口语情景对话：走遍美国精选 当仁不让 ACT 2 - 3

【故事梗概】

Boswell先生正在电视上做竞选演讲。Boswell的老练而富于煽动性的竞选演说给Ellen心上投下了自我怀疑的阴影。家人都在给Ellen打气，并要她也去做竞选拉票演说。

Robbie: Hey, everybody, Mrs. Greenberg is on the phone. She says Carter Boswell is on the TV right now--doing a commercial.

Philip: What channel?

Robbie: Five.

Philip: Five? [He turns on the television.]

[They all watch the TV.]

Boswell: …and if you ask what I care about, I’ll tell you. I care about the school buildings in need of paint. I care about more lockersfor the teachers. I care about new fixturesin the hallways-- not music or dancing or entertainment. I care about the practicalthings. If you do, vote for me, Carter Boswell.

Ellen: A lot of people will agree with him.

Philip: I told you.

Robbie: Too bad kids can’t vote. It’s our school, but we can’t vote.

Richard: There are people in favor of the cultural programs, Mom.

Marilyn: There are, Ellen. Don’t be upsetby Boswell’s commercial.

Philip: You have to go on television, too.

Ellen: Boswell’s a powerful speaker.

Philip: You can be, too. Your ideas are good ones.

Ellen: I don’t know. I’m not sure I’m up to it.

【语言点精讲】

1. Hey, everybody, Mrs. Greenberg is on the phone. She says Carter Boswell is on the TV right now--doing a commercial.

嗨，大家听着，Greenberg夫人打电话来了，她说Carter Boswell现在正在电视上露面——他在广告节目里讲话。

commerical: 电视或收音机里的广告。

2. I care about the school buildings in need of paint. I care about more lockers for the teachers. I care about new fixtures in the hallways--not music or dancing or entertainment. I care about the practical things.

我关心那些需要油漆粉刷的校舍，我关心给老师们多设一些衣物柜，我关心在走廊里安装新灯具——而不是搞什么音乐课，舞蹈课和娱乐活动，我关心的是实用的东西。

in need of: 需要，缺少。这是较为正式用语。

locker: 金属制的储物柜。美国的学校里普遍设立这种柜子，分配给每位学生和老师存放东西之用，各人可自行加锁。

fixture: 固定装置。房屋里的附属装置，如电灯、洗手间的水池等。这里，Boswell先生是 在指学校走廊天花板的灯，或称light fixture。

practical: 实用的。

3. If you do, vote for me, Carter Boswell.

如果你也关心实用的东西，请投我Carter Boswell一票。

do在这里代表上一句的谓语 care about the practical things.

4. There are people in favor of the cultural programs, Mom.

还是有人赞成文化项目的，妈妈。

in favor of :支持，赞同。在表决时可以说: “Those in favor, please raise your hands… Those against, please raise your hands.”

5. You have to go on television, too.

你也得上电视才好。

go on TV: 上电视，在电视上露面。

6. I’m not sure I’m up to it.

我不敢肯定我能顶得下来。

up to it: 在这里指能做得到，相当于able to do it.