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pAre zoos are a good idea or a bad one? Don’t feed the animals while you listen to this episode trying to answer that question./p
pSlow dialogue: 0:59
br /Explanations: 2:39
br /Fast dialogue: 16:18/p
pDeborah: I can’t wait to see the elephants at the zoo. I wish I could see them in their natural habitat, but a zoo is the next best thing./p
pZach: I don’t want to go to a place where animals are kept in captivity. How would you like it if you were locked in a cage and gawked at all day?/p
pDeborah: The animals in zoos are lucky. They have a nice, safe place to live away from predators, and their handlers make sure they never go hungry. Zoos preserve endangered species./p
pZach: If you think it’s so nice living in zoos, I’d like to see you switch places with a lion or a monkey for a month and see how you like it./p
pDeborah: Animals aren’t people. They don’t have the same wants and needs./p
pZach: That’s what you think. One day, the animals aren’t going to take it anymore. They’ll rise up and break their shackles./p
pDeborah: And will you be their ringleader?/p
pZach: No, I’ll be their cheering section. It’s about time animals get some respect./p
pDeborah: Have you seen uPlanet of the Apes/u?! I’ll reserve a cage for you!/p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/ImM0q3ay3eY" height="1" width="1"/
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pTopics: Ask an American: Online money management; don’t worry versus don’t bother; not only; to move/get past a feeling; pronouncing wool versus wall/p
pWords:
br /to calculate
br /to allocate
br /to withdraw
br /to accrue interest
br /infographic
br /personal finances
br /to pay off
br /to partner
br /legitimate
br /savvy
br /connected
br /don’t worry
br /don’t bother
br /not only
br /to move/get past a feeling/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/f1mwLOmT_gw" height="1" width="1"/
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pThe only two things we can be certain of in this life are death and taxes. Learn about one of them in this episode./p
pSlow dialogue: 1:11
br /Explanations: 3:12
br /Fast dialogue: 17:32/p
pBill: It’s about time! I’ve been waiting for my first paycheck and now it’s finally here. I’m ready to party this weekend! Whoa!/p
pCarol: What’s the matter?/p
pBill: What happened to all my money? The amount of this check is a lot less than I expected it to be./p
pCarol: Yeah, my first paycheck was an eye-opener for me, too. Look at the pay stub and you’ll see all of the deductions. After federal income taxes, state income taxes, and FICA, you’re not left with a lot of money./p
pBill: You’re right, but what’s FICA?/p
pCarol: Those are taxes for Social Security and Medicare. Did you sign up for a retirement plan? If you did, those retirement contributions are deducted, too./p
pBill: Thank God, I didn’t. But you know what? That still doesn’t account for all of the deductions. /p
pCarol: Let me take a look. Oh, it looks like your wages are being garnished. /p
pBill: They’re garnishing my wages? What for?/p
pCarol: Uh, do you have to pay child support or something like that?/p
pBill: Oh, yeah, I guess I do. I’d forgotten about that. I guess I’d better change my weekend plans./p
pCarol: I guess so./p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/hCPeJlOTmS4" height="1" width="1"/
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pWill your children grow up to be responsible adults or the kind of people you don’t want living next to you? Learn how to worry about this and more in this episode./p
pSlow dialogue: 1:01
br /Explanations: 3:05
br /Fast dialogue: 16:10/p
pPavel: I’m really worried about Hanna. She’s been hanging around with that girl Carla, and Carla runs with the wrong crowd. /p
pHillary: Hanna is rebelling a little. That’s natural at her age. When I was her age, I thought I knew more than my parents or any adult, and that I should be able to make all of my own decisions./p
pPavel: I’m not talking about being stricter on her, but she’s become so secretive. I’m really worried that she might get exposed to things that should be off-limits at her age./p
pHillary: There’s no way we can keep her from seeing her friends short of locking her in her room. We have to trust her and let her come to us if she runs into problems. We raised her right and she can handle herself./p
pPavel: I wish I had your confidence. She’s a girl, remember? All kinds of things can happen to girls. /p
pHillary: We’ve talked to her a lot about those things and what we feel are right and wrong. A lot of things can happen to boys, too, or don’t you remember? Hanna takes after you and she has your brains and resourcefulness. Like father, like daughter, so stop worrying so much,/p
pPavel: Do you really think she’ll be okay?/p
pHillary: Yes, I do. Take comfort in knowing that she’s just exactly like you. When she has a daughter of her own, she’ll stay up nights worrying, just like you./p
pPavel: That’s small comfort!/p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/6KPLocQkHbg" height="1" width="1"/
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pTopics: American Authors: Toni Morrison; Homeboy/Homegirl Industries and Father Greg Boyle; screw versus bolt versus nut; to kidnap versus to abduct; to sharpen (one’s) axe/p
pWords:
br /African American experience
br /to long
br /social convention
br /homeboy
br /gang
br /priest
br /gang intervention
br /rival
br /budget
br /counseling
br /domestic violence
br /tattoo
br /screw
br /bolt
br /nut
br /to kidnap
br /to abduct
br /to sharpen (one’s) axe/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/mI47j7Po2yg" height="1" width="1"/
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pIf you’ve got it, you might as well let everyone see it. That’s the philosophy of the people in this dialogue, but you can decide whether you agree or not./p
pSlow dialogue: 1:08
br /Explanations: 2:51
br /Fast dialogue: 15:58/p
pMonica: Wow, check you out! When did you buy a new car?/p
pKevin: This isn’t just any new car. It’s a Ferrari./p
pMonica: I can see that. It must have set you back a few. /p
pKevin: Yeah, but it was worth it. You should see the looks I get riding around in this baby. My brother is green with envy./p
pMonica: Then you’ve been showing it off around town./p
pKevin: No, I’ve just been showing it off to a few friends and family members. There’s no sense owning a fine machine like this and not bragging a little, right?/p
pMonica: Especially since your brother has been gloating about his new boat, you mean./p
pKevin: There is that. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think a new Ferrari trumps a measly new boat, don’t you?/p
pMonica: Do you and your brother always whip it out like this?/p
pKevin: Like what? I’m just sharing my new toy with my brother. I’m sure he’s just as happy for me as I was for him when he bought his new boat./p
pMonica: Truer words were never spoken./p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/TDeWuKOV5mU" height="1" width="1"/
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pPoliticians don’t get their money for nothing or their votes for free. Learn all about the world of getting political support in this episode./p
pSlow dialogue: 1:21
br /Explanations: 2:55
br /Fast dialogue: 16:14/p
pHelen: Okay, your schedule today is very busy. First, you’re meeting with a group of constituents concerned about the environment. Then, you’re speaking to a group of factory workers. At noon, you’ll be having lunch with a group of high-power donors. /p
pMikhail: When I signed on as a candidate, I had no idea I’d have to pander to every group out there to gain their support./p
pHelen: Don’t think of it as pandering. Think of it as rallying the troops. People in this state need a leader and you’re their great white hope. /p
pMikhail: I decided to run because I wanted to be a voice of reason in the partisan bickering. I didn’t sign on to be a poster boy for my political party. /p
pHelen: You can make a difference when you get elected, but first things first: you need to get elected. Ready to go?/p
pMikhail: What happened to the good old days when all you had to do was a little gerrymandering to get elected?/p
pHelen: I’m glad you brought that up. Your meeting with the committee on redistricting is this afternoon at 2:00./p
pMikhail: I’m sorry I asked!/p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/ZmIponqkWpM" height="1" width="1"/
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pTopics: American Presidents: Jimmy Carter; The Lost Ship of the Desert Legend; phrases used to ask for status updates; to start off for; likely versus probable/p
pWords:
br /peanut
br /board
br /name recognition
br /stagflation
br /to be taken hostage
br /inept
br /accord
br /diplomat
br /legend
br /desert
br /ship
br /treasure
br /to start off for
br /likely
br /probable/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/f3RJr2g68ok" height="1" width="1"/
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pSuccess in business isn’t always about following the rules. Learn how to have a more open, informal meeting by listening to this episode./p
pSlow dialogue: 1:15
br /Explanations: 3:16
br /Fast dialogue: 14:20/p
pDiego: Okay, why don’t you brief me on what you’ve planned for the meeting tomorrow?/p
pMaya: Sure. At the meeting of the managers tomorrow, we’ll begin with introductions. Since you’re the most senior manager, the job falls to you./p
pDiego: I don’t think we need to stand on ceremony. Have Alexi do the introductions./p
pMaya: All right. Then, we’ll follow the agenda and discuss each item of business. I have you down to lead the discussions./p
pDiego: I don’t think we need the meeting to be so structured. If we follow the agenda point-by-point, we’ll never find out what’s really on the minds of the managers, what issues they think are of paramount importance. I think I’ll open the floor to anyone who wants to raise an issue./p
pMaya: Wouldn’t that turn into a free for all? I’m not sure we’ll get much accomplished./p
pDiego: Sometimes, it’s not as important to accomplish something as it is to take the pulse of the group. If we want to know what issues are on the managers’ minds, we first need to let the managers speak freely. Agreed?/p
pMaya: Uh, sure. You’re the boss. Should I also cancel the lunch I’ve ordered so you can make up your minds about food later?/p
pDiego: Absolutely not! The one thing that’s not open for discussion is what I’m eating for lunch./p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/-1bRZf-b9v0" height="1" width="1"/
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pPut away that Commodore 64 computer you’re using long enough to listen to this episode on new technology./p
pSlow dialogue: 1:15
br /Explanations: 3:17
br /Fast dialogue: 16:30/p
pDarlene: Thanks for agreeing to take a look at my computer. It’s been acting up lately./p
pChris: Sure, I don’t mind. Is this it?/p
pDarlene: Yeah./p
pChris: How long have you had this computer? It looks like it belongs in the ice age./p
pDarlene: I admit it’s a little dated. I must be one of the last holdouts in switching to a newer model./p
pChris: What are you waiting for? It seems to me that all of your computer problems would be solved if you spring for a new one./p
pDarlene: I have a lot of old programs on this computer that aren’t compatible with the newer models. I’m kind of attached to them./p
pChris: They probably aren’t compatible because there are now better, more efficient programs that have overtaken the ones you currently use. Your programs are probably obsolete. Which programs are they? Maybe I can show you how to use the newer versions./p
pDarlene: Well, there’s one particular program.../p
pChris: Yes?/p
pDarlene: It’s a game I like to play./p
pChris: You’re refusing to buy a newer, better computer just because you’d have to give up a game?/p
pDarlene: It’s a really fun game and I’m keeping this computer until they make a version for the newer computers./p
pChris: Okay, but you know what they say: live by the sword, die by the sword./p
pDarlene: So you won’t help me fix my computer?/p
pChris: I’ll try, but I’m telling you now. It’s a lost cause./p
pScript by Dr. Lucy Tse/pimg src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EnglishAsASecondLanguagePodcast/~4/eBh1je355Us" height="1" width="1"/