English Level:
Advanced
Content Warning:
Bodily harm, car crash, slurred speech (hard to understand)
Vocabulary
I have chosen not to include the definitions here to give you the opportunity to find the information yourself. The information you find this way will stay with you longer. Please take the time to find out the meaning of the vocabulary.
Coma
Reach the plateau
Near and dear
As good as it gets
Slurred voice
Dormant
Stone cold silence
Comatose
Financial strain
In all its glory
Vivacious
Tavern
Rag doll
Grasp (information)
Written off
A fairy tale ending
Pre-Listening
These warmup questions are intended to introduce you to the topic
- What was the world like 20 years ago?
- If you woke up from a 20-year coma today, what things would be difficult for you to get used to?
- What are common ways that people end up in a coma?
Listening
As you listen, try to answer these questions.
You may need to listen more than once.
- When does a coma patient reach their “plateau”?
- When did Laurie become friends with Sarah?
- How far away does Laurie live from the hospital?
- How has the coma affected Sarah physically?
- Who is your oldest friend?
- What is the special birthday surprise for her father?
- Describe Sarah’s personality in college.
- How did Sarah end up in a coma?
- How old is Sarah now?
- What color eye shadow does she like?
- How old does she think she is?
- What did she experience during her 20-year coma?
- What world event does she remember from her coma?
Video
Post-Listening
Reflect on what you have learned.
- They say that you can’t put a price on love. Is this true?
- The family had to sell their house to keep Sarah alive. Would you want your family to do this for you? Would you do this for a family member?
- What would it be like to reconnect with a friend after 20 years apart?
- Have you ever been in a car accident? Did you get an injury?
- If someone time traveled from the past, what would they think about modern society?
- Would you like to time travel? Would you travel backwards or forwards in time?
- What would it like to be aware, but not be able to express yourself (like Sarah)?
- Identify at least one key issue from this video that you could research more.