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Views #1257 | Intermediate (B1)

Traveling to Taiwan

Hana talks about a trip she took to Taiwan and her thoughts of her trip and the country.

Hana: So Daniel, I heard you went on a vacation, where did you go?

Daniel: Yeah, I went to Taiwan.

Hana: Oh, sounds interesting. What did you do?

Daniel: Well, I did a lot of things. It's a really interesting place. I saw a lot of culture. I saw a lot of history. I went to beautiful places. They have like really, really beautiful nature. Everything was really, really good.

Hana: How was the food?

Daniel: Well, the food in Taiwan is amazing. You wouldn't believe how good it is. Everything tastes amazing. And the good thing about it, it's really, really cheap.

Hana: I see. Who did you go with?

Daniel: I went with a Taiwanese friend, so that was really good because I cannot speak Mandarin. And my friend helped me a lot with all the food, and that was really good because I really appreciated that.

Hana: How long did you go for?

Daniel: It was about eight days. And I think it was more than enough to get like a quick view of the whole island. It was really nice to go from Taipei in the north to some cities in the south. I think I got a really good impression of what Taiwan is.

Hana: Why did you go to Taiwan?

Daniel: Well I'm really interested in Asia and Asian cultures, and since it's really far from my background, I really want to get to know better all those cultures. And since for many western people are quite the same, I really want to find out those differences. And that's why I chose Taiwan.

Hana: I see.

Answer these questions about the interview.
Audio Lessons about Phrases and Vocabulary

a lot of

notesI saw a lot of culture. I saw a lot of history.

'A lot of' means 'much' and is used instead of 'much' in positive sentences. Notice the following:

  1. There is a lot of snow in winter.
  2. I have a lot of free time today.

You wouldn't believe

notesYou wouldn't believe how good it is.

The phrase 'you wouldn't believe, you won't believe, and I can't believe' are common phrases to show something is surprising. Notice the following:

  1. You wouldn't believe how beautiul Bali is.
  2. You won't believe how little it costs.
  3. I can't believe you didn't call me.

the good thing (about it / is)

notesEverything tastes amazing. And the good thing about it, it's really, really cheap.

We often use the phrase 'the good thing (is)' to express another unexpected benefit. Notice the following:

  1. I got a new job, and the good thing is I get to live near my girlfirend.
  2. This dish is really easy to make, and the good thing about it is it is really healthy.

a lot

notesMy friend helped me a lot with all the food

We use 'a lot' after a verb to show the action was done is large amounts. Notice the following:

  1. He talks a lot.
  2. She works a lot.

since

notesI liked the town, and since it was cheap, I stayed.

Since means 'because' in these sentences. Notice the following:

  1. Since it is raining, let's stay inside.
  2. Bob is late, but we should start dinner since the food is getting cold.

Vocabulary Quiz

a lot of • a lot • believe
the good thing • since
  1. The class is free, and is it fits my schedule.
  2. You won't what she is wearing today.
  3. He gets good grades because he studies .
  4. I cannot drink beer I am driving.
  5. He has talent, but no ambition.

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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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