中科院英语听说教程《轻松听轻松说》(上册)听力原文及答案-Unit 6

UNIT 6Is Kelly There?Making and Answering a Phone CallIntroductionMany new developments are happening in the world of telecommunications. Although new telecom services such as paging, telefax and E-mail are offered in many places around the world, the telephone is still the most commonly used communication technique in our everyday lives. However, many people who speak English as their second language find using the telephone a frightening, or at least an uncomfortable, experience, simply because they don’t know the sort of English that could help them to answer an English phone call and to make telephone calls in English. As an English learner, do you feel that you have a need to improve your active and passive ability when making phone calls in English? If you do, the material in this unit is suitable for you. The aim of this unit is to provide up-to-date and relevant practice material for developing your skills in comprehending phone calls and making calls both for general and for business purposes.Answers to the Questions:1.The telephone is the most commonly used technique in telecom services.2.Because they don’t know the sort of English that could help them to answer an English phone call and to make telephone calls in English.3. The aim of this unit is to provide up-to-date and relevant practice material for developingyour skills in comprehending phone calls and making calls both for general and for business purposes.Discussion Questions:1. Have you ever made or answered a phone call in English? What was the purpose of the call?How well do you think you handled it?3.Do you find answering an English phone call or making telephone calls in English a frightening experience? Why or why not?4.What do you want to learn about handling phone calls in English?Background Information:When we are speaking on the phone to someone, politeness and clear speaking are probably the two most important guidelines to follow. Because you cannot rely on gesturesand facial expressions to help carry your messages (as you can when you are speaking with someone face to face), you must be as clear and as exact as possible to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion. At the same time, you must be certain to listen carefully and understand what is being said to or asked of you. In simple terms, if you are a caller, it is polite to offer a greeting, identify yourself, and state your business or reason for telephoning. Don’t leave the person on the other end of the line guessing your reason for telephoning.Most places of business answer with the name of the company and “May (Can) I help you?” or “How can we help you?” Individuals at home often answer with a simple Hello or occasionally the name of their residence, as in “Matthews residence.”Sometimes people at work may answer the phone with their names, as in “Frank Mason speaking”or “Belinda Wells here.”Part One Listening InTravel Agent: Globe Travel. Can I help you?Customer: Yes, please. This is Tom Peterson speaking. I’m planning to fly to Tokyo next month. What’s the price of a flight at the moment?Travel Agent: Well, that depends. Do you want to fly first or coach class?Customer: Coach class, I suppose.Travel Agent: When will you be going?Customer: On Saturday, the 11th of June.Travel Agent: One way or round trip?Customer: Round trip. Well, I’m planning a short holiday. I’ll be returning two weeks later, that’s the 25th of June. But I don’t want a package tour.Travel Agent: Then I can get you an excursion ticket. That’s on Northwest Airlines and it costs $1080.Customer: What would it be if I flew on United Airlines?Travel Agent: Now, let’s see. That’s only slightly more, $1120, in fact. And there’s one thing with the United flight. The time might be more convenient for you because itleaves later in the morning, at 11:40.Customer: And the other one? When’s that?Travel Agent: That’s much earlier, at 8:30.Customer: Oh, but that doesn’t matter so much in my case. My apartment is near the airport.Can you give me the times for a returning flight on Northwest then?Travel Agent: Let’s see. There’s a direct flight from Tokyo, departing at 5:30 p.m. Would that be all right?Customer: Perfect. Could you book that for me?Travel Agent: Sure. Could I have your name again please?Customer: Tom Peterson.Travel Agent: Mr. Peterson, I’ll check with the airline. You’ll hear from me in about an hour’s time. Is that all right?Customer: Fine. My phone number is 357-6082. I’ll be in all afternoon. Goodbye and thank you.Travel Agent: Goodbye.Notes:A package tour is a completely planned holiday at a fixed price arranged by a company, sothat one does not have to buy tickets, find hotels, etc., for oneself.An excursion ticket is a ticket for a short journey which is organized by a holiday company, tourist organization, etc., so that people can visit an interesting place.Answers to the Questions:1. The travel agent and customer.2. Because he’s planning to fly to Tokyo next month. He wants to find information about theprice of a flight at the moment and to book a ticket.3. It depends on the class you want to fly, when you will be going, whether you want aone-way or round trip ticket, the kind of tour you are taking, and the airline you are going on.4. $1080 on Northwest Airlines and $1120 on United Airlines.5. He takes Northwest Airlines because the price is a bit lower than that on United Airlines.6. The time might be more convenient because it leaves later in the morning, at 11:40. Butthat doesn’t matter so much in this case because the customer’s apartment is near the airport.7. She’ll check with the airline and will call the male speaker back in about an hour’s time.Discussion Questions:1.Have you ever called a travel agency? What was your purpose for calling?2.What are the differences between English and Chinese customs of making and answering a phone call?Part Two Better ListeningSection AConversation OneStephen: Stephen Palmer speaking.Sue: Is that you, Steve? It’s Sue.Stephen: Hello, Sue. I was actually waiting for your call. How’s Rome?Sue: A fantastic city. I’ll attend a conference at nine. So I’ll keep it short. Could you give me the address of that person you mentioned before I left New York? You know, the man who’s got that import/export office in Rome.Stephen: Ah, you mean Michael Simpson. Now let me see. Umm... I don’t have his address on hand. How about if I ring you back in about half an hour?Sue: Well, I’ll be on my way to the conference. I’ll call you again in about half an hour. Is that OK?Stephen: OK. I’ll look up Simpson’s address for you.Sue: Thanks, Steve. Bye now.Stephen: Bye.Answers to the Questions:1.She is in Rome.2.She wanted to have Michael Simpson’s address.3.Michael Simpson is the man who’s got an import/export office in Rome.4.Sue will call later. Stephen doesn’t have Michael Simpson’s address on hand, and he suggests he call Sue back. But Sue will be on her way to the conference. So Sue will call Stephen again in about half an hour.Conversation TwoSaleswoman: Hello, Worldwide Flowers. Sara Green speaking.Mr. Kelly: This is Jim Kelly. I’d like to order some flowers and have them sent to my home. Saleswoman: Fine, Mr. Kelly. What kind of flowers did you have in mind?Mr. Kelly: I’d like to send a dozen red roses.Saleswoman: A dozen red roses. Our long-stem red roses are selling for twelve dollars a dozen this week, and they’re really quite nice.Mr. Kelly: All right then. I’ll take those.Saleswoman: I’ll need the complete address with the zip code, Mr. Kelly.Mr. Kelly: The address is: 43 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana, 47401. Saleswoman: What would you like us to put on the card?Mr. Kelly: Hm, just something simple. How about: All my love, Jim.Saleswoman: OK. Now, when should they arrive?Mr. Kelly: They should be there before six in the evening on September the 12th. Saleswoman: That should be no problem. Just one more question, Mr. Kelly. How do you intend to make payment?Mr. Kelly: You can put it on my visa card. The number is: JK 4096237.Saleswoman: That should do it. Thank you for calling Worldwide Flowers. Goodbye.Mr. Kelly: Bye.Answers to the Questions:1. He’s calling Worldwide Flowers. Jim Kelly calls because he wants to order some flowersand to have them sent to his home.2. He orders a dozen long-stem red roses which cost twelve dollars.3. His girl friend or maybe his wife, since red roses represent love between men and women.4. She needs to know the address, what is going to be put on the card, when the flowersshould arrive, and how Jim Kelly intends to make payment.5. He asks the saleswoman to charge it to his visa card.Conversation ThreeMrs. Wilson: Wilsons.Harry Ford: Hello, I’d like to speak to Tom Wilson. My name’s Harry Ford.Mrs. Wilson: I’m afraid he’s not in. He’s at a conference in San Francisco all day. Can I give him a message?Harry Ford: Well, he asked me to call him when I was in San Carlos. I’ll be flying back tomorrow. Will he be at home this evening?Mrs. Wilson: Yes, he’ll be back at about seven thirty.Harry Ford: All right, I’ll ring him at about eight then.Mrs. Wilson: I’ll tell him you called.Harry Ford: Thank you. Goodbye.Mrs. Wilson: Goodbye.Answers to the Questions:1.He’s at a conference in San Francisco.2.Tom Wilson asked Harry Ford to call him when Harry Ford was in San Carlos.3.He’ll be at home at about seven thirty.4.Mrs. Wilson.Section BConversation OneCanceling a Hotel BookingOperator: White Swan Hotel.Caller: Hello, I’m Peter Simpson. I made a reservation for the 14th, but now I’m afraid I shall have to cancel it.Operator: Just a moment, please. I’ll put you on to Advance Reservations.Clerk: Advance Reservations, may I help you?Caller: Yes, I’m phoning up because I booked a room for an overseas visitor who won’t be able to come now and so I’ll have to cancel it, I’m afraid.Clerk: What is the name, please, and what is it for?Caller: It was a double room booked in the name of Dr. R. Sun from the 14th, for a week. Clerk: Ah, yes, I’ve got it. And now you want to change the booking, do you?Caller: I wish I could, but it now appears that he won’t be able to come at all.Clerk: Well, Sir, I’ll cancel it then. I hope we can help you some other time.Discussion Questions:1. What should people do in order to make a hotel reservation? Is the procedure different indifferent countries (i. e. U.S. vs. China)?2. If you want to cancel a booking, what should you do? Do you have to pay for it?Conversation TwoA Mail-order Shopping ProblemOperator: Hello, Brand Names Mail Order.Jim Adams: Would you connect me with the Customer Service Department, please? Operator: Just a moment, please.Sam Jacobs: Customer Service, Sam Jacobs here. May I help you?Jim Adams: Yes, this is Jim Adams speaking. I’m afraid there’s been a mix-up. I ordered a 3M tape recorder from you and I’m afraid someone has made a mistake andsent me the wrong model.Sam Jacobs: Ah... I’m sorry about that, Mr. Adams. Can you give me your order number and the exact catalogue number and description of the model you ordered?Jim Adams: Yes, let’s see. I’ve got the bill right here. The order number is CS 124.39 and the model I ordered is the TR 3M-20 portable.Sam Jacobs: Thank you, Mr. Adams. I’ll have the correct recorder sent to you as soon as possible.Jim Adams: When can I expect delivery?Sam Jacobs: Umm... you should have the 3M-20 by Friday at the latest. May I ask you to return the model you now have? We’ll reimburse you for the postage, of course. Jim Adams: All right. I’ll send the 3M-20 back.Sam Jacobs: I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Adams.Jim Adams: All right. I’m glad we can take care of the problem. Goodbye.Sam Jacobs: Goodbye, Mr. Adams, and thank you for shopping Brand Names.Discussion Questions:1. Have you ever ordered anything by mail, for example, laboratory equipment or a book,from a Chinese or foreign company? Have you gotten any wrong delivery? What did you do when it happened?2. What compensation do you expect to get when you get a wrong delivery from a mail orderfirm? Do you think there should be a law which requires the mail order firm to compensate the customer when a wrong delivery takes place?Part Three Speaking OutFunctional ExpressionsAsking to speak to someone and announcing your identity:May (Could/Can) I speak to (with) Kelly Nichols, please? This is Tad Parker calling (speaking). (May is more polite than could or can.)I’d like to speak to Kelly Nichols, please. This is Tad Parker. (Formal)This is Tad Parker from Wells Fargo Bank. Is Kelly Nichols in, please?Is Kelly Nichols there? My name is Tad Parker. (Informal)Is Kelly Nichols there by any chance? I’m Tad Parker. (Informal)Kelly Nichols, please. Tad Parker here. (Very Informal)Is that you, Kelly? It’s me, Tad. (Very Informal)Hi. It’s Tad. (The speaker knows, or he assumes he knows who is on the other end of the line.) (Very Informal)Connecting to another phone extension or answering the telephone if the person wanted is not immediately available:Would you mind holding a minute while I try to find him? (Formal)Could you hold, please? I’ll see if she’s in.Hold the line, please. (I’ll connect you.)Hold on, please. (I’ll put you through.)Please hold a moment.Just/Wait a/one moment, please.Hang on. I’ll get him. (Informal)Just a sec. (Informal)Notes:Sec is a reduction of “second.”Answering the phone if the person wanted is not there or too busy to come to the phone:I’m sorry, but Mr. King is not here right now (is not in at the moment ). May I take a message, or would you like to call back later?Mr. King is tied up (busy/occupied/on another line) (right) now. Would you like to leave a message (call back later/have him return your call)?I’m afraid Mr. King can’t come to the phone (speak to you/take the call) at this time. Could you call back in a few minutes (in a little while/later)?I’m afraid he’s not in. May I take your number and have him return your call?I’m sorry. Mr. King isn’t answering. (connecting to an extension)Notes:Tied up is an idiomatic expression for “busy” or “occupied.”Some simple things to say if you reach the wrong number after the person on the other end of the line says “I’m sorry. There’s no one (body/person) here by (of) that name”:Oh, isn’t that Ruiz Construction?Isn’t this 561-4389?(After negative response):I’m sorry. I have (guess I have/must have/must have dialed/dialed) the wrong number.Sorry to disturb (have disturbed/have troubled) you.It is the secretary or receptionist’s job to screen calls for his or her employer. If a secretary or receptionist greets you first, you may be required to state your business with the person you are calling. The secretary might ask:May I ask the nature of your business, please?Whom do you represent, Mr. Chang?What company are you with, Sir?(If the person calling did not identify himself, the secretary may ask “Who shall I say is calling?” This also applies to general phone calls, but the person called may use less formal expressions such as “Who’s calling?” or “Who’s speaking?”)Notes:Screen means to ask questions of a person to find out whether the reason he or she is calling is serious enough to interrupt what the boss is doing.Section ACompleted conversations for reference:Conversation OneCharles Chen wants to speak with Peter Cummings, so he calls him at his office. Secretary: Cummings and Associates. Good morning.Charles: Hello. This is Charles Chen. May I speak with Mr. Cummings?Secretary: May I ask the nature of your business, Mr. Chen?Charles: I’m with the Cleveland Arts Council, and I’d like to talk with Mr. Cummings about making a corporate contribution to the Museum Fund.Secretary: I’m sorry, Mr. Chen, but Mr. Cummings is quite busy at the moment. May I take your number and have him return your call?Charles: Yes, thank you. I can be reached at 542-0866 until 6:00 p.m.Secretary: I’ll see that he gets the message, Mr. Chen.Charles: Thank you very much, ma’am.Conversation TwoArranging a Job InterviewOperator: Athelstan. May I help you?Liz: Yes. This is Liz Hampton. I’m phoning about the Administrative Assistant position you advertised in yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle.Operator: Right, I’ll put you on to our Personnel Department. Just a moment, please.Mr. Sharp: Hello, Frank Sharp, Personnel.Liz: This is Liz Hampton speaking. I’m calling about the ad in yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle for the Administrative Assistant position.Mr. Sharp: Yes, that job is still open, Ms Hampton. If you feel that you fulfill the qualifications listed, we could arrange for a job interview.Liz: Yes, Mr. Sharp, I do have those qualifications and I am very interested in that job.Mr. Sharp: Fine, Ms. Hampton. When would it be convenient for you to come in for an interview?Liz: Any time next week, Mr. Sharp. Mornings are usually better for me.Mr. Sharp: Umm... how about nine o’clock on Tuesday.Liz: OK. I’ll see you on Tuesday at nine. Goodbye.Mr. Sharp: Goodbye, Ms Hampton.Conversation ThreeWrong NumberMr. Wilson: Hello, Peter Wilson here. Can I speak to Mr. Hewitt?Operator: Sorry, there’s no Mr. Hewitt at this number.Mr. Wilson: The number I have here is Packard Enterprises 342-4556.Operator: That’s our number all right, but this is Packard Electric. You must have the wrong Packard from the phone book.Mr. Wilson: I’m sorry. I’ll take another look in the Yellow Pages.Operator: That’s all right. Bye.Mr. Wilson: Bye.Notes:Yellow Pages refers to the section of telephone book or directory which lists business phone numbers printed on yellow paper in order to contrast with the white pages which list home phone numbers.Part Four Comprehensive PracticeSection AConversation OneJohn Matthews: Hello.Margaret Bush: Hello, Margaret Bush here. Could I speak to Mr. Matthews, please?John Matthews: Speaking.Margaret Bush: Oh, John. I didn’t recognize your voice.John Matthews: Yes, the line isn’t very good.Margaret Bush: John, it looks as if I won’t be able to keep the appointment we made.John Matthews: That was to be Wednesday, wasn’t it?Margaret Bush: Yes. My parents called this morning. They are flying from Hong Kong on Wednesday, and I have to go to the airport to pick them up.John Matthews: I see.Margaret Bush: I’m so sorry, John. But could we meet on Thursday? Or would you prefer another time?John Matthews: Afraid I’m tied up this week. Let me just check. Next Monday would be all right, I think.Margaret Bush: Monday’s OK for me too. Shall we say the same time as we’d arranged? At11 o’clock?John Matthews: Fine. I’ll be at your place at 11 then.Margaret Bush: Thanks, John. Hope I haven’t messed up your arrangements too much.John Matthews: Oh no, these things happen, don’t they? See you next Monday, Margaret. Margaret Bush: Bye, John.Conversation TwoReceptionist: Dr. Stanford’s office.Jim Dawson: May I please speak to Dr. Stanford. This is Jim Dawson.Receptionist: I’m sorry, he’s with a patient. May I help you?Jim Dawson: Yes, would you ask him to call me, please? It’s about our trip to Boston this weekend.Receptionist: Okay, Mr. Dawson. Does he have your phone number?Jim Dawson: Probably, but let me give it to you in case. It’s 276-8762.Receptionist: All right. I’ll tell him to call you back.Jim Dawson: Thanks.Receptionist: You’re welcome. Bye.Answers to the Questions:Conversation One1. Her parents are flying from Hong Kong on Wednesday, and she has to go to the airport topick them up.2. Next Monday, at 11 o’clock.Conversation Two1. He’s with a patient.2. 276-8762.Section BCommunication ties together the parts of a society just as the nervous system ties together the parts of an individual. From earliest times, when the only form of communication was speech, to the present, when electronic signals carry information instantly to practically any point on Earth, communication has been the way people have organized their cooperative activities. In the modern world there are two main types of communications media. One type consists of the mass media—such as television, radio, newspapers, and magazines—in which organizations send messages to a large number of people. The other type consists of direct, point to point communications—telephone, telegraph, data transmission, and postal service. Of these, the electronic media (all but the postal service) are termed telecommunications.Telecommunications first came into existence with the development of the telegraph in the 1830s and 1840s. For the first time, news and information could be transmitted great distances almost instantaneously. The invention of the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell fundamentally transformed telecommunications. The telephone system assumed its modern form with the development of dial phoning and its spread during the middle decades of the 20th century.For long distances, and especially for transcontinental transmissions, telecommunications companies throughout the world have turned to communications satellites. Communications satellites were first introduced in the mid-1960s and have, since their origin, been both used for telecommunications and for television relay.Answers to the Questions:1. F2. F3. T4. F5. T6. T。