Words & Phrases
[L81P1 & L81P2]

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Lesson [L81P1]

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Translation[L81P1]

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Lesson [L81P2]

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Translation[L81P2]

Index9

English USA
Lesson 81, Part 2

  音 L81P2J.MP3[717KB]

 

MARTIN:

Gordon, what did you do before you had power saws?

 

 

 

GORDON:

Before chain saws, we had hand saws. They were for two men. They did the trimming by hand too. This is faster.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

And noisier. These chain saws are very noisy.

 

 

 

GORDON:

Yes. It was much quieter in those days. I've always used a chain saw.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

How do you know which trees to cut, Gordon?

 

 

 

GORDON:

They're marked. The buyer goes through the woods and marks those trees he had bought. Then we go through and cut them.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

How many log cutters are there in this woods?

 

 

 

GORDON:

There are three of us.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Do you sometimes work together? I mean, do you sometimes work side by side?

 

 

 

GORDON:

Sometimes. One of us will cut the tree down, and then we trim the tree together. I usually like to work alone.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Why?

 

 

 

GORDON:

The other log cutters are my brothers. Sometimes we argue.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

What do you argue about?

 

 

 

GORDON:

Which way to make the tree fall. They usually work very fast. I like to study the trees. I like to plan.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

So you all work alone.

 

 

 

GORDON:

They work together. I work alone.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Who drives the tractor?

 

 

 

GORDON:

That's my nephew. Sometimes my son helps him. It's a family business.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Do you own the sawmill?

 

 

 

GORDON:

No, the sawmill is owned by a big company in California, I think. But we own the truck. The truck driver is my father.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Do you only work for this sawmill?

 

 

 

GORDON:

No. Sometimes we work for this sawmill, sometimes we work for another.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Is there enough work for you in this area?

 

 

 

GORDON:

We work in five different states. Usually we work in Kentucky, but not always. We like to work in Kentucky because it's close to our home.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Do you like your work?

 

 

 

GORDON:

I love it usually. I like to be outdoors. Too many people work indoors. It's not good for them. I like to work with my family.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Even when you argue?

 

 

 

GORDON:

Martin, do you have brothers and sisters?

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Yes.

 

 

 

GORDON:

Do you ever argue?

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Sometimes. I know what you mean.

 

 

 

GORDON:

I enjoy being in the woods. I love trees.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Even if you're killing them.

 

 

 

GORDON:

I like living trees. I like to see a beautiful piece of furniture too.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Are we cutting too many of our trees?

 

 

 

GORDON:

I think so. We used to cut much larger trees. Now we cut quite small ones.

 

 

 

MARTIN:

Do some companies plant new trees?

 

 

 

GORDON:

Yes, but it takes many, many years for a tree to grow. Would you like to trim this tree now?

 

 

 

MARTIN:

I'll try.

 

 

 

GORDON:

Then you can cut down the next one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GORDON:

That was well done. Do you want a job?

 

 

 

MARTIN:

I don't think so. That's very hard work.

 

 

English USA L81P2J
Courtesy of Voice of America