English Learning Content: National Parks

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, guess what I did last weekend!

Bob: Hmm, Alice, let me guess… you finally cleaned your apartment?

Alice: Hey! No, something much more exciting! I went to Redwood National Park!

Bob: Redwood? Is that where those giant trees live? Sounds… tall.

Alice: Exactly! It was amazing. The trees are huge, like nature’s skyscrapers.

Bob: Skyscrapers, huh? I prefer the ones with cafes and Wi-Fi.

Alice: Oh, come on! There’s fresh air, hiking trails, maybe even some deer!

Bob: Deer? I saw a squirrel once in the city park. Does that count?

Alice: Not quite! You should really go. It’s so peaceful, no traffic, just birds singing.

Bob: Birds? My alarm clock sings every morning. Very loud birds.

Alice: You’re impossible! But seriously, it’s good for your soul. You can disconnect.

Bob: Disconnect? My phone battery would cry! But… tell me more about these ‘giant trees’.

Alice: They’re ancient, majestic. You feel so small next to them. It’s humbling.

Bob: Small? I already feel small next to my laundry pile. But ‘humbling’ sounds interesting.

Alice: So, next time, National Park trip? My treat!

Bob: Hmm, your treat, you say? Maybe… if there’s a good snack bar at the visitor center.

Current Situation

National parks are protected areas of natural beauty, historical significance, or scientific interest. They are managed by governments to preserve wilderness, wildlife, and natural resources for future generations, while also offering opportunities for public recreation and education. Many countries around the world have national park systems, such as the U.S. National Park Service or Parks Canada, attracting millions of visitors who enjoy activities like hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. These parks play a crucial role in conservation and provide important spaces for people to connect with nature.

Key Phrases

• Guess what?: Used to introduce exciting news or information.

  Example: Guess what? I’m going on vacation next month!

• Let me guess…: Used when you want to try and predict something someone is about to say.

  Example: Let me guess… you forgot your keys again?

• Oh, come on!: Used to express mild disbelief, impatience, or to encourage someone.

  Example: Oh, come on! Don’t be shy, try the new food!

• Not quite!: Used to say that something is close to correct but not entirely accurate.

  Example: Is the answer five? Not quite! It’s four.

• You’re impossible!: Used humorously or playfully when someone is being stubborn, difficult, or surprising.

  Example: You ate all the cake by yourself? You’re impossible!

• My treat!: Used to offer to pay for something (e.g., a meal, drinks, tickets).

  Example: Don’t worry about the movie tickets, it’s my treat!

Grammar Points

1. Present Simple Tense

We use the Present Simple to talk about habits, routines, general facts, and things that are always true.

• Form: Subject + base verb (add -s or -es for he/she/it).
• Examples from dialogue:
  • “The trees are huge.” (General fact using ‘to be’)
  • “I prefer the ones with cafes.” (A preference)
  • “It’s so peaceful, no traffic, just birds singing.” (A general truth/description)
  • “My alarm clock sings every morning.” (A habit/routine)
• Rule: For “I, you, we, they”, use the base verb (e.g., I like, they go). For “he, she, it”, add -s or -es (e.g., he likes, she goes).

2. Modal Verb “Should”

“Should” is used to give advice, make recommendations, or express what is correct or appropriate.

• Form: Subject + should + base verb (without “to”).
• Example from dialogue:
  • “You should really go.” (Alice is recommending Bob visit the park.)
• Rule: “Should” is followed by the base form of the verb. It does not change for different subjects (e.g., I should go, he should go).

3. Adjectives for Description

Adjectives are words that describe nouns (people, places, things) or pronouns. They add more detail to your sentences.

• Placement:
  • Before a noun: “those giant trees”
  • After the verb “to be” (is, am, are): “It was amazing.” “The trees are huge.” “It’s so peaceful.”
• Examples from dialogue:
  • amazing (very good, wonderful)
  • huge (very big)
  • fresh (clean, new)
  • peaceful (calm, quiet)
  • ancient (very old)
  • majestic (impressive and beautiful)
  • humbling (making you feel less important, in a good way)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Key Phrase with its Meaning

1. Guess what?
       a) To offer to pay
2. My treat!
       b) To express mild disbelief or encouragement
3. Oh, come on!
       c) To introduce exciting news
4. Not quite!
       d) To say something is close but not exact

Answers:

1. 1. c
2. 2. a
3. 3. b
4. 4. d

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using the Present Simple or “should”.

1. The sun ____ (rise) in the east every morning.
2. You ____ (should / visit) that museum; it’s very interesting.
3. Birds ____ (sing) beautifully in the national park.
4. My brother ____ (prefer) playing video games to hiking.
5. We ____ (should / try) to protect our environment.

Answers:

1. 1. rises
2. 2. should visit
3. 3. sing
4. 4. prefers
5. 5. should try

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with a suitable adjective from the dialogue (amazing, huge, peaceful, ancient, majestic).

1. The Grand Canyon is an ____ place to visit.
2. Dinosaurs were ____ creatures that lived long ago.
3. I love going to the lake; it’s so ____ there.
4. The ____ castle has stood for over 500 years.
5. The lion is a truly ____ animal in the wild.

Answers:

1. 1. amazing
2. 2. huge
3. 3. peaceful
4. 4. ancient
5. 5. majestic