Vocabulary - Alan Partridge attempts to order a coffee

Watch the video of Alan Partridge trying to order a coffee in a shop and pay attention to the words he uses to describe the experience.

• 1. Atomized: Divided into many separate, often isolated, parts or units; no longer feeling like part of a cohesive group.
  • In an atomized society, people often feel lonely even when they are surrounded by others in a city.
• 2. Bastion: A place, person, or institution that strongly defends or maintains particular principles, attitudes, or activities.
  • For many, the local library is the last bastion of free information and community peace.
• 3. Middleman: A person or thing that arranges business or communication between two people or groups.
  • Using a delivery app means there is a digital middleman between you and the restaurant.
• 4. To Bypass: To go around or avoid a person, a rule, or a process.
  • You can bypass the long queue at the airport if you check in online before you arrive.
• 5. To Spark: To cause the start of something, especially an argument, a conversation, or a sudden feeling.
  • The professor's controversial comment sparked a very lively debate among the students.
• 6. Incapable: Lacking the ability or the necessary qualities to do something.
  • Some people feel incapable of functioning in the morning without at least two cups of coffee.

ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1: Definition Matching

Drag and drop (or tap to select and tap to place) the words into the correct definition boxes.

Bastion

To Spark

Atomized

Middleman

Incapable

A. To trigger or start something.

B. Divided into isolated units.

C. A strong supporter or protector of a tradition.

D. Unable to do something.

E. An intermediary between two parties.

Exercise 2: Gap Fill

Complete the sentences using the words: atomized, middleman, bypass, sparked, incapable.

1. Technology was originally designed to manual processes and save us time.

2. The lack of social spaces has created an world where people rarely talk to their neighbors.

3. I am of understanding why this coffee machine needs a 10-page manual!

4. The sudden power outage a lot of confusion in the office yesterday.

5. Why do we need a digital to talk to someone who is standing right in front of us?

Exercise 3: Reading Comprehension

Read the short dialogue below and select the correct answer for each question.

Sarah: I hate these new self-service kiosks. They are just a digital middleman that makes everything slower.

Mark: I disagree! They bypass the need for small talk, which is great when you’re in a hurry.

Sarah: But that’s the problem! Small talk is a bastion of human connection. Without it, the world feels too atomized.

1. Why does Sarah dislike the kiosks?

A They make everything faster. B They are a digital middleman that makes things slower. C They are a bastion of human connection.

2. What is the benefit of the kiosks according to Mark?

A They bypass the need for small talk. B They are highly atomized. C They spark lively debates.

3. Which word does Sarah use to describe a society where people are isolated?

A Bastion B Middleman C Atomized