01
W: I’m hungry. But I don’t really feel like cooking.
M: Then how about having some food delivered?
W: Okay. What would you like to eat?
M: (I’m in the mood for Japanese food.) 02
M: Excuse me. I’m looking for the main library.
W: It’s downtown near City Hall.
M: What is the easiest way to get there?
W: (Take the number five bus.) 03
W: The sound you’re about to hear is a test of our emergency warning system. You will hear the ringing of a bell. If this were an actual emergency, all employees would have to leave the building immediately. You would take all of your important personal belongings and walk directly to the south parking lot. You would stay there with your supervisor throughout the emergency.
You would only reenter the building after the bell sounded three times. Again, we will now test our emergency warning system. Thank you for your attention.
04
M: What is that thing on the telephone pole?
W: Above the traffic sign? That’s a security camera.
M: Wow, it seems like they’re everywhere in this city. They make me uncomfortable.
W: Really? I think they should have the opposite effect.
M: Well, I suppose you’re right. After all, I’m not a criminal.
W: Exactly. And if you wanted to commit a crime, you wouldn’t do anything bad in front of a camera.
M: But what about my privacy? I hate being watched all the time.
W: It’s for your own good. If you did get robbed, the recordings could help catch the bad guy.
M: That’s true. But I still don’t like it.
05
W: Can I ask what’s in the box?
M: Oh, it’s a set of dishes. It’s a present for my mother.
W: That’s a very nice gift.
M: Thank you. Anyway, I’m worried it’s not going to get there in time. Her birthday is Thursday.
W: Well, we have a number of options available. There’s even an overnight service.
M: How much does that cost?
W: It’s $25 for anything under 10 pounds.
M: I think that’s too expensive. Is there anything else?
W: There is a two-day delivery option for $15.
M: Okay. I’ll use that option.
06
W: This is our new cycling robot.
M: Wow, it looks really interesting.
W: Thank you. Our robot sits here behind a person and pedals the bike.
M: I see. The robot doesn’t seem to have eyes, a nose, or a mouth. Why is that?
W: We didn’t feel it was important.
M: What are these two smaller wheels on the rear wheel?
W: Those are training wheels. They help give the bike stability. But the two main wheels are the same size.
M: I see. The rider’s seat seems higher than the robot’s.
W: Yes, it is. We thought that was the best place for it.
M: Well, this is really amazing. Can I take a ride?
W: Sure. Come this way, please.
07
W: Take a look at my new leather cell phone case, Steve.
M: Wow, it really looks nice. You picked a great style.
W: Thanks. I couldn’t have bought it without the money you lent me.
M: I’m glad. So do you have the money for me now?
W: What do you mean?
M: You said you could repay me on Friday. And today is Friday.
W: Oh, right. Well, I don’t have much money right now.
M: But you said you could definitely give it to me today.
W: Okay. I’ll need to go to the bank and see how much is in my account.
M: That’s fine. Just let me know as soon as you have the money.
W: I’ll do that.
08
M: Joan, I heard you’re going to stay at the Grand Hotel in Paris next week.
W: Oh, I was, but I had to cancel the reservation.
M: That’s a shame. I stayed there, and it was great. Was it too expensive?
W: No, my husband couldn’t go at that time.
M: Really? Does he have something important to do?
W: Yes, he has a major work meeting then.
M: I see. So are you still going to Paris?
W: Definitely. We just put our trip off until next month. I wish we could book the same hotel then.
M: Oh, can’t you?
W: No, it’s already full that whole week.
M: Oh my, you missed out. It’s a wonderful hotel. But I’m sure you’ll have a good time anyway.
09
W: How is the shoe business, Jack?
M: It couldn’t be better. Yesterday was our best day ever.
W: That’s wonderful. Why were you so successful yesterday?
M: My store had a sale on sports shoes. Every pair was only $30.
W: That’s a great deal. How many pairs did you sell?
M: We sold exactly 100 pairs.
W: Did you sell any other shoes?
M: Yes, we also sold 10 pairs of cowboy boots.
W: How much did you sell them for?
M: They were $70 each.
W: Congratulations! The next time I need new shoes, I’ll come to your store.
M: I’ll be looking forward to that.
10
W: Did you read about the design contest being held by Swift Credit Cards?
M: No. Tell me about it.
W: They’re looking for design ideas for their new line of credit cards intended for young adults.
M: Really? Can high school students enter?
W: Yes. Participants must be either high school or university students between the ages of 15 and 25.
M: Perfect! When can I enter?
W: Registration is from October 15th to November 1st. You can register by filling out a form on their website.
M: I’m going to enter! I think I can win.
W: I hope so. They’re going to choose a first-prize winner in January.
M: Thanks for telling me about this!
11
M: Like many baseball players, Bill Tuttle was a big fan of chewing tobacco. On baseball cards, he was often shown with a cheek full of chewing tobacco. He played for three Major League teams over an 11-year period. Sadly, 30 years after his baseball career ended, Tuttle developed a large tumor in his cheek. Doctors were able to remove it, but they also had to remove much of his face. Tuttle realized that chewing tobacco was the cause. He dedicated his life to warning young people about the dangers of chewing tobacco, before dying from oral cancer in 1998.
12
M: I heard you’re working at the same toy store as me, Alice.
W: Yes, I start next week. What’s your job there?
M: I work in the storage room on Sunday mornings.
W: I see. Well, I haven’t decided when to work yet.
M: Really? What job are you most interested in?
W: I made deliveries last summer, but I didn’t like it. So I want to be at the front counter or in the storage room.
M: And which days are you available?
W: I’m busy on the weekends. I won’t be able to work Saturdays or Sundays.
M: And what about during the rest of the week?
W: Well, I’m taking a class at the university this summer. It’s at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
M: There is only one shift for you, then.
13
M: Are you enjoying your piano lessons, Rebecca?
W: Yes, I am. But I don’t feel like they’re helping me. I’m thinking about quitting.
M: Oh really? What do you think the problem is?
W: I don’t know, but my piano skills haven’t improved much.
M: How much time do you spend practicing at home?
W: I practice for an hour each day.
M: Well, you only started taking lessons three months ago. Maybe you need more time.
W: You’re right. But what should I do if things don’t get better?
M: Ask your teacher for his opinion. He might have some ideas.
W: Okay, I’ll do that. Thanks for the advice.
M: (I hope you can find a way to improve your piano playing.) 14
M: Let’s watch the big game at my house tonight.
W: Sorry, but I really need to study. I don’t think I can watch it.
M: What? But it’s the championship game! You can’t miss it.
W: I wish I could watch it. But my test is more important.
M: Is it for your biology class?
W: Yes, and I need a B or higher in order to pass the course.
M: Oh, I see. In that case, I understand.
W: Thanks. Maybe you can ask Todd and Alex to watch the game with you.
M: I already did. They’re coming over at 8.
W: Good. I’m sure the three of you will have a good time.
M: Yes, but it won’t be the same without you.
W: (I know, but school has to come first.) 15
W: Carlos’ mother gets a call from his homeroom teacher. He tells her that Carlos was not at school today. Carlos’ mother is very surprised. She can’t imagine where he might be. When Carlos gets home in the afternoon, she asks him where he was. He says he was at school.
However, the truth is that he did not go to school and played with his friends instead. She asks him again, and he keeps telling the same lie. She finally gets so upset that she decides to give him a good scolding. In this situation, what would Carlos’ mother most likely say to Carlos?
Carlos’ mother: (I’m going to punish you for lying to me.) 16-17
M: Hello, everyone. Today it is minus 13 degrees. But even in this cold weather, many people are swimming in the freezing water behind me. They are all members of the local Polar Bear Club.
Earlier, I talked to the club’s president, Mr. James Willis. He told me that he finds swimming in cold water to be refreshing. Apparently, it improves blood circulation and helps people build resistance to diseases like the flu. He also said some members find that ice swimming not only relieves pain in their joints but also has good effects on depression. Ice swimming isn’t for everyone, though. Some people are more vulnerable to the cold than others. And spending even a few minutes in water that’s close to freezing can cause serious damage to your skin. If you’re thinking about ice swimming, make sure to talk to your doctor about it first.