Can You Speak Over the Telephone. Как вести беседу по телефону

Mr Orlov: I’m calling to invite you and your wife to the reception to be held on the occasion of our great national holiday, the 62nd Anniversary of the Great October Revolution. It will take place on November 7, at 6 p.m.

Mr Marsh: Thank you very much. I’m delighted to accept your invitation.

Mr Orlov: Good. I’ll get the invitation card in the mail late this afternoon then. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Good-bye.

Mr Marsh: Bye-bye, Mr Orlov.

2. Extending an Invitation to Lunch

Mr Serov: This is Mr Serov speaking.

Mr Weston: Good afternoon, Mr Serov. This is Weston.

Mr Serov: Hello, Mr Weston. What a surprise! I didn’t expect you to be back in London so soon.

Mr Weston: This time I’m here only on a short visit and I’d like very much to meet you. Could you join me for lunch, say, tomorrow?

Mr Serov: Thanks for your kind invitation but I’m afraid I’m booked up for tomorrow. Could you suggest an alternative date?

Mr Weston: Just a second. I’ll look at my schedule. Can we make it Friday, then?

Mr Serov: Yes, that’d be splendid.

Mr Weston: I’ll be in touch with you and let you know the place and time.

Mr Serov: Thank you for the invitation. Good-bye.

Mr Weston: See you on Friday.

3. Invitation to a Motor Show

Secretary: Hello.

Mr Stock: Good morning. I’d like to speak to Mr Baturin.

Secretary: Who’s calling, please?

Mr Stock: This is Mr Stock from Satre Ltd.

Secretary: Will you hold the line, please? I’ll see if Mr Baturin’s available. Mr Stock, Mr Baturin is on the other phone. Will you wait or call back?

Mr Stock: I’ll wait, thank you.

Secretary: Hello, Mr Stock. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I’m putting Mr Baturin on the line now.

Mr Baturin: Good morning, Mr Stock.

Mr Stock: Good morning, Mr Baturin. I believe you know that the International Motor Show at Earls Court is due to open on Wednesday, October 18. We would greatly appreciate it if you could come to Earls Court to attend the official opening. The Lada 1200 Saloon from Satre Motors will make its debut at this show.

Mr Baturin: Thank you very much for your kind invitation. But unfortunately I can’t accept it. I have an appointment. I think Mr Ozerov will be able to attend this function if you don’t mind.

Mr Stock: Oh, we will be happy to see Mr Ozerov. We are sending a Complimentary Ticket[2] for him by hand.

Mr Baturin: I wish you every success in your business. The Lada is really creating a great deal of interest wherever it is shown. I sincerely hope that selling Soviet cars in this country will be very profitable for you.

Mr Stock: Thank you for your kind wishes. Good-bye.

Mr Baturin: Bye-bye, Mr Stock.

4. Invitation to the Ballet

Mr Hopkins: Hopkins speaking. Good afternoon.

Mr Zotov: Good afternoon. Zotov here. I’m so glad I got through at last. I tried to get you on the phone yesterday but you were out.

Mr Hopkins: Yes, I was away from London and returned this morning.

Mr Zotov: I know you are a ballet admirer. I’d like to invite you to Covent Garden. I guess you know the Bolshoi ballet is now in London and tomorrow they are performing “Spartacus”.

Mr Hopkins: Thank you very much. It’s very kind of you. I’ll gladly accept your invitation to see the fabulous Bolshoi ballet which commands the love and admiration of audiences all over the world.

Mr Zotov: Good. Incidentally the performance starts at 7.30 and runs three hours. Would you like me to call for you?

Mr Hopkins: No, thank you. Don’t bother. I’ll get there on my own.

Mr Zotov: Then I’ll be waiting for you at 7.15 outside the theatre. Goodbye.

Mr Hopkins: Thanks a lot. Good-bye.

5. Declining an Invitation

Mr Smirnov: Hello.

Mr Barlow: Hello. I’d like to speak to Mr Smirnov.

Mr Smirnov: Speaking.

Mr Barlow: Barlow here. Good morning, Mr Smirnov.

Mr Smirnov: Could you speak up, please. Your voice is ever so faint.

Mr Barlow: Hold on a minute, please. I’ll try to fix the microphone. Are you there, Mr Smirnov?

Mr Smirnov: Oh, yes. I think that’s better now.

Mr Barlow: Mr Smirnov, I’m calling to invite you to dinner tomorrow.

Mr Smirnov: Thanks a lot. It’s very kind of you and I’d be happy to join you but I’m afraid I’ve got another engagement for tomorrow. I’m very sorry.

Mr Barlow: I’m sorry too, but I do understand I should have invited you a few days ago. One can’t really expect people to accept invitations at such short notice, of course. We’ll have to make it some other time then. Good-bye.

Mr Smirnov: Good-bye, Mr Barlow.

EXERCISES