Here is Level 2, Lesson 15: “Before and After” adapted from VOA Learning English.
- Listen, read, translate if needed, and practice along with the audio player and dialogue below.
Anna: Penelope, even though we both love speed walking, could we slow down a bit?
Penelope: No way! I think because I’m walking with you, I’m walking faster.
Anna: Come on, Penelope. Let’s take a break. We’ve been speed walking since 8 a.m.! You’re so competitive! You even wore your medals!
Penelope: You brought your trophies! You’re out of shape. When we were little girls, we could speed walk all day! (pulls ahead)
Anna: (chases her) Hey, wait for me! Hey, you know the speed walking rules! If both feet leave the ground, it’s running! You ran!
Prof. Bot: Anna and Penelope are doing something they both love – speed walking!
They are also using adverb clauses.
Adverb clauses tell us when, why, how, where and under what conditions.
For example, “since 8 a.m.” tells us when.
Adverb clauses are dependent clauses and need an independent clause to make a complete sentence.
Words like before, after, when, because, since, if and even though can signal an adverb clause.
Keep watching for more adverb clauses!
Penelope: Whew! That was great!
Anna: (Anna catches up) Wow, Penelope, you’re still really fast! Since I’ve been working in an office, my speed walking has been much slower.
Penelope: You are slower, Anna. Maybe you should hire a personal trainer.
Anna: That will be great. As long as the trainer understands speed walking.
Penelope: (hands her a business card) Try this company. After you fill out an online application, they will match you to the perfect trainer.
Anna: As soon as I get home tonight, I’ll do it! Thanks.
Anna: Are you my trainer?
Alaskan Albert: If you’re Anna, then I’m your trainer — Alaskan Albert. Because I’m from Alaskan wilderness, I’m skilled in all outdoor activities of the wild.
Anna: That’s great but what about speed walking?
Alaskan Albert: Speed walking? That’s funny! Since I’ve been living in the city, I’ve combined wilderness training with a city workout. I call it “Call of the Wild Parkour!” (He howls like a wolf.)
Anna: Okay … but seriously, when do we speed walk?
Alaskan Albert: Your application did not say how funny you are!
Anna: No. But it did say that I’m a speed walker! Did you read it? Forget it. We’ll have to cancel.
Alaskan Albert: Why?
Anna: We can’t train today because it’s too cold and too windy.
Alaskan Albert: No way! No pain, no gain! When you exercise in really cold weather, you feel alive!
Anna: Really? Because right now I just feel cold.
Alaskan Albert: You’re so funny. But seriously, after our training, you will be ready for any extreme physical challenge. Let’s get started!
(He leads Anna through some parkour exercises.)
Alaskan Albert: Anna, even though you’re trying really hard, you’re really bad at Call of the Wild Parkour. (he howls)
Anna: I’m bad at Call of the Wild Parkour because I don’t want to do Call of the Wild Parkour! (she howls) I am a speed walker. It’s what I do. It’s part of who I am.
Alaskan Albert: Why didn’t you say something?
Anna: I did. Several times! You thought I was joking.
Alaskan Albert: Now I understand. Anna, I can help you., if you follow my advice, I’ll put the speed back in your speed walk.
(He shows her how to improve her speed walking)
Alaskan Albert: Go, Anna, go!
2. Watch Lesson 15: “Before and After” American English video lesson.
3. Take the Lesson 15: “Before and After” quiz to check your American English knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.
4. Take the Review of Lessons 11-15 quiz to check your American English knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.
5. Answer the following question in the comments section below:
Think about the city or town where you live. Share what kinds of exercises people like to do. Use adverbial clauses to describe what exercises people do in your city or town. Tell about your own exercise program.
About the Author
Hello,
In this quiz 4, I get 8 answers of 10.
Thanks teacher.
Hello,
I am Albertine
I am happy in the first quiz I scored 100/100. Meaning that I answered all 5 questions correctly.
The second quiz, I scored 80/100.
Thank you so much.
Hello. I’m Danijela.
Very interesting lesson also video with Ana.
Beafore year ago I was in shape and then I stopped training. If I start with work out I’ll get back in shape.
I the first quiz my score was 4/4, in the secend quiz my score was 10/8.
Thank you very much Maestro Sersea.
Hello everyone
In my city, from the early hours of the morning, it is common to see people taking walks, jogging or exercising on exercise machines. Then, in the late afternoon, if the weather is nice, you also see many people exercising outdoors in the parks and avenues.
In the quizzes I got 5/5 and 10/10 respectively
Thanks Maestro
Hello , hind from Iraq.
My score was 3/5
In my town there are many kinds of exercise people like to do which need special preparation for it like stadium or tools , but more family didn’t have it so we bought domestic tools ( instrument ) for it for jogging , fixe bike or another tools for fitness improved..
Greetings Maestro Sersea
I did my quiz lesson 15 Before and after, I got 100%. And at the quiz review of Lesson 11 to 15 my result was 90%.
Many people accustom to get out to walk early morning or late evening, but since the restrictions of Covid- 19. There was a decrease of the peoples that got out to practicing exercise activities at the street in the neighborhood where I live, before there’s was big groups of young people that practiced cyclism as a way to exercising, but now even though already have passed almost a year that all the restrictions were raised, it seems to be that the people are not completely integrated at all their exercise activist.
Recently I begun to work out, I have started with a short routine to get integrate me again in my exercising activities I have accustomed to work out for at least 45 minutes per day also I enjoy jump the rope.
Thank you so much.
Hello everyone,
In the quiz – Lesson 15: Before & After I got 5/5. In the Review of Lessons 11-15 quiz my score is 90%.
Thank you Maestro