House Hunting　购屋大作战

Dialogue A

Zoe and Burt are looking for a new house.

Zoe:Look! I found some great houses in the newspaper we can visit.

Burt:OK. I'll look at them later.

Zoe:You agreed that we would move to a bigger house, but it seems like I'm the only one who has kept the ball rolling.

Burt:I know. I guess I'm just nervous about it right now.

Zoe:Well, I still want to move, but we need to decide on this together. The ball is in your court now. Let me know when you make up your mind.

柔依和伯特正在找新房子。

柔　依：你看!我在报纸里找到一些好房子，我们可以去看看。

伯　特：好。我等会儿再看。

柔　依：你答应说我们要搬到大一点的屋子，不过好像只有我在找而已。

伯　特：我知道。我想现在我只是对这件事情有点紧张罢了。

柔　依：嗯，可是我还是想搬家，不过事情要我们两人一同决定。现在就看你要怎么做了。你决定好再告诉我吧。

Dialogue B

The next day, Burt apologizes to Zoe.

Burt:I'm sorry I wasn't being helpful. I know I originally said we would look for a new house together.

Zoe:Yes, you did. Frankly, I was really excited about decorating a new house. I think we would have a ball.

Burt:You're right. It would be great. I promise that from now on, I'll be on the ball.

Zoe:I'm so happy to hear that! Now go get the newspaper. I bet there are some new houses in it today.

隔天，伯特向柔依道歉。

伯　特：很抱歉我都没帮上忙。我知道原先我说过我们会两个人一起找新房子。

柔　依：是啊，你是这么说过。坦白讲，我对装潢新房子这件事真是超兴奋的。我想我们会做得很开心。

伯　特：妳说得没错。一定会很好玩。我保证从现在起，我会更投入。

柔　依：我真高兴听到你这么说!现在快去拿报纸吧。我敢说今天报上一定有一些新房子。

Building Your Vocabulary

1.apologize vi. 道歉，谢罪

You must apologize for the trouble you caused.

你必须为你惹出来的麻烦致歉。

2.frankly adv. 坦承地，坦率地

Frankly, I don't agree with your opinion.

老实说，我不同意你的意见。

Phrases for Learning

1.keep the ball rolling　　使事情继续进行

While the boss was on vacation, his son kept the ball rolling with the project.

老板去度假的时候，这个企划的执行就由他儿子负责。

2.the ball be in + 所有格 + court　　现在轮到某人(做出反应或采取行动)

I left Fiona a note. Now the ball is in her court.

我留了一张便条给菲欧娜。现在就看她怎么做了。

3.have a ball　　玩得很开心

Josie and May had a ball in Las Vegas.

乔西和阿梅在拉斯韦加斯玩得很开心。

4.be on the ball　　投入的，有反应的

Randy wasn't on the ball because he didn't sleep well last night.

兰迪有点没进入状况，因为他昨晚睡得不太好。

Tips In Use

I bet there are some new houses in it today.

(我敢说今天报上一定有一些新房子。)

本句虽然用了 bet 这个字，却没有要跟任何人打赌的意思。"I bet..."在口语中表『我敢肯定……』。以下为各位读者介绍其它跟 bet 有关的常见口语用法：

1.You bet!　　的确∕当然∕一点不错!

A: Would you like some ice cream?

B: You bet!

(甲：你要吃点冰淇淋吗?　　乙：当然啰!)

2.You can bet your bottom dollar + that 子句　　有把握∕确信……

You can bet your bottom dollar that it'll rain this afternoon.

(今天下午铁定会下雨。)