Text 1
M: Will you watch my cat for me next weekend? I have to go to Florida for a business meeting, and I don't know who else to ask.
W: Sure, Todd. I'll pick it up on my way home from yoga. My kids will be very excited!
Text 2
W: Did you watch the football game yesterday?
M: I wanted to, but my mother was watching a movie on Channel 1,so I watched it with her. You know, my mother hates football.
Text 3
W: I just got some bad news that my husband will be laid off soon. He's an accountant for a shoe company.
M: You know, we're looking for an accountant at our firm. Does he know anything about investment banking?
W: That was his other major in college besides accounting.
Text 4
M: My mom's birthday is next week. I ordered a new case for her iPhone, but I'm afraid it won't arrive in time.
W: So, what are you going to get her instead?
Text 5
W: There was no one else on the road, and that's why I felt it was safe to drive a little faster.
M: That's not the point. You still went over the speed limit, and for that, I must give you a ticket.
Text 6
W: This is the worst day of my life! I can't believe how unfair the world is!
M: OK,OK...I know you really like those goldfish, but death is part of life, you know?
W: Easy for you to say! You didn't just lose your best friends!
M: Come on! We're talking about fish here, not people! It's not that big a deal.
W: Wrong! Blinky and Inky are brothers, and I've never seen any other fish like them... Never!
M: You really care much about the stupid fish?
W: Oh, you don't understand. Nobody does! I guess I'll just have to plan the funeral by myself.
M: Funeral?
Text 7
W: I want to get some more information about our Caribbean cruise.
M: It's really a great deal. Eight days and seven nights for ＄ 3，200 per couple. This includes all your meals and round-trip airfares.
W: That is a pretty good deal, but I'm having trouble convincing my husband. He says there's nothing to do on ships.
M: Well, have you told him about the Caribbean Star? This ship has three swimming pools, a tennis court and a volleyball court. It even has a gym.
W: Oh, I'll talk it over with my husband.
M: And here's a video you can show him as well.
W: Thanks.
Text 8
M: I hear you play in a band. Is that true?
W: Yes, I do.
M: What instrument do you play?
W: I play the guitar.
M: Oh, how exciting.
W: Yes, it's fun, but I think we might break up soon.
M: I'm sorry to hear that. Aren't you getting along well?
W: Not exactly. Our keyboard player is planning on moving to New York. Also, we got a letter from another band with the same name.
M: A letter?
W: Yes.They're actually signed to Sony Records, and they're demanding that we change our name. The problem is that none of us can agree on a new name.
M: It just happens that I play the piano myself. We should get together sometime.
W: Yeah, that would be fun.
Text 9
M: Thank you so much for agreeing to meet up with me!
W: No problem! But this whole thing is pretty stressful.
M: Yeah! My parents are asking me all these stupid questions!
W: Don't worry. You'll be free soon enough!
M: Cool! So, how did you know what classes to take in the beginning?
W: Well, I had no idea what I wanted to study when I first got here. I just picked classes that sounded interesting. You can also choose classes based on when they are held so that your schedule flows nicely.
M: What do you mean?
W: Well, I'm taking four classes right now, but I only go to school three days a week, so I have four full days off.
M: Are your classes hard?
W: Well, there is a lot of information that you are responsible for. You also have to write a lot of papers for certain classes and participate in class discussions in others — each class is different.
M: And what about, uh, social life?
W: I was waiting for that question! I'll tell you what. I'm gonna call up some of my friends, and we can all go out to lunch and talk about it. How does that sound?
M: Awesome!
Text 10
With the Oscars finally upon us on Sunday, it's do-or-die time for the hottest movies of the season. Ben Affleck's Argo is seen as one of the favorites to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Steven Spielberg's Lincoln is up for many awards, and will be seeking his third Oscar for Best Director. His first of seven nominations was in 1978. As for the Oscar for Best Actress, the smart money is on the relatively unknown leading women from Zero Dark Thirty and Silver Linings Playbook, two films from younger directors. The race is too close to call at this point. As everyone knows, when it comes to the Oscars, only one thing is for certain: it will be one of the most amazing fashion shows of the year!