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