Learning English Podcast - December 21, 2024
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
What are the differences between 'kind', 'type', 'species', and 'genre'?
'Kind' and 'type' are general terms for groups sharing common traits, while 'species' is used for categorizing living things, and 'genre' refers to styles of creative works like music or film.
Why are 'kind' and 'type' used more frequently than 'species' and 'genre'?
'Kind' and 'type' are more general and informal, making them common in everyday speech, whereas 'species' and 'genre' are more specific and often used in formal contexts.
How do Americans express expectations during Christmas?
Americans often use words like 'even', 'still', and 'actually' to express surprise or disappointment when reality doesn't meet their expectations, such as receiving an unexpected gift.
What is the term for expressing when reality doesn't meet expectations?
The term is 'counter-expectation', which refers to using words to show that events are not happening as expected.
What is the story 'The Gift of the Magi' about?
It's a story about a couple, Della and Jim, who sacrifice their most valuable possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts, showing the true meaning of love and giving.
Why did Della sell her hair in 'The Gift of the Magi'?
Della sold her hair to buy a silver chain for Jim's gold watch as a Christmas gift, as she couldn't afford anything else.
What was Jim's reaction when he saw Della without her hair?
Jim was initially shocked but reassured Della that her haircut wouldn't make him love her any less, showing his unconditional love.
What did Jim sacrifice to buy Della's gift?
Jim sold his gold watch to buy a set of beautiful combs for Della's hair, which she had admired but never expected to own.
What lesson does 'The Gift of the Magi' teach about giving gifts?
The story emphasizes that the wisest gifts come from love and sacrifice, even if they seem impractical, as seen in the Magi's gifts to Jesus.
- Kind and type are synonyms with the most general meaning, often used with the preposition 'of'.
- Species is used to categorize living things.
- Genre is used to categorize styles of creative works and is more formal than 'kind of'.
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