New here? This is lesson 234 of a free 240-lesson English course.
News and opinions in English
Ana and Marcus talk about a local news item at the studio. The paper says the Blue Line will run a weekend bus bridge.
A bus bridge means buses replace the train for a stretch. Some people like the plan. Some people do not.
By the end, you'll bring up a news story, say people are talking, and give a balanced view.
You'll also say the change will affect many people, and that the answer is not simple.
By the end of this lesson
Talk about a local news item and give a balanced view.
- I saw a piece about this today.I read or watched a news story today.
- People are talking about it everywhere.Many people are discussing this.
- I think both sides have a point.Each group is right about something.
- This will affect a lot of people.Many people will feel the change.
- It isn't that simple.The answer has more than one side.
- Did you see that report?Have you read or watched that news story?
Scene — the paper on her desk
Friday at the studio downtown. Ana has a paper on her desk. Marcus walks over with a rolled set of drawings.
The story is about a weekend bus bridge on the Blue Line. Ana takes that train every day.
They will weigh both sides and leave it there. No one needs a winner today.
Learn — news and a fair view
Six lines help you talk about a news item and give a fair view.
You name the story, say people are talking, and show both sides have a point.
I saw a piece about this today.
I read or watched a news story today.
When to use it: Say this when you bring up a news story you just read or watched.
Piece here means a news story, not a part of a thing.
People are talking about it everywhere.
Many people are discussing this.
When to use it: Use this when a news item is on many people's minds.
Everywhere here means in many places around town.
I think both sides have a point.
Each group is right about something.
When to use it: Say this when you see some truth on each side.
A point here means a fair idea, not a score.
This will affect a lot of people.
Many people will feel the change.
When to use it: Use this when a change will touch many lives.
Affect means the change will do something to people.
Say it: Stress the second part of affect.
It isn't that simple.
The answer has more than one side.
When to use it: Say this when a quick yes or no is not enough.
Isn't is one piece that holds is and not together.
Say it: Keep the n in isn't, so it does not sound like is.
Did you see that report?
Have you read or watched that news story?
When to use it: Ask this to check if someone already knows the story.
Report here means a news story, not a paper for school.
Story — both sides
Watch Ana and Marcus talk about the bus bridge. They hear both sides and stop there.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Ana looks up from the paper. Marcus stops by her desk with drawings under his arm.
MarcusDid you see that report?Have you read or watched that news story?
AnaI saw a piece about this today. The Blue Line will run a bus bridge this weekend.She read a news story today about a weekend bus bridge.- MarcusPeople are talking about it everywhere. I heard it at the diner this morning.Many people are discussing this, even at the diner.
- Ana folds the paper so only the photo shows. There is no readable writing.
- AnaI always take the Blue Line. Well, this will affect a lot of people.She takes that train every time, and many people will feel the change.
- MarcusSome riders say the buses will be slow. Some say the track work has to happen.He names two groups with different reasons.
- AnaI think both sides have a point.Each group is right about something.
- MarcusCould there be another way to look at it? Maybe they could run later trains.He asks her to think about a different view.
- AnaIt isn't that simple. You know, weekend riders still need a way downtown.The answer has more than one side, and weekend riders still need a ride.
- MarcusAre the trains still running on weekdays?He asks if weekday trains are still going.
- AnaYeah, they're still running on weekdays. It's just the weekend.Weekday trains are still going, and only the weekend changes.
- MarcusAnyway, this will affect a lot of people, and that's the part that matters.Many people will feel the change, and that is what he cares about.
- AnaI think both sides have a point. Let's leave it there.Each group is right about something, and she does not need a winner.
- MarcusYeah. Plan extra time on Saturday, and we'll be fine.He agrees they should add time and then stop the talk.
Practice — weigh the story
Nine short exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, build, and recall a full line.
They stay on the news lines, so the round stays clear.
0 of 9 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
I saw a piece about this today.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Recall the exact line from the lesson that says each group is right about something.
Pick the reply
Marcus says:
Pick the reply
Just pick a side. It's an easy yes or no.
He wants a quick, simple answer.
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
Recall the exact line from the lesson that says many people will feel the change.
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks if the buses are still going.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You ride that train every time, with no change.
I always ____ the Blue Line.
Pick the reply
Marcus says:
Pick the reply
The bus bridge is the only plan that works.
He says there is only one possible plan.
And you reply with:
Match the pairs
English
I saw a piece about this today.Drop the Simple English herePeople are talking about it everywhere.Drop the Simple English hereI think both sides have a point.Drop the Simple English hereDid you see that report?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
Say it — say the news back
Now you're Ana at the studio. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- MarcusI heard there's a change on the Blue Line this weekend.He heard the train will be different this weekend.
- Ana (you)Ask if he has read or watched that news story.
Ask if he has read or watched that news story.
Did you see that report?
Have you read or watched that news story?
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I saw a piece about this today. | I read or watched a news story today. | |
| People are talking about it everywhere. | Many people are discussing this. | |
| I think both sides have a point. | Each group is right about something. | |
| This will affect a lot of people. | Many people will feel the change. | |
| It isn't that simple. | The answer has more than one side. | |
| Did you see that report? | Have you read or watched that news story? |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these news lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your fair-view lines ready for the next news story.
Open Yak Cards