This is the 3rd of 5 Articles MPEC decided to create to help you get to know your mind a bit better. They have been inspired by the Netflix Series The Mind: Explained
All mpec courses are based on Conversation, Communication and Interaction and our main goal is to give our students the confidence to approach any topic or idea in English. Below, you can find some questions and vocabulary you need to speak in English about THE HUMAN MIND AND THE MEMORY!
Hey there, mpec People! This is your Conversation Club Handout! To fully benefit from the Conversation Club, you should watch the Episode: Teenage Brain. If you don’t have access to Netflix, no panic! We’ve got your back! This particular Netflix episode is available on YouTube, so we linked it here for you to watch if you want!
PART 1: Warm Up
- Do you have a good memory or a bad memory
- Do you usually remember things or forget things?
- Would you like to have a perfect memory?Why or why not?
- How would it change your life?
Key words:
Let’s learn some synonyms of the words: GOOD
| Definition | Example | Synonyms |
| Acceptable in quality or degree | We have a good sense of how to proceed. | adequate, fair, satisfactory, sufficient |
| High quality or desirable | Ghostbusters is a good film. | brilliant, excellent, great, outstanding, superb |
| Useful or beneficial | Regular exercise is good for your health. | advantageous, helpful, positive, valuable |
| Morally good or agreeable | A good person helps those in need. | admirable, decent, respectable, virtuous |
| Skilled or capable | He is a very good singer. | accomplished, proficient, skillful, talented |
| Pleasant or pleasing | That flower smells good. | delightful, enjoyable, nice, pleasurable, satisfying |
Let’s learn some synonyms of the words: BAD
| Definition | Example | Synonyms |
| Low quality or faulty | A bad diet can cause health issues. | deficient, inadequate, mediocre, poor |
| Of a very low quality | Bathing in a tub of scorpions was a bad idea. | awful, dreadful, terrible, unacceptable |
| Harmful or negative | Smoking is bad for you. | damaging, detrimental, injurious, unhealthy |
| Immoral or disagreeable | Bad behavior will be punished. | evil, reprehensible, unpleasant, wrong |
| Unpleasant or unwelcome | We saw the bad news on television. | abhorrent, disagreeable, troublesome, undesirable |
Part 2: Earliest or most vivid Memory
- What’s your earliest memory? When did the event take place? Can you tell us about your earliest memories in detail?
- What’s your most vivid memory? When was it? Can you tell us in detail about it?
Key Concept: 3 Meanings of the verb: To Remember
1 in the sense of recall. Definition: to become aware of (something forgotten) again Example: He was remembering the old days. Synonyms: recall / think back to
2 in the sense of don’t forget. Definition: to keep (an idea, intention, etc.) in one’s mind Example: Remember to take the present. .Synonyms: don’t forget / be sure/ be certain/ make sure that you / mind that you
3 in the sense of cherish Example: I’ll make it a birthday to remember. Synonyms cherish / prize / treasure / hold dear
PART 3: You and the Others
- Do you have a photographic memory or do you know anyone who has a photographic memory?
- Are there things or times that you will never forget? Tell your group about them.
- Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? If so, tell us about it!
- If you could edit your memories, which ones would you erase and why? Which ones would you make clearer and more vivid?
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
All mpec students are welcome to join our Conversation Club Zoom Sessions which take place every Tuesday, 6pm to 6.30 pm and Thursday from 1 to 1.30 pm from October to June. If you are not a part of the mpec community yet, please get in touch with us and we will partner with you to create the right course for your needs and goals. Live English Courses via Streaming
Self Study Suggestion:
Watch the video (Netflix or You Tube) again.
Keep the subtitles on and try to make a list of 7 new expressions you find useful for your communication needs in English
Share your list with the other MPEC students and actively try to use the new words for a full week
