世博英语

Speaking

​Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: It is no secret that Washington, D.C. has spies. Well, it should be a secret because spying is secret. But it’s not a secret. There’s even a spy museum! The International Spy Museum has created an amazing collection of spy things! And today, we will see them! My boss, Ms. Weaver, has sent me here … on a mission!

Ms. Weaver: Hello, Anna, are you there?
Anna: That’s her. Yes, Agent Peacock. This is Agent Flamingo, reporting for duty.
Ms. Weaver: Agent what? Look, Anna … I mean, Agent Flamingo, I want you to learn all you can about spying.
Anna: You mean, collect intelligence?
Ms. Weaver: Yeah, it’s for our new show — “D.C. Secrets.”
Anna: You’ve got it, Agent Peacock. The mission is safe with me.
Ms. Weaver: Oh, okay, great. Just be back by noon.
Anna: Agent Peacock, I’m at an air duct!
Ms. Weaver: Yes, spies sometimes sneak down air ducts.
Anna: I have never snuck down an air duct. It’s dark and small. I’m afraid of dark, small places.
Ms. Weaver: You can do it, Agent Flamingo. You know, spies aren’t afraid of a little darkness.
Anna: Right. It’s just an air duct — a dark, small air duct. Okay. I’m doing it, Agent Peacock! I am sneaking down a long, dark, small air duct. I’m having a little trouble breathing.
Ms. Weaver: Just keep going, Agent Flamingo. Think of the team!
Anna: Okay, I will think of the team. I’m thinking of the team, Agent Peacock! I did it! I did it! I sneaked down an air duct. That was a little uncomfortable.
Ms. Weaver: Good!
Anna: What’s the next mission?
Ms. Weaver: Umm … have you ever cracked a code?
Anna: No.
Ms. Weaver: Well, go learn. Spies use their brains.
Anna: Got it! I’ve never cracked a code before. Let’s try, Agent Flamingo! This is really hard. I’m still trying to crack the code. I’ve cracked the code! I’ve cracked the code, Agent Peacock! My brain really hurts.
Ms. Weaver: Great. Umm, Agent Flamingo, now answer this question: Do spies have to be in good shape?
Anna: “Yes,” Agent Peacock! Spies have to be in really good shape! Can you hear me?
Ms. Weaver: You’re breaking up, Flamingo.
Anna: The International Spy Museum is awesome! Agent Peacock, I completed the mission!
Ms. Weaver: Great. Great. Now, I have another very important mission for you.
Anna: Got it. See you back at H.Q.!
Ms. Weaver: Yummy! You brought my lunch! Thanks, Agent Flamingo!
Anna: Mission completed. Agent Peacock!
(Amelia makes a face.)
Ms. Weaver: Don’t ask.
Special thanks go out to the International Spy Museum for letting us film in the museum!

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! I have lived in Washington, D.C. for a long time now. And I have done a lot. I feel that I know this city pretty well. (walks off and comes back) That’s the wrong way. Where is it again?
Anna: (sees a tourist at a sign) Excuse me, can I help you? Have we met before?
Jean: I don’t think so. I’ve just flown in from Boston. My name is Jean.
Anna: Hi, Jean! I’m Anna. I really feel like we’ve met before. Anyway, how can I help?
Jean: I want to see an interesting museum but I don’t know which one.
Anna: I can help with that. I’ve lived in Washington, D.C. a long time. I think I’ve seen all the museums.
Jean: Wow, thanks. So, tell me, which museums are good?
Anna: Well, they are all good. But they’re all different. There are science museums and history museums and art and culture museums.
Jean: I want to see an unusual museum.
Anna: I like the Sculpture Garden. Have you ever seen sculptures in a garden? It is really artistic!
Jean: I have never seen a garden of sculptures! I’ll write that on my list!
Anna: Have you been to the Museum of the American Indian? I’ve visited that museum many times. It is very peaceful.
Jean: I have always liked American Indian culture.
Jean: I’ll put that on my list. (writes on list) Do you have any other suggestions?
Anna: Well, if you like plants, you can visit the U.S. Botanic Gardens. It’s very organic.
Jean: I have always loved plants. I’ll write that on my list, too! Wow, you know so much about D.C.’s museums.
Anna: Well, I have lived here for over a year.
Jean: You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful city filled with so many museums and a zoo!
Anna: What? D.C. has a zoo?
Jean: Yes, and it’s beautiful. You’ve lived here for so long and you haven’t been to the zoo?
Anna: I’ve never been to D.C.’s zoo. I’ve never been to any zoos!
Jean: You have never seen zoo animals?
Anna: I grew up on a farm, Jean. I’ve known farm animals my whole life.
Jean: But the zoo has lions (makes sound of lion roaring) and elephants (makes sound of elephant trumpeting) and zebras (makes no sound)! If you have never seen a real, live elephant, you must. They are so majestic.
Anna: I will. I will! (writes list) There. I’ve written my own must-see zoo animal list!
Jean: Have fun at the zoo and thanks, Anna!
Anna: Have fun at the museums, Jean! And thank YOU!
Anna: This has been awesome! And I have seen every animal on my list! Jean, the tourist, helped me see more of my city. But where have I seen her before?
Oh well. Until next time …

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hi, Pete. What are you doing?
Pete: Oh! Hi, Anna. Right now, I am fixing my car.
Anna: How’s it going?
Pete: It’s going … not so good.
Anna: How can I help? I was planning to visit some friends. But if you need help, I can help. I like helping.
Pete: Anna, I can fix it myself. But thanks.
Anna: Pete, I think I found your problem. These are spark plugs. (holds them up)
Anna: They start the engine.
Pete: I know that, Anna. But there were too many spark plugs … in there. So I took out the extra ones.
Anna: There are no extras, Pete. You need all of them. Pete, can you fix a car yourself?
Pete: Well, Anna, last night I was watching the online video course, “You CAN Fix a Car Yourself!”
Dan: Yes, you CAN fix your car yourself!
Pete: And I watched the first 10 lessons. So, I think I know what I’m doing.
Anna: How many lessons are there?
Pete: Four hundred and fifty.
Anna: 450! That’ll take too long! If I fix your car, I’ll have it running in 10 to 15 minutes.
Anna: Where’re your tools?
Pete: I have this. (puts a useless tool in her hand). And this. (hands her another useless tool)
Anna: Great. Um, I’ll get my tools. I’ll be back in a flash!
Pete: But, Anna, I don’t need your …
(She goes and quickly comes back with tools.)
Pete: … help.
Anna: Pete, when I was a teenager, I was fixing cars — myself. I learned from a master.
Anna: You can trust me.
Pete: Okay.
Anna: Great! But we need teamwork. You sit in the car. When I say “go,” you start the engine.
Anna: Okay, go! ​
Anna: Stop!
Anna: Okay, go! Huh.
Pete: It’s not starting! It’s not starting!
Anna: What’s wrong?
Pete: This car is stupid … stupid, stupid!
Anna: Pete, kicking the tires will not help.
Pete: Well, you did not help, Anna. You did not help!!
Anna: Pete, Pete! Pull yourself together, man. Give me the keys. I must feel the key in the ignition and turn it myself.
Master: Use the key, Anna. Turn the key, Anna. What are you forgetting, Anna?
Anna: Pete. Pete.
Pete: What?
Anna: You are out of gas.
Pete: I can’t be out of gas. (looks at gauge) I’m out of gas. Sorry, Anna. I’ll go get some.
Anna: Pete. You relax. Clean your face. You can watch the rest of your online video course. It’ll be faster if I go … in a flash. Until next time …
Dan (in the online video course): “Lesson 11. Always make sure you have a full tank of gas!”