English Recordings

A．Have you changed your email address lately?
B．No. Why?
A．The email bounced back.

A．I've heard what happened. Are you OK?
B．You were right all along. She just wanted to use me.
A．Just forget about her.

A．I'm very disappointed with our new boss.
B．See? You didn't believe me when I said he's useless.
A．You were right all along.

(Customer :) Good evening!
(Waiter :) Good evening !
(Customer:) a table for one, please!
(Waiter:) ok, follow, me. Here is the menu. What do you want to eat?
(Customer:) I’ll have fish and green beans, and a coke, please.
(Waiter:) I’m sorry, we don’t have fish today…
(Customer :) ok! I’ll have beef, then!
(Waiter:) Do you want a dessert?
(customer:) Yes, can I have some chocolate cake?
(Waiter:) here is your food! Enjoy your meal!

As you may know, vinegar has a sharp, acrid taste, but honey has a smooth, sweet taste. The way you form phrases and sentences can also come across as sharp and biting, or smooth and sweet. There are even many native English speakers who don't understand this concept. It is very important, however, and can make or break a relationship or partnership. I would like to show you some examples.

Vinegar: "Please have this finished by tomorrow." Although the polite word please is used, this is still a command.
Honey: "Would it be possible for you to finish this by tomorrow? I would really appreciate it." The person completing this task will be much more likely to complete it on time, because they have been asked politely.

Vinegar: "You can't write the sentence that way." First of all, this uses you, which immediately points an imaginary finger at the reader. Then, can't is used, which is a strong word, saying something isn't possible or isn't allowed.
Honey: "It is best to avoid writing the sentence that way." This changes the statement from a reprimand to advice.

Vinegar: "I can't make it to your house by 5 o'clock." This is very cut and dried, and doesn't include even a hint of apology.
Honey: "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it by 5 o'clock." This includes an apology, and saying "I don't think I can..." is more gentle than "I can't".

Vinegar: "You made a mistake. That's not my address." Again, the word you points a finger, and the second part is very short and blunt.
Honey: "Do you have a minute to check my address? I think there might be a mistake." This first asks if the person has time, then asks them to check instead of saying it's wrong. Finally, even though the person speaking knows there is a mistake, it's more gentle to say that there might be a mistake.

In today's world of too little time, too much anger, to-do lists that are too long, too many bills to pay, and all the other things that make life overwhelming, speaking this way to others can brighten their mood and provide a pleasant reprieve from the cares of life.

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? It's incredible to think about all the training these athletes have done in preparation for competing in Sochi.

Rather than write about the various sports that people participate in in the Olympic games, I'd like to introduce some of the forms of exercise people use to get in shape. (Please notice that the phrase is not get in a shape, because then shape is used to mean a circle, square, triangle, etc. The meaning of shape in this case is condition.)

The women in this picture are at a fitness center. These places are also sometimes called health clubs, gyms, or fitness clubs. They have a lot of equipment to help people build up or condition certain areas of the body. For example, some machines help a person work on arm strength, others work on flexibility, still others help to develop endurance.

It is not necessary to have equipment, however, to exercise. A person can work out at home, using stretching exercises and calisthenics, such as sit-ups, push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges, and jumping jacks.

Another type of exercise is core training. In this training, a person concentrates on the core muscles, which include the hips, trunk and shoulders.

Body-building is a form of exercise with the goal of developing the muscles, often to an extreme degree, and often for competition. Even women are interested in body-building, although not as many as men.

Many doctors say that one of the best exercises is walking. This doesn't mean strolling at a leisurely pace, but walking quite fast. Some people prefer running, but there can be some risks to the knees with less than adequate running gear.

There are many, many more forms of exercise. One website which has information on several of them is this one. It has several lists and many pictures.

I think the main idea is to exercise, no matter the form of exercise you choose. Once you find one that really interests you and that you can commit to, you'll be more likely to stick to it. Good luck!

Iron Man
Superman
Spider Man
Hawkeye
Hulk

Conversation 3
Teller: Hi. What can I do for you today?
Customer: I would like to withdraw $300.00 out of my savings account, please. Here is my account information.

Teller: Do you have a picture ID?
Customer: Yes. I have my driver’s license.
Teller: Here is your $300.00.

Conversation 4

Loan Officer:Hi. How can I help you today?
Customer:I would like to apply for a car loan.

Loan Officer:OK. Just fill out this loan application. Let me know if you have any questions.
Customer:OK. Thank you.

Customer:Hi. I would like to deposit my paycheck, please.
Teller: Do you want to deposit it into your savings or checking account?

Customer: I would like to put $200.00 into my savings account and the rest into my checking account.
Teller: Do you need any cash?
Customer: Yes. $50.00.

Customer: Hi. I would like to open a savings account, please.
Teller: Sure. Just fill out this application and bring it to me when you are finished.

Customer: Ok. Thank you.
A few minutes later…

Customer:Here is the application for a savings account.
Teller: To open a new savings account, you have to deposit at least $25.00.
Customer: Ok.