Episode 0057
Summary
The audio depicts a frustrating day in an office for Carl. He initially attempts to use a copier, only to find it out of toner. His colleague, Maxine, suggests he use an upstairs copier and asks him to fax something on his way. However, the elevator is out of order, forcing him to take 15 flights of stairs. Upon reaching the upstairs copier, it also breaks down, leading to an outburst of extreme frustration from Carl.
Transcript (Click timestamp to jump)
Hey, Carl. Can you make a copy of this contract for me, please, and when you have it ready, send it out ASAP to our sub-branch.
Sure.
I think I broke this thing.
Maxine, can you help me out here? I'm not really a tech guy.
Yeah, sure. I think it's just out of toner. You can go use the other one upstairs.
On your way up, can you fax this while I try and fix this thing?
Sure.
Dammit! Everything in this office seems to be breaking down.
I'll send the stupid fax later.
Oh great! Is someone playing a practical joke on me? This is ridiculous!
The elevator has some sort of malfunction. Just take the stairs, dude.
What floor are you going to?
I have to go up 15 floors!
Never mind.
Made it.
There's a copier.
No!
Summary
This audio is an EnglishPod lesson discussing common office equipment malfunctions. Hosts Marco and Erica introduce vocabulary like 'photocopier', 'toner', and 'malfunction'. A short dialogue is presented twice, featuring Carl, who struggles with a broken photocopier (out of toner), a broken fax machine, and a malfunctioning elevator, leading to extreme frustration. Maxine helps Carl with the copier issue. The lesson then dives deeper into the vocabulary, explaining 'ASAP' (as soon as possible), 'practical joke' with an example, and 'never mind' with examples. It concludes by exploring the phrase 'break down' and its variations ('break up', 'break in', 'break out'), emphasizing how prepositions change meaning. Marco also shares a personal connection to copy machines as his uncles are copy technicians. The hosts encourage listeners to share their own office malfunction stories.
Transcript (Click timestamp to jump)
Hello English learners, welcome back to EnglishPod.
My name is Marco.
And I'm Erica.
And today we're back in the office. We have a lesson that's talking about something that goes wrong in the office.
Yes, something that I can really understand well, but we'll talk about that later.
So this lesson is about a photocopier.
A photocopier. So, let's take a look at this word in vocabulary preview.
Vocabulary preview.
Alright, so a photocopier makes copies.
Yeah, it makes copies of documents.
We often call it a copier, or a copy machine.
Yeah, so you can call it a photocopier, copy machine, or copier.
Or Xerox machine as well.
Xerox machine, yeah. We can talk about that a little bit later because that's an interesting story.
Okay.
Alright, let's take a look at our next word.
Toner.
Toner.
Toner.
Toner.
So toner is what the copy machine uses to make copies.
It's like the the ink.
Right.
Uh, it's a very fine black powder.
Oh.
Yeah, yeah.
So it's not an ink.
No, it's actually dry.
Okay.
Yeah, yeah, it's uh, it's dry, it's, it's a powder, so you don't want to get that all over you.
Right?
Well, good advice, Marco.
And and our last word in vocabulary preview: malfunction.
Malfunction.
Malfunction.
Malfunction.
Let's break down this word.
Alright.
Function.
To work.
Uh-huh.
Alright.
Mal.
I guess Mal maybe comes from Latin or something, 'cause in Spanish we say 'mal', which is something evil or not good.
I guess Mal maybe comes from Latin or something, 'cause in Spanish we say 'mal' (bad/evil), which is something evil or not good.
Okay, so I think we can understand malfunction is not good working.
Right?
Yeah.
Um, okay, more or less it's not working properly.
Not working properly, right.
Okay, well, why don't we listen to the dialogue and find out what isn't working properly.
Hey, Carl, can you make a copy of this contract for me, please? And when you have it ready, send it out ASAP to our sub-branch.
Sure.
Um, I think I broke this thing.
Maxine, can you help me out here? I'm not really a tech guy.
Yeah, sure. I think it's just out of toner.
You can go use the other one upstairs.
On your way up, can you fax this while I try and fix this thing?
Sure.
Damn it. Everything in this office seems to be breaking down.
I'll send this stupid fax later.
Oh, great. Is someone playing a practical joke on me? This is ridiculous.
The elevator has some sort of malfunction.
Just take the stairs, dude.
What floor are you going to?
I have to go up 15 floors!
Never mind.
Made it.
There's a copier.
No!
Okay, so this copy machine is definitely not working properly.
A serious malfunction.
A serious malfunction, I think the whole building exploded.
Alright, very dramatic here at EnglishPod, but we have fun, right?
Exactly.
Okay, let's take a look at some of the great language that we saw in language takeaway.
Language takeaway.
Alright, three words for you here in language takeaway, and we heard all of these in the dialogue.
Mhm.
So this guy needs to get a copy ASAP.
ASAP.
ASAP.
Or ASAP.
Yes.
Meaning as soon as possible.
So really, really fast.
Really fast.
Yep, this is a very, very common phrase.
Right?
So, it's an acronym, and you can say it like 'ASAP'.
Or 'ASAP'.
ASAP.
Exactly.
Yeah, usually people say like that because it's too long, I guess, to say 'as soon as possible'.
So, hey, I need this document ASAP.
Yes.
Or ASAP.
Exactly.
Okay, let's look at our next word.
A practical joke.
Practical joke.
Practical joke.
Practical joke.
Okay, so a practical joke. I'm sure we have all played a practical joke on some of our friends, right?
Yes.
Basically, what you do is you do something funny on purpose to someone.
Yeah, um, but something crazy.
Crazy, right?
For example, when I was in university, uh, there was this guy in our in our building, and we took all of his bedroom furniture, so his bed, his desk, everything, and put it down on the football field.
Nice.
Yeah, that was a practical joke.
That is a very good and elaborate practical joke.
Okay, so practical joke, do something crazy or funny to your friends.
Mhm.
Okay.
And now let's look at our last word.
Never mind.
Never mind.
Never mind.
Never mind.
Okay, so if you say never mind, it means
Don't worry about it.
Don't worry about it.
Forget it.
Forget it.
Yeah. Never mind.
Yep. Yeah, this is a, you know, this is so common and I think it would be helpful to understand how it's used.
So let's hear some examples.
Example one.
Someone stole my wallet.
Oh, wait, never mind. Here it is.
Example two.
Can you get some milk on your way home?
Oh, never mind, we still have some.
Example three.
The printer's broken.
Never mind. I'll do this later.
Okay, great examples and I think our language takeaway is clear.
So why don't we listen to our dialogue for the second time, and then we'll come back and talk about putting it together.
Hey, Carl, can you make a copy of this contract for me, please? And when you have it ready, send it out ASAP to our sub-branch.
Sure.
Um, I think I broke this thing.
Maxine, can you help me out here? I'm not really a tech guy.
Yeah, sure. I think it's just out of toner.
You can go use the other one upstairs.
On your way up, can you fax this while I try and fix this thing?
Sure.
Damn it. Everything in this office seems to be breaking down.
I'll send this stupid fax later.
Oh, great. Is someone playing a practical joke on me? This is ridiculous.
The elevator has some sort of malfunction. Just take the stairs, dude.
What floor are you going to?
I have to go up 15 floors!
Never mind.
Made it.
There's a copier.
No!
In this dialogue, there's some great language that can be used in many different patterns or in many different ways.
So, in today's putting it together, we're going to show you how to use three of these patterns.
Putting it together.
Okay, the first pattern that we can look at is 'out of toner'.
Out of toner.
Right.
So, we already talked about toner.
Yep.
Let's talk about 'out of'.
Okay.
So, when you are out of, you, you have none.
Right.
So let's change it a little bit.
So I can say I am out of milk.
Uh-huh.
Um, I'm out of time.
Out of time, right?
Uh, if you're driving, I'm out of gas or gasoline.
Yeah.
So out of plus noun.
Mhm.
Perfect, it means you don't have none.
You don't have none.
EnglishPod.com.
EnglishPod.com.
You ain't got none.
Youbonics.com.
Alright, out of time.
Let's take a look at our second one.
On your way up.
Yeah, on your way up.
On your way, right?
Mhm.
So, this is a great way when you are talking to someone and they're going somewhere.
Yes.
Right? So, on your way up,
Can you bring this to HR?
Okay.
On your way to the store,
Can you mail this letter?
Mhm. Or maybe on your way home,
Can you buy me some flowers?
Nice. Alright, so
on your way, it means
It means while you are going there.
Right.
Yeah, taking advantage of the fact that you are going somewhere.
Yes.
Okay.
Now let's take a look at our last one, and this is a really great phrase.
Break down.
Break down.
In our dialogue we heard breaking down.
Yes.
Right? Everything in the office seems to be breaking down.
Right.
So when something breaks down,
It stops working.
It stops working, exactly.
So, we can change it a little bit, what happens if we say break up?
Ooh, boyfriend and girlfriends.
They end their relationship.
Okay, so there, we can maybe think about it as their relationship stops working.
Oh, nice one.
Right?
Okay. What about break in?
Mm, enter a place using force.
Right, you, you enter a house that's not yours.
Yeah, so if you break into a house, maybe you break the window and climb in.
Okay.
What about break out?
The opposite.
Right.
So, for example, you might break out of jail.
Break out of prison.
Mhm. So, this is a great phrase. You can change the, you can change the last word from break down, break up, break in.
And it means different things.
Yeah, so use different prepositions for different meanings.
Perfect.
Mhm.
Okay, so now let's listen to our dialogue for the last time, and then Erica and I will be back and talk a little bit more about malfunctioning office supplies.
Hey, Carl, can you make a copy of this contract for me, please? And when you have it ready, send it out ASAP to our sub-branch.
Sure.
Um, I think I broke this thing.
Maxine, can you help me out here? I'm not really a tech guy.
Yeah, sure. I think it's just out of toner.
You can go use the other one upstairs.
On your way up, can you fax this while I try and fix this thing?
Sure.
Damn it. Everything in this office seems to be breaking down.
I'll send this stupid fax later.
Oh, great. Is someone playing a practical joke on me? This is ridiculous.
The elevator has some sort of malfunction. Just take the stairs, dude.
What floor are you going to?
I have to go up 15 floors!
Never mind.
Made it.
There's a copier.
No!
Alright, so Erica, everything that you touch that's electronic seems to malfunction, right?
This is absolutely true.
I don't know what it is, but, you know what, if if I turn on a computer, it will suddenly get a virus.
And I, even if I'm very careful, it still breaks.
Right. Yeah, it happens sometimes. I can relate to that.
Um, but you are much, um, better at computers and technology than I am.
Well, I really, really like them, and well, I guess even I know a little bit about copy machines or copiers because my uncles are, um, like copy technicians.
Really?
Yeah, so, um, you know, they fix copiers that broke down, or they replace toner, and, uh, you know, they, they do all that stuff, so that's why I know a little bit about it.
But actually the original term is a Xerox machine.
Yes, why is that?
From the brand, right?
Ah, right.
There's a brand called Xerox, and Xerox invented and patented this technology of making copies.
Alright, well then the next time my photocopier explodes,
I'll call you.
I'll call my uncles, right?
Okay.
Alright, and, well, let us know how things in your office break down, or if you have any stories of like Erica that breaks everything she touches.
Yes, it's true.
Alright, so, come to our website, come to our comments section, and leave your opinions and we'll be there to also answer any doubts or questions you might have.
That's right. You can find us at EnglishPod.com.
And Marco and I are always around.
Alright, so we'll see you guys there.
Yeah, we will.
Okay guys, thanks for listening and until next time.
Bye.
Goodbye.
Summary
This audio is an English vocabulary and phrase learning exercise. It consists of three main parts: first, a speaker introduces a definition and another speaker provides the corresponding vocabulary word. This sequence is then repeated at a faster pace. Finally, the vocabulary words are presented again, followed by sentences demonstrating their usage in context.
Transcript (Click timestamp to jump)
The English Pod audio review.
Listen to the meaning, then say the vocabulary word.
As soon as possible.
ASAP.
Technology.
Tech.
Ink used in a printer or photocopier.
Toner.
While moving from one place to another.
On someone's way.
Suddenly stop working.
Break down.
Forget the last thing I said, don't worry about it.
Never mind.
A joke where something is done rather than said.
Practical joke.
Very unreasonable or silly.
Ridiculous.
A problem causing a thing to stop working properly.
Malfunction.
A technical problem that causes a computer or system to not work properly.
Bug.
Tools used in an office.
Office equipment.
Paper getting stuck in a photocopier, fax machine or printer.
A paper jam.
Break or harm something, make something not work properly or not look perfect.
Damage.
Power surge.
The act of a machine suddenly not working properly.
Breakdown.
Let's try that faster.
As soon as possible.
ASAP.
A technical problem that causes a computer or system to not work properly.
Bug.
Very unreasonable or silly.
Ridiculous.
A problem causing a thing to stop working properly.
Malfunction.
Suddenly stop working.
Break down.
While moving from one place to another.
On someone's way.
Forget the last thing I said, don't worry about it.
Never mind.
Technology.
Tech.
Tools used in an office.
Office equipment.
A joke where something is done rather than said.
Practical joke.
Break or harm something, make something not work properly or not look perfect.
Damage.
Ink used in a printer or photocopier.
Toner.
Paper getting stuck in a photocopier, fax machine or printer.
A paper jam.
Power surge.
The act of a machine suddenly not working properly.
Breakdown.
Now say the word and hear it in a sentence.
ASAP.
Please call this client ASAP.
ASAP.
I asked you to do this ASAP. Why is it not finish?
ASAP.
Do you need this ASAP?
Never mind.
Someone stole my wallet. Oh, wait, never mind. Here it is.
Never mind.
Can you get some milk on your way home? Oh, never mind, we still have some.
Never mind.
The printer's broken? Never mind. I'll do this later.
Malfunction.
Some sort of bug is causing the system to malfunction.
Malfunction.
There was some type of malfunction with the television.
Malfunction.
Call me if the computer starts to malfunction.
I'll get dinner on my way home.
Can you bring me my phone on your way up?
Don't worry, I'm not on my way out yet. I'll leave at 9 o'clock.
Breakdown.
My car broke down last night.
Breakdown.
I promise, your computer won't break down.
Breakdown.
Did you hear that? I think the printer broke down again.