Unit 6A

Text 1

W: Tom, is Mark coming for dinner?  

M: Yes. I told you last night, Jane.

W: Oh! Did you? Sorry, I must have forgotten.

Text 2

M: Hi, Sophie, our class are going to the beach this Sunday. Would you like to come together?

W: The beach? But it's only April. It's far too cold to go swimming!

M: The plan is to clean up the beach for the summer. We hope people will feel pleasant when they sunbathe. 

Text 3

W: I thought that your tomatoes were eighty cents a pound.  

M: They used to be, but the price has gone up by thirty cents.  

Text 4

M: How much are the shoes?

W: Oh, they are 45 pounds a pair.

M: Do you have these shoes in a size 10?  

W: Unfortunately, they have just sold out. But size 9 is in stock.

Text 5

W: Hi! I'm thinking of taking a trip during the winter holidays.  

M: Where would you like to go?

W: Well, maybe somewhere pleasant and warm.

M: How about going to Singapore?

W: Good idea. I'll order a ticket as soon as I go to the office.

Text 6

M: A strong earthquake happened near the northeast coast of Japan on Wednesday night. There was a tsunami warning, but it was lifted the next morning.

W: I hope it hasn't caused any deaths.

M: Unfortunately, the quake killed four people and left at least 140 people injured. Also, a train carrying about 100 people went off the rails because of the quake. Two major highways are being carefully inspected before they can reopen. 

W: That's very bad. So I think it's necessary to know how to survive an earthquake. Do you know how to do that?  

M: Oh, I've read an article about it. Are you interested?  

W: Yes. I'm all ears.  

Text 7

M: It's so hard for me to learn English. Why is it so easy for you?  

W: I didn't know you were having problems. Maybe it's easier for me because I already speak two languages. Besides, I really work at it.  

M: Well, I always do my homework and go to classes. What else do you think would help?

W: Well, you might try reading newspapers. And I always talk to Americans when I get a chance, though sometimes it's hard.

M: But how do you meet Americans? I only know a few foreign students.

W: How about sitting next to an American at lunch, or have you ever thought of asking someone over to your house for dinner?

M: Those are good ideas. But I'm a little shy to speak English.  

W: You won't learn if you don't try and speak. If I were you, I'd talk to your English teacher. He might have some good ideas.

Text 8

M: I can't believe it! I only got a “B” on my project.

W: Why are you complaining? That's not a bad grade.

M: I worked on it for weeks. I spent hours in the library checking on things. I really thought I'd done a good job. I even gave up last week's concert. 

W: Well, getting a “B” is good. I just don't see why you're so upset.  

M: Tim didn't spend half as much time on his project but he still got an “A”. 

W: Tim always gets good grades on his projects. If you are truly dissatisfied, why don't you speak to the teacher to find out why you only got a “B”? 

M: I'm really not in the mood to speak to that teacher.

W: Maybe your grade can be changed. If that can't be done, you can find out what was weak about it and try to improve on those points in your next project.

M: I suppose that's the best thing to do.

Text 9

W: To start with, tell me about your education, please.

M: All right. I will graduate from Columbia University next year. I'm majoring in international business. 

W: Are you single or married?

M: I'm still single. I'd rather have a career before I start a family.

W: I see. Our work requires a lot of travel. So, do you mind going on business trips? There will be six to ten trips abroad every month. 

M: Six to ten? Hm...that is quite a lot...

W: Yes. This job is not for everyone.

M: Uh...I think it will be a challenge for me but I can do it. At least I'll never be bored! 

W: Good. Well, it has been most pleasant to talk with you. We'll inform you of our final decision in three days. 

M: Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. I hope to see you soon.

W: Goodbye.

Text 10

M:Hello, everyone. My name is Karl Roberts, and I'll be your teacher of this course, Language and Culture. To begin with, please take a look at the teaching program in front of you. As you should all know by now, this course is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:50 in the afternoon. We will be meeting in this classroom for the first half of the course, but we will be using the research lab every other week in Room 405 during the last two months of the course. This is the text for the lesson, Beyond Language. Unfortunately, the books haven't come in yet, but you will be able to buy them at the bookstore the day after tomorrow. Again, as you can see on your course outline, your grade is determined by your performance in the midterm and final exams, classroom tests and your research work. My office hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 am on Wednesdays and you can set a time to meet me at other times as well.