Part I
Student: Hi, Professor Archure, you know how in class last week you said that you were looking for students who are interested in volunteering for your archeology project?
Professor: Of course, are you volunteering?
Student: Yes, I am. It sounds really interesting, but er… do I need to have any experience for these kinds of projects?
Professor: No, not really. I assume that most students taking the introductory level of class would have little or no experience with the archeological research, but that’s ok.
Student: Oh, good, that’s a relief. Actually, that’s why I’m volunteering for the project — to get experience. What kind of work is it?
我认为大多数参加入门级课程的学生都几乎没有或根本没有什么考古研究经验，但这没关系。
1. volunteer |ˌvɒlənˈtɪə(r)|
verb. to offer to do sth without being forced to do it or without getting paid for it 自愿做；义务做；无偿做
E.g.:Several staff members volunteered for early retirement.
几位职员自愿提前退休。
2. assume|əˈsju:m|
verb. to think or accept that sth is true but without having proof of it 假定；假设；认为
E.g.:It is reasonable to assume (that) the economy will continue to improve.
认为经济将继续好转是有道理的。
Part II
Professor: Well, as you know, we're studying the history of the campus this semester. This used to be an agricultural area and we already know that where the main lecture hall now stands, there once were farm house and barn that were erected in the late 1700s. We are excavating near the lecture hall to see what types of artifacts we find, you know, things people used in the past that got buried when the campus was constructed. We’ve already began to find some very interesting items like old bottles, buttons, pieces of clay pottery.
Student: Buttons and clay pottery? Did the old owners leave in such a hurry that they left their clothes and dishes behind?
Professor: Hmmm… that’s just one of the questions we hope to answer with this project.
Student: Wow, and it’s all right here on campus.
Professor: That’s right, no traveling involved. I wouldn't expect volunteers to travel to a site, especially in the middle of the semester. We expect to find many more things, but we do need more people to help.
Student: So… how many student volunteers are you looking for?
Professor: I’m hoping to get five or six. I’ve asked for volunteers in all of the classes I teach, but no one has responded. You are the first person to express interest.
这里以前是一个种植区，而且我们也已经知道现在主讲堂所在的位置以前是1700 年代后期建造的农舍和谷仓。
是不是它以前的主人们离去得太匆匆，把衣服和餐具都丢下了？
1. stand |stænd|
verb. to be in a particular place 位于（某处）
E.g.: The castle stands on the site of an ancient battlefield.
那座城堡坐落在一片古战场上。
2. erect|ɪˈrekt|
verb. to build sth 建立；建造
E.g.: The church was erected in 1582.
此教堂建于1582年。
3. artifact|ˈɑ:tɪfækt|
noun. an object that is made by a person, especially sth of historical or cultural interest 人工制品，手工艺品（尤指有历史或文化价值的）
E.g.:The caves contained many prehistoric artifacts.
这些山洞里有好多史前时期的工艺品。
4. involve|ɪnˈvɑ:lv|
verb. if a situation, an event or an activity involves sth, that thing is an important or necessary part or result of it 包含；需要；使成为必然部分（或结果）
E.g.:Many of the crimes involved drugs.
许多罪案都与毒品有关。
Part III
Student: Sounds like it could be a lot of work. Is there er… is there any way I can use the experience to get some extra credit in class? I mean, can I write a paper about it?
Professor: I think it’ll depend on what type of work you do in the excavation, but I imagine we can arrange something. Actually I’ve been considering offering extra credit for class because I’ve been having a tough time getting volunteers. Extra credit is always a good incentive for students.
Student: And how often would you want the volunteers to work?
Professor: We’re asking for three or four hours per week, depending on your schedule. A senior researcher, I think you know John Franklin, my assistant, is on site every day.
Student: Sure, I know John. By the way, will there be some sort of training?
Professor: Yes, er… I want to wait till Friday to see how many students volunteer, and then I’ll schedule the training class next week at a time that’s convenient for everyone.
Student: Ok. I’ll wait to hear from you. Thanks a lot for accepting me.
我想这取决于你在挖掘过程中做的是什么样的工作，但我想我们确实可以安排一些奖励之类。
1. credit|ˈkredɪt|
noun. a unit of study at a college or university (in the US, also at a school); the fact of having successfully completed a unit of study （大学，以及美国中小学的）学习单元；学分
E.g.: My math class is worth three credits.
我的数学课为三个学分。
2. imagine |ɪˈmædʒɪn|
verb. to think that sth is probably true 料想；认为
E.g.: ‘Can we still buy tickets for the concert? ’ ‘I imagine so . ’.
“我们还能买到音乐会的票吗？”“我想可以吧。”
3. incentive |ɪnˈsentɪv|
noun. something that encourages you to do sth 激励；刺激；鼓励
E.g.: There is no incentive for people to save fuel.
没有使人们节约燃料的鼓励办法。
