Lesson 19: When Do I Start?

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hi there! Summer in Washington, D.C. is hot and sunny. I always ride the Metro to work. Riding the Metro is cool and fast. But today it’s closed. So, I am walking to work.
(On the phone) Ms. Weaver, I am late this morning. The Metro is closed. So, I am walking to work.
Caty: That’s too bad. It’s really hot today.
Anna: Yes it is.
Caty: When you arrive, please come to my office. I have important news to tell you.
Anna: Of course. Good-bye. My boss has news for me. The question is: Is it good news or bad news?
(At work)
Anna: Hello, Ms. Weaver.
Caty: Anna, I have good news and I have bad news. Which do you want to hear first?
Anna: The good news. No … okay, the bad news.
Caty: The bad news is you are not good at reading the news.
Anna: Oh. I am very sorry to hear that.
Caty: So, starting next month you will not read the news.
Anna: Next month is July. You are firing me in July.
Caty: No. I am not firing you in July … or in August or in September. That is the good news.
Anna: Okay. You are not firing me. I am not reading the news. What will I be doing?
Caty: Well, you are good at asking questions. You are good at talking to people. You are good at showing your feelings. And you are great at being silly.
Anna: Thank you, Ms. Weaver. But what does all that mean?
Caty: I have a new assignment for you! Your skills are perfect for a new show … a children’s show.
Anna: A children’s show … That is awesome! When do I start?
Caty: You start next month. Start thinking of ideas for the show.
Anna: I have tons of ideas! I can show children what it’s like in outer space …
Caty: Great …
Anna: … or in the deep, dark ocean …
Caty: Those are great ideas, Anna. Please go think of more … at your desk.
Anna: Yes. What other things can I show them? Mt. Everest! Everyone has different skills. You have skills. I have skills. The important thing is to know what you are good at. Until next time!

Lesson 18: She Always Does That

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hello, from Washington, D.C.! Today at work I am reading the news for the first time. I am really nervous. But my boss, Ms. Weaver, is here to help me.

Caty: Now, Anna, remember. When we read the news we are always reading facts. We never show our feelings.

Anna: Sure thing, Ms. Weaver.
Caty: Great. Are you ready?
Anna: Yes.
Caty: Okay, let’s try the first story!
Anna: Hello, and welcome to The News.
Anna: A new book is very popular with children and families. This is it.
Anna: It is about a lost duckling. The duck’s mother cannot find him.
Caty: Stop! Anna, when you say the words “duck” and “duckling” you look really sad.
Anna: I do?
Caty: Yes. Sad is a feeling.
Anna: Sad is not a fact. Sorry. Let me try again.
Caty: Okay, she’s trying again! And go.
Anna: Hello, and welcome to The News. A new book is very popular with children and families. This is it.
Anna: It is about a lost duckling. The duck’s mother can not find ‘im. But a family gives him a home.
Caty: Stop! Anna, you are doing it again.
Anna: This story is very sad.
Caty: I have an idea. Let’s read the second story. She’s reading the second story. And … go!
Anna: Hello , and welcome to The News. In Indiana, a grandmother is the first 80-year-old woman to win The Race Car 500.
Anna: That is awesome!
Caty: Stop! Stop! Anna, please — no feelings.
Anna: Right. But it is awesome that an 80-year-old grandmother wins a car race.
Caty: Just the facts, Anna.
Anna: Right.
Anna: Hello, and welcome to The News. In Indiana, a grandmother is the first 80-year-old woman to win The Race Car 500.
Anna: She rarely talks to reporters. But when she does, she often says, “Nothing can stop me now!”
Anna: I am very happy for her!
Caty: Stop, stop, stop!! Anna, you cannot say you are happy.
Anna: But I am happy.
Caty: But you can’t say it.
Anna: Why?
Caty: This is the News. Happy and sad are feelings. You can’t have them in The News.
Anna: Okay. I got it.
Caty: Okay. Let’s try the third story. She’s reading the third story!
Anna: Hello and welcome to The News.
City politicians in Big Town are using city money to have a big party on a cruise ship. They are taking the money for the party from the children’s library.
Anna: What?! That makes me very angry.
Caty: No, no, no! Anna, you cannot say you are angry! This is The News!!!
Anna: What can I do, Ms. Weaver? Take out my feelings and put them here … on the news desk?
Caty: Yes. Yes. That’s right! Now you’ve got it!
Caty: Let’s repeat the first story.
Anna: This is going to be a very long day.
Anna: Until next time!

世博英语脱口秀【20】每个人都有自己喜爱的餐馆

美语朗读
精彩讲解

Everybody Has A Favorite Restaurant to Rave About!

Most people get tired of their own cooking. Some people hate eating at home. Some people are too busy to buy groceries and make the effort to cook a meal at home. These and so many more reasons create the demand for restaurants, and since everybody goes out to eat at least occasionally, asking about restaurant recommendations is a good conversation starter. Most people have a favorite restaurant to fit every mood and situation. “Want a romantic atmosphere? Go to that Italian place on 2nd Avenue!” “If you’re looking for something different, that Greek restaurant in the center of the city is great.” Sometimes people warn their friends about bad restaurants. “Avoid Sam’s Diner. The service is awful!” Of course, you can always tell how popular a restaurant is by the number of people that are seated. The longer the wait, the better the food!

中文翻译

每个人都有自己喜爱的餐馆

大多数人会厌倦吃自已烧的菜。更有些人不喜欢在家吃饭。而有些则因为太忙而没空去买菜再回家煮。正因为这些种种原因，餐馆就有了生意。既然每个人都至少偶尔会上饭店吃饭，那么向别人打听那家饭店比较好就能很好地打开话题了。大部分人都会选出一家自己喜欢的餐馆来对应不同的需要。“要气氛浪漫一点？去第二大道上的那家意大利饭店！”“想吃些特别的东西？市中心的希腊餐厅很棒的！”有时我们还会警告朋友别去哪家饭店：“别去Sam小食，那里的服务一塌糊涂！”当然，从饭店的满座率就能看出它的受欢迎程度。等得越久，菜肴越好！

必备字词

必备字词

rave v. 赞美
Everyone raves about the latest work of hers.
每个人都对她最新的著作赞不绝口。

get tired of 对…厌倦
The public got tired of his lies.
公众对他的谎言厌倦了。

too…to… 太…以致于…
The bus was too crowded to get on.
公共汽车太挤了，没法上。

awful a. 可怕的，糟糕的
The food in this restaurant is awful.
这家餐馆的菜很糟糕。

recommendation n. 推荐
You have to write him a recommendation letter.
你还得给他写封推荐信。

每日一句

每日一句

The longer the wait, the better the food.
等待越长，饭菜越好。

A: I think my opening speech is too short.
B: Well, in my opinion, the longer the speech, the less the audience.

A: 我觉得我的开场白太短了。
B: 嗯，我倒觉得，演讲越长，听众越少。

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