随身英语
Are Chores 'Forced Labour'? 做家务是卖苦力吗?
英语学习点: Household Tasks 家务事
An 11-year-old boy from Germany has caused a domestic incident by claiming he's the victim of forced labour because his mother asks him to do the chores.
The youngster even called a police emergency line to complain he was being treated like a slave after his mother told him to clean the home and terrace.
Household tasks such as washing up, dusting and hoovering are mundane for all but the tidiest amongst us. But this young boy's actions have made it clear just how much he hates housework.
Police say the youth from Aachen, who has not been identified, spoke to an officer on the 110 number. Clearly unwilling to carry out dull and soul-destroying jobs, he said: "I have to work all day long. I haven't any free time."
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His mum replied: "He plays all day long and when told to tidy up what he's done, he calls it forced labour." She also revealed that he'd been threatening to call them having repeatedly complained about having to lend a helping hand around the house during the summer holidays.
Lots of kids are reluctant to muck in when it comes to cleaning, but how can they be motivated so parents don't end up working their fingers to the bone? Perhaps pocket money is a good incentive. A financial reward is often a good way to get people to put a bit of elbow grease into their jobs.
Or maybe if he understood the true meaning of 'forced labour' he'd stop complaining about being treated like a skivvy!
Glossary 词汇表 (收听发音, 请单击英语单词)
- a domestic incident一个家庭事件
- forced labour强迫劳动
- chores家务琐事
- slave奴隶
- terrace 露台
- household tasks 家务事
- washing up 洗碗
- dusting 擦灰
- hoovering 吸尘
- mundane 世俗的,平凡的
- housework 家务劳动
- dull 没劲的、无聊的
- soul-destroying 枯燥乏味的,杀伤灵魂的
- to tidy up 收拾干净
- to lend a helping hand 帮忙
- to muck in 一起出力,干活
- working their fingers to the bone 拼命干活
- pocket money 零花钱
- elbow grease 干活的力气
- skivvy 佣人、仆人