英语博客：ESL Podcast 747 – Visiting a Ranch

　　Piero: What’s all this?
Annie: I’m visiting my sister and brother-in-law’s new ranch¹ next month and I’m getting ready for it. I know I’m a city girl, but I plan to fit right in on that ranch and work alongside all of the other cowboys.
Piero: Well, you look the part. You’ve got your cowboy hat, a lasso, and are those chaps?
Annie: Yes, of course. How else could I ride with them on the cattle drive?
Piero: Cattle drive? Are you sure it’s a working ranch?
Annie: I think so. Why would they buy a ranch if they don’t plan to have horses and livestock²?
Piero: Don’t ask me. What’s all that stuff in the bags?
Annie: That’s all equipment I’ll need to ride a horse: a bridle³, a bit, and ta-da – my own saddle!
Piero: This is all stuff that they should have at the ranch already, don’t you think?
Annie: Yes, but I’ll need to go horseback riding this weekend to practice.
Piero: That’s a good idea. Have you been riding horses long?
Annie: This weekend will be my first time.
Piero: You’re riding a horse for the first time this weekend and you plan to work at your sister’s ranch next month?
Annie: Sure, how hard could it be? It’s just like riding a bike, right?
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

2 livestock   

n.家畜，牲畜

参考例句：

• Both men and livestock are flourishing.人畜两旺。
• The heavy rains and flooding killed scores of livestock.暴雨和大水淹死了许多牲口。

3 bridle   

n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒

参考例句：

• He learned to bridle his temper.他学会了控制脾气。
• I told my wife to put a bridle on her tongue.我告诉妻子说话要谨慎。