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Improve Your English with Movies: Passengers

Hi, I’m Jainie, and in this lesson, we’re learning English with Passengers! I’ve picked out some of the most challenging scenes from this movie to explain any tricky words and phrases. By the end, you’ll be ready to watch the whole movie on your own. I highly recommend checking it out after our lesson – it’s a fantastic way to practice your English!

1. Be Ready to Watch Movies in English: Passengers. Part 1. Awakening



In the future, humans travel to other planet colonies for a better life. The journey is long, so the passengers are put into a state of sleep. On one such journey, something strange happens that will change the future of the passengers.

Vocabulary and Phrases

perfectly normal to feel confused

This is a way of saying, "It’s okay to feel confused". "Perfectly normal" reassures someone that it’s expected to feel a certain way. It often used to comfort people who might feel unsure or out of place.

suspended animation

means a state where a person is put into a deep, safe sleep that continues for a very long time, usually with the help of advanced technology. During this time, the person doesn’t age or need food, and their body functions are paused, as if they’re "frozen in time". This concept is common in science fiction, especially for long space journeys.

 

just breathe

This phrase is often used to help someone calm down or relax, especially if they’re feeling stressed. It’s a reminder to take a deep breath and focus on breathing slowly, which can help calm the body and mind. In the clip, the virtual person is like saying to Jim, "Take a moment to calm yourself".


fresh start

means getting a chance to begin again, like starting a new chapter in life. It’s when you leave the past behind and focus on a new place, job, or experience.


room to grow

This phrase means there’s space or freedom to improve, learn, and develop. It can refer to physical space or, more often, to opportunities in life. For example, when moving to a new planet, Jim might say, "There’s room to grow", meaning there are chances for a better life or personal growth.


final approach

This phrase describes the last stage of a journey, when you’re almost at your destination. It’s commonly used in aviation, like when a plane is about to land. Here it means that the spaceship is getting close to its landing point.

a young man point on his wrist

wrist

means the narrow part of the arm above the hand.

a young woman has a wristband that acts like a access card

your ID band on your wrist is your key

This means that the wristband acts like a key or access card, allowing you to unlock doors or access services. It’s similar to how hotel room cards work, where you need it to get into rooms or use certain facilities.

a young man who has a feeling of sickness or dizziness after waking up from a very long sleep

post-hibernation sickness

This is a feeling of sickness or dizziness after waking up from a very long sleep, such as the "suspended animation" mentioned earlier. "Post-" means "after", and "hibernation" is the state of being asleep for the winter.


meet your fellow passengers

"Fellow" means "other people like you," and "passengers" are people traveling with you. This phrase encourages people to introduce themselves to others on the same journey, like classmates, coworkers, or, in this case, travelers on the spaceship.


technical trade skills

This phrase refers to practical skills needed for specific types of hands-on jobs, often related to working with tools, machines, or technology. Here, trade refers to skilled jobs like mechanics, electricians, carpenters, or plumbers. And these skills are very valuable in settings like factories, or construction.


confirm luggage delivery

This phrase is used when travelers check to make sure that their bags or personal belongings have been safely delivered. "Confirm" means to verify or check that something is correct or has arrived.


drink plenty of fluids

means drinking a lot of liquids, like water, juice, or tea. The word fluids is just another way to say liquids, especially when talking about healthy lifestyle. You might hear this phrase from a doctor, nurse, or even a friend if you’re feeling unwell.

-------------------[Teacher's speech]--------------
- Great job, now get ready for some listening practice. Let's watch the clip without subtitles.
- Did you catch the phrase, 'It’s perfectly normal to feel confused?' This is a way to help Jim calm down.
- Did you hear the phrase ‘Just breathe’? It’s a short way to help someone calm down. Think about when you might say this to a friend.
- ‘Food. Fun. Friends.’ These words highlight the exciting things Jim can enjoy. Try repeating these words; they’re easy to remember and fun to say!
- ‘Let’s get you to your cabin’ – a ‘cabin’ is a small room for resting or sleeping, like a private space on a ship or plane.
- ‘Please scan your ID’ – ‘Scan’ means to show or swipe something, like a card, to confirm your identity or check in somewhere.
- nice job, see you next lesson,{{pause=200}} and don't forget, I love coffee!

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