AUDIO

BUSINESSDIALOGUES

BUSINESS DIALOGUES
THE BUILDERS
In this dialogue, Susan, a building contractor, is discussing
progress at a building site with John. There are a few Exercise
problems. Listen to the dialogue and answer these questions: Now listen to some extracts from the conversation again.
You will notice there are some missing words and a beeping
1. What is the main problem? sound. See if you can write the missing word. Answers on
2. What excuses does John have? page 50.
1. Hi, I just came down to check __________ on what’s
Susan: Hi, I just came down to check up on what’s been going on. been going on.
John: Well, as you can see, we’ve been making good progress. 2. I was referring __________ the tiling.
Have you seen what I’ve done in the bathroom? 3. Do you think things are ________ schedule?
Susan: I’d rather not look. 4. Will you get the job done __________ time?
John: I was referring to the tiling. I think it’s turned out 5. You’re supposed to have this all wrapped ________ by
pretty good. the end of next month.
Susan: OK, I’ll have a look later. What about the floor? Have you 6. Right now we’re more concerned ___________
got all the floorboards down in the upstairs bedrooms? deadlines.
John: We’ve laid down the concrete…
Susan: I hope there are no dead bodies.
John: Very funny!
Susan: Good. Right, now to the difficult part. Do you think things
are on schedule? Will you get the job done on time?
John: Look, this is a big job and we just don’t have the
manpower at the moment.
Susan: Well, you’re supposed to have this all wrapped up by the
end of next month.
John: Impossible. Without more people we can’t do it.
Susan: Couldn’t you get your guys working a bit harder.
John: We’re going flat out, and besides, they’re professionals
doing a top quality job. Here, just look at the paintwork
on these doors.
Susan: Yes, it’s very impressive, but right now we’re more
concerned about deadlines. GLOSSARY
John: You’re not gonna get a better job than this. Just feel to check up on phr vb on time; according to plan
these walls, solid as a rock, and so smooth to the touch… to investigate manpower n
tiling n workers
(Susan touches the wall and there’s a loud crashing sound a “tile” is a square ceramic object that to wrap up phr vb
as the wall falls down on top of John) we use to cover the walls in bathrooms to conclude, to finish
and kitchens to go flat out exp
Susan: What the… Are you alright down there? to turn out phr vb to work very hard
if something “turns out” a certain way, it paintwork n
John: Yes, I think so, although the wall is a bit heavy. What did happens that way the covering of paint on the walls
you do? pretty good exp a deadline n
quite good a time when a job must be finished
Susan: I didn’t do anything… So what are you going to do about floorboards n gonna abbr
long pieces of wood that are on the floor going to
your rock solid walls now? in houses to get back to the drawing board exp
John: I think we’d better get back to the drawing board. Oh, to lay down concrete n this expression means: to start something
to put the concrete (cement) on the floor again
and could you call an ambulance, please? on schedule exp

Susan: Very well.

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