节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2014-01-18
难易度:High
关键字:destructive, inconsistent, theatrical, plunge, rugby, gap year
Today we are on our last day of the lesson, Benedict Cumberbatch.
And we are learning about his choice to focus.
He focused on acting, but he didn't go into acting right away.
He actually first thought about becoming a lawyer.
But after high school, he decided to take a gap year and teach English in Tibet
first.
Whatever he did, it seems like his heart was fully in it.
Now we're going to learn about his choice for fulfillment.
And then we'll spend some time with Michelle in the Language Lab.
Benedict Cumberbatch.
Choosing fulfillment.
Upon his return, he launched into university theatrical programs for drama and
classical acting instead of law.
His parents' full support didn't come until they saw him in a play, and his dad
said, "You're better than I ever was or will be." After finishing his education
at 24,
he plunged directly into theater, performing Shakespeare and other classic
plays.
From there it was awards, TV, movies and fame, but life experience is what
really satisfies Benedict Cumberbatch.
"I've seen and swam and climbed and lived and driven and filmed," he lists.
"I really have lived five thousand times over." (Music).
All right.
(Chinese).
And now get ready to learn more.
Thank you, Michelle.
Well, we know that Benedict Cumberbatch took a gap year after he graduated from
high school.
He actually took that year to teach English at a monastery in Tibet.
Well, that seems like quite an interesting choice.
He returned but didn't pursue law like his parents advised.
Instead, we read here that he launched into university theatrical programs for
drama and classical acting.
And to launch into something, that means to give yourself a start into something
without looking back.
You make the decision and you go for it.
You can launch into a school program like Cumberbatch did, or you can launch
into a business.
You want to start your own business.
You can even say you launch your own business.
You give it a start.
You can launch into a new career.
Some people launch into relationships.
Some people do that too quickly.
Think before you launch into something that will require commitment.
Well, Benedict wasn't afraid of launching right into the theatrical programs.
Now theatrical means anything that has to do with the theater.
He took acting classes as part of the theatrical programs.
Now I think we should go back to the beginning of this sentence where we see the
word: upon.
You use this word when you are talking about what happens at a certain time.
For example, upon graduating from high school, Cumberbatch went to Tibet.
Hmm. Or my friends greeted me upon my arrival at the airport.
I celebrated upon the birth of my nephew.
So you can use the word "upon" in different ways.
Well, we continue here with Cumberbatch.
He didn't go into law as his parents advised.
And we read that they weren't fully supportive of his career choice right away.
The full support came when they saw him in a play.
And his dad said something very encouraging: You're better than I ever was or
will ever be.
Remember, his dad is a... professional actor.
So these are great words to hear.
That's right. And that is one humble dad.
Well, humble and proud.
Humble to recognize your son is better than you, and proud of his son.
I wonder if it was a difficult decision to not do law, but I guess he was just
going where his heart was telling him.
Well, he was obviously very successful at acting.
And after finishing his education at 24, pretty young, he plunged directly into
theater.
Now we've talked about the word "plunge" before.
When you plunge, you get in deeply.
It's like jumping off a cliff into water.
When you jump, there is no going back.
Sometimes we say that we take the plunge.
That means that we make a decision that we can't go back on.
And you took the plunge in coming to Asia, right, Carolyn?
Well, I guess I kind of did.
I didn't know how long I was going to be here.
I thought I was only coming to teach English for ten months.
Interesting.
Well, you've been here for quite a while.
She took the plunge, and I'm glad she did.
You know, sometimes people even refer to getting married as taking the plunge.
It can be pretty scary.
But if it's something that you want to do and you are committed, it is worth it.
Well, Cumberbatch took the plunge and did lots of plays.
We read: From there it was awards, TV, movies and fame, but life experience is
what really satisfies him.
He says: I've seen and swam and climbed and lived and driven and filmed.
Well, he has done many, many things.
And right now it is time for us to enjoy a review skit.
Then of course, we'll join Linda for the Editor's Summary.
So what exactly are we trying to find, anyway?
We're looking for information about Benedict Cumberbatch.
Oh! Wow, a-ha! It's as simple as this - he's an actor.
Really! What other information can we find?
Oh, he's very capable.
He's played heroes like Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes.
Oh, and villains, too.
A-ha.
He finds adjusting to fame very puzzling.
You don't say.
I do say! Oh, and he also plays the violin.
What other information can we find?
Well... Oh! He knows that success is very possible without fame.
Anything else?
Well, yes.
He has become a very super silly household name.
Oh, yes, Cumberbatch. That's certainly true.
And in school, he had a lack of concentration.
He could be either creative or destructive or even both.
You're amazing at finding information.
Well, actually, it's quite simple.
For example, Cumberbatch considered studying law but returning after a year in
uh... Thailand launched into acting, yes!
That's brilliant.
What do you see here that gives you so much information?
Well, actually, there's nothing here.
Then how do you know so much?
Well, simple. I read Studio Classroom.
Oh, yes, the window on the world.
Cumberbatch's parents were both professional actors and discouraged him from
this type of work because of its inconsistency.
But after a break from school, he eventually studied drama and classical acting.
Upon completing his studies, he did Shakespeare and other classics and then went
on to TV and movies.
Thanks, Linda.
Well, I've enjoyed learning a little bit about Benedict Cumberbatch.
He really does seem like an intelligent actor who loves a lot about his life.
It's true.
Have you seen any of his movies?
Uh, well, I have seen a few.
And I think there are more on the way.
That's right.
Well, thank you for joining us here to learn about this inspirational actor.
And we'll see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
See you.