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.
Have you seen “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?” It’s a famous Disney movie from 1937. In the story, a girl meets seven dwarves (or very short men) in the forest. The dwarves have a difficult job that they must do every day. To help them complete their work, they sing and whistle.
When you have a repetitive task that needs doing, there are many ways to make the experience less boring. You can sing or listen to music. You can eat or chew gum. You can chat with a friend. Or, if you have the skill, you can whistle while you work. Why not give it a try?
Brian doesn’t realize that his whistling is causing a problem for Kellie. Find out how they work it out by reading today’s English lesson.
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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Kellie: Hey, Brian? I’m just trying to get a little bit of work done here. Do you mind not whistling?
Brian: Oh, was I whistling?
Kellie: Yeah, you were.
Brian: Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t even realize when I do. Sometimes when I’m just doing a repetitive task, I start whistling.
Kellie: Oh, that’s OK. I understand the “whistle while you work” thing. Yeah. Also, I can’t whistle, so I may be jealous, but…
Brian: Oh. It’s a skill you have to hone.
Kellie: Oh, really?
Brian: Yeah.
Kellie: Well, you are very skilled at it, I have to say.
Brian: Oh, thank you. I heard it was hereditary, but no one in my family can whistle.
Kellie: Everyone in my family can wiggle their ears, which is pretty cool. So I’ve always wanted to learn how to whistle. Maybe you can teach me?
Brian: Oh, yeah. I’ve never tried teaching anyone, but yeah. Let’s give it a try.
Kellie: OK.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Gerunds vs. Infinitives" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
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Discussion
Kellie can’t do her work. She’s not too tired. Her work isn’t boring. And Kellie isn’t thinking about someone or something else. Brian just won’t stop whistling!
What’s interesting is that Brian doesn’t even know that he’s whistling. When he has to do the same things over and over, Brian starts to whistle. Kellie understands why he does it, and she even asks Brian to teach her how. But she still needs him to stop if she’s going to get her work done.
Can you whistle? Does it bother you when other people whistle?
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