Here is Level 2, Lesson 5: “Greatest Vacation of All Time” adapted from VOA Learning English.

1. Listen, read, translate if needed, and practice along with the audio player and dialogue below.

Anna: “Do you need a vacation?” Wow. That was the best vacation I have ever had … in my head.A beach is much better than here. I need a vacation!

Professor Bot: I hear you, Anna. I need a vacation too but not at the beach. Sand is not good for robots! When we compare things, we use special forms of adjectives. “Better” is a comparative adjective. That is used to compare two things. “Best” is a superlative adjective. It shows that one thing has more of …something than ALL of the others. Try to find more of these adjectives. Look for ER or EST at the end.

Dan: NO! You can’t get your money back. I don’t care that it was your worst vacation ever!

Dan: Hello! Have a seat! Welcome to the World’s Best Vacation Travel Agency!

Anna: Thank you and congratulations!

Dan: For what?

Anna: For being the world’s best travel agency.

Dan: Right … thanks.

Dan: Trudy, hold my calls. I am going to sell our most expensive vacation.

Trudy: Sure thing, Boss.

Dan: The Mountain Getaway is good for you. It’s a little pricey. But think of it — you, on top of a mountain for seven days!

Anna: I’m afraid of high places.

Dan: Of course you are. That’s why our Deep Sea Adventure is better for you! It is pricier than the Mountain Getaway. Just you and the animals of the sea!

Anna: Shark! Shark!

Dan: No, there are no sharks in your dream vacation! You need the Safari Camp Out! It is our priciest vacation. But I think it’s the best one for you. During the day, you’ll see elephants, giraffes and lions. At night, you’ll sleep out under the stars.

Anna: Look, I think this was a bad idea.

Dan: Sure, you can leave. But then you won’t see the latest vacation technology.

Professor Bot: Did you find all of those adjectives? Dan started with good – The mountain getaway; then he moved to better – The Deep Sea Adventure. And finally, he said the Safari Campout was the best vacation for Anna!

Anna: Exactly what is the “latest vacation technology” … exactly?

Dan: I’m happy you asked. Meet the Travel Max 2000!

Anna: Wow.

Dan: So, tell me, how do you like to travel?

Anna: Well, I like travel that is cozy and romantic but still exciting.

Dan: Great. Tell me more.

Anna: I like traveling in a plane but not in a helicopter! Planes are a little scary but helicopters are scarier! My favorite way of traveling is by train. Ships can be the scariest! Have you seen the movie “Titanic”? Oh, and no horses. But I will ride a camel. And no bike tours. Biking is THE slowest AND least romantic way to travel. Excuse me, but I think the Travel Max 2000 is on fire.

Dan: Yes, we’re both on fire! We really want to sell you the most ex-, I mean, best vacation ever!

Anna: No, I mean it’s really on fire!

Dan: You killed it. You killed the Travel Max 2000!

Anna: I am so sorry! Can I help you fix it?

Dan: No, no!

Anna: Don’t cry. I know what you need — a vacation!

Anna: The Safari Campout looks fun. It is the priciest. But I think you deserve it.

Dan: No, no!

Professor Bot: Oh Anna. This is the smokiest lesson yet! There were a lot of comparatives and superlatives but … I can’t breathe. Just go to the website to learn the best ways to use them!

2. Watch the Lesson 5: “Greatest Vacation of All Time” American English video lesson.

3. Take the Lesson 5: “Greatest Vacation of All Time” quiz to check your American English knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.

4. Take the Review of Level 2 Lessons 1-5 quiz to check your American English knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.

5. Answer the following question in the comments section below: What is your dream vacation? Tell about where you want to go, the best time to go to that place, who is the best person for you to travel with and what you want to do more than anything else on the vacation. Explain why this is better than any other vacation.