English, baby!

Nedra Gets a Dog

Date: Apr 09 2002

Go Super!

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

barely

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

We’ve all had pets. When I was a child, we had a few dogs, a few cats, fish, birds and anything else my dad would let my mom bring home.
But it’s been a while since I have gotten a new pet. It sounds like fun, but there is a lot of work too.
Recently Nedra got a new dog. She loves him, but she has to train him to behave. Listen to her tell Migs about it in today’s conversation!

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Miguel

Nedra

Miguel: Nedra, how are things going with your new dog?

Nedra: Oh, he’s a sweetie, but he gets into trouble sometimes.

Miguel: Is he chewing stuff up?

Nedra: Yeah, he’s still a puppy so…

Miguel: Has he destroyed anything important yet?

Nedra: Oh yeah. He tore up the couch just the other day.

Miguel: Oh boy, the couch. That’s a big one.

Nedra: Yeah, we were pretty upset about it so…

Miguel: What do you do when he does something bad like that?

Nedra: Well, we’re trying to figure out what punishment is the best, um, maybe the bathroom, time-out or tying him up for a little bit.

Miguel: But you’re happy in general to have a new dog, right?

Nedra: Yeah, he’s pretty good most of the time. It’s just when we’re away he’s bad.

Miguel: So, is he just free to run around the house during the day?

Nedra: Not anymore. He’s in his crate and he likes his crate so I feel good about it.

Miguel: Now, what kind of dog is he again?

Nedra: We’re not sure. We’re gonna take him to the vet tomorrow and find out. I think he’s, um, German Shepard mix.

Miguel: So he’s a mutt.

Nedra: Yeah! Heinz Fifty-Seven.

Miguel: How big is he?

Nedra: He’s sixty pounds.

Miguel: That’s a pretty big dog.

Nedra: Yeah, I can barely hold him. It’s gonna make me gain some muscle.

Miguel: So, does he pull you down the street when you’re walking him?

Nedra: Not too bad.

Miguel: Does he chase cats?

Nedra: I don’t know yet.

Miguel: He hasn’t seen one yet?

Nedra: He gets excited around little animals.

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

Does a new pet sound like fun to you? I’m not sure anymore! :)
In the U.S., dogs and cats are the most common pets. People also have birds, fish, snakes, turtles, hamsters and other things.
What’s the most common type of pet in your country? If you could get another pet, what would it be? Come share at the Life Goes On message board!
Your American Friend,
John