Episode 0091
Summary
The audio begins with two individuals stargazing, identifying constellations, and then noticing a strange object they believe to be a UFO. An alien entity then addresses them, revealing it has been observing humanity for 3000 years. While acknowledging human creativity, the alien condemns humanity's ambition and belligerence, stating that these traits will lead to their downfall. The alien declares its intention to 'save the planet from them' and announces that humans will now 'pay the price,' followed by sounds of destruction.
Transcript (Click timestamp to jump)
Oh, honey, this is so romantic. I've never seen like so many stars before. It's beautiful.
See that constellation there? That's Orion. And the very bright star? Well, it's not a star because it doesn't blink. That's actually Venus.
What's that, um, big flashy one?
I don't know. I think it's a UFO.
Greetings Earthlings. I come from afar from a distant galaxy known only to a few.
Why are you here? Where did you come from?
We have been observing you for the last 3000 years. We have seen the amazing capacity that humans have to create such wonders as the Taj Mahal or masterpieces such as the Hafner Symphony.
Unfortunately, your intelligence and creativity does not come without consequence. Your ambition and desire for more will be your downfall, and we are here to save your planet from you.
You think you have us figured out? Who gives you the right to come and judge us? Who are you to play God with our fate?
Silence human. It is your belligerent attitude that has caused years of pain and anguish among yourselves. Now you will pay the price.
Summary
This audio is an English learning podcast focusing on vocabulary and phrases related to space, aliens, and human nature. The hosts, Marco and Erika, introduce vocabulary like 'constellation' and 'Earthlings', then present a dialogue where two humans encounter an alien. The alien criticizes humanity's intelligence, creativity, ambition, and belligerent attitude, threatening their planet. Following the dialogue, the hosts delve deeper into terms such as 'without consequence', 'ambition', 'downfall', 'belligerent', and 'anguish'. They also explain how to use phrases like 'such wonders as', 'what gives you the right', and 'who are you to play God', providing examples and context. The episode concludes with a replay of the alien encounter and a discussion about celestial phenomena and UFOs.
Transcript (Click timestamp to jump)
Hello English learner, welcome back to English Pod. My name is Marco.
And I'm Erika.
And today we're going to be looking at another kind of science fiction lesson related to aliens.
That's right. Uh and I think in this lesson we'll actually have an alien sighting here at English Pod.
Right, an alien encounter.
Mhm.
So we're gonna be learning about the stars, we're gonna be learning about aliens and UFOs today.
That's right. And we're also going to learn some language that you can use to describe um negative results, uh things that happen that are bad.
That's right. So let's start by looking at vocabulary preview.
Vocabulary preview.
Okay, we have two words for you that we're going to hear in the dialogue. And the first one is constellation.
Constellation.
A constellation.
All right. So we've all looked up in the sky and seen shapes or figures that are formed by the stars.
That's right. So a constellation is a group of stars that makes a shape and has a name.
Right. There are a total of 88 known constellations, so the most popular ones, I think, maybe are the Little Dipper, the Big Dipper, etcetera.
I never knew you were such a fan of astronomy, Marco.
A little bit.
All right. What about the next one?
The next one is Earthlings.
Earthlings.
Earthlings.
So Earthlings are people who live on planet Earth.
On Earth, exactly.
And in the dialogue we're going to hear 'Greetings, Earthlings.'
This is the most typical phrase that you will hear in almost every single alien movie.
Exactly. So it's like saying, 'Hello, people from Earth.'
Yes, every single alien in the world says this phrase.
So those are the two words that we are going to find in this dialogue today. So why don't we start and listen to what happens with our UFO experience.
Oh, honey, this is so romantic. I've never seen like so many stars before. It's beautiful.
See that constellation there? That's Orion. And the very bright star, well, it's not a star, because it doesn't blink, that's actually Venus.
What's that, um, big flashy one?
I don't know. I think it's a UFO.
Greetings, Earthlings. I come from afar, from a distant galaxy known only to a few.
Why are you here? Where did you come from?
We have been observing you for the last 3000 years. We have seen the amazing capacity that humans have to create such wonders as the Taj Mahal or masterpieces such as the 'Halfner Symphony.' Unfortunately, your intelligence and creativity does not come without consequence. Your ambition and desire for more will be your downfall, and we are here to save your planet from you.
You think you have us figured out? What gives you the right to come and judge us? Who are you to play God with our fate?
Silence, human. It is that belligerent attitude that has caused years of pain and anguish among yourselves. Now you will pay the price.
For observing you for the last 3000 years. We have seen...
Well, that didn't work out so well for the Earthlings, now did it?
I think the aliens are a little bit belligerent themselves.
Mhm.
All right. So, why don't we start by looking at some of those difficult words that we might have found in this dialogue in language takeaway.
Language takeaway.
Okay, well, the aliens are using a lot of language to describe some of the negative results that are happening because of the human's behavior on Earth, right?
Right.
And so one of the things they said was that 'your intelligence and creativity does not come without consequence.'
Consequence.
Without consequence.
All right. So the consequence of an action are basically the results.
Yes, exactly. And here the phrase 'without consequence' suggests the negative results.
All right. So the negative results from your actions.
Mhm. Very good.
What about our next word?
Well, the aliens also talked about human ambition.
Ambition.
Ambition.
So, what is ambition, exactly?
So, ambition is the desire or the want for for things to be better, to improve, to get rich, to be technologically advanced.
Okay, so to want more.
Yeah.
You have ambitions in your life, in your professional life, in your personal life.
Yeah.
So basically we have ambition and we have desires and these are the reasons for our downfall.
Okay, so downfall.
Downfall.
Will be your downfall.
So the downfall of something is...
Something that causes failure.
Okay, so the loss of wealth or the loss of reputation or that it's it gets ruined.
Exactly. The downfall. We can say like, for example, the downfall of the Roman Empire.
Or you know what, this guy is, um, a great employee, but his lack of ambition was his downfall.
Very good. All right, coming up to our next word.
The alien described that humans have a belligerent attitude.
Belligerent.
Belligerent.
Belligerent.
All right, this is a very nice word. So, why don't we listen to some examples of how we can use it in context.
Example one.
Don't take that belligerent tone with me. I don't wanna argue with you.
Example two.
Thomas is always so belligerent. It is impossible to talk to him.
Example three.
Stacy was fired for her belligerent attitude.
Okay, so I can understand that it means, um, sort of aggressive, having a strong willingness to fight.
Exactly. A belligerent person, a belligerent attitude.
A belligerent country.
Okay. Very good. And our last word for today, anguish.
Anguish.
Anguish.
Anguish.
So to cause great anguish...
To cause a lot of terrible emotional or physical pain.
Okay, so it is a synonym of pain, of of suffering.
Yeah, but really intense suffering.
Really intense.
Why don't we give a few examples? Um, the end of his marriage caused him great anguish.
Or, for example, the loss of his dog caused him great anguish.
Okay, so anguish.
All right, so we've covered five great words on language takeaway today. Why don't we move on now to 'Putting it together'?
Putting it together.
Okay, we're going to look at three phrases that we heard in the dialogue and see how we can use them in different contexts. So the aliens, um, were praising some of the masterpieces that the humans have created, right?
Right.
He said, 'You humans create such wonders as the Taj Mahal, blah, blah, blah.'
Okay.
So let's look at this phrase, 'such wonders as.'
All right, so we have a noun here, a wonder.
Mhm. Uh, an amazing thing. An amazing structure.
Yes. So he says, 'such wonders as.' Now we can change this noun and replace it with another one, right?
Yeah, we can, um, we can replace that noun with anything. So why don't we hear a few examples?
Example one.
To finish this house, we need such materials as cement, wood, and steel.
Example two.
I need to write a report on a social topic such as psychology, health, or marriage.
Example three.
Companies have found that social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are great marketing opportunities.
So this is a really useful structure to use when you want to give examples about of many different things.
Okay, and as the alien was criticizing the humans, the guy said, 'What gives you the right to come and judge us?'
So interesting phrase, 'What gives you the right?'
What gives you the right?
What gives you the right?
All right, so if I tell you, 'What gives you the right to...' and then a verb.
Yeah.
What am I saying there?
You're basically saying, 'You don't have the right to do this. You shouldn't do this.'
Why are you doing it, or why do you want to have this control over me?
Yeah. So, when would we, when would you use this phrase?
If somebody is trying to control you, or maybe somebody is judging you or doing something to you against your will, maybe. You would say, 'What gives you the right to take my phone away?'
What gives you the right to tell me what to do?
All right. It's a good phrase to tell that other person that they shouldn't do that.
They're doing something unfair. Unfair. Okay.
And our next phrase is very similar.
'Who are you to play God with our fate?'
Okay, so I want to look at this, um, 'to play God.'
All right, so to play God is making these arbitrary decisions, like he is the master of everything.
Right, controlling everything.
Mhm. But this phrase, 'Who are you to...' So basically saying, 'You don't have the power or authority to do this.'
Mhm. And you can use it in exactly the same way. 'Who are you to tell me what to do?'
Who are you to take away my phone?
Exactly. So you don't have the power to do this.
Very good.
So these phrases are a little bit aggressive, almost, uh, belligerent, wouldn't you say?
A little bit, but I guess if you are being treated unfair or if you are angry at a situation, it would be a good phrase to use to put your point across.
Yes. And as we saw, these humans are pretty angry. So why don't we listen again as they're telling the aliens, 'Who are you to do this to us?'
Oh, honey, this is so romantic. I've never seen like so many stars before. It's beautiful.
See that constellation there? That's Orion. And the very bright star, well, it's not a star, because it doesn't blink, that's actually Venus.
What's that, um, big flashy one?
I don't know. I think it's a UFO.
Greetings, Earthlings. I come from afar, from a distant galaxy known only to a few.
Why are you here? Where did you come from?
We have been observing you for the last 3000 years. We have seen the amazing capacity that humans have to create such wonders as the Taj Mahal or masterpieces such as the 'Halfner Symphony.' Unfortunately, your intelligence and creativity does not come without consequence. Your ambition and desire for more will be your downfall, and we are here to save your planet from you.
You think you have us figured out? What gives you the right to come and judge us? Who are you to play God with our fate?
Silence, human. It is that belligerent attitude that has caused years of pain and anguish among yourselves. Now you will pay the price.
For observing you for the last 3000 years. We have seen...
Okay, so UFOs and constellations and stars and planets. Um, have you ever had an encounter with one of these?
Well, definitely not an encounter with a UFO, but, um, maybe with some of the wonders of the night sky.
Mhm. What happened?
Well, you know, when I was small, I used to, uh, have my vacations up in northern Canada, and because it was so far away from the city, it was really dark. And and you could see all of these shooting stars. So these stars moving across the sky, um, and lighting up the whole sky with with their brightness, and it really is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
So shooting stars, those are like, like balls of fire that move across the sky, right?
Yeah, exactly. And I saw once, actually, I was in an astronomy class, um, and turned around and over the horizon, like at the end of the sky, where the sky meets the Earth, I saw this huge ball of fire move across the sky, and it looked like it landed in the field next to us. It was so close.
Wow, that's nice.
Yeah, pretty amazing.
Well, I imagine that it is really amazing and I guess Canada is the place to be when you when you want to see these things.
I know. You got like northern lights, we've got shooting stars, lots of stuff.
All right. So, what about you guys? You should tell us if you have ever seen a shooting star or a meteor or something of this type of astronomy things, right?
Or even a UFO.
A UFO. All right, so come to our website Englishpod.com. Be sure to leave your questions and your comments, and Erika and I are there to answer any questions or doubts.
Well, thanks for downloading, you guys, and until next time, goodbye.
Bye.
Summary
The audio is an English vocabulary learning exercise presented as an audio review. It consists of two main sections: first, a speaker defines a word, and another speaker provides the vocabulary word; second, the second speaker provides sentences using the previously learned words. The pace increases in the second section. The vocabulary covers terms related to space, human endeavors, and general adjectives.
Transcript (Click timestamp to jump)
The English podcast audio review.
Listen to the meaning, then say the vocabulary word.
A particular shape formed by a group of stars.
Constellation.
Produce light every several seconds.
Blink.
Unidentified flying object.
UFO.
Human beings that live on Earth.
Earthlings.
From a long distance.
From afar.
Any of numerous large-scale collections of stars, gas, and dust that make up the visible universe.
Galaxy.
The ability to do something.
Capacity.
A monumental human creation that is amazing.
Wonder.
Wonderful pieces of work.
Masterpiece.
A logical result or effect of an action.
Consequence.
The desire to achieve more.
Ambition.
Something that brings failure.
Downfall.
Completely understand, comprehend.
Figure out.
Decide the fate of someone or something.
Play God.
Angry, aggressive, wanting to fight.
Belligerent.
Very strong and terrible physical or mental pain, torment.
Anguish.
A vehicle that travels in space.
Spacecraft.
An event when people do something to play a joke on or fool others.
Hoax.
The study of the stars and space.
Astronomy.
Unable to be explained by science.
Supernatural.
A name for a UFO.
Flying saucer.
Let's try that faster.
The ability to do something.
Capacity.
A logical result or effect of an action.
Consequence.
A monumental human creation that is amazing.
Wonder.
Something that brings failure.
Downfall.
An event when people do something to play a joke on or fool others.
Hoax.
A vehicle that travels in space.
Spacecraft.
From a long distance.
From afar.
Unable to be explained by science.
Supernatural.
Very strong and terrible physical or mental pain, torment.
Anguish.
Unidentified flying object.
UFO.
The study of the stars and space.
Astronomy.
Completely understand, comprehend.
Figure out.
A particular shape formed by a group of stars.
Constellation.
Produce light every several seconds.
Blink.
Decide the fate of someone or something.
Play God.
Any of numerous large-scale collections of stars, gas, and dust that make up the visible universe.
Galaxy.
The desire to achieve more.
Ambition.
A name for a UFO.
Flying saucer.
Angry, aggressive, wanting to fight.
Belligerent.
Human beings that live on Earth.
Earthlings.
Wonderful pieces of work.
Masterpiece.
Now say the word and hear it in a sentence.
Their fans came from afar to watch their national team play in the World Cup.
This is a picture of the Earth as it is seen from afar.
I have loved her from afar for more than a year now. I need to tell her how I feel.
Consequence.
There are very serious consequences for committing a crime in this country.
Consequence.
You knew the possible consequences for your actions. Now you must pay the price.
Consequence.
His decision had serious consequences for his business.
Downfall.
His addiction to alcohol will be his downfall.
Downfall.
The downfall of the Roman Empire was an important event in history.
Downfall.
Our company made some bad investments and ultimately caused our downfall.
Figure out.
Have you figured out the solution to that math problem yet?
Figure out.
I think I figured out what is wrong with my car.
Figure out.
Scientists have figured out a way to make cars run on water.
Belligerent.
Don't take that belligerent tone with me. I don't want to argue with you.
Belligerent.
Thomas is always so belligerent. It is impossible to talk to him.
Belligerent.
Stacy was fired for her belligerent attitude.