ESL Podcast 413 – Talking About Intelligence

Andre: Mom, I can't believe I got stuck with Matt as my lab partner in school.

Josephine: Matt? Do I know Matt?

Andre: He lives down the street. He's Mr. and Mrs. Kemp's son. He's a total airhead.

Josephine: Oh, I remember him. He was at your birthday party.

Andre: Yeah, when I was nine years old! That guy is so dense¹!

Josephine: Matt was always considered a gifted child. He seemed bright and perceptive², and his parents thought he'd go far.

Andre: If you ask me, he's not all there. Every time I look over at him in class, he's staring off into space. He doesn't seem like the kind who's very quick on the uptake.

Josephine: You know, some very smart people can seem spacey to the rest of us. Maybe he's just thinking when he stares off into space.

Andre: Maybe. All I know is that my science grade is riding on how we do in the lab, so I hope he shapes up.

Josephine: I'm sure he will. And even if he doesn't, you're clever enough to still do well in the class.

Andre: Thanks, Mom, but I wouldn't bet on it!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 dense   

a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的

参考例句：

• The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
• The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。

2 perceptive   

adj.知觉的，有洞察力的，感知的

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• He is very perceptive and nothing can be hidden from him.他耳聪目明，什么事都很难瞒住他。