American English Lesson 10
Listen to the example:
Lesson Text 4:13-35 (Acts).
10.1-A Repeat each sentence.
The members of the Council were amazed (The members of the Council were amazed) / to see how bold Peter and John were (to see how bold Peter and John were) / and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. (and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education.) / The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. (The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education.) / The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. (The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education.)
They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus. (They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.) / They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus. (They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.) / But there was nothing that they could say, (But there was nothing that they could say,) / because they saw the man who had been healed (because they saw the man who had been healed) / standing there with Peter and John. (standing there with Peter and John.) / But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John. (But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John.) / But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John. (But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John.)
So they told them to leave the Council room, (So they told them to leave the Council room,) / and then they started discussing among themselves, (and then they started discussing among themselves,) / What shall we do with these men? they asked. (What shall we do with these men? they asked.) / So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves, What shall we do with these men? they asked. (So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves, What shall we do with these men? they asked.) / So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves, What shall we do with these men? they asked. (So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves, What shall we do with these men? they asked.)
Listen to the example:
Repeat each sentence.
Everyone in Jerusalem knows (Everyone in Jerusalem knows) / that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, (that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them,) / and we cannot deny it. (and we cannot deny it.) / Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. (Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it.) / Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. (Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it.)
But to keep this matter (But to keep this matter) / from spreading any further among the people, (from spreading any further among the people,) / But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, (But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people,) / But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, (But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people,) / let us warn these men (let us warn these men) / never again to speak (never again to speak) / to anyone in the name of Jesus. (to anyone in the name of Jesus.) / let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus. (let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.) / let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus. (let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.)
So they called them back in (So they called them back in) / and told them that under no condition (and told them that under no condition) / were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. (were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus.) / So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. (So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus.) / So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. (So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus.)
Listen to the example:
Repeat each sentence.
But Peter and John answered them, (But Peter and John answered them,) / You yourselves judge (You yourselves judge) / which is right in God’s sight, (which is right in God’s sight,) / to obey you or to obey God. (to obey you or to obey God.) / But Peter and John answered them, You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight, to obey you or to obey God. (But Peter and John answered them, You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight, to obey you or to obey God.) / But Peter and John answered them, You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight, to obey you or to obey God. (But Peter and John answered them, You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight, to obey you or to obey God.)
For we cannot stop speaking (For we cannot stop speaking) / of what we ourselves have seen and heard. (of what we ourselves have seen and heard.) / For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard. (For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.) / For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard. (For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.)
So the Council warned them (So the Council warned them) / even more strongly (even more strongly) / and then set them free. (and then set them free.) / So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. (So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free.) / So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. (So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free.)
They saw that it was impossible to punish them, (They saw that it was impossible to punish them,) / because the people were all praising God (because the people were all praising God) / for what had happened. (for what had happened.) / They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened. (They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened.) / They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened. (They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened.)
The man (The man) / on whom this miracle of healing had been performed (on whom this miracle of healing had been performed) / was over forty years old. (was over forty years old.) / The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old. (The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old.) / The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old. (The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old.)
Listen to the example:
Repeat each sentence.
As soon as Peter and John were set free, (As soon as Peter and John were set free,) / they returned to their group (they returned to their group) / and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. (and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said.) / As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. (As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said.) / As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. (As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said.)
When the believers heard it, (When the believers heard it,) / they all joined together in prayer to God: (they all joined together in prayer to God:) / When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: (When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God:) / When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: (When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God:)
Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, (Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea,) / and all that is in them. (and all that is in them.) / Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them. (Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them.) / Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them. (Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them.)
For indeed (For indeed) / the King and the Roman judge (the King and the Roman judge) / met together in this city (met together in this city) / with the people against Jesus, (with the people against Jesus,) / For indeed the King and the Roman judge met together in this city with the people against Jesus, (For indeed the King and the Roman judge met together in this city with the people against Jesus,) / For indeed the King and the Roman judge met together in this city with the people against Jesus, (For indeed the King and the Roman judge met together in this city with the people against Jesus,)
Listen to the example:
Repeat each sentence.
your holy Servant, (your holy Servant,) / whom you made Messiah. (whom you made Messiah.) / your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah. (your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah.) / your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah. (your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah.)
They gathered to do everything (They gathered to do everything) / that you by your power and will (that you by your power and will) / had already decided would happen. (had already decided would happen.) / They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen. (They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen.) / They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen. (They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen.)
And now, Lord, (And now, Lord,) / take notice of the threats they have made, (take notice of the threats they have made,) / and allow us, your servants, (and allow us, your servants,) / to speak your message with all boldness. (to speak your message with all boldness.) / And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. (And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.) / And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. (And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.)
Listen to the example:
Repeat each sentence.
Reach out your hand to heal, (Reach out your hand to heal,) / and grant that wonders and miracles (and grant that wonders and miracles) / may be performed (may be performed) / through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. (through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.) / Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. (Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.) / Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. (Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.)
When they finished praying, (When they finished praying,) / the place where they were meeting was shaken. (the place where they were meeting was shaken.) / When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. (When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken.) / When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. (When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken.)
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit (They were all filled with the Holy Spirit) / and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness. (and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.) / They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness. (They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.) / They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness. (They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.)
The group of believers was one in mind and heart. (The group of believers was one in mind and heart.) / The group of believers was one in mind and heart. (The group of believers was one in mind and heart.) / None of them said (None of them said) / that any of their belongings were their own, (that any of their belongings were their own,) / but they all shared with one another (but they all shared with one another) / everything they had. (everything they had.) / None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. (None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had.) / None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. (None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had.)
Listen to the example:
Repeat each sentence.
With great power (With great power) / the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, (the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,) / and God poured rich blessings on them all. (and God poured rich blessings on them all.) / With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. (With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.) / With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. (With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all.)
There was no one in the group who was in need. (There was no one in the group who was in need.) / There was no one in the group who was in need. (There was no one in the group who was in need.) / Those who owned fields or houses (Those who owned fields or houses) / would sell them, (would sell them,) / bring the money received from the sale, (bring the money received from the sale,) / and turn it over to the apostles; (and turn it over to the apostles;) / Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles; (Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles;) / Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles; (Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles;) / and the money was distributed (and the money was distributed) according to the needs of the people. (according to the needs of the people.) / and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people. (and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people.) / and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people. (and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people.)
LESSON 10 TEXT
10.1-B Read THE JOURNEY OF A WISE MAN aloud for pronunciation practice.
THE JOURNEY OF A WISE MAN: A Fable for English Learners
1 A long time ago, there was a wise man living in a mountain country. The country was beautiful. But it was always difficult to find enough food.
2 The people of the High Country decided that they would travel together to the Low Country. When the snow began to melt, they packed all they owned into their wagons. With anticipation mixed with sadness, the wise man and his neighbors left their High Country homes.
3 The wise man noticed something strange taking place soon after they began their journey. As they traveled day after day, his right arm began to feel stiff. The further they traveled from the High Country, the weaker it became. Three things puzzled him. First, his arm always felt the weakest whenever they stopped in a village. Secondly, he noticed that when the travelers from the High Country gathered around a fire at night to talk among themselves, his arm became strong again.
4 His third discovery puzzled him the most. When he put his arm behind his back, it no longer felt stiff and useless.
5 One day the wise man was startled. As his wagon rounded a bend in a high mountain road, he looked down on his neighbors’ wagons ahead of him. He realized that many others were also holding an arm behind their back. As he looked more closely, he saw that some older people had even tied their arm in place with a rope.
6 Why, he wondered, was this happening?
7 At last they reached the Low Country. The weather was warm. The fields would produce grain and the forests would supply lumber for their houses. Life looked promising. Promising, that is, except for their weak arms. It was rumored that the Low Country’s air caused this strange weakness. Some of the people even said they must learn to live with this weakness if they wanted to stay in the Low Country.
8 The adults and children set to work. They cleared the land, planted crops, and prepared lumber to build their new homes. A High Country tailor sewed a new kind of coat that would hold the useless arm in place. He also put leather on the coat so the shoulder could push heavy loads. Even with the new coat, however, work was slow because everyone used only one arm.
9 Again, the wise man noticed a strange thing. First, he noticed that–even though it caused them pain–the children soon began using their weak arm again. Secondly, the wise man noticed that whenever the High Country people met together in their first buildings, if they shut all the doors and windows, strength returned to the arms of even the oldest men and women. “Surely,” most said, “this proves that the Low Country air is at fault.” Most agreed that the only solution was to build houses so strong that all Low Country air could be kept outside. But the wise man was puzzled most because the children seemed to become stronger while playing and working outside in the Low Country air.
10 The wise man watched his High Country neighbors trying to build their houses while using only one arm. He became fearful for his people’s welfare. The new coat helped them work faster with one arm. But winter was coming and neither the houses nor the crops would be ready if everyone continued to work with one arm behind their back.
11 The wise man learned a lesson from the children. He realized that–even though it was painful–using his weak arm for hard work was the only way to make it strong again. Because winter was coming, he knew that he could not stop working on his house in order to spend all his time trying to make his arm strong. But he also knew that he could not finish his house before winter unless he used both arms. The wise man decided that if he was to finish his house before winter, he must spend some time each day strengthening his arm so that he could finish his house more quickly.
12 The wise man spent time each day both strengthening his arm and working on his house. He finished his house before winter.
13 Some High Country people perished that winter because the snow came before their crops were harvested and their houses finished. They had worked slowly every day because they were afraid to stop working on their houses long enough to strengthen their weak arm.
14 If you live in the United States and cannot speak English well, you are living as though one arm was tied behind your back. You must work to support your family. But if you do not spend time each day learning English, you will be limited for the rest of your life.
Free English Now was written so that you can study at home and still hold a job. If you will regularly study English each day for six months to a year, your English will greatly improve. You will be more able to earn higher wages, live more effectively in your community, and talk with your children as they learn English in school.