S.F. Zoo visitor saw 2 victims of tiger
attack teasing lions
Two victims of a lethal Christmas Day tiger attack were
harassing the big cats at the San Francisco Zoo shortly
before a 350-pound feline escaped its enclosure and mauled them, a woman told San Francisco Chronicle on
Wednesday.
The revelation comes as the zoo reopens Wednesday,
nine days after a visitor was killed and two of his friends
were injured by the Siberian tiger, later shot dead by
police.
Jennifer Miller, who was at the zoo with her husband
and two children that ill-fated Christmas afternoon, said
she saw four young men at the big-cat grottos - and
three of them were teasing the lions a short time before
the tiger's bloody rampage that killed 17-year-old
Carlos Sousa Jr.
Do you feel sorry for the victims or the big cat?
feline n 貓科動物 a cat or a member of the cat family
maul v 毆打;抓破 injure someone badly, tearing his/her
flesh
revelation n 顯示; 啟示錄 a previously secret fact that
suddenly becomes known.
grotto n 洞穴 a small cave
rampage v 暴跳;橫衝直撞 to behave wildly or violently,
especially in groups.
S.F. Zoo visitor saw 2 victims of tiger attack teasing lions San
Francisco Chronicle Thursday, January 3, 2008
2011年1月13日星期四
Praying parents' other 3 kids removed
Praying parents' other 3 kids
removed
迷信父母的三兒女被警方保護-----------------------------------------
一名少死於糖尿病. 父母只是祈禱, 希望神能為他們冶
瘴其女兒. 未有盡父母責任帶女兒看醫生. 基本上, 她只
是患了可治療的糖尿病. 現在, 警方看管及照顧他們其
他三名兒女‧
The three siblings 兄弟姊妹 of a少girl who died
of diabetes 糖尿病 that went untreated as her
parents prayed 祈禱 instead of taking her to a
doctor have been removed from the home
during a police investigation 警察調查.
Madeline Neumann, 11, died Sunday the
Weston home of an undiagnosed 尚未診斷的
but treatable 能治療的 form of diabetes as her
parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, prayed for
her to get better 健康恢復. Her mother said she
never expected her daughter to die.
The family believes in the Bible 聖經, which says
healing 治療 comes from God, Le被ilani
Neumann said.
The children removed from the home range in
age from 13 to 16 and are expected to return
to their parents once an investigation of the
girl's death wraps up 調查完工, Vergin said.
Praying parents' other 3 kids removed
Associated Press Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:52 PM ET
removed
迷信父母的三兒女被警方保護-----------------------------------------
一名少死於糖尿病. 父母只是祈禱, 希望神能為他們冶
瘴其女兒. 未有盡父母責任帶女兒看醫生. 基本上, 她只
是患了可治療的糖尿病. 現在, 警方看管及照顧他們其
他三名兒女‧
The three siblings 兄弟姊妹 of a少girl who died
of diabetes 糖尿病 that went untreated as her
parents prayed 祈禱 instead of taking her to a
doctor have been removed from the home
during a police investigation 警察調查.
Madeline Neumann, 11, died Sunday the
Weston home of an undiagnosed 尚未診斷的
but treatable 能治療的 form of diabetes as her
parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, prayed for
her to get better 健康恢復. Her mother said she
never expected her daughter to die.
The family believes in the Bible 聖經, which says
healing 治療 comes from God, Le被ilani
Neumann said.
The children removed from the home range in
age from 13 to 16 and are expected to return
to their parents once an investigation of the
girl's death wraps up 調查完工, Vergin said.
Praying parents' other 3 kids removed
Associated Press Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:52 PM ET
基督徒對美國總統選舉的影響
基督徒對美國總統選舉的影響基督教是有很多派幾系.
Evangelical Christians are influencing recent U.S. elections! One in
four U.S. adults count 認為 themselves as evangelical 新教徒;福
音派教徒 or "born-again" Christian, giving them electoral clout 選
舉力量 in a country where religion and politics often mix. And,
the evangelical community is more fractured 分裂 than it has
been in the past.
All of the contenders 爭奪者 in the presidential race --
Republican presumptive 可據以推定的 nominee 被提名人 John
McCain and Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who are
battling for the Democratic crown 錦標 -- are Protestant
Christians.
Obama importantly in evangelical eyes had an adult "conversion
experience 改變信仰經驗" into the United Church of Christ 基
督聯合教堂 while Clinton was raised a Methodist (基督教)循道宗
教徒. McCain grew up in the mainline Episcopal faith 英國國教的
信仰 but now attends a Baptist church 浸禮會教友教堂 in Phoenix 鳳凰城.
Analysts say if Obama is the Democratic nominee he could make
inroads into this Republican bloc 團體 because of his frank talk
about faith and appeal 迎合 to young evangelicals.
McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam and Arizona senator, faces
the difficulty of wooing 懇求;爭取 skeptical 懷疑論的,不可知論的 religious 虔誠的 conservatives 保守支持者 within his own party
who view him as soft on some of their core issues, such as stem-
cell research and gay marriage.
But Clinton, a New York senator who is an object of wrath 憤怒
in many conservative Christian circles because of her liberal
positions and feminist image, could draw them to the polls for
McCain in numbers that a match-up with Obama might not.
Is U.S. evangelical vote in play? Reuters Fri Mar 7, 2008 8:32am
EST
Evangelical Christians are influencing recent U.S. elections! One in
four U.S. adults count 認為 themselves as evangelical 新教徒;福
音派教徒 or "born-again" Christian, giving them electoral clout 選
舉力量 in a country where religion and politics often mix. And,
the evangelical community is more fractured 分裂 than it has
been in the past.
All of the contenders 爭奪者 in the presidential race --
Republican presumptive 可據以推定的 nominee 被提名人 John
McCain and Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who are
battling for the Democratic crown 錦標 -- are Protestant
Christians.
Obama importantly in evangelical eyes had an adult "conversion
experience 改變信仰經驗" into the United Church of Christ 基
督聯合教堂 while Clinton was raised a Methodist (基督教)循道宗
教徒. McCain grew up in the mainline Episcopal faith 英國國教的
信仰 but now attends a Baptist church 浸禮會教友教堂 in Phoenix 鳳凰城.
Analysts say if Obama is the Democratic nominee he could make
inroads into this Republican bloc 團體 because of his frank talk
about faith and appeal 迎合 to young evangelicals.
McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam and Arizona senator, faces
the difficulty of wooing 懇求;爭取 skeptical 懷疑論的,不可知論的 religious 虔誠的 conservatives 保守支持者 within his own party
who view him as soft on some of their core issues, such as stem-
cell research and gay marriage.
But Clinton, a New York senator who is an object of wrath 憤怒
in many conservative Christian circles because of her liberal
positions and feminist image, could draw them to the polls for
McCain in numbers that a match-up with Obama might not.
Is U.S. evangelical vote in play? Reuters Fri Mar 7, 2008 8:32am
EST
China quake death toll rises above 8,700
China quake death toll rises above
8,700
A powerful earthquake toppled 倒塌 buildings,
schools and chemical plants Monday in central
China, killing more than 8,700 people and
trapping 陷阱 untold numbers in mounds 土石堆 of
concrete, steel and earth in the country's worst
quake in three decades.
一次強大的地震在星期一在華中傾倒建設，學校和化工
廠，殺害超過8,700個人和在三十年在國家最壞諼誤最多
的震動中的混凝土，鋼和地球的土堤中俘獲數不清的數
字。
The 7.9-magnitude quake devastated a region of
small cities and towns set amid steep 陡峭的 hills
north of Sichuan's provincial capital of Chengdu.
Striking in midafternoon, it emptied office
buildings across the country in Beijing and could
be felt as far away as Vietnam.
7.9量級震動摧毀小的城市和城鎮的一個地區在在四川成都
的的省會以北的陡峭的山崗之中放置。 在midafternoon
中引人注目，它在北京在全國各地把辦公室建設倒空並且
能被感到觸感覺和越南一樣遙遠。
Snippets 不知天高地厚的年輕人 from state media
and photos posted on the Internet underscored
強調 the immense 無限的 scale of the devastation
蹂躪;荒廢. In the town of Juyuan, south of the
epicenter 震中, a three-story high school
collapsed, burying as many as 900 students and
killing at least 50, the official Xinhua news agency
said. Photos showed people using cranes 起重機,
mechanical hoists 起重機 and their hands to
remove slabs of concrete and steel.
Buried teenagers struggling to break free from
the rubble, "while others were crying out for
help," Xinhua said. Families waited in the rain near
the wreckage 殘骸 as rescuers 援救者 wrote the
names of the dead on a blackboard, Xinhua said.
The earthquake hit one of the last homes of the
giant panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve and
panda breeding center, in Wenchuan county,
which remained out of contact, Xinhua said.
In Chengdu 成都市, it crashed telephone networks
and hours later left parts of the city of 10 million
in darkness.
SOURCE WILLIAM FOREMAN, Associated Press
Writer China quake death toll rises above 8,700
8,700
A powerful earthquake toppled 倒塌 buildings,
schools and chemical plants Monday in central
China, killing more than 8,700 people and
trapping 陷阱 untold numbers in mounds 土石堆 of
concrete, steel and earth in the country's worst
quake in three decades.
一次強大的地震在星期一在華中傾倒建設，學校和化工
廠，殺害超過8,700個人和在三十年在國家最壞諼誤最多
的震動中的混凝土，鋼和地球的土堤中俘獲數不清的數
字。
The 7.9-magnitude quake devastated a region of
small cities and towns set amid steep 陡峭的 hills
north of Sichuan's provincial capital of Chengdu.
Striking in midafternoon, it emptied office
buildings across the country in Beijing and could
be felt as far away as Vietnam.
7.9量級震動摧毀小的城市和城鎮的一個地區在在四川成都
的的省會以北的陡峭的山崗之中放置。 在midafternoon
中引人注目，它在北京在全國各地把辦公室建設倒空並且
能被感到觸感覺和越南一樣遙遠。
Snippets 不知天高地厚的年輕人 from state media
and photos posted on the Internet underscored
強調 the immense 無限的 scale of the devastation
蹂躪;荒廢. In the town of Juyuan, south of the
epicenter 震中, a three-story high school
collapsed, burying as many as 900 students and
killing at least 50, the official Xinhua news agency
said. Photos showed people using cranes 起重機,
mechanical hoists 起重機 and their hands to
remove slabs of concrete and steel.
Buried teenagers struggling to break free from
the rubble, "while others were crying out for
help," Xinhua said. Families waited in the rain near
the wreckage 殘骸 as rescuers 援救者 wrote the
names of the dead on a blackboard, Xinhua said.
The earthquake hit one of the last homes of the
giant panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve and
panda breeding center, in Wenchuan county,
which remained out of contact, Xinhua said.
In Chengdu 成都市, it crashed telephone networks
and hours later left parts of the city of 10 million
in darkness.
SOURCE WILLIAM FOREMAN, Associated Press
Writer China quake death toll rises above 8,700
MSG
IN 1968 a Chinese-American physician wrote a rather lighthearted letter to The New England Journal of
Medicine. He had experienced numbness 麻木, palpitations發抖 and weakness after eating in Chinese
restaurants in the United States, and wondered
whether the monosodium glutamate used by cooks here
(and then rarely used by cooks in China) might be to
blame.
The consequences for the restaurant business, the food
industry and American consumers were immediate and enormous 龐大的. MSG, a common flavor enhancer and
preservative used since the 1950s, was tagged 標籤 as
a toxin, removed from commercial baby food and
generally driven underground by a new movement
toward natural, whole foods.
Tag = A strip of paper attached to something to identify, e.
g. sale tags. A small, loose fragment, e.g. tags and snippets
剪掉碎片.
“It was a nightmare for my family,” said Jennifer Hsu, a
graphic designer whose parents owned several Chinese
restaurants in New York City in the 1970s. “Not because
we used that much MSG — although of course we used
some — but because it meant that Americans came into
the restaurant with these suspicious 猜疑的, hostile
feelings.”
Even now, after “Chinese restaurant syndrome” has
been thoroughly debunked 揭穿 (virtually all studies
since then confirm that monosodium glutamate in normal
concentrations has no effect on the overwhelming 摧垮
majority of people), the ingredient has a stigma 污名
that will not go away.
Overwhelm = To surge over and submerge; affect deeply in
mind or emotion; present with an excessive amount;
upset. Examples: Despair overwhelmed Tim. Our team
overwhelmed the other team in the game by 40 points.
But then, neither will MSG.
Cooks around the world have remained dedicated 供奉
to MSG, even though they may not know it by that
name. As hydrolyzed soy protein or autolyzed yeast 自溶
酵母, it adds flavor to the canned chicken broth 湯and to
the packs of onion soup mix used by American home
cooks, and to the cheese Goldfish crackers and the low-
fat yogurts in many lunchboxes.
It is the taste of Marmite in the United Kingdom, of
Golden Mountain sauce in Thailand, of Goya Sazón on
the Latin islands of the Caribbean, of Salsa Lizano in
Costa Rica and of Kewpie mayonnaise 蛋黃醬,美乃滋 in
Japan. .....
Medicine. He had experienced numbness 麻木, palpitations發抖 and weakness after eating in Chinese
restaurants in the United States, and wondered
whether the monosodium glutamate used by cooks here
(and then rarely used by cooks in China) might be to
blame.
The consequences for the restaurant business, the food
industry and American consumers were immediate and enormous 龐大的. MSG, a common flavor enhancer and
preservative used since the 1950s, was tagged 標籤 as
a toxin, removed from commercial baby food and
generally driven underground by a new movement
toward natural, whole foods.
Tag = A strip of paper attached to something to identify, e.
g. sale tags. A small, loose fragment, e.g. tags and snippets
剪掉碎片.
“It was a nightmare for my family,” said Jennifer Hsu, a
graphic designer whose parents owned several Chinese
restaurants in New York City in the 1970s. “Not because
we used that much MSG — although of course we used
some — but because it meant that Americans came into
the restaurant with these suspicious 猜疑的, hostile
feelings.”
Even now, after “Chinese restaurant syndrome” has
been thoroughly debunked 揭穿 (virtually all studies
since then confirm that monosodium glutamate in normal
concentrations has no effect on the overwhelming 摧垮
majority of people), the ingredient has a stigma 污名
that will not go away.
Overwhelm = To surge over and submerge; affect deeply in
mind or emotion; present with an excessive amount;
upset. Examples: Despair overwhelmed Tim. Our team
overwhelmed the other team in the game by 40 points.
But then, neither will MSG.
Cooks around the world have remained dedicated 供奉
to MSG, even though they may not know it by that
name. As hydrolyzed soy protein or autolyzed yeast 自溶
酵母, it adds flavor to the canned chicken broth 湯and to
the packs of onion soup mix used by American home
cooks, and to the cheese Goldfish crackers and the low-
fat yogurts in many lunchboxes.
It is the taste of Marmite in the United Kingdom, of
Golden Mountain sauce in Thailand, of Goya Sazón on
the Latin islands of the Caribbean, of Salsa Lizano in
Costa Rica and of Kewpie mayonnaise 蛋黃醬,美乃滋 in
Japan. .....
Greenspan sees early signs of U.S. stagflation
Greenspan sees early signs of U.S.
stagflation
The U.S. economy is showing early signs of
stagflation [1] as growth threatens to stall [2]
while food and energy prices soar.
Greenspan said low inflation was a major
contributor to economic growth and prices must
be held in check. We are beginning to get not
stagflation, but the early symptoms of it.
Fundamentally, inflation must be suppressed.
The U.S. central bank has lowered its benchmark
[3] interest rate three times since mid-September
as a housing downturn, tightening credit
conditions, and steep food and energy prices
threaten to push the U.S. economy into recession.
But cutting rates can have the unwanted side
effect of pushing up prices, so the Fed finds itself
in a tricky[4] position of trying to revive growth
without spurring inflation.
Last week, U.S. data showed that wholesale
inflation rose at the highest rate in 34 years, while
consumer prices rose the most in more than two
years.
Greenspan repeated his assessment that the
probability of a U.S. recession had moved up
toward 50 percent but noted that corporate
America's debt levels were in good shape, which
should help cushion the blow from tightening
credit terms.
Greenspan also said real estate prices will stabilize
only when the overhang [5] of unsold
new-construction homes begins to ease, and
estimated that financial losses could be in the
range of $200 billion to $400 billion as securities
tied to failing subprime [6] mortgages lose value.
[1] Stagflation=Sluggish economic growth
coupled with a high rate of inflation and
unemployment.
[2] To stall = To halt
[3] Benchmark = Something used for comparing
and measuring other things.
[4] Tricky = Difficult to deal with
[5] Overhang = Hang over something
[6] Subprime lending, B-paper, near-prime,
or second chance lending is the practice of
making loans to borrows who do not qualify for
the best market interest rates because of their
deficient credit history. Subprime lending
encompasses a variety of credit instruments such
as subprime mortgages.
SOURCE Greenspan sees early signs of U.S.
stagflation Reuters Dec 16, 2007
stagflation
The U.S. economy is showing early signs of
stagflation [1] as growth threatens to stall [2]
while food and energy prices soar.
Greenspan said low inflation was a major
contributor to economic growth and prices must
be held in check. We are beginning to get not
stagflation, but the early symptoms of it.
Fundamentally, inflation must be suppressed.
The U.S. central bank has lowered its benchmark
[3] interest rate three times since mid-September
as a housing downturn, tightening credit
conditions, and steep food and energy prices
threaten to push the U.S. economy into recession.
But cutting rates can have the unwanted side
effect of pushing up prices, so the Fed finds itself
in a tricky[4] position of trying to revive growth
without spurring inflation.
Last week, U.S. data showed that wholesale
inflation rose at the highest rate in 34 years, while
consumer prices rose the most in more than two
years.
Greenspan repeated his assessment that the
probability of a U.S. recession had moved up
toward 50 percent but noted that corporate
America's debt levels were in good shape, which
should help cushion the blow from tightening
credit terms.
Greenspan also said real estate prices will stabilize
only when the overhang [5] of unsold
new-construction homes begins to ease, and
estimated that financial losses could be in the
range of $200 billion to $400 billion as securities
tied to failing subprime [6] mortgages lose value.
[1] Stagflation=Sluggish economic growth
coupled with a high rate of inflation and
unemployment.
[2] To stall = To halt
[3] Benchmark = Something used for comparing
and measuring other things.
[4] Tricky = Difficult to deal with
[5] Overhang = Hang over something
[6] Subprime lending, B-paper, near-prime,
or second chance lending is the practice of
making loans to borrows who do not qualify for
the best market interest rates because of their
deficient credit history. Subprime lending
encompasses a variety of credit instruments such
as subprime mortgages.
SOURCE Greenspan sees early signs of U.S.
stagflation Reuters Dec 16, 2007
Warner Backs Blu-ray, Tilting DVD Battle
Warner Backs Blu-ray, Tilting DVD
Battle
在荷利活為著用那新一代DVD技術 (Blu-ray 或 HD
DVD) 而爭吵, 美國華納公司决用 Blu-ray discs!
Hollywood’s squabble (荷利活爭吵), with Warner
Brothers casting (選) the deciding vote (表決) in
favor of the company’s Blu-ray discs over the rival
format, HD DVD.With Warner on board, Blu-ray
now has about 70 percent of the market locked
up.
While the specifics (詳情,細節) of the Blu-ray and
HD DVD skirmish (小衝突) might be of interest
only to insiders, the consequences of deciding a
winner are not. Consumers have been largely
sitting on the sidelines (旁線), waiting to buy high-
definition players until they see which will have the
most titles available. Retailers have been
complaining about having to devote space to
three kinds of DVDs. And the movie business has
delayed tapping a lucrative new market worth
billions.
squabble 爭吵 /ˈskwɑbəl / To argue about
something unimportant.
cast 選/kæst/to vote in an election
specifics 詳情,細節 /spɪˈsɪfɪks/ particular and
exact details.
skirmish 小衝突/ˈskɚmɪʆ/ a fight between
small groups of people.
sidelines 副職; 界線; 界線; 局外人的觀點
/ˈsaɪdlaɪn/ one of the two lines that form the
edges of a field where sports are played, and the
area just outside these lines; something that you
do to earn money in addition to your regular job
on the sidelines not taking part in an activity even
though you want to.
devote 專用; 奉獻 /dɪˈvoʊt/ give
tap 開發/tæp/ to gently hit your fingers or foot
against something; to use or take what you need
from a supply of something.
lucrative 賺錢的,有利可圖的/ˈlukrətɪv/making
you earn a lot of money.
Battle
在荷利活為著用那新一代DVD技術 (Blu-ray 或 HD
DVD) 而爭吵, 美國華納公司决用 Blu-ray discs!
Hollywood’s squabble (荷利活爭吵), with Warner
Brothers casting (選) the deciding vote (表決) in
favor of the company’s Blu-ray discs over the rival
format, HD DVD.With Warner on board, Blu-ray
now has about 70 percent of the market locked
up.
While the specifics (詳情,細節) of the Blu-ray and
HD DVD skirmish (小衝突) might be of interest
only to insiders, the consequences of deciding a
winner are not. Consumers have been largely
sitting on the sidelines (旁線), waiting to buy high-
definition players until they see which will have the
most titles available. Retailers have been
complaining about having to devote space to
three kinds of DVDs. And the movie business has
delayed tapping a lucrative new market worth
billions.
squabble 爭吵 /ˈskwɑbəl / To argue about
something unimportant.
cast 選/kæst/to vote in an election
specifics 詳情,細節 /spɪˈsɪfɪks/ particular and
exact details.
skirmish 小衝突/ˈskɚmɪʆ/ a fight between
small groups of people.
sidelines 副職; 界線; 界線; 局外人的觀點
/ˈsaɪdlaɪn/ one of the two lines that form the
edges of a field where sports are played, and the
area just outside these lines; something that you
do to earn money in addition to your regular job
on the sidelines not taking part in an activity even
though you want to.
devote 專用; 奉獻 /dɪˈvoʊt/ give
tap 開發/tæp/ to gently hit your fingers or foot
against something; to use or take what you need
from a supply of something.
lucrative 賺錢的,有利可圖的/ˈlukrətɪv/making
you earn a lot of money.
Aggressive interest rate cut
Aggressive interest rate cut
強力減息 (這文章含有大量經濟生字!)
Casting aside 拋棄 any hesitation 猶豫 about an
aggressive interest rate cut, investors sent stocks
soaring to their highest gains in five years on Tuesday as
shares of financial firms surged 高漲 in the hopes that the
Federal Reserve has finally taken hold of 抓握 the credit
crisis. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 420
points.
[Tim lost hold of the rope and fell to the ground. David has a
good hold on physics; David is good at physics. Japan has a
firm hold on the complex issues; Japan has a complete
control on the complex issues.]
The surge began at the opening bell after two big
investment banks, Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs,
delivered stronger-than-expected earnings. It faltered 衰
退 only briefly after the Fed’s announcement in the
afternoon that it would cut its benchmark 基準 interest
rate by three-quarters of a point, with the Dow tacking 增
補 on nearly 300 points in the final hour and a half 最後個
半鐘.
The rally capped 勝過;超過 a week of extraordinary efforts
on the part of the central bank to restore confidence 恢復
信心 to financial markets after the near collapse of Bear
Stearns (一間抆投資公可名字), one of Wall Street’s most
venerable investment banks.
The three-quarter point cut (0.75%) amounted to a
strong dose of financial adrenaline, though some
investors had expected an even deeper cut.
But as stock investors enjoyed the euphoria, ominous 不祥
的 signs appeared elsewhere in the market. Widening
spreads on mortgage 抵押and short-term debt 短期的借款
indicated that the Fed’s actions may not have cut to the
heart of the current crisis: the lack of willingness among
financial institutions to lend to one another.
Shares of financial firms, however, continued to surge in
late trading as they recovered from a severe beating on
Monday. Lehman Brothers, whose share price plummeted
筆直落下 19 percent a day earlier as rumors swirled 打旋;
紛亂 that the bank was facing liquidity problems, gained
back all its losses after reporting a 57 percent decline
57% 下降 in net income for the first quarter.
Goldman Sachs reported a 53 percent earnings decline,
also better than Wall Street estimates 估計, and its
shares rose 16 percent, to $175.59. MF Global, the
commodities brokerage firm that plummeted in value on
Monday, gained back 35 percent, to $8.17.
The Fed’s cut to its benchmark lending rate will lower the
cost of mortgages, car loans, and other consumer
transactions. But it can also lead to higher prices and a
devalued dollar.
“It’s a mild recovery and it’s a logical response to
yesterday’s hard sell-off. In general the fundamentals 基
礎的on many commodities remain sound despite jitters 緊
張不安 over global financial markets,” said Joel Crane, a
commodities strategist at Deutsche Bank.
Crude oil (原油) gained to settle at $109.42 a barrel (一
桶). Gold fell below $1,000 a troy 金衡制 ounce and the
dollar gained ground against the euro, which settled at
$1.5630.
Dow Surges 420 Points on Fed Rate Cut and Earnings New York
Times Published: March 18, 2008
強力減息 (這文章含有大量經濟生字!)
Casting aside 拋棄 any hesitation 猶豫 about an
aggressive interest rate cut, investors sent stocks
soaring to their highest gains in five years on Tuesday as
shares of financial firms surged 高漲 in the hopes that the
Federal Reserve has finally taken hold of 抓握 the credit
crisis. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 420
points.
[Tim lost hold of the rope and fell to the ground. David has a
good hold on physics; David is good at physics. Japan has a
firm hold on the complex issues; Japan has a complete
control on the complex issues.]
The surge began at the opening bell after two big
investment banks, Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs,
delivered stronger-than-expected earnings. It faltered 衰
退 only briefly after the Fed’s announcement in the
afternoon that it would cut its benchmark 基準 interest
rate by three-quarters of a point, with the Dow tacking 增
補 on nearly 300 points in the final hour and a half 最後個
半鐘.
The rally capped 勝過;超過 a week of extraordinary efforts
on the part of the central bank to restore confidence 恢復
信心 to financial markets after the near collapse of Bear
Stearns (一間抆投資公可名字), one of Wall Street’s most
venerable investment banks.
The three-quarter point cut (0.75%) amounted to a
strong dose of financial adrenaline, though some
investors had expected an even deeper cut.
But as stock investors enjoyed the euphoria, ominous 不祥
的 signs appeared elsewhere in the market. Widening
spreads on mortgage 抵押and short-term debt 短期的借款
indicated that the Fed’s actions may not have cut to the
heart of the current crisis: the lack of willingness among
financial institutions to lend to one another.
Shares of financial firms, however, continued to surge in
late trading as they recovered from a severe beating on
Monday. Lehman Brothers, whose share price plummeted
筆直落下 19 percent a day earlier as rumors swirled 打旋;
紛亂 that the bank was facing liquidity problems, gained
back all its losses after reporting a 57 percent decline
57% 下降 in net income for the first quarter.
Goldman Sachs reported a 53 percent earnings decline,
also better than Wall Street estimates 估計, and its
shares rose 16 percent, to $175.59. MF Global, the
commodities brokerage firm that plummeted in value on
Monday, gained back 35 percent, to $8.17.
The Fed’s cut to its benchmark lending rate will lower the
cost of mortgages, car loans, and other consumer
transactions. But it can also lead to higher prices and a
devalued dollar.
“It’s a mild recovery and it’s a logical response to
yesterday’s hard sell-off. In general the fundamentals 基
礎的on many commodities remain sound despite jitters 緊
張不安 over global financial markets,” said Joel Crane, a
commodities strategist at Deutsche Bank.
Crude oil (原油) gained to settle at $109.42 a barrel (一
桶). Gold fell below $1,000 a troy 金衡制 ounce and the
dollar gained ground against the euro, which settled at
$1.5630.
Dow Surges 420 Points on Fed Rate Cut and Earnings New York
Times Published: March 18, 2008
AMERICAN SLANG
Highintoxicated on drugs such as
cocaine, marijuana or alcohol
Hip-shootera person who acts or talks in a
rash, impetuous way , always
talking without thinking
History Something in the past;
One that is no longer worth
consideration. Example: Why
should we worry about her? She's
history!
HitA successful or popular venture
hit on =To pay unsolicited and
usually unwanted sexual
attention to.
hit up=To approach and ask
(someone) for something,
especially for money.
hit it big =To be successful
Hole upTo hide; o take refuge in or as if in
a hideout.
Honchoboss; manager, leader
Hookerprostitute
HotStrong sexual attraction or desire;
stolen. Make it hot for =To make
things dangerous for
HuffyIrritated or annoyed; angry
HungryExperiencing a desire or need for
something; eager to make money
HustleTo solicit customers; to obtain
something by deceitful or illicit
means; hurry up
HypedTo publicize or promote, especially
by extravagant, inflated, or
misleading claims.
HyperOver-excited; high-strung.
I.D.Identification Example: Show me
your I.D.
InFashionable. Example What is the
in thing to wear this season?
To lie or sit outside in the sun; to
get some sunshine.
cocaine, marijuana or alcohol
Hip-shootera person who acts or talks in a
rash, impetuous way , always
talking without thinking
History Something in the past;
One that is no longer worth
consideration. Example: Why
should we worry about her? She's
history!
HitA successful or popular venture
hit on =To pay unsolicited and
usually unwanted sexual
attention to.
hit up=To approach and ask
(someone) for something,
especially for money.
hit it big =To be successful
Hole upTo hide; o take refuge in or as if in
a hideout.
Honchoboss; manager, leader
Hookerprostitute
HotStrong sexual attraction or desire;
stolen. Make it hot for =To make
things dangerous for
HuffyIrritated or annoyed; angry
HungryExperiencing a desire or need for
something; eager to make money
HustleTo solicit customers; to obtain
something by deceitful or illicit
means; hurry up
HypedTo publicize or promote, especially
by extravagant, inflated, or
misleading claims.
HyperOver-excited; high-strung.
I.D.Identification Example: Show me
your I.D.
InFashionable. Example What is the
in thing to wear this season?
To lie or sit outside in the sun; to
get some sunshine.
AMERICAN SLANG
boo-boomistake
boozealcohol
breadmoney
breakA sudden or marked change; a pause;
opportunity
bring-downTo move something or somebody to a
lower position; depressing
bucka dollar; an amount of money. The buck
stops here = The ultimate responsibility
stops here.
bummed outTo depress, dishearten, or dismay.
bummera beggar; adverse reaction to a
hallucinogenic drug; bad experience.
bustTo smash or break forcefully; a failure
buy it To be killed.
callprediction; to predict Example. It is often
difficult to call the outcome of a football
game.
cana room or building equipped with one or
more toilets; bathroom; to terminate the
employment of.
carbcarburetor (vehicle); carbohydrate.
catch some raysTo lie or sit outside in the sun; to get
some sunshine.
boozealcohol
breadmoney
breakA sudden or marked change; a pause;
opportunity
bring-downTo move something or somebody to a
lower position; depressing
bucka dollar; an amount of money. The buck
stops here = The ultimate responsibility
stops here.
bummed outTo depress, dishearten, or dismay.
bummera beggar; adverse reaction to a
hallucinogenic drug; bad experience.
bustTo smash or break forcefully; a failure
buy it To be killed.
callprediction; to predict Example. It is often
difficult to call the outcome of a football
game.
cana room or building equipped with one or
more toilets; bathroom; to terminate the
employment of.
carbcarburetor (vehicle); carbohydrate.
catch some raysTo lie or sit outside in the sun; to get
some sunshine.
AMERICAN SLANG
Ace - Very good, Example: an ace
scientist. Idiom: An ace in the hole = a
hidden advantage
Action - Organized activity; Excitement
Airhead - Stupid person. Example: Tim is
a real airhead.
All wet - Completely wrong; Entirely
mistaken. Idiom: Wet behind the ears =
inexperienced; green.
Armpit - The most undesirable place in a
particular area.
Awesome - Remarkable; outstanding;
great. Example: An awesome football
game.
Barf - Vomit. Example. Tim barfed all over
the seat during the flight.
Bashed - To criticize (another) harshly
and threateningly. A celebration; a party.
A heavy, crushing blow.
Beat - To perplex or baffle. Exhausted.
Example: It beats me; I have no idea
about the answer. To be superior to or
better than. Example: Swimming beats
walking.
Beemer - BMW
Benched - To seat on a bench. Taken out
of the game, activities etc. Example: The
goalie was benched out for fighting.
scientist. Idiom: An ace in the hole = a
hidden advantage
Action - Organized activity; Excitement
Airhead - Stupid person. Example: Tim is
a real airhead.
All wet - Completely wrong; Entirely
mistaken. Idiom: Wet behind the ears =
inexperienced; green.
Armpit - The most undesirable place in a
particular area.
Awesome - Remarkable; outstanding;
great. Example: An awesome football
game.
Barf - Vomit. Example. Tim barfed all over
the seat during the flight.
Bashed - To criticize (another) harshly
and threateningly. A celebration; a party.
A heavy, crushing blow.
Beat - To perplex or baffle. Exhausted.
Example: It beats me; I have no idea
about the answer. To be superior to or
better than. Example: Swimming beats
walking.
Beemer - BMW
Benched - To seat on a bench. Taken out
of the game, activities etc. Example: The
goalie was benched out for fighting.
AMERICAN SLANG
Boss: An employer or a supervisor.
First-rate; topnotch. Excellent; great.
Chicken: A coward.
Crap: An act of defecating. Foolish,
deceitful. Something worthless.
Eyeball: to stare long and hard at
someone or something.
Glitch: A minor malfunction, mishap; flaw.
Guts: courage.
Humungous: Variant of humongous.
Really big.
Kick back: relax and enjoy.
Mellow: Slightly and pleasantly
intoxicated. Pleasantly high from a drug.
Relaxed.
Munch out: to eat voraciously.
Nuke: cook something in the microwave
oven.
Spunk: Spirit; pluck.
Totally: really; completely.
Wheels: car; motorcycle. A person with a
great deal of power or influence
Yank: A Yankee. Bother; harass.
First-rate; topnotch. Excellent; great.
Chicken: A coward.
Crap: An act of defecating. Foolish,
deceitful. Something worthless.
Eyeball: to stare long and hard at
someone or something.
Glitch: A minor malfunction, mishap; flaw.
Guts: courage.
Humungous: Variant of humongous.
Really big.
Kick back: relax and enjoy.
Mellow: Slightly and pleasantly
intoxicated. Pleasantly high from a drug.
Relaxed.
Munch out: to eat voraciously.
Nuke: cook something in the microwave
oven.
Spunk: Spirit; pluck.
Totally: really; completely.
Wheels: car; motorcycle. A person with a
great deal of power or influence
Yank: A Yankee. Bother; harass.
AMERICAN SLANG
amigo: friend (from Spanish).
bang: loud hit or knock; a very powerful thing.
butt: the buttocks. Butt out: To leave someone alone.
To leave; depart.
couch potato: a person who watches too much
television.
fab: fabulous; wonderful.
goof off: waste time. One who shirks work or
responsibility.
hickey: a love bite on the skin.
in: fashionable.
K (k): a thousand.
kook: A person regarded as peculiar, strange,
eccentric, or crazy.
loser: a bungling and worthless person.
okay: Approval; decent.
peanuts: very little money
pee: to urinate.
quick and dirty: done fast, but not well.
rat: To betray one's associates by giving information;
To work as a scab laborer. A despicable person.
riot, a : something or someone very funny.
scum: impurities, dirt; a despicable individual.
solid: Firm, hard; really good; cool.
ticker: A watch; the heart. A telegraphic instrument
that receives news reports and prints them on paper
tape.
threads: clothing.
to the max: maximum.
turn-off: something that repulses a person.
Turn-offs: Things or events that decrease a person's
sexual arousal.
upchuck: vomit or experience vomiting..
whitebread: bread made with bleached or
unbleached wheat flour; plain; boring.
wrongo: wrong.
bang: loud hit or knock; a very powerful thing.
butt: the buttocks. Butt out: To leave someone alone.
To leave; depart.
couch potato: a person who watches too much
television.
fab: fabulous; wonderful.
goof off: waste time. One who shirks work or
responsibility.
hickey: a love bite on the skin.
in: fashionable.
K (k): a thousand.
kook: A person regarded as peculiar, strange,
eccentric, or crazy.
loser: a bungling and worthless person.
okay: Approval; decent.
peanuts: very little money
pee: to urinate.
quick and dirty: done fast, but not well.
rat: To betray one's associates by giving information;
To work as a scab laborer. A despicable person.
riot, a : something or someone very funny.
scum: impurities, dirt; a despicable individual.
solid: Firm, hard; really good; cool.
ticker: A watch; the heart. A telegraphic instrument
that receives news reports and prints them on paper
tape.
threads: clothing.
to the max: maximum.
turn-off: something that repulses a person.
Turn-offs: Things or events that decrease a person's
sexual arousal.
upchuck: vomit or experience vomiting..
whitebread: bread made with bleached or
unbleached wheat flour; plain; boring.
wrongo: wrong.
American Slang
antifreezea liquid mixture of ethylene glycol and alcohols to lower
its freezing point; alcohol.
B-ballbasketball.
beatTo perplex or baffle; tired.
boozealcohol; an alcoholic beverage.
diceyunpredictable; risky; involving or fraught with danger or
risk.
dirtextremely bad person; unethical behavior or practice;
corruption.
dudea male.
grandone thousand dollars.
grassmarijuana; idiom. The grass is always greener on the
other side of the fence.
hooker
prostitute
ickyDisagreeably sticky; unpleasant.
ivoriesteeth [Music. Piano Keys; Games. Dice.]
jamTo become wedged or stuck; improvise (musically).
john, thetoilet; a man who is a prostitute's customer.
knockTo find fault with; criticize; condemn.
laid backrelaxed; calm.
quarterbackleader; the football player calls the signals for the plays.
megabucks: One million dollars; a large amount of
money.
nukeA nuclear device or weapon; destroy; delete.
pad: One's apartment, room or home.
pig outeat too much.
pukevomit; one regarded as disgusting or contemptible.
pussthe face; the mouth; a cat or a girl.
rip offSteal; cheat; copy; fraud.
screw upmake a mistake.
specseyeglasses; spectacles.
suckto be bad and unacceptable.
turkeyA person considered inept or undesirable; failure; flop.
wadA large amount; roll of money.
its freezing point; alcohol.
B-ballbasketball.
beatTo perplex or baffle; tired.
boozealcohol; an alcoholic beverage.
diceyunpredictable; risky; involving or fraught with danger or
risk.
dirtextremely bad person; unethical behavior or practice;
corruption.
dudea male.
grandone thousand dollars.
grassmarijuana; idiom. The grass is always greener on the
other side of the fence.
hooker
prostitute
ickyDisagreeably sticky; unpleasant.
ivoriesteeth [Music. Piano Keys; Games. Dice.]
jamTo become wedged or stuck; improvise (musically).
john, thetoilet; a man who is a prostitute's customer.
knockTo find fault with; criticize; condemn.
laid backrelaxed; calm.
quarterbackleader; the football player calls the signals for the plays.
megabucks: One million dollars; a large amount of
money.
nukeA nuclear device or weapon; destroy; delete.
pad: One's apartment, room or home.
pig outeat too much.
pukevomit; one regarded as disgusting or contemptible.
pussthe face; the mouth; a cat or a girl.
rip offSteal; cheat; copy; fraud.
screw upmake a mistake.
specseyeglasses; spectacles.
suckto be bad and unacceptable.
turkeyA person considered inept or undesirable; failure; flop.
wadA large amount; roll of money.
SOME POPULAR SLANG PHRASES
A can of worms a big problem or
something that could create a big problem.
ASAP-As soon as possible
BFN-Bye for now
Big fish in a little pond a person who has
more skills than are necessary for his/her
position.
BRB-Be right back
BTW-By the way
FYI-For your information
JK-Just kidding
LOL-Laughing out loud
OIC-Oh I see
Out there Being weird, crazy and strange.
PLZ-Please
Pitch To tell someone your idea and hope
they will support you and help you out.
Shake it off To try to forget about
something by ignoring i
Strike while the iron is hot To take action
when an opportunity is presented.
THx-Thanks
TTYL-Talk to you later
something that could create a big problem.
ASAP-As soon as possible
BFN-Bye for now
Big fish in a little pond a person who has
more skills than are necessary for his/her
position.
BRB-Be right back
BTW-By the way
FYI-For your information
JK-Just kidding
LOL-Laughing out loud
OIC-Oh I see
Out there Being weird, crazy and strange.
PLZ-Please
Pitch To tell someone your idea and hope
they will support you and help you out.
Shake it off To try to forget about
something by ignoring i
Strike while the iron is hot To take action
when an opportunity is presented.
THx-Thanks
TTYL-Talk to you later
Small Talk
When you first meet someone, you always engage in small talk. If you do
not take part in this polite type of repartee, you'll be considered rude
and unfriendly.
________________________________________________
How are you?
Fine. How are you?
Nice weather, isn't it.
Yes, lovely. Beautiful day! Are you from around here?
___________________________________________________Hey, Dave, how's it going? / Dave, how ya' doing?
Great Yourself?
___________________________________________________Hello, I'm John Smith. I'm from J&J.
Hello, I'm Peter Simpson. I just arrived from Japan.
How are you? Welcome to the meeting.
How are you? Nice to meet you.
How was your flight? / How was your trip?
A little bumpy, but I am glad to be here.
Very nice, thank you.
Good. Did yo have a chance to rest?
Yes, I had a good night's sleep last night.
Well, fortunately, we have nice weather this week. /
How do you like this weather?
Yes, it's beautiful. When I left, it was raining in Tokyo. /
Yes, in Tokyo it gets hot and humid in the summer.
So, Mr. Simpson, where are you staying?
I'm at the Best Western Hotel.
May I ask how long you will be staying?
I'll be here for a week.
Very nice. Have you seen any sights yet?
Not yet, but Tuesday I plan to tour the city and see
everything.
Well, there are some bus tours of the city.
Sounds good.
I understand you are working on anti-aging drugs. I would
like to know more.
I hope we will have time to discuss them.
Great! Then let's get started....
That's good. Listen, it was very nice meeting you, but I see
someone I must say hello to. Please excuse me.
I need to refresh my drink.
Excuse me, I need to speak with my co-workers.
Yes, of course. It was nice talking to you.________________________________________________
What's going on? Nothing much. How about you?
What's up? Nothing..What's up with you?
How's it going? Great. And you?
What's happening? Not much. What's happening with you?
Hi. How'r ya' doing? Hi. How are you?
_________________________________________________
not take part in this polite type of repartee, you'll be considered rude
and unfriendly.
________________________________________________
How are you?
Fine. How are you?
Nice weather, isn't it.
Yes, lovely. Beautiful day! Are you from around here?
___________________________________________________Hey, Dave, how's it going? / Dave, how ya' doing?
Great Yourself?
___________________________________________________Hello, I'm John Smith. I'm from J&J.
Hello, I'm Peter Simpson. I just arrived from Japan.
How are you? Welcome to the meeting.
How are you? Nice to meet you.
How was your flight? / How was your trip?
A little bumpy, but I am glad to be here.
Very nice, thank you.
Good. Did yo have a chance to rest?
Yes, I had a good night's sleep last night.
Well, fortunately, we have nice weather this week. /
How do you like this weather?
Yes, it's beautiful. When I left, it was raining in Tokyo. /
Yes, in Tokyo it gets hot and humid in the summer.
So, Mr. Simpson, where are you staying?
I'm at the Best Western Hotel.
May I ask how long you will be staying?
I'll be here for a week.
Very nice. Have you seen any sights yet?
Not yet, but Tuesday I plan to tour the city and see
everything.
Well, there are some bus tours of the city.
Sounds good.
I understand you are working on anti-aging drugs. I would
like to know more.
I hope we will have time to discuss them.
Great! Then let's get started....
That's good. Listen, it was very nice meeting you, but I see
someone I must say hello to. Please excuse me.
I need to refresh my drink.
Excuse me, I need to speak with my co-workers.
Yes, of course. It was nice talking to you.________________________________________________
What's going on? Nothing much. How about you?
What's up? Nothing..What's up with you?
How's it going? Great. And you?
What's happening? Not much. What's happening with you?
Hi. How'r ya' doing? Hi. How are you?
_________________________________________________
Check in, complain..at the hotel
My room is too small... I would like to change my room.
I need a firm bed. Would you put a board under the
bed, please.
It's very noisy next door. I wonder if you could tell the
people to turn down the music.
Could you send up some towels please?
Do I have any messages?
I'd like to speak with the front desk.
I would like to check out. Would you prepare my bill,
please.
I wonder if you could tell me where there's a nice
restaurant nearby?
I need a firm bed. Would you put a board under the
bed, please.
It's very noisy next door. I wonder if you could tell the
people to turn down the music.
Could you send up some towels please?
Do I have any messages?
I'd like to speak with the front desk.
I would like to check out. Would you prepare my bill,
please.
I wonder if you could tell me where there's a nice
restaurant nearby?
Airline Ticket Reservations
When you are going to attend a meeting, you may need to reserve an air-ticket or a car. Here are same example-sentences.
________________________________________________
Hello. California AIrline. May I help you?
Yes, please, I'd like a nonstop flight from San Francisco to San Jose leaving April 4th. Can you tell me what's available?
Would this be for one person?
Yes, myself-and I would prefer an afternoon flight.
I'd prefer coach and an aisle seat.
On April 4th we have a flight that leaves San Francisco at 2:00 pm afternoon. But, it will stop in LA for a night.
That is fine. How much is that round-trip?
That depends on how long you're staying, and the day you fly back. Do you have a return date?
I'm afraid not. I'd better call back tomorrow when I have all the information.
Okay. Thank you for calling and choosing California Airline. Good-by.
________________________________________________
How long a trip is it?
How many hours does it take?
What does a business class cost?
Does it include any meals?
I would like a business class.
I would prefer a window seat.
How much is the one-way fare?
Are there any restrictions on my ticket?
What type of aircraft do you fly?
Will you send me the tickets, or do I have to pick them up at the airport?
Thanks for your help.
_________________________________________________
I am interested in renting a compact car for a few days.
Could you tell me what your rates are?
Do you have any AAA, corporate rates or discounts?
Could you tell me what the rates are for a full size car?
Where do I pick the car up?
How much is the insurance?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case, you decide to take a taxi...
Hey. You are going too fast...please slow down!
I cannot read your meter. What does it say?
Would you mind turning of the radio?
Would you mind stopping singing?
Could I get a receipt please?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
________________________________________________
Hello. California AIrline. May I help you?
Yes, please, I'd like a nonstop flight from San Francisco to San Jose leaving April 4th. Can you tell me what's available?
Would this be for one person?
Yes, myself-and I would prefer an afternoon flight.
I'd prefer coach and an aisle seat.
On April 4th we have a flight that leaves San Francisco at 2:00 pm afternoon. But, it will stop in LA for a night.
That is fine. How much is that round-trip?
That depends on how long you're staying, and the day you fly back. Do you have a return date?
I'm afraid not. I'd better call back tomorrow when I have all the information.
Okay. Thank you for calling and choosing California Airline. Good-by.
________________________________________________
How long a trip is it?
How many hours does it take?
What does a business class cost?
Does it include any meals?
I would like a business class.
I would prefer a window seat.
How much is the one-way fare?
Are there any restrictions on my ticket?
What type of aircraft do you fly?
Will you send me the tickets, or do I have to pick them up at the airport?
Thanks for your help.
_________________________________________________
I am interested in renting a compact car for a few days.
Could you tell me what your rates are?
Do you have any AAA, corporate rates or discounts?
Could you tell me what the rates are for a full size car?
Where do I pick the car up?
How much is the insurance?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case, you decide to take a taxi...
Hey. You are going too fast...please slow down!
I cannot read your meter. What does it say?
Would you mind turning of the radio?
Would you mind stopping singing?
Could I get a receipt please?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hotel Reservations
When you are going to attend a meeting, you may call ahead yourself
for reservations at a hotel.
________________________________________________
Hello. Best Western Hotel. May I help you?
Yes, please. This is Peter Smith. I am calling to make a
reservation for a single room for next week at your
hotel.
What do you have available for next week?
Can you tell me what the standard room rates are?
Do you have any special discounts?
Please book me at discount rate for two nights.
I'll be arriving before noon.
Does this rate include breakfast?
Can you tell me if that rate include breakfast, tax and
service?
Does it include dinner?
Does the room has two double beds?
Could I have a nonsmoking room?
How far are you from the downtown?
Could you tell me what kind of transportation is available
from the downtown?
How much would it cost for a bus?
I was wondering if you could make a breakfast
reservation for me.
I was wondering if there were any messages for me.
I appreciate your help.
for reservations at a hotel.
________________________________________________
Hello. Best Western Hotel. May I help you?
Yes, please. This is Peter Smith. I am calling to make a
reservation for a single room for next week at your
hotel.
What do you have available for next week?
Can you tell me what the standard room rates are?
Do you have any special discounts?
Please book me at discount rate for two nights.
I'll be arriving before noon.
Does this rate include breakfast?
Can you tell me if that rate include breakfast, tax and
service?
Does it include dinner?
Does the room has two double beds?
Could I have a nonsmoking room?
How far are you from the downtown?
Could you tell me what kind of transportation is available
from the downtown?
How much would it cost for a bus?
I was wondering if you could make a breakfast
reservation for me.
I was wondering if there were any messages for me.
I appreciate your help.
Negotiating Expressions
You make a deal or reach an agreement on the negotiating table.
Negotiation is an extension of the sales process. To negotiate you need the language of conceding, downplaying and exploring ideas.
Concession is the willingness to go along with something someone else wants to get what you want. Here are some examples:
________________________________________________
Conceding and exploring other possibilities...
I see your point, but don't you think it is also true that..?
Yes, I'll go along with that. Now, will you go along with me on my idea?
I'll buy that. Now let me explain something...
Exploring other possibilities...
What would happen if we bought a few more machines from you?
Is it possible to change the color for us?
Do you have any other ideas regarding this issue?
Perhaps you need to give this some additional thought before deciding.
_________________________________________________
To offer, to suggest, to propose, to settle...
I would like to recommend a 15 percent pay cut.
I suggest we redesign the manufacturing process.
I am offering a 1 percent commission on the sale.
Let's settle our disagreements before progressing further.
Can we compromise here?
I'll give a little, you give a little; maybe we can reach a compromise (an agreement).
We can talk about the proposal (contract, idea...).
May I suggest that we table (postpone) this discussion until next Monday?
We must figure a way to resolve our differences.
Let's consider this new proposal. (idea).
Can we resolve our differences in time to meet the deadline?
I do not know if this will resolve our differences.
We must figure a way to reach an agreement before the deadline.
Perhaps you can suggest a solution to this problem.
Let's make a deal!
Can we sign the contract before the deadline?
Tom will reject any opposing ideas.
Negotiation is an extension of the sales process. To negotiate you need the language of conceding, downplaying and exploring ideas.
Concession is the willingness to go along with something someone else wants to get what you want. Here are some examples:
________________________________________________
Conceding and exploring other possibilities...
I see your point, but don't you think it is also true that..?
Yes, I'll go along with that. Now, will you go along with me on my idea?
I'll buy that. Now let me explain something...
Exploring other possibilities...
What would happen if we bought a few more machines from you?
Is it possible to change the color for us?
Do you have any other ideas regarding this issue?
Perhaps you need to give this some additional thought before deciding.
_________________________________________________
To offer, to suggest, to propose, to settle...
I would like to recommend a 15 percent pay cut.
I suggest we redesign the manufacturing process.
I am offering a 1 percent commission on the sale.
Let's settle our disagreements before progressing further.
Can we compromise here?
I'll give a little, you give a little; maybe we can reach a compromise (an agreement).
We can talk about the proposal (contract, idea...).
May I suggest that we table (postpone) this discussion until next Monday?
We must figure a way to resolve our differences.
Let's consider this new proposal. (idea).
Can we resolve our differences in time to meet the deadline?
I do not know if this will resolve our differences.
We must figure a way to reach an agreement before the deadline.
Perhaps you can suggest a solution to this problem.
Let's make a deal!
Can we sign the contract before the deadline?
Tom will reject any opposing ideas.
How to downplay...
Downplaying is making something seem to be of lesser importance than it
is. Here are some examples:
________________________________________________
Now, you are a buyer.....
I have doubts about its practical use.
I am concerned about its safety.
I'm afraid it will be too expensive for us to maintain.
I'm afraid it's too expensive for my budget.
The problem is, I don't want to spend that much.
Nevertheless, we are concerned about it.
In any case, it is still too expensive.
Well, the problem for us is its cost, not its design.
The design is a minor point here; what matters is how much it costs.
However, I use a British system, and this software is for US system.
Is it possible to redesign the software for us?
Perhaps you need to give this some additional thought before deciding.
Besides, when you add sales tax and service plan, it's over my budget.
Humm. You know, I like the cheaper model better.
Wrap it up-I'll take it.
is. Here are some examples:
________________________________________________
Now, you are a buyer.....
I have doubts about its practical use.
I am concerned about its safety.
I'm afraid it will be too expensive for us to maintain.
I'm afraid it's too expensive for my budget.
The problem is, I don't want to spend that much.
Nevertheless, we are concerned about it.
In any case, it is still too expensive.
Well, the problem for us is its cost, not its design.
The design is a minor point here; what matters is how much it costs.
However, I use a British system, and this software is for US system.
Is it possible to redesign the software for us?
Perhaps you need to give this some additional thought before deciding.
Besides, when you add sales tax and service plan, it's over my budget.
Humm. You know, I like the cheaper model better.
Wrap it up-I'll take it.
How to persuade, motivate or reassure
Now, you are a salesman.....
Don't you agree the price is right?
Don't forget we are cheaper than our competitors.
You must admit it's a beautiful design.
There is no cause for concern.
Let me assure you that this is the best product on the market.
Let me assure you, it's a great value, and you don't need to buy a XXX or XXX.
As for future service, there is no cause for concern.
We guarantee it.
You don't have to worry about competition when you use this product.
Don't you agree the price is right?
Don't forget we are cheaper than our competitors.
You must admit it's a beautiful design.
There is no cause for concern.
Let me assure you that this is the best product on the market.
Let me assure you, it's a great value, and you don't need to buy a XXX or XXX.
As for future service, there is no cause for concern.
We guarantee it.
You don't have to worry about competition when you use this product.
How to say NO!?
How to say NO!?
There are different ways to say NO. Easy and polite expressions are important to keep the relationship. Here are some examples to reject an
invitation politely:
________________________________________________
Please join us for a dinner.
I'm sorry, I can't. I'm busy.
I 'd love to go to dinner with you, but I'm afraid I can't.
I've made a prior commitment. I'm sorry.
I'd love to, but I'm busy.
Yes, that's a terrific idea, but you know, now that I think
of it, I can't. I'll be at home with my boyfriend.
I'd love to, but I've got to run (gotta run).
Sorry I can't, I'm tied up right..
It's very nice of you to think of me. However, there is a
important prior commitment I must take care of...but I do
appreciate your asking.
I'm busy, but thanks for asking.
Well, I'm not sure....let me think about it.
Hmm...I'm not sure. Maybe.
Well, let's see how the project turn out.
I'm sorry, something has come up. But thanks for thinking
of me.
Oh, I'm so sorry. I'd love to but I can't. Thank you for
inviting me.
Please accept my apologies. I'll be unable to join you, but
thank you for asking.
I am sorry to have to say "No,' but I do appreciate your
asking me.
That's kind of you to ask, thank you. I wish I could, but I'm
afraid I must go home.
Greeting
Greeting
A: Hi, How's it going? How are you doing?B: Great / Just great. Not bad / Not too bad / I can't complain.
Not so good. I've got a cold. / Oh, it's really crazy.
How about you? / And you? /
A: No so good. I've got a cold.B: Oh? That's too bad.A: Well, I'll be just like a new in no time.B: Take it easy, and I hope you get better soon.
Leaving
B: Uh oh. I've got to get moving. I've got a meeting soon.A: It was great seeing you.
Small Talk-In an elevator
A: What floor?B: Fourth, please.A: Great weather, isn't it?B: Yeah. I really love hot weather.A: Well, have a good day.
Say hello to your family for me.
A: Hi, How's it going? How are you doing?B: Great / Just great. Not bad / Not too bad / I can't complain.
Not so good. I've got a cold. / Oh, it's really crazy.
How about you? / And you? /
A: No so good. I've got a cold.B: Oh? That's too bad.A: Well, I'll be just like a new in no time.B: Take it easy, and I hope you get better soon.
Leaving
B: Uh oh. I've got to get moving. I've got a meeting soon.A: It was great seeing you.
Small Talk-In an elevator
A: What floor?B: Fourth, please.A: Great weather, isn't it?B: Yeah. I really love hot weather.A: Well, have a good day.
Say hello to your family for me.
Presentation
Discussing Trends- Charts and Graphs
Here are some useful phrases.
Increasing Trends[A gentle rise, a modest increase, a sharp rise, a rapid climb]
The line shows a rising movement.
The line shows an increase.
Product A has advanced the most rapidly.
Product A has the second greatest increase.
Product A has only gradually increased in sales.
Sales of product A have risen sharply.
Sales of product A have risen rapidly.
Sales of product A have risen dramatically.
Sales of product A have jumped.
Sales of product A shot up.
Sales of product A skyrocketed.
Sales of product A have advanced nicely.
Sales of product A have gone up nicely.
Sales of product A have improved slowly.
Sales of product A made some improvement.
Decreasing Trend[A steep plunge, a dramatic fall]
Product A has dropped suddenly.
Product A has dropped slumped.
Product A has taken a dive.
Product A has steeply declined.
Sales of product A have plunged.
Sales of product A have plummeted.
Sales of product A have collapsed.
Flat or Fluctuating trends
Product A remained flat.
Product A remained steady.
Product A remained the same.
Peak
Product A peaked at $8 million in winter, then declined rapidly back to the $1 million level by spring.
Product A fell to its lowest point in summer, then, climbed to 6 million dollars by winter.
Examples
In 2001, there was a steep decline in productivity plummeting to a 8 percent decrease in productivity. In 2002, productivity rose gradually, peaking at a 5 percent increase in late 2002.
Between 2003 and 2004, productivity fluctuated between +2 and -2 percent; it then remained stable in 2005.
In 2006, productivity climbed up to a high of 12 percent, and maintained that same level in 2007.
Between 2000 and 2003 we saw a steady increase in growth, which decreased slightly in 2003, then rose rapidly and reached a peak at 8 million dollars in 2004.
As you can see, growth plummeted in 2005, but we managed to bring growth up to the 5 million dollars level by 2006.
Here are some useful phrases.
Increasing Trends[A gentle rise, a modest increase, a sharp rise, a rapid climb]
The line shows a rising movement.
The line shows an increase.
Product A has advanced the most rapidly.
Product A has the second greatest increase.
Product A has only gradually increased in sales.
Sales of product A have risen sharply.
Sales of product A have risen rapidly.
Sales of product A have risen dramatically.
Sales of product A have jumped.
Sales of product A shot up.
Sales of product A skyrocketed.
Sales of product A have advanced nicely.
Sales of product A have gone up nicely.
Sales of product A have improved slowly.
Sales of product A made some improvement.
Decreasing Trend[A steep plunge, a dramatic fall]
Product A has dropped suddenly.
Product A has dropped slumped.
Product A has taken a dive.
Product A has steeply declined.
Sales of product A have plunged.
Sales of product A have plummeted.
Sales of product A have collapsed.
Flat or Fluctuating trends
Product A remained flat.
Product A remained steady.
Product A remained the same.
Peak
Product A peaked at $8 million in winter, then declined rapidly back to the $1 million level by spring.
Product A fell to its lowest point in summer, then, climbed to 6 million dollars by winter.
Examples
In 2001, there was a steep decline in productivity plummeting to a 8 percent decrease in productivity. In 2002, productivity rose gradually, peaking at a 5 percent increase in late 2002.
Between 2003 and 2004, productivity fluctuated between +2 and -2 percent; it then remained stable in 2005.
In 2006, productivity climbed up to a high of 12 percent, and maintained that same level in 2007.
Between 2000 and 2003 we saw a steady increase in growth, which decreased slightly in 2003, then rose rapidly and reached a peak at 8 million dollars in 2004.
As you can see, growth plummeted in 2005, but we managed to bring growth up to the 5 million dollars level by 2006.
Presentation
At work, you may need to present reports to coworkers from
time to time. The format of presentation must be clear and
well-organized. A perfect presentation usually has
introduction, body and conclusion.
The language of presentations used in the presentation is
very important, as it connect sentences or thoughts.
Introduction
I would like to begin (start) by ....
There is a debate going on....
Body
First of all...
Secondly...
Thirdly...
Next (or Additionally)..
Finally (or Last of all)
In the first place, second, third...
To give examples..For example
For instance
An example of this is....
To contrasthowever
on the other hand
To comparesimilarly
likewise
To emphasizeabove all
especially important
To summarizeto sum up
To explainbecause
therefore
Conclusion
Finally...
In conclusion, let me say that....
To summarize...
Let me conclude by saying.....
time to time. The format of presentation must be clear and
well-organized. A perfect presentation usually has
introduction, body and conclusion.
The language of presentations used in the presentation is
very important, as it connect sentences or thoughts.
Introduction
I would like to begin (start) by ....
There is a debate going on....
Body
First of all...
Secondly...
Thirdly...
Next (or Additionally)..
Finally (or Last of all)
In the first place, second, third...
To give examples..For example
For instance
An example of this is....
To contrasthowever
on the other hand
To comparesimilarly
likewise
To emphasizeabove all
especially important
To summarizeto sum up
To explainbecause
therefore
Conclusion
Finally...
In conclusion, let me say that....
To summarize...
Let me conclude by saying.....
Mastering Meetings
Listen & say it right!!
Language of Meeting
The language of meetings can be divided into four categories.
Agreement / Disagreement
Agreement / DisagreementI agree with you.
I agree with David.
I'm in favor of it. It's a great idea.
I support your idea.
You are right.
I like your idea.
That's a good idea, plan, suggestion, analysis...
DisagreementI think we may have a disagreement.
I cannot agree with you.
I don't agree with you. I don't see it in that way.
Personally, I'm against it. I don't think it's cost-effective.
That's an interesting point, idea, opinion, but I don't agree.
I don't think that will work. I'm against that because...
I disagree with you.
I see a number of problems with this.
By all means, let's try it.
Making Suggestions
I would like to suggest that we look again at our budget for the year.
I think we should...
I have an idea. Why don't we...
Expressing Certainty or Doubt
I am sure (certain) that... (it will work, this plan will work, they will comply with the rules).
I am sure it will work.
I am confident (that) (they will make the deal with us)
I am confident the benefits will outweigh the costs.
I am not certain (sure) (that it will work, she will buy out her partner)
It is unlikely to work.
I have doubts (that it will work, we can make the deal).
Do we have the money to do a good job?
Asking for Help
I'm sorry. I did not follow you.
I didn't catch that. What did you say?
Excuse me, would you mind repeating that, please?
I wonder if you would mind repeating that for me.
Would you mind spelling that name for me?
STOP
OKay. Let's stop here. We have a disagreement at this point. Let's continue our discussion this weekend.
Language of Meeting
The language of meetings can be divided into four categories.
Agreement / Disagreement
Agreement / DisagreementI agree with you.
I agree with David.
I'm in favor of it. It's a great idea.
I support your idea.
You are right.
I like your idea.
That's a good idea, plan, suggestion, analysis...
DisagreementI think we may have a disagreement.
I cannot agree with you.
I don't agree with you. I don't see it in that way.
Personally, I'm against it. I don't think it's cost-effective.
That's an interesting point, idea, opinion, but I don't agree.
I don't think that will work. I'm against that because...
I disagree with you.
I see a number of problems with this.
By all means, let's try it.
Making Suggestions
I would like to suggest that we look again at our budget for the year.
I think we should...
I have an idea. Why don't we...
Expressing Certainty or Doubt
I am sure (certain) that... (it will work, this plan will work, they will comply with the rules).
I am sure it will work.
I am confident (that) (they will make the deal with us)
I am confident the benefits will outweigh the costs.
I am not certain (sure) (that it will work, she will buy out her partner)
It is unlikely to work.
I have doubts (that it will work, we can make the deal).
Do we have the money to do a good job?
Asking for Help
I'm sorry. I did not follow you.
I didn't catch that. What did you say?
Excuse me, would you mind repeating that, please?
I wonder if you would mind repeating that for me.
Would you mind spelling that name for me?
STOP
OKay. Let's stop here. We have a disagreement at this point. Let's continue our discussion this weekend.
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