英语口语 (2)

A: Come on. Tell me what’s on your mind. B: Everything. My girlfriend left me; my dog ran away; my wallet was stolen.

A: Don’t worry. I’ll help you solve the biggest problem: finding you a new boyfriend.

B: Forget it. Anyway, I’m getting bad grades, and I was told that I’d have to repeat a lot of courses next year. When I heard that, I almost lost it.

A: Relax. I’ll help you with those courses. B: Yeah, but I also have three week’s laundry to do. A: Forget it. There is nobody here but you. B: Come on. What are friends for?

A: To keep you in high spirits; not to do your laundry. B: Ok. Anyway, thank you very much.

A: I hear you are going to Korea. Is that true? B: Yes.

A: Why are you going to there? B: I want to have some cosmetic surgery. A: I’m amazed! I thought you are beautiful already. B: Thank you. But I’m having my nose fixed. A: Was it broken?

B: No, I’m having it made smaller. A: I think you already have a nice nose.

B: But not a fashionable one. I’m also having my teeth straighten

and my single-folded eyelids made double-folded. A: Why do that ? B: For a good job.

A: I believe that abilities and confidence carry more weights than

physical appearances. B: Maybe you are right,

A: It was a strong earthquake! The house was shaking, the window

breaking!

B: Yeah, it was terrible. I saw your face turn white just now. A: I admit I panicked. But now It’s better to be cautious. There might be aftershocks. B: Or an even bigger quake!

A: To play it safe, let’s turn off the gas and electricity. B: Right. Let’s get the emergency earthquake kit already.

A: Let’s turn on the radio for news. I guess the quake measures at least 5 on the Richter Scale. B: Who know what might happen tomorrow? After all, this city is said to be located in an earthquake zone A: There hasn’t been much activity for dozens of years B: But a major quake may hit at any time.

A: I think we’d better move to an earthquake-proof house. B: Smart thinking!

A: Parker Electronics. Susan speaking. Can I help you? B: This is Bob of Sea-land Limited. Would you please transfer me to

Mr. Smith.

A: Please hold. I’ll see if Mr. Smith is available. A: Hello.

B: Hi. Bob here. Can we have a meet? I will introduce a new product to you.

A: Yes. I’m completely free on Friday.

B: Shall we get together around ten o'clock in your office? A: Ok. B: This is bob.

A: This is Susan from Parker Electronics. Because something unexpected comes up, Mr. Smith has to cancel the meeting. B: Oh, what a pity!

A: If you are free, we can reschedule it on next Monday morning. B: ok. I’ll look forward to seeing Mr. Smith on next Monday morning.

A: I’m the manager of the company. You want a new job, right? B: Yes.

A: So, what kinds of work did you do? B: Market investigation. A: Why did you leave?

B: That company wasn’t performing efficiently. It’s been operating

at a loss. The only way out was to cut surplus employees. A: Why do you think our company makes a good career move for you?

B: My experience at the last corporation is completely transferable to your company, since you deal in the same products. A: Go on.

B: What’s even better, your company is a well-known multinational, and it’s working to become an industry leaser. I like that. A: Can you tell me about your educational background?

B: I have graduated from Hainan normal university. My study life is good.

A: Ok. I will give you three months’ probation. B: Thank you. I will do my best.

A: Do you know why people say “knock on wood” when they want to avoid bad luck?

B: As far as I know, it has something to do with ancient Celtic people. A: Go on.

B: They thought trees would suck demons back into the ground. A: It’s strange that so many people are superstitious.

B: In fact, a British psychologist researched the relationship between superstition and luck. A: What did he find?

B: He found that the people think they are unlucky tend to believe in superstitions about bad luck. A: So, what’s his point?

B: His point is that people make their own luck by their attitude to life.

A: So, our fate is linked to our attitude rather than to our superstitions. B: I think that’s what he is suggesting. A: Well, I will be more positive . B: Smart thinking!

A: Hey, I see you’re reading travel brochures. Are you going anywhere during the holiday? B: Yeah, I think about going places.

A: Where will you go: abroad or around home?

B: Two tours are offered: one to big American cities; one to Europe. A: Are these tours that allow you a few hours in each place? B: Oh, no, they’re both three-week three-city tours, with a week in

each city.

A: That’s more like it. You can look around and not feel rushed. What cities?

B: I can’t make up my mind: London, Paris and Rome or New York, San…?

A: Stop there. Europe is more interesting. Big U.S. cities are so much alike. European cities differ from one another. B: Yeah, like, they’re in different countries.

A: There are other differences in languages, architecture, food, and customs.

B: All right. You convinced me. They say variety’s the spice of life. Variety, here I come.

A: With many people suffering from malnutrition around the world, why are people protesting against genetically modified foods? B: Some people are protesting about GM foods, but even more people are protesting the fact that processed foods containing these ingredients aren’t labeled. A: But why should they be labeled?

B: Not everyone is sure that genetically modified foods are safe. A: But there are more urgent problems in this world. Many people are dying of starvation.

B: But those who aren’t starving may want GM foods to be labeled so they know what foods they should and shouldn’t eat. A: You know, I heard of a GM fish that grew to be ten times its normal size.

B: That sounds abnormal.

A: Yeah, but that fish could feed ten times as many people.

B: You’re right,genetically modified foods might help solve world hunger. But I think we have a right to know what we are eating. A: Yeah, it sounds reasonable. Maybe further research should be done. B: I agree with you.

A: Hey, John!

B: Hey! Look at this headline! China’s foreign trade should reach $1 trillion this year!

A: Yeah, Chinese are working miracles. B: I wonder how it can grow so fast.

A: The U.S. economy has been very good. Booming consumption has created opportunities for China’s exports. B: Is that the only one reason?

A: China encourages exports. Exporters receive refunds from the customs.

B: What’s happening with Chinese imports?

A: You know, china has joined WTO. It has opened the doors to the outside world wider.

B: You seem to be looking at China through rose-colored glasses. A: China is not without her problems. Some of her state-owned industries have only a blunt competitive edge. Some industries still depend on trade protectionism.

B: John, I really admire your wide knowledge. I think you’ll be in line for Nobel Prize in Economics some day. A: You’re just pulling my leg again.

A: Do you find that people in America often walk faster than people in China? B: Yeah, you’re right.

A: What do you think are the reasons for that difference? B: Americans treasure time. For them, time is money. A: Does this strong sense of time affect their lifestyle?

B: Sure. If you’re 20 minutes late for a bussiness appointment, other people will be annoyed. They may not trust you anymore. A: But as far as I know, English-speaking people may be 15-30 minutes late for a dinner party.

B: That’s true. For an informal occasion like that, punctuality is not so important. Also, a boss may keep his employees waiting for a long time.

A: But if his secretary is late, she’s in trouble. She will probably receive a reprimand. B: How true!

A: The American worship of time probably led them to create fast foods.

B: I agree. And globalization shrinks the differences between cultures. Now people everywhere are rushing.

A: But plenty of Chinese are still making appointments saying, “If I am late, wait for me.”

John: But with more intercultural communication, I think the gap will eventually be bridged, and Chinese will be hurrying everywhere.