初级英语听力 lesson 10

    Every color has a meaning. And as you choose a color, you might like to remember that it's saying something. We've said that red is lovable. Green, on the other hand, stands for hope; it is tranquil 1. Pink is romantic, while brown is serious. White is an easy one—white is pure. Orange is generous. Violet is mysterious, turquoise 2 is strong and blue is definitely feminine.

—Can I see Zulu on Sunday?
—I'm not sure.
—Do you like football?
—Yes, very much.
—Would you like to go to a match on the 18th of December?
—I'd like to see Coming Home at the Royal Theatre.
—What a good idea! Do you know what time it starts?
—I think it starts at 8 pm.
—Tomorrow is the third of December. It's my birthday and I'm going to the George and Dragon. Would you like to come?
—To celebrate your birthday? Of course I would. What group's playing?
—The Riverside Stompers, I think.
—I like organ music. Do you know where I can hear a recital 3?
—Try St. Mary's Church. I know they have a beautiful organ.
—I'd like to go to a recital on the 16th of December, but I'm working from ten to four. Do you know what time the recital begins?
—Sorry, I'm afraid I don't. Why don't you look at your "What's on"?
1st Student: Well, first of all, I'm intending to have a good holiday abroad, just traveling round Europe, and then when I get tired of traveling I'm going to—well, come back and start looking for a job. I haven't quite decided 4 yet what job, but I'm probably going to try and get a job in advertising 5 of some kind.
2nd Student: Well, eventually I'm planning to open my own restaurant. Only I haven't got enough money to do that at the moment, of course, so I've decided to get a temporary job for a year or so, and I'm going to work really hard and try and save as much money as possible. Actually, I'm thinking of working as a waiter, or some job in a restaurant anyway ...
Male Voice: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Victoria Hall for our annual presentation of the Nurse of the Year Award. First I'd like to introduce Dame 6 Alice Thornton. Dame Alice is now retired 7 after more than forty years of dedicated 8 service to the public and the nursing profession. Dame Alice Thornton.
Male Voice: Dame Alice, you were the first nurse of the year. That was thirty years ago. Would you now announce this year's winner?
Dame Alice: Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to introduce our nurse of the year, Miss Helen Taylor.
Dame Alice: Miss Taylor, you have been awarded this prize as a result of recommendations from your senior officers, your colleagues and the parents of the children you nurse. Here are some of the recommendations: 'efficient but patient', 'helpful and happy', 'strict but caring', 'human and interested'. These are the greatest recommendations any nurse could receive. I congratulate you!
Jerry: Could I speak to you for a few minutes, Mr. Sherwin?
Sherwin: I'm very busy at the moment. Can't it wait until tomorrow?
Jerry: Uh, ... well, it's rather urgent. And it won't take long.
Sherwin: Oh, all right, then. What is it?
Jerry: It's a personal matter. Uh, you see, my wife is ill and has to go into hospital.
Sherwin: Sorry to hear that. But why do you want to talk to me about it?
Jerry: Because ... because we have a baby and there's nobody to look after her while she's in hospital.
Sherwin: Who? Your wife?
Jerry: No, no. My daughter.
Sherwin: Oh, I see. But I still don't understand what all this has to do with me.
Jerry: But that's what I'm trying to explain. I'd like to stay at home for a few days.
Sherwin: But why?
Jerry: To look after my daughter, of course.
Sherwin: I thought you said she was going to hospital. They'll look after her there, won't they?
Jerry: No, no, no! It's my wife who's going to hospital! Not my daughter.
Sherwin: Really? I thought you said it was your daughter. You are not explaining this very well.
Here is an alternative dialogue between Jerry and Mr. Sherwin. Listen.
Jerry: Uh ... excuse me, Mr. Sherwin, but I was wondering if I could speak to you for a few minutes.
Sherwin: Well, I'm rather busy at the moment, Jerry. Is it urgent?
Jerry: Uh, yes, I ... I'm afraid it is. It's a personal matter.
Sherwin: Oh, well, then, we'd better discuss it now. Sit down.
Jerry: Thank you. Uh ... you see, it's about my wife. She ... uh ... well ... she ...
Sherwin: Yes, go on, Jerry. I'm listening.
Jerry: She's ill and has to go to hospital tomorrow. But we have a young baby, you know.
Sherwin: Yes, I know that, Jerry. You must be rather worried. Is it anything serious? Your wife's illness, I mean?
Jerry: The doctors say it's just a minor 9 operation. But it has to be done as soon as possible. And ... well ... the problem is my daughter. The baby. That's the problem.
Sherwin: In what way, Jerry? I'm not quite sure if I understand.
Jerry: Well, as I said, my wife'll be in hospital for several days, so there's nobody to look after her.
Sherwin: You mean, nobody to look after your daughter, is that it?
Jerry: Yes, exactly. Both our parents live rather far away, and ...and that's why I'd like to have a few days off. From tomorrow.
Sherwin: I see. I think I understand now. You need a few days off to look after your daughter while your wife is in hospital.
Jerry: Yes, yes. That's it. I'm not explaining this very well.
Sherwin: No, no. On the contrary. I just want to be sure I understand completely. That's all.
Jerry: Will ... will that be all right?
Sherwin: Yes, I'm sure it will, Jerry. All I want to do now is make sure that there's someone to cover for you while you're away. Uh ... how long did you say you'll need?
Jerry: Just a few days. She ... my wife, I mean ... should be out of hospital by next Thursday, so I can be back on Friday.
Sherwin: Well, perhaps you'd better stay at home on Friday, as well. Just to give your wife a few extra days to rest after the operation.
Jerry: That's very kind of you, Mr. Sherwin.
Sherwin: Don't mention it.
Landlady 10: 447 4716.
Student: Hello. Is that Mrs. Davies?
Landlady: Speaking.
Student: Good afternoon. My name's Stephen Brent. I was given your address by the student accommodation agency. I understand you have a room to let.
Landlady: Yes, that's right. I've just got one room still vacant. It's an attic 11 room, on the second floor. It's rather small, but I'm sure you'll find it's very comfortable.
Student: I see. And how much do you charge for it?
Landlady: The rent's twenty-five pounds a week. That includes electricity, but not gas.
Student: Has the room got central heating?
Landlady: No, it's got a gas fire which keeps the room very warm.
Student: I see ... And what about furniture? It is furnished, isn't it?
Landlady: Oh yes ... Er ... There's a divan 12 bed in the corner with a new mattress 13 on it. Er ... Let me see ... There's a small wardrobe, an armchair, a coffee table, a bookshelf ...
Student: Is there a desk?
Landlady: Yes, there's one under the window. It's got plenty of drawers and there's a lamp on it.
Student: Oh good ... Is there a washbasin in the room?
Landlady: No, I'm afraid there isn't a washbasin. But there's a bathroom just across the corridor, and that's got a washbasin and a shower as well as a bath. You share the bathroom with the people in the other rooms. The toilet is separate, but unfortunately it's on the floor below.
Student: Oh, that's all right. ... What about cooking? Can I cook my own meals?
Landlady: Well, there's a little kitchenette next to your room. It hasn't got a proper cooker in it, but there's a gas ring and an electric kettle by the sink. I find my students prefer to eat at the university.
Student: I see. And is the room fairly quiet?
Landlady: Oh yes. It's at the back of the house. It looks onto the garden and it faces south, so it's bright and sunny, too. It's very attractive, really. And it's just under the roof, so it's got a low, sloping ceiling. Would you like to come and see it? I'll be in for the rest of the day.
Student: Yes, I'm very interested. It sounds like the kind of room I'm looking for. Can you tell me how to get there?
Landlady: Oh, it's very easy. The house is only five minutes' walk from Finchley Road tube station. Turn right outside the station, and then it's the third street on the left. You can't miss it. It's got the number on the gate. It's exactly opposite the cemetery 14.
    Frankly 15, I've been delighted. As you know, I decided to give it up ten years ago. I put them all in the attic—all fifty or sixty of them—to gather dust, and forgot about them. Then I just happened to meet him one day in a bar, entirely 16 by chance, and we got talking about this and that, and, well—to cut a long story short—he went to have a look at them, and this is the result. It's for two weeks. And it's devoted 17 entirely to my work. Doing very well, too, as you can see from the little tickets on about half of them. You know, now that they're hanging on the wall like this, with all the clever lighting 18, and glossy 19 catalogue, and the smart people, they really don't seem anything to do with me. It's a bit like seeing old friends in new circumstances where they fit and you don't. Now, you see her? She's already bought three. Heard her saying one day she's 'dying to meet the man'. Afraid she'd be very disappointed if she did. Interesting, though, some of the things you overhear. Some know something about it. Others know nothing and admit it. Others know nothing and don't. By the way, I heard someone say the other day that the 'Portrait of a Woman' reminded her of you, you know. So you see, you're not only very famous, but—as I keep on telling you—you haven't changed a bit.

    Ours is a very expensive perfume. When people see it or hear the name we want them to think of luxury. There are many ways to do this. You show a woman in a fur coat, in a silk evening dress, maybe covered in diamonds. You can show an expensive car, an expensive restaurant, or a man in a tuxedo 20. We decided to do something different. We show a beautiful woman, simply but elegantly dressed, beside a series of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, and it works. Because she is wearing the perfume, and because she is next to expensive and beautiful paintings, our perfume must be beautiful and expensive too. It does work.

—Is that the Manager?
—Speaking. Can I be of any assistance?
—Could you speed up your switchboard a bit, please? I booked a call to Brussels a good twenty minutes ago and I haven't had a reply yet.
—Well, perhaps they are rather busy at this time of the day. After all, we are an hour ahead of Belgium.
—I know that, but I could have dialed myself direct in no time at all.
—We do like to route the calls through the operator and then there can be no misunderstanding about the charges, I'm sure you understand.
—No, I suppose it would be difficult to check the cost of directly-dialed calls, but nevertheless I do have to put through an important call to Brussels.
—I'll get on to them myself and see what the delay is, then call you back as soon as I know anything.
—And what seems to be the trouble, sir?
—They don't want to let me into the nightclub.
—Well, I'm afraid there is an entrance charge, sir.
—But damn it all—I am a resident. It's ridiculous.
—I'm very sorry, sir, but you see it is something of a special evening. Our guest star this evening is Sammy Davis Junior and I'm afraid that the tickets do cost 250 marks each. I could see if there are any left if you would like one. We generally try to keep a few back for the residents.
—Good Lord. That's nearly thirty-five pounds. No, on second thoughts, I don't think I'll bother. Could you have them send up a bottle of scotch 21 to my room. I'll entertain myself instead.
—Very good, sir. That is room 634, isn't it?
—Good evening, sir. I'm the Assistant Manager.
—How nice!
—Yes, I'm afraid we've had a complaint about the noise from your neighbor across the corridor. He's trying to get some sleep as he has an early start tomorrow. I'm sure you understand.
—Oh, I see.
—Do you think it might be possible to ask your friends to be a little quieter? We do like to give our guests a chance of getting a good night's sleep. It is well after eleven.
—Oh, I'm so sorry. I do apologize. I suppose we were talking rather loudly. It's just that we've signed a very important contract. We were having a bit of celebration.
—I'm pleased to hear it. Shall I ask Room Service to bring you some coffee?
—No, that won't be necessary. We were just about to pack up anyway.
—Thank you, sir, and good night to you.
—Could I see the Manager, please? I have a complaint.
—Can I help you, madam?
—Yes. Did you have this room checked before we moved in? There's not a scrap 22 of lavatory 23 paper and the toilet doesn't flush properly, the water doesn't run away in the shower and I would like an extra pillow. What have you to say to that?
—I'm extremely sorry to hear that. I'll attend to it right away. The housekeeper 24 usually checks every room before new guests move in. We have been extremely busy with a large conference.
—That's no way to run a hotel. One doesn't expect this sort of thing in a well-run hotel.
—No, madam. I do apologize. It's most unusual. We do try to check the rooms as thoroughly 25 as possible. Just the one pillow, was it? Is there anything else?
—Well, your thermostatically-controlled air-conditioning doesn't seem to be working too well. It's as hot as hell up there.
—I'll just adjust the regulator for you and I think you'll find it a little cooler in a short time. I'll also send someone along right away to look at the toilet and shower.
Salesman: Good evening, all you holiday dreamers. It's holiday planning time again and we're here with suggestions as usual. We know what you want ... something more interesting, something less expensive. So ... what about America? New York from 199 pounds. Or Canada? Or Hawaii? Ah ... Hawaii. And from only 372 pounds. Or the beautiful Bahamas? From just 400 pounds. Nearer home we suggest Wales or Scotland. And if you would like an easy package holiday, you could visit Minorca from 103 pounds, Ceylon from 343 pounds, Mombasa from 311 and sunny Florida from 243 pounds. Is time a problem? Is money a problem? Just send for our brochure and both problems will disappear.

Peggy: Bob, can we really afford a holiday? We're paying for this house and the furniture is on HP and ...
Bob: Now listen, Peggy. You work hard and I work hard. We're not talking about whether we can have a holiday. We're talking about where and when.
Peggy: Shall we go to Sweden?
Bob: Sweden's colder than Sheffield. I'd rather not go to Sweden.
Peggy: What about Florida? Florida's warmer than Sheffield.
Bob: Yes, but it's a long way. How long does it take to get from here to Florida?
Peggy: All right. Let's go to Hawaii.
Bob: You must be joking. How much would it cost for the two of us?
Peggy: But the brochure says the problem of money will disappear. Bob, where do you really want to go?
Bob: I'm thinking of Wales or Scotland. Do you know why?
Peggy: Yes. 'They're right on our doorstep and so close to home.'
Jill: Now, let me see. Blue Skies Travel Agency. Ah, yes, it's a London number. 01 748 9932. I think I'll ring now.
(sound of dialing and ringing)
Voice: Hello.
Jill: Uh ... good morning. Is that 748 9932?
Voice: No, it isn't. It's 738 9932.
Jill: Sorry. I must have dialed the wrong number.
(sound of dialing and ringing tone)
Telephonist: Blue Skies Travel Agency. Can I help you?
Jill: Could you give me some information about holidays in North America?
Telephonist: Just one moment. I'll put you through to our North American department.
Miss Jones: North American department. Miss Jones speaking. Can I help you?
Jill: Yes, please. I'm planning my holiday and I'd like some information about holidays in New York.
Miss Jones: Certainly. What would you like to know?
Jill: First, how much is the cheapest return flight to New York? And what will the weather be like?
Miss Jones: I see. When do you want to go?
Jill: In May ... and I'd like to know about the inclusive holidays and good hotels and ...
Miss Jones: (interrupts) Certainly. Just give me your name and address. I'll send you all the information you want.
Jill: My name is Jill Adams. Miss J. Adams. And my address is ...
Traveller: Hello. I'd like some information about your trips to Kathmandu.
Travel Agent: Yes, of course. What can I tell you?
Traveller: Well, how, how do we travel?
Travel Agent: It's a specially 26 adapted bus with room for sleeping and ...
Traveller: And, and, er, how many people in a group?
Travel Agent: Well, the bus sleeps ten. Usually there are eight travellers and two drivers, a guide to look after you.
Traveller: So, so we sleep, um, normally, in, in the bus?
Travel Agent: Yes, and it's fully 27 equipped for cooking and it's got a shower system that we put up every evening, weather permitting.
Traveller: Er, um ... We leave from, from London?
Travel Agent: Yes, and return to London.
Traveller: Is there anything special we'd have to bring?
Travel Agent: Oh, we give everyone a list of suitable clothes, etc. to bring. Of course, space is limited.
Traveller: Oh, oh yes, I understand that. Now, how, how long in advance would I have to book?
Travel Agent: Well, it depends. Usually six or eight months. It's amazing the number of people who are interested.
Traveller: Well, I'm interested in the ten-week trip next spring.
Travel Agent: Um, that one leaves on the fourth of April.
Traveller: Yeah. That's right, yeah. It'll be for two people.
Travel Agent: That'd be fine. Could you come in and we can go over all the details.
Traveller: Yes, I think that'd be best, um, but can you give me some idea of how much that'll cost.
Travel Agent: Spring for ten weeks ... Um, we haven't got the exact figures at the moment, but, er, something like, er, 1,100 pounds per person.
Traveller: OK. Um, I'll come and see you one day next week.
Travel Agent: Yes. Thanks for ringing.
Traveller: Thank you. Bye.
Travel Agent: Bye bye.