03 - The Crisis
Language for making suggestions
Denise explains why she's in such a state of panic and Paul is not pleased. Will Anna be able to help resolve the crisis?
Intermediate · 160720 · 2016-07-20
Denise explains why she's in such a state of panic and Paul is not pleased. Will Anna be able to help resolve the crisis? Language for making suggestions This episode explores language for making suggestions.
1. Can I make a suggestion?
BBC UK: Can I make a suggestion?
2. Why don't you try...?
BBC UK: Why don't you try...?
3. Have you tried asking your colleagues?
BBC UK: Have you tried asking your colleagues?
4. Maybe I could do a big office search for you...?
BBC UK: Maybe I could do a big office search for you...?
5. How about looking through your rubbish bin...?
BBC UK: How about looking through your rubbish bin...?
6. I have an idea!
BBC UK: I have an idea!
1. Narrator
Here we are again at Tip Top Trading, where Anna's interview for a sales job has been suddenly interrupted. Office assistant Denise has entered the room, looking very worried. What's wrong? And will Anna have any suggestions that might help?
BBC UK: Here we are again at Tip Top Trading, where Anna's interview for a sales job has been suddenly interrupted. Office assistant Denise has entered the room, looking very worried. What's wrong? And will Anna have any suggestions that might help?
2. Denise
I don't know what to do!
BBC UK: I don't know what to do!
3. Paul
So what's the matter Denise?
BBC UK: So what's the matter Denise?
4. Denise
You know the PowerPoint presentation?
BBC UK: You know the PowerPoint presentation?
5. Paul
The one we've been preparing for the last two months?
BBC UK: The one we've been preparing for the last two months?
6. Denise
Yes.
BBC UK: Yes.
7. Paul
The one that's very, very important and that we need this afternoon?
BBC UK: The one that's very, very important and that we need this afternoon?
8. Denise
That one.
BBC UK: That one.
9. Paul
Aha.
BBC UK: Aha.
10. Denise
We've lost everything!
BBC UK: We've lost everything!
11. Paul
No!
BBC UK: No!
12. Denise
I had it on a USB stick, to transfer it, but the stick has vanished!
BBC UK: I had it on a USB stick, to transfer it, but the stick has vanished!
13. Narrator
Right Anna, now is your chance to help them find solutions to the problem. You'll need phrases like: Can I make a suggestion? Why don't you...? Have you tried...? Maybe we could...? How about...? I have an idea!
BBC UK: Right Anna, now is your chance to help them find solutions to the problem. You'll need phrases like: Can I make a suggestion? Why don't you...? Have you tried...? Maybe we could...? How about...? I have an idea!
14. Paul
But don't you have it saved on your computer?
BBC UK: But don't you have it saved on your computer?
15. Denise
No, it was taking up a lot of space, so I deleted it.
BBC UK: No, it was taking up a lot of space, so I deleted it.
16. Paul
So you have lost the only copy we have.
BBC UK: So you have lost the only copy we have.
17. Denise
Yes.
BBC UK: Yes.
18. Narrator
What idiots! I've never seen such a disorganized office. Go on, you'd better help them, Anna.
BBC UK: What idiots! I've never seen such a disorganised office. Go on, you'd better help them, Anna.
19. Anna
Can I make a suggestion?
BBC UK: Can I make a suggestion?
20. Paul
Yes, please do!
BBC UK: Yes, please do!
21. Anna
Why don't you try looking in your recycle bin? It might still be there.
BBC UK: Why don't you try looking in your recycle bin? It might still be there.
22. Denise
I did. It isn't.
BBC UK: I did. It isn't.
23. Anna
Have you tried asking your colleagues if they've seen the memory stick?
BBC UK: Have you tried asking your colleagues if they've seen the memory stick?
24. Denise
I did. They haven't.
BBC UK: I did. They haven't.
25. Anna
How about looking through your rubbish bin to see if you threw it away by mistake?
BBC UK: How about looking through your rubbish bin to see if you threw it away by mistake?
26. Denise
(getting shirty) I don't do silly things like that!
BBC UK: (getting shirty) I don't do silly things like that!
27. Paul
All very sensible suggestions Anna, thank you.
BBC UK: All very sensible suggestions Anna, thank you.
28. Anna
Maybe I could do a big office search for you...? I'm good at finding things.
BBC UK: Maybe I could do a big office search for you...? I'm good at finding things.
29. Denise
There are confidential documents in this office - non-staff are not allowed to see them.
BBC UK: There are confidential documents in this office – non-staff are not allowed to see them.
30. Paul
Now, now Denise. Why don't you drink up that nice tea?
BBC UK: Now, now Denise. Why don't you drink up that nice tea?
31. Anna
I have an idea! Did you ever email the presentation to anyone?
BBC UK: I have an idea! Did you ever email the presentation to anyone?
32. Paul
Golly gosh, you did Denise! You emailed it to me to proof-read. It'll be in my inbox somewhere. Good thinking Anna!
BBC UK: Golly gosh, you did Denise! You emailed it to me to proof-read. It'll be in my inbox somewhere. Good thinking Anna!
33. Denise
I was just about to suggest that myself.
BBC UK: I was just about to suggest that myself.
34. Paul
Problem solved. Thank you Anna!
BBC UK: Problem solved. Thank you Anna!
35. Anna
Pleasure.
BBC UK: Pleasure.
36. Narrator
Well done Anna!
BBC UK: Well done Anna!
37. Paul
Right, now please leave us Denise. Anna and I will continue our interview. Would you like a cookie Anna?
BBC UK: Right, now please leave us Denise. Anna and I will continue our interview. Would you like a biscuit Anna?
38. Anna
Thank you. Oh, what's that?
BBC UK: Thank you. Oh, what's that?
39. Paul
Oh golly gosh, the USB stick! It was mixed in with the plate of cookies that Denise brought in.
BBC UK: Oh golly gosh, the USB stick! It was mixed in with the plate of biscuits that Denise brought in.
40. Anna
It's wet
BBC UK: It's wet
41. Paul
Yes, I think maybe I stirred my tea with it at one point. Oh well. Now, where were we...? My goodness, it's 11 o'clock! I have a meeting right now! I'm afraid I'm going to have to go. But I've made my mind up about you anyway. I suppose you'd like to know if you've got the job?
BBC UK: Yes, I think maybe I stirred my tea with it at one point. Oh well. Now, where were we...? My goodness, it's 11 o'clock! I have a meeting right now! I'm afraid I'm going to have to go. But I've made my mind up about you anyway. I suppose you'd like to know if you've got the job?
42. Anna
Yes please!
BBC UK: Yes please!
43. Narrator
Ah - Stop right there! I'm sure everybody would like to know if Anna's got the job - but everybody's going to have to wait until we've heard her helpful phrases once again: Can I make a suggestion? Why don't you try looking in your recycle bin? Have you tried asking your colleagues if they've seen the memory stick? How about...? Maybe I could do a big office search for you...? How about looking through your rubbish bin...? I have an idea!
BBC UK: Ah - Stop right there! I'm sure everybody would like to know if Anna's got the job – but everybody's going to have to wait until we've heard her helpful phrases once again: Can I make a suggestion? Why don't you try looking in your recycle bin? Have you tried asking your colleagues if they've seen the memory stick? How about...? Maybe I could do a big office search for you...? How about looking through your rubbish bin...? I have an idea!
44. Paul
Anna, we need someone who can think on her feet and who is a first-rate people person. Someone who sees solutions, not problems... someone like you! So if you want the job, it's yours!
BBC UK: Anna, we need someone who can think on her feet and who is a first-rate people person. Someone who sees solutions, not problems... someone like you! So if you want the job, it's yours!
45. Narrator
Ah, now think carefully Anna - do you really want to work for these people? They seem a bit... disorganized.
BBC UK: Ah, now think carefully Anna – do you really want to work for these people? They seem a bit... disorganised.
46. Anna
I would definitely like the job! Thank you!
BBC UK: I would definitely like the job! Thank you!
47. Narrator
So be it. Join us again next week for Anna's first day as a sales executive at Tip Top Trading.
BBC UK: So be it. Join us again next week for Anna's first day as a sales executive at Tip Top Trading.
Question
Why was the memory stick wet?
Answer
Because it had been in Paul’s tea.