Here is Level 2, Lesson 21: “Trash to Treasure, Part 1” adapted from VOA Learning English.
- Listen, read, translate if needed, and practice along with the audio player and dialogue below.
Anna: (on phone, to Pete) Got it. Pete, I promise. I won’t tell anyone. (to herself) Bye. He is so strange.
Ashley: Hey, Anna!
Anna: Hi, Ashley!
Ashley: Are you talking to yourself again?
Anna: No, not this time. I was talking to Pete.
Ashley: How’s he doing?
Anna: Good. He has a birthday coming up! But he told me not to tell anyone.
Ashley: Why?
Anna: Well, from the way he was speaking, I don’t think he likes cake or presents or fun.
Ashley: That sounds like Pete.
Anna: Well, I don’t care. I’m getting him a present. Do you know where I can buy something unique?
Ashley: I do — Tanglewood Works. You will definitely find something unique there.
Anna: Great. I’ll go this weekend. Now, speaking of Pete’s birthday, what else should I do? I know. I’ll rent him a clown!
Ashley: Yeah, he’ll never speak to you again.
Professor Bot: Did you hear Ashley and Anna using the words talk and speak?
Talk and speak both mean “to say words.” And, many times, you can use either word without losing any meaning. But there are some differences in when we use these words.
The word talk is usually used:
- for conversations between two or more people
- and informal situations, such as between friends or family
For example, Ashley asks Anna: “Are you talking to yourself again?”
Speak is usually used:
- for one-way communication, such as presentations
- formal situations, such as a boss speaking with her workers
- to talk about language ability
- and in polite requests
Keep watching, and listen for the words talk and speak.
(Anna goes to Tanglewood Works.)
Sue: Hey there. Welcome to Tanglewood Works! I’m Sue. How can I help you today?
Anna: Hi Sue, I’m Anna. A friend told me about your store. She said, “Anna, this place is really unique!”
Sue: We are! Here at Tanglewood Works, we focus on things that are handmade, reclaimed and recycled.
Anna: Wow! That is really good for the environment.
Sue: It’s good for you too. Local artists made all of these one-of-a-kind pieces. And I paint most of the furniture.
Anna: Can I look around?
Sue: Oh, please do.
(Anna walks around the store.)
Sue: So, Anna, do you like to make things?
Anna: Me? Oh, no. Every time I try to make something, something goes wrong.
(She knocks down many things.)
Anna: Oh, sorry. Sorry.
Sue: It’s okay. Anna, everybody can make something.
Anna: Sue, this piece is very interesting!
Sue: You know, when I found these pieces, they were broken and in a dumpster. But they spoke to me. And they said, “Save me, Sue! Save me!”
Anna: Sue, what do you mean they “spoke” to you?
Sue: When I see something special that someone has thrown away, I can almost hear it talk.
Anna: It’s not saying anything!
Sue: Anna, it’s not easy to see the treasure in trash.
Anna: Or hear it talk.
Sue: But you can learn. In fact, I teach private classes. And one is called Turning Trash to Treasure.
Sue: Next week, bring in some trash and we’ll turn it into treasure. Just remember – pick some trash that “speaks” to you.
Anna: Got it! I’ll see you next week!
Professor Bot: Will Anna find trash that “speaks” to her? What will it say? We’ll find out next week!
2. Watch the Lesson 21: “Trash to Treasure, Part 1” American English video lesson.
3. Take the “Lesson 21: Trash to Treasure, Part 1” quiz to check your American English knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.
4. Answer the following question in the comments section below:
Compare the times when you talk with friends and when you speak publicly. How do you feel
when you have to speak in front of a group of people? How is that different from talking with
a group of your friends?
About the Author
Hello. I’m Danijela.
Very interesting lesson and talk between Ana and Ashely.
We wait will Ana find trash that speak to her.
In the quiz my score was 4/4.
Than you very much Maestro Sersea.
Hello , Hind from Iraq.
-My score was 4/4 .
Tomorrow I have course so I speak about comprehensive skills development for the Iraqi ministry of electricity employee, so that speech is formal , after that I have coffee time with my colleagues that last informal time so we can spend funny time together.
Greetings everyone
My score in the quiz was100%, meaning I have answered 4 correct answers from total 4 questions.
when you have to speak in front of a group of people? How is that different from talking with a group of your friends?
Speaking in front of people is very different from talking with a group of friends. The first means a speech and a formal communication. The second is a spontaneous and fluid communication process to share with your friends and family in an informal way.
Thank you Maestro
Lesson 2.21.4 Year 2
Level 2, Lesson2: ” Trash to treasure”.
Answer the above question.
Talking to friends is different than speaking publicly. Talking with friends is great fun. With them, you can gossip and chat freely and willingly. By using informal language and eating popcorn, chips, or ice-cream we can discuss and debate any kind of topic comfortably. On the other hand, we have to deliver our speech very carefully and in a very formal language. Even in Schools’s assemblies, in front of children your language must be very formal, nice, and up to the point in front of children.
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Hello every body, talking with friends is easy beacause we spend our time togheter even if isn’t every day but speak publicly is not easy because we have to prepare may be a discour and repeat it sometimes before talking.