每日学英语

jiayi

December 07,2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=236834

ESL Podcast 149 - Watching Sports on TV

Laura: Oh, I didn't think I’d make it home in time for the game.

Jun: What game?

Laura: The playoffs! Turn on the TV. I hope it's still in the first quarter. It is! Who's winning? What's the score?

Jun: I don't know. You know I don't watch sports. Whao! That was a great shot. Did you see that?

Laura: No, what happened? Maybe they'll show it again on instant replay. I wonder who the coach put in for the starting lineup.

Jun: Geez. I think there's a player down on the field.

Laura: It looks like he's walking off the field. He can't be hurt too badly.

Jun: Look! They're putting your favorite player in. Oh, what a play!

Laura: Wait a second. I thought you didn't watch sports.

Jun: I was never a sports fan before I met you. I think you're a bad influence on me.

Laura: Yes, very bad. Now, stop hogging the couch and pass the chips

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
make it home in time --- to arrive home

playoffs --- teams play each other and whoever wins goes on to the next round.

first quarter --- the first part of the game

starting lineup --- the best players, the first group of  players that play on a team. Lineup: the group of players that are playing on the field or in the game.
Others called The second string , the third string

player down --- injured

hog --- to use it and not anyone else to use

pass the chips --- give me the chips.

great shot  ,  instant replay,  you're a bad influence on me

jiayi

Try to write more, you will get used to that.

zhangyl 发表于 2009-12-5 02:31

                               
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yeah, you are right. I know I should write more, but some times I am lazy.

Now I just want to take a rest, not so hurry up.

未飘落的雪

You are better than me

jiayi

December 08, 2009
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=217148
ESL Podcast 150 - Volunteer Work
Some people say that it's civic duty to "give back" to your community. That's true but
for me, I want to do some volunteer work so that I can feel useful. I've been working at
the same job for years and it's not at all rewarding. Yes, I make good money, but I
never feel like I'm doing any good in the world.
When I was in college, I had dreams of changing the world. I wanted to work in a non-
profit organization that did relief work, that helped woman and children in need, or
that had an impact on public policy. I've begun to think again about those dreams and
thought I might take the first step of doing some volunteering. Then, I can see if I
like that kind of work and make some hard decisions.
I called an organization that helped homeless children. I told them about my education
and experience, and they said they could use someone like me to do some tutoring. I
filled out an application and was fingerprinted for a background check. A few weeks
later, I met my student and I tutored her for the first time. It was a great experience.
I wish I had done it earlier!
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
civic duty --- That's your responsibility as a citizen of country, as a member of a
society that you help other people.

non-profit organization --- an organization that doesn't try to make money,it doesn't
try to have a profit.

fingerprint --- v.n. now is done by computer,they scan and take a picture of your finger

have an impact on public policy

jiayi

December 09, 2009
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=197462
ESL Podcast 151 - Eating at a Buffet
I love eating at all-you-can-eat buffets. It doesn't matter what kind of food it is, I'm up for it.

Last week, I went to a high-end seafood buffet with my friends. We walked in and the hostess seated us at a table. She asked if we wanted to order any drinks. Drinks other than water are not included in the price.

I got up and got a plate. I went over to the soup and salad station first and then over to the hot food. They had a carving station and made-to-order omelets. They also had a great dessert table, but I wasn't ready for that yet. I sat down, ate, and grabbed a new plate for the second round. This time, I went for the seafood. I loaded up my plate and
sat down again. After two more trips to the buffet, I was ready for dessert. I got a little of everything. I was so stuffed, I couldn't eat another bite .

I really enjoyed the meal. I like being able to serve myself. Some people don't like buffets unless they're very high-end. Not me. Give me any high-end or low-end buffet and I'm perfectly happy.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
up for it --- ready for it

high-end --- expensive. high-end store.

carving station --- is a place where they have a big piece of meat,and they have someone
cutting it for you and giving you a piece that you want

made-to-order omelets --- have someone standing with a plat pan and you go up to them  
say  'I want cheese,...'
omelet:eggs with a little milk or something ,and they mix together,and you put them in a
plat pan to cook them. usually you put other things like tomato, cheese in it.
omelet  [ˈɔmlit,ˈɔmlet] n.煎蛋卷

loaded up --- to put a lot of things there

stuffed --- you eat so much that you are not just full, you are very full

low-end --- cheap

all-you-can-eat buffets,I couldn't eat another bite

jiayi

December 10, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=187619

ESL Podcast 152 - Planning a Company Retreat

Sharon: So, Leo, how are the plans coming along for the company retreat?

Leo: I've made most of the arrangements and I think it's going well. I'm planning to send out information about the two-day event to the managers at the end of this week.

Sharon: What do you have set up for the opening day? There's normally a welcome dinner.

Leo: That's what I have arranged. Then, for the following day, I've lined up several speakers and panels to talk about productivity, teamwork, and the other topics we discussed.

Sharon: Good. What about recreation? We don't want it to be all work and no play.

Leo: The hotel where we're holding the retreat this year has golf and water sports. I don't think the managers will be bored.

Sharon: Well, it sounds like you have it all under control. Keep up the good work.

Leo: Thanks.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
coming along --- how are they developing, how are they turning out

company retreat --- retreat: in this situation means a meeting

arrangements --- any thing that you have to do when you are planning a meeting. Make arrangement for wedding / meeting.

Set up --- to arrange ,to plan.

opening day --- the first day of ( the retreat ).  The opening of the school.

lined up --- very much similar to arrange. Usually arrange for people to talk to a group.

panel --- when you have a group of people, usually seating at table, behind the  table, in the front of the room. And each person has a microphone in front of them. And you have a discussion among the people about certain topic. So you may have … from different areas coming. And each of them will be on a panel of 4 or 5 people, and they’ll talk a topic, like a discussion with each other.

recreation --- v. n. enjoyment, things that people can do ,usually something physical like sport.

all work and no play , Keep up the good work

jiayi

December 11, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=158090

ESL Podcast 153 - A Complaint Letter to a Tour Company

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing regarding a tour that my wife and I took with your company on February 26, 2006. The brochure stated that we would see some of the most interesting sights of the city. Since we had visited the city before, we looked forward to seeing some new attractions.

On the morning of February 26, our tour guide picked us up in a small van. It did not look like any tour bus I had ever seen. Our tour guide drove us to the waterfront area and said that we could explore the area on our own. The tour guide said that he had to leave for a short time to arrange for our lunch.

By the time the tour guide came back, three hours had gone by! I was very angry and confronted him. I told him that this was the worst tour I had ever been on .

I am asking for a complete refund of the price of the tour. Please send a check to the address above for $150.00 at your earliest convenience. I have enclosed a copy of the receipt for the tour.

Sincerely,
Kayne East

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To Whom It May Concern: --- Every word begin with capital letter.
                               : --- formal business                    ,--- friendly letter

regarding --- about.  A little more formal.

brochure stated --- the brochure said                brochure :a description of the tour, it’s usually on a nice piece of color paper with photographs

On the morning of  --- for date
in the morning  --- for time. I am going to leave at 6 o’clock in the morning.

confronted --- talk to time, but usually  in order to complain something or because you are angry. It’s negative, just like ‘by the time’.

at your earliest convenience --- in business letter , as soon as possible

enclosed --- put with the letter.   

Complaint Letter ,  tour bus,  a complete refund of the price of, time goes by, address above

jiayi

December 14, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1841243

ESL Podcast 154 - Using Email

One of the first things I do each morning is to check my email. I open the email program on my computer and I check for new messages. It usually takes only a few seconds for my new messages to download from the server into my inbox unless there’s a large attachment. I can then click onto each new message to read it.

I reply to messages or forward them to someone else. The important messages I save by putting them into one of my mailboxes. The unimportant ones I just delete.

I really hate getting spam. Luckily, my email program allows me to set up filters so that spam messages are put into a separate mailbox automatically. I usually scan the messages to make sure real messages weren’t put into the mailbox by mistake and then I put them in the trash.

I don’t know what I would do without email, but I’m constantly checking it for new messages. I’m not sure if it’s a blessing or a curse. I suppose it’s both.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
spam --- the mail you don’t want
.
1. 香火腿,（斯帕姆）午餐肉2. 垃圾邮件，垃圾信息3. （非索要的）电邮广告


trash --- where your delete things

n. 1. 拙劣的材料[作品]2. 垃圾; 废物3. 没出息的人

vt. 1. 捣坏; 破坏; 弄脏2. 抨击；谴责3.  丢弃；把…抛弃

it’s a blessing or a curse ---
blessing :a good thing that gives to you
curse: punishment

jiayi

December 15, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1860929

ESL Podcast 155 - A Good Review of a Play

I invited Bruce to a play at the Mark Taper Forum and we got there a little early. We handed our tickets to the woman at the door and found our seats.

Megan: I’m glad we got here early to find our seats. I know that this is a sold out performance.

Bruce: The cast is supposed to be really good. I read a rave review of the play in the paper last week. The review said that the leads are perfectly cast and the directing is inspired. Federica saw it a couple of weeks ago and she said that the staging and the costumes were really something to see.

Megan: I’m really glad. The last time I came to a play at this theater, it was a bomb. The two lead actors weren’t up to their parts and the whole production was amateur. It closed early after only two weeks.

Bruce: That won’t happen with this play. Hey, they’re dimming the lights. The curtain should be going up any minute


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
cast --- the people who are in the play, the actors

rave review --- great review.
Review: some one in the newspaper or on
TV give their opinion of the play, the people who write the reviews usually called critics.
Rave --- n. dance , rave party

Leads --- the lead or most important actor or actors, usually there’s one or two, maybe three lead actors

Inspired --- very good

Costumes --- the cloth that the actors wear

A Bomb --- in this situation is terrible .
the bomb --- great, usually
use it for a play

up to their parts --- up to : able to do

amateur --- wasn’t very good. Opposite: professional,
also describe how good something is done. ‘ That website is really amteur/professional.’

dimming the lights --- lower the light, less bright

something to see, close early,
any minute

jiayi

December 16, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1870772

ESL Podcast 156 - Rumors and Secrets

Jack: So, what do you think of the new guy ?

Kate: Oh, you mean Bernard? He’s okay, I guess. Why?

Jack: Well, I heard that he left his last company under mysterious circumstances. I tried to find out more from Libby, but she was very hush-hush about it.

Kate: I’m not surprised. Libby doesn’t like to gossip, unlike some people…

Jack: I’m not gossiping. I just like to know more about the people I work with.

Kate: Okay, but don’t start any rumors. Bernard seems nice and I think we should give him a chance.

Jack: Don’t worry. I’ll cut him some slack , but I want to know what skeletons are in his closet.

Kate: Take it from me. You won’t find any dirty little secrets and you may make an enemy of Bernard in the process.

Jack: You’re probably right but I wonder what Nathan knows…


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
mysterious circumstances ---  mysterious: we don’t know what’s answer, we don’t understand
          circumstances :situation. ‘Under difficult circumstances ‘ ,’in this circumstances’, I’ll

hush-hush --- not to talk about it, to be secretive, not want to tell anyone else.
          ‘He is very hush-hush about his new girlfriend’

gossip --- to tell rumors to other people about someone else, or to talk someone else when they aren’t there.  Negative meaning: talk the bad thing.  

rumors --- someone says about someone else and you are not quite sure if It’s true or not.
               start rumors: I am going to make sth up , I am going to tell other people sth, I’ll be the first one to tell them

give him a chance --- similar to ‘give someone a break’.    Give me a break (when you don’t believe it)

cut him some slack ---similar to ‘give someone a break’, we usually use this expression for someone  just beginning a job or beginning  a project
slack: adj. 1. 松(弛)的2. 清淡的, 不活跃的;萧条的；冷清的；清淡的3. 懈怠的, 马虎的,不用心的；敷衍了事的；吊儿郎当的
vt. & vi. 1. 懈怠；怠惰；偷懒2. 减速;松懈；放松；懈怠
n. 1. (绳索等)松弛部分2. 宽松裤3. （人员、资金或地方的）富余的部份，闲置部份 4. 煤屑；煤末

skeletons are in his closet --- if you kill someone and you don’t want anyone to know, and you may put the body in a  closet. Common expression, something happened in his past that was bad.
               skeletons : the bones in your body but without the skin, without the blood

Take it from me --- believe me, listen to what I am saying because I know more than you do

dirty little secrets --- some very bad secrets. something that you are hiding to someone else, something you are not telling someone else

jiayi

December 17, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1890458

ESL Podcast 157 - Taking the Bus in Los Angeles

I just moved to L.A. and don’t have a car. Everybody says that you can’t get around this city without one, but I wanted to prove them wrong.

I asked my neighbor to take me to the downtown bus station so I could try taking the bus home. She thought I was crazy but gave me a ride. When I got there, I went inside and got a bus schedule. I looked at the map and figured out that I needed to take three buses to get home. The fare was $1.75 per ride and I could buy a single ticket, a booklet of 20, or a bus pass. I would need transfers, too, to change buses.

I took my map and went outside to wait at the bus stop for the Number 8 bus. Soon it pulled up and I got on. I gave my ticket to the bus driver and took a seat. At the stop where I needed to get off, I rang the bell, the bus stopped, and I got off. I waited for the next bus. I waited and waited. A man who was also waiting for the Number 14 bus said that it wasn’t unusual for the bus to be delayed. It finally got there and I found out that the bus had broken down along the route and they had to get another bus to take its place. By this time, I was getting pretty tired. Maybe getting a car in L.A. wasn’t such a bad idea.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
fare --- the amount of money that you have to pay, use it for buses, airplane.


How much the bus/air/train fare.

booklet --- a small book, in this case, which is a collection of tickets that you can use for the bus. Usually we use booklet for things that are informational.

pull up --- the bus drove to where I was standing and stopped.
‘ The car pulled up to you ’

break down --- stop working

give me a ride, single ticket , get on/off, the Number 8 bus

jiayi

December 18, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1900301

ESL Podcast 158 - Shopping with My Wife

One thing I dread more than anything else is going clothes shopping with my wife. It’s not that I don’t like helping her buy new clothes. It’s just that I have no fashion sense.

My wife always asks me, “What do you think of this one?” and I always answer with something like: “That’s nice” or “That looks good on you.” That usually satisfies her but sometimes I get harder questions like, “Which one looks better, this one or the other one?” It’s a hard question to answer because whichever one I pick, she will follow up with the question I dread the most: “Why?”

The truth is, I don’t know why. I don’t know if it’s because of the color, the cut, the hemline, or the fit. I might have an idea but I can’t put it into words.

One question I do know the answer to, though, is: “Do I look fat in this?” The answer to THAT question is always, always, “No!”


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
dread --- when you are not looking forward to sth, when you really dislike sth, you don’t want to do sth, but you probably have to do it.      e.g. “I dread going to work on Monday morning”

hemline --- it the bottom of the dress.

put it into words, Do I look fat in this

jiayi

December 21, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1919987

ESL Podcast 159 – Moonlighting

Robert: You look exhausted. You must have been out late last night having fun.

Muriel: I wish. I’ve actually started moonlighting. I’ve decided to go back to school and need the extra money to make ends meet.

Robert: Good for you. That’s great. Where are you moonlighting?

Muriel: I’m working at the university library. At that time of night, it’s pretty dead. When there are no students around, I can use the time to study. It works out pretty well, except for the hours.

Robert: Oh, yeah? What are they?

Muriel: My work schedule is pretty good, actually. I work three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. But my hours are 7 to midnight. By the time I get home, I’m dead tired.

Robert: No wonder you look beat . Here, have some more coffee.

Muriel: Thanks. I just hope I don’t fall asleep in the morning meeting.

Robert: It’s okay. No one will notice .

Muriel: Thanks a lot!

Robert: Don’t mention it.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
must have been out late --- must have been :  you probably were , I think that you were
out late: in general, to have gone somewhere, to movie, dancing, not get  home until very late at night.  

moonlighting --- to work a second job, usually at night

to make ends meet --- to get money to pay for your basic living expanses, to have enough money to live at a very simple level.

Dead --- there is not much going on , there are very few people

work out --- going well ,it has good result, something that is positive

dead tired --- very tired, exhausted

Beat --- look exhausted.

I wish,  good for you , no wonder

dancingpenguin

long time no see. Come in for my support.

Great job!!!

jiayi

long time no see. Come in for my support.

Great job!!!
dancingpenguin 发表于 2009-12-22 09:18

                               
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Thank you for your support

jiayi

December 22, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1929830

ESL Podcast 160 - A Flirt

Elaine: You look happy.

Jerry: Me? Oh, I was just talking to Ling.

Elaine: Oh, no wonder! You better watch out. She’s a big flirt .

Jerry: What do you mean?

Elaine: Did she make eyes at you and whisper sweet nothings in your ear?

Jerry: Well, yes, she said she’d never met anybody like me before, and by her body language , I think she was serious.

Elaine: Then she’s still using the same old line that she used with Kramer. She had him wrapped around her little finger.

Jerry: Give me a little credit. I know when I’m being snowed and when a girl is really interested in me.

Elaine: I hope you’re right, but she’s quite the heartbreaker. I just don’t want you to get hurt.

Jerry: Thanks but I think I can take care of myself.

Elaine: Okay. Suit yourself.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
flirt --- v. n.  when a man/woman try to indicate to someone  that they are romantically interested in. If we say a girl is flirting with the boy we mean she is sending him message that she is interested in him.

make eyes at --- especially for a woman that you look at a man as though they are interested in him romantically.

whisper sweet nothings --- an old expression and using it as a joke.  To talk very softly, say things that are nice.

line --- something that you say to someone else to show that you are interested in romantically. In this case, a negative, it means that the person isn’t sincere, that she isn’t being honest.

wrapped around her little finger --- she controlled him. That he was so in love with her that she could tell him to do whatever she wants to.

Give me a little credit --- don’t think that I am so stupid as to not recognize this.

being snowed --- to deceive someone , to lie someone

Suit yourself --- ok , I am not going to help you ,you are on your own. Usually we say that when someone disagree with us.

jiayi

December 23, 2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=1939673

ESL Podcast 161 - A Bad Boss

Tom: I wonder how much longer we’ll have to put up with Dennis. He is the most incompetent boss I’ve ever worked for.

Katie: He’s not that bad, is he? I don’t have much contact with him.

Tom: Are you kidding? He’s always sleeping on the job. The other day, he was supposed to keep an eye on the supervisors visiting from Salt Lake City. Instead, I heard that he went to a baseball game and the supervisors ended up stranded at the downtown office.

Katie: It’s hard to believe that he’d fall down on the job like that.

Tom: It’s not only that. He’s always passing the buck. Every time something goes wrong at the factory, he blames everyone but himself.

Katie: If he’s as bad as you say he is, he must be on his way out. But, you know what they say: “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.”

Tom: Yeah, I know, but I’m willing to take my chances.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
how much longer --- how much more time

put up with --- to tolerent

incompetent --- not have the ability to do something

sleeping on the job --- not doing what you are supposed to do

ended up stranded --- end up :after serious things happen, something ends up . Usually we used that expression when one thing is suppose to happen but it doesn’t, so you do something different.
Stranded: to be left somewhere with no transportation.

fall down on the job --- similar to be sleeping on the job, not to do your job. Usually means when you do something wrong. But in general, it means not be doing the work you are supposed to be doing

passing the buck --- give the responsibility for something that went wrong to someone else

must be on his way out --- he is going to be leaving this job or this position soon.

Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t --- It’s better to have someone bad that you are familiar with than to bring someone else in new who maybe even worse than the person you have now.
devil: the person that tries makes you do something wrong

take my chances ---  willing to risk something worse. Means open to the possibility that something may go wrong.  Usually use this expression when someone warns us or tells us that something bad could happen. If we do what we plan our doing, we’ll say ‘ take my chances.’

未飘落的雪

Happy New Year!

jiayi

Happy new year!

Do you have a happy holiday? I think so.   I have a great time too, don't need to work, without LINC class, without weekend class. Just playing with my kid, visiting friends and so on.

Come back to 'study English everyday' now. Let's get started.

****************************************************************
December 29,2009

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=2038103

ESL Podcast 162 - Training a New Employee

Even though I’ve only been on the job for six months, my manager asked me to train the new hire. She was starting today and when she arrived, we got down to business.

Akira: So, the first thing I’ll do is to give you a run down of the duties of the job. Your main responsibilities will be to ensure that the reports are finished each week, make any adjustments that need to be made, and distribute them to each department. Is that clear so far?

Frances: Sure. That seems pretty straightforward. Who do I report to?

Akira: Your immediate supervisor is Ida Funck. We all work under her in this department. Okay, here’s the employee manual. Make sure you read it.

Frances: Great. Thanks. Now, when do I get a break?

Akira: A break? You’ve been here a half an hour.

Frances: Has it been that long? I need some coffee.

Needless to say, it was a very, very long day.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
*********************************************8
get down to business --- to start working，to begin doing what you are suppose to do
Give sb a run down of/on sth --- to explain to them what happen ，to give them information that they need to know

Ensure --- to make sure，to take responsibilty for sth                Insure：to get insurance for sth

straightforward --- to be clear， to be simple

manual --- a book that gives you instructions on how to do sth

Needless to say --- obviously, I don’t need to tell.

immediate supervisor， work under

jiayi

Happy New Year!
未飘落的雪 发表于 2009-12-30 03:22

                               
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Thank you!
Best wishes on this holiday season and happy new year!