英语听力精选进阶版 6775

Chris: Hi Helen. Wow, what's that?

Helen: This is a present for you, Chris. 一个小礼物。

Chris: A present for me? Oh, that's very kind of you!

Helen: Here you go.

Chris: A new dictionary - how nice! That's such a lovely present, and it's not even my birthday. But hang on, why have you stuck all these pieces of string onto the book?

Helen: There are strings¹ to your present. 我把好几根绳子夹在字典里。

Chris: Erm, I see. Do you mean there are certain conditions that come with this present?

Helen: Yes, strings to your present!

Chris: Ah, you mean there are strings attached.

Helen: I see – so it's an expression in English?

Chris: That's right. Having strings attached doesn't actually mean you need to stick pieces of string to the book. You can just tell me what the conditions are.

Helen: Oh, OK. Well, the conditions are that I can borrow your dictionary whenever I need to use it. 我的附加条件是我可以随时随地的用你的字典。怎么样？

Chris: That's absolutely fine. You can borrow it anytime.

Helen: Great! Do you have any headphones I can use too? I want to listen to my mp3 player. 能借借你的耳机吗？

Chris: Yes, here you go.

Helen: Thanks. Are there any strings attached?

Chris: No, you can use the headphones for as long as you like - no strings attached.

Helen: Wonderful, thanks very much.

Chris: Let's take a listen to some examples of how strings attached or no strings attached can be used:

Make sure you read all of the contract before you sign it, there could be strings attached.

We're giving away our brand new toy to the first fifty customers who visit our shop - no strings attached.

Helen: So it can be a warning about whether there are restrictions² to something or not.这个短语就是警告别人这里有附加条件。

Chris: That's right. When something has strings attached, it often means there are hidden commitments³ and you should find out what they are.

Helen: That's good to know. 这个短语仅仅是在说到钱的时候才能用吗？

Chris: It can often be used when talking about financial agreements or negotiations⁴, but it can also be based on personal relationships too, like when you gave me the present. Here's another example:

A: My brother said I could use his car this weekend, no strings attached.

B: Really? That's a nice thing to do.

A: Well, he does owe me a favour after I washed the car last week.

Chris: So Helen, now that you've finished with your mp3 player, can I listen to it?

Helen: You can, but there are strings attached.

Chris: Oh, OK. What are they?

Helen: 我的 mp3 里只有古典音乐。

Chris: Oh no, I hate classical music!

1 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 commitments   

n.委托( commitment的名词复数 )；任务；承担的义务

参考例句：

• I am very tired because I have taken on so many commitments. 我很累，因为我承担了很多的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• These commitments have already been breached. 这些承诺已遭背弃。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。