Sean's Study Page: ANIA C2 Group 8 (2pm)

Thursday, 6 October 2016

ANIA C2 Group 8 (2pm)

Class
What is bravery to you?
Who is someone you admire for their bravery?

Reclaiming Fear by Magda Szubanksi
http://player.themoth.org/#/?actionType=ADD_TO_FAVORITES&storyId=561

Magda Szubanski is an Australian television and film actress, comedian and writer. She is best known internationally for her work on Babe and Happy Feet and their sequels but is much loved in Australia for her TV comedy work especially on the series Kath & Kim. Her memoir, Reckoning was released in 2015 and won Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards in May 2016.

1. Vocabulary
publicist
unflattering
to eviscerate (If you described yourself as feeling eviscerated, how would you feel?)
(fear of) the mob
triage

Collocations & Expressions
to relish the prospect
to be beside yourself with (usually followed by a strong emotion e.g. joy, anger, grief, despair)
(to be) in the thick of it/something

Cultural References

terry towelling hat
Jenny Craig
Kirstie Alley
to mow the lawn
bathers
newsstand
lounge room

Based on the title of the story and the key words, expressions and references we have discussed, what do you think Szubanksi will talk about?

2. Listening

How did the news of the paparazzi photos make her feel? Why?
What does she think people really mean when they praise her for being brave?
What happened to her father in 1943?
Why does she feel conflicted about her father’s role in the war?
What happened when she was 9 years old that changed her perception of both WWII and her father?
How did the documentary make her feel?
What surprised her about her father’s reaction to the documentary and how did this change their relationship?
At what point did she conquer her fear?
What is the great privilege she acknowledges at the end of the talk?

Apart from vocabulary, what features of Australian English did you notice?

Homework
Listen to the recording again, this time noticing the new vocabulary from today.

Going Further