あなたの英会話はこのレベルに達していますか。

著者：スティーブン コリンズ

局員： Hi Mrs Johnson, I haven't seen you for ages. What have you been up to?

ジョンソン夫人： Bringing up three screaming kids and putting up with a nagging husband. I could really do with a week on my own… and then I could get down to sorting myself out.

局員： I know how you feel. We all need time to gather our thoughts and escape from the relentless stress of our daily lives.

ジョンソン夫人： Oh dear. You sound worse than me.

局員： Not really… You should know by now that you must take everything I say with a pinch of salt… Now what can I do for you today?

ジョンソン夫人： Well, I must get these parcels off to Australia before Christmas. What's the quickest way?

局員： You can send it by Swiftair. It guarantees three day delivery… but it'll work out more expensive than the run of the mill postal service.

ジョンソン夫人： Yes I know, but it has to be done so I might as well go for it.

局員： Fine…but you'd better get a move on. Last post leaves at 12.30.