Welcome to twominenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.
In this lesson, we will study how to talk to someone about historical figures.
Kate: Hey, John! What are you reading?
John: I’m reading a book on Gandhi.
Kate: Oh! Is it good ?
John: Yeah, it’s really good. Gandhi inspires me deeply. He led India to independence.
Kate: Well, that must’ve been hard.
John: It was hard. But do you know he didn’t use any force or weapons? He just believed in non-violent civil disobedience.
Kate: That’s inspiring. If only there were more people like him these days!
Kate: Hey Chris, I need your help with something.
Chris: Sure! What is it?
Kate: We were having a Science class and my teacher asked me about Edison. I didn’t know anything about him so I got really embarrassed.
Chris: That’s bad, Kate. He’s such a popular historical figure.
Kate: I’m not good in History. Who was he?
Chris: vThomas Alva Edison. The guy invented electricity, Kate!
Kate: Oh, great! I’m even more embarrassed now.
Talking About Abraham LincolnChris: Hey John! I heard you were reading a book about Gandhi.
John: Yes, I was. But I want to read more about Abraham Lincoln now. Do you know anything about him?
Chris: Of course! He is my favorite president.
John: He’s everyone’s favorite president I guess. The whole country was in shock after his assassination.
Chris: I can only imagine the commotion after the shock. What’s sad is that he was killed by an actor.
John: I know. That’s really sad. John Wilkes Booth, right?
Chris: That’s right. Hey, did you watch the latest movie about Lincoln?
John: I did. It’s awesome. Daniel Day-Lewis is an inspiration for us actors.
Chris: He’s amazing. I’ll watch it this weekend.
Kate: Hey Bob, tell me the name of a historical figure you admire.
Bob: Just like that?! Hmm...okay...I know: Mother Teresa!
Kate: Who was she?
Bob: You don’t know?! Well, she was a nun and a missionary. She devoted herself to working among the really poor people.
Kate: Where was she from? And when was she born?
Bob: Gee! Gimme a break. I’m not Google. But why do you ask?
Kate: Just asking. I need to learn more about historical figures.
Bob: Oh, I see. What you need is to read more, girl!