ESL: CONNECT WITH ENGLISH DISCUSSION QUESTIONS http://foxhugh.wordpress.com/esl/esl-connect-with-english-discussion-questions/ REBECCAS DREAM Episode 1 1.1 Describe Rebecca. 1.

.2 What is Rebeccas dream? 1.3 What is your dream? 1.4 Describe Matt. 1.5 What does Matt think about Rebeccas dream? DIFFERENCES Episode 2 2.1 Compare Sandy and Rebecca. 2.2 Describe Kevin. 2.3 What would your parents say if you wanted to be a musician? 2.4 Do you think Rebecca is beautiful? Why or why not? 2.5 Who do you think is the most beautiful woman in the world? Why or why not? VISIT TO THE DOCTORS Episode 3 3.1 What does Dr. Sanji tell Mr. Casey? 3.2 Describe what happens at the volley ball game. 3.3 Describe Jack. 3.4 What is the secret to good health? 3.5 What do you think about Chinese medicine? VISIT TO THE DOCTORS Episode 3 4.1 Describe Kevins Graduation 4.2 What was your graduation like? 4.2 Why doesnt Mr. Casey want Rebecca to go to school in San Francisco? 4.3 What did you like and/or dislike about high school? 4.4 What do you like and/or dislike about college? 4.5 What is your favorite subject and why? BREAKING THE NEWSEpisode 5 5.1Nancy Shaw is Rebeccas godmother. What is a godmother? 5.2 Why does Sandy want to live with Jack? Is this a good idea? 5.3 Explain the saying the lesser of two evils. 5.4 What would you consider to be a constructive approach to conflict? 5.5 What would you consider to be a destructive approach to conflict? BREAKING THE NEWSEpisode 5 6.1 Why is Mr. Casey buying a car for Rebecca? 6.2 Who does Rebecca say goodbye to? 6.3 Matt and Rebecca break up, are there any rules to breaking up? 6.4 Why do people break up? 6.5 What sort of gift would you like when you graduate and why?

LEAVING HOME Episode 7 7.1 Describe Boston. 7.2 Is driving to San Francisco a good idea? Why or why not? 7.3 What would you take in the car for your trip to San Francisco? 7.4 What happens at the graveyard? 7.5 What is lucky and unlucky in Chinese culture? THE STRANGER Episode 8 8.1 Has a stranger ever helped and if so how? 8.2 Describe Alberto? 8.3 What should Rebecca have done when her car broke down? 8.4 If you had to walk in the wilderness what would you bring with you from your car? 8.5 Do you driving across the country is a good idea for a woman? Why or why not? THE MOTELEpisode 9 9.1 What happens at the motel? 9.2 What do you look for in a motel? 9.3 What is the difference between a motel and a hotel? 9.4 What does the phrase its a free country mean to you? 9.5 Alberto seems to be a gentleman in this episode. What do you think defines a gentleman? NEGOTIATIONSEpisode 10 10.1 Explain the title: Negotiation 10.2 What happens at Joes auto repair? 10.3 What happens at the Desert Center Caf? 10.4 What does Alberto buy at the caf gift center and why? 10.5 Describe a dream catcher. PHOTOS AND FAREWELLS Episode 11 11.1 Explain the title: Photos and Farewells. 11.2 What did Alberto and Rebecca talk about on the way to the bus station? 11.3 What happened in the desert oasis? 11.4 Describe how the policeman handles Albertos speeding. 11.5 What problems did Rebecca have at the bus station? A NEW HOME Episode 12 12.1 Explain the title: A New Home. 12.2 Describe what happened when Nancy picks up Rebecca. 12.3 What are the house rules in Nancys house? 12.4 Describe Melaku. 12.5 Describe Angela. JOB HUNTING Episode 13 13.1 Explain culture shock.

13.2 What is Ethiopian food like? 13.3 Describe Uncle Edward. 13.4 Why does Nancy cry at the end of the evening? 13.5 Describe Rebeccas job interview at the college. A BAD DAY Episode 14 14.1 Explain the title: A Bad Day. 14.2 What happens at the computer firm? 14.3 What happens at the factory? 14.4 Are the duties of a father and mother different or the same? Explain? 14.5 Are men and women better at certain jobs? Explain? A NIGHT OUT Episode 15 15.1 Describe San Francisco. 15.2 Describe the restaurant that belongs to Albertos family. 15.3 Describe Albertos parents. 15.4 Describe Albertos brother. 15.5 What is your favorite type of food? Why? FIRST DAY OF CLASS Episode 16 16.1 What was Rebeccas first day of class like? 16.2 Describe Bill. 16.3 Describe Emma Washington. 16.4 Describe Alex Mendoza. 16.5 Describe Vincent Wang. CASEY AT THE BATEpisode 17 17.1 Explain the title Casey at the Bat. 17.2 Alberto gives Rebecca flowers. Is this appropriate? Why or Why not? 17.3 What is your favorite sport? Why? 17.4 Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why? 17.5 Name and describe at least five extreme sports. THE ART GALLERY Episode 18 18.1 What does Ramon tell his son when the son asks about Ramons divorce? 18.2 What information does the letter from Ramons ex-wife contain? 18.3 Describe what happens at the art gallery. 18.4 Describe what happens at the Mendoza family meeting about selling the restaurant. 18.5 Name and describe at least five types of modern art. The Picnic Episode 19 19.1 What happens at the picnic? 19.2 What does Ramon tell Rebecca about his divorce? 19.3 What happens in the woods to Alexander and Vincent? 19.4 Why did the children laugh?

19.5 How is a picnic in Taiwan the same or different than a picnic in the US? Prejudice -- Episode 20 20.1 What is a hate crime? 20.2 What did Officer Jones tell the children? 20.3 What is the difference between ethnicity and race? 20.4 What are some of the ethnic and racial groups of the US? 20.5 What are some of the ethnic and racial groups of Taiwan? A Difficult Decision Episode 21 21.1 How do you go about making a difficult decision? 21.2 What was the most difficult decision you ever made and how did you make the decision? 21.3 Do you think learning to play an instrument is a good idea and why or why not? 21.4 Did Mr. Wang make the right decision about removing Vincent from the program? Why or why not? 21.5 What is the scariest ghost movie you have ever seen? Why was it so scary? Guitar Lessons Episode 22 22.2 Would you marry someone who was divorced and had a child? Why or why not? 22.3 How do you think divorce affects children? 22.4 Is it better to be single or married? 22.5 What do you think about the show Sex & the City? The Retirement Party Episode 23 23.1 Do you have a good relationship with your parents? 23.2 What sort of things do you tell your mom as opposed to your dad? 23.3 What will you do when you retire? 23.4 What do you think is the best age? Explain your answer. 23.5 How do people change psychologically and physically as they get older? The Phone Call Episode 24 24.1 Describe the retirement party. 24.2 Describe the phone call. 24.3 What do you think is the best way to give someone bad news? 24.4 Should Rebecca go to Boston immediately? Why or why not? 24.5 What are some good things and bad things about cell phones? Review Episode 25 25.1 Describe some of the big trips of your life. 25.2 What was Rebecca thinking on the plane? 25.3 Why is Rebecca angry with her brother? 25.4 In America, single men dont live as long as married men but single women live longer than married women. Why do you think this is true? 25.5 What are some good tricks for memorizing information?

The Emergency -- Episode 26 26.1 What happened to Rebeccas father? 26.2 What would you do if someone had at a heart attack at your home? 26.3 What did the doctor tell Rebecca? 26.4 Why was Rebecca angry with Kevin? 26.5 Describe Kevin. Bad News Episode 27 27.1 How should family feuds be handled? 27.2 What sort of family feuds are common in Taiwan? 27.3 Describe Sandy. 27.4 What do you think about marriage counseling? 27.5 Why do people stay in abusive relationships? Brothers Episode 28 28.1 What do you think Patrick and Brendans fight was about? 28.2 What do you think about family secrets? 28.3 What are some common family secrets in Taiwan 28.4 What obligations do siblings have to each other? 28.5 What happens at the funeral? Grief Episode 29 29.1 Describe the wake. 29.2 Describe a Chinese funeral. 29.3 Compare and contrast a Western and Chinese funeral. 29.4 How should a person handle the death of parent? 29.5 What do you think happens after you die? Life Goes On Episode 30 30.1 Rebecca and Kevin are very sad about their father. What advice would you give them? 30.2 How should Rebecca handle Kevin? 30.3 What should they do with their fathers stuff? 30.4 Describe your sun sign. 30.5 What are some differences between Western and Chinese Astrology? A Box of Memories Episode 31 31.1 What did Rebecca find in the safety deposit box? 31.2 What should Rebecca and Kevin do with the $50,000 and why? 31.3 What groups have immigrated to the US? 31.4 Why do you think people immigrate to another country? 31.5 Why do you think so many people immigrate to the US? The Missing Car Episode 32 32.1 What makes a person an adult? 32.2 Why did Kevin take the car?

32.3 Should Kevin and Rebecca go to the farm? Why or why not? 32.4 Do you think teenagers do crazy things? Why or why not? 32.5 What is the craziest thing you ever did as a teenager? Breakdown Episode 33 33.1 Explain the title: A Breakdown. 33.2 Explain the conversation between Kevin and his ex-girlfriend. 33.3 What do Rebecca and Kevin talk about in the playground? 33.4 What do you think causes people to have a breakdown? 33.5 What would you do if a friend of yours had a breakdown? A Call for Help Episode 34 34.1 Explain the title: A Call for Help. 34.2 Describe what happened between Jack and Sandy. 34.3 Why do people take drugs? 34.4 What sort of drugs do Taiwanese take? 34.5 What sort of problems do drugs do? Changes Episode 35 35.1 Describe the title: Changes. 35.2 What does Sandy plan to do now that she has left Jack? 35.3 How should alcoholism be handled? 35.4 What do you think is the biggest crime problem in Taiwan? 35.5 What do you think the government should do about crime? The Farm Episode 36 36.1 Describe the title: The Farm. 36.2 Describe the farm. 36.3 What does Kevin propose to Rebecca? 36.4 Compare the city with the country. 36.5 What are the most popular comic books in Taiwan? Thanksgiving Episode 37 37.1 Describe the history of Thanksgiving. 37.2 Describe the foods served at Thanksgiving. 37.3 Describe the spirit of Thanksgiving 37.4 Describe the first Thanksgiving. 37.5 Describe the Puritans. Starting Over Episode 38 38.1 Explain the title Starting Over. 38.2 What happened between Nancy and Rebeccas father years ago? 38.3 What is the American Dream? 38.4 What is the Taiwanese dream? 38.5 Can you start over in Taiwan? Why or why not?

The Pressures On Episode 39 39.1 Explain the title The Pressures On. 39.2 What do Rebecca and Professor Thomas discuss and did Rebecca make the right decision? 39.3 Alberto insists that Rebecca go to the opera. Is he being a good friend or being selfish? 39.4 Rebecca now has to make a decision about what is important in her life. What does Rebecca decide? 39.5 What is an appropriate period of mourning? Why? Sharing Feelings Episode 40 40.1 Explain the title Sharing Feelings. 40.2 Describe Bills dilemma. 40.3 What do Alberto and Ramon talk about at the family restaurant? 40.4 What is Albertos life goal? 40.5 What is Ramons life goal? Unexpected Offers Episode 41 41.1 Explain the title Unexpected Offers. 41.2 What does Mr. Wang discuss with Mrs. Wang? 41.3 What do Ramon and Rebecca talk about? 41.4 Should Rebecca choose Ramon or Alberto? 41.5 What are the five most important qualities in a boyfriend or girlfriend? The Audition Episode 42 42.1 Describe Rebeccas audition. 42.2 Rebecca tells Nancy that her studies are more important than dating, do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? 42.3 What is your idea of a dream job? 42.4 What type of music do you like? Describe the music. 42.5 Name and describe five types of music? Dream Catcher Episode 43 43.1 What do Nancy and Rebecca talk about in the kitchen? 43.2 Do you agree more with Rebecca or Bill about life? 43.3 How should Rebecca resolve the Mendoza brother problem? 43.4 What sort of dreams do you have? 43.5 What are the three theories about the cause of dreams? Gifts Episode 44 44.1 Compare Chinese New Year and Christmas. 44.2 What do you like and dislike about holidays? 44.3 Why did Alberto break up with Rebecca? 44.4 Why is charity a big part of Christmas? 44.5 What do you think about charity?

True Love Episode 45 45.1 How do you pick a present for someone? 45.2 Describe the customs of the Western New Year. 45.3 What Peruvian gift did Ramon give Rebecca? Describe the gift in detail. 45.4 What is the consumer theory of life? 45.5 What is the sociobiology theory of love? Friendship Episode 46 46.1 Is it a good idea for Bill to quit school? Why or why not? 46.2 What is more important for success: Whom you know or what you know? 46.3 Describe what makes a good friend. 46.4 Can men and women be friends? Why or why not? 46.5 What is the basis of friendship? Friendship is _____? Lost Boys Episode 47 47.1 If you were Alex or Vincent, what would your parents do? 47.2 What was the worst thing you ever did as a child? 47.3 Do you think Taiwanese children are well behaved? 47.4 Do you want children? Why or why not? 47.5 How should children be disciplined? A Very Good New Year Episode 48 48.1 What parts of your life are most important to you? 48.2 What is your favorite Internet activity? 48.3 What is your favorite website? 48.4 Would you agree to have a wireless Internet connection to your brain? Why or why not? 48.5 What are some common activities students do on the internet?