1.

GREETINGS
A.
Matt: Good morning.
Chào buổi sáng, Maxine.
Maxine: Good morning. How are you today?
Chào buổi sáng. Hôm nay bạn khỏe không?
Matt: Just fine, thanks. How are you?
Cảm ơn, mình khỏe. Còn bạn thì sao?
Maxine: Wonderful. Things couldn't be better.
Tuyệt vời. Mọi thứ không thể tốt hơn nữa.
B.
Dotty: Hi. What's up?
Chào Vivian. Dạo này sao rồi?
Vivian: Nothing much. What's new with you?
Không có gì. Bạn có gì mới không?
Dotty: Not too much. I've been pretty busy.
Không nhiều. Mình vẫn bận rộn như vậy thôi.
Vivian: Me too. Seems like all I do is eat and sleep.
Mình cũng vậy. Có vẻ như tất cả những gì mình làm là ăn
với ngủ.
Dotty: Gotta go. Call me tonight.
Giờ mình phải đi rồi. Tối nay gọi cho mình nhé.
Vivian: Okay. Check you later.
Okay. Gặp bạn sau.
C.

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Mother: Good morning.
Chào buổi sáng con trai.
Son: Morning. What's for breakfast?
Chào buổi sáng, mẹ. Mình ăn sáng với gì?
Mother: The usual. Eggs, toast, and cereal. Coffee, if
you want.
Như thường lệ thôi. Trứng, bánh mì nướng và ngũ cốc.
Thêm cà phê nếu con muốn.
Son: I think I'll just have cereal for a change.
Con nghĩ là con chỉ uống ngũ cốc như một sự thay đổi vậy.
Mother: Help yourself. The cereal and sugar are on the
table. The milk's in the refrigerator.
Con tự làm nhé. Ngũ cốc và đường trên bàn. Còn sữa
trong tủ lạnh.
Language Notes
• Acquaintance = a person one knows but not a close friend
@ Things couldn’t be better = Everything is going well.
@ Hi = informal way to say hello
@ What’s up? = What’s new? Used informally.
@ Pretty = rather; somewhat
@ Me too = has meaning of I have been busy, too.
@ Seems = It seems
@ Gotta = I’ve got to = I must
@ Check you later = I’ll call you later.
@ What’s for breakfast? = What are we having for breakfast?
@ Just = only
@ Help yourself = Serve yourself.

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 2. FORMAL GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS
Paul: Hello. How are you?
Chào Don. Bạn khỏe không?
Don: Fine, thank you. How are you?
Cảm ơn, mình khỏe. Còn bạn?
Paul: Fine, thanks. Oh, excuse me - here's my bus. Good
bye.
Mình vẫn tốt, cảm ơn Don. Ồ, xin lỗi - xe buýt của mình
đây rồi. Tạm biệt.
Don: Good bye.
Tạm biệt
Language Notes
• Hello. Good morning or good afternoon might also be used.
They are somewhat more formal. How are you? Notice the intonation. This
howquestion is one of the few instances in which a form of BE receives the
primary sentence stress. This phenomenon normally occurs in “question word”
questions in which the form of BE stands at the end or is followed by a non-
demonstrative pronoun: What IS it? Where IS he? When WAS it? Where will
it BE? Where have you BEEN? Sometimes, however, speakers stress the you, so
that the intonation is identical to the “response question” described below.
• How are you? Notice that the responding speaker uses a different intonation
for this question than the first speaker used. The shift of stress onto you points
to that word as carrying the new or changed bit of meaning in this question,
which is otherwise identical to the question in the first line - for now the you
refers to a different person than it did in the original question. Sometimes
the responding speaker will answer simply, “Fine, thank you - and you?”
omitting all the words of the “understood” question except the one word you,
which, uttered with a strong stress, carries the new meaning.
• Thanks is slightly less formal than thank you. Notice the contraction here’s (=
here is).

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 3. INFORMAL GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS
Dick: Hi! How are you?
Chào! Bạn khỏe không?
Helen: Fine, thanks, and you?
Mình khỏe, cảm ơn. Còn bạn thì sao?
Dick: Just fine. Where are you going?
Mình vẫn tốt. Bạn đang đi đâu vậy?
Helen: To the library.
Mình đến thư viện.
Dick: O.K. I'll see you later. So long
OK, vậy gặp bạn sau nha. Tạm biệt.
Helen: So long
Tạm biệt
Language Notes
• Hi is an informal equivalent of hello. For the intonation of How
are you?
• Fine, thanks - and you? Notice the rising intonation on and you?
• Notice that the normal response to Where are you going? Is simply To the
library - not I’m going to the library. It is unnatural and unusual to repeat the
information already supplied by the question.
• O.K. is a less formal equivalent of all right. The common saying I’ll see you
later is often shortened to See you later (with the I’ll understood). So long is
an informal equivalent of goodbye.

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 4. FORMAL INTRODUCTIONS
Margaret: Mr. Wilson, I'd like you to meet Dr. Edward
Smith.
Thưa ông Wilson, xin giới thiệu với ông đây là tiến sĩ
Edward Smith.
Mr. Wilson: How do you do, Dr. Smith.
Rất vui được gặp ngài, tiến sĩ Smith.
Dr. Smith: How do you do.
Rất vui được gặp ngài.
Margaret: Dr. Smith is an economist. He's just finished
writing a book on international trade.
Tiến sĩ Smith là một kinh tế gia, ông ấy cũng vừa viết
xong cuốn sách về nền thương mại quốc tế.
Mr. Wilson: Oh? That's my field, too. I work for the
United Nations.
Thật sao? Đó cũng là lĩnh vực nghiên cứu của tôi đấy. Tôi
làm cho Liên Hợp Quốc.
Dr. Smith: In the Development Program, by any
chance?
Có phải là trong chương trình Phát triển không?
Mr. Wilson: Yes. How did you guess?
Đúng thế. Làm thế ngài đoán được vậy?
Dr. Smith: I've read your articles on technical
assistance. They're excellent.
Tôi đã đọc nhiều bài viết của ông trên trang hỗ trợ về
công nghệ. Chúng thật sự rất xuất sắc.

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 Language Notes
• Notice the rising intonation on the words Mr. Wilson. A falling intonation on
a name used in direct address is unusual in American English and tends to
sound brusque and impolite. Listen for the d in I’d. It is important to include
the d in this expression in order to differentiate it from I like, which has a
different meaning. (I’d like = I would like = I want.)
• How do you do has the form of a question (and is sometimes followed by a
question mark), but it is not a question in meaning. It is simply a polite formula
used in formal introductions.
• The response to How do you do is simply the same phrase
uttered with the same intonation by the other speaker. In fact,
lines 2 and 3 are not strictly statement and response but rather
statements uttered by the two speakers independently and,
possibly, simultaneously.
• He’s just finished writing… A useful pattern indicating an action recently
completed. (Just is frequently used with the present perfect tense.) You may
find it helpful to conduct a drill on this pattern in conjunction with the teaching
of the present perfect, using variations of this sentence, such as I’ve just
finished reading…, I’ve just finished cleaning…, She’s just finished
correcting…, They’ve just finished putting…, The same pattern, with start or
begin, is commonly used for an action recently initiated: He’s just started
writing…, I’ve just started reading…, She’s just started correcting…, etc. A
somewhat simpler form of this pattern (just + present perfect), to indicate an
action recently completed, is of even broader usefulness: He’s just written…,
I’ve just read…, We’ve just eaten…, I’ve just heard…, They’ve just returned…,
etc.
• Development program. Since these two words constitute a compound noun,
the principal stress falls on the first word.
• I’ve read… Listen for the /v/ in I’ve. It is important to include the
/v/ in this expression in order to differentiate it from I read, which
has a different meaning.
• By any chance? = possibly. Used in questions to confirm something you think
might be true actually is.

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 5. INFORMAL INTRODUCTIONS
Jim: Who's the tall girl next to Barbara?
Cô gái cao lớn bên cạnh Barbara là ai vậy?
Charles: That's Mary Anderson. Didn't you meet her at
Steve's party?
Đó là Mary Anderson. Không phải em đã gặp cô ấy tại bữa
tiệc của Steve rồi sao?
Jim: No, I wasn't at Steve's party.
Không, em không có mặt tại bữa tiệc của Steve.
Charles: Oh! Then let me introduce you to her now.
Mary, this is my cousin Jim.
Ồ, vậy để anh giới thiệu em với cô ấy ngay bây giờ. Mary,
đây là em họ của mình, tên Jim.
Mary: Hi, Jim. I'm glad to meet you.
Chào Jim., Rất vui được gặp cậu.
Jim: I'm glad to meet you. Can't we sit down
somewhere and talk?
Mình rất vui được gặp bạn. Sao chúng ra không ngồi đâu
đó để nói chuyện nhỉ?
Mary: Sure, let's sit over there.
Đúng vậy. Mình lại đằng kia ngồi nhé.
Language Notes
• Who’s is the contracted form of who is. It should not be confused with the
possessive whose, which, although pronounced the same (/huwz/), has a
different meaning.
• Didn’t you meet her…? Notice the use of the negative question. While
generally used to indicate the expectation of an affirmative answer, here it
expresses surprise that the answer to the question will probably—and
unexpectedly—be negative. Notice that in this sentence, the strongest stress,

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and the high point of the intonation, falls on at - although prepositions
normally receive weak stress. It is as if at, in this case, were equivalent to
present or there, as in I wasn’t present or I wasn’t there - in which the
adjective and adverb, respectively, would normally receive the strongest
sentence stress.
• Mary, this is my cousin Jim. Notice that the introducer mentions the girl’s
name first, and introduces the young man to her (not vice versa). This is the
normal, courteous manner of introduction among speakers of American
English. Notice the rising intonation on Mary, a name used in direct address.
• I’m glad to meet you. Notice that the second speaker says this sentence with
a different intonation than the first speaker used. The second speaker
emphasizes you. (Compare 1b. How are you?) Can’t we sit down…? = Would
you like to sit down…?
• Sure is often used in informal conversation as a strong affirmative response
equivalent to yes, certainly, of course, etc.

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 6. EARLY IN THE MORNING
Gene: It's time to get up!
Tới giờ dậy rồi!
Ed: I just went to bed!
Mình chỉ mới đi ngủ thôi mà!
Gene: You shouldn't have stayed up so late watching
TV. I told you we had to get an early start.
Cậu không nên thức khuya xem ti vi như vậy. Mình đã nói
là chúng ta phải dậy sớm rồi mà.
Ed: I know, but that movie was just too good to leave. I
guess I'll just have to pay the price and be sleepy.
Mình biết, nhưng bộ phim đó rất đáng để ngồi xem. Mình
đoán là mình phải trả giá và sẽ buồn ngủ.
Gene: Do you want to eat breakfast here?
Vậy cậu muốn ăn sáng ở đây không?
Ed: No. Why don't we just grab a bite at the coffee shop
next door?
Không. Sao chúng ta không ăn chút gì đó tại tiệm cà phê
kế bên nhỉ?
Gene: Okay by me.
Được rồi.
Language Notes
• TV = television
@ get an early start = leave early in the morning
@ just = simply
@ pay the price = suffer the consequences
@ grab a bite = (Informal) get something to eat
@ coffee shop = a type of restaurant
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@ Okay by me. = It’s all right with me.

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 7. DAILY NEEDS
Judith: This is the last of the milk.
Đây là hộp sữa cuối cùng rồi.
Mother: I know. I intend to go to the store today.
Mẹ biết. Hôm nay mẹ tính đi tới cửa hàng.
Judith: Would you get some of that new cereal we saw
advertised on TV?
Mẹ sẽ mua thêm bịch ngũ cốc mới mà chúng ta thấy
quảng cáo trên ti vi chứ?
Mother: Which one?
Loại nào?
Judith: You know the one with the silly ad about how
vitamins jump up and down.
Mẹ biết quảng cáo ngớ ngẩn mà có nhiều loại vi-ta-min
nhảy lên nhảy xuống đó mẹ.
Mother: Oh, you mean "KIKIES"?
Ồ, ý con là “KIKIES”
Judith: Yeah. That's the one.
Vâng. Chính là loại đó.
Mother: Well, I'll see. Sometimes the stores don't have
some of the new kinds of cereal.
Được rồi, mẹ sẽ kiếm. Thỉnh thoảng thì nhiều cửa hàng
không có nhiều loại ngũ cốc mới con à.
Language Notes
• last of the milk = exhausts the supply of milk
@ silly = foolish
@ ad = advertisement

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@ Yeah = (Informal) Yes
@ I’ll see = I’ll examine the possibility.

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 8. TIME
Margaret: What time is it?
Mấy giờ rồi?
Toni: It's a quarter to five.
5h15
Margaret: Aren't we supposed to be at Jim's house by
five o'clock?
Không phải chúng ta dự định có mặt tại nhà Jim lúc 5 giờ
à?
Toni: Five or five thirty. He said it didn't make any
difference.
5 giờ hoặc 5h30. Anh ấy nói nó không khác nhau đâu.
Margaret: Then maybe we could pick your suit up at
the cleaners.
Sau đó chúng ta có thể nhận đồ của bạn ở chổ máy tẩy.
Toni: Sure, we have plenty of time.
Chắn chắn rồi, chúng ta có nhiều thời gian mà.
Language Notes
• It’s a quarter to five. This is probably the most common way of stating this
time. Other possibilities are It’s a quarter of five or It’s fifteen till five. (It’s
four fortyfive is rarely heard in casual conversation.) Fifteen minutes after the
hour would usually be expressed thus: It’s a quarter after five or It’s a quarter
past five. We also hear It’s fivefifteen (though this is less frequent in casual
conversation). An alternative form for fivethirty is halfpast five. For times
other than the quarterhours or halfhour, numbers are used: twenty past five
or twenty after five, ten to five or ten till five, etc. Frequently the speaker will
omit the It’s or It’s a and answer simply A quarter to five or Quarter to five.
Some speakers omit or obscure the a: It’s (a) quarter to five.
• Aren’t we supposed to be…? Notice that the negative question here
indicates, as it usually does, the speaker’s belief that his assumption is true. He
expects an affirmative response, a confirmation of his assumption. Supposed

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to = expected to; obliged to (not as strong as required to). This meaning of
suppose occurs only in the passive. Other examples: I’m supposed to prepare
a program for our English Club meeting next week. They were supposed to be
here an hour ago—I don’t know where they can be. We’re supposed to
practice the dialogues at home, too. Children are supposed to obey their
parents. Notice the difference in intonation between the yesno question in line
c (rising intonation) and the whquestion in line a (falling intonation). By five
o’clock = no later than five o’clock.
• He said it didn’t… In conversation the conjunction that (He said that it
didn’t…) is generally omitted in reported speech, as here. Notice the sequence
of tenses: said… didn’t. Where the verb in direct speech would be in the
present tense (“Shall we come at five or fivethirty?” “Either one. It doesn’t
make any difference.”), it is past tense (didn’t) after a past tense introductory
verb (said): He said it didn’t make any difference.

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 9. A TELEPHONE CALL
Barbara: Hello.
Alo
Fred: Hello. May I speak to Alice Weaver, please?
Alo. Làm ơn cho tôi nói chuyện với Alice Weaver.
Barbara: Just a minute… Alice, it's for you.
Đợi tí nhé…Alice, nghe máy này.
Alice: Hello.
Alo
Fred: Hi, Alice. This is Fred. Would you like to go to a
movie tonight?
Xin chào, Alice. Fred đây. Bạn có thích đi xem phim tối nay
không?
Alice: Thanks, I'd love to. I haven't been to a movie for
a long time.
Cảm ơn, mình thích lắm. Đã lâu rồi mình không đến rạp
chiếu phim nào.
Fred: Good. I'll pick you up around seven - thirty, then.
The movie starts at eight.
Tốt quá. Vậy mình sẽ đón bạn khoảng 7h30. Bộ phim bắt
đầu lúc 8h tối.
Alice: Fine, I'll be ready.
Được thôi, mình sẵn sàng.
Language Notes
• A simple Hello is the usual way of answering the telephone. Business firms,
however, frequently identify themselves when answering the telephone: Jones
Construction Company, or Good morning, Jones Construction Company, or,
possibly, Jones Construction Company, Mr. Smith speaking.

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• May I speak to Alice Weaver, please? A possible alternative is I’d like to
speak to Alice Weaver. Or the person calling may identify himself: Hello. This
is Fred Young. May I speak to Alice Weaver, please?
• Would you like to...? This is a polite form of do you want to…? It should be
carefully differentiated from do you like to…? Which has quite a different
meaning.
• I’d love to = I would love to, a somewhat more enthusiastic response than I’d
like to. (All of these are polite equivalents of I want to.) Care should be taken
to include ’d in these expressions in both speech and writing, to differentiate
them from I love to and I like to, which differ from them in meaning as well as
in form. I haven’t been to… = I haven’t gone to…. Other examples: I haven’t
been to England yet, but I hope to go there soon. Have you been out today?
We’ve been to the theater three times this week. We hadn’t been there at all
until last weekend. This use of BE is rather strictly colloquial and is generally
limited to the perfect tenses.
• I’ll pick you up… = I’ll come to your house so that we can go together. Pick
up is a separable twoword verb. Around seventhirty = about seven thirty -
perhaps a few minutes before or after 7:30. To indicate a more precise time,
the speaker would say “at seventhirty.” To emphasize punctuality or the
exactness of the appointed time, a speaker might say “at seventhirty sharp,”
“at eight o’clock sharp,” etc. (Notice that o’clock is often omitted in these
expressions.) Although this dialogue ends with the line Fine, I’ll be ready, a
telephone conversation usually ends with each speaker saying goodbye. When
your students perform this dialogue, it would probably be useful, therefore, to
have each of them say goodbye at the end of the conversation.

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 10. HAPPINESS
Linda: You look happy today!
Trông bạn hôm nay rất vui.
Frank: I am happy. I just heard I passed my physics
exam.
Mình vui lắm. Mình vừa nghe nói rằng mình đã vượt qua
kì thi Vật lí.
Linda: Congratulations! I'm glad somebody's happy.
Chúc mừng, Mình cũng vui vì ai đó vui.
Frank: Why? What's the matter?
Tại sao? Có chuyện gì hả?
Linda: Oh, I'm just worried, I guess I have to take a
history exam next week.
Ừ, Mình chỉ lo lắng thôi, mình nghĩ là mình phải tham gia
một kì thi lịch sử vào tuần tới.
Language Notes
• Notice the intonation of I am happy. This intonation, with the strongest
stress on am, is the emphatic, confirmatory form normally used in response
position (as here). It is similar, in meaning and intonation, to the short answer
form, I am - which might, in fact, be used here, with the weakstressed happy
simply dropping off. I just heard I passed… Notice that the that is omitted in
this bit of reported speech. Exam = examination. Physics exam, a compound
noun, has the principal stress on the first word.
• I’m glad somebody’s happy. Note the omission of that in reported speech,
and the strong contrastive stress on SOMEbody (implying that the speaker
herself is not happy).
• What’s the matter? A common idiom meaning What is troubling
you? What is wrong?
• I’m just worried. Here just means merely, only. In line b (I just heard ...) it is
used in its meaning of very recently. Have to = must. Notice the /f/ in the

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pronunciation of this idiom: /haefte/. History exam. See note on physics exam
above.
• I guess = I think (that)

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 11. ORDERING A MEAL
Waiter: Are you ready to order now, sir?
Thưa ông, ông đã sẵn sàng gọi món bây giờ chưa?
Ralph: Yes. I'll have tomato soup, roast beef, mashed
potatoes, and peas.
Được rồi. Tôi sẽ gọi súp cà chua, thịt bò quay, cháo khoai
tây nghiền và đậu Hà Lan.
Waiter: That's tomato soup…roast beef…mashed
potatoes…and peas. How do you want the beef rare,
medium, or well done?
Đó là súp cà chua, thịt bò quay, cháo khoai tây nghiền và
đậu Hà Lan. Ông muốn loại thịt bò như thế nào tái, vừa hay
chín?
Ralph: Well done, please.
Làm chín cho tôi nhé.
Waiter: Anything to drink?
Ông uống gì không?
Ralph: Hmmm… just water. I'll have coffee with my
dessert.
Hmmm…. nước lọc thôi. Tôi sẽ gọi cà phê với món tráng
miệng.
Language Notes
• I’ll have tomato soup, roast beef, mashed potatoes, and peas. Notice how
the intonation rises on the last syllable of each item in the series. Notice, too,
that the verb in this idiom is have, not take or eat.
• The waiter pauses briefly as he writes each item in his order book.
Rare, medium, or welldone? Notice the slightly rising intonation on the first
two items of the series. Rare = slightly cooked. Welldone, please. Notice that
the subject and verb are omitted in the response; only the necessary
information is given.

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• Anything to drink? Notice that the subject and verb are omitted. The
question is “understood” to mean something like Do you want anything to
drink? Would you like anything to drink? Will you have anything to drink?
• Hmmm is a pause sound, used while the speaker is thinking of what he wants
to say. Just water. Again, the response omits the subject and verb—in fact, all
the words except those needed to supply the necessary (new) information. The
rest are supplied by the context. A fullsentence equivalent would be something
like I’ll just have water to drink. (American restaurants customarily serve
water with the meal, without request.) I’ll have coffee…Notice that the verb in
this idiom is have (not take or drink): I’ll have coffee (tea, milk, a coke, etc.)

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 12. BIRTHDAYS
Patty: How old are you?
Cậu bao nhiêu tuổi?
Susan: Nine ... but I'll be ten on May sixteenth.
9 tuổi…nhưng mình sẽ 10 tuổi vào ngày 16 tháng 5.
Patty: I'm older than you! I'll be ten on May
fourteenth.
Vậy mình lớn hơn bạn: Mình sẽ 10 tuổi vào ngày 14 tháng
5.
Susan: Are you going to have a birthday party?
Cậu sẽ có một bữa tiệc sinh nhật chứ?
Patty: Maybe. I'll have to ask my mother.
Có thể. Mình phải hỏi mẹ mình đã.
Language Notes
• Nine. A short form equivalent to I’m nine years old. Sixteenth. Notice that
the strongest stress in this word is on the second syllable. (The stress pattern,
as well as the final /n/, differentiates sixTEEN from SIXty.) Some speakers
insert the between the month and the numeral: May the sixteenth, May the
fourteenth.
• I’ll be ten on May fourteenth. Notice the contrastive stress on the first
syllable of FOURteenth. Normally, the stronger stress falls on the second
syllable of this word: fourTEENTH (like sixTEENTH in the line above). However,
to bring out the contrast, the speaker emphasizes the contrasting element,
four.
• Going to. The rhythm pattern of English requires that this weakstressed,
potentially threesyllable, element be reduced in length. In the process of
reduction some of the consonants are lost or modified and the vowels changed
to more centralized, lax forms. Birthday party. Notice that the normal stress
for a compound noun falls on the first element of the compound.
• Maybe. Notice that the intonation falls only slightly—indicating doubt,
indecision, or lack of completion. Have to.

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 13. A CROWDED THEATER
Bob: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
Xin lỗi, chỗ ngồi này được đặt chưa?
Larry: No. it isn't.
Chưa.
Bob: Would you mind moving over one, so my friend
and I can sit together?
Bạn có phiền di chuyển qua kia để bạn tôi và bạn tôi có
thể ngồi cùng nhau được không?
Larry: No, not at all.
Không, không vấn đề gì.
Bob: Thanks a lot.
Cảm ơn rất nhiều.
Language Notes
• Would you mind moving over one…? Would you mind is a polite request
form meaning Are you willing to. Literally, it is roughly equivalent to Do you
object to or Do you dislike. Therefore, to indicate that he is willing to comply
with the request, the person answering will use a negative form, such as No,
not at all or No, of course not. By this he means No, I don’t mind = I will
be glad to. Moving. Notice that the verb following Would you mind… is in the
ing form. Other examples: Would you mind opening a window? Would you
mind waiting a few minutes? Would you mind speaking a little more slowly?
So = so that = in order that.’
• No, not at all = No, I wouldn’t mind at all or No, of course not

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 14. MISTAKES
Bruce: Where did John go?
John đã đi đâu vậy?
Laura: He went to the drugstore.
Anh ấy đã đến tiệm thuốc.
Bruce: To the bookstore?
Đến tiệm sách ư?
Laura: No, I said he went to the drugstore.
Không, mình nói anh ấy đã đến tiệm thuốc.
Bruce: Oh, I misunderstood you. I thought you said
bookstore.
Ồ, mình đã hiểu nhầm. Mình nghĩ cậu nói cửa hàng sách
cơ.
Laura: How could you make a mistake like that?
Weren't you paying attention?
Làm thế nào cậu mắc lỗi sai như thế? Cậu đã không chú ý
ư?
Language Notes
• Drugstore. Since this is a compound noun, the principal stress is on the first
syllable.
• To the bookstore? This is a normally shortened form for Did you say he went
to the bookstore? - with the omitted words “understood.” Bookstore. This
word, a compound noun, has the principal stress on the first syllable.
• Drugstore. Notice the heavy stress and slightly higher than usual intonation
on drug, to emphasize this syllable, as contrasted with book in the line above.
• Notice the difference in intonation between the how question and the yes -
no question.

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 15. GAMES
George: Say, Joe, do you play bridge?
Joe à, bạn chơi bài bridge không?
Joe: No, I don't play any card games. But I know how to
play chess. How about you, George?
Không, mình không chơi bất kì trò chơi đánh bài nào.
Nhưng mình biết cách chơi cờ. Còn bạn thì sao, George?
George: Well, I happen to be one of the best chess
players around.
À, mình là một trong những tay chơi cờ giỏi nhất đấy.
Joe: 0.K. Let's play, then. We'll see who's the best
OK, vậy chơi nào. Chúng ta sẽ biết được ai là giỏi nhất.
Language Notes
• Say. An interjection, used very informally as an attention getter.
• I don’t play any card games. Notice the strong stress on card. It is normal for
this word to be stressed, as it is the first element of the compound noun CARD
games. The unusually strong stress here implies that, although the speaker
doesn’t play card games, he does play other kinds of games (as, for instance,
chess). I know how to play chess. The idiom know how to, meaning to be
capable of, to have the skill to do something, is widely used. For example: Do
you know how to swim? He knows how to drive a car. I don’t know how to
write. How about you, George? in this case means Do you play chess, George?
• One of the best chess players around = one of the best chess players in this
vicinity. Chess players is a compound noun, and therefore has the principal
stress on chess.

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 16. HEALTH
Jane: I hear you've been ill.
Tớ nghe nói cậu bị ốm.
Cathy: Well, I had the flu for a couple of weeks, but I'm
fine now.
Ừ, mình bị cúm trong 2 tuần, nhưng bây giờ mình khỏe
rồi.
Jane: You're looking well. By the way, did you hear
about Mrs. Jackson?
Trông cậu khỏe rồi đó. Nhân tiện, cậu đã nghe gì về cô
Jackson chưa?
Cathy: No, What about her?
Chưa, cô ấy bị sao?
Jane: She had such a bad case of the flu that they had to
take her to the hospital.
Cô ấy đã mắc phải trường hợp cúm rất nặng nên mọi
người đã đưa cô ấy vào bệnh viện.
Cathy: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that!
Ồ, tớ lấy làm tiếc khi nghe điều này.
Language Notes
• I hear you’ve been ill. Notice the omission of that, as is usual in reported
speech in casual conversation.
• Well. An interjection, used here simply as an introductory word.
• You’re looking well. Here well is an adjective meaning healthy. Are looking
is, in this sentence, a linking verb. By the way = incidentally.
• Such a…that… is a typical “result” sentence. They had to take her… This is
the “general” they. This clause is equivalent in meaning to the passive She had
to be taken.

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 17. SPORTS
Phil: Say, what's your favorite sport?
Chào Jack, Môn thể thao yêu thích của cậu là gì?
Jack: Hmmm…it's hard to say. I like golf a lot but I
guess I like tennis better
Hmmm…rất khó để nói. Mình thích chơi gôn nhưng mình
nghĩ mình thích quần vợt hơn.
Phil: Do you play much tennis?
Cậu chơi quần vợt nhiều không?
Jack: Yes, quite a bit. How about a game sometime?
Có, khá là nhiều. Thế lúc nào mình đấu một trận đấu nhé?
Phil: Sorry. I'm strictly a spectator football, baseball,
basket­ball, golf…I watch them all.
Xin lỗi. Mình là một khán giả trung thành bóng đá, bóng
chày, bóng rổ, gôn… Mình xem tất cả.
Language Notes
• Say. An interjection.
• Hmmm is a pause sound, indicating that the speaker is thinking about what
he is going to say. It’s hard to say = that’s a difficult decision to make; it’s
difficult to make a clearcut choice. I guess = I think (that).
• Quite a bit = a lot, rather much. How about a game sometime? = Would you
like to play sometime?
• Sorry. This is a short way of saying something like No, I’m sorry, but I don’t
play tennis. Football, baseball, basketball, golf. Notice the series intonation,
with the rising tone recurring on each item of the series

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 18. ASKING DIRECTIONS
Marilyn: Excuse Me. Could you tell me which way
Dobson's bookstore is?
Xin lỗi. Bạn có thể chỉ mình đường đến cửa hàng sách
Dobson không?
Nancy: Yes, it's that way. You go two blocks, then turn
left. It's on the corner opposite the post office.
Được, chính là đường đó. Bạn đi qua 2 tòa nhà, sau đó
quẹo trái. Nó nằm trong góc đối diện với bưu điện.
Marilyn: Thanks, I've only been in town a few days, so I
really don't know my way around yet.
Cảm ơn. Mình chỉ mới tới thành phố được vài ngày nên
thật sự chưa biết đường đi xung quanh.
Nancy: Oh, I know how you feel. We moved here a year
ago, and I still don't know where everything is.
Ồ, mình hiểu cảm giác của bạn. Chúng mình đã đến đây
được một năm mà vẫn chưa biết hết mọi nơi mà.
Language Notes
• Could you tell me…? An alternative (and slightly softer) version of Can you
tell me…? Which way Dobson’s bookstore is. Notice that in the “indirect
question” the subject precedes the verb—the reverse of the word order in the
direct question (Which way is Dobson’s bookstore?).
• Post office. A compound noun, with the principal stress on the first word.
• I…don’t know my way around = I don’t know how to find things or I don’t
know how to go to various places.
• I know how you feel. Notice how the “indirect question” (how you feel)
differs from the direct question (How do you feel?): it has the word order of a
statement rather than of a question—the subject wholly precedes the verb,
and the interrogative do is omitted. I don’t know where everything is. Again,
an “indirect question” (where everything is) has the word order of a
statement, with subject preceding the verb, rather than of the corresponding
direct question (Where is everything?).
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 19. COINCIDENCES
Allen: Have I seen you somewhere before?
Trước đây mình gặp bạn chưa nhỉ?
Julia: No, I don't think so.
Chưa, mình không nghĩ là đã gặp bạn rồi.
Allen: But your face is so familiar. Wait a second…I
know…We were on the same flight to New York last
month.
Nhưng mặt bạn trông rất quen. Đợi tí…mình biết rồi…
Chúng ta đi cùng chuyến bay tới New York vào tháng trước.
Julia: Oh, yes. Now I remember. What a coincidence to
meet in San Francisco!
Ồ, đúng rồi. Bây giờ mình nhớ rồi. Thật trùng hợp khi gặp
tại San Francisco!
Allen: Well, you know what they say it's a small world.
À, bạn biết điều người ta hay nói mà trái đất thật nhỏ bé.
Language Notes
• Haven’t I seen you somewhere before? The negative question is equivalent
to I’ve seen you somewhere before, haven’t I? and expresses the expectation
that the speaker’s supposition is true.
• What a…! An exclamation denoting a great degree of surprise, joy,
disappointment, etc. Some other examples of its use: What a surprise to see
you here! What a joy to have you with us! What a misfortune! What a shame
that you have to leave so soon! What a pity she couldn’t come! What a
wonderful idea that is!
• You know what they say = You know the saying… Notice the word order of
the “indirect question” what they say. This is an instance of the “general”
they. It’s a small world is a common saying, or cliché, among native speakers
of English.

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 20. SAFETY
Peter: There's the shoe store we've been looking for.
It's just across the street.
Kia là cửa hàng giầy chúng ta đang tìm kiếm. Chỉ việc
băng qua đường nữa thôi.
Gail: Wait! You can't cross the street in the middle of
the block! You have to cross at the corner.
Đợi đã. Cậu không thể băng qua đường giữa như vậy!
Cậu phải qua ở góc đường cơ.
Peter: Oh, come on. Let's go across here.
Ồ, thôi nào. Chúng ta qua đường ở đây luôn.
Gail: Look out! You nearly got hit by that car! Now do
you see why you should cross at the corner?
Cẩn thận! Xe đó gần đụng vào cậu rồi đó! Bây giờ cậu
hiểu tại sao nên qua ở góc đường chưa?
Peter: I guess you're right. I'll be more careful after
this.
Mình nghĩ cậu nói đúng. Mình sẽ cẩn thận hơn sau vụ này.
Language Notes
• There’s the… This is the “pointing out” there (the adverb, not the
introductory function word), and therefore it receives a strong stress. Shoe
store. A compound noun; therefore the first word is singular and receives the
principal stress. The shoe store we’ve been looking for. This is the usual,
natural way to say this, omitting the relative pronoun and putting the
preposition at the end. The shoe store that we’ve been looking for is also
possible. However, for which we’ve been looking is extremely unlikely in this
natural conversational context. Notice how the present perfect progressive
emphasizes the immediate, continuous nature of the activity. Just across the
street = directly across the street, exactly across the street.
• Have to /h<ftə/.

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• Oh, come on, as used here, means something like Oh, don’t be so careful
and scrupulous! The phrase come on is frequently used to mean Hurry along.
Don’t delay! Notice that the twoword verb come on has the stronger stress on
the adverbial element on.
• Look out! = Be careful! Be alert! The phrase Watch out means the same
thing. See = understand. Why you should cross. Notice that the indirect
question has the normal word order of a statement with the subject before the
verb. (In the corresponding direct question the word order would be: Why
should you cross…?)
• I guess = I think (that).

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 21. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Anne: Listen! Somebody's playing the piano.
Nghe kìa! Ai đó đang chơi đàn piano.
Betty: Yeah, it sounds nice, doesn't it? I wish I could
play a musical instrument.
Yeah, nghe hay đó nhỉ? Mình ước mình có thể chơi một
nhạc cụ âm nhạc nào đó.
Anne: Don't you play the violin?
Cậu không chơi được vi-ô-lông ư?
Betty: No, but my sister does. Actually, she's pretty
good at it.
Không, nhưng chị mình thì biết. Thực tế, chị ấy khá giỏi
chơi đàn.
Anne: I took flute lessons for a couple of years, but I
never learned to play very well. I guess I don't have
any musical talent.
Mình đã trải qua các tiết học về sáo trúc trong hai năm,
nhưng mình chưa bao giờ chơi giỏi cả. Mình nghĩ là mình
không có bất kì tài năng nào về âm nhạc.
Betty: Oh, that's not true. You sing very well. I can't
even do that!
Ồ, nó không đúng. Cậu hát rất hay. Mình thậm chí không
thể làm được điều đó.
Language Notes
• Yeah. An informal variant of yes. Doesn’t it? The falling intonation on this
question tag shows that it is simply a conversational element not requiring an
answer. I wish I could… Notice that could is a past tense form, as required
after wish.

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• Don’t you play…? The negative question implies that the speaker expects the
answer to be affirmative. It is equivalent to You play the violin, don’t you?
with a rising intonation on the final you.
• My sister does. Does is a proverb, standing in place of the verb. The sentence
means My sister plays the violin.
• Flute lessons. A compound noun, with the principal stress on the first word.

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 22. TAKING A VACATION
David: Did you say you're going to take a vacation next
month?
Cậu nói cậu sẽ có kì nghỉ vào tháng tới đúng không?
Ruth: Yes, my family and I are going to New York for a
week. We want to visit the museums and see some
plays.
Đúng vậy, gia đình tớ và tớ sẽ đến New York trong một
tuần. Gia đình tớ muốn thăm vài viện bảo tàng và xem vài
vở kịch.
David: I envy you. I haven't had a vacation for a long
time. I wish I could get away for a while.
Tớ ganh tị với cậu đấy. Tớ chưa có kì nghỉ nào trong thời
gian dài cả. Tớ ước tớ có thể đi đâu đó một thời gian.
Ruth: You can take a vacation sometime soon, can't
you?
Cậu có thể có kì nghỉ sớm thôi, đúng không?
David: No, there's too much work to do. Maybe next
year, though.
Không đâu, có quá nhiều việc phải làm. Tuy nhiên, có thể
là năm tới.
Language Notes
• Did you say you’re going to…? This could also be past tense: Did you say you
were going to…? However, the present form (you’re) seems more natural.
• My family and I are going to New York. Notice that this going to is the verb
go followed by the preposition to. The going to in the line above is the future
marker, which is normally said with weak stress, as here.
• I wish I could… Note the required past tense (could) after wish.
• Can’t you? The rising intonation indicates that this is a veritable question,
requiring an answer.

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• There’s too much work to do. Other examples of this pattern: There’s too
much equipment to carry. There are too many papers to correct. There are
too many people to see. There’s not enough food to eat. There isn’t enough
work to do. There aren’t enough courses to take.

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 23. RECIPES
Shirley: Would you like some cookies? I just made
them.
Cậu muốn dùng thêm bánh không? Mình mới vừa làm
xong.
Louise: Thank you. Yes, I would.
Cảm ơn cậu. Có, mình muốn.
Shirley: These are chocolate, and those are almond
flavored.
Những thứ này là sô-cô-la và kia là hương vị hạnh nhân.
Louise: I guess I'll try a chocolate one first.
Mmmm…this is delicious. Are they hard to make?
Mình nghĩ là mình sẽ thử một thanh sô-cô-la trước.
Mmmm…Cái này thật là ngon. Chắc khó làm lắm nhỉ?
Shirley: No, they're really quite easy. Wait a minute,
I've got the recipe right here. See…these are the
ingredients, and then you just follow the directions.
Không đâu, chúng thật sự khá dễ. Đợi mình tí. Mình đã có
công thức đây rồi. Nhìn này… Những thứ này là nguyên liệu,
và sau đó cậu chỉ làm theo sự hướng dẫn thôi.
Louise: That does look easy. I think I'll make some
tonight.
Trông có vẻ dễ đấy, Mình nghĩ là tối nay mình sẽ làm một
ít.
Language Notes
• Would you like some cookies? is equivalent to Would you like to have some
(of these) cookies? It is a more courteous form than Do you want some
cookies? Just = very recently.

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• A chocolate one. Notice that the stress falls on chocolate, since one, when
used as a pronoun, is normally unstressed. Mmmm is a sound denoting
gustatory enjoyment. Are they hard to make? A useful pattern. Some
additional examples: Is that hard to do? Are these books difficult to read? Is
that paper hard to write on? My new car is easy to drive. These shirts are
easy to wash and iron.
• I’ve got the recipe… Alternative form: I have the recipe… Just = simply; only.
• That does look easy. The emphatic form of That looks easy. Notice the
strong stress on does.

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 24. WEATHER
Karen: Brrrr! I'm cold. I thought it was supposed to get
warmer today.
Brrr! Tớ lạnh. Tớ đã nghĩ hôm nay thời tiết được dự đoán
là ấm hơn đấy.
Ed: Yeah, I thought so, too That's what the
weatherman said.
Yeah, tớ cũng nghĩ vậy. Đó là điều người dự báo thời tiết
đã nói.
Karen: It must be the wind that makes it so cold. I'm
freezing!
Trời đầy gió, nó làm không khí thêm lạnh. Tớ đang đóng
băng rồi.
Ed: Me, too. Let's go inside.
Tớ cũng vậy. Thôi chúng ta vào bên trong đi.
Karen: O.K. It's no fun standing out here, even if the
sun is shining.
OK, Chẳng có gì vui khi đứng ngoài này, thậm chí là bầu
trời đang chiếu sáng.
Language Notes
• Brrrr! is a sound made to indicate that the speaker feels very cold. It is
sometimes pronounced with a trilled r or a bilabial trill. Was supposed to =
was expected to. The meaning of supposed to here is slightly different than in
5, since here it carries no sense of obligation. Notice that was supposed to is
past tense after thought. To get warmer = to become warmer (but become
would rarely be used in this context in casual conversation).
• Yeah is a very informal form of yes. That’s what the weatherman said. A
useful pattern. Some other examples: That’s what the teacher told us. That’s
what Mr. Johnson said. That’s what my father always says. That’s what the
students say. Weatherman. Notice that this word has a primary stress on the
first syllable and a tertiary stress on the third syllable: /wɛɚerm<n˙/. Some

Trang 37
other words ending in man that have a tertiary stress on the final syllable are
máilmàn, mílkmàn, súpermàn snówman. Some words with the suffix man,
however, have an unstressed final syllable (with a consequent obscuring of the
vowel sound). Among these are fíreman, géntleman, póstman, sálesman,
Énglishman. Note that póstman and maílman are identical in meaning but
differ in stress pattern.
• It must be the wind… This is the must of probability or supposition. Other
examples of this usage: It must be going to rain—it’s so dark outside. They
must not be home yet—they didn’t answer the telephone. That tree must be
thirty feet tall—it’s higher than the roof of the house. Notice that the two its
in this sentence have no direct reference or antecedent. The first one is a
function word in the idiomatic structure It must be…, while the second refers
only vaguely to the weather.

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 25. HAVING THINGS DONE
Steve: Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me.
Xin lỗi. Tôi tự hỏi không biết bạn có thể giúp tôi không.
Mike: Sure. What is it?
Được thôi. Cái gì nào?
Steve: I want to have my hair cut, but I can't find a
barber shop.
Tôi muốn cắt tóc, nhưng tôi không tìm được tiệm hớt tóc
nào.
Mike: I know where one is. Come on - I'll show you.
Tôi biết có một chỗ. Theo tôi - Tôi sẽ chỉ cho bạn.
Language Notes
• I wonder if... A polite introduction to a request for assistance. Some other
examples: I wonder if you could show us how to get there. I wonder if you
would mind moving over one, so my friend and I can sit together. I wonder if
you can tell me where I can find a barber shop.
• Sure. See 4. What is it? = What is it you would like me to do? Notice the
stress on is.
• Have my hair cut = have someone cut my hair. Other examples of the
causative have: I had my shoes shined just before I came. We’re going to have
our house painted next year. You should have that window repaired before
the rainy season begins. Barber shop. A compound noun, with the principal
stress on the first word.
• I know where one is. Notice the word order of the indirect question: the
subject precedes the verb. Notice that the pronoun one is weakly stressed, and
the stronger stress is on is.

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 26. MAILING LETTERS
Dean: Do you mind if we stop by the post office? I have
to mail these letters and I don't have any stamps.
Cậu có phiền không nếu chúng ta dừng ở bưu diện? Mình
phải gửi vài lá thư này, nhưng mình không có tem.
Carol: Oh, I have some. We don't need to go all the way
to the post office.
À, mình có vài cái này. Chúng mình không cần đi tới bưu
điện đâu.
Dean: That would save time. Can you let me have two
airmail stamps and one regular one?
Điều đó sẽ tiết kiệm thời gian hơn. Cậu có thể đưa mình
hai tem thư gửi bằng đường hàng không và một tem gửi
bình thường không?
Carol: Here you are. Are you sure that's enough?
Của cậu nè. Mà cậu có chắc là đủ rồi không?
Dean: Yes, that's fine. Now all we have to do is find a
mailbox.
Đủ rồi, nhiêu đó vừa rồi. Bây giờ việc chúng mình phải
làm là tìm một hộp đựng thư.
Language Notes
• Do you mind…? = Is it all right with you…? or Do you have any objection…?
This phrase is similar to, but somewhat more direct than, Would you mind…? It
is followed by an if clause to provide for the change of subject from you to we:
Do you mind if we stop…? However, if the speaker wishes simply to request
the hearer to stop by the post office (in which case there is no “we” involved,
hence no change of subject), he will use an ing form complement: Do you
mind stopping by the post office? Some additional examples of the “if’ type:
Do you mind if Mary and Fred come with us? Do you mind if we talk about
that later, when we have more time? Do you mind very much if I don’t come
to see you today? Some examples of the “ing” type: Do you mind asking Mary

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and Fred to come with us? Do you mind discussing that later, when we have
more time? Do you mind very much postponing our visit until tomorrow? Post
office. A compound noun, with the principal stress on the first word. Have to
/h<ftə/. That would save time. The strong stress on would and the fact
that the intonation falls only partially at the end indicate a thoughtful, hesitant
attitude. Can you let me have… = Can you give me…Two airmail stamps and
one regular one. Notice the contrastive stress on airmail and regular and on
two and one. Notice also the weak stress on stamps and on the corresponding
pronoun one.
• Mailbox is a compound noun, with the stress on the first part. All we have to
do is… = The only thing that we must do is…, The one thing that remains to be
done is… Some other examples: I’ve finished writing the story; now all I have
to do is think of a title. He’s finished all his courses; now all he has to do is
pass the examination. We’ve got the decorations all ready for the party; now
all we have to do is prepare the food.

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 27. ANIMALS
Connie: That's a beautiful cat. I wonder who it belongs
to.
Con mèo đẹp quá. Của ai vậy nhỉ?
Gary: It belongs to the Browns. They live across the
street from us. They have three cats, two dogs, and a
canary.
Của gia đình Brown đó. Họ sống ở phố bên kia đường. Họ
có 3 chú mèo, 2 chú chó và 1 chú chim hoàng yến.
Connie: They certainly must like pets! But how do all
those animals get along with each other?
Chắc chắn họ thích thú cưng lắm! Nhưng làm thế nào mà
những con vật đó sống chung với nhau được?
Gary: Don't ask me. Ask the Browns!
Đừng hỏi tớ. Hỏi nhà Brown ấy!
Language Notes
• Who it belongs to. Notice the word order of this indirect question. The
preposition naturally falls at the end. (I wonder whom it belongs to and I
wonder to whom it belongs are also “grammatically correct” but sound
awkward and inappropriate in this context.)
• Three cats, two dogs, and a canary. Notice the rising intonation on the first
two elements of the series.
• They certainly must like pets. This is the must of supposition or logical
inference. Get along with each other = live harmoniously and compatibly.

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 28. SHOPPING
Saleslady: Can I help you?
Tôi có thể giúp gì cho bạn?
Gloria: Yes, I'm looking for a pair of white gloves. I
think I wear size six.
OK, tôi đang kiếm một đôi găng tay màu trắng. Tôi nghĩ
tôi mang vừa số 6.
Saleslady: The white gloves are on this counter. Let's
see… here's a size six. These are very nice, and they're
washable, too.
Đôi găng tay trắng trên quầy hàng này. Để xem…. Cỡ số 6
đây rồi. Chúng rất tốt và cũng không bị hỏng khi giặt.
Gloria: Oh, I'll try them on. Hmmm… they seem to fit.
How much are they?
Ồ, tôi sẽ thử xem sao. Hmmm…Chúng trông vừa đấy. Cặp
này bao nhiêu tiền?
Saleslady: Five dollars.
$5 đô la
Gloria: All right. I'll take them.
Được rồi. Tôi lấy chúng.
Saleslady: That'll be five twenty with the tax.
Vậy là $5 với 20% số thuế nhé.
Language Notes
• Can I help you? or May I help you? is the way a sales clerk normally
approaches a customer with an offer of assistance.
• Size six. Women’s gloves are usually available in quartersizes (6, 6 1/4, 6 1/2,
6 3/4, etc.). Most women wear a size between 6 and 8.
• The white gloves are on this counter. Notice the emphatic stress on white
and this, which the saleslady is contrasting mentally with othercolored gloves
Trang 43
on other counters. Let’s see… An expression used when a person wants to
think something over, to ponder, to make a choice or decision, or to look for
something.
• I’ll try them on. Try on is a separable twoword verb meaning to test the fit or
appearance of a garment by putting it on. How much are they? = How much
do they cost? Notice that the primary sentence stress falls on are in this
question
• Fivetwenty = five dollars and twenty cents ($5.20)

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 29. TRANSPORTATION
Joyce: Shall we take a taxi or a bus to the meeting?
Chúng ta sẽ đón taxi hay đi xe buýt tới buổi hẹn?
Bill: We'd better take a bus. It's almost impossible to
find a taxi during rush hour.
Chúng mình nên đi xe buýt. Hầu như không thể tìm một
chiếc taxi lúc giờ cao điểm.
Joyce: Isn't that a bus stop over there?
Đằng kia có phải là trạm xe buýt không?
Bill: Yes... Oh, oh! There's a bus now. We'll have to run
to catch it.
Đúng rồi… Ồ, ồ! Xe buýt kia rồi. Chúng ta phải chạy để bắt
kịp nó.
Joyce: 0.K.…Oh, no! We just missed it.
OK…. Ôi không! Chúng mình vừa nhỡ một chuyến rồi.
Bill: Never mind. There'll be another one in ten
minutes.
Không sao đâu. Sẽ có chuyến khác trong vòng 10 phút ấy
mà.
Language Notes
• Shall we…? = Do you think we should…? (Will is never used for this
meaning.) Take a taxi or a bus…? Notice the rising intonation on taxi and
falling intonation on bus in this “or” sentence.
• We’d better… = We ought to…; It would be wise to…. Rush hour = the time
of day when most people are going to or from work and therefore the traffic is
heaviest. In most American cities, rush hour is from seventhirty to nine in the
morning and from about five to sixthirty in the evening. Notice that Rush hour
is a compound noun, with the principal stress on the first word.

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• Isn’t that…? The negative question expresses an expectation of an
affirmative answer. Bus stop is a compound noun, with the principal stress on
the first word.
• Oh, oh! An exclamation expressing alarm or sudden caution. Notice the high-
tolow intonation.
• Oh, no! An exclamation expressing sudden disappointment, shock, or
discouragement. Notice the emphatic stress and intonation. We just missed it
= We arrived a moment too late to catch the bus.
• Never mind = It doesn’t matter; don’t concern yourself.

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 30. COMPARING
Jean: I think this material is much prettier than that,
don't you?
Tớ nghĩ vải này tốt hơn nhiều so với vải kia, đúng không?
Lois: Well, I don't know. I like them both. Why do you
like that one better?
À, tớ không biết. Tớ thích cả hai. Mà sao cậu thích cái đó
hơn vậy?
Jean: Well, the design is more interesting and the
colors are brighter. And it's not as expensive, either.
À, thiết kế thu hút hơn và màu sắc tươi hơn. Và nó không
đắt như cái kia.
Lois: Oh, I see what you mean. And besides, these
colors are more becoming to you.
Ồ, tớ hiểu ý cậu. Còn nữa, những màu sắc này hợp với cậu
hơn.
Jean: Do you really think so? I'll buy it, then
Cậu thật sự nghĩ vậy sao? Vậy mình sẽ mua nó.
Language Notes
• I think this material… Notice that the conjunction that introducing an
indirect statement is often omitted in casual conversation. Much prettier.
Much is a common intensifier for comparative adjectives and adverbs: much
harder, much more difficult, much less useful, etc. A lot is also used for this
purpose: a lot prettier, a lot more practical, a lot more expensive. That = that
material. Don’t you? The rising intonation indicates a true question, requiring
an answer.
• I like them both = I like both of them. That one refers to a piece of material
apparently near the first speaker, who referred to it as “this material.”
• I see what you mean = I understand (why you like it). These colors are more
becoming to you. The strong stress on are indicates, in this case, something
like: Now that I have really thought about it…, or Taking everything into

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consideration… Becoming to you. Becoming is an adjective meaning suitable
in appearance; having an attractive effect.
• Then = in that case; since that is so

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 31. PASTIMES
Roger: What do you do in your spare time?
Thời gian rảnh bạn thường làm gì?
Barry: Oh, nothing special. I read… watch TV… go to
the movies.
Không có gì đặc biệt. Tôi đọc sách … xem ti vi … đi xem
phim.
Roger: Don't you have any hobbies, like stamp
collecting or things like that?
Bạn không có sở thích gì sao, như sưu tầm tem hay cái gì
đó khác ah?
Barry: No, I don't have any hobbies. How about you?
Không, tôi không có sở thích nào. Bạn thì sao?
Roger: I have just one—photography. It's expensive,
but it's a lot of fun.
Tôi chỉ có 1 sở thích là chụp hình thôi. Nó tốn tiền lắm,
nhưng rất vui.
Language Notes
• Spare time = leisure; extra time; free time.
• Nothing special = no particular thing. I read. . . watch TV ... go to the
movies. Notice the rising intonation on the first two elements of the series.
• Stamp collecting. A compound noun. Therefore the principal stress falls on
the first word.
• How about you? = Do you have any hobbies? This question How about you?
has the effect of directing the original question back to the other speaker.
• Just = only.

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 32. WEDDINGS
Bonnie: Guess what! Paul and Susan are engaged!
Đoán xem là gì nào! Paul và Susan đã đinh hôn đấy!
Janice: Really? When did that happen?
Thật á? Chuyện đó diễn ra khi nào vậy?
Bonnie: A week ago. They met last summer and now,
just think…they'll be married soon.
Một tuần trước. Họ gặp nhau mùa hè năm ngoái - và bây
giờ, xem nào… họ sẽ cưới sớm thôi.
Janice: Have they set a date for the wedding?
Họ đã chọn ngày tổ chức đám cưới chưa?
Bonnie: No, not yet. But Susan says they'd like to get
married in November or December. Then they'll go to
Hawaii for their honeymoon.
Chưa, vẫn chưa. Nhưng Susan nói là họ sẽ kết hôn nào
tháng 11 hay tháng 12 gì đó. Sau đó họ sẽ đến Hawai để
hưởng tuần trăng mật.
Language Notes
• Guess what! = I have something important to tell you.
• Really? This is a rejoinder meaning Oh, that’s interesting! It is frequently
used in conversation in this way. In this usage, really simply expresses an
animated interest in the previous speaker’s remark, it does not question the
truthfulness of the remark.
• Just think… This phrase indicates that the speaker is reflecting with interest
on what has just been said or (as in this case) on what he is going to say next.
• Set a date = decided on a day when it will take place.
• They’d like = they would like = they want. They’d like is a little “softer,” a
little less positive, than they want.

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 33. EFFORT
Debbie: I give up! I simply can't learn French!
Mình từ bỏ! Đơn giản vì mình không thể học tiếng Pháp!
Helen: Why do you say that? I think you're making a
lot of progress.
Sao cậu lại nói vậy? Mình nghĩ cậu đang có nhiều sự tiến
bộ đấy chứ.
Debbie: No, I'm not. I try and try and I still can't speak
it very well.
Không, mình không có. Mình cố gắng, cố gắng mà vẫn
không nói nó tốt được.
Helen: Learning any language takes a lot of effort. But
don't give up. Why don't we practice those dialogs
together?
Học bất kì ngôn ngữ nào cũng cần nhiều nổ lực. Nhưng
đừng từ bỏ. Sao chúng mình không luyện tập những đoạn
đối thoại đó với nhau.
Debbie: Good idea. That just might help.
Ý hay đấy. Chỉ điều đó mới giúp được thôi.
Language Notes
• Give up = stop trying; abandon effort. Simply = absolutely, completely,
clearly.
• I try and try = I try again and again. Other examples of repetition of the verb
to express continuous or repeated activity: I read and read, and I still can’t
understand it. He writes and writes, but he never produces a worthwhile
composition. The children play and play that game and never seem to get
tired of it.
• Good idea = That’s a good idea. That just might help = That might, in fact,
be a helpful thing to do.

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 34. AIRPORT BUS
Stan: What time does the bus leave for the airport?
Mấy giờ xe buýt rời khỏi sân bay vậy?
Harry: I don't know. It used to leave every half hour,
but I think the schedule's been changed.
Mình không biết nữa. Trước đây cứ nửa tiếng có 1
chuyến, nhưng mình nghĩ lịch trình có thể đã được thay đổi
rồi.
Stan: Do you know the telephone number to call?
Cậu biết số điện thoại nào để gọi không?
Harry: It's Enterprise 7 - 4700. At least that's what it
used to be.
Đó là Enterprise 7- 4700. Ít nhất đó là số đã từng dùng.
Stan: Yeah, I'll try it. They don't seem to answerst.
Được rồi, Mình sẽ thử xem sao. Có vẻ họ không bắt máy.
Harry: I expect that it's a little too early. I don't think
they open until nine o'clock.
Mình mong rằng xe buýt chạy sớm hơn tí. Mình không
nghĩ họ mở cửa tới 9 giờ đâu.
Language Notes
• At least = In any case
• NOTE: On most telephones in the U.S., letters appear with each number on
the keypad. When those letters are combined, we often use easytoremember
words of names in place of the letter combinations. In this example, the
letters are EN which correspond to the numbers 3 and 6. So the number here
is 3674700. The use of only numbers has become more common today.

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 35. MAKING A DATE
Drew: What time are you leaving tomorrow?
Ngày mai mấy giờ cậu sẽ đi?
Paul: You mean to go to the graduation ceremony?
Ý cậu là đi đến lễ tốt nghiệp đúng không?
Drew: Yes, I'd like to go with you if I may.
Đúng, nếu có thể mình muốn đi với cậu.
Paul: I'd be delighted to take you. I plan to leave here
about nine thirty.
Mình sẽ vui lắm khi có bạn đi cùng. Mình tính rời khỏi đây
khoảng 9h30.
Drew: Fine. I can be ready by then.
Được rồi. Mình sẵn sàng đến lúc đó.
Paul: Okay. I'll pick you up at your house.
Ok. Mình sẽ đón cậu tại nhà cậu nhé.
Drew: See you tomorrow, then, about nine thirty.
Vậy gặp cậu vào ngày mai, khoảng 9h30.
Language Notes
• Making a date = making a social appointment @ I’ll pick you up = I’ll come
to your house.

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 36. CATCHING A BUS
Steve: Is this where I catch the bus for the zoo?
Đây là nơi chúng ta đón xe buýt đến sở thú đúng không
Alan?
Alan: You can take a T - 30 from here, but then you
have to walk about six blocks.
Cậu có thể đón xe T - 30 từ đây, nhưng sau đó cậu phải đi
bộ qua khoảng 6 tòa nhà nữa.
Steve: That doesn't sound too bad.
Nghe có vẻ không tồi đấy.
Alan: Actually, if you go to the bus stop in the next
block, you can take a Z - 8 which will let you right off in
front of the zoo.
Thực tế, nếu cậu đến trạm xe buýt ở tòa nhà kế bên, cậu
có thể đi chuyến Z - 8, nó sẽ đưa cậu đến trước cổng sở thú
luôn đấy.
Steve: Maybe that's what I'll do. Thanks a lot.
Có thể đó là cách mình sẽ làm. Cảm ơn cậu nhiều nhé.
Alan: You're welcome.
Không có gì.
Language Notes
• catching a bus = getting a bus
@ T30 = number of a bus
@That doesn’t sound too bad. = That doesn’t appear to be difficult.
@ Z8 = number of a bus
@ let you right off = take you exactly to

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 37. ORDERING BREAKFAST
Waitress: Would you like to order now?
Ngài muốn gọi món bây giờ chưa?
Phil: Yes. I'd like bacon and eggs with buttered toast.
No jelly.
Được. Tôi muốn thịt xông khói và vài quả trứng với bánh
mì nướng bơ. Không mứt nhé.
Waitress: What would you like to drink?
Ngài muốn uống nước gì?
Phil: Do you have hot chocolate?
Có sô-cô-la nóng không?
Waitress: Yes, we do.
Vâng, chúng tôi có.
Phil: Then, I'll have a cup of hot chocolate.
Vậy, tôi gọi một ly sô-cô-la nóng.
Waitress: How do you want your eggs?
Ngài muốn món trứng như thế nào?
Phil: Over easy, please.
Làm ơn rán sơ cả hai mặt.
Language Notes
• How do you want your eggs? = How do you want your eggs prepared?
@ Over easy = egg fried on one side and slightly on the other with the yolk
left uncooked or partially cooked, not hard. Other ways to prepare eggs are
scrambled, fried (hard), boiled (soft or hard), and poached.

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 38. NEAR ACCIDENT
Quinn: How about that!
Xem chuyện gì kìa!
Kerwin: What? What happened?
Chuyện gì? Chuyện gì đã xảy ra vậy?
Quinn: Did you see what that guy did?
Cậu thấy chàng trai đó đã làm gì không?
Kerwin: No. I was looking the other way.
Không. Mình nhìn hướng khác mà.
Quinn: He made a U turn right in the middle of the
block and almost hit a kid on a bicycle.
Anh ta xoay một vòng chữ U ngay giữa nhà và tí nữa thì
đụng trúng thằng bé ngồi trên xe đạp.
Kerwin: Drivers get crazier every day!
Đúng là những người lái xe trở nên điên hơn mỗi ngày!
Quinn: Right. Nobody wants to drive by the rules
anymore!
Đúng thế. Không một ai muốn lái xe theo luật nữa mà.
Language Notes
• Near accident = almost an accident
@ How about that! = Just consider what happened!
@ guy = man
@ I was looking the other way = I was looking in the opposite direction.
@ Uturn = turn a vehicle such as a car or truck in the shape of a U.

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 39. ARRIVAL TIME
Pat: What time does Mother's plane get in?
Mấy giờ chuyến bay của mẹ tới nơi?
Cliff: I'm not sure, but I think at 2:35. I'll call the airline
to make sure.
Chị không chắc nữa, nhưng chị nghĩ là 2h35. Chị sẽ gọi
hãng hàng không cho chắn chắn.
Pat: Why don't you do that while I change my clothes?
Sao chị không gọi trong khi em thay đồ?
Cliff: Do you think Dick or Brenda will want to go?
Em có nghĩ Dick và Brenda sẽ muốn đi cùng không?
Pat: I don't know. I guess we could call them.
Em không biết. Em nghĩ chị em mình có thể gọi cho họ.
Cliff: I know Dick has to work, but maybe Brenda can
go.
Chị biết Dick phải làm việc, nhưng có thể là Brenda có thể
đi đấy.
Pat: Okay. Call her first, then the airline. I'll go get
ready.
Okay. Gọi cho cô ấy trước đi, sau đó gọi cho hãng hàng
không. Em sẵn sàng rồi.
Language Notes
• get in = arrive

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 40. AFTER THE GAME
Gloria: Did you watch the game last night?
Cậu có xem trận thi đấu tối qua không?
Roy: I sure did. I wouldn't have missed it for anything!
Chắn chắc rồi. Mình không thể bỏ lỡ nó vì chuyện khác
đâu.
Gloria: I think it was one of the best games I've ever
seen.
Mình nghĩ nó là một trong những trận đấu hay nhất mình
từng xem.
Roy: Me too. I thought both teams played super ball.
Too bad one had to lose.
Mình cũng vậy. Mình nghĩ cả hai đội đã chơi rất xuất sắc.
Thật quá tệ khi một đội phải thua.
Gloria: Yeah. I thought they were evenly matched. It
could have gone either way!
Ừ. Mình nghĩ họ thi đấu ngang nhau. Cả hai đội đều có
chung cơ hội!
Roy: That shot that won in the last fifteen seconds was
really something.
Cú sút có được trong 15 giây cuối cùng thật sự hiếm thấy.
Language Notes
• I sure did = I certainly did (watch the game)
@ played super ball = played extremely well
@ Too bad = Unfortunately
@ It could have gone either way! = Either team could have won!
@ really something = extraordinary; quite unusual

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 41. GOING FOR A WALK
Roger: What did you say?
Cậu đã nói gì?
Claire: I said that it's a lovely day. Why don't we go for
a walk?
Tớ nói thật là một ngày đẹp trời. Sao chúng ta không đi
dạo nhỉ?
Roger: Can you wait a few minutes? I have to finish
this letter.
Cậu đợi vài phút được không? Tớ phải hoàn thành nốt lá
thư này.
Claire: Don't take too long. It would be a shame not to
take advantage of such lovely weather.
Đừng lâu quá nhé. Sẽ thật tiếc khi không tận hưởng thời
tiếc dễ chịu như thế này.
Roger: I won't be long. No more than ten minutes. Why
don't you go on ahead and I'll meet you in the park.
Tớ sẽ không lâu đâu. Không hơn 10 phút. Cậu đi trước đi
và tớ sẽ gặp cậu ở công viên.
Claire: Believe I will. Look for me near the rock
garden.
Tin tớ đi. Kiếm tớ gần khu vườn đá nha.
Language Notes
• Don’t take too long = Don’t delay. @ go on ahead = proceed (to the park) @
Look for me… = Meet me…

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 42. WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
Mother: I wonder what we should have for dinner this
evening?
Mẹ muốn biết tối nay chúng ta sẽ ăn gì?
Mona: Are you asking me?
Mẹ đang hỏi con đúng không?
Mother: Yes, I am. I really don't feel much like cooking,
but the family must eat.
Ừ, đúng rồi. Mẹ thật sự không muốn nấu ăn lắm, nhưng
gia đình mình phải ăn.
Mona: Well, you know me. I can always eat pizza or
spaghetti.
Ồ, mẹ hiểu con mà. Con có thể ăn hoài pizza hoặc mì ống.
Mother: So, I've noticed. You're putting on a little
weight, aren't you?
Vậy nên mẹ mới để ý. Con đang lên vài cân đúng không?
Mona: I know. Don't remind me! I'm starting a new
diet day after tomorrow.
Con biết. Đừng bận tâm mẹ à! Con sẽ bắt đầu có một ngày
ăn kiêng mới sau ngày mai.
Mother: It's about time!
Tới lúc rồi đó.
Language Notes
• I wonder… = I wish to know about…
@ pizza = A spicy Italian dish made like a pie from bread dough and covered
with cheese, tomato sauce, meat, spices, etc.
@ putting on a little weight = gaining weight
@ Don’t remind me! = Don’t call it to my attention!

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@ It’s about time! = It’s the right time (to begin)!

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 43. ACADEMY AWARDS
Janice: Did you see the Academy Awards program last
night on TV?
Tối qua cậu có xem lễ trao giải của Học viện nghệ thuật
trên ti vi không?
Rob: I watched for awhile; then I had to go to bed.
Tớ xem một lúc; sau đó tớ đã đi ngủ.
Janice: You missed a good show. I didn't agree with the
selection for best picture, though.
Cậu đã bỏ lỡ một chương trình hay rồi. Mặc dù tớ không
đồng tình với việc chọn ra bộ phim hay nhất.
Rob: I guess I missed that part. What happened?
Mình nghĩ mình đã bỏ lỡ phần đó. Có gì xảy ra ư?
Janice: Oh, they chose some pictures that was so avant
garde that no one understands it
Ồ, họ đã chọn vài bộ phim rất mới lạ mà không một ai
hiểu được.
Rob: Well, I don't go to the movies very often. You
know me. I prefer more active type things.
À, Mình không thường xuyên đi xem phim lắm. Cậu biết
mà. Mình thích những thể loại năng động hơn.
Janice: Too bad. I really wanted to discuss it with
someone.
Tệ quá, Mình thật sự muốn tranh luận với một ai đó.
Language Notes
• Academy Awards = awards in the film industry given annually for the best
movie, best actor, best director, etc. The awards, small statues, are called
Oscars. @ Avantgarde = in the arts, having to do with creative ideas,
methods, designs, etc., that are ahead of all others.

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 44. AT THE HOTEL
Clerk: Yes, sir. May I help you?
Vâng thưa ngài. Tôi có thể giúp gì không?
Tony: I have a reservation for tonight. Tony Davis.
Tôi có đặt phòng trước vào tối nay. Tony Davis.
Clerk: Just a moment, please, while I check. That is
correct. You have a reservation for a three room suite
for tonight.
Làm ơn ngài đợi giây lát để tôi kiểm tra ạ. Đúng rồi. Ngài
có đặt trước một dãy 3 phòng cao cấp vào tối nay.
Tony: I'm afraid there's been a mistake. I only asked
for a single room, not a suite.
Tôi e rằng là có nhầm lẫn. Tôi chỉ yêu cầu một phòng đơn,
không phải phòng cao cấp.
Clerk: I'm sorry, Mr. Davis, but we have only the suite
available. Your request arrived too late to reserve a
single. There's a large convention in town this week
and we're full up.
Tôi xin lỗi. Ngài Davis, nhưng chúng tôi chỉ còn phòng cao
cấp thôi. Yêu cầu của ngài đến quá trễ để giữ lại một phòng
đơn. Có một hội nghị lớn ở thị trấn vào tuần này và chúng
tôi đã đầy hết các phòng.
Tony: Well, if that's the way it is, I'll have to take it.
Ồ, nếu đó là cách duy nhất, tôi sẽ lấy nó.
Clerk: Just sign the register here and I'll have your
bags sent up later. It's suite 718.
Chỉ cần kí vào sổ đăng kí ở đây và tôi sẽ gửi lại túi sách
của ngài sau. Nó là phòng 718.

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 Language Notes
• May I help you? = May I serve you?
@ We’re full up. = All of our rooms are taken.

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 45. AFTER THE MOVIE
Pamela: I really enjoyed that movie!
Tớ thật sự thích bộ phim đó!
Scott: I did, too. At first, I thought it was going to be a
drag, but then it really got good.
Tớ cũng vậy. Đầu tiên tớ nghĩ nó sẽ là bộ phim dở tệ,
nhưng nó thật sự rất hay.
Pamela: What part did you like the best?
Cậu thích nhất phần nào?
Scott: Oh, I don't know. I guess the scene that grabbed
me the most was the one in which the old man was
dying.
Ồ, tớ không biết. Tớ nghĩ là cảnh in sâu vào mình nhất là
cảnh mà người đàn ông lớn tuổi đang hấp hối.
Pamela: I liked that one, too. In fact, I cried.
Tớ cũng thích cảnh đó. Sự thật là tớ đã khóc.
Scott: To tell you the truth, I had a few tears in my
eyes.
Nói thật, tớ đã rưng rưng nước mắt đấy.
Pamela: Now what?
Còn bây giờ làm gì nào?
Scott: How about a coke and a hamburger?
Một coca-cola và một bánh mì kẹp thịt chứ?
Pamela: Super!
Tuyệt vời!
Language Notes
• be a drag = be boring or uninteresting

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@ the scene that grabbed me the most = the scene that most moved me
emotionally
@ coke = Coca Cola or any soft drink
@ Super! = Wonderful!

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 46. AT THE BANK
Teller: May I help you?
Tôi có thể giúp gì bà?
Nancy: I'd like to cash this check, please.
Làm ơn, tôi muốn trả tiền mặt tấm séc này.
Teller: Do you have an account with us?
Bà có tài khoản ngân hàng của chúng tôi chưa?
Nancy: Yeah. Here's my identification card.
Rồi. Đây là thẻ ID của tôi.
Teller: Do you want large or small bills?
Bà muốn lấy hóa đơn lớn hay nhỏ?
Nancy: Actually, I want to buy some traveler's checks.
Thực sự, tôi muốn mua vài tấm séc của khách du lịch.
Teller: What denomination?
Mệnh giá nào?
Nancy: Twenties would be fine.
Hai mươi mấy sẽ ổn đấy.
Teller: Do you want the whole amount in traveler's
checks?
Bà muốn tất cả tấm séc của khách du lịch luôn đúng
không?
Nancy: Yes, please.
Đúng vậy, làm ơn.
Language Notes
• to cash this check = to receive money for this check @ large or small bills =
bills of large or small denomination @ traveler’s checks = special checks

Trang 67
issued by banks for a special amount and which can only be used by the
buyer.

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 47. DISCUSSING A NEWS STORY
Helen: Did you hear about that guy who was struck by
lightning?
Cậu đã nghe về chàng thanh niên bị sét đánh trúng chưa?
Mavis: You mean that man up in Maine?
Ý cậu có phải chàng trai ở Maine không?
Helen: That's the one; the blind guy who could see
again.
Là anh ta; một gã mù đã có thể nhìn thấy lại đấy.
Mavis: I read about him in the paper this week. He'd
been blind for about eight or nine years.
Tớ đã đọc về anh ta trên báo ra tuần này. Anh ta đã bị mù
trong khoảng 8 hoặc 9 năm.
Helen: Uh huh. Wasn't he also able to hear again after
the lightning hit him?
Uh-huh. Anh ta cũng có thể nghe lại sau khi bị sét đánh
trúng phải không?
Mavis: Right. He didn't have to wear a hearing aid
anymore.
Đúng rồi. Anh ấy đã không phải đeo ống nghe nữa.
Helen: I think it was a miracle!
Tớ nghĩ đó là một phép màu!
Mavis: Me too!
Tớ cũng nghĩ vậy.
Language Notes
• Maine = state in the northeastern part of the United States
@ Uhhuh. = That’s right.

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@ Right. = Correct.
@ hearing aid = device to help deaf or partially deaf persons hear
@ Me too! = So do I!

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 48. TALKING IT OVER
Jeff: Can't we go someplace and talk? It's so crowded in
here.
Chúng ta tới nơi nào đó nói chuyện không? Ở đây quá
đông.
Sonia: Well, there's a little park down the street about
three blocks. It's usually not crowded this time of day.
À, có một công viên nhỏ xuôi theo con phố khoảng ba ngôi
nhà nữa. Thường thì giờ này trong ngày nó không đông
lắm.
Jeff: Let's go. I need to get some fresh air anyway.
Đi thôi. Dù sao đi nữa tớ cần không khí trong lành.
Sonia: Just what is it you want to talk about?
Thế cậu muốn nói về chuyện gì?
Jeff: You remember that note you sent me last month?
Cậu nhớ bức thư ngắn tớ đã gửi cho cậu vào tháng trước
không?
Sonia: Which one? The one about the trip out west?
Cái nào? Bức thư về chuyến đi miền tây á?
Jeff: Yeah. That's the one. Listen. I've got a terrific idea
about the whole project and we need to discuss it.
Đúng rồi. Là nó. Nghe này. Tớ đang có một ý tưởng tuyệt
vời về toàn bộ kế hoạch và chúng ta cần thảo luận chúng.
Sonia: Wonderful! I'd like to hear some of your ideas.
Tuyệt vời! Tớ muốn nghe vài ý kiến của cậu.
Language Notes
• Talking it over = Discussing a matter or problem
@ anyway = in any case
Trang 71
@ Just = Exactly

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 49. WEEKEND PLANS
Al: Hi. I'm glad I ran into you.
Chào Bob. Tớ rất vui khi tình cờ gặp cậu.
Bob: Why? What's up?
Sao thế? Có chuyện gì hả?
Al: How'd you like to go on a hike this weekend?
Cậu có hứng thú với việc đi bộ cuối tuần này không?
Bob: All weekend?
Cả tuần luôn à?
Al: Well, just Saturday and Sunday.
À, chỉ thứ bảy và chủ nhật thôi.
Bob: I'm not sure I can be gone all weekend. I
promised to help my sister move Saturday.
Tớ không chắc là mình có thể đi được hết cuối tuần. Tớ
đã hứa giúp chị tớ chuyển chổ ở vào thứ bảy.
Al: How about Sunday, then? We could start early in
the morning.
Vậy chủ nhật thì sao? Chúng ta có thể bắt đầu vào sáng
sớm.
Bob: I might be able to do that. Tell you what. Let me
check and I'll call you at home tonight.
Có thể được đó. Để mình xem lại và gọi tới nhà cậu vào tối
nay.
Al: Great! I'll talk to you later.
Tốt quá! Mình sẽ nói chuyện với cậu sau.
Bob: So long
Tạm biệt.
Trang 73
 Language Notes
• I’m glad I ran into you. = I’m glad I met you
@ What’s up? = What’s happening? = What’s going on?
@ to help my sister move = to help my sister move her household effects to
another house or apartment.
@ How about Sunday, then? = Is Sunday a good day, then?
@ Tell you what = Here’s my opinion/reaction.
@ Let me check… = Let me verify…
@ Great! = Wonderful!
@ So long = Goodbye for now.

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 50. DINNER INVITATION
Laura: Don't forget. We're invited out to dinner
tonight.
Đừng quên nhé. Tối nay chúng mình được mời đi ăn tối
đấy.
Ted: Oh. I almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me.
What time?
Ồ, tớ gần như đã quên. Cảm ơn cậu đã nhắc tớ. Mà mấy
giờ nhỉ?
Laura: Seven thirty. We should leave the house by six
thirty. You know how bad the traffic is that time of
night.
7h30. Chúng mình nên rời khỏi nhà lúc 6h30. Cậu biết
giao thông tồi tệ như thế nào vào buổi tối giờ đó mà.
Ted: Uh huh. It's informal, isn't it?
Ừm-huh. Buổi tối thoải mái thôi mà, đúng không?
Laura: Yeah. You can wear your new sports jacket.
Ừ. Cậu có thể mặc áo khoác thể thao mới của cậu đấy.
Ted: Okay. I'll try to get home a little early.
Okay. Tớ sẽ cố gắng về nhà sớm một chút.
Laura: Good. Bye bye.
Tốt. Tạm biệt Ted.
Language Notes
• We’re invited out to dinner tonight = We’re invited to have dinner with
friends or acquaintances.
@ Uhhuh. = Yes, (I do).
@ Byebye. = Good bye; so long.

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 51. CAR INSURANCE
Dick: I need to get car insurance. You got any ideas?
Tớ cần mua bảo hiểm xe ô tô. Cậu có ý kiến gì không?
George: Well, you could try my company. It seems to
have fair rates.
À, cậu có thể thử mua của công ty mình. Nó được xem là
có các tỉ lệ công bằng.
Dick: Do they insure older cars?
Họ đã bảo hiềm nhiều xe đời cũ đúng không?
George: As far as I know, they insure all kinds of
vehicles.
Theo như mình biết, họ bảo hiểm cho tất cả các dòng
phương tiện.
Dick: How long have you had a policy with them?
Cậu đã có hợp đồng bảo hiểm với họ bao lâu rồi?
George: Oh, I don't know. Maybe five years.
Ồ, mình không rõ. Có thể là 5 năm.
Dick: And you say their rates are low?
Và cậu nói tỉ lệ của họ thấp đúng không?
George: Not low, reasonable. I've always gotten good
service from them. Let me give you their phone
number and you can call them.
Không thấp, vừa phải. Mình luôn nhận được sự phục vụ
tốt từ họ. Để mình đưa cậu số điện thoại và cậu có thể gọi
cho họ.

Trang 76
 Language Notes
• car insurance = insurance on automobiles in case of accidents, theft, bodily
injury, etc.
@ As far as I know… = To the extent of my knowledge…

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 52. PARENTS' NIGHT OUT
Joe: Can you get a baby sitter for tonight?
Bạn có người giữ trẻ cho tối nay chưa?
Susan: I don't know. Why?
Tôi không biết. Tại sao vậy?
Joe: Well, I thought we could go out for dinner and
then go to a movie afterward.
Ồ, tôi nghĩ chúng ta có thể đi ra ngoài ăn tối rồi đi xem
phim.
Susan: I can call Debbie and see if she's available. She
usually doesn't like to sit during the week, but she
might make an exception.
Tôi có thể gọi và hẹn gặp Debbie nếu cô ấy rảnh. Cô ấy
thường không thích ngồi suốt tuần, nhưng có lẽ cô ấy có
ngoại lệ.
Joe: Well, do that, and then call me at the office if you
have any luck.
Vậy gọi cô ấy đi rồi gọi cho tôi ở văn phòng nhé, nếu bạn
may mắn.
Susan: Okay, but don't get your hopes too high. It's
hard to find a good baby sitter these days.
Được, nhưng đừng hi vọng quá nhiều. Thật khó để tìm
người giữ trẻ những ngày này.
Language Notes
• night out = evening away from home for the purpose of recreation or
relaxation
@ babysitter = woman or young girl hired, usually by parents, to watch small
children while the parents are away from home
@ to sit during the week = to babysit on weekdays

Trang 78
@ if you have any luck = if you are successful
@ don’t get your hopes too high = don’t expect success

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 53. DISCUSSING THE ECONOMY
Gordon: The economic news doesn't look good, does
it?
Bản tin kinh tế có vẻ không tốt lắm đúng không?
Hobart: Not according to the newspaper yesterday. I
saw a similar report last night on TV.
Không giống trên báo ngày hôm qua. Tớ đã xem một bản
tin tương tự trên ti vi tối qua.
Gordon: I saw that, too. The analysis seemed to be
quite realistic.
Tớ cũng xem. Sự phân tích có vẻ thực tế hơn.
Hobart: I hope they're wrong. We really need to get
the rising price structure under control.
Hi vọng họ đã sai. Chúng ta thật sự cần sự tăng giá của
công trình kiến trúc dưới mức kiểm soát.
Gordon: Well, costs seem to be rising in so many
categories that it appears to defeat any efforts at
stabilization.
À, giá cả có vẻ đang tăng lên ở nhiều loại để mà phá vỡ
bất kì sự nỗ lực bình ổn giá nào.
Hobart: That's my feeling, too. Raw material now costs
more Labor is demanding higher wages and
production costs continue to soar.
Đó cũng là cảm nghĩ của tớ. Nguyên liệu thô đòi hỏi giá
cao hơn. Nhân công đang đòi tăng tiền lương và chi phí sản
xuất tiếp tục đạt mức cao.
Gordon: There may be some relief this summer. I
understand the price of some foodstuffs will decrease.

Trang 80
 Có thể có sự giảm nhiệt trong mùa hè này. Tớ nghĩ giá cả
thực phẩm sẽ tăng lên.
Language Notes
• That’s my feeling, too = That’s my opinion, too @ soar = rise beyond what is
common and ordinary

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 54. DENTAL APPOINTMENT
Dental Assistant: Dr. Katuna's office. May I help you?
Văn phòng bác sĩ Katuna. Tôi có thể giúp gì không?
Karen: Yes. I'd like to make an appointment for a
dental checkup.
Vâng. Tôi muốn sắp xếp một buổi gặp để khám răng.
Dental Assistant: Are you one of the doctor's regular
patients?
Bà là một trong nhiều bệnh nhân thường xuyên của bác sĩ
đúng không?
Karen: No, I'm not. I recently moved to this area and a
friend of mine recommended Dr. Katuna.
Không, không phải tôi. Tôi mới chuyển đến vùng này gần
đây thôi và một người bạn của tôi giới thiệu bác sĩ Katuna.
Dental Assistant: I see. Dr. Katuna can see you next
Thursday. Do you prefer morning or afternoon?
Tôi hiểu rồi. Bác sĩ Katuna có thể gặp bà vào thứ năm tới.
Bà thích buổi sáng hay buổi chiều?
Karen: Morning is best for me.
Buổi sáng là tốt nhất với tôi.
Dental Assistant: Would 10:30 be all right?
10h30 sẽ ổn chứ?
Karen: That would be fine.
Được đấy.
Dental Assistant: Good. We'll expect you then at 10:30
on Thursday.
Tốt. Chúng tôi sẽ đợi bà lúc 10h30 vào thứ năm.

Trang 82
Karen: Thank you very much.
Cảm ơn nhiều.
Language Notes
• I see = I understand
@ Would 10:30 be all right? = Would 10:30 be acceptable?

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 55. MAKING PLANS
Alice: When shall we meet?
Chúng ta sẽ gặp nhau khi nào?
Sofia: You mean to talk about the party?
Ý cậu là nói về buổi tiệc đúng không?
Alice: Right. We really need to plan better this time.
Remember what a mess it was at the last party?
Đúng vậy. Lúc này chúng ta thật sự cần lên kế hoạch. Có
nhớ buổi tiệc hỗn độn lần cuối cùng không?
Sofia: I sure do. I hope we'll do much more planning
this time.
Chắc chắn rồi. Tớ hi vọng chúng ta sẽ có nhiều kế hoạch
hơn vào lúc này.
Alice: Well, that's why we're going to meet tomorrow
at my house. How does 7:30 sound to you?
À, đó là lý do tại sao chúng ta sẽ gặp nhau tại nhà tớ vào
ngày mai. Cậu thấy 7h30 thế nào?
Sofia: Fine by me. I'll call Jan and Judy. We'll see you
tomorrow.
Tốt thôi. Tớ sẽ gọi Jan và Judy. Chúng ta sẽ gặp vào ngày
mai.
Language Notes
• Right. = Correct.
@ mess = unpleasant or unsuccessful affair or event
@ How does 7:30 sound to you? = How do you react to meeting at 7:30?
@ Fine by me. = It’s all right with me.

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 56. NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEM
Wife: We've got to do something about the neighbor's
dog!
Chúng ta cần phải làm gì đó với chú chó hàng xóm thôi!
Husband: Why? Has he been into your flower garden
again?
Sao thế? Nó chạy vào vườn hoa em trồng nữa à?
Wife: The flower garden, the garbage can, and
yesterday he started digging holes in the yard!
Nào là vườn hoa, sọt rác, và hôm qua nó còn bắt đầu đào
những cái hố trong sân!
Husband: Did you talk to Mrs. Gorham about it?
Em đã nói với bà Gorham về chuyện này chưa?
Wife: You know how she is. All sweetness and light to
your face but then she never does anything. They
should either keep that animal in the house or tied up!
Anh biết bà ấy như thế nào mà. Tất cả sự dịu dàng và trí
tuệ đều hiện lên trên khuôn mặt anh nhưng bà ấy chưa bao
giờ làm bất cứ điều gì. Họ nên giữ con chó đó lại trong nhà
hoặc xích nó lại.
Husband: I'll talk to Hank about it tonight. He usually
listens.
Anh sẽ nói chuyện với Hank về việc này tối nay. Ông ta
thường lắng nghe hơn.
Wife: We need more than listening, dear. We need
action!
Chúng mình cần nhiều hơn sự im lặng. Chúng ta cần hành
động!

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 Language Notes
• All sweetness and light to your face… = Excessively agreeable and pleasant
in the direct confrontation…
@ Hank = Mr. Gorham

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 57. CAR THEFT
Byron: Did you hear about what happened to Howard?
Cậu đã nghe gì về việc xảy ra với Howard chưa?
Vance: No, what?
Chưa, chuyện gì thế?
Byron: Someone stole his car!
Ai đó đã lấy trộm chiếc xe ô tô của anh ấy!
Vance: Really? When did it happen?
Thật sao? Nó xảy ra khi nào?
Byron: Last night. He left it parked in front of his girl
friend's house and when he came out to go home, it
was gone.
Vào tối qua. Anh ấy đỗ xe trước nhà bạn gái và khi anh ấy
đi ra để về nhà, nó đã biến mất.
Vance: Wow! That's really tough. He just bought it last
month, didn't he?
Wow! Thật không may! Anh ấy vừa mua nó tháng trước
đúng không?
Byron: Uh huh. Fortunately, he's got insurance and the
police think they already have a good lead.
Ừ-hừm. May là anh ấy đã mua bảo hiểm rồi và cảnh sát
cho là họ đã có một sự chỉ dẫn có giá trị.
Vance: Well, I certainly wish him luck.
Ừ, chúc cho may mắn sẽ đến với anh ấy.
Language Notes
• theft = act of stealing
@ Wow! = Exclamation of amazement, surprise, joy, etc.

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@ That’s really tough = That’s too bad.
@ a good lead = a strong clue

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 58. GETTING READY
Bill: We don't have much time!
Chúng ta không có nhiều thời gian!
Jerry: I'm hurrying as fast as I can!
Tớ đang gấp rút nhanh nhất có thể đây!
Bill: Well, try to hurry a little bit more, will you? I don't
want to be late.
Ừ, cố gắng nhanh thêm một tí được chứ? Tớ không muốn
trễ đâu.
Jerry: Oh, we won't be late. You know how these affairs
are. They never start on time.
Ồ, chúng ta sẽ không trễ. Cậu biết những việc này như thế
nào mà. Họ chưa bao giờ bắt đầu đúng giờ cả.
Bill: Maybe so. But I always like to get there on time.
Có thể là như vậy. Nhưng tớ luôn thích tới đó đúng giờ.
Jerry: Oh, you're such a fuddy duddy. Don't worry. I'll
get you there with time to spare.
Ồ, cậu đúng là người lạc hậu. Đừng lo. Tớ sẽ đưa cậu đến
đó với thì giờ thích hợp.
Bill: Is that a promise?
Đó là lời hứa à?
Jerry: It's a promise. Now leave me alone while I finish
getting ready.
Nó là lời hứa đấy. Bây giờ để tớ một mình trong khi tớ
chuẩn bị xong xuôi nhé.

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 Language Notes
• such a fuddyduddy = an extremely fussy, hardtoplease, or very particular
person.
@ time to spare = excess time

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 59. MAKING A PURCHASE
Joan: How much is this?
Cái này bao nhiêu tiền?
Clerk: You mean the large one or the small one?
Ý bạn là cái lớn hay cái nhỏ?
Joan: The large one.
Cái lớn đấy.
Clerk: They're on special this week. They've been
reduced to five dollars.
Nó nằm trong chương trình đặc biệt tuần này. Sản phẩm
sẽ giảm xuống còn $5.
Joan: Is this the only kind you have?
Đây là loại duy nhất bạn có đúng không?
Clerk: No. We have some that are different in style but
not in color. They're over there. Do you see the sign?
Không. Chúng tôi có nhiều kiểu khác nhưng không cùng
màu sắc. Chúng ở bên kia. Bạn có muốn nhìn bản thiết kế
không?
Joan: Oh, yes. I think I'll look at those over there
before I decide.
Ồ, có. Tôi nghĩ tôi sẽ nhìn vài sản phẩm đằng kia trước khi
quyết định.
Clerk: Very well. Just take your time.
Rất tốt. Cứ từ từ lựa chọn nhé.
Language Notes
• on special = special low price
@ Just take your time. = Don’t be in a hurry.

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 60. MAIL TIME
Barbara: The mail has arrived.
Bưu phẩm đến rồi.
Norma: Did I get anything?
Tớ có vài thứ đúng không?
Barbara: I think so. Let me look. You got something
from the bank and an advertisement from a health
spa.
Tớ nghĩ vậy. Để tớ xem. Cậu có vài thứ từ ngân hàng và
một tờ quảng cáo từ dịch vụ chăm sóc sức khỏe.
Norma: Give me the letter from the bank. It might be
important.
Đưa mình lá thư từ ngân hàng. Có lẽ nó quan trọng đó.
Barbara: Here. Maybe you've overdrawn your account.
Đây. Có thể cậu đã rút quá số tiền trong tài khoảng
chăng.
Norma: No danger of that. I don't have any money to
overdraw. I hope it's an offer of that job I applied for.
Không lo việc đó. Tớ không có tiền để rút hơn đâu. Tớ hi
vọng nó là lời đề nghị cho công việc tớ đã ứng tuyển.
Language Notes
• health spa = health resort
@ Maybe you’ve overdrawn your account. = Perhaps you’ve spent more
money than is in your checking account at the bank.
@ No danger of that. = That’s not a possibility.

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 61. BEDTIME
Angela: Did you lock the doors?
Anh đã khóa những cái cửa đúng không?
Frank: All except the back door. I left that open for
Tim. He took the dog for a walk.
Tất cả nhưng trừ cửa sau. Anh để nó mở cho Tim đấy. Cậu
ấy dẫn chó đi dạo rồi.
Angela: Well, I'm going on to bed. I'm bushed.
Vâng, em chuẩn bị đi ngủ. Em mệt rồi.
Frank: Okay. I'm going to stay up a while. I've got to go
over the household budget. We're a little overspent
this month.
Okay. Anh thức thêm tí nữa. Anh còn phải làm xong đống
việc nhà nữa. Tháng này chúng ta tiêu ít hơn một chút nhé.
Angela: Please tell Tim to close the door to the
basement. I don't want the dog down there tonight.
Hãy nói với Tim đóng cửa tầng hầm. Em không muốn chú
chó chạy xuống đó tối nay.
Frank: Okay. Good night. See you at breakfast.
Okay. Chúc ngủ ngon. Hẹn gặp em ở bữa ăn sáng.
Language Notes
• I’m bushed = I’m exhausted, very tired.
@ stay up = remain awake
@ I’ve got to go over… = I must read to examine…
@ overspent = expenses in excess of income

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 62. GETTING SOMETHING FIXED
Lee: How long do you think it'll take to fix it?
Anh nghĩ phải mất bao lâu để sửa nó?
Repairman: Hard to tell. Sometimes we can find the
problem right away and sometimes it may take an
hour or two.
Khó nói lắm. Thỉnh thoảng chúng ta có thể tìm ra vấn đề
liền nhưng có khi mất một hoặc hai tiếng.
Lee: Should I wait or come back later?
Tôi nên đợi hay trở lại sau?
Repairman: Suit yourself, but it's probably better to
come back later.
Tùy cô thôi, nhưng có thể sẽ tốt hơn khi trở lại sau đấy.
Lee: You will get it fixed today, won't you?
Anh sẽ sửa nó hôm nay đúng không?
Repairman: I don't see any problem. We should have it
ready for you by three at the latest. But, better call
before you come.
Tôi chưa thấy bất kì trục trặc nào. Muộn nhất là 3 giờ
chúng tôi sửa xong cho cô. Nhưng tốt hơn là gọi cho cô
trước khi cô đến.
Lee: Okay. Thanks a lot.
Okay. Cảm ơn nhiều.
Language Notes
• Hard to tell. = Difficult to predict.
@ right away = immediately
@ Suit yourself… = Do as you please…
@ by three at the latest = no later than three o’clock

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 63. FAMILY PLANS
Wife: The gas company phoned this afternoon.
Công ty gas đã gọi chiều nay.
Husband: About the gas stove that we ordered?
Về cái bếp gas chúng ta đã đặt ư?
Wife: Yes, and also about the gas furnace you asked
about.
Vâng, về lò sưởi khí đốt mà anh đã hỏi nữa.
Husband: What did they say?
Rồi họ nói sao?
Wife: They're going to send someone out to talk with
us about the furnace.
Họ sẽ cho ai đó tới để nói chuyện với chúng ta về lò sưởi.
Husband: Good. I think we're doing the right thing.
The old furnace just isn't very efficient anymore.
Tốt. Anh nghĩ chúng ta đúng rồi. Lò sưởi cũ hoạt động
không hiệu quả nữa.
Wife: I agree. We should be able to afford a new
furnace now that you got that raise in salary.
Em đồng ý. Chúng mình có thể mua được một lò sưởi mới
vì anh đã được tăng lương mà.
Husband: Exactly my thoughts.
Giống như anh nghĩ đấy.
Language Notes
• gas company = public utility company providing natural or manufactured
gas for heating, cooking, etc.
@ I think we’re doing the right thing. = I think we are proceeding correctly.
@ afford a new furnace = pay for a new furnace
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@ Exactly my thoughts. = I agree.

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 64. PLANNING A BUSINESS TRIP
Dave: When shall I say that you will arrive?
Khi nào tớ sẽ nói rằng cậu sẽ đi?
Don: Tell them that I plan to be there by tomorrow
afternoon.
Nói với họ tớ tính đến đó vào chiều ngày mai.
Dave: Shall I have them make a hotel reservation for
you?
Tớ sẽ đặt trước phòng khách sạn cho cậu chứ?
Don: No need. I made one last week by telephone.
Không cần. Tớ đã đặt vào tuần trước qua điện thoại rồi.
Dave: Do you plan to stay longer than three days?
Cậu có dự tính ở đó lâu hơn 3 ngày không?
Don: I don't think so. I can take care of all the
necessary business in three days.
Tớ không nghĩ vậy. Tớ có thể lo tất cả việc kinh doanh
trong 3 ngày.
Dave: Well, have a good trip.
À, có một chuyến đi tốt đẹp nhé.
Don: Thank you.
Cảm ơn cậu.
Language Notes
• No need. = It’s not necessary.
@ Have a good trip. = Have a pleasant, successful trip

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 65. A SHORT DISCUSSION
Rosalie: Don't forget, Jim and Adrian are coming over
tonight.
Đừng quên nhé, Jim và Adrian sẽ tới vào tối nay.
Tracy: I thought they were coming next week.
Tớ đã nghĩ họ đến vào tuần tới cơ.
Rosalie: No. Tonight's the night. I told you at least a
half a dozen times!
Không. Tối nay là đêm nay đấy. Tớ đã nói với cậu ít nhất
nửa ngàn lần rồi.
Tracy: Well, I forgot.
À, tớ quên mất.
Rosalie: You forget all too easily if you ask me.
Cái gì cậu hỏi tớ cậu đều dễ quên à.
Tracy: Anyway, I've made other plans.
Dù sao đã có kế hoạch khác.
Rosalie: Like what?
Là gì vậy?
Tracy: I told Frank I'd help him work on his car.
Tớ đã nói với Frank là tớ sẽ giúp anh ấy sửa chiếc xe.
Rosalie: Then, you'll just have to tell him you can't
come!
Vậy, cậu phải nói với anh ấy cậu không thể đến nhé!
Language Notes
• coming over = coming to visit
@ Like what? = For example?
@ work on his car = help repair his car

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 66. FAMILY SQUABBLE
Sister: Wait a minute! Just hold your horses! What's
your hurry, anyway?
Đợi tí! Đừng thiếu kiên nhẫn chứ! Mà anh vội vàng
chuyện gì vậy?
Brother: Well, I've got to stop and get gas in the car,
first.
À, anh dừng lại đổ xăng vào xe trước.
Sister: That won't take long.
Việc đó sẽ không lâu đâu.
Brother: Well, it won't if there's no line at the pump.
À, sẽ không lâu nếu không phải xếp hàng ở máy bơm.
Sister: Well, I'm not quite ready.
À, em chưa sẵn sàng lắm.
Brother: I'll give you five more minutes, then I'm going
on without you!
Anh sẽ cho em thêm 5 phút nữa, sau đó anh sẽ đi mà
không có em.
Sister: You wouldn't do a thing like that!
Anh sẽ không làm như thế đâu!
Brother: Oh. Yes I would!
Ồ, anh sẽ làm đấy!
Language Notes
• squabble = noisy quarrel having little importance
@ Just hold your horses! = Don’t be so impatient!
@ line at the pump = line of waiting cars at the gasoline pump
@ not quite ready = not completely ready

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