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医生、护士、教师、消防人员、警察、救护车司机……他们是给民众提供必要服务的关键工作人员。英语表达 “key worker” 就可以形容这类工作者。听节目,学习如何使用 “key worker”。
(关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。)
Feifei
欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。大家好,我是冯菲菲。
Roy
And I'm Roy!
Feifei
你这是在干什么?怎么这么多钥匙? What is that noise?
Roy
Sorry, I was just cutting some keys! It turns out that I've been doing my job wrong all these years!
Feifei
Ah! I know what happened. Neil called you to say you're not a key worker, right?
Roy
Exactly! All this time at the BBC and I hadn't cut a single key! I'm lucky Neil was so forgiving. He had no idea what to say when I told him I'd start cutting keys.
Feifei
Neil 听了你的回答,不知道说什么,这一点我不惊讶。因为你理解错了 “a key worker” 的意思。“A key worker” 指的是 “给民众提供必要服务的关键工作人员”,比如,医生和护士。
Roy
Yep, that's more logical. I get confused sometimes.
Feifei
You do. Let's listen to these examples while you get rid of those keys.
Examples
My friends Jorge and Zdenka are both key workers! They do the amazing job of teaching kids.
Michiko is a key worker, but her class is closed at the moment due to the outbreak of the virus.
Key workers need to have easy access to their places of work during the coronavirus crisis.
Feifei
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。以上,我们介绍了表达 “key worker” 的意思和用法。“Key worker” 指的是 “提供必要服务或扮演重要角色的关键工作人员”,比如老师、医生或护士。
Roy
That's right! 'Key' in this expression relates to 'vital' or 'important'. Not to keys that open locks.
Feifei
That's correct, Roy. And it's been quite a common expression during the coronavirus pandemic. People have been talking about the importance of key workers being able to do their jobs during a world crisis.
Roy
That's right. In fact, I could say it's been a key point of discussion. I really respect the amazing jobs that people like doctors, nurses, emergency service staff, and teachers do.
Feifei
Yes, me too. Err, one thing, though, Roy. How much did you spend on that key cutting machine?
Roy
Enough to say 'please don't tell my wife – she'll be really angry'. Do you want me to cut you a new key?
Feifei
No. I don't want to encourage you! Bye, Roy.
Roy
Bye!