Dialogue C
Organizing a Delivery(1)
K: Kevin M: Marco E: DHL employee
Even though Kevin got rid of some old stuff, he’s still got a whole lot of things he needs to ship back to Taiwan.
K: Glad that’s all sorted out. I only got 50 bucks from Goodwill, but at least I’m down to(2) shipping only one box. Where’d you go to ship your stuff?
M:I went to DHL. It’s not far from here. I’m not sure what their rates are, but we might as well check.
K: Cool, mind giving me another ride?
M: No problem.
(At DHL, an international delivery company)
K: Hi, what are your rates to Taiwan?
E: Just that box there? Let me weigh it.
K: Here you go.
E: Looks to be 45 pounds. We have three different choices for you. Same day shipping comes to $200.21. For within five days, it’ll be a flat 85 dollars. Our normal(3) service, which could take up to three weeks, would be $39.62.
K: The normal service is fine. Can I buy insurance(4) for the shipping?
E: Of course. What do you value the package at(5)?
K: About $250.
E: That’ll be another 20 dollars. Your total is $59.62. Can I do anything else for you?
K: Nope, that’s it. Thanks!
★為多益必背單字
Words & Phrases 單字片語
★ 1. delivery n. 投遞；交付；遞送的物品
If you need to make a delivery, please come in through the main gate.
如果你需要交貨，請由正門進入。
There is no mail delivery on Sundays.
星期天郵差不送信。
2. down to sth 下降至（最小的）某物
The crayon had been worn down to the last bit.
這支蠟筆已被畫到剩最後一截了。
★ 3. normal a. 一般的，正常的
Can you walk me through the normal working
process?
你能完整地示範一次正常的工作流程給我看嗎？
★ 4. Insurance n. 保險（不可數）
Do you have insurance on your house and its
contents?
你有為房子和屋內財物投保嗎？
5. value sth at… 為某物估價為⋯⋯（金額）
The house Jacob lives in at the moment has been valued at over NT$20 million.
雅各現在住的房子總價超過新台幣兩千萬。
You Can Do This 英文試金石
請選出一個最適當的選項。
1. The bike messenger weaved through the busy city streets trying to make his ______.
(A) properties (B) reactions
(C) deliveries (D) instructions
2. Those who graduate from great universities tend to have better chances in ______.
(A) job hunting (B) choking
(C) departing (D) ballet inspiring
3. The ______ operation of the factory machines was cut because of power failure.
(A) shallow (B) homeless
(C) absolute (D) normal
答案：1. C；2. A；3. D
Dialogue D
Planning a Visit
A: Andy B: Barbara
Andy and Barbara have been in a long-distance(6) relationship for a few months now.
(On FaceTime)
A: Hey! Glad I caught you this time.
B: Me too. It’s hard enough with the distance.
A: I’ve been so busy with work, but I really miss you. I was thinking I could visit you soon.
B: Aww, I miss you too. Please come soon! How long do you have off for Christmas?
A: I’ve got the full week. If I come to you, it would be our first white Christmas.
B: It might be a bit cold for you, but we could stay close(7) together by the fire. I think it would be great if you came here! I don’t think I can make it out of here until the 4th of July next year, so you better come see me this time.
A: Of course. I know you love summer. Hey, July is a good time to job hunt(8), if you want to move back.
B: I’ll have to see how things go here. I miss the
summer, but I miss you more.
A: I’ll be there for Christmas!
Extra Words 補充字詞
flat a.（費率、價格等）固定的；平的
★為多益必背單字
Words & Phrases 單字片語
★ 6. long-distance a. 遠距離／長途的
You will be billed monthly for your long-distance calls.
你每個月會收到長途電話的帳單。
7. stay / keep close靠近，緊緊地靠在一起
Since we are lost, we should stay close to the trail to wait for help.
既然我們都迷路了，我們該離這條小徑近些來等待援助。
★ 8. job hunt 求職，找工作（= job hunting）
After finishing his military service, Scott went job hunting.
史考特一服完兵役就去找工作了。
Tips in Use 重點解析
我們是什麼關係？
文中in a relationship 表「在一段感情，戀愛中」，常見的關係狀態還有single（單身）、engaged（訂婚了）、married（ 已婚）、separated（ 分居）、divorced（離婚）、domestic partnership（同居）、prefer not to say（還是不說的好）或 complicated（好複雜，一言難盡）。讓我們來看看生活中怎麼用：
Brad and Liz seem to be in a domestic partnership at the moment, but I heard they actually are secretly married.
（布萊德和麗茲目前似乎在同居中，但我聽說他們其實早已偷偷結婚了。）
A: How are you and Nicholas going? Moving to the next stage?
B: I’d prefer not to say. It’s quite complicated at the moment!
（甲：妳和尼可拉斯最近怎樣？要進入下一階段了？）
（乙：還是先不說的好。現在這關係好複雜！）
（本文經授權轉載自《常春藤生活英語雜誌》2019年5月號）
