ESL Podcast 310 – Shopping for Furniture

Tobias: I really don’t understand why we need new furniture. After we’re married, we’ll just take the things from each of our two apartments and that should do the trick.

Renee: We each have some things we can keep and use, but it would be nice to have pieces that match. Right now, we have six dining chairs, each in a different style, and none of them are in the same style as the dining table your uncle is giving us as a wedding present.

Tobias: Yeah, that’s true. At least, we won’t have to shop for bedroom furniture. We’re lucky that your parents are giving us some hand-me- down things, including a dresser, two nightstands, a headboard, and a wardrobe. All we need is a bed.

Renee: Yeah, we got lucky when they decided¹ to get new furniture and to give us their old pieces. That just leaves the living room.

Tobias: But we already have a couch² and a love seat.

Renee: That’s true, but we still need a coffee table, two side tables, and at least two table lamps and a floor lamp.

Tobias: Do we really need all of that?

Renee: If we plan to entertain, we do.

Tobias: All right. I was just hoping to get home in time for the game this afternoon.

Renee: No problem. We only have six more stores to visit after this one.

Tobias: Six?!

Renee: Yes, now come on. How are you going to get home in time for the game if you don’t hurry up?


Script³ by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 couch   

n.睡椅，长沙发椅；vt.表达，隐含

参考例句：

• Lie down on the couch if you're feeling ill.如果你感觉不舒服就躺到沙发上去。
• The rabbIt'sprang from its grassy couch.兔子从草丛中跳出。

3 script   

n.剧本，广播稿；文字体系；笔迹，手迹

参考例句：

• It's easy to identify his script.他的笔迹容易辨认。
• The script is massaged into final form.这篇稿子经过修改已定稿。