听说 Unit 3 · Making Invitations

WMr. Jones, you are leaving Guangzhou the day after tomorrow. I was wondering if you have any plans for tomorrow evening.

MNot at the moment. Why?

WIf not, our managing director would like to invite you to a dinner party.

MOh, that won't be necessary.

WWe really want to play host.

MHow nice of you!

WThe party will be held at the Park Hotel at seven tomorrow night. Will that be convenient for you?

MYes, I'll be delighted to go.

WShall I pick you up at your hotel at six o'clock tomorrow?

MThat's fine. Hope it won't be too troublesome for you.

WNo trouble at all.

MShall I wait in the lobby of the hotel?

WNo, I'll give you a call when I arrive.

MVery good, thank you. See you then.

WSee you tomorrow.

WYes, I think we've covered most of the points.

MGood. Are you going to be in London for a few days, Christina?

WYes, until the beginning of next week.

MWell, my wife and I have invited some friends for dinner tomorrow and, if you haven't got any plans, we were wondering if you'd like to come.

WThat's very kind of you, Brian. I'd be delighted to come.

MHow did you like the meal, Jill?

WOh, it was very good.

MWell, if you like English cooking, would you like to have dinner at my house? Maybe sometime next week before you go back to Sweden?

WYes, that would be very nice, Brian. I'd like that very much.

WSo it's been a good day, Brian. I think we've sold nearly twenty computers.

MNot bad for one day. Oh, Emily, some of us are going for a drink after the exhibition has finished. How about joining us?

WThanks. Good idea. Where shall we meet?

MSo in a few days you'll be back in Paris, Sally.

WNo, tomorrow evening actually. I've changed my flight.

MOh, then, if you are free this evening perhaps you'd like to come round for a meal. Nothing special but …

WThat's very kind of you, Brian, but I don't think I can. It's my last night and, I've still got a lot of work to do.

MWell, maybe next time.

1. AIf you're free this evening, would you like to go out for a meal?

BThank you very much, Tom, but I'm afraid I've already made arrangements for tonight.

2. AIf you're not doing anything special, why don't you come and spend the weekend with us?

BI'm afraid we can't. One of the children is ill. Anyway, thanks for asking.

3. AWe're having some people over for a barbecue on Saturday. Can you come?

BWhat a pity! We've got some friends staying all weekend.

4. AWhat about a quick drink on the way back?

BThanks, Tom, but I really should get back to the office.

5. AMr. Johnson asked me to phone you to see if you'd like to have lunch with him after the meeting on Thursday.

BThat's very nice of him but I don't think I'll be able to. I've got to be in Melbourne on Friday, so I'll have to get the train down on Thursday afternoon.

1. MWould you like to go to the movies with me on Tuesday?

WI wish I could, but I'm having dinner at my sister's.

Q: What will the woman do on Tuesday? — C. Eat at her sister's home.

2. MWere you invited to Jenny's birthday party?

WI was. It should be really fun.

Q: What are they talking about? — C. Jenny's birthday party.

3. MI was thinking maybe you'd want to go to our dinner party.

WOh. I don't think that's a good idea.

Q: What does the woman mean? — B. She doesn't want to go to the party.

4. WThis is Michael Smith's secretary. He would like to invite you to dinner next Friday.

MI'd like to come, but I have an appointment that day.

Q: What does the woman want to do? — A. Invite the man to dinner.

5. WWould you like to look around the department on Wednesday morning? I'm sure we could arrange it.

MSorry, but I have a meeting that day. Can we make it on Thursday afternoon?

Q: When will the man be free? — D. Thursday afternoon.

WUh … I'm playing golf with a friend of mine who manages a department store and I thought you might like to meet her.

MThat's very kind of you. When are you playing?

WSunday at the Green Hill Club. We're starting at ten in the morning.

MWell, that sounds great. I'd love to come.

WShall we meet for breakfast in the clubhouse before we start? Say 9:00?

MExcellent. I'll see you there then.

Q1: What does the woman want the man to do this Sunday morning? — C. Meet a friend of hers.

Q2: When do they agree to meet on Sunday morning? — A. 9:00.

WDavid! I wanted to thank you for all your hard work on the budget. We're having a get-together after work tonight at Kitty's Club to celebrate having finished it. We'd love to see you there.

MWhat fun! Normally I'd love to, but I'm afraid I have to work late tonight. We've got to get the contract ready for Miss Green.

WOh, right. You're busy with that contract. Maybe you could join us later?

MUnfortunately, I just can't make it this time. I have to go straight home. It's my third wedding anniversary, and we're supposed to be having a big dinner. Jenny would kill me if I missed it.

WHappy anniversary! Sorry you won't be there. Maybe some other time?

MYeah, maybe. Thanks, anyway. Hope you guys have a great time!

Q3: What's the possible relationship between the man and the woman? — D. Colleagues.

Q4: Why can't the man go to the get-together? — B. He has to work on the contract.

Q5: What would he celebrate with his wife? — C. Their third wedding anniversary.

Dear Mr. William Smith,

We, ABC Office Products, on behalf of our management, take immense (1) pleasure in inviting Mr. William Smith to attend the (2) opening ceremony of our new office in New York. It will begin sharp at 9 a.m., June 6th.

We have been (3) running this company successfully for the past twenty years and after having 5 branches we are going ahead and opening a new branch. This would not have been possible today without the (4) efforts and devotion of our management and employees. So we invite each and every employee to attend this program as they too are (5) a vital part of this company.

Yours Truly,

Arthur Sanders

Managing Director

Here are some ways you can make a positive impression when you're invited to someone's home for a party. First, when you receive an invitation to an event, make it a priority to respond to the invitation even if you cannot attend. When people send invitations they expect a response in a timely manner. Don't let your name appear on the unconfirmed list and have your host continue to wonder why you don't show the common courtesy of responding. Then, offer to come early. If you have ever hosted an event at your home, you know the amount of planning and preparation that goes into making it special for everyone. If the people hosting the event are close friends or family, then offer to come early to help with the set-up. Even if they don't accept your offer, they will appreciate you asking.

Q1: What is the passage mainly about? — How to make a positive impression.

Q2: How should you respond even if you can't attend? — In a timely manner.

Q3: Where would your name appear if you don't respond? — On the unconfirmed list.

Q4: What would you know if you have hosted an event? — The amount of planning and preparation.

Q5: How will the hosts feel if you offer to come early? — They will appreciate you asking.