Dialogue
A: Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Corleone.
B: Right this way, sir.
C: Charlie! What can I do for you?
B: Mr. Corlone, I’m really sorry to trouble you, but I need your help.
C: Anything for you, Charlie! Your father was like a brother to me.
B: Well, sir, you see, this recession has hit me pretty hard; I lost my job and I’m in a lot of debt.
C: I see. . . . . .
B: Yeah, you know, I’ve got credit card bills, car payments, I’ve got to pay my mortgage; and on top of all that, I have to pay my son’s college tuition.
C: So you’re asking for a loan.
B: Well, I just thought maybe you could help me out.
C: What? At a time like this? I’m broke too, you know!
You’re not the only one who has been hit by the recession!
I lost half my money in the stock market crash! Go on! Get outta here!
Explain
Key Vocabulary
trouble — Verb, Present Simple disturb or bother
recession — Noun (singular) — a period of time when the economy of a country is bad
hit me pretty hard — Phrase had a strong, negative affect on me
debt /det/ — Noun (noncount) the amount of money you owe to a person, bank, company, etc.
on top of all that — Phrase besides that, in addition to = like “and also”
broke —Adjective not have any money
tuition /tuˈɪʃn/ — the money you pay for being taught
mortgage /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/ 抵押贷款;按揭
borrow — Verb, Present Simple take and use some money, and return the equal amount of money at a later time
pay back — Phrase return the money you borrowed
a loan — Noun (singular) amount of money borrowed
take out a loan — Phrase borrow money
unemployed — Adjective having no job
downturn Noun (singular) — a time when the economy is worse than usual
Example
Hit me pretty hard 打击很大
Voice: Example one.
A: My divorce hit me pretty hard. I’m so depressed.
Voice: Example two.
B: This cold has hit me pretty hard. I’ve been in bed for a week.
Voice: Example three.
C: The news of Fluffy’s death hit me pretty hard. I‘ve been crying for days.
—————————————————
I‘m sorry to trouble you.
Voice: Example one.
A: Can I trouble you for a moment? I just need you to sign this form for me.
Voice: Example two.
B: I‘m sorry to trouble you, but may I go home early today?
Voice: Example three.
C: Can I trouble you for a pen? Mine is not working anymore.
Leave a Reply