第十一拿手好戲：如何提出問題，獲得更多的信息及回答技巧
一、 如何提出問題
1. I was wondering if you could help me. I'd like to know…
2. I wonder if you could tell me…
3. This may sound like a dumb question, but I'd like to know…
4. Excuse me, do you know…
5. I hope you don't mind my asking, but I'd like to know…
6. Would you mind (very much) telling me…
7. Excuse me, but could I ask you a quick question?
8. Do you happen to know … (你是否碰巧知道…)
二、 回答技巧：如何拖延
1. Well, let me see…
2. Oh, let me think for a minute…
3. I'm not sure; I'll have to check…
4. That's a very interesting question.
三、 回答技巧：如何拒絕
1. I'm not really sure.
2. I can't answer that one.
3. I'm sorry, I really don't know.
4. I've got no idea.
5. I'd like to help you, but…
6. That's something I'd rather not talk about just now.
7. Ask me another question. (別問我這個。)
四、 如何獲得更多的信息
1. Could you tell me some more about …
2. Would you mind telling me more about …
3. I'd like to know more about…
4. Something else I was wondering about was …
5. Something else I'd like to know is …
6. Sorry, that's not really what I mean, What I'd like to know is…
7. Sorry to keep after you, but could you tell me…
8. Sorry, I don't quite understand why…
經(jīng)典示范實戰(zhàn)對話
A: Are you still doing your photography? (你還在搞攝影嗎？)You're really good at that.
B: Yeah, that's the one thing I really enjoy.
A: This may sound like a dumb question, but can you get any good pictures on an automatic〖自動相機〗?
B: No, no〖別這么說〗. Now, that's a very interesting question. Automatics are OK, except special effect.
A: There's something else I was wondering about - like, should you do all your developing〖自己沖印〗?
B: Oh, no! You don't have to develop your own. You can get better prints if you send them out.
A: Could you tell me something more about it - like, if I was going to do the developing myself, what kind of equipment would I need?
B: Oh, well, you'd need your enlarger〖放大機〗, and chemicals〖化學藥品〗, and so on.
第十拿手好戲：如何提出勸告和意見之精華
1. If you want my advice, I don't think you should go.
2. I suggest that you tear up the letter and start over again〖把信撕掉重新寫過〗.
3. It's only a suggestion, and you can do what you please. (這只是個建議，你可按照你的意愿去做。)
4. Let me give you a little fatherly〖慈父般的〗advice.
5. If you don't like it, I wish you would say so.
6. Please don't take offense. I only wanted to tell you what I think. (請別生氣，我只是想告訴你我的想法。)
7. In my opinion, the house isn't worth the price they're asking〖這房子不值他們要的價錢〗.
8. My feeling is that you ought to stay home tonight.
9. It's none of my business〖這不關我的事〗, but I think you ought to work harder.
10. In general, my reaction is favorable〖反應良好〗.
11. I've always tried not to interfere in your affairs. (我總是盡量不干涉你的事情。)
12. Thanks for the advice, but this is something I have to figure out myself. (謝謝你的意見/勸告，但對這件事情我必須得自己考慮一下。)
13. He won't pay attention to anybody. You're just wasting your breath〖白費口舌〗.
★世界上最完美的對話之一
G: Jack, would you please read this letter of application I've just written? I'd like to have your opinion.
J: I'd be glad to tell you what I think.
G: If you don't think it's any good, please say so. I really want to get this job.
J: It looks fine to me. But I have one suggestion.
G: Good! I'm interested in your advice.
J: If I were you I'd change the beginning. You should write about your education first.
G: Good idea, Jack. What do you think about the second part?
J: Now that you've asked me, I think it's too short. You should include much more information about your work experience.
G: You're right. I'll change it. How do you feel about the last part of the letter?
J: Very good. But, unless I miss my guess, you should say something about your family, too.
G: I agree. I appreciate your helping me, Jack. Do you think the end is all right?
J: Oh, yes, George. But personally I believe a business letter should end with "Very truly yours", not "Sincerely".
G: I guess I'd better tear up the letter and start over again.
J: Oh, don't do that, George! Just make the few changes I suggested, and your letter will be perfect!
第十三拿手好戲：隨手寫出地道英語信件─生活和商務
Dear Allen,
[1] I just received your letter and I want to let you know my opinion of your plans for the future. I hope you won't take offense, but will accept what I say here as some fatherly advice.
[2] I was quite surprised when I read in your letter that you had decided not to finish your studies at the university. I realize that Peter wants you to marry him this summer. But with only one more year to go, you would be well advised to finish. A year is really a short time, and later you will be glad you postponed getting married.
[3] As you know, my reaction to Peter was extremely favorable when I met him. He's an exceptionally fine young man and should be a good husband. But I suggest you complete your education first.
[4] You are twenty-one, a grown-up young lady old enough to make up your own mind. This is something you'll have to work out yourself. As your uncle, I have always tried not to interfere in your affairs and I don't intend to begin now. But, my dear niece, please do consider my words very carefully before you decide. Whatever you do, though, Allen, you know I only want one thing for you, and that is your happiness.
Affectionately, Uncle John
★ well-advised /ill-advised =wise /unwise:明智的/不明智
例: You would be well-advised to stay at home today.
◆ ◆Dear Mr. Lee:
[1] Please accept my apology for not meeting you for lunch Tuesday. I had the appointment written on my calendar and was looking forward to the occasion, but somehow I got my days mixed up〖搞混〗and didn't realize the mistake until now. Please forgive me. I'll call you on Friday to see if we can reschedule〖重新安排〗our luncheon meeting at your convenience〖在你方便的時候〗.
[2] I'm eager to hear about the proposed Stone Project in more detail.
◆ ◆Dear Mr. Billet:
[1] Thank you for reminding us that you will be in town next Wednesday and would like to discuss your printing services with Ms. Smith.
[2] As Ms. Smith has indicated〖暗示；表示〗on several previous occasions, we are very pleased with our present arrangements for printing and definitely will not be considering and other services in the foreseeable〖可預見的；可預知的〗future. Therefore, Ms. Smith has asked me to tell you that a meeting would not be helpful at this time.
[3] We appreciate your interest in our firm, however, and thank you for writing.
〖富有處世技巧的商業(yè)信件：留有后路的拒絕〗
下面是一封商業(yè)交往中最常見的"詢價信"(Letters of Inquiry):
◆ ◆Dear Sirs,
[1] We have seen your advertisement in Chinese Arts and Crafts〖手工藝〗and are interested in Chinese Folding Fans〖中國折扇〗.
[2] Will you please send us your catalogue〖商品目錄〗and full details of your export prices and terms of payment〖付款條件〗, together with any samples you can let us have?
[3] If your prices are competitive〖有競爭力；便宜〗, we believe we can place regular orders〖長期訂貨〗with you.
[4] We look forward to receiving your reply.
一、 如何提出問題
1. I was wondering if you could help me. I'd like to know…
2. I wonder if you could tell me…
3. This may sound like a dumb question, but I'd like to know…
4. Excuse me, do you know…
5. I hope you don't mind my asking, but I'd like to know…
6. Would you mind (very much) telling me…
7. Excuse me, but could I ask you a quick question?
8. Do you happen to know … (你是否碰巧知道…)
二、 回答技巧：如何拖延
1. Well, let me see…
2. Oh, let me think for a minute…
3. I'm not sure; I'll have to check…
4. That's a very interesting question.
三、 回答技巧：如何拒絕
1. I'm not really sure.
2. I can't answer that one.
3. I'm sorry, I really don't know.
4. I've got no idea.
5. I'd like to help you, but…
6. That's something I'd rather not talk about just now.
7. Ask me another question. (別問我這個。)
四、 如何獲得更多的信息
1. Could you tell me some more about …
2. Would you mind telling me more about …
3. I'd like to know more about…
4. Something else I was wondering about was …
5. Something else I'd like to know is …
6. Sorry, that's not really what I mean, What I'd like to know is…
7. Sorry to keep after you, but could you tell me…
8. Sorry, I don't quite understand why…
經(jīng)典示范實戰(zhàn)對話
A: Are you still doing your photography? (你還在搞攝影嗎？)You're really good at that.
B: Yeah, that's the one thing I really enjoy.
A: This may sound like a dumb question, but can you get any good pictures on an automatic〖自動相機〗?
B: No, no〖別這么說〗. Now, that's a very interesting question. Automatics are OK, except special effect.
A: There's something else I was wondering about - like, should you do all your developing〖自己沖印〗?
B: Oh, no! You don't have to develop your own. You can get better prints if you send them out.
A: Could you tell me something more about it - like, if I was going to do the developing myself, what kind of equipment would I need?
B: Oh, well, you'd need your enlarger〖放大機〗, and chemicals〖化學藥品〗, and so on.
第十拿手好戲：如何提出勸告和意見之精華
1. If you want my advice, I don't think you should go.
2. I suggest that you tear up the letter and start over again〖把信撕掉重新寫過〗.
3. It's only a suggestion, and you can do what you please. (這只是個建議，你可按照你的意愿去做。)
4. Let me give you a little fatherly〖慈父般的〗advice.
5. If you don't like it, I wish you would say so.
6. Please don't take offense. I only wanted to tell you what I think. (請別生氣，我只是想告訴你我的想法。)
7. In my opinion, the house isn't worth the price they're asking〖這房子不值他們要的價錢〗.
8. My feeling is that you ought to stay home tonight.
9. It's none of my business〖這不關我的事〗, but I think you ought to work harder.
10. In general, my reaction is favorable〖反應良好〗.
11. I've always tried not to interfere in your affairs. (我總是盡量不干涉你的事情。)
12. Thanks for the advice, but this is something I have to figure out myself. (謝謝你的意見/勸告，但對這件事情我必須得自己考慮一下。)
13. He won't pay attention to anybody. You're just wasting your breath〖白費口舌〗.
★世界上最完美的對話之一
G: Jack, would you please read this letter of application I've just written? I'd like to have your opinion.
J: I'd be glad to tell you what I think.
G: If you don't think it's any good, please say so. I really want to get this job.
J: It looks fine to me. But I have one suggestion.
G: Good! I'm interested in your advice.
J: If I were you I'd change the beginning. You should write about your education first.
G: Good idea, Jack. What do you think about the second part?
J: Now that you've asked me, I think it's too short. You should include much more information about your work experience.
G: You're right. I'll change it. How do you feel about the last part of the letter?
J: Very good. But, unless I miss my guess, you should say something about your family, too.
G: I agree. I appreciate your helping me, Jack. Do you think the end is all right?
J: Oh, yes, George. But personally I believe a business letter should end with "Very truly yours", not "Sincerely".
G: I guess I'd better tear up the letter and start over again.
J: Oh, don't do that, George! Just make the few changes I suggested, and your letter will be perfect!
第十三拿手好戲：隨手寫出地道英語信件─生活和商務
Dear Allen,
[1] I just received your letter and I want to let you know my opinion of your plans for the future. I hope you won't take offense, but will accept what I say here as some fatherly advice.
[2] I was quite surprised when I read in your letter that you had decided not to finish your studies at the university. I realize that Peter wants you to marry him this summer. But with only one more year to go, you would be well advised to finish. A year is really a short time, and later you will be glad you postponed getting married.
[3] As you know, my reaction to Peter was extremely favorable when I met him. He's an exceptionally fine young man and should be a good husband. But I suggest you complete your education first.
[4] You are twenty-one, a grown-up young lady old enough to make up your own mind. This is something you'll have to work out yourself. As your uncle, I have always tried not to interfere in your affairs and I don't intend to begin now. But, my dear niece, please do consider my words very carefully before you decide. Whatever you do, though, Allen, you know I only want one thing for you, and that is your happiness.
Affectionately, Uncle John
★ well-advised /ill-advised =wise /unwise:明智的/不明智
例: You would be well-advised to stay at home today.
◆ ◆Dear Mr. Lee:
[1] Please accept my apology for not meeting you for lunch Tuesday. I had the appointment written on my calendar and was looking forward to the occasion, but somehow I got my days mixed up〖搞混〗and didn't realize the mistake until now. Please forgive me. I'll call you on Friday to see if we can reschedule〖重新安排〗our luncheon meeting at your convenience〖在你方便的時候〗.
[2] I'm eager to hear about the proposed Stone Project in more detail.
◆ ◆Dear Mr. Billet:
[1] Thank you for reminding us that you will be in town next Wednesday and would like to discuss your printing services with Ms. Smith.
[2] As Ms. Smith has indicated〖暗示；表示〗on several previous occasions, we are very pleased with our present arrangements for printing and definitely will not be considering and other services in the foreseeable〖可預見的；可預知的〗future. Therefore, Ms. Smith has asked me to tell you that a meeting would not be helpful at this time.
[3] We appreciate your interest in our firm, however, and thank you for writing.
〖富有處世技巧的商業(yè)信件：留有后路的拒絕〗
下面是一封商業(yè)交往中最常見的"詢價信"(Letters of Inquiry):
◆ ◆Dear Sirs,
[1] We have seen your advertisement in Chinese Arts and Crafts〖手工藝〗and are interested in Chinese Folding Fans〖中國折扇〗.
[2] Will you please send us your catalogue〖商品目錄〗and full details of your export prices and terms of payment〖付款條件〗, together with any samples you can let us have?
[3] If your prices are competitive〖有競爭力；便宜〗, we believe we can place regular orders〖長期訂貨〗with you.
[4] We look forward to receiving your reply.