Welcome to Lesson 4. 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”]

Greg: We are looking at a picture of what seems to be a bathroom. Is this a picture that you took, or was this a stock photo from the hotel?

Mark: Yeah, this was a stock photo from Mandalay Bay’s website. Again of the suite that we were in.

Greg: Right.

Mark: And, just a heck of a nice bathroom. From, you know, the waterfall….Like, the bathtub is cool (Words of Experience Video) because you turn it on, and the water doesn’t come out the faucet. It comes out, like, that white lip, kind of. You can see it on the bathtub. And that’s where the water pours out like a waterfall. It’s cool.

Greg: Nice.

[Pause]

Greg: Alright. So, looks like we have a picture of Dasha enjoying the facilities. Specifically the pool at Mandalay Bay.

Mark: Well no, at The hotel.

Greg: Ok, so what’s the difference between The Hotel and Mandalay Bay, then? I thought this was kind of one and the same.

Mark: The way they bill it is: The Hotel at Mandalay Bay. It’s all suites, first of all . As opposed to Mandalay Bay, which is just regular hotel rooms. So, you’re getting…You’re starting at kind of the suite level and up. And it’s immediately much more VIP feel.

Greg: Awesome.

Mark: Yeah.

Greg: How was Dasha enjoying the pool and all of that? Was this just kinda (Lesson 3 WOE video) the first time for her to kinda have this kind of experience?

Mark: Absolutely. And the pool…The pool at Mandalay Bay is probably the best one…I’m willing to go so far as to say it’s one of the best pools at a resort in the U.S… Period!

Greg: Really? Wow.

Mark: They have five pools, I believe, on the property. They have….She is not in that wave pool one, she’s just kind of in the normal huge pool. Then they have this circular one. It’s like…It’s basically like a river. And there’s an adults-only pool. And then they have a couple of Jacuzzis. It’s great. It’s an amazing pool complex.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #1″]

heck of a = very (“heck of a” exaggerates the word that follows)

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

You paid $300 for that Elton John ticket? That’s a very expensive ticket.
You paid $300 for that Elton John ticket? That’s a heck of an expensive ticket.

You can see the ocean from your room? That’s a very nice view.
You can see the ocean from your room? That’s a heck of a nice view.

You are going to eat 15 hot dogs? That’s a very large amount of food.
You are going to eat 15 hot dogs? That’s a heck of a large amount of food.

Our hotel room had a very nice bathroom.
Our hotel room had a heck of a nice bathroom.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #2″]

first of all = the main point is

Remember, the 2nd version (the sentences with “first of all”) is what a native speaker would say.

Why didn’t I like the restaurant? Well, the main point is, the food was terrible.
Why didn’t I like the restaurant? Well, first of all, the food was terrible.

The main point is, our room was very dirty.
First of all, our hotel room was dirty.

The main point is, she shouldn’t talk to me in a rude manner.
First of all, she shouldn’t talk to me in a rude manner.

The hotel is all suites, is the main point.
The hotel is all suites, first of all.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #3″]

VIP = exclusive, high-class (abbreviation for ‘Very Important Person’)

“VIP” is a popular American phrase used all around the world!

Why does it cost extra to go into that room? — That’s the exclusive, high-class area.
Why does it cost extra to go into that room? — That’s the VIP area.

We had two passes to the exclusive, high-class area.
We had two passes to the VIP area.

The famous actor demanded to be let into the exclusive, high-class part of the dance club.
The famous actor demanded to be let into the VIP part of the dance club.

The hotel has much more of an exclusive, high-class feel.
The hotel has much more of a VIP feel.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #4″]

I’m willing to go so far as to say = I strongly feel

I strongly feel that this is the worst movie ever made.
I’m willing to go so far as to say that this is the worst movie ever made.

I strongly feel that Tiger Woods is the greatest golf player in the world.
I’m willing to go so far as to say that Tiger Woods is the greatest golf player in the world.

I strongly feel that he is the most untalented musician I’ve heard.
I’m willing to go so far as to say that he is the most untalented musician I’ve heard.

The pool at Mandalay Bay is probably…I strongly feel it’s one of the best pools in the U.S.
The pool at Mandalay Bay is probably…I’m willing to go so far as to say it’s one of the best pools in the U.S.

[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Click to reveal #5″]

Period = I strongly believe. (emphasizes the previous sentence)

I think Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time. I strongly believe.
I think Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time. Period.

There is no way I am paying that price for a new car. I strongly believe.
There is no way I am paying that price for a new car. Period.

Jessica Alba is the prettiest girl in Hollywood. I strongly believe.
Jessica Alba is the prettiest girl in Hollywood. Period.

It’s one of the best pools at a resort in the U.S. I strongly believe.
It’s one of the best pools at a resort in the U.S. Period.

[/toggle]

Easy: You paid $300 for that Elton John ticket? That’s a very expensive ticket.

Advanced: You paid $300 for that Elton John ticket? That’s __ __ __ __ expensive ticket.

Easy: Why didn’t I like the restaurant? Well, the main point is, the food was terrible.

Advanced: Why didn’t I like the restaurant? Well, ___ __ ___, the food was terrible.

Easy: Why does it cost extra to go into that room? — That’s the exclusive, high-class area.

Advanced: Why does it cost extra to go into that room? — That’s the ___ area.

Easy: I strongly feel that Tiger Woods is the greatest golf player in the world.

Advanced: __ _____ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ that Tiger Woods is the greatest golf player in the world.

Easy: I think Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time. I strongly believe.

Advanced: I think Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time. ____.