Language Circle

1. Prime time for scammers
Language circle
Lesson adapted from:
https://www.cbc.ca/learning-english/level-2/prime-time-for-scammers-level-2-
1.5615845

2. Objectives
• Recall specific details in a news story about prime time for
scammers
• Discuss type of scams that have become common recently.
• Reflect on how to keep yourself protected from scammers/
fraudsters
• Practice using participle adjectives in context

3. Learning English with CBC
Screenshot of CBC learning-English website

4. Agenda
1. Speaking
2. Vocabulary
3. Listening
4. Grammar
5. Reading
6. Reflect on learning

5. Speaking

6. prime time for scammers
• Today’s topic is about prime time for
scammers.
– Have you ever been a victim of a scam? If
yes, what happened?
– What are different types of scams you hear
about in the media or from friends?
– How can we avoid being victims of
scammers?

7. Vocabulary

8. devastated prime time ( n.) heightened sense ( phr.)
scam ( n.) prey on ( phr.v) solicit isolation
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person
4. to be extremely upset or shocked
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
6. the state of being alone
7. the best or most popular time for something

9. devastated prime time ( n.) heightened sense ( phr.)
scam ( n.) prey on ( phr.v) isolation
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person
4. to be extremely upset or shocked
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
6. the state of being alone
7. the best or most popular time for something

10. devastated prime time ( n.) heightened sense ( phr.)
prey on ( phr.v) solicit isolation
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation scam ( n.)
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person
4. to be extremely upset or shocked
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
6. the state of being alone
7. the best or most popular time for something

11. devastated prime time ( n.) heightened sense ( phr.)
isolation
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation scam ( n.)
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person prey on ( phr. v)
4. to be extremely upset or shocked
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
6. the state of being alone
7. the best or most popular time for something

12. prime time ( n.) heightened sense ( phr.)
solicit isolation
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation scam ( n.)
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person prey on ( phr v.)
4. to be extremely upset or shocked devastated
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
6. the state of being alone
7. the best or most popular time for something

13. devastated prime time ( n.) to have a heightened
sense ( phr.)
isolation
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation scam ( n.)
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person prey on ( phr. v)
4. to be extremely upset or shocked devastated
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
to have a heightened
sense
6. the state of being alone
7. the best or most popular time for something

14. prime time ( n.)
1. ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation scam ( n.)
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person prey on ( phr. v)
4. to be extremely upset or shocked devastated
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
to have a heightened
sense ( phr.)
6. the state of being alone isolation
7. the best or most popular time for something

15. 1. Ask for or try to obtain ( something) from someone solicit
2. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation scam ( n.)
3. to try to hurt or deceive another person prey on ( phr. v)
4. to be extremely upset or shocked devastated
5. to have greater sensitivity or to be more affected by
something
to have a heightened
sense ( phr.)
6. the state of being alone isolation
7. the best or most popular time for something prime time ( n.)

16. LISTENING

17. Listening
Let’s listen to “Prime time for scammers” by
Learning English with CBC.
https://www.cbc.ca/learning-english/level-
2/prime-time-for-scammers-level-2-
1.5615845

18. 1- Listening for details
For Joanna Giannakopoulos, the text message was
__________________ because she didn't know if the
government would send her a message about her
application for CERB (Canadian Emergency Response
Benefit).
a. convincing
b. convinced
c. convince
d. unconvincing
Link to original lesson CBC website

19. 1- Listening for details
For Joanna Giannakopoulos, the text message was
__________________ because she didn't know if the
government would send her a message about her
application for CERB (Canadian Emergency Response
Benefit).
a. convincing
b. convinced
c. convince
d. unconvincing
Link to original lesson CBC website

20. 2- Listening for details
Joanna felt devastated when she realized the text
message was a scam. A synonym for 'devastated' is
__________________.
a. very sensitive
b. extremely upset
c. truly ashamed
d. really scared
Link to original lesson CBC website

21. 2- Listening for details
Joanna felt devastated when she realized the text
message was a scam. A synonym for 'devastated' is
__________________.
a. very sensitive
b. extremely upset
c. truly ashamed
d. really scared
Link to original lesson CBC website

22. 3- Listening for details
Today people are living in isolation, and there is a
__________ of anxiety ( worry).
a. higher understanding
b. smaller experience
c. reduced chance
d. heightened sense
Link to original lesson CBC website

23. 3- Listening for details
Today people are living in isolation, and there is a
__________ of anxiety ( worry).
a. higher understanding
b. smaller experience
c. reduced chance
d. heightened sense
Link to original lesson CBC website

24. 4- Listening for details
It is a __________ for scammers and fraudsters
because people are not thinking straight.
a. essential idea
b. fearful existence
c. prime time
d. important design
Link to original lesson CBC website

25. 4- Listening for details
It is a __________ for scammers and fraudsters
because people are not thinking straight.
a. essential idea
b. fearful existence
c. prime time
d. important design
Link to original lesson CBC website

26. 5- Listening for details
One scam preys on people's fear of getting the
coronavirus by sending an email saying they've been
exposed to a person who tested positive. What does
the phrasal verb 'to prey on' mean in this sentence?
a. to hunt and eat
b. to try to hurt and deceive
c. to speak to God
d. to ask for forgiveness
Link to original lesson CBC website

27. 5- Listening for details
One scam preys on people's fear of getting the
coronavirus by sending an email saying they've been
exposed to a person who tested positive. What does
the phrasal verb 'to prey on' mean in this sentence?
a. to hunt and eat
b. to try to hurt and deceive
c. to speak to God
d. to ask for forgiveness
Link to original lesson CBC website

28. 6- Listening for details
If you are solicited (asked for information, money or
for something else) and you think it might be a scam,
what should you do?
a. Call 911
b. Call the Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre
c. Call your friends
d. Call your family
Link to original lesson CBC website

29. 6- Listening for details
If you are solicited (asked for information, money or
for something else) and you think it might be a scam,
what should you do?
a. Call 911
b. Call the Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre
c. Call your friends
d. Call your family
Link to original lesson CBC website

30. Grammar

31. Present Vs. Past Participle
Adjectives
• Present and past participles can be used with
an adjective function.
• Present participles( ing) are used to describe
the people or things that cause the feeling.
Examples:
This book is boring. I can’t finish reading it.
It’s always exciting to travel to new countries.

32. Present Vs. Past Participle
Adjectives
• Past participles ( ed) are used to describe
how someone feels.
Examples:
I didn’t enjoy last night’s movie and felt
bored.
I’m quite interested in romantic movies.

33. Present Vs. Past Participle
Adjectives
More examples from the listening:
- For me, it was convincing because I
actually didn’t know if they would send me
a text or not. ( present participle)
- I was actually very devastated and
scared. ( past participle)

34. Giving Instructions
Choose the correct adjective.
1. It is so _____________ ( frustrated/ frustrating)! I can’t seem to solve this math
problem.
2. This class is so ___________ ( boring/ bored)! I almost fell asleep in the middle
of the lesson.
3. I’m feeling __________ ( depressed/ depressing), so I’m going to watch a funny
movie and eat chocolate to feel better.
4. My uncle always has ___________ ( interested/ interesting) stories to share. I
always enjoy his company.
5. I was __________ ( amazing/ amazed) at my daughter’s ability to dance
gracefully.

35. Giving Instructions
Choose the correct adjective.
1. It is so frustrating! I can’t seem to solve this math problem.
2. This class is so ___________ ( boring/ bored)!
3. I’m feeling __________ ( depressed/ depressing), so I watch a funny movie and
eat chocolate to feel better.
4. My uncle always has ___________ ( interested/ interesting) stories to share. I
always enjoy his company.
5. I was __________ ( amazing/ amazed) at how rude the bank teller was to the
old lady.

36. Giving Instructions
Choose the correct adjective.
1. It is so frustrating! I can’t seem to solve this math problem.
2. This class is so boring. I almost fell asleep in the middle of the lesson.
3. I’m feeling __________ ( depressed/ depressing), so I’m going watch a funny
movie and eat chocolate to feel better.
4. My uncle always has ___________ ( interested/ interesting) stories to share. I
always enjoy his company.
5. I was __________ ( amazing/ amazed) at my daughter’s ability to dance
gracefully.

37. Giving Instructions
Choose the correct adjective.
1. It is so frustrating! I can’t seem to solve this math problem.
2. This class is so boring. I almost fell asleep in the middle of the lesson.
3. I’m feeling depressed, so I’m going watch a funny movie and eat chocolate to
feel better.
4. My uncle always has ___________ ( interested/ interesting) stories to share. I
always enjoy his company.
5. I was __________ ( amazing/ amazed) at my daughter’s ability to dance
gracefully.

38. Giving Instructions
Choose the correct adjective.
1. It is so frustrating! I can’t seem to solve this this math problem.
2. This class is so boring. I almost fell asleep in the middle of the lesson.
3. I’m feeling depressed, so I’m going watch a funny movie and eat chocolate to
feel better.
4. My uncle always has interesting stories to share. I always enjoy his company.
5. I was __________ ( amazing/ amazed) at my daughter’s ability to dance
gracefully.

39. Giving Instructions
Choose the correct adjective.
1. It is so frustrating! I can’t seem to solve this math problem.
2. This class is so boring. I almost fell asleep in the middle of the lesson.
3. I’m feeling depressed, so I’m going watch a funny movie and eat chocolate to
feel better.
4. My uncle always has interesting stories to share. I always enjoy his company.
5. I was amazed at my daughter’s ability to dance gracefully.

40. Giving Instructions
Conversation Question
In groups, choose one question from the following list to ask your group
members using participle adjectives:
1. What do you do when you are bored?
2. Have you heard any surprising news or gossip recently?
3. What was the most boring movie you have watched?
4. Name three interesting places/ cities/ countries you would like to visit.
5. What is the most challenging thing for you when you write in English?

41. Reading

42. Experts warn of rise of in scams after
report of spoof caller posing as Manitoba
RCMP
Please, go to
https://globalnews.ca/news/7157210/spoof-calls-
manitoba-scams/
-According to the article and video, what are
spoofed calls?
- What is one interesting piece of information you
learnt from this article?

43. Reflect on
Learning

44. What did you learn today?
• Discuss different types of scams you
learnt in this lesson.
• Suggest ways/ steps to keep yourself
protected from scammers.

45. Homework
• Go to the CBC lesson below
https://www.cbc.ca/learning-english/level-
2/prime-time-for-scammers-level-2-
1.5615845
• Work on other skills in the lesson

47. Thankyou!
Blaine
broberts@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca
1-204-946-5140
website
livelearn.ca
Language Circle: Prime time for
scammers