|
阅读理解：
Can You Make Short Phone Calls?
Phones are very useful to us, and we can’t work without them．But phones also bring troubles．For example, a friend wants to tell you his or her latest health problem on the phone．You are very busy, so you have to cut your friend off．What will you say?
When you answer a call, don’t ask questions like “How are things?” because these questions will make them think that you have time to talk longer．After “hello,” get right to the heart of the matter you want to say．
When you make a call, you should call at the right time．If you call right before lunch or dinner, or at the end of the work day, people will not talk too much．
When you call someone and do not want to talk longer, you may start with, “Hi, I’ve only got a few minutes, but I want to talk to you about…” or, “I’d like to talk more, but I only have a few minutes before I have to go．”
If you don’t want to spend time talking to someone, you must say, “I’d like to talk to you longer, but I must say Goodbye．” Don’t wait for the answer．
If someone does not stop talking and you have to leave, you can ask someone in your home to help you．For example, you signal to your father, and your father says loudly, “Mary, I think the bread is burning!”
| 
