ESL Podcast 366 – Talking About Prices

Rosalba: Can you believe these prices? I know we’re in a recession, but the cost of everyday necessities shouldn’t skyrocket overnight.

William: I think it has something to do with the shortage of produce. I don’t know why I’m surprised that stores like this one try to gouge¹ customers at the drop of a hat. I guess it’s par² for the course – anything to make a little extra money.

Rosalba: You said it! Even when there’s a good supply, the prices are never dirt cheap. Any savings³ the stores get are never passed on to the customers.

William: I have a mind to stop buying fruits and vegetables until the prices go down.

Rosalba: You mean a boycott⁴?

William: Yeah, I won’t eat any fruits and vegetables until these high prices come down.

Rosalba: How long do you think you can keep that up?

William: I don’t know, but let’s find out!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 gouge   

v.凿；挖出；n.半圆凿；凿孔；欺诈

参考例句：

• To make a Halloween lantern,you first have to gouge out the inside of the pumpkin.要做一个万圣节灯笼，你先得挖空这个南瓜。
• In the Middle Ages,a favourite punishment was to gouge out a prisoner's eyes.在中世纪，惩罚犯人最常用的办法是剜眼睛。

2 par   

n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的

参考例句：

• Sales of nylon have been below par in recent years.近年来尼龙织品的销售额一直不及以往。
• I don't think his ability is on a par with yours.我认为他的能力不能与你的能力相媲美。

3 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

4 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。