New York 1 Lesson 1

Welcome to LIVE CONVERSATIONS “New York City, Part 1: 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: Welcome to Live Conversations Volume One

Greg: New York City part one.

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Mark: Hi, my name is Mark. A few years ago, my wife Dasha and I took a trip from Ukraine, where we live, to the US. The first city I took her to was New York and in this video I’m going to share the pictures we took with my friend, Greg.

– – – –

Mark: So here is how I got back and forth the airport twice because Dasha and I were supposed to come in on the same day and she actually missed her flight from Kiev and so I got in. Waited for her. She was a no-show. So I had to take this train to my buddy’s apartment in Manhattan, go back the next morning and meet her. So I was very familiar with the Sky Train.

Greg: Well, there are a ton of questions in that story. None of them having to do with the sky train but—so, well my question is: How did you get the picture from this vantage point?

Mark: This was downloaded from the net just to show people the air train from Manhattan. So this picture I did not take.

Greg: Oh, I see. Okay. And therefore you don’t know who the young boy in the red shirt is?

Mark: Correct. No clue. He’s probably the conductor. (see video about sarcasm)

Greg: I see, alright. Okay, but I am curious, what happened? Why did Dasha miss her flight or how did…How does that happen when someone just doesn’t get off the plane? I’ve never had that happen.

Mark: Oh, man.

Greg: What’s next?

Mark: Yeah, that was stressful.

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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: “to and from”). The 2nd one is what native speakers say, (“back and forth”). Listen one more time, and then go to Step #3.

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back and forth to (some place) = to and from

Remember, in these four groups of sentences below, a native speaker will usually use the 2nd version. So, "back and forth" is the advanced phrase we want to learn.

I go to and from school on my bike.
I go back and forth to school on my bike.

Bart goes to and from school on his skateboard.
Bart goes back and forth to school on his skateboard.

I go to and from work on the subway.
I go back and forth to work on the subway.

I to and from the airport using the Air Train.
I got back and forth to the airport using the Air Train.

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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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to come in (by vehicle) = to arrive

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

My train arrives at about 9 AM.
My train comes in at about 9 AM.

My flight arrives at noon.
My flight comes in at noon.

My bus arrives very early.
My bus comes in very early.

Dasha and I were supposed to arrive on the same day.
Dasha and I were supposed to come in on the same day.

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to get in = to arrive

My plane arrived late and I missed my connecting flight.
My plane got in late and I missed my connecting flight.

My train arrived ten minutes ago.
My train got in ten minutes ago.

My bus just arrived.
My bus just got in.

I arrived first, and waited for her in the airport.
I got in first, and waited for her in the airport.

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to be a no-show = to not arrive
NOTE: a no-show (without the verb ‘to be’) = a person who does not arrive

It was a great party. We only had one person who didn’t arrive.
It was a great party. We only had one no-show.

They had to cancel the concert. The band didn’t arrive.
They had to cancel the concert. The band was a no-show.

Sarah didn’t arrive. I hope she’s okay.
Sarah was a no-show. I hope she’s okay.

I waited for hours, but Dasha didn’t arrive.
I waited for hours, but Dasha was a no-show.

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a ton = a lot

I bought a lot of food, so please help yourself.
I bought a ton of food, so please help yourself.

We have a lot things to do.
We have a ton of things to do.

I have a lot ideas.
I have a ton of ideas.

I have a lot of questions about that story.
I have a ton of questions about that story.

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Oh, man! = (an expression that a serious situation is bad) Darn!

Darn! I forgot my wallet at home!
Oh, man! I forgot my wallet at home!

Darn! It’s raining and I left the windows open at home!
Oh, man! It’s raining and I left the windows open at home!

Darn! I’m late for work and I have a flat tire!
Oh, man! I’m late for work and I have a flat tire!

When Dasha was a no-show, I was thinking, "Darn! What happened?"
When Dasha was a no-show, I was thinking, "Oh, man! What happened?"

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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: I go to and from school on my bike.

Advanced: I ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ school on my bike.

Step 2.

Play the audio file to check your answer.