新视野大学生英语视听说第四册1-5单元City Living部分原文

视听说第四册1-5单元City Living部分原文

Unit   1

 Takeshi: Man, look at that! In New York there’s always something being built. And everything goes up so quickly … you never know what’s going to be around next week.

Roberto: Yeah, but on the other hand, sometimes I wonder about overcrowding. Maybe they need to start building down more.

Takeshi: Building down?

Roberto: Yeah, it’s when you build underground instead of aboveground.

Takeshi: Nah, that’s too much like living in a cave. I love the skyscrapers! They are the most incredible feats of engineering!

Roberto: True. And some of the first ones were built right here in New York City.

Takeshi: That’s right! You know, I wonder what New York looked like before all these buildings popped up.

Roberto: I don’t know, but I’d like to see this one when it’s finished.

Takeshi: Yeah. I’ll bet it’ll be something fantastic!

Roberto: Maybe … what do you think it’s going to look like?

Takeshi: I don’t know … but you know what? I’m going to remember what it looked like.

Roberto: What are you talking about? And why are you taking pictures? There’s nothing there.

Takeshi: OK. You know how some people get famous because they have pictures of movie stars or performers before they make it big?

Roberto: Yeah?

Takeshi: Well, some buildings and architectural structures get to be famous too, like the

Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building … right?

Roberto: Yeah, and …? There’s nothing here!

Takeshi: Right! But there will be. Someday this very spot may become really well-known — like maybe it’ll be some incredible hotel that the rich and famous stay at. And I’ll be the only one with pictures of it before it was built. Cool, huh?

Roberto: Uh … you are too much. Hey, let’s ask this guy what your “famous” building’s going to be. (to passing construction worker ) Excuse us, can you tell us what this is going to be when it’s finished? Maybe a fancy hotel or something?

Construction worker: Fancy hotel? (laughs ) No, this isn’t going to be a hotel. It’s going to be a parking garage.

Roberto: A parking garage. Uh … huh. Thanks.

Takeshi: Well … maybe … someone rich and famous will park here.

Unit  2

Prof. Morgan: Good. So change the first part and make those corrections and your paper will be great.

Tara: OK. Thanks for all your help, Professor

Morgan. I’ll e-mail my paper to you later today.

Prof. Morgan: You know, technology is amazing. In high school I used to write my term papers on a typewriter.

Tara: It must have taken a long time to write a paper on a typewriter.

Prof. Morgan: Well, I was pretty fast, but I made some mistakes. Actually, the typewriters weren’t that bad. Now, as for the first computers … oh my gosh!

Tara: What do you mean?

Prof. Morgan: The first computers were so unreliable. They used to crash all the time. And they were not as affordable or as fast as they are now.

Tara: Mine’s pretty fast, but not as fast as some of the newer, more expensive ones.

Prof. Morgan: I know! And nowadays, almost everyone has a computer. In those days, nobody had their own computer. We used to use the ones at the university.

Tara: In the computer lab?

Prof. Morgan: Yeah, that’s all we had. I’ll never forget, one spring, during final exams. Everybody was working on their term papers, and the electricity went out!

Tara: So? No big deal … laptops have batteries …

Prof. Morgan: Yes, but remember, in those days we didn’t have laptops. If your computer crashed, you lost everything.

Tara: Everything?

Prof. Morgan: Everything. We used to lose information all the time, but that time it was terrible. Everybody lost their papers that afternoon … including me.

Tara: What did you do?

Prof. Morgan: I went back to the good, old-fashioned way.

Tara: You mean typewriters?

Prof. Morgan: Nope. I used something more affordable, portable, reliable, disposable, something that always worked.

Tara: What was that?

Prof. Morgan: (holds up pencil and paper) The first word processor.

Unit 3

Takeshi: So, what are today’s headlines?

Mike: I don’t know. I’m reading the important stuff like my horoscope and the entertainment section. Hey! Look at this!

James Hammond is playing at CBGB’s tonight!

Takeshi: James Hammond. Isn’t he that famous blues guitarist? The guy with the silver guitar and the long, black hair?

Mike: No, that’s Kevin Diamond. James Hammond is the singer. He has short spiky hair, he always wears that really cool white suit …

Takeshi: I know him — he’s great! Let’s go!

Mike: Ah, man! It’s sold out!

Takeshi: Oh. (sees someone across the room) Hey, look … that’s Anna … Anna Markovich.

Mike: What?

Takeshi: Over there.

Mike: The one sitting down? Wearing the pink shirt?

Takeshi: No. The really pretty one with the long hair and glasses. (waves ) You know her. She lives in our building. She’s a journalist. She writes all the music reviews for The Village Voice .

Mike: Well, what are you waiting for? Go over there and ask her if she can get us some tickets for tonight!

Takeshi: Are you kidding? I can’t do that. I hardly know her! (Mike scowls) Well, maybe I can …

Takeshi: (approaches Anna ) Uh … hi, Anna! How are you?

Anna: Oh, hi, Takeshi. I’m great! What’s up?

Takeshi: Not much. So, you still … uh … writing for The Village Voice ?

Anna: Yeah. “Dedicated Music Reviewer” — that’s me. As a matter of fact, I’m reviewing a show tonight, James Hammond.

Takeshi: James Hammond! I love him! My roommate and I were just talking about how much we’d like to see that show.

Anna: Really? Actually, I’ve got two tickets.

Takeshi: Two tickets? That’d be great!

Anna: Terrific. It’s a date! You and I can go together. Meet me outside our building at seven, OK?

Takeshi: OK.

Anna: See you then!

Takeshi: See you tonight.

Anna: Bye.

Mike: Well? Did she have any tickets?

Takeshi: Yeah. We’re leaving at seven …

Mike: Fantastic man! I mean … we’re not going to have a lot of time. We(’ve) got to go home … we(’ve) got to get changed … we(’ve) got to shower …

Takeshi: Uh … Mike? I meant Anna and I are leaving at seven.

Mike: Oh.

Takeshi: Somehow, I got a ticket — and a date with … Anna Markovich.

Mike: You’re kidding me! That’s great!

Takeshi: You don’t mind if I go without you?

Mike: Nah, don’t worry about it. There’re plenty of concerts, but there’s only one Anna Markovich! Besides, I have more important things to do. (holds up newspaper )

Unit  4

Ms. Li: Hi, I’m Yvonne Li. Welcome.

Claudia: Hi, Claudia Oliveira.

Ms. Li: Please have a seat. Thanks very much for coming in. Did you bring your

résumé?

Claudia: Yes. Here you are.

Ms. Li: Great. Thanks. First let me tell you a little bit about the job. We’re looking for someone to sell our new software product internationally. The job requires flexibility, independence, and most importantly, a pleasant manner with customers.

Claudia: I agree … that’s important. I’ve worked in sales for years and have always tried to really listen to my customers to find out what they need. I think I’m really good at that.

Ms. Li: That’s great. So tell me a little bit about your experience with software programs.

Claudia: Well, I’ve trained people how to use a similar software product for the past two years at my current job, so I really feel I know the product and customer needs.

Ms. Li: Hmm … interesting, and your sales experience?

Claudia: I’ve been with my present company for three years and in my present position since last year. In that time, I’ve been named salesperson of the month three times, and have taken top sales awards several times as well.

Ms. Li: Impressive …

Claudia: I’m also taking graduate courses right now in marketing. I feel it really helps me understand the market better, especially the competition.

Ms. Li: You’ve been very busy, Ms. Oliveira! Well, thanks very much for coming in. We’ll be

in touch.

Ms. Li: Hey, Bill, I just interviewed a woman for that software sales position.

Mr. Howard: How did it go?

Ms. Li: Very well.

Mr. Howard: Do you think she’s right for the job?

Ms. Li: I think so. She has a high energy level and a lot of experience.

Mr. Howard: OK. Let’s offer her the job.

Ms. Li: Great.

Tara: Hello?

Ms. Li: Hello, Claudia Oliveira, please.

Tara: She can’t come to the phone right now. May I take a message?

Ms. Li: Yes, please tell her Yvonne Li called.

Tara: OK.

Claudia: (enters from bedroom) Come on. We’re going to be late for our aerobics class!

Tara: Oh, by the way there was a phone call from some woman called … Yvonne … Yvonne something … (door closes)

Claudia: (Opens door and runs for phone) Ah!

Unit  5

Takeshi: By the way Mike, thanks a lot for helping me out with this. I can’t believe Tara got sick! And on the day of my first real commercial shoot. Can you believe it?

Mike: Don’t worry about it. It’s going to be great … especially since you have a “lovely assistant” like me.

Takeshi: Right … there, that should do it. Got your signs?

Mike: Check!

Takeshi: Ready Mr. Howard? (Mr. Howard nods ) And rolling … OK … “Furniture Showroom” commercial — take one.

Mr. Howard: Hello there! My name is John Howard, president of Furniture Showroom, and I’m here to tell you why we’re one of the most successful furniture stores around. The keys to our success are excellent quality, great design, and affordable prices. And who are these keys for? Why for you — our customers! And that’s why I’m here today to show you some of our premier pieces. Like this sleek and stylish lounge chair. All our loungers are covered in 100% genuine leather, and built with solid steel-frame construction. Take a look at that — talk about well-made. Or take a look at this Super Sleeper Sofa… why it’s one of the most comfortable sofas you’ll ever lay your head on! It’s true! See for yourself! (Mike lies down on sofa ) You know, folks, Furniture Showroom is not one of those flyby- night operations — “here today, gone tomorrow.” Our company was founded in 1982 with only three hard-working employees: my wife, my son, and me. Here at Furniture Showroom, we really pride ourselves in giving you the best product at the right price! So come on down to Furniture Showroom and take a look at our … (interrupted by Mike’s snore)

Tara: Hey, what happened to that TV commercial? The one I couldn’t do because I was sick?

Takeshi: You mean the one where Mike fell asleep on my first paying client? I just sent in the tape last week. Who … who knows what’ll happen.

Mike: Look, I said I was sorry. Plus that couch was really comfortable …

Takeshi: (phone rings) Hello? This is. Oh, hello, Mr. Howard! Yeah … uh-huh … OK … great! Thank you!

Tara: Well?

Takeshi: They loved it. They just booked me for another five commercials! Mr. Howard said that the big guy who fell asleep on the couch was the best part!

Mike: Well, you know what this calls for, don’t you?

Takeshi: Yeah … an apology.

Mike: No, an encore! (jumps on sofa )