Practical Conversation — 第二冊

🔊Mom, I want our home to be greener.  Do you know any ways that we can conserve energy?

🔊So what are we going to do?

🔊That’s a good start. We should also remember to turn off the lights when no one is in the room.

🔊That way we won’t have to run the air-conditioner so much, right?

🔊I’ve heard that TV’s use power even when they aren’t turned on. Is that true?

🔊Is there anything we can do about it?

🔊You sure know a lot about energy conservation, don’t you?

🔊If everyone thought like you, we could save the world in no time.

🔊You can say that again!

🔊What is your new history teacher like?

🔊Really? How so?

🔊Like what?

🔊What if you break the rules?

🔊He sounds like a real stickler for rules.

🔊Whoa, I sure wouldn’t want to upset him. I would just follow the rules and keep my mouth shut.

🔊I don’t even want to talk about it. He is so mean that it is unbelievable.

🔊One day, some of the boys were fooling around in class and he lost his temper. He actually grabbed one of the boys and dragged him out of the classroom by his hair.

🔊You can say that again. He can’t control his temper at all.

🔊On the bright side of things, the new principal seems very nice.

🔊That was very thoughtful of him.

🔊What are you talking about? Of course I would have.

🔊You are such a comedian!

🔊What’s up? You look awful.

🔊You have bags under your eyes.

🔊Why didn’t you sleep?

🔊I was worried, too, but I didn’t have any trouble sleeping. I slept like a log.

🔊I don’t know. I just close my eyes and fall asleep.

🔊Your problem is that you think too much.

🔊Just stop thinking and relax.

🔊Just take a deep breath and focus on something you find relaxing. What do you find relaxing?

🔊Sure, that’s a start. But really try to picture it in your head. Jeffery sits back on the sofa trying to make himself more comfortable and then closes his eyes.

🔊That does sound soothing. Please go on.

🔊What is it? What does it have in its mouth?

🔊Tell me! Tell me!

🔊Oh jeez! I guess there is no hope for you.

🔊I’ll go get the phonebook.

🔊Could you hurry up in there? I’m going to be late for school.

🔊Come on! Did you die in there or what?

🔊Yeah, and that was like 10 minutes ago.

🔊God, Michelle! This isn’t funny. I’m going to pee myself. Get a move on.

🔊That’s it! If you don’t open the door this instant, I am going to tell mom that you are dating Billy Fischer. The door flies open. Michelle has a very accommodating and innocent looking smile on her face.

🔊It’s about time.

🔊Not if you stop hogging the bathroom every morning.

🔊What are you going to wear to the school dance tomorrow?

🔊Yeah, that’s a good idea. You look very elegant in that dress. It suits you.

🔊I have absolutely no idea! Do you have any suggestions?

🔊No, that outfit brings back bad memories, not to mention that it is a little too small now.

🔊Thanks. Do you have any other suggestions?

🔊Don’t you think it looks too formal for a dance?

🔊Sure. We can go to Guan Ming Street in Yuanlin. There are so many clothing shops and boutiques there that I’m sure to find something to wear.

🔊Hey Chuck. Long time no see.

🔊So what have you been up to?

🔊Sorry to hear that. Any luck finding a new job?

🔊Did you check the classifieds?

🔊Well, beggars can’t be choosers.

🔊Exactly. Why don’t you stop by my office tomorrow? I think there is an opening.

🔊It’s time to clean up. Sally, you clear the table and Jesse, you can do the dishes.

🔊Don’t complain. I had to do them all weekend while you were out playing baseball.

🔊Stop arguing and just do them.

🔊You are such a baby. You don’t “always” do the dishes. I do them more than you.

🔊Duh! My arm was in a cast. Remember?

🔊And that’s the same? Think about it.

🔊You could’ve been half finished by now if you weren’t sitting around complaining.

🔊Is it too late to give him up for adoption?

🔊So children...what do you want to do for the Christmas pageant this year?

🔊Sam just doesn’t like to perform in front of people.

🔊Really? That surprises me. He certainly likes to act out in front of the class.

🔊Sure you do. You are the class clown. You’ll do anything to get a laugh.

🔊Great idea. You are really funny, Sam.

🔊That sounds like a wonderful plan. You could tell some jokes about Christmas. So what about the rest of you?

🔊You mean we still have to do something, too?

🔊Nice try!

🔊So...any special plans for the holidays?

🔊That doesn’t sound too bad. My wife has every second planned out for me.

🔊Me, too. It wouldn’t be too bad if she would give me a little time to recuperate from work, but OH NO, she has to make sure that every waking moment is spent visiting some long lost cousin or some old senile uncle who doesn’t even remember us. Elisiah (killing himself laughing): Think of all the holiday cheer you’ll spread.

🔊Spreading out on the couch sounds better to me.

🔊Are you serious? I would rather work, but the boss won’t pay me time and a half for working on a holiday.

🔊Whatever, he’s off my Christmas card list for good.

🔊I am excited. Jessie’s mother: So, what is it that you couldn’t wait to tell me?

🔊(jumping up and down): My class is going on a FIELD TRIP. Jessie’s mother: And? Classes go on field trip all the time. That doesn’t seem like anything to get worked up over.

🔊But we are going to an exhibit. Jessie’s mother (being sarcastic): What a surprise; a field trip to an exhibit.

🔊In a museum. Jessie’s mother (with even more sarcasm): How shocking! You must be the first class in history to go to a museum.

🔊In France. Jessie’s mother: What a revelation! (long pause) Say that again.

🔊We are going to a museum. Jessie’s mother: Yes, yes, I know that, but where exactly?

🔊In France. Jessie’s mother (in disbelief): You are going to the Louvre?

🔊Yes, our class won a contest and the government is paying for our entire class to go to Paris. Jessie’s mother: Thank god! I thought your father was going to have to pay.

🔊No, no, no. The government is covering the whole bill. The only thing you have to do is to sign a consent form. Jessie’s mother: I guess if the government is covering the cost then signing my name is the least I can do.

🔊But… Jessie’s mother: There is always a “but.”

🔊You have to give me some spending money. Jessie’s mother (laughing): Ok. Here is 100NT. Have fun in Paris!

🔊Stop joking around. What in the heck am I going to do with 100 dollars in Paris? Jessie’s mother: The same thing you’d do with ten, except you can do it ten times.

🔊You’re so funny. You’re the worst comedian and mother ever. Jessie’s mother: Maybe, but at least I have more than 100 dollars.

🔊(shaking her head and looking less than amused) Don’t expect a souvenir.