Paula: We've been here for two hours, and we haven't finished a thing yet. Mike: Look, I wrote the story, so I know what to do. Paula: But you're not telling people their roles. Mike: I'm resting now. I'll direct everybody in a minute. Paula: We have to practice or else we won't win like the last three years in a row. Mike: Whatever. I'm going for a drink. Paula: Darn it, Mike! We have to get this done! We don't have much time left.
讲解:
1. 对话中,学校的话剧团在为公演紧张地排练。排练已经开始了2个小时了,但是什么都没有排出来,编剧兼导演Mike却一点都不着急,他说,Look, I wrote the story, so I know what to do. 故事是我写的,所以我知道怎么做。
2. 但是别人不知道该怎么做,Mike 应该跟大家说说各自的角色。tell people their roles,给大家讲解每个人的角色安排,这是导演该做的工作。可是现在Mike想休息了,一会再给大家做指导。direct这个词表示“担任导演,指导演员的演出”,后面可以是人或者是导演的作品,比如说,Who directed the play? 这出戏是谁导演的?
3. in a minute表示“很快,马上”,例如:Our guests will be here in a minute! 客人们马上就到了!关于minute还有一个在口语中常用的短语,就是Just a minute! 稍等,等一下!比如说,有人在敲你们家的门,而这时你正好在做别的事情,你就可以说Just a minute! 再比如,Just a minute! Let me put your tie straight. 等一下,我帮你正正领带。
4. Paula劝Mike说We have to practice or else we won't win like the last three years in a row.我们必须得排练了,要不然就无法像前三年一样三连胜了。or else,表示“要不然…”,用来警告、恐吓别人。先说出你的期望,再用or else把可能的后果完整说出,当然也可以只说or else,让对方自己想象后果,效果更好!用一个对话来做例子,---You'd better finish your soup, or else...---Or else what? ---你最好把汤喝完,要不然…---要不然怎样?
5. 我们现在再来说说这个in a row,表示“连续”,这句话可以有两种解释,一个是像对话中那样“不能像前三年一样三连胜”。但是如果Paula说完...won't win之后,停顿一下再说like the last three years in a row,这样的意思正好相反,表示“会像之前那样连续三年没有赢过”。所以这里的断句很重要,大家在听的时候要仔细琢磨。
6. Mike可不管那么多,他说要出去喝一杯再回来,I'm going for a drink. 这里go for something,表示“选择某事物”,比如说,I think I'll go for the fruit salad. 我想我还是要水果沙拉吧。whatever 这个词用在口语中表示“爱怎么就怎样,不管那么多”。还可以表示惊讶或困惑的语气,例如,Whatever do you mean? 你究竟是什么意思?You're going to keep snakes! Whatever next? 你要养蛇?下一步还想干什么?