Interviews

Intermediate

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Here are some possible choices. If needed, use a dictionary to review the meaning of each power.

1. teleportation
2. night vision
3. animal communication
4. mind control
5. time travel
6. invisibility
7. super strength
8. flight
9. elasticity
10. shapeshifting 

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the video:

• cheap (verb): of little value or importance (In this case, we aren’t thinking of something that is inexpensive.)
  – I know this idea might be kind of cheap, but I’m thinking about talking my date to the zoo. What do you think?
• popsicle (noun): frozen flavored ice around a stick
  – All of the children enjoyed a popsicle for an afternoon snack.

Now, watch the interview and answer the comprehension questions. You can also turn on the automatically-generated captions for the video once you start it.

Randall: In this video. Let’s talk about superpowers and Emily and Aubrey. If you had the ability to choose a superpower, what would it be, Aubrey?

Aubrey: So this is kind of a lame superpower, but I I want the ability to eat whatever I feel like it and be perfectly physically healthy. Now, that means maybe one day I stuff my face, maybe one day I don’t need anything at all. And I’m still perfectly physically healthy.

Randall: That is a unique superpower.

Aubrey: I want that superpower.

Randall: Emily?

Emily:  Okay, I know this one’s kind of a cheat, but I want the power to change into anything because I could, you know, pretty limitless.

Aubrey: You could be a popsicle.

Emily: I guess I could be, but I’m thinking more along the lines of I want to go to Cancun next week. How about I turn into a bird and go fly my way over there?

Aubrey: Or a popsicle.

Randall: Oh, wow. Yeah.

Emily: Why would I be a popsicle?

Aubrey: I don’t know.

Randall: Yeah. Is there a superpower that you wouldn’t want to have? And one for me initially. Often people think about the ability to read minds,

Aubrey: Oh, that sounds like a nightmare.

Randall: But I don’t think I would want that. I would not want to be able to do that.

Emily: No

Randall: Uh, I don’t know. Emily and Aubrey, can you think of another superpower? Where. No, no, thank you.

Aubrey: Well, that’s the one that came to my mind first. Yeah.

Emily: Yeah, that’s it.

Randall: All right, well, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on superpowers.

Easy:

1. What superpower did Emily choose?

Intermediate:

1. Explain Aubrey’s chosen superpower and why she finds it appealing.
2. Discuss the advantages and limitations of Emily’s chosen superpower of shape-shifting.
3. Why would you choose or not choose the same superpowers as Aubrey and Emily?

Advanced:

1. Explore the practical applications and consequences of Emily’s chosen superpower, including the potential impact on travel, personal identity, and ethical considerations.
2. Reflect on the conversation and share your own choice of a superpower, explaining why you find it compelling and how it aligns with your personal values and aspirations.