《英语听力教程4》答案及原文

《英语听力教程4》答案及原文《英语听力教程4》答案及原文《英语听力教程4》答案及原文《英语听力教程4》答案及原文编制仅供参考审核批准生效日期地址：电话：传真:邮编:Unit1ShoppingandBankingOlinePartIGettingready B.Keys:1:drop2:shopping3:mouse4:feet5:retailing6:street7:get8:down9:third-party10:online11:30%12:malls13:Britain14:gift-buying15:50%16:net17:peroidC.Keys:1:thesite2:merchant,addresses/phonenumbers/callup3:strictsafetymeasuresPartIINetshoppingunderfireA.Keys:1:delivery,delivery2:deliverycharges3:personalinformation,87%4:returninggoods,47%5:order,35%,dispatch,87%6:moneyback,twoB.Keys:1:convenience2:choice3:obstacles4:completetrust5:buildconsummers'trust6:mature7:payment8:servicePartIIIBankingathomeA.Keys:1:limitedopeninghours2:Onlinebankingservices3:gettingcurrentinformationonproducts4:e-mailingquestionstothebank5:competingforcustomers6:havingnocomputersathomeB.Keys:1:ItisbankingthroughtheInternet.2:'Onlinebanking'offersconveniencewhichappealstothekindofcustomerbankswanttokeep.3:Banksmostwanttokeeppeoplewhoareyoung,well-educated,andhavegoodincomes.PartIVMoreaboutthetopic:SecretofGoodCustomerServiceB.Keys:EnglishGoodCustomerService(Harrods)1:inapleasantenvironment2:Secondtonone3:differentcustomers,takealookateverything,alternatives,cometosalesassistants4:firstcontactwiththecustomerAmericanGoodCustomerService(Saks)1:humanside,family,occasionsinlife,apartnership2:repeatbusiness,salesPartVDoyouknow…Keys:1:c2:a、b、c3:a、b、c4:c5:c6:bTapescriptPartIGettingreadyC.Consumerswhowanttoshoponlinearesuggestedtobearthefollowingthingsinmind:Evaluatethesite.Alwaysbuygoodsfromwell-knownandtrustworthycompanies.Dealwithcompanieswhichoffercustomerservice,acomplaintsprocedureandhavearefundpolicy.Talktomerchant.E-mailandwaitforreponses.Takedowntheaddressesandphonenumbersofthosecompaniesandmakesuretheyarerealbycallingthemupbeforebuyinganyproductsandservices.Ensuresecureconnection.Sincebuyersmustsubmitpersonalinformationlikenumberandexpirydateofthecardtherearefearsoversecurity.Dealwithsitesthatapplystrictsafetymeasuresthatrequireshopperstogivespecificdataknownonlytocardholdersbeforemakingthetransaction.Beextracarefulatacybercafeorotherpublicconnection.PartIINetshoppingunderfireThereisanurgentneedfore-commercerulestoboostconfidenceinbuyingonline.ConsumersInternational,afederationof245consumerorganizations—includingtheUK'sConsumersAssociation—saiditssurveyshowedthattherewerestillobataclestoshoppingonlinewithcompletetrust.Thestudy,fundedbytheEuropeanUnion,involvedbuyingmorethan150itemsfrom17countries.Eachconsumerorganizationtakingparttriedtofindonesiteinitsowncountryandoneabroadtobuyaselectionofitems.Theseincludedadictionary,adoll,jeans,ahairdryer,computersoftwareandhardware,chocolatesandchampagne.Thekeyfindingswere:Eightoftheitemsorderedtookmorethanamonthtoreachtheirdestinationandatleast11(eightpercent)neverarrived.Manysitesdidnotgiveclearinformationaboutdeliverycharges.Only13%ofthesitespromisedthattheywouldnotsellcustomers'personalinformationontoathirdparty.Only53%ofthecompanieshadapolicyonreturninggoods.Only65%ofthesitesprovidedconfirmationoftheorderandonly13%toldcustomerswhentheirgoodshadbeendispatched.Intwocases,customersarestillwaitingfortheirmoneybackmorethanfourmonthsafterreturningtheirgoods.LouisSylvan,vice-presidentofConsumersInternational,said,"Thisstudyshowsthat,althoughbuyingitemsovertheInternetcanbenefittheconsumerbyofferingconvenienceandchoice,therearestillmanyobstaclesthatneedtobeovercomebeforeconsumerscanshopincyberspacewithcompletetrust."ChrisPhilips,MarketingManagerataLondonbasede-commercesecuritycompanycommented,"Thisstudyconfirmsthedifficultiesofestablishingconsumers'trustintheInternetasashoppingexperience.WithstatisticsliketheseandVisaclaiming47%ofdisputesandfraudcaseswereInternet-related,itislittlewonderthatInternetcommerceisnotproducingtheprofitspredictedtwoorthreeyearsago.Trusttakestimetobuild,andtheInternetwillnotmatureasaretailchanneluntiltrustedbrands,likethebanksforexample,starttoofferwaysofsupportingtrustrelationshipswithguaranteespaymentandservice."InSeptember,theOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopmentwillholdameetingtodiscussasetofinternationalguidelinesforelectroniccommerce.PartIIIBankingathomeManypeopledislikewalkingtothebank,standinginlonglines,andrunningoutofchecks.Theyaredissatisfiedwiththeirbank'slimitedhours,too.Theywanttodosomebankingatnight,andonweekends.Forsuchpeople,theirproblemsmaysoonbeover.Beforelong,theymaybeabletodotheirbankingfromthecomfortoftheirownhome,anyhouroftheday,anydayoftheweek.Manybanksarepreparing"onlinebranches,"orInternetoffices,whichmeansthatpeoplewillbeabletotakecareofmuchoftheirbankingbusinessthroughtheirhomecomputers.Thisprocessiscalledinteractivebanking.Attheseonlinebranches,customerswillbeabletoviewalltheiraccounts,movemoneybetweentheiraccounts,applyforaloan,andgetcurrentinformationonproductssuchascreditcards.Customerswillalsobeabletopaytheirbillselectronically,andevene-mailquestionstothebank.Banksarecreatingonlineservicesforseveralreasons.Onereasonisthatbanksmustcompeteforcustomers,whowillswitchtoanotherbankiftheyaredissatisfiedwiththeservicetheyreceive.Theconvenienceofonlinebankingappealstothekindofcustomerbanksmostwanttokeep—peoplewhoareyoung,well-educated,andhavegoodincomes.Banksalsowanttotakeadvantageofmoderntechnologyastheymoveintothetwenty-firstcentury.Onlinebankingmaynotbeappropriateforeveryone.Forinstance,manypeopledonothavecomputersathome.Otherpeopleprefertogotothebankandhandletheiraccountsthetraditionalway.Eventhoughonlinebankingmaynevercompletelyreplaceawalk-inbank,itisaservicethatmanycustomersaregoingtowanttouse.PartIVMoreaboutthetopic:SecretofGoodCustomerServiceInBritaintheyaskyou,"Areyoubeingserved"WhilstinAmericatheytellyouto"Haveaniceday."ButwhatisthesecretofgoodcustomerserviceFromHarrodsinLondonandSaksNewYork,we'regoingtofindoutthedosanddon'tsofsellingprotocol.

ThereasonthatHarrodshasbeensosuccessfuloverahundredandfiftyyearsistwofold.Firstofallthey'veofferedtheircustomerstheproductstheywanttobuyinapleasantenvironment.Butsecondlyandmoreimportantly,thelevelofcustomerservicethatthey'vegiventheircustomers,beforesale,duringsaleandaftersale,hasbeensecondtonone.Ithinkit'sfairtosaythatifyoucomparetheBritishwithourcousinselsewhereintheworldthatweareactuallyquiteareservedlot.Toacertainextenttherearealotofshrinkingvioletsinthiscountrywhowouldratherjustdotheirownthing.They'dratherwanderaroundandbrowseandiftheydoneedanyhelpeventually,askforit.SoIthinkthewaythatweapproachourownU.K.basedcustomersisactuallyslightlydifferenttothewayweknowweneedtoapproach.Forexample,anAmericancustomer,orindeedaJapanesecustomer,oraMiddleEasterncustomer,whoallhavedifferentwaysofdoingthings.Wellinservingdifferent,Iguess,nationalities,youdotakeverydifferentapproaches.WithEuropeans,forexample,youdokindofletthemtakealookateverything.Seewhat'sbeingonofferandthenaskthemiftheyneedanyhelp.Ithinkthey'dprobablymuchmoreprefertocometoyou,ratherthanyousomuchtogotothem.TheAmericancustomerverymuchexpectsyoutogotothem,approachthem,showthemalternatives.WellIthinkmaybethemoreEuropeanorBritishcustomercanbealmostturnedoffbythatifsomeoneisseentobetooaggressive,maybetooanxioustomakeasale.It'smostimportantthatthefirstcontact,thefirstinitialmeetingwiththecustomerisagoodandsuccessfulonebecauseonthatbasis,thecustomerwillmakeuptheirmindwhattheywanttodonext.IquiteliketheEnglishsalesassistantsbecausetheydefinitelyhavebetterthingtodothantalktoyou,whichIlike.It'sveryterrifyingwhenyougotoAmerica."CanIhelpyou"they'relikelickingyou.You'rejustlike,"No,I'mfine.Ijustwanttolook."Thatputsmeoff.IlovetheEnglishsalesassistant.SowherehaveyouexperiencedtheverybestincustomerserviceUmm,probablyAmerica.Intermsofbestasin,theygiveyousomuchattentionit'salmostembarrassing.Theytreatyou,youknow,the"haveaniceday"thing.They'wanttohelpyou.Theywantyoutobuy,'causetheyoftenworkonacommissionbasis.That'sifyoulikebest.ButIpreferthe...like,beingignored.Tamara:IthinkEngland'sstillwaybehindintermsof,likeAmericaforexample.IcancallinAmericafromLondonandthey'lltracktheitemdown.It'snotlike,"Sorrymadamwedon'thavethatinyoursize."IjustgottheGucciboots,whichminehadactuallybroken.AndinEnglandtheysaid,"Sorry"youknow,that'sit.SothiswomaninLosAngelestrackedthemdownand,infactgotthemforme.That'sbecausetheyworkoncommission.Andthesoonerwelearnthat,thebettertheservicewillget.SowhatdotheAmericanshavetosayTheymayspeakwithadifferentaccent.Butisthesalespitchaforeignlanguagetotherestoftheworld

IthinkpartofthereasonAmericansareknownasexpertsisthatwetendtofocusalotmoreinthehumansideofselling,notthemechanicalside,whichistheregisterandknowingabouttheproduct.Wereallywanttoknowaboutyourlifestyle.Wewanttoknowaboutyourfamily.Wewanttoknowaboutyourincome.Wewanttoknowaboutyouroccasionsinyourlife.Andthat'sverydifferentoutsideoftheUnitedStates.Ourconsumeractuallyiscomfortablewithformingapartnershipwithasalesassociateandgivingupthatinformation,verypersonalinformation,verypersonalinformation.IthinkthatbestpartaboutSakssalesassociatetrainingthatweactuallydevelopcustomers,fivedifferenttypesofcustomersandwevideotapethemandputthemupinfrontofeverynewsalesassociateandsay,"Thisisourcustomers."They'reverydifferent.EachoneofthemisatopcustomeratSaksbuttheyshopinaverydifferentway.Alotofstoresinthisindustryreallymeasuresellingeffectivenessbysalesandquitefranklythat'snotwhatSaksisabout.Ithinkthewayyoumeasuregoodqualitystaffisbyrepeatbusiness.Obviouslyifyouhavesomeoneonyoursellingfloorthathasaclientele,thatisthemeasureofagoodsalesassociate.PartVDoyouknow…"Everybodylovesabargain,"thisisacommonAmericansaying.Abargainissomethingyoubuyforlessthanitstruevale.Itissomethingyoumightnotbuyifitcostsmore.Oneperson'suselessuglyobjectcanbeanotherperson'sbargain.SomanyAmericansputitoutsidewitha"forsale"signonitandtheyhaveayardsale.Justaboutanythingcanbesoldatayardsale:clothing,cookingequipment,oldtoys,tools,booksandchairs,evenobjectsyouthinkareextremelyuglyoruseless.Youmayhaveanelectriclightshapedlikeafish.Youmaygreatlydislikeitslooks,butitmaybebeautifultosomeoneelse.Usuallythesellerputsapriceoneachobject.Butthepricecanalmostalwaysbenegotiated.Thepriceofatable,forexample,mightbemarked$10.Butthesellermayaccept8.Ifthetablehasnotbeensoldbytheendoftheday,thesellerprobablywilltakemuchless.Somepeoplegotoyardsalesbecauseitispartoftheirjob.Theyearntheirlivingsbybuyingoldthingsatlowpricesthensellingthemathigherprices.Manyothers,however,gotoyardsalesjusttohavefun.Theysayitislikegoingonatreasurehunt.Sometimestheyreallydofindthetreasure.NedJauderedid.TheBostonGlobenewspapersaysMr.JauderehasbeencollectingnativeAmericanIndianobjectssincehewasayoungman.Lastyear,hestoppedatayardsaleinthenortheasterncityofWorcester,Massachusertts.Hepaid$125forwhateveryonethoughtwasanoldwoodenclub.Mr.Jauderethoughtitwassomethingelse.Twodayslater,heconfirmedthattheclubhadbeenusedbytheWampanoagIndianleaderknownasKingPhilip.KingPhilipuseditduringhiswarwiththewhitesettlersateasternMassachusettsin1675.Thehistoricweaponhadbeenstolenfromamuseumin1970andhadbeenmissingeversince.Mr.Jarderelearntthewarclubwasvaluedatabout$150000buthedidnotsellitorkeepit.Mr.JauderereturnedtheclubtothemuseumnearBostonMassachusettsfromwhichitwasstolen.Questions:1.WhichofthefollowingisacommonAmericansaying?2.Whatcanbesoldatayardsale?3.Whydopeoplegotoayardsale?4.Whenwastheoldwoodenclubstolen?5.Whatwastherealvalueoftheclub?6.Whywastheclubatagreatvalue?Unit2HotelorB&BPartIGettingreadyB.Keys:1:35%,60%2:45%,20%3:60%,80%4:30%,15%5:50%,70%6:30%,20%C.Keys:(1)1:￡30/single;￡60/double,childrenunder122:￡29/fullboard3:￡28/double+bath,excluded(2)1:hotfood,friedegg2:coffee,tea,jam,cooked3:dinner,bedandbreakfast4:theroomplusallmeals5:ValueAddedTaxPartIIAtouchofhomeOutlineI:bedandbreakfast,15000,advantagesoverbighotelsII:meetingdifferentpeopleIII:features,1883,guestsIV:B&BsnotsuitableforsomepeoplePartIIIRentingacarA.Keys:1:three2:Mon.July10th3:stationwagon4:$79.955:$59.956:4p.m.7:10a.m.8:'free9:12cents10:$1011:8%12:'$100B.Keys:acompactcar/astationwagon/automatictransmission/currentmodels/pickup/returnthecar/specialweekendrate/regularrate/unlimitedmileage/insurance/salestax/afulltankofgas/deposit/lowestrates.PartIVMoreaboutthetopic:WhatTypeofRoomDoYouWant?A.Keys:1:52:23:64:45:36:1B.Keys:1:￡40,allgrades2:￡55,Sales3:￡150,Managerial,entertainingprivateguest,thelake4:￡220,privacy,country-side,kitchenPartVDoyouknow…A.Keys:(France)Italy,(2)3,(3)2,(4)8(Loudon,UK)Paris,France,(8)4B.Keys:1:F2:T3:F4:F5:TTapescriptPartIGettingreadyB.A:Goodmorning.I'dlikesomeinformationabouttouristfigures,please.First,aboutaccommodation.WhatproportionoftouristsstayinhotelsB:Well,inanaverageyear60%oftouristsstayinhotels,butthisyear35%arestayinginhotels. A:WhatproportionoftouristsstayinholidaycampsB:Well,inanaverageyear20%oftouristsstayinholidaycamps,butthisyear45%arestayinginholidaycamps.A:Now,aboutplacesvisited.WhatproportionoftouristsvisitEurope B:Well,inanaverageyear80%oftouristsvisitEurope,butthisyear60%arevisitingEurope. A:AndwhatproportionoftouristsvisittheU.S.A.

B:Well,inanaverageyear15%oftouristsvisittheU.S.A.,butthisyear30%arevisitingtheU.S.A.. A:Now,aboutmethodsoftransport.Whatproportionoftouristsgobyplane? B:Well,inanaverageyearabout70%oftouristsgobyplane,butthisyearabout50%aregoingbyplane. A:Whatproportionoftouriststaketheirowncar? B:Well,inanaverageyearabout20%oftouriststaketheirowncar,butthisyearabout30%aretakingtheirowncar. A:Thankyouverymuchforyourhelp. C.C:…sohere'sabrochurewiththehotelsinMidford.Itgivesyoualltherates… T:I'msorry,myEnglishisn'tsogood.Canyouexplainthistome? C:Yes,ofcourse.FirstofallwehavetheCastleInn…here…it'sthecheapest.Itwillcostyouonly￡12forasingleroomand￡15foradouble.Thepriceincludescontinentalbreakfast.IfyouwantafullEnglishbreakfastyou'llhavetopayextra… T:Whatisthis"Englishbreakfast" C:Oh,youknow,hotfood:friedegg,friedbacon,porridge…whereasthecontinentalbreakfastiscoffee,tea,rolls,jamandhoney—nothingcooked,yousee. T:IthinkIwouldpreferthecontinentalbreakfast. C:Well,yes,that'sincluded.AndthenwehavetheDaltonHotel,moreexpensive,butverynice,abathroomattachedtoeveryroom.TheDaltoncharges￡30forasingleroomand￡60foradouble.Butthereisnochargeforchildrenunder12whostayinthesameroomastheirparents. T:Iwon'thavemychildrenwithme.Butmaybemyhusbandwillcomealittlelater… C:Well,theParkHotelisveryreasonablypriced.￡16perperson.Everyroomhasabath.There'saspecialrateof￡25whichincludesdinner,bedandbreakfast—whatwecallhalfboard.Oryoucanhavefullboard,that'stheroomplusallmealsfor￡29perpersonpernight. T:Wewouldonlywantbreakfast. C:Isee.Mm…youcouldtrythefourthhotelhere,thePhoenix.Itwillcostyou￡28foradoubleroomwithbath.Breakfastis￡5perperson. T:Yes.Butwhatabouttheextramoney,whatdoyoucallitinEnglish,theservice... C:Alltheseratesincludeaservicechargeof10%.TheyalsoincludeVAT-that'sValueAddedTax. T:Ifwecomelaterintheyearwillitbecheaper? C:Yes.ThesearetheratesforJunetoSeptember.Youwouldpaylessatothertimesoftheyear. T:I'lltalkaboutitwithmyhusband.Thankyouforexplainingeverythingtome. C:You'reverywelcome. PartIIAtouchofhomeBevRoseisaverygoodhostess.Shetellstheguestsinherhometherearesodasintherefrigerator,snacksinthekitchen,andvideosnexttotheTV.ButRose'sguestsaren'tout-of-townfamilyorfriends.Herguestsarefromallovertheworld.Rose'shouseislikeasmallhotel.ItiscalledabedandbreakfastorB&Bforshort.ThenameofRose'sB&BisSuitsUs.RoseandherhusbandhavejoinedagrowingnumberofpeoplewhoareoperatingB&Bsintheirhomes.B&Bsofferthecharm,comfort,andhospitalitythatisoftenmissinginbighotels.That'swhytherearemanypeoplewhowouldratherstayataB&Bthanahotelwhentheytravel.Thereareabout15000B&BsacrosstheU.S.Eachyeartheywelcomemillionsofvisitors.Andthenumberisincreasing."Ithinkguestsarelookingforthepersonaltouch,"saidPatHardy,thedirectoroftheAmericanBedandBreakfastAssociation."InaB&B,youdon'thavearoomnumber.Theownerknowswhoyouareandhelpsyouenjoyyourtrip,"Hardysaid.Travelersoftenwantmorethanjustaplacetosleep.TheylikeB&Bsbecausetheownertakesapersonalinterestinthem.RosesaidoneofthebestthingsaboutowningaB&Bismeetingallthedifferentpeople.Sheloveswatchingtheguestsmeeteachotherforthefirsttimeatbreakfast."It'sreallyfuntostandinthekitchenandtalkwithmyguests.Eventhoughmostofthemhavejustmetforthefirsttime,theconversationsatthebreakfasttablearereallyinterestingandlively."ManyB&Bsareolderhomeswithinterestinghistories.SuitsUswasbuiltin1883.Theroomsarefilledwithantiquesand19th-centurydecorations.TheRosesrentthreeoftheupstairsbedroomstoguests.EveryroomatSuitsUshasitsownpersonality.TheRoseshavenamedseveraloftheroomsforpreviousguests.Forexample,oneoftheroomsisnamedtheWoodrowWilsonRoombecausetheformerU.S.Presidentstayedthere.AnotherroomiscalledtheAnnieOakleyRoombecausethefamouscowgirlwasonceaguestthere.Bedandbreakfastsaren'tforeveryone.Somepeoplearen'tcomfortablestayinginsomeoneelse'shome.Andotherpeopledon'tcareforthepersonalinteraction.Butforaquiet,romanticplacetostay,manypeoplearecheckingintobedandbreakfastsinsteadofhotels.OncepeoplehavestayedinaB&B,theyoftenfindithardtogobacktohotels.PartIIIRentingacarA:Goodafternoon.U-Drive-Itrentals.MayIhelpyou? C:Hi,yeah.I'minterestedin,uh,rentingacarfortheweekend,andI'mwonderingifyouhaveaspecialweekendrate? A:Yes,wedo.[Mm-hmm.]Uh…whatsortofcarwereyouinterestedin? C:Well,we'reafamilyofthreeandwehavecampingequipment.Now,I'musedtodrivingasmallcar,butImightneedsomethingalittlelargerbecauseofthefamilyand,uh…alltheequipmentthatwehave. A:Well,um…Icouldsuggestacompactcarfor/toyou.[Mm-hmm.]Someofourcompactshave…havelargetrunks,[OK.]or,uh…Oh,betteryet,whynotasmallstationwagon

[Oh,good.]Um…allourcarsarecurrentmodelsand,uh,haveautomatictransmission. C:Oh,well,I'musedtodrivingastandard,butIguessthere'snoproblemwithautomatictransmission. A:No,no.Ifyoucandriveastandardyoucandriveanautomatic.[Mh-hmm.]Uh,now,listen,whenwereyou…uh…interestedin…inrentingthis? C:Uh,well,we'llbeleavingonaFriday,that'sthe…let'ssee,that'sFriday,July7th,andthenreturningontheMonday.Thatwouldbethetenth. A:Mm-hmm.Well,let'ssee…uh…wehave…uh…Oh!WehaveaPintostationwagonforthosedates.[Mm-hmm.Good.]Um…yeah,Ithink…Ithinkthat'syourbestbet. C:OK.Uh…well,thenwhenwouldwehavetopickupthecarandwhenwouldwehavetoreturnthecartogetthatspecialweekendrate? A:Well,fortheweekendrateyouhavetopickupthecarafterfouro'clockonFridayafternoon[Uh-huh.]andthenreturnitbyteno'clockonMondaymorning. C:AfterfouronFridayandreturningbyteno'clockonMondaymorning.[Mm-hmm.]OK.What…uh…uh,whatwouldbethepriceforthat? A:OK,now,our…ourregularrateisseventy-nineninety-five.[Ooh!]butthespecialweekendratew…youcangetthatforfifty-nineninety-five.[Oh,Great.]Um…nowthefirstthreehundredmilesarefree,[Mm-hmm…]afterthatit'stwelvecentspermile. C:Oh,soit'stwelvecentsamileextraafterthefirstthreehundredmiles? A:That'sright. C:OK.Uh…doyouhaveany…um…rentalswithunlimitedmileage? A:Well,wedo,butyoucan'tgetthatspecialweekendrate. C:Uh-huh.OK.Well,thendoesthefifty-nineninety-five-thatwastherate,right[Mm-hmm.]—doesthatincludeinsurance A:No…um…theinsuranceistendollarsmore,butIreallyrecommendit. C:Yeah. A:OK,nowthere'sa…there'sasalestaxofeightpercent,[Mm-hmm…]and…um…youhavetoreturnthecarwithafulltankofgas.[Uh-huh.]Also,werequireadepositofahundreddollars. C:Ohboy.Itsureaddsup! A:Well,ourratesarestillthelowestintown. C:Uh-huh.OK.Well,Itellyouwhat.I'dliketothinkaboutit,ifthat'sright,andthenI'llcallyouback…uh… A:Sure,that'sfine.Uh,listen,whenyou…whenyoudocallback,askforDoug.That'sme. C:OK.Well,thanksalot.Doug.Goodbye. A:Takecare. PartIVMoreaboutthetopic:WhatTypeofRoomDoYouWant?S:Ifthetermsarefavorable,wecouldcometoanarrangementforregularaccommodation.Now,Iwantedtodiscussthetypesofroomwithyou,andratesfortheiruse. M:Certainly.TheratesI’llquotetoyoufirstofallarewhatwecall"rackrates",thatisthenormalratesquotedtothepublic.Butobviouslywewoulddiscussadiscountrateforyou.Now,asregardstherooms,theyareallofaveryhighstandard.Allourroomshavecentralheating.Mostofthemarewithbathroom,andtheyallhaveawashbasinandatoilet. S:Thatsoundsfine.Canyoutellmeaboutyoursinglerooms? M:Yes.Oursingleroomsareverycomfortable,andtheratesareveryreasonable.Ithinkyou'dfindthemsuitableforvisitingstaffofallgrades.Therackrateis￡40anight. S:￡40anight… M:Yes.Orforrealeconomy,let'ssupposeyouhaveasalesconference.Youcoulddoubleupyoursalesstaffandputthemintotwinrooms.Thatwouldworkoutverycheaply.Thenormalrateis￡55pertwinordoubleroompernight. S:Well,wemightconsiderthatpossibility.Butwealsohavesomequiteimportantvisitorssometimes.Haveyouanyreallyspecialaccommodationwecanofferthem? M:Well,supposeyouhavevisitingmanagerialstaff.Forsomethingmoreluxurious,wecanofferourDelphosSuite.It'sdelightful,andconvenientforentertainingprivateguests.Ithasitsownprivateterracewhereguestscansitoutsideandenjoytheviewoverthelake… S:Thatsoundsmostattractive… M:Thenormalrateis￡150pernight… S:￡150. M:…butfortotalluxury,thefinestaccommodationofanyhotelinthisarea,IcanrecommendourBellaVistaPenthouse.Fromthebalcony,there'samagnificentviewoverthewholecountryside. S:Oh,lovely. M:Ithasabedroomconnectingtoalargesittingroom,withaseparatestudy,abathroom,andafully-fittedkitchen.Itcombinestotalluxurywithtotalprivacy.Forexample,ifyourCompanyDirectorandhiswifewantedtostayforafewdaysitwouldbeideal. S:Andtherate? M:Thenormalratewouldbe￡220anight. PartVDoyouknow…FiveU.S.hotelswerevotedamongtheworld'stopten,withtheHalekulaniinHonolulurankingfirst,asurveyofGourmetmagazinereadersreleasedlastFridaysaid.CominginsecondwastheOriental,inBangkok,Thailand,followedbyVillad'Este,Cernobbio,Italy;TheRegentHongKong,andHotelRitz,Paris.TheGreenbriar,inWhiteSulphurSprings,WestVirginiarankedNo.8.The10th-rankedhotelwastheFourSeasonsResortNevis,inCharlestown,Nevis,WestIndies.Morethan150hotels,resortsandinnsin27countriesandregionswererankedingeneralandspecificcategoriesthatratedsuchthingsasdining,bars,pools,workoutcentersandromanticatmosphere.ThisisthethirdyearthatGourmet,whichhasmorethan5millionreaders,hasconductedthesurvey.AnotherU.S.hotel,theMansiononTurtleCreekinDallas,toppedthelistforrestaurantdining,beatingouttheConnaughtinLondon,Italy'sVillad'EsteandBangkok'stheOriental.TheFourSeasonsinPhiladelphiawasNo.5.Inthespecificcategoryofbestbusinesshotels,theRegentHongKongrankedfirstasithasforthepastthreeyears.Inothercategories,Paris'HotelRitzwithitsRomanthermal