http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4951631
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:25
Explanations: 2:59
Fast dialogue: 12:10
==============
Sally: Did you see the new movie, The McQuillan Story? I'm writing a movie review for the school paper.
Marcus: I went to the premiere last week. What did you think of it?
Sally: I liked it. I thought it was entertaining, although it wasn't groundbreaking, by any means.
Marcus: You thought it was entertaining? I thought it was awful. I almost walked out. The acting was wooden and uninspired, and the direction was amateur.
Sally: Aren't you being too critical? It was the director's first movie and I thought his directorial debut wasn't bad. If there was a problem, it was with the screenplay.
Marcus: Don't get me started on the screenplay! The story was so predictable and the dialogue was pretentious. This movie is going to bomb for sure.
Sally: Oh, I don't know. I think some people may enjoy it.
Marcus: If you want to do your readers a favor, you'd tell them to skip this movie and save their money!
=====================
- premiere : the first time that the movie is shown in public
- to be entertaining : to be interesting
- groundbreaking (n): new , modem, revolutionary, completely different against the past
- by any mean : at all, in any way
- to walk out : to leave the theater before a movie or performance ends
- wooden : without emotion
- debut (n): the first time sth is shown/presented in publich
- pretentious (adj): negative meaning : try to be more important than it really is
- to bomb: to be a disaster
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
ESL Podcast 349 – Taking Vitamins and Supplements
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4941788
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:32
Explanations: 3:56
Fast dialogue: 14:39
========================
The last time I went to the doctor for a checkup, she told me that I needed to start taking some dietary supplements that had the vitamins and minerals that my body needed to stay healthy. I told her that I ate a balanced diet, but she said that many people who generally ate well still didn't get the nutrients their bodies needed every day, and that's why she recommends taking a multivitamin. I remember taking chewable vitamins when I was a kid, but as an adult, I never thought I needed it. It wasn't because I had any signs of deficiency, she said, but that it was better to be safe than sorry.
I asked if it was possible to overdose on over-the-counter multivitamins, and she said that it was highly unlikely if I followed the recommended dosage. She said that most people's bodies are able to tolerate and absorb the multivitamins without any problems. As I get older, she said, it's all the more important to take care of myself.
She's right, of course. I shouldn't neglect my health. I just wonder if I can find some of those chewable vitamins in the shape of my favorite cartoon characters. I may be an adult, but I don't always have to act like one!
============================
- a check up (n): you go to doctor to have him/her look at your heath yearly
- deficiency of (n): a lack of sth
- better to be safe than sorry: you may not need to do but you should do to avoid any possible problem in future
- over-the-counter : drug can be brought without doctor's permission
- dosage : the amount of medicine you take
- to tolerate : to be able to be exposed / contacted of sth without any hurt
- to neglect : not to take care of sth, not to do sth that you should do
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:32
Explanations: 3:56
Fast dialogue: 14:39
========================
The last time I went to the doctor for a checkup, she told me that I needed to start taking some dietary supplements that had the vitamins and minerals that my body needed to stay healthy. I told her that I ate a balanced diet, but she said that many people who generally ate well still didn't get the nutrients their bodies needed every day, and that's why she recommends taking a multivitamin. I remember taking chewable vitamins when I was a kid, but as an adult, I never thought I needed it. It wasn't because I had any signs of deficiency, she said, but that it was better to be safe than sorry.
I asked if it was possible to overdose on over-the-counter multivitamins, and she said that it was highly unlikely if I followed the recommended dosage. She said that most people's bodies are able to tolerate and absorb the multivitamins without any problems. As I get older, she said, it's all the more important to take care of myself.
She's right, of course. I shouldn't neglect my health. I just wonder if I can find some of those chewable vitamins in the shape of my favorite cartoon characters. I may be an adult, but I don't always have to act like one!
============================
- a check up (n): you go to doctor to have him/her look at your heath yearly
- deficiency of (n): a lack of sth
- better to be safe than sorry: you may not need to do but you should do to avoid any possible problem in future
- over-the-counter : drug can be brought without doctor's permission
- dosage : the amount of medicine you take
- to tolerate : to be able to be exposed / contacted of sth without any hurt
- to neglect : not to take care of sth, not to do sth that you should do
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Friday, 22 January 2010
ESL Podcast 348 – Showing Disapproval and Sympathy
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4931945
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:39
Explanations: 3:33
Fast dialogue: 14:57
===================
Maggie: Why the long face?
Joe: I just heard that I won't be rehired for next year.
Maggie: That's awful! What a rotten thing for the management to do.
Joe: I'll be okay, but Monica is losing her job, too.
Maggie: Oh no, not Monica, too. I'm so sorry to hear that. Who do they think they are? How can they treat us this way?
Joe: They're management and they can do whatever they want to. Monica just bought a new house and I'm sure she's going to have to sell it.
Maggie: That's really too bad. Listen, I know you'll be dead set against the rest of us pulling together to talk to the management, but I think the time has come.
Joe: I won't let you or anyone else around here put your jobs on the line to try to save ours. The management will definitely take a dim view of us workers trying to speak out. Just lay low and hope that you won't lose your job, too.
Maggie: I don't know what the others think, but I'm not going to take this lying down. If they think we're just going to sit here and take it, then they've got another thing coming!
=====================
- rotten things : bad things
- to be dead set against sth : to be opposed sth (don't agree)
- to pull together : to work/cooperate together
- to put sth on the line : to risk losing sth
- to take a dim view of sth :to have a negative opinion about sth
- to speak out : to express / say opinion against what other think
- to lay low : to act calmly / normally
- to take this lying down : to take bad sth without fighting against it
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:39
Explanations: 3:33
Fast dialogue: 14:57
===================
Maggie: Why the long face?
Joe: I just heard that I won't be rehired for next year.
Maggie: That's awful! What a rotten thing for the management to do.
Joe: I'll be okay, but Monica is losing her job, too.
Maggie: Oh no, not Monica, too. I'm so sorry to hear that. Who do they think they are? How can they treat us this way?
Joe: They're management and they can do whatever they want to. Monica just bought a new house and I'm sure she's going to have to sell it.
Maggie: That's really too bad. Listen, I know you'll be dead set against the rest of us pulling together to talk to the management, but I think the time has come.
Joe: I won't let you or anyone else around here put your jobs on the line to try to save ours. The management will definitely take a dim view of us workers trying to speak out. Just lay low and hope that you won't lose your job, too.
Maggie: I don't know what the others think, but I'm not going to take this lying down. If they think we're just going to sit here and take it, then they've got another thing coming!
=====================
- rotten things : bad things
- to be dead set against sth : to be opposed sth (don't agree)
- to pull together : to work/cooperate together
- to put sth on the line : to risk losing sth
- to take a dim view of sth :to have a negative opinion about sth
- to speak out : to express / say opinion against what other think
- to lay low : to act calmly / normally
- to take this lying down : to take bad sth without fighting against it
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday, 18 January 2010
ESL Podcast 347 – Writing a Postcard
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4922102
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:04
Explanations: 2:53
Fast dialogue: 13:01
==================
I was on vacation in Yosemite and I decided to send a postcard to my friend, Elaine, who was on her own vacation in Europe.
...
Dear Elaine,
I arrived safely two days ago and I'm having the time of my life. I met some nice people here and we've been keeping each other company. The weather has been ideal and we're off on another hike tomorrow. This is the life.
Wish you were here. I hope you're having as good a time as I am.
See you soon!
Vivian
...
On the day I sent my postcard to Elaine, I got one from her. She wrote:
Dear Vivian,
I've had a nightmare of a trip. Our flight was delayed and we missed our connection to Oslo. I've been here three days and it has poured the entire time. There's nothing to do but sit in the hotel. What a dump! It looks nothing like the pictures and it's not at all what I expected. I even got food poisoning the first day I was here!
I hope your trip wasn't a washout like mine. I can't wait to get home!
Elaine
==================
- to keep sb company : to spend time with sb so that they don't feel lonely
- to be off : to be ready to do sth or to go somewhere
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:04
Explanations: 2:53
Fast dialogue: 13:01
==================
I was on vacation in Yosemite and I decided to send a postcard to my friend, Elaine, who was on her own vacation in Europe.
...
Dear Elaine,
I arrived safely two days ago and I'm having the time of my life. I met some nice people here and we've been keeping each other company. The weather has been ideal and we're off on another hike tomorrow. This is the life.
Wish you were here. I hope you're having as good a time as I am.
See you soon!
Vivian
...
On the day I sent my postcard to Elaine, I got one from her. She wrote:
Dear Vivian,
I've had a nightmare of a trip. Our flight was delayed and we missed our connection to Oslo. I've been here three days and it has poured the entire time. There's nothing to do but sit in the hotel. What a dump! It looks nothing like the pictures and it's not at all what I expected. I even got food poisoning the first day I was here!
I hope your trip wasn't a washout like mine. I can't wait to get home!
Elaine
==================
- to keep sb company : to spend time with sb so that they don't feel lonely
- to be off : to be ready to do sth or to go somewhere
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
ESL Podcast 347 – Writing a Postcard
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4922102
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:04
Explanations: 2:53
Fast dialogue: 13:01
==================
I was on vacation in Yosemite and I decided to send a postcard to my friend, Elaine, who was on her own vacation in Europe.
...
Dear Elaine,
I arrived safely two days ago and I'm having the time of my life. I met some nice people here and we've been keeping each other company. The weather has been ideal and we're off on another hike tomorrow. This is the life.
Wish you were here. I hope you're having as good a time as I am.
See you soon!
Vivian
...
On the day I sent my postcard to Elaine, I got one from her. She wrote:
Dear Vivian,
I've had a nightmare of a trip. Our flight was delayed and we missed our connection to Oslo. I've been here three days and it has poured the entire time. There's nothing to do but sit in the hotel. What a dump! It looks nothing like the pictures and it's not at all what I expected. I even got food poisoning the first day I was here!
I hope your trip wasn't a washout like mine. I can't wait to get home!
Elaine
==================
- to keep sb company : to spend time with sb so that they don't feel lonely
- to be off : to be ready to do sth or to go somewhere
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialogue: 1:04
Explanations: 2:53
Fast dialogue: 13:01
==================
I was on vacation in Yosemite and I decided to send a postcard to my friend, Elaine, who was on her own vacation in Europe.
...
Dear Elaine,
I arrived safely two days ago and I'm having the time of my life. I met some nice people here and we've been keeping each other company. The weather has been ideal and we're off on another hike tomorrow. This is the life.
Wish you were here. I hope you're having as good a time as I am.
See you soon!
Vivian
...
On the day I sent my postcard to Elaine, I got one from her. She wrote:
Dear Vivian,
I've had a nightmare of a trip. Our flight was delayed and we missed our connection to Oslo. I've been here three days and it has poured the entire time. There's nothing to do but sit in the hotel. What a dump! It looks nothing like the pictures and it's not at all what I expected. I even got food poisoning the first day I was here!
I hope your trip wasn't a washout like mine. I can't wait to get home!
Elaine
==================
- to keep sb company : to spend time with sb so that they don't feel lonely
- to be off : to be ready to do sth or to go somewhere
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday, 16 January 2010
ESL Podcast 345 – The Seven-year Itch
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4902416
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:54
Explanations: 3:55
Fast dialog: 13:56
===========
Sunny: Did you hear the news? Nancy and Brian are splitting up.
Igor: How long have they been married?
Sunny: Eight years. I'm sure it was the seven- year itch. I bet Brian was unfaithful to Nancy.
Igor: How do you know? Maybe it was Nancy who had a wandering eye.
Sunny: Maybe, but it's a shame. They were such a nice couple. Doesn't anyone take marriage vows seriously these days? To me, it's a lifelong commitment.
Igor: If you ask me, I think our notion of marriage is out of date. Conventional wisdom is that everybody wants to be unfaithful after they've been married a few years. Why not make marriage a short- term arrangement? In my view, a marriage should last for seven years unless you want to renew. If you don't, you each go your separate ways.
Sunny: You make marriage sound like an apartment contract! Not everybody is as cynical as you are. I don't think that most couples think seriously about committing adultery, and many couples stay together for life.
Igor: You may live in la-la land, but I live in the real world.
Sunny: If that's the real world, I don't want to live there!
==============
- seven-year itch : people becomes tired of their marriage after 7 years
- wandering eyes : people who is in romantic relationship with sb but keep getting attention of other
- marriage vow : promise
- notion (n): ideas, concept of thinking about sth
- conventional wisdom : common opinions
- to go your separate way : to end a romantic relationship
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:54
Explanations: 3:55
Fast dialog: 13:56
===========
Sunny: Did you hear the news? Nancy and Brian are splitting up.
Igor: How long have they been married?
Sunny: Eight years. I'm sure it was the seven- year itch. I bet Brian was unfaithful to Nancy.
Igor: How do you know? Maybe it was Nancy who had a wandering eye.
Sunny: Maybe, but it's a shame. They were such a nice couple. Doesn't anyone take marriage vows seriously these days? To me, it's a lifelong commitment.
Igor: If you ask me, I think our notion of marriage is out of date. Conventional wisdom is that everybody wants to be unfaithful after they've been married a few years. Why not make marriage a short- term arrangement? In my view, a marriage should last for seven years unless you want to renew. If you don't, you each go your separate ways.
Sunny: You make marriage sound like an apartment contract! Not everybody is as cynical as you are. I don't think that most couples think seriously about committing adultery, and many couples stay together for life.
Igor: You may live in la-la land, but I live in the real world.
Sunny: If that's the real world, I don't want to live there!
==============
- seven-year itch : people becomes tired of their marriage after 7 years
- wandering eyes : people who is in romantic relationship with sb but keep getting attention of other
- marriage vow : promise
- notion (n): ideas, concept of thinking about sth
- conventional wisdom : common opinions
- to go your separate way : to end a romantic relationship
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
ESL Podcast 344 – At the Convention Center
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4892573
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:20
Explanations: 3:33
Fast dialog: 16:33
========================
I left my hotel early so I would arrive at the convention center in time for my presentation, but the bad traffic made me late. My presentation was supposed to start at 2:00 and it was already 1:55! To make matters worse, I had never been to this convention center before and I didn't know my way around.
I walked into the foyer and looked around. I was hoping to see a registration booth or the speakers' room, where I was sure someone could point me in the right direction. I walked down one hallway and found the main ballroom, but it was empty. I saw a sign for meeting rooms upstairs and went up the escalator. But when I got to the second floor, I didn't see anyone around. I looked over the landing, hoping to get my bearings, but that was no help. By this time, I was sweating bullets. The clock was ticking and I was late!
Then, I woke up. It wasn't the first time I had a nightmare like this, and I knew it wouldn't be the last. I wonder what my subconscious is trying to tell me? At least this time, I was wearing my pants!
==================
- to know my way around someplace : to be familiar in there and know how to go
- foyer (n): lobby
- to point sb in right direction : to show where sb need to go
- to sweet bullet : to extremely nervous
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:20
Explanations: 3:33
Fast dialog: 16:33
========================
I left my hotel early so I would arrive at the convention center in time for my presentation, but the bad traffic made me late. My presentation was supposed to start at 2:00 and it was already 1:55! To make matters worse, I had never been to this convention center before and I didn't know my way around.
I walked into the foyer and looked around. I was hoping to see a registration booth or the speakers' room, where I was sure someone could point me in the right direction. I walked down one hallway and found the main ballroom, but it was empty. I saw a sign for meeting rooms upstairs and went up the escalator. But when I got to the second floor, I didn't see anyone around. I looked over the landing, hoping to get my bearings, but that was no help. By this time, I was sweating bullets. The clock was ticking and I was late!
Then, I woke up. It wasn't the first time I had a nightmare like this, and I knew it wouldn't be the last. I wonder what my subconscious is trying to tell me? At least this time, I was wearing my pants!
==================
- to know my way around someplace : to be familiar in there and know how to go
- foyer (n): lobby
- to point sb in right direction : to show where sb need to go
- to sweet bullet : to extremely nervous
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Monday, 11 January 2010
ESL Podcast 340 – Office Competition
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4764614
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:28
Explanations: 3:10
Fast dialog: 14:27
======================
Okay, everybody. Listen up. We're approaching the end of the month. Unless you're new here, you know that we are in competition with our rival, the East Coast office, to have the most sales this period.
At the beginning of the month, we pulled ahead and it looked like we were finally going to turn the tables and defeat the East Coast office. But after the first 10 days of this month, we fell into a tie with them, and as of last Friday, we are still neck and neck.
We're now coming up to crunch time and the last thing we want is to fall behind when it looks like we may be able to top the East Coast office for the first time in two years. I'm really proud of this office for outdoing itself to get us in a position to win, and there's no reason we should suffer another loss now.
Okay, everybody, let's put our noses to the grindstone and pull out this victory!
=====================
- to be in competition: to be against with another team
- to pull ahead : to begin to do better than other team in a competition
- to turn the table : to reverse the situation
- rival : other team against yours in a competition
- crunch time : an important time before a certain event ends
- the last thing we want: we don't want
- to outdo yourself : to do better than yourself did previously
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:28
Explanations: 3:10
Fast dialog: 14:27
======================
Okay, everybody. Listen up. We're approaching the end of the month. Unless you're new here, you know that we are in competition with our rival, the East Coast office, to have the most sales this period.
At the beginning of the month, we pulled ahead and it looked like we were finally going to turn the tables and defeat the East Coast office. But after the first 10 days of this month, we fell into a tie with them, and as of last Friday, we are still neck and neck.
We're now coming up to crunch time and the last thing we want is to fall behind when it looks like we may be able to top the East Coast office for the first time in two years. I'm really proud of this office for outdoing itself to get us in a position to win, and there's no reason we should suffer another loss now.
Okay, everybody, let's put our noses to the grindstone and pull out this victory!
=====================
- to be in competition: to be against with another team
- to pull ahead : to begin to do better than other team in a competition
- to turn the table : to reverse the situation
- rival : other team against yours in a competition
- crunch time : an important time before a certain event ends
- the last thing we want: we don't want
- to outdo yourself : to do better than yourself did previously
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Sunday, 10 January 2010
ESL Podcast 339 – Star-crossed Lovers
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4754771
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:35
Explanations: 3:10
Fast dialog: 14:04
=============
Romeo: What do you plan to do?
Juliette: I don't know! I can't defy my parents. They've been against our relationship from the start, and I've been forbidden to see you.
Romeo: It's your life, not theirs. It's time you stood up to them and told them what you want. I'm tired of being a puppet in the feud between your family and mine.
Juliette: That's easy to say, but I can't confront my father and tell him that I want to be with you. It would kill him!
Romeo: No, it won't. He's using guilt to get you to give me up. Don't let him manipulate you that way.
Juliette: This is tearing me apart. I can't take it much longer.
Romeo: You won't have to. I'm leaving—without you.
Juliette: No! You can't. I can't live without you.
Romeo: Someday, we'll be together...Cut! Where is the director? This is supposed to be the story about star-crossed lovers, not a trashy melodrama. Whoever wrote this trash should be fired!
============
- to defy : not to do what you're expected / supposed to do
- to stand up to sb: to confront sb, to fight for your believe
- to be puppet : a little doll for child to play -> sb who is controlled by sb else
- feud : long fight or argument between two people
- to tear sb apart : to hurt sb emotionally, can not decide what to do
- trashy : not much value, without value
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:35
Explanations: 3:10
Fast dialog: 14:04
=============
Romeo: What do you plan to do?
Juliette: I don't know! I can't defy my parents. They've been against our relationship from the start, and I've been forbidden to see you.
Romeo: It's your life, not theirs. It's time you stood up to them and told them what you want. I'm tired of being a puppet in the feud between your family and mine.
Juliette: That's easy to say, but I can't confront my father and tell him that I want to be with you. It would kill him!
Romeo: No, it won't. He's using guilt to get you to give me up. Don't let him manipulate you that way.
Juliette: This is tearing me apart. I can't take it much longer.
Romeo: You won't have to. I'm leaving—without you.
Juliette: No! You can't. I can't live without you.
Romeo: Someday, we'll be together...Cut! Where is the director? This is supposed to be the story about star-crossed lovers, not a trashy melodrama. Whoever wrote this trash should be fired!
============
- to defy : not to do what you're expected / supposed to do
- to stand up to sb: to confront sb, to fight for your believe
- to be puppet : a little doll for child to play -> sb who is controlled by sb else
- feud : long fight or argument between two people
- to tear sb apart : to hurt sb emotionally, can not decide what to do
- trashy : not much value, without value
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday, 9 January 2010
ESL Podcast 338 – Refusing an Invitation
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4744928
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:18
Explanations: 3:13
Fast dialog: 14:06
====================
June: Did you get an invitation to Kelly's party?
Roberto: Yes, I did. I'm going to send my regrets. How about you?
June: I'm trying to find an excuse not to attend, without Kelly taking offense.
Roberto: Couldn't you just tell her that you have another engagement that night?
June: I used that little white lie last time I turned down one of her invitations. I have to think of something else.
Roberto: How about telling her that you have to take care of a sick relative? That one always works for me.
June: I've used that one, too. I told her that I was looking after my mother the last time she invited me to dinner.
Roberto: How about if you tell her you're on a special assignment at work and you have to work night and day to get it done?
June: That's a little far-fetched, don't you think? I work as a store clerk.
Roberto: You've got a point there.
June: What are you going to tell Kelly when you decline her invitation?
Roberto: I'm going to extend an apology and just say that I can't make it.
June: That's it? I'd never thought of just saying "no."
Roberto: You know the old acronym: KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid.
June: You're right. Hey! Who are you calling stupid?
==================
- to send my regret : to say very nicely, politely that you're unable to go (a party)
- to take offense : to be offended
- another engagement : another appointment
- white lie : small,unimportant lie
- to turn down : to decline , to say no the invitation
- relative : sb is related to you by blood or marriage
- to work night and day : to work very hard
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:18
Explanations: 3:13
Fast dialog: 14:06
====================
June: Did you get an invitation to Kelly's party?
Roberto: Yes, I did. I'm going to send my regrets. How about you?
June: I'm trying to find an excuse not to attend, without Kelly taking offense.
Roberto: Couldn't you just tell her that you have another engagement that night?
June: I used that little white lie last time I turned down one of her invitations. I have to think of something else.
Roberto: How about telling her that you have to take care of a sick relative? That one always works for me.
June: I've used that one, too. I told her that I was looking after my mother the last time she invited me to dinner.
Roberto: How about if you tell her you're on a special assignment at work and you have to work night and day to get it done?
June: That's a little far-fetched, don't you think? I work as a store clerk.
Roberto: You've got a point there.
June: What are you going to tell Kelly when you decline her invitation?
Roberto: I'm going to extend an apology and just say that I can't make it.
June: That's it? I'd never thought of just saying "no."
Roberto: You know the old acronym: KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid.
June: You're right. Hey! Who are you calling stupid?
==================
- to send my regret : to say very nicely, politely that you're unable to go (a party)
- to take offense : to be offended
- another engagement : another appointment
- white lie : small,unimportant lie
- to turn down : to decline , to say no the invitation
- relative : sb is related to you by blood or marriage
- to work night and day : to work very hard
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Saturday, 2 January 2010
ESL Podcast 336 – Going Out of Business
http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=4725242
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:26
Explanations: 3:23
Fast dialog: 14:34
===============
Julianne: I'm really glad to be back in Macville. What happened to the market that used to be here?
Helio: Oh, it went belly up. It struggled for many years. The owners tried to downsize and reduced the space they were renting, but they had to throw in the towel when they got into debt.
Julianne: What a shame! It was such a nice store, and the family who owned it was always so friendly.
Helio: Yeah, things have changed a lot around here.
Julianne: Where is the restaurant that was next to the market? I used to eat lunch there all the time.
Helio: The owners couldn't make it profitable and after trying to get loans to bail themselves out, they ran out of options. They had to pack it in.
Julianne: What's happening here?
Helio: The gift shop is going out of business. It's having a big sale to liquidate the store. The owners lost their lease and have to close. This store has been in the family for generations, but the property owners want to tear down the building for a parking lot.
Julianne: A parking lot? For what? With this economic downturn and all of these businesses going bankrupt, who will want to park here?
Helio: Your guess is as good as mine.
==============
- to go out of business : to close the business
- to go belly up : to fail at business ( to go out of business)
- to throw in the towel : to give up
- to be in debt
- to get loans : to get money from bank and return it latter with small interest
- to bail themself out : to get out of difficult situation (because you don't have enough money)
- to liquidate the store : to sell everything that a business owns because it's going to get ouf of business and it needs money as much as possible
- to tear sth down : to destroy sth
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
Audio Index:
Slow dialog: 1:26
Explanations: 3:23
Fast dialog: 14:34
===============
Julianne: I'm really glad to be back in Macville. What happened to the market that used to be here?
Helio: Oh, it went belly up. It struggled for many years. The owners tried to downsize and reduced the space they were renting, but they had to throw in the towel when they got into debt.
Julianne: What a shame! It was such a nice store, and the family who owned it was always so friendly.
Helio: Yeah, things have changed a lot around here.
Julianne: Where is the restaurant that was next to the market? I used to eat lunch there all the time.
Helio: The owners couldn't make it profitable and after trying to get loans to bail themselves out, they ran out of options. They had to pack it in.
Julianne: What's happening here?
Helio: The gift shop is going out of business. It's having a big sale to liquidate the store. The owners lost their lease and have to close. This store has been in the family for generations, but the property owners want to tear down the building for a parking lot.
Julianne: A parking lot? For what? With this economic downturn and all of these businesses going bankrupt, who will want to park here?
Helio: Your guess is as good as mine.
==============
- to go out of business : to close the business
- to go belly up : to fail at business ( to go out of business)
- to throw in the towel : to give up
- to be in debt
- to get loans : to get money from bank and return it latter with small interest
- to bail themself out : to get out of difficult situation (because you don't have enough money)
- to liquidate the store : to sell everything that a business owns because it's going to get ouf of business and it needs money as much as possible
- to tear sth down : to destroy sth
-
--
Thanks,
Duy Lam
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