CONVERSATIONS

(A) A: It's really very kind of you to do this for me. Thanks alot. B: It's my pleasure. Please let me know when you need myhelp.     

CONVERSATIONS

A:Whose book is this? B:It's mine.Why do you ask? A:Could I borrow it? I've been wanting to read it. B:Be my guest (欢迎你来借书),but I warn you.It's not as good as they say. A:What's the matter with it? B:Well,for one thing the plot (情节) is highly improbable (很不真实) and for another,the characters seem more like paper dolls than people (太不真实). A:That's strange.Usually that author does a good job of characterization (性格描述).I've read three of his books and thought they were all well done. B:I've been a fan of his for a long time too,but he really flubbed (失败 ) on this one.     

CONVERSATIONS

正AA:Is there anything I can do?I'd like to help in some way if I can.B:I can't think of anything at the moment.A:Well,maybe I could run errands(跑跑腿)or something.B:You could if I needed something.A:I feel so useless just hanging around(闲逛)with nothing to do.B:Don't worry.In a couple of days there'll be too much to do.Then you'll want to be back in these lazy days(闲散的日子).     

CONVERSATIONS

A A:You’re mad(=crazy,insane疯狂)!Stark(=completely),raving(狂乱地,疯狂地) mad! B:Oh,I don't know.Weird(=strange,odd,queer奇怪),maybe,but not mad. C:Nobody in his right mind would do a thing like that! A:It's so foolhardy (=foolishly bold,reckless 鲁莽的)man(伙计,非正式称呼).You could get hurt,and seriously. B:I know.My mother used to(经常)scold(挑剔,指责)me all the time about it. C:Well,she doesn't seem to have had any effect(效果). B:Actually,I listened to her a lot of the time,but,really,nothing serious has ever happened. A:All I can say is,"Somebody up there likes you!”(上帝保佑你,非正式用语)     

CONVERSATIONS

A Birthday Party A: Hello, Sam ! What a beautiful day ! B: Yes, it's beautiful, isn't it? A: I hope you can come to my party tomorrow. B: Party? What party?     

CONVERSATIONS

A A:When can we expect you for dinner? Can you come tonight? B:Not tonight.I promised to go to a concert with my sister. A:Well...How about Friday then? B:That sounds fine.(=That's agreeable.听起来不错) A:Good.Shall we say seven o'clock? B:I'll be there! You're still a fabulous (=wonderful) cook,aren't you? A:That'll be for you to decide.I've got a new dish that I want to try out(=to test) on you.     

TIME OF UNCERTAIN CONVERSATIONS: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE POST-SOVIET LATVIA

This article describes the development of religious education within the system of public education in Latvia. It consists of three parts. The first part deals with the social context of a post-Soviet society and its impact on the development of religious education. The second part describes the four approaches to religious education in public schools that have emerged in Latvia during the last ten years: the confessional approach, the ecumenical Christian approach, the world religions approach, and the Christian ethics approach. The third part analyzes the problems and opportunities presented by the current stage of plurality of approaches.