C003
DG
Elementary ‐Daily Life ‐ Hotel Upgrade (C0003)
A: Good afternoon. What can I do for you?
B: I’d like to check in please. I have a reservation under the name Anthony Roberts.
A: All right R.O.B.E.R.T.S... Oh, Mr. Roberts we’ve been expecting you & and here is your keycard to the presidential suite.
B: But there must be some mistake；my reservation was for a standard room.
A: Are you sure? Let me double check .
B: Yeah & Here, this is my confirmation number.
A: You’re right Mr. Roberts, there seems to be a mixup,unfortunately we’re oVerbooked at the moment .
B: So &
A: Not to worry. We’re pleased to offer you a complimentary upgrade.
B: Presidential suite baby!
【註釋1】
- (1)reservation 預訂，預約，保留。
- (2)upgrade 升級。
PB
M: Hello English learners! And welcome to EnglishPod! My name is Marco.
A: I‟m Amira.
M: Amira and I are here today with an interesting lesson about a hotel situation. Amira, why don‟t you give us a little bit more information?
A: Well, the situation is taking place in a hotel and someone is checking in and is updating an upgrade.
M: An upgrade, okay, that's an interesting word. Why don't we listen to the dialogue and then we'll come back and explain all this vocabulary.
DIALOGUE, FIRST TIME
A: Okay, everyone, that is nice, ha?
M: Yeah, the guy is really excited that he's gonna get the presidential suite.
A: Yes, there're some interesting phrases and vocabulary items here and I know, Marco, you want to talk about some of them.
M: Right, um, the first one and this is really useful for all our listeners who travel a lot, this phrase will come in handy and it is "I have a reservation under the name".
A: Under the name.
M: Under the name.
A: Under the name.
M: So, before we explain this phrase, let's listen to some examples on how it is used in other situations and then we'll come back and give you more information.
Example one.
A: My secretary made a reservation under my name.
Example two.
B: I’m sorry, sir, I don’t have a reservation under that name.
Example three.
C: Do you have a reservation under the name Smith?
M: Alright, some really good examples there on how we could use this phrase in other situations, but just in case let me explain it real fast. Under the name means that when you go to the restaurant or a hotel and you tell them your name, they know that you are the person that they have been expecting, they have been waiting.
A: Yes, well, I have chosen another useful phrase for you and it is mix-up.
M: Mix-up.
A: Mix-up.
M: Mix-up.
A: “There seems to be a mix-up”. Before we talk about this phrase, let's listen to some examples of how it is used.
Example one.
A: There was a mix-up at the airport and my bags were sent to Antarctica.
Example two.
B: I’m sorry, sir, there’s been a terrible mix-up. We’ve given you the wrong baby.
A: Okay, that was useful and funny. Hehe.
M: Yeah, that's, uh, the baby situation is…
A: Oh, my God! Imagine that happening.
M: Yeah, I know.
A: Well, guys, so, a mix-up is a confusion or a misunderstanding.
M: Uhu, exactly. Well put.
A: Alright, Marco, what do you have for us?
M: Okay, the next word that [we] should take a look at is overbooked.
A: Overbooked.
M: Overbooked.
A: Overbooked. What does that mean?
M: So, if a hotel or a flight is overbooked, it means that they are full, they are more than full.
A: Right, so, they cannot accept any more people.
M: Exactly.
A: Okay, now, ah, why is this phrase useful?
M: Because it happens all the time.
A: There're so many other situations where you can use this word or hear it from other native English speakers. Um, for example, a bus or a train can be overbooked.
M: Exactly, that's really common. Okay, let's take a look at the last phrase for today and that is complementary upgrade.
A: Complementary upgrade.
M: Complementary upgrade.
A: Complementary upgrade.
M: So, this means that, for example, when the hotel is overbooked and all of their standard rooms are full, they will give you a better room, a more expensive room, but free.
A: Yes, because it was not your fault.
M: Right, this also happens sometimes if you're lucky on airplane flights.
A: Yes.
M: So, if you are in "economy class‟ in an airplane, but for some reason it's overbooked, they will move you to "business class‟ or "first class‟ for free.
A: I have a similar story, but I'm not gonna tell you about it now. For now, let's go and listen to the dialogue one more time and when we come back, we'll talk some more.
【註釋2】
- (3)update 更新，校正，修正。
- (4)mix up 混淆，拌和，調和。
- (5)confusion 混亂，混淆 困惑。
- (6)misunderstand 誤解，誤會 不和。
- (7)overbook 超額預訂。
DIALOGUE, SECOND TIME
A: I love listening to this dialogue. It just, ah… it's just so nice to see that someone is enjoying his upgrade so much, ha?
M: Yeah, especially since he was expecting just a really normal room and now he's gonna be treated like a king.
A: So, Marco, have you ever gotten a complementary upgrade?
M: Yes, yes, I did. When I was traveling through India I bought a normal seat in the train, but for some reason th… it was overbooked, so, I talked to the, mm, station manager and I got a complementary upgrade to first class.
A: I had a similar experience as well. I was flying from Shanghai to Qatar and, uh, I actually had an economy seat, but for some reason they just upgraded me and I was so happy.
M: Oh really? Like…
A: Yes.
M: It wasn't overbooked.
A: Oh, well… I'm not sure, because normally the night flight is not that full, but they upgraded me for some reason…
M: Ooh.
A: And I was so happy with an upgrade to first class.
M: Wow! That's really cool! I…
A: Yes.
M: I would prefer a first class upgrate on an airplane, yeah, any day.
A: Well, you know what really amazed me was like there f… the food you get there, you know, you have a five course meal.
M: Oh really?
A: Yes.
M: And you get all the drinks you can get right?
A: Exactly.
M: Wow, that… yeah, I would be really happy there. Alright, everyone, we're out of time today, but be sure to listen tomorrow, because we'll be back again with another great podcast. And also don't forget to go to our website at englishpod.com and leave us all your questions and comments in our community forum.
A: Yes, and we would also appreciate your suggestions and, um, I hope you enjoyed the lesson today and Marco and I will be back tomorrow with another great lesson for you, but for now, it's… Bye!
M: Bye!
【註釋3】
- (8)podcast 博客。
- (9)forum 論壇，討論會，法庭。
RV
Key Vocabulary
check in
under the name
reservation
confirmation
mix-up
complimentary upgrade
overbooked
Supplementary Vocabulary
check out
booking
concierge
deluxe room
receipt paper showing payment details
C004
DG
Elementary ‐The Office ‐ I need an assistant! (C0004)
A: ...like I told you before, we just don’t have the resources to hire you an assistant.
B: I understand that, but the fact is we’re understaffed.
A: The timing is just not right. The economy is bad,and it’s too risky to take on new staff.
B: Yeah, I guess you’re right.... here’s an idea, what if we hire an intern? She would take some of the weight off my shoulders.
A: She?
B: Yeah, you know, a recent graduate. She could give me a hand with some of these projects and we could keep our costs down.
A: That sounds reasonable... let me see what I can do.
A: Tony, I’d like to introduce you to your new assistant.
B: OK, great! Let’s meet her!
C: Hi, I’m Adam.
B: Oh... hi... I’m Tony...
PB
M: Hello everyone and welcome to EnglishPod! My name is Marco.
A: I’m Amira.
M: Hey, Amira, how are you today?
A: I’m doing great! What about you?
M: I’m doing pretty good! I’m excited about this, uh, lesson that you have for us today.
A: Yes, it’s actually a very, very useful lesson. It’s about someone asking his boss for an assistant.
M: Oh, okay, an assistant.
A: Yes.
M: What’s an assistant?
A: Well, it’s someone who helps you with your work around the office.
M: Okay, great, so, let’s listen to this, uh, dialogue and when we come back we’ll take a look at all the interesting and useful vocabulary that you’ll find.
【註釋4】
- (10)resource 資源，物力。
- (11)hire 租用，聘用，新僱員，租金。
- (12)assistant 助手，助理，輔助的。
- (13)understaffed 人手不足。
- (14)risky 有風險的。
- (15)staff 工作人員，職員，參謀。
- (16)intern 實習生，實習，醫師，拘留，軟禁。
- (17)reasonable 合理的，公道的，通情達理的。
DIALOGUE, FIRST TIME
A: And we’re back. Tony? Hehe. He’s surprised, ha?
M: Yeah, he’s, uh… I don’t know why though he’s surprised. I think we should talk about
that a little bit later.
A: Yes, for now let’s look at some interesting vocabulary and phrases here. Marco, I know you’ve chosen one for us.
M: Yeah, the first one that I wanna take a look at is resources.
A: Resources.
M: Resources.
A: Resources.
M: And that means, in this text, basically, money.
A: Right.
M: So, the office doesn’t have enough money.
A: Okay, I’ve chosen another interesting word for you and that’s understaffed.
M: Understaffed.
A: Understaffed.
M: Understaffed.
A: Now, understaffed means that they don’t have enough people working there.
M: They don’t have enough workers.
A: Right, they don’t have enough employees.
M: Perfect! Okay, um, the next one is timing is just not right.
A: The timing is just not right.
M: The timing is just not right.
A: The timing is just not right.
M: Okay, let’s listen to how we can use this entire phrase in a different situation, so then we can understand what it means. Let’s listen.
Example one.
A: I was gonna sell my house, but the timing is just not right.
Example two.
B: Honey, I think we should have a baby.
C: The timing is just not right.
M: Okay, great, I guess that makes it, uh, clear.
A: Yes, actually, it’s very obvious that it means that it’s just not a good time.
M: Right, perfect!
A: Yeah, I have another interesting phrase for you, which is weight off my shoulders.
M: Weight off my shoulders.
A: Weight off my shoulders.
M: Weight off my shoulders.
A: So, to take weight off my shoulders is another way of saying “to help me with my work” or “to take some of my work away from me”.
M: If you have a lot of things to do and I come and help you that means that I took some of the weight off your shoulders.
A: Yes.
M: Let’s look at the next, uh, phrase that we have here and it’s give me a hand.
A: Give me a hand.
M: Give me a hand.
A: Give me a hand.
M: Okay, now, this is not literal, it’s not that I’m gonna give you somebody’s hand, right? Let’s listen to some examples and then we can come back and explain what it means.
Example one.
A: Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
Example two.
B: Neil, I’ll need you to give me a hand with this sales report.
Example three.
C: Here, let me give you a hand with your suitcase.
A: Alright, give me a hand is another way of saying “help” or “to help out”.
M: Exactly, to help out.
A: Right.
M: Perfect.
A: Now, the last phrase we’re going to look at here in this dialogue is keep our costs down.
M: Keep our costs down.
A: Keep our costs down.
M: Keep our costs down.
A: So, to keep our costs down means to try and not spent so much money.
M: Exactly, many companies, for example, now, uh, control how much printing you do.
A: Yes.
M: Right?
A: Yes.
M: To keep the costs down of paper.
A: Yeah, so, in other words they do not want to have unnecessary spending.
M: Perfect! Okay, I think it’s time for us to listen to this dialogue one more time, but I want everyone to listen and see why Tony is surprised at the end when he meets his intern, when he meets his assistant.
【註釋5】
- (18)basically 主要地，基本上。
- (19)literal 文字的，逐字的，無誇張的。
DIALOGUE, SECOND TIME
A: Well, you know, Marco, I think that Tony was really surprised, because he was kind of hopping to have a female intern?
M: Yeah, I think that’s exactly what he was expecting. Maybe this guy is a little bit sexist, he though that an intern should be a girl, but instead he was surprised.
A: Instead he got Adam! Hehe.
M: Exactly, and it looks like Adam is really big and really tall, because he’s got that deep voice.
A: Right, an intern, Marco, do you wanna elaborate on that?
M: Working at a company, uh, with a very low salary or sometimes no salary at all, but what you’re gaining is experience and you’re, um, learning a lot of things. Everyone who has, um, been an intern of had an intern knows that sometimes, um, they are not treated all that well, sometimes they just serve coffee or… or they have to do paperwork, so…
A: Or like photocopying things and…
M: Exactly.
A: Yeah.
M: But some internships are really, really cool and some are really good experiences for, uh, learning.
A: Yes, definitely, um… actually, I… I know friend of mine, she used to work as an intern in one of those really big companies and she told me that she has gained so much experience doing that.
M: Yeah, I mean even if you don’t get paid, the experience that you get is really good and, um, that just opens doors for maybe getting another job or sometimes the interns get hired by the company to stay, because they do such a good job.
A: Yeah, I think that’s mostly the case, ha?
M: Yeah, that happened to me once, I started working as an intern and after three months I was hired by the company, so, it does happen, believe me.
A: So, you did a good job.
M: Uh, yeah, of course.
A: Hehe.
M: Alright, folks, we’re out of time today. I hope that you enjoyed our lesson and, uh, we’ll be back tomorrow with another really cool and really interesting lesson from EnglishPod. Don’t forget to come to our website at englishpod.com where you’ll find some really great and interesting resources to help you learn and improve your English even more.
A: Yes, you should definitely do that. And Marco and I would love to receive your comments and suggestions that you can leave on our community forum, but for now, it’s time for us to say…
M: Bye!
A: Bye!
【註釋6】
- (20)sexist 性別歧視的。
- (21)elaborate 精心製作的，詳盡的。
- (22)interns 實習。
RV
Key Vocabulary
money resources
not enough money to do the job: understaffed
it is not a good time now/the timing is just not right
remove pressure or stress/weight off my shoulders
Help/give me a hand
It’s OK/that sounds reasonable
Supplementary Vocabulary
Hire/recruit
working too much/overwork
not enough people to do the job/short staffed Adjective
reduce spending/cut costs phrase
having too many employees/overstaffed
Now say the word and hear it in a sentence
We would like to use more resources to increase our sales.
We don’t have enough resources to start a new project.
Intel has a lot of resources for research and development.
Understaffed:
Hopsitals in poor regions of Afirca are understaffed.
I did overtime last week because the company is understaffed.
The factory is producing less than usual because it’s understaffed.
The time is just not right
THe time is just not right for us to have a baby.
I want to buy a car, but the timing is just not right.
weight off my shoulders
Could you help me plan the party, that would really take some weight off my shoulders.
Finishing that project was a big weight off my shoulders.
Winning a lottery took great weight off my shoulders.（wining a lottery中彩票）
Give me a hand
Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
Nill, I need you to give me a hand with the sales report.
Here, let me give you a hand with your suitcase.
Paying 30 dollars for the new shoes sounds resonable. Does it sound reasonable to you?
Your salary request doesn’t sound reasonable.
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