英语听力精选进阶版 15132

English at Work 

Episode¹ 39: A step too far 

Disciplining a member of staff 

Narrator:  Hello and welcome back to Tip Top Trading. New recruit² Rachel has been 

making life difficult for Anna; she's been making some bad business 

decisions. Let's find out how Anna can save the day.  

Tom:  Right, we've definitely³ got to do something about Rachel… definitely… only, 

I'm a bit busy at the moment. 

Denise:  Sorting out your dinner date are you Tom?!  So Anna, have you spoken to 

Paul about this? 

Anna:  Yes I have, but he didn't do anything. 

Denise.   Hmm, well he is your boss so I think you've got to speak to him again. 

Take him some biscuits, that might get his attention. 

Anna:  Well, I'll try  

Denise:  Oh and keep notes so you have a record of your conversation.  

Anna:  Denise, you're amazing. But where have the pens gone to? 

Denise:  That is strange – we all seem to be losing our pens. Here, use this old 

pencil. 

Anna:  Thanks. 

Narrator:  Anna. Are you happy complaining officially about Rachel? 

Anna:  Not really but what else can I do? She's been spoiling⁴ all the work I've 

been doing. 

Narrator:  Yes she has. OK, well tell Paul the facts and tell him you want action.  

Anna:  OK. Right, here goes. (KNOCK ON DOOR) 

Paul:  Come in. (DOOR OPENS) 

Anna:  Hi Paul.  I really need to speak to you about Rachel. She really is messing 

things up…Paul?  

Paul:  Sorry, just counting my biscuits. What were you saying? Rachel? Great girl, 

isn't she? 

Anna:  No she's not. 

Paul:  Oh. 

Anna:  (Getting angry) Paul, she's already sent out the wrong order and now she's 

upset our new client⁵. Plus, have you seen the way she dresses? I'm not 

happy and I think you've got to take some action. 

Narrator:  Anna, you're on fire! But stick to the facts, don't get personal about Rachel. 

Paul:  Well I'm sure Mr Socrates would disagree with you. Look, if she is as bad 

as you say then I'll give you my permission to discipline her – give her a 

warning. 

Anna:  What! Me?  

Paul:  You know what's she done wrong so tell her not to do it again…and 

besides, I've got an important meeting to go to… and they usually have 

those delicious shortbread biscuits. So …I'll leave it with you then?  (DOOR 

SHUTS) 

Narrator:  What a useless boss!  Anna are you happy about what to do next? 

Anna:  Not really. What am I going to say? 

Narrator:  It's not easy but keep calm and professional and say to Rachel, "you've 

made some serious mistakes" and "you need to consult me before you 

contact any of our clients⁶." Give her a verbal⁷ warning saying "These 

mistakes cannot happen again, otherwise I will have to refer the matter to 

someone higher." This may lead to disciplinary action but it may be for the 

best.  

Anna:  Oh it's all very serious but I suppose I've got to do it. 

Narrator:  Good luck! 

Rachel:  Anna! Darling! What's wrong? I saw Paul and he said you're in a bit of a 

mood. 

Anna:  It's not a mood Rachel. Can we talk please…now? 

Rachel:  Yeah sure. Let's sit here, shall we – not in that chair – that's my favourite. 

Anna:  Rachel, I wanted to let you know that you've made some serious mistakes. 

Rachel:  (sarcastically) Oh! 

Anna:  You have really upset our new client – and you think it's ok to sell second 

hand plastic oranges. 

Rachel:   Calm down. It's business, darling. 

Anna:  It's not good business Rachel. These mistakes cannot happen again. If they 

do I will have to take matters higher and it could result in disciplinary 

action. 

Rachel:  Oh! You're quite scary for a short girl. 

Narrator:  That was unnecessary! But well done Anna for keeping cool and calm in a 

difficult situation. Let's hope Rachel has got the message. Here is a 

reminder⁸ of the phrases you could use when giving someone a verbal 

warning… 

You've made some serious mistakes 

You need to consult me before you contact any of our clients 

These mistakes cannot happen again otherwise I will have to refer the 

matter to someone higher. 

Narrator:  Let's find out how Rachel is behaving. 

Tom:  Ah hello, Rachel. 

Rachel:  Tommy boy. Come and give me a hug. (SOUND OF PENS FALLING OUT OF 

HANDBAG) Opps! 

Tom:  Our pens! All our pens! You've been stealing them! Rachel! 

Paul:  (DOOR OPENS) What's going on? I say, what are all those pens doing on 

the floor? 

Denise:  They're from Rachel's handbag. She's been stealing them! 

Paul:  What? The company's pens? Right, well, I need to see you in my office 

please Rachel, now…if you don't mind. 

Anna/Tom/Denise: Gasp⁹! 

Narrator:  So Rachel is the pen thief! What does this mean for her job at Tip Top 

Trading? Find out next time. Until then, bye! 

Listening Challenge  

Who stole all the pens?  

(Answer: Rachel) 

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 recruit   

n.招聘，新兵，新成员；v.恢复，补充，招募

参考例句：

• The country's first act would be to recruit for the navy.国家的第一个行动是为海军征募新兵。
• This is a nationwide campaign to recruit women into trade unions.这是一次吸收妇女参加工会的全国性运动。

3 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

4 spoiling   

v.变质( spoil的现在分词 )；损坏；毁掉；破坏

参考例句：

• You are spoiling this man's son. 贼夫人之子。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The murderer attempted to escape from law punishment by spoiling his own face. 那个杀人犯企图自毁容貌以逃脱法律的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 client   

n.委托人，当事人，顾客

参考例句：

• She can't come to the telephone;she's serving a client.她不能来接电话，她正在接待一位顾客。
• The lawyer produced a clever defence of his client.律师机智地为委托人辩护。

6 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。

7 verbal   

adj.口头的，用言辞的，用文字的，动词的

参考例句：

• Verbal statements are no guarantee.口说无凭。
• I delivered a verbal protest against their brutal acts.我对他们的暴行提出口头抗议。

8 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

9 gasp   

n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说

参考例句：

• She gave a gasp of surprise.她吃惊得大口喘气。
• The enemy are at their last gasp.敌人在做垂死的挣扎。