wish people would tell the truth.
Kevin:
Me too! Lies can be hurtful.
Dorothy:
If people only knew how bad rumors can be, they would not spread them.
Kevin:
I don’t think gossip will ever stop.
Vocabulary
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
| have you heard | (phrase) a question used to introduce news or rumors Have you heard that Kevin is sick? |
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| spreading rumors | (phrase) when people start talking about another person; usually not true I wish people would stop spreading rumors about me having lots of money. |
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| hearsay | (n) something heard from another person; usually not true (synonym of rumor) According to hearsay, Dorothy broke her leg. |
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| rumor mill | (n) the process of how information about someone is spread from one person or group to others The rumor mill says that Apple is introducing a new iPhone. |
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| big mouth (mouths) | (n) someone who says things that are meant to be secret or are only rumors He opened his big mouth and told everyone that I was going to Hawaii. |
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| behind your back | (idiom) the act of talking about someone without them being present It’s not nice when people talk behind your back. |
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| jealous | (adj) unhappy and angry because someone has something you want He was jealous because other men were talking to his girlfriend. |
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| truth | (n) a fact or belief that is accepted as being true Tell me the truth. Did you eat my chocolate? |
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| lies | (n – plural) a false or untrue statement about someone or something My best friend is telling lies about me cheating on my wife. |
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| gossip | (n) information about the lives of other people; not always true (synonym of rumor) Have you heard the latest gossip about one of our co-workers? |
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Exercise
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the sample answers to come up with your own answer.
- Is there a rumor mill at your work or school?
- There are always rumors about someone going around.
- On occasion, I hear something from the rumor mill.
- Your answer:
- Have you ever talked about someone behind their back?
- Once in awhile, I talk about a co-worker with my wife.
- I don’t like to talk about people behind their back, but sometimes I do.
- Your answer:
- Do you know someone with a big mouth?
- One of my friends always has a big mouth. He’s can’t keep a secret.
- Sometimes I have a big mouth and let out information I shouldn’t.
- Your answer:
- Why do people spread rumors?
- I think it’s human nature.
- Some people just like to talk bad about others before they know the truth.
- Your answer:
- Is being jealous a good or bad thing?
- I think being jealous can be a good or bad thing.
- Being jealous can lead to problems with relationships with family and friends.
- Your answer:
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.
- Why do people spread rumors about other people?
- Tell me about a time when a rumor was spread about you.
- Why do people lie?
- Have you ever told a lie about someone else? If yes, describe the lie.
- In your opinion, are lies hurtful?
Wrap-up
Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.
Cambly Content 