英语听力精选进阶版 15377

 

English at Work

Episode¹ 64: Something's missing²

Language for getting down to business

Narrator:  Hello again. At the offices of Tip Top Trading things are a bit strange after Tom walked… stormed out in a huff after realising that Anna was never going to marry him. So Anna, I suppose you can get on with being the manager now?

Anna:  Yes, I suppose so. But something’s not right.

Narrator:  Well, you’ve lost a valuable member of your team.

Anna:  I know, and a good friend too. 

Narrator:  Well, you’re the boss now – it’s time to deal with the situation and get down to business. Tell the team you’ll be finding³ a replacement⁴ for Tom and you’re going to make some changes in the office. You could also say you want to turn the business round and make it really successful.

Anna:  OK, thanks. (To the team) Excuse me everyone, could we gather round for a quick meeting please. Oh, it’s just you now Denise.

Right, well, I need to get down to business so I’ll be advertising⁵ for a replacement for Tom today – in fact Denise, you might be interested in that? And I want to make some changes in the office. I need to turn this business round and (starting to sound unsure)… make it the world’s leading plastic fruit production company and… I’m… keen⁶ to hear… your ideas.

Denise:  Is everything alright?

Anna:  Err… I can’t stop thinking about Tom. He seemed so upset when he left and… it’s not the same without him around. He made me laugh and … I miss his floppy⁷ hair. 

Narrator:  Anna, it’s time to swallow your pride! 

Anna:  Swallow what?

Narrator:  Admit you are wrong – be honest with yourself and follow your heart – go and marry Tom! (Aside) Although personally, I don’t know what you see in him. 

Anna:  You’re right! Why didn’t I see it? Tom is the man for me – (urgently) I must call him and find out where he is (dials phone)… oh no, his phone’s 

switched off. Where can I find him? 

Mr Ingle:  Hey Anna. You looking for Tom?

Anna:  Yes Mr Ingle, I am.

Mr Ingle:  I saw him a while ago, in a real rage⁸, getting into a taxi. He told me he’d booked a flight to Australia and was heading for the airport. He said something about being a ‘free spirit’.

Narrator:  Struth! Tom really is going too far – to the other end of the world in fact. 

Does this mean we’ll never hear from Tom again? For now, let’s remind ourselves of some of the phrases Anna used to deal with a difficult 

situation:

I’ll be advertising for a replacement for Tom today

I want to make some changes in the office

I need to turn this business round

I’m keen to hear your ideas

Anna:  …but work can wait. I’ve got to get to the airport quickly before Tom gets on that flight. Taxi! Taxi! 

Narrator:  This is going to be interesting!

Listening Challenge: 

What phrase means to admit you are wrong?

Answer: To swallow your pride. 

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 missing   

adj.遗失的，缺少的，失踪的

参考例句：

• Check the tools and see if anything is missing.检点一下工具，看有无丢失。
• All the others are here;he's the only one missing.别人都来了，就短他一个。

3 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。

4 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

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 keen   

adj.热心的；敏锐的；激烈的；锋利的

参考例句：

• There is keen competition between the two motorcar firms.两家汽车公司之间存在着激烈的竞争。
• The children are mad keen to go to the zoo.孩子们非常想去动物园。

7 floppy   

adj.松软的，衰弱的

参考例句：

• She was wearing a big floppy hat.她戴了顶松软的大帽子。
• Can you copy those files onto this floppy disk?你能把那些文件复制到这张软盘上吗？

8 rage   

vi.(烈火)熊熊燃烧；发怒；怒斥；季风

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• Haines got into a rage.海恩斯勃然大怒。