2012年ESL之日常生活 16 Essential and Optional Things（在线收听）

Essential and Optional Things 

Ella: It’s so exciting that you’ll be spending a month studying in McQuillanland this summer. When do you start packing? 

Marty: I’ve already started. The organizers of the program gave me a list of things I need to bring. 

Ella: That’s really helpful. 

Marty: Yeah. They say that it’s essential that I bring both warm- weather and cold-weather clothes. The weather in McQuillanland is really unpredictable. 

Ella: Oh, I didn’t know that. 

Marty: Yeah, and they say that it’s advisable that I bring medications for every malady I can think of because there are a lot of health dangers. 

Ella: Wow, I never knew that about McQuillanland. 

Marty: Me, neither. And while it’s optional, it’s also suggested that I leave all of my valuables at home. McQuillanland has a very high crime rate and visitors are often targeted. 

Ella: Geez, that’s a lot to take in. 

Marty: You’re telling me. And the list says that it is absolutely required that I take a self-defense course before going. You never know what to expect in McQuillanland. 

Ella: You’re not having second thoughts about going, are you? 

Marty: No, why? 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse