听播客学英语 97 Better

 　　I am sorry that there was no podcast last week. I was unwell. But now I am better. That means¹, I am not unwell any more. I have recovered. I am better.

　　And today’s podcast is about the word “better”. “Better” is of course the comparative² form of the adjective³ “good”. Good – better- best. We can say: “This is a good restaurant. But the restaurant over the road is better. And the restaurant round the corner is the best restaurant in the town.”

　　We can use “better” in other ways, too. There is an English expression “I had better” do something. It means “I must” do something, or “it would be a good idea” to do something. Here are some examples:

　　Kevin and Joanne are having breakfast. Joanne looks in the fridge. There is no milk. “I had better buy some milk this morning,” she says. Kevin looks at his watch. It is nearly 7.30am. “I had better go now,” he says. “I have to go to a meeting at 8.30.” “Yes,” says Joanne. “You had better hurry, otherwise you will miss the train. And it is raining. You had better take an umbrella”.

　　In Birmingham, where I live, there is a bus company. Actually, there are lots of bus companies, because our government believes that competition in public transport is a good thing. Our government is wrong. Britain has some of the worst public transport in Europe. But that is different podcast. One of our competing bus companies has a slogan⁴ on the side of its buses. It says: “better buses, better service, better catch one”. This is what it means.

　　Better buses…

　　“Better buses” – the company has better buses. But better than what? Better than the buses of the other bus companies? Better than the old buses which it used to have? I suppose that “better buses” is OK as an advertising⁵ slogan, but if you want people to understand exactly what you mean, remember to use the word “than” – “better buses than our old buses”, for example.

　　“Better service” – This means more frequent⁶ buses, more reliable⁷ buses. Perhaps the company means that they now run buses late in the evening and on Sundays.

　　And “better catch one” is short for “you had better catch one”. In other words, it would be a good idea to catch one of our wonderful better buses. Remember that in English, we can take a bus or a train or a plane; or we can catch a bus or a train or a plane.

　　Now you know all about “I had better”. There is a quiz⁸ with the podcast today. You can find it on the website. Now it is late. I had better stop now. I had better go to the supermarket. I had better cook supper for the children. I had better say goodbye.

1 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

2 comparative   

adj.比较的；相比较而言的；相对的

参考例句：

• After many hardships,he now lives in comparative ease.经过许多困难之后，他现在的生活相对舒适。
• Let's make a comparative study of the two languages.让我们将这两种语言作一下比较研究。

3 adjective   

n.形容词；adj.形容词的，用作形容词的

参考例句：

• Don't apply that adjective to me.不要用那个字眼来形容我。
• The adjective loose has several senses. 形容词loose有几个义项。

4 slogan   

n.呐喊声，标语，口号

参考例句：

• Such a slogan will bind our hand and foot.这个口号会约束我们的手脚。
• "service with a smile”is the store's slogan.“微笑服务”是那家商店的口号。

5 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

6 frequent   

adj.经常的，频繁的；vt.常到，常去

参考例句：

• There are frequent contacts between the peoples of the two countries.两国人民之间交往频繁。
• Rains are frequent here in spring.这儿春季雨很频。

7 reliable   

adj.可信赖的；可靠的

参考例句：

• I'm afraid the information is not reliable.恐怕消息不可靠。
• Do you think she's reliable?你看她这个人可靠吗？

8 quiz   

n.智力竞赛；测验，小型考试

参考例句：

• They are having a quiz now.他们正进行小测验。
• He took part in a television quiz and won a prize.他参加了一个电视知识竞赛并得了奖。