生活英语对话 Episode 66: Choosing a gift

本单元是关于选择礼物的对话

Janet: And how's my favourite shop assistant today?
Tim: Oh! Good morning, Janet! It's assistant manager actually.
Janet: So sorry, darling, assistant manager. Now, I do hope you can help me. I'm looking for a very special gift for a very special person.
Tim: I'm sure we can help you there madam. Is it for a gentleman or a lady?
Janet: A gentleman. Fine jewellery looks so lovely on a man, don't you agree?
Tim: In that case, let me show you these cuff¹-links... and here are some very nice tie-clips.
Janet: Those watches look rather nice.
Tim: Err², yes... but the latest model isn't available, and it's important to have the latest model, don't you think?
Janet: Not necessarily. I always say that style is more important than fashion.


Vocabulary:字汇

cuff 袖口
the thicker material at the end of the sleeves of a shirt, near the hand

cuff-links 袖扣
small decorated objects which are used instead of buttons to fasten cuffs³. Cuff-links are usually worn by men

tie-clip 领带夹
a piece of jewellery that holds a man's tie in place

style 风格
an elegant⁴, luxurious⁵ and often expensive way of living and dressing⁶

本单元的语言点是反意问句，反义问句也称句尾的附加问句，情况下面的解释和例句

Negative questions in conversations

Negative questions at the end of sentences 句尾的附加问句
In everyday conversations, English speakers sometimes use negative questions at the end of sentences, especially when they are giving their opinions.

Janet says:
'Fine jewellery looks so lovely on a man, don't you agree? '

Tim says:
'...it's important to have the latest model, isn't that so? '

This type of question helps to keep the conversation going by inviting⁷ the listener to agree with the speaker, or to give their own opinion.

Other questions which have this function are:
...don't you think?
...don't you think so?
...isn't that right?
...wouldn't you agree?


Replying to negative questions 如何回答附加问句
The speaker does not have to give a direct answer to this type of question, but usually responds to the idea behind the question.

When Janet says:
'Fine jewellery looks so lovely on a man, don't you agree? '

Tim's answer is:
' In that case, let me show you these cuff-links?'

Sometimes the speaker will give a direct reply to the question.

When Tim says:
'It's important to have the latest model, isn't that so? '

Janet's answer is:
' Not necessarily. I always say that style is more important than fashion. '

1 cuff   

n.袖口；手铐；护腕；vt.用手铐铐；上袖口

参考例句：

• She hoped they wouldn't cuff her hands behind her back.她希望他们不要把她反铐起来。
• Would you please draw together the snag in my cuff?请你把我袖口上的裂口缝上好吗？

2 err   

vi.犯错误，出差错

参考例句：

• He did not err by a hair's breadth in his calculation.他的计算结果一丝不差。
• The arrows err not from their aim.箭无虚发。

3 cuffs   

n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• a collar and cuffs of white lace 带白色蕾丝花边的衣领和袖口
• The cuffs of his shirt were fraying. 他衬衣的袖口磨破了。

4 elegant   

adj.优美的，文雅的，简练的，简结的

参考例句：

• She was an elegant and accomplished woman.她是位优雅的才女。
• She has a life of elegant ease.她过着风雅悠闲的生活。

5 luxurious   

adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的

参考例句：

• This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。

6 dressing   

n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

参考例句：

• Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
• The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

7 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。