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Mixer #123 | Intermediate B1

Studying alone or in groups

Listen to six people share if they like to study alone or in groups.

Katia / Mexico
speakerI prefer studying alone, because if I have to work on one particular issue, I stay as long as I need to, studying that part. So, I'd rather study by myself.

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Sunny / Korea
speakerI think I prefer studying in groups, because I can find out many things that I haven't thought about, and then we can do some little chit-chats after studying.

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Dani / England
speakerAlone, definitely. I kind of like to be in control of my own learning. I feel like with groups, it's too easy to get distracted.

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Shiloh / United States
speakerI definitely prefer studying alone. Like I said before about team sports, I am an individualist. I like working in teams theoretically, but a lot of times, it doesn't work. My problem is that a lot of the time, I don't study for tests until the night before, so it's difficult to get groups together and study for the test. And I find that although maybe you learn better when you're studying in groups, it takes a lot longer and you get a lot less done in the same period of time. So, when I'm by myself, I'm able to just power through the material and study hard and get it done.

Phoebe / China
speakerDo you like to study alone or in a group? My answer will be in a group. Definitely. Because when you study alone, you need to have high self-motivation. I'm kind of lack of that, so I need a group.

Gareth / England
speakerI prefer studying alone, but I like to collaborate with other people and to discuss ideas. I think collaboration can help you to develop your own ideas and see things from a different point of view.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

find out

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I prefer groups because I can find out many things that I haven't thought about.

To find out means to learn or discover some information. Notice the following:

  1. She just found out she is pregnant. She is so happy!
  2. Before we book a room, let's find out if that hotel has a pool.

distracted

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I feel like with groups, it's too easy to get distracted.

If you are distracted, that means you are having trouble focusing or paying attention. Notice the following:

  1. It is easy to get distracted when the TV is on.
  2. When I work, I often get distracted by the street traffic outside my window.

individualist

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I am an individualist, but I also I like working in teams.

An individualist is someone who prefers to do things alone. Notice the following:

  1. Golf is a good sport for individualists.
  2. At work he is an individualist. He does not work well in teams.

power through

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I'm able to just power through the material

When you power through something, you work through it with difficulty but determination. Notice the following:

  1. I was tired, but I somehow powered through all the chapters in the book.
  2. He was sick at work, but he powered through the day.

collaborate

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I like to collaborate with other people and to discuss ideas.

When you collaborate, you work with others to create something. Notice the following:

  1. The two women collaborated on the book.
  2. When you collaborate with other people, you tend to get a better product.

 

Vocabulary Quiz

find out • distracted • individualist
power through • collaborate
  1. I like to with others on projects .
  2. He hates to collaborate. He is an .
  3. She gets easily in class.
  4. They need to when the plane arrives.
  5. I feel so tired but I just need to the day.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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Mixer Video #123
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