ESL Podcast 435 – Describing Aches and Pains

Nivia: Why are you walking funny?

Michael: Oh, I pulled a muscle in my right leg while playing with my kids last weekend. It’s hard to walk without feeling a twinge of pain.

Nivia: I’m sorry to hear that. Why are you sitting in that awkward position?

Michael: I strained my back while exercising. Initially¹, I felt a sharp pain and I thought it was something serious, but it doesn’t hurt much now. There’s just a dull pain when I sit up straight. That’s why I’m sitting like this, leaning to the side.

Nivia: That’s too bad. Why are you holding your arms that way?

Michael: I got up in the middle of the night last night to go to the bathroom and bumped into the door. I got a huge bruise² on my arm. It feels better if I hold it over my head.

Nivia: Why are you shaking your fingers that way?

Michael: I helped my daughter finish her science project for school. I – I mean we – glued over 100 wooden sticks together. My fingers are really sore and stiff, and they won’t stop throbbing³.

Nivia: I’m afraid to ask you any more questions. I don’t think any man could survive any more injuries than what you already have!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

2 bruise   

n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤

参考例句：

• The bruise was caused by a kick.这伤痕是脚踢的。
• Jack fell down yesterday and got a big bruise on his face.杰克昨天摔了一跤，脸上摔出老大一块淤斑。

3 throbbing   

a. 跳动的,悸动的

参考例句：

• My heart is throbbing and I'm shaking. 我的心在猛烈跳动，身子在不住颤抖。
• There was a throbbing in her temples. 她的太阳穴直跳。