Unit 2 Can I Take a Message? (II)

Part I Getting ready

Some telephone calls will not get through without the help of an operator, for example, a person-to-person call and a collect call which will be paid for by the person who receives it. Sometimes a long distance call and an overseas call will also be connected by an operator if it is not a direct call.

A. The following words and phrases will appear in this unit. All of them are related to the telephone and some are frequently used when giving and reveiving phone calls. Listen carefuuly and study the definitions.

 1. person-to-person call: a telephone call made to pne person in particular, and not needing to be paid for if he/she is not there and someone else answers

2. collect call: a telephone call to be paid by the receiver

 3. go through: pass through

4. operator: a person who works a telephone switchboard

 5. hang up: finish a telephone conversation by putting the receiver back

 6. information: the telephone serviece which provides telephone numbers to peopele who ask for them

 7. answering machine: a machine attached to a telephone which records messages when one is unable to answer the telephone

 8. exchange: a central office where connections are made between telephone lines so that people can talk to each other by telephone

 9. touch-tone telephone: a telephone that produces different sounds when its different numbered buttons are pushed

10. IDD: International Direct Dialling

B. Here are some short conversations on the phone. Please listen and supply the missing words.

Tapescripts:

1.  Man: Hello.

Operator: I have a collect call from Calvin Leon. Will you accept the charges?

   Man: Sure. Put him on.

   2. Operator: Operator.

      Woman: Operator, I’m trying to call 7982294.

     Operator: That number is outside this zone. It’s a dollar forty-five for three minutes.

      Woman: All right. I’ll put in the coins.

   3. Operator: Overseas Operator. Which country?

        Man: Italy.

     Operator: Yes, go ahead.

        Man: I’d like to book a call to Venice, Italy.

     Operator: For which date and time?

        Man: August nineteenth at ten a.m.

     Operator: What’s your name and phone number?

        Man: Rober Smith 6643639. The number in Venice is 8211083.

     Operator: We’ll call you wehen your call is ready to go through.

  4.  Woman: Hello.

     Operator: Helo. I have a person-to-person call for Mr. Hawkins from Carey Jones.

Woman: There’s no Hawkins here. What number are you dialling?

     Operator: I’m trying to reach William Hawkins at 6099525.

Woman: That’s our number, but you’ve made a mistake.

     Operator: Sorry for disturbing you.

C. Listen to the part of a telephone conversation. Then choose the best response for each.

1. c. This is Samuel Peterson.

  2. b. I’ll call him after lunch.

  3. a. Yes. It’s 5345-4826.

  4. a. No. I’ll call later.

  5. b. It’s spelled T-O-N-Y.

  6. c. Thank you.

  7. a. Okay. I’ll call her back later.

  8. b. All right. Please tell him Chris called.

  9. c. Sure. No problem.

 10. b. No. Just tell her I called.

Tapescripts:

  1. May I ask who's calling?

  2. I’m sorry, but he’s out to lunch right now.

  3. Could I have your telephone number, please?

  4. Would you like to leave a message?

  5. Could you spell your name, please?

  6. I’ll be sure o give her the message.

  7. I’m sorry, but she’s in a meeting now.

  8. I'm sorry, but he won’t be back to the office until Monday afternoon.

  9. Mr. Smith would like to reschedule Friday’s appointment to next Wednesday at 9 o’clock.

 10. Shall I have her call you back later today?