来自世界不同地方的六位学生在美国相遇。他们都是交换学生，到美国大学就读一个学期，学习英语，了解美国文化，同时修专业课程。英语“日常会话” (Everyday Conversations)系列围绕这六位学生在美国的经历展开。这套材料适于中级或中级以上英语水平的学生使用。
一个学生（Lee）带着同学（Jana）去看一辆电动小轿车。他们谈到电动车及其对环境的益处。
Jana: Lee, I have a class soon on the other side of campus. Why did you drag me all the way over here to the parking lot of one of the environmental science buildings?
Lee: It won’t take long, and you’re gonna love it. Close your eyes. Ready? Check it out!
Jana: Is that what I think it is? For real?
Lee: Yup. Isn’t it great? The best electric car on the market! Energy efficiency and beautiful engineering in one car. I thought you’d appreciate that.
Jana: I totally do. I’d love to have one. But why does your class have this car here?
Lee: Well, energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to combat climate change, right? But that alone doesn’t seem to get people’s attention. Even though energy efficiency reduces energy costs, people still need a little nudge to start making changes.
Jana: I think this car will get people’s attention.
Lee: Exactly. Our entire department is holding an event to get people more interested in ways to be more energy efficient. And an alum donated the car as a raffle prize!
Jana: When is that event? I’m definitely going to come and buy a raffle ticket!
让我们来学习一些词语（也可阅读英文解释）：
To drag someone somewhere：拉着某个(不情愿的）人去某处
Gonna：是 going to 在英语口语中的非正式说法
For real：是非正式的英语口语，意思是“当真”
An electric car：以电力为动力的车，电源来自可充电电池或其他蓄电装置
Energy efficiency：能效
Climate change：气候变化
A nudge：（鼓励去做某事的）轻推
Alum：校友，毕业生，是alumnus（男校友/毕业生）或 alumna（女校友/毕业生）的简写或统称
A raffle：有奖销售，抽签活动，通常为慈善目的
有兴趣听更多英语对话吗？请浏览“英语学习”专题网页。
American English 网站提供可供英语学生和教师免费使用的多种英语资源。American English Facebook网页提供每天更新的英语学习资料。
“日常会话”由美国国务院教育与文化事务局英语语言项目处（Office of English Language Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs）资深项目官员海蒂·豪兰（Heidi Howland）编写。
