Dialogue 6
EXPECTING A PHONE CALL

Laurance-Was i hat the telephone ringing?
Soony- I didn't hear anything.
Laurance-I thought I heard it ring two or three times.
Soony- Sometimes when the windows are open, you can
hear the neighbors' phone.
Laurance-Well, I'm expecting an important phone call, and
I don't want to miss it.
Soony- Is it anything I should know about?
Laurance-Not really. It has something to do with work and
doesn't really affect us here at home.
Soony- Well, why don't you go ahead and do what you wanted
to do outside. I'll call you if the phone rings for you.
Laurance-Thanks. I think I will. I've been waiting so long
now I'm getting nervous. I need to relax outdoors.

注解:
1. Not really.= It is not really anything you should know about.
2. have something to do with work:与工作有关.这是个常用句型.have 动词之后可用nothing,something,anything也可用a lot,agreat deal,little等词替换.
3. waiting so long now(that)I'm getting nervous:口语中so...that结构中的that常省略.

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Dialogue 7
WHY DIDN'T CALL US?

Laurance-When did you get here?
Soony- Just a few minutes ago.
Ikea- We've been waiting for almost an hour.
Soony- I'm sorry, but I had car trouble--a flat tire.
Laurance-Oh. That's too bad. Couldn't you have telephoned?
Soony- I was going to, but I didn't have any change for a pay phone.
Ikea- You could have gotten some change in a store.
Soony- Not really. The tire went flat out on the edge of town. There wasn't any place to call from.
Ikea- WelL at least you're here now. No need to wait any longer. So let's get started!

注解:
a flat tire:轮胎瘪了
Could you have telephoned?此句用虚拟语气,有"你该做而没有做"的责备之意.