Speaking (Dreams / Imagination)

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Idioms & Expressions:

 

pipe dream (noun; a dream that has a very small chance of coming true)

He pursued the pipe dream of going to L.A. and trying to become a movie star.

 

in your dreams (an expression is used to tell someone that what they are saying will only be true “in their dreams,” and not in real life)

He told me he was going to be an Olympic swimmer and I said “In your dreams!”

 

a dream come true (noun; something you have always hoped and wished for)

Getting accepted to Harvard was a dream come true for her.

 

dream job (noun; a job you have always wanted to have)

Working at the bank is a dream job for me.

 

play God (verb; means to experiment with powerful new technology)

Scientists have been playing God by cloning animals.

 

like a robot (a phrase that refers to a monotonous lifestyle or series of actions)

Every day I wake up, work out, go to work, and then come home. I feel like a robot.

 

think outside the box (an expression that means to think in unconventional ways in order to come up with new ideas)

The iPhone is a good example of thinking outside the box.

 

brainstorm (verb; means to come up with as many ideas as possible)

Let’s brainstorm a new name for our band.

 

Part 1: Group Discussion

Dreams

What are your dreams like?

Mine are pretty normal. Usually they’re just a recycling of what happened to me the previous day. I don’t remember any really strange or incredible dreams that I’ve had, really.

Do you like hearing others’ dreams?

Not especially! Usually they’re pretty boring, and they have more to do with that person’s life than me. Unless it’s a funny dream, and the person is a good storyteller, I’d rather talk about something else.

Do you think dreams can affect life? 

I think dreams can sometimes remind you about what’s important, or about things that you’re forgetting, but unless you remember them, I don’t think they affect life too much. I don’t think I’ve ever made a massive decision based on a dream.

Robot

Would you like robots to work at your home? 

I’m sure that someday I’ll have some sort of robot around, but I can’t imagine that they will make things that much easier, or that I’ll ever go out and buy one. I think life is fine and convenient enough as it is right now, so I don’t see a need for a robot.
Would you like to be in a car being driven by a robot?

Sure – I think that will be safer. Humans are pretty bad drivers, and so I’m looking forward to a fully automated road network. I’ve been hit so many times by foolish or careless drivers that I’m ready to accept robot drivers.

 

Part II: Individual Presentations

 

Describe a time when you used your imagination. You should say

  • when and where it was
  • what you did
  • how you were being imaginative

And explain how you felt about it

 

Well, I am a writer and so I use my imagination all the time. You need to be creative in order to be a writer. I remember I wrote a short story in seventh grade in order to complete an assignment. It was about an astronaut who was stuck on the moon. I thought it was a pretty cool story because there was a lot of action and suspense in it. My teacher and the other students really liked it, and so I started writing more often – I even still write today.

 

Part III: Class Discussion

Imagination

Is it important for children to develop their imagination?

Yes, absolutely. I think children are pretty naturally creative and imaginative, but it’s the parent’s job to foster it. Some of the best inventions come from ideas that most people would think were childish or weird.

Are stories and cartoons good for children’s imagination? Which one is better?

Well I don’t think you can pick just one, because cartoons are simply stories that have been animated.

Is playing video games good for children’s imagination?

Yes I think it is. Guiding a character through a video game takes a lot of autonomy and requires problem solving, which are good mental exercises. The more you use your brain, the more creative you’ll be.

What kinds of jobs require imagination?

Creative or innovative jobs. Nearly every single second of the day, we’re using our imaginations. Any time you think about something that is not a memory or something happening right now, then you’re using your imagination. So nearly every job requires it.

Do businessmen or scientists need imagination?

Yes they do, for the same reason anyone needs it. You need imagination in order to solve problems and create solutions.