A: Oh, look, there’s Veronica and her boyfriend. She’s always going on about him at the office. Oh, great, they saw us. They’re coming this way.
B: Oh, man...
C: Jessica! Arthur! Hi! I’d like you to meet my boyfriend Greg, he’s the V.P. of quality and safety for a top Fortune 500 food company.
A: Nice to meet you. This is my husband, Arthur.
B: Hey, how’s it going?
D: Hello.
A: Veronica talks about you all the time. I guess you must be pretty busy at work.
D: Well, yeah, a V.P. position is not easy, you know! I implement policies and procedures nationwide, and I also have to oversee daily operations of various departments.
B: Wow, yeah... that sounds exciting.
D: And what about you, Arthur? What do you do for a living?
B: Oh, I’m a Top Gun pilot!
通过对话“What Do You Do?”,学习者可以掌握与职业、社交互动和幽默相关的词汇和表达。对话展示了如何在社交场合中轻松处理职业话题,并通过幽默化解潜在的尴尬和压力。
22. The Weekend - Christmas Chronicles II(C0022)
圣诞老人被警察拘留时的幽默场景,体现了圣诞节的节日气氛和轻松的紧张局面
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对话
A: Really, gentlemen, you can’t take me to jail! Don’t you know who I am? Kris Kringle, you know, Papa Noel, Pere Noel, Babbo Natale, Sheng Dan Lao Ren!
B: Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard that one before, haven’t we Joe?
C: Yeah, last week we booked this guy who claimed to be the tooth fairy! Can you believe that?
A: It’s Christmas Eve and I have all these presents to deliver! Where is your Christmas spirit? What will happen when all the children wake up tomorrow and don’t find any gifts in their stockings?
B: Sorry buddy, you were parked in a no-parking zone, you were speeding, and you have no ID!
C: Besides that, even if we let you go now, your sleigh has been impounded and those reindeer were taken to the city zoo.
A: What! This is unbelievable! What’s this world coming to? Christmas is ruined!
C: What’s that up ahead? It looks like... elves!! Elves!! Whoa, they’re shooting candy canes! Mayday, Mayday, we are under heavy attack! We need backup!
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
Kris Kringle: 圣诞老人名字的不同说法,分别在不同文化中使用,如Papa Noel, Sheng Dan Lao Ren等。
Impound: 扣押,通常指执法部门扣留车辆等财产。
Reindeer: 驯鹿,是圣诞老人的标志性动物。
Mayday: 紧急呼救信号,通常用于危急时刻。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
Don’t you know who I am?: 用来表达某人对身份的强调,带有自负或自我意识的语气。
What’s this world coming to?: 表达对当下世界或现象的失望或困惑。
We are under heavy attack!: 这是典型的军事术语,用于描述遭遇严重攻击的紧急状况。
A: Hello, Fairbrook Consulting, how may I help you?
B: Yes, this is Julianne Horton, and I’m calling to arrange an appointment with Ms. McNealy.
A: Certainly, what day were you thinking of?
B: How’s Thursday? Does she have any time available then?
A: Um... let me double check... unfortunately, she’s booked solid on Thursday. How does next Monday work for you?
B: Actually, I’ve got something scheduled on Monday. Can she do Tuesday?
A: Sure, Tuesday’s perfect. May I ask where you’re calling from?
B: Sure, Merton Financial Advisors.
A: Oh, actually, Tuesday’s no good. Sorry ’bout that.
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
Appointment: 预约,通常指预定与某人见面或某个时间的安排。
Booked solid: 预订满了,形容某人日程排满,没有空余时间。
Schedule: 安排日程,通常用作动词或名词,指具体的时间安排。
Double check: 再次确认,是对某个情况进行确认的常见表达。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
How may I help you?: 这是客服或接待人员接电话时常用的问候语,表达愿意帮助对方。
What day were you thinking of?: 表达询问对方有意选择哪个日期,安排预约时常用的句子。
Let me double check: 表示需要再次确认某个信息,是预约和时间确认中常见的用语。
May I ask where you’re calling from?: 询问对方所属公司或身份的礼貌表达,尤其是商业场合中常用。
通过对话“Making an Appointment”,学习者可以掌握与商业预约相关的词汇和表达,学习如何在电话中处理预约冲突和协商时间安排。对话中展示的礼貌和专业性也为商务沟通提供了良好的范例。
24. Daily Life - Where should we eat?(B0024)
朋友们讨论吃什么的场景,反映了轻松、愉快的氛围和选择困难的有趣对话
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对话
A: Do you two have any plans for the evening?
B: We were thinking of checking out a restaurant in the neighborhood. Do you have any suggestions?
A: I know this really nice Italian place. The food is fantastic, and the décor is beautiful. I’d recommend giving it a try.
C: Actually, I’m not all that crazy about Italian food; I’m in the mood for something a bit lighter.
A: In that case, I know a great little bistro. They make a really tasty seafood platter; the fish is outstanding.
B: It sounds fantastic, but I’m allergic to seafood, so...
A: Okay, well, let me think... Oh, I know this great little place. It’s just a hole in the wall, but they do the most amazing sandwiches. You gotta give them a try.
C: Ella, you took me there last time I visited, and I got food poisoning, remember?
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
Italian place: 意大利餐馆,表示特定类型的餐馆。
Décor: 装饰,描述餐馆或空间的美学设计。
Bistro: 小餐馆,通常提供轻便的餐食。
Seafood platter: 海鲜拼盘,常见的餐馆菜品。
Allergic to: 对某种食物过敏。
Hole in the wall: 小而不起眼但很棒的地方,通常指外观普通但食物很美味的餐馆。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
Do you have any suggestions?: 询问建议,特别是选择餐馆或活动时常用的句子。
A: Well, right, let's move to our next order of business, as many of you are aware, in recent weeks there has been a lot of media coverage surrounding this bird flu issue. And it's come to my attention that our company lacks any sort of bird flu contingency plan.
B: Basically, we need to come up with a clear plan; we need to outline specific actions that our company can take to maintain critical business functions in case a pandemic strikes.
A: So, what I'd like to do is: first appoint someone to look after drafting our plan; Ralph, I'd like you to head up this project.
C: Sure, no problem. What issues do you want me to consider?
B: Well, let's see, there are a few points we need to be thinking about... first, I'll need you to analyze our numbers and figure out what kind of financial impact an outbreak might have.
A: You'll also need to think about how we can avoid any of our employees getting infected; think of ways to reduce employee-customer contact, perhaps some IT solutions that will allow our people to work from home.
C: I guess you'll need me to forecast employee absences as well, right? And I'll think about the impact this will have on our clients. Hey, what about vaccines? Should we be thinking about getting vaccines for our employees?
A: Exactly right. So, I'll leave this to you, and we'll review the draft plan in two weeks. Okay, so, anyone want to order some KFC for lunch?
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
Contingency plan:应急计划,表示为不确定的突发事件制定的备用方案。
Pandemic:大流行病,指广泛传播的传染病,尤其是全球性传播的疾病。
Critical business functions:关键业务功能,指企业中至关重要的运作部分。
Financial impact:财务影响,指疫情对公司财务状况的潜在影响。
Employee-customer contact:员工与顾客的接触,涉及企业与外界的互动。
Forecast:预测,用于指未来情况的预估。
Vaccine:疫苗,指防御疾病的医学手段。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
"Let's move to our next order of business":过渡句,用于从一个话题转到另一个话题,适合正式会议场合。
"It's come to my attention that…":用于表达某事被自己注意到,通常表示对某事的重视。
"Head up this project":指领导项目,常用于安排任务或分配工作。
"We need to outline specific actions":用于讨论行动计划的详细内容。
"Anyone want to order some KFC for lunch?":用于会议轻松结束时的社交问句。
"In case a pandemic strikes":强调“如果…情况出现”这种假设表达,适用于预案讨论。
"In two weeks":清晰指明完成任务的时间期限,适合会议或任务分配。
8. 常见的文化差异 (Common Cultural Differences)
对风险的关注:与某些文化注重立即的业务发展不同,西方企业较关注长期规划和风险预防。
直接分配任务:对话中直接分配任务的方式在西方工作文化中常见,以高效为重,不回避责任分配。
9. 对比和情景剧的学习 (Role-Playing for Practice)
可以通过情景对话的角色扮演练习,增强自己对正式会议语言的理解,练习如何讨论应急计划。
扮演不同角色(如A或B),练习正式语气和委婉表达,增强应对复杂工作对话的能力。
10. 交际技能 (Communication Skills)
表达清晰:对话中的任务分配和讨论思路清晰,展示了明确沟通的重要性。
小结任务:在结束讨论前总结任务(“I’ll leave this to you”),帮助大家明确职责和下一步行动。
用幽默结束:通过提到“KFC”将严肃话题转为轻松结尾,有助于建立团队之间的融洽关系。
26. Daily Life - New Year's Resolution(C0026)
一个轻松愉快的家庭场景,突出了一对情侣或夫妻在餐桌上就“新年决心”话题展开的对话
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对话
A: So, did I tell you about my New Year's resolution? I've decided to go on a diet.
B: And you're going to completely transform your eating habits, right?
A: Exactly! I'm going to cut out all that junk I eat; no more chips, no more soda, no more fried food.
B: I've heard this one before.
A: But this time I'm going to stick to it. I really mean it! Trust me, Carol, I'm going to be a new man in one year's time!
B: Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
A: Thanks, honey, that was a great meal. I'm stuffed. Do we have any chips left?
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
New Year's resolution:新年决心,指新年时对未来一年生活习惯的承诺,通常是改善生活质量的目标。
diet:饮食计划,通常指限制饮食或改变饮食习惯以达到健康目的。
transform:转变,改变。
cut out:放弃、戒掉(某些食物或习惯)。
junk:垃圾食品,指对健康不利的加工或高热量食物。
stick to:坚持,通常指坚持某种计划或决心。
stuffed:吃撑了,指吃得很饱的状态。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
I've decided to go on a diet.:表达决心采取某个行动,可以用于生活的不同方面,如 "I've decided to exercise more."
I'm going to cut out…:用于表达将要戒掉某种习惯或停止某种行为,比如 "I'm going to cut out sugar."
I've heard this one before.:表示对对方承诺的怀疑,类似中文“我以前听你说过这话”。
I really mean it!:表示承诺的坚定,强调自己这次是认真的。
3. 文化点 (Cultural Insights)
New Year's resolutions:新年决心在西方文化中非常常见,尤其在元旦期间,人们通常会许下改善生活的愿望,比如减肥、戒烟、早睡等。这体现了西方文化中新年作为“新开始”的概念。
A: Mr.McKenna, do you have a second? I need to talk to you about something.
B: Sure, Liv, what can I do for you?
A: Well, I was just wondering... you see, I know I've used up all my vacation days this year, but my sister is getting married, and the wedding is overseas, and, well...
B: You wanna take some time off, is that right?
A: Well, sir, I was just hoping that I might be able to take some unpaid leave this year.
B: What dates are you planning on taking off? I'll need at least two months notice, so that I can plan for your absence.
A: I was thinking of taking off from September first until the thirtieth. Would you be okay with that?
B: Well, I guess so.
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
time off:指休假或请假。用于工作环境中,表示暂时离开岗位。
unpaid leave:无薪假,指在不领取工资的情况下请假。
vacation days:带薪假期,指员工每年享有的带薪休假天数。
notice:通知或提前告知。在职场上,通常指员工提前通知的时间(比如请假、辞职等)。
absence:缺席,指不在工作场合或需要出勤的地方。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
Do you have a second?:用于礼貌地询问是否能占用对方时间,类似中文的“您有空吗?”或“能耽误您一会儿吗?”。
What can I do for you?:表示“我能帮您什么?”,是工作场合中常见的礼貌询问。
I was just wondering…:委婉地提出请求或疑问,语气较为柔和。
Would you be okay with that?:用于礼貌地确认对方是否同意自己的请求,避免直接要求显得无礼。
A: I'm so relieved that your ankle wasn't broken! I feel just awful about this whole thing. I wanna make it up to you. Let me take you out to dinner tonight. My treat.
B: That sounds great! I'd love to! Here is my address. Pick me up at eight?
A: Perfect!
B: Thank you for such a lovely evening! The food was amazing, and I had a great time.
A: Me too. You look so beautiful tonight! I wish this night would never end. There's something I have to tell you...
B: What is it?
A: I woke up today thinking this would be just like any other ordinary day, but I was wrong. A twist of fate brought us together. I crashed into your life and you into mine, and this may sound crazy, but I'm falling in love with you Veronica.
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
relieved:松了口气,表达因事情没有预想的严重而放松的感觉。
awful:感到糟糕、内疚,表示为某事或自己的行为而感到抱歉。
make it up to you:补偿某人,表示对某事道歉并希望通过其他方式弥补。
my treat:我请客,口语中常用来表达“我来支付”的意思。
fate:命运,用来描述因某种偶然事件而发生的事情。
twist of fate:命运的转折,指意料之外的命运安排。
falling in love:表达爱上某人的情感,可以是初期的迷恋或深情。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
I feel just awful about this whole thing:表示为之前的事情道歉或内疚。
I wanna make it up to you:提出弥补的意图,非常常见的表达方式。
My treat:在口语中用来表达“我来付账”的意思。
You look so beautiful tonight!:赞美对方的外表,用于表达喜欢和欣赏。
I wish this night would never end:表达不想结束愉快的时光,常用于浪漫场合。
3. 文化点 (Cultural Insights)
表达歉意与弥补:英语表达中“make it up to you”表示对之前造成的困扰进行弥补。这样的话术很常见,尤其在表达歉意时。
29. Global View - Investing in Emerging Markets(C0029)
一位年轻人和父亲在舒适的家庭客厅中讨论投资的场景,捕捉了代际间对新兴市场投资的不同看法
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对话
A: Dad, I'd like to borrow some money.
B: Sure, Johnny, how much do you need? Five bucks?
A: Come on, Dad, I need thirty thousand. I wanna get into the market. You know, I'm tired of hearing all this news about the economic downturn, the inevitable recession, people stuffing their money in their mattresses. I look at this as an opportunity.This is a chance for me to get a jump start on building my nest egg.
B: I don't know about that; with all the uncertainty in the market right now, it would be a very unwise decision to invest. I don't know if you're aware son, but there has been a lot of turmoil in the markets recently. There've already been half a million layoffs in the last few months, and we have no idea how the proposed stimulus package will impact upon the economy. There's just too much instability. I just wouldn't feel comfortable investing in this climate.
A: But look at it this way, every challenge is an opportunity. And anyway, I'm not talking about investing in the domestic market. There are emerging markets that promise great returns. Look at China, for example; they have 1.4 billion people, half a billion of whom have recently entered the middle class. Here alone, the aggregate demand for consumer goods represents an amazing wealth generating opportunity.
B: Come on son, you're looking at this too naively, the Chinese market has exhibited a great deal of instability, and their currency has been devalued by almost a whole percentage point.
A: Fine, then! If that's the way you feel, so be it. But you're losing out on a great opportunity here. I'm going to go hit up Mom for the cash.
A: Oh, Armand, thank you for such a thoughtful invitation! It's really very nice of you to invite us over for dinner, don't you think so, Ellen?
B: Oh, yes of course! We'd love to come over. Can I bring anything?
C: No, don't worry about it; I'll take care of everything. I'll see you tonight. Come with an appetite... I know I will!
B: I don't want to go over to his place for dinner! He gives me the creeps! Why on earth did you accept?
A: Oh come on Ellen, it will be nice to get to know him. Besides, he's new to the neighborhood, and it would be rude to decline his invitation.
B: I guess so... You always rope me into things like this!
C: Ladies! Thank you for coming! You look delicious... I mean beautiful. Please come in.
A: Oh Armand! You are too kind!
B: How did I get myself into this...
1. 重点词汇 (Key Words)
thoughtful:体贴的、周到的,用来形容一个人考虑周到、善于关心他人。
invite over:邀请某人来家里,特别是用于邀请他人共度时光或聚餐。
appetite:食欲,通常用在用餐前或描述食量时。
creeps:使人感到不安或害怕,用“give someone the creeps”表示让人感觉毛骨悚然。
rope someone into something:把某人拉进一件事中,通常指对方不情愿参与,但被劝服或迫使接受。
decline:拒绝,委婉的说“不”的方式。
2. 常用语句 (Common Phrases)
thank you for such a thoughtful invitation:感谢某人的周到邀请,表达对他人关心的欣赏。
Can I bring anything?:参加聚会或活动时常用的礼貌提问,表达是否可以带食物或帮助。
don’t worry about it; I’ll take care of everything:礼貌回应别人想带东西时,表示自己会全部负责。