New York 2 Lesson 2

Welcome to LIVE CONVERSATIONS “New York City, Part 2: Lesson 2!” 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!

[toggle title=”Click to reveal Movie Script”]

Mark: Oh yeah, it’s just incredible. She…Dasha was just blown away. You know, she walked into stores and everyone is speaking Russian. You know, the tables were suddenly turned. You know, five minutes before I am talking to the subway guy (man who works at the subway), you know, ordering our subway tokens or whatever, and as soon as you get off on this subway stop…BOOM! (suddenly) Suddenly she’s taking over. She’s like, “Oh, let me buy lunch!” and she’s talking to everyone in Russian.

[/toggle]

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 be very surprised”). The 2nd one is what native speakers say, (“to be blown away”). Listen one more time, and then go to Step #3.

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #1″]

to be blown away = to be very surprised

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

I was very surprised by the ending of the movie "Sixth Sense."
I was blown away by the ending of the movie "Sixth Sense."

I was very surprised by amazing the service.
I was blown away by amazing the service.

I was very surprised by the price.
I was blown away by the price.

Dasha was very surprised that everyone in Brighton Beach spoke Russian.
Dasha was blown away that everyone in Brighton Beach spoke Russian.

[/toggle]

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.

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #2″]

the tables are/were turned = the situation was reversed

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

In ROCKY III, the situation is reversed: Rocky is the champion and he must fight a contender.
In ROCKY III, the tables are turned: Rocky is the champion and he must fight a contender.

I’m the boss, so now the situation is reversed.
I’m the boss, so now the tables are turned.

The situation is reversed. The student is now the teacher.
The tables are turned. The student is now the teacher.

In Brighton Beach, the situation was reversed: She did the talking for us, in Russian.
In Brighton Beach, the tables were turned: She did the talking for us, in Russian.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #3″]

or whatever = or something like that

We ate enchiladas or something like that.
We ate enchiladas or whatever.

He has a python or something like that.
He has a python or whatever.

Is that a cafe latte or something like that?
Is that a cafe latte or whatever?

I was buying subway tokens or something like that.
I was buying subway tokens or whatever.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #4″]

as soon as = immediately when

Immediately when we went out, it started to rain.
As soon as we went out, it started to rain.

Immediately when we got home, I took a shower.
As soon as we got home, I took a shower.

Immediately when we got there, we ate dinner.
As soon as we got there, we ate dinner.

Immediately when you get off the subway, it’s like you’re in Russia.
As soon as you get off the subway, it’s like you’re in Russia.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #5″]

to take over = to take control (of)

In the movie TERMINATOR, robots have taken control of the world.
In the movie TERMINATOR, robots have taken over the world.

The policeman took control of the situation.
The policeman took over the situation.

The military took control of the city.
The military took over the city

In Brighton Beach, Dasha took control. She ordered food, talked to sales people…all in Russian.
In Brighton Beach, Dasha took over. She ordered food, talked to sales people…all in Russian.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #6″]

to be like = to say

I said, "This is boring. Let’s go."
I’m like, "This is boring. Let’s go."

He said, "Can I have more?"
He’s like, "Can I have more?"

I said, "Sorry, there’s no more."
I’m like, "Sorry, there’s no more."

She said, "Oh, let me buy lunch."
She’s like, "Oh, let me buy lunch."

[/toggle]

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 was very surprised by the ending of the movie "Sixth Sense."

Advanced: I was ___ ___ by the ending of the movie "Sixth Sense."

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: In ROCKY III, the situation is reversed: Rocky is the champion and he must fight a contender.
Advanced: In ROCKY III, ___ ___ ___ ___ : Rocky is the champion and he must fight a contender.