Basic English Institute
First Voice : Hallo! Hallo! Is that the Exchange ?
What does the voice say ?
It says, "Hallo ! Hallo!1 Is that the Exchange ?"
Telephone Girl : Number, please.
What does the girl say ?
She says, "Number, please."
First Voice : I've been waiting on this line for five minutes.
What has he been waiting on ?
He has been waiting on that line.
How long has he been waiting on that line ?
He has been waiting on that line for five minutes.
I was about to get through to the engineers to see what the trouble was.
What was he about to do ?
He was about to get through to the engineers.
What was he about to get through to the engineers to do ?
He was about to get through to the engineers to see what the trouble was.
Will you please get me North 3210 ?
What does he ask ?
He asks the girl to get him North 3210.
Telephone Girl : North 3210.
What does she say ?
She says, "North 3210."
The brrr-----brrr, brrr------brrr of a telephone bell comes over the line.
What comes over the line ?
The telephone bell comes over the line.
Second Voice : Hallo !
What does it say ?
It says, "Hallo !"
First Voice : Oh, is that you, Sam ?
What does he say ?
He says, Oh, is that you, Sam ?"
This is Dick here.
What is here ?
It is Dick here.
I was hoping you'd be in.
What was he hoping ?
He was hoping Sam would be in.
Have you had a good week-end ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if Sam has had a good week-end
Second Voice : First-rate, old boy.
What does he say ?
He says, "First Rate, old boy."
I took my offspring to the seaside.
Who did he take ?
He took his offspring.
Where did he take his offspring ?
He took his offspring to the seaside.
We went out fishing on Sunday . . .
When did they go out fishing ?
They went out fishing on Sunday.
. . . . and didn't do badly.
How didn't they do ?
They didn't do badly.
That is, the boys didn't do badly.
Who didn't do badly ?
The boys didn't do badly.
I had to keep the boat straight.
What did he have to keep straight ?
He had to keep the boat straight.
What's your news ?
What does he say ?
He says, "What's your news ?"
First Voice : I'm telephoning to say that we have a position here which might do for that young friend
you were talking to me about on Thursday.
What do they have ?
They have a position there.
Who might a position do for ?
A position might do for that young friend.
Who was Sam talking to him about ?
Sam was talking to him about that young man.
When was Sam talking to him about that young man.
Sam was talking to him about that young man on Thursday.
What is he telephoning to say ?
He is telephoning to say that they have a position there which might do for that
young friend Sam was talking to him about on Thursday.
We are looking for a responsible young man who has some power of organization.
What responsible young man are they looking for ?
They are looking for a responsible young man who has some power of control.
Your friend has had some experience of keeping accounts, hasn't he ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if Sam's friend has had some experience of keeping accounts.
Second Voice : Yes, he was trained in a business school and he has been doing book-keeping for two years.
Where was he trained ?
He was trained in a business school.
What has he been doing ?
He has been doing book-keeping.2
How long has he been doing book-keeping ?
He has been doing book-keeping for two years.
He is very good at mathematics.
What is he very good at ?
He is very good at mathematics.
First Voice : That's good.
What does he say ?
He says, "That's good."
If he has been trained, it will not take him long to get used to our special system of
book-keeping.
What will it not take him long to do ?
It will not take him long to get used to their special system of book-keeping.
In what condition it will not take him long to get used to their special system of book- keeping ?
If he has been trained, it will not take him long to get used to their special system
of book-keeping.
He wouldn't get much money at the start . . .
What money wouldn't he get ?
He wouldn't get much money.
When wouldn't he get much money ?
He wouldn't get much money at the start.
. . . but he'd have a chance of working his way up into a better position.
What would he have a chance of doing ?
He'd have a chance of working his way up into a better position.
Have you any idea when he would be able to come and see me ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if Sam has any idea when he would be able to come and see him.
Second Voice : The work he's doing at present takes him out of town for most of the week.
What is he doing ?
He is doing the work.
When is he doing the work ?
He is doing the work at present.
What work takes him out of town ?
The work he's doing at present takes him out of town.
When does the work he's doing at present takes him out of town ?
The work he's doing at present takes him out of town for most of the week.
Monday and Tuesday are the only week-days he's here.
What days are the only week-days he's there.
Monday and Tuesday are the only week-days3 he's there.
First Voice : I haven't any time this week, . . .
What hasn't he ?
He hasn't any time.
When hasn't he any time ?
He hasn't any time this week.
. . . but I'd be able to give him half an hour on Tuesday of the week after.
What would he be able to give him ?
He'd be able to give him half an hour.
When would he be able to give him half an hour ?
He'd be able to give him half an hour on Tuesday of the week after.
Let me have a look at the calendar.
What does he ask ?
He asks Sam to let him have a look at the calendar.
That's Tuesday, July 11th,
What is it ?
It's Tuesday, July 11th.
I'd be pleased to see him at 12.30.
Who would he be pleased to see ?
He'd be pleased to see him.
When would he be pleased to see him ?
He'd be pleased to see him at 12.30.
Will you get in touch with him for me and see if it's possible for him to come then ?
What does he ask ?
He asks Sam to get in touch with him for Dick and see if it's possible for him to come
then.
Second Voice : Yes, certainly I will.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes, certainly I will."
It's very kind of you to take so much trouble about him.
How kind is it ?
It's very kind.
Who is it very kind of ?
It's very kind of Sam.
What is it very kind of Sam to do ?
It's very kind of Sam to take so much trouble about him.
He hasn't much polish, . . .
What hasn't he ?
He hasn't much polish.
. . . but he has a good brain . . .
What brain does he have ?
He has a good brain.
. . . and he's a quick worker.
What worker is he ?
He's a quick worker.
If you give him a chance, I'm certain he'll not let you down.
What does Dick give him ?
He gives him a chance.
What is Sam certain ?
He is certain that the young man will not let Dick down.
First Voice : I'll see that he gets a chance if he's the right man for us.
What does he get ?
He gets a chance.
What will he see ?
He'll see that he gets a chance.
What man is he ?
He is the right man.
Who is he the right man for ?
He is the right man for them.
In what condition will he see that he gets a chance ?
He'll see that he gets a chance if he's the right man for them.
I give you my word about that.
What does he give ?
He gives his word about that.
Oh, I've another bit of news for you.
What does he have ?
He has another bit of news for him.
Second Voice : What's that ?
What does he say ?
He says, "What's that ?
First Voice : Jackson is offering us a group of new patents4 in connection with machines for use in mining.
What is he offering them ?
He is offering them a group of new patents in connection with machines for use in mining.
Second Voice : How did that come about ?
What does he say ?
He says, "How did that come about ?"
Last time I saw you, you said it was impossible to do business with him and you'd have nothing more
to do with him.
Who did he see ?
He saw him. (Jackson)
What was it impossible to do ?
It was impossible to do business.
Who was it impossible to do business with ?
It was impossible to do business with him.
Who would he have nothing more to do with ?
He'd have nothing more to do with him.
What did he say ?
He said that it was impossible to do business with him and he'd have nothing more
to do with him.
When did he say it was impossible to do business with him ?
Last he saw him, he said it was impossible to do business with him and he'd have
nothing more to do with him.
First Voice : So I did.
How did he do ?
He did so.
But he went to see the head of the business without saying anything to me . . .
What did he go to do ?
He went to see the head of the business.
What did he go to see the head of the business without doing ?
He went to see the head of the business without saying anything to me.
. . . and, to my surprise, he has got him interested.
How has he got him ?
He got him interested.
How did he get him interested ?
To his surprise, he has got him interested
The chief has designs for making our position stronger in the overseas market, . . .
What does the chief have the design for doing ?
He has designs for making their position stronger in the overseas market.
. . . and Jackson is quite an authority on mining conditions in South Africa.
What authority is he on ?
He is quite an authority on mining conditions in South Africa.
The idea is that if we take up his machines, it will be a help to us in this field.
What do they take up ?
They take up his machines.
What will it be ?
It will be a help to them in that field.
There's probably something in it, . . .
What is there ?
There's something.
Where is there something ?
There's something in it.
How is there something in it ?
There's probably something in it.
. . . but I've no desire to have any further connection with Jackson.
What does he have no desire to do ?
He has no desire to have any further connection with him.
Second Voice : That would certainly be my feeling.
What would it be ?
It would be his feeling.
How would it be his feeling ?
It would be certainly his feeling.
However, the chief is a good business man . . .
What man is he ?
He is a good business man.
. . . and I see his point.
What does he see ?
He sees his point.
But, in view of Jackson's past record, you'll have to keep an eye on him.
In what view will he have to keep an eye on Jackson ?
In view of Jackson's past record, he'll have to keep an eye on him.
He has such a high opinion of himself that he's never happy till he's got control.
Who does he have a high opinion of ?
He has a high opinion of himself.
How is he never ?
He's never happy.
What has he got ?
He's got control.
What high opinion of himself does he have ?
He has such a high opinion of himself that he's never happy till he's got control.
I had trouble with him myself when he came to me with one of his patents in 1988.
Who did he have trouble with himself ?
He had trouble with him himself.
Who did he come to ?
He came to him.
What did he come to him with ?
He came to him with one of his patents.
When did he come to him with one of his patents ?
He came to him with one of his patents in 1988.
When did he have trouble with him himself ?
He had trouble with him himself when he came to him with one of his patents in 1988.
Have you seen him about this business ?
What does he ask?
He asks if Dick has seen him about that business.
First Voice : No. He's to come and have a talk with me on Wednesday.
What is he to do ?
He is to come and have a talk with him on Wednesday.
There is no answer from the other end of the line.
What is there ?
There is no answer from the other end of the line.
Are you there, Sam ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Are you there, Sam ?"
There is still no answer.
What is there ?
There is still no answer.
Hallo ! Hallo !
What does he say ?
He says, "Hallo ! Hallo !"
Moving the support up and down to get the attention of the girl at the Exchange.
What is he moving up and down ?
He is moving the support up and down.
What is he moving the support up and down to do ?
He is moving the support up and down to get the attention of the girl at the Exchange.
Hallo ! Are you there, Exchange ?
What did he say ?
He says, "Hallo ! Are you there, Exchange ?"
Telephone Girl in a bright voice : Number, please.
What does she say ?
She says, "Number, please."
First Voice [angrily] : I was in the middle of talking to someone about some most important business . . .
Who was he in the middle of talking to ?
He was in the middle of talking to someone.
What was he in the middle of talking to someone about ?
He was in the middle of talking to someone about some most important business.
. . . and I have been cut off.
Who has been cut off.
He has been cut off.
Will you please put me through again ?
What does he ask her to do ?
He asks her to put him through again.
It's shocking how much trouble one has with the telephones these days.
What trouble does one have with the telephone ?
One has much trouble with the telephone.
When does one have much trouble with the telephone ?
One has much trouble with the telephone these days.
What is shocking ?
It's shocking how much trouble one has with the telephone these days.
Telephone Girl : What number were you talking to ?
What does she say ?
She says, "What number were you talking to ?"
First Voice : North 3210.
What does he say ?
He says, "North 3210."
Telephone Girl : One minute, please.
What does she say ?
She says, "One minute, please."
After a short time
When does she say ?
After a short time, she says.
You are through now.
What does she say ?
She says, "You are through now."
Second Voice : Hallo !
What does he say ?
He says, "Hallo !"
First Voice : Oh, there you are, Sam, at last.
What does he say ?
He says, "Oh, there you are, Sam, at last."
We were cut off.
Who were cut off ?
They were cut off.
I was saying that Jackson is coming to see me on Wednesday.
What is Jackson coming to do ?
He is coming to see Dick..
When is he coming to see Dick ?
He is coming to see Dick on Wednesday.
What was Dick saying ?
He was saying that Jackson is coming to see him on Wednesday.
Second Voice : Good ! Make him put all his cards on the table.
What does he say ?
He says, "Good ! Make him put all his cards on the table."
First Voice : That's why I'm seeing him.
Why is he seeing him ?
That's why he's seeing him.
I am going to get him to put his ideas before me in detail.
What is he going to get him to put before him ?
He is going to get him to put his ideas before him.
How is he going to get him to put his ideas before him ?
He is going to get him to put his ideas before him in detail.
He didn't give the chief more than an outline.
What didn't he give the chief ?
He didn't give the chief more than an outline.
Second Voice : If I was in your place, I'd get the opinion of an outside expert
before making any decision.
In whose place was he ?
He was in Dick's place.
What would he get the opinion of ?
He'd get the opinion of an outside expert.
What would he get the opinion of an outside expert before doing ?
He'd get the opinion of an outside expert before making any decision.
In what condition would he get the opinion of an outside expert before making
any decision ?
If he was in Dick's place, he'd get the opinion of an outside expert before making any decision.
First Voice : Yes, I have that in mind.
What has he in mind ?
He has that in mind.
In fact, it was one of my reasons for telephoning.
What was it ?
It was one of his reasons for telephoning.
I was certain you'd be able to give me the name of a good man.
What would Sam be able to give him ?
He'd be able to give him the name of a good man.
About what was he certain ?
He was certain Sam would be able to give him the name of a good man.
Aren't you quite an authority yourself ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if Sam isn't an authority himself.
Second Voice : No, I would be of no use to you.
What use would he of ?
He'd be of no use.
Who would he be of no use to ?
He'd be of no use to Dick.
I haven't had anything to do with this branch of engineering for years.
What hasn't he had anything to do with ?
He hasn't had anything to do with that branch of engineering.
How long hasn't he had anything to do with that branch of engineering ?
He hasn't had anything to do with that branch of engineering for years.
It's a little outside my field.
What is it outside ?
It's outside his field.
How is it outside his field ?
It's a little outside his field.
The best man for your purpose is undoubtedly Cooper.
What is undoubtedly Cooper ?
The best man for his purpose is undoubtedly Cooper.
First Voice : Isn't he working at the University ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Isn't he working at the University ?"
Second Voice : Yes, that's right.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes, that's right."
He's at the School of Mines.
What school is he at ?
He's at the School of Mines.
He's a man of great learning . . .
What is he ?
He's a man of great learning.
. . . and has done some very interesting work in physics.
What has he done ?
He has done some very interesting work in physics.
At the same time, he has a wide experience of industry . . .
What does he have ?
He has a wide experience of industry.
. . . and is able to see things from the business angle.
What is he able to see ?
He is able to see things.
What angle is he able to see things from ?
He is able to see things from the business angle.
He's the very person to keep a man like Jackson in order.
What person is he ?
He's the very person.
What is he the very person to do ?
He's the very person to keep a man like Jackson in order.
First Voice : If I get in touch with him, may I say that you gave me his name ?
What does he say ?
He says, "If I get in touch with him, may I say that you gave me his name ?"
Second Voice : Yes, certainly do that.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes, certainly do that."
We frequently come across one another at the Club.
Where do they come across one another ?
They come across one another at the Club.
How do they come across one another at the Club ?
They frequently come across one another at the club.
When I see him again, I'll say that he may be hearing from you.
Who does he see ?
He sees Cooper.
How does he see him ?
He sees him again.
Who may Cooper be hearing from ?
He may be hearing from Dick.
What will Sam say ?
He'll say that Cooper may be hearing from Dick.
When will he say that Cooper may be hearing from Dick ?
When Sam sees Cooper again, he'll say that Cooper may be hearing from Dick.
Have you taken any further steps about that agreement you were going to send me
a copy of ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Have you taken any further steps about that agreement
you were going to send me a copy of
First Voice : The man who does our law business is working on it now.
What does the man do ?
He does their law business.
What man is working on it now ?
The man who does their law business is working on it now.
He's changing the wording in one or two places where it isn't as clear as it might be.
What is he changing ?
He's changing the wording.
Where is he changing ?
He's changing in one or two places.
What places is he changing the wording in ?
He's changing the wording in one or two places where it isn't as clear as it might be.
It will probably be ready in two or three days.
When will it be ready ?
It will be ready in two or three days.
How will it be ready in two or three days ?
It will probably be ready in two or three days.
The chief isn't very happy about the condition in the agreement increasing your
profit after August 1992.
How happy isn't he ?
He isn't very happy.
What isn't he very happy about ?
He isn't very happy about the condition in the agreement.
What does the condition increase ?
It increases their profit.
After when does it increase their profit
It increases their profit after August 1992.
What condition isn't he very happy ?
He isn't very happy about the condition in the agreement increasing
their profit after August 1992.
He says that you are not giving us enough time.
What is they not giving them ?
They are not giving them enough time.
What does he say ?
He says that they are not giving them enough time.
You see, in view of the money we are going to put into advertisement,
we will make no profit for the first year or two.
What are they going to put ?
They are going to put money.
What are they going to put money into ?
They are going to put money into advertisement.
What will they make ?
They will make no profit.
How long will they make no profit ?
They will make no profit for the first year or two.
In what view will they make no profit for the first year or two ?
In view of the money they are going to put into advertisement,
they will make no profit for the first year or two.
Second Voice : All right.
What does he say ?
He says, "All right."
Put off the increase till 2004 if that gets over your trouble, though what he says
is open to argument.
What does he put off ?
He puts off the increase.
Till when does he put off the increase ?
He puts off the increase till 2004.
What does that get over ?
It gets over their trouble.
What is open to argument ?
What the chief says is open to argument.
In what condition and in spite of what condition does he put off the increase ?
He puts off the increase till 2004 if that gets over their trouble,
though what the chief says is open to argument.
Are there any other points ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Are there any other points ?"
First Voice : No, nothing important.
What does he say ?
He says, "No, nothing important"
It's simply a question now of getting it into the right form for purposes of law.
What is it simply a question now of doing ?
It's simply a question now of getting it into the right form for purposes of law.
By the way, Taylor has had the bright idea that your account of the electric plant we put in
for Marshall Brothers in 1993, which was printed in one of the trade papers, might make a
good advertisement.
What did they put in for Marshall Brothers in 1993 ?
They put in the electric plant for Marshall Brothers in 1993.
What account was printed in one of the trade papers ?
Their account of the electric plant was printed in one of the trade papers.
What account might make a good advertisement ?
Their account of the electric plant might make a good advertisement.
What bright idea has Taylor had ?
He has had the bright idea that their account of the electric plant
they put in for Marshall Brothers in 1943, which was printed in
one of the trade papers, might make a good advertisement.
Have you the copyright ?
What does he say ?
He asks, "Have you the copyright ?
Second Voice : Yes.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes."
First Voice : Would you let us have it ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Would you let us have it ?"
Naturally we would make a payment.
What would they make ?
They would make a payment.
How would they make a payment ?
Naturally they would make a payment.
Second Voice : Certainly.
What does he say ?
He says "Certainly."
First Voice : Good.
What does he say ?
He says, "Good."
Then I'll put Taylor in touch with you.
Who will he put in touch with you ?
He'll put Taylor in touch with Sam.
Second Voice : Are you coming to the meeting of the Society on Friday ?
What does he say ?
He asks, "Are you coming to the meeting of the Society on Friday ?"
There's to be a discussion about the program for October. November, and December.
What is there ?
There's to be a discussion about the program for October. November, and December.
First Voice : My dear man, I'm going to be the reader of the paper.
What is he going to be the reader of ?
He's going to be the reader of the paper.
Second Voice : You are ! That's a pleasure in store for me.
What does he say ?
He says, "You are ! That's a pleasure in store for me."
Then I'll see you on Friday.
What does he say ?
He says, "Then I'll see you on Friday."
First Voice : That's right. And come in good time, Sam.
What does he say ?
He says, "That's right. And come in good time, Sam."
Second Voice : I will, Dick.
What does he say ?
He says, I will, Dick.
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Saburo Terada
Saitama Prefecture