今天李华要做心理学实验，骗Larry说她中了一百万美元，看Larry会有什么样的反应。李华会学到两个常用语：grand和catch。

LH: Larry, Larry!!

LL: Hi Li Hua. Why are you so excited today?

LH: 我中乐透了！一百万！我发财了。

LL: Oh really? Are you going to take me out to dinner?

LH: 请你吃饭？你的要求还真不高，我决定啊，分你一半！

LL: You're giving me half a million?! What's the catch？

LH: The catch...那是什么？

LL: A catch is any tricky or concealed drawback to a deal. You're definitely not giving me half a million dollars for no reason. It's okay, tell me. What's the catch?

LH: A catch是指某件好事的附带条件？哦，我明白了，你是不相信我会因为友谊分一半奖金给你，你觉得这么好的事情一定有catch, 对吗？

LL: Of course. I wouldn't give my own brother that much.

LH: 好吧，我交待。其实我没中奖啦，是心理学课要做研究。我才想要试探试探你的反应。

LL: So this is all for your Psychology class. I knew it! What if you really won a million dollars? Would you share the money?

LH: 如果我真中了奖，当然会分你一点喽。嗯，一千块！怎样，我这朋友够意思吧？

LL: You'll only give me one grand?! That's one-thousandth of a million, Li Hua! I thought our friendship was worth more than that...

LH: One ground...是一千块钱的意思吗？

LL: Yup. One grand is equivalent to one thousand dollars.

LH: 喔。所以one grand是一千块钱的意思。

LL: Yes, that's right.

LH: 那我就可以把五千块钱说成five thousand grands咯？

LL: No, no, no. "Grand" replaces "thousand dollars", so you would say five grand.

LH: 原来如此。五千块要说five grand, 因为grand代替了thousand dollars这两个词。但为什么是说five grand而不是 ive grands呢？

LL: Even though five is more than one, you still say grand because the word is already in its plural form.

LH: 喔。因为grand已经是复数了, 所以要说five grand而不是five grands, 那我懂了。

LL: Hey, so back to the topic. You're only giving me a thousand dollars?

LH: Yeah, one grand is a lot of money. 那换做是你，你会给我多少钱呢？

LL: I would give you 10 grand.

LH: 你会给我一万？你真好！Wait, what would be the catch?

LL: There would be no catch! I treat you as a very close friend.

LH: 真的？我不信。不过，catch还可以怎么用？ Larry, 能不能多给我几个例子？

LL: Sure. A catch is any benefit that comes with a drawback. For example, when you go on a web site, and they tell you you have a chance to win a laptop, there's usually a catch.

LH: 你是说，某些网站如果说你有机会赢一台手提电脑，通常都要回答问卷，订阅周刊等等好多好多条件，所以这些条件就是the catch吗？

LL: Exactly. So whenever someone tells you you've won money, or a laptop, don't believe them. Or else, you're going to have to expect a big catch that goes with the benefit.

LH: 难怪有一种说法是 "天下没有白吃的午餐"。 Everything that sounds too good has a catch to it.

LL: That's very true.

LH: 但我给你一千块钱绝对没有别的企图喔！There is no catch.

LL: But I'm willing to give you ten grand!

LH: 那我也给你ten grand怎么样？

LL: Ten grand. That sounds a lot better...

LH: 那就好。对了，你等下有事吗？请我去吃牛排吧！

LL: You want me to treat you to steak? A minute ago you were only willing to give me one grand, and now you want me to treat you to steak. Ai, Li Hua!

今天李华从arry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是grand, 是一千美元的替代说法。另一个catch, 指某种好处所附带的条件。

李华去Larry家，帮他收拾屋子，他们会用到两个常用语：gut feeling和out of the woods.

(knocking on door)

LH: Larry, 快开门。

Larry: OK, OK, I'm coming! I'm coming! (door opens)

LH: 你怎么还穿着睡衣？？都快中午了，难道你还没有起床啊？

Larry: Hm? Oh, I must have slept in or something....

LH: 你睡过头了？咱们今天不是要大扫除吗？你的好哥们儿不是明天从纽约来看你吗？你看你这屋子还乱七八糟的呢。

Larry: Hmm.... it is a bit messy in here, isn't it? Well, no matter.... I have a gut feeling my friend isn't coming tomorrow.

LH: Your "gut" has a feeling? 你的肠子有感觉？你要拉肚子吗？

Larry: No, no. A "gut feeling" refers to someone's intuition. To say you have a gut feeling about something means that you have a feeling about the outcome of something before it happens.

LH: 哦，原来gut feeling就是直觉的意思。你是说，你有个直觉你朋友不会来了。为什么这么说呢？

Larry: Well, sometimes it's hard to explain why you get a gut feeling about something. But in this case, there are a few things that tell me he's not going to come.

LH: 哦？比如说？

Larry: For one thing, this friend of mine has been meaning to visit me for years, and every time, right before he's supposed to come, something happens and he cancels the trip.

LH: 原来，这个人以前每次说要来看你都没能成行，老是因为这样那样的事儿改变计划。

Larry: Right, and that's not the only reason I have a gut feeling he won't come.... I was on the phone with him last night....

LH: 你们在电话里说什么了？

Larry: Girl trouble.

LH: 怎么，他跟女朋友吵架了？

Larry: (Sigh)..That's right. He was pretty upset. I was talking to him until four o'clock in the morning!

LH: 你跟他聊到凌晨4点钟？难怪你今天这么晚都起不来！

Larry: Yep. that's why I have a gut feeling he's going to cancel his trip once again. I was hoping to help him with his problems, but I have a gut feeling that he and his girlfriend are not out of the woods quite yet.

LH: 等一下！ 你说，你直觉觉得，他和他女朋友还没有out of the woods? 他们俩去森林里干嘛？

Larry: Ha.... no, they aren't literally in the woods. What I meant is, I don't think their problems are totally solved. My advice may have helped him somewhat, but I don't think they're totally out of the woods yet.

LH: 哦，They aren't out of the woods yet意思是说，他们之间的问题还没有彻底解决，对吗？

Larry: That's right. I have a gut feeling they might even break up.

LH: 你觉得他们会分手？要是真这样，那我也有个gut feeling, 他呀，八成是不会来了。

Larry: Yep. So, (yawns) I might as well get back to bed and catch up on some sleep.

LH: 等一下！ Larry, you're not off the hook! 你别以为这样就没事了！你屋里太乱，你得收拾收拾！

Larry: Aw, Lihua, I'll do it later! I'm exhausted from staying up last night! Besides, my buddy isn't going to come down tomorrow.

LH: 哎？这个你也不能确定啊！ 你不只是凭直觉觉得人家不来么，这怎么能算数？

Larry: I'm pretty sure about my gut feeling this time, Lihua. (phone rings) Oh, here's my friend calling now. I bet he's going to cancel.

LH: 你快听听看，你朋友是不是真的不来了。

Larry: (Answers phone) Hi, Steve, good morning!....... Oh, I slept fine, don't worry..Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm....Oh, Really? You got back together with your girlfriend? Oh, I had a gut feeling you two would work things out! Oh, you're coming a day early? Tonight? You're already on your way?? Uhh, great. we'll see you soon, then. Bye!

LH: 什么？你朋友不仅没有取消行程，而且还要提前一天到？这下傻眼了吧！看来你的gut feeling很不靠谱！得啦！咱们开始大扫除吧！

今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语，一个是gut feeling, 表示直觉。另一个是out of the woods，意思是问题得到了解决。

今天Larry开车带李华去购物中心。 李华会学到两个常用语：all ears和back seat driver。

LL: (Singing "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars) "Oh, her eyes, her eyes. Make the stars look like they're not shining. Oh her..."

LH: LARRY! 音乐关小声一点！！

(Larry turns the music down)

LL: What was that?

LH: 你音乐不要开那么大声啦，我有件事想问你。

LL: Oh? What is it? I'm all ears.

LH: I'm all ears...你在说什么啊？

LL: I'm all ears means I'm listening attentively. I have all my attention on you now.

LH: 是吗？ 你终于肯听我说啦。不过all ears是专注地听别人说话的意思。 那我让大家注意听我讲话，就可以说please be all ears. 对吗？

LL: Well, to be all ears is rarely used as a request. You can either say, I am all ears, to indicate you are paying attention, or he or she is all ears to say that another person is paying a lot of attention.

LH: 所以all ears通常是用来形容一个人在仔细听。 比较少当做要求是吗？

LL: Yes, that's right. So what was it that you wanted to say?

LH: 啊！对喔， 差点都忘了。就是啊....今天做实验的时候， 跟我同组一个女生， 一直指挥我们做这个做那个的， 真讨人厌。

LL: Ohh. You have a back seat driver in your group?

LH: Back seat driver...后座上的司机，那是什么呢？

LL: A back seat driver is a person who gives unwanted advice; someone who tries to run things even though they don't have the power or authority to do so.

LH: 对对对！ 她就是这种人！ 也没有让她做组长，她就对我们指手划脚的，哎怎么办呢？

LL: Well, you should let her know that you don't like it when she orders you around.

LH: 我应该清楚地告诉她，不喜欢被她指使来指使去的，对，说的也是。 不是应该在这里左转吗？！ Larry!

LL: Whoa! You scared me!! I know where I'm going, Li Hua. You're becoming a back seat driver yourself.

LH: 喔？ 原来back seat driver是这样来的啊？ 坐在汽车后座的人常常喜欢指挥驾驶开车， 所以 back seat driver, “后座驾驶”，这个词就被用来形容喜欢指挥别人的人了，真有趣。How do you like me as a back seat driver, Larry?

LL: I do not like it Li Hua. And don't do it again. You scared me.

LH: 啊...不好意思。不过Larry, 你也满厉害的，一边开车还能一边听我说话，you have all ears.

LL: Li Hua, you cannot say someone "has all ears". You have to say someone "is all ears". So instead of saying "Larry, you have all ears." you should say, "Larry, you are all ears."

LH: 喔？ 不能说专心在听的人has all ears, 而要说那个人 is all ears吗？

LL: Yup. Try giving me an example using "all ears!"

LH: 好啊。When my mom said she wanted to talk to me about something important, I was all ears. 这样用对吗？

LL: Yes, that's correct. Can you give me an example of back seat driver now?

LH: 等等。我想先确认一下。 Back seat driver可以这样用吗： My boss is a back seat driver, he always orders us around.

LL: Not really. A back seat driver describes someone who tries to run things even though they don't have the power or authority to do so, or someone whose advice is not wanted. However, your boss would be someone who is authorized to give orders and probably gives out good advice too.

LH: 喔。这么说，back seat driver是形容爱指挥别人但又没有权力的人，所以用在老板身上不适合。

LL: That's right. Hey, you've been all ears!

LH: 哈哈对呀。 啊！我们到购物中心了！

LL: Yup. Let's go shopping! We can practice these phrases another time.

今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是all ears, 表示“洗耳恭听”。另一个是back seat driver, 也就是“喜欢指挥别人的人”。

今天李华穿着沾满泥土的裙子来找Larry。Larry觉得奇怪，问李华为什么今天裙子这么脏。 李华会学到两个常用语：green thumb和go off the deep end。

LL: Li Hua, why is there dirt all over your dress?

(Li Hua looks down at her dress)

LH: 咦? 怎么这么脏! 噢, 一定是今天早上帮妈妈整理花园，沾到泥土了都没发现。

LL: You were helping out with the garden? I didn't know you could be helpful.

LH: 你可别这么说，别看我照顾不好自己，但整理花园我倒是很在行呢！

LL: Really?! Are you saying you have a green thumb?

LH: 你真会开玩笑，虽然我很会整理花园，但还没到手指变绿的地步。

LL: Haha. Don't take everything so literally, Li Hua. To have a green thumb means to have a special talent for gardening, the ability to make anything grow.

LH: 喔，是吗...那你是在夸奖我喽！真不好意思。

LL: You're welcome. Do you work in the garden often?

LH: 嗯，也还好。只是最近妈妈想把花园改成跟英国皇室的花园一样，所以每天早上都要我帮忙。

LL: Your mom wants to build a garden just like that of Britain's royal family? She must be going off the deep end!

LH: Deep? 这你就不懂了吧，园艺关键不是挖得多深，而是设计得有多好。

LL: I meant your mom is going way too far if she wants to rebuild the Royal Family's garden in her own backyard. That's just too much.

LH: 喔? 不过你刚不是说什么go off... 什么deep end...

LL: To go off the deep end?

LH: 对呀！就是那个，那是什么意思呢？

LL: To go off the deep end is to go too far with something or to do something crazy.

LH: 所以你说my mom is going off the deep end是指我妈想得太美，不切实际啦!

LL: Yes. That's what I meant to say.

LH: 其实我也这样觉得。No matter how many green thumbs she has, she can only do so much with a garden in our backyard.

LL: Right. So how is this going to work out?

LH: 其实我也不知道这花园能做得多成功，不过我妈是下定了决心要做一个皇室花园了。

LL: Wow, I definitely want to see how it's going to turn out.

LH: 不过Larry, go off the deep end说一个人做得过头，你能再举个例子吗？

LL: For example, my mom really likes to buy clothes. But during last week's sale, she bought 10 pairs of shoes. She really went off the deep end there!

LH: 喔，我懂了，就好像Larry really goes off the deep end when it comes to using American slang. 你每次都用一些我听不懂的英文俚语，太过了啦。

LL: Haha. That's a good sentence. But how will you ever learn American slang if I don't use it all the time? You should thank me for going off the deep end.

LH: 是啊，都是托你的福，我才知道自己有green thumb"绿拇指"呢，哈哈。

LL: So, what are you going to do when you get home today?

LH: 今天回家得好好读书了，再过几天就是期末考了。

LL: John and I are going to the Katy Perry concert tonight, do you want to come?

LH: Katy Perry的演唱会?! 是今天晚上吗? 可是...

LL: It's okay. You should relax a bit before you go off the deep end with studying.

LH: 可是...

LL: I mean, finals are in five days. You have plenty of time. And I know you already study a lot everyday. There should be no problem.

LH: 可是今天晚上还要帮我妈装她新买的喷泉...可能真的去不了。

LL: Your mom is putting a fountain in your backyard?! Wow, she really wants a replica of the Royal Family's garden huh...

LH: 是啊，真希望我妈didn't have to go off the deep end. 害我现在分身乏术！

LL: Well, you're missing out on your favorite singer's concert. Oh! I have to go, see you tomorrow Li Hua!

今天李华从 Larry 那儿学到两个常用语。一个是 green thumb, 表示一个人“精于园艺”。另一个是 go off the deep end, 是说一个人做事太过分，到了疯狂的地步。

Larry和李华在他们最喜欢的pizza店吃饭。他们会用到两个常用语：love handles和no pain no gain.

Larry: Ahhh. That was delicious - as usual.

LH: Larry, 你还剩了一点pizza呢，怎么不吃完？

Larry: Oh, no, I couldn't eat another bite... well if you insist. (Takes a bite, talks while still chewing:) Mm, Lihua, this is so good, I could eat this forever!

(BOING! Larry's belt buckle broke off!)

LH: 什么声音？！天啊，Larry, 你的皮带被撑断了！

Larry: Oops. Er, maybe we should stop coming to this restaurant so often. I think I'm starting to grow some love handles.

LH: Love ...handles? 什么意思？

Larry: Love handles are the fat that grows around someone's waist.

LH: 哦，腰上一圈赘肉叫love handles! 哈哈，这可真有意思！不过Larry, 你最近的确胖了好多呢。

Larry: Oh? You noticed my love handles?

LH: 你这几个月好像长胖了好几磅，不过我一直不好意思告诉你，如今既然你连皮带都撑断了，我也不瞒你了 - you have some love handles, Larry!

Larry: You're right. I haven't been paying much attention to my diet lately.

LH: 我就说嘛! 咱们最近来这儿吃pizza, 每周至少来三次，你不长出love handles才怪呢！

Larry: Well, you have to admit, the pizza here is out of this world. I don't mind your love handles, Lihua - I think they're kind of cute!

LH: 等等等等，你说我也有love handles啊？(Getting angry)

Larry: (Afraid of making Lihua angry) Uhh... no, of course not! I mean, uh, if you did have love handles, I would still think you are beautiful, honey!

LH: 哼！这还差不多。

Larry: At any rate, I think it would be a good idea to start watching what we eat and get more exercise. What do you think about joining a gym?

LH: 去健身房？让我考虑一下！......嗯，考虑好了，我就自我牺牲一下，陪你去健身，帮你减掉你的love handles.

Larry和Lihua办了健身卡，俩人在跑步机上挥汗如雨地锻炼。

Larry: Phew! Running makes me feel good! So exhilarating! These love handles will be gone in no time! How are you feeling, Lihua?

LH: (Wheezing) 我...我不行了...腿快断了...

Larry: Aw, come on, Lihua! We've only been jogging for 3 minutes! Don't you want to be fit?

LH: 我是想身材健美，可是这也太累了，算了算了，就让love handles来找我吧，我不练了！

Larry: You know what they say, Lihua. No pain, no gain.

LH: No pain, no gain?

Larry: That's right! It means you have to work hard to get results. No pain, no gain!

LH: 哦，No pain, no gain就是“不付出努力就收不到成果”。Larry，现在不要给我讲大道理了，我实在跑不动了。

Larry: Come on, Lihua. I know you have a good work ethic.

LH: 我认真上进？

Larry: Remember when you stayed up all night on your project for that computer class? Some people would just go to sleep, but you worked right through. No pain, no gain, right?

LH: 那不一样，我可以通宵念书，可跑步不是我的强项，没跑两分钟，我的腿就已经开始发酸了！

Larry: But you'll feel better afterwards - I promise. You're already in pretty good shape anyway. I have a long way to go to get rid of these love handles.

LH: Larry, 连你都说，我本来身材就挺匀称的，所以我就不练啦！省得你们这些胖子压力大！

Larry: Suit yourself, Lihua. Hey, isn't that your classmate over there? Wow, she's really working hard!

LH: 哪个？！哦！那个女生！她在班里经常和我比！

Larry: Man, she's looking fit! No love handles on her.

LH: 什么？（停顿）Larry，靠边，别挡着我用跑步机！

Larry: Oh?? You changed your mind about exercise?

LH: No pain, no gain, Larry.

Larry: Aha! Looks like all you needed was a little competition! No wonder you're always working so hard in school.

LH: 我绝不能让那个女生的身材比我好！

Larry: Great! Well! I guess I'll let you exercise.

LH: 哎？那你干吗？你不跑啦？

Larry: All this exercise made me hungry. I'm going to eat some pizza!

今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是 love handles, 表示腰上的赘肉。另一个是no pain no gain, 意思是不付出就没有收获。

Larry想和李华，还有她那些中国朋友多在一起玩儿，了解更多的中国文化。他们会用到两个说法：once in a blue moon和pull one's leg.

Larry: Hey, Lihua, there you are. I haven't seen you all day. What have you been up to?

LH: 我刚才跟几个中国同学出去喝珍珠奶茶啦，就是bubble tea！

Larry: Bubble tea, huh? What is that?

LH: 你从没听说过珍珠奶茶？我简直不能相信！

Larry: Haha, is it that surprising? Actually, sometimes I wish I could tag along with you guys. You know, so I could learn more about the Chinese culture.

LH: 真的吗？Larry，我还以为你对尝试新事物没什么兴趣呢。

Larry: Aw.... come on, Lihua. Even I'll admit that it's fun to try new things once in a blue moon.

LH: 啊？你说什么moon?

Larry: In a blue moon. "Once in a blue moon" means once in a long while or on a rare occasion.

LH: 我明白了，"once in a blue moon"就是不经常，很久发生一次，对吗？

Larry: Yes. I don't think I'd enjoy being confronted with new things all the time, but every once in a blue moon it can be fun.

LH: 你是说，你不喜欢成天被新事物包围，但是好久来那么一下子，偶尔接触点新鲜的东西，还是不错的。这样吧Larry，下次我们再去喝bubble tea的时候，我一定叫上你。

Larry: Sounds great! How often do you go get bubble tea anyway?

LH: 其实我们也很少去。We only go once in a blue moon.

Larry: Hmm, well, if you only get bubble tea once in a blue moon, what are you always doing with your Chinese friends? I never know what you guys are up to.

LH: 其实我们主要也就是吃吃喝喝啦。这个周末我们要去吃粤式点心。Have you ever heard of点心, dim sum?

Larry: Dim sum...hmm. Sounds exotic. What's that?

LH: 就是很多好吃的广东小吃！有锅贴，萝卜糕，耗油芥蓝... 有时候，once in a blue moon, 我们还会点凤爪 - chicken feet!

Larry: Chicken feet??? Yuck! Who would eat that? Lihua, are you pulling my leg?

LH: 什么？Pulling your leg? 拉你的腿？

Larry: No, I mean are you playing a joke on me?

LH: 哦，"pull your leg"就是开玩笑唬你的意思。可我没有瞎说啊，凤爪，也就是鸡脚，可是非常好吃哦！

Larry: Oh my goodness! Well, if they're so delicious, how come you say you only eat them once in a blue moon?

LH: 主要是因为凤爪吃着麻烦，好多小骨头，而且比较油腻，我怕长胖嘛！

Larry: OK, now I know you're pulling my leg!

LH: 我没有唬你啊。Larry，我们中国人吃的东西有时是比较奇怪，但真的很好吃。

Larry: Gross!

LH: 不喜欢算了，下次去吃好吃的不叫你。

Larry: Come on, there's got to be something Chinese I can do with you guys.

LH: Hmm, 我想一想啊，我知道了！你喜欢唱K么？KTV?

Larry: KTV? You mean karaoke? I don't know, Lihua. I don't really like singing...

LH: Are you pulling my leg, Larry? 上次我明明听见你带着耳机在唱Lady Gaga的歌！

Larry: That's different! I'm too shy to sing in front of other people...I don't even know your friends that well.

LH: 哎呀没事！Larry，你唱歌挺好听的！

Larry: Me? Sing well? Ha. Now I know you're pulling my leg.

LH: I'm not pulling your leg! 我说真的！你怎么老觉得我在糊弄你？

Larry: OK, OK, no need to get upset. You're right. I do like to sing once in a blue moon, but I don't know if I could do it in front of other people...

LH: Larry, 不是你要了解中国文化嘛？还这么多事儿。

Larry: I've got an idea. Let me start with that bubble tea stuff. I've had tea before. How weird can it be? I know you guys only go get bubble tea once in a blue moon, but I can wait. Why do they call it bubble tea anyway?

LH: 他们叫珍珠奶茶是因为茶里有很多很有嚼劲的小圆子！看起来像珍珠一样！

Larry: Really? And what are the black bubbles made of?

LH: 嗯...是用鸡脚做的！

Larry: Wow.

LH: 哈！Larry, this time I was pulling your leg. 这回我是逗你的啦！

Larry: Oh! Come on, Lihua...

今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是once in a blue moon, 表示非常少见，很久才发生一次。另一个是pull one's leg,是糊弄、欺骗某人的意思。

Larry和李华要放三天长假，他们正在计划假期的安排。李华会学到两个常用语：shoot hoops和rookie.

LL: I can't believe we have a three-day weekend. I haven't had a break from school for so long.

LH: 是啊，要放假了，一定得好好玩玩。

LL: What are you planning on doing over the long summer?

LH: 不知道啊，不过，今天放学后我和Tracy要去吃饭，看电影，你要不要一起来?

LL: Sorry Li Hua. I have plans tonight. I'm going to shoot hoops with Jeffrey and Tom.

LH: Shoot hoops? 那是什么?

LL: Shoot hoops is a casual way of saying to play basketball.

LH: 喔，原来to shoot hoops就是去打篮球。

LL: Yes. In basketball, the main goal is to shoot hoops. If you are only playing basketball with friends or alone, in a casual manner, you can say that you are going to shoot hoops.

LH: 我明白了，打篮球主要目的是投篮得分，所以要去打篮球时就说，I'm going to shoot hoops. 那如果我要去踢足球，可以说，I'm going to kick balls吗?

LL: No, no, no. No one says they're going to kick balls when they're going to play soccer. This way of saying to play a sport is only used in basketball.

LH: 哦，原来只有篮球可以这样说。对了，Larry, our school is going to shoot hoops with our rival school tomorrow. We have to win! 我这样说行吗？

LL: Well, you generally don't say shoot hoops when you are talking about a basketball game or competition. Shoot hoops is only used for casual basketball playing.

LH: 好吧，不过Larry, 认识你这么久，我好象从来没见你打过篮球，藏而不露嘛！

LL: No, I'm not that good at basketball. I'm just a rookie.

LH: Rookie? What's a rookie? 我那天有个朋友也说自己是投资的rookie, 我当时就没搞懂他的意思。

LL: Haha. A rookie is a beginner, a person who is new to a field or profession.

LH: 哦，Rookie是初学者的意思，你说自己篮球打得不怎么样，刚入门，而我那朋友则是在说自己刚开始做投资。

LL: That's right. A rookie can be used to describe any type of beginner. You can be a rookie doctor, a rookie English speaker, or a rookie violinist.

LH: 嗯，那我懂了。Larry is not only rookie at basketball, but is also rookie at driving. 你不光打篮球刚入门，开车也是新手。

LL: What do you mean by that? I've been driving for years!

LH: 没错，你拿到驾照虽然很久了，可你开车的技术还是跟初学者一样，每次坐你的车我都心惊胆颤的。

LL: Well...I'm just not that good at driving. But you didn't use the word rookie correctly. Rookie is a noun; it is a person who is a beginner. However, you used the word as an adjective.

LH: 这么说，rookie是名词，不能做形容词用，我刚刚的用法不对呀。

LL: It's okay. Try again. Give me another example.

LH: Even though he's a rookie in BASKETBALL, he practices very hard and has become really good at the sport.

LL: That's good. You can also say he's a rookie BASKETBALL player.Or, more simply, he is a BASKETBALL rookie.

LH: 是吗? 可以直接说一个人是rookie BASKETBALL player或者BASKETBALL rookie. 那我懂了。

LL: That's good. Can you give me an example of shoot hoops?

LH: Mmm...有了！The basketball rookie is going to shoot hoops.

LL: Yes, that's right! Hey, you're learning fast.

LH: 那当然，我学习能力很强的，But I think I'm still a rookie English speaker.

LL: Well, it takes time to become good at a language. You're doing really well already.

LH: 是吗? 谢谢啦!

Larry打算请很多人来家里做客，李华在帮他策划这个大party。他们会用到两个说法：stoked和bummer.

Larry: OK, so we'll need about two dozen hamburgers, 20 pounds of ribs, a cheese platter, 4 bags of potato chips, potato salad, and....what am I missing?

LH: 还能缺什么啊？你说的这些东西，足够我吃一个礼拜了！我说Larry,你到底要请多少客人啊？

Larry: There should be around 40 people here. It's going to be great. I'm so stoked!

LH: Stoked? 什么意思？

Larry: Yeah, stoked, s-t-o-k-e-d, stoked. It means to be really excited about something.

LH: Oh, Stoked就是特别兴奋，特别激动的意思。

Larry: That's right. I'm really looking forward to this party. In other words, you could say I'm super stoked! It's going to be so much fun. Aren't you stoked, Lihua?

LH: 怎么说呢？I'm kind of stoked. 我也挺兴奋的，不过Larry, 你请那么多人，等派对结束后，这里肯定乱糟糟的。

Larry: Oh, don't worry about that. You'll help me clean after the party, right?

LH: 啊？！还要我帮忙收拾？

Larry: Oh, and I forgot to tell you. I'm stoked about the DJ I hired for the party.

LH: 你还请了个DJ混音师?

Larry: Yea, he's an old friend from high school. He told me he's got quite a lot of fans around town these days.

LH: 我看出来了，这场Party人又多，音乐又是吵哄哄的摇滚乐，而我还得负责事后清理战场的工作。现在想起来我都头疼。I can't say that I'm stoked quite yet.

Larry: Still not stoked? OK, what if I told you that my friend Brian will be there? You know, the guy who is in charge of interns at the company you want to work for?

LH: 啊？Brian要来？我特想去他们公司实习，你一定帮我介绍！

Larry: No problem. I'll ask him to help you get the internship at his company.

LH: Awesome! Now I'm stoked! Larry, 让我们投入战斗吧！

******

Larry 和李华尽心准备的派对开始了，可是却出了点小状况....

LH: Larry, 牛肉饼烤得怎么样啦？我等着做汉堡包呢！

Larry: Not too bad. They're just cooking a little slower than I thought. I guess my grill is too small. It's OK, though! I'm still stoked for the party!

LH: Larry! 你看看，烧烤架下面根本就没有火！你是不是没有瓦斯啦？

Larry: Oh, no! You're right! What a bummer!

LH: Bummer? 你是说bum，懒鬼吗？

Larry: No. Not bum, bummer! A bummer is bad news, or something that makes you upset - like running out of gas when you need to cook for 40 people!

LH: 哦！A bummer就是坏消息。瓦斯用完，你没法烤肉, 真是个好大的bummer啊。不过你也不用着急，现在只有一个客人，就是你那个高中同学，现在很红的那个DJ.

Larry: Wait a minute. This music is from our DJ? This music is for little kids - I thought the neighbors must be having a birthday party for their five-year-old daughter.

LH: 不是，你听到的就是DJ放的音乐，他说他的专长就是给学校活动造气氛，所以用的都是儿童音乐......

Larry: What a bummer!! Ugh, this party is turning into a disaster! No one's here, I can't cook the food, and the DJ sounds like he's from Sesame Street!

LH: 没关系，只要你朋友Brian能来，我就知足啦！我可得好好表现，争取让他给我实习的机会！ I'm really stoked to meet him!

Larry: I don't know, Lihua. No one has showed up! I was so stoked about this party.... now the whole thing is just a big bummer. (Sigh) Maybe I wrote the wrong date on the invitation...(doorbell rings)

Larry: Brian is here.

LH: Oh thank god.

Larry: Hey Brian, how are you?

Brian: Hey, Larry, good to see you again! This must be Lihua. I've heard so much about you!

LH: Oh, really....All good things, I hope.

Larry: Actually, Lihua is looking for an internship this summer. Do you think your company would have an opening for her?

Brian: My company? I didn't tell you, Larry? I left my job a year ago. I'm a grad student now!

LH: 啊啊啊？你一年前就辞职不干啦？现在回学校念书去了？What a bummer!

今天李华学到了两个常用语，stoked意思是兴奋，激动，还有bummer意思是坏消息。

今天Larry和Li Hua一起去听讲座。上课前聊起了彼此的兴趣。 Li Hua要学习两个常用语：glued to one's seat和at the end of one's rope。

LH: Larry, 老师上次布置的作业你做了吗？第五题怎么写呀？

LL: Number 5...number 5...I didn't do that one either.

LH: 第五题你也不会啊，那怎么交差啊...

(Larry looks around the room and sees Amy)

LL: Hey! We can ask Amy. She probably knows how to do this problem.

LH: Amy? 可你怎么知道她肯定会做呢? 搞不好她也跟我们一样。

LL: But she's always glued to her seat during the lectures. I'm sure she gets good grades because she pays so much attention.

LH: 你说她每次讲座都粘在椅子上？有人恶作剧吗？

LL: No, not literally glued to her seat. To be glued to one's seat means to be so interested and involved with something that one doesn't move at all.

LH: 哦，我明白了，你的意思是说Amy is always glued to her seat, 她上课听得特别专心，一动不动，所以学得一定不错，那我们真地可以去问她！

LL: That's right. That's exactly what I was trying to say, Li Hua.

LH: 那我可不可以说，如果我看到白马王子, I will be glued to my seat? 我一定会深深地被他吸引，无法动弹的...

LL: Mmm...you really dream about meeting Prince Charming all day long, don't you? Usually, the term "to be glued to one's seat" is only used to describe an activity. For example, you can be glued to your seat when you're playing your favorite video game, or watching a suspenseful movie etc.

LH: 是吗..所以这句话通常是用在形容对某件事情的热情，比如说，Larry is always glued to his seat when he reads children's books! 这样造句对吗?

LL: Yeah that's right. Except did you really have to mention children's books? I just like them because my mom used to read to me all the time.

LH: 哈哈，当然要提到你有多么爱读儿童故事书啊。这是我能想到的Larry唯一的嗜好，要不然你说说看，自己有更热爱的事情吗？

LL: Okay, let me think! There's got to be something that better represents my intellectual interests...

(Long pause)

LH: 想不出来吧？你还是放弃吧。

LL: Fine. I guess I'm at the end of my rope.

LH: 什么？你说"I'm at the end of my rope"是什么意思啊怎么连绳子都跑出来了？你可别想不开啊。

LL: To be at the end of your rope means to be out of options. It means you're stuck in a bad situation.

LH: 原来是指你无路可退的意思。你看，我比你自己还要了解你，儿童故事书是你的最爱，还是承认吧。

LL: OK, quit laughing. It's just a little hobby of mine that I read children's books. I doubt your interests are any better. Hmmm let me think...you like to dance, you like to go shopping, you like to...

LH: 哎，不用想了! 不管你怎么想，一定想不到一个跟读儿童故事书一样奇怪的兴趣。You're at the end of your rope Larry!

LL: You're right, I am at the end of my rope. But once again, reading children's books is just a good memory I have from childhood.

LH: 奇怪, 班上好安静喔.

(Larry looks at watch)

LL: Class already started! Hey, what about that question on the homework? We have to turn it in today!

LH: 什么？？已经开始上课了？ 那我们的功课怎么办呢？

LL: I guess we're at the end of our ropes...

今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是glued to one's seat, 是指一个人非常专注于某件事情，集中精力，一动不动。另一个at the end of one's rope意思是走投无路，没有其它的选择。

今天Larry和李华一起去参加哈利波特的电影首映会。Li Hua非常喜欢饰演哈利波特的丹尼尔.拉德克利夫，兴奋不已。Li Hua会学到两个常用语：glam和five o'clock shadow.

LH: 今天能见到丹尼尔拉德克利夫耶! 我的白马王子!!

LL: WOW. Lihua, you must be really excited to meet Harry Potter in person.

LH: 那当然，他简直是太帅了...

(The cast of Harry Potter walk out)

LL: Oh look, it's the cast! They sure look glam!

LH: Glam是什么意思啊? 听起来好像glamorous.

LL: You're absolutely correct! Glam means glamorous. It describes someone wearing fashionable clothing and make-up, especially when done excessively.

LH: 所以glam就是魅力四射的意思。那你又说尤其是用在过度打扮的人身上，这么说这个词有负面的意思喽?

LL: Not at all. Glam, like glamorous, is used to describe people who dress up in a way that they really stand out, but stand out in a good way. It is often used to describe celebrities.

LH: 原来如此。Glam是用来形容打扮华丽的人，而不是过度打扮的人，所以形容明星最合适！那太好了，我一定要学起来，等会告诉丹尼尔。

LL: I'm sure Daniel Radcliffe will be very happy to hear it.

LH: Larry, you're such a glam today!

LL: Uh, thank you? Why are you saying it to me? I'm only wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

LH: 我只是想练习一下！免得等会搞砸了。哎，我这么说对吗？

LL: Well, you said "you're such a glam today". Which means you used the word glam as a noun. However, it is an adjective, just like the original word, glamorous. So you would have to say, "you're so glam today".

LH: 我明白了，glam是形容词，所以我刚应该说"you're so glam today"，而不是"you're such a glam today."

LL: Yup, that's right.

(The actors are slowly walking towards Larry and Li Hua's direction)

LH: 会看，那不是哈利嘛！哈利！哈利！

LL: Hmmm...slow down Lihua. Are you sure that's Harry? I didn't know Harry has a five o'clock shadow.

LH: 你在说什么呀！我说演哈利的丹尼尔来了，又没问你时间...而且现在才三点，别捣乱。

LL: No, I mean he has a beard. A five o'clock shadow is facial stubble, it sometimes describes a man's beard at the end of the day.

LH: 啊？原来five o'clock shadow是指胡子，就是男生一天下来，到下午五点就会长出来的一点点胡子, 所以人们就用five o'clock shadow来形容男生脸上的胡子茬子。

LL: Yes. That is correct. After a day's work, many men will have a noticeable growth of facial hair. Since most people finish work around five o'clock, it's called a five o'clock shadow.

LH: 啊，Larry, you have a five o'clock shadow too! 你今天早上没有刮胡子吧?

LL: No I don't. Do I? (try to distract Lihua) Look! Harry's getting closer, don't you want to take pictures?

LH: 唉呀！差点忘了。我的照相机...在...这！

(Li Hua zooms in to take a picture of Harry)

LH: 他真有 a five o'clock shadow 耶... 不过还是好帅！

LL: Ai, Li Hua. I didn't know you were so attracted to glam celebrities.

LH: Not all the glam celebrities. 只有哈利！

LL: But he has a five o'clock shadow. Didn't you say that you can't stand men who have a beard.

LH: 你是说他今天留胡子，所以我不应该喜欢吗！可是，他连留胡子都这么好看！哈利，哈利！！啊不对，丹尼尔！我都紧张得语无伦次了。

LL: Hey, practice using what you just learned! And tell him how handsome he is.

LH: Harry! You have a five o'clock shadow!!

(People turn around to stare at Li Hua)

LH: 等等, 我刚说了什么...

LL: Harry, she meant to say you are very glam!

LH: 哎, 真丢脸...

今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语，一个是glam, 用来形容一个人魅力四射。另一个是,five o'clock shadow, 指男人的胡子茬子。