The Box in the Garage

阅读之前

Casey给Jordan发邮件，想取回一个放在Jordan车库里的厨房用品箱，两人商定了一个时间。

关键词

swing by: "swing by"：顺路去一下，停留时间很短
on short notice: "on short notice"：提前通知很短，临时决定
a bit of a scramble: "a bit of a scramble"：临时忙乱、手忙脚乱的状况
hang over us: "hang over us"：一直悬着，成为未解决的麻烦

正文 · 第 1 部分，共 3 部分

Subject: The box in the garage Hi Jordan, I was looking at my calendar and realized the lease ends next Friday. I think I still have a box of kitchen stuff in your garage—the blue one with the old coffee maker and those mismatched mugs. Sorry I never picked it up. I’ll be in your neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Could I swing by around 4:30? I can be in and out, and I won’t make you dig through anything; I’m pretty sure it’s near the back wall. Thanks, Casey

Hi Casey, Yes, the box is still here. I remember the mugs. Wednesday at 4:30 is a little tough, though—I’m working from home that day, and I have a call that runs until five. I could leave it by the side gate, but I’m not comfortable leaving the garage open while I’m on the call. If you can come later, say after 6:30, that would be easier. I know that’s on short notice, so if that doesn’t work, we can figure out another option. Jordan

问题

问题 1：

Why does Jordan reject the proposed Wednesday afternoon pickup?

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为什么Jordan拒绝周三下午取件？

Jordan has already promised the garage to someone else.

Jordan cannot find the box near the back wall.

Jordan has a work call and does not want to leave the garage open.

Jordan plans to move the box before Wednesday.

正文 · 第 2 部分，共 3 部分

Thanks. The problem is that I’m meeting my sister at 5:15, so after 6:30 would mean crossing town twice. I could probably make it work if I came at 4:30, but I’d rather not turn this into a bit of a scramble for both of us. I don’t need everything in the box, honestly; the mugs would be nice, but the rest can wait. Since you’ll be moving out soon, would it be easier if I just came by Saturday morning? Casey

Saturday morning is when I’m helping my neighbor move, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I also want to keep things simple before the lease ends, rather than have this hang over us while you’re trying to close everything out. I can leave the box outside the side gate at 6:45 Wednesday morning, before I start work. You’d need to pick it up by 8:00, though, since I don’t want it sitting there all day. I realize that’s not ideal, but it’s the window I can actually offer.

问题

问题 2：

Which phrase most clearly signals that Jordan is offering a real limit rather than casually negotiating?

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哪一个短语最清楚地表明Jordan是在设定真正的限制，而不是随口商量？

I remember the mugs.

we can figure out another option

I can actually offer

I’m not sure when I’ll be back

正文 · 第 3 部分，共 3 部分

Casey waited almost a day before replying. The delay was not dramatic, but it made the subtext harder to ignore: the box mattered less than avoiding a fresh negotiation. Jordan’s message had sounded accommodating—“another option,” “not ideal”—yet the available choices were tightly bounded. Casey could have pressed for a favor, pointed out that the box was technically theirs, or accepted the early pickup. Instead, they wrote: “That works. I’ll be there at 6:45, and I’ll text when I’m outside. Thanks for giving me a clear window.” The reply acknowledged the firm boundary without naming it, and the exchange ended without an apology from either person or any need for one.

问题

问题 3：

What is Casey’s main priority by the end of the exchange?

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在这段对话结束时，Casey最主要的考虑是什么？

Recovering every item from the box immediately

Avoiding an inconvenient, extended negotiation

Making Jordan explain why the garage is difficult to access

Preserving a close friendship with Jordan

问题

问题 4：

What does Casey’s delayed reply suggest?

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Casey延迟回复说明了什么？

Casey forgot that the box existed.

Casey was considering whether to challenge Jordan’s conditions.

Casey was waiting for Jordan to offer Saturday morning again.

Casey had already collected the box.

问题

问题 5：

Why does the final message avoid escalating the tension?

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为什么Casey的最后一条消息没有让紧张局面升级？

It accepts the proposed time and acknowledges the clarity of the arrangement.

It insists that Jordan deliver the box personally.

It apologizes repeatedly for having asked for the box.

It changes the subject to Casey’s meeting with their sister.

The Box in the Garage

阅读之前

关键词

正文 · 第 1 部分，共 3 部分

问题

正文 · 第 2 部分，共 3 部分

问题

正文 · 第 3 部分，共 3 部分

问题

问题

问题

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关键词

你的学习路径

更多英语C2级附近的活动

The Note Under the Wiper

The Charger Nobody Has

Ecological Mandates vs. Agistment Covenants: An Arbitration Brief

A Thoughtful Way to Opt Out

Feedback Without the Edge

The Split That Wasn't Quite Simple

喜欢阅读吗？继续读一本书吧

圣诞颂歌

波希米亚丑闻

爱丽丝梦游仙境

黛西蕾的婴孩