Richard and Victor are in Washington. They are in the hotel now.
— So we are in Washington, D. C.
— D. C? What does the D. C. stand for?
— District of Columbia. It's a special federal district.
— Is it part of the state of Washington?
— No, it doesn't belong to any of the fifty states. Washington State is very far from the capital.
— I see. I'd like know what the neighboring states are.
— The neighboring states are Maryland and Virginia.
— Oh, yes. I read about it in one of the magazines. But I don't remember how large the District is.
— It isn't very large. And the buildings aren't very tall.
— No skyscrapers?
— No. No structure is allowed to be taller than the Capitol.
— Ah, that's why our hotel isn't tall.
— How do you like it?
— It's great. The Ramada Innis a first-class hotel.
— Well, it isn't really first class, but it's not bad.
— But I don't know anything about tipping yet.
— You have a tipping guide in the Amtrak timetable. It's a very useful thing to have, even for Americans.
— What's this guide for?
— Tips differ from place to place. Some places are very expensive and you give larger tips. Some are cheap and give smaller tips for services.
— I guess the tipping guide is really useful!
***
| -I like Washington more than New York. -I want to visit the Smithsonian Institution. -I don't want to stay here too long. -I can't attend the lecture in the afternoon. -I don't want to spend another day sightseeing. -I can't stand any more museums. | -So do I. -I do too. -I don't either/ neither do I. -Neither can I. -I do. (А я хочу) -I can. (А я могу) |
***
| — I like Mr. Robertson. I think he's very intelligent and sincere (искренний) — I like his wife. I think she's very modest and friendly. — Have you seen their house? I like it - it's probably not very modern, but it looks okay. — I don't like Mr. Fisher. He doesn't seem sincere. Do you like him? | — Yes, I like him too. I think he's very nice. — Yes, I like her too. She's nice. — Yes, I like it too. You always feel welcome there. — No, I don't. I don't like insincere people either. |
At a Hotel
Be sure not to miss the breakfast in an English hotel. If you are touring, you may not have to stop for lunch after a good English breakfast.
A. I wonder whether you have any vacancies for tonight.
В. Yes, I can offer you Room 24 on the first floor.1
A. How much is it?
В. £27.50 a night excluding service.
A. Can I see it, please?
В. Certainly. Would you take a seat for a moment?
1first floor: the floor above street level.
***
— Have you a single room two nights?
— Yes, but only on the top floor.
— What price is it?
— £34 with service and TV.
— Fair enough. Can you show me the room, please?
— Of course. Would you like to follow me?
***
— Can I book a double room from now until Friday?
— You can have Room 33, overlooking the sea.
— What's the price?
— £ 28.75 not counting the service.
— Can I have a look at it please?
— Yes, of course. Come this way.
***
— Have you got a twin bedded room for one night?
— I can let you have a room at the back.
— What does it cost?
— With a private bath, £31, service included.
— Can you show me something a little cheaper?
— Yes, of course. I won't keep you a moment.
Finding a Room
When inquiring about a room it is always a good idea to ask at the beginning whether laundry and heating are included in the price.
If you want to share a flat, look in the 'flats to let' column of an evening paper for advertisements like: 4th Girl shr. s/c Hampstead fit. 01-134 2343 evenings. This means that a fourth girl is required to share a self-contained flat in Hampstead, and that enquiries should be made by telephone in the evenings.
A. I believe you take in foreign students.
В. Yes, if you don't mind sharing.
A. How much is it?
B. £39 per week including heating.
A. Do you think I could have a look at it, please?
B. We're having it decorated at the moment. Will Friday do?1
1will Friday do?: will Friday be all right?
***
— I've been told you might have a vacant room.
— Yes, I've got a spare single.
— What are your terms?
— £37 for bed and breakfast.
— Could I have a look at the room, please?
— It's a bit awkward just now. Could you come tomorrow?
***
— A friend told me I might find some accommodation here.
— Yes, I'll have a room free after the weekend.
— What's the price of the room?
— £36 a week, but I can't do heating.
— Do you mind if I come in?
— Come in by all means, but it's in a terrible mess.
***
— I wonder if you can help me. I'm looking for a room.
— I have got a vacancy, yes.
— What are your terms?
— £40 a week excluding laundry.
— Would it be convenient to see the room?
— Can you call back later? We're right in the middle of lunch.
Complaining
The English are reluctant to complain, and when they do so it is often in a somewhat apologetic manner. All the examples given here are rather strong.
A. I wish you wouldn't have your TV so loud.
В. Sorry! Were you trying to sleep?
A. Yes, and while I think of it - please ask when you borrow the iron.
В. I really ought to have known better. Sorry!
***
— Do you think you could keep the noise down a bit?
— Sorry! Have I been keeping you awake?
— Yes, and another thing - would you mind not using my toothpaste?
— I'm sorry. I thought you didn't mind.
***
— That radio's terribly loud. Could you turn it down a fraction?
— Sorry! Is it disturbing you?
— Yes, and something else - wouldn't it be an idea to buy your own soap?
— Sorry! I didn't realize you felt so strongly about it.
Комментарии
Перевод.
Cab является синонимом слова taxi. От него образуется слово cabbie — таксист.
Within walking distance — в пределах досягаемости пешком. Ср. within sight из предыдущего урока.
Fare означает плата за проезд.
Tip — чаевые.
To tip — давать на чай. Если Вы даете на чай, то скажете по-русски: «сдачи не надо», а по-английски "keep the change".
Suite — обратите внимание на произношение (это французское заимствование читается не по правилам) и на значение (мы это слово тоже позаимствовали у французов, и значения свита и сюита у него есть и в английском, но в английском оно значит также гостиничный номер из нескольких комнат, номер-люкс).
To stand for something (букв, стоять вместо чего-то) —означать что-то. Так говорят, когда что-то называется не напрямую, а, например, через сокращения: «D. С.» stands for District of Columbia.
To belong to — принадлежать (кому-то, чему-то). Обратите внимание, что в русском предлога нет, а по-английски после этого глагола обязательно употребления предлога to.
Free значит не только свободный, но и бесплатный.
In what way? значит каким образом?, в чем?
Речевые формулы
| AGREEMENT DISAGREEMENT | СОГЛАСИЕ НЕСОГЛАСИЕ |
| So do I. I do too. | Я тоже. |
| I don't. | Я — нет. |
| I don't either. Neither do I. | И я — нет. |
| Neither can I. | И я не могу. |
| I do. | А я — (хочу, люблю…) |
| I can. | А я — могу. |
| Согласитесь: | He согласитесь: |
| I like the book. I hate the picture. I can't stand the woman. I don't like loud music. I don't drink coffee in the evening. I love driving. I dream of going home soon. I can't understand that man. I love playing chess. | I can't understand the film. I don't like the man. I can't speak French. I can't ask such questions. I don't know New York. I don't sleep well on the train. I can't sleep in the plane. I don't play tennis. I can't drive. |
| PRAISE and CRITICISM | ПОХВАЛА и НЕОДОБРЕНИЕ |
| I like him (her, etc.) I think (believe he is) I like it. I think it's ... Yes, I like ... too. No, I don't like ... | Мне он, (она и т. д.) нравится. Я считаю, что он ... Мне (это) нравится. Мне кажется, это ... Да, мне тоже ... нравится. Нет, мне ... не нравится. |