Fed up by LA pothole, Arnold Schwarzenegger fills it himself

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. pothole / ˈpɒtˌhoʊl / (n.) – a big hole in the surface of a road formed because of traffic and/or bad weather
    Example:

    There are so many potholes along the new road. Apparently, the construction company used cheap materials to build it.


  2. shovel / ˈʃʌv əl / (n.) – a tool with a long handle used for lifting and moving things, such as dirt, sand, snow, etc.
    Example:

    The man used a shovel to remove the snow blocking his garage.


  3. screw up (something) / skru ʌp / (phrasal v.) – to ruin or damage something or make an error
    Example:

    He was supposed to get a promotion, but he screwed up his business proposal.


  4. deck out / dɛk aʊt / (phrasal v.) – to put something on or wear something for an event or occasion
    Example:

    The princess was decked out with diamond earrings and a necklace during the dinner with the world leaders.


  5. reminiscent / ˌrɛm əˈnɪs ənt / (adj.) – relating to someone/something that makes someone remember
    Example:

    That candy is reminiscent of my childhood.


Article

Read the text below.

Fed up by an enormous pothole in his Los Angeles neighborhood, Arnold Schwarzenegger picked up a shovel and filled it himself.


The actor and former California governor tweeted a video of him and a helper using packaged concrete to repair the road in the Brentwood area.


“Today, after the whole neighborhood has been upset about this giant pothole that’s been screwing up cars and bicycles for weeks, I went out with my team and fixed it,” he wrote on Twitter. “I always say, let’s not complain, let’s do something about it. Here you go.”


A neighbor rolled down her car window and shouted her thanks at the action movie star.


“You’re welcome,” said Schwarzenegger, decked out in work boots, a leather jacket and shades reminiscent of his role in “Terminator.”


“You have to do it yourself. This is crazy. For three weeks I’ve been waiting for this hole to be closed,” he said.


Daniel Ketchell, a spokesperson for Schwarzenegger, said Brentwood residents made repeated requests for repairs since winter storms opened up potholes and cracks on local roads.


Mayor Karen Bass announced a plan to address what she called an unprecedented number of damaged streets across the city. Since Dec. 30, Los Angeles has received 19,692 service requests for repairs, and as of April 6, crews had filled at least 17,549 potholes, officials said.


The Department of Public Works did not immediately respond to an email asking whether the pothole Schwarzenegger filled had been scheduled to be repaired.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Schwarzenegger wrote on Twitter, “I always say, let’s not complain, let’s do something about it.” Do you have the same mindset? In your opinion, is complaining a bad thing to do? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • If you saw a problem in your community, would you have done something about it like Schwarzenegger? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Talk about a situation when you felt fed up. What did you do about your feelings of frustration (ex. tried to solve the issue, asked for someone’s help)? Discuss.
  • If you know someone who feels fed up about something, how do you think you should help him/her? What tips would you give that person? Discuss.