Teacher Discussion Forums

I am a little puzzled about the listening conversation. Would you please cope with it for me?

M: Alice, are you very busy?
W: Not really.
M: Listen. John's going to be late, and I've got to wait on his tables. Would you mind taking two more tables until he comes?
W: Sure, no problem.
M: Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.
Q: Where does the conversation most probably take place?

A. In a restaurant.
B. In an office.
C. In a classroom.
D. In a hotel.

I know, the choices could not possibly lie in B. or D.. But how about "C. In a classroom"? And, does the "take two more tables" mean to occupy more tables? Does it really happen in a restaurant? Why couldn't it in a classroom? Is that because a student will be equipped with a fixed table and seat in a classroom? ...

I do appriete your help if you could do me a favor. Thanks in advance!

The answer is:
A-- In a restaurant.

M is a waiter or waitress, and works in a restaurant. John, a waiter, is going to arrive at the restaurant late. M is going to have to wait on John's tables (serve the customers that sit at the tables assigned to John). M doesn't want to do it all him/herself, so asks Alice, another waitress, if she can help out by taking two more tables (serve the customers that sit at two of the tables assigned to John).

Here in Australia, higher class hotels often double as restaurants, so this conversation could easily take place in a hotel.

pratyeka wrote:often double as restaurants

Thank Loriket and Pratyeka so much.

But what do Pratyeka mean by "double as restaurants" in Australia? Does it mean that some high-class hotel has two restaurants, one of which serves the clients living in that hotel while the other is open to every customer?

Thanks in advance!

'Hotels' in most of Australia are really bars. Some of them have rooms to rent, but many do not. Those with food often serve minimal food in the bar area. However, 'higher class' hotels (bars) often have a more restaurant-like atmosphere, with a cleaner environment, better furnishings, etc. and have serving staff. Therefore, one could see the conversation occurring in an Australian hotel.