英语听力精选进阶版 14799

English at Work 

Episode¹ 16: Slimy Limey! 

Politely refusing 

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Narrator:  Hello! You're joining us again after Anna's call from Mr Lime² – he asked her 

to lunch, remember. Now Anna and Denise are flapping³. 

Denise:  ...and before you know it, he'll be asking you to marry him! Trust me Anna, 

this has happened to me dozens of times! 

Anna:  But I thought he was only interested in the lemons! Please promise me you 

won’t mention this to anyone. 

Denise:  OK, I promise. 

Anna: Oh, shhhh! 

Tom:  Good morning. What's going on? 

Denise:  Mr Lime has asked Anna to lunch! 

Anna:  Please… 

Tom:  And? 

Denise:   And it's not to talk business! I saw him looking at her with big eyes, from 

the moment he first saw her! 

Anna:  Denise! 

Tom:  Old Slimy Limey eh? Lucky Anna! 

Anna:  He's not slimy, it's just… 

Tom:  Don't tell me you said yes?! 

Anna:  Well I didn't know what to say. 

Tom:  You didn't? 

Anna:  No, no, I said I was busy and would call back. I wanted to just say no, but 

with everyone complaining that I'm not polite on the phone... I just... I 

didn't know how to say it politely.   

Tom:  Ha ha, I'll tell you what to say. 

Anna:  Hang on, let me write it down... why  do all the pens keep disappearing? 

Denise:  Here's one. 

Anna:  Thanks. Okay, I'm listening Tom. 

Tom:  Say: go...   

Anna:  (writing) go... 

Tom:   ...away... Slimy Limey. 

Anna:   Go away Slimy Limey. Are you sure? 

Tom:   Of course! 

Denise:  Don't listen to him Anna. This is what you say: 

  Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. 

  Then explain why, say I'm afraid… blah blah blah 

Anna:  Blah blah blah? 

Denise:  Say it's against company policy to have  non-business lunches with clients⁴. 

Anna:  Meaning?  

Denise:  You're not allowed to if it's not for business. Then say: 

  It wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no. 

Anna:  Okay, I think I've got that all down. Thanks. He'll be waiting for my call.   

     (dials phone) 

Mr Lime:  Hello, Seb Lime speaking.   

Anna:  Hello Mr Lime. 

Mr Lime:  Anna! Please, call me Seb. So, when can I invite you to lunch? 

Denise:  (whispering loudly)  Thank you for your offer... 

Anna:  Well, thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. 

Mr Lime:  Oh? 

Denise:  (whispering loudly)  I'm afraid... 

Anna:  I'm afraid it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with 

people. 

Mr Lime:  Really? Oh how tedious⁵! 

Denise:  (whispering loudly)  It wouldn't be- 

Anna:  Shhh! 

Mr Lime:  Pardon? 

Anna:  No, not shhh you Mr Slimy I meant shhhh Denise! 

Mr Lime:  Mr Slimy? 

Anna:   Oh no! I mean Mr Limey – Lime – er Seb! You see, it wouldn't be 

appropriate. So, with regret,  I'm going to have to say no. 

Mr Lime:  I think I've understood. Goodbye Anna. 

Anna:  Goodbye. 

Narrator:  Oh dear, he didn't take that too well.  But, apart from a little mistake, Anna 

did well there. Here are the phrases she used to politely refuse the offer of 

lunch: 

   Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I wo n't be able to. 

I'm afraid it is agai nst company policy…   

  It wouldn't be appropriate.   

  With regret, I'm going to have to say no. 

  Good job Anna, bad luck Mr Slimy! 

   Listening Challenge   

What excuse does Anna give Seb Lime for not going to lunch with him? 

(Answer: She says it is against company policy) 

1 episode   

n.（作品的一段）情节，插曲，系列事件中之一

参考例句：

• The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
• This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。

2 lime   

n.石灰，酸橙，酸橙树，粘鸟胶，钙；vt.施石灰，涂上粘性物质，沾上粘鸟胶

参考例句：

• Lime exists in many soils.许多土壤中都含有石灰。
• A broad avenue of lime trees led up to a grand entrance with huge oak doors.一条栽有酸橙树的宽阔林阴道通向巨大的橡木门的雄伟入口。

3 flapping   

（使）上下左右移动( flap的现在分词 )； 轻拍； 焦急，焦虑； 振（翅）

参考例句：

• The flag was flapping around in the light wind. 那面旗子在微风中飘动。
• Do stop flapping around, we'll get the job done in time. 大可不必担心，我们会按时完成这项工作的。

4 clients   

n.顾客( client的名词复数 )；当事人；诉讼委托人；[计算机]客户端

参考例句：

• a lawyer with many famous clients 拥有许多著名委托人的律师
• She understood the importance of establishing a close rapport with clients. 她懂得与客户建立密切和谐的关系的重要性。

5 tedious   

adj.冗长的，沉闷的，乏味的

参考例句：

• The tedious job simply ate me up.那单调乏味的工作简直把我烦死了。
• He was not used to the tedious of life in a small country town.他不适应这种乡村小镇的单调生活。