A：The charges vary according to the types of call you make．Thecheapest is a station-to-station call，then a person-to-personcall．The mini charge will apply for the first three minutes，theneach additional minute will be charged．

B：Oh，let me think of it…Could you put through a collect call forme？

A：Certainly．Who are you calling？

B：It's a Mrs．Peters．Marilgyn Peters．

A：And what's the number you are calling？

B：It's London，9981-6432．

A：And your name and number？

B：My name's Ron Smith and the phone number is 356-2210．

A：Hang up and I'll call you back in a few minutes．(Pause)．

Hello．This is the operator．You have a collect call from a Mr．Ron Smith in Chicago．Will you accept the charges？

C：Yes，I will．

(Ring)

B：Yes，it is．

A：I have your call on the line．Go ahead，please．

B：Thank you very much．

…

Words and Expressions

oversea(s) a．海外的；往海外的

operator n．操作者；工作者；接线员

collect call 对方付费电话

area n．面积；地区；区域

code n．法典；法规；规章；代码

sight-seeing 观光，游览

beach n．海滨；湖滨；海滩

downtown ad．在商业区；向商业区；在市区；

museum n．博物馆；(美)展览馆

Australia n．澳大利亚；澳洲

direct a．径直的；直线的；直接的

international a．国际的

prefix n．字首，前缀

dial n．1．[钟表的]面；标度盘

2．[自动电话]拨号盘

rate／reit／ v．拨电话

n．规定的费用或价格

apply vi．适用；应用；使用

charge v．要价，收费

front desk 柜台

clerk n．办事员

afterwards ad．后来；以后

distance n．1．距离；2．远方；远景

3．[时间的]间隔；[时日的]经过

according adj．根据……所说的

mini a．微型的；最低的

additional a．附加的；另外的

Chicago (地名)芝加哥