Jeff想租间公寓,请朋友Sarah帮忙一块儿看广告。
Professor: In this first part, listen for the word "listings," which is a list of available apartments that you can find in a newspaper or online.
哦,listing在这里就是房屋招租广告。
Jeff: Hey Sarah, I'm having some trouble finding an apartment. Can you help me look at some listings online?
Sarah: Sure. What kind of apartment are you looking for?
Jeff: Well, it has to be cheap. I don't want a really expensive apartment.
Sarah: OK. Would you like to live in a studio?
Jeff: Sure, a studio would be fine.
Professor: So Winnie, what is the most important thing for Jeff when looking for an apartment?
MC: 价钱! 他呀,老想找个便宜的studio, 真没劲!
Professor: Well, I guess Jeff is a bit more practical than you. In this next section listen for the word "cozy," which means small and comfortable.
Sarah: Jeff, look at this listing! It says there is a cozy studio apartment for rent, and it's only $700 per month. What do you think?
Jeff: Well I think I can afford that apartment. But are pets allowed?
Sarah: Hmm ... let me look. Yes, it says it's a pet-friendly building.
Jeff: That's great. That means I can bring my cat, Mr. Twinkles. Where is the apartment located?
Sarah: It says it's located in the suburbs.
Professor Bowman, 什么是 pet-friendly building?
Professor: It means that pets are welcome in that building.
MC: A pet-friendly building 是可以养宠物的公寓。
Professor: Exactly. In the next section, listen for the term "a steal." What do you think that means?
MC: Hmm ... steal在这里一定不是偷东西,而是指a very good deal, 就是说特别划算!
Professor: You got it!
Jeff: It's located in the suburbs? Well even though that sounds like a steal, I really want something downtown.
Sarah: OK. Well the problem is that the apartments in the heart of the city are usually more expensive.
Jeff: I know, that's my problem. What do you think I should do?
Sarah: Well, maybe you could get a two-bedroom apartment downtown and share the rent with a roommate.
Jeff: Oh, great idea!
Professor: So Winnie, can you tell me what the opposite of "the suburbs" is?
The suburbs指郊区,相反的肯定是downtown,也就是市区! 不过,他们说"in the heart of something"是什么意思?
Professor: Being in the heart of something is the same as being in the very middle of it.
我明白了,in the heart of something 就是指中心位置。
Professor: Good. Let's see what happens next.
Sarah: Well what about this two-bedroom apartment? The listing says it's right in the heart of the city, just steps from the metro.
Jeff: Wow, that would be very convenient. How much is the rent?
Sarah: It says it's $1600. But if you share it with another person, that's only $800 per month.
Jeff: That definitely sounds like a steal. I think that is a very trendy neighborhood as well.
Sarah: That's true. I know that there are lots of popular restaurants and coffee shops around there.
Jeff真是好运气! 找到个两居室,月租只要1600美元,和室友分一下,一人八百块。It's a steal!
Professor: And the location of that apartment is also very good. It is only "steps from the metro," meaning you only need to walk a short distance to the subway station.
对啊,走几步就能到地铁站,太方便了!他们还说公寓所在的地方很trendy,就是很受欢迎的新潮区。那Jeff可要当机立断!
Jeff: Well, this apartment is really a must-see. Will you come with me to look at it this weekend?
Sarah: Sure. And if you rent it, maybe I can help you find a roommate too.
Jeff: Great! Do you know someone else who is also looking for an apartment?
Sarah: Yes, my friend Steve. I'll introduce you.
Sarah真是太够意思了,连找室友都包了! Professor Bowman, 您说Jeff和Sarah推荐的室友Steve能合得来么?
Professor: Well, we'll have to listen next time and find out!