Conversation

 

Daily English Conversation

Everything went like clockwork !!!
Mary	I've just popped in to thank you very much for organizing last weekend's trip to the seaside for the old folk.
Julia	That's very kind of you. They all seemed to enjoy it.
Mary	They certainly did. Everything went like clockwork, in fact I don't think you could have done it better.
Julia	I'm not sure about that, there were one or two things that could have been improved.
Mary	In a perfect world perhaps, but as far as I'm concerned it was a great success. So thank you again.

Explanation :

If you say that something happens like clockwork you mean that it happens without any problems or delays, or happens regularly.

Example :  He reorganized Standard Brands twice a year, like clockwork.

You've excelled yourself !!!
Al	That was an absolutely delicious meal.
Isabel	I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a recipe I haven't tried before.
Al	Your cooking is always superb but this time you've excelled yourself.
Isabel	Sounds like you want to get something out of me.
Al	Don't be suspicious, I really meant it.
Isabel	Well, they always say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Explanation :

If one excels himself, he does better than what he is regularly doing.

Example :  You have excelled yourself with this feat of courage.

You could do just as well !!!
Jack	Those watercolors are really beautiful.
Caroline	I'm glad you like them. I painted them last year.
Jack	You painted them yourself ? I can't believe it, they're so good.
Caroline	They're not that good, but I'm glad you like them.
Jack	You're so talented, I wish I had your skill.
Caroline	You should try your hand yourself, I'm sure you could do just as well if not better.

You have such good taste !!!
Tracy	So this is your new apartment.
Charlene	Yes, I moved in a month ago.
Tracy	Well, I have to say it looks fantastic. Did you decorate and furnish it yourself.
Charlene	Yes, I did. It took me quite a lot of time.
Tracy	Well, I must say you have such good taste in interior decor. It could have been done by a professional designer.
Charlene	Oh ! I don't think so, but I'm glad you think it's nice.

Explanation :

Taste - A person's ability to judge and appreciate what is good and suitable, especially in art, beauty, style and manners.

Example :  Barbara has good taste in clothes.

I can't praise the quality of your advice too highly !!!
John	Did you get the result you were hoping for ?
Vera	Yes we did, and largely thanks to you.
John	What do you mean ?
Vera	Well, it was largely your guidance that made it possible.
John	Well, I'm sure that wasn't the most important thing.
Vera	Yes, it was, and I can't praise the quality of your advice too highly.

The dish is too hot !!!
Rita	I'd like to order the special please.
Waiter	I'm sorry you can't do that. The dish is too hot.
Rita	Please don't tell me what I can or cannot eat. I love spicy food. I can eat it so bring me the special no matter how hot it is.
Waiter	It's not spicy, I meant it's a hot item tonight and we've sold out. The special is unavailable
Rita	Ah, sorry.

You don't look a day over forty !!!
Jean	So you're Mary's friend. I'm very pleased to meet you.
Marion	It's a pleasure to meet you too. Mary has told me that you also working in marketing.
Jean	Yes, but as you know, she is in shoes, while I'm in cosmetics.
Marion	Were you at school together with her ?
Jean	No, no, I'm ten years older. We met much later.
Marion	What ! I can't believe it. You don't look a day over forty.

Your work is absolutely first-class !!! Greg Do come in and sit down. How are you ? Heather I'm fine, thanks. Have you had a chance to look at my proposal ? Greg Yes, I have, that's what I mainly want to talk about. Heather I wasn't sure whether it was exactly the kind of thing you wanted. Greg Oh, have no worries. It's precisely what we need and your work is absolutely first-class. Heather Well, I must say that's a great relief. Explanation : If you describe something or someone as first-class, you mean that they are excellent and of the highest quality. Example : The food was first-class. You're head and shoulders above the others !!! Walter That's the fifth race in a row that you've won. You're by far our best driver. Ryan Well, I think my results are a bit flattering because I've had quite a lot of luck and our car is always so reliable. Walter Nonsense, you're head and shoulders above the others in your division. Ryan Do you really think so ? Walter Absolutely. So much so that we are thinking of entering you in the next division for the new season. Ryan That means a more powerful car and longer races. It'll be a lot tougher. Explanation : If you say that someone or something stands head and shoulders above other people or things you mean that they are a lot better than them. Example :  I am very impressed by your magazine. It is head and shoulders above any other.
You're the tops !!!
Veronica	I'm so fed up with being stuck in the house all day.
Raquel	Well you can't expect to be up and about so soon after breaking your leg.
Veronica	I suppose not, but it is very frustrating. I can't wait to get the plaster off.
Raquel	I know, I know, but I've brought something to cheer you up.
Veronica	What is it ? Don't keep me in suspense.
Raquel	It's a bottle of the very latest French perfume.
Veronica	Oh, how thoughtful of you. Raquel, you're the tops.

Explanation :

The tops = the best

Example :  You are the tops, Linda !

A good cause !!!
Becky	How many kilometers did you run ?
Joe	I ran the full course, which is just over 40 kilometers.
Becky	And how much money did you raise for our charity ?
Joe	Almost $2,500. People were very encouraging and generous.
Becky	Well, we'd all like to congratulate you on your achievement.
Joe	I'm just glad to be able to contribute to a good cause.

Explanation :

If you say that something is in a good cause, or for a good cause, you mean that it is worth doing or contributing to because it will help other people for example by raising money for charity.

Example :  The Raleigh International Bike Ride is open to anyone who wants to raise money for a good cause.

For a time we thought ... !!!
Jules	Has everything been dealt with now ?
Marcel	Yes, the casualties have all been taken to hospital, the electricity supply has been restored and traffic is now flowing normally.
Jules	What a difference from the chaos and confusion of two hours ago.
Marcel	Yes, for a time we thought we might have to call for reinforcements, but thank goodness in the end we didn't' have to.
Jules	Well it just remains for me to express our admiration for the exemplary way in which you dealt with a difficult and dangerous situation.
Marcel	I was just doing my job and I'm very glad that there were no fatalities.

Explanation :

For a time = for a short period

I want to see the credits !!!
Vivienne	Come on, let's go, the movie's over.
Zelda	No, wait, I want to see the credits right through to the end.
Vivenne	Why, they list everybody including the studio cleaner. It'll take forever.
Zelda	My sister's in the movie business and she worked on this movie.
Vivenne	Really, what does she do ?
Zelda	She's a make-up artist. Look, there she is, that's her name just coming up now. My mother will be so pleased when I tell her.

Explanation :

The list of people who helped to make a film, a record, or a television program is called the credits.

Example : The star Marlon Brando wants his name removed from the credits.

She sounds really star-struck !!!
Jack	My teenage sister really gets on my nerves at times.
Bill	Why's that ? Does she spend hours making up in the bathroom ?
Jack	No, it's not that, she just keeps going on and on about how wonderful Leonardo Di Caprio is.
Bill	Well, a lot of girls really go for him.
Jack	But she's got dozens of his picture all over her bedroom wall and she watches his movies over and over again on her DVD player.
Bill	She sounds really star-struck.
Jack	That's putting it mildly.

They were all dubbed into German !!!
Simon	I've just come back from a great week in Germany staying with my friend, but there was one thing I didn't like much.
Martin	Don't tell me it was the beer ?
Simon	No, of course not; that was great. It was when they showed English-language movies on TV. They were all dubbed into German, which rather spoiled them for me.
Martin	Your German's very good, so what was the problem ?
Simon	It just seemed a bit unnatural to see Tom Hanks in an American scene with German coming out of his mouth.
Martin	But that's done for the Germans' benefit, not yours.

Explanation :

If a film or soundtrack is dubbed, a different sound track is added with actors speaking a translation of the dialogue.

Example : It was dubbed into Spanish for Mexican audiences.

The camera zoomed in on the girl's face !!!
Rosalind	I've just seen an absolutely wonderful movie, so romantic.
Fiona	What was it about ?
Rosalind	It was a very sad love story.
Fiona	How did it end ?
Rosalind	The camera zoomed in on the girl's face as her lover was being forced to leave her, probably forever. Tears were just beginning to roll down her cheeks.
Fiona	Too gloomy for me I'm afraid. I like comedies.

Explanation :

If a camera zooms in on something that is being filmed or photographed, it gives a close-up picture of if.

Example : ..... a tracking system which can follow a burglar round a building and zoom in on his face ......

I've still got a long way to go !!!
Shawn	Did you enjoy our round of golf ?
Jack	I certainly did. It's the first time I've managed to break 75 for the course.
Shawn	That's true, so well done ! It shows how much you've improved.
Jack	Perhaps, but I've still got a long way to go before I can be really satisfied with my game.
Shawn	What aspect of your game do you think needs improving most ?
Jack	Oh, without doubt my short game. I seem to drive reasonably well but I tend to drop shots around the green.

Where are you off to !!!
Augus	Where are you off to in such a hurry ?
Martin	I'm just off to the movie theater to see the latest Nicole Kidman movie.
Augus	I've seen it, it's really good. Have you got a ticket ?
Martin	No, I'll buy one at the box office.
Augus	You could have saved yourself a lot of time by buying it on the internet.
Martin	I didn't know you could do that. You must show me how to do it.

Explanation :

Off - away from a place or position, especially the present place or position

There'll be just a few trailers !!!
Walt	Thank goodness the ads are over. They go on for far too long.
Ingo	Yes, there'll be just a few trailers and then the movie will start.
Walt	I don't mind trailers, at least they're not trying to sell you anything.
Ingo	Of course, they are, they're trying to sell you the latest movies.
Walt	Well, I suppose so, but they're a lot more exciting than the ads.
Ingo	If you ask me, they're sometimes a lot more exciting than the movies themselves.

Explanation :
A trailer for a film or television program is a set of short extracts which are shown to advertise it.
Example : .... a misleadingly violent trailer for the film.
Looking back on his life in flashback !!!
Graham	I've just seen a really interesting foreign movie.
Eliza	Really ? Where was it made ?
Graham	In Iran. I didn't even know it had a movie industry.
Eliza	Neither did I. What was it about ?
Graham	It was about an old man on his deathbed looking back on his life in flashback.
Eliza	Sounds a bit depressing.
Graham	Not at all, he had had a very exciting life.

Explanation :

Flashback - In a film, novel, or play, a flashback to the past is a scene that returns to events in the past.

Example : There is even a flashback to the murder itself.

Violence is good box office !!!
Marie	That was a really violent movie.
Jean	It certainly was. There seemed to be one killing about every ten minutes.
Marie	I know. I began to get a bit sick of it long before the end.
Jean	Why are so many movies so full of violence ?
Marie	It's because violence is good box office I suppose.
Jean	You must be right. Well the next movie I go to see will be romantic comedy.

Explanation :

1) Box office - The box office in a theater, cinema, or concert hall is the place where the tickets are sold.

2) Box office - When people talk about the box office, they are referring to the degree of success of a film or play in terms of the number of people who go to watch it or the amount of money it makes.

Example : The film was a huge box office success.

I had to rely on the subtitles !!!
Carl	I've just seen the latest movie from China.
Vera	Good ?
Carl	Oh yes. It was about a family who lived in the late Qing dynasty.
Vera	I know you're learning Chinese. Did you understand everything ?
Carl	No, not really. They spoke too fast for me to catch much, so I had to rely on the subtitles.
Vera	Yes, they're always very helpful when you're watching a foreign-language movie.

Explanation :

Subtitles - Subtitles are the printed translation that you can read at the bottom of the screen when you are watching a foreign film.

Example : The dialogue is in Spanish, with English subtitles.

A movie crew was shooting on location !!!
Lennie	You'll never guess what was going on in our town last week.
Freda	Go on, surprise me.
Lennie	A movie crew was shooting on location in the town square.
Freda	Really ? Why did they choose your town ?
Lennie	Because the square's full of old buildings which were a perfect background for the kind of historical movie they were making.
Freda	I'd love to have been there. I've never seen a movie crew in action before.

Explanation :

On location - A place away from a studio where all or part of a film or a television show is recorded

Example : The documentary was made on location in the Gobi desert.

The score was fantastic !!!
Zara	I haven't enjoyed a movie so much in years.
Abigail	Yes, it really was something special.
Zara	It had a great story and the acting was absolutely fantastic.
Abigail	The score was fantastic too. It really added to the action.
Zara	Yes it was really good music and it had such a haunting theme.
Abigail	If they bring it out on CD, I'll be the first to buy it.

Explanation :

Score - The music written for a film, play etc

Example : The dance is accompanied by an original score by Henry Torgue.

Some love interest !!!
Sharon	I didn't really enjoy that movie at all.
Gareth	Why not ? I thought it was really exciting with lots of action.
Sharon	Typical man, that's just what you would like.
Gareth	Well what would you have wanted ?
Sharon	Some love interest, not just car chases and fights.
Gareth	Typical female, you're only interested in romance.

Explanation :

Love interest - Details about love and romance

Example : Fay Wray was the love interest in the 1933 version of King Kong.

It showed documentaries !!!
Giles	Have you seen the movie Fahrenheit 9/11 ?
Tony	No, what is it, a science fiction adventure ?
Giles	No it's a documentary about American politics after the World Trade Center tragedy in September 2001.
Tony	Did you see it on television ?
Giles	No, at our local movie theater. It's been on all this week.
Tony	I didn't know it showed documentaries.
Giles	It doesn't normally, but there has been huge demand to see this one.

Explanation :
Documentary - A documentary is a television or radio program, or a film , which shows real events or provides factual information about a particular subject
Example : ...... a TV documentary on homelessness.
Time for high tea !!!
Anne	It's 4 o'clock, time for high tea.
Elisabeth	So early ? Six o'clock or thereabouts is high tea time.
Anne	What ? Tea, sandwiches and cakes at 6 o'clock ? That's a surely far too late.
Elisabeth	No, no. I think you're mixing up high tea and afternoon tea.
Anne	Aren't they the same ?
Elisabeth	No, not at all. Afternoon tea means tea, perhaps sandwiches and definitely cakes around 4.
Anne	What's high tea, then ?
Elisabeth	That's a proper meal, often with meat or fish, but also of course with tea to drink.

Explanation : -
High tea - ( British ) A fairly substantial meal that includes tea and is served in the late afternoon or early evening.
Just what the doctor ordered !!!
Josie	I'm dying for a cup of tea and I'm also a bit peckish.
Alan	What about that place over there. " Ye Olde Tea Shoppe " ?
Josie	Just what the doctor ordered. It's almost 4 o'clock, let's go in and have afternoon tea.
Alan	( To waitress ) A pot of tea for two please.
Josie	And I'd like some salmon sandwiches and a cream cake
Alan	Watch your figure there. I think I'll just have some toast with strawberry jam.

Explanation :

Just what the doctor ordered - Exactly what is wanted or needed.

Example :  Ooh thank you, a nice cup of tea. Just what the doctor ordered.

What's clotted cream ?
Marie	Now we're in the countryside, there's one thing we just mustn't miss.
Sean	What's that, drinking the local cider ?
Marie	No, it's having a real cream tea.
Sean	What's so special about that ?
Marie	Well, it's having real clotted cream on your scones with home-made strawberry jam to go with your tea.
Sean	What's clotted cream ?
Marie	It's thickest and most delicious cream there is.

Explanation : -

Clotted cream - A thick cream made primarily in England by heating milk until a layer of cream forms on its surface that is then cooled and skimmed off.

What beautiful china !!!
Laura	Thank you for inviting me to tea, it's really good of you.
Melanie	Not at all, we're delighted to have you. May I pour you a cup of tea ?
Laura	Oh, yes, thank you very much. What beautiful china !
Melanie	I'm glad you like it. This is part of tea service which my grandmother left me. I was her only granddaughter.
Laura	It's all so artistically decorated.
Melanie	It is very fine work and genuine Chinese porcelain.
Laura	No doubt that's why your tea tastes so good.
Melanie	Thank you. They do say that tea always tastes better from real porcelain.

Explanation :
China - China is a very thin clay from which cups, sauces, plates, and ornaments are made.
Example :  Judy collects blue and white china.
I love your tea cozy !!!
Corey	May I pour you another cup of tea ?
Stella	Thank you, that's very kind. I must say I love your tea cozy. The design is very attractive.
Corey	I'm glad you like it. It's one of many my mother made.
Stella	Well, she was clearly very skilled with the needle.
Corey	Yes, she was; needlework was her favorite hobby.

Explanation :

Cozy - A cozy is a soft cover which you put over a teapot or a boiled egg to keep it warm.

Let the teapot stand !!!
Frank	Teach me how to make a pot of tea.
Brian	Well, first of all you need a china teapot. Tea doesn't taste so good from a metal one.
Frank	What next ?
Brian	Rinse out the teapot with very hot water to make it hot.
Frank	Then boil the kettle ?
Brian	That's right. Then put two or three teaspoons of tea into the teapot, take the kettle to the pot and pour the boiling water over the tea.
Frank	Can you drink it straight away ?
Brian	No, you have to let the teapot stand for a few minutes and then the tea will be ready to drink.

Go in for a pie and a pint !!!
Leslie	Punting's thirsty work and it's almost one o'clock.
Alastair	Talk about thirsty, I'm pretty hungry as well.
Leslie	Do you see what I see ?
Alastair	You mean that pub just on the next bend in the river ?
Leslie	Right first time. Are you thinking what I'm thinking ?
Alastair	Yes, let's tie up there and go in for a pie and a pint.

Stock up on that !!!
Granville	I've almost finished the preparations for our expedition.
Hector	Where are you planning to go ?
Granville	We're going to spend two weeks in northern Norway.
Hector	That's pretty tough country. You'll need a lot of energy.
Granville	That's why we're taking lots of Kendal mint cake.
Hector	I'm not surprised. A lot of expeditions stock up on that before they go.

Explanation :
Stock up - To buy a large quantity of something
Example : During the emergency, people stocked up on essential items like candles, medicines and tins of food.
Take me back !!!
Jilly	This takes me back, I haven't been to the seaside since I was a child.
Nicola	I haven't been for ages either.
Jilly	Tell you what, let's go on the pier and get some cotton candy.
Nicola	But that's for kids and it's pure sugar; it'll ruin your figure.
Jilly	I don't care, it was one of my favorite things to have when we came to the seaside.
Nicola	Well, if you're going to relive your childhood, I'm going to have to do the same.

Explanation :

Take sb back - If you say that something takes you back, you mean that it reminds you of a period of your past life and makes you think about it again.

Example : I enjoyed experimenting with colors - it took me back to being five years old.

We'll be able to dine alfresco !!!
Olive	Where shall we eat after the show ?
Sean	What about that restaurant down by the river ?
Olive	Do you mean the one with peacocks running around the garden ?
Sean	That's the one. It's very traditional and I just love the atmosphere.
Olive	And it's such a warm and pleasant evening that we'll be able to dine alfresco on the riverside terrace.
Sean	Yes, that would be lovely. And with the sky so clear we'll be dining by moonlight. How romantic !

Explanation :
Alfresco - An alfresco activity, especially a meal, is one that takes place in the open air.
A light supper wouldn't do us any harm !!!
Robbie	It's some time since we've eaten. I'm quite hungry, what about you ?
Gayle	I'm a bit peckish too, but it's quite late and we don't want anything too heavy before we go to bed.
Robbie	What do you suggest ?
Gayle	Well, a little light supper wouldn't do us any harm !
Robbie	Such as ?
Gayle	I could make a cheese and potato salad.
Robbie	That'll do nicely.

Time for elevenses !!!
Gemma	I haven't started work so early in weeks.
Meryl	Yes, it's only a quarter to ten and we've been at it for almost four hours.
Gemma	Time for elevenses before we die of hunger and thirst.
Meryl	Great idea. I'll pop out and get some doughnuts.
Gemma	And I'll put the kettle on.
Meryl	Oh yes, I'm just dying for a cup of tea.

Explanation :
Elevenses  is a short break when you have a cup of tea or coffee, and sometimes biscuits, at around eleven o'clock in the morning.
Pasties are very filling !!!
Harley	I'd like something to eat to go with our beer. Fancy a pasty ?
Evan	Never heard of that, what is it ?
Harley	It's minced beef and potatoes baked in a pastry casing in a half-circle shape.
Evan	Sounds good, I'll go for it.
Harley	You won't regret it; pasties are very filling and very tasty.
Evan	What's their origin ?
Harley	They say that miners' wives used to make them as lunch for their husbands to eat in the mine.

Explanation :

Pasty - In Britain, a pasty is a small pie which consists of pastry folded around meat, vegetables, or cheese.

What is he aiming for ?
Henry	My brother has decided to go into politics.
Una	Really ? Why is that ? He's such a successful businessman.
Henry	Well, he's gone as far as he wants to go in business and is looking for a new challenge.
Una	What is he aiming for ?
Henry	The city hall. He's going to run for mayor at the next mayoral election.
Una	Well with his reputation and money, he should succeed.

It seems to have been heated !!!
Joseph	We're having a really big battle inside our party at the moment.
Beth	Yes, I've seen the newspaper headlines. It seems to have been heated.
Joseph	It's always the same when we are trying to write the party's manifesto for the next general election.
Beth	What were the arguments about ?
Joseph	One of the main ones is about whether we are going to promise lower taxes in the manifesto if we win the election.
Beth	That's always one of the most controversial topics.

Face to face !!!
Vera	My feet are killing me !
Dan	Why ? What have you been doing all day ?
Vera	I have been going from house to house canvassing voters to vote for our party at the next general election.
Dan	Is that really necessary ?
Vera	Oh yes ! Most voters want to discuss the election issues face to face with a party representative and to express their own views.
Dan	Democracy in action !

Explanation :

Face to face - If you come face to face with someone, you meet them and can talk to them or look at them directly.

Example : It was the first face to face meeting between the two men.

Our party is ahead !!!
Theo	How has the election been going so far ?
Gary	Very well as far as our party is concerned.
Theo	How can you be sure ?
Gary	Well the results of the latest opinion polls are in this morning's newspapers.
Theo	What do they say ?
Gary	They show that our party is ahead in all of them by at least 7 percent, so we're pretty confident about the election result.

Explanation :

Ahead - If you are ahead in your work or achievements, you have made more progress than you expected to and are performing well.

Example : Children in small classes were 1.5 months ahead in reading and 2.5 months ahead in mathematics.

What's her platform ?
Merry	Who are you going to vote for ?
Sandra	I haven't decided yet. How about you ?
Merry	I'm going to vote for Shirley Day.
Sandra	What's her platform ?
Merry	She is promising to introduce much more family-friendly policies if she is elected and that's the most important thing for me.
Sandra	If that's the case, I might vote for her too.

Explanation :

Platform - The platform of a political party is what they say they will do if they are elected.

Example : The Socialist Party won a landslide victory on a nationalist platform.

They heckled him throughout his speech !!!
Jamie	That was one of the rowdiest election meetings I've ever been to.
Alasdair	I'm not surprised, I could hear the noise from some distance away. Why was it so rowdy ?
Jamie	A section of the crowd was very hostile to the candidate and they heckled him throughout his speech.
Alasdair	What sort of things were they shouting at him ?
Jamie	They were attacking his support for the government's employment policies.
Alasdair	They were probably dissatisfied or unemployed.

Explanation :

Heckle - If people in an audience heckle public speakers or performers, they interrupt them, for example by making rude remarks.

Example : They heckled him and interrupted his address with angry questions.

That's one of my favorites !!!
Jeff	Well, it's almost lunch time, what would you like to eat ?
Danny	Oh, I'd like some really typical city food.
Jeff	Well, for that we'll have to go to the east side of town.
Danny	What sort of food can you get there ?
Jeff	The sort of food the locals really like.
Danny	Like what ?
Jeff	Pie and mash, that's is one of my favorites too and I know one of the best places to get it.

Things are hotting up !!!
Tim	Have you been following the election so far ?
Leila	Yes and with only two weeks to go things are really hotting up.
Tim	That's true and it's one of the dirtiest election campaigns I can remember.
Leila	I have to agree with you. Both campaign teams have been spreading nasty rumors and even lies about the opposing candidate.
Tim	Their television advertising has also been very negative, attacking the opponent's character and record.
Leila	It's not really much of a recommendation for democracy.

Explanation :

Hot up - When something hots up, a lot of activity and excitement starts to happen.

Example : Campaigning is expected to start hotting up today.

I can't be bothered !!!
Lenore	It's election day today, so don't forget to vote.
Abby	I can't be bothered, what difference will it make ? The parties are all the same.
Lenore	It took a long struggle to get everyone the right to vote. You should exercise your democratic right, otherwise one day you may find it's been taken away.
Abby	Oh, well all right. What time does the polling station close tonight ?
Lenore	At 10 pm
Abby	I'll go as soon as I get home from work.

Explanation :

Can't be bothered - If you say that you can't be bothered to do something, you mean that you are not going to do it because you think it is unnecessary or because you are too lazy.

Example : I just can't be bothered to look after the house.

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