ESL Podcast 489 – Talking About Wealth

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 affluent¹ person to try to buy influence and social standing² 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

1 affluent   

adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的

参考例句：

• He hails from an affluent background.他出身于一个富有的家庭。
• His parents were very affluent.他的父母很富裕。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。