A moment that changed me: I gave up small talk for a month – and the world came alive
This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.
To force (someone to do something)
To be fed up (with something/ someone)
To be willing (to do something)
15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. What did Claire initially say about small talk?
2. What impact did lockdown have on her and what did she try next?
3. What were her final conclusions?
4. Do you think that diving in with probing questions is a good idea?
5. Are you good at small talk?
6. Is small talk part of your job?
7. What’s your star sign?
8. What was your art teacher at school like?
9. If you could relive one day exactly as it was, which would you choose and why?
10. If you had unlimited time to research one topic, what would it be?
11. What’s something you’ve done that you’re proud of but rarely talk about?
12. If you had to give a TED talk tomorrow with no preparation, what topic would you choose?
13. When do you feel most connected to others?
14. If you could redesign one aspect of modern life, what would it be?
15. What’s a belief that you held strongly five years ago that you’ve since changed your mind about?