“When I read a script, I try not to judge the characters. I try to have an open mind and really see what it makes me feel.”

Actress Penelope Cruz, talking about choosing her movies (BrainyQuote) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

It’s raining hard outside your window. The wind is blowing the leaves and branches from the trees. The street in front of your home is so full of water that it looks like a river. Suddenly, the lights go out. You can’t see anything, and even your telephone doesn’t work. Are you prepared for this kind of emergency?

It’s wise to have the supplies you need in case of a worst case scenario. You can never know when something will happen. But some people are taking this idea a little far. While it’s definitely useful to know how to take care of yourself, you may not be ready to, for example, take a hunting class. It’s all about who you are and what you believe is important.

Brian is a survivalist. Find out more about what he’s getting ready for in today’s English lesson about staying alive. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Say you have a problem with a door in your house. It doesn’t quite open how you want it to. Would you call a professional to come fix it, or would you try do-it-yourself (DIY)?

There are a lot of tutorials online that can help you solve household problems by yourself. All you need is a computer, some tools and a little initiative. After you fix something, you may realize that DIY can be really fun.

Amy and Kellie are talking about DIY. Find out what Amy needs to fix in today’s English lesson about home projects. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“Today, I am going to go green. For example, instead of taking my lunch in plastic bags, I am going to take my lunch in these containers.”

—Ebaby!’s Dominique, speaking about caring for the environment -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

TV shows come and go. It’s often difficult to know what will be a success, and what will not. When “Survivor” was first on television in 2000, nobody knew if the show about regular people living without food, water, and a place to sleep, would become popular. But after 38 seasons, “Survivor” is still watched and loved by people around the world.

The people playing “Survivor” are put on two tribes. They must make alliances with each other, use strategy to win immunity, and try not to be exiled. The players who are exiled become the game’s jury, and the jury decides who wins. The winning player gets $1,000,000!

Jessica wants Gary to watch “Survivor.” Why does she like it so much? Read on in today’s English lesson about reality TV. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“I would describe my style as off the wall. I like stuff that doesn’t match. I just like to stand out.”

Basketball player Kevin Durant, talking about how he likes to dress (BrainyQuote) -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Is your look current, or do you feel stuck in a rut? It’s easy to become complacent when simple maintenance is cheaper than buying new clothes and getting a haircut. But making changes for the better can be good, especially if life feels stagnant, so it may be time for a makeover.

There are people you can pay who will analyze the way you look, but just asking friends and family for ideas is a good place to start. Maybe all you need is a quick haircut to look a little more 2015. Or perhaps the jeans you love aren’t a color people wear anymore. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to look a lot better!

Brian’s friend is getting a makeover, and he wants to know what’s going to happen. Kellie explains in today’s English lesson about change. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

There are 7 billion people in the world, and more than 1 billion of them smoke. But many of them are starting to look into alternatives so that they can quit smoking. This is probably because smoking cigarettes can be very harmful.

Many people are now using e-cigarettes or vaping because they think these things are the wave of the future. The world is changing, and even though so many people still smoke, there will likely be a decline in cigarette smokers in the future.

Sara and Gary are talking about Sara’s friend who just quit smoking. Find out more in today’s lesson about cigarettes. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“So, lately, the wedding planning has been a little stressful. But it’s been super fun! I just really don’t want to be a bridezilla.”

—Ebaby!’s Kat, speaking about the stress of wedding planning -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Most people think that Lebron James is the best basketball player in the world. He is very athletic, but many people think he is too egotistical. He has become infamous because he’s not a very humble person.

But whether or not you like him, you cannot dispute that Lebron James is a dominant basketball player. You have to admire his skills, even if he is a showboater. Wouldn’t you be proud if you were as good at basketball as Lebron?

Gary and Marni are talking about Lebron James. Find out more in today’s English lesson about a dominant basketball player. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com