Ashlie: You really were serious, weren’t you?
Stephen: Of course I was!
Ashlie: Stephen and I are going to York in the north of England today. We’re going to do some archaeology, but Stephen wants to take his metal detector.
Stephen: Well, I want to try out my new present. York is famous for its history. I want to find some real treasure! An old sword, an ancient coin...
Ashlie: …an old tin can! Yeah, right. It’ll be the same as every year; you get a new toy and then you get bored of it after five minutes.
Stephen: Oh, stop moaning. It's a long drive to York. And whatever you do, don't forget your wellies. History hunting's dirty work.
.....
Ashlie: Oh, wow Stephen, look. Look at this shop. They sell real pieces of history in here.
Stephen: Come on, let’s go in and have a look.
Ashlie: Excuse me. Are these real?
Shopkeeper: They are. Those are Roman.
Ashlie: Wow, where do they come from?
Shopkeeper: Generally the UK, but also in Europe as well.
Ashlie: Oh, this looks unusual. Is it very valuable?
Shopkeeper: That one, that’s about 75 pounds. That’s a Roman military cloak brooch. It would have been used to fasten a cloak or a toga. Lots of things were lost in those days.
Ashlie: Well, well I wouldn’t want to lose something like this.
Shopkeeper: I'm sure whoever lost that was very upset.
Ashlie: I bet. Wow, Stephen, come and look at this. This is so lovely. I would love to wear a piece of history.
Stephen: How much is it?
Shopkeeper: That one’s 120 pounds.
Stephen: I’ll take it!
Ashlie: No, Stephen. That's too expensive.
Stephen: No, it isn’t. It’s a present, Ashlie.
Ashlie: For who?
Stephen: For you, of course!
Ashlie: Oh, Stephen. That is so lovely of you. Thank you!
.....
Ashlie: Right, what now? More shopping maybe?
Stephen: Well, I thought we could have a look around the Viking museum.
Ashlie: A museum? Can't we do that tomorrow?
Stephen: You are going to love this museum.
Ashlie: Whatever.
.....
Ashlie: This is amazing.
Stephen: Wow, look at that! Imagine walking these streets in Viking times. The sights, the sounds.
Ashlie: The smells! It really stinks in here.
Stephen: Ashlie, it's all part of the experience. This is what a real Viking town would have looked like and smelt like.
Ashlie: Well, it smells pretty bad.
Stephen: Come on, Ash. Let’s do some authentic Viking shopping.
.....
Ashlie: Wow, what a beautiful city!
Stephen: Oh, you can have a look at the architecture later. Over there's the Viking excavation. We need to sign up for tomorrow and I can’t wait to use my metal detector.
Ashlie: Stephen, I’m not even sure they’re going to let you use that thing.
.....
Ashlie: Excuse me. Can you tell me where to go for tomorrow's dig, please?
Man: Yes, the dig is right over there and you'll need to be here for seven o'clock tomorrow to pick up your tools.
Ashlie: What? Seven o’clock?
Man: I’m afraid so.
Stephen: Well, I've got my metal detector. So I guess all I need is a spade to dig up the treasure.
Man: You won't be needing that! This is what we use.
Ashlie: Come on, Stephen. Thanks. See you tomorrow!
Comments
Helo iliya_b,
Yes, it is an unusual and not grammatical answer. Language is not always used fully grammatically - people make mistakes or change their minds in mid-sentence, for example. Here I guess he was thinking 'made in Europe' but did not say all of that.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Please advise which of the following prepositions is correct:
1. The most captivating fairy tale in China DURING the last two decades is the success story of Han.
2. The most captivating fairy tale in China OF the last two decades is the success story of Han.
Thank you.
Conversation between Ashlie and the shopkeeper, a friend once told me that in England the prices are written down for every type of goods, and they're certain prices and there will be no bargains. If that's true so why do you need to ask the shopkeeper for prices, or are they actually bargaining with the souvenir? Could you answer my question LearnEnglish team?
Hello Anh Quân Chu,
It's true that most shops in Britain have the prices marked for customers to see but it is not always the case. In places which sell non-standard or unique items, such as antique shops, craft stalls, farmers markets and so on, it is not unusual for the customer to have to ask about the price. In these places it is often quite normal to bargain or haggle when buying - in other words, to negotiate the price with the seller.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thanks for letting me know, Peter.
In Vietnam there's a lot of bargain but I don't really like it because the merchants usually make up the price, double it let's say and the consumers feel like they've been ripped off. I know it all comes down to negotiation but those merchants are truly liars, and everything needs to be priced correctly in a certain standard, of that I think it's what Britain doing well. That will reduce conflicts between buyers and sellers, and misunderstanding within the transactional market.
Well that's my opinion, hope it will be published and there will more comments about this issue/topic.
Have a nice day Peter M.
Quan.
Hello dears:
why this video is not downloading.
Hello,
It's playing fine for me. What sort of computer are you using to watch it?
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
It's a excellent video and a beatuful city, congratulations.
what means: History hunting's dirty work?.
thanks
Hello exekiel61,
It means 'investigating history is dirty work' - in other words, you have to get muddy and messy as you look in old places, dig in the ground and so on. That's why Stephen says 'bring your wellies' (wellington boots)!
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello everyone!
Could you help me please?
I have read in here that "We use going to to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking."
But in podcast Stephen said, "You are going to love this museum". And at another time Ashlie said, " Stephen, I’m not even sure they’re going to let you use that thing".
Please help me, because I am very confused!
Ashlie and Stephen haven't decided to talk about this in the past. They thought about it at the time of speaking. Why didn't they use Future past, because "We use will to talk about plans decided at the moment of speaking"?
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