lesperras.com Podcast

About lesperras.com Podcast

This is my podcast for general English listening. Listen in for easy English listening practice about a variety of topics. I will talk about a topic for a few minutes so it isn't too long. My pronunciation is clear and rhythmical, yet conversational.

Publisher

Les Perras

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jan 2023

Latest episode

8 Jul 2024

Latest episodes

387 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Jul 2024

   How New York Started

   Hi and welcome to the English Listening World podcast episode number 394. This podcast is for listening practice. I have 35 words and expressions highlighted in today's story for you to get practice listening to. In particular, the expression 'as … as' is repeated. I will put the full list of highlighted words in the description below. Today's episode is about Peter and his question about New York. # Questions 1. What did Peter love to read about? 2. Why did Henry Hudson explore the Hudson river? 3. Who settled by the Hudson river first? 4. How did the English get New York? 5. Why was the Erie Canal important? ## Peter's Question Once upon a time, there was a boy named Peter who lived in a small town. Peter had big dreams. He loved to read about faraway places, especially New York City. Peter was fascinated by how big and bustling the city was, and he wanted to know how it became so enormous. Peter's grandfather, Grandpa Joe, loved to tell stories. One summer evening, Peter asked, "Grandpa, how did New York City get so big?" ## Henry Hudson Grandpa Joe smiled and began his tale. "Well, Peter, it all started a long time ago with a Dutch explorer named Henry Hudson. He sailed as far as he could up a river that is now called the Hudson River. He thought it was a passage to Asia, but it was not. However, he discovered a beautiful land and a good place for a new city." Peter listened eagerly. "Then what happened?" ## The Dutch "The Dutch liked the place and decided to settle there," Grandpa Joe continued. "They called it New Amsterdam. As time went on, more people from different places came to New Amsterdam because it was such a good spot for trading. They brought goods from Europe and traded them for furs with the Native Americans. The city grew as much as it could to keep up with all the new people and businesses." Peter's eyes widened. "But how did it become New York?" ## The English "Ah," Grandpa Joe said, "in 1664, the English captured New Amsterdam and renamed it New York, after the Duke of York. From then on, New York City grew even faster. It became a melting pot, where people from all over the world came to start new lives. Immigrants arrived with dreams as big as yours, Peter. They built houses, shops, and roads, as far as the eye could see. The city spread out, building skyscrapers and bridges." Peter imagined the bustling city with people from everywhere speaking different languages and building tall skyscrapers. "What made it keep growing?" ## The Canal "Many things," Grandpa Joe replied. "The city was built on a good harbor, making it the perfect place for ships to bring goods from around the world. As the economy grew, so did the city. The Erie Canal was built in the 1820s, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes. This made it easier for people and goods to move west. Then, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New York became the entry point for millions of immigrants arriving through Ellis Island." Peter was amazed. "Did people come from everywhere?" ## Growing "Yes," Grandpa Joe said, nodding. "They came from Europe, Asia, and many other places. They brought their cultures, foods, and ideas, making New York City a vibrant and diverse place. The city grew upwards with tall buildings, and outwards as much as it could, with new neighborhoods and boroughs being added. The construction of the subway system allowed people to travel easily, which helped the city expand even more." Peter smiled, imagining all the people working together to build the city. "So that's how New York City got so big." "Yes, Peter," Grandpa Joe said, patting his grandson's head. "New York City grew because of its good location, the hard work of its people, and the dreams of those who came to make a better life. Just like you have big dreams, so did the people who built New York. And as long as there are dreamers like you, the city will keep growing and changing." Peter went to bed that night dreaming of the bustling streets, the tall skyscrapers, and the many people who had made New York City what it is today. He knew that one day, he too would be a part of that grand story # Answers 1. What did Peter love to read about? He loved to read about faraway places. 2. Why did Henry Hudson explore the Hudson river? He thought the river might be a passage to Asia. 3. Who settled by the Hudson river first? The Dutch settled there first. It was a trading post for them to get furs. 4. How did the English get New York? The English captured New York. Then they named it after the Duke of York. 5. Why was the Erie Canal important? The canal made it easy to transport goods to the west. This made New York even more important.

2. 

   1 Jul 2024

   The Great Math Golfing Contest vidIQ badge

   Hi and welcome to the English Listening World podcast episode number 393. This podcast is for listening practice. I have 29 words and expressions highlighted in today's story for you to get practice listening to. In particular, the expression 'as … as' is repeated. I will put the full list of highlighted words in the description below. Today's episode is about Eddie and an unusual math contest. # Questions 1. How much did Eddie love math? 2. What was different about the math contest? 3. Who came to the contest with Eddie? 4. Eddie remembered his Dad's words. What were they? 5. What kind of problem was the last problem? ## The Great Golfing Math Contest Eddie loved math as much as he loved his bike. He was a fifth grader who could solve math problems as fast as he could ride his bike down the hill near his house. When Eddie heard about the Great Golfing Math Contest, he knew he had to join. ## The Setup The contest wasn't just any math competition. It combined two of Eddie's favorite things: math and golfing. The rules were simple. Each math problem was like a hole in golf. The faster and more accurately you solved it, the fewer strokes you got. The winner was the one with the least strokes at the end of the contest. Eddie practiced as much as he could. He solved math problems in the morning, during lunch, and even before bed. As far as he was concerned, the more he practiced, the better his chances of winning. ## The Contest The day of the contest arrived. Eddie sat in front of the computer with other kids from different schools. His best friend, Mia, cheered from the audience. "You got this, Eddie!" she shouted. The first problem appeared on the screen. It was a tricky multiplication problem, but Eddie's fingers flew over the keys. He solved it in no time and moved on to the next. He was in the lead! ## Keep Cool As long as Eddie stayed focused, he knew he could win. But the problems got harder, and Eddie started to feel the pressure. He remembered what his dad always told him, "Try as hard as you can to keep your cool. You can do it!" Eddie took a deep breath and tackled the next problem. It was a division problem with a remainder. Eddie smiled. He was good at these. He quickly found the answer and moved on. He could see the finish line ahead. ## Last Question In the final round, Eddie faced his toughest problem yet: a word problem that involved both addition and subtraction. He read it carefully, making sure to understand every detail. As much as he wanted to rush, he knew that accuracy was more important. He solved the problem with just a few seconds to spare and entered his answer. Eddie's heart pounded as he waited for the results. The judge announced the winners, starting from third place. Eddie held his breath. ## The Winner When they announced his name as the first-place winner, Eddie couldn't believe it. He had won! Mia ran over and gave him a high-five. "I knew you could do it!" Eddie received a shiny trophy and a new set of golf clubs. But the best part was knowing that all his hard work had paid off. As long as he stayed determined, Eddie knew he could achieve anything. That night, Eddie went to bed with a big smile on his face. He had won the Great Math Golfing Contest, and he couldn't wait for the next challenge. # Answers 1. How much did Eddie love math? He loved math as much as he loved his bike. 2. What was different about the math contest? This contest combined two things Eddie loved, math and golf. 3. Who came to the contest with Eddie? Eddie's best friend Mia came with him and cheered for him from the audience. 4. Eddie remembered his Dad's words. What were they? His Dad said, "Try as hard as you can to keep your cool." 5. What kind of problem was the last problem? The last problem was a word problem with addition and subtraction.

3. 

   24 Jun 2024

   Golf - The Longest Drive

   Hi and welcome to the English Listening World podcast episode number 392. This podcast is for listening practice. I have 26 words and expressions highlighted in today's story for you to get practice listening to. In particular, the expression 'as … as' is repeated. I will put the full list of highlighted words in the description below. 'Today's episode is about Jack and his golf tournament. # Questions 1. Why did Jack go to the golf course every weekend? 2. How did Jack feel at the start of the tournament? 3. What happened on the first few holes? 4. Where did something amazing happen? 5. How many times did Jack hit the ball on the final hole? ## Jack's Favorite Sport Jack loved golfing. He wasn’t the best golfer at his club, but he always enjoyed the game. Jack practiced as much as he could. Every weekend, he was at the golf course, swinging his club and aiming for that perfect shot. ## The Tournament One sunny Saturday morning, Jack decided to enter a local golf tournament. It was a big event, and many good golfers were participating. Jack was nervous, but he wanted to try his best. At the tournament, Jack was paired with three other golfers. They were all very good, and Jack felt a bit intimidated. However, he remembered his father’s advice: "As long as you try your best, you’ve already won." ## Rough Start The first few holes were tough. Jack’s shots were not as good as he wanted them to be. He hit the ball into the sand trap twice and even into the water once. But he didn’t give up. He kept telling himself, "As long as I can hit the ball, I’ll keep going." ## Turnaround On the ninth hole, something amazing happened. Jack lined up his shot, took a deep breath, and swung his club. The ball flew through the air, straight and true. It soared over the trees and landed just a few feet from the hole. Jack couldn’t believe it. He had never hit a shot that well before. His friends cheered, and Jack felt a surge of confidence. For the rest of the game, Jack played better than he ever had. Each shot seemed to be better than the last. He still wasn’t perfect, but he was improving with every swing. By the time they reached the eighteenth hole, Jack was tied for second place. ## The Final Hole The final hole was a long one. Jack knew he needed a great shot to stay in the game. He lined up his ball, took another deep breath, and swung with all his might. The ball sailed through the air, going as far as he could see. It landed on the green, just a few feet from the hole. Jack’s heart was pounding as he walked up to take his final putt. He carefully lined up his shot, aimed, and gently tapped the ball. It rolled smoothly across the green and dropped into the hole. Jack had done it! He finished the tournament with one of his best games ever. ## Proud Although he didn’t win first place, Jack was very proud of himself. He had come a long way and played as hard as he could. Jack knew he would keep practicing and getting better. After the tournament, Jack’s friends congratulated him. One of them said, "Jack, that was amazing! I've never seen you play so well." Jack smiled and replied, "As long as I keep trying my best, I know I’ll keep getting better." And with that, he looked forward to the next game, ready to face any challenge that came his way # Answers 1. Why did Jack go to the golf course every weekend? He went to practice golf because he loved golfing. 2. How did Jack feel at the start of the tournament? He felt intimidated. He thought the other golfers were much better than he was. 3. What happened on the first few holes? He had a rough start and did not hit the ball where he wanted to hit it. 4. Where did something amazing happen? Something amazing happened on the ninth hole. The ball landed just a few feet from the hole with one hit. 5. How many times did Jack hit the ball on the final hole? On the final hole Jack hit the ball twice. He was very happy.

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