Part 2 of Susie Speed, Advanced feature for March 25, 2008. (Full text below)

Susie Speed, Part 2 (Advanced feature for March 25, 2008. MP3 on www.teacherbill.com)

Susie: Live from Daytona International Raceway, I’m Susie Speed. What an exciting finish in today’s Daytona 500 race. Rookie sensation Barbecue Bill Archer was leading until the final lap, then had a terrible crash. Let’s talk to him!
Bill: Ohhhhh, uggghhhh, oh, my head, ohhhhhh.
Susie: Barbecue Bill, you were about to take the checkered flag—what happened?
Bill: Oh, Susie—oh, my head, oh my goodness. There I was, leading the race in my Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99, and then all of a sudden my tires came off down in turn 2.
Susie: We’ve never seen that before, Barbecue Bill, all four of your tires just came right off the car!
Bill: I know—I’ve never seen that before either. We were passing cars like they were a bunch of Soccer Dads out for a Sunday drive. Best car I ever had, till that last lap.
Susie: What caused the wheels to come off?
Bill: I think I was driving too fast.
Susie: Isn’t that the idea? To drive fast, and win the race?
Bill: Hmmm, you got a point there, little lady. But it’s a double-edged sword here at Daytona. If you drive too fast in the turns, well, maybe there’s too much pressure on the tires. Next thing you know, poof!, they’re gone! No tires! Tough to win with no tires.
Susie: Your car flipped over at least ten times during the wreck. How was that?
Bill: I’ll tell ya Susie, it sure wasn’t a lot of fun. I vicariously felt like a spaceman tumbling through the air. What day is today? Where am I?
Susie: Well, next week Bill is the Pittsburgh 400 race—will you be back?
Bill: You betcha! Like my daddy, I’m a chip off the old block. I’ll be back in the Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99, and be rarin’ to go! Where’s Pittsburgh?
Susie: That’s it from an exciting Daytona 500! For Advanced Sports Today, I’m Susie Speed!
Key Words
Soccer Dads-n-Fathers who drive their kids around to activities on the weekend.
Double-edged sword-adj. phrase-a thing or situation that has danger with both choices.
Poof-interjection-an exclamation of surprise.
Vicariously-adv-to feel like you are having the experience of another person.
Rarin' to go-v. phrase-ready to participate.

Susie Speed-Part 1. Advanced feature for March 24, 2008. (Full text below--many of you have seen this video, but without the text and key words)

Susie Speed-Part 1. Advanced feature for March 24, 2008

Susie: Welcome everyone to Advanced Sports Today! I'm Susie Speed, and we're coming to you live from Daytona International Raceway. Today is NASCAR's big race, the Daytona 500, and I'm talking to rookie sensation, Barbecue Bill Archer.
Bill: Well, hello there little lady, glad you could tag along with us today.
Susie: Bill, all the buzz is how fast you've been driving here this week!
Bill: Oh yeah, I've had a real lead-foot this week, driving the Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99.
Susie: You've had some heady speeds during qualifying, up over 200 miles per hour.What's the key to your success?
Bill: A good start, Susie! That's how you win races, and that's how we start our day! I just had a big breakfast with some of our car #99 sponsor's Sienicki Polish Sausage. Now I'm full of gas, and ready to go!
Susie: Full of gas, eh? Well, save it for the race, Barbecue Bill. Now, you come from a fine pedigree of race car drivers. Your family has a strong history here at Daytona, and now you're the up and coming star.
Bill: Well, my daddy, Dollar Bill Archer was able to win the Daytona 500 eleven times, so I'm gonna do my best today to take the checkered flag, and make my daddy proud!
Susie: You certainly are a chip off the old block, with your racing skills. You even drive the same car that your father did. Is the car ready for today?
Bill: You bet, Susie. The Sienicki Polish Sausage sponsored car #99 is so fast, well, I'll tell ya, it's a given that I'm gonna win today. No doubt!
Susie: Well you sure are confident Barbecue Bill. Good luck!
Bill: Thanks Susie! Gotta go!

Susie: We'll see you after the race! Live from Daytona, this is Susie Speed

KEY WORDS

Rookie-n-a beginner in a profession, first year participant.

Tag along-v. phrase-follow someone around.

Buzz-n-excitement, news of high interest.

Lead foot-adj. phrase-strong foot on the gas of a car, speedy.

Heady-adj.-big, high, impressive.

Pedigree-n-a select breed, a special group or family.

Up and coming-adj. phrase-a rising star, talented.

Checkered flag-n-victory, the black and white flag waved at the end of the race.

Chip off the old block-n. phrase-just like a parent, usually the father.

A given-n-an assumption that something is true or will be true.

Newsworthy Clips Feature for March 6, Airport Kiosks (full text below)

Newsworthy Clips Feature for March 6, Airport Kiosks

Bryan: Okay honey, let me call you back later—I need to check in. Hmmm, now where do I get my ticket?
Kiosk: Passengers check in here.
Bryan: Huh? Who was that?
Kiosk: I am your full service kiosk. Place your luggage on the scale for processing.
Bryan: A talking kiosk? Is anybody in there?
Kiosk: I am XJ695, your full service kiosk. I will help you zip through to the gate.
Bryan: Okay, Mr. XJ695. Here’s my luggage.
Kiosk: Bzzzzzz! Your luggage is overweight. Please insert $100.
Bryan: What! My luggage isn’t overweight—and I’m not giving you $100.
Kiosk: Please cooperate Mr. Passenger, or I will communicate with this hub’s security kiosk.
Bryan: Okay, okay, I don’t want to cause any problems. Here’s your $100.
Kiosk: Thank you Mr. Passenger. Here is your boarding pass (bzzzzz). You may now proceed to your gate.
Bryan: Tell me, XJ695, where can I get a cup of coffee while I wait for my flight?
Kiosk: Our human installer has just unveiled a Moonbucks caffeinated beverage kiosk near your gate. You may purchase refreshments there.
Bryan: A coffee kiosk? I don’t believe this! First you, then a security kiosk, then another kiosk for my coffee—do any people work here?
Kiosk: I’m unaware of that information, Mr. Passenger. I suggest you take your complaint over to the management kiosk. That unit will process you.
Bryan: A management kiosk!? Ugh—I don’t want to be processed any more. I’ll just go and get on my plane!
Kiosk: Be sure to be nice to the pilot kiosk as you board your flight. Have a nice day.
Key Words
Check in-v-get your ticket and boarding pass for a flight.
Kiosk-n-automated, self-standing machine or computer.
Zip through-v-to move very through something quickly.
Hub-n-a regional center for flight connections.
Unveiled-v-introduced, made available to the public.