ESL Podcast 613 – Being a First-Time Parent

Zuly: Hello.

Ricardo: Hi, Zuly. How are you?

Zuly: Oh, Ricardo, it’s you. I’m doing okay. How are you?

Ricardo: I wanted to call and congratulate you on the birth of your new baby.

Zuly: Thanks a lot. Carla was born three weeks ago, and she was 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

Ricardo: That’s great! How does it feel to be a first-time parent?

Zuly: It’s really overwhelming taking care of a newborn. I’m learning everything from scratch, everything from how to breastfeed and bottle-feed, to burping her, to putting her to bed, to using a car seat and a stroller.

Ricardo: You sound overwhelmed. I remember when Adam, our first child, was born. There were the feedings in the middle of the night, and all of those diapers!

Zuly: Exactly. I’m exhausted all the time. In fact, I find myself dozing off at all hours of the day.

Ricardo: I really sympathize with you, but these days will pass quickly, and then you’ll have such great memories. Have you had much sleep?

Zuly: Zzzzzzzz!

Ricardo: Zuly? Zuly?


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
==============================================================
overwhelm 使受不了;使不知所措
from scratch 從頭開始；從零開始
burp 使（嬰兒）打嗝（尤指通過撫摩或輕拍背部）
stroller 嬰兒車；童車
exhausted 筋疲力盡的；疲憊不堪的
doze off（尤指在日間）打瞌睡，打盹兒
sympathize with 同情...;與...產生共鳴

ESL Podcast 612 – Introducing a Speaker

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?

It is my great honor to introduce our guest speaker today. Our speaker is actually a person who needs no introduction, since she is well known in our field as one of its great innovators. Edwina Litton has been called a revolutionary thinker by those in our field. That’s because she has strived to bring attention to those issues that we believe are so important.

Dr. Litton holds four advanced degrees and has an honorary doctorate from Harward University. In her much-anticipated speech today, she will address what she sees as the future of our field.

Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Dr. Edwina Litton.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
==============================================================
innovator 革新者
revolutionary 革命的
thinker 思想家
strive 努力；奮鬥；力爭；力求
honorary 榮譽的
doctorate 博士學位
anticipate 預期,期望;預料
much-anticipated 備受期待
ado 毫不遲延；乾脆；立即
Without further ado 不再囉嗦地
join me in welcoming 和我一起歡迎

ESL Podcast 611 – Having an Overbearing Father

Dad: Where are you going?

Eva: Out.

Dad: Out where?

Eva: Dad, I’m nearly a grown woman. You don’t need be so overbearing. You give me the third degree every time I leave the house.

Dad: As long as you live under my roof, you’ll live by my rules. Now, where are you going?

Eva: I’m going over to Damien’s house to hang out. I’ll be home before curfew.

Dad: I don’t like that guy, Damien. He’s not good enough for you. He’s a troublemaker. Mark my words: That kid is going nowhere fast. Is this a date?

Eva: No, Dad, we’re just going to watch a movie.

Dad: Alone? With no supervision? What is this world coming to?

Eva: Dad, we’re not kids anymore. We’re both 17.

Dad: That’s exactly the right age to get into the most trouble.

Eva: What are you doing?

Dad: I’m putting on my coat.

Eva: Why?

Dad: You and Damien need a chaperon.

Eva: No way, Dad! I’m not going over to Damien’s with you tagging along as our chaperon. That would be humiliating.

Dad: Good, then you’ll stay home. So, what movie should we watch tonight?

Eva: Huh!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

=============================================================
overbear 壓倒;克服;鎮壓
overbearing 專橫的；飛揚跋扈的
give somebody the third degree 對某人逼供（或疲勞詢問、刑訊）
hang out 常去某處；泡在某處
curfew 宵禁令；宵禁時間
Mark my words 聽我說；記住我的話
going nowhere fast 很努力做一件事，卻毫無進展
supervision 管理;監督
What is this(the) world coming to 這世道是怎麼了；太不像話
put on 穿上,戴上
coat 外套；外衣；大衣
chaperon (青年社交聚會時在場的)監護人
tag along 跟隨;緊跟
humiliate 羞辱；使喪失尊嚴
humiliating 丟臉的

ESL Podcast 610 – Preparing to Travel

Shannon: It looks like you’re ready for your trip. You must be psyched.

Ignacio: Yeah, I am. I’m almost ready. I’ve gone to the post office and filled out a form so they’ll hold my mail while I’m gone.

Shannon: I could pick up your mail for you.

Ignacio: Thanks, but it’ll just be easier this way. I’ve also called the newspaper office to have my newspaper delivery suspended. Tomorrow I’ll arrange for my bank to automatically pay my bills so I won’t have my utilities cut off or accrue any late fees.

Shannon: I could pay your bills for you. I don’t mind.

Ignacio: It’s nice of you to offer, but I’ve got it covered. This morning, I took my plants over to my neighbor’s house. He agreed to water them for me while I’m gone.

Shannon: I could have come over and watered your plants. That wouldn’t have been a problem at all.

Ignacio: Thanks for being willing to do that. As always, you’re so helpful.

Shannon: Oh, I try my best...

Ignacio: I was wondering if I could ask just one favor from you.

Shannon: Of course you can. Just name it!

Ignacio: You know my dog, Rex...

Shannon: Oh, no...

Ignacio: I could board him at a kennel, but he’s had bad luck at kennels. Could you look after him while I’m gone?

Shannon: No way!

Ignacio: Why?

Shannon: Why don’t you ask the people who worked at those kennels where Rex has been? I’m willing to pitch in, but I’m no sucker!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
=============================================================
psyched 興奮；殷切期待
cut off 切斷;中斷
accrue 1.（逐漸）增長，增加 2. （使錢款、債務）積累
name it 要什麼;請講
kennel 狗窩；犬舍
to pitch in 協力,做出貢獻
sucker 容易上當受騙的人；沒有主見的人

ESL Podcast 609 – Types of Car and Vehicles

Robert: Hi, I’m Robert. What are you in the market for today?

Mary: I want to buy a new car, but I’m not sure what I want.

Robert: Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have a very large selection of cars and trucks – just about any type of vehicle you can think of. Why don’t I show you around?

Mary: Okay, that would be great.

Robert: Over here, we have some nice compacts and mid-size cars. We have 2-door or 4-door sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. We even have this beautiful convertible sports car. What do you think?

Mary: It’s very nice, but I want something a little bigger for my family.

Robert: Okay, no sweat. Walk this way and you’ll see our station wagons, mini-vans, and SUVs. These seat anywhere from six to 10 people. We even have pickups.

Mary: I’m not sure if any of these will fit my family?

Robert: How many children do you have?

Mary: Eleven.

Robert: Eleven? In that case, you might want to buy two!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
==============================================================
in the market for 準備買
just about 幾乎；近乎；差不多
compact 小汽車
sedan [sɪˈdæn] 【美】轎車
coupe [ˈkupe] 雙門小轎車
hatchback 艙蓋式汽車
convertible 活動頂篷式汽車 ; 可改變的；可轉換的；可兌換的
no sweat （回答致謝或請求）沒什麼，小事一樁
sweat /swɛt/ 汗
wagon【美】旅行車
SUV Sport utility vehicle
pickup 輕型貨車；皮卡貨車

ESL Podcast 608 – Formatting Text

Chad: Okay, this report is finally finished.

Pamela: Oh, not quite. I’m still working on the formatting.

Chad: We used the standard formatting for this type of report. I don’t think we should play around with the text.

Pamela: Standard is boring. I want our report to be special. I’m putting a nice border on the cover, adding some shading, and centering some of the text.

Chad: No, I really think that’s a bad idea. All of the text should be flush left, and nobody else puts shading in their reports. It cuts down on readability.

Pamela: Readability is secondary to presentation. Look, I’m just putting some of the titles in caps and underlining them, adding some bullets, and putting some of the important sections in bold or italics. This will all make each page look more professional.

Chad: I don’t think it’s going to have your intended effect.

Pamela: Really?

Chad: Yes, instead of thinking we’re being professional, they’ll think we’ve gone off our rocker.

Pamela: Don’t be so stodgy. Hey, I think adding some clip art would really jazz things up, don’t you?

Chad: Oh, God!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
==============================================================
play around 胡搞;亂來
flush => of two surfaces 兩個表面 completely level with each other 完全齊平
cut down(on) 削減
caps 大寫字母 capitals (letters)
bullet （文件中列舉時用正方形號、菱形號等開始的）
italics 斜體字
intended effect /ɪ'fɛkt/ 預期的效果
be off your rocker 發瘋；瘋狂
rocking chair 搖椅
stodgy 滯澀的；古板的；枯燥無味的
clip art 剪貼畫（計算機程序或網站中供用戶複製自用的圖像和符號）
clip 1. 剪短；修剪 2.電影片段
jazz up 使有生氣 ; 使變得有趣

ESL Podcast 607 – Being Pestered on the Phone

Gisele: Our phone has been ringing off the hook all weekend. What’s the deal?

Nobu: I think it’s Jeanine.

Gisele: Jeanine...Jeanine...Is that the woman you’ve been going out with?

Nobu: Yeah, it’s her. I tried to let her down easy, but she’s not taking the hint.

Gisele: I see. That’s why you’ve been screening calls. Why don’t you just talk to her and tell her that you don’t think you’re right for each other, take the direct approach?

Nobu: I figure if I don’t take her calls for a few more days, she’ll get the message.

Gisele: Are you sure? There are 14 new voicemail messages. How many of those do you think are from Jeanine?

Nobu: All of them. I let calls go to voicemail if I see her phone number on caller ID. I guess I should listen to those messages – sooner or later.

Gisele: Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.

Nobu: I was thinking of taking the phone off the hook for the rest of day. What do you think?

Gisele: You do that and she’ll be on your doorstep to make sure nothing bad has happened to you. Listen, you don’t want to be honest with her, but you want her to stop pestering you, right? In that case, you only have one option.

Nobu: What?

Gisele: Tell her you’re moving to Timbuktu!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
==============================================================
ring off the hook 響聲不斷；鈴聲大作
go out with 約會，和……交往
let her down easy => to end a romantic relationship without hurting her
take the hint 領會暗示
screening calls 過濾電話
sooner or later 遲早；早晚有一天
on the/your doorstep 在某人的住所旁
pester 煩擾,糾纏

ESL Podcast 606 – Reading a Bus Schedule

This was my first visit to McQuillanville. I wanted to avoid driving, so I decided to take the bus around the city. However, I was having some trouble figuring out the bus schedule.

Louisa: Excuse me, could you help me read this bus schedule?

Curt: I can try. Where do you want to go?

Louisa: I want to go downtown, but I’m not sure which bus to take.

Curt: Let me see that bus schedule. Here’s a listing of the route numbers on the back of this schedule. Look for a bus that goes downtown.

Louisa: Oh, I see. That’s great. Tomorrow, I want to arrive at the Podcast Museum at 10 a.m. when it opens. Which bus will I have to take?

Curt: Let me look at this bus schedule. That’s simple. All you have to do is find the stop closest to the museum, then look down the column to find the arrival time of 10 a.m. or before, and work backwards to see what time that bus passes the stop at your starting point. Got it?

Louisa: I think so, but I don’t think there’s a bus that goes directly from here to downtown.

Curt: In that case, it says on the schedule that you’ll need to get a transfer from the driver of the first bus so you can ride for free on the second bus. Just take the additional time into account. Mornings are peak times, and according to this schedule, the buses run more frequently to accommodate commuters, so it shouldn’t take you a lot longer. It also says here that you’ll need to have a bus pass or exact change for the fare when you board.

Louisa: Thanks a lot for all the help. Do you know how much the fare is?

Curt: I have no idea. I’ve never ridden the bus before in McQuillanville.

Louisa: Then how do you know so much about riding the bus?

Curt: I can read.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
==============================================================
route numbers 路線
take ... into account 考慮
accommodate 幫忙；給…提供方便 ; 提供住宿（或膳宿、座位等）
commuter 通勤者;經常乘公交車輛往返者
bus pass 巴士長票（憑此可在某段時間內在某一地區乘坐任何公共汽車）
exact change 剛好的零錢
fare 車費；船費；飛機票價

ESL Podcast 605 – Talking About Astronomy

Dad: What are you working on, honey?

Mariko: It’s a project for school about the Earth and its place in the universe. I have to write a report and build a model of what scientists can see with a telescope in space.

Dad: I can help you with that. I was always good in science, especially astronomy.

Mariko: Okay, Dad. If I need help, I’ll ask you.

Dad: Is that the report you’re writing right now?

Mariko: Yes.

Dad: Make sure you include all of the planets in the solar system.

Mariko: I plan to, Dad.

Dad: Don’t forget to talk about the Big Bang. Oh yeah, and talk about traveling through space and how many light years it would take. Are you going to include stars, asteroids, and other galaxies in your model?

Mariko: No, the teacher didn’t say we had to.

Dad: Yes, but including some of those would set your project apart from the others, don’t you think?

Mariko: Sure, Dad.

Dad: It would be out of this world!

Mariko: Right, Dad.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
=============================================================
astronomy /ə'strɑnəmɪ/ 天文學
solar 太陽的
Big Bang 大爆炸
asteroid /'æstəˈrɔɪd/ 小行星
galaxy [ˈgæləksɪ] 【天】銀河
out of this world! 好（或美等）得不得了；非凡；呱呱叫

ESL Podcast 604 – Harming a Professional Reputation

Alex: Good morning. What’s with the gloom and doom?

Paige: Have you seen this morning’s newspaper?

Alex: No, I haven’t.

Paige: You’d better read this. It’s an article about our company.

Alex: Let me see that. This is outrageous! How can anybody print such lies? We’re not on the verge of going under. How did they get a hold of so much misleading and outright wrong information?

Paige: What I’m irate about is what it says about you, as the owner. The article is full of innuendos about your background. It’s nothing short of character assassination. We’ll sue the paper for defamation of character.

Alex: I’m not worried about my personal reputation. I’m more concerned about the company’s image. I’m going down to that paper and making them print a retraction.

Paige: How’re you going to do that?

Alex: After I call the reporter a no-good mudslinger, I’ll give him the facts, the ones he neglected to include in this story.

Paige: Be careful what you say to him, especially in front of his coworkers. You don’t want him suing you for slander!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
=============================================================

gloom and doom 悲觀失望；前景暗淡；無望
gloom /glum/ 1.憂鬱；愁悶；無望 2.幽暗；黑暗；昏暗
doom 死亡；毀滅；厄運；劫數
outrageous 1. very shocking and unacceptable 2. very unusual and slightly shocking
on the verge of going under 瀕臨倒閉的
verge 瀕於；接近於；行將
outright 公開地；直率地；毫無保留地
irate 1. very angry
innuendo 暗指；影射
nothing short of 簡直可以說是
character assassination 毀謗名譽
defamation 誣蔑；誹謗；中傷
image 形象；印象；聲譽
retraction 撤銷；收回
mudslinger 揭發隱私者
neglected 被忽略的；被忽視的；未被重視的
sue 控告,對...提起訴訟
slander 口頭誹謗；口頭誹謗罪

ESL Podcast 603 – Praising a Performance

Claudia: Oh, that was so good. I’ve never seen anything better. Bravo! Bravo!

Javier: There’s no need for a standing ovation and stop gushing. The performers did a passable job. It was nothing to write home about.

Claudia: You are so jaded. That performance was genius. It took my breath away.

Javier: I thought the first number was okay, and none of the dancers embarrassed themselves, but that’s all I can say about it.

Claudia: I’m sure they’d thank you for that faint praise. Me? I’ve never seen anything better.

Javier: Now how can you say that? That’s just over the top.

Claudia: If I can’t be effusive, who can? How many times will we see our granddaughter in a school play?

Javier: She’s seven years old and she played a tomato!

Claudia: Yes, but don’t forget: she played the lead tomato!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

=============================================================
Praise 讚揚,稱讚
Bravo /ˈbrɑ'vo/ （喝彩聲、叫好聲）好哇
standing ovation 起立鼓掌
ovation 熱烈鼓掌；熱烈歡迎
gushing 過分熱情的；過分讚揚的；誇張地表現感情的
passable 過得去的；尚可的
nothing to write home about 不特別好；很普通；一般
jaded 精疲力竭的；厭倦的；膩煩的
took my breath away 停止了呼吸
faint 不熱情的；不積極的
over the top 過分；過火；過頭
effusive 感情過分流露的；太動感情的；奔放的

ESL Podcast 602 – Calling an Ambulance

Brad: Are you all right?

Lydia: What...what happened?

Brad: You lost consciousness and someone called 911. My name is Brad and I’m a paramedic. Can you answer a few questions for me?

Lydia: I’ll try.

Brad: Have you ever blacked out before?

Lydia: No, I don’t think so.

Brad: Do you have a history of medical problems? Do you have any allergies to medication?

Lydia: Not that I know of.

Brad: Okay. Where are you hurt? Are you in any pain?

Lydia: I think I hit my head when I fell down. Oh, it’s bleeding. Oh my God, I’m bleeding!

Brad: Stay calm and let me examine the wound.

Lydia: Oh my God, I’m going to bleed to death!

Brad: Try to stay still. The wound doesn’t look too serious, but we’ll get you to the hospital to get checked out. We’ll get a stretcher so we can get you into the ambulance and take you to the emergency room. Try to stay clam.

Lydia: Calm? How can I stay calm when I’m bleeding to death? I need a helicopter to take me to the hospital right away. Call medivac!

Brad: Ma’am, you don’t need a helicopter. I’m just going to give you a little injection to help you with the pain and to help you relax.

Lydia: I’m going to die...I’m going to...

Brad: Phew!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

=============================================================
consciousness 清醒狀態；知覺
paramedic 護理人員；醫務輔助人員
black out 暫時失去知覺；暈眩；昏厥
allergy【醫】過敏症
wound （身體上的）傷，傷口；（武器造成的）傷
stay still 保持不動彈
stretcher 擔架
helicopter 直升機