
● Useful Language from the Video Episode
assignment | n. 作业 |
come along | 进展 |
online | a. & ad. 在线(的) |
browse the Net | 网上浏览 |
come up with | 想出,拿出 |
joint task | 共同的任务 |
teamwork | n. 协同工作,配合 |
Give me a break! | 得了吧! |
Save your breath. | 不要白费唇舌了;别说了。 |
topic | n. 题目, 论题, 话题 |
What’s the rush? | 为什么这样急急忙忙? |

● Watch the video and then complete the following passage based on your observations.
We see a reading-room with many books on the shelves. Shelley and Michael are sitting side by side working in their notebooks. Michael looks frustrated because he is sick and tired of working. Shelley is so serious about their joint task that she insists they continue to work out of fear they will fail to meet the deadline…

● A. Watch the video and then decide whether each of the following statements is true (T) or false (F).
1) Shelley and Michael have been assigned a joint task in class. (F)
2) They are busy searching for information online in the library. (T)
3) Michael wants to leave in the middle of the task, but Shelley won’t accept his excuse. (T)
4) Aware of the deadline, Shelley insists they focus on the task. (T)
5) Ultimately, Shelley accepts the topic Michael comes up with. (F)
● B. Now watch the video again and then complete the following conversation.
Michael: Hey, Shelley. How’s your assignment coming along?
Shelley: Uh, I’m still looking for information online. How are you doing with yours?
Michael: Well, I don’t know. I’m still browsing the Net, too. But I haven’t even come up with an idea yet.
Shelley: I know, it takes time.
Michael: Yes, it sure does. These kinds of projects are pretty difficult, aren’t they?
Shelley: Totally. So, what do you say we make it a joint task, Michael?
Michael: You mean teamwork? I think that’s a great idea! Anyway, our teacher said we could, so that’s good enough for me. I’m all for it!
Shelley: You are?
Michael: Yes. Believe me, this is just what I need. I didn’t know how I was going to get through. Hey Shelley, I’m so worn out with looking, whatever you come up with, I’m sure it’ll be fine with me.
Shelley: No way! We’re both in this now. Why are you saying that, Michael?
Michael: Well, I’m so tired. I need to relax. Plus, you know, I’d really like to play basketball right now.
Shelley: Hey, better work before play.
Michael: Come on, Shelley. Give me a break.
Shelley: Not a chance! We’re a team now, and we can’t give up. Also, we don’t have much time left before the deadline.
Michael: I know. But…
Shelley: But what?
Michael: Well, maybe we could meet again sometime tomorrow… How about that?
Shelley: Save your breath! I’m not giving in. Just do it! We need a topic now.
Michael: Honestly, what’s the rush?
Shelley: Come off it! You know what the rush is! We don’t have much time left, do we? That’s no surprise!
Michael: OK, OK. I give up. Let’s get on with it.
● C. After watching the video a third time, add to and complete the following third-person account of the conversation.
In the library Shelley and Michael are sitting at computer terminals (电脑终端) in search of information for their assignment. Neither of them has come up with an idea. Shelley suggests making their work a joint task, as suggested by their teacher, and Michael quickly accepts. But after that, Michael wants to leave in the middle of their collaboration (合作) . Shelley rejects his excuse, insisting they follow through because they do not have much time left. Michael ultimately gives up and continues to study with Shelley in the library.

1) Watch the video again, with a female student doing Shelley’s voice.

2) Watch the video once more, with a male student doing Michael’s voice.

3) Watch the video one last time, with a male student and a female student doing both of the voices for the whole conversation.
