01
W: The beach is so crowded today! Where should we sit?
M: Let’s sit over there by those people. There are some parasols.
W: That’s a good idea. Did you bring some sunscreen?
M: (Oh, I forgot to bring it.) 02
M: Excuse me. I want to bake a cake, but I need help finding some ingredients.
W: Okay. What can I help you find?
M: Can you tell me where the flour is?
W: (Sure. It’s in aisle three.) 03
W: I’m happy that you’ve decided to take this exciting, seven-day, guided tour of the Amazon jungle. Now, I must warn you that the jungle can be a dangerous place, so you need to pack smartly. First of all, you’ll be trekking for long distances, so make sure you have comfortable hiking shoes. And bring a hat and raincoat to protect yourself from the sun and rain. There are many insects in the jungle, so you need to buy a good bug spray to protect yourself from getting bitten. Lastly, be sure to get all of the necessary vaccines before you leave, to protect yourself from local diseases.
04
M: Hey Valerie, how do you feel about graduating soon?
W: I’m a bit concerned, since I still haven’t found a job.
M: Why don’t you try searching online?
W: I already did. But there’s a problem.
M: What is it?
W: My major is fashion design. I want to design sportswear, but I don’t know if it would suit me.
M: Then I recommend that you sign up for a career mentoring program.
W: What’s that?
M: It’s a program run by the career development office at the university. It will allow you to meet someone working in that industry. Maybe you could get some useful advice.
W: That sounds great. Thanks!
05
W: Hello, sir. What would you like for dinner?
M: What are the options?
W: We have two meals to choose from: beef or fish.
M: The beef would be fine.
W: Okay. Can you please put your tray table down?
M: Oh, yes, I forgot.
W: Here you go. And are you with the person sitting next to you?
M: Yes, my wife is sitting here. She just went to the washroom.
W: I see. Then I’ll come back in a minute.
M: Oh, no. I know which meal she will choose. She’ll have the same thing.
W: Okay. Here is her meal. Enjoy your meal and thank you for flying with us today.
M: Thank you.
06
M: Look! There’s a new home furnishings store.
W: Let’s go in. I want to buy something for our bedroom.
M: Okay. There are a lot of cute things to choose from.
W: How about that sewing machine? We can use it as a bedside table.
M: We already have a bedside table. How about these instead?
W: They’re just two milk bottles with ribbons. I don’t like them.
M: All right. How about that frame with the flowers around it?
W: Okay. We could hang it on the wall.
M: How about getting that flowerpot, too?
W: The one with a ship on it?
M: Yes. And how about getting the birdcage shaped like a tea kettle?
W: Sure. Let’s get all of it!
07
[Telephone rings.]
M: Hello. You’ve reached Thomas Brady at Tech Solutions.
W: Hi, Thomas! This is Sarah. How are you this morning?
M: Good. I just got to the office a few minutes ago. Are you running late?
W: No. Actually, I won’t be able to come in today.
M: Are you sick?
W: It’s not me. My son is sick, so I have to take him to the doctor.
M: Oh, okay. Do you want me to tell the manager?
W: I called him a few minutes ago. However, I did want to ask you a favor.
M: What is it?
W: I was wondering if you could answer my phone and take messages while I’m away.
M: Sure, no problem. Your desk is right next to mine.
W: Thank you! See you tomorrow.
08
M: I’m going to see that new action movie tomorrow. You saw it last night, didn’t you?
W: Unfortunately, I didn’t.
M: I thought you said you made plans with your boyfriend.
W: Well, we intended to go, but we never made it.
M: Oh. Don’t tell me he had to work late again.
W: No, no. He picked me up at 7 o’clock. He was right on time.
M: So was there heavy rush-hour traffic?
W: There wasn’t, but the roads downtown were blocked by protesters.
M: Oh, I saw that on the news. But isn’t there a theater closer to your home?
W: Yes, but the movie isn’t playing there.
M: Oh, I see.
09
M: Welcome to Waffle Heaven.
W: I’d like a waffle, please.
M: They’re $5 each. Would you like to add any toppings on it?
W: What kinds of toppings do you have?
M: We have caramel syrup, which is free of charge, and vanilla ice cream, which is very popular nowadays.
W: Is it also free?
M: No, it’s $3.
W: I think I’ll have a waffle with vanilla ice cream on it.
M: Good choice. Would you like to add caramel syrup as well?
W: Oh, yes, please.
M: Okay. Please wait for about five minutes while we bake the waffle.
W: Okay, thanks.
10
M: Miranda, how about having dinner together sometime this week?
W: Great, I’d love to!
M: Are you free tomorrow evening?
W: Let me check my schedule on my cell phone. [Pause] No, I have a doctor’s appointment at the hospital at 5 p.m.
M: What about the next day?
W: I’m going to see a concert with Tom, and on Thursday I’m going shopping with my sister.
M: It sounds like this is a busy week for you. Maybe we should wait until Saturday.
W: Sorry, but I can’t then either. My friend Sophia is getting married that day. But I’m free on Friday evening.
M: Great! I’ll pick you up at 5 p.m.
W: Okay. See you then!
11
M: Here at Panda Furniture, we specialize in selling quality antique furniture. Right now, we’re having our annual special sale. All dining and living room sets are 30% off. All bedroom sets are half off for newly married couples. And small household goods, such as trays and hangers, are
“buy one, get one free.” We also offer surprisingly low prices on large orders of restaurant furniture. Orders over $200 will be delivered to your home or business at no extra charge. These great deals are here for only one week, so don’t miss out on the savings!
12
W: Welcome to Global Travel Agency. How can I help you?
M: I need to book a flight to Houston for one adult.
W: When are you going to leave?
M: January 12th. And I need to arrive in Houston before noon.
W: And when would you like to return?
M: January 15th or 16th. Either day would be fine.
W: Okay. Would you like to sit in economy or first class?
M: First class, please. I never fly economy because the seats are uncomfortable.
W: All right. Do you have a preferred airline?
M: Any airline except for Western Air. They have very poor service.
W: No problem. I have the perfect flight for you.
13
M: You’re watching the lottery program again?
W: Yes, so don’t change the channel.
M: Do you really like this?
W: Yeah, I like this program. Last week, the first-prize winner got 20 million dollars.
M: Wow, that person was very lucky.
W: What would you do if you won that much money?
M: I’ve never really thought about it before.
W: Just imagine what you would do.
M: Hmm... I guess I’d buy myself an expensive apartment and a sports car.
W: Wouldn’t you buy anything for your family? I would.
M: I’d get them something if there was any money left over.
W: (Oh, isn’t that a bit selfish?) 14
M: Did you go somewhere interesting during summer vacation?
W: I just stayed in the city, but I did a lot of fun things with my friends.
M: Like what?
W: Well, we watched movies and went to the swimming pool.
M: That does sound like fun.
W: What did you do?
M: I traveled by bicycle around the northern part of the country with my cousin.
W: I’ve never done anything like that. Wasn’t it hot?
M: Yes, during the day. But it was worth it—the coastline and the mountains are beautiful.
W: Did you have fun?
M: Sure. We saw a lot, but there are still many places left to visit.
W: That sounds great! I’d like to do that next summer.
M: (Maybe we can go together.) 15
W: Diana has milk delivered at work every morning. Today, however, when she came to work, there was no milk on her desk. She asked one of her coworkers if the delivery man had come yet and found out that he had. Diana was confused; where was her milk? Then George, her
coworker, confessed that he drank the milk. He said that he was sorry. He only did it because he thought that she wasn’t coming to the office. In this situation, what would Diana most likely say to George?
Diana: (Please don’t take things from my desk.) 16-17
M: Products made from soy, such as tofu and soy milk, have long been part of healthy Asian diets. Past studies have suggested that soy not only reduces cholesterol but may also reduce the risk of breast cancer, kidney disease, and memory loss. Now, the government is sponsoring a new study on the effects of soy. Their goal is to understand the positive effects of soy in elderly people. The motivation for the study began with an observation of women in Asia. They found that women who eat soy as often as six times a day have lower rates of breast cancer.
While Americans don’t traditionally eat as much soy, supplements in the form of pills are
growing more popular. The researchers are interested in finding out if such supplements provide the same benefits as other soy products. At the same time, they are interested in potential health risks from taking too many of them.