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。
在这个对话中，三个大学宿舍室友（(Lee, Peter and Ajay)谈到手机等电器即使在关机时也会耗电。
Lee: How many times do I have to tell you guys? Unplug the power strips at night if they’re not being used!
Peter: It’s not a big deal. The video game and TV were both turned off. Lee: But there’s phantom usage.
Ajay: Phantom? Like a ghost? A ghost is playing video games while we’re asleep. Hey, that’s kind of cool.
Lee: Funny. It means that it uses energy even when the device isn’t being used. The less energy we use, the fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Peter: You’re all about saving the planet from climate change.
Lee: Someone has to care. But if that isn’t enough of an incentive for you, think about the lower electric bill each month. Less money spent on electricity, more money to spend on video games.
让我们来学习一些词语（也可阅读英文解释）：
A power strip：多孔电源插座
Phantom usage：暗消耗，无形消耗，即在电器关机状态中的电源消耗。 “Phantom load” ，虚负载，指电器在关机状态的电负荷。
A device：装置，装备
Greenhouse gas emissions: 温室气体排放（尤其包括导致地球表面温度升高的二氧化碳等气体）
Climate change：气候变化
An incentive：鼓励刺激措施
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。
