英语听力精选进阶版 15122

（单词翻译）

English at Work 

Episode¹ 28: Home truths 

(keeping your language professional) 

Narrator:  Hello again. Tip Top Trading’s big boss, Mr Socrates has announced a new 

strategy to sell plastic fruit to Europe and hopefully keep the company 

afloat. But before the real work begins it’s time for him to enjoy some good 

English hospitality² at the pub, courtesy³ of the team from the London office. 

Let’s join them now… 

ARRIVING AT THE PUB 

Tom:  …Well welcome to the Rose and Crown, it is small, not like one of those 

bars you get in your country. Can I get you a pint⁴ Mr Socrates? 

Mr Socrates: A what? 

Tom:  A pint. A pint of beer, it’s really nice here if you like it… 

Mr Socrates: I don’t drink. Just an orange juice, freshly squeezed. 

Paul:  On go on Mr Socrates, one pint won’t hurt. You’ve got to have a pint of 

beer when you come to a pub. 

Mr Socrates: Oh very well. I’ll try one. It had better be good. 

Tom:  You’ll love it. I’ll get it. Three pints⁵ of your best beer please Mr Landlord. 

Denise, are you OK getting your own? I’m a bit short of cash. 

Denise:  Oh… right. Mr Socrates, Anna said she would be along soon. She had some 

work to finish. She’s such a hard worker.  

Mr Socrates: Good to hear. She seems like a smart cookie. Now let’s try this beer 

…mmm, not bad, a little warm but… tasty. 

Paul:  Oh, you drank that quickly… would you like another one? 

Mr Socrates: Sure. 

DOOR OPENS 

Anna:  Hi everyone. Sorry I’m late.  

Denise:  Hi Anna. Look Mr Socrates is enjoying our English beer. I think it’s going to 

his head. 

Mr Socrates: (Loudly) Anna!  Our best worker. Get Anna a drink. 

Tom:  Yes Mr Socrates. Of course Mr Socrates.  

Mr Socrates: Anna, come over here, let’s talk. 

Anna:  Oh right. What about… 

Tom:  There you go Anna. I got you some crisps too. So what are we talking 

about? 

Mr Socrates: Nothing. Thank you… bye bye. 

Tom:  Oh right. Bye bye. Yes, I’ll go and talk to Paul and Denise. I’ll just be over 

here. 

Mr Socrates: What a loser. I can tell he’s all talk and no action. 

Anna:  Well, Tom’s a good worker really and… 

Mr Socrates: …and as for Paul. God, what a manager. Always eating cookies. You know 

he was fired from his last job because… 

Narrator:  Anna, I think he’s getting a bit too personal. That beer is making him say 

things he shouldn’t. 

Anna:  I know. What should I say? 

Narrator:  Try saying “it’s not appropriate to talk like that” or “could we change the 

subject please.” 

Anna:  OK thanks. Erm, Mr Socrates I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk like that, 

could we change the subject please? 

Mr Socrates: Oh, sorry have I said too much? Maybe we should talk about you. I like 

you Anna. You’re keen but you’ve got a lot to learn and I think you should 

wear more black – it makes you look… thinner… 

Narrator:  He’s out of order. I think he’s saying too much. Ask him to keep the 

conversation professional. 

Anna:  Right, good idea. (To Mr Socrates) Erm, Mr Socrates, thank you but can we 

keep our conversation professional. There’s a lot to discuss about our 

European market strategy. 

Mr Socrates: Yeah, right, absolutely right. Anyway, you’re gonna have to lead this one 

not that Tom guy. I’m thinking of firing him, his results aren’t that great 

and… 

Tom:  …sorry to interrupt, just wondered if you’d like some nuts? 

Mr Socrates: Hey Tom, I was just saying to Anna your results haven’t been good and 

I’m thinking of… 

Anna:  (flustered)… of having another drink… thinking of having another drink. Mr 

Socrates, did you know Tom actually has a great idea for selling laser-curved oranges to Spain? 

Tom:  (puzzled) Do I? 

Mr Socrates: That’s good to hear Tom. Email them to me and I’ll check them over 

tomorrow.  

Anna:  Of course he will, Mr Socrates. Now how would you like to drink something,  

errr, less strong? Orange juice perhaps?  

Mr Socrates: Na, I think I’ll try some more of the English beer. 

THE TEAM ALL CHEER 

Narrator:  I think Anna has just done Tom a big favour – she’s stopped him getting 

fired  - for now. Sometimes conversations with your boss can get too 

personal but I think Anna’s got the hang of keeping things professional. 

Here’s a reminder⁶ of what she said:  

  It’s not appropriate to talk like that.  

Could we change the subject please? 

Can we keep our conversation professional please? 

Narrator:  So Anna seems to be Mr Socrates’s favourite team member but now she’s 

got some explaining to do to Tom. 

Tom:  Anna, what were you talking about to Mr Socrates? “Ideas for selling laser-curved oranges to Spain”? 

Anna:  He was going to fire you – so I was trying to tell him you had great ideas. 

Tom:  What?! You helped me? Anna, I don’t know what to say. I… I… I… 

Anna:  Yes?  

Tom:  I… need to go back to the office to work on some ideas. 

Narrator:  Good idea. Keep it professional, eh Tom? Until next time. Bye! 

LISTENING CHALLENGE: 

What is the name of the pub the team takes Mr Socrates to? 

 (Answer: The Rose and Crown)