Short conversations
11. W: Just imagine we have to finish reading 300 pages before Monday, how can the professor expect us to do it in such a short time?
M: Yeah, but what troubles me is that I can’t find the book in the library or in the university bookstore.
Q: what does the man mean?
12. M: Do you think I could borrow your car to go grocery shopping? The supermarkets outside the city are so much cheaper. I’d also be happy to pick up anything you need.
W: Wow, I don’t like to let anyone else to drive my car. Tell you what, why don’t we go together?
Q: What does the woman mean?
13. M: Forgive the mess in here. We had a party last night. There were a lot of people and they all brought food
W: Yeah, I can tell. Well, I guess it’s pretty obvious what you’ll be doing most of today.
Q: What does the woman think the man will do?
14. W: What time would suit you for the first round talks with John Smith?
M: Well, you know my schedule. Other than this Friday, one day is as good as the next.
Q: What does the man mean?
15. W: I was so angry yesterday. My biology teacher did not even let me explain why I missed the field trip. He just wouldn’t let me pass.
M: That doesn’t seem fair. I’d feel that way too if I were you.
Q: What does the man imply?
16. M: I really can’t stand the way David controls the conversation all the time. If he’s going to be at your Christmas party, I just won’t come.
W: I’m sorry you feel that way. But my mother insists that he come.
Q: What does the woman imply?
17. W: You’re taking a course with Professor Johnson. What’s your impression so far?
M: Well, many students can hardly stay awake in his class without first drinking a cup of coffee.
Q: What does the man imply?
18. W: Have you ever put a computer together before?
M: No, never. But I think if we follow these instructions exactly, we won’t have much trouble.
Q: What are the speakers going to do?
Long Conversations
Conversation 2
W: Now you’ve seen this table of figures about the pocket money children in Britain get?
M: Yes. I thought it was quite interesting, but I don’t quite understand the column entitled “change”. Can you explain what it means?
W: Well, I think it means the change from the year before. I’m not a mathematician, but I assume the rise from 72p to 90p, is the rise of 25%.
M: Oh, yes, I see. And the inflation rate is there for comparison.
W: Yes. Why do you think the rise in pocket money is often higher than inflation?
M: I’m sorry, I’ve no idea. Perhaps parents in Britain are too generous.
W: Perhaps they are. But it looks as if children were a lot better off in 2001 than they were in 2002. That’s strange, isn’t it? And they seemed to have been better off in 2003 than they are now. I wonder why that is.
M: Yes, I don’t understand that at all.
W: Anyway, if you had children, how much pocket money would you give them?
M: I don’t know. I think I probably give them two pounds a week.
W: Would you? And what would you expect them to do with it?
M: Well, out of that they have to buy some small personal things. But I wouldn’t expect them to save to buy their own socks for example.
W: Yes. By the way, do most children in your country get pocket money?
M: Yeah, they do.
Questions 23 to question 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard:
Q 23: What is the table of figures about?
Q 24: What do we learn from the conversation about British children’s pocket money?
Q 25: Supposing the man had children, what would he expect them to do with their pocket money?
Passage 1
As the new sales director for a national computer firm, Alex Gordon was looking forward to his first meeting with the company’s district managers. Every one arrived on time and Alex’s presentation went extremely well. He decided to end the meeting with a conversation about the importance of the district managers to the company’s plans. “ I believe we’re going to continue to increase our share of the market”, he began, “Because of the quality of the people in this room. The district manager is the key to the success of the sales representatives in his district. He sets the term for everyone else. If he has ambitious goals and is willing to put in long hours, everyone in his unit will follow his example.” When Alex was finished, he received polite applause but hardly the warm response he had hoped for. Later, he spoke with one of the senior managers. “Things were going so well until the end”, Alex said disappointedly, “Obviously I said the wrong thing.” “Yes”, the district manager replied, “ Half of our managers are women. Most have worked the way up from sales representatives and they are very proud of the role they’ve played in the company’s growth. They don’t care at all about the political correctness but they are definitely surprised and distressed to be referred to as “he” in your speech.”
Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. Who did Alex Gordon speak to at the first meeting?
27. What did Alex want to emphasize at the end of his presentation?
28. What do we learn about the audience at the meeting?
29. Why did Alex fail to receive the warm response he had hoped for?
Passage 2
The way to complain is to act business-like and important. If your complaint is immediate, suppose you got the wrong order at a restaurant, make a polite but firm request to see the manager. When the manager comes, ask his or her name and then state your problem, and what you expect to have done about it. Be polite. Shouting or acting rude will get you nowhere. But also be firm in making your complaint. Besides, act important. This doesn’t mean to put on airs and say, “Do you know who I am?” What it means is that people are often treated the way they expect to be treated. If you act like someone who expects a fair request be granted, chances are it will be granted. The worst way to complain is over the telephone. You are speaking to a voice coming from someone you can not see, so you can’t tell how the person on the line is reacting. It is easy for that person to give you a run-around. Complaining in person or by letter is generally more effective. If your complaint does not require an immediate response, it often helps to complain by letter. If you have an appliance that doesn’t work, send a letter to the store that sold it. Be business-like and stick to the point. Don’t spend a paragraph on how your Uncle Joe tried to fix the problem and couldn’t.
Question 30: What does the speaker suggest you do when you are not served properly at a restaurant?
Question 31: Why does the speaker say the worst way to complain is over the telephone?
Question 32: What should you do if you make a complaint by letter?
Passage 3
Barbara Santos is a wife and the mother of 2 children, ages 2 and 4. Her husband, Tom, is an engineer and makes an excellent salary. Before Barbara had children, she worked as an architect for the government, designing government housing. She quit her job when she became pregnant, but is now interested in returning to work. She’s been offered an excellent job with the government. Her husband feels it’s unnecessary for her to work since the family does not need the added income. He also thinks that a woman should stay home with her children. If Barbara feels the need to do socially important work, he thinks that she should do volunteer work one or two days a week. Barbara, on the other hand, has missed the excitement of her profession, and does not feel she would be satisfied doing volunteer work. She would also like to have her own income, so she does not have to ask her husband for money whenever she wants to buy something. She does not think it’s necessary to stay home every day with the children, and she knows a very reliable babysitter who’s willing to come to her house. Tom does not think a babysitter can replace a mother, and thinks it’s a bad idea for the children to spend so much time with someone who’s not part of the family.
Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
33. What was Barbara’s profession before she had children?
34. What does Barbara’s husband suggest she do if she wants to work?
35. What does Tom think about hiring a babysitter?
