ESL Podcast 317 – Setting the Table

William: This is a very special dinner. It’s not everyday that I have my bosses over for dinner. It has to be perfect.

Martha: I know. Why do you think I took out our best china? Instead of worrying, why don’t you help me set the table?

William: Right. I should make myself useful. Is this the best tablecloth¹ we have?

Martha: Yes, it is. It’s very fine linen².

William: Oh, right, right. Okay, we need six table settings. That means we need dinner plates, salad plates, bread plates, coffee cups, and saucers. Where are the saucers?

Martha: All of the dinnerware is over there. Be careful!

William: I know, I know. Where’s the silverware? We’re missing the silverware!

Martha: No, we’re not. All of the silverware is in this drawer. Put the dinner and salad forks on the left and the dessert fork above the plate, like this. The tines should be facing up. The knife and spoon go on the right.

William: I know that. I was just looking for the steak knives.

Martha: We don’t need those tonight. Here, take these wine glasses and put them on the table.

William: What else? What else?

Martha: Nothing. You need to take a deep breath and calm down, or you’ll be in bad shape by the time the dinner starts.

William: It’s too late. I’m already a ball of nerves!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 tablecloth   

n.桌布，台布

参考例句：

• He sat there ruminating and picking at the tablecloth.他坐在那儿沉思，轻轻地抚弄着桌布。
• She smoothed down a wrinkled tablecloth.她把起皱的桌布熨平了。

2 linen   

n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的

参考例句：

• The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。
• Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。