世博英语

Speaking Practice

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! In Washington D.C. there are many things to do on a Sunday afternoon. I like to exercise. I like to shop. I like to garden. But today I feel bored. When I feel bored I always look for something unusual to do! I hear music. Let’s go see! What is going on here?
Rebecca: It’s a big birthday party for the writer William Shakespeare.
Anna: This is a party for William Shakespeare?
Rebecca: Yes!
Anna: Awesome!
Rebecca: Awesome!
Anna: This is a drum band. I never listen to a drum band. But today I am listening to a drum band because it’s Shakespeare’s birthday!
Anna: This is a puppet show. I never watch puppet shows. But today I am watching a puppet show because it’s Shakespeare’s birthday!
Anna: My clothes are usual. His clothes are unusual.
Anna: In Washington, D.C. seeing a politician or even the President is usual. Seeing the Queen of England is very unusual! Your majesty!
Anna: This is sword fighting. I never sword fight. But today I am sword fighting because it’s Shakespeare’s birthday!
Anna: There are many things to do in Washington, D.C. — some usual, some unusual.
Anna: Today, I am not bored because … it is William Shakespeare’s birthday!

Speaking Practice

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! Washington, D.C. has many beautiful parks. In fact, this park reminds me of my home very far away.
Marsha: Anna, here’s your coffee.
Anna: Thanks, Marsha.
Marsha: What’s wrong?
Anna: I’m thinking about my family. I’m feeling homesick.
Marsha: Do you want to talk about it?
Anna: Sure! I have some photos.
Marsha: Yes. Yes, you do!
Anna: Photos really help.
Anna: This is my mother and this is my father. They are rodeo clowns.
Marsha: What do rodeo clowns do?
Anna: They make jokes at a rodeo. They make people laugh.
Marsha: That-That’;s very different.
Marsha: Who is that woman in the picture?
Anna: That is my Aunt Lavender. She is my mom’s sister. She loves gardening and makes spoons.
Marsha: She makes spoons?
Anna: Of course.
Marsha: That, too, is very different.
Anna: Oh! This is my Uncle John. He is my father’s brother.
Marsha: What does Uncle John do?
Anna: He’s a chicken farmer. And makes guitars. He’s awesome, and I’m his favorite niece.
Marsha: Who are they?
Anna: They are my cousins. They are my Uncle John’s daughter and son.
Marsha: What do they do?
Anna: They raise sheep and make sweaters.
Marsha: Yeah, that’s not a surprise.
Marsha: Thanks for showing me your family photos. Your family is very different.
Anna: I do feel better. Thanks for listening. I have many more photos!
Marsha: Yeah. Yeah, you do.
Anna: Washington, DC is my new home. But I like remembering my old home, too.
Anna’s Family Tree
This is a family tree. Anna tells Marsha about her parents.
Her mother and father are rodeo clowns.
Her father’s parents are from Italy. These grandparents speak Italian.
Anna’s mother’s parents live in California. These grandparents have a farm and raise horses.
Anna’s mother’s sister is Aunt Lavender. She loves gardening.
Anna’s father has a brother. His name is John. Uncle John makes guitars.
Uncle John has a daughter and a son. They are Anna’s cousins. They raise sheep.
Anna’s brother has two children. They are Anna’s niece and nephew.

Speaking Practice

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello! DC is a city for walking. In our neighborhood, I can do all my errands. Marsha, before we get ice cream, I need to return three books to the library. Where is the library?
Marsha: It is on this street on the corner.
Anna: Awesome!
Marsha: Let’s go!
Anna: Marsha, I can return the books here.
Marsha: Anna, what are those in the books?
Anna: Marsha, these are letters to my family and friends back home … four letters! Is there a post office near here?
Marsha: Um, no. The post office is far from here. But there is a mailbox across from the store.
Anna: Awesome! Let’s go!
(At the mailbox)
Anna: Marsha, now I need to buy stamps.
Marsha: Do you have cash?
Anna: No. Is there a bank near here?
Marsha: There is a bank behind you.
Anna: Thanks, Marsha. You know our neighborhood so well.
Anna: Now I have cash. I can buy stamps.
Marsha: That store sells stamps.
Anna: Wait here.
Anna: I have stamps.
Marsha: Wow, you’re fast.
Anna: Thank you, thank you letters, for sending my words… my love … to my family and friends –
Marsha: Do you have more cash?
Anna: I do!
Marsh and Anna: Ice cream!!
Anna: I love my new neighborhood! Everything is near our apartment! Even hair salons*, and ice cream!
Anna: Until next time!

*salon – n. a business that gives customers beauty treatments (such as haircuts)