English, baby!

简体

Tattoos

Learn the Second Conditional

Date: Sep 02 2011

Themes: Alternative, Fashion

Grammar: Second Conditional

Go Super!

Intro

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

Go Super to Listen

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

Go Super to Listen

OK, so you totally love the Toy Story movies. Who doesn’t? Does that really mean you should get Buzz Lightyear’s face tattooed on your left shoulder?

People often get tattoos of things they love, things they want to remember, or things that are meaningful to them. Some people choose a tattoo just because they like the way it looks. But if you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, just remember: it’s permanent. You might want to start with a rub-on.

Amy got a tattoo when she was 17. Find out if she’s still happy she got it, as she and Jason talk about tattoos.

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.

Jason

Amy

Jason: I’m thinking about getting a tattoo.

Amy: What are you thinking of getting?

Jason: I want to get some kind of vines and leaves and stuff on my shoulder. There’s a basketball player I know who has that, and it makes him look really cool. He looks like a warrior, like a Roman or something like that.

Amy: I mean, if you were a pro basketball player, I would say go for it, because it’s probably gonna look pretty awesome. But in general, Jason, I’d advise you to take your time, really consider it. Maybe wait a year.

Jason: Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I don’t know. Do you have any tattoos?

Amy: I do, and I have to say, I kind of regret getting it.

Jason: Oh my gosh, you do? What is it?

Amy: It’s a flower. It’s sort of on my back. You know, I was an impulsive teenager. I got it with two of my best friends. We all got the same tattoo, and you know, it was sort of intended to mark a certain period of our lives and bind us together and, you know, remind us of our friendship.

Jason: Did it do that?

Amy: I guess so, I mean, we’re still friends. I don’t know, I just…it’s not really me anymore. But it’s, like, on my body forever.

Jason: But you can get it removed, can’t you? Have you looked into it? Why don’t you guys all get new tattoos together?

Amy: Well, it’s really expensive.

Jason: Oh.

Amy: Just remember, a tattoo is forever.

Jason: Yeah, I do like leaves and stuff, but maybe I should think about it and try to find something more meaningful or something. I just thought it might help my game. You guys stayed friends, maybe I could become a professional basketball player!

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Second Conditional" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen

Jason tells Amy that he is thinking about getting a tattoo. He wants one on his shoulder that will resemble the tattoo one of his favorite NBA stars has. Amy’s advice is to wait a year and then see if he still wants the same tattoo.

When Amy was a teenager, she and her two best friends got matching flower tattoos on their backs. They wanted the tattoos to symbolize their friendship. Amy doesn’t like the tattoo and would prefer to have it removed, but that is too expensive.

Amy and the girls she got the tattoo with are still friends. So Jason thinks that if he gets a tattoo like his favorite NBA player, maybe it will make him a better basketball player.

Do you have any tattoos? Would you ever get one? Do you like the way tattoos look on other people?

Comments

< Previous
21 through 40 of 67
Next >
1 2 3 4

jerryjeff

United States

I’m not too much into tatoos myself. But i don’t know I might wake up in Vegas with one on my face ;)...Some tats look good on some people some just look..well… not good. tattoos are tricky things, there are many factors you ought to consider prior to getting one. first your tattoo should mean something subtle or obvious. then you need to pick the tattoo itself. then you need to find a place on your body to place it on ( pick carefully).do you want it colored, or just outlined?.or the give it some thoughts and maybe you’ll realize you really don’t need one. A plain natural-looking body won’t hurt nobody.

tamago

Japan

I wanted to get a tatoo before. but I didn’t for some reasons.

It is good for me now .

thank you my friend.

RubyEy

China

I think it’s pretty cool to have a tatoo. But I’m afraid I’ll regret for it someday.

ykcanoe

China

i don’t know why people get tattoos,it may be cool for some people,but it’s unnatural

puella87

Egypt

I don`t like tatto because it is meaningless and ugly

Casybedar

United States

A permanent trace on your back…My music teacher has gotten a tattoo on his wrist.he has been written his Girlfriend’s name there.what happened then do u know? he broke with her gf..Oh My God… how can he get married anymore.? Can u think ? the woman who will be your wife will see your TATTOOS …he will be single until he will be forgiven by his old girl friend…intensely harmful,for impulsive teenies.God bless u^^

lolekesh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I like tatoo but my parents don;t like it.so bad:((

Aboodabdul

Yemen

I hate it because it is prohibitive in our relegion

almaghrabi

Australia

I don’t like it at all becuse it’s harmful for your body and it becomes so ugly once you get older. So, I like to be natural and see other people natural as well.

Jalal166

Saudi Arabia

regarding me, unfortunately that I haven’t one

I really like to have one

To have a tattoo there are certain things have to be in the consideration

first of all, as some said the tattoos are preferred to be non-permanent so u can later either remove them or even change

Second, the tattoos should be chosen after long contemplation

third, the place where u like to put the tattoos and as for me it is really amazing for male to have one on shoulder or forearm only but for female it is brilliant to have anywhere

fourth, as mentioned do not exaggerate on the size of tattoo otherwise will lose its positive features.

On my point of view, after commitment of these points u ganna get great tattoo. I am seriously planning to get one soon.

IlVA

Germany

i don’t really understand people prejudice about having tattoos and pierces. It is a free choice… And it a way to express your personality and how you see things.

Where I live, people can have tattoo, and it is accepted though there is no person with a whole tattooed body. Why we have to think about people who tattoo themselves and pierce or have stange look as freaks…

THAT’S TOO SAD. We would be much more in harmony if we accept such things… Humans do create it… and humans shall accept it and live with that…

IlVA

Germany

something meaningless which looks cute- yeah maybe would be my perfect tattoo…. people regret that somethimes things that have a meaning for us or important lose their importance as time passes… that’s why they regret it…

Maybe i’ll have my real tattoo in the neck… something SPONTANIOUS…

“it doesnt matter how it looks, enough to know is that it satisfies you”

sallydudu

Taiwan

Tattoo is very cool,and a beautiful art. It also has different meanings.In my contry seldom people do that.if they do,it must meas somthing special,like permanent friendship.

loonyblack

Indonesia

well…It’s strictly forbidden in my religion…
but if i can dream to have one, i would like to have Harry Potter’s lightning tattoo on my forehead…I’m crazy about Harry Potter…
So, I think that would be cool!!

esraa draz

Egypt

oh i don’t like tattos , it makes me ugly hehehheeh :)

Omar alsaqqaf

Yemen

I don’t like tattoos at all….I can’t imagine myself with a tattoos its really ugly ..

ramy-80

Syrian Arab Republic

the lesson is nice but i don’t like the tattoos

wwongsapun

Thailand

No, I don’t have and I don’t like tattos… At past Thai-social are disagree with tattoo so expression to bad or on the negative ….

i love life

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

this is prevent in islamic religion it against of islamic principle but in others countries to express about personality freedom i have to say some times some group who like to work in crime world used a tattoo for recognize thier members if happened some conflict between them i guess a women like a tattoo more than a men and all women used it for seduce men or excitment for me i dont like it i would like to be a good man all the time it.s to express about corrupt moral and i dont like to be dissipation perverse all greetings to us

gotravelenglish

United States

Obviously it’s up to each person, but there’s lots to think about. I live in Japan, tattoos are not widely accepted. Even if you don’t live here, but plan on traveling, I think you should think harder about tattoos. I think tattoos can be really cool, but there’s many things to consider. Life can be easier without them.

Skype English Lesson