Cohesive Devices - Exercise

Why watching films can be an effective way to learn English

Watching films is an effective way to learn English because it allows you to immerse yourself in the language in a natural and enjoyable way. You can hear how native speakers use English in different contexts, and you can also learn new vocabulary and expressions. Additionally, watching films can help you to improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation skills.

Watching films is an effective way to learn English because it allows you to immerse yourself in the language in a natural and enjoyable way. You can hear how native speakers use English in different contexts, and you can also learn new vocabulary and expressions. Additionally, watching films can help you to improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation skills.

How to watch a movie and improve English

Here are some tips on how to watch a movie and improve your English:

Start by watching the movie with subtitles. This will help you to follow the story and understand the general meaning of the dialogue.

Once you have a good understanding of the story, try watching the movie without subtitles. This will help you to learn new vocabulary and expressions, and it will also help you to improve your listening comprehension skills.

If you come across a word or expression that you don't understand, pause the movie and look it up in a dictionary. You can also write it down so that you can review it later.

Don't be afraid to rewind the movie and watch certain scenes over and over again. This is a great way to practice your listening comprehension and pronunciation skills.

After you have finished watching the movie, try talking about it with someone in English. This will help you to practice your speaking skills and to consolidate the new vocabulary and expressions that you have learned.


Here are some specific things you can do while watching a movie to improve your English:

Pay attention to the way the actors speak. Try to imitate their pronunciation and intonation. Focus on the vocabulary and expressions that are used. Write down any new words or expressions that you learn, and look them up in a dictionary after the movie.    Try to understand the context in which the words and expressions are used. This will help you to remember them better. Pay attention to the body language and facial expressions of the actors. This can help you to understand the meaning of the dialogue and the emotions of the characters.  Try shadowing some dialogues.  Just listen and repeat after the characters. Talk to yourself or to someone else about the movie.  Try telling the story of the movie to someone.

Short summary

Hutch Mansell, a seemingly ordinary man, leads a monotonous life until a home invasion prompts questions about his lack of action. He contacts his estranged half-brother, revealing a hidden past as a deadly government assassin. After sparing the burglars due to their desperate situation, Hutch confronts Russian mobsters, igniting a brutal conflict. With the help of his father and brother, he outwits and annihilates his adversaries, ultimately facing off against the mob's leader, Yulian. Despite his arrest, Hutch escapes charges. In the end, he returns to a quiet life but receives a call hinting at more adventures to come, setting the stage for potential sequels.

Learn these

1

You scared?
Why would I be? You’re here.

Informal conversational questions may sometimes omit "Are"

These questions are typically used in informal conversations with friends, family, and close colleagues. They are often used in conjunction with body language and facial expressions to convey the speaker's tone and intent.

For example, if a friend asks you "You scared?" while looking at you with wide eyes and a worried expression on their face, you can probably tell that they are concerned about you. On the other hand, if a friend asks you "You scared?" in a teasing tone of voice, they are probably just trying to get a reaction out of you.

Here are some examples of how informal English questions without "are you" might be used in conversation:

    Friend 1: You scared?
    Friend 2: A little bit. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this presentation.
    Sibling 1: You happy? It's your birthday!
    Sibling 2: Of course I am! I'm so excited.
    Parent 1: You sad? Why is your head down?
    Child: I just missed my friend.
    Partner 1: You angry? You've been quiet all day.
    Partner 2: Yes, a little bit. I had a bad day at work.

Informal English questions without "are you" can be a great way to connect with others and build rapport. They can also be used to express your emotions and feelings in a direct and concise way.

In addition to the examples above, here are some other informal English questions that omit "are":

    You good?
    You up?
    You down?
    You with me?
    You feel me?
    You know what I mean?
    You following me?
    You got it?
    You understand?
    You sure?
    You ready?
    You set?
    You alright?
    You okay?
    You cool?
    You down with that?
    You feelin' it?

These questions are even more informal than the previous examples, and they are typically used with close friends and family members. They can be used to express a variety of emotions, such as interest, excitement, agreement, and understanding.

Imagine a situation as above, make some sentences and say them aloud.   If you say it aloud, you are more likely to remember it.

2

Yeah, the old man croaked.

Slang usage means 'the old man died'.  (croak is a deep hoarse sound made by frogs, crows or other animals)

3

Honey, come on. Got to go.

Here are some expressions you can use to ask someone to stop being slow or doing something else and go on with what is important or at hand in an informal situation:

    Come on, let's go.
    Hurry up, we're going to be late.
    Let's get a move on.
    We need to get going.
    We're running out of time.
    Can we get going, please?
    I need you to pick up the pace.
    Let's get this over with.
    Can we focus on the task at hand?
    I'm getting impatient.
    Do you mind hurrying up a bit?
    Can we move it?
    We're on a tight schedule.
    We need to make up time.
    Let's get cracking.

You can also use more humorous expressions, such as:

    Are you glued to the spot?
    What's holding you up?
    Let's go before I get old.
    I'm starting to get wrinkles here.
    I'm getting tired of waiting.
    I could be doing more important things, like watching TV.
    I'm getting hungry.
    I need to go to the bathroom.

4

Pretty slick, though, huh?

The phrase "pretty slick" means something is done in a skilful and efficient way, often with a touch of deception or cunning. It can be used to describe a person, a plan, or a performance.

Here are some examples of how the phrase "pretty slick" might be used in a sentence:

    The salesman's pitch was pretty slick, but I wasn't convinced to buy the product.
    The thief was pretty slick, and they managed to get away with all of the money.
    The politician's campaign was pretty slick, and they won the election by a landslide.

You can say "pretty slick" about things also. It is a way to compliment the appearance, performance, or features. For example, you might say "pretty slick" to a friend who just bought a new sports car.

5

Good morning, Charlie.
Did I hear right?
Depends who you talked to.
Well, your boy called.
Then, yeah, you heard right.
Now, he says that you had the drop on one of them.

Have the drop on someone means 'to have the advantage over someone'

Here are some example sentences with the phrase "have the drop on someone":

    The police had the drop on the robbers and caught them red-handed.
    The sniper had the drop on the enemy general and took him out with a single shot.
    The assassin had the drop on the president, but the Secret Service intervened and stopped him.
    The cat had the drop on the mouse and pounced on it in an instant.
    The athlete had the drop on her competition and won the race by a landslide.
    The businessperson had the drop on his rivals and made a killing on the stock market.
    The politician had the drop on his opponent and won the election by a comfortable margin.

The phrase "have the drop on someone" can also be used in a more figurative sense to mean that you have an advantage over someone in a situation. For example, you might say that you have the drop on someone in a negotiation or in a game of strategy.

Here are some examples of how the phrase "have the drop on someone" might be used in a figurative sense:

    The company had the drop on its competitors and was able to launch the new product first.
    The student had the drop on his classmates and always seemed to be one step ahead in the class.
    The investor had the drop on the market and was able to make a lot of money during the recession.
    The team had the drop on its opponent and was able to win the championship.

The phrase "have the drop on someone" is a relatively informal phrase, so it is best to avoid using it in formal settings, such as a business meeting or a job interview.

6

Hey, Hutch.
I’m rooting for you.

The phrasal verb "rooting for someone" means providing strong support and encouragement for their success in a difficult task or competition.

 

For transcript and longer summary go here