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GENERAL ENGLISH · ENGLISH IN VIDEO · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

HALF A
MILLION
SECRETS
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1 Warm up

Give some examples of a secret. Can you think of any famous secrets that have come out in the news
recently? Discuss the following questions in pairs.

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word "secret"? Do you have any secrets of your own?
2. Can you think of a time when you had to keep a secret? How did it make you feel?
3. Do you believe secrets are always meant to be kept, or are there situations where it’s okay to share
them?
4. How do secrets affect relationships, both positively and negatively?
5. Have you ever had someone confide in you with a secret? How did you handle it?

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2 Focus on vocabulary
Part A: Match the words to their correct definitions.

artful (adj.) chuckle (v) frailty (n) ingenious (adj.)

leverage (v) soulful (adj.) uptight (adj.) virally (adv.)

1. : behaving in a very correct way, not able to relax

2. : very intelligent and skillful

3. : showing creative skill

4. : very quickly, especially on the Internet

5. : use (something) in order to achieve something or make profits

6. : laugh quietly, especially in a private or secret way

7. : expressing strong emotions, especially sadness

8. : the condition of being weak or not in good health

Part B: Complete the gaps in the sentences below with the correct word from Part A. You may change
the form of the word.

1. He had a big smile and to himself.

2. His solution to the complex engineering problem impressed everyone on the team.

3. Politicians are often indifferent to human . They are only interested in personal
gain.

4. The idea was a hit and soon began spreading .

5. I cried my eyes out when she sang that song.

6. She wants to her extensive network of contacts to secure a better job opportunity.

7. I used to work with a bunch of people and had to wear a tie.

8. Johnny is extremely . He used paint, glue and glitter in his impression of the Tower
Bridge.

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3 Watching comprehension

You are going to watch a video about Frank Warren’s story of collecting anonymous secrets from
people around the world and the impact these confessions have on individuals’ lives. Watch the
video (00:00 - 06:25) and answer the following questions.

1. What makes PostSecret.com unique?

2. What is the story behind a decaf coffee?

3. What is the story behind a wireless microphone?

4 Watching for details

Watch the video again (00:00 - 10:00) and choose the best answer for each of the following questions
1 - 7.

1. How did Frank Warren start collecting secrets?

a. He bought them from a store in Washington.

b. He handed out self-addressed postcards on the streets.

c. He anonymously called random people directly to share their secrets with him.

2. From whom did Frank start receiving secrets?

a. only from citizens of Washington, D.C.

b. from people living in various places, including other countries

c. only from his friends and family

3. What does Frank mention about the PostSecret blog?

a. It is an ad-free blog with scant visitor statistics.

b. It is primarily focused on sharing personal stories.

c. It features sponsored content.

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4. According to Frank, what is the main purpose of sharing secrets?

a. To create humorous anecdotes.

b. To entertain others with shocking stories.

c. To connect with others on a more profound level.

5. What is the significance of the secret posted on Valentine’s Day?

a. It received the most attention from readers.

b. It led to a surprising proposal between a couple.

c. It marked the end of the PostSecret blog.

6. What is the main purpose of the website "IFoundYourCamera"?

a. To sell lost cameras and memory sticks.

b. To showcase the collection of lost photographs.

c. To reunite lost photos with their rightful owners.

7. According to Frank, what impact does Matty’s website have on people’s lives?

a. It provides emotional connections through shared memories.

b. It facilitates the exchange of photos preserving cherished memories.

c. It increases the value of lost cameras and photos.

5 Reading for gist

Read a summary of a video about Frank Warren’s story and match the following sentences to the gaps
1 - 4. Note that two sentences are extra.

A. There are countless of them, some of them profound, some humorous, and others sorrowful.

B. It is a website dedicated to reuniting lost cameras with their owners.

C. The idea quickly gained momentum, with people across the United States and around the world
joining in.

D. With just 3,000 self-addressed postcards, he initiated what would become known as
PostSecret.

E. PostSecret’s ongoing success serves as a reminder of the value of human connection.

F. It is an example of the value of anonymity and the human need for connection and sharing.

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World of secrets
The power of shared humanity

In November 2004, Frank Warren embarked on a unique social experiment that would change the way people view
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anonymity and sharing secrets forever. It is a project dedicated to collecting and anonymously
sharing people’s deepest secrets. What started as a simple idea soon evolved into a global phenomenon, with
individuals from across the United States and all around the world jumping in and contributing their untold stories.

The concept is straightforward: share an artful secret that had never been revealed to anyone before.
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Each postcard gives an insight into the human condition, ranging from expressions of love
and grief to confessions of long-kept secrets. According to the founder of the PostSecret blog, while some secrets
make us laugh or cry, they all serve as an affirmation of the humanity that connects people.
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In a world marked by prevailed isolation, individuals visiting Warren’s blog can find comfort,
empathy, and a feeling of community through sharing secrets. The concept inspired a Canadian student named
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Matty to create "IFoundYourCamera." Through this platform, people are encouraged to send
lost photos which are later posted on the website in the hope of reuniting them with their owners. Like the
PostSecret website, Matty’s project embraces the poignant story that every photograph contains a story or chapter
in someone’s life waiting to be reclaimed. His concept also leverages the kindness of strangers, demonstrating the
impact that simple acts of compassion can have.

6 Finding vocabulary

Read the summary again and find vocabulary which has the same meaning as the following definitions.

1. (v): accept or adopt something willingly or eagerly

2. (phrase): develop gradually

3. (adj.): causing a feeling of sadness

4. (n): approval, support, a statement or sign that something is true

5. (v): take something back

6. (adj.): simple to understand, easy

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7 Talking point

Part 1: Discuss the following questions together in pairs or small groups.

1. What do you think of Frank Warren’s concept? Do you find it interesting?

2. Would you send your secret and let it be published on Warren’s blog? Why / why not?
3. Which story shared by the speaker is the most amusing to you?
4. Which story shared by the speaker is the most touching to you?
5. Do you think that some secrets should never be published?
6. Do you think that politicians’ and celebrities’ private lives should remain a secret?

Part 2: Read the definition and answer the questions below.

• blabbermouth – someone who talks excessively and indiscreetly

1. Do you know anyone who is a blabbermouth?

2. What effect do you think being a blabbermouth can have on someone’s life?

Part 3: Write down a secret about yourself on a piece of paper. Then, pass the papers around, select
one and read it out loud. Try to guess together who wrote each secret.

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8 Optional extension / homework

Part 1: Complete the sentences and the crossword on page eight using vocabulary from the lesson.

Down:

1. The video spread across social media platforms, garnering millions of views within
hours of being posted.

2. The arrangement of colours and textures in the painting drew the critics’ attention.

5. The engineer’s solution to the problem saved the company both time and money.

7. The company aimed to innovative technology to gain a competitive edge in the

market.

9. She’s always so about keeping everything perfectly organized.

Across:

3. After years of neglect, the community came together to the abandoned park, turning
it into a vibrant green space for all to enjoy.

4. The novel’s ending was especially , leaving readers crying and reflecting on the
themes of love and loss.

6. Despite her physical , her spirit remained strong.

8. The singer delivered a performance, leaving the audience deeply moved by the
emotion in her voice.

10. His instructions were clear and , making it easy for everyone to understand their
tasks.

11. During the meeting, he couldn’t resist sharing confidential information, earning himself a reputation
as the office .

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Part 2: Read the fragment from the audioscript and write the word that best fits in each gap. Use
only one word in each space. Watch the video to check your answers (03:13 - 04:03).
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This next one takes a little before I share it with you. I love to speak on college
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campuses and share secrets and the stories students. And sometimes afterwards
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I’ll stick and sign books and take photos with students. And this next postcard was
4 5
out of one of those photos. And I should also that, just like today,
at that PostSecret event, I was using a wireless microphone. "Your mic wasn’t off during sound check.
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We all heard you pee." This was really when it happened, until I realised it could have
been worse. Right. You know what I’m saying ...

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9 Speaking: Cue cards

Read the instructions below and do the task.

1. Work in pairs or small groups.

2. Take turns selecting a cue card.
3. Use the cue card to start a conversation about the topic with your partner(s).
4. Discuss each topic for 2-3 minutes.
5. Try to use the vocabulary and grammar structures you’ve learnt.

Cue Cards:

Keeping secrets:

Discuss the idea of keeping secrets.

• Do you think it’s important to keep secrets? Why or why not?
• Have you ever kept a secret before?

Secret wishes:

Share a secret wish or dream that you have. (you can invent it)
• What is it? Why is it a secret?
• Do you think it will come true one day?

Sharing secrets:

Talk about whether it’s okay to share secrets with others.

• When is it appropriate to share a secret?
• When is it not?

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Secret talents:

Talk about any secret talents or skills you have.

• What are they?
• Why have you kept them a secret?

Wishes coming true:

Share a story about a secret wish that came true for you or someone you know.

• What was the wish?

• How did it happen?

Secrets in literature or film:

Talk about secrets in books, movies, or TV shows.

• Can you think of any stories where secrets play a significant role?
• Describe your choice.

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