2012年ESL之旅行交通购物 03 Commuting by Train

 

Commuting¹ by Train 

Lisa: Can you tell me if this is the right platform for the train to Arlington? 

Omar: Yes, it is. Is this your first time taking the train? 

Lisa: Is it that obvious? 

Omar: No, you just look a little lost. 

Lisa: I’m starting a new job and I have to commute² to work for the first time. 

Omar: Oh, I see. Did you buy a ticket at the ticket machine? 

Lisa: Yes, I did, when I entered the station. I hope I bought the right one. 

Omar: Let me see. Yes, that’s the right one. The good news is that I haven’t heard any announcements about the train being delayed, like it has been a couple of times this week, so it should be on time. 

Lisa: I’m relieved to hear that. I can’t afford to be late to work on my first day. Will I need to show this ticket to get on the train? 

Omar: Not when you get on. After the train is under way, the conductor will walk down the aisle³ to collect it. 

Lisa: Oh, I see, thanks. That sounds simple. 

Omar: It is simple if you can actually find a seat. It can be pretty crowded on these commuter⁴ trains. Sometimes it’s standing⁵ room only. 

Lisa: Let’s hope for the best. 

Omar: Stick with me. I’ll elbow a few people out of the way to get you a seat. 

Lisa: [laughs] Thanks, I think. 

 

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse 

1 commuting   

交换（的）

参考例句：

• I used the commuting time to read and answer my mail. 我利用上下班在汽车中的时间来阅读和答复给我的函电。
• Noncommuting objects are as real to the mathematicians as commuting objects. 对于数学家来说，不可交换的对象与可交换的对象是一样真实的。

2 commute   

vi.乘车上下班；vt.减(刑)；折合；n.上下班交通

参考例句：

• I spend much less time on my commute to work now.我现在工作的往返时间要节省好多。
• Most office workers commute from the suburbs.很多公司的职员都是从郊外来上班的。

3 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

4 commuter   

n.(尤指市郊之间)乘公交车辆上下班者

参考例句：

• Police cordoned off the road and diverted commuter traffic. 警察封锁了道路并分流交通。
• She accidentally stepped on his foot on a crowded commuter train. 她在拥挤的通勤列车上不小心踩到了他的脚。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。