Moscow Lesson 1

Welcome to LIVE CONVERSATIONS “MOSCOW: Lesson 1!” Any questions or comments? Please write us at: support@realenglishnow.com

Please watch the video below. Remember: Don’t write anything. Just watch and listen. By the end of the lesson you will understand everything!

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Greg: Alright. So, I’m not sure what city we’re even in today. I’m just looking at a picture of…looking at a picture of a guitar. But looking very closely at…On the left end of it, you can see what looks like Russian style buildings, I guess. Anyway, cool paint job. How did this come about?

Mark: This is…We’re in Moscow, by the way. This was the reason I went to Moscow back in 2006, was to pick up this custom guitar and to give, actually, a guitar master class in Russian at the biggest music store in Moscow.

Greg: Yeah, looks great.

Mark: Yeah. That’s the Kremlin and Red Square kind of (somewhat)mashed together. There actually is no place, I don’t think, you can stand and get this exact view. So, it’s kind of like — the same with the sky and even the sidewalk — it’s kind of (somewhat) dreamy, you know? There….It’s like your recollections of Moscow and Red Square, not a photographic, you know, realistic thing. If that makes sense.

Greg: Alright. And this next picture…That’s kinda (kind of = somewhat) awesome, sitting there and all these people…Did people know that you were going to be doing this, or did they just show up and…Like…How did this audience get attracted?

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Step 1

Listen to Audio #1 below.
Listening before reading is very important. Please, DO NOT read the text yet. If you don’t understand the audio, that’s okay. Listen now, at least two times.

step2

Click below (where it says, ‘Click to reveal #1’) and compare the sentences. See the highlighted phrases? They both have the same meaning. But the 1st one is what students of English say. (For example: “should probably know but not sure”). The 2nd one is what native speakers say, (“even”). Listen one more time, and then go to Step #3.

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even = should probably know, but am not sure

Remember, in these four groups of sentences below, a native speaker will usually use the 2nd version. So, “even” is the advanced word we want to learn.

We got home really late last night. I don’t know what time it was. I should probably know, but I’m not sure.
We got home really late last night. I don’t even know what time it was.

He doesn’t know how many beers he drank last night. He should probably know, but he’s not sure.
He doesn’t even know how many beers he drank last night.

I’m not sure who he was. I should probably know, but I’m not sure. He just started talking to me like he was my friend.
I’m not even sure who he was. He just started talking to me like he was my friend.

I’m not sure what city we’re in today. I should probably know, but I’m not sure.
I’m not even sure what city we’re in today.

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step3

Make a flashcard. Write one of the example sentences on your card, and underline the new word. On the other side of the card, write the translation in your first language. Please make these flashcards now, as you go through the lesson. Then repeat Steps 1 – 3 for each word below.

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I guess = it seems

Remember, the 2nd version (using “I guess”) is how a native speaker will probably say these sentences.

It seems that guy is Sarah’s new boyfriend. They’re holding hands.
I guess that guy is Sarah’s new boyfriend. They’re holding hands.

It seems that’s the reason.
I guess that’s the reason.

Chris went to work, it seems.
Chris went to work, I guess.

On the left, you can see what looks like Russian style buildings, it seems.
On the left, you can see what looks like Russian style buildings, I guess.

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How did this come about? = What caused this situation?

This English course was caused when my students said, “You should teach online!”
This English course came about when my students said, “You should teach online!”

What caused this idea?
How did this idea come about?

What caused this website?
How did this website come about?

What caused you to take the Moscow trip?
How did this Moscow trip come about?

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if that makes sense = I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain

The post office is the 2nd building on the right, past the gas station…I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain.
The post office is the 2nd building on the right, past the gas station…if that makes sense.

I’m trying to think about nothing…I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain.
I’m trying to think about nothing, if that makes sense.

I had a dream where I was sleeping…I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain.
I had a dream where I was sleeping…if that makes sense.

It’s like your recollections of Moscow, not a photographic, realistic thing…I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain.
It’s like your recollections of Moscow, not a photographic, realistic thing…if that makes sense.

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all these = a lot (emphasizing that there are a lot)
all this = a lot (emphasizing that there is a lot)

Why is there a lot of garbage on the floor?
Why is all this garbage on the floor?

What are a lot of cats doing here?
What are all these cats doing here?

Why are a lot of boxes here?
Why are all these boxes here?

That’s awesome. You’re on stage and a lot of people are sitting there watching.
That’s awesome. You’re on stage and all these people are sitting there watching.

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to just show up = to arrive without an appointment or invitation

Your cousin arrived without an invitation at your house, without calling first? That’s rude.
Your cousin just showed up at your house, without calling first? That’s rude.

Your ex-girlfriend arrived without an invitation at your wedding?
Your ex-girlfriend just showed up at your wedding?

These guys arrived without an invitation at our private party.
These guys just showed up at our private party.

Did people know about the masterclass, or did they arrive without an appointment?
Did people know about the masterclass, or did they just show up?

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Step 1.

First, read the “Easy” sentence. Then, try to think of the advanced expression that we learned which has the same meaning as the highlighted expression.

Easy: We got home really late last night. I don’t know what time it was. I should probably know, but I’m not sure.

Advanced: We got home really late last night. ___ ___ ___ ___ what time it was.

Step 2.

Play the audio file to check your answer.

Step 3.

Play the audio again, and repeat, until you can say it from memory.

Step 4.

Repeat Steps 1 – 3 for each set below.

Easy: It seems that guy is Sarah’s new boyfriend. They’re holding hands.
Advanced: ___ ___ that guy is Sarah’s new boyfriend. They’re holding hands.

Easy: This English course was caused when my students said, “You should teach online!”
Advanced: This English course ___ ___ when my students said, “You should teach online!”

Easy: The post office is the 2nd building on the right, past the gas station…I hope you understand what I’m trying to explain.
Advanced: The post office is the 2nd building on the right, past the gas station…___ ___ ___ ___ .

Easy: Why is there a lot of garbage on the floor?
Advanced: Why is ___ ___ garbage on the floor?

Easy: Your cousin arrived without an invitation at your house, without calling first? That’s rude.
Advanced: Your cousin ___ ___ ___ at your house, without calling first? That’s rude.