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Two Friends |
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Two Friends |
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STEP 3 |
Listening and Checking with transcription |
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In this last step, listen to the conversation again while you read the transcription. Finally, read the glossary information and notes at the bottom. This step also means good practice for your reading comprehension skills. |
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One friend tells how his employers have failed to offer him a position that he feels is rightfully his, according to an earlier agreement they had made with him. Their conversation moves from concern over the personal incident to an informative use of language. Let's listen to them... |
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Click on PLAY |
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FRIEND 1 |
They
said that?... that you weren't qualified for the job? |
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FRIEND 2 |
Yes. Just like that. |
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FRIEND 1 |
But
what about
all the experience you've had in...? |
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FRIEND 2 |
Exactly. That's what I told them. But it carries no weight because... |
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FRIEND 1 |
They
just don't approach it that way at all, you mean? But how can they!! |
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FRIEND 2 |
Well,
they can as long as no one challenges them. And no one has until now. |
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FRIEND 1 |
You have, then? |
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FRIEND 2 |
Oh, yes. I asked for a meeting at which they should explain just what they meant by the phrase they used... |
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FRIEND 1 |
In
that letter you told us about? |
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FRIEND 2 |
Yes.
And after about an hour of discussion it became clear that it didn't
mean anything at all. |
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FRIEND 1 |
It
was meaningless. |
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FRIEND 2 |
Completely. |
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FRIEND 1 |
It
could mean something, couldn't it... in a different
circumstance? |
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FRIEND 2 |
Of
course, in a situation of mutual trust and confidence you could take
it as a positive assurance. |
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FRIEND 1 |
But otherwise, in just literal terms, it means they can do whatever they want. |
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FRIEND 2 |
It's
interesting, isn't it, how the meaning of a word or phrase can vary
according to the atmosphere in which it's used, or the intention of
the user. |
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FRIEND 1 |
Yes,
you can see how true that is in this case. |
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GLOSSARY & NOTES |
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have failed to offer = did not offer, were unable to offer |
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rightfully = truly, by right |
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concern = anxious feeling |
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But what about...? = Shouldn't all your experience be considered? |
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carries no weight = has no influence or importance. |
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meaningless: Having no meaning or direction or purpose |
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assurance: belief in yourself and your abilities |
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Source: English Teaching Forum - Authors: Kathleen Seley & Lewis Barnett |
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OM PERSONAL MULTIMEDIA ENGLISH: Desde 1999 en
Internet © Orlando Moure - Todos los Derechos Reservados |
