The telephone system in the United States, as in many other countries, has a special number for each region of the country. It is called as "area code". If you know the area code and the phone number, it's usually cheaper to dial the number yourself. Of course, you must go through an operator to make person-to-person or collect calls. You can dial direct to many countries overseas or you can ask for the overseas operator.
和其它很多国家一样，美国的电话系统也有一个特别的号码给每个地区。这个号码被称为“区号”。如果你知道区号和电话号码，你就能更便宜地打电话。当然，你必须通过接线员拨打指定受话人电话或对方付费电话。你可以直接拨打外国电话或者你可以请求外国接线员的帮助。
1.A:Operator.
B:I'd like to make a collect call to Los Angeles. That's area code 213-486-2435.
A:And what's the name of the person you want to speak to?
B:Susan Greene.
A: 接线员。
B: 我想打一个到洛杉矶的对方付费电话。区号是213-486-2435。
A: 你要打电话的人的名字是什么？
B: 苏珊格林。