每日课程 30 - 20 JULY 2008

Window Shopping 浏览窗口

A: There's the mixer I was telling you about. It's not so expensive. Just twenty dollars on sale.

B: Right now that's twenty dollars too much. Let's walk down the street and look at the prints in the bookstore window. I heard they had some nice reproductions on display.

A: Okay, but before we buy any more pictures, let's get the ones we have framed.

B: Who said anything about buying pictures? We're just window shopping. It doesn't cost anything to look.

Notes

Mixer 电动食品搅拌器

Prints 图片

Windows shopping 浏览窗口

A：这就是我曾对你说过的食品搅拌器。它并不太贵。大减价时只售二十美元。

B：眼下二十美元还是太贵了。我们还是沿街往前走，去看一看书店橱窗里的图片。我听说他们展出了一些精致漂亮的艺术画片。

A：好的，但在我们购买新的图片之前，先把我们现有的图片装在玻璃框里。

B：谁说过要买图片来着？我们只浏览橱窗，看一看并不用花钱。

每日课程 29 - 19 JULY 2008

Taking Clothes to the cleaners 把衣服送进洗衣店

A: Let's see. That's two pairs of slacks. One lady's skirt, and one man's gaberdine overcoat.

B: And this sport shirt, too. All cleaned and pressed. When'll they be reaby?

A: Is next Thursday soon enough?

B: Well. Yes. But that topcoat?

A: We have a special rapid service at an extra charge.

B: Perhaps, I'd better, but just for the coat. When'd it be ready?

A: Tomorrow afternoon, anytime after four-thirty.

B: How late are you open?

A: Until six-thirty, sir.

B: Fine. That leaves me plenty of time to pick it up after work.

A: Here's your slip, sir. Any time after four-thirty.

B: Good. Thank you.

Notes

Slacks 长裤

Gabardine 轧别丁，华达呢

Press 熨平(通常用蒸汽电熨斗)

Slip 收据，单据

A：让我看看。这是两条长裤、一条女裙和一件华达呢男大衣。

B：还有这件运动衫。全部洗和熨。什么时候可以取？

A：下星期四来得及吗？

B：好，可以。但这件大衣呢？

A：我们有专门的快洗服务，需另加费。

B：看来我最好用快洗，不过只是这件大衣。什么时候可取？

A：明天下午，四点半以后。

B：你们营业到几点？

A：到六点半，先生。

B：好极了。这使我有足够的时间在下班后来取。

A：先生，这是您的取件单。四点半以后来。

B：好，谢谢。

每日课程 28 - 18 JULY 2008

At the post office 去邮局

A: I want to send this package by first class mail.

B: Do you want it insured?

A: Yes, for fifty dollars, please. I'd also like some stamps-a book of twenty two and three airmail's.

B: You'll have to get those at the stamp window over there, next to general delivery.

A: Can I get money orders there, too?

B: No, that's to the left, three windows down the hall.

Notes

First class mail 第一类邮件(美国邮件按投递速度分为若干类。第一类最快，邮资也最贵)

Insure (对所寄包裹)保险(相当于我国的保价邮件)

A book of 通常指10张…面额的邮票

Money order 汇款单

A：我想用第一类邮件寄这个包裹。

B：要保险吗？

A：是的，请按五十元保险。我还想买些邮票---十张两角两分的和三张航空信邮票。

B：你要到那边的邮票窗口去买，邮件待领窗口隔壁。

A：在那儿我也能要汇款单吗？

B：不，那在左面，沿大厅过去三个窗口。

每日课程 27 - 17 JULY 2008

At the Airport 在机场

A: Is the nine o'clock flight from Montreal on time?

B: Flight 496? No, it's running twenty minutes behind. They're due on the field at nine twentyfive. Probably Gate 34.

A: I have reservations on Flight 27 to Mexico City.

B: May I see your tickets, please? You confirmed your reservations?

A: Yes, this afternoon.

B: Here we are, Mrs.Jonhnson. Do you have any baggage?

A: No. Just this overnight case.

B: Fine. Let's see, now. flight 27 is right on time. You'll be leaving from Gate 13 on the eastern concourse.

A: Is there anything else to do before flight time?

B: No, ma'am. Just show your ticket to the boarding officer as you get on the plane. The rest is our job. Have a good trip, Mrs.Johnson.

Notes

They are due-they should arrive

Confirm 确认(机票)

Concourse 机场内的封闭式通道

A：九点钟从蒙特利尔来的一班飞机是否准时到达？

B：是496航班吗？不，它晚点二十分钟，应该在九点二十五分着陆。大概是34号门。

A：我预订了27航班去墨西哥城的票。

B：可以看看您的机票吗？您有没有确认您的机票。

A：是的，今天下午确认的。

B：我们查到了，约翰逊夫人。您有行李吗？

A：没有，只有这个随身带的旅行包。

B：好，现在我们来看看。27航班准时起飞。您走东部通道，从13号门登机。

A：在起飞前还有什么手续要办吗？

B：没有，夫人。您登机时只要向工作人员出示机票就可以了。余下的是我们的事。祝您旅途愉快，约翰逊夫人。

每日课程 26 - 16 JULY 2008

The Bus Driver and a Lady Passenger 公共汽车驾驶员和一位女乘客

A: Does this bus go downtown.

B: No, ma'am. But it meets the 58 bus at 40th and Main. Here's a transfer. I'll call the stop.

A: Thank you. Will I have to wait long?

B: Only about five minutes if the 58 is on time.

A: Another thing. Do you have any schedules?

B: Just for this bus, ma'am. Ask the other driver for a 58 schedule when you get on.

Notes

Transfer 转车票(美国公共汽车上发给的转车凭证，凭此票可中途下车再乘一次公共汽车或换乘一次其他路线公共汽车。有时间限制，一般在二或三小时内使用)

Schedule 公共汽车时刻表(美国城市内公共汽车间隔时间很长，每条路线均备有时刻表)

A：司机，这辆公共汽车去市中心区吗？

B：不，夫人。不过在第40街和大街可以接上58路公共汽车。这是转车票。到站时我会叫您。

A：谢谢您。我要等很久吗？

B：如果58路准时的话，只要等五分钟左右。

A：还有，您有时刻表吗？

B：只有这一路的，夫人。当您换车时请问司机要一张58路的时刻表。

每日课程 25 - 15 JULY 2008

Asking Directions 问路

A: Excuse me. Could you tell me how to get downtown?

B: Yes, of course. Areyou familiar with the streets here?

A: NO, I'm from out of town.

B: Well, let me see. What would be the quickest way? I'll tell you. Go to the end of This block, turn right, and walk six blocks. Then turn left for three blocks. There's a Big intersection there. You can't miss it. The main business section is three or four blocks south of the intersection.

A: Thanks a lot. Oh, one more thing. Are there any buses running this time of night?

B: No. They stop at eleven p.m.

Notes

From out of town 从外地来

Block 两条横马路之间的街区，walk six blocks意即走过六条马路

Intersection 几条街道的交叉点

A：对不起。您可以告诉我到市中心商业区如何走吗？

B：当然可以。您熟悉这里的街道吗？

A：不，我是从外地来的。

B：哦，让我想一想，哪一条是最近的路？我告诉您。顺这条街走到下一条横马路时向右转，再过六条马路，然后向左转再过三条马路，那儿有一个很大的交叉路口，你不会错过的，从交叉路口向南过三条或四条马路就是主要的商业区。

A：多谢。哦，还有一件事。在晚上这个时候这儿还有没有公共汽车行驶？

B：没有，晚上十一点就停止了。

每日课程 24 - 14 JULY 2008

Apartment for Rent 公寓招租

A: This apartment has three rooms and a bath. Here's the kitchen.

B: It seems a little small to me.

A: Not really, for one person, and it has a nice gas range and a good refrigerator. There are lots of shelves and cupboards, too.

B: What about closets?

A: You'll have two large ones in the badroom. One has shelves and a built-in shoe rack. Then there's a storage closet in the living room and a linen closet in the bathroom.

B: The living room looks sort of dark.

A: We're painting it a lighter color, and it gets the afternoon sun.

B: Well, thank you for showing me around. I'll let you know tonight if I decide to take it. I want to look around before I make up my mind.

Notes

A little small 稍小一些

Cupboard 嵌要墙壁上装有玻璃门的壁橱，用来放置餐具或各种装饰品

Linen 寝具的总称(包括被子、床单、浴巾等)

A：这套公寓有三个房间和一个卫生间。这儿是厨房。

B：它对我来说好像小了点儿。

A：实际上不小吧，你只一个人。而且这儿有一只漂亮的煤气灶和很好的冰箱。还有很多大橱和装饰橱。

B：有些什么壁橱？

A：在卧室内有两个大壁橱。其中一个有搁板和鞋架。在起居室有一个放在床上用品及毛巾的壁橱。

B：起居室看起来光线不太好。

A：我们正在把它漆成明亮的颜色。下午房间内可以照到太阳。

B：谢谢你给我们看了房间。如果我决定要，今天晚上我会告诉你。我想作出决定前再慎重考虑一下。

每日课程 23 - 13 JULY 2008

A Lady orders Lunch 一位女士点午餐的菜

A: Can I help you, ma'ma?

B: Yes, what's that over there on the other side of the mashed potatoes?

A: That's chicken a la king.

B: I'm tempted. but I'd better not.

A: Maybe you'd like the macaroni and cheese.

B: No, that's too rich. Just let me have a tossed salad, dark toast, and tea.

A: Do you want Roquefort, or French, or thousand Island dressing?

B: French dressing, please.

A: That'll be two eighty-five altogether.

Notes

Chicken a la king 青椒蘑菇奶油鸡

I'm tempted 我很想要

Dark toast 烤得焦一些的面包片

Roquefort, French, Thousand Island 都是美国调料的牌子，用于调拌蔬菜色拉。

A：夫人，我能为您效劳吗？

B：嗯，在土豆那一边的是什么菜？

A：那是青椒蘑菇奶油鸡。

B：我很想吃这菜，但是我最好还是别吃。

A：也许你想要通心粉和乳酪。

B：不，那太油腻了。就给我来点儿生拌色拉、烤得焦点的土司和茶。

A：你要罗克弗特牌，法式还是千岛牌调料？

B：请给我法式调料。

A：总共两元八角五分。

每日课程 22 - 12 JULY 2008

In the Cafeteria 在自助餐厅里

A: What'll you have,sir?

B: I don't know. What's good today?

A: Why not try the beef pot pie? That's the special today. Lots of people come in on Mondays just to get our beef pot pie. Or, how about the oyster stew?

B: No, I'm hungry. That wouldn't last me the afternoon. I guess I'll have a hot beef sandwich with plenty of gravy.

A: Do you want it on whole wheat, white french, or rye?

B: Make it whole wheat.

A: Anything to drink?

B: Yes, coffee, but I'll come back for it later.

Notes

Special-being featured, advertised (美国的餐厅每天都推出一道特色菜，贴在餐厅门口或在菜单上单独列出，称为当天的special)

Wouldn't last me the afternoon 不够我维持一个下午(意即下午很快肚子就要饿了)

Whole wheat 麸皮面包

Rye 黑面包

A：先生，您想用点什么？

B：我不知道，今天有什么好东西？

A：何不尝一下牛肉馅饼？这是今天的特色菜。星期一有很多人来这里就是为了吃牛肉馅饼。或者，炖牡蛎怎么样？

B：不要了，我很饿。它支撑不了我的一个下午。我想我要一个热的牛肉三明治加上大量肉汁。

A：你想用麸皮面包、法式面包还是黑面包做？

B：用麸皮面包。

A：喝点什么？

B：咖啡，不过我等一会儿再回来喝？

每日课程 21 - 11 JULY 2008

Invitation to Lunch 请吃午饭

A: Frances, do you know if the cafeteria around the corner's open today?

B: Yes. They were open this morning when I came to work. They must've finished remodeling. Why'd you want to know?

A: Well, I thought that maybe we could go there for lunch today. That is. If you haven't promised to go with someone else.

B: That'd be wonderful, Joe. But I hope you're in a better mood than you were this morning.

A: I'm sorry I was such a grouch. It must've been the weather. When it rains I get depressed.

B: Forget it. I'll see you at twelvethirty.

Notes

Remodel 重新装修(一般指商店的门面和内部装修)

Why'd you-why did you

In a better mood 情绪好一些

Grouch 脾气不好的人

It must've been the weather 大概是天气的缘故

A：弗朗西斯，你知道街角上的自助餐厅今天开门营业吗？

B：是的，今天早上我来上班时看到它开着。他们大概已经装修好了。为什么你想知道？

A：嗯，我想我们今天可以去那儿吃午饭。就是说，如果你没答应别人去的话。

B：那太好了，乔。不过我希望你现在的情绪比早上要好一些。

A：很抱歉，我的脾气那么不好。大概是天气的缘故。每当下雨我就很沮丧。

B：忘掉这事吧。十二点半再见。

每日课程 20 - 10 July 2008

Bob on the Telephone 鲍勃在打电话

A: Hello, Pete. This is Bob. How are you?

B: Oh, I'm fine.

A: Where were you this afternoon? You missed an important lecture. Not sick, I hope. That's good. The next time you decide to skip class, check with me first. It wouldn't do for both of us to be absent. We need at least one complete set of notes. By the way, are you still in timewasting mood? Good. Why don't you come over after supper? Joe's off somewhere with date, and I don't feel much like working. About eight o'clock? Swell. And bring some records over, why don't you? Okay. See you then. Goodbye.

Notes

Skip class 逃课

Check with me 让我知道

Feel like-want to

Swell 好极了(口头语)

Time-wasting 觉得无聊的，没事可干

A：哈罗，皮特，我是鲍勃，你怎么样？

B：啊，我很好。

A：今天下午你在哪儿？你错过了一堂重要课，我想你没生病吧？那很好，下次你决定要逃课的话，先告诉我一下，我们两人都缺席不太好。我们至少应有一 套完整的笔记。顺便问问你，你现在还是觉得无聊吗？好，晚饭后你来好吗？乔出去约会了，而我不大想工作了。八点左右来怎样？好极了！带一些唱片来好吗？ 好，到时见，再见。

每日课程 19 - 9 July 2008

Turning in 上床睡觉

A: I guess I'll turn in, Bob. It's been a long day.

B: I've got a chapter to read for tomorrow, so I'll be up for a while yet. I'll turn off thd heat and lock thd door before I go to bed.

A: Okay. What time are you getting up tomorrow?

B: Oh, the usual time. No, wait a minute. Make sure I'm up before you go to work, will you? I've got a quiz at ten. It wouldn't hurt to read over my notes.

A: I'll try, but when seven o'clock comes around, don't forget you asked me to wake you.

B: Good night, Joe.

Notes

Turn in 上床睡觉

Be up for a while 等一会儿(再睡)

Quiz 小型考试、测验

It wouldn't hurt to-it would be wise to come around 到来

A：我想我要上床了，鲍勃。今天很累了。

B：我还有一章要读完，这是明天的功课，所以我要等一会儿再睡。在我上床以前我会关掉暖气和锁上门的。

A：好的。明天你几点起床？

B：啊，老样子。不，等一等。记住，我要在你上班之前起来，好吗？十点钟我有一个小型考试。最好能再读一遍我的笔记。

A：我尽量做到，不过到七点钟时别忘了是你要我叫醒你的。

B：晚安，乔。

每日课程 18 - 8 July 2008

“No”and“Not” “No”和“Not”

A: Hi, Mary. How've things been? I haven't heard anything about your English investigation for weeks. What're you studying now?

B: Now it's negative-“no”and“not”, to be specific.

A: There's nothing particularily unusual about “no”and“not”, is there?

B: Not a lot, really. The main thing seems to be that “not”is used with verbs, and “no”everywhere else.

Notes

How've things been? 情况如何？(问候用语)

Investigations-research

A：你好，玛丽。你过得怎样？我有好几个星期没听到有关你研究英语的情况了。你正在学习什么？

B：现在正在学否定词--“No”和“Not”。

A：对于“No”和“Not”没有什么特别要注意的地方，是吗？

B：的确没有什么，看来主要点在于“Not”和动词连用，而在其他地方用“No”。

每日课程 17 - 7 JULY 2008

American English Rhythm 美国英语的节拍

A: Hello, Harry. Where are you off to?

B: I'm going home to study my English lesson.

A: English lesson?

B: Yes. I'm trying to learn a little more. I don't always understand what people say, and they don't always understand me.

A: What're you learning about?

B: Well. For instance, some words in a sentence. The time between two of these stressed words is always about the same, no matter how many words there are. This is what makes English sound jerky. First you go very fast, and then perhaps you slow up.

A: Hmmmm. I never noticed that. Give me an example.

B: Sure, Here's a sentence we memorized for class. “You told me last night not to let you argue me out of getting you up on time.”It takes just as long to say“not to let you argue me out of getting you up on time”as it does to say“you told me last night”

Notes

Accented-stressed

Jerky 不规则地跳动

A：你好，哈里，你到哪儿去？

B：我回家去温习英语课。

A：英语课？

B：是的，我想尽量多学一点。我总是听不懂人家讲的话，别人也听不懂我讲的话。

A：我在学习什么呢？

B：嗯，例如，在一句话中的有些词是加重语气的，读音较重。不论一句中有多少加重的词，其中两个词间隔的时间总是几乎一样的。这就使英语的音调显得不平稳。开始你说得很快，后来可能慢下来。

A：哦，我倒从来没有注意到这点。给我举个例子。

B：可以。这儿有一句我们在上课时应记住的话：“You told me last night not to let you argue me out of getting you up on time.”在说“not to let you argue me out of getting you up on time”这段话的时间就和说“you told me last night”这句话一样长。

每日课程 16 - 6 JULY 2008

Easy and Difficult 易学的和难学的语言

A: People always say that Chinese and English are very hard to learn. Sometimes I wish I were learning French or Japanese. Maybe they'd be easier.

B: Maybe, but maybe not too. It all depends on what language you already speak.

A: Why should that be? What diffrence does it make?

B: Well, languages are more or less equally difficult. Most of the things one language says must be said by every language in some way.

A: You mean I could learn Chinese easily?

B: No, because your native language is Spanish. But Italian might be easy. It has a lot of words that are similar to words in Spanish. Even the sound systems are more similar than that of Chinese is to Spanish. How difficult a language is to learn depends mostly on how much it resembles your own language.

Notes
Sound system-the total arrangement of the vocal units of a language
Resembles-is like

A：人们常说汉语和英语是很难学的。有的时候我想要是我学法语或日语就好了。也许这两种语言容易些。
B：可能，不过也可能不太容易。这要看你原来是说什么语言的。
A：为什么呢？这有什么关系？
B：哦，语言大体上都是同样地难学。一种语言中所说的绝大部分东西，在别的语言中差不多都有。
A：你的意思是说我学汉语会很容易？
B：不，因为你的母语是西班牙语。所以意大利语可能容易些。它有很多词同西班牙语相似。连它的语音体系也比汉语更接近西班牙语。一种语言是否难学，主要看它在多大程度上同自己的语言相近。

每日课程 15 - 5 JULY 2008

Learning a language 学习一种语言

A: To speak a language, one must know its grammar almost completely, not just its vocabulary or its sounds, not even sets of rules for constructing sentences. But one can't learn a language by studying only its grammar. If you do this, you may learn only the grammar and not the language. Instead, by memorizing how to use them, one can learn both the grammar of the language and the language.

Notes

Instead-rather

A great many-a great deal

A：为了能说一种语言，一个人不仅要掌握词汇和发音，以及一系列造句的规则，还应对语法做到差不多融汇贯通。但是仅仅学习语法，还不能掌握 一种语法。如果只做到这点，那你学会的可能只是语法，而不是语言。相反，记住大量句子并学会使用这些句子，就能既学会语法，又学会语言。

每日课程 14 - 4 JULY 2008

Speak up 大声说话

A: I thought I was speaking English fairly well. Now I'm not so sure.

B: What did you say?

A: I said I thought I spoke pretty good English, but people keep asking me to repeat what I've said, so maybe I'm not doing so well after all.

B: There's nothing wrong with your English. It's just that no one can hear what you're saying.

A: Is that what's wrong? But I think it's impolite to talk loudly.

B: You don't have to shout, but you do have to make yourself heard. Maybe Americans talk louder than other people. If so, you'll just have to speak louder,too.

Notes

Fairly well 挺不错

Is that what's wrong? 这就是问题所在吗？

Make yourself heard 让别人听得见你说的话

A：我本以为自己的英语说得不错。现在我又不那么有把握了。

B：你说什么？

A：我说我以为自己英语说得不错，但人们老是要我重复我说过的话。或许我说的并不那么好。

B：你的英语没有问题。只是没有人听得见你在说什么。

A：毛病就在这里吗？可是我觉得大声说话是不礼貌的。

B：你不一定要大声喊叫，但你应该让别人听得见你的话。也许美国人说话声音比别的人要响。如果这样，你说话声音也大一些就是了。

每日课程 13 - 3 JULY 2008

More Two-word Verbs 又一些成语动词

A: I hadn't finished telling you about two-word verbs, Bob.

B: Do I have to hear more? I'm not sure I can follow it.

A: Sure you can. This part is the most interesting.

B: Okay. Go ahead.

A: Well, here are sentences with two-word verbs with objects:

I can't get over

I can't get it over

I can't get over it

I can't get him over it

They all mean different things

B: Can you explain how they're different?

A: Each part or both parts of the two-word verb can have an object. The verb may have different meanings with different objects, or different arrangements of object. Is that clear? You look confused.

B: I'm not confused, I was just thinking.

Notes

Follow-understand

Get over 越过(如篱笆)

Get it over 解释，讲清楚

Get over it 从(惊吓、疾病)恢复过来

Get him over it 使他忘却(遗憾、悲伤)

A：鲍勃，关于成语动词，我还没有对你讲完。

B：我还需要听你讲吗？我不知道是否能理解。

A：你当然能理解。这一部分是最有意思的。

B：好，说吧。

A：嗯，下列这些句子里的成语动词有宾语：

I can't get over

I can't get it over

I can't get over it

I can't get him over it

这些句子的意思都不相同。

B：你能否解释一下怎么不同？

A：成语动词的每个部分或两个部分可以有一个宾语。动词加上不同的宾语或宾语的不同组合，就可以有不同的含意。清楚了吗？你好像弄糊涂了。

B：我没有糊涂。我只是在思考。

每日课程 12 - 2 JULY 2008

Two-word Verbs 成语动词

A: Hi, Mary, how are you doing?

B: Fine. What happended to you yesterday? I didn't see you in class.

A: Oh, I overslept as usual. What went on anyway?

B: We heard about two-word verbs.

A: What's a two-word verb?

B: Things like drop in, go over, get out, fill up. Listen to these two sentences: citation will run in the third race tomorrow; Mr.Lee will run in to see you tomorrow. Can you tell which run in is the two-word verb?

Notes

How are you doing? 同how are you? (美国人见面时常用的问候语)

What happened to you yesterday? 昨天你出了什么事？

What went on? 发生了什么事？

Citation 一匹赛马的名字

Run in 顺便来访

A：喂，玛丽，你好吗?

B：很好。昨天你出了什么事？我在课堂上没有见到你。

A：啊，像往常一样睡过头了，难道有什么事？

B：我们学了一些成语动词。

A：什么成语动词？

B：像drop in, go over, get out, fill up这些词。听听下面这两句话：Citation will run in the third race tomorrow; Mr.Lee will run in to see you tomorrow. 这两句中都有run in，你能说出哪一个是成语动词吗？

英语文化陷阱 3

Wearing two hats
　　同事朋友聚会，少不了相互介绍。先生在向我介绍他的同事 Larry 时，说他可是个大忙人: “He is wearing two hats.” 我说，你开什么玩笑，他根本就没戴帽子。 Larry 一直以笑作答，倒是先生察言观色，知道我不懂，便帮我找台阶下。原来，先生是指Larry在医院某一部门担任要职，除此之外，还有自己的生意，就是说 Larry 身兼两职，而不是真的戴了两顶帽子。 (摘自《世界日报》)

每日课程 11- 1 JULY 2008

Spelling 拼音

A: You know, Ralph, since I started speaking English all the time my pronunciation's getting better and even the grammar's beginning to make some sense. But I don't think I'll ever be able to spell.
B: You're not alone there. I have trouble with spelling too. When I was in grade school, I learned which words were the most frequently misspelled, but I never did learn how to spell them.
A: Since it's so difficult, why is it so important to learn how to spell properly?
B: Because if you spell satisfactorily, you're considered educated. If you don't, you're not.

Notes
Make sense - to become understandable
Grade school (美国的)小学

A：拉尔夫，你知道，自从我开始所有时间都讲英语以来，我的发音有了进步，而且语法也开始理顺了。不过我不认为我能把字拼出来。
B：不是你一个人如此。我在拼音方面也有困难。当我上小学的时候，我知道哪些词是经常拼错的，但我没有学会如何拼这些词。
A：既然这么难，为什么学会准确拼音又如此重要呢？
B：因为如果你能准确无误地拼音，人家就会把你看作受到教育的人。否则，在别人眼里你是个缺乏教育的人。

每日课程 10 - 30 JUN 2008

Learning Vocabulary 学习词汇

A: I don't understand why we have to memorize conversations. We need more vocabulary, not pronunciation.
B: Don't you think memorizing conversations is a part of learning vocabulary? Every time we memorize a conversation, we're memorizing a whole series of contexts. Each context tells us one way a word can be used, I know from my own language that I can't always use words by simply looking them up in a dictionary and then putting them into sentences. Some words have many meanings. We have to know which meanings go where.

Notes
Context (文章或讲话中的)前后文(根据前后文的逻辑可以确定某一个具有多种解释的词或短语的含义)
Which meanings go where 哪一种解释讲得通

A：我弄不懂为什么我们一定要记住会话。我们需要的是词汇，而不是发音。
B：你不认为记住会话是学习词汇的一个组成部分吗？每当我们记住一句会话，我们就记住了全部的上下文。而这上下文可以供我们了解一个单词的一种用 法。我从自己的语言中意识到，光靠查词典然后把这些词汇拼成句子，并不意味着会正确使用这些词。有些意识有很多解释。我们必须弄清楚在哪种情况下适用哪一 种解释。

每日课程 9 - 29 JUN 2008

Learning English 学英语

A: Ralph, do me a favor, will you?

B: That all depends on what it is.

A: This is the problem, I'm still having trouble with my English. The instructor suggests that I ask an American to help me by telling me how he says the things I say which just aren't English. I wanted you to be the American.

B: What good'll it do? You never speak English unless you absolutely have to. I'll help you if you promise to speak noting but English all the time.

A: All right. Maybe I'll do that. It's the only way I'll be able to learn English fast enough, I guess.

Notes

What good'll it do? - it will be useless

Unless you absolutely have to… 除了你非…不可

Make a bargain with sb. 同…约定

A：拉尔夫，帮我一个忙，好吗？

B：这要看帮什么忙。

A：我有个困难。我的英语仍然遇到麻烦。老师建议我请一位美国人帮助，要他告诉我，我说的那些根本不像英语的话应当怎样说。我想要你做这个美国人。

B：这有什么用？你除了非说不可的时候，你从来不说英语。好吧！我跟你达成一个协议：如果你保证在任何时候除了英语外什么也不说，我就帮助你。

A：好吧，也许我能办得到。我想这是我能迅速学会英语的唯一方法。

每日课程 8 - 28 JUN 2008

Hearing and Writing 听和写

A: Tell me about your English class, Mary.

B: Well, yesterday the teacher wro-te some sentences on the board. The first was "if you can't produce the sounds of a langua-ge acceptable, then you can't really hear them when other people make them". Next he wrote, "if you can't hear the sounds of a language then you probably can't write the language well. Your inadequate pronunciation contributes to making your writing substandard."

A: Do you think that's right?

B: I don't know, Bob. I'll tell you when the course is over.

Notes

Substandasd--unacceptable, inferior

A：玛丽，给我说说你们英语课。

B：好吧，昨天老师在黑板上写了一些句子。第一句话是"对于一种语言如果你不能正确地发音,那么当别人发这些音时你实际上不可能听懂。"然后他又写道“如果你听不懂一种语言的发音，你大概也不可能很好地书写这种语言。你的不合格的发音将导致你的书写也不能令人满意。”

A：你认为这对吗？

B：我不知道，鲍勃。等这门课结束时我会告诉你的。

译文：

A：今天我上了第一堂英语课。

B：课上得怎样？

A：很在意思。老师告诉我们有三种方法可帮助我们学习语言。首先,除英语外不要用其他语言谈话。其次.背下大量完整的句子。最后请美国朋友告诉我们，我们在口语中感到困难的那些句子，他们是怎样表达的,并且要一直模仿他们。

每日课程 7 - 28 JUN 2008

The First Class 第一堂课

A: Today I had my first English class

B: How was it?

A: It was interesting. The teacher gave us three ways to help ourselves learn the language. First, stop talking anything except English. Then learn many complete sentences by heart. Finally, have American friends tell us how they say things we have trouble with, and always imitate them.

Notes:

by heart 默记

how they say things we have trouble with 我们感到难以表达的那些事物他们是如何表述的

imitate 模仿

译文：

A：今天我上了第一堂英语课。

B：课上得怎样？

A：很在意思。老师告诉我们有三种方法可帮助我们学习语言。首先,除英语外不要用其他语言谈话。其次.背下大量完整的句子。最后请美国朋友告诉我们，我们在口语中感到困难的那些句子，他们是怎样表达的,并且要一直模仿他们。

每日课程 6 - 27 JUN 2008

Sorry, I'm Late. 对不起，我迟到了

A: Well, you finally got here. It's about time. I've been waiting in this restaurant a full thirty minutes.
B: Sorry, Jeannie. You know me. I'm always late.
A: Everybody knows, and every body's getting tired of it. Five,
ten, thirty minutes all the time. No one is that busy. Even in school you always interrupt the teacher right in the middle of a sentence. The whole class has to wait while you sit down and put down your books. It annoys him and everyone else.
B: All I can say is sorry. Maybe I'll reform, but don't count on it.

Notes:
it's about time-you are late (注意：这是一句表示生气的话，用于责怪对方不遵守时间。在青年人中常用)
get tired of… 对…感到厌倦
it annoys him 这使他讨厌
reform 改正(作风、做法)

译文：
A：啊，你总算来了。你迟到了。我在这家饭店足足等了三十分钟。
B：对不起，珍妮。你是知道我的，我总是迟到。
A：人人都知道，人人都对此感到讨厌，迟到五分、十分、三十分钟，老是这样。没有人会那么忙。即使在学校里，老师讲话讲到一半总是被你的迟到打断。全班不得不等你坐好放下书本。这使老师和每个同学都感到讨厌。
B：我所能说的只有抱歉。也许我会改正，不过别对我抱太大希望。

每日课程 5 - 26 JUN 2008

Before class 上课前

A: Hello, Bob. Have you got your work done for today?

B: No, But maybe the teacher won't ask for it.

A: No such luck. The last time he forgot to collect our homework was the day he came down with the flu. He's in better

shape now. He won't forget again.

B: I know. That was a great week. I went out with Mary three nights running.

A: Who's Mary?

B: You know, the dark-haired girl who sits in the front row.

A: Oh, her. I've never met her.

B: Sorry, friend. You won't if I have my way.

Notes:

no such luck 不会有那么好的运气

came down with… 患…(病)病倒了

in better shape 痊愈,复原

go out with… 同…去约会

three nights running 连续三个晚上

if have my way-if things happen as I want them to

译文：

A：喂，鲍勃。今天的功课做完了吗？

B：没有，也许老师不会收作业。

A：没那么运气。上次他忘了收我们的家庭作业，是因为那天他患流感病倒了。现在他已痊愈，不会再忘了。

B：我知道。上星期实在太忙了。连续三个晚上我和玛丽有约会。

A：谁是玛丽？

B：你知道，就是坐在前排的那个黑发姑娘。

A：哦，她。我同她从没有接触。

B：对不起，朋友。如果我按照自己的愿望行事，你当然见不到她。

每日课程 4 - 25 JUN 2008

Breakfast 早餐

A: Okay, Bob. I'M ready for beak-fast. Where's the coffee?

B: It's in that pan there. Jean broke the Silex last week, so I'm still boiling it.

A: It tastes like crankcase oil, but delicious.

B: That's good. You can always make beaskfast yourself if you don't like it.

A: What is the rebesides coffee?

B: I warmed a couple of snails, and your eggs are in the frying pan.

A: Say, what time is it? Is it really only seven-fifteen. My watch says eight-fifteen.

B: You forgot to set your watch back. Daylight saving time was over at midnight last night.

A: Gee.I could've slept another hour.

Notes:

Silex 一种咖啡渗滤壶的牌名

crankcase oil (汽车发动机中的)机油

snail 面包卷

daylight saving time 夏令时间(在美国大约每年四月上旬开始,十月下旬结束,把时钟向前拨一小时)

I could've slept another hour 我本来可以再睡一个小时的.

译文：

A：好，鲍勃，我已准备好吃早饭了。咖啡在哪儿？

B：在那只锅里。吉恩上星期把渗滤壶打碎了，所以我只能用锅煮咖啡。

A：这味道有点像汽车里的机油，不过还是很好吃。

B：那好，如果你不喜欢，你随时可以自己动手做早饭。

A：咖啡旁边是什么东西？

B：我热的两个面包卷。你的鸡蛋在平煎锅里。

A：告诉我，现在几点钟了？真的只有七点十五分吗？我的表已经八点十分了。

B：你忘了把表拔慢一小时。夏令时间已在昨天午夜结束了。

A：唉！我本来可以再多睡一小时的。

英语文化陷阱 2

You are in for a treat！
　　这天，同事们正在讨论为我和 Rhonda 开生日 party的事情，为了尊重寿星，大家让Rhonda 和我选择一家中意的餐厅。Rhonda建议去镇上一家叫做BBQ 的美国餐厅。我从来没有去过那里，于是就问她那里有什么特色。Rhonda便开始滔滔不绝的介绍他们的招牌菜，听得我十指大动，直咽口水，Rhonda便 笑着说: “You are in for a treat !” 我愣了一下，以为Rhonda要请我去那里吃饭，心里十分不好意思，试探着问过她之后，Rhonda 笑着解释说: “You are in for a treat means you’ll like it !” (摘自《世界日报》)

每日课程 3 - 24 JUN 2008

Breakfast 早餐

A: Okay, Bob. I'M ready for beak-fast. Where's the coffee?

B: It's in that pan there. Jean broke the Silex last week, so I'm still boiling it.

A: It tastes like crankcase oil, but delicious.

B: That's good. You can always make beaskfast yourself if you don't like it.

A: What is the rebesides coffee?

B: I warmed a couple of snails, and your eggs are in the frying pan.

A: Say, what time is it? Is it really only seven-fifteen. My watch says eight-fifteen.

B: You forgot to set your watch back. Daylight saving time was over at midnight last night.

A: Gee.I could've slept another hour.

Notes:

Silex 一种咖啡渗滤壶的牌名

crankcase oil (汽车发动机中的)机油

snail 面包卷

daylight saving time 夏令时间(在美国大约每年四月上旬开始,十月下旬结束,把时钟向前拨一小时)

I could've slept another hour 我本来可以再睡一个小时的.

译文：

A：好，鲍勃，我已准备好吃早饭了。咖啡在哪儿？

B：在那只锅里。吉恩上星期把渗滤壶打碎了，所以我只能用锅煮咖啡。

A：这味道有点像汽车里的机油，不过还是很好吃。

B：那好，如果你不喜欢，你随时可以自己动手做早饭。

A：咖啡旁边是什么东西？

B：我热的两个面包卷。你的鸡蛋在平煎锅里。

A：告诉我，现在几点钟了？真的只有七点十五分吗？我的表已经八点十分了。

B：你忘了把表拔慢一小时。夏令时间已在昨天午夜结束了。

A：唉！我本来可以再多睡一小时的。

每日课程 2 - 23 JUN 2008

Getting Cleaned up 弄干净

A: Hey, Bob. I can't find my electric shaver.

B: I`m sorry. I used it and I guess I put it on the top shelf with my stuff.

A: Yeap，here it is.You might at least clean it up when you use it. The blade's dirty and I still can't find the cord.

B: Stop complaining and start shaving. Breakfast'll be ready in about five minutes and you won't. Your eggs are already beginning to burn. What kind of juice do you want?

A: Do we have a choice?

B: Sure. Tomato or V8.

A: Well you know how I feel about tomato. Surprise me.

Notes:

electric shaver 电动剃须刀

cord (电动剃须刀的)插头电线

do we have a choice? 我们可以任意选择吗？

V8 美国一种罐装蔬菜果汁的牌名(在超级市场均有售)

译文：

A：喂，鲍勃，我怎么找不到我的电动剃须刀？

B：抱歉，我用过了。我想是把它和我的东西一起放到壁橱上面的搁板上了。

A：嗯，在这里。 你用过以后至少应该把它弄干净。刀片很脏，电线也还没有找到。

B：别抱怨了, 快刮胡子吧。大约还有五分钟早饭就好了, 要不你就来不及吃早饭了。你的鸡蛋已经烧焦了。你想吃什么果汁?

A：有挑选余地吗？

B：是的，有番茄汁和V8。

A：嗯，你知道我对番茄汁的态度。 真使我意外！

英语文化陷阱 1

Turn the table
　　一位亲戚和妻子失和到了要离婚的地步。几天前接到亲戚电话，说他们在走进律师楼之前，先去求助于心理和婚姻问题专家。夫妇俩心平气和地坐下来谈了好多次，互相之间多了一份理解，少 了一份猜疑、埋怨，结果化干戈为玉帛。说简单也简单，就这么拯救了这场婚姻。我打心眼里为他们高兴，把这一消息告诉了同样也认识他们的一位美国朋友。这位 朋友挺激动的，连连说着“感谢上帝，感谢上帝”，她还补充了一句“He turned the table”。
　　这话让我心里很不舒服，她是指我亲戚动粗吗？我打抱不平说：“不会，不会，他很斯文，很有绅士风度，不会以粗鲁的举动压制对方，不会以高压让对方屈 从。” 结果，越说谁也听不懂谁。看着我那一脸不快的表情，朋友突然茅塞頓开了，以另一种方法向我解释。终于让我明白，她是说我亲戚“扭转了局面”，那 “table”和我想到的“桌子”根本无关。
　　再说远一点, turn the tables (on someone)这个短语也和“桌子”没什么关系, 它的意思是to suddenly take a position of strength or advantage that was formerly held by someone else (反败为胜,转弱为强), 例如: “She played badly in the first set, but then she turned the tables on her opponent and won the match. ”(摘自《世界日报》)

每日课程 1 - 22 JUN 2008

1. Wake up,Joe 乔，快醒醒

A: Wake up, Joe. It's seven o'clock. If you're going to work you'll have to get up now. Hey, Joe. Wake up.

B: Mmmmmmmm.

A: Joe. Get up.

B: Is It seven o'clock already?

A: Yes. It's seven.

B: Well, wake me up in twenty minutes. I decided to catch the late bus.

A: Uh, uh...you told me last night not to let you argue me out of getting you up on time. So, get up.

B: Okay, okay, stop yelling. I'm up.

Notes:

wake up 醒来

argue sb. out of dissuade, or persuade someone not to do something 课文中的you told me last night not to let you argue me out of getting you up on time 的意思是：昨晚你还告诉我。不要让你任性，务必叫你按时起床。

stop yelling 别嚷嚷了（美国青年常用语）

译文：

A：乔,快醒醒。七点钟了。如果你要上班,现在该起床了。喂,乔,醒醒。

B：嗯

A：乔，快起床。

B：真是七点了吗？

A：是七点了。

B：好吧，过二十分钟再叫醒我，我决定搭晚一班的公共汽车。

A：啊……昨天晚上你还告诉我，不要让你任性,务必叫你按时起床。所以，起来吧。

B：好吧，好吧，别嚷嚷了。我起床。