ESL Podcast 478 – Having Plumbing Problems

Mickey: Hello, McQuillan Plumbing¹.

Colleen: Hi, I’m having a lot of plumbing problems. Can you send a plumber² out to my house right away?

Mickey: Yes, we can. But first, let’s find out what the problems are.

Colleen: Well, to start, my toilet won’t flush and it’s overflowing³.

Mickey: An overflowing toilet – check. What else?

Colleen: The sink in the bathroom is stopped up and the pipes underneath⁴ the sink are leaking.

Mickey: A stopped up sink and leaking pipes – check. What else?

Colleen: The garbage disposal in the kitchen is making funny noises and the water won’t drain.

Mickey: A busted⁵ garbage disposal – check. Is that all?

Colleen: No, the faucet⁶ in the shower is stuck and I can’t shut off the water.

Mickey: A stuck faucet – got it. What else?

Colleen: That’s it.

Mickey: You’ve got some really big problems there.

Colleen: Yes, I know. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Can you send someone out right away?

Mickey: Sure, no problem. How about next Tuesday?

Colleen: Next Tuesday?! Didn’t you hear me? These are emergencies!

Mickey: Yes, but all of our plumbers⁷ are booked up until next Tuesday. Should I put you down for a morning appointment?

Colleen: Forget it! By next Tuesday, I’ll be under 10 feet of water!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 plumbing   

n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究

参考例句：

• She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche. 她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。
• They're going to have to put in new plumbing. 他们将需要安装新的水管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 plumber   

n.(装修水管的)管子工

参考例句：

• Have you asked the plumber to come and look at the leaking pipe?你叫管道工来检查漏水的管子了吗？
• The plumber screwed up the tap by means of a spanner.管子工用板手把龙头旋紧。

3 overflowing   

n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The stands were overflowing with farm and sideline products. 集市上农副产品非常丰富。
• The milk is overflowing. 牛奶溢出来了。

4 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

5 busted   

adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• You are so busted! 你被当场逮住了！
• It was money troubles that busted up their marriage. 是金钱纠纷使他们的婚姻破裂了。

6 faucet   

n.水龙头

参考例句：

• The faucet has developed a drip.那个水龙头已经开始滴水了。
• She turned off the faucet and dried her hands.她关掉水龙头，把手擦干。

7 plumbers   

n.管子工，水暖工( plumber的名词复数 )；[美][口]（防止泄密的）堵漏人员

参考例句：

• Plumbers charge by the hour for their work. 水管工人的工作是以小时收费的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Plumbers, carpenters, and other workmen finished the new house quickly. 管道工、木工及其他工匠很快完成了这幢新房子。 来自辞典例句