英语 英语 日语 日语 韩语 韩语 法语 法语 德语 德语 西班牙语 西班牙语 意大利语 意大利语 阿拉伯语 阿拉伯语 葡萄牙语 葡萄牙语 越南语 越南语 俄语 俄语 芬兰语 芬兰语 泰语 泰语 泰语 丹麦语 泰语 对外汉语

2009年ESL之商务英语 14 Taking Chances in Business

时间:2014-01-08 07:47来源:互联网 提供网友:nan   字体: [ ]
特别声明:本栏目内容均从网络收集或者网友提供,供仅参考试用,我们无法保证内容完整和正确。如果资料损害了您的权益,请与站长联系,我们将及时删除并致以歉意。
    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

 

14 Taking Chances in Business 

GLOSSARY 

cautious – careful; doing things only after one has thought aboutit a lot and decided1 that it is not too dangerous, unsafe, or risky2 

* Misty3 is a very cautious driver who always drives slowly and lets other drivers pass her. 

investor4 – a person who gives money to businesses or projects for a shortperiod of time, expecting those businesses and projects to be successful so that he or she will receive more money in the future 

* If we’re going to open a restaurant, we’ll need tofind some good investors5

conservative – not taking risks; with very little risk; standard, normal, and usual 

* They designed a very conservative website, not using any newtechnology or doing anything unusual. 

sure thing – something that is guaranteed to succeed and cannot fail 

* If you apply for that job, it’s a sure thing that you’ll get it. You’re very well qualified6 for it. 

to tempt7 (someone) – to make someone want to do or have something because it seems like a very good thing 

* Marcus is trying to lose weight, but he’s always tempted8 by ice cream. 

risk – the possibility that something bad will happen 

* The risk of being in a car accident is much higher for drivers who are talking on their cell phones. 

fund manager – a person whose job is to invest money for other people, helping9 them identify opportunities to make more money by financially supporting businesses and projects 

* Perry’s fund manager is encouraging him to put more money into retirement10 accounts. 

to get in on (something) – to become involved or participate in something, especially if it isn’t available to everyone, and especially early in the process 

* How can I get in on the new company before their stock is made available to the public? 

scheme – a plan for doing something, especially if it is secretive or requires a lot of thought and creativity 

* Bernice has a scheme to become a millionaire by the time she’s 24. 

to take advantage of (something) – to use an opportunity to do something 

* They’re buying a home this year so that they can take advantage of the government’s new tax credits. 

economic climate – the current condition of the economy, whether it is good or bad, strong or weak 

* When the economic climate is bad, many people lose their jobs. 

susceptible11 – vulnerable; able to be affected12 by something in a negative way 

* Old people and young babies are very susceptible to the flu. 

market forces – the way that demand (what people want to buy) and supply (what people want to sell) interact and affect sales and prices 

* Thanks to market forces, we’ll be able to raise our prices next year and still sell more of our product. 

barring – unless something occurs or happens; unless something is true 

* Barring rain, they’ll have an outdoor wedding. 

to rake it in – to make a lot of money very easily and with little effort

* The band’s song became very popular and now the bandmembers are really raking it in. 

to shoot from the hip13 – to be spontaneous; to do something without planning it or thinking about it very much ahead of time 

* Did you do a lot of market research before you opened your business, or were you just shooting from the hip? 

profitable – making money; with income (money coming in) that is higher than expenses (costs) 

* Yolanda’s business finally became profitable in its third year. 

to throw caution to the wind – to stop being careful; to take a risk; to be careless 

* He knew the icy roads were slippery, but he threw caution to the wind and drove quickly anyway. 

to take a chance – to decide to do something risky; to decide to do somethingeven though one knows it might not be successful 

* Jaime took a chance and asked Michelle on a date, even though he didn’t think she would say yes. 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS 

1. What might you expect a cautious investor to do? 

a) To invest in sure things. 

b) To shoot from the hip 

c) To throw caution to the wind. 

2. Which word would Bernie use to describe his scheme? 

a) Conservative. 

b) Risky. 

c) Profitable. 

______________ 

WHAT ELSE DOES IT MEAN? 

sure thing 

The phrase “sure thing,” in this podcast, means something that is guaranteed to succeed and cannot fail: “If you listen to a lot of English you can understand every day, your English comprehension will improve. It’s a sure thing.” Americans also use the phrase “sure thing” to mean that they agree to do something that someone is asking them to do: “A: Can youplease buy some bread and milk on your way home from work? B: Sure thing.” The phrase “sure of (oneself)” means self-confident, or believing that one is able to do something: “She’s very sure of herself at school, always answering the teacher’s questions.” Finally, the informal phrase “sure as hell” is used for emphasis, or to show that something is definitely true: “I sure as hell hope you don’t plan to wear those jeans today. They’re so old and ugly!” 

to get in on 

In this podcast, the phrase “to get in on (something)”means to become involved or participate in something, especially if it isn’t available to everyone, and especially early in the process: “What do we need to do ifwe want to get in on your party?” The phrase “to get in with (someone or agroup)” means to make friends with someone: “Maggie wishes she knew how to getin with the popular kids at school.” The phrase “to get into (someone)” is used as a question when one is surprised by another person’s behavior and wants to know why that person is acting14 in an unusual way: “What has gotten into you? You’ve been acting very strangely all day.” 

CULTURE NOTE 

Some investment schemes are “too good to be true” (promising so many good things that they must be impossible). That certainly “seems to be the case” (appears to be true) for the investments that Bernard Madoff recommended to his “clients” (customers). 

Until recently, Madoff was a very successful businessman and fund manager in New York City. Many clients trusted him with their money.A few financial analysts15 “raised concerns” (said that they were worried) about Madoff’s company, but most people ignored the “red flags” (warning signs) because they were happy to be making so much money. 

Unfortunately, it seems that Madoff actually made his clients lose billions of dollars. In December of 2008, he was “accused” (said that one has done something wrong) of running a very large “Ponzi scheme,” or a system where each investor is paid by the money provided by later investors, not from actual profits from companies that are invested in. 

Madoff has been arrested for the “alleged” (something that people believe one has done, but that hasn’t been proven in court yet) Ponzischeme and thousands of clients have lost billions of dollars. The clients include individuals, banks, universities, and more. Some “foundations” (organizations that give money to other organizations for charity) have had to close because they lost too much money through their investments with Madoff. 

Madoff’s “case” (lawsuit) is expected to “go to court” (be presented for a legal decision) in March 2009. Thousands of people are waiting to see what will happen, but probably none of them will ever get theirmoney back. 

______________ 

Comprehension Questions Correct Answers: 1 – a; 2 – c 

COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT 

Welcome to English as a Second Language Podcast number 476: Taking Chances in Business. 

This is English as a Second Language Podcast number 476.  I’m your host, Dr. Jeff McQuillan, coming to you from the Center for Educational Development in beautiful Los Angeles, California. 

Our website is eslpod.com. Go there to download a Learning Guide for this episode, it will help you improve your English even faster. 

This episode is called “Taking Chances in Business.” It’s a story that uses a lot of common vocabulary – business vocabulary in talking about investing and risking your money. Let’s get started. 

[start of story] 

I’ve always been a pretty cautious investor. I like my investments to be conservative and I usually invest only in sure things. Recently, though, I’ve been tempted to take more risk. 

My friend, Bernie, is a very successful fund manager and heis willing to let me get in on one of his schemes. According to Bernie, he has a way to take advantage of the current economic climate so that he andhis investors aren’t susceptible to the same market forces affecting other investors. Barring any significant changes to the current economy, I should be raking it in before the end of the year. 

Bernie isn’t someone who shoots from the hip, so if he says that this investment is going to be profitable, who am I to ask questions?  I’m very tempted to throw caution to the wind and to take a chance. After all, it’s only money, right? 

[end of story] 

I begin our story by saying that I’ve always been a pretty cautious investor. Someone who is “cautious” is someone who is careful, someone who doesn’t take a lot of risks. An “investor” is someone who buys some sort of stock or bond or a financial instrument that allows you to make more money. You can also invest in a business, you can invest in buying a building; there are many different ways of being an investor. 

I say that I like my investments to be conservative and I only invest in sure things. When we talk about an investment being “conservative,” we mean it is an investment with very little risk: something that is not risky,something that will not likely lose money. A “sure thing” is something that is guaranteed to succeed, something that cannot go wrong, cannot fail. The word“sure” has a couple of different meanings in English; take a look at our Learning Guide for some additional explanations. 

“Recently, though,” I say, “I’ve been tempted to take more risk.” To “tempt” someone is to make someone want to do something because it seems like a good thing. If you see a very nice apple pie, something that looks good to eat, you might say, “That pie is very tempting16.” It is tempting me; it makes me want to do something. I’ve been tempted recently to take more risks. A “risk” is a possibility that something bad might happen. So it’s something that you do that could turn out to be good, it could turn out to be bad. 

My friend Bernie is a very successful fund manager. A “fund manager” is a person whose job it is to invest money for other people, to find ways of making money for other people. This friend of mine, Bernie,is willing to let me get in on one of his schemes. “To get in on (something)” is to become involved or to participate in something, especially something that isn’tavailable to everyone and is just beginning. “To get in on the ground floor” is another expression similar to this, meaning to be part of something from the very beginning, especially some sort of business venture. If you were smart and you bought stock in Google when they first went public – when they first started selling stock, you got in on the ground floor; you got there at the beginning and benefited from their increasing wealth. “To get in” has a couple of meanings, however, in English, so be sure to take a look at the Learning Guidefor some additional explanations. A “scheme” (scheme) is a plan to do something, especially a secret plan, a plan that might require a lot of thought and creativity. It’s often used in a negative way, however, but here it’s being used as a positive thing. 

According to Bernie, he has a way to take advantage of the current economic climate. “To take advantage of” is an interesting expression here, because it can have two meanings. One is, simply, a positive meaning, meaning to use an opportunity to do something: “I’m going to take advantage of the low prices for houses to buy a new home.” You are taking that opportunity and using it. “To take advantage of someone (or something)” can also have anegative meaning, meaning that you are doing something bad to that person, someone who is in a difficult situation or a situation that makes them weak or open to attack, you are taking advantage of their weakness. So, it can have both a positive and negative meaning. 

Bernie says he has a way to take advantage of the current economic climate. “Climate” normally refers to the weather, but it can also be used more generally to describe the current situation – the current condition, so “economic climate” here means the economic situation. Bernie has a way to take advantage of the current (the present) economic climate so that he and his investors aren’t susceptible to the same market forces affecting other investors. “To be susceptible” (susceptible) means to be affected by something in a negative way; “to be vulnerable” is another way of saying this. For example if you are very old and sick, you are susceptible to the flu. You might be more damaged by – more hurt by a simple illness; you are susceptible. 

The investors for Bernie’s scheme are not going to be susceptible, he says, to the same market forces affecting other investors. The “market” refers to the larger economy; it can also refer specifically to the stock market, which is a special place for buying and selling parts of ownership in companies, what we call stocks. “Forces” means influences, things that are affecting other things. So, “market forces” is the way that the market – the economy interacts and affects prices and sales of things; “market forces” refers to the economic influences. 

I say, “Barring any significant changes to the current economy, I should be raking it in before the end of the year.” “Barring” means unless something occurs or happens, unless something is true. For example: “Barringrain, they’ll have an outdoor wedding.” That means if it doesn’t rain – assuming it doesn’t rain. 

“Barring” is followed by whatever situation is going to cause a change or would cause a change in your plans: unless this happens. “Barringany changes in the economy, we are going to have a difficult year this year (unless the economy changes, we are going to have a difficult year this year).” I say that barring any significant changes to the current economy, meaning unless some things change significantly, I should be raking it in before the end of the year. To “rake (rake) it in” is an expression that means to make a lot of money very easily. A “rake,” as a noun, is a tool that you use, for example, to gather leaves that fall off a tree. “To rake it in,” however, means to make a lot of money. 

“Bernie isn’t someone who shoots from the hip,” I say. The expression “to shoot from the hip” means to be spontaneous, to do something without thinking about it, without planning it. It’s often used to refer tosomeone who might talk without actually thinking, without knowing the answer, without considering it seriously. I say that Bernie is not someone who shoots from the hip, meaning he’s someone who thinks about it, who doesn’t talk about something unless he knows about it. So if he says that this investment is going to be profitable, who am I to ask questions? Something that is “profitable” is somethingthat is going to make money, something that will have a very good economic effect. I say that Bernie says this investment is going to be profitable, so who am Ito ask questions, meaning I should not doubt Bernie because I don’t knowas much as he does. 

Finally I say, “I’m very tempted to throw caution to thewind and to take a chance.” The expression “to throw caution to the wind” means to stop being careful, not to be cautious, to take a risk. “To take a chance” means to take a risk, to do something risky. I am very tempted to throw caution to the wind – to be not cautious, and to take a chance with Bernie’s scheme.“After all,” I say, “it’s only money, right?” meaning it’s no big deal if Ilose a little money. 

Now let’s listen to the story, this time at a normal speed. 

[start of story] 

I’ve always been a pretty cautious investor. I like my investments to be conservative and I usually invest only in sure things. Recently, though, I’ve been tempted to take more risk. 

My friend, Bernie, is a very successful fund manager and heis willing to let me get in on one of his schemes. According to Bernie, he has a way to take advantage of the current economic climate so that he andhis investors aren’t susceptible to the same market forces affecting other investors. Barring any significant changes to the current economy, I should be raking it in before the end of the year. 

Bernie isn’t someone who shoots from the hip, so if he says that this investment is going to be profitable, who am I to ask questions?  I’m very tempted to throw caution to the wind and to take a chance. After all, it’s only money, right? 

[end of story] 

Getting an excellent script is always a sure thing when it is done by the author of today’s script, Dr. Lucy Tse. 

From Los Angeles, California, I’m Jeff McQuillan. Thank you for listening. Come back and listen to us next time on ESL Podcast. 

English as a Second Language Podcast is written and produced by Dr. Lucy Tse, hosted by Dr. Jeff McQuillan, copyright 2009 by the Centerfor Educational Development. 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
2 risky IXVxe     
adj.有风险的,冒险的
参考例句:
  • It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险,但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
  • He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。
3 misty l6mzx     
adj.雾蒙蒙的,有雾的
参考例句:
  • He crossed over to the window to see if it was still misty.他走到窗户那儿,看看是不是还有雾霭。
  • The misty scene had a dreamy quality about it.雾景给人以梦幻般的感觉。
4 investor aq4zNm     
n.投资者,投资人
参考例句:
  • My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
  • The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。
5 investors dffc64354445b947454450e472276b99     
n.投资者,出资者( investor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
  • a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会
6 qualified DCPyj     
adj.合格的,有资格的,胜任的,有限制的
参考例句:
  • He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
  • We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。
7 tempt MpIwg     
vt.引诱,勾引,吸引,引起…的兴趣
参考例句:
  • Nothing could tempt him to such a course of action.什么都不能诱使他去那样做。
  • The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.她有钱了,可这丝毫没能让她改变节俭的生活习惯。
8 tempted b0182e969d369add1b9ce2353d3c6ad6     
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚,但还是没开口。
  • I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
9 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
10 retirement TWoxH     
n.退休,退职
参考例句:
  • She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
  • I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。
11 susceptible 4rrw7     
adj.过敏的,敏感的;易动感情的,易受感动的
参考例句:
  • Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
  • We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。
12 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
13 hip 1dOxX     
n.臀部,髋;屋脊
参考例句:
  • The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
  • The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line.新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。
14 acting czRzoc     
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的
参考例句:
  • Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她,她只是假装的。
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代,她的表演生涯黯然失色。
15 analysts 167ff30c5034ca70abe2d60a6e760448     
分析家,化验员( analyst的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
  • I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。
16 tempting wgAzd4     
a.诱人的, 吸引人的
参考例句:
  • It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
  • It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。
本文本内容来源于互联网抓取和网友提交,仅供参考,部分栏目没有内容,如果您有更合适的内容,欢迎点击提交分享给大家。
------分隔线----------------------------
TAG标签:   ESL英语  商务英语
顶一下
(0)
0%
踩一下
(0)
0%
最新评论 查看所有评论
发表评论 查看所有评论
请自觉遵守互联网相关的政策法规,严禁发布色情、暴力、反动的言论。
评价:
表情:
验证码:
听力搜索
推荐频道
论坛新贴