How to learn English through English conversation scripts?
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| How to learn English through English conversation scripts? |
Activate: Everyday conversation 2: APPLYING TO COLLEGE page 108
expressions/vocabulary:
slightly different: less different
I suppose: I suggest/think
Either way: anyway, in both cases/situations
The scores will be out: will appear
Mrs. Smith: The woman’s name isn’t Smith, but she’s married to a man called Smith.
I wish I could have another class with her: I wish I could → mean you no longer have the chance to do something.
I am still considering whether I should stay close to home or go to an out-of-state school.
Whether: if
Out-of-state school: a school that is in another state. Maybe he lives in California,and the school is in Texas or Washington DC.
I have toured the Stanford campus: I have been there for some time
we should still consider what should be done next. It will be bad if we fall behind and don’t make it into college by next fall.
fall behind the phrasal verb
fall behind (somebody/something)
to fail to keep level with somebody/something
She soon fell behind the leaders.
radically different: completely different
radically: in a way that relates to the most basic and important parts of something; in a complete and detailed way
Attitudes have changed radically.
The new methods are radically different from the old.
radically: in a way that is new, different, and likely to have a great effect
a radically new way of thinking
I am also wondering whether I should pursue medicine
To pursue something is to go for it, try your best to achieve your dreams.
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The script:
Situation: Charlotte and Michael have just finished taking the SAT test and are talking about it. They also discuss the next steps of the process of applying for college.
Michael: That test was so long! Four hours! I really do not understand why we have to take this test anyway. Are our grade point averages (GPAs) not good enough for college? Charlotte: That test did seem long, didn’t it? But since the curriculum of one high school is slightly different from another high school, the SAT test allows the colleges to consider each student equally. Although one student might have taken different classes from another student, all high school students take the same SAT test. Michael: I suppose that makes sense. Either way, I really hope I do not have to take that test again! Charlotte: Same here. Well, we will just have to wait and see. The scores will be out in a few weeks. Anyways, have you gotten your recommendation letters yet? Michael: I have asked Mrs. Smith for one already, and I am thinking about asking Mr. Johnson for another one. I liked both their classes and I think they got to know me better than my other teachers, so hopefully the letters will be well-written. What about you? Charlotte: I have also asked Mrs. Smith for a letter. Do you know Mr. Lawson? I would like to get a recommendation letter from him. I hope he remembers me as I have not had a class with him since last year. I am not sure who else I could have asked. Michael: Well, at least we each have one letter. Mrs. Smith is the best, isn’t she? I wish I could have another class with her, but this is our last semester, and after that it is graduation! Charlotte: I agree. Mrs. Smith really enjoys teaching, and that definitely helps her students to enjoy learning. Michael: What colleges are you thinking of applying to? Have you visited any campuses yet? Charlotte: I am still considering whether I should stay close to home or go to an out-of-state school. I have toured the Stanford campus and the people there were very friendly. I have also visited Notre Dame, the university in Indiana. What about you? Have you toured any campuses yet? Michael: I want to stay close to home so I am hoping to go to either a California State University or a University of California. Charlotte: Which one? There is practically one or the other in each of the big cities. 109 Michael: Perhaps UCLA, the University of California, Los Angeles or CSULB, the California State University, Long Beach. But I am not too worried about getting into a college just yet. I am more worried about this SAT test at the moment! Charlotte: I understand how you feel. However, we should still consider what should be done next. It will be bad if we fall behind and don’t make it into college by next fall. Have you decided what to study yet? I’m thinking about majoring in English myself. Michael: English is definitely a possibility. I was thinking about becoming an English teacher like Mrs. Smith. But I was also considering majoring in Biological Sciences. Charlotte: Why? English and Biological Sciences are two radically different areas of study. What would you do with a degree in Biological Sciences? Michael: I am also wondering whether I should pursue medicine. It may be too early to decide yet, but if I want to become a doctor, the classes I would take as a Biological Sciences student would fulfill most requirements for medical school. But like I said, it is too early to determine anything yet. I am just hoping to get into a college! Charlotte: I do not think you have to worry about getting into college. Still, let’s just keep trying our best!