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.
There are a lot of ways to throw money away. But betting on horse races at the track has to be one of the most exciting.
Horse racing in America is associated with wealth and prestige. People who breed and own thoroughbreds are usually rich, and major competitions like the Kentucky Derby have an air of old-fashioned elegance. But the average Joe at the track is a lot more likely to lose money than make any by betting on the races.
Amy recently went to the track. Find out if her luck was good as she and Marni talk about horse racing.
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.
![]() Amy |
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Amy: Have you ever been to the track for a horse race, Marni?
Marni: You know, I have not, but I’ve always been intrigued by it. You see it in the movies, and it just looks so cool. There’s so much excitement, and people are placing bets, and it’s just…Yeah, I’d like to go.
Amy: It’s true. I went this last weekend, and I have to say, it’s a weird combination of exciting and depressing.
Marni: How so? Depressing? I’ve never thought about that.
Amy: Well, for one thing, I too have sort of a romantic image of horse racing from the movies. Like, I picture people getting dressed up and wearing fancy hats and stuff. But it’s also just a place where people who are addicted to gambling go.
Marni: Ahh, yeah.
Amy: And I also feel kind of bad for the horses. I don’t know if they’re happy.
Marni: I was wondering about that. Do you think it’s kind of cruel in some sense, horse racing? ‘Cause yeah, is this what these horses want to be doing?
Amy: Right.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Past Progressive Tense" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
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Discussion
Marni tells Amy that she has always been curious about horse racing. She has never gone to the track, but she has seen a lot of horse races in movies. They always look fun and interesting to her.
Amy went to the track for the first time recently. She thought it was fun, but not as glamorous as she had imagined. She also felt sorry for the horses. It looked like neither they nor the gamblers losing money on the races were having much fun.
Have you ever seen a live horse race? Have you ever gambled at the track? Is horse racing popular in your country?
Comments
Kenya |
Kenya |
Peru |
Poland |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Germany |
Palestinian Territory, Occupied |
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Brazil |
United States |
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Hong Kong |
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South Africa |
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