Unit 3A

Text 1

M: Hi,Linda. Where do you work?

W: I work at Thomas Cook Travel. I take people on tours to countries in South America. What do you do, Mike? 

M: I'm a student. But I have a part-time job in a restaurant.

Text 2

W: Your watch is very beautiful. Where did you buy it? 

M: Actually I didn't buy it. It is a gift from my brother. He gave me on my 20th birthday. 

Text 3

M: Is that Dad? 

W: It can't be him. He said he was going shopping with Mom and then to see a film with our cousin John. 

M: It's him! We're going to be punished when he sees a mess.

Text 4

W: Do you want to join me for the science project? Mr. Smith said we need to choose a partner and start working on it right away. 

M: Sure. Let's meet at the library after school to work on it. 

Text 5

M: Karen, why didn't you answer my telephone call this morning? I called you as there was a meeting you should go to.

W: Really? My cellphone ran out of power.

M: Oh, I see. I asked William to go instead. 

Text 6

W: Hey, how are your classes going?

M: Oh, terrible. I can't stay focused. I'm worried about grades, work, and especially letting my parents down. Sometimes I even fall asleep in class. 

W: Calm down. You can try some stress-relief methods. I usually run when I feel stressed out. How about you? 

M: Well, I used to swim, but now I really like listening to music. 

W: How do you feel after you listen to music?

M: A little more relaxed. Sometimes it puts me to sleep.

W: Maybe you should listen to music and swim!

Text 7

W: Excuse me, you look so good. What do you usually do to keep in shape? 

M: Nothing special. Though there is a subway station near my house, I usually cycle to work except when it is raining. I love to eat out and I eat whatever I like. I just do not eat anything after nine o'clock at night. 

W: Really? How long does it take you to go to work by bike?

M: Almost 45 minutes.

W: Do you do other sports after work?

M: No. I usually go home to have dinner with my family on workdays. But at the weekend, I usually run for miles. 

W: I see. Thank you. Let's ask someone else. Excuse me... 

Text 8

W: It's finally spring! Will you go to the Flower Festival this year?

M: Isn't it for old ladies? 

W: It's for everyone! A lot of old people do come, but they mainly sit by the lake and watch young people like you and me have boat races. 

M: What does that have to do with flowers?

W: Flowers represent spring. We decorate the boats with all kinds of flowers, for example, China roses.

M: What else happens during the festival?

W: There is face painting, a magic show, and a strength competition. You see, spring is the season of growth. And growing also means getting stronger, right? Do you want to take part in one? 

M: Umm...The last one suits me fine. 

W: Well, I'm going to help out with the festival planning tonight. There is going to be free food and drinks. Do you want to come? 

M: Definitely. I'll do anything for free food. 

Text 9

M: Hi, Maria. Come in!

W: I hope I haven't troubled you, Philip. Are you working or playing computer games?

M: Actually, neither of those.

W: Are you shopping online then?

M: No, I was just checking my emails. I don't get the chance to use the computer at home. 

W: We're the same. In our house, it's not me or my husband who uses the computer the most. 

M: Who then? Your son?

W: No, it's Sally, my daughter. She spends all her spare time chatting with her friends, sometimes for three or four hours at a time. 

M: Oh dear! What worries me is the time children spend playing computer games.

W: My kids seldom play online games. My son John has learned to play chess on the computer. He can now beat my husband. 

M: I guess we can't live without a computer. I have to bring one during business trips.

W: Yes, it is necessary to use it for work. But now mobile phones have many functions. You can deal with some simple work and keep up with the latest news by them.

Text 10

M: It's Saturday. Back to the news. Two days ago an earthquake hit the city, breaking down fourteen houses. Seven others were so badly affected that their owners had to leave them, and fifteen others had broken windows. One person was killed, and nine were badly hurt and taken to hospital. A number of other people received small injuries. Altogether over two hundred were left homeless as a result of the earthquake. A farmer said the earthquake began early in the morning and lasted a few seconds. He was preparing breakfast with his wife when they heard a loud noise. A few minutes later their house fell down. They managed to run out, but were slightly injured in the process. 

A woman said that her husband had just left for work when she noticed that her house was shaking. Though she rushed outside immediately with her children, she got injured trying to protect her children. There was no time for her to take anything. A few minutes later, the roof came down. Anyway, she still thought she had a bit of luck.