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Discussing a Viral Trend

Two friends are casually chatting about a popular viral video, meme, or challenge they saw on social media, sharing their opinions and reactions.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Lisa (Female)
Hey James, have you seen that new 'Plank Challenge' going around on TikTok?
2
James (Male)
Oh, the one where people are trying to hold a crazy long plank? Yeah, it just popped up on my feed this morning. Some of those are insane!
3
Lisa (Female)
Right? I saw one guy doing it on top of a bookshelf! I mean, talk about taking it to the next level. I almost dropped my phone laughing.
4
James (Male)
Haha, I know exactly which one you're talking about! My favorite so far is the dog joining in and licking the person's face. That was pure gold.
5
Lisa (Female)
Oh my gosh, yes! The pet ones are always the best. It's funny how quickly these things blow up online.
6
James (Male)
Totally. One minute it's just a random video, and the next, everyone's trying it. Are you thinking of giving it a shot?
7
Lisa (Female)
Haha, maybe just a regular plank, definitely not on a bookshelf! But it does make me want to get off the couch and do something active.
8
James (Male)
That's the spirit! It's a fun way to get motivated, I guess. Though I'm still not brave enough for the public humiliation if I fail.
9
Lisa (Female)
Same here! Maybe we can just enjoy watching others fail spectacularly.
10
James (Male)
Sounds like a plan to me! Speaking of which, I just saw another one where someone's cat knocked them over. Classic.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

plank

A plank is an exercise where you hold your body straight like a board on your forearms and toes. In this dialogue, it's part of a viral challenge on social media.

feed

On social media, your 'feed' is the stream of posts and videos that appear on your screen, like a personalized news list from friends and followed accounts.

insane

Insane means extremely crazy or unbelievable, often used informally to show surprise or admiration for something wild, like a daring challenge.

blow up

To 'blow up' online means something becomes very popular very quickly, like a video going viral and spreading everywhere on social media.

giving it a shot

This idiom means trying something, often casually. It's a fun way to say 'I'll attempt it' without much commitment.

motivated

Motivated means feeling encouraged or inspired to do something, like getting energy from watching a video to exercise.

humiliation

Humiliation is feeling embarrassed or ashamed, especially in front of others. Here, it's about the risk of failing publicly online.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Hey James, have you seen that new 'Plank Challenge' going around on TikTok?

This is a casual way to start a conversation about something popular online. 'Going around' is an idiom meaning spreading or becoming common. Use it to ask friends if they've noticed a trend.

Yeah, it just popped up on my feed this morning.

'Popped up' means appeared suddenly. This sentence shows how to describe discovering content on social media. It's useful for sharing recent online experiences in casual chats.

Some of those are insane!

A short exclamation to express amazement. 'Insane' here means extremely impressive or crazy. Intermediate learners can use this to react strongly to exciting videos or stories.

I mean, talk about taking it to the next level.

'I mean' is a filler for emphasis, and 'taking it to the next level' is an idiom for making something more extreme. Use this to comment on creative or bold actions in trends.

It's funny how quickly these things blow up online.

This uses 'how' to express surprise at speed. 'Blow up' means go viral. It's a natural way to discuss the fast pace of social media popularity.

Are you thinking of giving it a shot?

This is a polite way to ask if someone plans to try something. 'Giving it a shot' is an informal idiom for attempting. Great for encouraging friends in conversations about challenges.

That's the spirit!

An encouraging phrase meaning 'That's the right attitude!' Use it to support someone's positive idea, like motivating exercise. It's idiomatic and builds rapport in chats.