Parks and Recreation English Lesson

A proposal and its context

Leslie discusses a proposed tax with a representative of local restaurants.

Watch for: Which concerns does each speaker raise?

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. What proposal is under discussion?A change to restaurant opening hours.A tax on large sugary drinks sold by restaurants.A ban on all drinking water.

2. What value does Kathryn claim the larger small size offers?A healthier drink.A shorter queue.More drink for the money.

3. What does the physical demonstration focus on?The advertised price of full meals.The sizes of drink containers.The number of staff on each shift.

4. How do Leslie and Ann react to the size presentation?They ask to stop discussing drinks altogether.They complain that every cup is too small.They question how large the portions are.

5. What business concern does Kathryn bring to the discussion?The proposal's effect on restaurants and their business.A separate rule on restaurant parking.The wording of the official meeting invitation.

6. What does Kathryn say will happen if the tax passes?A press release announcing layoffs will be distributed.The restaurants will stop selling soda immediately.The proposed tax will automatically be cancelled.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

The proposal is intended to address this concern.

Describe a stated aim without endorsing it.

What evidence supports that claim?

Ask for substantiation.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

How can you report a speaker's view without adopting it?
Support and one possible answer
The speaker argues…
The representative argues that the proposal could affect businesses.
What is the difference between seeing a large portion and proving a policy effect?
Support and one possible answer
The observation… The effect…
The portion is directly visible; a wider effect would need additional evidence.
Ask a neutral follow-up about a claim.
Support and one possible answer
What evidence…?
What evidence supports that claim, and what period does it cover?

Consequences people fear

At a public forum, a restaurant worker challenges the proposed soda tax because he fears losing his job.

Watch for: What is a stated concern, and what remains a prediction?

Original source

Clip B quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. What setting is used for the challenge?A restaurant kitchen with no audience.A private conversation after the meeting.A public forum.

2. What possible consequence worries the employee?Being transferred to a different branch.Losing his job.Having to change his shift pattern.

3. What action does he threaten if that happens?A recall effort against Leslie.A boycott of the newspaper.An immediate legal settlement with the employer.

4. How does this intervention affect the discussion?It ends the need for any response.It puts direct pressure on Leslie.It proves there are no concerns.

5. Is the feared job loss already established by this exchange?No; it is presented as a possible result.Yes; the scene provides verified long-term data.Yes; everyone in the city has lost work.

6. Who is being challenged to defend the proposal?Kathryn as the elected proposer.Ann as the person introducing the measure.Leslie.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

That is the concern being raised, rather than an established result.

Separate a prediction from a fact.

Could you clarify which consequence you expect and why?

Ask a neutral causal question.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

How can a moderator acknowledge a concern without endorsing a prediction?
Support and one possible answer
A moderator can say…
I understand that employment is your concern. What evidence informs the prediction?
What makes a follow-up question neutral?
Support and one possible answer
It asks… rather than…
It asks for reasons or evidence rather than implying that one side must be right.
Summarise two concerns without choosing a winner.
Support and one possible answer
One speaker… Another…
One speaker raises a health-related aim; another raises a concern about business and employment.

Mastery quiz

Use language from both clips in new situations.

Mastery · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

Put it all together — speaking

Speak first, then use the support if you need it. For the final conversation, take a role each or practise both roles alone.

What is directly shown in A, and what is predicted in B?
Support and one possible answer
The scene shows… The employee predicts…
A shows the containers and the speakers' responses. B includes a prediction about employment.
What two questions would help clarify the disagreement without deciding it?
Support and one possible answer
I would ask…
I would ask how each side measures the problem and what evidence connects the proposal to the predicted consequences.
Can you moderate a short discussion and produce a neutral summary?
Support and one possible answer
State the aim, attribute concerns and list evidence questions. Do not announce a winner.
The proposal has a stated health-related aim. The representative and employee raise business and employment concerns. We need to clarify the expected effects, supporting evidence and remaining uncertainties.

Role A

Act as a meeting moderator. Ask for the stated aim, one concern and supporting evidence. Do not recommend a policy outcome.

Role B

Report the concerns expressed by the fictional speakers. Distinguish what the scene shows from what someone predicts.

Check your conversation

Attribute claims to speakers.
Distinguish observation, concern and prediction.
Use three target items and end with two evidence questions, not a policy verdict.

Try again: Repeat the final interaction once. Improve one expression and one response to your partner.