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Views #222 | Low Intermediate 4

Pittsburg

Alex talks about his city back home in the United States.
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Todd: OK, hello!

Alex: Hi!

Todd: Hi, what's your name?

Alex: Alex Cromer.

Todd: Cromer!

Alex: Yes, sir.

Todd: And how do you spell that?

Alex: C-R-O-M-E-R

Todd: OK, and where are you from Alex?

Alex: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Todd: OK, what's Pittsburgh like?

Alex: Pittsburgh is, let's see, it is very quiet. It's medium size, so there's not a lot of people but enough to make it fun but you know, it's very quiet.

Todd: OK, what's the best thing about Pittsburg?

Alex: Ooh, the best thing? I'd have to say, Oakland! Oakland is a part of Pittsburgh. It's where Pittsburgh University main campus is. And there's lots of stuff to do. Lots of college kids around. It's fun to hang out.

Todd: OK, did you go to the University of Pittsburg?

Alex: No sir. I go to Penn State.

Todd: Oh, Penn State!

Alex: Yeah!

Todd: OK, are they a rival universities?

Alex: Very much.

Todd: OK, what's the worst thing about Pittsburgh?

Alex: Oh, well the fact that it's kind of quiet sometimes, makes it, kind of a bit boring. I mean, sometimes there is not a lot of things to do. But other than that it's OK.

Todd: What's the weather like?

Alex: Ooh, it depends really. It gets really cold in winter and really hot in the summer, so it's kind of mixed.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

not a lot but enough

There's not a lot of people but enough to make it fun.

When 'not a lot but enough' people do something it means the number of people doing something isn't big, but the ones that do it have an impact.  According to the example, there is an acceptable number of people living in Pittsburgh to make it a fun and interesting city. Notice the following:

  1. He doesn't have a lot of friends, but enough to keep him busy.
  2. We don't have a lot of sugar, but enough for the recipe.

main campus

Oakland is where Pittsburgh University main campus is.

The 'main campus' is the central campus or where most of the classes and offices are. Notice the following:

  1. They have very good transportation to the main campus.
  2. All of my classes are on the main campus this semester.

hang out

There are lots of college kids around, and it's fun to hang out.

When you 'hang out' in a place you casually spend time there for your own enjoyment. Notice the following:

  1. This is a really nice room to hang out and read.
  2. He hangs out watching television most of the time.

rival universities

Are University of Pittsburgh and Penn State rival universities?

Universities that compete with the University of Pittsburgh in sports or academics are its 'rivals' or 'competitors.' Notice the following:

  1. Having rival universities make competition fun and exciting.
  2. We are playing one of our rival universities in football this weekend.

boring

The fact that it's quiet makes it boring.

If something is not fun or interesting then it is 'boring.' Notice the following:

  1. The guy I went on a date with last night was extremely boring.
  2. The previews looked good, but the movie was really boring.

Vocabulary Quiz

but enough • main campuses • hang out
rival • boring
  1. He used to play for one of our universities, but he transferred.
  2. We don't have a lot of work right now, to pay the bills.
  3. My cat loves to on my bed with me.
  4. This is one of the most beautiful on the west coast.
  5. The class is , but it's a requirement.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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