English Conversation 19 Did you do anything special last summer?

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In Conversation 1 of the English dialogue for intermediate class, you will read Bram and Sandra talk about summer vacation in tropical island of New Guinea. Some sentences use superlative of adjectives as grammar component for asking or giving opinion on certain topic of discussions. In Conversation 2, you will read how Sara responds Beat's statement by using a rejoinder (quick response) as a way of showing interest or surprise. The use of tenses in rejoinders is similar to tag questions.

Conversation 1 Bram Sandra, hey! Sandra Hi, Bram! We meet again. I haven't seen you for more than six months! How are you? Bram Very well, thank you. What's new? Sandra Well, I have just returned from summer vacation in the rainforest of Manokwari. Bram Manokwari? I've never heard about it. Where is it? Sandra It's a regency in West Papua province of Indonesia. Bram Oh, I see. West Papua is the western half of New Guinea. Sandra That's right! New Guinea is the largest tropical island in the world. Bram How was it? Sandra It's wonderful to be there. It was one of the most challenging vacations I've ever taken in my life. Bram What did you see there? Sandra I saw a lot of things in the rainforest such as butterflies, birds, soa-soa, and snake. Bram Soa-soa? Is it a kind of mammal? Sandra No, it is a lizard - a giant one. It's length can reach up to 2 meters. Bram Wow. It's similar to komodo dragon. Sandra It's smaller than komodo but it's more colorful. You've never been to West Papua, have you? Bram No, I haven't. But I have been to Indonesia three times. Sandra Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. How about if we travel to Indonesia again next year. Bram What islands do you want to visit? Sandra I am interested in visiting Seram and Borneo. The rainforest in Borneo is one of the most important ecosystem in the tropical region that I've always wanted to see because of its richness of bio-diversity. Bram That's great, Sandra! Look, I've really got to run because I've got a meeting at my office in one hour from now. We have to meet again to discuss about our plan of visiting Indonesia next year. We'll have to get together this weekend. Sandra Yes, we really should. See you! Bram See you soon.     Conversation 2 Sara Did you do anything special last summer? Beat I and my girlfriend visited her family in Surabaya city of Indonesia. Sara You did? How was it? Beat Her family was very kind to me but the traffic in the city was terrible. It's one of the busiest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, the capital of the state. You've never been to Surabaya, have you? Sara I have been to some parts of Indonesia but I've never been to Surabaya. I heard that traffic jams occur every day. That's why I don't go there. I prefer Malang, Jogja or Manado.

Terminology:

Rainforest is the forest that we can see in tropical region. Rainforest receives high rain fall all year round. Thousands of species of plants and animals live in the rainforest making it as one of the richest ecosystems in the world beside coral reef.

Exercise: How to express surprise with rejoinders.

Grammar Point: The use of superlative adjectives with the present perfect to ask for and give an opinion.

• Manokwari bay is one of the most beautiful sceneries that I've ever seen in West Papua.

• The mountain range of Arfak is the most challenging terrains that I've ever climbed this year.

• "Lost Worlds" is one of the most exciting adventure books that I've ever read.

• Coral reef is one of the richest ecosystems in the world that we have discovered and studies.

• Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia that I've ever visited.

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