Video Script
Anna: Hi Ashley!
Ashley: Hey, Anna! How was your weekend?
Anna: It was great! I went to the D.C. State Fair.
Ashley: I would have gone, but I was busy. How was it?
Anna: It was awesome! I won first place in a pet contest!
Ashley: But, you don’t have a pet, do you?
Anna: Yes and no. What do you mean by “pet”?
Prof. Bot: A pet is an animal that lives with you. People love their pets.
"Ashley said, you don’t have a pet, do you? She used a tag question, a small
question at the end of a sentence. Let's look for more of them!
Anna: Look, a pet! Who’s this cute little dog?
Ashley: Oh, right. You haven’t met my dog, have you? This is Dublin.
Anna: Hi, Dublin! Nice to meet you. He’s so cute!
Ashley: Thanks! So, tell me about the fair.
Anna: Oh, there were the usual things -- fair food, cute babies, music. But
there must have been a dozen different contests! And some were pretty strange.
Anna: There was a contest to see who could spit a watermelon seed the farthest.
You should have seen all the people who wanted to spit a watermelon seed! And,
it was pretty fun to watch. But Ashley, the pet contests were the best. There
was a pet parade. Lots of people walked with their dogs.
Ashley: That sounds so fun. But Anna, tell me, how did you win a pet contest
without a pet?
Anna: Okay, the closest thing I have is my pet rock.
Anna: I know it’s silly, but I’ve had it since I was a little girl. So, for a
joke, I brought it to the fair. But then I was invited to enter the “One-of-Kind
Pet” contest. And I won! (holds up first place ribbon)
Ashley: Anna, only you could have won first place in a pet contest with a pet
rock. I should have brought Dublin. He would’ve won a contest!
Anna: It’s not very easy to win one of these. (shows her the blue ribbon) Does
he have a costume?
Anna: They had a costume contest. You should have seen this little girl. She and
her dog wore matching princess costumes!
Ashley: Dublin doesn’t wear costumes.
Anna: Does he know any tricks?
Ashley: Come this way. Now, watch this. (Dublin chases a toy)
Anna: You caught it, Dublin! And you killed it! Good dog! Ashley, he could have
won the Best Catch contest! Aw, good boy! Ashley, pets are fun, aren’t they?
Ashley: Yes. And they become part of your family. (she drinks from her Dublin
mug)
Anna: Ashley, I think I want a dog. No. I know I want a dog!
Ashley: It’s a big responsibility. You may want to spend time with a dog first.
Anna: That is a great idea. But where can I find a dog?
Ashley: You know, Anna, I have some shopping to do. Do you want to watch Dublin
for a couple of hours?
Anna: Yes! I would! I will take very good care of him!
Ashley: I know you will. Here’s his leash.
Anna: Thank you.
Ashley: (to Dublin) Okay, I'll miss you!
Anna: Aw. I don’t want you to be lonely. Here, Rocky can stay with you. (puts
pet rock on wall)
Ashley: Anna, I really don’t need … Okay. Thanks, Anna.
Anna: Sure. Bye, Ashley. (to Dublin) Come on, Dublin! Bye, Rocky!
Ashley: Bye!
Prof. Bot: Anna’s rock is cute, isn’t it? Oh, there is another tag question! You
found some more, didn’t you?
You haven’t met my dog, have you?
Go to the VOA Learning English website to learn more. |
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation. |
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New Words |
- contest -
n. an event in which people try to win by doing
something better than others
- fair -
n. a large public event at which there are
various kinds of competitions, games, rides, and entertainment
- leash -
n. a long, thin piece of rope or chain that is
used for holding a dog or other animal
- matching -
adj. having the same pattern, color, or design
- owner -
n. a person or group that owns something or a
pet's human companion
- parade -
n. a public celebration of a special day or
event that usually includes many people and groups moving down a street by
marching or riding in cars or on special vehicles
- princess -
n. a female member of a royal family
- responsibility -
n. a duty or task that you are required or
expected to do
- seed -
n. a small object produced by a plant from
which a new plant can grow
- spit -
v. to force (something, such as food or liquid)
from your mouth
- watermelon -
n. a large, round fruit that has hard, green
skin, sweet, red, juicy flesh, and black seeds
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Source: Voice of America |
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