Joan: Good. I rang to ask if you know anything about hotels in Brighton.
Charles: No, I’m afraid[60] I can’t be very much help to you there[61].
Joan: Well, it’s just that we’ve been thinking of taking the family to the south this summer and at this rather late stage we’re trying to organize[62]ourselves a suitable hotel. But I thought that you’d been to Brighton;
Charles: I have. Several times. But I’ve always taken a tent and done it the hard way[63].
Joan: Oh, I see. I didn’t realize that.
Charles: Yes. Great one for the open air[64], you know.
Joan: Oh, it must be nice, but we could never contemplate it with our lot[65]. We’re terribly disorganized as a family, you know, and we’d be in chaos in no time. And in any case the car isn’t big enough to get all of us in and camping equipment as well, so we simply must find ourselves a nice hotel where they’ll put up with[66] noisy kids.
Charles: Mm. You have got a problem. And it’s certainly a bit late. But there are masses of adverts. Have you looked at those?
Joan: Well, yes. As a matter of fact I was reading one advert only this morning in the Sunday paper which sounded marvellous.
Charles: For a hotel?
Joan: Yes. Just outside Brighton. And I thought to myself “I’ll give Charles a ring[67]. He may know it”.
Charles: Oh, dear I am a dead loss[68], aren’t I. But tell me about the advert.
Joan: It said that this hotel was right on the beach, and that’s essential as far as we’re concerned, because the kids are really only interested in scrabbling[69] in the sand and popping into[70] the sea every five minutes, so we must be close to it-the closer the better.
Joan: And all the rooms have balconies facing the sea and overlooking the beach so it should be possible for mum and dad[72] to keep half an eye on[73] the kids while they’re playing and manage a quiet snooze at the same time occasionally.
Charles: Sounds too good to be true[74]. Expensive?
Joan: Rather. But still the prices were a bit lower than in any of the other adverts I’ve seen, and yet the facilities were as good or even better. You know, even allowing for[75] a bit of exaggeration in the advert, it seemed to have a lot to offer[76].
Charles: Had it?
Joan: Oh, yes. And the food is good — according to the advert, again — but they’re bound to say that.
Charles: Of course. The only way to find out for certain is to go and try it. And that’s taking rather a risk. I tell you what[77], though. It’s just occurred to me — Mr and Mrs Croft from over the road[78] have been to that part of England several times, and I seem to remember them saying they always use the same hotel.
Joan: Do they?
Charles: Yes. At least I think that’s what they said. I’ll pop around[79] later this evening, and if they do know anything that might be of use to you I’ll get one or the other of them to give you a ring.
Joan: Would you? That’s very kind of you. They won’t mind, will they?
Charles: No, of course not. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to help.
Joan: Well, that’s marvellous.
Charles: Did you say something about taking the car?
Joan: Yes. It takes a little longer. But there is no need to rush, because Doug’s got an extra week’s holiday this year.
Charles: Lucky Doug. But isn’t it rather a long drive from Edinburgh — what with the children and the holiday traffic[80]?
Joan: Well, strange as it may seem, the kids are very good in the car. And if you go by train or air you don’t see much on the way, you’re sort of insulated from all the lovely places you’re passing.
Charles: Yes, I agree with you.
Joan: But I’m sure you must have better things to do than listen to me rattling on[81].
Charles: Oh, that’s all right. It’s nice to hear from you. But I will drop in on the Crofts and ask them to phone you. Don’t expect to hear anything until after nine, though, because they’re usually out on Sunday until some time in the evening.
Joan: Well, I shall be around[82] whatever time they ring. Busy getting things ready for school tomorrow. And thanks again, Charles. It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble.
Charles: No trouble at all. Only too glad[83] to help if I can.
Bob: О. K. Listen, I’ve decided to apply for that job I was telling you about. You remember?
Joe: Yes. I remember. Croydon[86], wasn’t it? What was it, a car factory?
Bob: No, light engineering. Rather like that place I was at in Leeds.
Joe: Oh yes, of course. Light engineering. I remember now. And it was for a manager, wasn’t it.
Bob: Yes. Personnel Manager.
Joe: Very nice too. Do you feel optimistic about it?
Bob: Well, I wouldn’t say I exactly feel optimistic, but at least my training and experience have put me in with a chance[87]. So perhaps I could say I feel reasonably optimistic about getting short-listed[88]. But the interview — that’s different.
Joe: Why, for goodness sake?[89] You’re not scared of interviews, are you?
Bob: No, I’m not scared of them, but I don’t feel at my best in interviews. Not when I’m on the receiving end[90], that is. I suppose I spend so much of my time interviewing other people that I feel off balance when I’m in the hot seat[91] myself.
Joe: Oh, I shoudn’t worry too much about it if I were you[92]. As you say, the job is absolutely made for you. I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications[93].
Joe: Yes. You’re bound to get an interview. What’s the pay like incidentally?
Bob: Oh, the pay’s good. Nearly twice what I’m getting now. Joe: Mm!
Bob: But then it is in London, and the rates tend to be a lot higher there, anyway.
Joe: Yes, but even so, it’ll make a big difference if you get it. You’ll be loaded[95]!
Bob: Well, I don’t know about[96] loaded. I should need a damned sight more than twice my present wages to be loaded.
outcome of something.
Joe: Was the money the main reason for applying?
Bob: One of the reasons. Probably, not the main reason.
Joe: What was that then?
Bob: Well, I don’t know, it’s just that I… well, I like working at Yorkshire Engineering, but I’d like more scope[97] for putting a few ideas into practice. You know, old Billings[98] is all right, he’s very understanding and pleasant to work for and all that.
Joe: Yes.
Bob: And he’d never do anyone a bad turn[99], but…
Bob: Well no, not exactly, but he’s very slow to respond to new ideas. He will accept changes, but it takes him so long to come round to a new idea that by the time he’s trying it out it’s not new any longer.
Joe: And that doesn’t suit you.
Bob: Well it doesn’t really bother me, but, I mean, you’ve got to move with the times[101] these days or you’re soon left behind.
Joe: Good for you[104]. I hope you fed[105] them all that guff[106] about your qualifications and experience in your application.
Bob: Oh yes, of course.
Joe: But you didn’t lay it on too thick[107], did you? They can go off[108] if you make yourself sound too good, you know.
Bob: Well, I don’t think I did. I just tried to be factual and emphasise the most important points.
Joe: I bet you’ll cake walk it[109]. I’ll keep my fingers crossed[110] for you, at any rate.
Bob: Thanks, I’ll need it.
Joe: But what about the prospect of going South? Does that bother you at all?
Bob: Well, I know it’s got its disadvantages. Housing’s very expensive and travelling in the rush hour can be a bit of a bind[111]. But no doubt it’s got its compensations, too, and if you want to get on you’ve got to be prepared to move around, haven’t you?
Joe: Well, that’s true. But you’ve always lived in Yorkshire and you’ll find things very different in London. No more Sunday mornings on the moors[112].
Bob: Hey, steady on[113]! I haven’t got the job yet.
Joe: No, but if you do get it you won’t be able to pop out[114] of the back door and run up a mountain.
Bob: True. That is something that I’d miss. That’s one thing about these parts — you’re never very far from some real country. Still, I suppose I could get used to country lanes in the Home Counties[115] if I had to.
Joe: Ugh! You don’t call that walking, do you?
Bob: Well, no, not really, but you can’t have everything, so I’d have to amuse myself in other ways. They do have a few more theatres and museums than we do, you know.
Joe: You’ll get fat, middle-aged and civilised. What a fate.
Bob: I’ll have to ring off now. I’ve got one or two things to do before I turn in[116].
Joe: О. K. But don’t forget to let me know if you get an interview.
Bob: I will. Cheerio.
Joe: Cheerio, Bob. Thanks for ringing.
EXERCISES
I. Define the meaning of these words and phrases. Make up sentences using them.
to organise oneself a suitable hotel, to do smth. the hard way, to be a great one for smth., with one’s lot, to put up smb., to put up with smb. (smth.), masses of adverts, to be a dead loss, to scrabble in the sand, to pop into the sea, to overlook the beach, to keep half an eye on smb., to manage a quiet snooze, facilities, to allow for a bit of exaggeration, over the road, to pop around, what with the children and the holiday traffic, to rattle on, to apply for a job, light engineering, to put smb. in with a chance, to get shortlisted, to feel at one’s best, to feel off balance, to be in the hot seat, an applicant, the pay, to be loaded, to have more scope for smth., a stick-in-the-mud, to move with the times, to be left behind, to have a bash, to go off smth., to keep one’s fingers crossed for smb., a bit of a bind, to amuse oneself, to turn in
II. Rephrase these sentences.
1. I can’t be very much help to you. 2. I’ve always taken a tent and done it the hard way. 3. Great one for the open air. 4. They will put up with noisy kids. 5. I’m a dead loss. 6. Sounds too good to be true. 7. You know, even allowing for a bit of exaggeration in the advert, it seemed to have a lot to offer. 8. They are bound to say that. 9. Strange as it may seem, the kids are very good in the car. 10. If you go by train you are sort of insulated from all the lovely places you are passing. 11. It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble. 12. I’ve decided to apply for that job. 13. My training and experience have put me in with a chance. 14. I feel reasonably optimistic about getting short-listed. 15. I don’t feel at my best in interviews. 16. I feel off balance when I’m in the hot seat myself. 17. I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications. 18. “What’s the pay like incidentally?” “Nearly twice what I’m getting now”. 19. The rates tend to be a lot higher there, anyway. 20. You’ll be loaded! 21. I should need a damned sight more than twice my present wages to be loaded. 22. He’d never do anyone a bad turn. 23. He’s a stick-in-the-mud. 24. He’s very slow to respond to new ideas. 25. I hope you fed them all that guff about your qualifications and experience in your application. 26. I thought I’d have a bash. 27. But you didn’t lay it on too thick. 28. They can go off you. 29. I bet you’ll cake walk it. 30. Travelling in the rush hour can be a bit of a bind. 31. I’ll have to ring off now.
III. Fill in the missing remarks in these snatches of telephone conversation (see Conversations 1 and 2).
1. C: Two-six-two four-three-double four. Charles Farmer speaking.
J.: …
2. C.: Hello, Joan, how are you?
J.: …
C.: Oh, not so bad, you know.
3. C.: But I’ve always taken a tent and done it the hard way.
J.: …
4. J.: …
C.: Oh dear, I am a dead loss, aren’t I. But tell me about the advert.
J.: …
5. С:. Sounds too good to be true. Expensive?
J.: …
6. C.: …
J.: Would you? That’s very kind of you. They won’t mind, will they?
C.: …
7. C.: No, of course not. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to help.
J.: …
8. J.: … It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble.
C.: …
9. В.: Bob here. How’s things?
J.: …
10. J.: Very nice, too. Do you feel optimistic about it?
В.: …
11. J.: I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications.
В.: …
12. J.: You’re bound to get an interview. What’s the pay like incidentally?
В.: …
13. J.: Was the money the main reason for applying?
В.: …
J.: What was that then?
В.: …
14. J.: I bet you’ll cake walk it. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, at any rate.
В.: …
IV. Reproduce the telephone conversations as close to the text as possible.
V. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.
1. Your colleague has come back from Italy where he spent his vacation. Phone him and have a talk about: a) the places he has been to; b) the hotels he has put up at; c) the facilities he has been offered; d) the hotel charges; e) the way he has amused himself; f) the people he has met.
2. You are taking a holiday and leaving Ottawa for a month. Phone your Canadian colleague to say good-bye and tell him how you are planning to spend your holiday.
3. You have a telephone call from your counterpart in London. After discussing business he says that his son is applying for a job. Ask him about the prospects of his son’s new job, its advantages and disadvantages and what his son feels about it.
3. A Persuation Which Failed
Harry: Hallo — 5289.
Cynthia: Is that Harry?
Harry: Yes — who’s that?
Cynthia: Oh, Harry. It’s me, Cynthia.
Harry: Cynthia? Cynthia! Oh yes. How are you?
Cynthia: I’m fine. And you and Barbara?
Harry: Oh, we’re both well.
Cynthia: Oh, that’s good. Look, I’m ringing to ask you a small favour. I hope you don’t mind.
Harry: No. No, of course not. Anything I can do, within reason[117].
Cynthia: Well, the thing is that — you know Shirley?
Harry: Shirley? I don’t think so.
Cynthia: You know, she’s the girl I work with. I think you met her.
Harry: Did I? When?
Cynthia: She’s the one with red hair.
Harry: Oh.
Cynthia: Anyway, I wondered — well — you see Shirley and I are giving a party. Of course we wondered if you and Barbara would like to come…
Harry: Well, that’s very nice of you, I’m sure.
Cynthia: We’d love to have you.
Harry: We’d love to come.
Cynthia: Well, the point is, you see, that we wanted to invite a lot of interesting people.
Harry: Oh yes -
Cynthia: Yes — and well, you know our flat; it really isn’t big enough. And we were wondering if there was just the smallest chance of having it at your place — just for the evening, you know.
Harry: Well — we’d love to let you, of course. But just now it would be a little difficult.
Cynthia: Oh, no. It wouldn’t be now. In about two week’s time.
Harry: Two weeks. Oh, I see. But — unfortunately — I think that would be even more difficult. You see, we’re haying part of the house redecorated, and in two weeks -
Cynthia: I suppose it wouldn’t be possible to use the rooms that aren’t being decorated?
Harry: Well, you know what it’s like, Cynthia, when you’ve got the decorators in; you don’t quite know where you are if you see what I mean -
Cynthia: Yes — yes, of course. It is a pity. I don’t know what we’ll do.
Harry: I’m sorry. We’d help if we could.
Cynthia: Well… Good-bye then, Harry.
Harry: Good-bye, Cynthia.
4. Two Sisters on the Telephone
Joyce: Well, what have you been up to[118] since I saw you first?
Kate: I haven’t been up to anything, I’m afraid[119]. Just the usual grind[120]. Have you been doing anything?
Joyce: No. James is off to Italy again tomorrow for his firm. He rings me every night from Turin, which is a comfort.
Kate: So you’ll be absolutely tied again with the children?
Joyce: Of course.
Kate: The firm would never pay for you to go to Italy as well, I suppose?
Joyce: As a matter of fact, that’s just come up[121] for the first time. There’s a big job of entertaining coming off[121] in about a fortnight — all the possible buyers and their wives are invited to Turin for a demonstration and a party afterwards, and they say they’d pay for me to go and play hostess[122]and look nice, but of course, with the children… And anyway, what have I got to look nice in?
Kate: I say, ducky, I’ve just got an idea. When is this do at Turin[123]? It wouldn’t be at a week-end by any chance?
Joyce: It’s to be a Saturday — best time for a party.
Kate: Well, look here[124], why don’t I come and look after[125] Michael and Jane for the week-end? They’re not such demons[126] as you seem to think, you know. We usually get on fine[127].
Joyce: Oh — it’s terribly sweet of you, but I couldn’t.
Kate: Yes, you could. Now sort it out with James[128] this evening before he goes. I’ll come over[129] on the Friday night, and I’ll stay over the Monday too — I’ll get the day off from the office — so you needn’t get back till late on Monday and you can see a bit of Italy as well.
Joyce: No, I can’t really… Really you shouldn’t.
Kate: Now shut up. No more nonsense. It’s settled. Just see the frig[130] is full of food. I’ll take them to the Zoo on Saturday. And what’s wrong with that trouser suit? You look splendid in it.
Joyce: Do you really think I could? I never thought of a trouser suit for the party…
5. Renting a House(Anglo-American Misunderstandings)
The telephone rings in a house in the London suburb of Twickenham.
An American Voice: Good morning. Is this Mrs Jones?[131]
Mrs Jones (rather puzzled): I’m Mrs Jones.
American: Oh, fine. I’m Drusilla Applebee, and I’m calling[132] about your house you advertised to rent[133] for the summer months.
Mrs Jones (still rather puzzled): Why yes, when are you going to call?
Mrs Applebee: I mean I’m calling you about it right now[134]. We’re a large family and your house sounded the sort of place we need for July, August and September.
Mrs Jones: Oh, yes, of course. How many are you in your family?
Mrs Applebee: Six, so we hope you have plenty of closets[135].
Mrs Jones: Er — oh, you mean what we call cupboards! Yes, we’ve got plenty of those. And lots of chests of drawers too.
Mrs Applebee: Chests of drawers…?
Mrs Jones: Oh, I should have remembered — the American term is “dresser”, isn’t it?
Switchboard operator (in strong American voice): Are you through?
Mrs Jones: Oh, yes, I’m through.
Mrs Applebee (simultaneously): No, no, we’re not through yet. I’m speaking from my husband’s office and they’re all Americans here. Gosh[136], I’d no idea the British were so different about languages. What do you mean when you say you are through? We mean we’re finished with the call.
Mrs Jones: Oh dear, we mean we’ve been “put through”, we’re connected! Perhaps you’d like to come and see the house and then we needn’t misunderstand each other quite so much.
Mrs Applebee: I should love to see your house, but I’ve no car right now. Can I get to you easily some other way? I’m in Church Street.
Mrs Jones: You can take a 27 bus to the Twickenham roundabout, then use the subway right there…
Mrs Applebee: Excuse me, I didn’t know the subway went to Twickenham.
Mrs Jones: Oh, of course, my fault. The underground doesn’t go to Twickenham. I just meant when you get off the bus you take the passage under the road and when you come up the other side our house is at the end of Aldridge Avenue, opposite. How soon would you like to come?
Mrs Applebee: Is three o’clock today OK?
Mrs Jones: Fine, I’ll expect you.
EXERCISES
I. Define the meaning of these phrases. Make up sentences using them.
to ask somebody (to do) a favour, to be disorderly, to be rung up by somebody, to view one’s suggestion (un)favourably, to do something within reason, to give a party, to be wondering if, to redecorate a room (cottage, house), to know where you are, to be up to something, just the usual grind, to be off to (some town or a country), to be a comfort, as a matter of fact, to play hostess, to look nice in some dress, to look after somebody, it is terribly sweet of you, to come over, to stay with somebody, to get a day off, it’s settled, what’s wrong with him?, to be rather puzzled, to sound the sort of place we need, how many are you in the family?, to be so different about languages, to be put through, I should love to do something
II. Rephrase these sentences.
1. I’m ringing to ask you a small favour. 2. I’ll do anything — within reason, of course. 3. We’d love to come. 4. In about two weeks’ time. 5. Well, you know what it’s like. 6. What have you been up to since I saw you last? 7. James is off to Great Britain. 8. This is a comfort. 9. I’ll be tied with my work. 10. This situation has just come up for the first time. 11. I’m not going to play hostess. 12. When is this do in our club? 13. Her children are such little demons. 14. We usually get on fine. 15. It is so sweet of you. 16. Sort it out with Mike first. 17. Wednesday is his day off. 18. It’s settled. 19. What is wrong with him?
III. Give the American terms for:
to let, is that Mrs Jones?, to call up, a cupboard, a chest of drawers, to be through, now, subway, underground
IV. Fill in the missing remarks in these snatches of telephone conversation.
1.A: Is that Harry?
B: …
2. A: I’ve been ringing you for ten minutes and can’t get through. What’s the matter?
B: …
3. A: Could you do me a favour, Jack?
B: …
4.A: We wondered if you and your wife could come to our party.
B: …
5. A: We wanted to invite a lot of interesting people, but our flat is so small.
B: …
6. A: Why did you make up your mind to have your house redecorated?
B: …
7.A: It’s a pity you will not come to our party.
B: …
8. A: What have you been up to since I saw you last?
B: …
9. A: What have you been doing of late?
B: …
10. A: When did this thing come up for the first time?
B: …
11. A: Will there be a big job of entertaining people when they come?
B: …
12. A: When is this do at your Institute?
B: …
13. A: It is terribly sweet of you to invite us for your birthday party.
B: …
14. A: What’s wrong with my explanation?
B: …
15. A: Good morning, Jones is here.
B: …
16. A: Mrs Shirley, from the ad I found out that you are going to let your cottage for the summer. Could you give me some information about it?
B: …
17. B: How many are you in your family?
A: …
18. A: I would like to see your house. When should I come?
B: …
19. A: How could I get to your house?
B: …
20. A: Can I get there some other way?
B: …
21. A: …
B: How soon would you like to come?
V. Reproduce the telephone conversations as close to the text as possible.
VI. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.
1. You are going to rent a cottage at the seaside for a period of three summer months. In the advertisement section of a local paper you found a cottage which suits you. In a talk with the landlady find out: a) how far is the cottage from the beach; b) which is the best way to get there; c) what conveniencies are available in the house; d) what is the rent; e) when can you come to see the cottage.
2. Your wife and you go to the theatre for the Saturday night performance. Your neighbour kindly offers to be baby-sitting while you are at the theatre. In a telephone conversation thank her, tell her a few words about your son and give her some necessary advice.