新视野大学英语视听说教程 3 Unit 5-7

（单词翻译）

MODEL2   I have some very bad news.
Helen: Bill, I’ve been searching for a loan, but I was rejected everywhere. Now I’m afraid I have some very bad news.
Bill:   What is it?
Helen: Well, the company has been experiencing serious financial difficulties for quite a long time now.
Bill:   I know we’ve been operating in the red for the past few months.
Helen: Exactly. After a long discussion with my partners, I’ve come to the conclusion that the best course of action is to file for bankruptcy¹
Bill:   What? Bankruptcy? I didn’t know you were in this kind of serious financial trouble.
Helen: Sales have been low all year long. Now two of our leading competitors are discussing a merger². Then we’ll have to face even stiffer³ competition. I feel the situation is going to go from bad to worse. We simply can’t afford to keep our doors open for long.
Bill:   When do you plan to make the announcement to tell all the employees?
Helen:  Early next week.
Bill:    What kinds of severance⁴ package will we able to offer them?
Helen:  Unfortunately, the best we can do is offer one month’s salary.
Bill:    Oh! How terrible! OK, I’ll contact Vivitek and see if they are interested in acquiring our company.