English Listenign Lesson Lab Online
Views #77 | Low Intermediate 4

The Gym

Yoko talks her local gym and how she likes to stay in shape.
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Todd: OK, Yoko. We're gonna talk about exercise.

Yoko: Exercise!

Todd: Now, you go to a gym?

Yoko: Maybe three times a week.

Todd: OK.

Yoko: Yeah. If I can.

Todd: OK.

Yoko: Cause I have to.

Todd: Why? What do you mean? Why do you have to?

Yoko: When I went to the USA, I gained a lot. 20 pounds. That was too much for me. So I decided to go to lose weight.

Todd: OK.

Yoko: If possible.

Todd: How did you lose weight?

Yoko: I go to the gym and run, maybe 20 minutes. I'm too lazy. I can't keep running for hours. And anyway, soI do aerobics. Do you say aerobics?

Todd: Aerobics.

Yoko: Yes. Aerobics or something like that.

Todd: OK. That's it.

Yoko: That's it. And sometimes I swim. Yeah, but I like aerobics better than swimming.

Todd: Why?

Yoko: Because it's fun.

Todd: OK

Yoko: And the music and dancing. Yeah, it's more fun for me.

Todd: When you lost the weight did you also diet or did you just exercise?

Yoko: I just exercised cause I like eating. I love eating. I can't stop doing that, so... but I try my best not to eat chocolate too much.

Todd: Oh, that's your weakness. Chocolate.

Yoko: Yeah.

Todd: OK. Well, you look great so.

Yoko: Oh, thank you. You're so nice.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

exercise

I go to the gym and exercise.

To 'exercise' is to move your body in a way that makes you stronger.  This can mean lifting weights or doing something like running that makes your heart beat faster. Notice the following:

  1. What do you do for exercise?
  2. Exercise is a type of medicine.

have to

I exercise three times a week because I have to.

When we 'have to' do something it is an obligation.  We don't have a choice or an option. Notice the following:

  1. I have to read about 50 pages tonight.
  2. I have to get 93 on my exam to pass the class with an A.

lose weight

I weighed too much, so I decided to lose weight.

When we decrease how much our body weighs we are 'losing weight.'  We can do this by exercising more or changing what or how much we eat.  Notice the following:

  1. She wants to lose weight before her wedding.
  2. The doctor told him to lose weight.

if possible

I decided to lose weight, if possible.

We can add the phrase 'if possible' to a statement if we don't know that it is a real possibility. Notice the following:

  1. If possible I would like to exercise every day.
  2. Please try to be early if possible.

weakness

Chocolate is my weakness.

Your 'weakness' is what you can't say no to or resist.  In this case if there is chocolate you will eat it.  Notice the following:

  1. She knows all his weaknesses.
  2. He has a real weakness for potato chips.

Vocabulary Quiz

exercise • have to • lost weight
if possible • weakness
  1. She when she started working 60 hours a week.
  2. He swims every morning for .
  3. Please call me after you get the results.
  4. I wash my clothes today if I want clean clothes for tomorrow.
  5. Pasta is definitely my .
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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