月度归档： 2022年8月

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! Washington, D.C. sits on the Potomac River. This river is important to the history and culture of the city. Today, I am at an outdoor seafood market near the Potomac River. Some say it is the oldest outdoor seafood market in the United States! I am here to buy seafood. Let’s see what they have!
Anna: Excuse me. Can you help me?
Pete: Sure! What do you need?
Anna: Pete!
Pete: Anna!
Anna: What are you doing here?
Pete: I work here. You know, it’s not easy to be a writer.
Anna: Yeah, I heard that. Sorry.
Pete: But this job is great. I work outside by the river. And I can eat all the free seafood I want!
Anna: That is great, Pete. In fact, I am here to buy some seafood for my dinner party.
Pete: You came to the right place. They have the freshest seafood in town. How much money can you spend?
Anna: I can only spend $50.
Pete: Okay. What do you want?
Anna: First, I want to buy some shrimp.
Pete: Sure thing. Follow me. How much shrimp do you want?
Anna: How much do I need for five people?
Pete: (yells to co-worker) Give her a pound of shrimp!
Anna: Ok, now I want to buy some crabs.
Pete: The crabs here are delicious! They are the best because they come from the nearby Chesapeake Bay! Walk this way.
Pete: How many crabs do you want?
Anna: I want a dozen crabs.
Pete: You should get the larger crabs. They have the most meat.
Anna: Then I want a dozen large crabs, please!
Pete: Is that everything you need?
Anna: Let’s see … I have shrimp and crabs. And a friend is bringing a salad and many ears of corn-on-the-cob.
Pete: Is that all the seafood that you need?
Anna: Yes.
Pete: That’ll be $49.95. Cash or credit?
Anna: Credit, please.
Pete: Anna, you love to eat seafood. Did you grow up on the water?
Anna: No, I didn’t. But I love the water. And I love being on the water.
Pete: You know how to sail?
Anna: Well … this afternoon I am going on a boat.
Pete: You are full of surprises. What kind of boat? Is it a motorboat or a sailboat?
Anna: It’s a special boat, Pete. Well, thanks for your help. See you later!
Pete: See you, Anna! Wow, Anna’s a sailor! Who knew?
Anna: Yes, rivers are important to the history and culture of Washington, D.C. And now I am part of this city’s interesting waterfront culture. Until next time!

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! In Washington, D.C., there are many places that bring history to life. But people who live here often do not have time to see them. They are too busy with work — like me. Hi, Marsha!
Marsha: Hi, Anna! Have a seat.
Anna: Thanks. This was a good idea. Working outdoors is nice.
Marsha: Um-hum, it is.
Anna: I am tired. Today was a busy day at work. And I still have work to do!
Marsha: Hmm, that’s too bad.
Anna: How are you these days?
Marsha: I’m really busy too, Anna. Let’s get to work.
Anna: Marsha, look! That bus has a photo of Abraham Lincoln!
Marsha: That’s an advertisement for Ford’s Theatre. They have a new show.
Anna: They have shows where Abraham Lincoln died?
Marsha: Yeah, it’s a working theater and a museum.
Anna: I love Lincoln. You know, Marsha, that advertisement reminds me of something.
Marsha: Um-hum. What’s that?
Anna: When I was a little girl … When I was a little girl … I was not like other children.
Marsha: Um-hum, I can believe that.
Anna’s voice: I was a tall, serious child. At the playground the other children played silly games. They played with dart guns. They played on the swings, the slide and the teeter-totter. They also played ball But not me. I loved to read serious books about U.S. presidents.
Anna: In fact, I wanted to be … don’t laugh … President of the United States.
Marsha: (laughs)
Anna: Stop! I know it’s a silly childhood dream.
Marsha: I’m sorry. It’s not silly. Guess what I wanted to be?
Anna: What?
Marsha: I wanted to be… an astronaut.
Anna: Really?
Marsha’s Voice: When I was a kid, I studied the stars and planets. I wanted to fly into outer space!
Anna: You know, Marsha, childhood dreams are really important.
Marsha: They are. And it’s good to remember them.
Anna: Hey! I have an idea. Let’s go.
Marsha: Go where?
Anna: Let’s go make our childhood dreams come true.
Marsha: We’re going to the Air & Space Museum! Yes!
Anna: No. We’re going to see a show at Ford’s Theatre just like Abraham Lincoln did when he died! It’s not far from here.
Marsha: Uh huh. That is your childhood dream.
Anna: Good point. Okay, next week, we’ll come here and be astronauts.
Marsha: Honestly?
Anna: Honestly.
Anna: Tonight we are seeing a show at Ford’s Theatre, where a man shot President Abraham Lincoln. This is history come to life … and a childhood dream come true! Until next time …

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! Guess what this is? This is my driver’s license! I passed my driving test!
Today, I rented a car so I can drive around Washington, D.C. You can see more of the city this way. Marsha!
Marsha: Anna, did you get your driver’s license?
Anna: I did! But it was not easy.
Marsha: Why? What happened?
Anna: Well, you know, I can drive farm equipment really well. But I was really nervous driving in Washington, D.C. traffic!
Marsha: Did you pass the test the first time?
Anna: Well…no. But I did pass the second time.
Marsha: What happened during the first test?
Anna: It started fine.
John: Okay … Anna. Is your seatbelt buckled?
Anna: Yes, sir!
John: Great. Please start the car.
Anna: (to herself) Okay, Anna, start the car.Started the car. Good job, Anna.
John: Why are you talking to yourself?
Anna: I am a little nervous. When I’m nervous, I talk to myself.
John: You don’t need to be nervous.
Anna: Listen to that engine!
John: Please, stop pushing the gas pedal!
Anna: Sorry.
John: Okay, when you are ready, turn.
Anna: Great!
John: Not now! You almost hit that car!
Anna: You said “turn!”
John: Look first! There were cars in the street.
Anna: Please don’t yell at me!
John: I’m sorry! I was afraid.
Anna: You were yelling.
John: Look out for that car! Brake! Brake!!
Anna and John: Ahhh!
Anna: Why is everyone honking at us?
John: You were driving too slow! Anna, stay on the street!
John: Hands on the wheel, Anna.
Anna: What’s that sound?
John: That, Anna, is the police.
Marsha: That sounds awful.
Anna: Yes, it did not go well. But, I practiced and passed the second time!
Marsha: Do you know where you want to take your first drive in Washington, D.C.?
Anna: Yes! Let’s go!
Anna: There it is … the White House!
Marsha: Anna, you do know you can’t drive up to the White House, don’t you?
Anna: Yes. No. I didn’t know. I guess we walk from here!
Anna: Sometimes you can see more of Washington, D.C. in a car. If you want to see the White House, you need to walk. Until next time … !