Unit 6B

Text 1

W: I didn't see you at the party last night.

M: The car didn't start. We didn't feel like getting a bus all that way, so we went out for a meal instead. 

Text 2

W: How much did you pay for this new fridge?

M: Oh, it was a little over a thousand dollars, plus tax. It was much more expensive than our washing machine, but not nearly as much as our bed! 

Text 3

W: What time does the game start? The tickets say 12:30 p.m.

M: They changed the time so the game can be shown on TV on the East Coast. I saw an announcement on the team's website. The new time is now 5:00 p.m. 

Text 4

M: Holly wasn't at swimming practice today. Is she ill?

W: No, she is fine. She's in the mountains with her family. 

M: Really? Is she riding mountain bikes again?

W: No, she's learning to climb. She's got a great teacher. 

Text 5

W: Charlie, do you know a restaurant called Bravo? 

M: Bravo... I know the name. But I'm not sure where it is.

W: It's on George Street. The food there is excellent.

Text 6

M: Are you all set for tonight?

W: What do you mean by that? I'm going swimming tonight.

M: Oh, I thought you'd be taking part in the school talent competition show. 

W: Ah, I forgot about that. No, I'm not entering. What talent have I got?

M: Well, you play the guitar very well. That's a talent.

W: I've never really done it for an audience. I'll need a lot more practice before I start giving performances.

M: I think you didn't realize how great you are. I've heard you play. You're good. 

W: Maybe in the future I'll feel more confident — but not yet.

Text 7

M: Hi, Nina. I'm so upset.

W: What's bothering you, Steven?

M: I agreed to speak at an international conference in Shanghai next Monday. Now I won't be able to do it. 

W: Why? What happened?

M: I'm going to Beijing that day for an important speech and a TV interview. I don't have the courage to tell the conference's organizers the truth now. It's the second time I've done this.

W: Don't worry about it. They know that they need someone who can speak fluent English and Chinese. Maybe they have a backup candidate.

M: Thank you. But I doubt that. I'm sure they'd prefer someone who keeps his word. I've got to talk to my assistant. He's always messing up my schedule! 

W: Forget it. They know you're not cheating them. These things often happen. You're a busy guy.

M: Thanks for saying that, Nina. I feel a lot better. 

W: That's what friends are for. Besides, I'm sure it's not easy to be so famous. 

Text 8

M: Hello, you've got through to Radio Wonders. How may I help? 

W: Hi, I'm looking to buy my son a radio-controlled vehicle for his birthday and a friend of mine said your company comes highly recommended. I've checked your website and it said to call for the latest offers. 

M: Okay, what kind of vehicle are you looking for?

W: I think he'd like a plane.

M: Has your son flown one before?

W: His uncle has one, but I don't think my son's ever taken full control. 

M: In that case, he'd probably be better off with one of our “beginner” models. They are strong and designed not to fall apart on the first flight if things go wrong!

W: How much are they?

M: We've got a Spitfire on offer for $360 at the moment, or if you prefer something a little faster, there's the Carbon Cub for $600. If you buy today, both models have a further fifty percent discount. 

Text 9

W: The artworks and artifacts in this museum are incredible.

M: I know. I can't believe there is such a wide collection of pieces from different parts of the world. 

W: Yeah, we've seen sculptures from ancient Egypt and Greece, as well as carvings from North and South America.

M: I don't think we'll be able to see all of the exhibits in a single day. I wish we had more time.

W: You're right. I heard there are thousands of items on display here.

M: Do you think we should go back tomorrow?

W: I'm not sure. There are still lots of other great sites around London.

M: Oh, look at this. It's a brochure for virtual tours of the museum.

W: That's so cool. Look! We can take a virtual tour of the modern artwork showcase that we skipped this morning. 

M: Nice. Let's do that once we're home from our trip.

W: OK. It's 4 p.m. now, so we've still got an hour to wander around the museum until it closes. 

M: Hey, let's check out the exhibit on Northern India. That looks really cool.

W: Great idea!

Text 10

M: School gardening has become very popular recently. Finding the money to keep a school garden going can be tough. Some experts and teachers, however, are finding creative ways to make it work. 

Susan Hobart manages the school's large garden with 12 raised beds. She said that the gardens help calm the kids and give them a whole different perspective they wouldn't have just by sitting at desks. 

Toby Adams directs the New York Botanical Garden's Edible Academy, where schoolchildren learn about growing food. “For schools without space for even a small garden, turning to local botanical gardens and parks can sometimes be the answer,” Adams said.

Ron Finley supports teaching city kids about seeds and growth. His non-profit Ron Finley Project aims to change the culture around food. When talking about gardening, Finley used the term honor or respect. “If kids respect soil, they'll respect themselves and this planet... Gardening is not a hobby but a life skill. I see this as one of the most valuable lessons of humanity,” Finley said.