Review of Lessons 25 - 29

For Fun - 'Bloopers'

Sometimes we do not remember what to say. Or sometimes we are laughing about a funny event. Watch the video above to see these mistakes, or "bloopers."

Review Quiz

In this quiz, you can test your listening skills. Watch a short video and answer each question.

Lesson Review

Did you miss a lesson? Look back and see if you remember these grammar points and topics.
Lesson 25: Watch Out!
Grammar focus: Modals: should; ought to
​Topics: Warnings: Be careful, Watch out; Recommending products, giving advice
Learning Strategy: Cooperate
Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: past tense contractions​; Making recommendations using "should"
Lesson 26: This Game Is Fun!
Grammar focus: modal "ought to;" irregular past tense verbs
Topics: U.S. Presidents; Americana symbols
Learning Strategy: Make Associations
Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Pronouncing "ought to" in fast speech; Giving warnings with the expression "look out;" Symbols associated with American Presidents
Lesson 27: I Can't Come In
Grammar focus: Irregular past tense verbs
Topics: Asking about health problems; giving advice for health problems
Learning Strategy: Analyze Information
Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Wh-questions and Yes/No question intonation; Groups of verbs with irregular past tense forms
Lesson 28: I Passed It!
Grammar focus: Imperative verb forms, Past tense of BE
Topics: Giving a reason or excuse, Apologizing
Learning Strategy: Self Talk
Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Imperative verbs, Extending the word "well"
Lesson 29: A Long Time Ago
Grammar focus: Review simple past and irregular past tense verbs; Using adjectives with correct adjective placement; Infinitives: to read, to be; to work
Topics: Describing physical states & emotions
Learning Strategy: Personalize
Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Using adjectives; Back-channeling noises: Um-Hum, Uh-Huh
Now it's your turn. How is your progress with Let's Learn English? Tell us about where you live and how often you do these lessons. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of these lessons.

Lesson 29: A Long Time Ago

Summary

Anna and Marsha have a lot of work to do. An advertisement makes them remember their childhood dreams. What do you think they wanted to be?

Speaking

In this video, learn to say the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about how to use adjectives.

Pronunciation

Use this video to learn about the noises English speakers make to show they are listening.

Conversation

Anna: Hello! In Washington, D.C., there are many places that bring history to life. But people who live here often do not have time to see them. They are too busy with work -- like me. Hi, Marsha!

Marsha: Hi, Anna! Have a seat.

Anna: Thanks. This was a good idea. Working outdoors is nice.

Marsha: Um-hum, it is.

Anna: I am tired. Today was a busy day at work. And I still have work to do!

Marsha: Hmm, that’s too bad.

Anna: How are you these days?

Marsha: I'm really busy too, Anna. Let’s get to work.

Anna: Marsha, look! That bus has a photo of Abraham Lincoln!

Marsha: That’s an advertisement for Ford’s Theatre. They have a new show.

Anna: They have shows where Abraham Lincoln died?

Marsha: Yeah, it’s a working theater and a museum.

Anna: I love Lincoln. You know, Marsha, that advertisement reminds me of something.

Marsha: Um-hum. What’s that?

Anna: When I was a little girl … When I was a little girl … I was not like other children.

Marsha: Um-hum, I can believe that.

Anna's voice: I was tall, serious child. At the playground the other children played silly games. They played with dart guns. They played on the swings, the slide and the teeter-totter. They also played ball But not me. I loved to read serious books about U.S. presidents.

Anna: In fact, I wanted to be … don’t laugh … President of the United States.

Marsha: (laughs)

Anna: Stop! I know it’s a silly childhood dream.

Marsha: I’m sorry. It’s not silly. Guess what I wanted to be?

Anna: What?

Marsha: I wanted to be... an astronaut.

Anna: Really?

Marsha's Voice: When I was a kid, I studied the stars and planets. I wanted to fly into outer space!

Anna: You know, Marsha, childhood dreams are really important.

Marsha: They are. And it’s good to remember them.

Anna: Hey! I have an idea. Let’s go.

Marsha: Go where?

Anna: Let’s go make our childhood dreams come true.

Marsha: We’re going to the Air & Space Museum! Yes!

Anna: No. We’re going to see a show at Ford’s Theatre just like Abraham Lincoln! It’s not far from here.

Marsha: Uh huh. That is your childhood dream.

Anna: Good point. Okay, next week, we'll come here and be astronauts.

Marsha: Honestly?

Anna: Honestly.

Anna: Tonight we are seeing a show at Ford’s Theatre, where a man shot President Abraham Lincoln. This is history come to life … and a childhood dream come true! Until next time ...

Writing

In this lesson you learn about Anna and Marsha's childhood dreams. What was your childhood dream? What did you want to be? Write to us by email or in the Comments section.
Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using adjectives and talking about your career dreams with a friend.

Activity Sheet - Lesson 29

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Personalize. When we connect new information to our own interests and experiences, we are personalizing. Personalizing can help us remember new information.
In this week's video, Anna is learning about historic places in Washington, D.C. The advertisement for Ford's Theatre makes her think of her childhood dream - to be President of the United States. Anna is personalizing because she is connecting new information to her own interest in U.S. Presidents. She decides to act on her interests by going to the theater and learning more about Abraham Lincoln's history.
How about you? Do you ever personalize when you are learning English? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Quiz

​Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz.

Lesson 28: I Passed It!

Summary

Anna tells her roommate, Marsha, about the problems she had in her driving test. Then Anna says she wants to drive to a special place in Washington, D.C. Where will she drive?

Speaking

Learn to pronounce the new words for this lesson. You can also learn about the imperative verb form.

Pronunciation

Use this video to learn about how people say "well" to give bad news, or an answer someone does not expect.

Conversation

Anna: Hello! Guess what this is? This is my driver’s license! I passed my driving test!

Today, I rented a car so I can drive around Washington, D.C. You can see more of the city this way. Marsha!

Marsha: Anna, did you get your driver’s license?

Anna: I did! But it was not easy.

Marsha: Why? What happened?

Anna: Well, you know, I can drive farm equipment really well. But I was really nervous driving in Washington, D.C. traffic!

Marsha: Did you pass the test the first time?

Anna: Well…no. But I did pass the second time.

Marsha: What happened during the first test?

Anna: It started fine.

John: Okay … Anna. Is your seatbelt buckled?

Anna: Yes, sir!

John: Great. Please start the car.

Anna: (to herself) Okay, Anna, start the car.Started the car. Good job, Anna.

John: Why are you talking to yourself?

Anna: I am a little nervous. When I’m nervous, I talk to myself.

John: You don't need to be nervous.

Anna: Listen to that engine!

John: Please, stop pushing the gas pedal!

Anna: Sorry.

John: Okay, when you are ready, turn.

Anna: Great!

John: Not now! You almost hit that car!

Anna: You said “turn!”

John: Look first! There were cars in the street.

Anna: Please don’t yell at me!

John: I’m sorry! I was afraid.

Anna: You were yelling.

John: Look out for that car! Brake! Brake!!

Anna and John: Ahhh!

Anna: Why is everyone honking at us?

John: You were driving too slow! Anna, stay on the street!

John: Hands on the wheel, Anna.

Anna: What’s that sound?

John: That, Anna, is the police.

Marsha: That sounds awful.

Anna: Yes, it did not go well. But, I practiced and passed the second time!

Marsha: Do you know where you want to take your first drive in Washington, D.C.?

Anna: Yes! Let’s go!

Anna: There it is … the White House!

Marsha: Anna, you do you know you can’t drive up to the White House, don’t you?

Anna: Yes. No. I didn’t know. I guess we walk from here!

Anna: Sometimes you can see more of Washington, D.C. in a car. If you want to see the White House, you need to walk. Until next time … !

Writing

Do you know how to drive a car? Were you nervous when you first learned? Write to us by email or in the Comments section.
Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using imperative verbs with a friend.

Lesson 28 Activity Sheet

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Self-Talk. When we need to be more confident, we can use Self-Talk.
In this lesson, Anna uses Self-Talk. Notice that John asks her about it.

John: Why are you talking to yourself?

Anna: I am a little nervous. When I’m nervous, I talk to myself.

John: You don't need to be nervous.

Talking to yourself in English can have two benefits. It may help you relax and do better. It can also give you more chance to practice using English. How about you? Do you sometimes talk to yourself? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Quiz

​Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz.

Lesson 27: I Can't Come In

Summary

Anna does not feel well. She calls her boss and her doctor. What do they tell her to do? And will she follow their advice?

Speaking

Learn to pronounce the new words for this lesson. You also learn about irregular past tense verbs.​

Pronunciation

Use this video to learn about how to ask two kinds of questions: WH-questions and Yes/No questions.

Conversation

Anna: Hello! I am sure that today, in Washington, D.C,. there are a lot of great things to do. But I am not doing any of them. I am sick. Right now, I'm going to call my boss and tell her I cannot come in to work.

Caty: Hello?

Anna: Ms. Weaver, Hi. I can’t come to work today.

Caty: Why not? What is wrong?

Anna: Well, yesterday I felt fine.

Anna: In the morning, I painted for hours. In the afternoon, I cut wood. Then, I built a fire.

Caty: Anna, what do you mean? Why can’t you come to work today?

Anna: I do not feel well. I think I’m sick.

Caty: I’m sorry to hear that. I was sick last week, too. I had the flu.

Anna: (sneezes) What did you do?

Caty: I slept a lot and I drank a lot of water. Do you have a doctor?

Anna: Yes, I do.

Caty: You should call your doctor. And get lots of rest!

Anna: Thanks, Ms. Weaver. I’ll call right now. I'm calling my doctor.

Dr. Bennett: (to herself) Now, where does this thing go?

Dr. Bennett: Hello. This is Dr. Bennett. How can I help you?

Anna: Hello, Dr. Bennett. This is Anna.

Dr. Bennett: Oh, Hi, Anna. How can I help you?

Anna: I think I’m sick.

Dr. Bennett: Let me ask you a couple of questions. Do you have a sore throat?

Anna: Yes. I have a sore throat.

Dr. Bennett: Do you have a cough?

Anna: Yes. I have a cough.

Dr. Bennett: When did you start feeling sick?

Anna: This morning. Yesterday I felt great. In the morning I painted, for hours - in the afternoon I cut wood -

Dr. Bennett: Excuse me, Anna. But I don’t need to know all that. Do you have a fever?

Anna: Oh. My thermometer says 125 degrees?! What??

Dr. Bennett: Yeah, that’s not right.

Anna: Oh. Wait. The thermometer was in my hot cup of coffee.

Dr. Bennett: Please take it again, Anna.

Anna: Okay, the thermometer says 100.5 degrees.

Dr. Bennett: 100.5 degrees is not too high. I want you to drink lots of water. Rest in bed and get lots of sleep.

Anna: That is what my boss said to do. Um, Dr. Bennett, when can I go to work?

Dr. Bennett: Don’t go to work for a couple of days.

Anna: Yes! I mean, I don’t want to make my co-workers sick.

Dr. Bennett: That’s right. Call me back in a couple of days.

Anna: I will, Dr. Bennett. And thanks.

Anna: Well, you heard the doctor – no work for a couple of days. I need water, sleep and um … lots of movies! Well, the doctor didn’t say anything about movies. But it can’t hurt! Until next time!

Writing

What happens when you get the flu? Does your family have a special way to get well again? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about health problems with a friend.

Lesson 27 Activity Sheet

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Analyze Information. When we are learning a second language, we can think carefully about the new information we learn, and make a decision. That is what analyzing information means.
In the video, Dr. Bennett asks Anna many questions. Then she analyzes the information she learned. She tells Anna to stay home, drink water and sleep.
Can you find another time in the video when someone analyzes information? Write to tell us about it in an email or in the Comments section. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more on how to teach this strategy.

Quiz

​Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz.