Learn English: Meaning of Shark Tank

Intro

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

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• invest
• make it big
• pitch in
• universal

• entrepreneur
• pitch
• inventor
• platform

• impressive
• product

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

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Some people dream of working for themselves and not for someone else. Many of these people become entrepreneurs and open their own small businesses. But having your own business can be a lot of work and you might need money to get started. Where can these business owners go to get help?

“Shark Tank” is a TV show where entrepreneurs can go to pitch their ideas. The “sharks” listen to the ideas, and then choose if they want to pay for a part of the entrepeneurs’ business. It’s interesting to watch what the small business owners and inventors say to the sharks. And it’s even more interesting to hear what the sharks ask the entrepreneurs. The show is so popular that it can be seen in many countries around the world.

Jessica tells Gary about how much she enjoys watching the show. Learn more in today’s English lesson about getting in the “Shark Tank.”

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.

Gary

Jessica

Gary:  Jessica, I’ve been hearing about this show called “Shark Tank.”

Jessica:  I love that show, Gary!

Gary:  I didn’t know that.

Jessica:  I love it! It’s a great platform for inventors and small businesses.

Gary:  Right, right. What I understand about the show is that people go on. They pitch their ideas. And they tell these people, who have some money, “Here’s my product, here’s what I do. I’d love for you to invest in my company, so that I can make it big.” Right?

Jessica:  Exactly. That’s exactly what it is. And some of these inventors and really small business owners, who believe in themselves and believe in their product and actually get these investors to pitch in- they make it big. These are millionaires and billionaires now, who started from their garage.

Gary:  Right. That’s the universal appeal to it, is that you start from your garage and you make it up to this huge business.

Jessica:  It’s pretty impressive.

Gary:  I didn’t know that you enjoyed it so much.

Jessica:  I do.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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