ESL Podcast 655 – Staying in a Vacation Rental

　　George: I’m kind of nervous staying in a vacation rental¹ for the first time.
Marnie: Don’t worry. Before I booked this unit, I checked it out thoroughly². It’s pet-friendly and kid-friendly, and it sleeps six, so it’ll be perfect for the whole family.
George: But there won’t be the same amenities³ or services as a hotel.
Marnie: We won’t need any of those. Just think, we’ll have the run of the place and there are no adjoining units. The proximity⁴ to town is great and I got a last-minute price that’s even lower than their low season rate.
George: Everything sounds good, but…
Marnie: It’ll be our home away from home. Units this close to the beach are scarce, and this one is really affordable⁵.
George: A little too affordable, if you ask me. You said that it’s just $60 a night?
Marnie: That’s right.
George: Are there any taxes or cleaning fees?
Marnie: I didn’t ask about that.
George: Do they require a refundable⁶ deposit?
Marnie: I didn’t check that either.
George: Then maybe it’s too good to be true. Before we get too excited, let’s go read the fine print.
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 rental   

n.租赁，出租，出租业

参考例句：

• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
• We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。

2 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

3 amenities   

n.令人愉快的事物；礼仪；礼节；便利设施；礼仪( amenity的名词复数 )；便利设施；（环境等的）舒适；（性情等的）愉快

参考例句：

• The campsite is close to all local amenities. 营地紧靠当地所有的便利设施。
• Parks and a theatre are just some of the town's local amenities. 公园和戏院只是市镇娱乐设施的一部分。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 proximity   

n.接近，邻近

参考例句：

• Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
• Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。

5 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

6 Refundable   

adj.可归还的，可退还的

参考例句：

• All deposits for holiday cottages are refundable. 度假别墅的抵押金可全数退还。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Empty bottles are not refundable. 空瓶不退。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》