发音：美式发音 语速：170词/分钟 使用方法：精听+角色扮演
Marcus: I’m not sure I can make dinner tomorrow night, guys. ①I’ve got a lot on my plate this week.
Danielle: Oh, ②did you take on Steph’s friend as a client?
Marcus: Yeah, and we are busy working on a business strategy together. It’s pretty interesting, actually. There are all these exciting products we have to find marketing solutions for.
Jordan: Well if you have any product launches and need an event planner, you know who to call.
Marcus: Well, we didn’t go through four years of university together for nothing. ③You know you are always at the top of my list.
Jordan: Yup, you know how it is: ④You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. How about you, Dani? ⑤Are you still on for tomorrow night?
Danielle: I might have to get back to you. Things are pretty 1)hectic for me also. A dispute has broken out between an employee and management. ⑥I’m doing my best to put out this fire, but it’s one hell of a challenge. ⑦Both parties refuse to back down or compromise.
Jordan: Oh, the joys of being in HR.
Danielle: Well, most of the time it’s pretty 2)cruisy. But we are recruiting at the moment. The paperwork is piling up on my desk. I might have to do some overtime tomorrow night.
Jordan: Well, looks like I’m having dinner alone then. I’m telling you guys, working for yourself is the way to go. I’m my own boss and I make my own rules. There are no piles of paperwork on my desk.
Danielle: Well, we all love our jobs, and that’s the most important thing.
Marcus: Another round?
Jordan: Sure.
马库斯:伙计们,我不确定明晚是否有时间与你们共进晚餐了。这星期我有很多事做。
丹妮尔:噢,史蒂芬的那个朋友是不是成了你的客户?
马库斯:是啊,我们现在正忙于制定商业策略。实际上这很有趣。我们要为各种各样有趣的产品找出适宜的营销方案。
乔丹:那么,如果你有产品发布会或者是需要活动企划人,你知道该找谁吧。
马库斯:我们在一起的大学四年不是白过的。你知道你一直是最重要的。
乔丹:对,你知道是怎样的吗:你帮帮我,我帮帮你。丹妮你怎么样?明晚你还来吗?
丹妮尔:我要晚点才能答复你。我最近也很忙。一个职员和管理层起了冲突。我得尽力解决这事,但也挺棘手的。双方都不愿意让步或妥协。
乔丹:哦,这就是做人力资源的乐趣。
丹妮尔:大多数时候相当清闲。但当下我们在招聘。我办公桌上已经堆满了文件。明晚我可能要加班了。
乔丹:那么看来我要独享晚餐了。伙计们,我说,为自己工作才是正道。我做自己的老板,定自己的规矩。我的办公桌上就没有成摞的文件。
丹妮尔:我们都爱我们的工作,那才是最重要的。
马库斯:再喝一杯?
乔丹:当然。
Smart Sentences
① I’ve got a lot on my plate this week. 这星期我有很多事做。
have/get a lot on one’s plate: have a lot of work to do(有很多事情要做)。例如:
We have a lot on our plate and we need some outside help.
我们要做的事有很多,需要些外援。
② Did you take on Steph’s friend as a client? 史蒂芬的那个朋友是不是成了你的客户?
take on sb.: agree to accept sb.(接受某人)。例如:
I took on Phillip as my trainee.
我同意让菲利浦做我的见习生。
③ You know you are always at the top of my list. 你知道你一直是最重要的。
at the top of sb.’s list: sth. has the top priority(首先要做的事情,最重要的事)。例如:
Replying customers’ emails is always at the top of our list.
回复顾客的邮件总是最重要的事。
④ You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. 你帮帮我,我帮帮你。
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours: “you do me a favor, I’ll do you a favor”, used to indicate that both parties will exchange favors.(你好我好大家好)。例如:
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. This is how it works in the business world.
你好我好大家好,在商界都是这样的。
⑤Are you still on for tomorrow night? 明晚你还来吗?
to be on (sth.): to join sth., be part of sth.(加入某活动,成为其中一部分)。
例如:
Pete said he won’t be on for the picnic.
彼特说他不会参加野餐了。
⑥ I’m doing my best to put out this fire. 我得尽力解决这事。
put out a fire: to calm an urgent situation(平息紧急事件)。例如:
We need you to put out a fire here. Several students in the dorm are fighting.
我们需要你来这里处理紧急事件,宿舍里有几个学生在打架。
⑦Both parties refuse to back down or compromise. 双方都不愿意让步或妥协。
back down: withdraw a claim or demand made earlier(放弃原主张,让步)。
例如:
In order to reach an agreement, both sides need to back down.
想要达成协议,双方都需要作出让步。