Lesson 2: At the Beach
Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches
in the world. In fact Australia has been called a
beach culture. Aussies really love spending time there
swimming, surfing, hanging out and getting a suntan.
That can be a problem – Australia has the highest
rate of skin cancer in the world! But even the threat
of dying a horrible death in hospital doesn’t
stop us! We love the beach, and nothing will stop
us having fun there, except maybe the football…
In this lesson, Bill and John visit the beach on
a hot, perfect Perth summer’s day.
Listen to the audio of the conversation by
clicking on the link below.
Click
here to listen (MP3)
Technical requirements: Computer with
Sound Card and Speakers
Read the conversation.
To view the meaning of the words in bold,
click on the Vocabulary tab.
Bill and John are at the beach on a hot Perth
summer’s day
Bill:
Gee that sun feels nice. It’s
gonna be a scorcher
today, isn’t it John?
John:
Sure is Bill. That’s why I’m so rapt
in Perth, it has a nice long summer. It’s nice
just lying on the beach soaking up some rays.
Bill:
True, but the boffins say too much
sun can give you skin cancer. I don’t want to
kick the bucket while I’m still
young.
John:
You’re no spring chicken,
mate! But you’re spot
on, we should make sure we slip,
slop and slap when we’re at the beach.
Bill:
Yeah, but look at all the chicks
here on the beach sunbaking. Why
don’t they slip, slop and slap?
John:
That’s coz they reckon
being brown makes them look spunky.
Bill:
That’s true. I reckon a good tan looks pretty
hot.
John:
Anyway, let’s hit the surf!
Bill:
Most of the waves look like dumpers
today.
John:
Ah, dumpers suck! But never
mind, we’d better have a swim before
the Doctor come in. Last
one in is a rotten egg!!
Find out the meaning of the words used in the conversation
by reading below.
Gee = wow = an expression of surprise
or pleasure
Gonna = going to (used to talk
about the future)
A scorcher = a really hot day
Sure is! = that’s for sure
= I absolutely agree
Rapt in = really like
Soak up some rays = enjoy some
sunshine
The boffins = the experts
Kick the bucket = die (not to be
used when you want to be polite or tactful!)
No spring chicken = not young
Spot on = exactly right
Slip on = put on (clothing)
Slop on = put on (suncream or other
liquid)
Slap on = put on (a hat)
‘Slip, slop and slap’
is the slogan of the Cancer Council, a government
organisation which educates people about the dangers
of skin cancer
Sunbaking = sunbathing (lying in
the sun to get a tan)
Chicks = young women
Coz = because
Reckon = think
Spunky = sexy
Pretty = quite
Hot = sexy, attractive
Anyway = used when you want to
get back to the original topic
Hit the surf = go for a swim in
the surf
Dumpers = large waves which break
suddenly (tshey can throw you onto the sand and even
cause spinal injury
It sucks = I hate it
Never mind = don’t worry
The Doctor = short for ‘the
Fremantle Doctor’ - a southerly breeze which
comes on summer afternoons and cools the city down
Last one in is rotten egg = I’ll
race you into the water
In the following sentences, choose the best meaning
for the bold words or expressions.
Simple click on your answer and you will receive
an instant score.
