Advanced Vocabulary and Fluency Practice from the Presidential Debate

In this lesson, you're going  to learn English with the news.

We're going to look at a hot  topic in the US and globally.

Of course the.

U.S.

presidential election.

And this news?

Article is on the presidential  debate that recently took place.

We'll review the.

Article together so.

You can understand the advanced vocabulary, the  advanced expressions, so you feel more confident  

understanding and discussing these hot topics.

Welcome.

Back to JForrest English, of course I'm Jennifer.

Now let's.

Get started first.

I'll read the headline Presidential  debate Trump looks to be gaining,  

but by how much remains to be seen.

First, let's.

Review this structure because the use of looks.

To be gaining is important because  this means it's not a fact,  

but it's based on available information  or observation, so it's not factual.

Trump is gaining.

Trump looks to be gaining.

So our verb.

Here is.

Look, and that's why it has an S, because this  is in the present simple and is conjugated.

With our subject.

Trump he.

Looks.

So notice you have look and then you have  

to be and then you have your  verb in ING instead of look.

You can also use Trump seems  to be gaining or Trump.

Appears.

To be gaining.

All three have the same  meaning and are commonly used.

This expression is used in  many different situations.

In a workplace or in a social situation, you.

Could say Julie.

Seems to be upset.

So based on looking at Julie, maybe  her facial expression, she seems to be.

Upset but you?

Don't know this as a.

Fact because you.

Haven't said hey.

Julie, are you?

Upset you're just basing it on.

How Julie looks.

Notice here I have to be in parentheses  because it's optional to be is optional  

with adjectives, feelings, emotions, and states.

This isn't.

Always though.

Because of that, I recommend  using it because it's.

Always correct to use it, but it's.

Sometimes incorrect not to.

Use it so because of that.

Be on the safe side and just.

Used to be.

Julie seems to be upset, but by how much?

So how much he's gaining, the amount  that he's gaining, remains to be seen.

Oh, this is a.

Great expression.

Do you know what this means?

This simply means is currently  unknown or we won't know.

Until a future.

Time This expression applies to me right now.

The expression is.

Something remains to be seen.

I could say whether my students.

You will like this video.

Remains to be seen is currently unknown  at the time of me recording this.

I don't know if you'll like.

This I really hope you will.

And I hope it will benefit.

You greatly.

But I won't know this until.

I post.

The video on YouTube which  is in the future and I get.

Your.

Reaction but right now you're watching this.

The video is on YouTube so I can find out.

Do you like this video?

If you do put like it, love  it or you rock, which is.

A casual native way of saying you did.

A great job, you rock.

Put something positive in the comments so  I know I have the information now that you.

Like this video?

So put that in the comments and don't worry about  

taking notes because I summarize  everything in a free lesson PDF.

You can find the link in the description.

Now let's continue.

Unless you live under a rock.

You've probably heard about.

The debate between President Joe Biden  and former President Donald Trump last.

Thursday.

Unless you live under.

A rock this.

Is a funny idiom that native.

Speakers use quite.

Frequently, if you live under a rock, it  means you don't know about current events.

Because you live.

In isolation under a rock so you're not exposed.

To the outside world.

This is used in more of a joking  way or a sarcastic way for example.

I could say to you.

You don't know what chachi BT?

Is.

Do you live under a?

Rock.

So there is some sarcasm, maybe even a  little frustration and disappointment,  

because how could you not know that?

Do you live under?

A rock.

And obviously.

This is a rhetorical.

Question.

I don't.

Expect you to.

Reply but it is common commonly  used in a question form.

So the next time you're having  a conversation with someone and  

they don't know about a current event,  you can say, do you live under a rock?

So.

That's a fun idiom in English,  unless you live under a rock.

You probably heard about the debate.

Between President Joe Biden and former  President Donald Trump last Thursday,  

Biden's halting performance on the debate stage.

His halting performance.

Do you know this adjective?

This means that Biden was hesitant,  unsure, not smooth in either his.

Speech or his?

Overall movements.

So one example could.

Be if he.

Were answering a question and he.

Had a lot of word.

Fillers.

Well, maybe if we well, then you could.

Describe that.

As halting.

Now I know some students may have  an issue with this because English  

isn't their first language, but that's why I'm.

Here to help.

Biden's halting performance on the debate.

Stage looks.

To have exacerbated voters concerns here our verb  

is exacerbate in the past exacerbated and  this is when something negative becomes.

Worse so.

Something makes something negative even worse.

So the voters.

Already had concerns.

Now his halting performance  exacerbated those concerns.

His performance made those existing concerns even.

Worse.

Now let's take a look at this, because remember.

We looked at this before looks.

To have exacerbated if.

We use this.

Word again.

It's implying some.

Doubt at this.

Point.

It's not fact, but it's based on observation.

Notice we have the same 3  verbs you can say seem, appear.

Or look.

Remember, you have to conjugate.

This verb.

With the subject, what's the subject here?

Well, it's Biden's performance.

The other information just adds more.

Detail.

Biden's performance that is conjugated as.

It that's why.

We have the S on all.

3 verbs it looks appears.

Seems so the concerns about whether he  has the mental and physical fitness to  

serve another term as president instead  of the mental and physical fitness.

Which is perfectly.

Fine, you could replace all of that.

With the word.

Stamina, because stamina means the mental.

Or physical.

Strength to do something.

For example, you need a lot of  stamina to serve as president.

Which is true.

And remember.

Voters are.

Questioning if Biden has this?

Because of his.

Halting performance.

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Now let's continue with our lesson.

Although Trump spent much.

Of the debate.

Repeatedly pushing falsehoods,  viewers came away with a pretty  

concrete opinion that he'd won the debate.

This is a powerful.

Statement because notice it begins with something  negative and it ends with something positive.

He was pushing falsehoods.

He was, repeatedly.

Which means again and again pushing.

Falsehoods.

So a falsehood is a.

Statement that is untrue or inaccurate and if you.

Push a falsehood.

It means you.

You say it, but you say it forcefully.

So a word to.

Replace.

That could be asserting  repeatedly asserting falsehoods.

But remember.

This is this.

Sounds negative, but then we end on a positive.

He'd won the debate.

And you can do that when you use.

The word although if you.

Start a sentence with although and you begin.

With a positive.

The person knows you're  going to end with a negative.

The reverse works.

You can use, although you begin with a  negative and then you end with a positive.

This is a.

Great way to.

Sound more advanced, more fluent,  and more professional in English.

Let's review an example.

You could share something negative and  say I can't go, I can't go to your.

Party.

Now you can make that sound softer  by starting with a positive and you.

Start with the word although.

Although I'd love.

To I can't go.

Or we.

Hired someone else.

This is a negative for.

You if you're.

The one who applied, although we enjoyed  meeting you, we hired someone else.

So a.

Very useful word to.

Have in your vocabulary viewers came away?

With if they.

Came away with it means they.

Left the debate with.

They came away.

With a pretty.

Concrete opinion is concrete.

The material is it.

Soft or.

Firm Concrete.

Is what they use to pave roads for.

Example.

It's firm.

It's.

Rock solid.

So a concrete opinion is a firm opinion.

It's a certain opinion.

So, viewers.

Came away.

With a pretty.

Concrete, firm, certain opinion  that he'd won the debate or at the.

Very least.

That Biden had lost it.

It's still early, but Trump looks to have gained.

Oh again, we're using this because again,  this article isn't stating these as fact.

It's based on appearance, based on observation.

But.

We cannot say this is 100% factual or true.

So that's why the verb look is.

So helpful.

And what were the other two?

Trump looks to have gained,  Appears to have gained.

Seems to have gained.

Did you remember all?

Three.

And also conjugated.

With the subject.

That's why in these cases we've seen the S.

Because the subject.

Has been third person singular, but  Trump looks to have gained at least  

some ground in the polls as we  begin to examine the immediate.

Fallout.

From the debate, if you gain some  ground, it means that you make progress.

So, for example, we gained some ground.

We gained a.

Lot of.

Ground, we didn't gain any  ground with the investors.

So you made.

Progress.

Or if negative, you didn't make  any progress with the investors.

So you're no closer to your.

Goal if it's negative.

But if it's positive, you are  closer to your goal, so right.

Now you're gaining some ground, a lot  of ground with your English fluency.

I hope you think so as well.

If you agree that these.

Lessons are helping you make  progress with your English fluency.

Gain some ground with your  English fluency, then put oh.

Yes, Oh yes.

In the comments so I know you like  these lessons they're helping you  

gain some ground and I'll keep making them so put.

Oh yes.

In the comments in 538 national polling average.

538.

Is the name of a company a company that does?

Polls, Polls.

Is another.

Way for surveys so they ask people.

Who are you voting for?

Did you vote?

Or whatever information.

The survey or.

Poll is on, so don't be confused.

About this this.

Is the name of a company in  538's national polling average.

Trump now leads by 1.4  percentage points over Biden,  

while the two candidates were  just about tied on June 27th.

The day of the debate.

So if you're tied, it means  you're at the same level.

Of course this is.

Very common in sports.

You.

Probably know this from all the football you watch  or other sports you watch when two teams are tied.

But two people.

Can be tied in the polls and also.

If.

You're interviewing two people for  a job position in your company.

They.

Could also be.

Tied you don't know who you're going to hire.

Because.

You like them both equally.

They're tied.

But then Trump now leads.

So now this is Biden, this is Trump.

So Trump now leads by 1.4  percentage points, which seems like.

It is a relatively.

Small amount, but that's all  that you need to win an election.

Let's continue.

Conversations about Biden potentially dropping  out of the race have mushroomed in the media.

Hmm.

Why are we using the word mushroom as a verb?

And what does dropping out of?

And what's the significance of potentially?

Well, let's discuss.

All of these.

The word potentially is important  because it means that the.

Possibility exists, but.

Again, it's not certain.

So it may happen, it may not happen.

And what may happen, well, Joe Biden  may or may not drop out of the race.

To drop out of something means to quit.

But this is only used in school and.

As we see here.

Elections, but this is not used in the workplace.

You don't drop.

Out of your job, you quit your job.

Job.

So, for example, did you know that Mark Zuckerberg  dropped out of Harvard University to start?

Facebook, he quit.

University he did not graduate,  he did not finish his.

Degree he dropped.

Out so Biden conversations about  Biden potentially dropping out.

Of the race.

Have mushroomed mushrooms.

Grow Very, very.

Rapidly.

And that's the image you can have of  mushrooms growing rapidly and that.

Is what's?

Happening here.

So these conversations about Biden potentially  dropping out have grown, developed.

Rapidly.

In the media.

So if you search for this.

Biden election debate in the media.

You'll probably see.

Tons of results.

About will he drop out?

Should he drop out so this?

Conversation.

The issue has mushroomed.

It's unclear if Biden might, really.

Step aside.

So to step aside means.

That Biden will leave the election.

Leave the race so.

Someone else can enter.

That would be what?

Step aside means but Texas Representative.

So RAP is short for representative, which is this?

Person's title He's a.

Representative Texas Representative  Lloyd Doggett made headlines on.

Tuesday so if.

You make a headline, it means people  are talking about you in the news.

So why are people?

Talking about this man in  the news, Because here's how.

By becoming the first Democratic member  of Congress to call on Biden to do so.

To do what to do?

So what does this?

Represent to.

Do what to?

Drop.

Out of the race.

So this man, Lloyd Doggett,  he's calling on Biden now.

This has nothing to.

Do with.

A phone call when you call on someone.

To do.

Something you.

Publicly.

Ask or urge.

Encourage them to do something.

So this generally happens with  people in authority positions.

Someone might call on Mike Zuck.

Mike.

Mark Zuckerberg to.

Resign from Facebook?

It's possible so in this.

Case this.

Person is calling on Biden publicly saying you.

Should do this.

And this being drop.

Out of the race.

Let's continue.

But despite Biden's struggles, the  word despite means we're not going  

to consider or take into account the  information that comes immediately.

After despite so you could.

Say despite my.

Busy schedule.

I still watch J for his English  lessons, especially her news lessons.

So if you.

Say, despite my busy schedule, you're  not considering, you're not taking to  

an into account, you're ignoring your  busy schedule, but despite Biden's.

Struggles.

Dramatic polling movement in the next.

Couple of weeks would.

Be a surprise.

So what would dramatic polling movement mean?

Well, right now in the polls,  remember, they were even.

But then Trump has a small lead.

After the debate.

But a dramatic movement polling  movement would mean Trump would go up.

Here.

Or Biden would go down.

Here because this.

To this is not very dramatic.

But this to this or this to this?

Is dramatic.

So they're saying dramatic  polling movement in the next.

Couple of weeks would be a surprise.

If something is a surprise, it  means it's not likely to happen.

So they're saying dramatic  polling movement isn't likely.

After all, the electorate is highly polarized.

So if something is a polarized issue, it  means that people have very different views.

So you can take any political issue and  some people firmly believe this and.

Other people.

Firmly.

Believe this, so they have.

Completely different beliefs.

So that is a.

Polarized issue, so they're saying that.

The electorate, the people who are.

Voting in the election that's.

The electorate.

The electorate is highly.

Polarized So some people strongly  support Trump, but other.

People.

Strongly support Biden such that.

Most voters.

Considering one of the major party  contenders already, lean toward one.

Or the other.

Candidate and aren't.

Particularly likely to.

Jump ship.

Do you know what this means?

Well, this article.

Isn't about the ocean, We're not.

Talking about boats.

So this must be an idiom because.

Clearly there.

Isn't a literal meaning if someone jumped  ship, it means that well in this context.

It would be.

If somebody who supported Trump after watching.

The debate said.

Well, now I support Biden, that person jumped.

Ship.

That person completely changed their opinion.

Or their support.

You are learning a lot in this article.

Nevertheless, any movement in  voters preferences could matter.

A great deal to the.

Final outcome The final outcome  being who becomes president?

That would be the final outcome in our current era  era of highly competitive presidential elections.

Notice how they use nevertheless.

Nevertheless, is similar to the word.

Despite.

And in this.

Case because it starts a paragraph.

We have to.

Look to the.

Last point that was made, and now understand that  we're saying we're not going to consider this.

That is the use of, nevertheless you could also  

use nonetheless it's the exact same  nevertheless nonetheless now if.

You use despite you.

Have to use the word this or that.

Or you.

Could.

Specify the information.

Despite this this.

Being the last thing that was said, nevertheless,  any movement in voters preferences could matter.

A great.

Deal to the final outcome over  the past 6 presidential elections.

Just one 2008.

So they're saying well.

Which?

Election over the past six, it's the one  in 2008 and that's why this is in brackets.

Just won the one in 2008,  

had a national popular vote margin larger  than five points, so they're using this.

To say that.

Even though.

Even though the.

Polls are very close.

Remember, Trump is.

Just like this.

And even though dramatic  poll movement isn't likely,  

and even though people generally won't  jump ship, still it's possible that.

The popular vote could.

Change and even the slightest change can make.

A big.

Difference in the final outcome.

And that's what they mean by  saying could matter a great.

Deal because.

Only a small change is needed for one  party to win, and that's the point of  

this and why they use nevertheless,  because this is something that.

Supports that.

Small movements matter.

And then this.

Part said that.

Small movements are unlikely.

So a relatively.

Complex article even for native speakers.

Great vocabulary which I hope you understand  a lot better after my explanation.

Feel free to.

Watch this explanation again.

But what I'll do now we're at the end of.

The article, so I'll read the.

Article from start to finish and this  time you can focus on my pronunciation.

Presidential debate Trump looks to be  gaining, but by how much remains to be seen.

Unless you live under a rock, you  probably heard about the debate  

between president Joe Biden and former  president Donald Trump last Thursday.

Biden's halting performance on the debate  stage looks to have exacerbated voters concerns  

about whether he has the mental and physical  fitness to serve another term as president.

Although Trump spent much.

Of the debate.

Repeatedly pushing falsehoods, viewers  came away with a pretty concrete opinion  

that he'd won the debate, or at the  very least, that Biden had lost it.

It's.

Still early, but Trump looks to  have gained at least some ground  

in the polls as we begin to examine the  immediate follow from the debate in five.

38.

'S national polling average Trump now  leads by 1.4 percentage points over Biden,  

while the two candidates were  just about tied on June 27th, the.

Day of the debate.

Conversations about Biden potentially dropping  out of the race have mushroomed in the media  

and among Democrats concerned  about his debate performance.

It's unclear if Biden might really step aside,  but Texas Rep Lloyd Doggett made headlines  

on Tuesday by becoming the first Democratic  member of Congress to call on Biden to do so.

But despite.

Biden's struggles, Dramatic  polling movement in the next.

Couple of weeks would be a.

Surprise.

After all, the.

Electorate is.

Highly polarized, such that most  voters considering one of the major  

party contenders already lean toward  one or the other candidate and aren't.

Particularly likely.

To jump ship, nevertheless, any movement in  voters preferences could matter a great deal  

to the final outcome in our current era of  highly competitive presidential elections.

Over the past 6 presidential elections, just one,  

2008, had a national popular vote  margin larger than five points.

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