Download the transcript
Transcript:
Woman: So, are you ready for college?
Man: Of course, I am. I have a smartphone, dad’s credit card, and a toothbrush. What more do I need?
Woman: Uh, you’re not prepared at all.
Man: What do mean?
Woman: Well, what are you going to do if you get sick?
Man: What are you talking about? I never get sick.
Woman: Right. Last week, you got a cold, and you couldn’t go to school for three days.
Man: Ah, that was a fluke.
Woman: And the week before that, you had a headache.
Man: Ah, headache? It was the buga virus that was going around.
Woman: The what? Anyway, have you signed up for student health insurance?
Man: What are you talking about? Even if I get sick, I’m still on dad’s health insurance, right?
Woman: Well, you are . . . until Friday when you turn 26 [ What? ], and you don’t qualify any longer.
Man: Oh, so how much does it cost to buy it on my own?
Woman: Well, I think it’s about $180 . . . [ Ah, that’s not bad. ] a month.
Man: A month? Not a year? [ No. ] That’s outrageous. I’m just going to wear a hazmat suit so I don’t catch anything.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- fluke: a lucky or unusual thing that happens by accident
– By some strange fluke, my brother was hit by a baseball at the game. - something is going around (expression): something like a sickness is spreading to other people
– The flu has been going around for the past month. - qualify (verb): have the right to be a part of something
– I really hope I qualify for a college scholarship next year. - outrageous (adjective): shocking, incredible
– The price of this car is outrageous. I’ll never buy something like this.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Waiter: Hi. Welcome to Heavenly Pies. May I take your order?
Man: Uh . . . yes. I’d like the chicken fried steak.
Waiter: Okay. Would you like fries, bread, or rice with your meal?
Man: Hmm. I’ll take the rice?
Waiter: Would you care for anything to drink?
Man: Yeah. I’ll take a medium orange juice.
Waiter: I’m sorry. We only have large or small.
Man: Well, in that case, uh, I’ll have a small one.
Waiter: Okay. A small juice. And what kind of dressing would you like with your salad. It comes with the fried steak.
Man: What dressings do you have?
Waiter: We have French, Italian, blue cheese, and ranch.
Man: Oh! Ranch, please.
Waiter: Would you like anything else?
Man: Well, I’d like to see your pie menu. That’s the main reason why I like to dine here.
Waiter: Oh, I’m sorry, but we aren’t serving pies today.
Man: Huh? I thought this was Heavenly Pies Restaurant.
Waiter: Well, it usually is, but, Dave, our baker, slipped on a banana in the kitchen two days ago, and hurt his leg. [Oh] He’ll be out for at least two weeks. In the meantime, we’re serving ice cream sundaes instead. Sorry.
Man: Wow. I’m sorry to hear that. Um, well in that case, I’ll have an ice cream sundae.
Woman: Okay. I’ll be back with your order in a few minutes
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- meal (noun): a portion of food served and eaten at one time
– This restaurant serves delicious meals at a reasonable price. - care for (verb): informal, to want or wish for something
– Would you care for another drink? - dine (verb): to eat dinner
– How about dining at my house tonight? - injure (verb): to cause physical damage to someone
– He injured his back when he tried to lift those heavy boxes.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Woman: So, are you ready for college?
Man: Of course, I am. I have a smartphone, dad’s credit card, and a toothbrush. What more do I need?
Woman: Uh, you’re not prepared at all.
Man: What do mean?
Woman: Well, what are you going to do if you get sick?
Man: What are you talking about? I never get sick.
Woman: Right. Last week, you got a cold, and you couldn’t go to school for three days.
Man: Ah, that was a fluke.
Woman: And the week before that, you had a headache.
Man: Ah, headache? It was the buga virus that was going around.
Woman: The what? Anyway, have you signed up for student health insurance?
Man: What are you talking about? Even if I get sick, I’m still on dad’s health insurance, right?
Woman: Well, you are . . . until Friday when you turn 26 [ What? ], and you don’t qualify any longer.
Man: Oh, so how much does it cost to buy it on my own?
Woman: Well, I think it’s about $180 . . . [ Ah, that’s not bad. ] a month.
Man: A month? Not a year? [ No. ] That’s outrageous. I’m just going to wear a hazmat suit so I don’t catch anything.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- fluke: a lucky or unusual thing that happens by accident
– By some strange fluke, my brother was hit by a baseball at the game. - something is going around (expression): something like a sickness is spreading to other people
– The flu has been going around for the past month. - qualify (verb): have the right to be a part of something
– I really hope I qualify for a college scholarship next year. - outrageous (adjective): shocking, incredible
– The price of this car is outrageous. I’ll never buy something like this.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Justin: Uh, hi. Do you need some help with those weights? I can move them for you.
Rachel: Uh, no. I can do it myself. I just have to put them back over there.
Justin: No, let me help you. Uh, Oh, Hmpf.
Rachel: Oh, it’s okay.
Justin: Oh, my back!
Rachel: It’s okay, it’s okay. Are you okay?
Justin: I just need to lie down here. Uh. Do you come here often?
Rachel: Yeah. I usually come five times a week.
Justin: Woah, oh man, oh. By the way, my name’s Justin.
Rachel: I’m Rachel.
Justin: Uh, so, where are you from?
Rachel: I’m originally from California.
Justin: Oh . . .ohh! (Said in agony)
Rachel: Are you sure you’re okay?
Justin: Oh, yeah, um, I’m okay. Uh, where are you from?
Rachel: Um, I spent most of my life in a small town in Utah called Spanish Fork actually.
Justin: Oh, um . . . Ohh, oh . . . I just need to lie here.
Rachel: Okay, um, so, where are you from, Justin? I’m gonna [going to] call the manager.
Justin: No, no, no, no, no! I just need to rest. Oh yeah. I’m from . . . Spanish Fork.
Rachel: Wait. Are you sure? You’re not thinking right.
Justin: Oh, no, no. Not Spanish . . . . Ah, No, I’m from Salt Lake City. So, what do you do for a living anyway? Are you a bodybuilder or something?
Rachel: No, no. I’m a teacher.
Justin: Oh . . . So, what do you teach?
Rachel: I teach math and science, and it doesn’t take a science teacher to tell me you need a doctor.
Justin: Ahh, no, I’m okay, I’m okay. I’ll, I’ll stand here in a minute. Uh, could I have your phone number? You know, just in case.
Rachel: I don’t think so. I think 911 is the number you need at this point.
Justin: (Crying in pain) Ohhhh!
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- weights (noun): heavy objects that people raise and lower to exercise
– We are going to lift weights tonight at the gym. - originally (adverb): from the beginning
– I originally played soccer in junior high school, but I switched to basketball two years later. - agony (noun): a lot of physical or mental pain
– Jacob was in agony when he broke his leg during the basketball game - town (noun): a small city
– Many people run for exercise in our small town. - at this point (adverb phrase): now
– We have tried a number of activities and sports so far in this gym class, but at this point, what is your favorite one?
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Hi everyone. I want to talk about what I do to celebrate the new year. For most people, this will probably sound a little boring, but I prefer to live a simple, yet happy life.
Many years ago when I was much younger, I used to enjoy staying up late with my friends. We would have a party, play games, and eat lots of food. I don’t remember exactly, but I’m sure we didn’t eat a nice tasty salad with plenty of vegetables in it. Rather, we probably just ate greasy, unhealthy food like pizza, burgers, and lots of soda.
Now that I’m older, things have changed. When our kids were little, we sometimes stayed up late with them to celebrate the new year, but those times have changed. I find that every day is a new day, and we don’t have to wait until the new year to change our lives. Each day gives you a new opportunity to be better.
As a result, we don’t do anything special on New Year ‘s Eve. We generally stay home that evening because there are sometimes careless drivers on the road. We sometimes watch a movie or visit with family, but I usually go to bed before midnight. I’m usually not a late (night) person, and I would much rather get in bed around 10:00 ‘clock or so and watch a movie and fall asleep before it’s over.
I just enjoy the simple things of life. Happy New Years.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- will probably (future): also, might
– We will probably have a party tonight. - prefer to (verb): rather
– I prefer to call her on the phone. I don’t want to text her. - used to (verb): something that happened again and again in the past
– Maria used to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. - tasty (adjective): having a good flavor
– These cookies are really tasty. Who made them? - plenty of (quantifier): a lot of
– We have plenty of food and cookies for dinner tonight. - greasy (adjective): with a lot of fat and grease
– This meat is very greasy. I think I’ll eat something else . - unhealthy (adjective): not doing well; likely to make sick
– This food is very unhealthy. Your lifestyle is unhealthy, too. You should eat better and get more exercise. - opportunity (adverb): chance
– This holiday is a great opportunity for friends and family to get together and celebrate. - careless (adjective): not careful
– Don’t be careless and drink and drive after the party. Ask someone to drive you home.
.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Father: Hi Michael. Happy Birthday! How old are you today?
Son: Seven.
Father: Alright. Well, let’s sing Happy Birthday:
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Michael,
Happy Birthday to you.
Father: Alright. So what should we do first?
Son: How about cake and ice cream?
Father: Okay. Well, uh. let’s light the candles. Okay, and make a wish! Don’t tell me.
Son: Don’t tell you?
Father: Yeah, don’t tell me. Okay, and go ahead and blow out the candles. Okay, let’s cut the cake, and then we can have cake and ice cream. And what do you want to do after the cake and ice cream?
Father: Now, how do you freeze play tag?
Son: Um . . . one person is it, and the person who is it tries to tag everyone [Alright. And then . . . ] before I tag someone and then, another person tags me.
Father: Oh, wow. And who’s coming over later today for your birthday?
Son: Well, everyone. Uh, all my cousins, all my aunts and grandmas, grandpas.
Father: Alright. Well, Happy Birthday, Michael.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- make a wish (idiom): wish for something
– Please make a wish before we eat the cake. - freeze (verb): become cold to the point of changing water to ice
– It was so cold out last night that I thought I was going to freeze to death. - tag (verb): touch a player, usually as part of a game
– I tried to get away during the game at the park, but she tagged me on the back, so I was it.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Woman: Hi Sweetie. Welcome home. We’re ready to eat.
Man: Well, there’s something I . . .
Woman: Uh, we have salmon and your favorite salad.
Man: Oh, yeah. That sounds [Um] . . . great.
Woman: What’s . . . what’s the deal? I worked really hard. And, look, look. For dessert, I made an apple pie.
Man: Well . . . under most circumstances . . .
Woman: Hon. What’s? You . . . I’ve never made a pie before. It took me like three hours.
Man: Well, to be honest . . .
Woman: What’s wrong? [ Man laughing. ] What? Don’t you like my cooking?
Man: No, no, no, no.
Woman: I worked really hard!
Man: I know, I know, I know, but to be honest, I just had a hamburger, fries, and a chocolate shake.
Woman: Why? WHY?
Man: I’m sorry. I didn’t know.
Woman: I told you this morning I was making something nice. [Oh . . .] Didn’t you listen?
Man: I’m sorry, I forgot. I mean . . . Wait . . .
Woman: Serious.
Man: Yeah, wait. Wait, wait. What are you doing? Why are you putting the food in my shoes?
Woman: So you can enjoy it as you walk to work tomorrow.
Man: Oh, no. I’m sorry!
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- salmon (noun): kind of fish
– The chef at this restaurant prepares the best salmon with a special sauce. - What’s the deal? (expression): What’s the story or situation?
What’s the deal? Do you want to go out to eat or not? We need to decide now. - circumstances (noun): situations, facts, or conditions
– We don’t have much money, so I don’t want to eat at an expensive restaurant under these circumstances. - Hon (noun): short for HONEY and said to people you love like a husband or wife
– Hon. Can we go out to dinner for my birthday? I really don’t want to cook.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Girl: He’s here. Bye Dad.
Dad: Wait, wait, wait . . . Where are you going?
Girl: Dad. I already told mom. I’m going out tonight.
Dad: Who with? You mean you’re going on a date?
Girl: Yeah. Mom met Dirk yesterday. [Dirk!?] He’s sooo cool. We’re going on a double-date with Cindy and Evan.
Dad: Dirk.
Girl: I have to go.
Dad: Wait, wait. I want to meet this guy.
Girl: He’s waiting for me.
Dad: Well, so what are you going to do tonight? Going to the library?
Girl: Dad! We’re going out to eat, and then we’re going to catch a movie.
Dad: What movie and what is it rated?
Girl: It’s a science fiction thriller called . . . well, I don’t know what it is called, but it’s rated PG.
Dad: And where’s the movie showing?
Girl: Down at the Campus Plaza Movie Theater.
Dad: Hey, I was thinking about seeing a movie down there tonight, too.
Girl: Ah, Dad.
Dad: Hey, Let me meet that guy.
[Father looks out the living room window . . .]
Hey, that guy has a mustache!
Girl: Dad. That’s not Dirk. That’s his older brother. He’s taking us there! Can I go now?
Dad: Well . . .
Girl: Mom said I could, and mom knows his parents.
Dad: Well . . .
Girl: Dad.
Dad: Okay, but be home by 8:00.
Girl: Eight!? The movie doesn’t start until 7:30. Come on, Dad.
Dad: Okay. Be back by 11:00.
Girl: Love you, Dad.
Dad: Love you, too.
Girl: Bye.
Dad:Bye.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- cool (adjective): someone who is good-looking or attractive
– She thinks the guy is really cool, but she doesn’t know him like I do. - PG (noun): parental guidance
– The movie is rated PG, so I think we should watch it before we take the kids to see it. - come on (phrasal verb): used to express that something said is unreasonable
– Come on, Mom. You can’t expect me to clean up my room before I go out tonight, can you?
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Carl: Hi. My name’s Carl. Nice to meet you.
Pancho: Nice to meet you, too. My name is Francisco.
Carl: What?
Pancho: Francisco, but all my friends and family back in Peru call me Pancho.
Carl: Okay, Pancho. So, tell me about your family?
Pancho: Well, I have seven brothers and six sisters.
Carl: Wow. That is a big family. So are you the oldest, Pancho?
Pancho: No. I am the second oldest in my family.
Carl: So, what do your parents do?
Pancho: My father is a taxi driver in Lima, Peru. It is a hard job, but he works hard to support the family.
Carl: How about your mother?
Pancho: She helps run a small family store with some of my older brothers and sisters.
Carl: What kind of store?
Pancho: We mainly sell food, like bread, eggs, soft drinks, rice, sugar, and cookies. Things that people buy every day.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- support (verb): give help or assistance
– Does your family support you with your college expenses? - run (verb): be in charge of
– My brother is going to run our business when my father retires. - kind (noun): type
– What kind of work does your mother do? - mainly (adverb): for the most part
– We mainly spend time at home and watch TV in the evenings.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Emily: Welcome home, Dad.
Dad: Oh, Emily. How are you today?
Emily: Fine.
Dad: Good. And how was school today?
Emily: Really fun.
Dad: Good. And what did you do?
Emily: We made things.
Dad: Like what types of things did you make?
Emily: We made books.
Dad: You made books! Okay. And what else?
Emily: We . . . we made paper kangaroos.
Dad: You made paper kangaroos? Okay, and what did you need to make your paper kangaroos? What kind of supplies did you need?
Emily: We used crayons, papers, glue, and we had to follow directions.
Dad: Well good. And, uh, what did you do after school?
Emily: We went home, played games.
Dad: And did . . . Mom said you went to the junior high school.
Emily: I rode my bike in the tennis court.
Dad: Did you go by yourself?
Emily: I went with the whole family, and we went with Nathan, Sara, Rachael.
Dad: You went with your cousins.
Emily: And my mom.
Dad: Well, that’s great. Well, let’s get ready for dinner.
Emily: Okay.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- types (noun): kinds
– What types of food do you make for your family? - supplies (noun): materials or tools to make something
– The children need supplies to make their art projects. - whole (adjective): all of; entire
– The whole family wants to eat pizza tonight. - cousin (noun): a child of a person’s aunt or uncle for mother usually used by children; also mom.
-My cousin is coming to visit me today.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Man: Hey, Kathy. I’m thinking about renting a movie for tonight’s party, and I wanna [want to] know what kind of movies you like.
Woman: Okay. What kind of movies do you have in mind?
Man: Well, what about action movies?
Woman: I don’t really like action movies. Too much violence.
Man: Okay, do you like comedies?
Woman: Now, I do enjoy comedies.
Man: Fine. Well, what do you think of horror movies or love stories?
Woman: Um . . . I’m not really crazy about horror movies, but love stories are often fun to watch. Oh, and I really like foreign films, too.
Man: Okay. I’ll go to the video store and see what I can find. Thanks.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- have in mind (verb): to think about
– What activities do you have in mind for tomorrow’s picnic? - crazy about (phrasal verb): to like something very much
– Carla is crazy about rock music.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Woman: Hey, how are things going?
Man: Well, to be honest, things aren’t going well for us.
Woman: How come?
Man: Well, I lost my job a month ago, and my wife was in the hospital for three weeks. And now, our bills are piling up, and last week, our car died, and it’s going to cost about $2,500 to repair it. And that’s way more than it is worth. I mean, it has almost 275,000 miles.
Woman: Wow. I’m really sorry to hear that.
Man: Thanks.
Woman: Uh, hey listen. I have an older car that I’m not using now. I’ll donate it to you.
Man: No, no. I can’t accept it.
Woman: Please, take it.
Man: Are you sure?
Woman: Of course, the car needs a new oil change and a couple new tires, but otherwise, it runs great.
Man: That’s very kind of you.
Woman: All you owe me is one of your homemade peach pies. That will make us even.
Man: Okay, thanks.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- How come? : Why?
– How come you didn’t come to school yesterday?
– A: I’m really worried about my future. >>> B: How come? - pile up (verb): increase to an amount that is difficult to manage or pay
– Our medical expenses have been piling up for months. - owe (verb): need to repay money to a person, company, or bank
– How much do you owe your parents for school?
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Woman: Hey, how are things going?
Man: Well, to be honest, things aren’t going well for us.
Woman: How come?
Man: Well, I lost my job a month ago, and my wife was in the hospital for three weeks. And now, our bills are piling up, and last week, our car died, and it’s going to cost about $2,500 to repair it. And that’s way more than it is worth. I mean, it has almost 275,000 miles.
Woman: Wow. I’m really sorry to hear that.
Man: Thanks.
Woman: Uh, hey listen. I have an older car that I’m not using now. I’ll donate it to you.
Man: No, no. I can’t accept it.
Woman: Please, take it.
Man: Are you sure?
Woman: Of course, the car needs a new oil change and a couple new tires, but otherwise, it runs great.
Man: That’s very kind of you.
Woman: All you owe me is one of your homemade peach pies. That will make us even.
Man: Okay, thanks.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- How come? : Why?
– How come you didn’t come to school yesterday?
– A: I’m really worried about my future. >>> B: How come? - pile up (verb): increase to an amount that is difficult to manage or pay
– Our medical expenses have been piling up for months. - owe (verb): need to repay money to a person, company, or bank
– How much do you owe your parents for school?
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
- Game Show Host: Hello, everyone and welcome to the Dating Game, where men and women meet the people of their dreams. Now, let’s have our contestants introduce themselves, and then Sarah can ask some questions. Here we go. Contestant number one.
Ryan: Hi, Sarah. My name is Ryan, and I’m 27 years old, and I work as a doctor at City Hospital. I enjoy reading books on history, hiking with my dog, Amelia, and eating Japanese food. I also like a woman who loves adventure, is open to new ideas, and likes discussing world politics and government.
Game Show Host: Okay. Well, thank you, un Ryan. Let’s go on to Contestant Number 2.
Nate: Hi, Sarah. I’m Nate, and I’m 24 years old, and I’m a guitar player in a rock band. I love traveling to new countries, watching action movies, and playing video games with my friends. And I love women who like my music, don’t mind loud rock music, and a person who loves a good cheeseburger over the grill. I think I’m the man for you.
Game Show Host: Well, thank you Nate. That’s Contestant Number 2. Let’s go on to Contestant Number 3.
Charles: Hi, Sarah. My name is Charles, and I’m 29 years old, and I teach English at the University of Utah. In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, gardening, and raising chickens in my backyard. I also help feed the homeless once a week. I also speak three languages, and I prefer women who have a good sense of humor, and can cook all kinds of food, and who find joy in serving others.
Game Show Host: Well, there we have it. Three contestants. And we will have Sarah ask these contestants questions right after this commercial break.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- contestant (noun): a person who takes part in a game or contest
– My brother was a contestant on a game show, and he won $10,000. - adventure (noun): a dangerous or exciting experience
– Brittany loves adventure, so she will enjoy the camping trip. - discuss (verb): talk about something with a person or group
– You should discuss your plans for the date with Tonya before you leave. - mind (verb): be bothered by something, dislike
– I don’t mind dating people who are interested in different things. - gardening (noun): the hobby of taking care of plants in a garden
– I enjoy gardening in my free time. - prefer (verb): like something or someone better that something else
– I prefer cooking a meal at home to eating at a restaurant. - joy (noun): great happiness
– Joy is important in a relationship, and sadness can be turned to joy with love. - serve (verb): help or give service, volunteer your time
– You can find great joy when you serve family, friends, and strangers.
- contestant (noun): a person who takes part in a game or contest
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Woman: So, what’s your usual day like? You always seem so busy.
Man: Well, I usually get up around 5:00 a.m. and work on the computer until 6:00.
Woman: Why do you get up so early?
Man: Well, I have to leave home at twenty to seven (6:40 a.m.) so I can catch a bus at 7:00 o’clock . It takes me about twenty minutes to walk to the bus stop from my house.
Woman: And what time do you get to work?
Man: Uh, my bus takes about an hour to get there, but it stops right in front of my office.
Woman: That’s nice. And what time do you get off work?
Man: Uh, around 5:00 o’clock. Then, we eat dinner around 6:30, and my wife and I read and play with the kids until 8:00 or so.
Woman: So, when do you work on your website? You said one time that you create it at home?
Man: Well, my wife and I often watch TV or talk until 10:00 o’clock. She then often reads while I work on my site, and I sometimes stay up until the early hours of the morning, but I try to finish everything by one or two.
Woman: And then you get up at 5:00 a.m.?
Man: Well, yeah, but it’s important to live a balanced life. I enjoy what I do, but you have to set aside time for the family and yourself.
Woman: I agree.
Man: But I think my wife has the toughest job. She spends her whole day taking care of the family . . . taking the kids to school, working in the garden, buying groceries, taking the kids to piano lessons . . . [Wow!] That’s a full-time job, but she enjoys what she does.
Woman: Well, it sounds like you’re a busy, but lucky man.
Man: I think so too.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- catch (verb): to get on
– I have to catch a bus in front of the bus station. - get off work (verb): finish work
– She seldom gets off work before 6:00 p.m. - dinner (noun): sometimes supper
– We seldom eat dinner after 8:00 p.m. - stay up (verb): not go to bed
– I almost never stay up past midnight. - set aside (verb): reserve, allow, or give a certain amount to
– You have to set aside enough time to study for your classes. - toughest (adjective): most difficult, hardest
– The toughest part about being a parent is setting aside time for both work, family, and self. - take care of (verb): watch, look after
– You should take care of yourself so you don’t get sick. - groceries (noun): food and other items at a supermarket
– Mom is going to pick up some groceries from the store for dinner.
Audio:
Download the transcript
Transcript:
Maria: Oh, hi Dave. Long time, no see!
Dave: Hi Maria. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I’d drop by.
Maria: Come on in. [Thanks.] Take a seat. Would you like anything to drink? I have Sprite or orange juice.
Dave: Sprite would be fine. Uh, so, how have you been?
Maria: Oh, not bad. And you?
Dave: Oh, I’m doing okay, but school has been really hectic these days, and I haven’t had time to relax.
Maria: By the way, what’s your major anyway?
Dave: Hotel management.
Maria: Well, what do you want to do once you graduate?
Dave: Uh… I haven’t decided for sure, but I think I’d like to work for a hotel or travel agency in this area. How about you?
Maria: Well, when I first started college, I wanted to major in French, but I realized I might have a hard time finding a job using the language, so I changed majors to computer science. [Oh]. With the right skills, landing a job in the computer industry shouldn’t be as difficult.
Dave: So, do you have a part-time job to support yourself through school?
Maria: Well, fortunately for me, I received a four-year academic scholarship [Wow] that pays for all of my tuition and books.
Dave: Wow. That’s great.
Maria: Yeah. How about you? Are you working your way through school?
Dave: Yeah. I work three times a week at a restaurant near campus.
Maria: Oh. What do you do there?
Dave: I’m a cook.
Maria: How do you like your job?
Dave: It’s okay. The other workers are friendly, and the pay isn’t bad.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- hectic (adjective): very busy
– Life is always very hectic when you’re trying to work and go to school at the same time. - major (noun or verb): course of study
– I’m thinking about majoring in computer science next year. (verb)
– What is your major? (noun) - land (a job) (verb): to secure, win, or get a job
– It is becoming increasingly difficult to land a job in the field of language teaching. - work (your way) through (school) (verb): think through, in this case, work while going to school to support yourself
– Since my parents had no money, I had no choice but to work myself through school
– Sometimes we just have to work through many new experiences before we understand the language and culture.