Datasets:

kdawoud91

/

sumdataset_2000train_400test

like 0

#Person1#: What is your great struck? #Person2#: I think I'm very good at planning. I manage my time perfectly, so that I can always get things done on time. #Person1#: Why do you think you be a good fit or this job? #Person2#: Because I'm very competent in this area. #Person1#: Are you working under pressure? #Person2#: Yes, I work well under pressure and find it dimly. However, I believe planning and probable management of my time can reduce tight deadlines. #Person1#: Are you more a follower or a leader? #Person2#: I don't try to go ahead of people and lead them, I'd rather cooperate with everybody else and get the job done by working together.

#Person2# thinks #Person2# is competent. #Person2# is good at planning, works well under pressure, and prefers doing the job by working together.

#Person1#: Hi, Boss! I'd like to tell you what we've discussed during the day. #Person2#: Okay. Is all going well? #Person1#: I think it's going very well, actually. We had a long meeting with them. After several lengthy discussions they decided to accept our offer. #Person2#: Really? That's great. You really did a good job. Anything else to tell me? #Person1#: We're meeting with their finance director today and then with the other directors tomorrow, just to sort out some final details. #Person2#: OK. If he wants to make any changes, minor alternations can be accepted. Let me know what happens. #Person1#: OK. I never forget it.

#Person1# tells #Person1#'s boss their company's offer was accepted and some final details will be sorted out tomorrow.

#Person1#: If I understand the terms correctly, the length of the contract would be one year with a one-year option. Is that correct? #Person2#: Do you mean the contract for equipment rental or the one for training? #Person1#: I was under the impression that both contracts had the same terms. #Person2#: Yes and no. Let me see if I can clarify that. The terms are the same except that the contract for training has a clause that allows for the cancellation after the first six months. #Person1#: Could you elaborate on that? #Person2#: Sure. What I mean is that either side could cancel the training contract after the six months as long as it's in writing. #Person1#: Let me see if I have that right. This contract is for six months of training, but if it isn't cancelled, continues for another six months. Is that right? #Person2#: Yes, that's right. #Person1#: Okay, that's clear enough. Let's move on to the other terms.

#Person2# clarifies the terms in the contract for equipment rental and for training to #Person1#. #Person1# understands the clause that allows for the cancellation only exists in the one for training.

#Person1#: Hello, Mr. Lawson. It's a pleasure to see you again. You seem to be in here all the time at the moment! What can I do for you today? #Person2#: I've prepared some L / C documents, all in accordance with the conditions. There shouldn't be any problems; I've done about a million of these things recently. #Person1#: You're right, no problems. You are becoming quite the expert, Mr. Lawson. If any problem does turn up, which I'm sure it won't, I'll give you a call. #Person2#: Thanks very much. I'm sure I'll be back, so see you again soon. Bye!

Mr. Lawson has prepared some L / C documents. #Person1# promises to give him a call if there're problems.

#Person1#: I really like this shirt, but I am afraid it is not my size. #Person2#: Try it on first. If it is the wrong size, you can try another one. #Person1#: Oh, where is the changing room? #Person2#: It's over there by the mirror. #Person1#: Can I take two shirts to try on now? #Person2#: Yes, you can take three shirts at a time to try on. #Person1#: I just want to try on these two that I like. #Person2#: OK, I'll wait here to help you when you have finished.

#Person1#'s taking three shirts at a time and trying them on with #Person2#'s assistance.

#Person1#: Helen,I heard you wanted to be a gym teacher, didn't you? #Person2#: Yes, I did think about it. But it was going to be too expensive. #Person1#: You mean the training? #Person2#: Yes. You need to pay for the use of all the equipment, you know. #Person1#: So you went to the nursing college. #Person2#: I did, and I have no regrets. #Person1#: Really? You enjoyed it? #Person2#: Oh, very much. #Person1#: Didn't you feel sad that you couldn't become a teacher? #Person2#: Well, in a way. But as time went by, I really began to like my job.

Helen used to think about becoming a gym teacher. But she went to the nursing college instead and she has no regrets.

#Person1#: Hello. This is Mike. Who is it, please? #Person2#: Oh, Mike. This is Amy. My goodness! I've got hold of you, at last. #Person1#: Nice to hear from you again after all these years. What have you been doing? #Person2#: Well, I've tried many things since school. I'm now working for a food processing company in charge of sales. So I travel a lot. #Person1#: Oh, that's great. You must really enjoy it. #Person2#: Oh, I do. Yeah, it's interesting, but it's quite tiring. But, What about you, Mike? #Person1#: I work in a law firm, practicing in business law. #Person2#: Oh, that's challenging. #Person1#: Yeah, but I like my job.

Amy and Mike are talking on the phone. They haven't met for years and they talk about their current jobs.

#Person1#: Aaaagh! #Person2#: But I haven't touched you yet. What are you shouting for? #Person1#: You are going to touch me. #Person2#: Well, of course I am. How can I give you an injection without touching you. As soon as you've had the injection your gum will freeze and you won't feel a thing. #Person1#: How do I know what you will do while I am asleep? You might rob me. #Person2#: Now let's not be silly. You won't go to sleep. We don't do that nowadays. This will just freeze the area around the tooth so that you cannot feel any pain while I am pulling out the tooth. That is all. You won't go to sleep. You can watch everything in that mirror above you. Come along now.

#Person2#'s giving #Person1# an injection, but #Person1#'s afraid of falling asleep. #Person2# tells #Person1# the injection will only make the area around the tooth freeze.

#Person1#: It seldom rains this summer. #Person2#: Yeah, some places are very short of water. #Person1#: Because of pollution and other things, our environment has become worse and worse. #Person2#: You see, This time I traveled to the West. When I looked out of the windows of the rain, all the lands that I could see are as dry as a bone. #Person1#: It is serious.

#Person1# and #Person2# are talking about the serious drought this summer.

#Person1#: I have to find a living room set. #Person2#: Where are you planning on looking for one? #Person1#: I don't know. #Person2#: I can tell you where I got mine. #Person1#: Where did you go to find yours? #Person2#: IKEA has beautiful furniture. #Person1#: Does the furniture from IKEA cost a lot? #Person2#: The furniture cost a couple thousand dollars. #Person1#: How good of quality is the furniture? #Person2#: It's very sturdy. You get what you pay for. #Person1#: I don't mind paying for quality workmanship. #Person2#: I assure you that you're paying for quality.

#Person2# got #Person2#'s living room set from IKEA which costs a lot but has good quality. #Person1# also pays for quality workmanship.

#Person1#: I want to find an old music box. #Person2#: We have a great selection. What decade are you looking for? #Person1#: Do you have anything made in the 1920s? #Person2#: We have six. #Person1#: Do any of them have dancing figures? #Person2#: Actually, two of them have dancing figures. #Person1#: That's fantastic. I think I like this one. #Person2#: A good choice. I prefer that one myself. #Person1#: Now, is there any warranty with this? #Person2#: Oh, no, I'm afraid not. These things are just too old to guarantee anything. #Person1#: I understand. #Person2#: Even if they break down, they're still works of art.

#Person1# is looking for an old music box made in the 1920s with dancing figures with #Person2#'s assistance.

#Person1#: I'm looking for some fresh produce that's on sale. #Person2#: Well, we just got in some mangoes. #Person1#: Mangoes. What are they? #Person2#: Well, it's a fruit with a big nut in it. #Person1#: Can you eat the nut? #Person2#: No, you peel off the skin and throw out the nut. #Person1#: How much are they? #Person2#: Well, the sale price is $1 each. #Person1#: What does a mango taste like? #Person2#: They're like a citrus fruit. #Person1#: How do I know if it's ripe? #Person2#: You can buy them hard. Wait a few days for them to develop a soft feel. #Person1#: Where do they come from? #Person2#: Most of them in this store are from Mexico.

#Person1# wants some fresh produce that's on sale. #Person2# recommends mangoes and tells #Person1# about it such as its taste.

#Person1#: I would like to watch the Oscars on Tv tonight. How about you? #Person2#: Yes, I'd love to. It's interesting to see who is considered the best in their field and which film are thought to be particularly good. #Person1#: I like watching it for the fashion. I like to see what the ladies are wearing. Of course, the men nearly always just wear the traditional tuxedo. #Person2#: Sometimes the men wear flamboyant colours. Which films do you think will win awards this year? #Person1#: I'm really not sure. Usually just one or two films look set to sweep the awards ceremony, but this year there are several contenders. #Person2#: You're right. This year should be much more exciting than usual. What's you favourite award category? #Person1#: You might think this strange, but I like the category for 'best foreign language film'. #Person2#: It's nice to see foreign language films making a little impact on Hollywood. I like the 'best actor and actress'.

#Person1# and #Person2# will watch the Oscars on TV tonight. #Person2#'s interested in the actors and actresses while #Person1# watches it for the fashion. They talk about their favorite award category.

#Person1#: Tiffany, look at the long line in front of the department store.I think they are having their annual anniversary sale again. #Person2#: Really? Then, how can I miss such a great opportunity to buy a cheap facial treatment? #Person1#: You sure? It's really crowded inside. I can hardly breathe every time I go there during the annual anniversary sale. #Person2#: But, everything is really on special sale. #Person1#: You are right. But, we had better look at the catalog and make shopping list first. I do not want to waste my time. #Person2#: That is a good idea. #Person1#: Let's walk down the stairs to the basement and take the escalator the ground floor! #Person2#: We can take the elevator. That is faster. #Person1#: You sure? According to my experience, there usually is a long line in front of the elevator. By the time you get in the elevator, all the special offer products may be sold out. #Person2#: Wow, you sound really professional. #Person1#: Well,practice makes perfect. #Person2#: That's true.

#Person1# and #Person2# want to go to the annual anniversary sale of the department store. #Person1# suggests looking at the catalog and making shopping lists first.

#Person1#: Excuse me, I am writing an essay about ancient Greece. Are there any books on this topic that you can recommend? #Person2#: Geese? You want to write about ancient geese? I've never heard of such a thing. Anyway, it would be with a book of some animals, that's row J. Or you want to try science, that's in Row G. #Person1#: Animals? But Greece is a country, not an animal. #Person2#: Oh, Greece. Well, you know, today must be your lucky day. We have just received a new collection of books on that very topic. There are writers over here in row C. #Person1#: I see. That's a lot of books, which do you suggest? #Person2#: Well, the one by Robin Smith is excellent but it is very long. It's the one with the statue on the cover. There is also one by Milton Pike. It has a painting of a soldier on the front. As you can see, it's not very thick, so it shouldn't take too much time to read. But probably the best book is the one with the picture of ancient Olympic Stadium. It has won several history works rewards. #Person1#: Well, it's hard to decide, but I'm afraid I don't have enough time for a lot of reading. I think I'll get the book by Milton Pike. #Person2#: OK. Could I have your library card please? #Person1#: Sure, here you are.

#Person1# asks #Person2# to recommend some books on ancient Greece. #Person2# suggests the one by Robin Smith which is very long, the one by Milton Pike which is not very thick, and the one winning several history works rewards. Since #Person1# doesn't have enough time, #Person1#'ll get the book by Milton Pike.

#Person1#: Everyone seems to be on a diet, have you noticed that? #Person2#: Yeah, at least everyone is talking about it. A neighbor of mine is on a banana diet. She should eat one banana for breakfast, one for lunch and two for dinner. #Person1#: That would be bad for her teeth and her health, has she lost any weight? #Person2#: She doesn't look any thinner. My sister eats eggs to lose weight, only eggs for breakfast, for lunch and even for dinner. #Person1#: That's bad for her heart. Something in eggs is good for losing weight, but too many eggs are bad for the heart. #Person2#: I've read that, too. Then what about a fish diet? One of my cousins eats nothing but fish, even for breakfast. #Person1#: That's too expensive. The best way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. That's why I'm on my way to the tennis court.

#Person2# tells #Person1# different dieting ways #Person1#'s neighbor, #Person1#'s sister, and #Person1#'s cousin use to lost weight. #Person1# thinks the best way is to eat less and exercise more.

#Person1#: Hi, Angela, what's up? #Person2#: We are planning to visit Zhang Jiakou this February. Why don't you join us? #Person1#: Certainly, I will if I don't have anything else on my schedule. #Person2#: Is the Spring Festival ok for you? #Person1#: Of course, which places are you going to visit? #Person2#: We want to visit some ski resorts in other places of interests there, you know, Zhang Jiakou is one of the whole cities for the two thousand twenty two Winter Olympic Games. #Person1#: In that case, we should check information online and make us a thorough plan for the trip.

Angela invites #Person1# to visit Zhang Jiakou this February. #Person1# suggests checking information online and making a thorough plan.

#Person1#: Now, this is Westminster Abbey. It's one of the oldest buildings in London and in its architecture, you will recognize different styles. #Person2#: Wow, it's really splendid. #Person1#: There, to the left, you will see a small Street called Downing Street No.10, the last of its 10 houses has always been the living place of the British Prime Minister. #Person2#: Oh, is that the Tower Bridge? #Person1#: Yeah, look, the bridges parting in the middle and the two halves are moving upwards, a big ship is passing underneath.

#Person1# shows #Person2# around Westminster Abbey, Downing Street No.10, and Tower Bridge.

#Person1#: I would like to take a trip to the beach this weekend. #Person2#: A trip to the beach would be fun. How is the weather going to be? #Person1#: The forecast says that it will be warm on the weekend. #Person2#: So do you think it'll be perfect weather for the beach? #Person1#: It sounds like it will be. #Person2#: I really hope it doesn't get cold. #Person1#: That would ruin things, I want to go so badly. #Person2#: The weather in California is unpredictable, so you never know. #Person1#: That is true. The weather is constantly changing. #Person2#: It would be nice if the weather would never change. #Person1#: That would be great, then we could plan things sooner. #Person2#: True. Predictable weather would make life easier.

#Person1# plans to take a trip to the beach this weekend. #Person1# and #Person2# hope the weather will stay warm and would never change.

#Person1#: I went to the tutoring service centre on campus today. And I got a job. #Person2#: Congratulation. What will you do? #Person1#: They got me a part-time tutoring job, teaching an Australian businessman Chinese. #Person2#: That's wonderful. I want to get a part-time job too. Tell me what I should do. #Person1#: It's very simple actually. You can go to the service centre and have your name and job interest resisted. They will give you a call if any job comes up. #Person2#: Good. I'll do it.

#Person1# got a part-time tutoring job at the tutoring service centre and teaches #Person2# how to find one.

#Person1#: Hi, Helen! how is it going? #Person2#: I'm very busy these days. It seems I can never finish my work. #Person1#: Well, take it easy! Don't let it get on top of you. #Person2#: I'll try. I'm under a lot of pressure right now. #Person1#: Why don't you take a few days off? #Person2#: I can't. I am really behind of my work.

Helen gets much pressure from work. #Person2# comforts her.

#Person1#: The bartender just gave the last call. Let's order another round, okay? #Person2#: Sure, but let's get a pitcher this time We should be able to down it before they close. #Person1#: That sounds good. You order the beer while I go to the bathroom. Where is the can in this place? #Person2#: It's all the way to the back. See that yellow door? #Person1#: Yeah. I think I can find it. #Person2#: You're back already. That sure was quick. #Person1#: That's because I just took one step inside and turned right around. That bathroom is too gross for me. #Person2#: Well, the bartender wouldn't give me the pitcher of beer. Anyway. He said it was too close to closing time. #Person1#: Let's leave then. I could take some fresh air, anyway. #Person2#: Okay, let's go!

#Person1# wants #Person2# to order some more beer. But the bartender refuses because it is too close to closing time. Then they leave.

#Person1#: I am afraid that I spoke wrong in front of all of the tables. Such a big mistake. #Person2#: Never mind about that. #Person1#: I am terribly sorry. Will you forgive me? #Person2#: No, It's totally okay. Don't blame yourself.

#Person1# apologizes for saying something wrong in public. But #Person2# doesn't blame #Person1# at all.

#Person1#: We're going to need a lot of new stuff after the holidays. Let's make a list. #Person2#: Fine, Mr. Richardson. What do you have in mind? #Person1#: Well, to begin with, we're going to have to get a new desk for you and I'd like to replace that old typewriter. #Person2#: Yes! I agree! We could really use another one! I'll get on that right away! What else would you like to order?

Mr. Richardson asks #Person2# to order a new desk and a new typewriter.

#Person1#: Do you know a bus that I can take from Altadena to downtown LA? #Person2#: I believe you can take the 486. #Person1#: Will that bus really take me to LA? #Person2#: It sure will. #Person1#: Is it a very long ride? #Person2#: It's a forty-five minute to an hour ride. #Person1#: Really? #Person2#: It doesn't take long at all #Person1#: Do a lot of people ride that bus? #Person2#: More people start getting on around LA. #Person1#: Wow, thanks a lot. #Person2#: Don't mention it.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person1# can take the 486 bus from Altadena to downtown LA and it takes around an hour.

#Person1#: How do you shoot pool? #Person2#: You have 16 balls on the table, 7 solid colored, 7 striped colored, a black 8 ball, and the white ball. #Person1#: And? #Person2#: You hit the white ball with your cue. The white ball hits the colored balls. And you want to get the colored balls into the pockets. #Person1#: How do you know whether you should hit the solid or the striped one? #Person2#: At the beginning, it does not matter, but once someone gets one ball in, it is set. #Person1#: Can I get the black ball in? #Person2#: The black ball has to be the final ball in the pockets. #Person1#: Let's go and try now!

#Person2# introduces the rules of shooting pool to #Person1#. And they are going to try now.

#Person1#: When will our party be held? #Person2#: Next Wednesday. #Person1#: Have you sent out invitations to the house warming party to all the people I have listed on this paper? #Person2#: Yes, I have. #Person1#: When did you send them? #Person2#: Ten days ago. #Person1#: Okay, that's good. Could Dr. Cole like to attend the party? #Person2#: Yes, he will. #Person1#: That's fine.

#Person1# checks the time and other details of the party with #Person2#.

#Person1#: Hey Steven! You have a large chunk of money, but why do you still live in the old flat, instead of buying a new villa? #Person2#: I like to live here and enjoy my neighbors'company. And I don't think I should waste money just because I have much of it. #Person1#: But I found you always hate to part with your money. Look at the car you drive! You must have droven it for at least twenty years! It's such a junker! #Person2#: Oh, the car is old but still in good condition. I just think we should be thrifty, whether you are rich or not. #Person1#: But. . . But. . . #Person2#: But what? Just remember that thrift is not only a great virtue, but also a great revenue. #Person1#: I am sorry. Maybe you are right.

Although being rich, Steven is very thrifty. He tells #Person2# thrift is a good virtue and #Person2# feels sorry for telling Steven what he should do.

#Person1#: Look, there are some words on the fish. #Person2#: I know that they are auspicious fish. It's quite popular nowadays. #Person1#: For God's sake! It's too bloody. How can people be so cruel? #Person2#: Not at all. I think the tattoos are so cool and chic. #Person1#: You can't prick the fish to please the sick tastes of some bloody people. #Person2#: Honey, it's not so serious. It's just an animal. #Person1#: Just an animal? But it has life too. If you want a tattoo, get one. It's your choice because you want it. But has anyone asked the fish if it wanted one? #Person2#: OK, I understand, but what else could we do?

#Person1# thinks pricking fish is too bloody while #Person2# thinks it's not so serious. #Person1# argues that the fish has a life too and #Person2# finally understands.

#Person1#: Hi. are you new here? #Person2#: Yes. I moved here last week. #Person1#: I'm Steven, your neighbour. #Person2#: I'm Charlie. Nice to meet you. #Person1#: Nice to meet you, too. #Person2#: Since we live in the same neighbourhood, maybe we can help each other from now on. #Person1#: I guess so. I live next door but one, and hope you'll drop in now and then. #Person2#: Thank you. I will.

Steven greets Charlie who is a new neighbor.

#Person1#: What is wrong with Peter? He sure looks unhappy. #Person2#: His girlfriend dumped him, and he is tearing his heart out over her. #Person1#: How foolish he is. The girl is inviting. She often makes a pass at boys. #Person2#: Love is blind, you know.

#Person1# and #Person2# talk about Peter who is unhappy.

#Person1#: Sometimes I think television is too biased. None of them are completely objective. #Person2#: That's unavoidable, but think, How would you keep up to date without television? #Person1#: Newspapers or the radio I guess. I just wish TV was more objective. #Person2#: Look, you can still learn a lot from watching television, you just need to be smart when you're watching. Filter the information and decide if you believe what you are hearing or not. #Person1#: The internet's a lot worse. #Person2#: Really? Why? #Person1#: There's no one moderating it. Anyone around the world can put information onto the net for anyone else to see. The information on the internet is mostly unsubstantiated and you can never know who has written it, or why. A lot of people get conned online. #Person2#: Again, you need to think carefully. If you don't trust others online, have nothing to do with them.

#Person1# thinks television is too biased and the internet is worse because TV isn't objective and no one moderates it. #Person2# suggests thinking carefully to filter the information.

#Person1#: Didn't you say you were planning a trip to China? I heard the northwest and north of China are experiencing severe sandstorms! #Person2#: I was planning to go to Beijing first and then go to northwest China! Looks like I'm in trouble. #Person1#: Definitely. I heard Beijing was experiencing seven degree strong winds! That is nearly a record high! #Person2#: No way! I don't think I've ever encountered winds that strong! Are the storms affecting land and air transportation? #Person1#: Absolutely! I don't think any planes are going anywhere. The sand being blown around has cut visibility in Beijing to less than 100 meters. But inseems Gansu Province is being hit the hardest. #Person2#: That's exactly where I was planning to go! #Person1#: Well, this storm originated in the plateaus in northwest China. At the moment, that area is calmer.

#Person2# was planning to visit Beijing and Gansu Province. But #Person1# says these areas are experiencing severe sandstorms and storms are affecting land and air transportation.

#Person1#: Have you seen the new Hannibal Lecter movie? #Person2#: Oh, yes. You? #Person1#: Yes. What did you think of it? #Person2#: I thought it was better than the others. I really liked it. What did you think of it? #Person1#: I liked it, too. It was scary, but not disgusting. I always enjoy watching Anthony Hopkins. He's brilliant. #Person2#: Mmm. That's what I thought, too. And I always enjoy watching Anthony Hopkins. #Person1#: Oh, yes, he is brilliant. What's the name of the young actor? #Person2#: Hum, Edward Norton, or something like that. #Person1#: Yes. He was excellent. They worked well together.

Both #Person2# and #Person1# like the new Hannibal Lecter movie and enjoy watching Anthony Hopkins.

#Person1#: Yeah. You don't need to rub it in. #Person2#: And then she made the deal with MicroPower. Vince wanted to sell for fifteen million. . . #Person1#: Fifteen? And Zina pushed them up to seventy-five? #Person2#: That's right. Vince still stops by her office every day to thank her. #Person1#: Anyway, I'm still happy I left. I'm working as a freelancer now. #Person2#: You really should have stayed with us, Dave.

#Person2# tells Dave Vince helps Zina make the deal at a much higher price.

#Person1#: what date is it today? #Person2#: why? #Person1#: look at the girls in the street. They all have bunch of flowers. Is it Valentine's Day? #Person2#: Oh, yes! I completely forgot about it. #Person1#: did you have a fight with Jack? #Person2#: no, but now he'll be in trouble. What's a boyfriend for? To forget about Valentine's Day? #Person1#: come on, dear! You forgot it, too. #Person2#: you know, it's OK for a girl to forget these ' big days ', but for a guy, to do that is unforgivable. #Person1#: is that your phone? #Person2#: oh, it's Jack. Excuse me. #Person1#: wow! good timing. #Person2#: he asked me out to a dinner tonight. How about joining us? #Person1#: come on! three's a crowd! #Person2#: so what? #Person1#: just go! it's Valentine's Day!

#Person2# tells #Person1# that Jack'll be in trouble because #Person2# thinks he forgets Valentine's Day. But then Jack calls #Person2# and invites her to dinner.

#Person1#: I need help preparing for my presentation on Friday. #Person2#: I could help you with that. #Person1#: Are you sure you have the time? #Person2#: I promise you that I have the time to do this. If I didn't, I wouldn't offer to help. #Person1#: What would be the best time for you to help me? #Person2#: Tomorrow night would work for me. #Person1#: Should we just meet here? #Person2#: OK, and I'll bring some information that helped me with my presentation. #Person1#: I'll see you then. #Person2#: See you tomorrow night.

#Person1# needs help preparing for #Person1#'s presentation. #Person2# promises to have the time to help #Person1#. They'll meet tomorrow night.

#Person1#: I went to Roth's to interview her, you know, Edith Roth is the author of a book about moths. #Person2#: Is she? I thought she was a mathematician. #Person1#: I'm so thirsty. #Person2#: Are you? I thought you had something to drink at her home. #Person1#: No. Edith didn't give anything to drink. #Person2#: I'll buy you a drink. #Person1#: Oh! Thank you.

#Person1# went to interview Roth and is thirsty. #Person2#'ll buy #Person1# a drink.

#Person1#: Excuse me, are cameras allowed here? #Person2#: Sorry, sir, in order to protect these paintings, taking photos are strictly forbidden here. #Person1#: I see. What a pity. I have to appreciate it carefully. #Person2#: I am really sorry for that.

#Person2# tells #Person1# cameras are not allowed here.

#Person1#: Now please tell me something about your past work achievements. #Person2#: All right, madam. When I was sales manager at the Beijing Friendship Store. I succeeded in raising the yearly sales volume by 25 percent and profit margins from 50 percent to 80 percent. #Person1#: That is quite an achievement! Do you consider it your most rewarding work experience? #Person2#: I don't think so. I'll create further achievement in the future. #Person1#: Have you received any honors? #Person2#: Yes. I got the title of Advance Worker in 2006. #Person1#: Do you have any publications? #Person2#: Yes. I wrote a thesis entitled On Interpersonal Relations in the Socialist Market Economy and it was published in China Daily.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person2#'s past work achievements and #Person2# received the title of Advance Worker and published a thesis in China Daily.

#Person1#: Good afternoon. Can I help you? #Person2#: Is it possible for me to buy some RMB at this counter? #Person1#: Of course, that's no problem at all. #Person2#: That's a relief! I was a little worried about it ; I left England in a bit of a hurry. #Person1#: How much would you like to change? #Person2#: Well, I'm only here for 3 days, so I think 500 GAP should be plenty. #Person1#: Please fill in this exchange form, and I'll need to see your passport, and sign here. That's the money and your passport back. Of course, if you don't spend all of it, you can come back and we'd be happy to buy the local currency back from you.

#Person2# wants to buy some RIB. #Person1# asks #Person2# to fill in the exchange form and present #Person2#'s passport.

#Person1#: What seems to be the problem? #Person2#: Your secretary seems to think she is being harassed. #Person1#: What? You've got to be kidding me! #Person2#: I wish I were, but i am deadly serious. She said you invited her to dinner last week. #Person1#: Of course I did. As recognition for a job well done. Once a month I invite the most productive employee to dinner. #Person2#: Well, there is no problem there. But she seemed to think that you were angry when she refused, and that your motives are personal and not professional. #Person1#: I think she's misinterpreted my intentions. What happens now? #Person2#: Our harassment policy requires that we have a meeting with the HR manager and Miss Brown. It's quite serious. You could be reprimanded, or even fired if we find evidence that you were pressuring #Person1#: I understand that. But I hope that we can get to the bottom fo this and show Miss Brown that she misunderstood my reaction. #Person2#: That's the purpose of the meeting. Sometimes a mediated conversation will straighten things out, and a little discussion and apology can calm the waters.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person1#'s secretary, Miss Brown, thinks she is being harassed by #Person1#. #Person1# thinks Miss Brown misinterpreted #Person1#'s intentions. #Person2# says a meeting will be held to see whether #Person1# needs to be reprimanded or not.

#Person1#: Can you tell me about some good deals on produce? #Person2#: The mangoes are on sale today. #Person1#: What exactly are mangoes? #Person2#: They have yellowish red skin. It's a fruit with one big seed. #Person1#: Is the seed edible? #Person2#: Maybe if you were a parrot. I wouldn't recommend it. #Person1#: How much does a mango cost? #Person2#: Normally, they're $ 2 each. Today, they're only $ 1 each. #Person1#: Maybe I won't like the taste. #Person2#: It's hard to describe. They're sweet, but also sort of citrusy. #Person1#: How do I tell the difference between a ripe one and an unripe one? #Person2#: They're similar to an avocado. When the outside feels soft, they're ripe. #Person1#: Where do most of them come from? #Person2#: These are from Mexico.

#Person2# tells #Person1# that the mangoes are on sale and introduces their appearance, price, taste and place of production.

#Person1#: I'm calling to ask about your apartment advertised. #Person2#: Yes, we've got great apartments with charming environment and nice scenery. And they are all newly renovated. #Person1#: That sounds fantastic! But I am looking for something closer to the downtown, as I spend most of my time at the office. #Person2#: No problem. We have a nice apartment located near the Oriental Square. It's perfect for people busy with office work. It is fully furnished with a service staff taking care of the trivial details. #Person1#: I'm sure it is wonderful, but I need an unfurnished apartment with relatively lower cost. #Person2#: Ah! I get your point. We have just what you need. Our Jinyuan apartments have several floor plans. The one bedroom apartments are very economical, but their layout makes great use of a small amount of space. I think you can find the right apartment there. #Person1#: Great! I'll arrange a viewing after work tomorrow afternoon. Could you tell me the detailed address? #Person2#: Of course. It's just at 19 Lingual Road. You can phone me again if you cann't find the right place. #Person1#: Ok. Thank you.

#Person1# is looking for an unfurnished apartment with a lower cost near downtown. #Person2# recommends Jinyuan apartments. #Person1# asks for its address and will see it tomorrow afternoon.

#Person1#: Happy Birthday, Mary! #Person2#: Thank you. #Person1#: Here is a gift for you. I hope you like it. #Person2#: What a lovely dog! How did you know I love this? #Person1#: I had my own ways of finding out. It's a secret. You look so beautiful today. Your new shirt goes well with your skirt. #Person2#: Maybe you don't believe it, but it was made by my grandmother. #Person1#: Really? It looks so nice. #Person2#: Thank you. Please have a cup of tea. #Person1#: All right. #Person2#: How about some fish? #Person1#: No, thanks. I've had enough. Now, Mary, before you blow out the birthday candles, you have to make a wish. After that, you may cut the cake. #Person2#: OK, let me make a wish. . . Do you want a big piece of cake? #Person1#: No, just a small one. Next let's sing'Happy Birthday'to Mary. #Person2#: It is very kind of you. I'm so moved by you.

#Person2# gives Mary a lovely dog as her birthday gift and Mary loves it. #Person2# also praises Mary's skirt. Then Mary makes a wish and cuts the cake.

#Person1#: Would you like to come by and play bridge? #Person2#: Well, let's see. Why don't we go dancing for a change? We haven't done that for a long time. #Person1#: Well, to tell the truth, I don't really feel like it tonight. I had a pretty hard day and I'm sort of tired. #Person2#: Hmm. Well, in that case, we could go to the movies. #Person1#: Oh, we always go to the movies. Can't we do something different? #Person2#: Well, do you have any suggestions? #Person1#: Let's see. How do you feel about playing bridge? #Person2#: It's OK with me, but we don't have any beer and things. #Person1#: Well, shall I call Janet and ask her and Tom to come over, and I'll go to the store and buy some stuff. #Person2#: OK.

#Person1# wants to play bridge but #Person2# wants to go dancing. #Person1# disagrees because #Person1# is tired. They finally agree on playing bridge and invite Janet and Tom.

#Person1#: Let's get down to business. #Person2#: OK. Have you seen the samples? #Person1#: Yes. I have. I'm interested in your underwear. If the price is acceptable we would like to order it soon. #Person2#: I'm glad to hear that. We are trying to give you a favourable one. #Person1#: What's your price? #Person2#: 150 yuan for each piece. #Person1#: That's a bit more than I was prepared to pay. #Person2#: How about 130 yuan? #Person1#: I offer you 110 yuan. #Person2#: That's too little. Well, I'll come down to 120 yuan. #Person1#: All right. I go up to 115 yuan, but not a penny more. Is that acceptable? #Person2#: If you order more than 10, 000 pieces, we can accept 115 yuan for each one. #Person1#: Well, I'll accept the price and place an order for 10, 000 pieces. #Person2#: Very good. It's a pleasure to do business with you, Mrs. Phoebe.

Mrs. Phoebe wants to order #Person1#'s underwear. They negotiate for the price and #Person2# accepts that Mrs. Phoebe orders more than 10, 000 pieces in 115 yuan for each one.

#Person1#: Did you already wash your clothes today? #Person2#: I've only washed my white clothes. #Person1#: Could you wash some of my dark clothes with yours? #Person2#: Is there any special care I should take with your clothes? #Person1#: The only thing is that they have to be washed on the gentle cycle. #Person2#: Are there a lot of clothes? #Person1#: There aren't a lot of clothes, do you have a lot to wash? #Person2#: It's a medium load. #Person1#: You don't mind, do you? #Person2#: No big deal. I'll do it for you. #Person1#: Okay, thanks a lot. #Person2#: You're welcome.

#Person1# wants #Person2# to wash some of #Person1#'s dark clothes with #Person2#'s and asks #Person2# to wash in the gentle circle.

#Person1#: Berry, you're just back from Rio de Janeiro? #Person2#: Yeah. #Person1#: What was it like? #Person2#: Well, the first day in Rio was quite a shock for us. Here it was a lot of fat middle-aged Europeans and Americans exercising along the beach, sunbathing, walking with their walkmans. It's a big contrast to the thousands of people sleeping on the street during night. #Person1#: What was the weather like? #Person2#: The climate is very different from other places such as Peru or Bolivia. We were at sea level, and we all felt very good about it. No one of us needed to breathe extra air from time to time, and the temperature is about 25 degrees and the air is very humid. #Person1#: That's really nice. #Person2#: The first day we had very nice weather, and were able to really relax on the beach. After these two days we had bad weather, rain and cloudy. So, we're a little bit disappointed about that. Due to the weather, we explored the old part of Rio. #Person1#: How about the food there? #Person2#: We ate at local restaurant. Tiffs restaurant has a fixed fee of about US $10. Then you can eat as much as you want from a vast and delicate buffet consisting of both seafood and meat. Dessert and drinks are not included. #Person1#: It's been really a nice trip. #Person2#: Well, Rio was not the experience we had hoped for, and we feel that this city is over-publicized. But anyway it's cool to have been there.

Berry is back from Rio de Janeiro and he thinks the first day was a shock because many people exercised along the beach. Then Berry says they experienced both nice weather and bad weather and they ate at a local restaurant.

#Person1#: Hello. I need a room for two days from June 3 to 4. Do you have any spare room? #Person2#: Sorry, sir. We are fully booked on that day. But we do have rooms on June 5 and 6. #Person1#: OK. I book a single room for the two days.

#Person2# helps #Person1# book a single room for two days.

#Person1#: Hi, Ann. I hear you've started evening discussions on popular music. How is it going? #Person2#: Pretty well. I must say I've learned a lot. But it would be nicer to have someone who knows more about the subject. Could you possibly join us? #Person1#: Certainly. When do you usually meet? #Person2#: We meet twice a week-Tuesday and Saturday. Is the time convenient for you? #Person1#: Tuesday is OK. But I don't think I can come on Saturday. #Person2#: What about Friday evenings? We hope to see you present. #Person1#: OK. I'm free on Friday evenings.

Ann invites #Person1# to join in the discussions and #Person1# agrees. They discuss the time to meet together.

#Person1#: Why don't you get another job for a change? #Person2#: But I like my job. #Person1#: Look, digging gardens is not a job for a university graduate. #Person2#: But the money's not bad and there's plenty of fresh air. #Person1#: If I were you, I'd take some kind of direction, like teaching law. #Person2#: Teaching? Anything but that. It's so boring. #Person1#: Come on, you really must think of the future. #Person2#: I'll tell you what. I'd like to be a doctor. #Person1#: Well, you should think very seriously about that. It means a lot of study, and then working all sorts of hours. #Person2#: Yes, maybe. But the idea sounds interesting. #Person1#: Well, then, you ought to get more information about it as soon as possible.

#Person1# suggests #Person2# change a job because digging gardens is not a job for a university graduate and get more information if #Person2# wants to be a doctor.

#Person1#: Good morning, sir. This way, please. #Person2#: Thank you. It's nice here. #Person1#: I'm so glad you like it. What would you like? We serve tea, milk and coffee, cakes and cold drinks. Please look at the menu for morning drinks. #Person2#: I'll try a cup of tea without sugar. How about you, Emma? #Person3#: I'd like to have coffee with lemon and custard pudding. #Person1#: Anything else? We've the sirloin steak today, I suggest that you try them. #Person2#: All right, Let's try them.

#Person1# helps #Person2# and Emma order a drink and cake. #Person1# also recommends the sirloin steak to them.

#Person1#: Would you please teach me how to use the computer? #Person2#: Sure, let's take a look at the menu first. #Person1#: Do I have to turn on the computer? #Person2#: yes, we can look at the computer and computer menu at the same time. And this will help us undstand both better. #Person1#: What should I learn first? #Person2#: Right now I'll teach you to open files, save files and copy files. Are you ready? #Person1#: I am ready I am going to get, let's start!

#Person2# shows #Person1# how to use the computer and how to open, save and copy files.

#Person1#: Nice to see you; how have you been feeling lately? #Person2#: I have been feeling great, Dr. Smith. #Person1#: I am happy that you have decided to come in for your annual physical. #Person2#: Yes, I am going on a cross-country bike ride on vacation and want to make sure that I don't have any problems. #Person1#: We are going to look at your heart and lungs, do a few blood tests, and see that your eyes, ears, and nose are all working as they should. #Person2#: I've been having trouble with congestion in my chest. Can you give me some tests for that? #Person1#: I can do a chest X-ray to check for congestion. #Person2#: That would be great. What is the blood test for? #Person1#: The blood test is for cholesterol, white blood cell count, and blood sugar. #Person2#: I have been feeling great. I don't imagine that any of my tests will turn out badly.

#Person2# comes for his annual physical to ensure he is healthy. #Person1# will check his heart and lungs, do blood tests, and do a chest X-ray.

#Person1#: They are professors and government officials. #Person2#: Where are they from? #Person1#: Most of them are from America and Europe. #Person2#: What are they doing in Beijing? #Person1#: They are attending an international conference here. #Person2#: Which hotel are they staying at? #Person1#: They are staying at the Hilton Hotel.

#Person2# asks #Person1# about the professors and government officials.

#Person1#: What do you plan to do on Sunday morning? #Person2#: Nothing special. #Person1#: How about going to English corner with me? #Person2#: Oh, I'd rather not. #Person1#: Why not ? #Person2#: You know, I am poor at English, especially spoken English. #Person1#: That's why you should go there, If you don't dare to speak English owing to the fact that you are afraid of making mistakes, you simply will never learn English.

#Person1# invites #Person2# to the English corner. #Person2# refuses. #Person1# thinks #Person2# ought to go.

#Person1#: I hear you are planning to travel abroad. #Person2#: Yes, I'm going to the United States. Where do you think I should go? #Person1#: In my opinion, there are several places you mustn't miss, like Washington DC, Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles. #Person2#: Someone has suggested that we go to Hawaii. #Person1#: Yes, you should consider Hawaii too. It's definitely worth a visit. There are some beautiful beaches there. #Person2#: I would definitely enjoy some beautiful sunshine. #Person1#: That's right. I've been there twice with my parents and they both agree it is really a wonderful place. #Person2#: OK. I'll talk about it with my wife and I believe she'll love the idea of visiting Hawaii. #Person1#: I hope you enjoy your trip.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person2#'s going to travel to the United States and asks #Person1# where to go.

#Person1#: I'll have a get together with my friends tomorrow. Could you tell me what to wear Lucy? #Person2#: How about this red T-shirt Mark? It can make you look active. #Person1#: Oh, red makes me tense. I'd rather wear the yellow T-shirt. #Person2#: The yellow one? Why? #Person1#: Because it makes me feel relaxed and look confident. #Person2#: Ok, perhaps you should wear a black hat and blue jeans. #Person1#: You mean a yellow T-shirt with a black hat and blue jeans? That's a good choice. #Person2#: Yeah, you must be a star at the party.

#Person1# will have a get-together with #Person1#'s friends and asks Lucy to tell #Person1# what to wear.

#Person1#: Kathy, it seems you're having a lot of fun playing tennis. #Person2#: Would you like to learn? #Person1#: Yes, how do you play? #Person2#: Tennis can be played in singles or doubles. Look, there, the outside lines are for doubles and the inside lines are for singles. #Person1#: How do you decide who start serving? #Person2#: Well, you can use a coin to decide. Whoever wins chooses either to serve or the side of the court. #Person1#: How do you count the score? #Person2#: At the beginning, the score would be love. #Person1#: Love means 0? #Person2#: You got it, it is then counted to 15, 30 and 40. If you get to 40 and win again, you win the game. #Person1#: The other side start serving then? #Person2#: Right, see? You know how to play now.

Kathy teaches #Person1# that tennis can be played singles or doubles and they use coins to decide who starts serving. She also introduces the scoring rules.

#Person1#: I'd like to speak to Mister Johnson, please. #Person2#: Speaking. #Person1#: Oh hello. This is Erica Stone. My living room window was broken this afternoon. Can you repair it? #Person2#: Sure, I can come over tomorrow afternoon. Is that OK? #Person1#: Could you come over now? #Person2#: OK. I'll come over and take a look in a little while. #Person1#: You charge about $100, don't you? #Person2#: Usually if it's a small window. See, didn't I repair a window for you a few weeks ago? #Person1#: Yes, you did. #Person2#: Oh, and your little ones have broken the window again. Were they playing ball in the house? #Person1#: Well, no. I told them not to do that anymore. This time I broke it. I was practicing volleyball. #Person2#: Oh, you did, did you?

Erica calls Johnson and wants him to repair the window now. Last time the window was broken by kids but this time it was broken by Erica.

#Person1#: Hi, professor Smith. #Person2#: Hi, Justine, how are you? #Person1#: I am OK, but I'm doing badly in your class. I am wondering how to do better. #Person2#: I think comeing prepared class may do something to improve your grades. #Person1#: How can I prepare for class? #Person2#: Have you checked out my web page? All of my lecture notes are on my web page. You can download the notes and read them ahead of time. #Person1#: Really? Wow, that would be very helpful. #Person2#: Another good idea is to read each chapter in the book before class. #Person1#: I usually don't read the chapter ahead of time. I thought hearing the lecture first was better than reading first. #Person2#: Reading first is actually better. You should also write down ideas or notes while you're reading. That way, you can come to class with some questions.

Professor Smith advises Justine to download the notes from his web page and read them beforehand or read each chapter in the book before class.

#Person1#: Cindy, the date of the computer meeting has been set for next Tuesday. Could you do me a favor and call the hotel to book a room? #Person2#: Sure, I will take care of it right away. But what are you going to do about the appointment you had planned with Mr. Nolan? Do you want me to call him and cancel? #Person1#: Oh, I completely forgot all about him. You know, I can't miss this appointment with him. It's too important. On second thought, I think I'd better send Sally to New York to attend the meeting. She's been working on the speech with me for a long time, and she should be able to give the speech in my place. #Person2#: You're right.

#Person1# tells Cindy #Person1# needs to go to the computer meeting, but #Person1# cannot miss the appointment with Mr. Nolan so #Person1# sends Sally to the meeting instead.

#Person1#: Jenny, thank you for your help with my paper. #Person2#: It's my pleasure if I have done something helpful to you. #Person1#: I am really grateful for the reference books you offered me. But for the materials, I would not have written my paper so quickly. #Person2#: It's nice of you to say so. I am interested in your paper and I happen to have some books on the topic. #Person1#: Your books are important to me. Besides, you have given me some very good suggestions. I really thank you so much. #Person2#: You are welcome.

#Person1# thanks Jenny for giving some reference books and suggestions that help #Person1# with #Person1#'s paper.

#Person1#: Hello, Viola. I see that you take this book with you all day. What book is it? #Person2#: A wrinkle in time. #Person1#: You had a birthday party last weekend. So is this book a birthday gift from your friends or classmates? #Person2#: It is a birthday gift. My uncle sent it to me from New York. #Person1#: It must be a fantastic book, right? #Person2#: Yeah, in the book, together with her brother Charles and her friend Calvin, Meg starts the journey to find her missing father, who is a scientist. #Person1#: Sounds interesting. Can you lend it to me? #Person2#: Yes, of course. But I haven't finished it yet. Today is Tuesday. I think I will finish it the day after tomorrow. #Person1#: Great. I can't wait to read it.

Viola tells #Person1# that the book is her birthday gift from her uncle. Viola will lend the book to #Person1# when she finishes reading.

#Person1#: How was your trip, Dan? I'd love to go round the world. #Person2#: It was great. First we went to London but only for a few days as it rained all the time. Both of us got really wet. #Person1#: You went to Paris next, didn't you? #Person2#: Well, Paris wasn't at all, sunny, but it was better than London, a bit cloudy. #Person1#: Did you go up the Eiffel Tower? #Person2#: Yes. We both had a great time. #Person1#: Where did you go after Paris? #Person2#: To Sydney. We didn't get to the famous Bondi Beach as there were a lot of thunderstorms. We did some shopping there. #Person1#: I bet that was expensive. #Person2#: It wasn't as expensive as Tokyo. It was hot and sunny there, no rain at all for the whole 5 days we were there. #Person1#: And then you went to the USA, didn't you? #Person2#: Yes, to San Francisco, which is famous for its fog. It was so thick that we didn't go to see the Golden Gate Bridge. But it was warmer than some of the other places.

Dan went to London first and then to Paris. Then he went shopping in Sydney and finally went to San Francisco. He also tells #Person1# about the weather in these cities.

#Person1#: I see there are some workmen on the site. When is the building work due to start? #Person2#: Well, it'll take three weeks to demolish the old building and clear away the debris. We should be ready to start the construction work in week 23. #Person1#: How long will the sub contractors be on site? #Person2#: About ten weeks in total if everything goes according to plan. #Person1#: I'm sure it will. So, we should be able to start moving the machinery in during week 34. I'll confirm that date with our suppliers.

#Person2# tells #Person1# about the schedule of the building work. #Person1#'ll confirm the date of moving the machinery with suppliers.

#Person1#: I'm now on the Songshan airport getting ready for departure. I realized that I might have left my watch. #Person2#: Yes, Ma'am. May I have your name and room number? #Person1#: My name is Terry. I stayed last night in your hotel in room 132. #Person2#: What kind of watch is it? #Person1#: It's a brand-new Seiko wrist watch. #Person2#: Yes, we have it. #Person1#: Oh, I'm glad to hear that. Would you kindly send it to the Hilton Hotel?

Terry calls to report that she might've left her watch in #Person2#'s hotel. #Person2# finds it. Terry requests #Person2# to send the watch.

#Person1#: Tony, could you tell me if there are any special rules about the job? #Person2#: Working hours are from 8: 30 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. Be sure not to be late or absent. Report to the manager by filling in the ' Monthly Report ' every month. #Person1#: Is there anything else? How about my salary? #Person2#: Our company has a strict and reasonable salary standard. On the 20th day of every month, you can get your salary on time. Benefits depend upon the length of service and the employee's past attendance record. #Person1#: Wow, thank you for telling me these. Do you mind telling me something else, like attendance record, holiday, and how to ask for leave? #Person2#: All new members are likely to ask the same questions. Haha. I can understand that. Every month you have three days off, besides the weekends and some important holidays. After you've been here for a year, you qualify for a one-week vacation. The leave less than a half-day should predict for an hour, and more than a half-day should predict three days. #Person1#: Okay, that's good. I get it.

Tony tells #Person2# the special rules about the job and the salary. Tony then introduces attendance records, holidays, and how to ask for leave.

#Person1#: Do you like the apartment? #Person2#: I absolutely love the apartment. #Person1#: Everything is okay? #Person2#: I do have one problem with the apartment. #Person1#: What ' s the problem? #Person2#: I don ' t like all those stains in the carpet. #Person1#: We will have the carpet cleaned before you move into the apartment. #Person2#: I did not know that. #Person1#: I assure you that we will, and if there are any more problems, feel free to tell me. #Person2#: That was the only thing that I saw wrong with the apartment. #Person1#: I ' m glad to know that you think the apartment is so nice. #Person2#: It ' s absolutely incredible. I ' ll take it.

#Person2# loves the apartment but doesn't like all those stains in the carpet. #Person1# promises to clean the stains so #Person2# will take it.

#Person1#: Good morning. My name is Mr. Brown. I ' m from Australia. Here is my card. #Person2#: Thank you. I ' m pleased to meet you, Mr. Brown. My name is Kathy Pewless, the representative of Green Textile Import and Export Corporation. #Person1#: Pleased to meet you too, Ms. Pewless. I travel a lot every year on business, but this is my first visit to your country. I must say I have been much impressed by your friendly people. #Person2#: Thank you for saying so. Have you seen the exhibition halls? On display are most of our products, such as silk, woolen knitwear, cotton piece goods, and garments. #Person1#: Oh, yes. I had a look yesterday. I found some of the exhibits to be fine in quality and beautiful in design. The exhibition has successfully displayed to me what your corporation handles. I have gone over the catalogue and the pamphlets enclosed in your last letter. I've got some idea of your exports. I ' m interested in your silk blouses. #Person2#: Our silk is known for its good quality. It is one of our trade - trional exports. Silk blouses are brightly colored and beau - fully designed. They have met with great favor overseas and are always in great demand.

Ms. Pewless meets with Mr. Brown and introduces her corporation's exhibition and products to him. Mr. Brown gets interested in their silk blouses

#Person1#: Excuse me, are you Mrs. Green from England? #Person2#: Yes, I am. #Person1#: I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Green. My name is Myra. I work in Beijing Institute of Technology. I came here to meet you. #Person2#: How do you do? #Person1#: How do you do? #Person2#: It's kind of you to meet me at the airport. #Person1#: Welcome to Beijing. Is this your first time in China? #Person2#: No, I have visited China several times, but it's my first visit to Beijing and I think it's a great honor to be invited to your beautiful city. #Person1#: It's our pleasure to have you here. I hope you will have a pleasant stay here. #Person2#: Thank you. I'm sure I will have a wonderful time here.

Myra meets Mrs. Green at the airport. They greet each other and Myra hopes Mrs. Green can have a good time in Beijing.

#Person1#: Helen, did you hear I ' m having a party? Next Saturday in my place. #Person2#: I may have something on that day, but thanks for inviting me. #Person1#: Well, drop by if you can. #Person2#: I will, do you want me to bring anything? #Person1#: No, just bring yourself. I hope to see you there.

#Person1# invites Helen to #Person1#'s party next Saturday. Helen tells #Person1# she may have something on that day but she'll drop by if she can.

#Person1#: Do you take in students? I've been told you might have a vacant room. #Person2#: Yes. If you don't mind sharing room with someone else, there's one available. #Person1#: How much are you asking? #Person2#: 800 yuan a month. #Person1#: Could I have a look at it, please? #Person2#: Sorry, but I'm on my way out now. Could you come back in an hour?

#Person1#'s looking for a vacant room. #Person2# has one available for 800 yuan a month and asks #Person1# to come back later.

#Person1#: are you ready for your first driving lesson? #Person2#: yes. Which one is the brake again? #Person1#: the pedal on your left is the brake and the one on your right is the gas. #Person2#: I'm glad this car is an automatic. I don't like having to change gears. #Person1#: automatics are very simple to drive. The first thing you should do is put your seat belt on. #Person2#: you should also put yours on. you never know what will happen with me in the driver's seat! #Person1#: very funny. Next you should check your side mirrors and your rear view mirror. Can you see out of them? #Person2#: I can't see anything out of the side mirror on your side of the car. Could you move it forward a bit, please? #Person1#: how's that? #Person2#: that's better. Now what? #Person1#: check your petrol situation. #Person2#: the tank is almost empty. I guess I'll drive to the petrol station to fill it up. #Person1#: that's a good idea. Put your keys in the ignition, start it up, put the car in reserve, wait for the road to be clear, and then back out of the driveway. #Person2#: I got it. Don't worry. I'll get you there in one piece. #Person1#: remember, no honking this time. The horn is only for emergencies! #Person2#: why does that cop car behind me have its red lights on?

#Person1# is giving #Person2#'s first driving lesson. #Person2# learns about preparation before driving and will drive to the petrol station to fill the petrol up.

#Person1#: This small town has many serious problems. #Person2#: What's the cause? #Person1#: The mayor and high officials practice cronyism and a large number of guys who are good at nothing occupy many important positions. #Person2#: I see why it lags behind other towns.

#Person1# tells #Person2# this small town has many serious problems because of cronyism.

#Person1#: Hello there! Come on in! Don't just stand there! Come and take a seat! #Person2#: Um, okay. Well, I just want a trim. Nothing too fancy. #Person1#: Oh my gosh! Your hair is amazing! So silky, so shiny! I am going to work my magic on your hair! You hear me? You are going to look like a million bucks! #Person2#: Okay. Um. . . can you make sure my sideburns are even and you just take a little off the top. #Person1#: Don't you worry, I'll take care of everything! ( starts cutting ) Oh my god! I just love your curly hair! It's so fluffy and cute! You should totally let it grow out. An afro would look great on you! #Person2#: Um. . . no. #Person1#: Okay, but you are going to be my masterpiece!

#Person2# wants a trim. #Person1# serves #Person2# and admires #Person2#'s hair enthusiastically but #Person1# reacts indifferently.

#Person1#: This apartment is great, but could I upgrade a few things? #Person2#: What are you unhappy with? #Person1#: I want to have a different color carpet. #Person2#: If you agree to pay more money, you could upgrade the carpet. #Person1#: Would it cost a lot more? #Person2#: It could be as little as 2 dollars or as much as 10 dollars more per square yard. #Person1#: I was also wondering if it would be possible to pick a different paint color. #Person2#: Bring me a paint sample to look at, and I will consider it. #Person1#: When can you finish with the new carpet and paint? #Person2#: Your new apartment can be recarpeted and repainted by next Tuesday.

#Person1# thinks the apartment's great but wants #Person2# to upgrade the carpet and change the color of the painting. #Person2# agrees but asks for more money.

#Person1#: What would you say if I told you I was going to quit school? #Person2#: I'd say, think twice about it. Well, you are not going to quit school, are you? #Person1#: I don't know. I failed my exam. #Person2#: What did you get? #Person1#: A B plus. #Person2#: That's not bad. #Person1#: But I should have aced it. I mean I finished the paper so quickly, thinking it's a piece of cake. But when I knew my result, I was like what? That can't be true! #Person2#: Listen, John. I understand that you are such an excellent student and I know you must have lots of stress, but you really want to give up? #Person1#: No, I don't. I just don't know how to handle this. This is my first time, you know. #Person2#: I know. Don't worry. Do you know what you should do? #Person1#: What? #Person2#: You need to blow off some steam. The world is not on your shoulder. #Person1#: How? #Person2#: Forget about school and exams. Come over to my house and have fun. I have some really good DVDs. #Person1#: Thanks. But I really don't feel like watching movies tonight. I have to get an early start in the morning. #Person2#: Then go to bed and have a good sleep. #Person1#: I guess that's what I need. Thanks. You're being a really good friend. #Person2#: Of course I am. Well, pleasant dreams! #Person1#: Thanks, bye.

John got an unsatisfied grade in his exam and considers quitting school. #Person2# comforts him and lets him forget those things. John feels thankful to have such a helpful friend.

#Person1#: How are you going all these days? #Person2#: Fine, thanks. #Person1#: But you look depressed. #Person2#: I have some problem with my work. #Person1#: Is it serious? #Person2#: I can solve it, thanks. #Person1#: How about your family? #Person2#: Everything is Okay. And as soon as I see my son at home, all my worries vanish into the blue.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person2#'s depressed due to some problems with the work but #Person2# can solve it.

#Person1#: Would you like to come by and play bridge? #Person2#: Well, let's see. Why don't we go dancing for a change? We haven't done that for a long time. #Person1#: Well, to tell the truth, I don't really feel like it tonight. I had a pretty hard day and I'm sort of tired. #Person2#: Hmm. Well, in that case, we could go to the movies. #Person1#: Oh, we always go to the movies. Can't we do something different? #Person2#: Well, do you have any suggestions? #Person1#: Let's see. How do you feel about playing bridge? #Person2#: It's OK with me, but we don't have any beer and things. #Person1#: Well, shall I call Janet and ask her and Tom to come over, and I'll go to the store and buy some stuff. #Person2#: OK. #Person1#: Hello, Janet. It's me. . . Oh, fine. Just fine. Say, Janet, I was wondering if you and Tom were doing anything tonight. . . No? Well. would you like to come by our place and play a few hands of bridge?

#Person1# invites #Person2# to come by and play bridge. #Person2# at first wants to do something else but ultimately agrees. Then #Person1# calls Janet and Tom to come.

#Person1#: What a beautiful sweater! #Person2#: Do you think it looks good on me? #Person1#: Yes, and it goes beautifully with your pants. #Person2#: You won't believe it, but it was really cheap. #Person1#: I wish I could find one just like it.

#Person1# admires #Person2#'s sweater and #Person2# tells #Person1# it was cheap.

#Person1#: I haven't danced for a long time. #Person2#: Neither have I. #Person1#: We must go to a dance soon, or we'll forget how to dance. #Person2#: Yes, we must. What have you been doing since I last saw you? #Person1#: I've been studying hard for my examinations. And you? #Person2#: I've been learning Japanese every evening. #Person1#: Why have you been learning Japanese? Why not English? #Person2#: I hope to visit Japan next year. #Person1#: Well, we'll both have to start learning all the new dances. #Person2#: Yes, let's go into the dance-hall and ask if we can take dancing-lessons. #Person1#: A good idea. They can teach elephants to dance nowadays perhaps there's hope for us!

#Person1# and #Person2# haven't danced for a long time. They talk about what they have been doing recently and they decide to take dancing lessons together.

#Person1#: OK, Hello! #Person2#: Hello! #Person1#: Hi, what's your name? #Person2#: Yeah, my name is Nandu. #Person1#: Nandu. Nandu, how do you spell you name? #Person2#: Yeah, my name is like N-A-N-J-U. #Person1#: Oh, OK. That's a nice name, Nandu. And where are you from? #Person2#: I'm from Madras.

Nandu and #Person1# meet for the first time. Nandu tells #Person1# how to spell his name and he's from Madras.

#Person1#: I went bungee jumping yesterday. It was so exciting. #Person2#: Do you really enjoy such dangerous sports? #Person1#: Yes, They are great fun and very challenging, too. Some day I'll want to try deep-sea diving and rock-climbing, too. #Person2#: You are a real fan of extreme sports. #Person1#: Yes. I love facing danger and overcoming it. It has become part of my life.

#Person1# tells #Person2# #Person1# went bungee jumping yesterday and #Person1# loves extreme sports.

#Person1#: Professor, could I make an appointment with you? #Person2#: I am free tomorrow afternoon between two and four ; do you have a particular time in mind? #Person1#: Two o'clock would be the best time. #Person2#: Fine, do you know where my office is? #Person1#: No, I'm not sure. #Person2#: Remember, it is in the E building on the third floor. #Person1#: I see. #Person2#: Don't worry, it will work out fine once you get there. I'll see you then. #Person1#: I'll see you then. #Person2#: Looking forward to meeting with you!

#Person1# wants to make an appointment with #Person2#. They confirm when and where they will meet.

#Person1#: Excuse me. But are you Mrs. Smith from America? #Person2#: That's it. I am Maria Smith. You must be Zhang Lin from Tianjin Sports Facility Co. Ltd. #Person1#: Yes. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Smith. #Person2#: Nice to meet you too, Mr. Zhang.

Mrs. Smith and Zhang Lin meet for the first time and greet each other.

#Person1#: We've got a problem. . . it looks like we'll need more spotlights on the exhibition booth. The client thinks it's too dark, and they want to add halogen lighting. We've already got 3 sets of track lighting from you guys, do you think you could help us out and throw in some halogens? #Person2#: Oh. . . Um. . . I don't think so. you know the halogen lighting is much more expensive than your track lighting system. Plus I'm going to have to call in some guys to install it for you. That's not going to come cheap. #Person1#: But it would only be adding to the existing structure. We're not talking about anything new here. . . #Person2#: It doesn't matter because we will still have to call the electrician out, and they are union labor. It'll cost you a pretty penny. . . #Person1#: How much do you think it would cost? #Person2#: Mumm, I estimate it'll run in the neighborhood of. . . $ 500 per light. #Person1#: $ 500per light? ! That's ridiculous! It can't possibly be that expansive! #Person2#: It is, I'll tell you why. We'll have to call in the electrician, he's going to charge overtime now because it's already 5PM, and it will probably take him an hour a light. Plus, the halogen lights take more electricity, so your electrical cost is going to be higher as well. #Person1#: Can't you give me a break on this? We've already spent so much money on lighting, I hate to have to blow so much more on halogens. #Person2#: No, that's the cost, and that's what it's going to cost us. We can't go in the hole with this. I am giving you my best price, so take it, or leave it.

#Person1# wants to add halogen lighting. #Person2# offers a price but #Person1# thinks it's too expensive. #Person2# explains why it is so expensive. #Person1# still wants to bargain but #Person2# won't budge.

#Person1#: So how was your interview? #Person2#: I haven't gone to the interview yet. It's tomorrow. I am so nervous. #Person1#: Don't worry. You should do fine. You have the experience. #Person2#: I hope so. #Person1#: Remember, they want someone who works well with people. You've got to show them how easy-going and personable you are. #Person2#: Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

#Person2# feels nervous for tomorrow's interview. #Person1# suggests qualities #Person2# should show during the interview.

#Person1#: I need help in ordering my office supplies. #Person2#: You can print out a copy of the Order Supply Form from our company web site and turn in into me. What will you be needing? #Person1#: I need ink cartridges, staples, and Post-its. #Person2#: Will you need all of them right away or can some wait? #Person1#: Some of these can wait but there are a few things that I need right away. #Person2#: You can only buy supplies that you have a budget for. Do you know what your budget is? #Person1#: We have plenty of money for office supplies. #Person2#: You can pick these supplies up or they can be delivered to your building. Which would you prefer? #Person1#: I want to pick them up. #Person2#: Well, just finish the request and we will contact you when the supplies come in. Have a good day! #Person1#: You too!

#Person1# asks #Person2# for help in ordering office supplies. #Person1# tells #Person2# what they need and their budget. #Person2# asks #Person1# to finish the request and will contact #Person1# when the supplies come in.

#Person1#: Good afternoon, Mr. Yang. I'm Jill, Mr. Smith's secretary. Would you like to look around the factory first? #Person2#: Yes, I would. #Person1#: Now this is our office block. We have all the administrative departments Sales, Accounting, Personnel, Market Research and so on. #Person2#: What's that building opposite us? #Person1#: That's the warehouse where the larger items of medical instruments are stored. We keep a stock of the fast-moving items so that urgent orders can be met quickly from stock. ( in the workshop ) This is one of our three workshops. This is the delivery bay here. #Person2#: Oh, I see. #Person1#: The steel sheets and bars come in, as you see, in different sizes and are unloaded onto the delivery bay here. We buy them in from a steel works in Wales. This is the new conveyor belt we installed last year. We doubled our output in this department as a result. #Person2#: Oh, really? #Person1#: I'll take you to the assembly shop. . .

Jill shows Mr. Yang around their factory and introduces the office block, the warehouse, the workshop, etc.

#Person1#: Gosh, another stop. It seems the cars ahead of us have to stop every two minutes, It's no quicker than a bus. #Person2#: That's true. During rush hours, taxis are just as quick as buses. #Person1#: It was silly of me to have taken a taxi. #Person2#: At least, it can free you from the crowd. By the way, do you come from China? #Person1#: No, from New Zealand, sir. I visited New Zealand and saw lots of overseas people there. #Person2#: Wow, like America. It receives a great number of visitors every year. #Person1#: The more the world becomes open, the more people become international!

#Person1# complains about the slow speed of taxis in the traffic jam. Then #Person1# tells #Person2# #Person1#'s from New Zealand.

#Person1#: I can't stand the stupid guy any longer. It's unbelievable. #Person2#: Oh, my dear lady, take it easy. You should forgive a green hand like him. #Person1#: He does everything so mindlessly that he is going to drive me crazy. #Person2#: I suggest you talk with him and teach him how to deal with the problems. #Person1#: I've told him how to do that several times, but he's never listened to me. #Person2#: Maybe you should communicate with him just like a friend, not a boss. #Person1#: Oh, I always have difficulty in getting along with the staff. #Person2#: Just take them for your good friends and have a talk with them as we do. Make sure you won't lose your temper! #Person1#: Oh, so bad. I'm afraid I'll change the image of myself. #Person2#: No, it's unnecessary. Just respect the staff and their own opinions. #Person1#: But sometimes they offer some useless proposals, it's awfully useless. #Person2#: Oh, no one is perfect. #Person1#: That's right. I should speak to them in a polite way. #Person2#: We have the equal partnership in team. #Person1#: Thanks very much and you're very eloquent. #Person2#: Thanks for saying that.

#Person1# complains to #Person2# about a new employee. #Person2# comforts #Person1# and suggests that #Person1# take them for good friends and have a talk with them.

#Person1#: Hey Ted, I saw this ad in the paper. You should take a look. #Person2#: What is it? #Person1#: It's for a job. It looks perfect for you. #Person2#: Let's see. . . ' Wanted #Person1#: Come on, what have you got to lose? #Person2#: What about my resume? #Person1#: Here, I'll help you type one up. #Person2#: Thanks, Mary. You're a real pal. I'll call now to set up an interview.

Mary recommends a new job to Ted and will help him type a resume.

#Person1#: I think I'm going to go get some food. #Person2#: What do you want? #Person1#: I can't decide what to get. #Person2#: What kind of food do you want to get? #Person1#: I think I might like some Chinese food. #Person2#: Do you know where you're going to get it? #Person1#: I honestly don't know. #Person2#: I go to Panda Express for my Chinese food. #Person1#: You like the food there? #Person2#: I really like the food. #Person1#: I think I'll go and get my food there. #Person2#: I think you'll enjoy the food.

#Person1# wants to eat Chinese food. #Person2# recommends Panda Express.

#Person1#: Tell me about the parking regulations on campus. I got fined yesterday. #Person2#: You have to get a parking permit first. #Person1#: Where can I get a permit? #Person2#: Over there in the Service Building. I can go with you... Right, here is the form you need... OK, surname, well I know that, Hanks... Other names, just Andrew. What's your student number? #Person1#: Oh, yes. It's 9301321. #Person2#: Your address. I know, it's 16 Bull Creek. And the postal code? #Person1#: It's 6150. #Person2#: What's the license plate number of your car? #Person1#: Er... It's BGF739. #Person2#: BGF739. OK, I can write the date, but you have to sign it yourself. #Person1#: Oh, OK, I can manage that I think.

Andrew asks #Person2# about the parking regulations on campus. #Person2# helps him to get a parking permit.

#Person1#: Jim, thank goodness you've arrived. The class presentation started half an hour ago, and I was just beginning to panic. #Person2#: I'm sorry for being late, Alice. This morning has been a real mess, I didn't think I was going to make it here at all. #Person1#: Why are you late? Our presentation depends on those graphs you are holding. #Person2#: Yes, I know. I'll tell you about it later. First, let's see how we are doing for time. Two groups are still ahead of us, aren't they? The presentations on the rights of the consumer and the analysis of the stock market. That means I've got twenty minutes to sort out. #Person1#: You look cold. What happened? #Person2#: I've been standing outside in arctic temperatures for over an hour waiting for a bus. #Person1#: Over an hour. But I thought your apartment was only a ten minute bus ride to campus. #Person2#: In normal conditions, but the bus was delayed because of the weather, and when I stopped in a drug store to call home for a ride, the bus went by. As luck would have it there was no one at home, so I had to wait another forty-five minutes for the next bus. #Person1#: That's Murphy's Law, isn't it? What was it said? If anything can go wrong, it will. Well, we've still got twenty minutes to get our wits together.

Jim is late for the class presentation and Alice is worried. Hopefully, there are still two groups ahead of their presentation when Jim arrives. Jim explains to Alice that he waits for the bus for too long.

#Person1#: Excuse me, but do you have the shirt in blue? #Person2#: Yes, we do. But only in small, large, and extra-large. #Person1#: Oh, dam. I was hoping to have it in a medium size. It would really go well with my bag. #Person2#: Well, we may be getting more in next week. Would you like me to check our computer? #Person1#: Oh, yes, please. #Person2#: OK. Yes,it looks like our manager has ordered more. We should have some in medium by next Thursday. #Person1#: Great! I'll ask my assistant to come back then and pick one up.

#Person1# wants to buy a shirt but there're no medium-sized ones left. #Person2# checks the computer and tells #Person1# there would be available ones by next Thursday.

#Person1#: I've been worried that Richard is frozen. #Person2#: What sounds to be a problem? #Person1#: Well, he has trouble concentrating when getting along with other children. I was wondering there might be something on his mind. Some problem at home?

#Person1# tells #Person2# Richard has trouble concentrating when getting along with other children.

#Person1#: Hello, Mr. Smith. I'm afraid Dr. Brown won't be able to see you today. He's still waiting for a flight out of New York. He said he would meet you tomorrow afternoon. Is it OK? #Person2#: Sounds good. Thank you for calling.

#Person1# calls Mr. Smith to tell him Dr. Brown won't be able to see him today and changes the appointment to tomorrow afternoon.