Mom: Oh, honey. You came. I’m so glad! Why are you wearing a bonnet? Taylor: Uh, just for fun. Happy Easter, Mom. We got you these Easter lilies. [hands flowers to mom] Mom: They’re beautiful. Taylor, you’re so pale and skinny! Taylor: Of course I’m pale. It’s just now the beginning of spring. I don’t have my summer tan yet. Mom: I guess. Are you sure you’re taking care of yourself? Taylor: I’m FINE, Mom. Remember Holly? This is her roommate, Yi-jun..
Easter lily 复活节百合，亦称为「铁炮百合」。复活节百合是百合中最受欢迎的品种，它在初春复活节时开花，是复活节不可或缺的花卉 Easter lilies are one of the first signs of spring. 铁炮百合是最早预告春天来临的象征之一。
hand (v.) 传递，交给。hand something to someone是「把某物递给某人」 Can you hand me that hammer? 把那枝榔头递给我好吗？
pale (a.) 苍白的 While he was sick, Jeff turned very pale. 杰夫生病的时候变得很苍白。
skinny (a.) 皮包骨的，极瘦的 A: I need to lose some weight. 我需要减肥。 B: What do you mean? You’re so skinny! 什么意思？你跟瘦皮猴一样！
tan (n.) 晒成古铜色 A: So you just got back from Thailand? You look great! 你刚从泰国回来？你看起好极了！ B: Thanks, it’s because of the tan. 谢啦，那是因为晒黑了。
Anna: It was great! I went to the D.C. State Fair.
Ashley: I would have gone, but I was busy. How was it?
Anna: It was awesome! I won first place in a pet contest!
Ashley: But, you don’t have a pet, do you?
Anna: Yes and no. What do you mean by “pet”?
Prof. Bot: A pet is an animal that lives with you. People love their pets. “Ashley said, you don’t have a pet, do you? She used a tag question, a small question at the end of a sentence. Let’s look for more of them!
Anna: Look, a pet! Who’s this cute little dog?
Ashley: Oh, right. You haven’t met my dog, have you? This is Dublin.
Anna: Hi, Dublin! Nice to meet you. He’s so cute!
Ashley: Thanks! So, tell me about the state fair.
Anna: Oh, there were the usual things — fair food, cute babies, music. But there must have been a dozen different contests! And some were pretty strange.
Anna: There was a contest to see who could spit a watermelon seed the farthest. You should have seen all the people who wanted to spit a watermelon seed! And, it was pretty fun to watch. But Ashley, the pet contests were the best. There was a pet parade. Lots of people walked with their dogs.
Ashley: That sounds so fun. But Anna, tell me, how did you win a pet contest without a pet?
Anna: Okay, the closest thing I have is my pet rock.
Anna: I know it’s silly, but I’ve had it since I was a little girl. So, for a joke, I brought it to the fair. But then I was invited to enter the “One-of-Kind Pet” contest. And I won! (holds up first place ribbon)
Ashley: Anna, only you could have won a pet contest with a pet rock. I should have brought Dublin. He would’ve won a contest!
Anna: It’s not very easy to win one of these. (shows her the blue ribbon) Does he have a costume?
Anna: They had a costume contest. You should have seen this little girl. She and her dog wore matching princess costumes!
Ashley: Dublin doesn’t wear costumes.
Anna: Does he know any tricks?
Ashley: Come this way. Now, watch this. (Dublin chases a toy)
Anna: You caught it, Dublin! And you killed it! Good dog! Ashley, he could have won the Best Catch contest! Aw, good boy! Ashley, pets are fun, aren’t they?
Ashley: Yes. And they become part of your family. (she drinks from her Dublin mug)
Anna: Ashley, I think I want a dog. No. I know I want a dog!
Ashley: It’s a big responsibility. You may want to spend time with a dog first.
Anna: That is a great idea. But where can I find a dog?
Ashley: You know, Anna, I have some shopping to do. Do you want to watch Dublin for a couple of hours?
Anna: Yes! I would! I will take very good care of him!
Ashley: I know you will. Here’s his leash.
Anna: Thank you.
Ashley: (to Dublin) Okay, I’ll miss you!
Anna: Aw. I don’t want you to be lonely. Here, Rocky can stay with you. (puts pet rock on wall)
Ashley: Anna, I really don’t need … Okay. Thanks, Anna.
Anna: Sure. Bye, Ashley. (to Dublin) Come on, Dublin! Bye, Rocky!
Ashley: Bye!
Prof. Bot: Anna’s rock is cute, isn’t it? Oh, there is another tag question! You found some more, didn’t you?
You haven’t met my dog, have you?
Go to the VOA Learning English website to learn more.
Gill: You bet it is. And we got four thousand for our car space! Awesome! Beth: Let’s play some music! I feel like dancing. Gill: That’s just what was running through my mind. Moonlight and dancing. Beth: [Puts on the music] Ahh! Now that’s more like it. Atmosphere! Gill: Come on baby, let’s dance! [Doorbell rings] Beth: [Looks through the peephole] Oops! It’s the landlord. I guess the tables have turned now. We’re the noisy neighbors. Turn it down!
run through someone’s mind 闪过某个念头 That song just keeps running through my mind, like some haunting melody. 那首歌一直在我脑海环绕，就像那种忘不了的曲子。
atmosphere (n.) 气氛 This bar has a very seedy atmosphere. Let’s go somewhere else. 这家酒吧的气氛很糟。我们去别地方。
peephole (n.) 窥视孔 She’s making faces at me through the peephole. 她对着窥视孔向我做鬼脸。