UNIT ELEVEN
Part One
Warm Up
Dialogue 1
　　下面是典型的家庭主妇式的闲谈。

A: Are these your ⑴triplets? They’re ⑵beautiful! I’ve seen other babies who were nothing but skin and bones at their age. You know, they’re absolutely identical of you and John! *Are you planning on having any more?
B: ⑶Bite your tongue! I’m already ⑷at the end of my rope. Some nights I don’t sleep at all. John manages to sleep like a log even when the babies are ⑸screaming at the top of their lungs.
A: Well, tell me. How was the labor and delivery?
B: I wouldn’t say that I had the time of my life but at least everything went ⑹without a hitch.
A: Well, ⑺hang in there. *In twenty years, you’ll fell it was well worth it!
Dialogue 2
A和B在讨论关于如何写人类学论文的问题。
A: (1)Wake up, Erik, (2)time to rise and shine.
B: Huh, oh, hi, Jane.(3)I must have fallen asleep while I was reading.
A: You and everyone else. It looks more like a (4)camp-ground than a library.
B: Well, the dorm’s too noisy to study in, and I guess this place is too quiet.
A: Have you had any luck finding a topic for your paper?
B: No. Prof. Grant told us to write about anything in cultural (5)anthropology. For once I wish she hadn’t given us so much of a choice.
A: Well, why not write about the ancient civilizations of Mexico. You seem to be interested in that part of the world.
A: I am, *but there is too much material to cover. I’ll be writing forever, and Grant only wants five to seven pages.
B: So they limit it to one region of Mexico. Say the (6)Yucatan. You’ve been there and you said it’s got lots of interesting relics.
A: That’s not a bad idea. I brought many plenty of books and things back with me last summer. That would be great resource material. Now if I can only remember where I put them.
Dialogue 3
A想介绍Elaine给B认识，但B不愿意。

A: Elaine’s back from school. I think it might be a nice⑴gesture if you ⑵asked her out. *I suppose she’s not good enough for you, is that it?
B: Look, ⑶Elaine Robinson and I do not get along.
A: ⑷*How do you know? You haven’t seen her since high school. I guess your evenings, whatever you do with them, are just too valuable.
B: ⑸That has nothing to do with it…
A: I guess I’ll just have to tell Mr. Robinson that you’re too busy every evening – doing God knows what… God don’t go on like this. If you absolutely refuse to take her out…
B: I do.
A: Then I will simply have to invite all the Robinson’s over for ⑹dinner on Thursday.
Part Two
Everyday Expression
　　询问信息是日常交际的重中之重，清晰、明达、条理，这是信息被接受的要素。我们以问路为例子，观察美语对于信息指南的独特处理。记住，不管问路指路，最好重复一遍，核对信息。
Small Talk 1:
Neo: So am I on the right road to Piccadilly Circus?
Rita: I think so, ‘cause I remember the policeman told me this is the very way.
Neo: What did he say?
Rita: Just head straight up the street about two blocks and then turn left.
Neo: That’s it. I think we’re one block beyond.
Small Talk 2:
A: Excuse me, please, but I’m trying to find a post office.
B: You just go down the first turning on the right until you come to a tall building.
A: So that’s it?
B: The post office is right across.
A: Thank you so much.
Small Talk 3:
A: Excuse me, but I’m a bit lost here. Where does this street lead to?
B: The Queen Street, I guess.
A: So is it the right way to the City Hall?
B: I’m afraid you’re going in the opposite direction.
Small Talk 4:
A: How far is this address from here, please?
B: Let me see. Go straight on, then take the first turning on the left.
A: So how long does it take?
B: Twenty minutes’ walk at most.
Small Talk 5:
A: Would you mind telling me if this is the right way to the police station?
B: I’m afraid you’re going in the opposite direction.
A: Should I take a bus?
B: I think a cab is better.