Slow dialogue: 1:20 Explanations: 2:48 Fast dialogue: 13:59 Ruth: Now that we?ve picked out a new couch, we need to pick out an upholstery fabric. What do you think of this checkered one? Gerry: That?s an eyesore. I prefer something a little more subtle. Ruth: Subtle? What?s fun about subtle? I want something bold and that?ll make a statement. How about this one with the polka dots? Gerry: You?ve got to be kidding! That pattern is so busy, if I had to look at that every day, I?d go crazy. Ruth: All right, what do you think of this one with the stripes? Gerry: I?m not crazy about it, but it?s not as tacky as the others ones. Ruth: Okay then, you pick one out. Gerry: Fine. Let me see?Now this is a sight for sore eyes! Ruth: But that has no pattern at all! It?s a solid blue color, and a boring shade of blue to boot. Gerry: That?s right. That?s what I call a classic. Ruth: And that?s what I call dull! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Steroid use and other doping in professional sports; The Juilliard School; shell-shocked; way to go; be good Words: performance-enhancing drug steroid bodybuilder dose acne to cheat to dope prestigious audition humanities to rehearse composer shell-shocked way to go be good

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Slow dialogue: 1:14 Explanations: 3:05 Fast dialogue: 14:10 Ethan: You missed a spot. Marie: Hold on. When we made our bet for the loser to wash the winner?s car, it didn?t include the other person being there and being a pain in the neck. Ethan: I?m just here to make sure everything gets washed properly, from the hood to the taillights. Marie: Don?t you worry. See how carefully I?m washing the windshield, side mirrors, and headlights? I bet they?ve never been cleaner. Ethan: When are you going to get to the tires and the hubcaps? And I think you forgot the tailpipe. Marie: Will you get lost? I?ll do a better job without you looking over my shoulder. Ethan: I doubt that. If I weren?t here, who would remind you to clean the roof rack and the windshield wipers? I bet you would have forgotten those, for sure. Marie: I?m going to forget about this whole thing if you don?t shut up. Ethan: Nah uh. That?s not an option. When you lose a bet, you have to pay the price. Marie: Well, I?m willing to be a graceful loser if you?ll stop gloating. Ethan: Not a chance! Don?t forget the grills! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:16 Explanations: 3:08 Fast dialogue: 14:49 Lourdes: Do you see those teenagers over there? They?re making trouble again. Nick: Those kids are just messing around. When they get bored, they?ll pipe down and go home. Lourdes: They?re really getting on my nerves, playing loud music and making all that noise. They?re a disgrace. Nick: Get away from that window before they see you. If they see that they can?t get a rise out of us, they?ll move along. What are you doing? What are you planning to do with that broom? Lourdes: I?m going to use it to wave them off. Nick: I wouldn?t do that if I were you. Teenagers can be unpredictable. You don?t know if a small slight might set them off. Insult them and you?re asking for trouble. Lourdes: I don?t care. I?m doing it anyway. Nick: Great! Now you have their attention. They?re flipping us off! Lourdes: Yeah, well, two can play that game. Take that! Nick: Are you crazy?! Lourdes: No, I?m just giving as good as I get. Look what they?re doing now! Nick: They?re mooning us! Lourdes: Well, two can play that game, too! Nick: What?! Are you nuts?! You can?t moon them back. Lourdes: Oh, no? Watch me! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: American Cities: Houston; how to become a police officer; incredible versus unbelievable; to rule the roost; to sort out Words: to be named after oilfield cultural offering urban sprawl lot size low/high urban density forensics ride-along endurance drug test background check police academy incredible unbelievable to rule the roost to sort out

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Slow dialogue: 1:25 Explanations: 4:19 Fast dialogue: 16:09 Renaldo: Hello, may I speak to Simone Otto? Simone: This is Simone. May I ask who?s calling? Renaldo: This is Renaldo Garcia at Cinetect. You interviewed for a position with me last week. Simone: Oh, yes, of course. How are you? Renaldo: I?m doing well. The reason I?m calling is that I was very impressed with you last week, and I?d like to offer you the job. Simone: Thank you very much. I?m delighted to hear it. I really appreciate the job offer. Renaldo: I think we now need to talk about salary. What are your salary requirements? Simone: Well, for this type of position, I would be looking for a salary range between $60,000 and $65,000. Renaldo: Hmm, that?s a bit higher than I was thinking, given our budget constraints. Perhaps we can give you an attractive compensation package if the salary isn?t quite what you?re looking for. Simone: I?m certainly open to negotiations, though I think that the salary range I named is comparable to that of similar positions in the field. Renaldo: All right. Why don?t you consider this: I can give you a salary of $50,000 and I?ll increase your annual vacation time from two weeks to three weeks. Simone: Hmm, I?ll need to think about that... Renaldo: In this economy, it?s a salary that many people would jump at. Simone: I understand that, but I also know that I have a lot to offer your company. Renaldo: That?s certainly true, and I don?t you to walk away from this job if there?s any way we can close the gap in salary. Simone: If you?re willing to up the offer to $60,000, then I think it may be doable. Renaldo: Well, $60,000 is really the ceiling for that position. I?ll have to give it some thought and call you back. Simone: Please do, and again, thank you very much for the offer. It would be an honor to work with you and to work at Cinetect. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:13 Explanations: 2:32 Fast dialogue: 16:11 Justin: What are you ogling at? Katrina: I?m watching those guys working across the street. Justin: Those construction workers? Katrina: Yeah, those prime examples of manhood. There?s not a flabby gut in the bunch. Justin: I?m pretty sure they wouldn?t appreciate you watching them as though they were pieces of meat. Hasn?t anyone ever told you not to objectify the opposite sex? Katrina: What? I?m not objectifying anybody. I?m just admiring their six-packs and guns. Look at those long, lean bodies. Justin: Stop it! It?s demeaning, and on behalf of all men out there, I?m really offended. It?s disgusting. Katrina: Is it disgusting to have a picture of Megan Fox on the wall in your office? Justin: That?s different! Katrina: How? Justin: It?s her personality I admire. Katrina: You could?ve fooled me. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Psychological pricing; daytime soap operas; target versus objective versus purpose; the silent ?b?: slumber versus plumber; there, there Words: whole number to make change to round up/down chain soap opera longest-running bizarre plot twist clone to come back from the dead of all time coma target objective purpose slumber plumber there, there

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Slow dialogue: 1:17 Explanations: 3:18 Fast dialogue: 13:12 Gabby: Another birthday! I?m going to stop celebrating. What?s there to celebrate ? getting old and decrepit? Cherif: Are you kidding me? We?re in the prime of our lives. Who?s decrepit? I?m not. Gabby: If I?m in my prime, then why do I feel so middle age? Cherif: It?s a matter of perspective. It?s true that we?re not spring chickens anymore, but who wants all of the angst of youth? Not me. I like living these mature years without the insecurity and uncertainty of youth. Gabby: It?s not that. I don?t miss the awkwardness of my teenage years, and I definitely don?t miss the struggles I had to go through in my 20s. What I miss is the excitement of seeing and experiencing things for the first time. If I?m nostalgic, then I?m nostalgic for the innocence of youth. Cherif: Come on. There?s nothing stopping you from seeing and trying new things now. Don?t tell me that you?ve seen and done everything. Gabby: No, I haven?t. Cherif: Then you?ll come with me next Saturday, and I guarantee you a new experience. Gabby: What new experience? Cherif: Have you ever tried skydiving? Gabby: No, I haven?t and I don?t plan to now. I may be old, but I?m not ready to kick the bucket yet! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:12 Explanations: 2:52 Fast dialogue: 14:02 Maya: What are those? Jorge: They?re pictures from our ski trip last weekend. Maya: Is there any reason you?re staring at the ones with Jessica in them? I think you?ve got a crush on her. Jorge: I?m not 10 years old. I don?t get crushes. Maya: Then, I think you?re falling head over heels for her. Jorge: Don?t be ridiculous. I?ve only just met her. Maya: I knew it was love at first sight when I introduced you at Yannick?s party. I could see the sparks fly. I couldn?t miss her blush or your silly grin. There was certainly a lot of chemistry between the two of you, that?s for sure. Jorge: I hardly talked to her at the party. Maya: Yes, but I could see her stealing glances at you all night. Jorge: That must have been a figment of your imagination. Maya: Oh, really? Jorge: Okay, I won?t deny that I?m attracted to Jessica, but I can?t speak for her. Maya: Yes, but I can. Jorge: What? Maya: She asked me about you. Jorge: When? Maya: Yesterday, at lunch. Jorge: What did she say? What did you say? Maya: That?s for me to know and for you to find out! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Famous Americans: Janis Joplin; compulsory education and truancy laws; to bask; to brace; to palm off; to follow one?s hunch(es) Words: blues to catch the attention of lead singer solo artist to struggle with to relapse compulsory to play hooky to skip school truancy detention mandate to bask to palm off to follow one?s hunch(es)

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Slow dialogue: 1:22 Explanations: 3:04 Fast dialogue: 15:06 Akiko: How did your presentation go over this morning at the meeting? Gerry: It was a complete flop! Akiko: I don?t believe it. You spent weeks working on that presentation. Gerry: It wasn?t the presentation that bombed. It was my big idea. Leona called it a retread of what I presented last year, and she was not in the least impressed. Akiko: Ouch, that?s pretty harsh. What did the others say? Gerry: Overall, the response was dismal. Everyone else was trying to be tactful, but it boiled down to the fact that they thought it was pathetic. Akiko: I?m sure that?s not true. And if they didn?t jump up and down about the idea right away, they?re bound to come around after you give them more details. Gerry: I don?t know? Akiko: Come on, aren?t you the same guy who told me that you didn?t know the meaning of the word ?quit?? Gerry: That was before this morning?s presentation. Akiko: Are you giving up on your great idea? Gerry: No, I guess not, but it?ll take some reworking? Akiko: Good, then you won?t give up? Gerry: I guess not. What the heck? I?m only risking more humiliation and failure, right? Akiko: That?s the spirit! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:21 Explanations: 3:33 Fast dialogue: 13:44 Lorenzo: Have you bought a new television yet? Katia: No, I?m still looking at consumer reviews and weighing my options. I?m not sure yet what size I want or what features I need. I?m keeping my options open for now. Lorenzo: I thought your old TV stopped working three weeks ago. You still haven?t made up your mind about buying a new one? Katia: Oh, I?ve decided to buy a new one. It?s which one I?m going to buy that?s making me hesitate. There are so many options to choose from. I want to approach this logically and decide only after I?ve done the proper analysis. Lorenzo: It?s only a TV. It?s not like it?s a house or even a car. Katia: I know, but I?m the one who has to live with the decision. I?ll look at it every day, and if I don?t make the right decision, it?ll haunt me for years. Lorenzo: You know what I think? Katia: What? Lorenzo: I think you?re crippled by indecision, and you?re stalling. The sooner you make a decision and buy a new TV, the better. Katia: Hey, what are you doing? Where are you taking me? Lorenzo: We?re going to the electronics store this minute, and you?re buying a TV ? today! Katia: What if I regret my decision? Lorenzo: Then I?ll buy you a new one. Katia: Fine, but I?m holding you to that! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Ask an American: Bartering; waiting versus awaiting; use of the infinitive; answering ?yes? to a negative question Words: marketing produce to establish brand in turn down agriculture to barter quaint charming initiative to wait to await

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Slow dialogue: 1:21 Explanations: 2:59 Fast dialogue: 15:01 Lorelai: I just finished reading a book about how to get the most out of life. Starting today, I?m going to live life to its fullest. Luke: Oh no, not another one of your fads. Weren?t you eating only blue- and red-colored foods a couple of months ago? Lorelai: This is not a fad! I?m changing my lifestyle so I?ll be able to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Luke: And didn?t you go through a phase where you spoke only to animals? Lorelai: I?m not listening to you, and I?m not dwelling on the past. I?m living in the moment and enjoying everything around me. I?m ignoring your negativity and concentrating on appreciating the moment. Luke: What are you doing now? Lorelai: I?m practicing mindfulness. I?m repeating my mantra and calming my mind. You should try meditation. It may help you with your problems. Luke: What problems? Lorelai: We could start with your judgmental attitude and your close-mindedness. How?s that? Luke: Forget it! Nothing can get me to buy your latest hocus pocus! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:34 Explanations: 3:32 Fast dialogue: 16:31 Blaire: Do you have any idea what he?s saying? Antonio: It?s Greek to me. You?re supposed to be the one who?s fluent. Can?t you make out what he?s saying? Blaire: I never said I was fluent. I said I could get by in the language. There?s a big difference. Antonio: Why don?t you try saying something to him? Blaire: What should I say? Antonio: How about, ?I don?t have a good command of the language. Could you please speak more slowly?? Blaire: I don?t think speaking more slowing will help my comprehension. Besides, I only know a few stock phrases, and even those I can only say haltingly, if I don?t freeze up altogether. Antonio: Give me the phrase book. I?ll see if I can get through to him. Blaire: What are you going to say? Antonio: I don?t know, but we?re two fairly articulate people. We should be able to cobble together a few sentences to get our point across, don?t you think? Blaire: Okay, I?ll follow your lead, but, um, just don?t say anything insulting...like last time. Antonio: Are you bringing that up again?! It?s not my fault that the entire town misinterpreted what I said! I was trying to compliment the women, not insult them. Blaire: Tell that to the men who ran you out of town! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: U.S. government reparations; TV home shopping networks/shows; neither do I versus so do I versus either I; to talk with versus to talk to; to put the cart before the horse (to put the horse before the cart) Words: reparations to make up for (something) descent to disburse heir slave host testimonial interactive voice response impulse buy to regret to flip through the channels neither do I so do I either I to talk with to talk to to put the cart before the horse (to put the horse before the cart)

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Slow dialogue: 1:29 Explanations: 3:32 Fast dialogue: 15:09 Receptionist: So the meeting is set for 2:00 on Thursday. Do you know how to get to our offices? Asha: No, I don?t. Could you give me directions? Receptionist: Certainly. We?re located on Main Street. The cross street is Udall. If you?re taking the freeway, the best exit to take is Udall East. Once you?re on Udall, head east for about two miles and when you reach the bend, veer right. If you veer left, you?ll run into a dead end. After you veer right, you?ll be on Monroe Avenue and it?s a one-way street. Our building is on the right-hand side, past the light. If you pass Elm Street, you?ve gone too far. Asha: Okay, I think I?ve got all that. Is there parking available? Receptionist: Unfortunately, there?s only street parking. There is valet parking for the building next door, but they charge $12 and we don?t validate. There are meters on the street and on the side streets, but you may need to circle the block a few times to find an available meter. Asha: All right, and thanks for the information. I guess I need to leave early to have plenty of time to find the building and to find parking. Receptionist: I tell everybody to count on getting lost and having to hunt for parking. Asha: Thanks for the heads up! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:24 Explanations: 3:28 Fast dialogue: 15:29 Eri: What?s that? James: It?s an invitation to a family reunion. Once every five years or so, someone in the family organizes one. Eri: Are you going? James: I?m not sure. It?s always a little awkward seeing extended family. Did you know that there used to be a big feud between my father and his brother? Eri: No, what happened? James: I?m not sure, but it was something that happened before they got married. My father held a grudge for years. Then, about eight years ago, they made up. There?s still no love lost between their wives, but at least there are no hard feelings between the two of them any longer. Eri: So you?ll go to the reunion? James: I?m not sure. My mother?s side of the family has always looked down on my father?s. She comes from old money and they didn?t approve of her marrying my father. It was really hard on my mother. She really looked up to her mother and they were really close before my father came along. Eri: But that?s ancient history, isn?t it? Considering how things turned out, your grandmother can?t hold it against your mother for marrying your father. James: You?ve never met my grandmother. One thing everyone knows about her is this: She doesn?t know the words to forgive and forget. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse Getting along with your family can sometimes be difficult. Learn how to talk about family relations in English in this episode.

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Topics: American Cities (Territories): Puerto Rico; People Who Work for Celebrities; cooperation versus collaboration; instance versus instantaneous versus instant; pronouncing won?t and want Words: appointed resident mainland diaspora celebrity in the spotlight to work behind the scenes agent publicist stylist personal assistant entourage cooperation collaboration instance instantaneous instant

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Slow dialogue: 1:14 Explanations: 3:10 Fast dialogue: 13:55 Teacher: Welcome, everybody, to this self-defense class. Today, you?ll learn how to size up a situation and how to tell the difference between a harmless situation and a threatening one. You?ll also begin to learn some hand-to-hand combat moves to defend yourselves. Amy: Oh, good. I can?t wait to learn some martial arts so I can beat up anyone who tries anything. Teacher: Well, the best thing we can do in a dangerous situation is to avoid having to fight. It?s not a good idea to confront someone pumped up on adrenaline. If you can defuse the situation or run away, that would be the best strategy. Amy: All right, but if someone is harassing me, I want to be ready to do some damage. Teacher: I?m not sure if that?s the right mindset? Amy: I always trust my instincts. If my intuition tells me that someone may be dangerous, I want to get in the first punch. Teacher: Whoa, that?s not the purpose of this class. You?re here to learn defense, remember? Amy: Yes, but you know what they say: The best defense is a good offense! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:25 Explanations: 3:14 Fast dialogue: 14:20 Bruno: Hey, what are you doing? Give me back that remote! Tamara: The movie I want to watch is on right now. Do you mind? Bruno: Of course I mind! I?m watching the playoffs. Can?t you see that? Tamara: The playoffs? Oh, I?ll watch with you. Bruno: You? You don?t know anything about sports. Tamara: It doesn?t matter. I always root for the underdog. Our team will be victorious! Go team! Bruno: Fine, but I?m rooting for the other team. Let?s just watch the game, okay? Tamara: Your team is going to get pounded. We will be the champions! Bruno: Please, can I just watch this game in peace? I?ve been waiting for it all season. Tamara: Oooh, somebody is a little testy. I think it?s because you know you?re backing a losing team. You can?t stand being on the losing side. Am I right? Your players are running scared already. I can tell. Bruno: I?m just trying to follow the game. Tamara: Look at that! Your best player just choked. How could he have missed such an easy shot? Bruno: If you don?t be quiet, I?ll show you what it feels like to get choked! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: The Golden Age of Hollywood and the studio system; the busing controversy of the 1970s; as well versus also versus too; to take into account; ?why? as an interjection Words: cinema silent movie of all time classic studio to have (someone) on salary controversy desegregated predominantly inconvenient white flight suburbs as well to take into account why

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Slow dialogue: 1:25 Explanations: 3:02 Fast dialogue: 15:21 Goran: Who do you think will be appointed to succeed Ramon on the board? Anne: I don?t know whom they?ll pick to fill the position, but I know who the candidates are. The higher ups have been quietly vetting three people to make sure they don?t have any skeletons in their closets. Goran: Really? Who are they? Anne: I?m not at liberty to say, but I think at least two of the candidates are people outside of the inner circle. Goran: You mean we might actually get a new board member who?s not buddy-buddy with the higher ups? Anne: All I can say is that two outsiders are under consideration. Goran: Wow, that?s huge. Can you at least tell me if the remaining candidate is the interim board member? Everybody thinks he has the inside track. Anne: I can?t tell you that. The selection is being kept under wraps until next Thursday. I?ve already let slip too much. Goran: Don?t worry. My lips are sealed. Anne: They?d better be. You know what they say about loose lips. Goran: Yeah, and I?m not sinking this ship. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:25 Explanations: 3:01 Fast dialogue: 13:06 I?ve been thinking about starting a blog for a long time now, and after talking to my friend Traver, a popular blogger, I?ve decided to take the leap. Traver got me started with a basic template, but I wanted to customize the blog to give it my own flavor before launching it. I already have my first few posts ready to go, and I plan to update it a few times a week. Traver told me that it may take a little time for my blog to catch on and become known in the blogosphere. He suggested I do some basic self-promotion. He told me to register my website with the major search engines and to swap links with other bloggers writing on similar topics. He gave me some other advice to increase hits and I?m taking it all to heart. I can?t wait to get my first comments and to start talking to other people about our common interest: Our love of cats! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Beauty pageants and controversies; the National Weather Service; like versus same as; how do you do?; what?s up; have a good one Words: beauty pageant to be judged contestant articulate talent poise crown sash demeaning forecast warning to disseminate like same as How do you do? what?s up? have a good one

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Slow dialogue: 1:33 Explanations: 3:09 Fast dialogue: 14:27 Ellen: What are you wearing to the party? Hiro: Your guess is as good as mine. Ellen: Let?s look through your closet and I?ll help you pick something out. Hiro: Okay, but I have to warn you. I have a pretty limited wardrobe. Ellen: Let?s see, these black pants are nice, but they?re frayed on the bottom. How about these jeans? Hiro: You don?t think they?re too faded? There?s also a rip in the back. Ellen: No, I guess those jeans won?t work. I like this shirt, though. Hiro: Did you see the stain on the front? The zipper is also stuck, I think. Ellen: How about shoes? Do you have any shoes that are presentable? Hiro: Well, I always wear these, but they?re scuffed on the top and the sole is pretty worn. Ellen: Okay, desperate times call for desperate measures. Come on! Hiro: Where are we going? Ellen: We?re going to a magical place with brand spanking new clothes and where everything is flawless. Hiro: Where?s that? Ellen: The mall! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:31 Explanations: 2:58 Fast dialogue: 12:38 Enrique: I don?t know how you talked me into coming with you to Dan?s apartment to rifle through his papers. This snooping is stupid! If you have suspicions, you should just talk to him. Stella: Confront him without any evidence? That would be the height of stupidity. Enrique: Instead, we?re holed up in this closet until he leaves. I thought you said he wouldn?t be home until 6:00. Stella: That?s what I thought. Just sit tight. I think he just came home to pick something up. He?ll be gone in a minute. Enrique: I don?t like confined spaces. If we don?t make a break for it soon, I?m going to suffocate. Stella: Stop your kvetching. Now that we?re here, maybe we can do better than looking through his papers. We can eavesdrop on his conversations. Enrique: Have you lost your mind? Do you know what he would do to us if he found us here? Stella: No guts, no glory! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Ask an American: Nursing; responsible versus accountable; -wise; to double back Words: handmaiden keystone interaction consistently to give care to pull (someone) through to come up to (someone) to proceed to measure to specialize out in acute-care responsible accountable -wise to double back

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Slow dialogue: 1:25 Explanations: 3:46 Fast dialogue: 15:50 Laura: I think that?s all we need to talk about regarding last month?s report. Let?s turn to this month?s report, shall we? I didn?t get a copy of it. Could someone hand me one? Gaius: By the way, I have just one last comment before we shift our focus to this month?s report. It seems to me that we need more information on how the Duluth office is doing. Could we ask for more info to be included in next month?s report? Laura: I?m sure we can. Incidentally, Dee is quitting and Kara will be taking her place. This is off the record, of course. Okay, now back to this month?s report... Gaius: Speaking of personnel changes, did you know that Lee is being promoted to V.P. next month? Laura: I hadn?t heard that, but I?m not surprised. She?s been in line for that job for years. Okay, we need to get back to this month?s report? Gaius: Something just occurred to me. If Lee is being promoted, what will happen to the Baseship project? Laura: I think it?s being put on the back burner for now. All right, could someone hand me a copy of this month?s report? Gaius: I don?t mean to change the subject but? Laura: I think that?s precisely what you?re trying to do. What?s the matter with this month?s report? Gaius: It?s not quite finished. It?ll be on your desk this afternoon. Laura: Is that what this tap dance has been about? All right, we?ll talk about it at tomorrow?s meeting. Next time, just give it to me straight, okay? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:24 Explanations: 3:43 Fast dialogue: 15:51 George: What are you doing? Joan: I?m looking through these magazines to try and decide which plastic surgery procedures I should have next year. George: You?re not thinking of going under the knife. Joan: Yes, I am. I?ve always wanted to improve on the way I look, and I?m tired of these wrinkles and sagging skin. I want to look 25 again! George: That?s ridiculous. Nobody who is 45 can look 25. People who get Botox, have facelifts, or tummy tucks look weird. Joan: That?s because they didn?t go to the best plastic surgeons. I won?t make that mistake. Help me decide. Should I get liposuction and a nose job, or should I go all out and get breast implants, too? George: I think you?ve gone off the deep end. We?ve been friends for over 20 years and you don?t need any cosmetic surgery. You?re perfect the way you are. Joan: You can?t be serious! George: I?m dead serious, and if you get all of that plastic surgery, you?ll look like an over-the-hill Barbie doll, and I?m not going to be seen in public with you. Joan: What?s wrong with a little plastic surgery? I just want to feel better about myself. George: You don?t need plastic surgery to do that. You just need to spend more time with me and your other friends who like you just the way you are! Joan: Sagging skin and all? George: What sagging skin? Joan: I feel younger already. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: NASA; Famous Americans: Jackie Robinson; conference versus meeting versus session; second to none; narrative versus story Words: outer space to spur on space race advocate to orbit height of (something) league segregated fan racial slur to unify prestigious meeting conference session second to none narrative story

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Slow dialogue: 1:19 Explanations: 3:12 Fast dialogue: 14:44 I spent the day helping my friend, Babbit, on his farm. When I got home, my wife said, ?You stink!? I headed straight for the shower. I ran the water, closed the shower curtain, and adjusted the showerhead. I worked the soap into a lather and scrubbed from head to toe. I rinsed off the soap and toweled off. When I went back into the living room, my wife said, ?You still stink! You need to soak in a bath!? I went back into the bathroom, put the stopper in the bathtub, and turned on the faucet. I didn?t want to take any chances. I took some of my wife?s bubble bath and poured it into the bathtub. When the bath was ready, I got in. I soaked for a half hour and I washed every nook and cranny. When I went back into the living room, my wife said, ?Wow, you smell as pretty as a flower!? That wasn?t exactly what I was going for, but I?d rather smell like flowers than pigs! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:19 Explanations: 2:59 Fast dialogue: 13:07 Connie: I?m so excited! We?re finally taking a cruise. Are you sure this is the embarkation area? Robert: Yes, I?m sure. We go on board right here, see? Come on, let?s find our cabin. Connie: Okay, but I want to go up on deck as soon as possible and look around the entire ship. Do you think they?ll let us go on the bridge and meet the captain? Robert: I don?t think so. You know, I think we?re going the wrong way. I can?t find our cabin number. Connie: Let?s see if we can find the purser or a steward to help us. Oh, never mind, here it is! Wow, this cabin is really small. Robert: No worries. We won?t be spending much time in the cabin. When do we eat? Connie: We can go down to the buffet right now for lunch, and I put us down for the main seating at 7:00 for dinner. Robert: Whoa, what?s that?! Connie: That?s the ship setting sail. You?re not going to be seasick, are you? Robert: I don?t think so, but I?m really looking forward to our first port of call! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Alcatraz; The Simpsons; using negation with an infinitive; heaven versus heavens; kind of versus sort of versus type of Words: to escape guard jailbreak cover-up cell haunted animated dysfunctional family troublemaker pacifier merchandise lexicon heaven heavens kind of sort of type of

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Slow dialogue: 1:14 Explanations: 2:50 Fast dialogue: 12:43 Dennis: Oh, why did I let my temper get the best of me? I never should have said those things to the new client! Nora: Don?t freak out. I?m sure you didn?t do any damage that can?t be rectified. It?s true that, in retrospect, you probably shouldn?t have called Nathan, the head of the project, a twerp. Dennis: Don?t remind me of what I said! Hindsight is 20/20. Now they?re going to think we?re running a dog and pony show. Nora: No, they?re not. Nathan was being unreasonable and you tried to sugarcoat your objections the best you could. Everybody could see that you were trying to pull your punches, but that guy just wouldn?t give an inch. Dennis: Nevertheless, this is going to have repercussions. Nora: Oh, here comes the boss now. I think she wants to talk to you. Dennis: I?ve no doubt about that. Nora: What do you suppose she?s going to say? Dennis: I know exactly what she?s going to say: ?Don?t let the door hit you on the way out!? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:19 Explanations: 3:51 Fast dialogue: 15:33 I went to visit my old friend, Mina, whom I hadn?t seen in several years. It was one of the strangest afternoons of my life! Dan: Hi, Mina, it?s really good to see you. Mina: Dan, come in. Hurry! Dan: Uh, okay. Why do you have four locks on your door, and why are all of the curtains drawn? Mina: I like my privacy. And anyway, I think there?s a peeping Tom around this apartment building and I don?t want him to get a peek into my apartment. Dan: Oh, okay. I noticed that your name isn?t on your mailbox. I wasn?t sure I had the right apartment number. Mina: Do you think I would voluntarily give people that information? They are constantly trying to invade my privacy. All I want is anonymity, but I have to be on guard all of the time. These days, I only give out personal information on a need-to-know basis. Dan: No offense, but isn?t that a little paranoid? You act as though everybody is out to get you. Mina: Aren?t they? Haven?t you noticed? We constantly have to disclose our most personal information on forms and to anyone who comes to our door. If I didn?t know you were coming today, I wouldn?t have opened my door at all. Dan: You mean you live here in seclusion, like a hermit? Mina: Of course not! I have plenty of friends. Come and meet them all. Dan: Wow, you must have 10 birds and 20 cats! Mina: Yes, that?s right. But, rest assured, none of them will breathe a word of what you say here today! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Fraternities and sororities; the foster care and adoption system; scholarship versus grant; commie Words: fraternity sorority rush to pledge initiation ceremony service organization hazing exclusionary to take (someone) in foster care to adopt to get stuck in scholarship grant commie

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Slow dialogue: 1:12 Explanations: 2:56 Fast dialogue: 13:32 Britney: I was thinking of hitting up Jane for a little loan. You know her better than I do. What are the chances she?ll spot me a couple hundred dollars until next month? Salvador: I think that?s a pipe dream. I wouldn?t exactly call her a cheapskate, but she?s not known for her generosity. Britney: What about Frank? He?s rolling in it. He could easily part with a couple hundred bucks without giving it a second thought. Salvador: You?ve got your work cut out for you if you think you can borrow money from Frank. He?s always been a penny-pincher and he always will be. Britney: Okay, then help me think. Who do we know who isn?t stingy? Who do we know who is big-hearted and charitable? Salvador: What the heck. Here?s $150 to tide you over until your next payday. Britney: Wow, thanks! You know, another $100 would really come in handy. Salvador: I really think you should quit while you?re ahead. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:05 Explanations: 2:44 Fast dialogue: 13:30 Ms. Sanchez: Okay, kids. I?m Ms. Sanchez, your substitute for this week. I?m taking all of you on the field trip tomorrow. Listen up. There are some ground rules we need to go over. First, each of you will have a partner and you will hold hands while we cross the streets. Student: Ms. Sanchez...? Ms. Sanchez: I?ll take questions later. Let me get through all of my instructions first. Remember, don?t talk to strangers. There are predators out there who are looking to lure children away from their family and friends and to abduct them, so don?t let your guard down. Student: Ms. Sanchez... Ms. Sanchez: As I said, I?ll take questions later. If you need to step away from the group, ask permission first. If a stranger tries to accost or waylay you, run away as fast as you can. Student: Uh, Ms. Sanchez? Ms. Sanchez: Yes? Student: I think you?ve got the wrong classroom. We?re the eighth graders. The first graders are on the second floor. Ms. Sanchez: Where are my glasses? Oh, here they are. Oh! You?re not my first-graders! Why didn?t anyone say anything earlier?! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: The Red Cross; Casablanca; to estimate versus to evaluate versus to appreciate; to let (someone/something) be; aim versus goal Words: cross crescent humanitarian victim natural disaster blood drive first aid shelter to be set in to be wanted by to admit plot to estimate to evaluate to appreciate to let (someone/something) be aim goal

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Slow dialogue: 1:14 Explanations: 2:42 Fast dialogue: 12:26 Kazuko: I really appreciate you helping with the training of the newbies. I couldn?t have done it without you. Martin: Don?t mention it. I remember when I was still wet behind the ears and the veterans in the company gave me the benefit of their time and expertise. They propped me up until I could stand on my own two feet. Kazuko: I can?t imagine you as a novice. Everybody here thinks of you as the cornerstone of the institution. Martin: Well, that may be, but you should have seen me in the early years. I was naive and reckless. I may be more adept at my job now, but I felt inept for years. Kazuko: I saw you talking with some of the new recruits. What advice did you give them? Martin: I gave them the same advice that an old hand gave me when I first started: Take every piece of advice you get with a grain of salt! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:20 Explanations: 3:01 Fast dialogue: 14:13 Dr. Chung: Hello, Luis, I?m Dr. Chung. You?re here for a check-up and a cleaning, is that right? Luis: Yes, that?s right. Dr. Chung: Okay, let?s take a look. Have you had your wisdom teeth taken out? Luis: No, I haven?t. Dr. Chung: Hmm?You may need to do that soon. You?ve had a root canal? Luis: Yes, about three years ago. Dr. Chung: Does that hurt? Luis: Ow! Dr. Chung: I guess I hit a nerve. The bad news is that you may need another root canal soon. Let?s see if you have any cavities. Oh, I think there?s one here in your left molar. You?ll need to come back for a filling. Are you experiencing any sensitivity? Luis: Yes, I am! Dr. Chung: I?m not surprised. Your gums have receded and some of the root is showing. Do you use dental floss? Luis: Um, yes. Dr. Chung: I?ll have the dental hygienist show you how to brush and floss better so you can prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Any questions for me before the hygienist starts on your cleaning? Luis: No, I?m just glad you didn?t say I need dentures! Dr. Chung: No, you don?t. Not yet. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Ask an American: civility; sour versus tart; (something) is king; thorough versus comprehensive Words: to get out in front tone of voice on the go slower-paced courtesy detrimental put off by captive audience to take up to give way to analogue sour tart (something) is king thorough comprehensive

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Slow dialogue: 1:08 Explanations: 3:05 Fast dialogue: 16:12 Yoshi: Can you hold my jacket while I try to get my roller bag down the aisle? Tatiana: All right, but I have to roll my own bag down the aisle, you know. Yoshi: Fine, give it back to me. All of these overhead bins are full. Where are we supposed to store them? Tatiana: Look, there are two spaces in the back of the plane. You put our big bags in those bins, and I?ll put our carry-ons under the seats in front of us. Yoshi: Fine, but these seats are already cramped, and now, I?ll have no legroom for the entire flight. Great! That?s what we get for not getting seats in the emergency exit row. Tatiana: If we had seats in the emergency exit row, you?d be complaining about not being able to recline in your seat right now. At least we don?t have bulkhead seats. Stop grumbling and get moving before somebody else snags those overhead bins and we have to check those bags. Yoshi: Whose idea was it to go on vacation? Tatiana: It was mine. We both need some time to get away and unwind. Yoshi: Yeah, right, I can?t remember the last time I felt this relaxed! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:15 Explanations: 3:25 Fast dialogue: 16:48 Alice: Ooh, look at these! Don?t I look great? I?ve always wanted sunglasses like these. Pierre: You?re supposed to be here helping me pick out frames for my new bifocals. Alice: I don?t know why you won?t get progressives. That?s what everybody is getting these days. Pierre: I?ve always had bifocals and that?s what I?m going to get. Alice: Are you going to get metal, plastic, or rimless frames? Pierre: I?m not sure. The optician said that with my prescription, I could get any kind. Alice: Okay, try these. How do they feel? Pierre: I like the way the hinges move, but they?re too small for my head. Hey, these are nice. I think I?ll go with these. Alice: There?s no accounting for taste! Okay, but what about the lenses? There are so many options. You can get ones that reduce glare, ones that darken automatically, ones with anti-scratch coating? Pierre: I want to keep it nice and simple. I don?t need want any of those options. Alice: How about these for a backup pair? They?re designer frames. Pierre: Give me those. I should have known better than to let you tag along. What was I thinking?! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Famous Americans: Flannery O?Connor; 60 Minutes; well-(something); red and blue states Words: misfit fanatic devout grotesque posthumous on the air prime time investigative journalism to catch (someone) off guard to go too far libel theme music red state blue state

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Slow dialogue: 1:23 Explanations: 3:50 Fast dialogue: 15:59 I was absent at last month?s meeting, so imagine my surprise when I found out that I had been elected the committee?s secretary! As part of my duties, I have to take minutes at each meeting. Taking minutes means I have to pay attention and try my best to transcribe what each person says, or at least do my best to summarize. At yesterday?s meeting, the chair called the meeting to order and I conducted a roll call. Then, the chair went over the agenda and we discussed old business. We needed to vote on a couple of proposals from the past meeting, and it was my job to ask for a show of hands of those in favor of and those opposed to each one. After that was done, we went on to new business. We talked about the first item of business for 20 minutes when someone suggested that we table the topic until the following meeting, and the participants agreed. After another long discussion about the second agenda item, we ran out of time. The chair adjourned the meeting. Phew! That first meeting taught me a very good lesson. Never miss a meeting when new officers are being chosen! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:29 Explanations: 3:30 Fast dialogue: 16:48 Liza: Isn?t Jesse wonderful? I?m so glad you got to meet him last night. Sinobu: Uh, he?s a little young for you, don?t you think? I know you?ve had boy toys in the past, but he takes the cake. Liza: He?s no boy toy! It?s true that there?s a 30-year age difference, but who cares about age when you?re talking about love? Sinobu: Well, he?s certainly dressed for the part, with all of that bling. That watch must have set him back a couple of grand, at least. Liza: Oh, that was a little token of my affection for our one-month anniversary. I just wanted him to know how much I cared about him. Sinobu: Well, he certainly knows now who holds the purse strings, if he didn?t before. I only hope he?s not preying on you. Liza: How can you say that? I?ve never met anyone more honest or sincere. Sinobu: He has you wrapped around his little finger, that?s for sure. I hope, for your sake, he?s not a gold digger, or that you see his true colors before you make it to the altar ? again. Liza: Oh, I knew it was a mistake talking to you about Jesse. You?re such a cynic! Sinobu: And you?re a hopeless romantic! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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ESL Podcast's Fourth Anniversary Video Podcast: The World Tour! See a complete transcript at ESLPod.com

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Topics: The White House; noises made by animals, humans, and machines; document versus documentation; to have to do with; gawd-awfully (god-awfully) Words: renovation wing head of state press briefing room china set to bark pow bam thud splat clank ding document documentation to have to do with (something) god-awfully (gawd-awfully)

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Slow dialogue: 1:15 Explanations: 2:48 Fast dialogue: 13:49 Dmitry: Stan is really miffed at you. All of that teasing at lunch really upset him. Charlene: What? I was just poking fun at him for trying to hit on the new, young receptionist. Dmitry: You called him an old goat. Charlene: I said that tongue in cheek. If he didn?t find that funny, then he can?t take a joke. Dmitry: What about last week when you told that joke about fat people trying to dance and you made him the butt of the joke? Charlene: Everybody knows I?m the class clown around here, and I make wisecracks about everybody. Nobody else is as thin-skinned as Stan. Dmitry: I wouldn?t be so sure about that. I suggest you watch your back. The next joke may be on you. Charlene: Why? What have you heard? Dmitry: Oh, nothing. I just think it may be time for some payback ? big time! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:27 Explanations: 3:03 Fast dialogue: 15:33 Xavier: Thanks for helping me decorate my new apartment. Hey, where are you going? Crystal: I?m going to the bedding department. Now that you have a new bed, you?ll need new bedding. Xavier: Right, okay, but can?t I just get some sheets, a couple of pillows, and a blanket? Crystal: That?s only the beginning. Oh, feel these sheets. No wonder they?re so soft. They have a very high thread count. Xavier: Thread count? Crystal: You?ll need a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and pillowcases. Did you get a queen- or a king-size bed? Xavier: It?s a full-size bed. Crystal: Okay, you?ll need a comforter and a duvet cover, too, and this bed skirt will make your bed look really nice. Xavier: Bed skirt? Crystal: Of course! You can?t leave your mattress exposed. That would look so tacky. Xavier: If you say so... Crystal: Wow, look at these canopies. Don?t you think...? Xavier: You want to put a canopy over my bed?! No, that?s where I draw the line. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: The Rocky Horror Picture Show; civil disobedience; night versus evening; starring; force versus enforce versus reinforce Words: musical parody cult film costume squirt gun fraudulent demonstration march crack nonviolent repression civil disobedience evening night starring to force to enforce to reinforce

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Slow dialogue: 1:11 Explanations: 3:12 Fast dialogue: 15:26 Michael: Shall we? Robin: Oh, this is nice. Did you get a new car? Michael: No, this is a company car. Getting to drive one is one of the perks of my new job. Robin: Does your new position call for a lot of driving? Michael: It does. As the regional supervisor, I have to cover a large territory. I?ll be visiting all of the affiliates across the state. Robin: Does that mean you can drive the company car anytime, anywhere? Michael: Well, I?m only supposed to use it for official business since the company deducts the standard mileage allowance on their taxes, but there are ways to account for any extra miles I log. Robin: You mean you fudge the mileage numbers? Michael: You could say that. It?s no big deal. Everybody does it, or so I?ve heard. You know, I?ve been meaning to ask you. Do you want to go with me to San Diego this weekend? Robin: That depends. Are you taking your company car? Michael: I was thinking about it. Robin: In that case, no, thanks. I don?t want to be an accessory to whatever rules you?re breaking. Michael: Suit yourself, but what?s a company perk if you can?t take full advantage of it? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:27 Explanations: 3:11 Fast dialogue: 13:37 Ali: It?s just our luck that as soon as we arrive here for our island vacation, there?s a hurricane warning! Mariela: It?s uncanny, isn?t it? On last year?s vacation, we crossed paths with a tornado and now this. Ali: Yeah, that tornado was something. I had experienced windstorms before with really strong gusts of wind, but it was nothing like that tornado. Do you remember the way all of the windows, doors, and even walls rattled? The tornado blew down power lines and uprooted trees! Mariela: That was terrifying. Do you think we?ll have another experience like that this time? Ali: I really hope not. We came for ocean breezes, but if the hurricane makes landfall, we?ll have gale winds of up to 50 miles per hour! Mariela: And we?re trapped here! What should we do? Ali: We?ll just buckle down and wait it out. With any luck, the hurricane will miss the island altogether. Mariela: With our luck, what?s the likelihood of that happening?! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: The Secret Service; tween culture; on versus upon; exclamations ?My God? and ?Jesus Christ?; evidence versus proof Words: currency to counterfeit agent to shield assassination bravery to lay (one's) life on the line tween buying power controversial distinct clothing line upon ?My God? ?Jesus Christ? evidence proof

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Slow dialogue: 1:40 Explanations: 3:46 Fast dialogue: 15:07 Hamid: I just finished a really good book. I thought the characters were headed toward a tragic ending, but there was a twist near the end, and everything turned out well. It was so satisfying! Rachel: It sounds sappy to me. Hamid: It wasn?t sappy at all. It was just a happy ending. I know what you like. You like those disaster movies with catastrophic endings where everyone dies. Rachel: At least that would be more realistic than everyone living happily ever after. I just saw the series finale of my favorite TV show. You know what they did? They ended the series with a cliffhanger. Nothing was resolved. Hamid: That?s horrible! How could they leave people hanging like that? Weren?t you just a little mad? Rachel: No, I wasn?t. The ending stayed true to the spirit of the show. It was a dark show and the ending was equally dark. Hamid: Well, I bet they ended the series that way so they could make a movie sequel. Rachel: Yeah, maybe, but I don?t care either way. Life doesn?t end neatly and neither should a good story. Hamid: Remind me never to read any stories you write or any movies you make! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:20 Explanations: 3:51 Fast dialogue: 15:55 Employee: Welcome to Grubway. What can I get for you? Jared: I?m still deciding. I?m trying to lose weight and I hear that eating a sandwich for lunch every day will help me do that. Do you guys have a BLT or a club? Employee: We don?t have a BLT, but we do have a ham or turkey club. Jared: Okay, I?ll take the club. Employee: Ham or turkey? Jared: Can I get half and half, or better yet, can I get double ham and double turkey? Employee: Sure, no problem. Jared: I?d like cheese on that, too. Employee: Would you like your bread toasted and the cheese melted? Jared: Uh, sure. Employee: What else would you like on your sandwich, the works? Jared: What comes with the works? Employee: It includes lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, olives, and pickles, and any spreads, condiments, or seasonings you?d like. Jared: Oh, okay. I?ll have the works, but hold the pickles and olives. I?d like mayonnaise on the side, too, please. You know what? I?d like to add some chicken to that. Employee: That?ll be $1.20 additional. Jared: That?s fine. I?d also like extra cheese, and why don?t you add some roast beef, too? Employee: Okay, I can do that. Will that be all? Jared: Yeah, but while you?re at it, throw in two bags of chips and a couple of cookies. Employee: Okay, I can ring you up down here. Jared: Hey, tell me, how long before I start losing weight? Employee: Well, that?s hard to say. You may want to look at the nutritional information chart to determine that. Jared: Nah, I can already feel the pounds coming off! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Ask an American: segregation; paradise lost; to go off; trip versus journey versus voyage versus travel Words: to come in standard to acclimate captain representation apparent to work against to evolve to defy paradise lost to go off trip journey voyage to travel

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Slow dialogue: 1:23 Explanations: 3:37 Fast dialogue: 14:58 Giselle: Good morning, Brian. This is Giselle calling from Intergroup in Kansas City. Brian: Hi, Giselle. How are you? Giselle: I?m great, thanks. Listen, the reason I?m calling is that I wanted to touch base with you about the new proposed regulations. Have you had a chance to review them? Brian: We?ve only had time to give them a cursory look, but I think we have a grasp on what the changes will be. I don?t think that most of the new regulations would apply to our class of cargo. As long as our certificates of origin are in order and our shipping agents are well informed of the changes, we won?t have anything to be concerned about. Rest assured we?ll take care of all that. Giselle: That?s good to hear. Won?t the customs procedures be different, though? I understand that there are changes to the regulations affecting which containers we can use and how we transport our freight. Brian: No, lucky for us, all we need to do is to put some additional information on our waybills and make sure our packing lists reflect the same information. Giselle: I?m relieved to hear that. You?ve really put my mind at ease, thanks. Brian: Don?t mention it. While I have you on the phone, do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions about the latest order? Giselle: No, not at all. Fire away. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:20 Explanations: 3:22 Fast dialogue: 14:03 Alberto: What was that ear-splitting scream?! Melissa: That little girl over there is having a temper tantrum. Alberto: Oh, great! The movie hasn?t even started and that kid is already acting up. Melissa: I hope she?s okay. She looks miserable. Maybe her parents can distract her somehow. Alberto: She?s fine. She?s just looking for attention or frustrated she didn?t get what she wanted. If parents didn?t give in every time their child wanted something, kids wouldn?t throw tantrums. Melissa: I don?t know. When my son was little, he used to throw tantrums when he didn?t know how to tell us what he needed. He got frustrated and sometimes, he would start kicking and screaming. Alberto: Well, I don?t think that?s the case here. Look at those parents. They?re going to buy the girl some candy to quiet her down. That?s just rewarding her for her misbehavior. Melissa: What would you do instead? Alberto: I would set limits so that things like this never happened. In this case, I would give that girl a spanking. It?s all about having consequences for bad behavior. Melissa: Oh, yeah? Did that work with your children? Alberto: Uh, I don?t have any kids. Melissa: That?s what I thought! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: American Cities: Indianapolis; Malcolm Gladwell and his books; to brush up on versus to polish up; to come off; a matter of Words: to observe spectacle to count (something) as (something) racetrack lap canal second only to based in implication fake outlier influential to brush up on to polish up to come off a matter of

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Slow dialogue: 1:19 Explanations: 3:55 Fast dialogue: 15:25 Ryan: It?s really nice of you to make dinner for me. It?s been a long time since I?ve had a home-cooked meal. Corrie: I?m happy to do it. First, though, let?s see what you have in your fridge. Ryan: I have tons of food in there. Corrie: What is that? It looks moldy. Ryan: Oh, that?s cheese. I?m sure it?s still good, if we just cut off the moldy parts. Corrie: Okay, but look at the ?best if used by? date. This expired three months ago. What about this? Ryan: That?s hamburger. Maybe you could make some spaghetti with meatballs. Corrie: Not with this rotten meat. It?s definitely gone bad. Can?t you tell by the discoloration? Meat isn?t supposed to be gray. Ryan: I guess you?re right. I bet this milk isn?t any good either, is it? Corrie: Nope. It?s gone sour, and you might as well throw out this bread, too. It?s stale. Ryan: Isn?t there anything you can use in this kitchen? Corrie: Well, this oil is rancid, this butter looks tainted, the vegetables are wilted, and even your canned goods are rusted. You do have a lot of food in your kitchen, but it?s been here a long, long time. Ryan: I don?t like things to go to waste. Corrie: I guess not. I?m still willing to make you dinner, but we?ll have to do some shopping. My cooking isn?t the best, but I don?t usually give people food poisoning, and I don?t want to start now. Ryan: Okay, okay, give me a list and I?ll go to the market. Corrie: And while you?re there, I?ll see what I can do about getting rid of all of this hazardous waste! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:17 Explanations: 3:07 Fast dialogue: 14:01 Anton: Look at that guy. He?s been in town two weeks and he?s already throwing his money around. Vanessa: You know as well as I do that money talks. He?s just trying to make a splash in the business community. Anton: If that were all he was doing then I wouldn?t say anything, but he?s a social climber of the worst kind. Who does he think he is? Vanessa: He?s someone who?s used to getting his way, that?s obvious. He?s not the first affluent person to try to buy influence and social standing in a community. Anton: Yeah, but look at all of the people in this town throwing themselves at him! Vanessa: He has donated generously to the town and given to the arts. He?s even given money toward building the new community center, and it wasn?t chump change either. If he wants to be a patron in this town, who are we to look a gift horse in the mouth? Anton: Right, so spreading money around gives him the right to walk around like he owns this town? Vanessa: Is this a case of sour grapes? Anton: Ha, right! Haven?t you heard? Money is the root of all evil! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Famous Americans: Orville and Wilbur Wright; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; each day versus every day versus everyday; split infinitives; to spare (someone) (something) Words: to credited (someone) with (something) to spark aviation glider kite hall of fame to induct controversial criticism big-name exhibit to reflect each day every day everyday to spare (someone) (something)

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Slow dialogue: 1:11 Explanations: 3:05 Fast dialogue: 15:49 Michael: I have some qualms about how we?re handling these accounts. Leona: What do you mean? Michael: There are strict regulations governing what we can and cannot do, and I think we?re violating those regulations. Leona: Listen, it?s a matter of interpretation. We?re not flouting any regulations. We?re just not following the letter of the law. Michael: I, for one, think that we?ve crossed the line. I?m not against some creative accounting, but what we?re doing is bordering on criminal. Leona: Aren?t you blowing things out of proportion? The government makes laws knowing that people are going to try to get around them. There are always loopholes and that?s why they turn a blind eye to most of these types of activities. As long as we comply with most of the regulations, we?re not going to get into any hot water. Michael: I appreciate your confidence, but I don?t share it. I think we?re in for some major problems if we don?t change the way we do business. Leona: Come on, let?s go get some coffee and see what we can do about that overactive conscience of yours. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:08 Explanations: 2:55 Fast dialogue: 15:15 Sheila: Where are you going? Rudy: I?m going to the video store to rent a movie for tonight. Do you want to come? Sheila: You don?t need to do that. We can watch nearly any movie you want online. Rudy: Oh, you mean we can pay to download it? Sheila: Yeah, we can download it, but we don?t have to pay for it. Rudy: What do you mean? You?re not using a file-sharing site, are you? Sheila: Of course, I am. Everybody is doing it. Rudy: Aside from the ethical issues, it?s so frustrating watching videos online. The ones that stream are constantly pausing to buffer. The interruptions drive me crazy! Sheila: Yeah, sometimes, but there?s usually a workaround. Rudy: Even so, the movies are usually pirated and they?re so grainy. I want to watch something in high definition. Come on, let?s go to the video store. It?ll be my treat. Sheila: All right, if you insist, but why can?t we just pay to download it right here at home? Rudy: We could do that, but where would we get the popcorn? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Author/artist royalties & ASCAP; house swapping; hop in versus pop in versus drop in; compound nouns Words: royalties intellectual property copyright cause estate to enforce to swap stranger to match up arrangement housing market desperate to hop in to pop in to drop in

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Slow dialogue: 1:28 Explanations: 3:07 Fast dialogue: 14:41 Gail: Oh! Mike: Are you okay? Gail: Yeah, I?m just not used to these crutches yet. The doctor said I should start using them if I ever want to get out of this wheelchair, but I don?t have the strength to stand up. Mike: You?ll get the hang of it. Don?t lose heart. Gail: It should be easy now that my arm is out of the cast, but it just seems impossible. I feel I?m going to lose my balance each time I try to stand up. Mike: Try again, and this time lean on me and I?ll try to serve as your legs until you can find your balance. Gail: I wish I didn?t feel so utterly useless. It?s so frustrating! Mike: I know. Just keep your eye on the ball and give it another try. The next thing you know, you?ll be limping along and then running a marathon. It?s just a matter of time before you get your mobility back. Gail: Yeah, right. Okay, first things first. Let?s see if these useless legs of mine will cooperate this time. Script by Dr Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:28 Explanations: 3:10 Fast dialogue: 12:23 Edward: Would you dance with me? Bella: Me? I?d like to, but I don?t dance. Edward: Why? Bella: I have two left feet. I?m so clumsy, first I?d step all over your feet, and then I?d stumble all over the dance floor. Edward: I don?t believe that. I bet you?re very graceful on the dance floor. You wouldn?t stumble; you?d glide across that floor. Bella: I?m the most uncoordinated person alive. When I was little, I was even more awkward. My mother hated taking me shopping because I was so accident-prone. Everywhere we?d go, I was like a bull in a china shop. I?m not like Rosalie. Look at her. She?s so elegant. Edward: Rosalie has nothing on you. Dance with me and I promise to catch you if you trip. Bella: What if I step all over your feet? Edward: You won?t get the chance. My feet will be moving so quickly, I will dazzle you with my agility and finesse. Bella: Okay, you asked for it! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Classic comic strips with a political/social commentary bent; child protection laws; uncalled for; state versus status; as though Words: comic strip bent commentary wry editorial pages registry sex-offender parental consent abused neglected suspicion uncalled for status state as though

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Slow dialogue: 1:13 Explanations: 3:27 Fast dialogue: 14:21 Emil: Have a seat. As you know, we need to talk about your annual performance evaluation. Is there anything you?d like to say before we get started? Sandra: Yes, there is. I?ve tried really hard this year to improve on some of the shortcomings identified in my evaluation last year. Emil: Hmm, I?m afraid that?s not reflected in this year?s evaluation. Your supervisor noted on the report that you?ve been performing below par for several months now, and your productivity is down, too. Sandra: I can?t imagine why she would say that. If I haven?t excelled on the new project, I?ve at least pulled my weight. I don?t think she can fault me on that. Emil: On the contrary, she thinks that you?ve been slacking off and not giving 100 percent. Sandra: I have had some personal issues, but I didn?t think they had been affecting my work. I guess I?ve let them bring down my performance. Emil: This was a hard decision, but we?re putting you on probation for the next three months. You?ll have another evaluation at the end of that time. If your performance isn?t up to par by that time, we?ll have to think about letting you go. Sandra: That won?t happen. I?m going to pull out all the stops to prove myself. Emil: Good. That?s what I wanted to hear. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:29 Explanations: 2:55 Fast dialogue: 14:58 Danny: You?re going to the prom. How exciting! How should we style you hair? Clarissa: I?m really not sure. I was hoping you would have some ideas. Danny: I do, but first we need to see if we have the right tools. Let?s look in your bathroom. Here?s some shampoo and conditioner, but where are the gel, mousse, and hairspray? Clarissa: Here, they?re on this shelf. Here?s a hairdryer and some rollers, too. Do you think we?ll need the curling iron or the flat iron? Danny: I?m not sure, but put them here, just in case. Okay, now I need a brush and comb, and some bobby pins. We?ll need some elastic bands, too, to pull your hair back. Clarissa: Here, they?re all in this drawer. Danny: Oh, this is a pretty barrette, but we won?t need it for tonight. Okay, ready for the transformation? Clarissa: I?m as ready as I?ll ever be. Danny: Okay, let the fun begin! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Ask an American: private gun ownership; north of; compulsory versus mandatory versus obligatory; mayday Words: semiautomatic round to ban outlawed to arm social issue law-abiding hunting high heels part of the equation north of compulsory mandatory obligatory mayday

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Slow dialogue: 1:27 Explanations: 3:27 Fast dialogue: 16:09 Iktinos: I can?t believe we?re in one of the world?s most famous structures. Look at this architecture! Pinda: Yeah, great, another old building. I?m going to sit in that bay window and rest my feet while you walk around. Iktinos: Come on, come with me. Just look at these columns and beams. They?re over 2,000 years old! Pinda: Right, they?re old. Everything we?ve seen these past two weeks has been old. What?s so special about this? Iktinos: Are you trying to tell me that you don?t think this dome is impressive? It?s one of the largest in the world. Look at those cornices and skylights. I?ve never seen anything like them. Pinda: This building has a good facade, with nice balance and symmetry, but I?m so tired of looking at the same style of building, one after another. Aren?t we going to see anything else today? Iktinos: We are seeing some of the most important monuments to human ingenuity. Pinda: You?re right, but I?m too tired to walk up and down all three stories. You go. I?ll stay here on this balcony. Iktinos: What are you going to do here? Pinda: I?m going to think about how I?d remodel the building to bring it up to date. Iktinos: You?re hopeless! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:22 Explanations: 3:02 Fast dialogue: 13:29 Victoria: I see that you have a really extensive music collection. J.D.: Yeah, I like a lot of different genres of music. Victoria: Do you have the new J.McQ album? He?s my favorite artist. I just got it and I like all of the tracks on it. J.D.: No, I haven?t heard it yet. Do you have it on your MP3 player? Victoria: Yeah, here, I?ve cued up the first track. J.D.: Hmm?I like the beat of the first song, but I?m not blown away by the rest of it. It?s also a really bad mix. The bass is up too high; you can hardly hear the treble. Is the whole album like that? Victoria: Yeah, I guess so. I didn?t notice. Maybe the volume wasn?t up high enough. J.D.: No, it was up high enough. Maybe he?s just not that good a vocalist and the sound engineers are trying to cover it up in the mixing. Victoria: Are you kidding? He?s an amazing singer. Come on, listen to another track. I?m sure you?ll change your mind. J.D.: No, thanks. I?d rather listen to a bunch of fighting cats than listen to anymore of J.McQ! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: American Cities: Dallas; conservative Christian/fundamentalist universities; to wear (someone) out; shrink; already Words: convention center trade show barbeque Bible Belt evangelicalism vocal fundamentalist conservative Christian right strict code of conduct dress code to wear (someone) out shrink already

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Slow dialogue: 0:57 Explanations: 2:47 Fast dialogue: 15:02 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. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:32 Explanations: 4:08 Fast dialogue: 17:59 Anne: Where were you this past weekend? I tried calling you on Friday to see if you wanted to go to the movies with me. Jurgen: I was in Chicago for a long weekend. Anne: Chicago? I didn?t know you were planning a trip. I thought you were pretty strapped this month. A ticket to Chicago would set you back at least $300. Jurgen: I am pretty strapped, but I wanted to go to my friend Rachel?s wedding. I was able to use my frequent flyer miles to get a ticket. I was lucky that those weren?t blackout dates. Anne: Oh, that explains it. You?ve been traveling a lot using your frequent flyer miles. How do you rack up so many miles? I?m enrolled in the frequent flyer programs of three different airlines, but I never seem to have enough miles to redeem them for a ticket or even an upgrade. Jurgen: The trick is to get a credit card that gives you miles. For every dollar I charge on my credit card, I get one mile. Since I use my credit card for a lot of business purchases, the miles add up pretty quickly. I also use a lot of the hotels and restaurants that partner with the airlines, and doing that gives me bonus miles. Anne: Aren?t there a lot of restrictions? Do you ever have problems redeeming the miles? Jurgen: Yeah, there are some restrictions, but I work around them. There are fewer restrictions if you have elite status, but I?m a long way from that. Anne: So I need to get a credit card that gives me frequent flyer miles. Jurgen: Yeah, but a word to the wise: spend carefully. You don?t want to rack up credit card debt for the sake of racking up frequent flyer miles! Anne: Point taken. Thanks for the tip. Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: The U.S. Supreme Court; microloans/microcredit; less than (X) days versus up to (X) days; mainstream account; words ending in ?ic versus ?ical Words: to appeal Supreme Court Supreme Court Justices to take (one?s) place to appoint to bork credit borrower collateral to pioneer entrepreneur to alleviate less than 30 days up to 30 days mainstream account

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Slow dialogue: 1:06 Explanations: 3:16 Fast dialogue: 14:57 Mickey: Hello, McQuillan Plumbing. Colleen: Hi, I?m having a lot of plumbing problems. Can you send a plumber out to my house right away? Mickey: Yes, we can. But first, let?s find out what the problems are. Colleen: Well, to start, my toilet won?t flush and it?s overflowing. Mickey: An overflowing toilet ? check. What else? Colleen: The sink in the bathroom is stopped up and the pipes underneath the sink are leaking. Mickey: A stopped up sink and leaking pipes ? check. What else? Colleen: The garbage disposal in the kitchen is making funny noises and the water won?t drain. Mickey: A busted garbage disposal ? check. Is that all? Colleen: No, the faucet in the shower is stuck and I can?t shut off the water. Mickey: A stuck faucet ? got it. What else? Colleen: That?s it. Mickey: You?ve got some really big problems there. Colleen: Yes, I know. That?s what I?ve been trying to tell you. Can you send someone out right away? Mickey: Sure, no problem. How about next Tuesday? Colleen: Next Tuesday?! Didn?t you hear me? These are emergencies! Mickey: Yes, but all of our plumbers are booked up until next Tuesday. Should I put you down for a morning appointment? Colleen: Forget it! By next Tuesday, I?ll be under 10 feet of water! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Slow dialogue: 1:16 Explanations: 3:29 Fast dialogue: 14:00 Hung: I can?t believe that the famous food critic, Julia Schilds, will be eating in my restaurant tomorrow night. I need to prepare a gourmet menu that?s going to be mind-blowing. Padma: She wouldn?t be coming here if she didn?t already know that your cuisine is considered some of the best food in the city. Hung: That may be so, but you?re only as good as your last meal. I need to think of some delicacies that will really impress her. Let?s see, I think we should offer two new hors d?oeuvres, in addition to the ones already on the menu. Padma: Are you sure the chefs in the kitchen will be able to handle making six different hors d?oeuvres? Hung: Hmm, maybe not. Padma: Why don?t you concentrate on the entrees? I?m sure you could come up with one or two new dishes that will really impress her. Hung: Okay, but I don?t want to put all of my eggs in one basket. I need to have dishes in every course that are out of this world. Padma: Come on. You?re a great chef. What?s the worst she could say? Hung: Lots of things. She could say that this is a run-of-the-mill restaurant with mediocre food that she wouldn?t even feed to her cat! Padma: Okay, yes, she could say those things but she won?t. Your food will be mouthwatering and delectable, and her taste buds will thank you for it! Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Topics: Famous Americans: Helen Keller; The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing; opposable thumbs; due to versus because of; the prefix ?Mc? Words: deaf blind sign language palm Braille magna cum laude companion advocate thoroughbred rare derby to sponsor opposable thumb due to because of Mc

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Slow dialogue: 1:10 Explanations: 2:46 Fast dialogue: 14:48 I?ve always been a pretty cautious investor. I like my investments to be conservative and I usually invest only in sure things. Recently, though, I?ve been tempted to take more risk. My friend, Bernie, is a very successful fund manager and he is willing to let me get in on one of his schemes. According to Bernie, he has a way to take advantage of the current economic climate so that he and his investors aren?t susceptible to the same market forces affecting other investors. Barring any significant changes to the current economy, I should be raking it in before the end of the year. Bernie isn?t someone who shoots from the hip, so if he says that this investment is going to be profitable, who am I to ask questions? I?m very tempted to throw caution to the wind and to take a chance. After all, it?s only money, right? Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

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Begin with this introduction to ESLPod.com's English as a Second Language Podcast.

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Happy birthday, ESL Podcast! Listen to an interview of Dr. Jeff McQuillan by Dr. Lucy Tse.

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