Lesson 39: It’s Unbelievable!

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! Winter weather in Washington, D.C. can be really windy. And wind messes up my hair. It is really windy today. Look at my hair. Will it be windy this weekend? I’ll listen to the news. I am tired of my untidy hair.
Pete: Are you tired of your untidy hair?
Anna: Yes. Yes, I am. And it’s … uncomfortable.
Pete: Is it … uncomfortable?
Anna: Yes. Yes, it is! Hey, is that … Pete?
Pete: Hi. I’m Pete. And I have the perfect product for you — Hair Be Good!
Pete: Just spray Hair Be Good on your hair … wrap in a towel … and you are done! Hair Be Good works and it’s inexpensive. One can costs only $10! So, go online and order your Hair Be Good today!
Anna: Hair Be Good sounds perfect! And I can trust Pete! I am buying some right now. Okay, I will order one can of Hair Be Good for $10. I’ll pay with a credit card. My delivery will arrive in 2 days. Awesome!
Anna: It arrived! I’ll use it before I go to work. Okay, Hair Be Good, make my untidy hair tidy! No, make it … fabulous!
Amelia: Hi, Anna.
Anna: Hello, Amelia!
Amelia: Anna, you look … different.
Anna: Thanks! I used a new product called Hair Be Good.
Amelia: Well, it’s not.
Anna: It’s not what?
Amelia: Good. Your hair does not look good.
Anna: Oh, no! This is not good.
Amelia: Why don’t you go home and take care of … this.
Anna: Good idea.
Pete: Hi, Anna!
Anna: Hello, Pete.
Pete: Is something wrong?
Anna: This is wrong!
Pete: What did you do to your hair?
Anna: Hair Be Good did this to my hair.
Pete: Ah, you bought it!
Anna: Yes, I bought it. You said in your ad it was a perfect product. This is not perfect. This is imperfect!
Pete: It’s unbelievable!
Anna: I believed your ad, Pete. It was dishonest!
Pete: Anna, you don’t believe everything you see in ads, do you?
Anna: No, Pete. Just the ones with my friends.
Pete: Your hair will be okay. Just wash it … a couple of times.
Anna: Thanks. Thanks a lot, Pete! Here, here’s your product! You should call it “Hair Be Really, Really Bad!” Until next time, Pete! Till next time.

Lesson 38: She’s My Best Friend!

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! I have great news. My best friend from my hometown is coming here — to Washington, D.C.! I can’t wait to catch up with her! Oh! I gotta go. Her train arrives in 10 minutes!
Anna: Penelope!
Penelope: Anna! I am really happy to see you!
Anna: Me too! How was your trip?
Penelope: It was fine.
Anna: Let me help you with your bags.
Penelope: I’m really excited to be in Washington, D.C.! I can’t wait to hear about … everything!
Anna: I have so much to tell you. Let’s go to my apartment. We can talk over a hot cup of tea.
Penelope: I love your apartment building, Anna. Is your rent expensive?
Anna: Well, I have a roommate. So, we split the rent.
Penelope: Oh, that’s right. Is your roommate nice?
Anna: Marsha is the nicest person I know in this city. Sometimes she worries too much. And she says I’m the messiest cook she knows. But we are great roommates.
Penelope: So, Anna, is it hard to make friends in D.C.?
Anna: At first it was hard. But now, Marsha is a good friend. And there’s Pete. Of all the people I know in D.C., Pete is the most serious and also the silliest.
Penelope: He sounds … interesting.
Anna: Jonathan and Ashley are two other good friends of mine. In the city, they are the friendliest people I know. They always help me when I need it.
Penelope: Your friends sound great! So, tell me about your job.
Anna: I love my work! I make a children’s show called the “Time Traveling Treehouse.”
Penelope: Anna, that is the best job for you! Do you remember when we were little? We played in that old treehouse behind my family’s house for hours!
Anna: I forgot about that! We thought it really time traveled! It is really good to talk to you. New friends are good. But old friends are the best.
Penelope: I know. Our hometown isn’t the same now. You are not there.
Anna: No crying. No crying. Penelope, why don’t you move here and live with me and Marsha?
Penelope: Anna, I can’t leave our hometown. You forget — I love my job, too.
Anna: I didn’t forget. You are the most famous turkey farmer I know!
Penelope: Thanks, Anna.
Anna: Come on. Let’s go eat dinner at one of D.C.’s most famous restaurants.
Penelope: Awesome!
Anna: I have a great apartment. I love my work. And I have awesome friends. I am the luckiest woman in Washington, D.C.
(sound of thunder)
Anna: Until next time?

Lesson 37: Let’s Agree to Disagree

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: You know, I am from the country and sometimes I miss it. But I really like life in the city! I love the city. Oh, look. Someone lost a bag. Maybe it’s theirs. Excuse me. Is this bag yours?
Dr. Jill: No. It’s not mine. It might be hers.
Anna: Excuse me. Is this bag yours?
Sarah: No. It’s not mine. It might be his.
Anna: Thank you. Hello. Is this bag yours?
Phil: Yes, that’s mine. These are all my travel things. Thank you, thank you!
Anna: Are you okay? You seem … nervous.
Phil: Well, this is my first visit to Washington, D.C. I’m from a small town in the country. I feel a little lost.
Anna: I am from the country too! And I understand. When I first came here, I felt lost … all the time.
Phil: So, do you like living in the country or in the city?
Anna: I like to live in the city.
Phil: Why?
Anna: The city is exciting! It has more culture than the country. There are many museums and restaurants. Every night, there is theater and music. And, there are more jobs. That is why I’m here.
Phil: Well, I agree. There is more culture in the city and there might be more jobs. But the country has more nature! It’s peaceful and beautiful. There are more trees and mountains. The air is clean. You can go hiking and camping. The city is not beautiful. It’s noisy and dirty.
Anna: I disagree. I think all the different buildings are beautiful. And I like to watch all the different people.
Phil: That’s another thing that is different. People in the country are friendly. They always say “hello!” Here, no one says “hello.” I think city people are rude.
Anna: Well, I agree. Country people are friendly. But I don’t think city people are rude. I think they’re just busy.
Phil: That’s a good point.
Anna: Look at me. I live in the city and I said “hello” to you.
Phil: But you are from the country.
Anna: I have an idea. Let’s say “hello!” to people — to many people!
Phil: What? Why?
Anna: Well, if we say “hello,” maybe they will say “hello” to other people … Hello!
Phil: … and they will say “hello” to more people! That’s a great idea! I’m glad you found my bag.
Anna: Come on. Let’s go say “hello” to people.
Anna: We don’t have to agree with people. They have their opinions. We have ours. And as we like to say, you can always agree to disagree! Until next time…! Hello!
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