Try something new for 30 days by Matt Cutts
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Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile.
Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.
Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.
Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂
Zespół The Blue Tree
back to HOME > General Interest > Man and Society >
Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile.
THE BLUE TREE
Man & Society
CEFR B2
Upper
Intermediate
warm up
Answer the questions below. Then listen to the model answers and think about how you could improve yours.
| How important is the pursuit of happiness for you? |
TRANSCRIPT
The pursuit of happiness is really important to me, but I’ve learned that it’s not always about being happy all the time. I think it’s about finding balance and meaning in life, even when things are tough. For me, it’s about making choices that lead to long-term satisfaction, not just quick moments of joy. Happiness is something I actively work on, but I know it’s not a constant state.
| What can tough times teach us? Is there any advantage in going through hardships? |
TRANSCRIPT
Tough times can be some of the best teachers. Going through hardships makes you stronger, more understanding, and better equipped to handle future challenges. It’s like when you exercise and your muscles get stronger after being pushed to their limits. In the same way, when life pushes you, you grow, learn, and develop resilience. There’s definitely an advantage in going through tough times because they show you what you’re capable of.
| How can we become more resilient to painful emotions and events? |
TRANSCRIPT
To become more resilient to painful emotions and events, I think it’s important to first acknowledge and accept those feelings, rather than trying to avoid them. Learning to manage emotions through mindfulness, talking with others, or even just giving yourself time can make a big difference. Building strong relationships and focusing on personal growth also helps. It’s about recognizing that challenges are part of life and using them to grow rather than break.
part one
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 0:09 What two kinds of people do not experience emotions?
- ⌚ 0:19 What false expectation do many people have in relation to happiness?
- ⌚ 0:26 What do we need to learn to do with painful emotions?
- ⌚ 1:12 What is Resilience 1.0 system about?
- ⌚ 1:23 How is Resilience 2.0 different from 1.0?
part two
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 1:42 What example from our bodies illustrate the antifragile system?
- ⌚ 2:02 What is PTG and how is it different from PTSD?
- ⌚ 2:15 What is the goal of happiness studies?
- ⌚ 3:00 What paradox exists in the context of pursuing happiness?
- ⌚ 3:09 How can we resolve this paradox?
- ⌚ 3:50 How is it similar to looking at the sun?
part three
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 4:17 What does SPIRE stand for?
- ⌚ 4:32 What is spirituality about?
- ⌚ 4:42 What is one the most important component of the physical element of the rainbow?
- ⌚ 4:58 What is the main problem related to stress?
- ⌚ 5:27 How can we draw happiness from intellectual side of life?
part four
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 5:41 What is the number one predictor of well-being?
- ⌚ 5:54 How important is the quality of our relationships?
- ⌚ 6:01 What two kinds of emotions do we need to learn to embrace?
- ⌚ 6:13 What did Cicero think about gratitude?
- ⌚ 6:19 What is the benefit of showing more appreciation?
- ⌚ 6:26 In what sense is happiness more than just pleasure?
DISCUSSION
- What do you think of the idea of Antifragility / Resilience 2.0?
- Would you add any more elements to the SPIRE Model? What would they be?
- Why do you think people who pursue happiness directly are often unhappy?
- Which element of the SPIRE Model brings most happiness to you?
- Tal Ben-Shahar says that ‘happiness resides on a continuum’, that it is a journey. Do you agree with it?
- At the end he says: “I do not think that things necessarily happen for the best. However, we can learn to make the best of things that happen”. What does it mean for you?
POLL
lesson glossary
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Can e-bikes transform our cities?
Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.
Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.
Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂
Zespół The Blue Tree
back to HOME > General Interest > Travel and Nature >
Can e-bikes transform our cities?
THE BLUE TREE
Travel & Nature
CEFR B1
Intermediate
warm up
Answer the questions below.
- Do you like riding a bike?
- Have you ever used your bike to commute to work or school?
- Do you think that e-bikes can reduce the number of cars in cities?
part one
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 00:16 How popular are e-bikes these days?
- ⌚ 00:22 How big is the European market for e-bikes?
- ⌚ 00:54 How much has the sales of e-bikes risen since last year?
- ⌚ 01:04 Who is buying e-bikes?
- ⌚ 01:18 How expensive are e-bikes?
- ⌚ 01:38 What is Bosch famous for?
- ⌚ 02:04 What innovations sped the trend for electric bikes?
- ⌚ 02:16 What’s the possible range on an e-bike these days?
part two
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 2:57 How many Germans own an e-bike?
- ⌚ 3:15 What makes a city of Vechta special?
- ⌚ 3:40 How are e-bikes changing the city infrastructure?
- ⌚ 3:52 What is Bremen famous for?
- ⌚ 4:17 What is Bremen building to make cycling safer?
- ⌚ 4:32 What caused an increase in the use of e-bikes in London?
- ⌚ 4:47 What is transforming the way people do their shopping?
- ⌚ 5:21 How are e-bikes replacing vans on the road?
part three
key language
watch the video
COMPREHENSION
- ⌚ 5:44 How are delivery companies like FedEx taking advantage of e-bikes?
- ⌚ 5:59 What are the advantages of these vehicles?
- ⌚ 6:31 What have architects realized in the last decade?
- ⌚ 6:38 How popular were bikes in 1949?
- ⌚ 6:46 How did the situation change by 1974?
- ⌚ 7:04 How are cities around the world changing accoring to Peter Murray?
- ⌚ 7:11 How has the position of e-bikes changes as a mode of transport?
POLL
Cast your vote in the poll.
lesson glossary
COMMENTS
How do you feel about e-bikes? Do you think they will be the future of personal transport in cities?
Share your thoughts and ideas below.
Idioms about learning and studying with Lucy
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Phrasal verbs about travel and transport with Lucy
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COMMENTS
What do you think of the idea of antifragility? Does it make sense to you? What would your rainbow colours refer to?
Share your views and experience here.