开口英语

Robbie： Hi, everyone. Sorry I'm late. But Alexandra and I have been busy at work this morning on the community-center project.And we brought someone along who can help. You remember Charles Maxwell, Grandpa?
He's the editor of the Riverdale paper. He wrote some nice articles on Mom when she was running for the school board.
Grandpa： Yes, I remember. You were a great help.
Maxwell： Hi, Mr. Stewart. Hope to be a bigger help on the new community-center project. From what Robbie and Alexandra have told me, you people are making one big story.
Grandpa： Let me introduce you, Mr. Maxwell. This is Nat Baker, who's responsible for this meeting, and this
is Joanne Thompson-and Abe Lucas, who used to run the drugstore in town.
Maxwell： Robbie and Alexandra told me what you need to fix up the old library. I am planning to write an editorial that I think will help you.
Grandpa： Let's go. What are your questions?
Maxwell： OK. Now, I have...first...a couple of questions here. Have you talked to the community council?
And have you had an engineer come in to do an inspection?
Maxwell： OK, what do you need most of all?
Grandpa： People power. Men and women, young and old, to give us their time.
Maxwell： To do what?
Joanne： To help scrub the building interior clean.
Nat： So that we can repaint it.
Maxwell： And you also need bodies to do repainting?
Grandpa： That's right. And we'll also need some ladders and some brushes and some paint.
Maxwell： When do you need the volunteers, and where do they report?
Grandpa： I've got the council to agree to open the building for us on the next four weekends.
Maxwell： How about furnishings? Are there any special requirements that I should list in the paper?
Joanne： Yes. Here is a copy of all the things we need to start with.
Maxwell： Let's see. Four desks. Eight straight-back chairs. Thirty folding chairs. Six table lamps. Three end tables .One piano. This is a good start. These items shouldn't be difficult to come by once I print the article in the paper. This community has always been very generous.
Grandpa： I agree, Mr. Maxwell.
Maxwell： What you're saying is, in order for this center to succeed, we need to put together volunteers from the various generations of future users.
Grandpa： That's right.
Nat： And without their energy and stamina, there's no way we can complete this project.
Maxwell： I've got it. Now give m some information about how you see the building being used.
Joanne： Oh, here. On the ground floor we have the reception area...
Grandpa： It's here, Robbie. Charles Maxwell lived up to his word. "At the Stewart family home on Linden street yesterday, a group of caring Riverdale citizens gathered to plan the refurbishing of the old library to transform it into a new community center. The original plan by the council was tabled because of lack for funds.The new plan needs you . You could call it a community unity plan. It needs your time, and it
needs your energy. And it needs your contributions of furniture, paint, brushes, ladders, lamps, et cetera. A list of these items and a volunteer form can be picked up at the Riverdale Press offices. By working together, this community can do anything to benefit its citizens, and we know you will all work together towards refurbishing the old library and making it a new community center. Charles Maxwell, Editor."

Nat： There is a way, Malcolm. We get our friends to roll their sleeves up and get to work.
Grandpa： It&`&s certainly a good idea. If I could take a look at the place, I could probably tell what it
requires to fix it up. How much paint, how many hours of work...
Nat： That&`&s what I came to ask you to do, Malcolm.If you would supervise the refurbishing, I&`&ll find the people to help do it.
Robbie： I&`&ll help too, Mr.Baker. I can get some of my friends to go around the neighborhood and collect the furniture we need.
Alexandra： I&`&ll help.
Grandpa： Tomorrow. Yes. We&`&ll meet tomorrow morning, right here.
Robbie： Can we help?
Alexandra： I&`&d really like to.
Grandpa： Sure.
Nat： We might need you to come through with your friends, Robbie. Not just to go around the neighborhood asking for furniture, but to help with the paint job. That&`&s backbreaking work and may be too much for us.
Robbie： I&`&ll do it. I&`&ll talk to them.
Alexandra： And tomorrow morning we&`&ll all meet here to discuss the plan?
Grandpa： Come in, come in. Please, come in.
Nat： I&`&d like you to meet my friend Malcolm Stewart. Malcolm, this Joanne Thompson
Grandpa： Hello, Joanne. Nice to meet you.
Joanne： My pleasure, Malcolm.
Nat： And this is Abe Lucas. You must remember Abe. He ran the drugstore and used to play drums with the jazz band on weekends.
Grandpa： Oh, sure I do. Hi, Abe.
Abe： Hello, Mr. Stewart.
Grandpa： Malcolm, please.
Abe： Hello, Malcolm.
Grandpa： Sit down, sit down. Have some coffee. And I&`&ve got some delicious Danish pastry for you.
Nat： Where&`&s your grandson Robbie and his friend Alexandra? Weren&`&t they going to be here this morning?
Grandpa： I thought so, too. I&`&m surprised they&`&re not here. Robbie left early this morning to meet
Alexandra. Frankly, I thought they&`&d be here, but...
Nat： It&`&s OK. I&`&m sure they meant well, but they probably had other things on their minds.
Joanne： I understand you used to be in the construction business, Malcolm.
Grandpa： I was, indeed.
Joanne： I wonder if you would take a look at the old library and make sure that it is in good condition so that we don&`&t have to worry about any structural problems.
Grandpa： When can I do that? I&`&d be happy to.
Abe： We&`&ve got permission to go inside the old building during the week-Tuesday or Wednesday.
Grandpa： That&`&s fine with me. I can do it either day.
Joanne： That would be very helpful.
Nat： I think the building just needs a good cleaning.
Abe： And a good paint job.
Joanne： Then we have to furnish it.
Grandpa： I wish Robbie and Alexandra had come to this meeting. They had some ideas about getting the place fixed up.
Joanne： Perhaps they&`&ll show up. In the meantime, let me give you some additional thoughts and ideas I have.
Grandpa： OK.
Nat： Go ahead, Janne.
Janne： As I said, mostly the building just needs a good cleaning.
Nat： This place can be developed with one real intergenerational program.
Grandpa： That&`&s an idea I like. A community center with the kinds of programs that fit everyone.
Nat： And programs that don&`&t leave anyone out.
Joanne： It&`&s asking a lot. But we can&`&t do it without talking to the young people. Finding out what they want.
Grandpa： If only Robbie and Alexandra were here.
Nat： Don&`&t be upset, Malcolm. We&`&ll have a chance to talk to them later.
Grandpa： It&`&s not like Robbie. If he says he&`&s going to be here, he&`&s here. I wonder what the problem is.

Robbie： Morning, Grandpa. Is something the matter, Grandpa?
Grandpa： The editorial in this paper has my friend Nat Baker real upset. Ah! I'll read it to you. "The old library building on Chestnut Street, which has been vacant for over a year now, was supposed to be made
into a community center to serve the senior citizens as well as the younger people of Riverdale. Due to lack of funds for the repainting of the interior of the building and for the furniture needed, the plans for the community center have been postponed indefinitely." He's coming over to talk about it.
Robbie： Is it tat serious a problem, Grandpa?
Grandpa： It is. Nat's not as lucky as I am, Robbie. He doesn't have any family with him. He lives alone and depends on places like a community center to be with people- people hi own age.
Robbie： But there's the old community center on Elm Street.
Grandpa： It's small, and the problem is that it's set up primarily for kids to play. Ping-Pong tables, soda machines, and lots of music. It's too noisy for some older people like Nat.
Robbie： I never realized that.
Grandpa： It's hard for some older people to take all that noise. That's why the new community center is a good idea. Part of the building for older people, part of the building for younger people.
Robbie： I see what you mean.
Grandpa： That must be Nat.
Robbie： It could be Alexandra. She's coming over this morning to help me with my math.
Alexandra： Hi, Robbie.
Robbie： Hi, Alexandra. Come on in. Do you want something cold to drink?
Axexandra： I'd love some cola, please.
Robbie： Cola coming up. I really appreciate you coming over to help with my math. My final exam is next Tuesday.
Alexandra： You're so good in all your other subjects. I just can't understand why you have so many problems with math.
Grandpa： Hi, Alexandra.
Alexandra： Hi, Mr. Stewart.
Grandpa： I thought that was Nat Baker who rang the front doorbell. Don't let me interrupt you.
Robbie： No problem, Grandpa. We're just having some cola before getting to tough stuff- math.
Alexandra： He'll do anything to avoid getting down to math lessons, Mr. Stewart.
Grandpa： I was the same way.
Robbie： Really, Grandpa?
Grandpa： Really. I didn't like math, I wasn't good at it, and I didn't like studying it.
Robbie： But you had to be good at math. You graduated from engineering school.
Grandpa： I was. But not in high school. For some reason, I couldn't get a handle on it. Then, in college. I became good at it.
Alexandra： Then there's hope for Robbie.
Robbie： I can't wait. You think I can just skip it now and get to it at college?
Alexandra： You'll never get to college to find out, Robbie, if you skip it now.
Grandpa： That must be Nat.
Alexandra： Sit down, Robbie. Let's get to work.
Grandpa： I'd like you to meet my friend Nat Baker. This is Alexandra Pappas, and this is my grandson Robbie, whom I think you've met once twice before.
Alexandra： Nice to meet you, Mr. Baker.
Robbie： Hi, Mr.Baker. We met before.
Nat： Where?
Robbie： In town. At the hardware store.
Nat： I remember now. Right. Hi. Hello, Alexandra.
Grandpa： Don't let us keep you from your math tutoring. Robbie. I know you want to get to it.
Robbie： Stay...stay.
Alexandra： I told you. He'll use any excuse to avoid math.
Nat： Did you read the story in the paper, Malcolm?
Grandpa： I did.
Nat： It's a serious matter for a lot of us. A serious matter.
Grandpa： It is. Come on out to the patio. We'll talk about it out there.
Nat： Thanks. Nice to meet you...again.
Alexandra： What's the problem?
Robbie： Come on? You'll hear about it.

Ellen： Hi, big guy.
Marilyn： That must be Rita Mae.
Ellen： She sure got here quickly. That's a good sign. She must like you and your work, Marilyn.
Marilyn： I think she's just anxious to see Max. She loves children.
Rita Mae： Hi, Marilyn.
Marilyn： Welcome. It's so nice of you to come.
Rita Mae： Oh, I just wanted to see your baby, Max.
Ellen： Hello, Rita Mae.
Rita Mae： I haven't seen you since the hospital.
Ellen： I'm Ellen Stewart, Marilyn's mother-in-law.
Rita Mae： We met at the hospital. Hello. How are you?
Ellen： I remember. How are you?
Rita Mae： Oh, and there is Max! Oh! My, how he's grown! A little present for Max.
Marilyn： Oh, it's beautiful, Rita Mae! You shouldn't have.
Rita Mae： It's nothing. It's just a little present for Max.
Ellen： Can I get you some coffee or tea a cold drink, Rita Mae?
Rita Mae： Oh, nothing, thank you.
Ellen： Well, I will leave you two to talk. Come on, you big guy. Yes, come on. That's it.
Eleln： It's nice seeing you. Let me know if you need anything.
Rita Mae： Thanks, Ellen.
Marilyn： Thanks, Ellen.
Rita Mae： OK, Marilyn. You sounded like you've made a decision when you called me. I'm all ears.
Marilyn： I have made a decision, Rita Mae. I've decided to stay at home and be a full-time mother.
Rita Mae： I'm disappointed, but I respect your decision. If I had a child as cute as Max, I might do the same thing.
Marilyn： But I haven't finished telling you the other half of my decision.
Rita Mae： The other half?
Marilyn： Yes. I think I can stay at home and take care of Max and continue my career.
Rita Mae： Sounds interesting. Let me hear it.
Marilyn： Do you remember our talks about custom-designed dresses for the boutique?
Rita Mae： I sure do.
Marilyn： Why can't I design dresses for you here at home? And make them here. Have the fittings here, too.
Rita Mae： And I could do the selling and the pricing at the boutique.
Marilyn： Exactly.
Rita Mae： Oh! What kind of dresses would you design?
Marilyn： I've thought about that for some time.
Rita Mae： Yes?
Marilyn： Wedding dresses.
Rita Mae： Wedding dresses? Brilliant idea! There's a big market today in wedding dresses.
Marilyn： That's what I thought.
Rita Mae： I like the idea very much. And if it's successful, we can expand to all kinds dresses.
Marilyn： That's what I thought.
Rita Mae： As a matter of fact, I have a customer for your first wedding dress. My niece is getting married, and I've been trying to find just the right thing for her. Marilyn, you're going to design my niece's dress. That'll be our first one, and then we'll use it to sell others.
Marilyn： Do you really mean it?
Rita Mae： I really mean it. It's a simple idea, and it will work. You can certainly design dresses. I know that. And there's no reason why you can't do it from your home.
Marilyn： I'm so excited! I can't wait to tell Richard!
Rita Mae： If I had a baby like Max, I'd want to stay home and be near him all the time, too. You're making the right decision for Max and for yourself too, Marilyn.
Marilyn： It all sounds so easy.
Rita Mae： Now the hard work begins.
Marilyn： Would you like to see some of my designs that I've been working on?
Rita Mae： I'd love to . Ooh! Oh, that's wonderful! Ooh...

Ellen： There's your teddy bear, Max.
Ellen： He just loves that teddy bear that Grandpa Philip bought for him.
Marilyn： I took him to Philip's office yesterday for a checkup. You should have seen the look on his face
when Molly gave him the injection.
Ellen： Oh, did he cry?
Marilyn： No, My dear little boy just looked up at me as if to say, "Mama, what are they doing to me? Help!"
Ellen： How did you feel? Tell the truth didn't you feel terrible?
Marilyn： I sure did. I held him closely. I kissed the top of his dear little head. He looked up at me. He
tried to smile. Being with him helped.
Ellen： Helped him? Or helped you?
Marilyn： Being a mother is not easy, if that's what you mean.
Ellen： Speaking of being a mother, I've been meaning to ask you what you were thinking about regarding going back to work. I know Rita Mae called. I can imagine what is going through your head.
Marilyn： I'm sure you can, Ellen.
Ellen： There are so many things to consider. One thing that makes it easier for you is that you have us. Max will always have a family member to watch over him while you're at work. I didn't have that when Richard and Susan were born.
Marilyn： What did you do?
Ellen： I chose to continue with my career as a music teacher. We hired a woman to watch Richard and then Susan, and I continued with my career.
Marilyn： Do you think you made the right decision?
Ellen： I think I did. But when Robbie was born, I decided to give fulltime attention to raising Robbie. I felt differently at that time.
Marilyn： And you gave up your career as a music teacher?
Ellen： Not exactly. I continued to teach piano lessons at home.
Marilyn： How did you feel about being away when Susan and Richard were babies?
Ellen： I think I did the right thing for them and for myself and for Philip. We needed the money. Remember?
Marilyn： Well, we do too, Ellen. Everything I earn helps us towards getting that house we want and need.
Susan： I can't wait till he's just a little older. Our toy company makes the most wonderful toys for kids.
Marilyn： Max thanks you. I thank you. And Ricard thanks you. Now may I please say hello?
Susan： Hello. Hello. I miss Max and think about him all week long. We talk about him at dinnertime.
Ellen： Will you please try to relax? I've never seen you so wound up.
Marilyn： You seem to be enjoying the pressure.
Susan： The truth is, I am. My job is not an easy one, but I really enjoy it.
Marilyn： That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, Susan.
Susan： What's the problem?
Ellen： Marilyn's career.
Marilyn： Well, my choice of careers.
Susan： Choice?
Marilyn： My career as a fashion designer versus my career as a mother.
Susan： Why does it have to be one or the other?
Ellen： That's what I said.
Marilyn： How's that?
Susan： Why can't you do both?
Ellen： She's right.
Marilyn： Both?
Susan： Well, that's what I do. I have a job, and I have Michelle. I take care of both to the best of my ability. It's not easy, but what is?
Ellen： And that's what I did. I did both with Richard and Susan, and I did both with Robbie.
Marilyn： I thought you stayed home with Robbie?
Ellen： I did. But I was lucky enough to have a career as a music teacher which I could continue at home.
Susan： Why can't you work at home, Marilyn? You're very talented. Designing dresses is a career you could establish out of your home, couldn't you?
Marilyn： I don't know why I didn't think of it. It seems so simple now.for a year or two I could stay at home with Max and do my dress designs.
Ellen： And you could make your dresses at home.
Susan： Sounds like a great way to solve the problem.
Ellen： That could solve your problem, Marilyn.
Marilyn： I'm going to call rita Mae at home and ask her come by and talk about it. She want to see Max, anyway.
Susan： I think that really answers your questions, Marilyn. You can do it.Do your designs at home-here.
Marilyn： And let Rita Mae do the selling at the boutique.
Ellen： And you can both benefit financially.
Marilyn： I'm going to call Rita Mae right now. Oh, Susan, thank you so much for coming all this way form the city to talk to me about it. I hope you don't mind having taken so much time away from your busy schedule.
Susan： Are you kidding? I don't mind at all. As a matter of fact, I came to spend some time with my favorite nephew.
Ellen： I think you should call Rita Mae right now. I think your idea of working at home is perfect.
Marilyn： I don't know what I would do without you. I'm lucky to have you all.
Ellen： We are lucky to have you, Marilyn.
Susan： And so is Max.

Grandpa： Hello. Hello there. Are you ready for lunch with your grandpa?
Susan： Oh! Hi, Grandpa. Yes, of course, I am, but my mind isn&`&t.
Grandpa： What&`&s the matter, Susan?
Susan： A real dilemma.
Grandpa： Does it have anything to do with you and Harry?
Susan： Yes, but I don&`&t know where to start.
Grandpa： Maybe I can help. Tell me what it is, Susan.
Susan： Thanks, Grandpa. Please sit down, Oh! Harry has been offered a job in Los Angeles.
Grandpa： Well, this something to think about.
Susan： There are so many things to consider. There&`&s Michelle. I wonder if a move would be a bad thing for her. And my job. I don&`&t know if I can get a good job in Los Angeles. And what about our family?
Grandpa： Can I tell you what I think?
Susan： Tell me.
Grandpa： I think that you&`&re very successful and that you have a fantastic reputation in the toy industry. I think you could talk to Mr. Marchetta, and I think he could help you find a real good job in Los Angeles. He was very helpful to me, remember?
Susan： I suppose I could call him. But I&`&m not so sure that I want to leave New York, you, and the rest of our family.
Grandpa： Well, I&`&m not going to kid you, Susan. You know we&`&d all miss you. But this should be your decision. It&`&s something that only you and Harry can work out.
Susan： If moving to L.A.is in Harry&`&s best interest, I have to do what I can do to support him.
Grandpa： In every marriage, sacrifices have to be made by one partner from time to time.
Susan： And what about Michelle?
Grandpa： Well, What do you think?
Susan： I think Michelle is better off staying where she is.
Grandpa： What does she think?
Susan： I don&`&t know for sure.
Grandpa： Well, you&`&ll have to ask her.
Susan： I think I&`&m going to have a talk with Mr. Marchetta and get his feelings about my leaving. And about helping me find a job in Los Angeles.
Grandpa： Good idea.
Susan： I&`&ll call him right now. No point in delaying. Thanks.Grandpa.
Bill： Harry, it&`&s the perfect job for you. You&`&ll love it.
Harry： It&`&s a big decision for me, Bill. And I have to discuss it with my wife. I don&`&t know if it&`&s right for her.
BIll： She&`&ll love it. It&`&s a once-in-a-lifetime offer, Harry.
Harry： OK. Tell it to me again.
BIll： The company is Craft and Craft, the biggest accounting company in the country.
Harry： I know the company well. It&`&s big.
Bill： The biggest.
Harry： Yeah, yeah. The biggest. When do I have to let you know?
Bill： Talk it over. Think it over. Let me know by the end of the week.
Harry： When would we have to move?
Bill： As soon as possible.
Harry： I also have my daughter to consider. I don&`&t want to interrupt her school year.
Bill： Let me know by the end of the week. It&`&s a great opportunity for you, Harry. Believe me.
Harry： I know.
BIll： Craft and Craft is the biggest in the country.
Harry： Yeah, I know. The biggest.
Susan： I think Michelle is asleep now. Let&`&s talk.
Harry： I met with Bill York today.
Susan： And I talked with Mr. Marchetta. Did York make the offer?
Harry： Yup. He asked me if I want the job.
Susan： That&`&s exciting, Harry. What was it?
Harry： A vice-presidency with the biggest accounting company in th country-Craft and Craft.
Susan： Aren&`&t you excited about that?
Harry： Sure I am. But there&`&s so much more to consider.
Susan： I talked to Mr. Marchtta.
Harry： What did he say? Did you tell him about me?
Susan： Of course, Harry. I want what&`&s best for you, and I think I can get a good job through Mr. Marchetta inoios Amgeles also.
Harry： You&`&re kidding.
Susan： No, I&`&m not kidding. I talked with him, and he understands completely. He has a major toy buyer in Los Angeles, and he&`&s pretty sure that I can get a good job there.
Harry： Unbelievable!
Susan： But I think we should talk to Michelle about all of this.
Harry： You&`&re right. We&`&ll talk to her about it.
Susan： And how do you feel about taking the job in Los Angeles?
Harry： How should I feel? It&`&s the biggest company in the country.
Susan： Well, then you feel good about taking it?
Harry： Well... I feel fine about it. Why shouldn&`&t I?

44. Better off with E-mail?

第44课 电子邮件会便好

Steve is chatting with his sister, Diana.
史帝夫正在和他妹妹戴安娜聊天。
S: Gee, Diana, you're always at home. Don't you have any friends to go out with?
咦，戴安娜，你老是待在家里。你没有朋友可以一起出去的吗？
D: Sure, I do. But all my friends are either out shopping or they're boring. And you know I hate shopping.
我当然有。但是我的朋友不是出去购物了就是很无聊，而且你知道我很讨厌去购物。
S: Get a boyfriend. I'm sure you won't be bored then.
找个男朋友嘛，我相信那样你就不会觉得无聊了。
D: Actually, I want to meet some interesting guys but I don't know how to.
其实我想认识些有趣的男生，但是我不知道该怎么做。
S: Why don't you try E-mail? You might get lucky.
你何不试试电子邮件？你可能会走运。
D: I don't think so. Besides, dating through e-mail is neither personal nor romantic. Why don't you introduce me to some of your friends?
我才不这么认为呢。何况通过电子邮件约会既没有亲切感又不浪漫。你为什么不介绍一些你的朋友给我认识呢？
S: Why didn't I think of that? How about my best friend, Fred?
我为什么没想到呢？我最要好的朋友弗瑞德怎么样？
D: Uh… maybe I'll be better off with e-mail.
呃……我用电子邮件可能会比较好些。

122. A Female Boxer 女拳击手

Emma's dream was to be a boxer. All her life, she was told that she couldn't be a boxer because she was a girl. She was told that she should just get a regular job. Her parents told her that she would be killed one day if she kept boxing. It was hard to hear "you can't" all the time. Emma was still determined to prove everyone wrong.

Emma's life was hard. Girls didn't like her, because they thought she was too manly. Guys didn't like her, because they thought she wasn't as good as boxing as they were. Because of all this, Emma didn't have any friends at school. She always sat alone in the cafeteria, and it was hard for her to find partners for group projects.

However, Emma did have friends from her boxing class. They were all female boxers. They understood what Emma was going through because they were in the same position. All they had was each other. They were a family. Because of this, Emma was always excited for boxing class. One day, she was going to be a famous boxer. Only then would everyone regret how they treated her.

43.Hi-tech Romance

第43课 高科技恋情

Both Charlene and Robert are librarians.
查琳和罗伯特两人都是图书馆员。
Charlene is from America and Robert is from Australia.
查琳是美国人，而罗伯特是澳洲人。
Four days after they met face to face for the first time, they got married.
他们头一次碰面的四天后就结婚了。
"That was quick," you might think.
你可能会认为：“那真快啊。”
Actually, they had known each other for nine months before they met.
其实，他们在见面之前就已经互相认识九个月了。
Thanks to e-mail (electronic mail), they had been corresponding with each other through their computers.
因为电子邮件的关系，他们一直通过计算机互通信息。
It all started when Charlene came across Robert's note in her computer.
这段姻缘是查琳无意中在她的计算机里看到罗伯特的留言时结下的。
She replied to it.
她回信了。
From then on, they would not only get in touch but flirt with each other.
从那时起，他们不只是互相联络，还互诉衷情。
That was how this "hi-tech" romance began.
那就是这段“高科技”恋情如何展开的。
Sound interesting? Well, if you're looking for a spouse, why not give it a try? Who knows?
听起来很有趣吗？如果你正在寻找终身伴侣，何妨试一试呢？谁知道呢？
You might be just as lucky as Charlene and Robert.
你可能会跟查琳还有罗伯特一样走运呢。