ESL Podcast 329 – Being Persuasive

Sylvia: How would you like to take my sister, Donna, to the movies this weekend? You’d be doing me a favor.

Joon: Why? What’s wrong with her?

Sylvia: Nothing is wrong with her! She just broke up with her boyfriend of four years and she’s down in the dumps. She’s shy, so I thought I’d try to set her up on a date.

Joon: Off the top of my head, I can think of a dozen things I’d rather do than to take out anyone’s little sister, including yours, no offense¹.

Sylvia: You don’t know what you’re missing. She may be shy, but she’s very pretty and witty². If you met her, you wouldn’t need me to persuade you.

Joon: I don’t know. I’m not convinced. Whenever someone sets me up on a blind date, they always tell me how great the woman is. She never lives up to the hype.

Sylvia: I’m not going to twist your arm, but if you’re on the fence, I have two free movie tickets to that new movie you want to see, just to sweeten the pot.

Joon: You do? Well, why didn’t you say so earlier?

Sylvia: I’m glad I could tempt³ you. Here’s her number. I’ll tell her to expect your call. Be nice.

Joon: I’m always nice. Don’t worry. I’ll show her a good time.

Sylvia: Not too good!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

2 witty   

adj.机智的，风趣的

参考例句：

• Her witty remarks added a little salt to the conversation.她的妙语使谈话增添了一些风趣。
• He scored a bull's-eye in their argument with that witty retort.在他们的辩论中他那一句机智的反驳击中了要害。

3 tempt   

vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣

参考例句：

• Nothing could tempt him to such a course of action.什么都不能诱使他去那样做。
• The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.她有钱了，可这丝毫没能让她改变节俭的生活习惯。