ESL Podcast 480 – Riding in a Carpool

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/multimedia/btp/cardiff/cardiff_text.shtml

 

The Millennium Stadium is not the only imposing [large, impressive, and appearing important] building in the centre of Cardiff. Cardiff Castle is another.

They mostly date [ to find out when something old was made or formed] from the 15th century, but in the 19th were dramatically altered.

The owner at that time, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, was extremely rich as a result of [because of] his father's business activities

So he commissioned [ to formally ask someone to write an official report, produce a work of art for you ] rebuilding work, in the fashionable Victorian style known as Gothic Revival

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http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=7188991

Roberto: Hey, Loreto. Got a minute?

Loreto: I'm going to a meeting off-site, but we can talk if you don't mind walking me to my car.

Roberto: Sure, okay. I just wanted to ask if you're interested in carpooling to work. We only live a few blocks from each other.

Loreto: Thanks for asking, but I'm not sure carpooling would work for me. Sometimes I run late in the morning and I wouldn't want to hold you up.

Roberto: We wouldn't have to commute together every day, only on those days that are convenient for both of us. Carpooling has its advantages, too. In addition to doing our part for the environment, we could use the high-occupancy carpool lanes. That'll save time, especially if there's a lot of traffic congestion.

Loreto: Yeah, I guess that could cut down on our commute time.

Roberto: We also get preferential treatment for parking on the days we carpool.

Loreto: How would it work? Do we set up a schedule and take turns driving?

Roberto: Why don't I swing by and pick you up tomorrow morning and we can talk more about it?

Loreto: If you don't mind picking me up en route, that would be great. By the way, how do you know where I live?

Roberto: Oh, I asked around. See you tomorrow.

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- off-site : at a different location
- to walk sb to swhere : to accompany sb while they're walking, to walk with that person
- to carpool : share a car with other who live in same place or department
- to run late : to be behind your schedule, not be online
- to hold sb up : to delay sb, to prevent sb from doing sth quickly
- to commute : to go to office and go back home again
- to do our part for sth: to contribute to sth
- to cut down on sth: to use less off sth
- to swing by (driving): to go to a place in a short time (visit sb, e.x)


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Thanks,
Duy Lam