2011年ESL之日常生活 03 Having Problems Concentrating

03 Having Problems Concentrating

GLOSSARY 1

driver’s test – a written and driving exam that one must pass before one canreceive a driver’s license 2

* For the driver’s test, you’ll need to know the maximum speed limit in residentialareas and on freeways.

distracted – not able to concentrate; with one’s attention divided among two ormore things

* Shayna tried to study for the test, but she was distracted by the loud musiccoming from her neighbor’s house.

manual – a small book that tells one how to do or use something

* When you buy a new computer, do you read the user manual first, or do youstart using it right away?

deadly – very unpleasant and/or difficult; extremely boring

* Don’t take any classes with Professor Tse. Her lectures are deadly!

to focus – to concentrate; to put all of one’s attention into a particular thought,task, or action

* Good lifeguards focus on the safety of swimmers at all times.

to keep (one’s) mind on – to concentrate; to think about a particular thingwithout stopping or being distracted

* It’s hard to keep my mind on work when we’re having so many problems withthe kids.

the rules of the road – the laws and regulations that govern how people shoulddrive

* In the United States, everyone drives on the right-hand side. Those are therules of the road.

to concentrate – to focus; to do or think about only one thing, without doing orthinking about other things

* If you don’t start concentrating during your dance lesson, you’ll never learn todance the waltz.

for (one’s) mind to keep wandering – for someone to be unable to focus onany single topic, instead thinking about many different things, especially if thosethings are not relevant or important

* That movie was so boring! I tried to pay attention to the story, but my mind keptwandering.

to throw in the towel – to give up; to stop trying to do something, usuallybecause it is very difficult or frustrating 3

* Hank tried to follow the recipe five times before he decided 4 to throw in the toweland just buy a cake instead of making one himself.

to buckle 5 down – to become very serious about trying to do something, withoutdelaying or making excuses, especially when it is very difficult or challenging

* If I want to learn how to play the piano, I need to buckle down and practiceevery day.

to crack the whip – to make someone do something; to be very demanding andcontrolling about what another person does and how he/she does it

* If my parents hadn’t cracked the whip while I was a kid, I never would havebeen a good student.

What’s in it for (one)? – an informal phrase used to ask what advantages orbenefits one will get from a particular situation or as a result of doing something

* Yes, I could loan you my green dress, but what’s in it for me?

to chauffeur 6 – to drive someone to many different places when asked

* A designated driver chauffeurs 7 friends to and from bars and their home whenthey are too drunk to drive themselves.

for one second more than (one) has to – a phrase used to show that one isvery anxious or eager for something to end, and will stop doing that thing as soonas possible

* Kyung hates his job and swears he won’t work for one second more than hehas to. As soon as he has enough money saved, he will retire.

the look – a facial expression; the way the position of one’s eyes, eyebrows 8, andmouth can express emotions

* When I saw the look on Mom’s face, I knew we were in trouble.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What does Liesl mean when she says, “Reading this manual is deadly”?

a) The manual is about car accidents and death.

b) The manual teaches how to avoid death while driving.

c) The manual is very boring and uninteresting.

2. Why does Vagner tell Liesl to buckle down?

a) Because she needs to concentrate on studying.

b) Because she needs to remember to wear her seatbelt.

c) Because she needs to stay seated.

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WHAT ELSE DOES IT MEAN?

manual

The word “manual,” in this podcast, means a small book that tells one how to door use something: “According to the manual, this flashing yellow light means thatwe need to replace the batteries in the camera.” The phrase “manual labor 9” or“manual work” means physical work that is performed with one’s body or hands:

“People who perform manual labor need to eat more than people who work infront of a computer all day.” Something that is “manual” can also be somethingthat is done without using electricity or machines: “Have you ever driven a carwith manual steering 10?” Finally, doing something “manually” can mean doingsomething without automation or without the help of a computer: “Did you makethose calculations manually, or did you use a computer program?”

to focus

In this podcast, the verb “to focus” means to concentrate, or to put all of one’sattention into a particular thought, task, or action: “Lourdes works from home, butit’s hard for her to concentrate when her kids are playing and making a lot ofnoise in her office.” The verb “to focus” also means for a camera or binocularlens to make a picture sharper, making it easy for an object to be seen clearly:

“How can I make the camera focus on a distant object?” One’s eyes can also“focus” on an object: “If it’s hard for you to focus on the blackboard, you mightneed to start wearing glasses.” Finally, the verb “to focus” can mean to pointlight in a particular direction: “Could you please focus the flashlight on this pipewhile I try to fix it?”

CULTURE NOTE

In the United States, “driver’s licenses” (documents that give one legalpermission to drive) are “issued” (given out) by individual states, so therequirements “vary” (are different). However, “applicants 12” (people who want toget a driver’s license) always have to meet certain requirements.

For example, applicants usually have to be a “resident” (a person who officiallylives in a particular place) of that state and at least 16 years old. They need tobring “proof” (a document showing something is true) of their name, identity, andaddress. For example, they might need to bring a birth certificate, passport,“utility bill” (a bill for water, gas, or electricity mailed to one’s home), or otherdocuments.

Then, the applicant 11 needs take the written test. This test “covers” (includes)information in the state’s driver’s manual. Most of these tests are “computerbased”

(with one’s answers put into a computer), but they can also be paperbased.

The tests cover the rules of the road, such as speed limits, the need touse “turn signals” (flashing lights on a car letting others know when one isturning), and the need to stop at four-way “intersections” (where two roadsintersect or meet).

Once applicants “pass” (receive a good score or grade on) the written test, theyneed to take the driving test. Usually this test is taken in the applicant’s own car.

A person from the department of “motor vehicles” (cars and trucks) sits in the“passenger seat” (the other seat in the front of a car, not the driver’s seat) andtells the applicant where to drive and park. That person “observes” (watches)how well the applicant drives and determines whether the applicant drives safelyenough to be given a driver’s license.

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Comprehension Questions Correct Answers: 1 – c; 2 – a

COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT 13

Welcome to English as a Second Language Podcast number 663: HavingProblems Concentrating.

This is English as a Second Language Podcast episode 663. I’m your host, Dr.

Jeff McQuillan, coming to you from the Center for Educational Development inbeautiful Los Angeles, California.

If you go to our website at eslpod.com you can download a Learning Guide forthis episode that will help you improve your English. You can also take a look atour ESL Podcast Store, which has some additional courses in English, and ourESL Podcast Blog.

This episode is called “Having Problems Concentrating.” “To concentrate”

means to focus your attention on something. Let’s get started.

[start of dialogue]

Vagner: Aren’t you supposed to be studying for the driver’s test?

Liesl: I’m supposed to be, but I keep getting distracted. Reading this manual isdeadly.

Vagner: I know, but if you don’t study, you’ll never pass the test. Try to focus.

Liesl: I’ve tried to keep my mind on the rules of the road, but I’m having troubleconcentrating. My mind keeps wandering and I’m almost ready to throw in thetowel for today.

Vagner: No, you can’t do that. You have to buckle down and learn what’s in thismanual. I’m here to crack the whip.

Liesl: What’s in it for you? What do you care if I pass the driver’s test or not?

Vagner: You can ask me that? I’ve been chauffeuring 15 you around since I got mydriver’s license and I don’t plan on doing it for one second more than I have to.

Liesl: All right, all right, I’ll study, but not because you’re telling me to.

Vagner: Oh, yeah? Then why?

Liesl: I want to see the look on your face the first time Dad gives me the car keysinstead of you!

[end of dialogue]

Vagner begins our dialogue – he’s no relation to the composer – by asking Liesl,“Aren’t you supposed to be studying for the driver’s test?” He’s asking herwhether she should be studying for the “driver’s test.” This is the test that youmust pass in order to get a driver’s license in one of the states in the UnitedStates; it’s called the driver’s test. There are two parts: one is written, and one is,we call it, “behind the wheel,” meaning you actually have to go out and drive andshow that you know how to drive.

Liesl says, “I’m supposed to be (that is what I am supposed to be doing), but Ikeep getting distracted.” “To be distracted” means that you are not able to focus,you are not able to concentrate. You focus on this, and then suddenly you dosomething else, and then a minute later you are doing something different; you’renot focusing on one thing. You might also say that loud music, coming from yourneighbor for example, would be distracting. I know I find it distracting! Lieslsays, “Reading this manual is deadly.” A “manual,” in this dialogue, means asmall book that tells you how to do something. When you buy a new car itusually comes with a little book that tells you how to do all the different things youmight want to do with your car; that little book is called the manual (manual).

There are other meanings of that word, and those can only be found in ourLearning Guide. Well not only, but definitely in our Learning Guide!

Liesl says that reading this driver’s manual is “deadly.” This is a somewhatinformal phrase meaning really boring, very, very uninteresting, or veryunpleasant, something that isn’t nice. Literally 16, “deadly” is something that can killyou, but here it’s being used informally to mean something that is very boring.

Vagner says, “I know (I know it’s deadly), but if you don’t study, you’ll never passthe test,” you’ll never get a score on the test high enough to pass it to get yourlicense. He says, “Try to focus,” try to concentrate. “Focus” also has othermeanings, and they are also in this episode’s Learning Guide.

Liesl says, “I’ve tried to keep my mind on the rules of the road, but I’m havingtrouble concentrating.” “To keep your mind on (something)” is another way ofsaying to focus on something, to concentrate about one particular thing and nothave your mind think about other things. We might say to not have your “mindwander” (wander), to think about this, and then that, and then something else,and then, you know, the girl you saw at the store today, and then your mother-inlaw,and so on and so forth 14. What was I saying? Oh, concentration! So…let’s see…my mind keeps wandering, you see I keep thinking of other things. Thismorning I woke up, my throat hurt a little. I think it’s just allergies 17; I think it’s justsomething that’s temporary, but…uh…it’s made it difficult to concentrate.

Now, back to the dialogue: Liesl says, “I’ve tried to keep my mind on the rules ofthe road,” I’ve tried to focus or concentrate on the laws and regulations abouthow you are supposed to drive. Most countries have similar laws andregulations, but there are differences. We call these “the rules of the road.” Lieslsays that she’s having trouble concentrating. “My mind keeps wandering and I’malmost ready to throw in the towel for today.” We just explained what it means ifyour mind wanders. “To throw in the towel” is an old expression, still used,meaning to stop trying to do something. The phrasal verb here is “to give up,” tostop trying to do something usually because it’s difficult. “To throw in the towel”

is the expression.

Vagner says, “No, you can’t do that. You have to buckle down and learn what’sin this manual.” “To buckle (buckle) down” is another two-word phrasal verbmeaning to become very serious about trying to do something; to try to completesome job or some task, something that you need to finish without delaying,without stopping, without making excuses, saying oh, I can’t do that because ofthis reason or that reason. This is an expression we use when something isperhaps very difficult but we need to complete it, we need to finish the task.

Vagner says, “I’m here to crack the whip.” This is another expression, “to crack(crack) the whip (whip).” “To crack the whip” means to make someone else dosomething, to be very controlling about what the other person is doing, to tellthem to keep going, don’t stop. Usually, this expression is used to mean that theperson doesn’t want to do the task and so you, as their boss or parent orsupervisor, have to force them to do it. You have to crack the whip. A “whip” issomething that is used – it’s a long piece of leather, rope, or other material that’svery thin, and it is used to hit an animal. For example, you may whip an animalto get it to go faster – to walk faster. It was also used for slaves, human beingswho were property; they were also sometimes punished by being whipped.

Notice it is a verb and a noun.

Vagner is going to crack the whip; he’s going to make sure that Liesl studies.

Liesl says, “What’s in it for you?” The question “What is in it for you?” is aninformal way of asking what benefit or what advantage are you going to get out ofthis particular situation. Why are you interested; what is it that you are going toget? Liesl says, “What do you care (why is it important to you) if I pass thedriver’s test or not?” Vagner says, “You can ask me that?” He’s surprised thatLiesl is asking him this question. He says, “I’ve been chauffeuring you aroundsince I got my driver’s license.” “To chauffeur” (chauffeur) means to drive someone else from one place to another. If you have a lot of money, you mayhave a chauffeur; you don’t drive, this person drives you where you want to go.

We call that person a “chauffeur,” and the verb is “to chauffeur.” In this case,Vagner is saying that he has had to drive Liesl wherever she has wanted to gosince he got his driver’s license. So we’re guessing that Vagner is older thanLiesl. You can get a driver’s license legally in the United States in most stateswhen you are 16 years old, although in some states, such as California, it is arestricted license, meaning there are special rules that you have to follow untilyou are 18 years old, which is considered the age when you become an adultlegally.

Vagner says, “I don’t plan on doing it (meaning I don’t plan on chauffeuring you)for one second more than I have to.” This phrase is used to show that Vagner isvery eager, he really wants Liesl to get her license so he can stop having to beher chauffeur. Liesl says, “All right, all right, I’ll study, but not because you’retelling me to study.” Vagner says, “Oh, yeah? Then why?” She says, “I want tosee the look on your face the first time Dad gives me the car keys instead ofyou!” “The look” would be the expression on your face, the way your eyes andyour mouth and the rest of your face expresses a certain emotion. Liesl wants tosee the look on Vagner’s face the first time their father gives Liesl the keys to thecar rather than Vagner. In many families, the son or daughter, especially theteenage son or daughter, does not have their own car. There isn’t enoughmoney for that, so they have to borrow, or use the car that their parents own.

That’s what Liesl is referring to.

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

[start of dialogue]

Vagner: Aren’t you supposed to be studying for the driver’s test?

Liesl: I’m supposed to be, but I keep getting distracted. Reading this manual isdeadly.

Vagner: I know, but if you don’t study, you’ll never pass the test. Try to focus.

Liesl: I’ve tried to keep my mind on the rules of the road, but I’m having troubleconcentrating. My mind keeps wandering and I’m almost ready to throw in thetowel for today.

Vagner: No, you can’t do that. You have to buckle down and learn what’s in thismanual. I’m here to crack the whip.

Liesl: What’s in it for you? What do you care if I pass the driver’s test or not?

Vagner: You can ask me that? I’ve been chauffeuring you around since I got mydriver’s license and I don’t plan on doing it for one second more than I have to.

Liesl: All right, all right, I’ll study, but not because you’re telling me to.

Vagner: Oh, yeah? Then why?

Liesl: I want to see the look on your face the first time Dad gives me the car keysinstead of you!

[end of dialogue]

It’s easy to concentrate on our dialogues; they’re never deadly! That’s becausethey’re written by the wonderful Dr. Lucy Tse. Thank you Lucy.

From Los Angeles, California, thank you for listening. Come back and listen tous again on ESL Podcast.

English as a Second Language Podcast is written and produced by Dr. Lucy Tse,hosted by Dr. Jeff McQuillan, copyright 2011 by the Center for EducationalDevelopment.