Read the vocabulary, watch the video, and then answer the questions.
How to Tie Your Shoes
Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes#t-156572
Vocabulary:
| Word | Type | Pronunciation | Definition |
| effective | adjective | /ɪˈfektɪv/ | producing a result that is wanted |
| Used in a sentence: It’s a simple but effective technique. | |||
| intelligent | adjective | /ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/ | able to learn and understand things |
| Used in a sentence: Dogs are intelligent animals. | |||
| intellectual | adjective | /ˌɪntəlˈektʃuəl/ | of or relating to the ability to think in a logical way |
| Used in a sentence: I do various intellectual activities with my children. | |||
| savvy | adjective | /ˈsævi/ | having practical understanding or knowledge of something |
| Used in a sentence: He is savvy about computers. | |||
| worldly | adjective | /ˈwɜrldli/ | having a lot of practical experience and knowledge about life and the world |
| Used in a sentence: She is more worldly than her younger sister. | |||
| innovative | adjective | /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/ | introducing or using new ideas or methods |
| Used in a sentence: He took an innovative approach to the problem. | |||
| ludicrous | adjective | /ˈludɪkrəs/ | very foolish |
| Used in a sentence: It’s ludicrous to think that he can solve these problems himself. | |||
| orient | verb | /ˈɔriˌent/ | to place something in a particular position or direction |
| Used in a sentence: Orient the map so that north is at the top. | |||
| axis | noun | /ˈæksɪs/ | a straight line that divides a shape evenly into two parts |
| Used in a sentence: The diameter is cut in half by the axis. | |||
| yield | verb | /jild/ | to produce something as a result of time, effort, or work |
| Used in a sentence: New methods have yielded promising results. | |||
Questions:
- How did the speaker discover he was tying his shoes incorrectly?
- What is the correct way to tie shoes?
Discussion:
Have you ever discovered you’ve been using something incorrectly? What is one small change that you made that has had a big impact?
Answers:
- How did the speaker discover he was tying his shoes incorrectly? 🡪 He bought a new pair of shoes and was having problems keeping the laces tied. He went back to the store and explained the problem to the store owner.
- What is the correct way to tie shoes? 🡪 Start tying the shoe like “normal.” Then, instead of going around the front of the bow, go the other direction around the bow. This is a stronger version of the same knot, and it will come untied less often.
If you would like to learn more about Business English or schedule a one-on-one lesson with us, visit www.LearningBusinessEnglishOnline.com or find us on social media!