50 Topics for Everyday Life Conversations

[Music]

one greetings

dialogue 1

good morning good morning you look good

today Thanks actually I have an

interview this morning do you know what

time it is

oh it’s 10:30 well I don’t want to be

late for the interview I’ll see you

later

good luck

on two

how are you feeling today much better

thanks and thank you for cooking that

chicken soup for me last night it was

delicious

I’m glad I could help are you going to

work yes

I’m alright now I’ll see you tonight see

you

dialogue three

hi Laura I haven’t seen you for a while

hi good to see you again how are you

doing not bad work is okay oh is it

that’s good to hear you now work in

Taiwan right yes this is my second year

of teaching Wow

that must be exciting I hope I can visit

you sometime

good you’re welcome at anytime

to meeting people

dialogue 1

hi I don’t believe we’ve met I’m Anna

Smith oh hi I’m Thomas Taylor you can

call me Tom it’s nice to meet you Tom

likewise

dialogue to

hi how are you doing oh hi you are Jack

right that’s right what’s your name

again

judy judy Riley Judy this is my roommate

herb hi nice to meet you where are you

from Texas oh yeah you have an accent ha

you’re the one with the accent

dialogue three

listen Amy we’re really hungry you want

to get something to eat with us I can’t

I have to meet my new roommate Chen Hong

I think she’s Chinese okay see you later

then

we’re up in 1/12 stop by anytime sure

see you

three saying goodbye

dialogue 1

I’m hungry do you want to get something

to eat no I want to study more you sure

yeah I’ll see you tomorrow okay see you

later bye bye

dialogue to

oh well I’ve got everything right here

please take care of yourself don’t worry

I will you take care of yourself mom I

will miss you

I will miss you too but you can come and

visit me in the school this fall I sure

will

call me when you get there I will mom

please go inside

I will call you tomorrow morning okay

goodbye mom bye

dialogue three

that was very good thank you for dinner

you’re welcome I am glad you came

thank you for inviting me so will I see

you this Friday yeah that’s right

I will see you at the show good see you

then bye bye

four please thank you sorry

dialogue 1

could you help me sure what do you need

which bus do I take to the University

the number 10 bus goes there from here

great thanks a lot don’t mention it

dialogue to

you are late for class today I’m sorry

it won’t happen again

are you certain yes I will get here on

time in the future okay I’ll forgive you

but don’t let it happen again

thank you very much you’re welcome I’ll

see you tomorrow

dialogue three

please help me with this computer what’s

wrong with it this little message keeps

coming up I don’t understand it it’s

frustrating oh that’s a minor problem

just don’t push this key all right

thanks don’t mention it

five identifying and describing people

dialogue 1

who’s that man who just came into our

office which one the one with the

glasses I see a couple of guys with

glasses the one wearing the blue tie

with a mustache

oh that’s the cousin of our boss really

what is he doing here he’s just here

visiting he’s not working right now

lucky him I wish I didn’t have to work

dialogue to

did you see Mary’s new boyfriend

no she has a new boyfriend yes he was at

the party with her last night what does

he look like he’s about average height

with blond hair does he have long hair

yeah it’s a little long past his ears

and a light beard yes that’s right why I

think I saw him with her today in the

library

six age

dialogue 1

hi George hi Sarah you seem to be in a

hurry what’s the rush

oh I’m going to pick up my son at the

school you have a son old is he he’s six

years old he just started first grade

wow that must be really exciting for him

yeah for me too

I’ll see you later bye

dialogue to

do you have any brothers Tom no but I

have sisters how many sisters do you

have

• Aimee and Mary are they younger than

you

Aimee is two years older than me Mary is

three years younger so Amy is five years

older than Mary yeah nearly five years

older

three

boy I really would like to see that new

movie but it has a parental warning its

r-rated you have to be 17 years old or

older no problem I’ll just wear dad’s

suit I’m sure it won’t let you get past

the front door hey I can try can’t I I

don’t think mom or dad would want you to

see it

I think it has profanity and sexually

explicit scenes hey that’s why I want to

go

seven places and directions

log1

can you show me where the bus stops I’d

like to but I really don’t know you’ll

have to ask someone else or I can get

you some bus maps forget it you’re going

to be late no I don’t have to rush okay

would you please get them then sure I’ll

pick them up right away

would you bring an extra for my friend

okay no problem

dialogue to

excuse me how do I get from the park to

the gas station go south on McMillan

turn right on first Street and you’ll

see the gas station on the corner of 1st

and Washington Boulevard go south on

McMillan and then turn right on 1st

Street yeah that’s it

thank you you’re welcome

three

excuse me where’s the museum it’s north

of here which way do I go go two blocks

north and one block west it’s on the

right side of the street next to the

school got it Thanks

eight family relationships

dialogue 1

hurry up I don’t want to be late how can

you be late to a family reunion it’s not

a job that’s not the point

I haven’t seen my family in over a year

you should visit them more often at

least your parents I know but it’s hard

my family is a little weird I think your

family reunions are interesting is that

uncle of yours going to be there which

one the weird one be more specific the

one with the glass eye uncle Jim of

course you wouldn’t miss a reunion for

the world will he drink this year

hopefully my grandfather will stop him

but we’ll see this could be interesting

come on let’s get in the car I wish I

could share your enthusiasm but I had to

grow up with these people that’s what a

family is all about

dialogue to

wow you made so many copies of photos

you took in Thailand yeah I always take

a lot of photos when I’m going on

vacation what are you going to do with

them keep them no I’m going to send some

to my mom and some to my sisters they

will be very happy to see them yes and I

also wrote my mom a long letter with

details about my whole trip that’s nice

of you she’ll be very glad to read your

adventures yeah that will make her day

dialogue three

so where were you we waited for an hour

but then we decided to have lunch

without you sorry girls I had to pick up

my sister at the airport your sister how

come you’ve never mentioned her before

well she’s my half-sister she lives in

California and she comes here for a

visit every year to see the family

that’s nice

good for the family to get together

nine science

dialogue 1

how school going it’s a lot of work I

have a paper on radiation due next month

you picked a difficult major yes but I

want to be a scientist why it seems so

difficult I like the challenge it’s

complicated

but the rules are universal what do you

mean human laws are always changing but

the laws of science are constant I see

but is that interesting sure things

change every day because of science I

like the idea of changing the world that

seems pretty noble I have to admit I

also like playing with technology that

sounds more like the real reason come by

our lab sometime we just got a new

telescope and an infrared camera that

sounds good I think I’d like to see that

stuff just let me know when I better go

to class now ok see you later

dialogue to

oh I just read this article about

cloning I think it should be against the

law for scientists to do that well in

most countries it is there is one

country that does allow it some doctors

in that country said they had cloned a

baby can you believe it

I think this should stay in the science

fiction books not real life they already

cloned vegetables and animals after all

Dolly the sheep was cloned yes but she

died a premature death they did an

autopsy on her and found her organs have

aged faster than normal soon we may all

have a clone stop I don’t even want to

think about it

ten talking about the weather

dialogue 1

I hate to drive in traffic like this

especially when it’s raining you think

this is bad

back in Texas a little rain like this is

nothing really isn’t Texas hot and dry

oh we have all kinds of weather in Texas

in the summer it’s so hot you can fry an

egg on the street and in the winter it

snows in some places

well you never see pictures of skiing

Cowboys real funny

dialogue to

boy this road is narrow be careful we

don’t want to spend the week in the

hospital so when do you think we’ll get

to we mountain not before midnight then

let’s stay in the guest house tonight

yeah it doesn’t look like the weather is

going to clear up and I’m not going

camping in the woods until I hear the

weather report

long three

what’s the weather like out there you

wouldn’t believe how cold it is right

now why not it is November it’s been

sunny and cool all week

now it’s freezing like January the

weather report said there’s a chance of

snow

really this early in November it’s

happened before

two weeks ago it was warm enough to wear

shorts out fall weather can be pretty

strange around here you got that right

well I’d better go put on something warm

good idea

eleven animals

dialogue 1

where are you going

taking my cat the vet

why what’s wrong nothing serious he got

in a fight with another cat I think is

he hurt no he just has a few small cuts

on his face I hope they don’t get

infected that’s why I’m taking him to

the vet I remember when he was just a

cute little kitten

well he’s not that way anymore he sounds

like a real menace he certainly is but

he’s got personality

you can’t deny that good luck with the

vet let me know what happens thanks I

will see you later see you

dialogue to

what kind of animal is that it’s a

kangaroo it’s very strange

where does it come from it comes from

Australia no other country has them what

do you mean no other country has them

we’ve got one right here but this is a

zoo

dialogue three

that’s a lovely dog how long have you

had it yeah he’s great isn’t he we’ve

got him last month

he’s an Alsatian what do you feed him we

give him meat and canned dog food he

also likes bread I wish our house was

big enough for a pet

I’d like a dog just like him actually we

didn’t get him to be a pet but to be a

guard dog

twelve calamities and pollution

dialogue 1

have you heard the news all the schools

have been closed down because of SARS

what a calamity oh I don’t know I get

pretty tired of going to school all the

time yeah that’s right we’ll be able to

do fun things instead like going

swimming haven’t you heard they’ve

closed the swimming pools - now that is

a calamity

to

look at that river it’s dirty so what

less than ten years ago you could swim

in that lake really it looks pretty bad

now I know the worst part is that it

could have been prevented what do you

mean it’s polluted by that chemical

factory just up the river

we need chemical factories of course but

there are ways to reduce pollution by

factories what happened here some of the

investors wanted to save costs by

neglecting pollution control measures

and now it’s too late right that’s right

the investors have been caught but the

river is ruined it can be cleaned up

yeah but that takes a lot of money in

time that’s true so for now we have to

live next to this mess

13 housework

dialogue 1

you can’t watch TV now why not this is

my favorite show you haven’t done the

dishes so what they can wait no they

can’t the sink is disgusting we agreed

but I want to watch TV I clean the

bathroom today you were supposed to

clean the kitchen I did i mopped the

floor and threw out the old food in the

refrigerator what about the dishes

I forgot will you clean them after this

TV show is over yes I promise

20 more minutes okay just make sure it

gets done I will I will

log2

how come the house is always a mess it

looks alright to me come on you’re not

serious are you

your clothes are laying everywhere and

Sam’s toys are all over the floor oh

honey I just got home let me rest for a

while first come on how can you rest in

such a messy apartment I just can’t do

it let’s straighten things out okay we

will do it together

dialogue three

hi Debbie got any plans for the weekend

yeah why do you ask I was going to

invite you to a barbecue with my friends

oh sorry I’ve got lots of housework to

do I have to do the laundry mop the

floor and wash the dishes just housework

you can do it later no big deal oh you

don’t know right now I share the

apartment with my sister and if she

comes home and finds I haven’t done

anything she would really get mad at me

well I feel sorry for you

maybe next time when you’re not busy

14 function and malfunction

dialogue 1

the picture isn’t very good maybe you

need to adjust it no I spent all day

trying to get it right it’s just no good

maybe you should get it repaired then

we’ll be able to enjoy watching TV but I

just got it repaired yesterday who did

you get to do it the TV shop on the

corner I’ve asked for my money back but

they won’t give it to me you can be sure

I’ll never go to them

dialogue to

what’s that noise something must be

wrong with the engine I’ll stop and we

can have a look good idea that way we

can be sure the problem won’t get worse

now first let’s lift the hood okay good

let’s have a look then what’s that it

looks like a basketball

what’s a basketball doing there that’s

very strange

maybe it’s little Billie’s let’s take it

out and get going okay got it

let’s get in the car you won’t believe

this what the car won’t start we’ll have

to call the mobile repairman then and

get him to come I guess so

maybe we could just put the basketball

back and see if it goes again

on three

great I’m tired of this what what’s

wrong stupids washing machine doesn’t

work right what happened it fills up

with water but doesn’t drain it’s okay

do you have a warranty sure what good

does that do now the store will send a

repairman to fix it at no charge yes but

all my clothes are wet now and I have a

date tonight when two hours go to a

public laundry you have time if you

hurry you’re right

Thanks see you later no problem and good

luck tonight

fifteen duration

dialogue 1

hi Jane I thought you had already gone

to America no I’m still waiting for my

visa you are immigrating right yeah my

husband applied for my visa last

February Wow

it’s been more than a year do you know

how much longer you’ll have to wait I

don’t have a clue the approval paper

says I’ll have to wait for at least

another two months before the process

can be finalized so who knows how long

that will take

wow I didn’t know going to America would

be such an ordeal your husband must miss

you very much I miss him too well I hope

you two will be together soon thank you

dialogue to

hello what are you doing just standing

there I’m waiting for a girl I met last

night she said to meet her here at 5:00

but it’s seven now have you been

standing there two hours just waiting

for her how much longer are you going to

wait for her don’t be a fool come home

with me instead that sounds like a good

idea how long does it take to get to

your new place only five minutes great

let’s go

dialogue three

what are you doing I’m waiting for this

music store to open how long have you

been waiting about two hours that’s

crazy

what for today my favorite band releases

their new CD so what I want to buy a

copy before they sell out so you’ve been

waiting for two hours in the cold

actually I’ve been waiting for three

months since I heard they were releasing

a new album when does the music store

open in another thirty minutes

well good luck waiting where are you

going now

I’m going home to order that album from

the internet I’ll get to hear it before

you yes and you’ll be sick for standing

in the cold have a good time bye

sixteen size quantity and weight

one

excuse me yes what can I do for you

today

I need some sliced turkey meat how much

do you need I’m not sure maybe 1/4 pound

I’ll cut 1/4 pound to start tell me if

you need more sure ok that’s 1/4 pound 4

ounces of sliced turkey hmm

No could you cut me a little bit more a

half pound yeah that should be fine okay

there you go that’s about a half pound

perfect

wrap that up for you Thanks

dialogue to

can you do me a favor sure what is it

could you go to the store I need a few

things for dinner

alright what do you want me to get well

could you pick up some sugar okay how

much a small bag I guess I also need

half a dozen eggs Oh are we out of milk

yes thanks for reminding me please get a

half gallon is that all I think so

have you got all that yes that’s a small

bag of sugar half a dozen eggs and a

half gallon of milk do you have enough

money I think so thanks very much I

appreciate it

dialogue three

may I help you ma’am yes I have a chi

pal that needs to be altered

do you offer that kind of service sure

we do what’s the problem here it’s too

tight around the hips it needs to be let

out a bit this is my daughter-in-laws

Chi pal

she is 36 inches around the hips which

is 91 centimeters okay do you think it

can be done let me measure oh yeah no

problem

is that it oh yes thank you

17 time and date

dialogue 1

do you know that this

changed our class schedule no so what is

it now

they changed the morning classes from

8:00 to 8:30 so now the lunch break is

from 12 to 2 o’clock p.m. instead of

11:30 to 1:30 p.m. that’s good I hate to

rush for the morning 8 o’clock classes I

didn’t even have time to eat my

breakfast it doesn’t make a difference

to me I always get up early I like to do

a little exercise in the morning I know

you are an early riser

on two

what time is it it’s almost 9 o’clock

why do you ask the movie Godfather Part

2 starts at 9:30 I want to get ready for

it I thought you didn’t like it when we

watched the first part that was at the

beginning I didn’t understand it so now

you like it huh yeah I’m going to make a

cup of coffee do you want one no you

shouldn’t drink coffee so late you are

going to stay awake all night if I don’t

drink coffee I won’t last through the

whole movie it’s about three hours long

well suit yourself

dialogue 3 where are you going

I’m going to the library how often do

you go about once a week

why just curious when are those books

due back they’re not due until June the

third but I’m done reading them can you

help me study later sure what time uh

how long stays a clock I’m at dinner

then what about 7:00 that sounds fine

with me

great I’ll see you then

18 shopping

dialogue 1

miss do you think I could find a silk

tie here certainly sir I’ll help you in

a minute

I’ve already been waiting here for 10

minutes you know I’m sorry

Oh what color would you prefer I like

that brown one with the dragon pattern

here it is how much is it they are $20

each will you take any less no I’m sorry

the price is firm all right I’ll take it

dialogue to

can I help you yes I am looking for a

pair of shoes what size do you wear size

11 are these shoes on sale yes they are

how much are they $25 okay I’ll try them

on here you are they’re too tight maybe

I should try a bigger size try these

they’re just right I’ll take

dialogue 3 excuse me do you work here

yes I do is there something I can help

you with yes I’m repainting my basement

I need something better than an old

brush to use how about a spray gun that

sounds fun but isn’t it messy not at all

take a look at this one here wow it

looks like a gun from a space movie yeah

but it’s a great tool it’s not messy

because you can adjust the tip or a

smaller spray I guess that’s better for

small details and corners right and this

one’s on sale this week hmm

it’s tempting any problems and you can

return it for a full refund but that

shouldn’t be necessary why not the

manufacturer has included a five-year

warranty that’s guaranteed quality great

I’ll take it well then just take this up

to the register good luck with the

painting Thanks

19 offers and invitations

dialogue 1

what are you guys doing this weekend

we’ve got tickets to a concert they’ve

got some singers from Beijing playing

that’s great

I haven’t been to a concert for a long

time why don’t you come with us

am I invited sure we can buy another

ticket easily Thanks when is it tomorrow

night and eight o’clock we’ll be waiting

for you at the entrance all right I’ll

see you then

dialogue to

Tom what are you doing for Thanksgiving

I’m staying on campus why you’re staying

on campus doesn’t your family love you

yeah but they’re in Europe right now so

what are you going to do

I don’t know study some maybe go to

Jack’s house for dinner that doesn’t

sound very fun what choice do I have

you could come home and have dinner with

my family you think sure it’ll be fun

the more the merrier I don’t know my

family won’t mind it’s a six-hour drive

from here hmm okay I guess when are you

leaving the day after tomorrow you can

help pay for gas okay I can do that

great then it’s settled you’ll have a

happy Thanksgiving for sure

20 congratulations and celebrations

one

you look dressed up what’s going on I’m

taking my wife out to the white swan

hotel for our wedding anniversary so

that’s why you’ve got those lovely

flowers what’s in that package you’re

holding two things a box of chocolates

and a gold necklace your wife is very

lucky I bet she’ll be very happy she’ll

probably complain that she wanted

diamonds or pearls and say she made a

mistake marrying me oh come on

it can’t be that bad triple e very happy

and you both have a good time I hope

you’re right

dialogue to

hey Tom oh hi Anna how’s it going it’s

going great

did you hear the news no what

got accepted to law school when did you

find out I just got the letter this

morning in the mail wow that is great

congratulations thank you I’m so excited

I can’t go to class

forget about class let’s go to celebrate

no I want to celebrate but this

afternoon when no one has class yeah the

more people the merrier sounds like a

plan I’ll invite our friends when I see

them Thanks let’s all meet here at 4:00

sure and again congratulations you’ve

earned it

no I got lucky but thank you for saying

so anytime now I’ve got to get to class

okay see you this afternoon

yeah see you this afternoon miss future

lawyer

twenty-one telephone calls

dialogue 1

hello hello Sam

sorry there’s nobody here by that name

is this eight six three three once you

want you know it isn’t oh I’m sorry I

guess I dialed the wrong number

dialogue to

hello may I speak to Julia sorry she

isn’t in I ask who’s calling

this is grace can I take a message

don’t bother I’ll call her mobile all

right thanks

you’re welcome

dialogue three

thank you for calling sunrise industries

how may I help you

is mr. Sawyer there may I ask who’s

calling this is Tom Taylor I was

supposed to call mr. Sawyer at this time

hold for one moment please thank you

I’m sorry sir his line is busy can I

take a message

um actually could you put me through to

human resources they may have already

left for the day let me check

no problem

sir

yes someone is in the office I’m

transferring your call now thank you

twenty-two food and dining

dialogue 1

this sips great you like it

delicious what is it it’s an old family

recipe

mostly chicken clam and a few spices

well I think it’s great oh I dropped my

spoon use this one clumsy it’s clean

Thanks

and could you pass the salt it’s not

salty enough already it’s fine but I

love salt that’s not healthy I know but

it tastes good well slow down this is

just the first course what’s next your

favorite dish baked chicken and lemon

sauce Wow I’m gonna eat until I burst

just remember that if I cook you do the

dishes d’Or sure now let me get some of

that chicken

on two

are you ready to order now sir yes I

like the meatloaf

okay and which you prefer mashed

potatoes or macaroni and cheese with

that hmm I think I’d prefer macaroni and

cheese and what kind of dressing would

you care for on your salad

I’ll have the Italian dressing okay

anything to drink let me see I guess

I’ll just have a cup of coffee okay

that’s the meatloaf with macaroni and

cheese a salad with Italian dressing and

a cup of coffee Thanks

23 culture and art

one

what are you looking at a book about

Cuba start

that stuff is strange it’s just blocks

and other shapes of course the artists

are trying to depict reality that way in

what way through the basic forms we

normally take for granted why are you

interested in this all of a sudden the

City Museum is having an exhibit of

cubist paintings right now are you gonna

see it yeah next week I wanted to read

up about it before I went good idea

are you learning much a little my

interest to stir it a little didn’t

Picasso start that movement no but he

developed it and made it famous

are there any Picasso paintings in the

City Museum exhibit

yes but it’s a minor one it’s on loan

from a museum in Spain still a Picasso

is a Picasso

maybe I’ll go with you that’d be fine

with me just let me know

dialogue to

that’s a strange picture is that a

flying cow yes it is you like the

picture where I come from cows aren’t

blue and they don’t fly and what’s that

picture over there that’s Lenin standing

on his hands these are just really

strange what kind of art is it it’s

called folk art

folks aren’t anything like that where I

come from

three

I’m so happy my work was just accepted

at the gallery do you mean the

Metropolitan gallery yes they want me to

exhibit my pastels next month how many

do you have to show about ten I have

three landscapes two still lifes a

seascape and four impressionistic

cityscapes are they the ones you did of

the Colosseum that’s right I also have a

showing at the Art Museum next year

you’re so talented I wish I can paint

and draw like you believe me it took

many years of work and lots of

rejections before I got to this point my

artistic career

twenty-four literature

dialogue 1

how’s class good

bad we started reading war in peace wow

isn’t that book something like a

thousand pages something like that I

forgot the exact number that’s gonna be

a lot of work when you have to finish

our professor wants it read by next

month you’ve got a lot of reading to do

what do you think of it it’s okay so far

there are a lot of characters to

remember why is your class reading this

the whole class is just about Russian

literature his Tolstoy your favorite

writer he’s okay but I prefer some of

the later Russian writers like who

Dostoevsky Gorky a few others well that

stuff is beyond me good luck in class

long to

while you’re eating I’m reading Chaucer

what’s Chaucer Chaucer’s not a thing he

was a person he was one of the greatest

poets that have ever lived he was

England’s first poet laureate he wrote

The Canterbury Tales and probably

introduced even more words into English

than Shakespeare did at a later date

English was never the same after his

contribution to it let me have a look

okay here you are

hey this isn’t English this is some

other language it is English just not

modern English its middle English

I thought English was just plain English

I didn’t know it was so complicated

25 sports and games

dialogue 1

who’s that really tall player over there

that’s Yomi

he’s from China is he any good you must

be as blind as the referee he’s already

scored 20 points this game is that good

why don’t you go back to sleep and let

me watch the game

dialogue to

do you want to come out for a drink no

I’m going to bed early

I’ve got a big game tomorrow that’s

right are you nervous a little I’ll be

playing first-string tomorrow really not

warming the bench anymore uh nope coach

decided to give me a chance why do you

think he did that probably because I hit

a home run in our last game so what

position do you play I’ll be playing

third base tough position lots of place

come your way that’s right but I think I

can handle it what time is the game the

game starts at 1:00 in the afternoon

I’ll try to be there I hope you can be

there so you don’t want to get just one

drink

sorry no I need a good night’s sleep

I understand okay see you tomorrow see

you

26 entertainment

dialogue 1

what do you want to do today I don’t

know you have anything in mind how about

going bowling hmm I don’t really feel

like going bowling

any other ideas well what about seeing a

movie that’s a good idea

I just read a pretty good review of The

Matrix Reloaded we can go watch that all

right let’s go to it

dialogue to

what can we do tonight how about Beijing

opera have you seen the one about Sun

Wukong The Monkey King

I hate Beijing opera it’s almost as

boring as Western Opera and besides I

don’t understand it that’s a pity

I love it well what would you like to do

tonight what about staying home and

watching the wrestling on TV the rock is

going to fight Steve Austin and all-out

everything goes fight to the death

you’ve got to be kidding

don’t you know professional wrestling is

all fake why don’t you do it then let’s

see you get in there and take those guys

on don’t be childish sometimes you drive

me crazy don’t be angry

let’s go and see the Monkey King I

thought you said you don’t like Beijing

opera well I haven’t seen any for a long

time and besides I like the monkey even

though the rock is better you really are

something else

dialogue three

what are you doing tonight Steve and I

are going to a concert what kind of

concert

classical music you got Steve to listen

to classical music yeah last week I went

to a ballgame with him I see he bores

you so you bore him

maybe we’re just expanding our horizons

I’ll believe it when I see it

so whose music will they be performing a

selection of pieces by Beethoven it’s

the Washington Orchestra those tickets

are hard to get how did you do it a

friend of my mother works for the

theater well that’s great

I hope you have a good time I know I

will

and I hope Steve can stay awake me too

I’ve got to get going I’ll talk to you

later okay talk to you later bye

twenty-seven hobby

and pastimes

dialogue 1

what do you do for fun Alice I know you

guys like to go to bars you go to bars

too don’t you

we have different purposes you guys go

for beer meeting girls I go to sing

karaoke yeah you have a gift for singing

songs you have a golden voice thanks I

can say that has become my hobby

next time we can go to a bar together

sure

dialogue to

I’ve noticed that you enjoy yourself a

lot what do you do on the weekend I go

biking with my girlfriend if the weather

permits it’s fun and good exercise yeah

we’d love to do that and it doesn’t cost

anything to keep in good shape and this

winter I’m going to take a course to

learn how to spin wool into yarn

it’s an old tradition I remember my

grandmother used to do that when I was

young especially in the winter while

there’s not much to do her hobby kept

her busy at home I’m curious to see how

you do it yeah wait a month and see

dialogue three

do you have any hobbies yeah I collect

stamps how long have you been doing that

for Oh for ages since I was a kid I used

to collect stamps when I was a kid so

you don’t do it anymore no I lost

interest

twenty-eight likes and dislikes

dialogue 1

are you hungry how about we have some

Indian food I don’t like Indian food

it’s too hot and spicy then I suppose

you don’t like Thai food either not much

but it’s better than Indian food okay

then what do you suggest what about

Chinese food do you like Chinese food

sure everyone likes Chinese food

dialogue to

it’s really hot let’s go swimming no I

can swim and if we go to the pool I’ll

feel real uncomfortable with the boys

staring at me all the time it’s really

hot how about we go to the secluded lake

I know and then it’ll be just you and me

I promise I won’t stare at you if it

makes you feel uncomfortable well it is

scorching and it would be nice to get

away from it all

okay let’s go

I log 3

well Frank what do you think of my hair

it’s great it’s stunning oh come on I

want to hear the truth you don’t really

mean that

hey it’s a modern haircut I like it

everybody likes it it’s very fashionable

why don’t you like it it’s a messy

haircut I’ve never had anything like

this before

it’s weird I guess you were just an

old-fashioned girl then you can’t keep

up with the times yeah whatever I need

to change it back to something normal

my mother would understand that she’s

just the same

twenty-nine cause and effect

dialogue 1

what’s wrong with Bob why what happened

he looked upset in class today and

didn’t stay around later to talk oh I

think I know why what are you thinking I

think he was arguing with his girlfriend

last night maybe that’s why he’s upset

today oh that could be the reason it’s

hard to imagine what else would cause

him to be so upset I know he’s normally

always in a good mood

it must be something bad to cause him to

seem so unhappy well an argument with

his girlfriend is a likely cause I guess

so I’ll try to talk to him later I just

hope that doesn’t cause him to become

more upset me too me too

dialogue to

Steve you’re smiling I haven’t seen you

smile like that in ages it’s nothing

really it’s nothing

come on your face is shining that’s one

of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen

stop it will you

you’re making me feel embarrassed now

your face is going red what’s going on I

have to go and meet my new girlfriend

I’m off bye

so that’s why you’re smiling

dialogue three

you’re late why are you so late I had an

exam that’s why I’m late that’s no

reason for being late

why did having an exam cause you to be

late well I had an exam so I stayed up

all night and that’s why I’m late but

why did staying up all night make you

late well I fell asleep on the bus and

went past my stop and then I had to come

all the way back again so you were late

because you fell asleep on the bus okay

let’s go

thirty doubting and believing

one

you promised me to save money for the

future but I don’t see you doing it well

if you don’t make money

you can’t save money you just got one

month’s pay a few days ago now you want

to tell me you spent it all you got a

hole in your pocket well was hardly

anything yeah to you it’s always not

enough that’s right but you promised me

I’m sorry I will do better in the future

dialogue to

hey Steve I need your help

sure Amy what do you need it’s about

Rick something wrong no we’re planning a

surprise birthday party for him oh great

that’s a great idea yeah and you’re his

best friend so promise you won’t tell

him I promise my lips are sealed

you sure remember the last time you made

a promise not to tell Laura what you

said about her yes you didn’t keep that

promise I know I’m sorry but this time

is different

you swear I swear

not a word okay then help me plan it no

problem whatever you need just ask

31 difficulty

dialogue 1

do you know how to swim

I can swim but not very well how about

you I don’t know how to swim I’ve never

learned

you should try they say it’s better late

than never

it scares me well you can just go in the

pool and relax if you want to try to

swim a little I can teach you it will be

very difficult I will drown we won’t go

in the deep end it will be impossible to

drown but I will swallow a lot of water

all you have to do is keep your mouth

shut and you won’t swallow any water but

I won’t be able to breathe take a deep

breath before you start okay I’ll try

dialogue to

studying together I hate this I thought

you wanted to study together I did

because I need help but this is just too

hard I’ll admit this kind of math is

pretty tough but you can’t give up what

choice do I have

I’m too dumb no you just need to relax

I probably am too stressed out that’s

right don’t sabotage your efforts by

getting so worried fine I’ll try to

relax

but that still won’t make me understand

this it’s better than giving up I’m

confused too then how can you help me if

you’re confused as well because I’m not

giving up and I won’t let you give up

okay but if I go crazy it’s your fault

deal now take a break for a few minutes

sounds good to me

thirty two suggestions and complaints

dialogue 1

you won’t believe this the company

demanded that both I and the other

teacher come for an interview at the

same time and that we both read a study

plan for their course of study what’s

wrong with that well if I go to an

interview I expect to be the only one

being interviewed and I’m really tired

of companies getting me to come and talk

to their staff and getting me to do

things for them and not paying me so

what can you do about it

I guess I’m just going to have to be

clear about what I’m getting into before

the situation arises it’s no use

complaining afterwards

dialogue to

hey Tom what are you doing I’m trying to

fix this chair

screwdriver yeah the screws came out

they’re tough to put back in

and I make a suggestion sure what’s that

go find Eric and borrow his automatic

drill it works much faster I guess that

would be faster than this little

screwdriver and one other suggestion

okay let me hear it buy a new chair

you’ll get hurt if it breaks with you

sitting on it no this is a tough chair

except for the screws I’ve no complaint

with it

okay but don’t complain to me if you

hurt yourself

33 praising and comforting

dialogue 1

hey Anna wait for me I don’t want to

talk right now

I guess you’re upset about the writing

contest you bet I am I work so hard on

my story but I got third place that was

still a good story you wrote you should

be proud

you think so of course that story was

much better than the others the judges

didn’t think so

the judges were wrong just wait until

you’re a famous writer that’s nice of

you to say but no buts

I know good writing when I see it

Thanks I was about to quit riding all

together don’t do that you’ve got real

talent it’s gonna hear your

encouragement anytime you mean that I

could use a little boost now and then of

course just make sure you give me credit

when you get famous it’s a deal thanks a

lot you’re a real friend

to

I’m so upset there’s nothing I can do

I’ll never be able to go to America you

don’t know that maybe you’ll be able to

go don’t be so sad

chin up I’m so tired of waiting I can’t

do anything with my life while I’m just

waiting that’s not true you should make

the most of your opportunities here

there are lots of things you can do and

there’s no reason why you can’t have a

good time you’re probably right

of course I’m right let’s go swimming

let’s

34 compare

garrison differences and similarities

one

in a store

can I help you with something maybe I’m

trying to

side which brand to buy of paint yes

I don’t know much about painting though

what are you painting my front door oh I

see well these here are our outdoor

paints which are your best there are a

couple of good choices these two I think

are the best what’s the difference well

this one is a little thicker it doesn’t

make a mess as easily that sounds good

I’m not very skilled at painting this

other paint though has better weather

proofing does that mean it lasts longer

essentially yes about two to three years

longer I see which one has the better

price hmm it looks like the price is

about the same I think I’ll get the one

that doesn’t make as much of a mess the

first one you showed me okay then you

can pay for this upfront let me know if

you have any other questions

that should be all thanks a lot

dialogue to

how are you feeling today a lot better

thank you doctor have you been eating

more lately as I told you - yes doctor

I’ve been eating lots but I don’t want

to get fat you’re not fat in fact you’re

dangerously underweight no doctor I am

fat and I don’t want to get fatter as I

said you are underweight and if you

become more underweight you’ll have to

stay in the hospital again yes doctor

dialogue three

who do you like better Michelle or me I

like you more dear

well Michelle’s got such a great figure

don’t you think Michelle’s figure is

better than mine your figure is great

dear

nobody has a better figure than you

darling would you love me less if I was

fatter than I am now I’d still love you

just as much

then maybe you already think I’m too fat

but you just won’t say it no dear you’re

not fat there’s only one way am i loving

you could make you fat

you’re becoming cheeky and cheekier

thirty-five agreement and disagreement

one

you still have not washed the dishes I

know I know I’ll get to it later know

you’ll get to it now why are you giving

me a hard time it’s just the dishes you

promised to do them yesterday I know but

my favorite movie is on TV it wasn’t on

TV yesterday you could have done that

then

this isn’t just about the dishes is it

you’re damn right this is not about the

dishes what is this about it is about

you never doing anything to help unless

you’re asked that’s not true

yes for the most part it is I think you

just need to calm down for me I need to

calm down no you need to start doing

your part around here fine I’ll do the

dishes now leave me alone

this isn’t over mister you need to

improve your attitude what you want me

to be nice now I thought it was just the

dishes forget it just do the dishes

we’ll discuss your attitude later I

can’t wait for that

dialogue to

what do you think of this dress does it

look good on me yeah it looks great

you really don’t think that do you

you’re just trying to make me feel happy

no it’s really great come on tell me

what you really think really it’s great

no tell me what you really think well

maybe it’s a little short I knew it you

never liked my dresses

dialogue three

do you like McDonald’s no I don’t like

McDonald’s I like Chinese food but

McDonald’s is really great and you can

drink as much coffee as you like no

their food tastes terrible Chinese food

is much better I find Chinese food

boring I’m really sick of Chinese food

how could anyone find Chinese food

boring

thirty-six importance and value

possession

dialogue 1

at a friend’s house

Oh be careful with that watch

sure but isn’t it just an old watch yeah

it was my grandfather’s watch does it

still work yes but it needs some small

repairs is it valuable to me it is it’s

priceless to me no I mean in the real

world sense I think so the makers name

is a famous Lenin watch company oh so

maybe it’s worth some money I’m sure it

is but it’s a family heirloom I can’t

sell it no I guess not so what will you

do with it now much wear it on special

occasions give it to my son that’s nice

I’m done looking at it here you go

Thanks

I’ll put it back in the drawer do you

have any more old stuff like that

my mother owned some antiques but that’s

all I have I see well that’s a pretty

valuable possession I guess yeah I’m

glad I have it

dialogue to

what’s this it’s really funny

careful with that don’t screw it up

leave it alone it’s just an old photo

what are you getting so upset about

that’s a picture of my girlfriend it’s

the only one I have so that’s why you’re

so upset

it has great sentimental value to you

that’s right

dialogue three

where will I get my money when we make

some money then we’ll give you your

money I finished the work so you should

pay me now we don’t have any money so

you’ll just have to wait you don’t have

any money

yes really we don’t have any money then

I guess I’ll just take this computer

then no don’t take the computer we need

it oh look here’s some money we can pay

you after all how much do we owe you

37 transportation

dialogue 1

hey could you do me a favor depends on

what it is my car is having trouble and

I need to take it to a mechanic what do

you need me to do the car has to stay

there overnight could you give me a ride

home tomorrow sure what’s wrong with

your car

the engine sounds bad it has trouble

starting how old’s the car it was my

dad’s car before I got it

it’s almost nine years old when was the

last time you had a tune-up about six

months ago maybe it’s time to buy

another car I hope not I can’t really

afford that right now anyway I can pick

you up tomorrow what time come by my

apartment at 3:00 and follow me to the

mechanics can you do that sure

see you tomorrow Thanks see you tomorrow

on two

have you ever ridden on a camel yes it

was terrible the thing kept on trying to

bite me all the time and smell terrible

really I rode on one and it was great it

didn’t smell that bad what about an

elephant have you ever ridden an

elephant no never

what about you yes I ride on elephants

all the time in fact here comes my

elephant now do you want to ride no

thanks

dialogue three

do you have a car back home in your

country now I don’t have a car

I thought all foreigners had cars many

Westerners do have cars that’s true but

I don’t I like to walk and besides I

need the exercise to stop me from

getting too fat you mean you’d be fatter

if you had a car

thirty-eight health and illness

dialogue 1

where were you last week I was at home

recovering recovering from what remember

when I hurt my back playing basketball

yeah that was about two months ago well

it got so bad that I went to see the

doctor What did he say he said that the

disk had ruptured

ouch that sounds bad yeah he was

surprised I can walk anyway I had

surgery surgery that sounds drastic it

was a pretty routine procedure but I had

to rest for a few days after that and

now you’re fine

not at all I still have to go to

physical therapy for a while does it

hurt now I’m on some painkillers if I

wasn’t then yes would hurt sorry to hear

that good luck with your recovery Thanks

dialogue to

all my head my head

wrong did you have an accident no I’ve

got a hangover

what’s a hangover a hangover is what you

have the next day after you drank too

much the night before you shouldn’t

drink too much maybe you should take

some painkillers I already have but

they’re not working I might have to take

a hair of the dog that bit me the night

before whatever does that mean I’ve

never heard of that before

that means you drink what you drank last

night that is the thing that gave you

the hangover that doesn’t sound like a

good idea you might be right

dialogue three

what’s wrong you don’t look too good I

don’t know I feel really hot and I’ve

got a headache

oh really you feel hot maybe you’ve got

a fever

have you taken your temperature have you

seen a doctor maybe you should go to

hospital you might have SARS oh look

there’s my bus bye wait wait I want to

talk to you that’s not your bus you’re

getting on the wrong bus I’ll get on it

too and talk to you excuse me excuse me

let me through

I need to get off ah good I’ve lost him

I’m glad you got off the bus it was the

wrong one you would have been late for

work

I’ve gotta go I can’t stay and chat here

comes my bus

wait that’s not your bus

39 education

Bhagwan

I’m talking I’m concerned about the

quality of the local schools there

we’re mean the area we’re removing - yes

I’ve heard many bad things like what low

test scores high dropout rates

discipline problems hmm sounds like an

average American school be serious jack

school here was very good but what about

his new school I guess I should have

thought about that more well let’s think

about it now

there’s a good private school in the

area a Catholic school is it expensive

not too bad

I think some other people in my company

send their kids there well that’s a

better choice at least I’ll call their

number on Monday and see about

registering Jack for next semester

good but don’t make any decisions

without me of course

dialogue to

how do you think you did on the IELTS

exam probably not well enough I want to

study linguistics at Manchester

University and you have to get 7.5 to be

able to do that 7.5 hardly anybody ever

gets 7.5 yes it’s a really high score

and very hard to get so what will you do

then I’m not sure maybe I’ll study at

guangdong university foreign studies

here in guangzhou at least that way

you’ll be able to eat Chinese food every

day

dialogue three

our Chinese friend youichi LAN called me

last night

Oh how is she doing is she still going

to college yes she said she was getting

all A’s in school I told her that she

was very smart well I think that

training students do well especially

memorizing things that’s why they do so

well in mathematics and science she’s

very lucky that California has free

tuition for residents I don’t know how

she would be able to afford college on

her part-time job at McDonald’s of

course we know that she’s very

persistent and resourceful she owes you

big time for helping her get her visa to

the United States now that she’s in

California Charlie ever calls her emails

me

I think everyone deserves a break maybe

she’s been a little ungrateful for her

opportunity

forty work

dialogue 1

eh what’s with the long face

at work why are you so happy

be unemployed I mean digging through the

trash for a free meal yeah something

like that there’s more dignity in that

than what I do oh come on you don’t mean

that

yes I do ever since the company

announced their goal of increased sales

I’ve lost all dignity why is that

I’ve been calling anyone I can think of

saying almost anything just to get a

sale that’s good that’s what our company

wants sure but I feel pretty drained I’m

practically begging customers I don’t

know what to tell you I’ll be fine I

just need to get a cup of coffee and

relax for a minute just let me know

first if you decide to go crazy I

promise you’ll know before I do

something crazy thanks that’s all I ask

dialogue to

how are you you don’t look too good

I’m just a little tired I work 10 hours

today why did you work so much did you

have to no I didn’t really have to I

could just use the extra money that’s

all well yes

money is important but your health is

more important you can’t buy health you

know thanks for the advice

dialogue three

how’s work going it’s great the students

are really fun and we have a great time

together so you really like teaching

well most of the time I like it but

sometimes it can be a real problem and

nothing seems to work

what do you do then I just keep on

trying and eventually things work out

somehow

41 economy

dialogue 1

why are you in such a good mood lots of

reasons for one thing work is going

great why is that our sales are really

booming this quarter that makes sense

the whole economy is improving I’ve

noticed that people are really spending

right now I think it’s because the

government has lowered interest rates

yeah my dad just bought a new house

because of low rates maybe you should do

the same

buy a new house I can’t afford that just

yet sure you can I think you can do

better than that dump you call an

apartment maybe you’re right but the

good economy may cause home prices to

rise perhaps but not yet not if you

hurry what are you a real estate agent

no but my husband is here’s his card he

must really appreciate the extra sales

work you do for him maybe he’ll give you

a great deal if you tell him you know me

I’ll give him a call Thanks

dialogue to

have you found any work yet yeah I’m

finding a bit now SARS isn’t so bad

anymore

and the economy is starting to pick up

there might not be a recession after all

well I hope there isn’t I’ve lost too

much money already

oh you’re rich I bet you’ve still got

plenty left in your Swiss bank accounts

three

exports are down GDP is down but imports

are up what are we going to do get into

the import business any thoughts were

you thinking of perishables or non

perishables I was thinking of

electronics from Japan and the United

States you know that Sony is the number

one selling brand in some countries a

good product a good warranty maybe it

would be okay

but we’re going to have to do some

market research who’s our target market

who are our competitors who will do the

distribution and so on

lots of work but I have done this many

times I’ll draw up some market surveys

to use to assess our potential market

check on the wholesale prices first if

we can’t make a profit after all the

shipping expenses it doesn’t make sense

to start the market research we’ll do

anything else try to get the statistics

on the population age 25 to 40 I think

they’ll be our potential market and also

check on the disposable income of this

age group I’m getting excited already

42 food

dialogue 1

are you going to the grocery store

anytime soon yeah I’m probably going

tonight why could you pick up a few

things sure like what I need some cut

chicken breasts what are you cooking

later this week I plan to cook chicken

alfredo mmm sounds good anything else

we out of milk I think so I’ll get some

more and some dog food sure let me write

this down

is that all let me think get some fruit

for breakfast what kind doesn’t matter

you pick okay I guess I’ll go now

thanks a lot

no problem

dialogue to

look the store has frozen peas frozen

beans and frozen carrots so what’s the

big deal we usually buy frozen

vegetables and keep them in the freezer

until we need them how about fresh

vegetables sometimes in the summer the

farmers will have their produce stands

alongside the road or have a farmer’s

market in town

don’t you think fresh produce is better

in the northern United States we have a

shorter growing season so during the

winter we have to rely on frozen

vegetables

long three

what should we eat how about bitter

melon have you tried it yeah I’ve tried

it but I don’t like it much you order it

if you like it though how about sweet

and sour do you like sweet and sour

we could have fish sweet and sour or

pork sweet and sour

how about sweet and sour beef this is

China

they don’t have sweet and sour beef how

about combination sweet and sour they

only have Chinese Chinese food not

Western Chinese food

forty three plans and intentions

dialogue 1

hey Tom what are you working on my

master plan for society wow that sounds

pretty crazy it’s not I want to make a

better society and how do you plan to do

that by making everyone equal

no one has private property does

everyone work yes for the good of all

not just for individuals what if some

people work harder or better than others

they will not be allowed to control

others you mean it’s just as good to be

lazy as hard-working peasants and

workers will run society they are not

lazy like factory owners so pushing a

plow means a man can manage your factory

or an economy you can learn then why was

he pushing a plow before that and what

about art culture and higher education

what do peasants know about that a

peasant can paint a picture yeah but I

bet you wouldn’t hang it on your wall

someday my plan will change the world

maybe but I wouldn’t want to live in

that world

dialogue to

I plan on returning to

fall for my master’s degree what’s your

degree going to be in do you intend to

continue in the education field no I

want to change my career I would like to

go into the advertising field I know

there’s not so much money in that field

but I think would be very creative what

college or university are you going to I

have to go to Texas for the degree

program they’re the only ones who offer

this combination masters and specialist

degree program is it rather expensive no

I plan to do some interning while there

I want to get some practical experience

they have a public relations program I

can get involved with you’ve got it all

figured out what will you do if

something happens to your plans then I

punt punt what’s that I try something

else

dialogue three

when I grow up I’ll be swept off my feet

by Prince Charming and he’ll take me to

his palace and we’ll play the most

fantastic computer games all day and

watch TV all night and I’ll never have

to do any homework

keep on dreaming princess because

tomorrow you’re going to get up early

and go to school and when you come home

you’ll do all your homework again you

always try to ruin all my plans

forty-four talents and abilties

dialogue 1

do you like jazz music yeah in fact I

used to play a little really I didn’t

know you could play an instrument in

college I played the trumpet wow that’s

a real talent and now now my ability is

a lot less than it used to be I see I

wish I had learned to play an instrument

do you have any other talents I can rule

my tongue it’s not a talent seriously I

can draw okay really do you have

anything I can see

I might have a few old drawings at home

you should try that again drawing no

it’s not very useful and I don’t have

much time

same story with my music but I do miss

it I hear what you’re saying I really do

dialogue to

that’s a great painting really you like

it yeah it’s great I haven’t finished

yet oh please don’t change it it’s

perfect already if you change it you

might ruin it just leave it as it is you

really like it that much it’s great you

really got talent you’re a great artist

now I know you’re pulling my leg pulling

your leg what does that mean means

you’re kidding you’re joking

I’m not kidding and I’m not joking

dialogue three

do you have any great talents I wouldn’t

say I have any great talents but I used

to write a lot when I was young and

people were often amazed by my

performance poetry

why don’t you still do it now it used to

be an obsession which took over my life

now I just rather live a normal life do

you think if you had have kept going you

might have won Fame and recognition

possibly my friend Barry and I used to

dream of taking the literary world by

storm he kept on going and eventually he

made it big time I don’t think he was

any more talented than me

why did you give up while he succeeded I

like to eat everyday

45 making appointments

dialogue 1

can we change the time from today to

tomorrow at 10:00 sure no problem

are you sure you can make it if you

can’t make it just tell me and we can

make another date no don’t change it ten

is perfect for me okay see you then

bye goodbye

dialogue to

I thought we had an appointment at 10:00

why didn’t you come I told you to tell

me if the time was not good for you but

it’s not even 10:00 yet it’s only 8:00

our appointment was for 10:00 in the

morning not 10:00 at night

you didn’t say 10:00 p.m. or 10:00 at

night you only said 10:00 I thought you

meant 10:00 at night you’re crazy

people don’t make appointments for 10:00

at night I do it’s just very

narrow-minded that’s all

dialogue three

I have an appointment with mr. Harris at

3:00 what’s it about it’s about a new

company project is that mr. Robert

Harris or mr. David Harris I’m not sure

he just called himself mr. Harris well

it’s probably David then I’ll ask no

it’s not him so it must be Robert he’s

up on the third floor room 306 you can

go up there now thank you

46 feelings and emotions

dialogue 1

what’s wrong what I didn’t say anything

was wrong you look upset really I just

have a lot on my mind are things okay

yeah I mean there are no big problems

just lots of little ones for example

well I’m a little nervous about work I

just applied for a transfer to another

office that can make anyone nervous when

will you find out the result sometime

next week and I’m tired all the time you

look tired

that’s because work is really demanding

right now but I have to study at night

for class well you probably are feeling

pretty stressed out yeah I guess I am a

little I’ll probably take a vacation

soon that’s good

you sound like you deserve one

odd to

I sure feel bad that I couldn’t make it

to Wade’s wedding he understands that

you can’t come home from China now but I

really don’t like the girl wait is going

to marry I know but wait is happy and we

should try our best to get along with

Sheryl after all she will be your new

sister-in-law I’m not going to talk to

her she’s too rude and bossy evidently

way dissatisfied and we should support

him in his marriage I’ll try for your

sake when can you come home around July

11th I’m rather lonely for home and I

miss everyone there it won’t be long now

mom

just hang in there

47 clothing

dialogue 1

buying clothes

can I help you yes I need some help to

find a jacket what are you looking for

well I’d like this black wool coat this

one here yes but I preferred that the

color be navy blue let me look in the

back

what about this one try it on

it’s a little small in the shoulders let

me get one more

try this one okay this fits fine except

for the arms it’s a little long in the

arms yes I see well we can tailor that

for you you can tailor a jacket here

well not me but I can take your

measurements our tailor comes into work

later today what time at 2:00

just come back at that time to be sure

he gets the right measurements no

problem anything else I can help you

with not right now maybe when I come

back alright then thank you for coming

in have a good day you too bye now

dialogue to

I’d like to have a traditional Chinese

dress made you mean a cheap Homme that’s

right I like a black color with red or

gold dragons on it beautiful a very

traditional design how much would it

cost it depends upon the kind of fabric

silk would cost more but it has a nicer

look to it

a silk polyester blend is cheaper of

course how many metres would it take it

also depends upon the dress length the

length of the sleeves and the neckline

I’d like to have a style with 3/4

sleeves and long with slits up the sides

it would probably take about 2 meters

and then you also have to buy a lining

for it how about those fancy little

fasteners that are used on the dresses

we call those buttons in China in

America we call them frogs

three

I would really like to buy you that

plaid skirt I think the design would

make me look too fat good gracious no

you’re thin as a rail now if you were

skinnier you’d blow away in the wind I

actually think a dark color would be

better I have more things I could wear

it with but all your clothes are so dark

I think you should lighten up okay maybe

you’re right

I could go with the lighter color but

definitely not that plaid it looks too

juvenile it’s the new look for autumn

don’t you read any of the fashion

magazines

what are you doing reading the fashion

magazines I like to see how they

coordinate the colors for new season are

you sure that’s all you do maybe you

like to look at the fashion models

forty-eight household objects and tools

dialogue 1

hey Tom what are you looking for

can’t find the remote to the TV no to

the DVD player is it necessary it’s

convenient if I have to pause the movie

or go to another scene is it stuck in

the couch no I looked there what was the

last time you saw it this morning when I

was watching the news hmm I wonder where

it could be oh here it is

under the stack of newspapers wonder how

it got there oh well no telling anyway

thanks for finding it what would you do

without me

dialogue to

I’m glad my roommate has found her own

apartment why is that well she was

always using my things without asking he

was very convenient for her to use my

ruler paper stapler tape and other

things did you tell her no not really

I think it’s difficult sometimes to

mention these things to friends or

roommates probably you should have

mentioned the ground rules first then

you wouldn’t have been so aggravated

when she used your things yes next time

I will tell my roommate not to use my

things without permission or better yet

I won’t even have a roommate that would

save a lot of hassle like they say live

and learn you bet

49 politics

dialogue 1

who will you vote for that’s a secret I

don’t have to tell you really well I can

tell you that I voted for Hollins

Hollins but he’s such an idiot

I guess you voted for Roberts you bet I

did

he’s got some plans for real change and

how do you think he’s going to pay for

those plans there’s a budget surplus the

government has extra money not enough

for all his plans he’s gonna raise taxes

I can pay a little extra if it improves

our lives overall we’ll be paying more

than a little so what

Hollins promised not to raise taxes but

that doesn’t make him a good president

it makes him an inexpensive president he

would let me spend my money the way I

want to on other people of course not I

earned it they didn’t some people aren’t

as lucky as you so you’ll take care of

them I guess so if people like you won’t

do it you think you have all the answers

at least I’m thinking about the

questions

dialogue to

I bet you’re glad your City Council days

are over you can say that again what a

headache that was sometimes why do you

say that like Abraham Lincoln said you

can please some of the people all the

time all the people some of the time but

you can’t please all the people all the

time I think you’ve got that quote wrong

I think it was fool the people instead

of please the people well if he didn’t

say it he should have there was no way

you could satisfy all the people all the

time that’s quite normal no matter what

you say or do someone will always object

to something I don’t know why people

enjoy political life so much it sure

must be stressful believe me it is and I

was just on the City Council imagine

being in state or federal government

well I sure admire you for your civil

mindedness if only there were more

people like you then it would be

worthwhile

50 media

dialogue 1

what are you reading oh there’s this

article in the paper I’m not sure if I

agree with the writer why is that

I think his opinions about politics are

a little biased

everyone’s biased a newspaper shouldn’t

be except for an editorial story

be realistic some newspapers are liberal

some are conservative yes well this

writer seems to be biased against the

president and you disagree well I would

but his facts are kind of convincing

well just think about what he says keep

it in mind that’s what I’m trying to do

it’s good to read things that you don’t

agree with it keeps your mind sharp

good point this story makes me realize I

don’t question my opinions enough see

that’s true for everyone and it’s great

when you realize it well just wait until

I read another story one that supports

the president

dialogue to

I don’t think the station does such a

good job in reporting the news

I disagree being a news director must be

a very stressful job what’s so difficult

about it they have to decide which news

is the most important in other words

what to lead with that’s what gets the

viewers tuned in that shouldn’t be so

hard it’s what’s going on in the world

not necessarily maybe they want to lead

with the less important story that

hasn’t been reported yet and then they

have to decide if they’re going to do a

live interview a still shot or video

footage there’s so much news that it

shouldn’t be a problem but everything

has to be timed down to the second the

newscasters have to practice their

pronunciation of names of international

cities and leaders plus they can’t be a

second short or a second too long how do

you know all this

graduate degrees in journalism and I

took some broadcasting courses I also

did some public service announcement or

radio show you’re really talented not at

all

oh did I mention that I did the

Community News for a radio station also

dialogue three

what newspaper do you like to read the

most for hard news I like the Star

Tribune but for local happenings

I like the post review how about the

Cambridge star their news really doesn’t

cover my area I don’t know any of the

people or news items

I like the editorials in the Star

Tribune especially by the guest

editorialist I thought of submitting one

to them myself

what on my feeling about the zoning laws

and regulations I don’t think the city

is doing enough to control urban sprawl

I agree that would be a good topic I

think everyone would agree with you on

that matter not so fast

have you forgotten about the real estate

developers they would be as mad as

Hornets if I took some shots at them but

it’s really up to the City Council to

adopt zoning ordinances and codes good

I’ll do it then