地道美语听力播客:Working Late at the Office

地道美语听力播客English as a Second Language Podcast (ESLPod)，是一家位于美国加州洛杉矶的英语教育研究机构推出的英文听力会话，于2005年7月23日首播， 主播Dr. Jeff McQuillan为南加州大学的语言学博士， 现专注于外国语学生的英语学习研究。该播客在iTunes store播客的教育子分类中，与Grammar Girl Just Vocabulary常居前三甲.

I was so glad it was Friday afternoon. I've been thinking--TGIF--all day. I was on my way out of the office when I saw Nick sitting at his desk. Even though the office was nearly empty, he didn't look like he was ready to leave. In fact, he looked like he was still swamped¹ with work.

Linda: Hi, Nick. You're here late.

Nick: Yeah, it looks like this may be an all-nighter. I just got a project dumped in my lap.

Linda: You're kidding! On Friday afternoon? What happened?

Nick: Well, the person who was put in charge of this project went on maternity² leave this week and the person who was supposed to take it over just resigned.

Linda: I can't believe that. When is the deadline? I hope you're getting some extra help.

Nick: The project is due first thing Monday morning. And, with the lay-offs recently, I think I'm on my own on this one.

Linda: Why don't you bring me up to speed? Maybe I can help.

Nick: No, it's Friday. You look like you're about to head home. I can't ask you to do that.

Linda: I don't have any big plans for tonight. So, I'll tell you what. I'm having some trouble finishing the budget on my proposal and I know you're a whiz at numbers. Why don't I stay and help you with your project for the next few hours and you can give me a hand with my budget next week.

Nick: That's really nice of you. It would be a big relief. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed³ and I know you've done a project like this before. Okay, you've got a deal!

Linda: Good! Now, let's see what we've got.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 swamped   

泥沼状的

参考例句：

• The department was swamped with job applications. 面对纷至沓来的求职申请，这个部门疲于应对。
• Headquarters was swamped by an avalanche of applications for battle assignments. 请战书像雪片似地飞向指挥部。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 maternity   

n.母性，母道，妇产科病房；adj.孕妇的，母性的

参考例句：

• Women workers are entitled to maternity leave with full pay.女工产假期间工资照发。
• Trainee nurses have to work for some weeks in maternity.受训的护士必须在产科病房工作数周。

3 overwhelmed   

[ overwhelm ]的过去式

参考例句：

• She was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. 她感到愧疚难当。
• If (one was) overwhelmed by passion, it could lead to serious blunders. 当感情完全淹没理智时，就可能铸成大错。