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Smooth Things Over
Smooth Things Over English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English with this arguments English lesson

Date: Nov 26 2013

Themes: Family, Soap Opera

Grammar: Comparing Quality

Intro

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When you were a kid, you probably watched your mom or dad make their bed. Maybe you even helped. Or perhaps you’ve stayed in a hotel where someone else makes your bed. In both cases, the way to make a bed look good and in order is to make sure it has smooth sheets and blankets.

If two people are fighting, they probably aren’t having a good time. They want the fight to be over as soon as possible, and they need to find a way to smooth things over between them. It’s like taking a messy bed and making it neat again. It may take a little effort, but in the end, the room looks and feels better.

Find out why Amanda and Mason need to smooth things over in this English lesson about excited parents.

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Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Amanda

Amanda

Mason

Mason

Marni

Marni

Lily

Lily

Jeff

Jeff

Amanda:  Look, Mason, don’t get me wrong. I’m super excited. I just think your enthusiasm is a little over the top. I mean, those pictures that you took of me at the OB/GYN. Did you really need to post them on Facebook? It’s driving me nuts.

Mason:  OK, listen. I just want our friends to be part of this process. Right? I’m so excited! Come on, you can’t be mad at me for being excited.

Amanda:  What’s happening here?

Marni:  Surprise! Happy baby!

Mason:  Look, they threw us an impromptu baby shower! Isn’t this great?

Amanda:  Perfect. What do we have here? Nice giraffe.

Lily:  Isn’t she cute? Her skin is as smooth as a real baby’s.

Amanda:  A real baby giraffe’s?

Lily:  Sure!

Marni:  Do you guys want to sit down and have some cake? Or maybe play some baby-themed games?

Jeff:  Or not.

Marni:  Right. Or not. They seem kind of mad at each other. Maybe this baby shower wasn’t such a good idea.

Jeff:  Yeah, Amanda seems really ticked off.

Lily:  You know what? Maybe I can help to smooth things over. I did learn some really good conflict management skills when I was at Rolling Hills. So, Amanda and Mason? We have all noticed that you might be having some sort of conflict in between you, and a very important first step is just to air out any issues you may have with each other. So, Mason? Why don’t you start and just tell us how you’re feeling?

Mason:  Well, OK. I mean, I guess sometimes when Amanda likes to…

Amanda:  OK. You know what, guys? I think it’s actually kind of sweet that you put this party together for us and I appreciate it a little bit, but I don’t remember signing up for group therapy. So, since I have a lot of work to do, I’m going to go.

Jeff:  Yeah. Real smooth, boss. Real smooth.

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Amanda is starting to feel ticked off by Mason’s behavior. He’s so excited about their baby that he’s sharing too much with their friends and family. He even put photos of Amanda at the doctor’s office on the internet!

The two of them soon learn that Marni, Lily and Jeff are giving them a surprise baby shower at the office. Amanda’s in a bad mood and isn’t happy to be there, but Mason loves the attention and the gifts. Lily tries to smooth things over between Amanda and Mason, but she’s unsuccessful. In fact, Amanda gets up and leaves.

Is Amanda right to be upset with Mason? How can Mason smooth things over with his wife?

 

Comments

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saranak

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Mason should have askrd Amanda about putting her photos on the Intefnate to have smoothed things over.

08:28 AM Apr 21 2018 |

ttsuka

ttsuka

Japan

If I were Mason, before trying to make up with Amanda, I would give a hard look at myself in the mirror and ask, “Why do I wear this hat?”  If I were Amdanda, I would start thinking about divorce.

12:39 AM Feb 11 2014 |

momoeh

Egypt

amanda is upset from this behaviour because of pregrancy may lead to depression and makes woman more sensitive..but i think if mason shared other photos of amanda  not prgrancy photos without her permission .her responce would not be the same…but i see that amanda must think in open mind more

08:32 PM Jan 18 2014 |

bettyliu

Taiwan

I think Amanda just wanted some privacy, Mason’d better to pay attention to her inner feeling and cut back his enthusiasm a little bit to smooth things over, not just air out how exiting he is.  

03:15 AM Dec 14 2013 |

1 person likes this

zhaleh hoor

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Amanda is somehow right to feel ticked off but it is sth that has been done so better  she takes it easy :) Mason can smooth things over by apologizing Amanda, i ehink it’s a nice way.

12:08 PM Nov 29 2013 |

1 person likes this

saeedeh_cj

saeedeh_cj

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I think Amanda is right to be upset and Mason shouldn’t put photos on internet bcz it’s private but it depends on the person.Maybe Mason could smooth things over buy agreeing with Amanda to keep sth private in this process.

08:19 AM Nov 27 2013 |

S&W

S&W

China

I think most of times an pregnant woman’s mind can be elusive and uncontrol.Maybe mason should asked Amada if she wanna post her photos on the facebook,After all, it’s about amada’s privacy.Being ticked off in face of her friends is not good.Friends didn’t do anything wrong ,they just wanna celebrate this special time.


Mason and Amada should have a talk after amada calm down,things will be better.

03:12 AM Nov 27 2013 |

1 person likes this

Eric_

Eric_

China

Men have taken up the world,but been controlled by women. ><

02:36 AM Nov 27 2013 |

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

Pulling sb hopes up is either good or bad, depend on vague result. In my view point Amanda’s cold treatment was disgusting, i affraid. She could just pretend to has happiness sense and after that with some pleas leave the room in a good manner. those guys added together just for her baby and this is their esteem towards Amanda and Mason. I belive that it’s not more significant issue to be upset like what she did.


There are a lot of things that Mason can do to smooth it over. For instance by air out, if the weather is good enough, he can apologize for uncoordinated meeting and by trying convince her with some romantic sentences about the future of baby.

07:18 PM Nov 26 2013 |

jef_maiko

jef_maiko

Brazil

She is acting as she was a baby…. It is bether let her calm herself and after she cold her head, Mason can go and smooth things over…...

03:08 PM Nov 26 2013 |

2 people like this

andujar

Dominican Republic

The conflict between them are because Amanda has a lot of emotion in the prensent and she has a different bahaivor after pregnant. and dont like anything to his husband and friends too

12:07 PM Nov 26 2013 |

1 person likes this

saranak

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

the  conflict between a wife and a  husband is like the weather in spring. there is no need to interfere in.

11:55 AM Nov 26 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

Amanda snapped  and it`s understandable , Mason  made a  gross mistake on  putting out into  public viewing  Amanda`s pictures, something that should be a private  visit to her OB/GYN .Instead of making lame  excuses he should apologize  if he wants to smooth things over . I feel sorry for their friends  that  instead  of  celebrating  the new baby are caught in the middle of a domestic dispute  that  has ruined  the baby shower. 

11:34 AM Nov 26 2013 |

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

it’s typical, wifes want to show who’s boss!!

11:22 AM Nov 26 2013 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

I understand Amanda! I think some people don’t like to be the centre of attention, they would rather be the part of the party, but to be in the spotlight is a little bit not to comfy for them let alone to air out the issues on public. We should respect each other mood and personality. If Amanda doesn’t want to paticipate, it’s ok. Not everyone is extrovert. But Lily’s enthusiasm is so catchy to smooth things over, alas, sometimes it’s only adds fuel to the fire.


 

03:30 AM Nov 26 2013 |

simon1977

China

Amanda is not so right at two points. First, as a pregnant moman it’s necessary to keep in a peaceful mood,it can help to bring a helthy baby .Second,it’s not so graceful and polited to express her bad feeling in front of her freinds, after all ,they just wanted to bring a surprise babyshow . They are innocent and shouldn’t have faced to a fouious face.

02:46 AM Nov 26 2013 |

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