Cultural notes

In the U.S. there are probably more lawyers per capita than in any other country in the world. Americans go to lawyers to get divorced, to establish their wills, to sue others or to protect themselves from someone who is suing them, and to seek counsel in case of allegations of civil or criminal wrongdoing.

It is not unusual for a person to leave part or all of their estate to a long-lost or distant relative. Sometimes there are special conditions that must be satisfied before any money is paid, as we see in this dialogue.

However, for a deceased person to ask someone to relive her youth by traveling to the places she once lived does seem rather strange.

Acton

MR. YOUNG: Your Aunt Stephanie was a fine lady. She certainly thought a lot of you.

MR. YOUNG (Cont'd.): As you may know, she had no direct descendants, so she wanted to leave you the bulk of her estate.

YOU: I can't believe it. She didn't come home to visit very often.

MR. YOUNG: Well, it's right here in her will. You can claim your inheritance as soon as you meet the stated requirements.

YOU: What requirements?

MR. YOUNG: After immigrating to the U.S., your aunt fell in love with her adopted country. She was especially fond of Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco. She wanted you to visit some of the places that she enjoyed so much.

YOU: That seems easy enough. Anything else?

MR. YOUNG: Here are sealed envelopes with instructions about each place. When you arrive in Washington, for example, open that one. Then you'll know what to do.

YOU: This is all very strange.

MR. YOUNG: Yes, it's strange, but worth the trouble, I think. When you finish your "treasure hunt" and return to Atlanta, I'll give you your check.

NARRATOR: You leave the attorney's office and return to your hotel room. It's time to plan your odyssey through the U.S.

Lesson 11 «Renting an Apartment»

Vocabulary

$400 range (four hundred dollar)

The word "range" has two meanings: an appliance for cooking (sometimes called a "stove") and a "spectrum," mainly associated with numbers.

$450 (four hundred and fifty dollars)

$575 (five hundred seventy-five dollars)

1st. (abbr., "first")

In the U.S., the "first floor" of a building is actually the "ground floor" or that which is at street level. This is confusing to people from other countries who associate the first floor with a level higher than the street.

2nd. (abbr., "second")

ads (noun, pl.)

The word "ad" is a common abbreviation for "advertisement." The "classified ads" section of a newspaper is sometimes called the "Want Ads" section. When searching for an "apartment" or "house," you will find that the Sunday edition of a city's newspaper will be more helpful than that of any other day of the week.

another (adj.)

anyway (adv.)

apartment (noun)

In reference to apartments, you will select from one-room "studios," "one" or "two bedrooms" (or more). Other words associated with apartments include "kitchen" (or "kitchenette"), "dining room" (or "dining area"), "bathroom," "loft," "study," and "laundry."

classified (adj.)

You have seen the word "classified" associated with "ads" in a newspaper. Another meaning of "classified" has to do with information or documents that are kept secret from the scrutiny of the public (e.g., "The documents that you request are classified.").

close (adj.)

The opposite of "close" is "far."

complex (noun)

In relation to "apartments," "complex" describes a series of buildings that belong to the same "management company" or "owner." "Complex" is also the opposite of "simple" or "clear."

deposit (noun)

In relation to clothing and other department store items, one may leave a "deposit" on something and have it placed in the "lay-away" section of a store. This would allow a consumer to return to a store at a later date with the rest of the payment (used mainly to buy "sale items" that could go up in price at a later date).

electricity (noun)

furnished (adj.)

gas (noun)

"Gas" in relation to a house or an apartment refers to "natural gas." At a "gas station," "gas" refers to "gasoline."

goes for, it (to go for)

To say that something "goes for" a certain price is another way to say how much it costs. (E.g.: "These jeans go for fifty dollars.")

in luck (id. exp.)

included (adj.)

The opposite of "included" ("to include") is "excluded" ("to exclude").

left (past part., to leave)

Notice the construction "to have one left." "To have (something) left" means that a certain number or amount of things remains. ("I'd like a table in your restaurant. - Sorry, we don't have any left.") Do not confuse this "left" with the opposite of "right."

look through, you (to look through)

manager (noun)

over (adv.)

When you tell someone that you will be right "over," "over" takes on the meaning of "over there" or "there."

pool (noun)

realizing (pres. part.)

In this chapter's "Story" and "Action," there are several instances of "-ing" verb forms ("Realizing..."/ "I'm calling..."/ "Including..."). The Grammar section of this chapter will look at the formation of the present participle, or the "-ing" verbs.

rent (inf., to rent)

One can "rent" or "lease" an apartment. If you are buying an apartment, the word you'll want to use is "condo" or "condominium."

rent (noun)

Notice the construction "one month's rent." The "-'s" signals the possessive form in English. You should take this expression literally as "rent of one month."

rental (adj. used as noun)

rents, it (to rent)

shall (modal aux.)

short-term (adj.)

The opposite of "short-term" is "long-term."

swimming (pres. part. as adj.)

Another type of "swimming pool" is a "lap pool," designed for "exercise" and "swimming laps". You will often find public swimming pools in parks, or, if you are interested in better facilities, you can look into a "health club membership," or one at an "aquatics center" or "university natatorium."

than (conj.)

two-bedroom (adj.)

utilities (noun, pl.)

"Utilities" consist of "electricity" (or "lights"), "gas," "water," "phone," etc. If you are moving into an apartment, you may have to call many different companies to have your utilities "connected" (and you will receive monthly bills from each). The same utility company might also handle more than one service (such as gas and electricity).

why! (interj.)

Story

Realizing that you may have to stay in the U.S. for several months, you decide to look for an apartment. You hope to find a furnished, short-term rental. You look through the classified ads in the newspaper, then start calling.