Parks and Recreation: B2 English & Grammar

Whose version of a good day?

Tom and Donna have brought Ben on their annual treat-yourself day. They realise that what they enjoy may not be what he enjoys.

Watch for: What changes when they ask what Ben would choose?

Original on YouTube ↗

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Answer about this clip only. Choose one answer for each question.

1. What has Ben bought for himself?A watch.A pack of plain white socks.A new phone.

2. What does Donna realise?Ben may need his own version of their day.Ben must like everything that Tom likes.The shops have all closed.

3. What question do they ask Ben next?Whether he can work an extra shift.Why he dislikes his colleagues.What one thing he would spend a lot of money on.

4. How does Ben first react to the comment about his costume?He thinks it is a guaranteed compliment.He worries that the choice is ridiculous.He asks to buy more socks immediately.

5. How does Tom clarify his reaction?He says he meant it in a good way and supports buying the costume.He tells Ben that the costume is forbidden.He says the costume belongs to Donna.

6. What does Ben say near the end of the excerpt?He regrets joining them and leaves silently.He has decided never to relax.He thanks them and says he needed this.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteB2 · Could expressing hypothetical ability

“if you could blow big money on one thing”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

Could makes the spending ability hypothetical; the following what would it be asks about the imagined choice. Could here does not place the shopping in a completed past.

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

What would your version of this look like?

Ask about another person's preferences.

I meant that in a good way.

Clarify the intention of an ambiguous comment, then check its effect.

Keep talking · 3 questions

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

What changes when a group asks rather than assumes?
Support and one possible answer
It can discover… instead of…
It can discover different preferences instead of expecting everyone to enjoy the same activity.
Does clarifying a good intention always remove the effect of a comment?
Support and one possible answer
It may help, but…
It may help, but the speaker should also notice how the person received it and ask whether the explanation makes sense.
Plan a low-cost version of treating yourself for two different people.
Support and one possible answer
For one person… For the other…
For one person it could be a walk with a friend; for the other, a quiet hour reading. I would ask before choosing for them.

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.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteC1 · A whether-clause as the whole subject

“Whether or not I pay income tax is none of the government's business.”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

Whether or not I pay income tax is a noun clause functioning as the singular subject of is. It identifies the disputed question; it does not state whether tax is actually paid.

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

Use language from both clips in a new situation.

1. You think everyone enjoys the same activity without asking. You have made ___.a guaranteean assumptiona delivery

2. Which question invites a different preference?What would your version of this look like?Why can't you enjoy exactly what I enjoy?Can we ignore your preference?

3. An employee says a proposal may cost jobs. How can you report this carefully?The scene proves all jobs will disappear.The proposal has already been rejected.The employee predicts job losses.

4. Which sentence clarifies an ambiguous reaction?I refuse to explain.I meant that in a good way. Did it sound different to you?You must accept every comment.

5. Which question investigates a concern?What evidence links the proposal to that possible consequence?Why is every prediction always wrong?Who can win the argument fastest?

6. Treating yourself must ___.involve spending as much as possiblematch the most fashionable person's tastesdepend on what you actually enjoy and can afford

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 do the two clips suggest about listening to another perspective?
Support and one possible answer
A involves… while B…
A involves finding a personal preference. B raises a possible effect on other people. Both need listening, but the policy concern also needs evidence.
How are a preference and a prediction different?
Support and one possible answer
A preference says…; a prediction says…
A preference says what someone would choose. A prediction says what may happen and can be investigated.
Moderate a discussion about a proposed workplace social event.
Support and one possible answer
Ask preferences, attribute concerns and agree what needs checking.
Some people prefer a quiet meal, while others want a busy activity. One colleague predicts that an expensive event would exclude people. Let's check the budget and ask what options people would actually use.

Role A

Propose a workplace social activity. Invite another person's version and ask what practical effects need checking.

Role B

Suggest a different preference and raise one possible consequence. State it as a concern, then identify evidence that could help.

Check your conversation

Ask a preference rather than assuming it.
Clarify one ambiguous statement.
Distinguish a concern from a proven consequence and agree one evidence question.

Try again: Repeat once. Improve one question and one response.