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ESL之餐饮娱乐 11 Cable and Satellite TV

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    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

11 Cable1 and Satellite TV

GLOSSARY2

cable TV – cable television; television services that are delivered through longwires that are underground or high in the air* With cable TV you can see hundreds of channels from all around the world.

satellite TV – satellite television; television services that are delivered by sending signals from electronic devices3 in space (not on Earth)* We live far away from the city, and satellite TV is the only kind of TV that wecan watch at our house.

satellite dish – a large, round piece of equipment that is placed outside on a roofor behind a house to receive TV signals from satellites in space* Aaron became angry when his neighbor put up a large satellite dish thatblocked his view of the mountains.

to install4 – to put equipment or a service into place so that it can be used* How long did it take the workers to install Internet service in your house?

basic channels – television stations that are included with the lowest cost ofcable or satellite TV* Maude just likes to watch the news, so she’s happy having the basic channels and not paying for extra channels each month.

premium5 channels – television stations that are not included with the basic costof cable or satellite TV and which one must pay extra to have* Some of our favorite premium channels are movie channels and sports channels.

package – a group of things that are sold together for a single price* This travel package includes your plane ticket, hotel room, and meals for oneweek.

monthly6 fee – an amount of money that is paid every month for a service* How much is the monthly fee for being a member of that gym?

excluding7 – without; not including* The one-week trip to Hawaii costs $1,200, excluding airfare, which is anadditional $875.

deposit9 – an amount of money that one pays to use something, where themoney is returned if the thing is given back to the company in good condition; apercentage of the money that is owed which a customer pays in advance, withthe rest being paid when the service is completed or the product is delivered* When you go skiing here, you pay a $100 deposit for rental10 skis, but if youreturn them without any damage, you get your money back.

outright11 – completely; totally; all at once; in full* Did you buy your car outright, or are you making monthly payments13?

pay-per-view – a single scheduled movie, sports game, and other TV show thatone pays to be able to watch* Many people watch World Cup soccer games as pay-per-view programs.

video on demand – a single program that one can ask to see on one’s TV atany time* Sometimes my schedule is too busy and I can’t see my favorite shows, but withvideo on demand, that isn’t a problem.

as (one) goes along – as one proceeds14 with something; over time; as onecontinues with something* Right now Makiko has a basic gym membership15, but as she goes along andstarts exercising more, she might get a more expensive gym membership so thatshe can take the dance classes.

round-the-clock – all the time; all day and night; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week* The panel16 of experts said that doctors should not be allowed to work round-theclock because they can’t make good decisions if they haven’t slept enough.

to drop by – to visit someone unexpectedly17 for a short time; to go to someone’s house without calling ahead of time to let him or her know that one is coming* It annoys me that Tom often drops by without calling first.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS1.  What did Cesar need to buy to have TV service?

a)  A sports package.

b)  A cable box.

c)  A satellite dish.

2.  Why does Cesar invite Marion to drop by?

a)  So that she can add services as she goes along.

b)  So that she can watch TV at his house.

c)  So that she can watch movies round-the-clock.

______________WHAT ELSE DOES IT MEAN?

packageThe word “package,” in this podcast, means a group of things that are soldtogether for a single price: “With this back-to-school package, you can buy all thepaper, pens, and pencils your child needs in just one box.”  In your job, you may have a set of things you receive in addition to your salary called a “benefits package,” which includes health insurance and paid vacation days: “What kind ofbenefits package does your company offer to its employees?”  A “package” is often a box or bag that things are wrapped in: “Can you please mail this packageto Jim?”  Or, “How many cookies come in this package?”  Finally, a “softwarepackage” is a group of computer programs that are sold together: “MicrosoftOffice is probably the world’s most popular software package.”

depositIn this podcast, the word “deposit” means an amount of money that one pays touse something, where the money is returned if the thing is given back to thecompany in good condition: “At some hotels, you have to leave a credit18 card or a$100 security19 deposit before you can get into the room.”  A “deposit” is also themoney that is paid as part of a larger payment12: “We made a 20% deposit for thecost of the new home, and now we have to make smaller payments every monthfor the next 30 years.”  When you go to the bank to put money in your account,you are making a deposit: “Please don’t forget to make your deposit at the bank this afternoon.”  Finally, a “deposit” is a layer or minerals that are underground:

“Lance made a lot of money when he found a gold deposit in his backyard.”

CULTURE NOTEIn 1984, the United States “passed a law” (made a new law) that created “public access television.”  “Public access television” means that cable TV companies must give money, “training” (education about how to do something), and “access”

(the ability to use something) to media technology to local organizations.  This law was made to help small communities use TV and other electronic “media”

(ways of sharing information with many people) to talk about important topics.

Today, many “grassroots organizations” (small groups that do not make money),individuals, schools, and city governments have their own public accesstelevision channels.  They get these channels for free or by paying a very lowprice.  In general, large cities have more money for public access television thando small towns, so large cities have more public access television channels.

Many public access television channels “broadcast” (show) national or regionalprograms, but there are also many small, locally produced TV programs onpublic access television.  Many of these programs are educational and“designed” (made for a specific purpose) to teach adults and children.  Otherpublic access channels are “run” (operated by) the government, and are used tobroadcast public meetings and “debates” (detailed conversations about thereasons to do or not to something). Public access television is an important part of America’s “freedom of speech”

(the right to say whatever one wants, without fear of the government).  However,the cable companies must “balance” (find the right solution or level) people’s freedom of speech with the need to be “fair” (treating all parties equally) and notallow programs to “demean” (say bad things about) other people and groups.

______________Comprehension Questions Correct Answers:  1 – c; 2 – b

COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTWelcome to English as a Second Language Podcast number 307: Cable andSatellite TV.

This is English as a Second Language Podcast episode21 307.  I’m your host, Dr.

Jeff McQuillan, coming to you from the Center for Educational Development inbeautiful Los Angeles, California.  Good morning, good afternoon, or goodevening, depending on when you are listening to us.

Remember to visit our website – yes, we do have a website – at eslpod.com. Take a look at our premium courses; these are special business and personalEnglish courses that you might be interested in, in addition to our regularLearning Guide membership that we offer.

This episode is called “Cable and Satellite Television (or TV).”  It’s a dialoguebetween two people talking about the differences between these two ways ofgetting television service.  Let’s get started.

[start of dialogue]

Marion:  I’m trying to decide whether to get cable or satellite TV.  Which one doyou have at your apartment?

Cesar:  I have satellite, but I used to have cable.

Marion:  What’s the difference?

Cesar:  Not a lot.  With satellite, you have to have a satellite dish installed23 on theroof and you don’t with cable.  Otherwise, you get similar options.  You can getbasic channels and choose from a lot of different premium channels.  I have apackage that includes the basic channels and some premium movie channels,and I also have a sports package so I can watch all of the soccer matches I want.

Marion:  How much is the monthly fee?

Cesar:  I think I pay $59.99 a month, excluding the taxes and fees, but the basic service is probably cheaper.  When I had cable, I had to pay a deposit for thecable box, but with satellite, I had to buy the dish outright, but it wasn’t tooexpensive.    

Marion:  What I want are pay-per-view channels, so I don’t need to run to thevideo rental store every time I want to watch a movie. Cesar:  That’s not a problem.  There’s video on demand on both cable andsatellite, and there are a lot of movies to choose from.

Marion:  That’s great.  I’ll check out whether my local cable company or satelliteservice has better packages and make a decision this weekend. Cesar:  You could always start with the basic channels and then add services as you go along. Marion:  That’s a good idea, especially since I know someone who has premiumchannels and round-the-clock soccer. Cesar:  You bet22.  Drop by anytime, but don’t forget the beer and popcorn24!

[end of dialogue]

Our dialogue is called “Cable and Satellite TV.”  There are three common ways of getting television in your home; the easiest is what we call “broadcast,” or“over the air” TV.  These are usually channels three, four, five, maybe more, thatyou can buy a television set for; put up an antenna25 and you can get that thosechannels.  If you want more channels – more variety – you can get either cableTV or satellite TV.

"Cable television” is when the company puts a wire into your house.  So, it’s along wire that connects to your television.  “Satellite TV” is when the company puts a small what we would call a “dish” on the roof, on the top of your house.  A“satellite dish” is a piece of equipment that is pointed26 to a “satellite,” which is amachine that is up very high in the earth’s atmosphere that goes around theearth.  You get the television channels from the satellite dish.

In our dialogue, Marion says to Cesar, “I’m trying to decide whether to get cableor satellite TV.  Which one do you have at your apartment?”  Cesar says, “I havesatellite, but I used to have cable.”  Marion asks, “What’s the difference?"Cesar says, “Not a lot (not very much, they’re very similar).  With satellite, youhave to have a satellite dish installed on the roof and you don’t with cable.” Cesar is saying that if you have satellite TV, they have to “install,” or put, the dishon your roof, on the top of your building.  To “install” means to put a piece ofequipment or some sort of service into place so that it works27.  We also use that word for software: “I’m going to install some software on my computer” – I’mgoing to put it on my computer so that it works.

Cesar says that “You can get basic channels and choose from a lot of differentpremium channels.”  “Basic channels” are the channels, or stations, that areincluded in the lower cost type of cable or satellite TV.  “Premium channels” areones that cost more money.  For example, there is a popular movie cablechannel called “HBO” (Home Box Office).  That is something you have to pay extra for.  Here in Los Angeles, cable television, for the basic service, is probably about $40-$50 a month; satellite television is about the same, maybe $40-$50-$60 a month.  If you want premium channels – movie channels – you have to pay another $10 a month, usually.

Cesar says that he has “a package that includes the basic channels and somepremium movie channels.”  He also has a sports package so he can watch all ofthe soccer matches he wants.  A “package” here means a group of things thatare sold together.  So you can get maybe two or three movie channels, and they give you a discount if you order all three of them as a package.  The word“package” has a couple of different meanings in English; take a look at ourLearning Guide for some additional8 explanations.

Marion asks Cesar, “How much is the monthly fee?” – how much money do youhave to pay every month – the monthly fee.  “Fee” (fee) is the cost – the price. Cesar says, “I think I pay $59.99 a month (59 dollars and 99 cents), excluding thetaxes and fees.”  To “exclude” means not to include; it’s the opposite of include –not to count.  So, “excluding taxes” means $59.99 does not include the taxes andfees. Cesar says, “When I had cable, I had to pay a deposit for the cable box.”  Whenyou have cable television, or satellite television, they usually give you a littleelectronic box that you put on top of your television and the cable goes into theback of the box.  For cable TV, sometimes you have to pay the local company adeposit.  A “deposit” is money that you give them; you get your money back when you bring them the box back.  So, it makes sure that you are going toreturn the box.  If you don’t return the box, then you are going to lose yourdeposit.  He says with satellite he owns his dish outright – he owns theequipment outright (one word).  “Outright” means completely, totally, in full.  Heowns the equipment, he doesn’t have to pay a deposit or rent it.

Marion says, “What I want are pay-per-view channels.”  “Pay-per-view channels”

is a service that allows you to get just one movie or one sports game: “I just wantto watch one movie.”  You can buy that movie to watch it on your television.  It usually costs $2, $3, maybe $4.  That’s “pay-per-view,” you pay for each one thatyou want.

Cesar says, “That’s not a problem.  There’s video on demand on both cable andsatellite.”  “Video on demand” is a program that you can watch any time you wantto; you don’t have to wait until a certain time for the program to begin.  We callthat “video on demand.”  Podcasting is audio28 on demand; whenever you want it,whenever you ask for it, you can listen to it.

Marion says, “That’s great.  I’ll check out whether my local cable company orsatellite service has better packages and make a decision this weekend.”  Cesarsays, “You could always start with the basic channels and then add services as you go along.”  The expression “as you go along” means over time, as youcontinue with something. Marion says, “That’s a good idea, especially since I know someone who has premium channels and round-the-clock soccer.”  “Round-the-clock” means all thetime – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Marion is, of course, referring toCesar, who has the soccer package – the sports package.

Cesar says, “You bet,” meaning “yes, no problem.”  “Drop by anytime, but don’tforget the beer and popcorn!”  Cesar is saying “you can visit me any time.”  To“drop by” means to visit someone who is not expecting you.  You don’t have anappointment with that person, you just go to their house or office, knock on theirdoor, and visit them.

Now let’s listen to the dialogue, this time at a native speed.

[start of dialogue]

Marion:  I’m trying to decide whether to get cable or satellite TV.  Which one doyou have at your apartment?

Cesar:  I have satellite, but I used to have cable.

Marion:  What’s the difference?

Cesar:  Not a lot.  With satellite, you have to have a satellite dish installed on theroof and you don’t with cable.  Otherwise, you get similar options.  You can getbasic channels and choose from a lot of different premium channels.  I have apackage that includes the basic channels and some premium movie channels,and I also have a sports package so I can watch all of the soccer matches I want.

Marion:  How much is the monthly fee?

Cesar:  I think I pay $59.99 a month, excluding the taxes and fees, but the basic service is probably cheaper.  When I had cable, I had to pay a deposit for thecable box, but with satellite, I had to buy the dish outright, but it wasn’t tooexpensive.   Marion:  What I want are pay-per-view channels, so I don’t have to run to thevideo rental store every time I want to watch a movie. Cesar:  That’s not a problem.  There’s video on demand on both cable andsatellite, and there are a lot of movies to choose from.

Marion:  That’s great.  I’ll check out whether my local cable company or satelliteservice has better packages and make a decision this weekend. Cesar:  You could always start with the basic channels and then add services as you go along. Marion:  That’s a good idea, especially since I know someone who has premiumchannels and round-the-clock soccer. Cesar:  You bet.  Drop by anytime, but don’t forget the beer and popcorn!

[end of dialogue]

The script20 for this episode was written by Dr. Lucy Tse. From Los Angeles, California, I’m Jeff McQuillan.  Thanks for listening.  We’ll seeyou next time on ESL Podcast.

English as a Second Language Podcast is written and produced by Dr. Lucy Tse,hosted by Dr. Jeff McQuillan.  This podcast is copyright29 2007.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 cable wSoyT     
n.缆绳,索;电缆;电报;vt.电汇,打电报
参考例句:
  • Don't forget to cable us as soon as you arrive.别忘了一到就给我发个电报。
  • The worker attached a cable.工人连接电缆。
2 glossary of7xy     
n.注释词表;术语汇编
参考例句:
  • The text is supplemented by an adequate glossary.正文附有一个详细的词汇表。
  • For convenience,we have also provided a glossary in an appendix.为了方便,我们在附录中也提供了术语表。
3 devices e0212e54ec3a2a120ca0d321b3a60c78     
n.设备;装置( device的名词复数 );花招;(为实现某种目的的)计划;手段
参考例句:
  • electrical labour-saving devices around the home 节省劳力的各种家用电器
  • modern labour-saving devices such as washing machines and dishwashers 诸如洗衣机和洗碗机之类的现代化省力设备
4 install b6AxK     
vt.安装,设置,安置;使就职,任命
参考例句:
  • They will install a heating and lighting system in our house. 他们将在我们家装上供热供电系统。
  • He's going to install an air - conditioner in the house. 他要在这屋子里装空调机。
5 premium EPSxX     
n.加付款;赠品;adj.高级的;售价高的
参考例句:
  • You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
  • Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后,清水便因稀而贵了。
6 monthly 7EixE     
adj.每月的,持续一个月的,每月发生的;adv.每月,按月; n.月刊;(复数)monthlies:月经
参考例句:
  • The rent on his apartment was his biggest monthly expense.他的房租是每个月最大的开支。
  • The monthly rent is $15,inclusive of light and water.每月租金15美元,包括水电费在内。
7 excluding rtaz5s     
v.排除,拒绝( exclude的现在分词);驱逐prep.除…外,不包括
参考例句:
  • The shop is open seven days a week excluding Christmas Day. 本商店每周七天营业,圣诞节除外。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Five persons spoke at the meeting excluding me. 除我以外,还有五个人在会上发了言。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
8 additional rJTyM     
adj.添加的,额外的,另外的
参考例句:
  • It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
  • I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。
9 deposit Rwkx5     
n.定金,存款,矿藏;vt.使沉淀,寄存,储蓄
参考例句:
  • There is too much deposit in a bottle of wine.酒瓶里有太多的沉淀物。
  • The hotel requires a deposit for all advance bookings.旅馆规定凡预订房间都要先付订金。
10 rental cBezh     
n.租赁,出租,出租业
参考例句:
  • The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
  • We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。
11 outright Qj7yY     
adv.坦率地;彻底地;立即;adj.无疑的;彻底的
参考例句:
  • If you have a complaint you should tell me outright.如果你有不满意的事,你应该直率地对我说。
  • You should persuade her to marry you outright.你应该彻底劝服她嫁给你。
12 payment qL4xJ     
n.付款,支付,偿还,偿还,报应
参考例句:
  • I gave ten pounds in payment for the goods I bought.我买那些东西付了10英镑。
  • This last payment will wipe out your debt to me.这最后一笔付款将了结你欠我的债务。
13 payments 84d5eaf713c96eecb3d2c4a83e64dc9a     
n.支付,付款,缴纳,报酬( payment的名词复数 );付出的[要付出的]款项;报答,报偿
参考例句:
  • Welfare payments cease as soon as an individual starts a job. 一旦就业,即停发福利救济。
  • The law can compel fathers to make regular payments for their children. 这项法律可强制父亲定期支付子女的费用。
14 proceeds XkXzvh     
n.(pl)收益
参考例句:
  • She sold her car and bought a piano with the proceeds. 她卖掉了汽车,然后用这笔收入买了一架钢琴。
  • They bought a new minibus with the proceeds from the auction. 他们用拍卖得来的钱买了一辆新面包车。
15 membership ECnx7     
n.成员资格,会员全体,从属关系
参考例句:
  • I must renew my membership of the sailing club.我必须延续我的航海俱乐部会员的资格。
  • He made up his mind to apply for membership in the Party.他决心申请入党。
16 panel l4IzD     
n.面,板,专门小组,控制板,仪表盘
参考例句:
  • The unusual control panel on the walls caught our attention.墙上不同寻常的控制板引起了我们的注意。
  • The panel of judges included several well-known writers.评判小组中包括几位知名作家。
17 unexpectedly 3fEz5m     
adv.未料到地,意外地;竟;居然;骤然
参考例句:
  • The volcano unexpectedly blew up early in the morning. 火山一早突然爆发了。
  • I had just put the dinner on when Jim walked in unexpectedly. 我刚把晚饭摆上桌,吉姆突然走进来。
18 credit pOGzH     
n.信用,荣誉,贷款,学分;v.归功于,赞颂,信任
参考例句:
  • I credit him with a certain amount of sense.我认为他有一定的见识。
  • He got the credit,and we did the dirty work.他得荣誉,我们做不讨好的工作。
19 security iTdzh     
n.安全,安全感;防护措施;保证(金),抵押(品);债券,证券
参考例句:
  • A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
  • There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时,机场的保安措施很严密。
20 script 2Z4x4     
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。
21 episode Titzy     
n.(作品的一段)情节,插曲,系列事件中之一
参考例句:
  • The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
  • This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。
22 bet ddZy8     
v.打赌,以(与)...打赌;n.赌注,赌金;打赌
参考例句:
  • I bet you can't do this puzzle.我敢说,你解决不了这个难题。
  • I offered to bet with him.我提出与他打赌。
23 installed 73329564760013a7824ff9d5d1af91ff     
安装( install的过去式和过去分词 ); 安顿; 安置; 使…正式就职
参考例句:
  • He's getting a phone installed tomorrow. 他明天要装电话。
  • A professionally installed alarm will cost from about £500. 请专业人员安装的警报器要花费至少500 英镑。
24 popcorn 8lUzJI     
n.爆米花
参考例句:
  • I like to eat popcorn when I am watching TV play at home.当我在家观看电视剧时,喜欢吃爆米花。
  • He still stood behind his cash register stuffing his mouth with popcorn.他仍站在收银机后,嘴里塞满了爆米花。
25 antenna QwTzN     
n.触角,触须;天线
参考例句:
  • The workman fixed the antenna to the roof of the house.工人把天线固定在房顶上。
  • In our village, there is an antenna on every roof for receiving TV signals.在我们村里,每家房顶上都有天线接收电视信号。
26 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
27 works ieuzIh     
n.作品,著作;工厂,活动部件,机件
参考例句:
  • We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
  • The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。
28 audio 9yOziJ     
n./adj.音频(响)(的);声音(的),听觉(的)
参考例句:
  • Often,the meeting is recorded on audio or video media for later reference.通常这种会议会以视频或者音频形式记录下来,供以后查阅。
  • You don't even have to pay for audio programs.你大可不必为自己听这些节目付费。
29 copyright XZRyV     
n.版权,著作权
参考例句:
  • He retained the copyright of his book.他保留此书的著作权。
  • This company has a proprietorship of the copyright.这家公司拥有版权所有权。
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TAG标签:   ESL英语  餐饮英语  娱乐英语
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