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B2-43 / CEFR B2 / EPISODE 43

Family Pressure

Asking for time to consider a family suggestion

SceneYesterday, Tina's mother sent her a job listing back home. Now they're on a video call. Frank is visible in the kitchen behind Tina, making tea.

Tina video-calling her mother.
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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Narrator

Yesterday, Tina's mother sent her a job listing back home. Now they're on a video call. Frank is visible in the kitchen behind Tina, making tea.

昨日、ティナの母が故郷の求人を送ってきた。今、二人はビデオ通話をしている。画面には、ティナの後ろのキッチンでお茶を入れているフランクも映っている。

Mom01

Did you read the listing I sent? I thought it might be a good fit for you.

送った求人、読んだ？あなたに向いていそうだと思って。

Tina02

I read the summary, Mom. Twice.

概要は読んだわ、ママ。2回。

Mom03

Research outreach — teaching children about science. You'd be fifteen minutes from Grandma and me.

研究のアウトリーチ。子どもたちに科学を教える仕事よ。おばあちゃんと私のところから15分。

Tina04

That part's wonderful. If Grandma hadn't gotten sick, I wouldn't even be thinking about it.

そこは本当にいいの。おばあちゃんが病気にならなかったら、考えもしなかったと思う。

Mom05

But you are thinking about it.

でも、考えているのね。

Tina06

I am. Compared to my job here, it's less research and more teaching. And I don't want to leave my team halfway through a project.

考えてる。今の仕事と比べると、研究は減って、教えることが増える。それに、プロジェクトの途中でチームを抜けたくないの。

Mom07

And your friends. Including the tall one in your kitchen.

それにお友達もね。キッチンにいる背の高い人も含めて。

Frank08

Hello. I'm just making tea.

こんにちは。お茶を入れているだけです。

Tina09

I'd miss him too. That's why I'm torn.

彼に会えなくなるのも寂しいわ。だから迷ってるの。

Mom10

Could you decide tonight whether you'll apply?

応募するかどうか、今夜決められない？

Tina11

Not tonight. I'll read the full job description first. Let's talk Sunday at nine in the morning, my time.

今夜は無理よ。まず詳しい仕事内容を読むわ。こっちの時間で日曜の朝9時に、また話しましょう。

Mom12

Sunday at nine, your time. I'll send another listing. Take a look at this one too.

そっちの時間で日曜9時ね。別の求人も送るわ。こっちも検討してみて。

Frank13

Tea's ready, Tina. No application needed for this one.

ティナ、お茶が入ったよ。こっちは応募しなくても飲めるよ。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“Research outreach”

Outreach is an institution's work to engage or inform the public or local community. Research outreach here means researchers sharing the interest of science with children. The job Tina's mother sent is mainly teaching rather than research, explaining it's less research and more teaching.

“If Grandma hadn't gotten sick, I wouldn't even be thinking about it.”

This mixed conditional connects an unreal alternative past to an unreal present situation. If + had + past participle imagines Grandma not becoming ill, while would + be -ing describes what Tina would be thinking now. Without that past event, she would not even be considering the job.

“That's why I'm torn.”

Be torn means to feel pulled between two valued alternatives. The pattern I'm torn between A and B. is common. Tina is divided between a job near her mother and grandmother and her current life with Frank and the team.

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