李華要參加課堂辯論，心里很緊張， 找Larry出主意。他們會用到兩個常用語：you’re toast和the tables have turned。
LH: Larry，我可怎么辦?這次辯論的成績占期末成績的一半呢!
Larry: OK, OK. Calm down for a minute. What’s the topic of the debate?
LH: 辯論的主題是國會最近通過的醫療改革法案!我當時沒注意這個新聞，現在什么都不知道啊!
Larry: Oh, my. That is certainly a complicated topic, even for an American. Are you arguing for or against it?
LH: 我是辯論的正方還是反方?哦……我忘了。
Larry: You don’t even know what side of the argument you’re on? Well, looks like you’re toast。
LH: I’m toast? 你在說什么啊?
Larry: It means you have no chance; you’re done for; you’re finished. I don’t see how you could possibly be prepared for this debate。
LH: "I’m toast" 就是I’m finished? 我完了?沒戲了?哎呀，這門課可是必修課，我必須要通過呀!Larry, you have to help me!
Larry: I don’t think I can, Lihua...Although I know I’m going to be toast if I just sit there and be negative. Haha.。.
LH: 沒錯，要是你只顧坐在那里看我出丑，你就死定了!哼!
Larry: Well, I can tell you about the health care bill, but if you don’t know what side you are on for the debate, I don’t think that will help you。
LH: 雖然我忘了自己在哪一方，可我的老對頭Susie是我的對手，我們不在一隊，而且她特別能辯論。I really AM toast, Larry。
Larry: Unfortunately, I would have to agree with you. You don’t have any friends in that class? Give one a call and see if they remember which team you are on。
LH: 對! 我給Jennifer打個電話，看她知不知道我是哪一方的。
******
李華給Jennifer打電話之后，得到了一些好消息。
LH: Larry, 好消息!Susie生病了!
Larry: Huh?
LH: Jennifer說，Susie重感冒，嗓子出不了聲，更別提辯論了!I’m not toast anymore! 我有救啦!
Larry: Oh, I see. What about your team? Do you know what side you need to prepare to argue for?
LH: Jennifer說，我和她都是正方的，支持這個法案。她還讓我不必擔心，說我們這方有幾個很牛的人!這真太棒了!
Larry: That is good news. Looks like the tables have turned in your favor。
LH: The tables have turned? 什么桌子?
Larry: I’m not talking about an actual table. The tables have turned means that the person that used to be ahead is now behind, and the person who used to be at a disadvantage now has an advantage。
LH: 我明白了，the tables have turned就是指形勢發生了一百八十度大轉彎!我之前處于弱勢，可現在忽然處于優勢了!
Larry: Exactly. You can say the tables have turned in your favor. It doesn’t look like your grade for this class is toast anymore。
LH: The tables have turned in my favor，風水轉到我這邊來了!一切都對我有利了!我本來以為I was toast, 但是現在，對手病了，隊友強大，The tables have turned! 我真是幸運!
Larry: It looks like your classmate Susie is the one who is toast now. And since you don’t have to prepare for that debate anymore, I was wondering if you could help me out a little.。.
LH: 怎么了Larry?
Larry: Well, I need to submit a report on the Chinese market to my boss, and I’ve been putting it off. It’s due tomorrow and I could use someone to help me do some research on Chinese websites.。.
LH: 你明天要交一分關于中國的市場分析報告，現在還沒怎么寫?你想讓我幫忙在網上查資料?哼! 我才不管呢!
Larry: Oh! Lihua, Please! If I don’t finish this report in time, well, I’d be.。.
LH: You’d be toast! 你就完蛋啦!Larry, 幾分鐘前你還不肯幫我準備辯論呢，現在輪到你求我，我不幫忙了。哈哈!It seems the tables have turned!
Larry: That situation was a little bit different...I didn’t really have any way to help you。
LH: 這倒也是。可是，我也真的幫不了你啊，我又不會寫市場調查報告。
Larry: You’re not going to help me? But I’ll be toast without your help!
LH: Sorry, Larry! 可我真的沒法幫你，我要和我們辯論隊的人在圖書館開會，對了，你能開車送我去圖書館么?
Larry: Ha, it looks like the tables have turned again.。.
