旅游英语口语-免税商店

CAROL: I never understand why these shops have so much liquor¹.
JOHN: What do you mean? It's because it's much cheaper to buy liquor duty-free.
CAROL: But why? Why don't people like to buy shirts duty-free? Or shoes?I just don't understand why it's always liquor.
JOHN: Well, it's because in most countries liquor has a higher tax on it.
CAROL: You mean liquor has a higher tax than other things?
JOHN: Yes, of course. Didn't you know that?
CAROL: No, I didn't. How high is the tax?
JOHN: Well, it is different in different countries.But it's because of the high tax that buying liquor duty-free is such a good deal.
CAROL: Why would the government want to tax liquor so much?
JOHN: Liquor is considered a luxury² item.And also, it is considered as something that isn't very healthy.So if people want to buy it, the government thinks it has the right to tax it.
CAROL: That's why a lot of people buy cigarettes here too, isn't it?
JOHN: Of course. Cigarettes are also taxed very heavily.
CAROL: Now I understand. But I don't smoke or drink.So what am I supposed to buy in here?
JOHN: You can buy some of these nice butterflies.
CAROL: No, I'm sorry.I don't think it is nice to have butterflies mounted³ in boxes.It is kind of disgusting.
JOHN: What? You feel sorry for the butterflies?
CAROL: Yes. I think they should just let them fly free,and not try to sell them to foreigners. It is a kind of destruction⁴ of nature.
JOHN: Well, I agree with you.I'd rather think that the butterflies are flying around in the mountains.I just wonder if they really catch so many that it affects the butterfly population.
CAROL: Who knows? Hey, I like these jade⁵ bears here.
JOHN: How much are they?
CAROL: This one is 2300 dollars.Maybe I should buy it for my mother. What do you think?
JOHN: If you want. Didn't you buy her a small vase already?
CAROL: Yes, but she would like this a lot. She likes to collect little things like this.
JOHN: Alright. Buy it then.I won't buy anything. Well, maybe I'll buy some Cognac.
CAROL: Maybe I could buy some Cognac for my brother. He always drinks it.
JOHN: Let's go ask about it.
卡罗：我从来不了解为什么这些店有这么多种类的酒。
约翰：什么意思？因为买免税的酒便宜很多。
卡罗：为什么？为何大家不喜欢买免税的衬衫或鞋子呢？我就是不懂为何总是酒类。
约翰：因为大部分的国家酒类含税比较高。
卡罗：你是指酒比其它物品含税更高吗？
约翰：是啊，当然。你不知道吗？
卡罗：我不知道。税有多高呢？
约翰：每个国家都不一样，但是因为酒类含税较高，所以买免税酒很划得来。
卡罗：为什么政府要扣酒类的税如此重呢？
约翰：酒类被视为是奢侈品。而且不是很健康的东西。所以如果大家要采购的话，政府认为有权扣税。
卡罗：这也是很多人在这买香烟的原因，对不对？
约翰：当然，香烟的税也很重。
卡罗：现在我懂了，但是我又不抽烟或喝酒。那我应该在这买什么好呢？
约翰：你可以买这些不错的蝴蝶标本。
卡罗：不，很抱歉。我不想要拥有盒装的蝴蝶标本。有点恶心耶。
约翰：不会吧？你替蝴蝶感到难过吗？
卡罗：是的，我认为应该让他们自由地飞翔，而不是试着卖给外国人，这样有点破坏自然。
约翰：对，我同意你的说法。我宁愿这些蝴蝶在山林里飞舞着，我只是想知道他们捕捉这么多是否会影响蝴蝶的数目。
卡罗：谁知道？嘿，我比较喜欢这些玉熊。
约翰：这些多少钱？
卡罗：这个是两千三百美元。也许我应该买给我妈，你觉得呢？
约翰：想买就买吧，你不是已经买给她一个小花瓶了？
卡罗：是啊，但是她会很喜欢这个，她喜欢收集像这样的小东西。
约翰：好啊，那就买吧。我什么也不买，也许我会买一些白兰地酒。
卡罗：也许我可以买一些白兰地酒给我哥，他老是喝那个。
约翰：我们去问问吧！

1 liquor   

n.酒，烈性酒

参考例句：

• He keeps away from liquor and tobacco.他不喝酒，不抽烟。
• The liquor is not strong enough.这酒不够劲儿。

2 luxury   

n.难得享受到的愉悦；奢侈，奢华的生活

参考例句：

• He invited me to his suite. The luxury takes your breath away.他请我到他的套房里去，那豪华的气派真会令你吃惊。
• The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods.政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。

3 mounted   

adj.骑在马[自行车]上的；安装好的；裱好的v.登上，骑上( mount的过去式和过去分词)；增加，上升；上演；准备

参考例句：

• He mounted his horse and rode off. 他跨上马骑走了。
• He saddled his horse, mounted, and rode away at a gallop. 他给马套上鞍子，跨上马背疾驰而去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 destruction   

n.破坏，毁灭，消灭

参考例句：

• The enemy bombs caused widespread destruction.敌人的炸弹造成大面积的破坏。
• Overconfidence was his destruction.自负是他垮台的原因。

5 jade   

n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠

参考例句：

• The statue was carved out of jade.这座塑像是玉雕的。
• He presented us with a couple of jade lions.他送给我们一对玉狮子。