【新闻多益】Podcast全民播起来！从入门三步骤学英文
【新闻多益】Podcast全民播起来！从入门三步骤学英文(示意图/shutterstock达志影像)
最近几年听播客（Podcast）的人数急速上升，podcast来自于iPod加上broadcast的单字组合。大家一定对这两个单字不陌生，iPod曾经红极一时，作为媲美Walkman的行动音乐播放器，在台湾造成一阵旋风，而broadcast则是英文字典里本来就有的单字，有广播的意思。
过去的娱乐方式不像现在这么多元，其中一个就是听广播节目，陪伴许多人度过漫漫长夜。如今播客结合了行动便利性和广播的功能，但不像广播的设备等限制较高，投入门槛并不高，造成许多素人播客人（Podcaster）纷纷投入播客的行列，今天就用英文来看看如何成为播客人的行列吧！
Step 1: Develop a podcast concept （第一步：发展一个播客观点）
Podcasts are as varied as the people that create them. There are excellent podcasts about history, pop-culture, neuroscience, and even a fictional town where aliens are friends with the Yeti.
（播客的内容五花八门，有些非常优秀的播客主题是有关于历史、流行文化、脑神经，甚至还有一个外星人和雪人是好友的虚构小镇。）
● varied (adj.) 繁多的
varied来自于动词vary，就是指选项繁多可做选择。这里用比较级as… as的用法很好用，a variety of则是表示种类繁多的片语，可翻成「各式各样」，后面接可数名词，而various则是另一个同义的形容词。大家可以视情况决定可以用哪个用法表达，也可以交叉使用表示语言的多样性。
● fictional (adj.) 虚构的
-nal字尾表示形容词，来自于形容词fiction，有「小说」的意思，因为小说大多是虚构的故事。fictitious和fictional也是一样有虚构的意思，不过两者用法有些不同，前者就是一般生活上形容假的、虚假的意思，而后者大多是描述文学艺术上的虚构的（故事、电影、电视节目）。
The only limit to what you can do with a podcast is your own imagination. Before we tackle questions about choosing a podcast name, format, and show length, let's consider some fundamental questions.
（唯一的限制你的播客发挥是你的想像力。在我们处理关于选择播客名称、模式、长度的问题之前，我们先来考虑一些基本的问题吧！）
● tackle (v.) 处理
这个单字就是deal with的意思，一般来说用越少的字、越精简的用法的力道越大，采用片语的表达在生活语言中常见，但比起单词来的力量没那么大，因此用tackle也比较正式。另外在运动用语里，大多在美式足球和曲棍球等运动活动里，tackle常用来表示擒拿拦截。
● fundamental (adj.) 基本的、主要的
foundation则是名词─基础，来自于圆形动词found，表达建立的意思。Found的三态规则变化是found-founded-founded，不是另一个动词find「找」的过去式喔，find是个不规则变化，find-found-found！这也曾经在多益考题出现过，因此大家绝对要搞清楚。
Step 2: Choose your podcast format （第二步：选择你的播客模式）
The important thing is to choose a format that fits what your podcast is about and is something you're comfortable with:
•If you love improv and banter, you’ll need to have a cohost.
•If you like having everything planned out and scripted, you might lean toward an audio drama.
（重点是选择一个符合你播客主题的模式，也是你感到舒适的模式。
•如果你喜欢事先规划和拟稿所有流程，你会比较适合广播剧的模式。）
● improv and banter 即兴创作和戏谑玩笑
improv即兴创作是一种特殊的表演模式，来自于动词improvize，表达随机应变的意思，也可以写成improvise。improvization是它名词变化，improvizational则是形容词变化。banter有戏谑玩笑的意思。improv and banter模式就像是两个主持人开开玩笑、聊聊天的模式。
● having everything planned out and scripted
这是一个使役动词的用法，have和get都是多益常见的用法，后面接的动词若是主动，就用原型（have）或to加原型（get）。这里是被动态的用法，两个动词的被动态都用过去分词，因此planned和scripted都加-ed。plan sth out代表缜密计划，而script有拟稿的意思，script当名词则表示台词。这里就是把节目内容都计划完整并拟好稿的意思。
Step 3: Podcast recording equipment and software （第三步：播客录音设备和软体）
Podcasts have a low barrier to entry; if you want to start a podcast, it's relatively easy to begin the process with little overhead or experience. You can start recording a podcast with just your iPhone and a pair of headphones. Remember, your content is the most crucial part.
（播客的投入门槛很低，如果你想要开始一个播客，只需要花费少少的费用和少许经验，过程相对简单。你可以使用你的苹果手机和耳机就开始录音。记住，你的内容才是最关键的部分。）
● barrier (n.) 障碍、阻碍
a low barrier to entry进入门槛低，entry就是enter的名词变化，直接将整句记住就可以表达这个意思。
● relatively (adv.) 相对地
这个副词有比较级的意思，后面加上形容词，如relatively low、relatively easy等用法很常见，注意后面的形容词不可以用比较级，直接用原型即可。
● overhead (n.) 企业日常开支或营运费用
多益考里面这个用法则多用在飞机上，overhead compartment指的是头顶上放行李的地方。
● crucial (adj.) 关键的
同义词像是essential、imperative、critical等，都可作为important的替代词。
【多益模拟试题】
Dear Mrs. Leonard,
In response to your request for information on this year’s Scientific Society’s Convention, I am pleased to confirm that the event will run over the weekend of the 30th and 31st of July. The venue is unchanged from last year, The Chesney Conference Center; however, we will be hosting some additional seminars in the adjoining facility, The Chesney Parks Hall.
This year, there will be an additional administration fee of $5 per person on top of the $5 entrance fee, which gives you complete access to all the venues, facilities and events. Donations are also encouraged - the Science Society is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of science and to promoting discussion within and beyond the scientific community.
Parking spaces will be at a premium, therefore I strongly advise you to book in advance should you wish to travel by car. There is a fee of $5 per parking space. It is not recommended that you travel by car unless you have booked a space in advance, as you may be turned away at the gates of the complex. Alternatively, you may wish to take the complimentary shuttle bus which departs from the Hayton Hotel in the city center on the hour, every hour between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on both days.
We look forward to greeting you in person at the event.
Yours sincerely,
James Shaw
1. What is James Shaw's main reason for writing this letter?
(A) To notify Mrs. Leonard of the upcoming convention.
(B) To provide Mrs. Leonard with the information she requested.
(C) To encourage Mrs. Leonard to attend the convention.
(D) To provide Mrs. Leonard with details on how to get to the convention.
2. How much does it cost to attend the convention if you want parking?
(A) Nothing, though donations are welcome.
(B) $5 per person.
(C) $10 in total.
(D) $15 in total.
3. What travel advice is given?
(A) Those attending the conference are strongly advised not to travel by car.
(B) Anyone wishing to travel by car should book a parking space in advance.
(C) Anyone who arrives in a car will be turned away at the gates.
(D) The complimentary bus shuttle should be booked in advance.
解析：
1. 正解为(B)。问的是「请问James Shaw写这封信的主要目的是什么？」因为文中James提到「In response to your request for information on this year’s Scientific Society’s Convention, I am pleased to confirm that the event will run over the weekend of the 30th and 31st of July.（为了回应你请求今年科学协会会议的相关资讯，我很开心可以和你确认这次会议将会在七月30、31日举行。）」因此可以推测James写信目的就是提供对方所需求的资讯。这题若对于信件基本结构有概念的话可以很快掌握，通常信件开头就会立即说出写信目的，因此看到这样的题目，直觉就是从开头两三句寻找即可。
2. 正解为(D)。第二题问说「若需要停车的话，参加会议共需花多少钱？」一开始提到「there will be an additional administration fee of $5 per person on top of the $5 entrance fee（除了入场卷5元外，还需支付额外的5元）」，这样就是共10元。而在后面第三段作者又提到「There is a fee of $5 per parking space.（若要停车需要支付5元停车场费）」，如此一来，前后加起来共15元。这题需要连贯前后不同段路的资讯来判断。
3. 正解为(B)。第三题问说「作者给予怎样的旅游建议呢？」旅游建议就必须要看第三段「I strongly advise you to book in advance should you wish to travel by car.（万一你希望开车来，我强烈建议你预先订车位。）」因此答案选(B)。