Gunman Kills More Than 50, Injures Hundreds at Las Vegas Concert

  A gunman killed more than 50 people and wounded at least 500 others Sunday night in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The attack took place at an outdoor country music show in Las Vegas, Nevada. A crowd of more than 22,000 had gathered for the Route 91 Harvest Festival, not far from Las Vegas’ famous Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. From the hotel’s 32nd floor, police say, a gunman opened fire on the people below. Luke Broadlick was in the crowd. He was recording the performance of musician Jason Aldean on his mobile phone when he heard the sound of gunfire. He moved his camera toward the direction of the noise. His video shows Aldean and other musicians running off the stage. Broadlick put the video on Twitter in the early hours of Monday morning. He wrote, “Insane … this JUST happened.” Later, he wrote. “I’m okay…the guys here are okay.” Another Twitter user, Austin Olson, posted a video from the same moment. In his video, you can hear the sound of rapid gunfire, shots coming one after another. The people in the crowd are lying on the ground, trying to avoid the bullets. The huge Mandalay Bay Hotel is visible.   Police have identified the shooter as Stephen Paddock. They said he broke the windows of his room so that he could target the people below. Las Vegas police later broke into Paddock’s hotel room. They found him dead. Police also said they found 10 guns, including rifles, in Paddock’s room. (advance to 17:30 for audio)   Kodiak Yazzie was at the concert. Yazzie spoke with the Associated Press. “It was the craziest stuff I’ve ever seen in my entire life," Yazzie said. "You could hear that the noise was coming from west of us, from Mandalay Bay. You could see a flash, flash, flash, flash.” Yazzie was describing the burst of fire coming from the gun high above the concert area. In a two-minute-long video recorded on a cell phone, the first round of gunshots lasts for about 10 seconds. More shots start about 40 seconds later. People can be heard saying, “that’s gunshots,” “get down, stay down.” More bullets come again about 30 seconds later.  Aldean, the singer who was performing when the shots broke out, wrote about the experience on Instagram. He said he and his crew members were safe. He wrote: “It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.”     Singer Jake Owen was on stage with Aldean when the shooting started. He told CNN that “the shooting was going on for at least 10 minutes. It was nonstop.” Another witness told a Las Vegas newspaper that the shots were “relentless.” Before Sunday, the deadliest shooting in U.S. history took place in June of 2016 in Orlando, Florida. A gunman killed 49 people at a gay nightclub. Buddy Dyer is the mayor of Orlando. On Twitter, he expressed his support for the people of Las Vegas. “Our community stands with Las Vegas during this difficult time,” he wrote.  President Donald Trump spoke about the shooting Monday morning. He described it as “an act of pure evil.” He ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff to honor those who died. “In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one. And it always has,” Trump said. Former president Barack Obama called the shooting “another senseless tragedy.”  Politicians around the world offered their support for the United States and the people affected by the shooting. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wrote, “Japan expresses its sincere solidarity with the Government of the United States and the people of the United States as they try to overcome this difficult time.” I’m Ashley Thompson, and I'm Caty Weaver. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reports by VOANews.com, The New York Times and The Associated Press. Ashley Thompson was the editor. How do you feel about the shooting in Las Vegas? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   country music – n. a style of music that developed in the southern and western U.S. and that often contains lyrics relating to the lives of people who live in the country casino – n. a building or room that has games (such as roulette or blackjack) for gambling festival – n. an organized series of performances post – v. to add (a message) to an online message board relentless– adj. continuing without becoming weaker, less severe, etc. flash – n. a sudden bright light tragedy– n. a very bad event that causes great sadness and often involves someone's death solidarity– n. a feeling of unity between people who have the same interests, goals, etc.  

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Let's Teach English Unit 5: Role-Plays

Welcome to Let's Teach English. This series offers free online training for English language educators worldwide. Voice of America and the University of Oregon are partners on this project. In this lesson, the teacher presents the learning strategy summarize. Summary In this lesson, the teacher sets up a marketplace to use in a shopping role-play. We join the class as the teacher is reviewing common phrases for shopping exchanges. Students separate into groups using a method that requires them to talk with each other. Students use new language in a authentic context through their role-plays. The shoppers and shopkeepers have different information. This creates a purpose for their communication. Teacher Preparation Video Transcript This episode shows a model of teaching through role plays and group projects. Click on the image below to download a pdf of the transcript. Women Teaching Women English Text Click on the image below to download a pdf of the student text and teacher manual. At the end of the ten-unit course, the whole book will be available for download. Women Teaching Women English Listening These audio files go with Unit 5 of Women Teaching Women English. Click on the "Direct Link" button to the right of the player to download them. Conversation:   Reading: What Do You Think? Let us know what you think about this course. Email us or write your comment in the comments section below. Poll

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Las Vegas Shooting

Police in Las Vegas, Nevada say a man opened fire on a country music concert late Sunday, killing at least 50 people and wounding more than 400 others, in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt: Powerful

   VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He was related to an earlier president with same last name, Theodore Roosevelt. Many Americans call Franklin Roosevelt by the first letter of each word in his full name: FDR. When FDR took office, the United States was in a severe economic depression. The previous president, Herbert Hoover, had tried to improve the economy, but his efforts had failed. FDR defeated Hoover in the election of 1932. He won, in part, by promising what he called a “new deal” for Americans. Voters did not know what FDR’s “new deal” meant exactly, but many liked his message of hope. Voters also did not know how much FDR would change the country. He remained in office for 12 years – the longest of any U.S. president – and led the country through the Great Depression and most of World War II. Along the way, he changed the way government affected Americans’ lives, and the job of the U.S. president. Early life Franklin Roosevelt was born on a large estate in New York, about 140 kilometers outside New York City. He was the only child of wealthy parents. His mother and father made sure he had an excellent education. As a young man he attended a private high school, and then Harvard College in Massachusetts. He also studied law at Columbia University in New York. Young FDR was not an excellent student, however. He was interested in many things outside the classroom, including politics and girls. Two of FDR’s interests came together in a young woman named Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, who went by the name Eleanor. She was the niece of a politician FDR greatly respected: President Theodore Roosevelt. On the day when Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were married, Theodore Roosevelt attended the ceremony. In fact, he walked with his niece in front of the guests to her future husband. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt went on to have six children, although one died as a baby. While Eleanor Roosevelt raised the children, Franklin Roosevelt directed his attention to politics. He left a job in a law office to serve in the New York state senate. In time, he was offered a job in the federal government as an assistant secretary of the Navy. FDR enjoyed the job, but he continued seeking other political positions. He tried unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate, but did get nominated by the Democratic Party to be its vice presidential candidate in 1920. Although he and his partner lost the race, FDR seemed like he was in a good position for major political success. But then something unexpected happened. Illness and return to politics When he was 39 years old, FDR suffered major health problems. One day he started to feel a pain in his back. The following day his legs grew tired. Then his skin became sensitive. By the end of the week, both his legs were paralyzed. He could not move from the waist down. He remained paralyzed for the rest of his life. The next years were difficult for the Roosevelts. Eleanor and the children helped care for FDR. And he worked hard to recover some of his strength and physical abilities, especially by exercising. While he remained hopeful about his condition, FDR worried about his political career. He did not think the public would accept a leader who could not even walk by himself. So he took several measures. He created a small wheelchair that would not get too much attention. It was made from a dining room chair, with wheels instead of legs. He refused to let photographers take pictures of him being carried or struggling to move, and he found a way to appear as if he were walking. He used a cane or the arm of a partner to balance, and then he swung his hips to make his legs move forward. Using this method, FDR “walked” to the stage at the 1924 Democratic National Convention. He used the event to nominate the governor of New York for president. That man’s bid did not succeed. But FDR showed himself to still be an able politician. Four years later, FDR himself was elected governor of New York. He held the position in the early years of the country’s economic crisis. In 1932, FDR was a candidate for president. He took the unusual step of appearing in person at the Democratic convention to accept his party’s nomination.  His campaign was such a success that the Democrats took not only the White House, but majorities in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The strength of the Democratic Party in Congress would help FDR become one of the most powerful presidents the country had ever seen. Next week we will continue our story of FDR and his presidency. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly. Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Listening Quiz  See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story estate - n. a large piece of land with a large house on it niece - n. a daughter of your brother or sister paralyzed - adj. unable to move or feel all or part of the body swing - v. to move backward and forward or from side to side while hanging from something stage - n. a raised platform in a theater or auditorium where the performers stand

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Hurricane Maria Hit Puerto Rico’s Giant Telescope

  Hurricane Maria severely damaged Puerto Rico’s electricity and communications systems. Millions of people there are without power, water or food. The storm also caused damage to a well-known scientific tool in the U.S. territory – the Arecibo Observatory. Until last year, it was the largest single telescope of its kind in the world. Many of the observatory’s instruments appear to be unharmed. Arecibo Deputy Director Joan Schmelz called that “a thing to be thankful for” in an interview with the Associated Press. But a large antenna used to study the Earth’s upper atmosphere broke during the storm, the AP reported. Damage to the observatory is estimated to be in the millions of dollars. The observatory is home to the Arecibo radio telescope, a 305-meter- wide dish. It collects radio waves and focuses them onto scientific instruments that measure and process them. The instruments are suspended above the dish on towers over 80 meters high. During the storm, a small group of researchers remained at the observatory. They stayed in its concrete buildings. They had some food and water, but, like most in Puerto Rico, were cut off from the rest of the world. Perhaps not surprisingly, the first people that the researchers were able to contact after the storm were amateur radio operators. Storm costs could threaten future operations The storm damage threatens the telescope’s future in several ways. It is supported by the National Science Foundation, or NSF, in Alexandria, Virginia, as well as the U.S. space agency, NASA. Funding limitations and the desire to build and operate newer telescopes has made the NSF think about cutting its support for older telescopes. Arecibo could face closure if money cannot be found to repair it and to continue operations. The Arecibo radio telescope has been involved in well-known scientific research since first being used in the 1960s. It was used to find an unusual kind of star system, a binary pulsar, in 1967. The discovery received a Nobel Prize in 1974. The telescope can be used to study radio signals coming from space. It also can send out radio waves as radar. Radar can be used to study conditions in the Earth’s atmosphere and detect asteroids that pass dangerously close to Earth. The huge dish was also part of the SETI project, an effort to search for signs of extraterrestrial life. The Arecibo telescope was surpassed in size last July by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope in Guizhou, China. Repairs will take time Hurricane Maria, a category four storm, left most of Puerto Rico’s 3.4 million U.S. citizens without power or basic necessities. Telephone communications were nearly wiped out, as the storm destroyed cell phone towers. The observatory is expected to be closed for some time because of the damage. Scientists may be able to carry out some kinds of observations soon, but others will not be possible for a long time. James Ulvestad is acting director for NSF’s math and physics directorate. He said research, like bouncing radar off of other planets, requires a lot of power from the island’s electricity grid, which was severely damaged by the hurricane. The recovery response has been slow, as supplies need to be flown in or shipped to the island. President Donald Trump has promised the island aid. Damage is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Meanwhile, workers with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are trying to set up aid centers across the U.S. territory. Puerto Rico’s government is also burdened by tens of billions of dollars in debt that it is unable to pay. The island is seeking protection from its creditors in the biggest government bankruptcy in U.S. history. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted this story from an AP report and additional material for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.​ ________________________________________________________________ QUIZ Test your comprehension of the story with this quiz. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dish – n. a round, curved surface focus – v. bringing light rays or some other electromagnetic radiation closer together to form an image detect – v. to find, to confirm the presence of asteroids – n. rocks or planet-like objects that orbit the sun amateur – n. a person who does something for pleasure and not as a job extraterrestrial – adj. beyond the Earth, from space electricity grid – n. the system of generators, transformers and wires designed to provide electricity to a large area burden – v. to carry or to deal with a heavy or difficult load  

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Refugee from Ethiopia Becomes Rich in the US

  Tashitaa Tufaa grew up in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. He worked on his family’s farm with his 13 brothers and sisters, until he left to become a school teacher. In time, Tufaa became involved in politics. He helped campaign for a political party that opposed the majority Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. Soon, Tufaa felt he was not safe and decided to leave. He entered the United States in 1992 as a refugee. Tufaa settled in Minneapolis, a large city in the northern state of Minnesota. There, he began working as a dishwasher. He also worked at manufacturing companies and as a security guard. Sometimes he had two or three jobs at the same time. But he did not earn enough money at these jobs to support his wife and five children. So he began working evenings and weekends driving older people and people with disabilities to and from work. He says he fell in love with transportation. In 2003, he and his brother decided to open their own transportation company. He began with his wife’s van. Soon, schools began using their service. School officials told other schools about the excellent service Tufaa was providing. The company grew. Metropolitan Transportation Network now has almost 300 buses and vans that take children to schools across the state. Each day, Tufaa’s company transports more than 15,000 children to schools and other places in Minneapolis, as well as to other cities. More than 300 people now work at the company. It recently moved to a new, larger operations center. Tufaa says he has always worked to keep students safe. Minnesota has long, snowy winters. Many buses bring children to their homes and drive away. But Tufaa pays his drivers to wait until the students are inside their homes or are met by an adult. He also works to help others in the Oromo community. The Minnesota Historical Society estimates 40,000 Oromos live in Minnesota. Tufaa helps his employees who want to start their own business. Since 2012, three former employees have started their own successful transportation companies. Tufaa says, "The greatest gift I think you can give people like you is that it can be done and I feel like I’ve done that.” He says his success is a lesson for all African immigrants working to become successful in the United States. “When a person is free, you can do anything,” he said. “So appreciate what you have, work so very hard, and get rid of the wrong pride we have back home that if you have a college degree you have to be in a professional line [of work], and you can’t dig the potatoes or do the dishes. Work is work, and go out there and do what is available. Be proud of it.” Tufaa believes his experience shows that, for those willing to work hard, anything is possible. He told VOA, "I do not believe in giving up.” I’m Jonathan Evans.   Salem Solomon and Tigist Geme reported this story from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   appreciate - v. to be aware of something; to recognize or understand something region - n.  a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way  

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Nepal to Re-Measure Mount Everest

There is no doubt that Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. But how tall is it, exactly? And did the powerful earthquake the struck in the high Himalayan Mountains two years ago reduce its size? To answer these questions, Nepal has started an ambitious two-year project to re-measure the famous mountain. Officials working on the project hope to put an end to conflicting information about the mountain’s size. The project is also about national pride. Until now, the measurements of Mount Everest have mostly come from Indian and Chinese studies. Now Nepal, a small mountainous country, wants to decide the height of Everest on its own. National pride Everest is on the border between Nepal and China. Ganesh Prasad Bhatta is director general of Nepal’s Survey Department. He calls Mount Everest “Nepal's baby.” "I used to say since the birth (discovery) of Mount Everest, Nepal has not measured it,” Bhatta said.   But Nepal has the ability to do so, he said. And the new project will help show that Nepal is able to, in his words, “carry out any kind of challenging survey work on its own.” Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 mountains that are taller than 8,000 meters. Everest is the mountain that is most central to the country’s economy. Every year, climbers from around the world come to try to reach its peak. This brings the country millions of dollars. ​History of measurement The first-ever measurement of Everest was made in 1854. But its most widely accepted height – 8,848 meters – was measured some 100 years later by an Indian survey team. In 1999, an American team used satellite technology to measure the mountain. The team determined that Everest was 8,850 meters -- a little taller than earlier studies had found. But six years later a Chinese mission to Everest lowered its height. It found that the rock height of the mountain was 8,844.43 meters. Those findings started a dispute between Nepal and China. Nepal said that the measure of a mountain is its snow height. So, officially, Everest’s height has remained 8,848 meters. A change in climate In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. It caused major landslides on Everest. People have since questioned whether the quake changed the mountain’s height. Experts also worry that climate change may affect the mountain. Climbers and locals say parts of Everest's main trail are becoming rockier as they lose snow cover. India offered to remeasure the mountain earlier this year. However, some Nepalese felt that the next measurement of Everest should be done by a team from their own country. An opinion article in Nepal’s Kathmandu Post said, "It is our property and our heritage. We have to determine the height of our property ourselves with modern technology in a way that satisfies the researchers of the world. This is our responsibility." Yurbaraj Ghimire is a Nepalese commentator. He said people in Nepal feel it is important to not just find the true measurement of Everest, but also to have a measurement of their own. “They are bit emotional about it,” he said. A final decision Nepal hopes to deliver the final measurement of the mountain in two years. Bhatta said his office is finalizing its methods. A team of Sherpas will go to the top of Everest with measuring equipment in April or October of next year. Officials say they hope to get international support of the data. They also say they may also permit international scientists to join the project, Bhatta said. "We want to assure the international community that whatever has been done has been done accurately with standard methodology and there should not be any question about the results, whatever we produce," he said. As scientists aim to end the debate on the height of Everest, people who live in the area have different concerns. Ang Tshering Sherpa is one of them. He is an experienced mountaineer, and grew up in a village next to Everest. Sherpa said some locals believe that Mount Everest is huge, unchanging, and strong. But he said he has observed how climate change is affecting the mountain. "…The truth is this is one of the most vulnerable areas in the world because of the impact of climate change. White snow peaks and glaciers are melting rapidly,” Sherpa said, adding that the melting is happening faster than ever. I’m Ashley Thompson. And I'm Phil Dierking.    This story was written by Anjana Pasricha for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted the story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. How tall are them mountains in your country?  Are they affected by climate change? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________ Words in This Story accurate - adj. free from mistakes or errors​ challenge - n. to test the ability, skill, or strength of someone or something) commentator - n.  a person who discusses important people and events on television, in newspapers, etc.​ doubt - n. to call into question the truth of endorse - v.  to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of someone or something) heritage - n. the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation​ magnitude - n.  a number that shows the power of an earthquake​ mission - n. a specific task with which a person or a group is charged peak - n. the top of a hill or mountain ending in a point rapid - adj. marked by a fast rate of motion, activity, succession, or occurrence satellite - n. a machine that is sent into space and that moves around the earth, moon, sun, or a planet​ sherpa - n. a member of a people who live in the Himalayas and who are often hired to help guide mountain climbers and carry their equipment​ survey - n.  an act of measuring and examining an area of land​ vulnerable - adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally​

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School in Egypt Struggles to Help African Refugee Children

  Educators and volunteers in Egypt are teaching the children of refugee families from many African countries. They are working with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, churches and non-governmental organizations, or NGOs. Chris Rupke is a teacher at the African Hope School in Ma’adi, a town near Cairo. It is one of about 60 schools in Egypt for refugee children. Rupke told VOA that some of the children he teaches have lost one or both of their parents. “Some of them have a mother, some of them have a father, some of them might be living with aunts or uncles, or some of them might be living with tribal members and they call them aunts or uncles.” “Nuclear families as we know them in the West are not that common here,” Rupke adds. Rupke says that one boy was so traumatized by what he had seen in his home country that he was unable to speak. Then, a psychologist at the school got him to draw pictures of what had happened. “She had him draw pictures. And what he drew was his village. She asked him ‘draw your village,” and he drew his village, and he drew his father and his mother and his siblings, and they were in pieces. When she said ‘where’s your father?,’ he pointed to some pieces on the ground.” After he drew the picture and worked with the psychologist, the little boy began to talk. Jean-Pie has taught at the African Hope School since 2003. The school teaches about 460 students. Jean-Pie told VOA that when he began, he and his co-workers went looking for refugee children under Cairo's bridges and in its public gardens. He learned how to persuade them to come to school. “We have a school here. So we can put you there. It’s free,” he told them. “There’s food, and when they hear about food, then they come.” Most classes at the refugee schools are taught in English. The students learn math, Arabic, science, literacy, social studies, computers and personal development. African refugee families often struggle to earn enough money to pay for food. One NGO that is providing aid is Refuge Egypt. The Anglican Church in Cairo operates the group. It gives refugees sugar, flour, cooking oil and free medical treatment at a health clinic it operates. It can be difficult for many African refugees to stay in Egypt. They must receive an “asylum-seeker card” from the United Nations refugee agency. A spokesman for the UNHCR Cairo office tells VOA that the card protects refugees from being deported to their home countries. An agreement between the UNHCR and Egypt reached in 1954 permits refugees from some countries to send their children to Egyptian schools and to receive care at government-operated medical facilities. But Egyptian government schools are often too crowded to accept many refugee students. And some of the children do not speak Arabic. So it is difficult for them to learn. Most refugee children like going to school. They love to play with other children and learn. Chris Rupke says teachers work hard and show the students love. “We do know that the students love to come here, because they know it’s a safe place, and it is a place that they will see love.” I’m Caty Weaver.   Correspondent Edward Yeranian reported this story from Cairo. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   nuclear (family) - adj. the part of a family that includes only the father, mother, and children — compare traumatize - v. to cause (someone) to become very upset in a way that often leads to serious emotional problems : to cause (someone) to suffer emotional trauma psychologist - n. a scientist who specializes in the study and treatment of the mind and behavior : a specialist in psychology sibling - n. a brother or sister clinic - n. a health center, often small facility - n. something (such as a building or large piece of equipment) that is built for a specific purpose

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Everyday Grammar: The Disappearing That

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America's Presidents - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Lesson 5: Greatest Vacation of All Time

Summary Anna goes to a travel agent to find the Best Vacation Ever! But does she? Travel agent Ace wants to sell her the Most Expensive Vacation Ever. But does he? Conversation   Anna: “Do you need a vacation?” Wow. That was the best vacation I have ever had … in my head. A beach is much better than here. I need a vacation! Professor Bot: I hear you, Anna. I need a vacation too but not at the beach. Sand is not good for robots! When we compare things, we use special forms of adjectives. "Better" is a comparative adjective. That is used to compare two things. "Best" is a superlative adjective. It shows that one thing has more of ...something than ALL of the others. Try to find more of these adjectives. Look for ER or EST at the end. Ace: NO! You can’t get your money back. I don’t care that it was your worst vacation ever! Ace: Hello! Have a seat! Welcome to the World’s Best Vacation Travel Agency! Anna: Thank you and congratulations! Ace: For what? Anna: For being the world’s best travel agency. Ace: Right … thanks. Ace: Trudy, hold my calls. I am going to sell our most expensive vacation. Trudy: Sure thing, Boss.     Ace: The Mountain Getaway is good for you. It’s a little pricey. But think of it -- you, on top of a mountain for seven days! Anna: I’m afraid of high places. Ace: Of course you are. That’s why our Deep Sea Adventure is better for you! It is pricier than the Mountain Getaway. Just you and the animals of the sea! Anna: Shark! Shark! Ace: No, there are no sharks in your dream vacation! You need the Safari Camp Out! It is our priciest vacation. But I think it’s the best one for you. During the day, you’ll see elephants, giraffes and lions. At night, you’ll sleep out under the stars. Anna: Look, I think this was a bad idea. Ace: Sure, you can leave. But then you won’t see the latest vacation technology. Professor Bot: Did you find all of those adjectives? Dan started with good - The mountain getaway; then he moved to better - The Deep Sea Adventure. And finally, he said the Safari Campout was the best vacation for Anna! Anna: Exactly what is the “latest vacation technology” … exactly? Ace: I’m happy you asked. Meet the Travel Max 2000! Anna: Wow. Ace: So, tell me, how do you like to travel? Anna: Well, I like travel that is cozy and romantic but still exciting. Ace: Great. Tell me more. Anna: I like traveling in a plane but not in a helicopter! Planes are a little scary but helicopters are scarier! My favorite way of traveling is by train. Ships can be the scariest! Have you seen the movie “Titanic”? Oh, and no horses. But I will ride a camel. And no bike tours. Biking is THE slowest AND least romantic way to travel. Excuse me, but I think the Travel Max 2000 is on fire. Ace: Yes, we’re both on fire! We really want to sell you the most ex-, I mean, best vacation ever! Anna: No, I mean it’s really on fire! Ace: You killed it. You killed the Travel Max 2000! Anna: I am so sorry! Can I help you fix it? Ace: No, no! Anna: Don’t cry. I know what you need -- a vacation! Anna: The Safari Campout looks fun. It is the priciest. But I think you deserve it. Ace: No, no! Professor Bot: Oh Anna. This is the smokiest lesson yet! There were a lot of comparatives and superlatives but … I can’t breathe. Just go to the website to learn the best ways to use them!   New Words agency - n. a business that provides a particular service camel - n. a large animal of Africa and Asia that has a long neck and one or two large humps on its back and that is often used for desert travel campout - n. an occasion when people go camping together Congratulations -n. a message telling someone that you are happy because of his or her success or good luck cozy/cozier - adj. small, comfortable, and warm deserve - v. used to say that someone or something should or should not have or be given something getaway - n. a short vacation latest - adj. most recent least - adj. smallest in amount or degree on fire - expression. in the process of burning / feeling very strong enthusiasm, love, etc. pricey - adj. costing a lot of money​ sink - v.  to go down below the surface of water smoke - n. the cloud of black, gray, or white gases and dust that is produced by burning something​ technology - n. the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems​ vacation - n. a period of time that a person spends away from home, school, or business usually in order to relax or travel​ worst- adj.  least appropriate, useful, or helpful   Learning Strategy The learning strategy for this lesson is ​Make Associations. We make associations between words and ideas each time we use language.   When learning a second language, it is best to connect new words or sentence patterns directly with ideas or experiences, not with words in your first language.  The associations may help you remember new words better. In this lesson, Anna makes associations between mountains and high places. She is afraid of high places, so she does no want to go to the mountains. She is also afraid of wild animals, which she associated with the Safari Campout. So she decides not to take those vacations. How about you? How do you make associations while you are speaking English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email.    Listening Quiz See how well you understand this lesson by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer. Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. For Teachers Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus:  Review of ​comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives​ Topics: Asking for Information; Comparing different vacations and transportation Learning Strategy: Make Associations   Comments Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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