Using English at Work
Episode 4 - Working at My Desk
SCRIPT
When I get back to my desk, I clear off a few stacks of paper on the top of my desk so I have some space to work. I open the computer file I have been working on for the past week. This document is a report that is due next week and the deadline is fast approaching.
I open my filing cabinet and take out two files and a manila envelope that has the information I need in them. I look around for the pad of paper I used to jot down some ideas yesterday, and take out the paper clips, stapler, and Scotch tape I know I'll also need. Now I have everything in front of me so I can get down to business.
The first thing I have to do is get organized. I scan the information I have in front of me and take notes on the things I want to include in the report. Before I analyze the data for the report, I need to skim the background information to make sure I haven't missed anything. I was making good progress but I'm feeling thirsty, so I decide to take a quick break.
GLOSSARY
to clear off - to organize and remove things from a table, desk, or other surface
* Can you please clear off the table so that we can eat dinner?
stack - pile; a vertical (up and down) group of things that are placed on top of each other
* Michaela likes to read before falling asleep, so there is always a stack of books next to her bed.
file - information stored electronically under one name on a computer, CD, or USB drive
* Most of my computer files end in .doc, .xls, .ppt, or .pdf.
document - a piece of written, printed, or electronic collection of information
* Remember to save the changes to your document every few minutes in case something goes wrong with your computer.
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Using English at Work
Episode 4 - Working at My Desk
deadline - the date when a project has to be finished; the date when something is due and must be turned in
* Each year, the deadline for applying to this university is March 23rd.
filing cabinet - a metal or wooden piece of furniture with large drawers that are used to hold paper files
* Could you look in the filing cabinet to see if you can find the papers we need for this case?
manila envelope - a large, yellow-colored envelope
* Please put your application in a manila envelope and mail it to this address.
pad of paper - many pieces of paper that are held together at one end
* Please bring a pad of paper to the meeting so that you can take notes.
to jot down - to write something down quickly
* Quick! I need a piece of paper to jot down that phone number before I forget it.
paper clip - a small, bent piece of metal or plastic that is used to hold together pieces of paper
* Please use a paper clip so that the check doesn't get separated from the bill that needs to be paid.
stapler - a small, metal and plastic object that, when pushed, puts a small piece of metal through pieces of paper to hold them together
* Can I use your stapler for a minute to staple these pages together?
Scotch tape - a long piece of clear plastic that is sticky on one side and is used to hold two pieces of paper together, or to put a piece of paper on something else
* I need to buy some Scotch tape so that I can wrap these presents.
to get down to business - to begin working very seriously on something; to get serious about something
* Loch spent most of the morning making phone calls and talking to her colleagues, but now she needs to get down to business and finish the project.
to scan - to read something quickly, looking for the most important ideas
* Kyra scanned the newspaper, looking for articles about the baseball game.
to take notes - to write down the most important points of something that one reads or listens to
* If you go to class and take notes every day, studying for the text will be easy.
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