Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
You’ve invited the right number of people. You know exactly what you’re going to cook. You’ve chosen the music you want to play, and you’ve even decided where each person will sit. It’s going to be the perfect dinner party. Hosting is so much fun!
If you don’t want to plan and cook everything, you can always host a potluck. Potlucks are good for people with dietary restrictions because they can bring foods that fit their needs. But for people who enjoy being the host, a vegetarian or vegan guest just adds to the challenge of getting everything right.
In this English lesson, find out who likes hosting and who would rather not when Marni and Lily talk about dinner parties.
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.
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Marni: Lily, I received my invitation in the mail to your dinner party.
Lily: Oh, great! I’m so glad it found you in time. I’m so excited. It’s such a special occasion!
Marni: I am just so impressed that you actually enjoy hosting them because I think it’s such a hassle.
Lily: I love seeing the group dynamics of the different people that you get together. And the pride that you feel when you bring out that main course and everyone goes, “Wow. You made that? That’s awesome!”
Marni: For me, it’s just, if I have to host a dinner party, all the thought you have to put into it… Don’t get me wrong, I love a potluck. I plan on bringing my Grandma Sally’s famous triple layer coconut cake. I can only handle making one thing.
Lily: Do you have any dietary restrictions? Are you vegan or vegetarian or anything?
Marni: Oh, my goodness, yes. I’m vegan, I’m lactose intolerant. No gluten. So, please take all that into consideration.
Lily: OK. I’m taking notes, so I’ve got it down.
Marni: Thank you.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
It’s obvious that Lily’s excited to host her upcoming dinner party. She tells Marni that she enjoys watching different people talk with each other, and Lily likes it when her cooking is appreciated by her friends. It doesn’t even worry her that Marni has a lot of dietary restrictions. Lily’s going to do what she needs to so that her dinner party’s a success.
Marni enjoys a good dinner party like everyone else, but she would rather not be the host. Hosting feels like too much of a hassle to her. It’s a lot of work, especially when it comes to cooking. Marni is happy to cook one thing, but not everything.
How do you feel about hosting parties for your friends? Is it worth the hard work, or is it better to be a guest?
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