ESL Podcast 1i6j1v

Much of what we know about ancient civilizations is buried in the ground. Learn how to talk about archaeology in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:24 Explanations: 3:55 Fast dialog: 17:13 Lillian: Look at this! I’m going to take this home as a souvenir. Bruce: You can’t do that. That might be an artifact of some kind. It belongs to this archaeological site. Lillian: It’s just a rock. No one will miss it. Bruce: That’s not the point. Everything here should be preserved. That’s the point of doing a careful excavation. Everything should be recorded and nothing should be lost. Lillian: Take it easy. It’s not like I’m defacing anything. And if they’re trying to preserve this site, why are they doing this dig? Wouldn’t it be better just to leave it frozen in time? Bruce: The point is to learn more about the peoples of ancient civilizations who lived here in prehistory. Lillian: In my opinion, it’s disrespectful to disturb burial mounds and tombs. They were never meant to be desecrated like this. Bruce: Some people would agree with you, but that’s the price we have to pay to add to our knowledge about human history. I really think you should leave that rock where you found it. It could be a fossil. Lillian: Do you really think so? Bruce: You never know. You could hold in your hand the key to understanding this entire civilization. Lillian: Wow, if I take it, I could preserve it for posterity. Bruce: What happened to leaving things undisturbed? Lillian: That’s before I realized I could go down in history for my own discovery! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Famous Americans – Mary Pickford; to infer versus to deduce versus to derive; to clean out versus to free up; civil disturbance versus civil unrest Words: to found Underground Railroad bureau coeducational vocational intellectual Liberal Arts higher education to go on tour production company sweetheart to adopt to infer to deduce to derive to clean out to free up civil disturbance civil unrest

Buy one, get one free with this episode! Learn all about contests and competitions at a store. Slow dialog: 1:27 Explanations: 3:25 Fast dialog: 16:46 Sonia: What is all this? Paul: These are entry forms and materials for our new store promotions and giveaways. Sonia: What prizes can people win? Paul: There are different kinds, because we’re running several promotions at once. We have scratch-off cards to win instant prizes, including t-shirts. Sonia: Those t-shirts are really nice. I’d like one of those. Paul: We also have a collect-and-win game. People collect codes printed on our products. When they’ve collected a certain number, they win gift certificates to spend in our store. Sonia: Wow, that’s great. I’d like a gift certificate. Paul: We also have a sweepstake. Enter to win one of three grand prizes: a TV, a Hawaiian vacation, and a brand new car! Sonia: Wow, I definitely want one of those. Paul: Do you know what you can do to win? Sonia: No, what? Paul: Quit your job. The rules say that employees and their families are not eligible. Sonia: I don’t suppose I can find a way around that. Paul: Not unless you’re considering divorcing your husband or disowning your children. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

It can cost a lot of money to go to college in the U.S. Learn how to pay for it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:16 Explanations: 3:50 Fast dialog: 18:41 Chris: Which colleges are you applying to? Marcella: None. I can’t afford to go to college. Even if I lived at home, tuition, fees, and books are just too expensive. Chris: You could apply for financial aid. Marcella: I don’t want to get a bunch of loans and be in debt for the next 10 to 20 years. It’s not worth it. Chris: Loans aren’t so bad, especially ones that are federally subsidized. Apart from that, you could get need-based grants or work-study. Put all of that together and college can be affordable. Marcella: I don’t want to go into debt of any kind. Chris: You could go to a community college and transfer to a four-year university after two years. Community college tuition is much lower. Marcella: But who has the time? I have to work full-time to pay my bills. Chris: Then think about a program that has a service commitment. Marcella: What do you mean? Chris: There are teaching, military, or community service programs that will forgive or pay off your loans if you work for the organization for a few years after graduating. Marcella: And be an indentured servant? No, thank you! Chris: Okay, but most good jobs nowadays require a college degree. Marcella: Not if you really have talent Chris: Talent? Marcella: Yeah, haven’t you seen me mime? That’s my ticket to a great career. Chris: I’m happy to hear you have such a practical plan mapped out for your future. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre; American Playwrights – David Mamet; to atone versus to make amends versus to do penance; comion versus empathy; to reckon Words: massacre gang reputation to retire bootlegging Prohibition organized crime rival raid working class anti-Semitism staccato to atone to make amends to do penance comion empathy to reckon

Have another round of drinks before you listen to this episode (that is, if you’re old enough to drink). Slow dialog: 1:30 Explanations: 3:04 Fast dialog: 14:04 Bethany: Where is everybody? Nathan: While you were in the bathroom, the other guys left. Bethany: In that case, I should go, too. It’s getting late. Nathan: The night is young. Let me get you a refill. Bethany: No, I really shouldn’t have another drink. I had a neat drink after dinner and I’m still feeling the effects. I’m a lightweight and I’m not normally a drinker. Nathan: What’s the harm? Have one for the road. I’ll serve this one straight up and with a twist of lemon. It’s my specialty. I could also mix you a cocktail, if you prefer. Consider it a nightcap. Bethany: No, I really shouldn’t. Nathan: All right, I’ll just top off that drink in your hand. Bethany: No, it’s late, I’m tired, and I have to go. Nathan: Don’t rush off. You wouldn’t want to get a reputation for being a spoilsport, would you? Bethany: I prefer that to the alternative! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: Famous Americans – The Fox Sisters; Famous Songs – “I’m a Little Teapot”; to lack versus to be short of versus to be shy of versus to be out of; to clean versus to wash; pronouncing “Wh” Words: spiritualism medium spirit fake code séance cult following hoax teapot handle spout to tip to lack to be short of to be shy of to be out of to clean to wash

It is said that the only certain things in life are death and taxes. Find out if you can avoid at least one of them in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:16 Explanations: 3:27 Fast dialog: 16:55 Sabrina: Wait! Don’t deposit that money into our regular bank . I’ll take care of it. Luis: Okay, but why? Sabrina: I’ve come up with a way for us to avoid paying so much in taxes each year. I’ve opened an offshore in the Crook Islands. We can funnel our money into that and it’ll be untraceable. Luis: But that’s tax evasion. Sabrina: The banks in the Crook Islands have ways of covering up the paper trail so no one will be the wiser. Luis: That doesn’t make it legal. Sabrina: They haven’t caught us yet. Luis: You mean you’ve already started putting money into that ? Sabrina: I’ve been depositing money into it for nearly a year. Luis: And when were you going to tell me? Sabrina: I’m telling you now. Trust me. These tax havens are very popular with the rich. We’re just taking a page from their book on how to save money. Luis: We’re going to get caught. We should come clean now. Sabrina: That’s why I didn’t tell you before! I knew you’d make a fuss about it. Luis: And you were right. We need to quietly close the and bring the money back. Sabrina: Then we’ll have to pay taxes on it and maybe even a penalty, more than we would’ve had to pay in taxes originally. Luis: Right and that’s called poetic justice. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Come on, people now! Let’s try and love one another right now. Learn how in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:24 Explanations: 3:16 Fast dialog: 16:38 Vladimir: We need a ceasefire. The violence is escalating and we need to put a stop to this. Hilary: I agree, but do you think our enemies will agree to a truce? Vladimir: They’re as embattled as we are. They may welcome a suspension of hostilities until we can agree on a peace treaty. Hilary: I hate to think what their conditions will be for an armistice. This war has dragged on for so long. Vladimir: I suspect they feel the same as we do. If we make a conciliatory gesture, I think they’ll respond in kind. Hilary: Do you really think so? We won’t come off as weak? Vladimir: I don’t think so. We’re taking the first step to peace. They’ll see that. Hilary: If you say so. All right, let’s do it. This war with our neighbors is getting old. Do you want to bring them this fruitcake or should I? Vladimir: I’ll take it, but first I’ll make sure their ugly, dirty, mean barking dog that wakes me up in the middle of the night is tied up. I don’t want to become a casualty while bringing them this peace offering! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: American Movies – Toy Story; The United States Naval Academy; buddy versus chum versus pal; fee versus pay; Clean clams crammed in clean cans Words: animated perspective cowboy astronaut mission spaceship to escape commercial to be depressed faculty officer navigation buddy chum pal fee pay clam to be crammed

If you sign a legal agreement, there are consequences for not doing what you promise. Find out more in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:28 Explanations: 3:10 Fast dialog: 15:47 Sandra: I don’t know what to do. Our contractor installed the wrong equipment and now we’re having major problems. I’ve tried ing her, but she’s dodging my calls. The trouble is I’ve already paid her in full. Antonin: Well, that’s a breach of contract. Your only recourse might be to take her to court. Sandra: I’d hate to do that. I’d rather settle this out of court. Antonin: I don’t blame you, but if she’s hiding out or has washed her hands of this whole situation, suing her might be the only way to compel her to fix the problem. Sandra: We’ve already suffered major damage as a result of her mistakes. Antonin: Then that’s all the more reason to see your attorney. You’ll need to go to court to collect damages. Sandra: Aren’t you an attorney? Couldn’t you help us? Antonin: I’m a divorce attorney. I can only help you if you’re married to your contractor. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Looking to kick the habit of smoking? Find out all the ways not to do it in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:15 Explanations: 3:01 Fast dialog: 16:52 Lisa: This is it. I’m quitting smoking for good. Michael: Good for you. Are you going cold turkey? Lisa: No, I tried that, but it didn’t work. I craved cigarettes too much. Michael: How about nicotine gum? Have you tried that? Lisa: Yes, but I didn’t like the side effects. It irritated my throat. Michael: That’s too bad. I suppose you’ve tried nicotine patches, too? Lisa: Yes, I have. I became addicted to the patches and couldn’t wean myself off of them. I just traded one addiction for another. Michael: And electronic cigarettes? Lisa: They only made me want to smoke a real cigarette. They were no help at all. Michael: So, what now? Lisa: I’m going to try hypnosis. I hear that it works for some people. Michael: And if that doesn’t work? Lisa: The last resort is acupuncture. Some people say that’s effective for quitting smoking. Michael: If you say so. Sometimes the cure is truly worse than the disease! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: American Presidents – Benjamin Harrison; to call the shots versus to wear the pants; inquiry versus enquiry; There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Words: rank incentive to expand pension to make a deal domestic to restrict monopoly to dissolve fine surplus charismatic to call the shots to wear the pants inquiry enquiry “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

Get a good deal on an online auction. Learn more in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:15 Explanations: 3:22 Fast dialog: 16:26 Jermaine: Wait! You shouldn’t bid on that auction right now. Wait until the last minute. Bethany: This auction has a buy-it-now price of $25 and free shipping. Jermaine: Don’t pay the buy-it-now price. The minimum bid on this item is $10 and the current bid is only $12.50. There’s no reserve, so if you wait to bid, you may snag it for a much lower price than $25. Bethany: Okay, I guess I can wait, but why can’t I place a bid of $15 right now? Jermaine: First of all, the bidding on this auction goes up by increments of 50-cents, so the next bid would be $13.00. You could place a maximum bid of $15.00, but someone might outbid you at any time. Bethany: But couldn’t that happen anyway? Even if I wait until the last minute someone could sneak in and bid a higher price. Jermaine: You mean they could snipe you? They could, but not if you snipe them back. It’s all in the timing. Bethany: You seem to know a lot about online auctions. Jermaine: That item you’re bidding on, guess who listed it? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Like putting together toys for your children, putting together furniture can be a painful experience. Learn more in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:25 Explanations: 3:36 Fast dialog: 15:56 Armand: Did you know that this nightstand required assembly when you bought it? Suzanne: The box said that it required simple assembly. I guess what’s simple to them isn’t simple to us. Armand: You can say that again. These instructions aren’t in English, there are no diagrams showing how the parts fit together, and we seem to be missing parts. I also question the quality. It’s mainly made of particleboard and plywood. Do you think we should return it? Suzanne: No, let’s just keep it and do the best we can. Armand: That’s hard to do when there seems to be a design flaw with the drawers. The pieces don’t fit together as they should. These nails are also bent and these screws look defective. Suzanne: It’s not looking good, is it? I also bought this because I thought everything could be assembled using Allen wrenches, but it looks like we’ll actually need a hammer, screwdriver, and maybe a drill. Armand: Well, let’s see what we can do. If we don’t have the right tools or parts, I have a solution. Suzanne: What? Armand: Duct tape. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Topics: American Playwrights – Arthur Miller; Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; to evoke versus to invoke; fluently versus fluency; pronouncing bought and boat, late and let, and beer and bear Words: poverty working class anti-Semitism faulty illusion contempt to air brainchild script to host cardigan segment to evoke to invoke fluently fluency

Topics: The Leo Franks Trial; on hand versus in hand versus at hand; discrete versus discretion Words: superintendent to strangle prejudice factory to get rid of to coach to flirt to prey on alibi to appeal to commute pardon on hand in hand at hand discretion discreet to be into (something)

Being able to talk and act just like someone else isn’t always a funny thing. Learn why in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:20 Explanations: 3:34 Fast dialog: 16:46 Edison: [in a high-pitched woman’s voice] “I’m paying you less and working you harder. What are you complaining about?” Kay: Ha, ha. You sound just like Justine! You really have a gift for doing impressions, but maybe we should shut the door. Edison: Oh I’m not worried about Justine hearing me. She’s my boss, but she’s not the boss of me. Kay: What would she say if she saw you imitating the way she walks and the gestures she makes? Edison: We all know what they say: Imitation is the best form of flattery. Right? Kay: I’m not sure Justine would see it that way. It sounds more like mockery to me. I think it’s all in the tone. Edison: It’s a simple parody of how she normally addresses the staff. It’s all done in good fun. It’s not mean-spirited. Kay: Of course not, but she might take it the wrong way. Edison: Then she would need to learn to laugh at herself. It’s healthy for the ego. Kay: “Whatever you say, boss. You’re always right, boss.” Edison: Who was that supposed to be? Kay: what you said about imitation being be the best form of flattery... Edison: That was supposed to be me? Me?! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Sometimes sunny weather can be a bad thing. Learn why in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:39 Explanations: 3:34 Fast dialog: 14:17 Fabian: How long do you think this drought is going to last? Lia: I have no idea, but I’m not worried. I grew up in the desert. Not having enough precipitation was just a fact of life. Fabian: Yes, but people here aren’t used to getting this little rainfall. Their livelihood depends on having a reliable water supply for their crops. Lia: You make it sound like we’re experiencing another Dust Bowl when the water table is just a little low. Fabian: I think it’s a little more serious than that. Lia: What we need here is a reservoir. That would give this town the water reserves it needs in case of a drought. Fabian: What we really need are fewer dust storms and more thunderstorms. Lia: And for people to stop over farming. That and deforestation are half the problem. Fabian: You may be right, but that’s not what people want to hear right now. They need some relief. Lia: Maybe the town’s water conservation efforts will make a difference. Fabian: Well, I’m certainly willing to stop bathing if it’ll help. Lia: I thought you already had. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

Should your vacation plans depend on the strength of your country’s currency? Find out in this episode. Slow dialog: 1:16 Explanations: 3:25 Fast dialog: 15:13 Sydney: Where should we go on our honeymoon? I thought Rome would be nice. Isaac: Let me check. No, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Sydney: Okay, how about Tokyo? I’ve always wanted to visit Japan. Isaac: No, I’m afraid not. Sydney: How are you making these determinations? Isaac: I’m checking to see if the U.S. dollar has a favorable exchange rate with those currencies. We want our dollars to go as far as they can. Sydney: You mean you want to pick our honeymoon destination according to the currency market. Isaac: I’m just saying that we should take advantage of falling currencies or ones that have already depreciated significantly. A strong dollar means we can get more bang for the buck. Sydney: So you’re saying that you want us to make plans at the whim of the Federal Reserve and central banks. Isaac: Well, I wouldn’t go that far. I’m only saying that it would make financial sense. Sydney: That doesn’t seem like a very romantic way of picking a honeymoon destination. Isaac: Romance is overrated. Wouldn’t you rather be solvent than sentimental? Sydney: I’d rather be solvent and sentimental. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse