生活英语对话 Episode 66: Choosing a gift

（单词翻译）

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. '