Summary
Anna learns that someone at work looks a lot like her. But, who is this person? And what happens when they finally meet?
Conversation
ANNA: This article is so interesting. Pete, listen to this: “Somewhere in the world there is someone who looks just like you.”
PETE: No one is this handsome.
ANNA: Oh Pete, there's something between your teeth.
(Pete tries to clean his teeth.)
PETE: It is gone?
ANNA: No. No. It’s still there. There. You got it. But think of it: There could be two of us in the world!
PETE: Two Annas?
PROF. BOT: Two Annas? Today, we’re reviewing ways to describe and compare people. Keep watching for descriptions of people!
PETE: Actually, Anna, maybe your silly article is right. Yesterday at work, I met a woman who looks just like you.
ANNA: Really? Wait, are you making fun of me?
PETE: Not this time.
PETE: She’s tall and has curly hair. But even her face looks like yours. I think she’s a career consultant.
ANNA: I bet she has a lot of great advice. I can’t wait to meet her.
PETE: Yes, you can. I met her and she is very difficult.
ANNA: Pete, she’s just new. We have to give her a chance. What’s her name?
PETE: Evelyna or something like that. You can’t miss her. She always wears a hat.
PENELOPE: So, Anna, have you met the new consultant yet?
ANNA: No. But I’ve already heard. We look alike, don’t we?
PENELOPE: Yeah, but you don’t act alike. You’re much nicer than she is.
ANNA: Maybe she gets nervous at new jobs. Or maybe she's shy. Let’s not judge, Penelope.
PENELOPE: She’s not nervous or shy. She’s mean.
ANNA: You know, we should get to know her better. Let’s invite her to lunch!
PENELOPE: Sorry but I’m busy that day.
(Penelope walks away. Anna yells after her.)
ANNA: Oh, that’s too bad. Hey, I haven’t picked a day yet!
PROF. BOT: So, did you find anything? Here are a few things I found: Anna uses the words “look alike” to talk about the new consultant. She says, “We look alike, don’t we?”
PROF. BOT: Penelope uses “than” and the comparative adjective “nicer” to compare Anna with the new consultant. She says, “You’re much nicer than she is.” Keep watching for more!
(Anna and Pete are playing a game.)
ANNA: This is going to be so much fun. Boy, I can't wait to play this game.
EVILANA: How much longer are you going to be?
ANNA: We’ll be just a minute …
(Anna turns around and sees her look-alike.)
ANNA: You must be Evelana. I’m Anna. We are look-alikes!
EVILANA: No, we’re not. And my name is pronounced “Evil-ana.”
PETE: Oh. This is going to be fun.
EVILANA: You had better hurry up. I need this room for a lecture. It’s called: "If You Want to Win, Others Must Lose." What is all this stuff, anyway?
ANNA: It’s a game. We’re going to play at lunch.
EVILANA: It’s a stupid child's game!
ANNA: It's a fun game. But yes, it is for children.
EVILANA: Well, you may be childish but I’m not. And you look stupid with that thing on your head.
ANNA: Well, you look serious with that look on your face. Come on, Pete. Let’s play somewhere else.
PETE: Actually, I’m going to stay for Evilana’s lecture.
ANNA: Fine. You can learn new ways to beat people.
EVILANA: He will. He will.
(Days later, Anna and Penelope are playing the game. Pete comes in. He has a problem with his eye.)
ANNA: Okay. Am I a food?
PENELOPE: Nope.
PETE: Hey, do you guys have room for one more?
PENELOPE: Sure, Pete! Come on over. What happened to your eye?
PETE: Evilana “accidentally” hit me. And she didn’t even say sorry. She’s so mean!
PENELOPE: I told you so.
ANNA: Here, Pete. Put on this headband. You’ll feel better. Penelope, you’re right. Evilana is an awful person!
PENELOPE: And violent. And now we have to work with her!
ANNA: Haven’t you heard? She’s gone! She was given another assignment.
PENELOPE: What assignment?
ANNA: I’m not sure. I think it has something to do with outdoors. Anyway, let’s play! Pete it’s your turn.
New Words
alike – adj. similar in appearance, nature or form
article – n. a piece of writing about a particular subject that is included in a magazine, newspaper, or on a website
beat – v. to defeat
bet – v. to think that something will probably or certainly happen
compare – to look at two or more things in order to see what is similar or different about them
describe – v. to say what something or someone is like
difficult – adj. stubborn or unreasonable
handsome – adj. pleasing to look at
headband – n. a band of cloth or some other material worn on or around your head
judge – v. to form an opinion about
lecture – n. a talk or speech given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject
look-alike – n. someone or something that looks like another person or thing (also written: lookalike)
lose – v. to fail to keep or hold something wanted or valued
making fun - tease, laugh at, or joke about someone in a mocking or unkind way.
mean – adj. not kind to people; cruel or harsh
miss – v. to fail to see or notice
pronounce – v. to make the sound of a word or letter with your voice
shy – adj. feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
tooth – n. one of the hard white objects inside the mouth that are used for biting and chewing (plural: teeth)
turn – n. an opportunity or responsibility to do or use something before or after other people
violent – adj. using or involving the use of physical force to cause harm or damage to someone or something
Test Yourself
How well do you know the grammar from Level 2? Test yourself!
In today's lesson, you saw examples of grammar from other lessons. Look for sentences in Lesson 26 that have:
- comparatives
- passive voice
- had better
- would rather
- conditionals
- tag questions
- say, tell, speak or talk
Writing Practice
Today, you learned some new language for describing people.
We also reviewed comparative adjectives and sentences using the word than. For example, Penelope says, "You're much nicer than she is."
For more on comparatives, watch Lesson 5: Greatest Vacation.
Now, you try it!
Think of a person in your family, a friend or someone else. Then, describe the person. What do they look like? What do they act like?
Next, write a few sentences comparing yourself to that person with comparative adjectives and than. For example, "I'm taller than my friend."
Tell Us
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Listening Quiz
See how well you understand this lesson by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer.
Quiz - Lesson 26: Look-alikes
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Free Materials
Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website.
For Teachers
Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions.
Grammar focus: language for describing people; review of comparatives
Topics: talking about similarities and differences
Comments
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