Ôn lại:
State=tiểu bang.
hole=lỗ
Golf=banh “gôn”, trò chơi trên sân cỏ mịn (golf course), mỗi người dùng gậy riêng (gọi là club), đánh vào trái banh (golf ball) cho rơi vào 9 hay 18 lỗ; ai đánh ít nhất mà đưa banh về đủ các lỗ và về trước thì thắng. Phần lớn sân gôn có 18 lỗ.
Golf course=sân chơi banh “gôn”.
Average=trung bình
Average American family=gia đình người Mỹ trung bình.

CUT 1

Question of the Week.

Larry: Question of the Week. .
Max: This week’s question is How many? .
Max: Now it’s time to answer last week’s question. The question is: How many? Listen carefully. How many? Kathy, are you ready to play Question of the Week? .
Kathy: Yes, I am. .
Max: OK. Here’s your first question. Question number one: How many states are there in the United States? How many states are there in the United States? .
Kathy: I know that. There are fifty states in the United States. .
Max: That’s right. Fifty states. Now question number 2: How many holes are there in a golf course? How many holes are there in a golf course? .
Kathy: A golf course? Let’s see. I don’t play golf. But I think there are ...18. Is it 18? .
Max: Yes, you’ve got it. There are 18 holes in a golf course. Ready for question 3? .
Kathy: Sure, go ahead. .
Max: Question number 3: How many children are there in an average American family? How many children are there in an average American family? .
Kathy: The average American family? I’d say two or three. Let’s say two. .
Max: Two is correct. The average American family has two children. You did very well. .
Kathy: Thank you. .
Max: Thanks for playing our game. .

MUSIC

Vietnamese Explanation

Sau đây chúng ta nghe câu chuyện giữa bài Story Interlude:

Kathy looks for a vegetarian restaurant= Kathy muốn tìm tiệm bán đồ ăn chay.
Vegetarian=người ăn chay.
vegetable=rau.
Meat=thịt.
Steak=thịt thái từng miếng dầy để nướng hay rán, thường chỉ thịt bò= beefsteak; nhưng chữ steak cũng chỉ thịt lợn/heo hay cá cắt từng miếng lớn và dầy. Khi ăn dùng dao có răng cưa để thái cho dễ gọi là steak knife. Tiệm ăn chuyên làm thịt bò nướng hay rán gọi là Steak house.
a recommendation=lời giới thiệu. Động từ to recommend=suggest. Can you recommend a good restaurant?= bạn có biết tiệm ăn nào ngon chỉ cho tôi không?
They serve delicious vegetarian food=tiệm ấy dọn nhiều món ăn chay ngon.
We’ll give it a try=chúng tôi sẽ tới ăn thử xem.
folks=people=guys=tiếng thân mật nghĩa là “mấy người, các bạn”.
Favorite=ưa thích nhất.
Chuckle=cười nhẹ.

CUT 2

[tiếng giấy xột xoạt, tiếng bấm nút]

Larry: Well, folks, we’re off the air.
Max ' Kathy: Thanks, Larry.
Kathy: Say, Max, I’m going out to dinner this weekend with my friend Anne.
Kathy: Can you recommend a good restaurant?
Max: Sure. How about Sutter’s Steak House? It’s my favorite restaurant.
Kathy: It sounds good...but I’m a vegetarian.
Max: Oh, I didn’t know you were a vegetarian. I’m a meat eater myself. And my son, well, he eats hamburgers, hamburgers, hamburgers!
[Tiếng mở cửa, tiếng kéo ghế trên sàn]
Kathy: Well, I love all vegetables. And sometimes I’ll eat fish.
Eliz: Hi everyone! What’s up?
Max: Elizabeth, do you know a nice vegetarian restaurant?
Eliz: (chuckles) For you, Max? Mr. Steak?
Kathy: I’m the vegetarian here. I’m looking for a place for dinner this weekend.
Eliz: Oh, I ate at a great place. It’s called “The Garden.” They serve delicious vegetarian food. And they serve fish too.
Kathy: Sounds perfect.
Eliz: It’s nice. And it’s not too expensive.
Kathy: Well, we’ll give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation.
Eliz: You’re welcome.
Larry: Ready for Functioning in Business.

MUSIC

Vietnamese Explanation

Sau đây là phần Functioning in business, một lớp về thương mại trình độ trung cấp, chú trọng về các tập tục và lối làm việc trong thương trường. Bài học hôm nay là “Confirming Plans, Part 1, hỏi lại cho chắc những dự tính, phần 1.” Phần chương trình này chú trọng vào cách hỏi để dành chỗ trước hay đổi ngày giờ hẹn tại nhà hàng, this program focuses on making and changing restaurant reservations.
Xin nghe trước mấy chữ trong đoạn tới:

a boss=người xếp, người chủ, cấp chỉ huy.
to make a reservation=dành trước. [to reserve a table]
to arrange a meeting=hẹn trước ngày giờ gặp.
Business lunch=bữa ăn trưa và bàn công việc.

Bây giờ nghe ông Epstein hẹn dành chỗ trước ở nhà hàng.

CUT 3

Interview: Epstein. Making reservations for business lunch.
Larry: Phone interview.
Eliz: On today’s program I’ll be taking with Michael Epstein. Mr. Epstein is in his office, in San Jose, California.
[tiếng điện thoại reo]
Eliz: Hello, Mr. Epstein.
Epstein: Hello.
Eliz: The last time we talked, we discussed your phone call with Mr. Blake.
Epstein: Yes, that’s right. He and I talked on Monday, just after he arrived in San Francisco. And then, on Tuesday, Mr. Blake and I had lunch together. Afterwards, we drove around San Francisco.
Eliz: You told him that you were going to arrange a meeting with your boss, Ms. Shirley Graham.
Epstein: For a lunch meeting on Wednesday, yes. I made a reservation for 12:15 on Wednesday, at a nice little restaurant in San Mateo.
Eliz: San Mateo?
Epstein: Yes, it’s just south of the San Francisco Airport.
Eliz: Now, let’s listen to your phone call to the restaurant. We’ll see how you made the reservation.

MUSIC

Vietnamese Explanation

Trong phần tới quí vị nghe ông Epstein hẹn dành chỗ trước ở nhà hàng. Để ý đến ngày giờ hẹn, và số người tới ăn. Ông cũng xin dành một bàn yên tĩnh để trong khi ăn còn bàn công chuyện.

I’d like to make a reservation for tomorrow at 12:00=Tôi muốn dành chỗ trước vào 12 giờ trưa mai.
I do have a table at 12:15=chúng tôi có bàn trống lúc 12:15. [do dùng để nhấn mạnh]
How would that be?= Như vậy có tiện không?
That would be just fine= Được.
Could I have a quiet table, please?=Xin cho chúng tôi ngồi chỗ yên tĩnh được không?
We’ll be discussing business=chúng tôi sẽ bàn công chuyện.
Xin nghe ông Epstein gọi điện thoại dành chỗ trước ở nhà hàng Jackson Grill. [grill=vỉ hay mặt lò nướng]

CUT 4

Dialog: Lunch reservation.

Larry: Dialog.
Larry: Let’s listen in while Mr. Epstein calls the Jackson Grill to make a reservation for lunch.
Woman: Jackson Grill. Can I help you?
Epstein: Yes, I’d like make a reservation for tomorow at 12:00.
Woman: For how many people?
Epstein: There will be three of us.
Woman: Let’s see. I’m sorry, but I don’t have table at 12:00. I do have a table at 12:15. How would that be?
Epstein: That would be just fine. Could we have a quiet table, if possible? We’ll be discussing business.
Woman: I’m sure we can arrange that. Could I have your name, please? Epstein: Sure, it’s Epstein. Mike Epstein.
Woman: Could you please spell that?
Epstein: Certainly. It’s Epstein...E-P-S-T-E-I-N.
Woman: OK. Mr. Epstein. We’ll see you tomorrow, Wednesday, at 12:15.
Epstein: Thank you.

MUSIC

Vietnamese Explanation

Trong phần Variations, quí vị nghe cách nói một ý bằng hai cách. Thí dụ trong câu,";I’d like to make a reservation for tomorrow at 12:00,” thì có thể nói, “I’d like to reserve a table for tomorrow at 12:00.”

CUT 5

Larry: Variations. Listen to these variations.
Eliz: Yes, I’d like to make a reservation for tomorrow at 12:00.
Larry: I’d like to reserve a table for tomorrow at 12:00.(pause)
Eliz: For how many people?
Larry: How many people will there be?(pause)
Eliz: How would that be?
Larry: Would that be OK?(pause)
Eliz: Could we have a quiet table, if possible?
Larry: Would it be possible for us to have a quiet table?(pause)
Eliz: Could I have your name, please?
Larry: Could you please give me your name?(pause)

Vietnamese Explanation

Trong phần tới, cô Elizabeth phỏng vấn ông Epstein xem ông có hẹn ăn trưa được không.

To confirm=hỏi lại cho chắc. Tương tự: To check, make sure=hỏi kỹ lại.

CUT 6

Interview: Epstein, lunch plans.

Eliz: You were able to get a table for 12:15.
Epstein: That’s right. They were busy at 12:00. So I needed to check with Ms. Graham to confirm that this time was good for her. And then I needed to confirm the time with Mr. Blake.
Eliz: Well, Mr. Epstein, that’s all for today. Thank you very much for being on our show.
Epstein: It’s been my pleasure.
Eliz: Let’s take a short brake.

MUSIC

Vietnamese Explanation

Quí vị vừa học xong bài học thứ 54 trong chương trình Anh ngữ Sinh Động, New Dynamic English. Phạm Văn xin kính chào quí vị thính giả và xin hẹn gặïp lại trong bài học kế tiếp.