Unit 1A

Text 1

M: I'd like to try some local foods while travelling. 

W: No problem. At dinner time, there are lots of choices for you. 

Text 2

W: What kinds of sports do you like?

M: I used to play tennis and football a lot, but I like swimming most now, because it is fun and keeps me fit. 

Text 3

M: Our manager asked me to go to Beijing next month to attend meetings on his behalf. 

W: So that means you can visit friends and relax between the meetings.

M: I hope so.

Text 4

M: Did you have good weather at the beach at the weekend?

W: Yes, it was sunny all weekend. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.  

M: Wasn't it windy too?

W: Only on Sunday.

Text 5

M: Is that woman in the yellow dress Miss Cake, our new English teacher? 

W: No. That is Bob Smith's mom. She is meeting with Mrs. Smart to discuss Bob's recent behavior. 

M: Yes. He fell asleep in class yesterday.

Text 6

W: I hate lies.

M: Me, too. But I can accept white lies. Sometimes we want to be polite and show social manners. Therefore, white lies are for beneficial purposes. Being totally honest in some cases would hurt someone's feelings.

W: I'm sorry. I can't agree with you. There are no white lies that can do no harm. 

M: Hmm...There are some common white lies in daily life. For instance, “It isn't that expensive.” That's what I say when I send gifts to my parents. “I'm almost there.” When I arrive at the meeting place and my friend hasn't arrived yet, I would say so. Do you think I'm a bad guy for telling these lies?

W: Definitely not. I've known you since high school. Of course I know who you are. 

Text 7

W: Andy, how did you get into nature photography as a profession?

M: A few years ago, I was sent to Brazil by a news magazine to write an article about finding new medicine in the Amazon Rainforest. While I was there, lots of experts talked to me about the dangers facing animals in the rainforest and I wanted to make people more aware of the issue. I felt that photos of wildlife rather than words would make a stronger impression on people, so I trained as a nature photographer. 

W: Was it scary?

M: Yeah. There are lots of dangerous animals in the rainforest! But I was safe because I was standing on top of a 30-meter tower. The thing more terrifying than anything, though, was watching flashes of lightning! 

W: Finally, what would you say to someone who wants to be a nature photographer?

M: Magazines are always looking for images. I would suggest writing to editors to see what sort of image they want. If you are good with words, you can send in articles to go with your photos.

Text 8

W: Hi, George. This is Mary speaking. I'm calling you to ask whether you can lend me your Chinese class notes of last Friday. You know, I coughed a lot and I wasn't able to attend the Chinese and chemistry classes. 

M: Oh, Jim told me about that. Are you getting better now? The head teacher and we all show great concern for you.

W: Much better now. But the doctor told me to stay at home for two more days.

M: Mm...just follow the doctor's advice. After class, I'll take my notes to your home. By the way, how can I get to your home?

W: Well, you can take the No.3 bus outside our school and get off at Green Road Bus Stop. Or you may ride a bike to that stop. Or you can take the subway and get off at Blue Whale Station. Then walk ten minutes to Green Road Bus Stop. I'll be there to meet you. My home is near the stop. 

M: OK. I'll ride a bike to go there and before starting off, I'll call you to remind you to meet me. 

Text 9

M: You've been reading that magazine for three hours, Katie. Shouldn't you spend your time doing something a little more useful?

W: I like reading magazines. I started reading them when I was thirteen. I think literature is for old people. 

M: Hey! I'm a literature major, you know!

W: Oh, yeah. I forgot. I didn't mean to hurt you. And I know that in general reading more serious stuff can be good for me, but I'm afraid I'll be out of touch with my generation. I have to keep up with the fashion world for my job, you know.  

M: I'm sure you need that for your career, but you could always read literature, too. Aren't you in airports a lot? You could have read all the classics just waiting for your next flight.

W: I guess you're right. But it's hard to break a ten-year habit. I've tried to read them, and I just fell asleep after a few sentences. 

M: That's your problem. Studies have shown that you have to read ten pages to get interested in a book.You should stick with it for a bit longer and see if the book draws you in. 

W: Hmm. That's interesting. I guess I should try. I don't know much about anything but clothes, handbags, and shoes... oh, and how to look good in front of the camera! 

Text 10

W: Attention, please! Now I will give you a brief introduction to the Winter Festival. It is a free event for all people to enjoy, and is organized by a team of volunteers. The government provides $15,000 for the festival. They also encourage the businessmen around the town to offer about $5,000. 

There will be a free art show on 18th, 19th and 20th December in the Center Park of the town. The opening hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and there is an opening night only on the 18th, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Different from other shows, this one is really an especial one because the public will have the chance to watch the paintings which are from the town's school. And all the paintings were created by the students. It is great that the festival is going to host a wonderful music performance in the Main Exhibition Hall this year. This performance means to show some of the musical talents that we have in town. Everyone watching the performance had better not wear formal clothes but fancy dress.