II. Rephrase these sentences.
1. I’m ringing to ask you a small favour. 2. I’ll do anything — within reason, of course. 3. We’d love to come. 4. In about two weeks’ time. 5. Well, you know what it’s like. 6. What have you been up to since I saw you last? 7. James is off to Great Britain. 8. This is a comfort. 9. I’ll be tied with my work. 10. This situation has just come up for the first time. 11. I’m not going to play hostess. 12. When is this do in our club? 13. Her children are such little demons. 14. We usually get on fine. 15. It is so sweet of you. 16. Sort it out with Mike first. 17. Wednesday is his day off. 18. It’s settled. 19. What is wrong with him?
III. Give the American terms for:
to let, is that Mrs Jones?, to call up, a cupboard, a chest of drawers, to be through, now, subway, underground
IV. Fill in the missing remarks in these snatches of telephone conversation.
1.A: Is that Harry?
B: …
2. A: I’ve been ringing you for ten minutes and can’t get through. What’s the matter?
B: …
3. A: Could you do me a favour, Jack?
B: …
4.A: We wondered if you and your wife could come to our party.
B: …
5. A: We wanted to invite a lot of interesting people, but our flat is so small.
B: …
6. A: Why did you make up your mind to have your house redecorated?
B: …
7.A: It’s a pity you will not come to our party.
B: …
8. A: What have you been up to since I saw you last?
B: …
9. A: What have you been doing of late?
B: …
10. A: When did this thing come up for the first time?
B: …
11. A: Will there be a big job of entertaining people when they come?
B: …
12. A: When is this do at your Institute?
B: …
13. A: It is terribly sweet of you to invite us for your birthday party.
B: …
14. A: What’s wrong with my explanation?
B: …
15. A: Good morning, Jones is here.
B: …
16. A: Mrs Shirley, from the ad I found out that you are going to let your cottage for the summer. Could you give me some information about it?
B: …
17. B: How many are you in your family?
A: …
18. A: I would like to see your house. When should I come?
B: …
19. A: How could I get to your house?
B: …
20. A: Can I get there some other way?
B: …
21. A: …
B: How soon would you like to come?
V. Reproduce the telephone conversations as close to the text as possible.
VI. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.
1. You are going to rent a cottage at the seaside for a period of three summer months. In the advertisement section of a local paper you found a cottage which suits you. In a talk with the landlady find out: a) how far is the cottage from the beach; b) which is the best way to get there; c) what conveniencies are available in the house; d) what is the rent; e) when can you come to see the cottage.
2. Your wife and you go to the theatre for the Saturday night performance. Your neighbour kindly offers to be baby-sitting while you are at the theatre. In a telephone conversation thank her, tell her a few words about your son and give her some necessary advice.
V
TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS FROM FICTION
(to be taken with “Appointments”)
Half an hour later, when Richardson had read the file again, this time more thoroughly, he picked up one of the two telephones on his desk. It was a direct outgoing line and he dialled the Government exchange, then asked for the Department of Immigration. After another operator and two secretaries, he reached the minister.
Mr Warrender (the Minister): What can I do for you?
Mr Richardson: I’d like to see you, Mr Minister.
Mr Warrender: I’m free for an hour now, if you want to come round.
Mr Richardson: I’d rather not do that if you don’t mind. What I want to talk about is rather personal. Actually, I wondered if I could come to your house tonight. Say eight o’clock.
Mr Warrender: We can be plenty private in my Office.
Mr Richardson: I’d still prefer to come to your house.
Mr Warrender: Can’t say I like all the mysteries. What’s it all about?
Mr Richardson: As I said, it’s rather personal. I think you’ll agree tonight that we shouldn’t discuss it on the phone.
Mr Warrender: Look here, if it’s about that son-of-a-bitch stowaway[137]…
Mr Richardson: It isn’t about that.
Mr Warrender: Very well, then. If you must, come to my house. I’ll expect you at eight o’clock.
2. Invitation to Lunch (to be taken with “Invitations”)
Denton: Jordache?[138] That you?
Rudolph[139]: Yes. Who’s this?
Denton: Denton, Professor Denton.
Rudolph: Oh, how are you, sir?
Denton: I hate to bother you. But can I see you sometime today?
Rudolph: Of course. I’m in the store all day.
Denton: I’d prefer it if we could meet somewhere besides the store. Are you free for lunch?
Rudolph: I just take forty-five minutes…
Denton: That’s all right. We’ll make it someplace near you. How about Ripley’s? That’s just around the corner from you, isn’t it?
Rudolph: Yes. Is twelve-fifteen all right?
Denton: I’ll be there, Jordache. Thank you, thank you. It’s most kind of you. Until twelve-fifteen, then. I can’t tell you how I appreciate…
(He seemed to hang up in the middle of his last sentence.)
3. Invitation to a Party (to be taken with “Invitations”)
The telephone went in the hall. “I expect that’s Sarah[140] now,” my mother said; and my father said: “If it’s anyone for me, say I’m out and ‘ll call them back in fifteen minutes.” “Deborah[141],” said the voice of my elder sister, when I lifted the receiver, “whatever time d’you get back these days?”
Deborah: Thursday is sometimes a bit hectic. Why?
Sarah: I’m giving a party tomorrow to celebrate — just a couple of dozen people — eight o’clock. Any hopes?
Deborah: Well… thanks. Did Erica suggest me?
Sarah: Of course not, you ape. D’you think I take notice of her suggestions anyhow?
Deborah: What is it, a dance?
Sarah: In a three-roomed flat? But of course. With the band of the Grenadier Guards.
Deborah: Seriously. Shall I know anybody?
Sarah: Well, there’s me and Arabella. Fruits of the same womb. You’ll recognise me by the red rose. Well?
Deborah: Thanks. Thank you, darling. I’d adore to come. What sort of clothes?
Sarah: Moderately smart. I’m sick of these sordid affairs where everyone comes looking as if they’ve washed up with the local sewage.
Deborah: Lovely. What time did you say?
Sarah: Eight or thereabouts. Don’t eat because we’ll eat.
4. Declining an Invitation to a Film Show (to be taken with “Invitations”)
Leigh[142]: Look, are you free this coming Saturday? I’m a member of the Seven Arts Club and we have a film show every Sunday evening. It’d be interesting this week -
Deborah: Sorry. I’m already booked up.
Leigh: Oh. Pity.
Deborah: Yes. Thanks all the same.
Leigh: That’s, a pity because it’s a Picasso film — it’s an old one, made ten years or more ago, but I’ve never seen it. People who’ve seen it rave about it,
Deborah: Oh… Yes, I have heard of it.
Leigh: We wouldn’t need to get there till nine. What hopes?
Deborah: No hopes… Sorry again. I must ring off now, as I left a kettle on.
Leigh: О. K… Deborah?
Deborah: Yes?
Leigh: When is your next free Sunday?
Deborah: Well… I’m not absolutely sure. Perhaps next month.
Leigh: As long as that? Anyway, I’ll ring again.
Deborah: Yes, all right. Goodbye.
Leigh: Bye.
5. The New House Rule (to be taken with “Reservations”)
Willie: Yes?
Jack: (from the reception desk): Captain Abbot?
Willie: Yes.
Jack: We believe there is a young lady in your room.
Willie: I believe there is. What of it?
Jack: You have a single room for the occupancy of one individual.
Willie: All right. Give me a double room. What’s the number?
Jack: I’m sorry, every room is occupied. We’re booked until November
Willie: Let’s you and I pretend this is a double room, Jack. Put it on my bill.
Jack: I’m afraid I can’t do that. Room 777 is definitely a single room for a single occupancy. I’m afraid the young lady will have to leave.
Willie: The young lady isn’t living here, Jack. She isn’t occupying anything. She’s visiting me. Anyway, she’s my wife.
Jack: Do you have a marriage certificate, Captain?
(After a pause.)
Willie: She left it home. We’ll show it to you tomorrow. I’ll have it sent down by special delivery.
Jack: Captain, young ladies are against the rules of the establishment.
Willie: Since when?
Jack: We are under new management now. We are creating a different image of a well-known respectable hotel. If the lady is not out of there in five minutes, Captain, I’m coming up.
Willie: All right, Jack.
6. Reporting a Missing Person (to be taken with “Inquiries”)
Mr Hendricks: Amity Police, Patrolman Hendricks. Can I help you?
Mr Foote: This is Jack Foote, over on Old Mill Road. I want to report a missing person. Or at least I think she’s missing.
Mr Hendricks: Say again, sir?
Mr Foote: One of my house guests went for a swim at about one this morning. She hasn’t come back yet. Her date found her clothes on the beach.
Mr Hendricks: What was the person’s name?
Mr Foote: Christine Watkins.
Mr Hendricks: Age?
Mr Foote: I don’t know. Just a second. Say around twenty-five. Her date says that’s about right.
Mr Hendricks: Height and weight?
Mr Foote: Wait a minute. (There was a pause.) We think probably about five-seven[143], between one-twenty and one-thirty[144].
Mr Hendricks: Color of hair and eyes?
Mr Foote: Listen Officer, why do you need all this? If the woman is drowned, she’s probably going to be the only one you have — at least tonight, right? You don’t average more than one drowning around here each night, do you?
Mr Hendricks: Who said she drowned, Mr Foote? May be she went for a walk.
Mr Foote: Stark naked at one in the morning? Have you had any reports about a woman walking around naked?
Mr Hendricks: No, Mr Foote, not yet. But once the summer season starts, you never know what to expect. Color of hair and eyes?
Mr Foote: Her hair is… oh, dirty blond, I guess. Sandy, I don’t know what color her eyes are. I’ll have to ask her date. No, he says he doesn’t know either. Let’s say hazel.
Mr Hendricks: Okay, Mr Foote. We’ll get on it. As soon as we find out anything, we’ll contact you.
