生活英语对话 Episode 64: A strange letter

本单元是关于奇怪的信件的对话

Alice: Hi Tim. What are you reading, or is it private?
Tim: Oh, nothing.
Alice: Sure it's not a love letter?
Tim: I'm sure! In fact, it's a bit strange. Remember I had to return that customer's watch?
Alice: Mmmm?
Tim: Well, listen to their reply. 'As the watch you have returned is not genuine, we are unable to repair it. Also, this is the fourth time that this has happened and consequently we can not accept further watches from you.'
Alice: Weird¹! You told your boss?
Tim: Well, I should, but I'm a bit curious about this. My boss is the only other person who sells the watches. As well as that, he might blame me.
Alice: I see what you mean. Hmm?But despite that, I still think you should tell him.


Vocabulary (词汇):

genuine (adj) (真实的)
real and authentic² - not a fake or forgery³

further watches (更多手表)
more watches

curious (adj) (好奇心旺盛的;好事的)
you want to know more about something

本单元的语言点是连接词，连接词是用来连接两个或两个以上的句子或从句。

Linking Words

Linking words and phrases (连接词和短语)

Linking words and phrases are used to show relationships between ideas. They can be used to join 2 or more sentences or clauses (a clause is a group of words which contains a subject and a verb).
Linking words/phrases can be used to add ideas together, contrast them, or show the reason for something.



Adding ideas and information (补充意见和信息)

Also
This is used to give more information or ideas. It can be put at the beginning of a sentence, or between the subject and the verb.
We are unable to repair this watch. Also, this is the fourth time this has happened.
I want to be an astronaut. I also want to be a biologist. What should I do?

Besides/Besides this/Besides that
This is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence. It is used to make an additional point.
Traffic congestion⁴ is a problem in my city. Besides this, the trains are very expensive.
I can't afford to go to the concert. Besides, I don't really like classical music.

As well as this/that
This is very similar to besides/besides this/besides that . It is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence. It is used to make an additional point.
My boss is the only other person who sells the watches. As well as that, he might blame me.
We went to the park today. As well as that, we did some shopping.


Showing reasons (显示原因)

As and since are used to introduce the reason for something. They are similar in meaning and use to 'because'. They can be placed at the beginning of the sentence, or in the middle.

As
As the watch you have returned is not genuine, we are unable to repair it.
We are unable to repair the watch you have returned as it is not genuine.

Since
Since the watch you have returned is not genuine, we are unable to repair it.
We are unable to repair the watch you have returned since it is not genuine.


Showing results (显示后果)
Consequently and as a consequence are linking words which link reasons with results. They are common in formal writing.

Consequently
This is the fourth time that this has happened and, consequently, we can't accept further watches from you.
This is the fourth time that this has happened. Consequently, we can't accept further watches from you.

As a consequence
This is the fourth time that this has happened and, as a consequence, we can't accept further watches from you.
This is the fourth time that this has happened. As a consequence , we can't accept further watches from you.


Contrasting ideas (对比意见)
Despite and in spite of
These are followed by nouns or gerunds (verb + 'ing'). They are not followed by clauses (subject + verb).
Despite losing the match, the team were happy with their efforts.
In spite of the lost match , the team were happy. (meaning: they lost the match but they were happy anyway)
If you want to use a clause with despite and in spite of, you need to add 'the fact that '.
Despite the fact that they lost the match, the team were still happy.
In spite of the fact that they lost , the team were still happy.

While and whereas are used to contrast two opposite ideas in one sentence . These words can be placed at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle.
While London is exciting, it is much too busy.
Life in the city is fast, whereas life in the countryside is slow.

1 weird   

adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的

参考例句：

• From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来，他好像有点怪。
• His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。

2 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

3 forgery   

n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为）

参考例句：

• The painting was a forgery.这张画是赝品。
• He was sent to prison for forgery.他因伪造罪而被关进监狱。

4 congestion   

n.阻塞，消化不良

参考例句：

• The congestion in the city gets even worse during the summer.夏天城市交通阻塞尤为严重。
• Parking near the school causes severe traffic congestion.在学校附近泊车会引起严重的交通堵塞。