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Views #1240 | Intermediate (B1)

Big Picture

Daniel asks Vella what she would like to accomplish in her lifetime.

Daniel: Hey, Vella. Well we're talking about things, big things you want to achieve in your life, so how about you? What do want to do?

Vella: Well, one of my biggest dreams is to become an actress.

Daniel: Uh-uh.

Vella: Because I really love acting and, you know, it would be fun to act in a movie and to play, you know, as a different character than who you really are.

Daniel: Uh-uh. What kind of movies especially, do you have any preferences?

Vella: I would love to try all characters. You know, maybe play in a horror movie or comedy or romance, anything.

Daniel: Where do you want to do this? Back in Indonesia, in the States?

Vella: Well, I would love to become a Hollywood actress, but it might be too impossible so I would just try in Indonesia first, and maybe if I can go international, then that would be amazing.

Daniel: OK, good. Do you have any, like do you want to do it within ten years or something?

Vella: Well, since I'm graduating pretty soon, I would love to try, you know, as soon as I get back to Indonesia.

Daniel: Uh-uh.

Vella: And, you know, start trying to go to agencies.

Daniel: Is there any other dream that you want to achieve?

Vella: This might sound silly, but I love Ricky Martin.

Daniel: Uh-uh.

Vella: And, you know, I really want to have the chance to meet him and maybe dance with him.

Daniel: OK.

Vella: Because he's Latino and I'm really into Latin culture, and I know that dancing is really, you know, a big part of the culture.

Daniel: Oh, yeah, it is.

Vella: And it will be really amazing if I could just dance, you know, with Ricky Martin.

Daniel: He's a really good dancer.

Vella: And maybe I could be in his music video.

Daniel: That would be nice. That would be really, really nice.

Vella: And the last thing is probably get married and start my own family.

Daniel: Uh-uh. How is that going? Do you have any plans? Do you have a boyfriend, like do you have any...?

Vella: Well, I'm in a relationship right now, so hopefully that goes well.

Daniel: Oh, good. So you want to start a family right?

Vella: Yes.

Daniel: How many children would you like to have?

Vella: Two to three, maximum three.

Daniel: Two to three, OK.

Vella: I would love to have twins.

Daniel: Wow, why?

Vella: A girl and a boy so ....

Daniel: Why?

Vella: I don't know.

Daniel: Oh, it sounds, it sounds really fun.

Vella: Because no one in my family, you know, has twins, so I think it would be cool to be the first one to have twins.

Daniel: But at the same time, it seems to me to be quite hard to raise like twins because everything comes double, you know.

Vella: It's the same thing as having like two or three children, you know, you just get them at the same time.

Daniel: That's why it's even harder because you have, I don't know, double expenses, double everything.

Vella: Yeah, well I'd just love to try having twins.

Daniel: No, great, that sounds like a good plan. Thanks.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson

agency

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When I finish school, maybe I'll start going to agencies.

In this case, an 'agency' is a company that works to find jobs for actors or actors for certain roles. Notice the following:

  1. What is the best advertising agency in the area?
  2. There are many modeling agencies in the city.

have the chance

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I really want to have the change to meet him.

'Have the chance' is the same as 'have the opportunity.' Notice the following:

  1. I hope some day I have the change to go to Italy.
  2. Will you call me later if you have the chance?

start a family

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I'll probably get married and start a family.

When you 'start a family,' you begin to have children. Notice the following:

  1. A few years ago she was still in school, and now she is married and has started a family.
  2. I want to be young when I start a family.

expenses

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It's harder to have twins, because you have extra expenses.

'Expenses' are things you have to pay for just to maintain your life and stay alive. Notice the following:

  1. How much are expenses every month in this apartment?
  2. We will give you a place to stay, but you have to pay for food and other expenses.

double

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Having twins means double everything.

If you have 'double everything,' it means that you have twice or two times as much as you would normally have. Notice the following:

  1. Gas prices have more than doubled in the last 6 years.
  2. Having two kids means washing double the clothes.

Vocabulary Quiz

agencies • chance • family
expense • double
  1. The only that isn't included in the rent is the electricity.
  2. You're getting to the age where you should be starting a .
  3. He's sent in photos to a few modeling , and they seem very interested.
  4. A baby should its birth weight by the time it's 4 months old.
  5. If you have the , can you get me an autograph?
Answer the following questions about the interview.

Try These Lessons


1140 Big Picture
1240 Big Picture
Vella talks about her life plans.

1239 Big Plans
1239 Big Plans
Daniel talks with Vella about his hopes.

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1238 More Freaks
Julia and Todd discuss certain traits.

1237 Freaks and Animals
1237 Freaks and Animals
Julia and Todd discuss certain lifestyles.

1236 Hotel for Her
1236 Hotel for Her
Erina's ideal hotel when traveling.
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About the Teacher / Creator

Hello, and welcome to elllo. My name is Todd Beuckens. I've been an ESL teacher for 25 years. I created elllo to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.
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