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.
For many children in the US, going to see a three-ring circus is an exciting thing. There are clowns who do tricks, elephants who dance, and even trapeze artists. For almost 150 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus was the most popular circus in the US. However, this famous show is now ending forever.
Many people have mixed feelings about this news. Seeing a circus is always exciting. However, circus animals don’t have very good homes. They must live in small spaces, almost like prison. Many people are happy that Ringling Bros. is closing because these animals can have better lives. They probably can’t be reintroduced into the wild, but they can live in nice animal sanctuaries. They will be more comfortable and happier.
Gary didn’t know that Ringling Bros. was closing. Listen to today’s English lesson to hear Andy tell him the news.
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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Andy_H: Have you heard of the Ringling Bros. closing? It’s over!
Gary: They closed it?
Andy_H: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circuses had 147-year run, …
Gary: Wow!
Andy_H: … and they are officially closing their circus show, which probably was the first show to include a three-ring circus, dancing elephants, dancing clowns, trapeze…. All of that is no more.
Gary: Wow! I can’t say that… I don’t even know… I’m happy. I’m sad. All the animals are going to be freed, I’m imagining. Maybe.
Andy_H: Freed or given, hopefully, enclosures to live their lives in. I’m not sure which ones can be reintroduced to the wild.
Gary: I doubt that. They could probably send them to a sanctuary, though.
Andy_H: They could.
Gary: There are sanctuaries all over the world to be able to help animals like that.
Andy_H: Well, let me tell you, I’m happy that it’s over because, seeing the way that some of these animals are treated, I…
Gary: It’s brutal.
Andy_H: It’s like prison.
Gary: Yeah.
Andy_H: And I’m happy that something that is causing animal suffering is over.
Gary: It’s a significant cultural shift for everyone just to say the words: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus. Like, it’s no more. It’s gone.
Andy_H: Yeah, I remember going as a kid.
Gary: This is amazing! Wow! Thanks for sharing the news.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Andy tells Gary that the famous three-ring circus, Ringling Bros., is closing. The circus was famous for almost 150 years and had many exciting things, like elephants and trapeze artists. At first, Gary doesn’t know what to say. He’s both happy and sad. However, both Andy and Gary are glad that the circus animals can now have better homes.
Andy doesn’t think that many of the animals can return to forests or jungles. However, they can go to animal sanctuaries. In the circus, these animals lived in very small spaces, similar to prison cells. Now, they can live in large enclosures and enjoy natural places. They will be happier and healthier. Andy and Gary will miss the circus, but they are very happy for the animals.
Did you ever see a circus? Have you visited an animal sanctuary?
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