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.
First thing in the morning, a smell starts spreading through the house. It’s strong, yet comforting. And the thought of warm coffee is enough to make even the most sluggish people get out of bed.
For many people, coffee is a daily ritual. Whether or not they admit that they are addicts, the caffeine is definitely the reason coffee gives them energy and helps them start the day. It’s a habit that many coffee shops have used to make money. They will brew coffee before it’s light outside, so that everyone on their way to work has a place to stop for their morning pick me up.
Too much coffee can have a negative effect, though. Extra caffeine can make people hyper. Some people start to shake. And, of course, buying coffee all the time can be expensive, too.
Are Marni and Jessica coffee drinkers? Find out in today’s English lesson about a popular drink.
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: Marni.
Marni: Um-hm.
Jessica: I am feeling a little sluggish right now because I have not had my coffee today.
Marni: Wow. Are you really that much of an addict to coffee?
Jessica: I am. It’s a daily ritual for me. The caffeine early in the morning. Sometimes a little pick me up in the afternoon.
Marni: Wow. So, you drink at least two cups a day?
Jessica: At least. Yes.
Marni: I just don’t get it. I know everybody in the world loves coffee, but I’m not a coffee drinker, so I just don’t really understand it when people feel the need for coffee.
Jessica: Really? Does it make you hyper?
Marni: No, I just don’t really care for it. I never have noticed that caffeine really affects me in any sort of way. I drink tea.
Jessica: Oh, you do? I love tea as well. There’s less acidity, I think, in the tea.
Marni: Yeah. It doesn’t make me feel crazy or anything. I had espresso once, and that was just too much.
Jessica: Oh, I bet. It makes me shake sometimes even when I have espresso. But I desperately need my daily coffee.
Marni: OK. So, do you take it with cream or sugar?
Jessica: Half and half, if it’s available. And Splenda.
Marni: Splenda, wow.
Jessica: Try to be a little healthier. Although Stevia I’ve recently been introduced to.
Marni: I would stick with Stevia.
Jessica: Yes. More natural.
Marni: All right. Let’s go get you some coffee.
Jessica: All right. Thank you.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Jessica lets Marni know she’s feeling a little tired. It’s because she hasn’t had any coffee yet, and she normally drinks coffee every day. She needs the caffeine to keep her going.
Marni seems surprised by how much coffee Jessica drinks. She doesn’t understand why so many people around the world love coffee. For her, it doesn’t really taste good. Although Marni says she isn’t affected by caffeine, it turns out she does drink tea.
Jessica drinks tea, too, but it’s not the same as coffee. For her, there is nothing better than a steaming cup of coffee. She does like cream and sugar, although she tries to be healthy by using Splenda or Stevia, two non-sugar sweeteners.
Are you a coffee drinker? What’s your favorite hot drink?
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