Как вести беседу по телефону
Шрифт:
Mr Budd: Are they really? That’s great! They are my favourite teams and I don’t know who to root for.
Mr Serov: I have two tickets. Would you like to watch the match?
Mr Budd: Sure thing. This is the only chance, and I would not miss it. And what’s your favourite sport?
Mr Serov: It’s hard to say. I like soccer all right, but I think I like tennis better.
Mr Budd: Do you play much tennis?
Mr SeroV: Yes, quite a bit. How about a game sometime?
Mr Budd: No, thanks. I am strictly a spectator.
Mr Serov: So I’m sending you the tickets for the match and hope to see you on Tuesday.
Mr Budd: Thank you, Mr Serov. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Goodbye.
Mr Serov: Good-bye.
I. Read these dialogues and reproduce them as close to the text as possible.
II. What would you say on the phone in reply to these remarks or questions?
1. I suppose, that if we weigh the “pros” and “cons” we can make a more equitable assessment of the proposal. 2. Mr Orlov, I think, made a pertinent remark during the debate. 3. If you take an overall view of things I’m sure you’ll change your opinion. 4. I like the way Peter conducted the proceedings. He kept all the discussion to the point. 5. I wouldn’t say that the speaker explicitly spelled out what he had in mind. 6. Mr Breddy is away from the office on sick leave. Is there any message? 7. I think he is making wonderful progress in English. 8. Your argument turned the scale in my favour in our dispute. 9. Why do you think, Mr Omar, the staff at your office is in constant state of flux?
III. In what situations would you say the following?
1. I don’t know which team to root for. 2. Their choice fell on me because I’m a bachelor. 3. Could you fix an alternative date for meeting? 4. I’ll leave the invitation as an open one until a little later. 5. We are anxious to make whatever arrangements are convenient to you for spending a day or two in visiting our factory. 6. Then I’ve got to think about a present. 7. This is the only outstanding question. It should be brought up again tomorrow. 8. This is a very persuasive argument. You should have mentioned it. 9. I’m terribly sorry. I can’t disturb him. He is in conference.
IV. Discuss over the phone with a friend of yours:
1. the film you have seen; 2. the book you have read; 3. the performance you have seen; 4. the conference you have attended; 5. the holiday you had in summer; 6. the invitation to a wedding party you have received; 7. your favourite sport; 8. the party you have been to.
Working in groups of two, read the two dialogues aloud.
After having an interesting tour around the Capitol, this seat of US legislation, a tourist group of foreign students surrounded their American guide, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They poured a forest of questions upon him.
Tourist A: We are foreigners, Sir, and do not know much either about the Congress or the State Department. Do you mind if we ask you some questions?
Guide: Of course not. Go ahead. What is it that you’d like to know?
Tourist B: Does the Congress take part in US foreign policy formulation?
Guide: Very much so. The US participation in world affairs since World War II has greatly expanded the role of the Congress in foreign policymaking.
Tourist C: We thought that this was the competence of the State Department.
Guide: This is what the foreigners usually think. The President is the central figure of American foreign policy, and the final responsibility is his.
Tourist D: And the State Secretary’s?
Guide: While the President makes the most critical decisions, he cannot possibly attend to all matters affecting international relations. The Secretary of State, the first-ranking member of the Cabinet, is at the same time the President’s principal adviser in formulating foreign policy.
Tourist A: What are the problems requiring the attention of the Secretary?
Guide: They are manifold — from maintaining country’s security to rescuing an individual American who got in serious trouble in some remoted area of the world.
Tourist B: And where does the Congress come into picture?
Guide: To begin with, none of this country’s far-reaching, programs — participation in the United Nations, economic, technical and military assistance — would have been possible without congressional action.
Tourist C: The annual appropriations of funds for enormous military build up, I presume, need congressional approval, too?
Guide: Absolutely so, but only on the recommendations of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees of both Houses.
Tourist D: Who are the members of numerous House and Senate Committees?
Guide: They are usually experienced and authoritative members of Congress with long service. Their inspections abroad and participation in US delegations to the UN General Assembly and to many other international conferences give them firsthand experience with US foreign problems.