﻿ VOA Special English - Lesson 14: How About This?

Lesson 14: How About This?

15 May, 2016

Anna: Hi, there! In Washington, D.C. people do many things in the evening. They go listen to music. They eat at a restaurant. They go to the theater.

Anna: Tonight I am going to the theater with my friends. But I don't know what clothes to wear. Maybe this magazine can help.
Anna: Her clothes are beautiful! I really want a friend like her to help me.
Anna: Who are you?
Genie: I am Genie! You want help. I am here to help you find the right clothes!
Anna: Awesome! How about jeans and a t-shirt?
Genie: No! Jeans and a t-shirt are too casual. How about something more formal?
Anna: Sure!
Anna: Wow! Genie, this dress is beautiful. But it's not the right size. It's too small.
Genie: Yes, it is too small. But green looks great on you.
Anna: Thanks.
Genie: Take off the green dress. Let's try a green shirt and a skirt.
Anna: Oh, Genie! This green shirt is too large and this orange skirt is too orange.
Genie: Yes, the right size for you is medium. Let's try again.
Anna: Oh, I don't like this outfit.
Genie: No. That does not match.
Anna: Nothing.
Anna: These clothes are formal: a suit jacket, a dress shirt and a tie! They look great!
Genie: Those clothes look great ... for a man! Something is wrong.
Anna: Let me see.
Anna: There. Now try.
Genie: Oh. Thanks! Now these clothes look great on you!
Anna: They do! Um, Genie, can you put on a gold belt?
Genie: Sure!
Genie: That looks great.
Anna: Can you put on a jacket?
Genie: Why not?
Anna: I love the jacket! How about a hat?
Genie: Why not?
Genie: Mm, take off the hat. That's better.
Anna: Genie, these clothes look and feel great! Let's go to the theater!
Genie: Sorry, Anna. I have to help other friends. Go to the magazine if you want me to help again.
Anna: Thanks, Genie. Sure thing. Goodbye!
Genie: Goodbye!
Anna: There are many places in DC to go for a great evening out! And it's nice to have a friend to help me look my best. Until next time! Bye!


New Words

casual - adj. designed for or permitting ordinary dress, behavior, etc
clothes - n. the things that people wear to cover their bodies and that are usually made from cloth
large - adj. great in size or amount
magazine - n. a type of thin book with a paper cover that contains stories, essays, pictures, etc.

man - n. an adult male human being

match v.to be suited to (someone or something); to go well with (someone or something)

medium - n. something that is sold in a medium size; something that is the middle size when compared with things that are larger and smaller
music - n. sounds that are sung by voices or played on musical instruments
nothing -pron. not anything; not a thing
outfit - n. a set of clothes that are worn together
put on - phrasal verb to dress yourself in (clothing)
size - n. one of a series of standard measurements in which clothing, shoes, etc., are made
take off - phrasal verb to remove (something)
theater - n. a building where plays, shows, etc., are performed on a stage
too - adv. usually used at the end of a sentence or clause; in addition; also
wearv. to use or have (something) as clothing; to have (a shirt, pants, etc.) over part of your body

Now it's your turn. write to us in the Comments section below or on 51VOA.COM to let us know what you think of this lesson.