王强口语 第一册 Short conversation 017

　　Lesson Seventeen
Short Conversations
Read aloud the concersation two times, and then listen to the tape without looking at the text.
Cutting Corners
Rathbone: Whittaker! What are you doing here? You got your transformers, didn't you?
Whittaker: Oh, I got them all right. I also got one of these flyers.
Rathbone: Oh, yeah yeah yeah, Rodney's been putting them on every car and front door in town.
Whittaker: So I understand. I also understand that he hasn't paid for them yet.
Rathbone: Oh, yeah, haha, that, haha. Well, uh, Rodney's a pretty shrewd businessman all right.
Whittaker: Shrewd?
Rathbone: Well, he only promised to pay Lucy if he liked the flyer. He was very specific about that. It just so happens he doesn't.
Whittaker: Come on, Bart - do you really think that's right?
Rathbone: Well, I think it's between Rodney and Lucy. And even if it isn't, can we work this out later? I've got the building inspector¹ inside right now. He's here now.
Whittaker: Oh, sure. I wouldn't want to let it slip out about all the shortcuts² you've taken to get this building up.
Rathbone: Shortcuts?
Whittaker: Yeah, you know - like using Eugene to wire the building instead of a certified³ electrician.
Rathbone: There's nothing wrong with that. He did a great job.
Whittaker: Oh, I'm sure he did. Also did it for free，didn't he?
Rathbone: You got something against saving money?
Whittaker: Oh, not at all - in areas where money should be saved.

1 inspector   

n.检查员，监察员，视察员

参考例句：

• The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
• The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。

2 shortcuts   

n.捷径( shortcut的名词复数 )；近路；快捷办法；被切短的东西（尤指烟草）

参考例句：

• In other words, experts want shortcuts to everything. 换句话说，专家需要所有的快捷方式。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• Offer shortcuts from the Help menu. 在帮助菜单中提供快捷方式。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

3 certified   

a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的

参考例句：

• Doctors certified him as insane. 医生证明他精神失常。
• The planes were certified airworthy. 飞机被证明适于航行。