Dialogue 7
WHY DIDN'T CALL US?

Laurance-When did you get here?
Soony- Just a few minutes ago.
Ikea- We've been waiting for almost an hour.
Soony- I'm sorry, but I had car trouble--a flat tire.
Laurance-Oh. That's too bad. Couldn't you have telephoned?
Soony- I was going to, but I didn't have any change for a
pay phone.
Ikea- You could have gotten some change in a store.
Soony- Not really. The tire went flat out on the edge of
town. There wasn't any place to call from.
Ikea- WelL at least you're here now. No need to wait
any longer. So let's get started!
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注解:
a flat tire:轮胎瘪了
Could you have telephoned?此句用虚拟语气,有"你该做而没有做"的责备之意.
change:零钱.这里指硬币.
a pay phone:公用电话.公用电话是收费的,所以也称a pay phone.
went flat=became flat,went 在这里是系动词.
get started(口语)=begin work