自考英语口语Episode11:APlaceofOurOwn

　　【导读】英语是山东自考本科专业必须要考的一门课程，很多山东自考考生对于英语科目是比较抵触的，尤其是英语是弱项的考生，对于如何去复习英语可能有些摸不着头脑，山东自考网的小编为大家总结了一些英语口语学习案例，快一起看下去吧。

A Place of Our Own
Act 1.
Marilyn: Ellen, I'd like your opinion
Ellen: About what?
Marilyn: Well, Richard and I feel that with a baby coming we need to have our own place to live.
Ellen: Oh.
Marilyn: Well, what do you think about Richard and me looking for a small house or an apartmnt at this point in our lives?
Ellen: We love having you here, and there is room, and...and when the baby comes, the baby can stay in your room for a while.
Marilyn: Richard feels we need to find a small house.
Ellen: I remember when I was pregnant with Richard. Philip and I were living with Grandma and Grandpa. Philip was a young doctor, and he kept talking about having a house of our own. It's natural.
Marilyn: What did you do ?
Ellen: We looked at a lot of houses.
Marilyn: Did you find one?
Ellen: Oh, not at first. We couldn't afford it. Grandpa wanted to led us the money to buy one, but Philip is too independent. He didn't want to borrow any money.
Marilyn: Sounds like Richard.
Ellen: They're all alike. Richard is a real Stewart. He's independent, and sometimes just stubbom.
Marilyn: When did you buy a house?
Ellen: After Richard was born. I was teaching music, and Philip was opening his first medical office.
Marilyn: Where was the house?
Ellen: Right here in Riverdate. Of course, it was a small house, but just right for us.
Marilyn: It's funny. History repeats itself. Now Richard and I are having a baby, and we probably won't be able to afford a house right away, either.
Ellen: Why don't you look at some houses, Marilyn?
Marilyn: Good idea.
Ellen: Look in the real-estate section of Sunday's Times. You'll learn a lot.
Marilyn: Maybe we should speak to a real-estate agent about a house.
Ellen: And a bank about a mortgage.
Marilyn: I'll talk to Richard about it. I think it's a good idea, Ellen. We can learn a lot by asking.
Ellen: And if I can be of any help, let me know. As a matter of fact, my friend Virginia Martinelli is a real-estate agent.
Marilyn: Good.
Ellen: You won't believe this, but she sold us our first house and this one.
Marilyn: Well, I'll tell Richard, and we'll go to see her. Do you think the skirt length is right, Ellen? Do you think it's too long?
Ellen: I think the skirt is just right. Are you planning to attach a train to it?
Marilyn: No. No train. Just the dress. But I am going to make a headpiece of lace.
Ellen: That dress is gorgeous.
Marilyn: Thanks, Ellen. And thanks for the advice about the house. I'll talk to Richard about it the minute the comes home.
Ellen: And remember, we love having you here. There's no need to rush.

Act 2.
Virginia: I remember yuor parents' first house very well. It was on Spring Avenue, near the park.
Richard: I grew up in that house.
Virginia: Yes, and you were such a cute baby.
Marilyn : I've seen pictures of him. He had blond hair.
Virginia: I've been friendly with the Stewart family for a long time, so It's my pleasure to help you find a house now.
Richard: Well, we're not sure we can afford one.
Marilyn: But we'd like to find ut about the possibilities.
Virginia: That's a good idea. I love your house on Linden Street. I sold your father that house seventeen years ago.
Marilyn: Really?
Richard: Yes, Mom was pregnant with Robbie then, and they needed the extra room.
Virginia: I hear you're expecting a baby, Mrs.Stewart.
Marilyn: Mmm-hmm. So we will be needing more room.
Virginia: Oh, so you don't need something immediately?
Richard: No. But in five or six months...
Marilyn: And time passes so quickly.
Virginia: Yes, it does. Well, when you called, you gave me enough information about your salaries and your savings. So I have a good idea about your financial situation. Let me show your some pictures of houses.
Marilyn: With two bedrooms?
Virginia: Yes, I think I can show you some. Of course, they won't be in Riverdale. The cost of housing's too high for you here.
Richard: I haven't thought about living anywhere else. We've always lived in this area.
Marilyn: Where should we look for a house, Mrs.Martinelli?
Virginia: Well, we have an office in Mount Kisco. It's a lovely area, and it's only about an hour's rive from here. Here. I have a book with photos of some homes in that area. Now, let's see. Here. This is a lovely two-bedroom house in your price range.
Marilyn: It's pretty, but I prefer a two-story home.
Richard: I do, too. I don't care for a ranch type.
Virginia: OK. Oh, this is a wonderful house. I know it well. I sold it to the present owners.
Richard: It looks wonderful.
Virginia: This is a two-bedroom, two-bath house. It has a full basement, and it is on a half- acre lot. You can probably afford this one.
Marilyn: I like this house.
Richard: So do I.
Virginia: And the price is right. Would you like to go see it?
Richard: Yes. We're planning to talk to someone at the bank next week. Perhaps we could see the house this weekend.
Virginia: If some one doesn't buy it before then. But let's keep looking. Just to get an idea of some other possibilities.
Richard: This is very helpful, Mrs. Martinelli.
Virginia: Here. This is a wonderful example of Spanish-style architecture.
Richard: Oh, I love the roof tiles on a Spanish-style house.
Marilyn: It looks like the houses in Hollywood.
Virginia: It's interesting. A house like this in Riverdale costs double the price. Oh my! Here's a real buy. It's a bargain. This house just came on the market.
Marilyn: It's quite lovely. Is it a two-bedroom house?
Virginia: No. It has three bedrooms and three baths. I know the house. It has a brand new kitchen. And a living room with a twelve-foot ceiling. And there's a two-car garage.
Richard: Then why don't we go look at this house, too?
Virginia: It's a good investment.
Richard: Thank you, Mrs. Martinelli.
Marilyn: Thanks so much.
Virginia: My pleasure. Give my best to your parents.
Virginia: Your father's a wonderful doctor, Richard. He took care of my daughter when she was a child. He's the best pediatrician in Westchester.
Richard: Thanks, Mrs. Martinelli, I'll give them your regards.
Marilyn: We really appreciate your advice.
Virginia: I do think you should go see the houses and talk to the bank. Here. Let me give you some information sheets abo the houses. They're both very good buys.
Richard: Well, thanks so much for your help and your time, Mrs. Martinelli. We've got a lot to talk about.
Marilyn: Mmm-hmm. Thanks.

Act 3.
Mr.Riley: How do you do?
Richard: Hello.
Mr.Riley: I'm Ralph Riley.
Richard: I'm Richard Stewart, and this is my wife, Marilyn.
Mr.Riley: Pleased to meet you.
Marilyn: Likewise, Mr.Riley.
MR.Riley: Please, sit down. What can I do for you?
Richard: We'd like to discuss a mortgage.
Marilyn: For a house.
Mr.Riley: Fine. Are you buying a house or are you reinancing your present home?
Richard: We're planning to buy a house.
Marilyn: And we'd like to find out about a mortgage.
Richard: We are customers of the bank. As a matter of fact, my whole Family banks here.
Mr.Riley: I have some questions to ask. Do you own your house or do you rent?
Richard: Neither. We live with my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Philip Stewart.
Mr.Riley: And how old are you?
Marilyn: I'm twenty-nine.
Richard: I'm thirty.
Mr.RIley: And, Mr. Stewat, what is your occupation?
RIchard: I'm a freelance photographer.
Mr.Riley: And, Mrs. Stewart, are you working?
Marilyn: Yes. I'm a designer, and I work in a boutique.
Mr.Riley: Did you bring any savings or salary information? Last year's tax forms?
Richard: Yes. Here they are.
Mr. Riley: OK. What...what kind of house did you have in mind?
Richard: We're talking about buying a two-bedroom house in Mount Kisco. Here are the financial details on the house.
Mr.Riley: Thank you. Are you prepared to make a ten-percent down payment?
Richard: Yes, we are.
Mr.Riley: Payments over thirty years?
Richard: Yes.
Marilyn: Do you think we can get a loan?
Mr.Riley: Well, it depends. Do you own any other property? Any stocks or bonds?
Richard: No.
Mr.Riley: I see. Then you don't have any collateral. Perhaps you could get a guarantor- someone to sign for the loan for you.
Richard: Why is that necessary?
Mr.Riley: Since you don't have enough income, and you don't already own any property, the bank needs to be sure you can pay the mortgage every month. A guarantor is responsible for the loan if you can't make the payments.
Richard: I see. Well, the idea of buying a house is exciting.
Marilyn: Thank you, Mr.Riley. We'll read this over carefully.
Mr.Riley: Thank you.
Richard: Good-bye. Thanks.
Mr.Riley: Godd-bye. And hope to see you soon.
Richard: I hope so, too.
Mr.Riley: Take care.
Marilyn: Good-bye.
Richard: It all sounded so easy until they mentioned needing collateral or a guarantor.
Marilyn: We have no collateral.
Richard: And I don't think it's a good idea to ask Dad to sign as a guarantor. I don't feel right about it.
Marilyn: I understand your feelings about it, Richard.
Ellen: Now, tell me, what's the problem?
Marilyn: We can get a loan from the bank if we can put up some collateral.
Richard: And we don't own anything to use as collateral.
Marilyn: Or someone can sign with us as a guarantor.
Ellen: Why don't you speak to Dad?
Richard: No. If we buy a house, I want to be able to handle it alone.
Ellen: Everybody needs help sometimes, Richard.
Marilyn: I understand Richard's feelings about it, Ellen.
Richard: In two or three months, I'll have an advance on my book and be able to put more money down.
Marilyn: What about the house in Mount Kisco? Somebody else'll buy it by then.
Richard: Then there'll be other houses, Marilyn.
Ellen: Richard has a point. You're just beginning to look.
Marilyn: We're in no great rush. It's true.
Richard: This has been a great learning experience for us, Marilyn. Talking to the real-estate agent. Looking at the houses. Talking to the loan officer at the bank.
Marilyn: It has been a learning experience. That's true.
Ellen: I think you're doing the right thing. Taking your time. Looking around. Especially with a purchase of this kind. You're talking about a lot of money.
Marilyn: We'll call Mrs. Martinelli and tell her to keep looking for us.
Richard: And I'll call Mr.Riley at the bank and tell him we'll see him in a couple of months.
Ellen: And if you ever need Dad or me to help you...
Marilyn: We know.
Ellen: You know we'll be there for you.
Richard: It's a Stewart tradition. We're a family.

自己的住房

ACT 1
玛丽琳：埃伦，我想听听你的意见。
埃伦：哪方面的意见？
玛丽琳：哦，理查德和我觉得，我们快要生孩子了，需要有自己的房子住。
埃伦：噢。
玛丽琳：呃，理查德和我在我们生活中的这个时候找一所小住宅或者一处公寓房子，你认为怎么样？
埃伦：我们喜欢你们住在这儿，房间也不缺，还有……到娃娃生下来的时候，可以先让他睡在你们俩的房间里，过些日子再说。
玛丽琳：理查德觉得我们需要找一所小房子。
埃伦：我还记得我怀理查德的时候。那时菲利普和我跟你爷爷和奶奶住在一起。菲利普是个年轻的医生，他老是说要有一所我们自己的房子。这是很自然的事。
玛丽琳：你们怎么办的？
埃伦：我们看了不少房子。
玛丽琳：找到一处没有？
埃伦：一起头没有，我们买不起。爷爷要想借给我们钱买一所房子，可是菲利普太不愿意依赖人了，他不想借别人的钱。
玛丽琳：听起来很像理查德。
埃伦：他们斯图尔特家的人都是一个样子，理查德是个地道的斯图尔特家人。他不依赖别人，有时候简直就是倔。
玛丽琳：后来你们什么时候买到了房子的？
埃伦：在理查德出生以后。我那时在教音乐，菲利普正在初次开办诊所。
玛丽琳：房子座落在什么地方？
埃伦：就在里弗代尔。当然，房子比较小，可是我们住正合适。
玛丽琳：真奇怪，历史总是在重复。现在理查德和我要有孩子了，我们恐怕也马上买不起房子。
埃伦：为什么不去看几所房了呢，玛丽琳？
玛丽琳：这是个好主意。
埃伦：看看星期天的《纽约时报》房地产广告部份，你会学到不少东西的。
玛丽琳：也许我们该去找一位房地产经纪人，谈谈买房子的事。
埃伦：还可以找一家银行谈谈买房抵押借款的问题。
玛丽琳：我要同理查德谈一下。我认为这主意不错，埃伦。我们打听打听，是可以学到不少东西的。
埃伦：如果我能帮忙的话就告诉我。事实上，我的朋友弗吉尼亚•马丁奈里就是个房地产经纪人。
玛丽琳：好极了。
埃伦：你可能不会相信，我们的第一所房子和现在住的这所都是她卖给我们的。
玛丽琳：好，我跟理查德去说，我们去见她。[她看着她在设计的连衣裙。]你认为裙子的长度合适吗，埃伦？你是不是认为裙子长了些？
埃伦：我看裙子长短正合适。你是不是计划着要给它接上拖地长下摆？
玛丽琳：不，没有长下摆。可是我确实要做一个缀花边的头饰。
埃伦：这连衣裙太漂亮了。
玛丽琳：谢谢你夸奖，埃伦。还要谢谢你关于房子的忠告。理查德一回家，我就去和他谈这件事。
埃伦：还要记住一件事，我们喜欢你们住在这里。没有必要操之过急。
[她们互相拥抱。]

ACT 2
弗吉尼亚：我清楚地记得你们父母的头一所房子。在斯普林林荫道上，离公园不远。
理查德：我是在那所房子里长大的。
弗吉尼亚：对，你那时是个非常可爱的娃娃。
玛丽琳：我见过他那时的相片，那时他头发是金黄色的。
弗吉尼亚：我同斯图尔特一家人熟识很久了，现在能帮助你们找一所住宅，我感到很高兴。
理查德：说起来，我们不敢肯定我们买得起一所住宅。
玛丽琳：但是我们想打听一下各种可能性。
弗吉尼亚：这是个好主意。我喜欢你们家在林登大街上那所房子，我是在17年前把那所房子卖给你爸爸的。
玛丽琳：真的吗？
理查德：是的，那时候妈妈正怀着罗比，他们需要增加一间房间。
弗吉尼亚：听说你们快要有小孩了，斯图尔特太太。
玛丽琳：嗯，嗯，因此我们将需要更多的地方。
弗吉尼亚：噢，那么说你们并不马上需要一所房子？
理查德：是的，可是在五六个月以后……
玛丽琳：而且时间过得很快啊。
弗吉尼亚：对，时间的确过的快。好，你们打电话来的时候，已经把你们的工资收入和储蓄存款情况都谈了。因此我对于你们的经济情况相当了解。我拿些房子的图片给你们看看。
玛丽琳：是两卧室的吗？
弗吉尼亚：是的，我想我颇有几所住宅能给你们看的。当然，这些房子不在里弗代尔。这里的住房价格对你们来讲是太高了。
理查德：我从没有想过住到别的地方，我们一直住在这个地区。
玛丽琳：我们究竟应该在哪儿找房子呢，马丁奈里夫人？
弗吉尼亚：哦，我们在芒特•基斯科市有个办公室。那是个很美的地区，而且离这里只有乘车一小时的路。[她取出一本影集。]喏，我有一本那里一些房子的照片簿。呃，咱们看一下。这儿，这是在你们支付能力范围以内的一所很美的住宅。
玛丽琳：它很美，可是我更喜欢两层楼房。
理查德：我也是。我不太喜欢平房型的。
弗吉尼亚：那好。[她翻着那本房地产集子的书页。]噢，这是一所非常好的住宅，我很熟悉它。是我把它卖给目前的房主的。
理查德：看来很不错。
弗吉尼亚：这是一所两卧室、两浴室的住宅。它有全房大的地下室，地皮是半英亩。你们很可能买得起这所房子。
玛丽琳：我喜欢这房子。
理查德：我也喜欢它。
弗吉尼亚：而且价格也合适。你们想看看房子吗？
理查德：是的，我们准备下星期去和银行里的人谈一下，也许我们可以在本周末去看一下房子。
弗吉尼亚：除非是在那时以前有人先买下了它。但是咱们继续看看，不过是为了要明白一下某些别的可能性。
理查德：马丁奈里夫人，这样对我们帮助很大。
弗吉尼亚：这儿。这是西班牙式建筑的美妙的例子。
理查德：噢，我最喜欢西班牙式住宅的屋瓦了。
玛丽琳：这看起来像是好莱坞的小房子。
弗吉尼亚：这是很有趣的。在里弗代尔这样一所房子价格要加倍。[她翻着集子的书页。]噢，天啊！这是真正价廉物美的住宅，这房子买得过，它刚上市要卖。
玛丽琳：它很可爱，是双卧室的房子吗？
弗吉尼亚：不是，有三间卧室和三间浴室。我知道这所房子，厨房是崭新的装修，起居室天花板离地板十二英尺高，有个能停两辆车的车库。
理查德：那么我们何不也看看这一所房子？
弗吉尼亚：这是一项好投资。
理查德：谢谢你，马丁奈里夫人。
玛丽琳：非常感谢。
弗吉尼亚：愿意效劳。替我向你父母问好。
[理查德和玛丽琳站起身要走。]
弗吉尼亚：理查德，你父亲是一位了不起的医生。我女儿小时候就是他给看病的，他是韦斯特切斯特最好的儿科医生。
理查德：谢谢你，马丁奈里夫人，我会向他们转达你的问候。
玛丽琳：我们真的感激你的忠告。
弗吉尼亚：我确实认为你们该去看这几所房子，还要和银行去谈一下。喏，我给你们一些有关这两处房子的印刷品，这两所房子都值得买。
理查德：嗯，非常感谢你帮助我们，花了你不少时间，马丁奈里夫人。[对玛丽琳说]我们有很多事要商量呢。
玛丽琳：嗯，嗯，谢谢。

ACT 3
赖利先生：你好！
理查德：你好。
赖利先生：我是拉尔夫•赖利。[他同理查德握手。]
理查德：我是理查德•斯图尔特，这是我妻子玛丽琳。
赖利先生：很高兴认识你。
玛丽琳：[她同他握手。]我也很高兴，赖利先生。
赖利先生：请坐。我能为你们做些什么？
理查德：我们想谈一下抵押贷款的事。
玛丽琳：是住房贷款。
赖利先生：很好。你们是想新购住房，还是要为住房安排新的贷款？
理查德：我们计划要买一处房子。
玛丽琳：因此我们想弄清楚抵押贷款的事。
理查德：我们已经是这家银行的客户了。事实上，我们全家都是同这家银行来往的。
赖利先生：我得问几个问题。[他在一张表格上写字。]你们住的房子是自己的还是租来的？
理查德：都不是。我们住在我父母亲的家里，他们是斯图尔特医生和太太。赖利先生：你们多大岁数了？
玛丽琳：我二十九岁。
理查德：我三十岁。
赖利先生：还有，斯图尔特先生，你的职业是什么？
理查德：我是自由摄影师。
赖利先生：那么，斯图尔特夫人，你在工作吗？
玛丽琳：在工作。我是个服装设计师，在一家时装屋工作。
赖利先生：你们有没有带来储蓄或工资方面的材料？比如说去年的纳税申报表？
理查德：带来了，在这儿。
赖利先生：很好。呃……你们想买什么样的房子呢？
理查德：我们在谈要在芒特•基斯科买一所两卧室的房子。房子的价款详情都在这里。
赖利先生：谢谢你。[他阅读这份材料。]你愿意付百分之十的头期款吗？
理查德：愿意的。
赖利先生：余款分三十年付清？
[玛丽琳和理查德点了点头。]
理查德：愿意的。
玛丽琳：你认为可以向我们提供贷款吗？
赖利先生：嗯，还要分是什么情况。你们拥有不动产吗？有股票或是债券吗？
理查德：没有。
赖利先生：明白了。那么说你们提不出担保物。也许你们能找到一位担保人——某一位能给你们在贷款书上签字的人？
理查德：为什么有这种必要呢？
赖利先生：因为既然你们收入不高，而且又不是已经拥有不动产的，银行就需要搞准你有能力按月偿还贷款。如果你不能按月偿还，保证人就要对贷款负责。
理查德：明白了。不管怎样，买房子的念头还是很使人激动的。
玛丽琳：谢谢你，赖利先生。我们要仔细地读一读这份材料。
赖利先生：谢谢你们。
理查德：再见。谢谢。
赖利先生：再见。希望很快能再见到你们。
理查德：我也希望这样。
[他们两个人同他握手。]
赖利先生：请多保重。
玛丽琳：再见。
后来，在斯图尔特家房后的廊坪上，理查德和玛丽琳在谈他们在银行里的经历。
理查德：一起头好像什么都很容易，可后来他提到了需要担保物或担保人，就不是那么容易了。
玛丽琳：我们什么担保物也没有。
理查德：而且我不认为请求爸爸作为担保人来签字是个好主意。我觉得那样不合适。
玛丽琳：我理解你对这件事的想法，理查德。
埃伦：[她端着一托盘食物出来到廊坪上。]来，告诉我，有什么问题啊？
玛丽琳：我们要想得到银行的贷款，得提供担保物。
理查德：而我们却没有能用做担保物的东西。
玛丽琳：也没有能给我签字当担保人的人。
埃伦：你们为什么不跟爸爸谈一谈呢？
理查德：不。如果我们买一所房子，我想要自己有能力解决这件事。
埃伦：理查德，人人都有需要别人帮助的时候。
玛丽琳：我理解理查德对这件事的想法，埃伦。
理查德：再过两三个月，我这本书就能得到预付稿酬了，那时就能拿出更多的一笔头期款了。
玛丽琳：可是芒特•基斯科那处房子会怎么样呢？到那时候会被别人买去了。
理查德：那时还会有别的房子的，玛丽琳。
埃伦：理查德有一定的道理，你们还只不过刚开始在看房子。
玛丽琳：我们还不急着买房子，确实是这样。
理查德：玛丽琳，这对我们是一次很好的学习过程，同房地产经纪人谈话，看那些房子，同银行主管贷款的人谈话。
玛丽琳：确实是一次学习的过程，一点不假。
埃伦：我想你们做得对。不着急，慢慢来，到处看看，特别是在进行这样的购买时。你们是在考虑花一大笔钱呢。
玛丽琳：我们将给马丁奈里夫人打电话，让她继续给我们找。
理查德：我将给银行的赖利先生打电话，告诉他我们再过两三个月去看他。
埃伦：如果你们什么时候需要爸爸或我帮助你们……
玛丽琳：我们知道。
埃伦：你们知道我们将会帮助你们的。
理查德：这是斯图尔特家的老传统了，我们究竟是一家人嘛。

Act1
Act2
Act3

　　以上就是山东自考英语口语学习的相关内容，您也可以关注山东自考网，查看更多与山东自考有关内容，如自考答疑、政策动态、报名时间、报考指南、考务考籍、历年真题、学习方法等。