Welcome to “Live American Conversations: LAS VEGAS!” Please start by watching this first video. Don’t write anything. Just watch and listen. There will be many words and phrases you won’t understand. That’s okay. By the end of the lesson you will understand everything. And, you’ll be able to speak using many new of these new words and phrases!
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Greg: Looks like we are looking at the United States. And where’re we headed? “A” looks like it’s right around Las Vegas. Las Vegas is awesome.
Mark: Yes.
Greg: Give us some background here. What’s gonna happen?
Mark: Sure. After spending nearly three weeks in Arizona, Dasha and I headed west and north, to what’s called Sin City. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Greg: Right on. And I think you can’t really make a trip to the United States and go to Arizona, or do any of that, and not go to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is mandatory.
Mark: Yeah, that’s a great word. Definitely mandatory…Vegas. I know you went there with your wife Megumi. How long were you guys there for on your first trip, whenever that was?
Greg: Because her family was here for a wedding and everything, we didn’t have a lot of time because most of it had to be in Arizona. So, the majority of the time was in Arizona and Vegas was two days, maybe. That’s just-
Mark: Two nights as well?
Greg: Yeah. Yeah, I think it was two nights. That’s all we had time for, unfortunately.
Mark: Yeah.
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awesome = great, fantastic, etc
Remember, in these four groups of sentences below, a native speaker will usually use the 2nd version. So, “awesome” is the advanced word we want to learn.
Terminator 5 is a great movie!
Terminator 5 is an awesome movie!
That food was fantastic!
That food was awesome!
I think riding bicycles is great exercise.
I think riding bicycles is awesome exercise.
Las Vegas is great.
Las Vegas is awesome.
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to head = to go
(headed = went)
Remember, the 2nd version (using “went” or “go”) is how a native speaker will probably say these sentences.
The rocket went toward the moon.
The rocket headed toward the moon.
Let’s go up this road.
Let’s head up this road.
I was going down the stairs when I fell.
I was headed down the stairs when I fell.
Dasha and I went west and north
Dasha and I headed west and north.
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any of that = similar places, similar things, etc.
“Any of that” is a very common phrase in American English. Here are our example sentences…
When you were in Manhattan, did you go to Times Square, or the Statue of Liberty, or similar places? Or was it all business?
When you were in Manhattan, did you go to Times Square, or the Statue of Liberty, or any of that? Or was it all business?
When you were in Moscow, did you buy a nesting doll, or a bear hat, or similar things?
When you were in Moscow, did you buy a nesting doll, or a bear hat, or any of that?
We didn’t spend much money on tourist attractions or similar things. The hotel we stayed in cost too much to spend any more money.
We didn’t spend much money on tourist attractions or any of that. The hotel we stayed in cost too much.
I think you can’t really make a trip to the United States and go to Arizona, or similar places, and not go to Las Vegas.
I think you can’t really make a trip to the United States and go to Arizona, or do any of that and not go to Las Vegas.
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mandatory = something strongly (or really) recommended
If you’re in Manhattan, a visit to Familia’s Pizza is something I really recommend.
If you’re in Manhattan, a visit to Familia’s Pizza is mandatory.
If you are in New York City, seeing the Statue of Liberty is something I really recommend.
If you are in New York City, seeing the Statue of Liberty is mandatory.
When you are on vacation, relaxing is strongly recommended.
When you are on vacation, relaxing is mandatory.
Las Vegas is something I really recommend.
Las Vegas is mandatory.
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you guys = casual way to speak to a group of people you know
Me and my sister were in the kitchen. My mom walked in and said, “Do you and your sister want pizza for dinner tonight?”
Me and my sister were in the kitchen. My mom walked in and said, “Do you guys want pizza for dinner tonight?”
Me and my brother were in the garage. My mother asked, “Are you and your brother hungry?”
Me and my brother were in the garage. My mother asked, “Are you guys hungry?”
I said to my friend and his girlfriend, “Do the two of you want to go to a movie?”
I said to my friend and his girlfriend, “Do you guys want to go to a movie?”
How long were you and Dasha there for on your first trip?
How long were you guys there for on your first trip?
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and everything = and activities related to (that main activity)
I’m sorry I didn’t call back yesterday. I was busy with the move, and activities related to moving.
I’m sorry I didn’t call back yesterday. I was busy with the move and everything.
It has been difficult to have any recreational time, because I have been busy with work and activities related to work.
It has been difficult to have any recreational time, because I am busy with work and everything.
Their children are upset, due to their parents’ divorce and activities related to the divorce.
Their children are upset, due to their parents’ divorce and everything.
Because her family was here for a wedding and activities related to the wedding, we didn’t have a lot of time.
Because her family was here for a wedding and everything, we didn’t have a lot of time.
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Easy: Terminator 5 is a great movie!
Advanced:Terminator 5 is an ______ movie!
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Easy: The rocket went toward the moon.
Advanced: The rocket _______ toward the moon.
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Easy: When you were in Manhattan, did you go to Times Square, or the Statue of Liberty, or similar places? Or was it all business?
Advanced: When you were in Manhattan, did you go to Times Square, or the Statue of Liberty, or ___ ___ ____? Or was it all business?
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Easy:If you’re in Manhattan, a visit to Familia’s Pizza is something I really recommend.
Advanced: If you’re in Manhattan, a visit to Familia’s Pizza is ________.
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Easy: Me and my sister were in the kitchen. My mom walked in and said, “Do you and your sister want pizza for dinner tonight?”
Advanced: Me and my sister were in the kitchen. My mom walked in and said, “Do ___ ___ want pizza for dinner tonight?”
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Easy: I’m sorry I didn’t call back yesterday. I was busy with the move, and activities related to moving.
Advanced: I’m sorry I didn’t call back yesterday. I was busy with the move ___ _____ .
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How many did you get correct? If you made a mistake…
Do them ALL one more time. It will help you remember.
