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Leap Year

Learn the Zero Conditional

Date: Feb 29 2012

Themes: Time

Grammar: Zero Conditional

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Intro

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There’s something exciting about a leap year. Maybe it’s just that it only occurs once every four years. Or maybe it’s the idea of getting an extra day out of the year, like when we turn back the clocks for daylight saving time and get an extra hour.

In any case, February 29 doesn’t come around very often. So what will you do with your extra day? Hear about Jason and Marni’s plans.

Dialog

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Jason

Marni

Jason: I was trying to make some plans, and suddenly I realized that this is a leap year.

Marni: I know. We get an extra day.

Jason: It seems like it should be more of a holiday or something almost.

Marni: Yeah, I always feel that way, like you should do something really crazy on the 29th of February, because it only happens every four years.

Jason: My aunt was born on the 29th of February.

Marni: Wow.

Jason: She is gonna turn, probably, I think, you know, 13 or something.

Marni: Right. I always wonder how people who have leap year as their birthday, how they celebrate it, if they go the day before or the day after.

Jason: She does March 1st if it’s not there.

Marni: OK.

Jason: But it is a little confusing to have that 29th of February in that week. It just throws off the mental count of the days somehow for me.

Marni: Sure. It’s such a bonus that we get this extra day, and I always feel like I should seize this opportunity to do something amazing.

Jason: It’s so strange, too, that it even has to be there. I’m not even quite sure how that works. But it does.

Marni: Well, maybe we’ll do something epic this year for leap year.

Jason: Like long jump!

Marni: Yes.

Jason: Or ski jumping.

Marni: Sure. I’m not good at any of those things.

Jason: Or leap frog.

Marni: Leap frog! Now you’re on.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Jason reminds Marni that this is a leap year. Every four years, there is an extra day in February, the 29th. This is known as a leap year.

Marni thinks leap years are exciting. She and Jason both wish February 29th were celebrated like a holiday, since it’s such a special day. Marni views it as a bonus day. She suggests that she and Jason seize the opportunity to do something really wild or unusual. Jason suggests they play leap frog.

Are you excited that it’s a leap year? Are you going to do anything special on February 29th?

Comments

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21 through 33 of 33
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ola33

Japan

Lesya, don’t think what happened bad. It’s gone, think about a good future even if it’s a Leap Year, his ‘majesty’ One thing that fascinates me about that day that it’s like a Groundhog day. You can do whatever you want ( the good things I hope ;)) and it won’t be the same day like that one all the next three consecutive days.

m.ania

Poland

Finally after long winter it is a nice sunny day today on 29 february :-)

Maybe something nice will happen today ?

We have extra day !

julito

Argentina

LESYA, sorry to hear that you are going through some hardships .

Patts

Poland

For me this day is not very special. I haven’t known that it can be so amazing for some people. This is an usual day without an excitement. I have come back from church ( this day is the last one of my retreat ), than ate dinner and now I am wondering about what shall I do now. Maybe reading or learning? But nothing special :)

kotlesya

Belarus

Ola33, you have reminded me about the saying “Something happened because it’s a leap year”. Yes, it’s true.

When we all at the New Year table, meeting New Leap Year we all hope that it will not bring serious troubles.

This Leap Year has started not very well for me ( sorry for the details). Seems to be the saying works :,(

kotlesya

Belarus

Hello, Julito :) It’s a very nice idea, don’t you think?

Thank you for the interesting information

ola33

Japan

The Leap Year, by Russian tradition has always considered a hard year bringing misfortunes. I always remember that phrase,”Something happened because it’s a leap year”. Now I don’t pay much attention, and very happy for the extra day! I need it! Especially this year. And why not to do something remembering. I go to the restraunt today. Yeaahhh, what a bad luck :))) And I agree with Jason I don’t really know how it happens. And to ward off St Cassian’s evil is just to do a jump over him, like a leap frog. Yay!

julito

Argentina

LESYA ,hello, I have googled your question and got this… people put money under the plate on the 29th to attract prosperity.

kotlesya

Belarus

There is nothing special to be excited of. Usual working day. People in my country never do anything special on that day.

This morning I have celebrated the daughter of my cousin by phone. She was born in a leap year and celebrates her true birthday once per 4 years. The long distance between my country and my native country where all my kin live is a big obstacle. I mean I can’t congratulate all of them in their special days in person. I wish I could.

Maissoon

Syrian Arab Republic

February 29th is an excited day for sure; every four years to happen once. However, it’s unique day, I do nothing in. I conceder it as well as any day in the year.

kotlesya

Belarus

julito, nice tradition, but why do people put more money under the plate?

wings_of_a_butterfly

Turkey

See “Leap Year” in Leap year

julito

Argentina

In my country on the 29th of each month the tradition is eating ñoquis (pasta) and placing under the plate money for good luck.I guess that tomorrow people should put more money under the plate than usual.