The Village Rumor 🗣️🏘️ | Learn English with a Funny Story
Do you like gossip? Do you know how to tell someone what your friend said? (e.g.,
📝 Transcript
Click any sentence to jump to that moment in the video. Use the 🔊 button to hear the pronunciation.
Hello, people who like to talk about others. Welcome to show number 27. Do you know the news?
We are telling this to everyone. But today, it feels special. The lights are dark in the room, and the doors are closed.
I am listening closely. I am ready to share secrets. I think today will be very good and interesting.
That is a very smart idea right away. Scientists who study how humans change would agree. Knowing things helps you live.
But before we talk too much about exciting things, what is our main goal today?
📚 Recommended for this lesson
Oxford Picture Dictionary
Want to visualize the vocabulary from this episode? See 4,000+ words illustrated.
Check Price on AmazonEnjoying this lesson? Get free episodes every week!
📖 Vocabulary
Key vocabulary from this episode with part of speech, meaning, and example sentences. Practice along with the video above.
informal talk about other people's private lives, often not kind.
They love to gossip about their neighbors.
to share secret or private information, often exciting news.
Come on, spill the tea! What happened at the party?
very smart and quick to understand things well.
She made an astute observation about the problem.
telling someone what another person said, but not using their exact words.
"He said he was tired" is an example of reported speech.
a grammar rule where verbs in reported speech move one tense back in time.
The back shift changes "I am" to "he said he was."
the title of a newspaper article, printed in large letters at the top.
The headline said "Man Bites Dog."
an informal way of spreading news or rumors from person to person.
I heard it on the grapevine that she's leaving the company.
something that is invented or made up, not true.
The story about the ghost was a complete fabrication.
the process of checking if something is true or correct.
Always do verification before you believe news.
a story told to warn people about a danger or a mistake.
The story of the postman is a cautionary tale about gossip.
| Word | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| gossip | noun/verb | informal talk about other people's private lives, often not kind. | They love to gossip about their neighbors. |
| spill the tea | phrase | to share secret or private information, often exciting news. | Come on, spill the tea! What happened at the party? |
| astute | adjective | very smart and quick to understand things well. | She made an astute observation about the problem. |
| reported speech | phrase | telling someone what another person said, but not using their exact words. | "He said he was tired" is an example of reported speech. |
| back shift | noun | a grammar rule where verbs in reported speech move one tense back in time. | The back shift changes "I am" to "he said he was." |
| headline | noun | the title of a newspaper article, printed in large letters at the top. | The headline said "Man Bites Dog." |
| grapevine | noun | an informal way of spreading news or rumors from person to person. | I heard it on the grapevine that she's leaving the company. |
| fabrication | noun | something that is invented or made up, not true. | The story about the ghost was a complete fabrication. |
| verification | noun | the process of checking if something is true or correct. | Always do verification before you believe news. |
| cautionary tale | phrase | a story told to warn people about a danger or a mistake. | The story of the postman is a cautionary tale about gossip. |
✏️ Exercises
Test your understanding with fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions. Click "Check" to see the answer.
When you tell someone what another person said without using their exact words, you are using ______ ______.
Which word means "very smart and quick to understand things"?
Direct speech: "I am tired." Reported speech: He said he ______ tired.
According to the podcast, why is "man bites dog" a headline, but "dog bites man" is not?
If you want to share some exciting secrets, you can say, "Come on, ______ ______ ______!"
Direct speech: "I will buy it." Which is the correct reported speech?
The story about the postman is a ______ ______ about how gossip can become a lie.
What is the main purpose of the "back shift" in reported speech, as explained in the podcast?
I heard on the ______ that our boss is leaving next month.
Why is "no comment" a strategic move for celebrities against media manipulation?
📚 Recommended Study Materials
Oxford Picture Dictionary
3rd Edition
4,000+ words with full-color illustrations. Perfect for visual learners building everyday vocabulary.
Check Price on Amazon
English Grammar in Use
Raymond Murphy
The world's best-selling grammar book. Clear explanations with practice exercises for every unit.
Check Price on Amazon
English Vocabulary in Use
McCarthy & O'Dell
Learn and practise the words you need at every level, from elementary to advanced.
Check Price on Amazon
💬 Comments
Loading comments...