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Ball and Chain

Ball and Chain English, baby! Video Lesson

Date: Apr 05 2011

Themes: Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Adverbs

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Being in a relationship is nice because you have someone you can rely on. You have someone who will share activities and chores with you. Of course, the other person in the relationship also has expectations for you. Sometimes, it can feel like the relationship is a weight you carry.

Men especially like to joke that their wife or girlfriend is a ball and chain. They are comparing themselves to prisoners, who, in the past had to wear a large, heavy ball tied to their ankle with a chain. They had to carry the ball and chain everywhere and it made their lives harder.

Even if a relationship is going well, it can feel like a ball and chain sometimes because it’s just different than being single and only worrying about yourself. Jason has been with his girlfriend for a long time. Jeff is in a new relationship, but fears it may become a ball and chain. Listen to them discuss their love lives.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jason

Jason

Jeff

Jeff

Devan

Devan

Jason:  So, you and Ella, huh? Pretty serious.

Jeff:  Yeah, I guess. I don’t know. We fight a lot. It’s kind of annoying.

Jason:  Oh really?

Jeff:  Yeah.

Jason:  What are you fighting about?

Jeff:  Everything.

Jason:  Oh, man. Maybe you just need more communication, you know. I tell Devan everywhere I’m going, everything I’m doing. Always checking in.

Jeff:  Yeah, I guess I do see her always kind of following you around.

Jason:  Yeah, I guess she does do that sometimes.

Jeff:  Sounds like you’ve got a little ball and chain situation on your hands.

Devan:  What you watchin’?

Jason:  Football!

Devan:  What are they doing?

Jason:  Well, right now, they’re returning a punt.

Devan:  What’s a punt?

Jason:  It’s where one team kicks the ball to the other team.

Devan:  Why?

Jason:  Because they ran out of downs.

Devan:  What’s a down?

Jason:  Maybe I’ll go for a run.

Devan:  Oh, I’ll come too. But can you do something? Can you take out the trash first?

Jason:  But the game…OK…Ball and chain. Do you think so? It could be a lot worse. She does like to tag along wherever I go and…

Jeff:  That’s bad.

Jason:  And she likes it when I call and tell her, you know, where I’m gonna be, if I’m gonna be late…

Jeff:  You serious? That’s a ball and chain.

Jason:  Well, what’s your life like? How’s your relationship different?

Jeff:  Well, Ella’s constantly yelling at me for anything I do. I can’t go anywhere without her wanting to know where I’m going or insisting that she’s gonna go with me, and I’m constantly tired of spending time with her.

Jason:  Sounds like you have your own ball and chain there, guy. Cheers to that!

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Jeff says that he and Ella often fight. Jason suggests that maybe they just need to communicate better. His girlfriend knows everything about his life. But that is exactly what Jeff is afraid of: a ball and chain.

Jason remembers a time when he recently tried to watch sports and his girlfriend kept interrupting him. Then, when he tried to go for a run she wanted to come too…and wanted him to take out the trash first!

Maybe Devan is a ball chain for Jason, but he says it could be a lot worse. That’s just what relationships are like. He asks Jeff how his life is different, and it sounds like it’s very similar.

Do you think Jason or Jeff’s girlfriend is a ball and chain? Do you ever feel like your partner is a ball and chain?

 

Comments

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12345678ros

Dominican Republic

My english is not good. Sorry!!!!


03:52 PM Dec 16 2015 |

12345678ros

Dominican Republic

Hello my name is Orquidia, I’m from Dominican Republic…..I think a great have a ball and chain to be alone.

03:38 PM Dec 16 2015 |

12345678ros

Dominican Republic

Hello!!!!!!


03:36 PM Dec 16 2015 |

Angels ArcosSuper Member!

Spain

I think both’s girlsfriends are a ball and chain. I guess most people thinks that was a usual situation, but I don’t think so. I really think that’s very important that everyone had their own space.

12:19 PM Feb 26 2013 |

azarramin42

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

hello


my english is not good. please teach me for my english language is be better.


thanks a lot

06:15 AM Dec 31 2012 |

samirajamal1

United Kingdom


Hello
How are you
today?
I wish you
will have the
desire to write
me back through
my email at (samirajamal2×2 @gmx.com) for
easiest communication.
from miss samira.

Hello
How are you
today?
I wish you
will have the
desire to write
me back through
my email at (samirajamal2×2 @gmx.com) for
easiest communication.
from miss samira.

08:44 AM Oct 29 2012 |

samirajamal1

United Kingdom


Hello
How are you
today?
I wish you
will have the
desire to write
me back through
my email at () for
easiest communication.
from miss samira.

Hello
How are you
today?
I wish you
will have the
desire to write
me back through
my email at () for
easiest communication.
from miss samira.

08:44 AM Oct 29 2012 |

javier_man

javier_man

Mexico

mmmh, I guess it is part of life, I’d prefer to have someone “ball and chain” to haven’t nobody, hehe

03:00 PM Aug 30 2012 |

nelson27

nelson27

Colombia

no, i don´t , but i really do not want to find a girl , who, all the time stay bothering my aroung. it’s better to be alone than unconfortable with someone who do not respect your space .

03:25 PM May 24 2011 |

1 person likes this

aminian

aminian

Australia

Based on their description of their girlfriends it seems they are ball and chain.I am not quite sure if it is totally negative, as a healthy relationship requires partners to have a set of similar likes and dislikes. Therefore, it is expected from well-bound partners to participate in common activities. In this regard being a ball and chain could have another positive meaning that your partner is a proper choice. Generally speaking, partners, I believe, should always try to give some space for each other in order to let them to enjoy their freedom as well.

12:02 PM Apr 10 2011 |

anahid goddess

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Its ttue for both of them (f & m) but life is the same bridge that its verry danger so its better for us that we pass it with persone  not alone 

03:35 PM Apr 07 2011 |

marisua

marisua

Peru

welll. sometimes i feel that my friends are a ball and chain because they always are tagging along me and i can do my things alone and must need do it alone….and about jeff´s girlfriend, she is definitely a ball and chain. it´s true that is her grilfriend but each one has a life and needs to live. I think they must communicate and set the clear things about themselves.

 

07:04 PM Apr 06 2011 |

mk-snobar

mk-snobar

Syrian Arab Republic

Those girls!! .. i will just call'em killjoys ..  ¯\(°_°)/¯Tough It is hard to find a match made in heaven,a person should try to have a genial,pleasing and open-minded partner so they can get on like a house on fire..In fact,a tiresome person could easily vex and get on his partner nerves,unawares ,they are just on the rocks..

09:29 PM Apr 05 2011 |

 julito

julito

Argentina


 I really feel pity for these guys.  They are in a very toxic relationship, something that  started with honey and now is poison.   

05:14 PM Apr 05 2011 |

Miss Fabulous

Germany

being a ball and chain  is an illness, a psychological illness. such people are controlling freaks who have to control their partner permanently like a dictator controls his people. and if a relationship ends in a compulsory behaviour forcing the partners into a kind of routine, how much happiness is there left? wtf

04:32 PM Apr 05 2011 |

eme soul

eme soul

United Arab Emirates

I think it's good to have someone who be around you and care of you,but not too much like holding you back from doing the things you really wanted to,In this case this person will be like a ball and chain you need to cut off.

11:31 AM Apr 05 2011 |

trailo_hathanh

Viet Nam

Ball and chain. Me tooo

10:06 AM Apr 05 2011 |

trailo_hathanh

Viet Nam

The webpage is error, please fix it. I can not see the vocabulary definition and listen to the audio.

 thanks,

10:01 AM Apr 05 2011 |

Zeerak

Zeerak

Australia

well, it can be different for some people. I have seen people who can't go anywhere without their partner, or can't eat, sleep or anything you know. They love to tag along wanted or unwanted. They love eachother for their differences.

09:58 AM Apr 05 2011 |

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