Short Conversations(短對話)
Read aloud the concersation two times, and then listen to the tape without looking at the text.
Two-faced Connie
Donna: Well, Connie said you didn't mean to say I was bossy.
Jessie: She also said that you didn't mean to call me unreliable.
Donna: Yeah, well, unreliable might not have been the right thing to say. I admit1 it.
Jessie: I suppose2 bossy wasn't very nice, either. I'll take that back if you take back unreliable and that part about me being unorganized.
Donna: You're not unreliable.
Jessie: And unorganized?
Donna: But Jessie, you are unorganized.
Jessie: I don't believe it!
Donna: You are! Why do you keep denying3 it? Even Connie said you are.
Jessie: She did?! Well, she said you're bossy, too! What does that prove4?
Donna: She said I'm bossy?
Jessie: Yep5, she said you always have to take charge.
Donna: What a two-faced thing to say.
Whittaker: Well, here's your water, girls.
Donna: No, thanks, Mr. Whittaker. I'm going home!
Whittaker: Oh, Jessie?
Jessie: I'm leaving, too.
Whittaker: But what…?
Connie: Hi, guys. Sorry I'm late but I had to…uh, what's going on?
Donna: We're leaving.
Connie: Leaving? What happened?
Donna: I'm not interested in working with people who talk behind other people's back6 about people who…oh, never mind7! Goodbye!
Jessie: Connie, I really thought a woman of your age would know better8.
Connie: Know better? What did I do?
注釋：
1.admit:承認
用法：We cheerfully admit that we are engaged.我們高興地承認我倆訂婚了。
2.suppose:認為
用法：What do you suppose I am thinking of you？
你認為我是怎么想你的？
3.keep denying:一直否認(keeping doing…一直在……)
用法：I have to keep telling myself what is going to happen.
我不得不一再告訴自己將會發(fā)生什么事。
4.prove:證明
用法：Me? How can you prove it?
是我干的？你怎么證明它？
5.yep:=yes,是nope=no,不
6.behind sb.'s back:背地里
用法：Don't speak ill of a man behind his back.
不要背地里說別人的壞話。
7. never mind:算了，不必介意
8.would know better:不該這樣,學乖點。(know better意謂：懂事，有頭腦，明事理，常接than表示"知道不該……")
用法：Since you had worked in this area for several years, you would know better.你在這一領域內工作了好幾年，你不應該這樣(也該學乖了)。
Long Conversations(長對話)
1.Conversations: (Find a partner and practice these dialogues.)
A:
Susan:(With a new dress on) Dad, do you notice anything?
Frank:Why, yes! I see my little baby grown upsintosquite a very sophisticated1 young lady.
Susan:(Feeling disappointed) Oh, no! (She starts sobbing2.).
Frank:I've made over a million dollars in my life, but it'll take me at least three life-times to understand just one teenage girl!
Susan:(Keeps crying).
Frank:Sue dear! What did I say?
Susan:Oh, it's not you, dad. It's Victor! He's always complaining that I'm overdressed3 and too sophisticated for him!
Frank:Overdressed?
Susan:Yes! He says I'm always wearing swim suits I can't swim in…and ski clothes I can't ski in…and when I wear mink4 he feels embarrassed about taking me to a sandwich shop…and…Oh dad! (Sobbing) What's wrong with trying to look nice?
Frank:Oh nothing that a little poverty wouldn't solve! You mean you dress too old for him?
Susan:Yes!
B:(Phone rings)
Frank:It's probably that nuisance5, Victor, now! The only reason I tolerate his calling is that I own many shares in Bell Telephone!
Susan: It's for me, dad?
Frank:Here you go! (He gives the receiver to Susan.)
C:(Susan answers the phone.)
Susan: Hello, Victor!
Victor:Hi, Sue! I've a chance to win the Orange County Grand Prix!
Susan:Whatever is that, Victor?
Victor: It's a sports car race. I'm entering my racer in competition with the finest cars in Orange County!
Susan:Oh, Victor! I didn't know you had a racing car! How thrilling! I'd love to see it!
Victor:Okay, honey. Pick you up in a half hour to see my new car at the race track. The race starts in one hour.
D:(Saying to Frank)
Susan:Dad, I'm going to a sports car race! Victor has a car entered!
Frank:So he's thought up6 a new way to break his fool neck!
Susan:(Opens the closet) Hmm…now what can I possibly wear? No, this looks too old. Uh-uh, this looks too sophisticated!
(Doorbell rings)
Susan:Like it, Victor? I pieced7 together and accessorized8 a few outfits…chromed9 the buttons…redesigned the lapels10…and modified the lining11!
Victor: (Looking a little surprised) Looking good, Sue! What do you say we burn a little rubber in my second car for the Grand Prix?
Susan:(A car pulls up and they drive away.) This is Mike's house! Are you picking him up too?
Victor: C'mon! Mike's also got a racer!
(They enter Mike's house.)
Victor:Is the Grand Prix set up, gang?
Mike:For a half hour already!
(A girl smirks.)
Susan:What are you smirking12 at, Betty?
Betty:Oh nothing, Sue! Your outfit is very original!
Victor:(Showing Sue a model car) Sue, just look at this baby! Aren't these treads13 realistic?
Susan:(Feeling angry) I'd like to tread all over you, Victor!
Victor: But, Sue! I named this beauty "Susan" after you!
Susan: Oh? That's sweet of you, Victor! Enjoy your race!
(Susan runs away angrily.)
注解
1.sophisticated: matured and experienced精于世故的
用法：She is such a sophisticated woman that she saw through his trick at the first sight.
她是個十分老練的女人，她一眼就看穿了他的把戲。
2. sob: whimper and cry嗚咽,哭泣
用法：The old woman sobbed there for her lost cat.
那個老婦人在為她丟了的貓哭泣。
3. overdress: dress luxuriously穿得過于講究
4. mink: coat made from animal skin貂皮衣
用法：Wearing mink used to be the fashion of English lady.
身穿貂皮衣曾是英國女性的時尚。
5. nuisance: somebody or something made people annoyed令人厭惡的人或事。
6. think up: work out and invent想出,發(fā)明
7. piece: to make by joining parts or fragments(同together連用)拼湊、拼在一起
用法：I tried to piece together a broken vase, but I failed.
我試圖想把破碎的花瓶拼在一起，可我沒拼成。
8. accessorize: to equip, decorate, or supplement with something extra用裝飾品等附加物來補充……
用法：Don't bother her. She was busy accessorizing the living room with watercolors.
別打擾她。她正忙著用水彩畫來布置客廳。
9. chrome:給……鍍鉻
10.lapel: the reversed collar衣服上的翻領
11.lining:衣服的襯里，內襯
用法：The lining of the overcoat was made of silk.
大衣的襯里是用絲綢做的。
12.smirk: smile in an affected way傻笑、得意地笑
用法：The girls were just sitting there smirking during the evening party.
那些女孩子在晚會上就坐在那兒傻笑。
13.treads:汽車輪胎的胎面花紋
用法：The tires have good treads.
這些車胎胎面花紋完好無損。