English A2 · Speaking: routines, plans and asking for things
English A2 Topic 15 2:56 English narration · English + 中文 subtitles burned in
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A2 speaking runs on three engines. The routine engine, the present simple with frequency words: I usually play basketball on Saturdays. The plan engine, with its two present-built futures: I am meeting Li on Sunday, and I am going to visit my grandparents. And the request engine: can, could and would you mind. One conversation, three engines. This topic teaches you to change engines mid-drive without stalling.
A2 口语有三台引擎：习惯引擎（一般现在时+频率词）、计划引擎（am meeting 约定 / am going to 打算）、请求引擎（can、could、would you mind）。 一段对话三台引擎，练习中途换挡不熄火。
The routine engine is the present simple dressed with frequency words. I get up at seven on school days, and I never skip breakfast. My sister practises the piano every evening, with its s on the third person.
习惯引擎是一般现在时配频率词：我上学日七点起床，从不跳过早餐；妹妹每天晚上练琴，第三人称带 s。
And keep the engine warm with follow-up questions: really, what time do you start?
再用追问保温：Really? What time do you start?
The plan engine has two gears, both built on present words. I am meeting Li on Sunday: the arrangement, fixed, carrying its time. I am going to visit Grandma: the intention, decided before speaking began.
计划引擎两个挡位：I am meeting Li on Sunday 是带时间的约定；I am going to visit Grandma 是早已决定的打算。
And answer plans with plans: nice, I am going to bring my camera.
用计划回应计划。
Requests climb a ladder. Can I borrow your pen: friends and small things. Could I ask a question: one step up. Could you open the window: now you are asking the other person to act, not just to allow. And at the top, would you mind closing it, very polite, with its upside-down answer: not at all means yes, I will happily do it. Climb one step for strangers and two for big asks, and remember that answering yes to would you mind means you do mind.
请求有阶梯：Can I 借支笔（朋友小事）；Could I 问个问题（升一级）；Could you 请对方做事（再升一级）；顶格是 Would you mind，回答反着来：Not at all 才是愿意。
The fuel kit is small. Answer with two pieces and a question back.
对话燃料包很小：答两块再回问一句。
What are you doing this weekend: I am visiting my grandparents, what about you.
周末干嘛？ 我去看爷爷奶奶，你呢？
Could you help me with this exercise: sure, which part do you not understand.
能帮我看看这道题吗？ 当然，哪一步不懂？
One-word answers stall all three engines, and the question back is the fuel pump that restarts them.
一个词的回答会让三台引擎全部熄火，回问是重新点火。
Watch out for three traps. Do not use will for fixed plans: I will meet Li on Sunday sounds like a promise made this second; the arrangement is I am meeting Li on Sunday. Give requests their music: a question mark in writing and a rising voice in speech. And never answer yes to would you mind when you mean yes I will: yes says you do mind; not at all is the polite yes.
三个陷阱：定了的计划不用 will（I am meeting 才是约定）；请求要有问号和升调；Would you mind 的 Yes 是介意，愿意要说 Not at all。
Check yourself. Which is the routine and which the plan: she goes swimming every Friday, or she is going swimming this Friday?
自测：哪句是习惯哪句是计划？
Ask a stranger for the time, two rungs up from can. Answer a plan with a plan, out loud. And answer would you mind opening the window politely.
比 Can 高两级向陌生人问时间；用计划回应计划说出口；礼貌回答 Would you mind opening the window？
If the engines change without stalling, the speaking is done.
换挡不熄火，口语就过关。