“Great minds discuss ideas,
average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”
– Elenor Roosevelt
“Gossip is what no one claims to like – and everyone enjoys.”
– Joseph Conrad
“Gossip is a very dangerous tool.”
– John Lydon
VOCABULARY:
rumor – an idea or opinion that people share, when the source and accuracy of the information is unknown (noun).
There is a rumor going around that…
Have you heard the rumor that…
It is rumored that…
(Notice that in the last example, ‘rumor’ is a verb. But the more common verb is ‘gossip’.)
gossip – rumors about a person (noun), a person who often shares personal information about others (adjective), and the act of spreading a rumor (verb).
What is the latest gossip?
Be careful what you say to Sam. He is a terrible gossip.
People are gossiping about Beth’s divorce.
Can you complete the sentences to learn expressions about gossip?
GRAMMAR:
Do you know how to refense what other people have said in English?
Let’s review how to use Reported Speech.
LISTENING:
Can you match up these vocabulary words? We will need them for the following video clip.
1.) Why did the priest tell the woman to stab a pillow?
2.) What reasons does the priest give for why gossip is wrong?
3.) Why didn’t the woman collect the feathers?
READING: The Science Behind Why People Gossip – And Why It Can Be A Good Thing
WRITING:
Imagine that you write a celebrity gossip column. Make up some juicy gossip that will get your readers talking.
CONVERSATION QUESTIONS: Let’s practice speaking!