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.
Most people are a little superstitious about something. Maybe, you have a lucky number or believe that a certain color is bad luck. Maybe, you avoid walking under ladders. Maybe, you even get nervous when you encounter a black cat.
People have believed that black cats are unlucky for a very long time. It is an old superstition that if a black cat crosses your path, something bad will happen to you. In fact, so many people fear black cats that these animals sometimes cannot find homes. They are left behind at shelters or have to live on the street. However, other people believe that black cats are just as sweet and amazing as any other cat. Black cats’ color makes them unique, not scary. Fans of black cats may even love them more because these kitties are one of a kind!
A black cat just crossed Jessica’s path. Listen to the dialog to find out what happens.
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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Jessica: Gary?
Gary: Yes?
Jessica: I’m not very superstitious, but when I was on my way here, a black cat crossed my path, and now I feel really unlucky. I’m really, really nervous.
Gary: What? Why do you feel nervous?
Jessica: Every single time I encounter a black cat, something terrible happens!
Gary: That’s really unfortunate. It’s a really unlucky superstition to think about black cats as bad. They’re actually really amazing, really beautiful. And oddly enough, they’re actually left alone and not adopted compared to other cats of different color, so they’re actually the saddest and loneliest cats.
Jessica: Oh, that breaks my heart! But still, I realize they may be one of a kind, but I wouldn’t adopt one. The last time I ran into one, I tripped and almost broke my foot.
Gary: Oh, I’m so sorry!
Jessica: So, yeah. I need to stay far, far away from black cats.
Gary: Well, I’ll go adopt that black cat so it has a nice, happy home, then.
Jessica: Thank you, Gary.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
A black cat just crossed the street in front of Jessica. She feels very scared and nervous because every time she has encountered a black cat, she’s had very bad luck. Once, she even fell down and almost broke her foot!
Gary is sorry to hear that, but he does not believe that black cats are unlucky. He actually believes that they are the saddest and loneliest of all cats because no one wants to adopt them. Gary thinks it is unfortunate that people are so afraid of black cats because they are really beautiful and amazing animals. Jessica agrees that it is heart-breaking that people will not adopt black cats. However, she still does not want one as a pet! She will leave it up to Gary to give a lonely black cat a good home.
Do you have any superstitions? Would you adopt a black cat?
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