ESL Podcast 978 - Getting Access to Restricted Areas

restricted area - an area where only certain people are allowed; an area that is closed to the general public

Shouldn't a nuclear power plant be a restricted area?

authorized personnel - people who are allowed to have or do something; people who meet the qualifications for having access to something

Only authorized personnel can sign checks for the company.

permitted - allowed; with permission to do something

Hunting and fishing are not permitted in this natural area.

to neither confirm nor deny - to not be able to say yes or no; to not be willing to provide any information about something

I can neither confirm nor deny whether the company is going to close this factory. You'll have to wait for the big announcement tomorrow.

press credentials - a badge or a small piece of paper that indicates one is a journalist or reporter and should be given access to certain individuals or events

Even with press credentials, it's almost impossible to go backstage to meet the musicians after the concert.

to be screened - to be tested against certain criteria; to be examined or checked for something

All suitcases and handbags must be screened by airport security before entering the terminal.

security - the people or department responsible for maintaining safety and order in a particular area

The building has full-time security to make sure that only employees come in and out of the area.

off-limits - not allowed; not permitted

Wendy is on a strict diet, so all candies and cookies are off-limits.

to persist - to continue to do something despite difficulties or limitations; to not give up

Hank persisted in asking Gloria out for weeks until she finally said yes.

to be shown out - to be made to leave, especially against one's will, by someone who accompanies one to the exit

Please pack up your personal belongings. The security guard will show you out of the building.

citizen - a person who belongs to a certain country and has certain rights and privileges there, such as voting and applying for a passport

What is the process for becoming a U.S. citizen?

a free country - a nation where people are allowed to do what they want to do without significant control by the government; a reference to the United States

Hey, you can't tell us what we can and cannot print in the newspaper. It's a free country!

private property - land or a building owned by an individual, a group, or a business, not by the government; not public property

The school is public, but it was built on private property and the government pays the landowner thousands of dollars each year to use the land.

to escort - to accompany someone; to be next to someone and guide or lead that person somewhere

Would you please escort Mr. Limparis to Jean's office?

off the premises - away from a particular building or location

This is top-secret work. No one is allowed to talk about any of this off the premises.

travesty - something that is very bad and is not what it should be, or is not how one expected it to be

Letting a murderer go instead of putting her in prison is a travesty!

formal protest - an official complaint about something, especially if presented to the government

The tax rate is too high. We should file a formal protest about it and demand lower taxes.