eaw_episode_5.pdf
eaw_episode_5_.mp3
English at Work
Episode 5: The Queen of Sheba
Polite requests
Narrator: Welcome back to English at Work We're still in Anna's first week in the
?busy offices of Tip Top Trading How's it going Anna
Anna: Everything's still so new to me I keep needing to ask people for help!
Narrator: Well, that's only natural at the beginning To ask people politely for help
use the words would and could You can also use the word please, but
don't make the mistake of thinking's enough to make what you say polite
Anna: Er, ok
Paul: Hello Anna!
Anna: Oh hi, Paul
?Paul: I was wondering if you could do something for me
Anna: Yes of course
Paul: Would you be able to print out a file for me? It's a document on CBL –
Convincing Bananas Limited – they're one of our suppliers The file should
be on the system and could I have it in the next ten minutes please, as
?they're on their way here for a meeting
?Anna: Yes Oh no, I've no idea how to find it! Tom
Tom: Er, ask Denise She should know
Anna: Ok, thanks Tom, I'll ask her
Denise: (on the phone to Sharon) I'd warned her, you know, I said 'Victoria, if you
?don't change your hairdresserAnna: Denise
?Denise: One day you'll… hold on a moment Anna
Anna: Please email me the background file on CBL
Denise: Er!
Anna: Thank you
Denise: (on the phone) Who does that girl think she is? Anna new girl I told
you about her yes with the saucepans, that's the one She's only been
here five minutes and she's already acting like the Queen of Sheba
Anna: Oh and Denise, please send it to me within five minutes, Paul needs it
soon Thank you
Denise: Really!
?Tom: He he, good to see who's the boss, eh Denise
Denise: Really!
?Narrator: Er, Anna, I think you've upset Denise
?Anna: Upset Denise
Narrator: You were a bit rude when you asked her to help
?Anna: Was I
Narrator: Remember what I said Anna Just using ‘please’ to ask someone to do
something can sound a little rude
Anna: Oh
Narrator: Instead of saying 'Please send me the file' you could say 'Could you
?possibly send me the file?' or 'Would you mind sending me the file'
Anna: Oh! English is so confusing! I'll try to remember that Oh no, the printer
?isn't even set up! Tom
?Tom: Yeah
?Anna: Please help me with…I mean, could you possibly help me with the printer
Tom: Er I need to finish this email to a really important new client
?Anna: But it's really urgent Would you mind writing your email later
Tom: Okay, since you asked so nicely Let's have a look
Narrator: Well, it's a good thing Anna has understood how to use 'could' and 'would'
to ask for things, before she upsets anyone else Let's hear those phrases
:again
?Paul: I was wondering if you could do something for me
?Paul: Would you be able to print out a file for me
?Paul: Could I have it within ten minutes please
?Anna: Could you possibly help me with the printer
?Anna: Would you mind writing your email later
Narrator: The printer seems to be working well, but how well are Anna and Denise
?working together? Are these two going to be enemies
Denise: Really! 'Denise do this! Denise do that!' I'm telling you Sharon, I've almost
had enough! I get treated like I'm some kind of servant!
Listening comprehension question
؟What reason does Tom give for being too busy to help Anna with her printer
Tom says he has to send an email to a client
