Talks and Conversations 1

W: Ah, Bill, have you got a minute?
M: Yes, but can you make it fast? I’m pretty busy.
W: OK. Ah, I’m sorry about this, Bill. I know you’re busy but I’ve got to go somewhere this afternoon. Can I take the afternoon off?
M: Oh, come on, Helen!
W: But it’s really important. I mean it is really something urgent.
M: Look, I’m sorry Helen but I can't. I've got two people off sick.
W: Well, how about a couple...
M: Look, we've got to finish this report today. The boss has been waiting in the office.
W: I know that, Bill. How about just an hour?
M: Yes, all right. I suppose so. But next time I want a bit more warning.

Questions:
11. Why did Helen want to talk to Bill?
12. What is the relationship between the man and the woman?
13. At last, how long was Helen permitted to take her leave?
14. What did Bill want Helen to do next time?

【解析】
本篇屬于情景對話，首先應當抓住關鍵詞組take off（請假），接下來就很好理解了。對話中女士因為下午緊急要去某地向男士請假，但是男士一開始因為手上的報告必須要在今日之內完成交給老板而沒有準假。之后女士告知實在佷重要，能否請一個小時的假，男士最終答應了。

關鍵詞：
take off：請假
urgent：adj. 緊急的
warning：adj. 警告的；引以為戒的