164.2 - English Story: Irregular Verbs with the Titanic

American English Podcast

One of the most popular films of 1997 was by far “ Titanic.” It won 11 Academy Awards! If you saw the film, or even just previews of it, you know the plot. There’s a love story between Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) that develops while aboard a huge ship called Titanic. The Titanic was a real ship that set off on its first transatlantic trip from England to the United States in 1912. I know you know what happens; the ship hits an iceberg and sinks.

I thought about retelling this story and I know English speakers would tell me: Oh no, Shana, really? That ship has sailed, literally.

That ship has sailed is an expression that means that the opportunity has passed; this topic is no longer new or very exciting. It’s been talked about way too many times! That ship has sailed. So instead of doing my long, cultural lesson, I’ve decided to change it up! I’ll tell you a brief summary of the Titanic and in the story, you’ll hear 10 irregular verbs in the simple past tense.

This lesson also includes an explanation of the terms and a quiz.

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Transcript and Video

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