Learn the Zero Conditional

Intro

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

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• shut up
• hit
• me time
• relax

• can't stand
• background noise
• siren
• remote

• racket
• creep out

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

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The expression “silence is golden” isn’t true for everybody. Some people can’t stand a lot of noise and like nothing better than a little peace and quiet. But others find silence uncomfortable. They prefer a little background noise at all times, and would rather it be too loud than too quiet.

But whether or not you think it’s golden, true silence is pretty rare. If you live in a big city, you’re constantly surrounded by noise from the street like car horns, sirens, buses and trains. Finding a few moments of silence can be a challenge at home, too, especially if you have children, a big family, or a lot of roommates.

It’s easier to find silence in remote places. But if you head out to the country in search of a little peace and quiet, don’t forget to silence your cell phone!
If you can stand a little noise now, listen to Ella and Marni chat about silence.

Dialog

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

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

Marni

Ella

Marni:  You know, Ella, that old expression “silence is golden”?

Ella:  Sometimes, maybe, but I don’t mind a little background noise.

Marni:  I just want some peace and quiet. I just want, you know, ten minutes of silence.

Ella:  For me, the house I live in is pretty old, so all the creaks and stuff like that kind of creeps me out. So for me, I love to have like background noise going on.

Marni:  I wonder if it’s my profession, you know, teaching. I just talk all day, I don’t shut up all day, so it just hits that point when I come home, I just want it to be quiet. I just want some peace and quiet. Just a little me time.

Ella:  Yeah, for me I feel like if it’s too quiet, then my thoughts just keep running and running and running. So it helps me relax when there’s some noise around.

Marni:  All that noise helps you relax? That’s fascinating. Yeah, I’m totally the opposite. I really, I think it sounds like a racket, so much background noise. Just shut up, you know?

Ella:  As soon as I get home I turn my laptop on, I have my stereo going, I throw on the TV. That just helps me relax.

Marni:  So you probably don’t really like going camping or getting out into the woods where it’s just quiet and still.

Ella:  Yeah, I usually bring a stereo if I go camping.

Marni:  Wow. Remind me to never go camping with you.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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