中级课程第02单元第06课时
中级课程» 第2 单元» 第6 课时» 活动中心
1 Introduction & Vocabulary — Let's Watch 
Wizard: Wow! This new magic wand really works! Ha. Ha.
Oh, hello. Welcome back to the show. In today's episode, you will learn how to use information services like
the library or the Internet and the words can and could.
These words are used to express ability, can in the present tense now, could in the past tense before.
Let me demonstrate. With my new magic wand I can go from here - to here.
And back to here! Before I had this wand, I could not do that.
But back to the story. Karina and Victor found out they couldn't rent an apartment because the landlord doesn't
like children. But this is against the law.
I love this wand!
In today's episode we will find out how they get information they need to fight a manager who is breaking the
law.
Let's watch.
2 attorney
a lawyer; a person who takes care of legal problems
3 case
a valid reason to go to court
4 fair
just; right; truthful
5 library
a public building with books, computers, and information resources
6 break the law
to do something illegal or against the law
7 contact
to communicate with; get in touch with
8 phone book
a book that contains telephone numbers for people, businesses, and agencies
9 suggest
to recommend something; to give advice
10 Story Start Up — Getting Ready
Karina and Victor found a perfect apartment. When they told the manager they have a son, he said the
apartment wasn't available. Friendly neighbors tell the Pushkins the manager is breaking the law. They suggest
going to a lawyer to fight.
Karina and Victor meet with an attorney, but they can't afford to hire him. Then they talk to a police officer and
he suggests they contact HUD - the Housing and Urban Development office. He tells them they can get
information about HUD at a library.
While you watch the video, listen for the answer to this question:
How much money does Herman Hedley want to charge the Pushkins to help them with their case?
11 Story Start Up — Let's Watch
Karina: What can we do?
Sofia: You can fight them.
Karina: We can?
Alejandro: No, not can, you must.
Victor: But how?
Sofia: Maybe a lawyer can help.
---------------
Herman Hedley: Well, you have a case!
Karina: We do?
Lawyer: Definitely a great case and I, Herman Hedley, attorney at law, can help you.
Just like I helped all of these people. The Wilsons. They couldn't move into the apartment they wanted. But
now, thanks to Herman Hedley, they can.
The Moynahans. They couldn't buy the house they wanted. But now, thanks to Herman Hedley, they can.
Mrs. Baily. She couldn't divorce her husband. But now, thanks to Herman Hedley, she can.
And do you know why I was able to help all of these people?
Because Herman Hedley is THE "I Can Man."
Victor: I have a question.
Herman Hedley: I can answer it.
Victor: How much does "I Can" cost?
Herman Hedley: For you? Only $600.
---------------
Karina: Six hundred dollars?
Victor: Hm. No wonder he can.
Karina: Oh, Victor. What are we going to do?
Victor: What can we do? Find a new apartment.
Karina: But it isn't fair. We can't let them get away with it. We have to fight.
Victor: For $600? We cannot afford to fight.
Karina: But they broke the law.
Karina: Victor, they broke the law!
Karina: Excuse me.
Police officer: Yes, ma'am.
Karina: We need your help.
Police officer: What's the problem?
Karina: A man would not rent us an apartment because we have a small child. That is against the law, yes?
Police officer: Well, if that's the reason he wouldn't rent to you, yes it is.
Karina: Good. Then you can arrest him.
Police officer: No, I can't do that.
Karina: Why not? He broke the law.
Police officer: Maybe he broke the law. That's something that the Housing and Urban Development office has
to decide. I suggest that you contact them.
Karina: Well how do we do that?
Police officer: Try the phone book or call 4-1-1 or try the library.
Victor: The library?
Police officer: There's one about a block away. I'm sure they have all the information you need.
Karina: Thank you.
Police officer: You're welcome.
12 forms
important documents or papers that must be completed
13 online
on the Internet
14 complaint
an expression of unhappiness; an objection to something
15 file
to submit forms officially
16 explain
to give more information or details about something
17 trust
to depend on someone; to expect someone to do the right thing
18 refuse
to not agree to do something; to say no
19 pretend
to act like something is true when it's really not
20 schedule
to arrange or plan an appointment
21 hearing
a meeting with a judge, in court
22 judge
the main authority in a court of law
23 credit history
a record of how someone has repaid loans, credit cards, and other debts
24 Life Skills — Let's Watch
Librarian: May I help you?
Karina: Yes. We need to contact the Housing and Urban Development office.
Librarian: Okay. Let's begin right here. The good old phone book is one of the best places to find the
information you need.
Here we are, HUD.
Karina: HUD?
Librarian: Yes. The Department of Housing and Urban Development. Do you want to file a complaint?
Karina: How did you know?
Librarian: Most people don't call HUD just to say hello. But you will have to fill out the right forms.
Victor: Forms?
Librarian: Hmm mmm. But did you know, HUD has a website. You can download the forms right on the
Internet.
Karina: Internet? But we don't even have a computer yet.
Librarian: Oh, we have computers just around the corner. Let me show you.
Librarian: This is the HUD homepage.
Now we're going to find Los Angeles. File a complaint. File a complaint right here.
Here you put your name, address, phone and all that. And down here you explain what happened.
Karina: They told us that it was already rented, but it is still for rent.
Librarian: Ah. Here we go. Told housing was not available when in fact it was.
And here you explain why you think that happened.
Karina: Because you have children. Ha! They did break the law.
Librarian: I think you have a case.
That means you could win.
Victor: Tell me please, how much does this cost?
Librarian: Nothing. It's free. And look, you can send your complaint to HUD right here online.
Karina: Right now?
Librarian: Yes. The Internet is that easy.
Good luck. I'll be over there if you need me.
Karina: Did you hear, Victor? She thinks we can win.
25 Life Skills — Reading
Using Information to Fight for Housing Rights
Knowing where to go for information is an important skill you must learn. For example, if you have a problem
when trying to rent an apartment, like the Pushkins did, there is information available to help you learn about
your rights.
You can find information about government agencies and other services in your phone book or at your local
library. You can also obtain information on the Internet. Most local libraries have computers for the public to
use.
When you are looking for an apartment, or if you are already a renter, you have both rights and responsibilities.
Specific housing laws vary from state to state, but federal laws apply everywhere.
Federal law in the U.S. prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
family status, or disability. If you have been trying to rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have
been violated, you can file a housing complaint.
There are many ways to file a complaint:
You can contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office near you. Find the
telephone number in the government section of the phone book. A representative can explain how to file a
complaint.
You can file a complaint using an online form. Go to the HUD website to do this.
You can print out a form from the Internet, complete it, and bring it to your local HUD office.
You can mail your completed form to the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of
Housing and Urban Development near you.
You can also use a lawyer to file a complaint for you but, this will probably cost you more.
26 Grammar — Let's Watch
Wizard: Decisions, decisions.
The Pushkins know how to fight for the apartment. They found all the information they needed, but will they
fight? Hm. We'll find that out in just a second.
But first, let's review the expressions of ability: can and could.
---------------
Herman Hedley: The Moynahans. They couldn't buy the house they wanted.
But now, thanks to Herman Hedley, they can.
Mrs. Baily. She couldn't divorce her husband.
But now, thanks to Herman Hedley, she can.
27 Making Choices — Getting Ready (A)
The Pushkins Decide Not to Fight for the Apartment
Victor tells Karina that he doesn't want the government to have their information. He doesn't want to fight for
the old apartment. Karina accepts that he knows best and they decide to look for another apartment.
Later when Karina is looking for a new apartment, she sees a family moving into the apartment they originally
wanted to rent. She asks the couple if they had problems renting the apartment because of their young daughter.
They explain the manager had pretended the apartment was rented at first. Then they filed a complaint with
HUD. Now the family has moved into the apartment.
While you watch the video, listen for the answer to this question:
What does the couple say about how
HUD responded to their complaint?
28 Making Choices — Let's Watch (A)
Wizard: Herman Hedley really knows how to say I can. But what are the Pushkins to do? Do they submit their
forms to HUD?
Or do they give up the fight and look for another apartment? Hm.
Option one, they do not contact HUD. Let's see what happens. And action!
---------------
Victor: We should look for another apartment.
Karina: But they broke the law.
Victor: Then someone else can fight them. I don't want the government to have our information.
Karina: But...
Victor: Karina. Karina. Who knows best?
Karina: Back to the apartment listings.
29 Making Choices — Getting Ready (B)
The Pushkins Decide to
Fight for the Apartment
Karina is not afraid of the government. She clicks the mouse to send the complaint form to HUD. Later, they
receive a phone call from HUD. The HUD representative schedules an administrative hearing, a meeting with a
judge to listen to their case.
Two days later the Pushkins meet with the HUD representative, the apartment manager, and a judge to discuss
their complaint. The manager must give the true reason he refused to rent to the Pushkins.
While you watch the video, listen for the answer to this question:
What excuse does Mr. Greedo give for refusing to rent the apartment to the Pushkins?
30 Making Choices — Let's Watch (B)
Wizard: Oh no!
That family got the Pushkin's apartment.
Let's see what happens if Karina and Victor use different information to make their decision.
And action!
---------------
Victor: We should look for another apartment.
Karina: But they broke the law.
Victor: Then someone else can fight them. I don't want the government to have our information.
Karina: But -
Victor: Karina. Karina. Who knows best?
Karina: Oh Victor, don't be scared. I think it'll be okay. There. Now it is done.
Karina: Hello.
Sue: Can I speak with Karina Pushkin, please?
Karina: This is Karina.
Sue: Hi, my name is Sue Blake at the local HUD office. You filed a complaint online?
Karina: Yes, yes we did.
Sue: I'm calling to say I think you have a case.
Karina: We do?
Sue: Yes, a landlord cannot refuse to rent an apartment because you have children.
I'd like to schedule an administrative hearing.
Karina: And administrative hearing?
Sue: Yes, a meeting with an administrative law judge. It won't take very long.
Karina: Oh, when will this hearing be?
Sue: Let's see.
Can you make it the day after tomorrow?
Karina: The day after tomorrow?
Sue: I'm sorry, is that a problem?
Karina: No, it's great! It's just so soon!
Sue: Great. I'll call you tomorrow with more details. Bye-bye.
---------------
Judge: Hm. Now can you tell me
Mr. Greedo, why did you tell the Pushkins the apartment was rented?
Mr. Greedo: Well you see, uh, I thought it was rented.
Sue: Don't you know if your apartments are rented? After all, you are the manager.
Mr. Greedo: Look, people come by every day to look at apartments. I can't remember everybody.
Sue: But the Pushkins wanted the apartment.
Mr. Greedo: Yeah, well, their credit isn't very good.
Karina: We have good credit.
Judge: Their credit history is excellent.
Sue: The truth is when you heard the Pushkins had a little boy, you pretended the apartment was rented.
Judge: Is that true, Mr. Greedo?
Karina: Yes, is that true?
Judge: Mr. Greedo. Is that true?
Max: YADAYADAYADA!
Mr. Greedo: Stop it! Stop it! Yeah, it's true. It's all true!
That's why I didn't rent to them. And I'm happy I didn't.
You want to live with THAT? Huh!? You want to live with that?
Judge: Mr. Greedo, that is a little boy. And you will have to live with him. And please remember you were once
a little boy too!
I find in favor of the Pushkins. They can move in immediately with a one-year lease.
And for their troubles, the first month's rent will be waived.
Mr. Greedo: What?
Karina: What?
Sue: That means the first month's rent is free.
Karina: Victor, did you hear that? We won!
Max: We won! We won! We won! We won!
Mr. Greedo: Just you wait.
31 Review and Assessment — Let's Watch
Wizard: How about that? Karina, Victor and little Max got the apartment after all. Hee Hee!
They fought and won. And how did they fight? With information!
First they learned that the manager broke the law. Then they learned there was an agency to help them. Still,
from the look on Mr. Greedo's face, I don't think the Pushkin's fight is over. Hm. I wonder what he will do?
Oh boy. I can't believe this episode is already over!
Well I hope you practice using can and could because as you know practice makes perfect.
See you next time!
