Amir已经在美国生活了几年，在考虑入籍成为美国公民。他找朋友Susan, 打听入籍的手续。
Professor: That's right, Winnie. Becoming an American citizen takes a lot of work.
嗯，我也听说要入籍，成为citizen - 公民，要作一番准备工作。希望Susan能给Amir一些好的建议。
Susan: Hi Amir, how are you? I haven't seen you lately.
Amir: Hi Susan. I've been very busy lately applying to become a US citizen. It's a lot of work!
Susan: Wow, it must be very complicated. Is everything going smoothly?
Amir: Yeah, but there is so much paperwork to do.
"Paperwork"，就是“文书工作”，也就是填表格、写文件、做档案等事情。Amir说，在申请入籍的时候，要做很多paperwok， professor, 在表达这个意思的时候，应该说do paperwork还是 fill out paperwork 呢？
Professor: You can use either verb, Winnie. They mean the same thing.
原来如此。对了，Susan 问 Amir "is everything going smoothly?"，就是问“一切进展顺利么？” 对不对？
Professor: Exactly. For example, you could say that "Class didn't go smoothly because I did not do my homework the night before."
Susan: Why have you decided to become a US citizen?
Amir: My wife is American, and we chose to settle here in America.
Susan: Are you going to give up your Iranian citizenship?
Amir: Yes. It's too bad that Iran doesn't recognize dual citizenship.
原来，Amir的太太是美国人，所以他们决定"settle here in America" - 在美国定居。
Professor: Amir also says that he has to give up his Iranian citizenship because Iran doesn't recognize dual citizenship.
Dual, d-u-a-l, dual 是“双重”的意思。所以dual citizenship就是有双重国籍。Amir不得不放弃他的伊朗国籍，因为伊朗不承认双重国籍。
Susan: What is your immigration status right now?
Amir: Right now I am a permanent resident with a green card.
Susan: I see. How long will it take to become a citizen?
Amir: I'm not sure. Right now I am still finding all the documents I need. I will probably file my application next month.
Susan问Amir现在的immigration status - 移民身份，Amir说，他有green card - 绿卡，是permanent resident--美国永久居民。
Professor: That's right. How long will it take for Amir to become a citizen?
他也不知道。他说，目前他还在准备申请入籍所需的documents - 文档材料。不过，我听说，移民申请有时很慢，要等很久才能从政府那里得到答复。
Professor: Yes, it can take a long time. And when is he going to file his application?
Amir说，他可能下个月就会file his application - 提交他的申请材料。
Susan: You know, Amir, applying for citizenship is very complicated. You should talk to an immigration lawyer.
Amir: I don't know. That would probably cost a lot of money.
Susan: Yes, but if there are problems processing your application, the lawyer can help you.
Amir: Yeah, you're right. I don't want to take any chances. I'll talk to an immigration lawyer.
Susan建议Amir雇一个immigration lawyer - 移民律师，这样，如果申请过程中出现问题，律师可以帮他解决。对了，Professor, Amir说 he "doesn't want to take any chances",这是什么意思?
Professor: Winnie, when you take a chance, you do something dangerous or risky.
我明白了，take a chance就是“冒险”的意思。 Amir虽然有点心疼律师费，但不想take any chances - 拿自己的申请冒险。希望everything will go smoothly，Amir能尽快入籍。
Professor: Let's listen next time to see what happens!
这次的美语三级跳就播送到这里。