Unit 6B

Text 1

W: Gardening is a good way of passing the time. It allows me to do something different from my office work. 

M: That's nice.For me, it provides vegetables for family use. I even won a prize for my home-grown vegetables once.

Text 2

M: What time is it now?

W: My watch says 2:30. 

M: Then there are still twenty minutes left before the movie begins. We won't miss the beginning. 

Text 3

W: Excuse me, sir. This red car is parked just behind mine. I can't get my car out. 

M: Sorry, I'm just a worker here.Ah, there is a phone number on the car.You can make a call.

Text 4

W: Have you bought a train ticket to Beijing?

M: No. I am going to drive to Beijing, although taking a train or plane is more comfortable. 

Text 5

W: Excuse me, what kind of meat do you have? 

M: We have beef, pork and chicken.

W: I'd like some beef and a bottle of beer. 

M: You have to show me your ID card or driving licence before I serve you beer. We have to make sure you are over 18.

Text 6

M: Air pollution is so bad in this city. I think the government should stop people from driving cars on certain days. 

W:You have a point. Air pollution is a problem. But not letting people drive on certain days is a bad idea. Some people have to go to work by car. 

M: I'm afraid I don't agree with you there.Reducing air pollution is really important. People are so used to driving that they don't think of other ways to do things. If we stop them from driving on certain days, maybe they could think of new ways to get around. 

W: I see your point, but I still think it wouldn't be possible to stop people from driving.

M: We should have a try at least.

Text 7

W: Let's go to the supermarket this afternoon, shall we?

M: I would like to, but I have to meet my professor this afternoon. 

W: I can shop for you. What do you need?

M: I need a toothbrush and some bread. But the most important item is coffee. I have to stay up late for my project.

W: OK.

M: What will you buy?

W: Just some vegetables. I will invite a friend over to have dinner tonight.

M: Oh, you will cook? May I come to have dinner with you?

W: Sorry. We have some secrets to share. 

M: OK. I will leave you alone.

Text 8

M: Will you be free on Sunday night, Mary?

W: Yes. What for?

M: Well, it is my brother Tom's birthday. Would you like to come to the party? 

W: Oh, I am glad to. Sunday is the day after tomorrow. I have to prepare a gift fast.

M: You don't have to, Mary. I've heard you are good at singing. You can give a performance at the party.

W: Will that do? I've never received training in singing, but I have studied dancing for 5 years. Maybe I can dance. 

M: That's even better. I can play the guitar. You can dance to my music.

W: OK. Maybe I can bring some wine that my father bought abroad. 

M: That's wonderful. We've prepared some fruit juice and snacks, but we haven't bought wine.

W: I'm looking forward to the party.

Text 9

M: Ann, you went to the supermarket with your mom at 7:00 pm. It's already 9:00 pm now.What kept you there for so long? 

W: We met a boy on the way back. He was poorly dressed.

M: Was he asking for money?

W: No. He was doing his homework in the dim light of the street light. He was very thin and looked pale. We thought he must be hungry, so Mom helped him. 

M: What did your mom do?

W: She gave him some bread and a bottle of orange juice.

M: Did he take them?

W: He didn't want to take them at first, but we insisted and he finally accepted.

M: What else did you do?

W: I noticed his pencil was very short, so I asked Mom to buy him a new one. 

M: Did she go back to the supermarket?

W: Yes. She went back and bought a pencil and some other things for the boy.

M: So that's why you came back late. Well, Ann, you and your mother did something great. I'm so proud of you. 

Text 10

M: According to experts, nearly 25% of Britons, including children, are overweight. The government is worried and it is looking for ways to settle the problem. Many 11- to 14-year-olds already cook at school and the government has made this a must. It hopes that this will encourage people to cook instead of eating ready meals, fast food and snacks. All secondary school students will have cooking lessons for one hour a week for one term. They will learn to use simple, fresh stuff and simple methods to prepare healthy, tasty meals. And schools are setting up cookery clubs called “Let's Get Cooking” throughout the country. The clubs will give more children the chance to learn to cook after school. Head teachers worry about the equipment they will need for the lessons. About 15% of schools do not have enough kitchens and there are not enough cookery teachers. The government promises to train 800 cookery teachers and to give schools ￡2.5 million a year to help children from poor families.