Business Dialogues - The Builders

AUDIO BUSINESSDIALOGUES

THE BUILDERS

In this dialogue, Susan, a building contractor, is discussing progress at a building site with John. There are a few problems. Listen to the dialogue and answer these questions:

1. What is the main problem? 2. What excuses does John have?

Susan: Hi, I just came down to check up on what’s been going on. John: Well, as you can see, we’ve been making good progress. Have you seen what I’ve done in the bathroom? Susan: I’d rather not look. John: I was referring to the tiling. I think it’s turned out pretty good. Susan: OK, I’ll have a look later. What about the floor? Have you got all the floorboards down in the upstairs bedrooms? John: We’ve laid down the concrete… Susan: I hope there are no dead bodies. John: Very funny! Susan: Good. Right, now to the difficult part. Do you think things are on schedule? Will you get the job done on time? John: Look, this is a big job and we just don’t have the manpower at the moment. Susan: Well, you’re supposed to have this all wrapped up by the end of next month. John: Impossible. Without more people we can’t do it. Susan: Couldn’t you get your guys working a bit harder. John: We’re going flat out, and besides, they’re professionals doing a top quality job. Here, just look at the paintwork on these doors. Susan: Yes, it’s very impressive, but right now we’re more concerned about deadlines. John: You’re not gonna get a better job than this. Just feel these walls, solid as a rock, and so smooth to the touch… (Susan touches the wall and there’s a loud crashing sound as the wall falls down on top of John) Susan: What the… Are you alright down there? John: Yes, I think so, although the wall is a bit heavy. What did you do? Susan: I didn’t do anything… So what are you going to do about your rock solid walls now? John: I think we’d better get back to the drawing board. Oh, and could you call an ambulance, please? Susan: Very well.

Exercise

Now listen to some extracts from the conversation again. You will notice there are some missing words and a beeping sound. See if you can write the missing word. Answers on page 50. 1. Hi, I just came down to check __________ on what’s been going on. 2. I was referring __________ the tiling. 3. Do you think things are ________ schedule? 4. Will you get the job done __________ time? 5. You’re supposed to have this all wrapped ________ by the end of next month. 6. Right now we’re more concerned ___________ deadlines.

G L O S S A R Y

to check up on phr vb to investigate tiling n a “tile” is a square ceramic object that we use to cover the walls in bathrooms and kitchens to turn out phr vb if something “turns out” a certain way, it happens that way pretty good exp quite good floorboards n long pieces of wood that are on the floor in houses to lay down concrete n to put the concrete (cement) on the floor on schedule exp on time; according to plan manpower n workers to wrap up phr vb to conclude, to finish to go flat out exp to work very hard paintwork n the covering of paint on the walls a deadline n a time when a job must be finished gonna abbr going to to get back to the drawing board exp this expression means: to start something again