Listening - The Hidden Bard in Your Pocket

Listen to the audio and complete the activities below.

Click to read the transcript

Leo: Hey Sarah, I’m reading this article for class. It says that without Shakespeare, our vocabulary would be "lackluster."

Sarah: "Lackluster"? That sounds like a very specific word. Don't tell me... did he invent that too?

Leo: He did! Along with "manager" and "fashionable." It’s crazy. I used the word "fashionable" twice this morning while getting dressed.

Sarah: It’s fascinating. I always thought he was just about "thee" and "thou" and people dying in balconies. But he was basically a master of neologisms.

Leo: Exactly. He even came up with "obscene" and "generous." He was a branding genius before branding existed.

Sarah: I guess we are all speaking Shakespearean every day without realizing it. I feel so much more sophisticated now!

Leo: Don’t get too "swagger" about it, Sarah. That’s his word too!

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Fill in the Blanks

Listen to the dialogue and type the missing words.

1. Leo says that without Shakespeare, our vocabulary would be "."

2. Sarah used the word "" twice this morning.

3. Shakespeare was a master of "," which means new words.

4. Leo warns Sarah not to get too "."

Activity 2: Who said what?

Select the correct speaker for each statement based on the audio.

1. Mentioned the word "manager":
Select speaker... Leo Sarah

2. Mentioned "thee" and "thou":
Select speaker... Leo Sarah

3. Mentioned "obscene" and "generous":
Select speaker... Leo Sarah

4. Called Shakespeare a "branding genius":
Select speaker... Leo Sarah