第13课　THE BIG WIN

Although "Yours sin-cerely" is correct, it's being used less and less. "Yours truly," is far more common and even just "Yours" is acceptable.

Jane is on the phone ordering a taxi.

Jane: Four. Seven. Three. Four.

Nora: What was that?

Jane: My taxi number.

Nora: What number?

Jane: Four. Seven. Three. Four.

Nora: I will use them for my 4D. Oh, I wish I will strike 4D. You want to put in?

Jane: Put what in?

Nora: Money. For 4D.

Jane: Forty-four dollars?

Nora: What?

Jane: Are you talking Singlish again?

Nora: Ummmm. Maybe. What don't you understand?

Jane: Most of what you just said.

Nora: OK. I will use your taxi numbers in the lottery. 4D. Four digit. 4D, yah. Maybe we will get lucky and strike 4D.

Jane: Strike it lucky.

Nora: Yes, strike 4D.

Jane: You mean win 4D.

Nora: So you strike it lucky and win 4D. Yes?

Jane: Yes. I'll put in some money. How much?

Narrator:　Although Jane and Nora have sorted out their lucky numbers, there was one thing that Nora said that still needs looking at.

Replay...

Nora: I will use them for my 4D. Oh, I wish I will strike 4D. You want to put in?

Narrator:　The words "wish" and "hope" are sometimes confused in Singapore. "Wish" is usually used when we talk about something we regret, or an imaginary situation.

Jaya: I wish I were rich.

Jane: I wish I hadn't eaten that third piece of cake.

Jaya: I wish I were taller.

Narrator:　When Nora said..

Replay...

Nora: Oh I wish I will strike 4D.

Narrator:　She should have said..

Nora: I hope I win 4D.

Narrator:　The word "hope" is used when we are talking about desires which are possible to achieve.

Nora: I hope I can lose weight.

Jane: I hope I didn't offend you.

Jaya: I hope I am not late.

Narrator:　I hope you enjoyed this episode.

《联合早报》

Speak Good English Phone-in Lesson
打电话·听课文 1800 7341015

Speak Well, Be Understood.　好英语，利沟通。
Written by Laraine Bamrah, Paul Tolton, Delphia Choo, Alaisdair Raynham and Steve Adams for the British Council in association with the Speak Good English Movement.
©Ministry of Information and The Arts and British Council Singapore 2001

<<< 中英双语