节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-08-16
难易度:High
关键字:restock, inventory, domain, prescription
OK, I hope you all had a great break.
Welcome back.
Now don't ever think people living in the ancient world were not as business
savvy as we are today.
One man living in first century Egypt invented a vending machine that provided a
quick and convenient way to purchase holy water.
Today, vending machines let us buy almost everything imaginable.
Including holy water?
Well, let's find out as we finish up the reading over at the top of page 36.
(Music).
Quick, Convenient Vending Machines.
Everything you need.
Another change to the industry has been the increase in the variety and quality
of products available.
In what was once the domain of soft drinks and candy bars, customers can now
purchase foods like french fries, pizza and freshly baked pie.
Need a new soccer ball?
How about a cellphone, clothes or even some gold bars?
There are vending machines that sell them.
These days, vending machines are even used to distribute library books and
prescription medicines.
Vending machines don't offer the same service a clerk at a convenience store
does.
But as the machines continue to evolve, the variety and convenience they provide
are sure to keep them an important part of our daily lives.
(Music).
Friends, vending machines are very convenient for you to get a snack or a drink
or perhaps other things as well.
That's right.
And we're learning that they're not only more convenient for customers who can
buy them using cash, using change,
using credit cards, or even your fingerprints and retinal scans,
but also for businesses who can use information online about inventory and
maintenance needs.
So they no longer have to guess who should go and when they should go to the
vending machines.
OK. So they are more convenient for customers, more convenient for the
businesses that own them.
And they will eventually be more convenient for you no matter what you want to
buy.
That's right.
Now we usually think uh, vending machines selling you food or drink.
But maybe everything you need could be starting to be sold out of 24/7 vending
machines.
OK. Well, another change to the vending machine industry has been the increase
in the variety and quality of products that are available.
That's right.
We're going to talk about some of these strange products that you can buy out of
a vending machine.
Now Ryan, the first time I saw some very bizarre... maybe something I would not
think to see in a vending machine was in an airport.
Oh. And what did you see in that machine?
Technology, like iPods and different kinds of computer pieces.
Oh, very interesting. Now that's not like normal food and drink items at all.
And so this is one example of the increase in variety in vending machines.
Now in what was once the domain of soft drinks and candy bars, customers can now
purchase foods like french fries, pizza and freshly baked pie.
OK. So these are some great examples.
Now Kaylah said just a second ago, vending machines are the domain of fresh...
of drinks and snack foods.
And the "domain" of something is the area where you have control or that you are
in charge of.
That's right.
They used to be only for soft drinks, sodas, and snacks.
But now you can get french fries and pizza, and even pie.
But you know what? We're going even beyond food.
Vending machines have stepped outside of the food domain into other things as
well.
That's right.
Do you need a soccer ball?
I can't think of a reason why I would be walking down the street and suddenly
think: Oh, I need a soccer ball!
But now you can get one at a vending machine.
Well, Ryan, imagine you're at a park, and your soccer ball gets a hole in it.
You need a new one.
Go to the vending machine.
Oh, very convenient.
Well, how about a cellphone or clothes or even some gold bars?
Gold bars?
That's a strange thing to buy.
A gold bar is literally a bar of gold.
It's what we use to think of money.
Money is backed up by gold in these bar formats.
So if you're interested in getting gold, OK, go to the vending machine.
Yeah. Now Kaylah, cellphones are what you saw in the vending machine that you
were telling us about and you can also get clothes.
But gold bars are actually fairly popular to buy and sell these days because
they constantly change in how much they're worth.
So now instead of going to a store to do that, just go to a vending machine.
Well, there are vending machines that sell all of these things.
These days vending machines are even used to distribute library books and
prescription medicines.
OK. A "prescription" is a piece of paper that a doctor writes for... well, to
tell you what kind of medicine you should use.
Right, a prescription medicine a doctor has to tell you you need and tell the
pharmacy - the place you get the medicine - you need it.
You cannot get it for yourself.
But we have some more information about these strange vending machines.
So let's visit the Information Station.
It's a good thing that we have vending machines, Bill.
It sure is, Bryan.
The convenience of them does make life easier for many of us during our busy
workdays and also at night and on the weekends.
It seems like you can get anything these days from a vending machine as we
learned in this article.
But there are more interesting vending machines to learn about over at...
Information Station.
Vending machines are found everywhere in the world, Bill.
But it seems like Japan is the world of vending machines.
Well, it sure seems that way.
Do you know that in Japan, there is one vending machine for every 23 people?
That's a lot of vending machines.
Wow!
Our article says we can get clothes from vending machines; and in Japan, that
includes neckties, shoes and even underwear.
And if it's raining, an umbrella.
Or if you want to make someone smile, you can buy flowers from a vending
machine.
Of course, people mostly use vending machines for food or drinks.
And in Japan, you can buy eggs or freshly cooked fish.
And if you're really hungry for some seafood, how about fishing for your own
live lobster?
Special lobster vending machines in Japan may catch in your dinner again.
That doesn't sound like much fun for the poor lobsters.
They even have robot vending machines in Japan that move around on their own to
different locations.
But Japan isn't the only hot spot for cool vending machines.
In China, you can get hairy crabs from special vending machines in Beijing.
Hmm.
That sounds interesting.
Or how about a hot dog from some devices in Washington D.C.?
Need a bicycle?
Many cities in Europe offer bicycles to rent at unique bicycle vending machines.
It makes sense that Europe has great vending machines since London had the first
one way back in 1880.
It sold postcards.
Well, Bryan, it seems like we can get almost anything from vending machines.
It sure does, Bill.
Right now I'm going to see if I can find one of those lobster vending machines.
And we'll see all of you here next time at...
Information Station.
All right.
Vending machines don't offer the same service that a clerk or salesperson at a
convenience store does.
But as the machines continue to evolve, the variety and convenience they provide
are sure to keep them an important part of our daily lives.
And we will surely continue using them more and more.
Friends, let's go visit Ken and Bryan in the Chat Room.
Hey, Bryan, did you see they're opening a new convenient store near the library?
Yes, I did see that.
In light of all the convenience stores we have in this town, I'm surprised that
they're opening up a new one.
But in this case, I'll take it.
Wait a minute, did you say convenience store?
Yes, Ken.
How do you say it?
I always say convenient store.
Isn't "convenient" the adjective?
Yes. And "convenience" is the noun.
So why do we say convenience store and not "convenient" store?
Because a convenience store is a store that offers convenience.
But it wouldn't really be convenient unless you lived near it.
What do you mean?
Let's say you live on top of a barbershop.
Then the barbershop is a convenient barber shop for you.
So I can go get a haircut whenever I want?
You got it, Ken.
So can you give me a good example using the word convenience?
Sure.
Recently the library got a new elevator for the convenience of our disabled
patrons.
Ah, I see.
So I could say that the elevator is very convenient for disabled patrons.
Right.
Here's another example for you.
For your convenience, you are now allowed to check out books online.
Really! I can check out library books online?
You sure can.
Our new system is pretty convenient.
That's great.
I love it when things are so convenient.
And now I know how to use both words correctly.
Thanks, Bryan.
Anytime.
And by the way, Ken, do you know when that convenience store will have their
grand opening?
I think it'll open on September 1st.
Oh, good.
That's just a couple of weeks away.
I'm glad it's so close to the library.
Me too. It'll be a convenience store that's convenient for us.
You can say that again.
(Chinese).
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And I guess it's time for us to say goodbye.
I'll see you next time.
Bye-bye.
New innovations are making vending machines more profitable than ever.
Today machines let customers pay with change, bills, credit cards, text messages
and even fingerprints and retinal scans.
Vending machines connected to the Internet provide companies with real-time
information that make restocking and machine maintenance easier.
Finally, people have gotten very creative with what vending machines are
selling.
Almost anything imaginable.
OK, friends, make the rest of your Thursday great.
And then join us tomorrow when we ask "Glasses, Contacts or Surgery?" Takecare.