Blogger Widgets Blogger Widgets ¡Mira que luna......! Look at that moon....! Resources for learning English: Not rocket science

!Mira que luna! Look at that moon! Resources for learning English

!Mira que luna! Look at that moon! Resources for learning English
Fernando Olivera: El rapto.- TEXT FROM THE NOVEL The goldfinch by Donna Tartt (...) One night we were in San Antonio, and I was having a bit of a melt-down, wanting my own room, you know, my dog, my own bed, and Daddy lifted me up on the fairgrounds and told me to look at the moon. When "you feel homesick", he said, just look up. Because the moon is the same wherever you go". So after he died, and I had to go to Aunt Bess -I mean, even now, in the city, when I see a full moon, it's like he's telling me not to look back or feel sad about things, that home is wherever I am. She kissed me on the nose. Or where you are, puppy. The center of my earth is you". The goldfinch Donna Tartt 4441 English edition

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Not rocket science


Not rocket science

Listen

Kaz introduces the expression 'not rocket science' to Li. Does it mean that they are going to the moon? Find out more about this expression by listening to their conversation.
A rocket launch
Why does Kaz make Li listen to the rocket launch?

The script for this programme

(Sound of a rocket being launched)
Kaz: Hello, I'm Kaz.
Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li. Hey Kaz, why are we listening to this rocket launch?
Kaz: Well, it's dramatic, but there's another reason. I thought it could introduce today's expression.
Yang Li: Tell me more.
Kaz: The expression is 'It's not rocket science'.
Yang Li: 'It's not rocket science', meaning?
Kaz: Something that's not complicated or difficult to understand - 'it's not rocket science'.
Yang Li: For example?
Kaz: OK. Somebody can't get the television to work and asks you, "How do I switch this thing on?" You would say "It's not rocket science. Just press 'on' on the handset".
Yang Li: So there's nothing complicated about it. You just press the 'on' switch and away you go. But is the expression 'it's not rocket science' only used for gadgets?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/01/130108_tews_105_not_rocket_science.shtml
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Kaz: No, not at all, Li. In fact it's used for many situations that are just obvious... for example - why are we always short of money?
Yang Li: Well, it's not rocket science Kaz - we don't get paid enough!
Kaz: Brilliant Li. That's an excellent example.
Yang Li: Yes, I like it too. But let's listen to some more examples:
  • How do I cook this soup?
  • Come on Rob, it's not rocket science, all you have to do is open the tin and heat it up.
  • I can't understand why our company is in such a mess?
  • It's not rocket science to figure that out - there are too many managers!
Yang Li: OK Kaz, the phrase 'it's not rocket science' is used for situations that are obvious. But I get the feeling that the phrase 'it's not rocket science' is quite informal, right?
Kaz: You're right Li. So please use with care!
Yang Li: Absolutely.
Kaz: It's usually used with the negative 'It's not rocket science'.
Yang Li: Well, I'm sure of one thing Kaz.
Kaz: What's that Li?
Yang Li: Presenting this programme is not exactly rocket science - it's easy!
Both: Bye!
(Sound of a rocket being launched)
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