英語 × 英文 × 樂詞不疲 podcast

1:16

Intro What makes a perfect summer jam? It has to be a catchy, upbeat song. It should have the feeling of a carefree, sun-filled day. It should make you want to dance. And you’ll know it’s the hit of the summer when you can’t help but hear it every time you turn on your radio. So what is this summer’s big hit? Is it “Alejandro” by Lady Gaga? Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”? Hear Jason and Devan’s nominees for this year’s song of the summer. Then add your own. Dialogue Jason : Well, it’s officially summer. Devan: It is. I’m packing up all my sweaters and jackets and putting away all my depressing, sad music and busting out the pop records. Jason: Yeah. Do you know what the song of the summer is going to be? Devan: There’s a few songs that so far have a lot of potential to be good summer songs, but I don’t know if they’re going to be the summer song. Jason: What was last year’s for you? Devan: Oh man, I can’t even remember that far back. Do you remember? Jason: LCD Soundsystem . Devan: Oh yeah, “All My Friends,” that was definitely the jam of the summer. But it’s always gotta be something that’s upbeat, you know, that creates like a happy mood when you listen to it, because in the winter you spend all winter being cold and gloomy and listening to some sad Elliott Smith or something, but once the weather gets warm I need something that I can just like kick back and kinda like listen to and… Jason: Yeah, it’s a balance, the summery song, because you need to be able to kick back to it, but you also need to be able to be energized by it and want to go ride your bike and play sports outdoors and stuff like that. Devan: Yeah, it’s gotta have a positive mood, for sure. Discussion Now that it is summer, Jason and Devan are ready for some summer tunes. Songs of the summer are usually upbeat and catchy. They put you in a happy mood and make you feel both energized and relaxed. Neither Jason nor Devan is sure what this year’s big summer hit is. Jason thinks that last year’s summer jam was “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem. Devan agrees that that was a perfect summer song. What do you think the song of the summer is this year? Do you prefer listening to catchy, upbeat songs or sad songs? Grammar Point Be Able to Jason thinks that you should be able to relax while listening to the perfect summer song. But you should also be able to feel energized. To be able to do something means to have the ability to do it. Be able to is sometimes used in place of can or could . Instead of, “I can’t go,” you might say, “I am not able to go.” You can use be able to in any tense. Just change the tense of the verb be . You can say, “I was able to go dancing last night,” or, “You won’t be able to get this song out of your head.” Which is correct, “I wasn’t able to take a vacation this summer” or “I wasn’t be able to take a vacation this summer”? Quiz ❶ During the winter, Devan listens to _ music. upbeat catchy romantic depressing ✓ ❷ Songs of the summer should make you want to __ . sleep stay home spend time outside ✓ turn off the radio ❸ Did you __ the dishes yet? put away ✓ put off put on put in ❹ __ you be able to come to my party next Saturday? Will ✓ Were Was Are ❺ If you lose weight, you __ to play more sports. were able will able be able will be able ✓ Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Summer Wedding 0:50

4 years fa0:50

0:50

Intro Hi Friends! Labor Day happens every year on the first Monday in September. It is a holiday dedicated to the American workers who have contributed to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Many people use the three-day holiday weekend to travel and visit family and friends. It’s also a common weekend for marriages. Beth is planning on attending a Labor Day weekend wedding. Listen in to her conversation with Miguel to hear all about it. Dialogue Miguel: Hey Beth, you have any big Labor Day weekend plans? Beth: I do. I’m going to a wedding in wine country, so I’ll probably be outdoors all day, or, all weekend. Miguel: Wine country, California? Or wine country, Oregon? Beth: Wine country, Oregon. And, uh, it should be pretty cool. I think it’s going to be in a place that overlooks all these orchards and the vineyards, and it should be pretty awesome. Miguel: Is it a family wedding, or a friend, or who’s getting married? Beth: A friend. It’s, uh, someone that I’ve met since I’ve lived here and she is really fun, so I think it’s going to be a great crowd at her wedding. Miguel: So you think it’ll be a party crowd, like people’ll be dancing and really, you know, whooping it up, having fun? Beth: Oh yeah, especially with all the wind and the, uh, wedding celebration should be a blast. Discussion Beth sounds pretty excited about going to her friend’s wedding. Vineyards are beautiful places to have weddings, especially during the summer. Many people choose to have their weddings at vineyards because of the romantic setting and beautiful scenery. I’m not going to any Labor Day weddings this year, but I did last year, and I am going to a wedding next weekend. For some reason, Labor Day seems to be one of the most popular times of the year to get married. Have a great week! Tanis Quiz ❶ Whose wedding is Beth attending? her sister’s her friend’s ✓ tanis’s ❷ Where is the wedding? In California At a vineyard ✓ On Labor Day ❸ When is Labor Day? The first day of the month September 1, 2004 The first Monday in September ✓ ❹ Will there be dancing at Beth’s friend’s wedding? Yes. It’s a party crowd. ✓ Yes. It’s at a vineyard. Yes. It’s in wine country, Oregon. Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Swimsuits 1:34

4 years fa1:34

1:34

Intro Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to start the agonizing process of shopping for a new bathing suit. Finding the perfect suit that covers up everything you’d rather not reveal while still showing off all the right parts is difficult, especially for the ladies. But girls aren’t the only ones who can be faced with a swimsuit dilemma. When it comes to swimsuits for guys, there are two directions you can follow. One is to go with a long, baggy board short that may get in the way when you’re trying to swim but that you can wear around town without feeling over-exposed. The other is the Speedo, a tight, short bathing suit like the kind professional swimmers wear. In the US, most guys wear board shorts. But Mason thinks they should become more comfortable with their bodies and switch to Speedos. Hear him and Jeff argue over the best kind of swimsuit for dudes. Dialogue Mason : So, I’m really excited for beach weather coming around, finally. Jeff: Yeah, me too. Well actually, there was a nice day the other day, and I couldn’t help but notice at the beach that there were a couple guys that were wearing some pretty skimpy stuff. Mason: Oh yeah. Jeff: I think they must’ve been European. Mason: Well, that’s just it, right? So, I went to Europe for my honeymoon, and quite frankly, Jeff, I was inspired. I mean, the men there, they were just so free. And I think that the Speedo is pretty near the height of self-expression for a man who is OK with himself. Jeff: Uh… Mason: Have you tried it? Jeff: I just think you’re a little weird. Mason: I mean seriously, have you tried it? Jeff: For a little while in college, I experimented with the Speedo. I did an exchange program where I lived in Marseilles, and that happens to be where I had my Speedo times. Mason: I just, it’s the freedom of motion, you know? I like to run, I swim, I surf, and it just…Those baggy swimsuits, they just tie me down, man. Not to mention the weird tan lines, you know? ‘Cause then my thighs are all bleach white, and then my lower legs are all nice and tan… Jeff: Yeah, well, those upper thighs are for you and Greta alone. Discussion Mason can’t wait for summer to truly arrive so he can hit the beach. Jeff has already been to the beach, and he was a little surprised by what he found there. He says a couple of guys were wearing short, tight bathing suits known as Speedos. It sounds like those suits made Jeff a little uncomfortable. Unlike Jeff, Mason is a fan of the Speedo. He doesn’t like baggy bathing suits that get in his way when he’s trying to swim or surf. He thinks that guys who prefer long, loose board shorts are just uncomfortable showing off too much skin. Mason believes they should embrace the Speedo. But Jeff disagrees. He thinks the only people who should see the tops of Mason’s legs are Mason and his wife. What kind of bathing suit do you like to wear to the beach? Do you feel embarrassed wearing a suit that is too revealing, or do you prefer suits that give you more freedom to move around? Grammar Point Adjectives Mason says he is excited for the warmer weather. He also says he was inspired by the swimsuits he saw on his honeymoon. Excited and inspired are both special types of adjectives . They’re adjectives of emotion , or adjectives that are used to describe how someone feels . Adjectives of emotion often end in “ed,” just like excited and inspired do. Adjectives of emotion often follow the verb “be,” like when Mason says he is excited . Which is correct, “I am embarrassing to wear a tight swimsuit” or “I am embarrassed to wear a tight swimsuit”? Quiz ❶ Where did Mason go on his honeymoon? Asia Africa Europe ✓ South America ❷ Jeff saw some __ swimsuits at the beach. baggy long skimpy ✓ loose ❸ Why does Mason like Speedos? They come in nice colors. They keep him covered up. They make him feel free. ✓ They are more common in the US. ❹ When did Jeff try wearing a Speedo? Yesterday. In high school. In college. ✓ Never. Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Citrus Fruit 1:23

4 years fa1:23

1:23

Intro When sailors went on long voyages, they would take citrus fruits like limes or oranges with them. Without them, or specifically, the vitamin C inside them, the sailors would die! These days, sailors have vitamin C pills, but that doesn’t mean that eating a grapefruit isn’t good for your health. Citrus fruits are a tasty way to stay well. One way many people enjoy citrus fruits is in juices. Orange juice is a common breakfast beverage in the US. Find out if Jeff and Sara take theirs with or without pulp in this food English lesson. Dialogue Jeff : I remember in wintertime I would always visit my grandparents and they lived in Los Angeles, and in their backyard they had an orange tree and a lemon tree. And it always blew me away, because in the wintertime where I lived, it was cold. Sara: Did it feel like summer when you would pick one of those oranges off the tree? Jeff: Yeah, it was like paradise...go pick an orange or a lemon, make some fresh-squeezed lemonade. Sara: Oh nice! Do you like lemonade to be really sour or do you like it more sweet? Jeff: I like both qualities, not too much of one. Sara: Here’s a real question with juice made from citrus fruits: pulp or no pulp? Jeff: See, I like the pulp, but I know a lot of people don’t like pulp. Sara: You see, I think it’s…not to be too graphic…it kind of reminds me of phlegm. Jeff: OK, I can understand that. It is a little weird. Sara: Well, you know, I think the best thing about citrus and citrus juice is that when you’re starting to get sick, and you drink or eat some citrus, it’s like a full dose of vitamin C. Jeff: Yeah, vitamin C, it’s good for you. Sara: It’s true. And you know, I actually feel like I might be coming down with something, so I’m going to go grab an orange. Do you want one? Jeff: Yeah, I’ll have one. Discussion When Jeff was young, he used to visit his grandparents in Los Angeles where it was so warm in the winter that he could pick lemons and oranges off the tree. He loved to drink fresh-squeezed lemonade there. Sara is a big fan citrus fruits. Not only are they healthy and full of vitamin C, but she also thinks they’re tasty. Except for pulp in orange juice. She hates that. In fact, Sara uses citrus fruit almost like medicine. When she might be coming down with something, she makes sure to eat an orange. What is your favorite kind of citrus fruit? Do you like pulp in your orange juice? Grammar Point Modal Verbs: Would Jeff remembers he would always visit his grandparents and pick fruit from their trees. He uses this modal verb to describe a habitual action in the past. Modal verbs come before and modify the main verb in a sentence and help explain ideas like possibility, necessity, or obligation . In this case, would indicates that this is something Jeff did often in the past. Which is correct, “Whenever Sara got sick, she would eat an orange,” or, “Whenever Sara gets sick, she would eat an orange”? Quiz ❶ Jeff loved to make __ from the fruit on his grandparents’ trees. fresh-squeezed lemonade ✓ fresh-squeezed orange juice orange juice without pulp fruit ❷ Why is Sara going to go eat an orange now? Talking about them makes her want one. She eats one every day. She might be getting sick. ✓ Her doctor told her to. ❸ Citrus fruits are full of __. dose vitamin C ✓ paradise All of these. ❹ Which is correct? She might be coming down on something. She might be coming down something. She might be coming down with something. ✓ None of these. Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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The Avengers 1:02

4 years fa1:02

1:02

Intro The mother of all Marvel superhero movies is here. Thor , Captain America , Hulk and Iron Man have all had their own successful movies. Now they are all teamed up for one giant blockbuster that tells the story of how these superheroes came to be so super. Not only is The Avengers full of colorful characters, it is directed by Joss Whedon who is famous for TV series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Naturally, the critics love it. Find out if Jason and Marni do too. Dialogue Jason : Every summer, these big blockbusters come out, and I get really excited. Like, I totally buy into the trailers. And then I’m usually let down. It’s just not…the writing isn’t that good. It doesn’t deliver. But this summer, I really think The Avengers is gonna be great. Marni: Really? Jason: Yeah. Marni: Well, I’m glad you’re so optimistic. Jason: Well, for one thing, almost all of the critics agree that it is great. It’s gotten rave reviews. Pretty amazing cast, Robert Downey, Jr. , Samuel L. Jackson , Scarlett Johansson . And it’s the origin story of this team of superheroes. That kind of stuff, it’s hard to miss. Marni: Well, it’s kind of interesting because the Iron Man series has done really well, but the other two films that they brought out, Thor and Captain America , neither of those did really well. It’ll be kind of interesting to see how they bring it together. Discussion Jason is excited to see The Avengers . He usually feels disappointed by big summer blockbusters. But The Avengers has gotten great reviews from all the critics. Jason says that The Avengers has a great cast. It tells the origin story of a team of superheroes. There have been several other movies about the same characters, and they have gotten mixed reviews. But this movie brings all our favorite superheroes together. Jason says it’s hard to miss with that kind of thing. Do you like superhero movies? Who is your favorite superhero? Are you going to watch any summer blockbusters this summer? Grammar Point Simple Future Tense Jason says he thinks The Avengers is going to be great. And Marni says it will be interesting to see how the film turns out. Both Marni and Jason use the simple future tense to talk about things that will happen at some point later than now. There are two ways to form the simple future tense . You can use be going to + verb , or you can use will + verb . For example, you can say, “I will see The Avengers when it comes out,” or, “I am going to see The Avengers when it comes out.” Which is correct, “We be going to see lots of blockbusters this summer,” or, “We are going to see lots of blockbusters this summer”? Quiz ❶ Who has seen The Avengers ? Jason. Marni. Both Jason and Marni. Neither Jason nor Marni. ✓ ❷ A blockbuster is a __ movie. superhero popular ✓ disappointing critically acclaimed ❸ Jason thinks most summer blockbusters are __. thrilling sad disappointing ✓ brilliant ❹ Which of these series did well, according to Marni? Thor Captain America Iron Man ✓ Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Working from Home 1:34

4 years fa1:34

1:34

Intro For some people, the commute to and from the office is the most stressful part of the day. Driving a car, waiting for the train, or taking a bus just to start work can take up lots of time. Working from home avoids that step and sounds very relaxing. Now that technology enables many people to do their jobs outside the office, more and more people are working from home. But trying to do your job away from the office can pose some problems. Learn work English and hear Sara and Mason discuss the challenges of working from home in this English lesson. Dialogue Sara : This summer I converted this shed in the back of my house into a home office, so now I can work from home really nicely. Mason: Why couldn’t you have done it before you had your shed? Sara: I could have done it before I had my shed, it just makes me feel as though I’m going to work even though I’m still at home. Mason: Yeah, that’s the problem I have when I’m working from home is that I don’t have that, kind of, separate space, so it just feels so easy to get distracted. It’s generally an excuse to take a day off. Sara: Do you find you start procrastinating and that kind of thing? Mason: I’m not deliberately putting it off. It’s not so much that I’m procrastinating and more that I’m just getting distracted. I’ll be like, “Oh, hey, I’ll sit down on the couch to work,” but maybe I need a snack and so I’ll walk to the fridge, and then, “Oh hey, maybe I’ll just watch 10 minutes of TV.” But I’m not trying to not do my work, there’s just all these things around for me to pay attention to. Sara: So do you prefer to go into the office or that kind of thing? Mason: I do because I tend to be really collaborative. I actually think and work better when I’m talking with other people, rather than just sitting and doing something, kind of just staring at my computer or whatever for hours on end. I want to get everybody in a room and talk stuff out. Sara: I think that it can start to feel lonely and sort of isolated to work from home. That’s true. Mason: That’s what Skype is for, right? Discussion Sara recently converted a shed into an office so she can work from home. It makes her feel like she is separating her time working from her time at home. Mason doesn’t have a separate work space at his house. He gets distracted by all the other things he can do at home and does not get much work done. Mason prefers to go to an office and work around other people. Sara agrees that it can be lonely to work from home. Have you ever had a job where you can work from home? Do you get more done in a collaborative environment, or when you are isolated? Grammar Point The Modal Verb “Can” When Sara says, “Now I can work from home,” she is using the modal verb can to express possibility. Modal verbs come before and modify the main verb in a sentence. Can expresses ability or possibility, as in, “I can speak French and Spanish,” or, “Students can get cheaper tickets at the movies.” This modal verb is also used to ask permission or make a request, as in, “ Can you come over tonight?” In Sara’s example, work is the main verb of the sentence. She says she can work , which means she has the ability or opportunity to do so. Can you name another modal verb? Quiz ❶ What did Sara do this summer? Made a home office. ✓ Got a new job. Got on Skype. Built a house. ❷ Mason gets _ when he works from home. lonely distracted ✓ hungry tired ❸ Which is correct? Mason likes collaborative. Mason is liking collaborative. Mason collaborative likes to be. Mason likes to be collaborative. ✓ ❹ Mason __ very well from home. work not work can work can’t work ✓ Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Favorite Relative 1:26

4 years fa1:26

1:26

Intro We don’t choose our relatives. We’re just born with them, and we have to do our best to get along with them. In fact, we have to love them. They’re family. Sometimes, that can be a challenge. We all have relatives who just don’t seem to have anything in common with us. But most of us also have at least one relative whom we love to be around and would want to hang out with even if we weren’t related. Hear Amy tell Marni about her favorite relative. Dialogue Amy : So you know I’m getting married this summer, right? Marni: Yes, I know. Amy: So, when you are planning a wedding, you end up having to get in touch with a lot of relatives who you really have very little in common with, and who you maybe haven’t even spoken to in years. But there is one relative that I’m really excited to see at my wedding. Marni: Oh yeah? Who’s that? Amy: My uncle Dale. Marni: Oh, that’s nice when you have a special relationship with somebody. Tell me about your uncle Dale. Amy: Well, we don’t really have a lot in common, but we’ve just always gotten along and I really look up to him. He’s a real outdoorsman and so he kind of exposed me to a lot of things that I never would have done if it weren’t for him, like shooting a bow and arrow and fishing and just like being out in the wild. And I, you know, I always appreciated that in a way more than someone else who I might have more in common with. Marni: Interesting. So you’re not exactly peas in a pod, but it sounds like you really look up to him. Amy: Yeah, he’s a cool guy. He taught me how to play poker and gave me one of my first beers, you know, so… Marni: Uncle Dale sounds pretty awesome. Discussion Amy is planning her wedding. There are some relatives she has to invite to the wedding even though she isn’t very close to them. But there is one relative she can’t wait to see: her uncle Dale. Amy tells Marni why her uncle is her favorite relative. When she was younger, he taught her a lot of things she didn’t know, like how to fish, play poker, and even how to drink beer. She looks up to her uncle and enjoys being with him, even though they don’t have a lot in common. Who is your favorite relative? Can you describe him or her? Grammar Point Phrasal Verbs Amy says she looks up to her uncle Dale. Look up to is a phrasal verb . Phrasal verbs are composed of a verb + a preposition that alters the original meaning of the verb. The verb “look” by itself means regard or watch. But when you say you look up to someone, it means you admire them. Some phrasal verbs are separable , meaning you can separate the verb from the preposition. An example of this is pick up . You can say “Will you pick some milk up on your way home?” or “Will you pick up some milk on your way home”? But other phrasal verbs, like look up to , are non-separable . You cannot say “I look my uncle Dale up to .” Which is correct, “I get along with my sister” or “I get my sister along with”? Quiz ❶ Amy’s favorite relative is her __. aunt uncle ✓ cousin brother ❷ Uncle Dale loves __. travel reading being outdoors ✓ trying new foods ❸ Uncle Dale taught Amy __. to fish to shoot a bow and arrow to play poker All of these. ✓ ❹ Amy __ her uncle Dale. looks up looks at looks up to ✓ looks up with ❺ Does Amy have a lot in common with her uncle Dale? Yes No ✓ Can’t tell Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Long Drive 1:02

4 years fa1:02

1:02

Intro Hi Friends! There are lots of ways to travel from city to city in the U.S. – including airplanes, trains, buses, and even boats. But one of Americans’ favorite ways to travel is by car. People love to drive. The freedom of the open road and the fun of seeing all the interesting things between here and there make for a great adventure. Zach recently drove his car all the way from Los Angeles, California to Portland, Oregon. Listen to his conversation with Miguel to hear what it was like. Dialogue Miguel: So Zach, how was your drive up from Los Angeles? Zach: It was great, except it got kinda hot out. Miguel: Hot? Like how hot? Like a hundred degrees? Zach: Well I don’t know what the temperature was, but the sun was shining directly on me. And I was, I was stuck in traffic, so I got a sunburn. Miguel: You got a sunburn through the car windshield? Zach: Well, it wasn’t through the windshield. I had to roll the window ‘cause my A.C. is broken. Miguel: Oh, really. So you had no A.C. from a drive all the way – how many miles is that? Like a couple, a thousand miles or something? Zach: I think it’s about a thousand miles, yeah. Miguel: So you were driving in the middle of the summer, with no A.C., in the sun, from Los Angeles to Portland? Zach: Yeah, that’s right. Kinda rough, yeah. Miguel: Were you just like drenched in sweat the whole way, or, or what? Zach: Well, luckily I had my windows rolled down and I was driving by the coast for a lot of the time, so I had a good breeze. Miguel: How long does that take, or how long was the total drive? Zach: Three days. But I took a, I took one day, uh, half a day and just hung out at the beach. Discussion I’ve driven down to California a few times, and let me tell you, it can be miserable. There are some stretches of highway that are totally barren. You can drive for miles and see nothing. And in the summer, it’s HOT! I can’t even imagine driving without air conditioning. Zach must have had a very good reason to be taking his car up to Portland. Even though I wouldn’t want to drive all the way from LA to Portland in the summer, I do like to take road trips. Driving is much faster than a train or a bus, and it’s much less expensive than the plane. Besides that, you can stop and see all of the cool things there are to see along the way! Have a great week! Tanis Quiz ❶ How far is it between LA and Portland? 1000 minutes 1000 miles ✓ 1000 days ❷ Why did Zach get sunburned? California is barren. He was driving by the coast. He didn’t have AC, so he had his windows down. ✓ ❸ How did Zach stay cool? He got a sunburn. He kept his windows rolled down and drove near the coast. ✓ He drove away from Los Angeles. ❹ Why does Tanis like driving? It’s faster than the train or bus. ✓ It’s faster than an airplane. It’s cheaper than driving to Las Vegas. Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.17 Business Traveler 1:15

4 years fa1:15

1:15

Intro A few short years ago, the life of the business traveler was great. You would fly first class from city to city, drink and dine on the company tab, stay in plush hotel rooms, and milk that unrestricted corporate expense account for all it was worth. But times have changed. With increasing operating costs, companies are downsizing their staffs and budgets, putting the kibosh on the perks and lavish lifestyle that made business travel so much fun. Listen to Taylor and John talk about business travel. Dialogue Taylor: So, John. I hear you’re about to go on a business trip. Where ya’ going? John: This time I’m going to Montreal, Canada. Taylor: Excellent. John: Yeah, it should be a good time. Taylor: Are you going to stay at a four-star hotel with a fruit basket, all on the company card? John: Well, you know, that is typical for people when they go on business trips to stay in a little higher-end accommodations, and eat a little bit better. But I try to do it just like I would if I was traveling normally, actually. Taylor: So, you know, they have Motel Six up there in Canada? John: Yeah, you know, they have a campground, but I think it’s full, so I’m probably going to do the Motel Six action. Taylor: So, you know, I know that you’re going to be meeting with, ah, you know, people who potentially could be a business client and, ah, do you think you’ll be taking somebody out to a fancy business lunch? John: Yeah, that’s a good point. If I’m eating by myself, I’ll eat on the cheap, like I would normally. But if I’m trying to impress a client, or to do something with a potential business relationship, then I definitely take them out to a nice meal and give them a couple drinks, and make sure they have a good time because that fifty dollar investment can go a long, long ways. Discussion During a business luncheon or dinner, etiquette is important. Some people believe that the way a person behaves at the dining table shows how he/she conducts his business relationships. So, be on your best behavior. Here are some things to consider when dining with American business clients: - Arrive at least five minutes early. - Offer a firm handshake when you meet your partner. - While eating, chew your food with your mouth closed. - Don’t wear too much perfume or cologne. - Don’t accept all the cocktails John offers you. (He has a reputation!) Grammar Point The forms will and going to are used to talk about the future. In addition to will and going to , most native English speakers use the present continuous tense ( [be] + -ing ) to talk about things happening in the future. In the conversation between John and Taylor, John says: “I am going to Montreal.” Though he is going to go to Montreal in the future, he uses the present continuous am going to talk about his trip. Similarly, Taylor says: “I know that you’re going to be meeting with business clients.” He uses the going to form to talk about the future, but he could also say “I know that you are meeting with business clients,” to talk about a future event. Other examples include: Tomorrow I am eating at my friend’s house. We are flying to Amsterdam this summer. She is throwing a party on Friday night. Quiz ❶ John is going to _ . Barcelona New York Ontario Montreal ✓ ❷ John says that it is ___ for business travelers to stay at expensive hotels. common ✓ uncommon wonderful hungry ❸ John is going to stay ____ . in a campground in a Motel Six ✓ in his car home Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.16 Ratatouille 1:21

4 years fa1:21

1:21

Intro Rémy wants to be a chef, and luckily, he lives in the best culinary city in the world, Paris, France. But there’s one problem. Rémy is a rat. And rats can’t be chefs. They aren’t even allowed in kitchens! Listen to Mason tell Amanda about how Rémy the rat makes for his favorite movie of the summer, Ratatouille . Dialogue Mason : Have, uh, seen the best movie of the summer yet? Amanda: Uh, Transformers , yes. Mason: Well I was uh…I was talking about Ratatouille ... Amanda: No, but what a fun word to say! Mason: It is a fun word. A friend actually pointed out to me…It’s funny, on the posters they spell if phonetically because there’s probably a fair portion of Middle America that’s never really seen that word before and wouldn’t know how to pronounce it. Amanda: Nor would they know what it is, right? Mason: To be honest, I know it’s food… Amanda: Well, it’s a French dish, stewed vegetables, sometimes a side dish, sometimes served as a main course. I’ve never had it myself, but it sounds wonderful. Think about how many people probably ate it on opening night. Mason: And of course, the name is funny for the movie because the main character is a rat ... Amanda: Oh, I hadn’t really thought of that… Mason: ...who wants to be chef , in France , and then they bring the dish in the climactic scene. Oh it’s so good. Beautifully animated like all Pixar stuff is. The story’s fantastic. Amanda: And isn’t it the first film since the Disney-Pixar merger? I think it’s the first one out of the gates. Mason: Since the merger? Amanda: Yeah, between Disney and Pixar. Mason: They joined? Amanda: Yes! I believe this is the first child since. Mason: I don’t know… Amanda: I thought. I could look it up on Wikipedia. Mason: You know, you might be right, and if so, I would say that Pixar has survived the crushing hand of Disney that they escaped from. Amanda: Fantastic. Discussion When Mason asks if Amanda has seen the best movie of the summer, she assumes he’s talking about Transformers . But he means Ratatouille , a movie that Amanda informs him is named for a French dish of stewed vegetables. Mason points out that it’s the perfect name for the movie because it’s about a French rat who wants to be a chef. Amanda asks if Ratatouille is the first Pixar film since the company merged with Disney. Mason says he doesn’t know, but that if it is, Pixar survived the merger. Have you ever felt like a rat trying to become a chef? Have you ever wanted a job that seemed impossible to get? Grammar Point Every time you look up a word in the dictionary and it shows you how to pronounce it, you’re using a phonetic spelling. For example, the phonetic spelling of “ratatouille” is rat-a-TOO-ee. The syllable in all capital letters is the one you stress, or say the loudest. Quiz ❶ Which is true? Amanda doesn’t know what ratatouille is. Amanda doesn’t know what Ratatouille is. Amanda has eaten ratatouille and liked it. Amanda hasn’t eaten ratatouille, but she thinks it sounds good. ✓ ❷ Ratatouille is named… after the main character. after a dish served in the climactic scene. ✓ for the French word for “rat.” ❸ Amanda says that Pixar and Disney are now… the same company. ✓ mortal enemies. best friends forever. both good. both sucky. Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.15 Water Crisis 0:53

4 years fa0:53

0:53

Intro The lives of men have always revolved around water. There’s a reason most cities are located on a river or lake. Potable water has always been necessary and somewhat hard to find. But with increasing population and pollution, it is becoming more and more difficult to hydrate mankind. Some experts say that the next world war will be over water. We’re certainly not there yet, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t be more careful with our most important resource. Dialogue Marni : Statistically, a billion people in the world look for clean water every day. Kevin: That is amazing. Marni: Yeah, and here we are in the United States and we just turn on our tap and we take it for granted. Kevin: And we’re watering our lawns… Marni: That makes me crazy! Kevin: ...which I find really offensive. Marni: I do, too. It’s such a waste and I think in this country, in the US, we just really take water for granted. We use it, we waste it and we’re not responsible with it, and, yes we have it… Kevin: And yet, every summer, there’s some sort of crisis. Oh, you can’t water your lawns in Seattle, or in Phoenix… Marni: Why do we need to water our lawns? It’s just pure vanity. And people who wash their cars obsessively in the driveway. Kevin: I used to have a neighbor when I lived in Southeast Portland, and they would wash their cars every other day. Marni: Ridiculous! Kevin: White cars to boot. They were white! Like, you couldn’t even see the dirt. Marni: I just think we’re very spoiled and we really need to think about water long-term. Discussion Marni tells Kevin that there are 1 billion people in the world who don’t have regular access to clean water. It’s something that’s easy to forget in a country like the United States where every building has running water, even though, as Kevin points out, there are often water shortages in certain areas of the country. In fact, it’s so easy to forget that water is precious, that a lot of Americans waste it on things like watering the grass in their yards. Using water in this way makes Marni and Kevin very upset. They also think that Kevin’s former neighbors, who washed their cars every other day, are ridiculous as well. They agree that people need to think about making sure there’s still water for everyone in the future. How easy is it to get water where you live? Are people careful with water in your town or do they use it on their cars and lawns? Quiz ❶ Which of these is incorrect ? Just get some water from the tap. Do you have Budweiser on tap? I hate drinking tap water. None of them. They are all correct. ✓ ❷ Why couldn’t you see the dirt on Kevin’s neighbors’ cars? They were so clean. They were white. ✓ There was no dirt there to begin with. ❸ Which of these is correct? I take for granted you sometimes. I take you for granted sometimes. ✓ I will take you to granted sometime. Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.14 Where You're From 2:02

4 years fa2:02

2:02

Intro Hi Friends! When getting to know someone, it’s common to talk about where you come from. Your background has a lot to do with who you are, so you can help someone understand you better if you tell them about your hometown and your history. Also, it’s interesting to hear what someone else’s opinions are about the place where you grew up. Often, his/her idea of it will be much different than yours. Josh and Beth recently compared their upbringings, which were very different. Listen in to their conversation to learn more! Dialogue Beth: Josh, when was the last time that you, uh, went home to visit your friends and family? Josh: Um, trying to remember, I think I was up there… Oh yeah – I was just up there in February for my birthday and for my dad’s birthday. Beth: Where are you from again? Josh: Oh, I’m from Alaska. Beth: Oh, right on. That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska. What’s it like? Josh: Well, I mean, I wouldn’t have the same perspective as someone visiting there. It’s a, it’s a great place to visit and I guess for a lot of people it’s a great place to live too. But, I felt really isolated growing up there. I mean, it is beautiful, there’s tons of beauty. But it’s so far away from everything, and when I was a kid, you know, we didn’t have the internet, you know, my town didn’t have a bookstore, a music store. It’s just, like, hard to feel connected to the rest of the world. Beth: I can see that. Growing up in New York, I felt very connected to millions of people. I mean, it’s just a, a really, I guess, different experience living in a place where you’re inundated with, uh, media and people and action… Josh: Yeah, I mean, I would’ve, I would’ve loved to grow up in New York, you know. We got, like, big blockbuster movies came out six months late in Alaska, ‘cause we only had two screens, you know. It’s just, uh, it’s a… It was a real different way to grow up than a lot of people in the U.S., I think. Beth: It seems really peaceful there. I mean, at least that’s my impression of it. Josh: Yeah. I mean, it’s quiet. We had a lot of land to ourselves. We didn’t really have neighbors. Um, wildlife and forests, like, all around us, like right at our house. But, but, I don’t know, I couldn’t have a conversation with the wildlife. I want to be around people. Beth: It must have been cool, I mean, were there wild animals roaming through your backyard, or…? Josh: Literally. Beth: Wow. Josh: Yeah, I mean, moose or bears. We had a bear visit our house for a couple days once, and that kind of stuff is just constant. It was cool, I guess, I mean, reflecting back on it, but when I was, when I was living there I just wanted to get out. Discussion Like Beth, many people think Alaska is a beautiful, peaceful and majestic place. Josh doesn’t disagree, but it’s easy to understand why he’s not as enthusiastic about it as Beth is. He spent many years in the cold and lonely state, and he’s happy to be in a big city with lots of things to do. Josh probably has the ideal situation now, because he can live in Portland, but visit Alaska whenever he wants. Where are you from? Are you able to describe your hometown and your history in detail (in English)? If not, you should find somebody to tell your story to. It’s a great way to practice your English! Have a great week! Tanis Quiz ❶ How did Josh feel growing up in Alaska? enthusiastic isolated ✓ impressed ❷ What does Beth think about Alaska? She’d like to live there. She’s from New York. She thinks it’s peaceful. ✓ ❸ Where does Josh wish he grew up? New York ✓ Alaska Portland ❹ Where does Josh live now? New York Alaska Portland ✓ Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.13 Bee Movie 1:05

4 years fa1:05

1:05

Intro Shortly after the final episode Seinfeld , Jerry Seinfeld was sitting around one day and started thinking to himself… “What is the deal with bees? Why are they so obsessed with honey? They know the beekeeper is going to come take it away, yet they continue to produce it. I think it’s time the bees did something for themselves for a change. I think they ought to make a bee movie.” Seinfeld laughed at himself for about five minutes for making such a clever pun on B movies. Then he set to work with Steven Spielberg on Bee Movie , an animated, feature-length film. Dialogue Jason : So, uh, Seinfeld , you know just did this Bee Movie ... Mason: Yeah, the Bee Movie thing. Jason: I totally didn’t see that coming after his sit-com, that he was going to do an animated film. Mason: Yeah, I don’t know… Jason: But he said it was actually way harder than doing the sit-com because he said making a movie like that is essentially doing the pilot and the final episode in the same sitting, which is the two hardest things to write for a sit-com. Mason: Yeah, honestly, it didn’t seem like a movie I wanted to see. But I remember one of the first trailer kind of things that came out, they had…The live-action dressed up everybody in costumes. Like Jerry Seinfeld dressed in a bee costume. Jason: Oh my goodness! Mason: And they made this giant windshield and it was like bugs getting stuck on the windshield of a car driving was kind of the set-up. It was really cool. Almost had kind of a Michel Gondry sort of feel. That real set, very stage theater-oriented. Jason: They should have done the whole movie like that. I would love to see… Mason: That would have been a better movie. Jason: ...uh… Mason: Jerry Seinfeld ? Jason: Jerry Seinfeld in a bee outfit. That would be an awesome movie. Discussion Like many Seinfeld fans, Jason didn’t guess that after his TV show ended, the comedian would produce an animated movie. Jason has read interviews with Seinfeld that said that the movie was harder to write than the sit-com. Mason doesn’t think Bee Movie looks very good. But he saw a trailer for it in which Seinfeld was dressed in a bee costume. Jason and Mason agree that Seinfeld in a bee costume would make any movie better. What actor would you most like to see in a bee costume? Quiz ❶ Bee Movie is… ...a movie about bees. ✓ ...a B movie. Both ❷ Jerry Seinfeld is most famous for… Bee Movie . his sit-com. ✓ stand-up comedy. writing. ❸ In the trailer Mason saw, where were the bees supposed to be? In a movie Driving a car Smashed on a windsheild ✓ Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.12 Garage Sales 1:07

4 years fa1:07

1:07

Intro Stuff has a way of piling up. Even if you have a lot of storage, you will run out of room eventually. Everyone has some things they could get rid of. But how? You don’t just want to throw your stuff away. That would be wasteful, and it’s got to be worth something to someone. Time for a garage sale! A garage sale, also known as a yard sale or tag sale, is when you put all of the things you want to sell on your lawn or in your garage, put price tags on them, and sell them for a day or two. Shopping at garage sales can be a great way to find used furniture, electronics, and all sorts of fun surprises. Jason is thinking about having a garage sale. Listen to him discuss how to clear out some junk with Sara in this organization English lesson. Dialogue Jason : I’m going through all my storage and I have a lot of stuff to get rid of. Sara: What are you going to do with it? Jason: Well, I’m trying to decide if I should have a garage sale or if I should just sell it individually online. Sara: It’s kind of fun to have a garage sale. Jason: Yeah, I was thinking if it’s a nice day, my friends could just drop by and we could just hang out on the lawn, kind of waiting for people to come buy things. Sara: I think it’s cool, whether it’s your neighbors coming over, or someone who saw a sign that you put up a few blocks away, you just get this interesting accumulation of people who want to come look at your weird stuff. Jason: That’s a good point. Although, I’m worried that I won’t make as much money at a garage sale. I think if I put it on Ebay the whole world will have a full week to find it, instead of just the neighbors and random people that see the sign. Sara: It’s true, but I think that if you’re moving away you might want to have that experience of having a really nice community moment before you go. Maybe save some of your most expensive things to put on Ebay, but all your junk? Just have a garage sale. Jason: Sounds like a plan. Discussion Jason has a lot of stuff he needs to get rid of. He’s thinking of having a garage sale, but he thinks he might make more money selling his stuff online. Sara agrees that your junk may sell for more if you post it online, but she still thinks Jason should have a garage sale. She says it’s fun to hang out in front of your house and meet the people who drop by to buy some used stuff. Have you ever had a garage sale? Do you like to shop at garage sales? What is the best way to get money for your old stuff? Grammar Point Past Progressive Tense When Jason says, “I was thinking if it’s a nice day, my friends could just drop by and we could just hang out on the lawn, kind of waiting for people to come buy things,” he is using the past progressive tense. The past progressive tense (also sometimes called “past continuous”) is formed by using was/were + main verb + ing . We use this tense to talk about actions in the past that took place over time. Jason thought about what it would be like to have a garage sale many times or continuously over a period of time. Which is correct, “He was sleeping,” or, “He were sleeping”? Quiz ❶ What is another term for “garage sale”? Yard sale. ✓ Price tag. Drop by. None of these. ❷ Sara likes garage sales better than selling stuff online because __. they make more money you get to meet people ✓ it’s faster None of these. ❸ Before talking to Sara, Jason __. was planning a garage sale had not thought about a garage sale was not planning a garage sale was thinking about having a garage sale ✓ ❹ Ultimately, Sara says Jason could sell some stuff online, but have a garage sale to __. get rid of junk ✓ drop by throw stuff away hang out Powered by Firstory Hosting…

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Ep.11 Vertical Gardening 1:19

4 years fa1:19