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Tác giả Bilingo Học tiếng anh online 2
Ngày đăng 19/ 12/ 2022
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Conversation: Buying a car
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Peter and Tara are a married couple who are discussing the possibility of buying a new car. Listen to their conversation and pay special attention to the words in blue. Tara: You wanna buy a new car? Are you nuts?! Peter: Here's the thing: our car is 15 years old... it's REALLY time to upgrade. Tara: I don't know. Just because the car is old doesn't mean we should get rid of it. Plus, new cars are expensive, and we're trying to save up for our vacation, remember? Peter: Granted - we couldn't afford a brand new car. That's why I've been looking, at used cars. I found a 2008 Toyota in great condition that's selling for a pretty good price. Tara: Still, shouldn't we try to keep the car we have for as long as possible? We could probably use it for at least another couple years. You have to admit that it would save us money. Peter: On the contrary: we'd probably end up spending more on maintenance and fixing the old car than it would cost to just buy a new one - well, a used one - now. So it would actually cost us more in the long run. Tara: If you say so. I'm still not convinced. By the way, did you pay that speeding ticket you got last month? Peter: Umm... not yet. I did talk to a lawyer though. Basically, he said that there's a chance I could get the fine reduced. I'll try to take care of it this week. |
Peter và Tara là một cặp vợ chồng đang thảo luận về khả năng mua một chiếc ô tô mới. Lắng nghe cuộc trò chuyện của họ và đặc biệt chú ý đến các từ màu xanh lam. Tara: Bạn muốn mua một chiếc ô tô mới? Bạn bị khùng à?! Peter: Đây là vấn đề: chiếc xe của chúng tôi đã 15 tuổi... đã THỰC SỰ đến lúc nâng cấp. Tara: Tôi không biết. Chỉ vì chiếc xe đã cũ không có nghĩa là chúng ta nên loại bỏ nó. Thêm vào đó, những chiếc xe mới đắt tiền và chúng tôi đang cố gắng tiết kiệm cho kỳ nghỉ của mình, nhớ không? Peter: Đúng là - chúng tôi không đủ tiền mua một chiếc ô tô mới tinh. Đó là lý do tại sao tôi đã tìm kiếm những chiếc xe đã qua sử dụng. Tôi tìm thấy một chiếc Toyota đời 2008 trong tình trạng tuyệt vời đang được bán với giá khá tốt. Tara: Tuy nhiên, chúng ta không nên cố gắng giữ chiếc xe mình có càng lâu càng tốt sao? Chúng tôi có thể có thể sử dụng nó trong ít nhất một vài năm nữa. Bạn phải thừa nhận rằng nó sẽ giúp chúng tôi tiết kiệm tiền. Peter: Ngược lại: có lẽ cuối cùng chúng ta sẽ chi nhiều tiền hơn cho việc bảo trì và sửa chữa chiếc ô tô cũ so với chi phí mua một chiếc ô tô mới - à, một chiếc ô tô đã qua sử dụng - bây giờ. Vì vậy, nó thực sự sẽ khiến chúng ta tốn nhiều tiền hơn trong thời gian dài. Tara: Nếu bạn nói như vậy. Tôi vẫn chưa bị thuyết phục. Nhân tiện, bạn đã trả tiền phạt quá tốc độ mà bạn nhận được vào tháng trước chưa? Peter: Ừm... chưa. Tôi đã nói chuyện với một luật sư mặc dù. Về cơ bản, anh ấy nói rằng có khả năng tôi sẽ được giảm tiền phạt. Tôi sẽ cố gắng chăm sóc nó trong tuần này. |
Conversation Vocabulary & Phrases
The expressions in blue are discourse markers.
What are discourse markers? They’re words or small phrases that express the connections between ideas when writing or speaking. You’ve already learned some of these in this course: for example, starting a sentence with “as I was saying,” to get back to the topic after an interruption.
This lesson is going to focus on discourse markers that are typically used at the beginning of a sentence or phrase. They help indicate what you’re going to say before you say it.
“Linking words” like although, meanwhile, such as, and likewise also fall into the category of discourse markers. Many of these can be used either at the beginning or in the middle of a phrase – and some can be used at the end. If you want to learn more specific details about linking words, check out these three lessons:
Now let’s look at some typical functions of discourse markers – with plenty of examples to help illustrate how they are used in spoken English.
Function #1 – Adding Information
Moreover and furthermore are typically used in more formal English. What’s more is more frequently used in spoken English rather than written English.
For example:
In addition and additionally are also used in more formal English, especially when writing or presenting:
In more informal English, we usually use also, plus, besides, and not only that (but) to add information:
Function #2 – Comparing / Contrasting
Sometimes you want to not only add information, but also show how it relates to the information you mentioned previously – by comparing it (showing how it is similar) or contrasting it (showing how it is different).
Use similarly and in the same way to show how two things are similar. There’s also an idiomatic expression: “by the same token.”
When you want to show how two things are different, use in contrast, conversely, or the more informal expression on the other hand. There’s also the expression on the contrary, which is usually used to say that the previous statement was wrong, or to introduce the opposite idea.
Function #3 – Emphasizing & Persuading
When trying to persuade someone (convince them that your perspective is correct), you can use these phrases to add special emphasis to your main point.
Use here’s the thing and the thing is to draw extra attention to what you are going to say.
Use above all to introduce the most important point:
“To become fluent in English, you must take every opportunity to practice the language. It’s important to read, write, listen to, or speak English as frequently as possible. Above all, you must not give up!”
Use after all and you have to admit to introduce an especially persuasive point – one that you think the other person probably won’t disagree with.
Use like I said or as I mentioned earlier (more formal) to repeat a point you talked about before.
Function #4 – Conceding (+ Counter-Argument)
“Conceding” means to recognize that the other person has a good point, or is correct about some idea. When having a discussion, debate, or argument, it’s common to concede and then introduce your counter-argument or counter-point.
Use the phrases granted, admittedly, and of course to concede. Here are some examples that follow directly from some of the situations in the previous section:
“Admittedly, a new machine would cost more in the future. But right now we simply don’t have enough money to make the necessary repairs.”
“Of course an online store would increase our profits. But I’d rather focus on getting more customers in the local area.”
“Granted – the current strategy isn’t producing great results. But I don’t think the idea you’ve proposed is a perfect solution.”
In each of those examples, the person introduced the counter-argument with “but.” However, there are a number of other phrases that can be used:
Check out how to use them in the examples:
Function #5 – Changing the topic
Remember in the lesson about greetings and goodbyes, when we used the word anyway as a transition into saying we needed to leave?
“Anyway, it was great talking to you, but I’ve gotta run.” – This is an example of changing the topic with a discourse marker. Anyway is frequently used to either bring the conversation to a close or come back to the main topic.
Here are more ways to change the topic. The expressions speaking of... and that reminds me are often used to introduce a related topic:
The expressions by the way and incidentally can be used to introduce a related topic OR add a side comment:
Function #6 – Paraphrasing / Summarizing
“Paraphrasing” or “summarizing” means expressing a lot of information in a short time, giving just a general summary of the main point. To do this, we have the expressions basically, essentially, in short, and to sum (it) up.
There’s also an idiomatic expression: in a nutshell.
“I don’t have time to tell you all about it right now, but in a nutshell – it was wonderful!”
You’ve finished Lesson ! Now take the quiz and try to select the best discourse marker for every sentence.
Quiz – Lesson 40
1) You have a point - that country is a bit dangerous. _________, it's worth visiting to experience the culture.
A. Above all
B. Besides
C. Still
2) ...and that's how my wallet was stolen. _________, can I borrow $15 to take a taxi?
A. By the way
B. On the contrary
C. The thing is
3) I know you think she's a little bit crazy, but _________ she's very smart.
A. in short
B. similarly
C. you have to admit
4) He's stupid, annoying, and lazy. _______, he's dishonest.
A. Even so
B. In contrast
C. What's more
5) I hope you'll join us for the Christmas party. _________, everyone else is coming!
A. After all
B. All the same
C. By the same token
6) Those other problems are not important right now. _________: if we don't get new donors within the next month, we'll have to shut down the organization
A. Admittedly
B. By the way
C. Here's the thing
7) I just got back from the library. Oh, __________ - could you give me back that book I lent you?
A. in addition
B. that reminds me
C. to sum it up
8) You didn't miss much in yesterday's class. ________, the teacher just told us to read chapter 5.
A. In short
B. Not only that
C. That said
9) This new computer program will help us run our database more efficiently. It integrates with all our current systems. ________, it's very easy to use.
A. Conversely
B. In addition
C. In a nutshell
10) The crime rate in the city center has gone down. _________, it has gone up in the suburbs.
A. After all
B. In contrast
C. Similarly
11) I understand why you made the mistakes. _________, I do expect better performance from you in the future.
A. Granted
B. Having said that
C. That reminds me
12) Children learn language primarily by listening. __________, listening practice is essential for adults.
A. In the same way
B. Nevertheless
C. On the other hand
Lesson 40 Quiz – Answers
1.C 2.A 3.C 4.C 5.A 6.C
7.B 8.A 9.B 10.B 11.B 12.A