30-DAY CHALLENGE, Matt Cutts

Exercise 1 Match the phrases with the correct definitions.

Phrase
….1 to be stuck in a rut
….2 to follow in the footsteps
of sb
….3 to fly by
….4 to give sth a shot
…. 5 to be deprived of sth
Definition
a) not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant
life, such as enough money, food, or good living conditions
b) to be too fixed in one particular type of job, activity,
method, etc., and need to change it
c) to try to do or achieve something that is difficult, when
success is uncertain
d) to do the same thing as someone else did previously
e) to move or go quickly

Exercise 2 Finish the following sentences:

1 If I feel stuck in a rut, I usually…
2 I’d love to follow in the footsteps of…………………………………..…and……………………………………..
3 Time always flies by when I…
4 I’ve always wanted to give … a shot.
5 I can’t imagine being deprived of………
Exercise 3
Watch the TED talk at: https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days?
language=pl#t-184197

and answer the following questions:

1 Why did Matt Cutts decide to do something new for 30 days?
2 What did he first decide to do for 30 days? How did he feel after that?
3 What did he do next?
4 What have these 30 day – challenges taught him?
5 What would you do if you felt that you were stuck in a rut?
6 Is your every day memorable? If not, what can you do to change this?
Exercise 2
Work with a partner and answer the following questions:
1. What is a challenge you would never want to face?
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?
3. What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now?
4. Do you think that challenges improve a person’s character?
5. What are the biggest challenges your country is facing right now?
6. Do you think living in the present is more or less challenging than living in the past? Why?
7. What are some big challenges that people have overcome that you have heard of?
8. Do you enjoy overcoming challenges or do you prefer things to be easy? Why?
9. What kind of challenge would you like to try?
10. What are some challenges you think the next generation will face?
11. Should people make their children have easy lives with few challenges or make sure their
children face challenges?

Source:
https://busyteacher.org/14023-ted-talk-try-something-new-for-30-days.html

https://conversationstartersworld.com/interesting-conversation-topics/

https://www.eslconversationquestions.com/challenges/

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/vocabulary/people/ted-talk-30-days-challenge/81528

dictionary.cambridge.org