商务英语情景口语100主题023

023 Polite Questions

Dialogue 1

A: Hello! You have reached the offices of Maddox and McKnight, can I help you?

B: Yes, my name is Max Richards. May I please speak to George Nelson? I have already called several times. It seems I always catch him out of the office.

A: Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Nelson is away at the moment. I'm sorry that you keep missing¹ him while he is out of the office. Would you like to leave a message?

B: I'm sorry, I didn't hear you clearly. Could you repeat that please?

A: Certainly. Mr. Nelson can not take your call at the moment because he is away. He stepped out of the office for the whole afternoon and is not expected back until tomorrow morning. His schedule is very unpredictable at times, so the best way to reach him is to first make an appointment by email or text messaging.

B: Can I leave a message for him please?

A: Of course, can you leave your name and number? I'm sure Mr. Nelson will return your call as soon as he is able.

B: My name is Max Richards, my phone number is 898-3423. Could you ask him to call me back as soon as he gets back, please? I have a rather timely² matter to discuss with him.

A: Can you tell me what it's about? I can make a note of it, so Mr. Nelson is aware and prepared when he returns your call.

B: Yes, please let him know I would like to discuss the Girard case with him.

Dialogue 2

A: Would you like to have something to drink?

B: Yes, please, that would be very nice. Do you have any hot coffee?

A: I'm sorry, we don't have any coffee. Would tea to be all right?

B: Yes, that would be fine.

A: Is there anything else that I can offer for you? Would you like some light refreshments³?

B: No, no, no.... Actually, I'll just have some tea if that is not too much trouble. I had a very late and very large lunch, so I don't expect to eat anything else for the remainder⁴ of the day.

A: I know you're probably off your jet⁵ lag⁶, but I'm wondering what time we should set for our budget review. What time are you available tomorrow for our meeting?

B: Don't worry about me. I'll try to hit the sack⁷ a little early tonight and I'll be fine by the time tomorrow comes. I have a meeting early on, and I should be available at 11 o'clock.

1 missing   

adj.遗失的，缺少的，失踪的

参考例句：

• Check the tools and see if anything is missing.检点一下工具，看有无丢失。
• All the others are here;he's the only one missing.别人都来了，就短他一个。

2 timely   

adj.及时的，适时的；adv.及时地

参考例句：

• We are particularly grateful to him for his timely help.我们特别感谢他的及时帮助。
• Your arrival was most timely yesterday.你们昨天来得非常及时。

3 refreshments   

n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待

参考例句：

• We have to make a small charge for refreshments. 我们得收取少量茶点费。
• Light refreshments will be served during the break. 中间休息时有点心供应。

4 remainder   

n.余下的部分，剩下的人数

参考例句：

• They joined up with us to spend the remainder of the holiday.他们来跟我们一起共度余下的假期。
• He spent the remainder of his years in Japan.他在日本度过了余生。

5 jet   

n.喷气发动机，喷气式飞机；v.喷出，喷射

参考例句：

• Put a match to the jet to light the gas.将火柴放在煤气喷嘴上点燃煤气。
• I don't see the jet of your plan.我不明白你的计划的要点。

6 lag   

vi.走得慢，落后；n.滞后，(时间上的)间隔

参考例句：

• Ten minutes later,some of runners in the race began to lag.十分钟后，有些参赛的人开始落后了。
• There is a time lag of about fifteen years.时间上有一段约15年的间隔。

7 sack   

n.袋子，劫掠；vt.解雇，劫掠，把...装入袋子

参考例句：

• They made him pay for his offence by giving him the sack.他们解雇了他，从而使他因自己的过错而受到了惩罚。
• If you're late again tomorrow,you'll get the sack!如果你明天再迟到，那就卷铺盖走吧！