Want to experience an exciting way to shop? Go to an auction in this episode and learn the English you’ll need to buy that Monet you’ve always wanted.
Slow dialogue: 1:14
Explanations: 3:09
Fast dialogue: 17:11
Diane: This is so exciting! I’ve never been to an auction before.
Martin: Sit down. It’s about to start. The auctioneer is on the podium with her gavel and she’s ready to start the bidding.
Diane: Are you bidding on the first lot?
Martin: No, the reserve is too high. See? The opening bid is over 10,000 dollars. I’m not surprised. Items of that quality don’t appear on the auction block very often.
Diane: What are those people doing on the phone?
Martin: They are bidding on behalf of people who can’t be here, the absentee bidders. Hey, stop waving that paddle around! The auctioneer is going to think that you’re placing a bid.
Diane: Oh, sorry. Listen, the price is up to 30,500 dollars. Going, going, gone! The auction house is going to make a nice commission on that one. This is so much fun!
Martin: Shhh! I’m going to bid on the next lot. Where is the paddle?
Diane: The paddle?
Martin: Yeah, the paddle. Where did you put it?
Diane: I had it just a minute ago.
Martin: Find it, or else I’m putting your head on the block.
Diane: The auction block?
Martin: No, the chopping block!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse