UNIT 6 Making a Telephone Call
Integrated Skills Development
Dialogues
A. One Moment, please
Wang Fang is the secretary of a shoe factory. She is phoning the Business Design Center in Beijing. She wishes to arrange a meeting between Mr. Li, her manager, and Mr. Smith, who is in charge of an exhibition.
Operator: Business Design Center. Good morning. Can I help you?
Wang: May I speak to Mr. Smith, please?
Operator: Who is calling, please?
Wang: This is Miss Wang from Shanghai No.1 Shoe Factory. I'm phoning from Shanghai.
Operator: One moment, please.
(pause)
Wang: Hello?
Operator: I'm trying to connect you. Hold the line, please.
Operator: Hello, Miss Wang, you're through. Mr. Smith's number is ringing.
Wang: Thank you.
B. This Is Mr. Smith Here
Now Wang Fang is speaking to Mr. Smith on the phone.
Mr. Smith: Hello, this is Mr. Smith here.
Miss Wang: Good morning, Mr. Smith. This is Wang Fang. I work for Shanghai No. 1 Shoe Factory. I'd like to make an appointment for our manager, Mr. Li, to meet you. It's about the shoe exhibition you're holding next month.
Mr. Smith: Ah, yes. I would be happy to meet Mr. Li. Which day is convenient?
Miss Wang: Mr. Li is arriving in Beijing on Thursday. That's the 17th.
Mr. Smith: How about 2 o'clock?
Miss Wang: That's all right. I'll make a note of it.
Mr. Smith: Good. I'm looking forward to seeing him at 2 on the 17th, then.
Miss Wang: OK. Thank you very much, Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: Not at all. Good-bye.
Miss Wang: Good-bye.
Passage
How to Make an Efficient Phone Call
When you make a telephone call to an office, a bank or any other institution, it is useful to know the extension number of the person you are calling. The operator will know this, but it might save any delay if you mention it first.
Before you dial, you should always have the necessary information with you.
In this way, you can make a correct and useful telephone call. You need a list of points — dates, time of arrival and so on. This can help you to make an efficient telephone call. Proper preparation may even prevent you from making a second telephone call. You should use a telephone note pad in order to take down the information from callers.
New Words and Expressions
appointment
n. 约会
arrange
v. 安排
arrival
n. 到达
bank
n. 银行
caller
n. 拜访者,打电话的人