Lesson 19: When Do I Start?

Conversation

Anna: Hi there! Summer in Washington, D.C. is hot and sunny. I always ride the Metro to work. Riding the Metro is cool and fast. But today it’s closed. So, I am walking to work.

(On the phone) Ms. Weaver, I am late this morning. The Metro is closed. So, I am walking to work.

Caty: That’s too bad. It’s really hot today.

Anna: Yes it is.

Caty: When you arrive, please come to my office. I have important news to tell you.

Anna: Of course. Good-bye. My boss has news for me. The question is: Is it good news or bad news?

(At work)

Anna: Hello, Ms. Weaver.

Caty: Anna, I have good news and I have bad news. Which do you want to hear first?

Anna: The good news. No … okay, the bad news.

Caty: The bad news is you are not good at reading the news.

Anna: Oh. I am very sorry to hear that.

Caty: So, starting next month you will not read the news.

Anna: Next month is July. You are firing me in July.

Caty: No. I am not firing you in July … or in August or in September. That is the good news.

Anna: Okay. You are not firing me. I am not reading the news. What will I be doing?

Caty: Well, you are good at asking questions. You are good at talking to people. You are good at showing your feelings. And you are great at being silly.

Anna: Thank you, Ms. Weaver. But what does all that mean?

Caty: I have a new assignment for you! Your skills are perfect for a new show … a children’s show.

Anna: A children’s show ... That is awesome! When do I start?

Caty: You start next month. Start thinking of ideas for the show.

Anna: I have tons of ideas! I can show children what it’s like in outer space ...

Caty: Great …

Anna: … or in the deep, dark ocean …

Caty: Those are great ideas, Anna. Please go think of more … at your desk.

Anna: Yes. What other things can I show them? Mt. Everest! Everyone has different skills. You have skills. I have skills. The important thing is to know what you are good at. Until next time!

New Words

arrive - v. to come to or reach a place after traveling

assignment - n. a job or duty that is given to someone

child - n. a young person (plural: children)

closed - adj. not operating or open to the public

deep - adj. having a large distance to the bottom from the surface or highest point

everyone - pron. every person; everybody

fire - v. to dismiss (someone) from a job

idea - n. a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do

mean - v. to cause or result in (something)

month - n. any one of the 12 parts into which the year is divided

Mt. Everest - n. a mountain in Asia; it is the highest mountain in the world

ocean - n. the salt water that covers much of the Earth's surface

other - adj. used to refer to the one person or thing that remains or that has not been mentioned

outer space - n. the region beyond the Earth's atmosphere in which there are stars and planets

perfect - adj. having all the qualities you want in that kind of person or situation

silly - adj. playful or funny

skill - n. an ability to do something that comes from training, experience, or practice

ton n. informal: a large amount; in the US, a ton is a unit for measuring weight that equals 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms)