2. How to Improve Your English p.9.

    Mack is talking to his friend Don.

    M： Hi, Don！ How are you doing in your English class？

    D： Not so well, I'm afraid.

    M： What's the problem？

    D： I'm not improving. Tell me, how come your English is so good？

    M： Well, uh…I have an American girlfriend.

    D： Aha！ That's it. Now I know what to do. （He runs off.）

    M： Hey, Come back！ I was just kidding！

    funny farm 疯人院   正式：mental asylum¹

    improve sth = make a lot of improvement in sth

    talk to（with） sb about sth  vi.       talk sb into doing   vt.说服

    When he gave a speech, we realized that he was just talking nonsense.

    He is a problem studnet.

    greeting 招呼语

    How are you doing in ……？   or：  How are you getting along？  近来怎么样？

    久违的老朋友还可以说：How are you？  or  How have you been？

    Howdy  美国南部招呼语  answer： Howdy

    blind date 相亲,盲目约会

    I am afraid （that省略） it is going to rain, so we can't go on a picnic.  我认为……（弱语气）

    What's the problem （with）？ = What's wrong？ = What's the matter （with）？

    goof² around  浪费时间，混时间

    Aha, that's it. = Aha, I get it. = I understand.

    kidding = joking