Lesson 3: Award Shows
Arthur Green took home the award for Best Actor.

I can read and understand a post about an award show.

INTRODUCE

Reading about award shows can give you an idea of what’s popular in the music or movie industries.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. Use the term glitz and glamour when talking about something that is high-class and extravagant.

     

    He wanted to become an actor because he liked the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

     

    Q: Which of these women is living a life of glitz and glamour? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    2. To be dressed to the nines means to be wearing fancy and fashionable clothing for a special occasion.

     

    She was dressed to the nines for her 18th birthday party.

     

    Q: Which of these men is dressed to the nines? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    3. To take home something means to receive something, especially a prize or award.

     

    The team took home $50,000 after winning the competition.

     

    Q: Which of these superhero movies is more likely to take home an award? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When two words are connected by and, the word and is often pronounced as /n/.
Phrase Example

glitz and glamour

/ glitz n gla-mer /

It was a night of / glitz n gla-mer / at the award show.

UNDERSTAND

READING

Toru is reading a blog post about the award show his celebrity friend, Adam Jones, attended the night before.

A Recap of the 71st Limelight Awards

Nothing could compare to the glitz and glamour of the 71st Limelight Awards last night at the Infinity Theater in Los Angeles. There was no shortage of A-list celebrities. Fans screamed especially loudly when the main cast of Paranoid Housewives – Christina Walton, Melanie Monteau, and Adam Jones – arrived in a limo together.

While many celebrities experimented with new fashion trends last year, this year classic styles dominated the red carpet. Everyone was dressed to the nines, with women sticking to mainly neutral-colored evening gowns and men favoring classic black suits.

As expected, The Queen’s Speech won Best Picture. Arthur Green took home the award for Best Actor, while Emilia Perry won Best Actress.

Here’s the complete list of winners at the 71st Limelight Awards:

BEST PICTURE: The Queen’s Speech
BEST ACTOR: Arthur Green, The Diamond Trail
BEST ACTRESS: Emilia Perry, Scarlet Frost
BEST DIRECTOR: Jason Marsh, The Queen’s Speech

TRIVIA

Award shows aren’t always for recognizing talent. In fact, sometimes they’re done to draw attention to a total lack of talent! The Golden Raspberry Awards, also known as the Razzies, honors the worst films, actors, and actresses in Hollywood. Sadly, most of the people nominated for a Razzie do not attend the event.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Replace the underlined parts with the expressions from the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

take home something
glitz and glamour
be dressed to the nines

The year-end party was an evening of luxury at the five-star Prism Hotel. Everyone came in very formal, elegant attire, and one waiter actually said that it felt like he was working at a Hollywood awards ceremony instead of a company event! The night was filled with excitement and laughter as people enjoyed their food and wine. During the recognition program, ten people got awards for their hard work over the past year. Each of them went on stage to give a speech and to receive their trophy.

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the conversations using the pictures and the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.

glitz and glamour
be dressed to the nines
take home something

1.

Tutor: What did you think of the fancy restaurant we went to last night?

Student: It was amazing! __________.

 

2.

Tutor: What did you get for coming in first place? A medal?

Student: No, not a medal. __________.

 

3.

Tutor: Did you see Cora last night?

Student: Yes! __________.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your favorite music award show is today, but unfortunately, you’re at work and can’t watch it on TV. Read a live news feed about it on social media during your break. Then, tell a coworker about what you read.

Today's Expressions

  • glitz and glamour
  • be dressed to the nines
  • take home something

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

AWARD SHOWS
2

DRESSING TO THE NINES
3

THE RAZZIES
1

AWARD SHOWS

  1. What are some popular award shows in Japan?  
  2. What foreign award shows do you know?
  3. Should award shows always be full of glitz and glamour?
  4. Which celebrity do you think deserves to take home lots of awards?

2DRESSING TO THE NINES

  1. Do you like dressing to the nines?  
  2. When is it necessary for you to dress to the nines?
  3. What would you wear if you had to dress to the nines?
  4. Is it easy for you to find clothes like that?

3THE RAZZIES

  1. Do you think it’s okay to have negative award shows like the Razzies?  
  2. Which celebrity or movie do you think should win a Razzie award?  
  3. Should celebrities attend the event to accept their awards?
  4. How would taking home a Razzie award affect a celebrity?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand a post about an award show.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK