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Mixer #126 | Intermediate B1

Talent Wish

Listen to six people talk about a talent they they wish they had or would like to learn.

Lindsay / United States
speakerI wish that I was a ballet dancer. I think that would be really awesome to be able to stand on my tiptoes and be a beautiful ballerina dancer, like a swan.

Matt / United States
speakerIf I could choose one talent over anything else, I think that would be to be able to write nicely. My handwriting is so poor that even I have trouble reading it. So, if I could magically get a new talent, that would be to have nice handwriting.

Shiloh / United States
speakerI wish that I could play soccer. A lot of my friends enjoy playing soccer. When you travel to other parts of the world, people love soccer, and I'm always left out because I don't know what's going on and I'm no good. So, I feel that if I was able to play soccer, I would have an in with new friends and be able to meet some interesting new people.

Paul / England
speakerI wish I was able to play the guitar to a high standard. I have recently bought a guitar; however, I'm yet able to play. It's something I feel that is also kind of a social thing, where you can play a music, which people will always respond to and enjoy.

Tim / United States
speakerI wish that I could sing. I can't sing very well, I feel, but there are a lot of people who think I would have a good singing voice. But since I'm not very confident with singing and never really try, I don't know how to get better. So, I wish I was just better at it automatically.

Warren / Canada
speakerI really wish I could speak some other languages. I studied French when I was a kid, and I actually have forgotten most of it now, so I would like to go back and learn that again. But I'd also be interested in learning some other languages as well.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

magically

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If I could magically get a new talent, that would be to have nice handwriting.

We use the word 'magically' to show something should not be possible. Notice the following:

  1. Somehow, I magically got 100% on the test.
  2. If I could magically make all my problems go away I would, but unfortunately, I can't.

left out

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I'm always left out because I don't know what's going on

When you are left out, that means you are not included. Notice the following:

  1. At the party I was left out because everyone was speaking Spanish.
  2. All my friends can surf but me, so when we go to beach I feel left out.

have an in

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If I was able to play soccer, I would have an in with new friends.

When you 'have an in', that means you have a personal connection to someone. Notice the following:

  1. When she was in China, because she was Irish she had an in with students studying English.
  2. My father's best friend is the boss with that company so I have an in with them.

confident

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I'm not very confident with singing.

When you are confident at doing some activity, you think you can do it well. Notice the following:

  1. He was confident he would pass the test, but he failed.
  2. I just got my licence so I am still not confident driving on the high way yet.

automatically

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I was just better at it automatically.

When something happens automatically, it happens without any prompting. Notice the following:

  1. The newspaper subscription automatically renews each year.
  2. My father always automatically starts washing the dishes after dinner.

 

Vocabulary Quiz

magically • left out • have an in
confident • automatically
  1. The door closes after you open it.
  2. He pulled a rabbit out of the hat.
  3. I felt at the party.
  4. They at that company.
  5. He looks so when he speaks in public.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

One Minute English Video

Speakers
Mixer Video 126
What is a talent you wish you had?
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