Unit1

Conversation 1

W:It is the third time my paper has been rejected by journals because of language problems.
M:You know, there is a writing center on campus. I had never got a grade better than C for any of my term papers before they helped me out.
Q:What can we learn from the conversation?

The women should seek help from the writing center

Conversation 2

M:You said you would choose Spanish as your second foreign language.Why did you finally choose French instead?
W:My grandfather speaks fluent Frenchand he says that French is a language that any truly cultured person must know.
Q:Why does the woman choose to learn French?

She thinks speaking French is a must for cultured people

Conversation 3

W:You seem to have no problemunderstanding native speakers now.How about Dr. Brown’s speech last night?
M:Excellent. But it was still too fast for me to follow especially when Dr. Brown talked about those abstract theories.
Q:What did the man do last night?

He attended a speech

Conversation 4

M:It seems to me that Melissa is in a bad mood today. What’s wrong with her?
W:Melissa forgot to bring her identification card yesterday and she was not allowed to enter the contest You know she had prepared for the contest for months.
Q:What made Melissa unhappy?

That she lost her chance to center the contest

Conversation 5

W:I think my time at school is wasted because it is just studying books and doing tests.
M:But you also learn new ideas and new ways of thinking And more importantly you meet people and develop your understanding of people at school.
Q:What does the man think of the woman’sopinion?

It is one-sided

Unit2

Conversation 1

M:I still cant decide whether we should have a whole package tour or a self-drive tour.
W:A whole package tour means having to spend time in the confined quarters of a coach, bus or train with people you are not familiar with, but considering our budget. perhaps we have to sacrifice comfort and privacy
Q:What does the woman say about a whole package tour?

It costs less money

Conversation 2

W:|was so shocked whenIsaw the tinydirty houses where the children grew up
M:So was l. I’m afraid that they don’t have enough food let alone go to school. Next time we should have our daughter come with us. She always takes things for granted.
Q:What are the two speakers planning to do?

Have their daughuter get tu konw such a life

Conversation 3

M:Iwill say it again: India is not a safe place for a woman
to travel alone.
W:But if I wear the proper clothesand learn the cultural dos and dontsit should be finePlease dont beso alarmed.
Q:What will the woman do?

Follow the Indian culture and customs

Conversation 4

W:I’m going to travel with my five-year-old this summer. But I feel kind of uncertain whether things will work out.
M:You know Jane? She and her husband spend every holiday traveling in a jeep with their son and dog Probably you should go to her before you go.
Q:What does the woman feel uncertain about?

Whether it is possible to travel with her kid

Conversation 5

M:Many people love a good story about somebody traveling in time either to repair the future or to observe the past. Why are time travel stories so popular?
W:Ithink its human nature to dreamofwhat-ifsWhat if could see an alien?
Q:What are the two speakers talking about?

Unit3

Conversation 1

W:I’m going to relax a little after such a hard week. How about a long walk this weekend?
M:Sounds good,but no high-heeled boots this time.I still remember last time you were dog-tired after a long walk in the woods.
Q:What can we infer from this conversation about the woman?

She once wore high-heeled shoes during a long walk

Conversation 2

M:One of the things I do on the weekends is cookout.It is fun to have a barbecue party with friends in the backyard.
W:Have you tried cooking with Coke? The sweetness of Coke adds a nice touch to the barbecue sauce.
Q:What does the woman suggest the man do?

Add flavor to the barbecue sauce with Coke

Conversation 3

M:The entry fee is $2 per person.The price for sweet cherry is $10 per kilogram. But you can have a 10 percent discount for the cherries if you pick more than 3 kilograms.
W:Five of us picked 5 kilograms.
Q:How much should the woman pay?

$55

Conversation 4

W:Iwas advised to take a weight-loss class. But I find it intimidating to exercise in front of others since I’m out of shape.
M:Exercising at home is also a great way to start and it helps build up your confidence.
Q:What do we know from the conversation about the woman?

She is not very confident in her own figure

Conversation 5

M:How about going on a camping trip with us?We are planning on canoeing this weekend.
W:That sounds good. But I’ve never been in a canoe before and l am not much of a swimmer either
Q:What does the woman mean?

She cannot save herself if she falls into

Unit4

Conversation 1

M:Why do you declare the news that you’re pregnant on your blog directly?
W:I’m so excited that I want to share this good news with the people who love me, but l also hope all my fans can respect my privacy at this special time.
Q:How did the woman react to the fact that she got pregnant?

She was too happy to keep it a secret

Conversation 2

W:Miley was voted the worst actress this year by the teenagers who used to admire her so much.
M:Yeah, but no reasons were given.Maybe we can get some hints from what Miley did last year.Remember that time she slapped a 20-year-old female model?
Q:What do we learn from the conversation about Miley?

She slapped a 20-year-old actress

Conversation 3

M:The Chinese couple won gold in pairs skating.It’s the first Olympic gold in figure skating for China
W:I just can’t imagine they’ve broken Russia’s 46-year hold on pairs figure skating gold. One minute on the stage and 10 years of practice off the stage. They deserve it.
Q:Why does the woman admire the couple?

Because they have made great efforts to achieve success

Conversation 4

W:Some people are fascinated with the lives ofpublic figures, so there are some media devoted exclusively to their privacy.
M:But what they do often makes these public figures embarrassed and annoyed.I believe that the privacy of every individual,including public figures should be respected.
Q:What’s the man’s attitude toward these media?

Approving

Conversation 5

M:You know? This American swimmer has apologized for his actions after a picture was published in a newspaper showing him taking drugs.
W:This is not the first time he has been compelled under public pressure to issue a public apology for his behavior.
Q:What does the woman imply about the American swimmer?

He has more than once failed to meet public expectations

Unit5

Conversation 1

W:I love the modern conveniences and efficient public transportation the big city offers, and above all, much greater access to a variety of entertainment.
M:The greatest advantage of living in a large city is that l can eat a huge variety of food from different cultures.
Q:What attracts the woman most in a big city?

Access to various forms of entertainment

Conversation 2

M:There seems to be nowhere to park outdoors.Shall we try underground parking?
W:Underground parking is always a nightmare for inexperienced drivers like meMore thanonce my carhas been scratched on the side when driving down the narrow slopes.
Q:What do we know from what the woman said?

She prefers outdoor parking

Conversation 3

M:Many people think that big cities such as London and New York would be wonderful places to live in.
W:The problem is that as too many individuals think that way and move into these citiesthe resulting crowdedness and high house prices undermine their attractions.
Q:What does the woman imply?

Big cities are now gradually losing their appeal

Conversation 4

W:The number of citizens above the age of 60 will increase from the current 147 million to174 million this year, representing about one-eighth of the total population.
M:The aging problem has not only come earlier than anticipated but also come about rapidly.
Q:What does the man say about the aging problem?

The aging problem emerges earlier than expected

Conversation 5

M:I live in New York, and for methere’s nothing that compares to its cultureenergy and convenience
W:But I also know that people living in big cities tend to be under greater pressure and have a greater risk of mental disorders.
Q:What does the woman think about the people living in big cities?

They are more likely to have mental problems

Unit6

Conversation 1

M:Addison’s quite a job-hopper. You know what his new job is?
W:Addison told me three weeks ago that he was going to quit his job in the cotton firm and go to work in a store selling beer, but he ended up working in a supermarket.
Q:What do we know from the conversation about Addison?

He changes jobs quite frequently

Conversation 2

W:Bill, do you like your job?
M:Well,I wonder who’d have fun working on an assembly line eight hours a day. If I were not the breadwinner of a big family,I would work in an office even if I could only get half of my current pay.
Q:What does the man say about his job?

He works to support his family

Conversation 3

M:What’s your future plan?
W:No idea. My father’s ruined all my dreams. He says have too little sense of economy to bein business too little imagination to be an artist I’m too fat to be an athlete, and I’m too ambitious to be an ordinary white collar worker.
Q:What does the woman think about her future?

She has no idea about her future plan

Conversation 4

W:I hear you’re working for an advertising company. Do you get a good salary for this job?
M:Yes, a pretty good salary for a beginner. But I have to work very hard for what I get. And theres quite a lot of overtime.
Q:What does the man say about his job?

His well-paid job requires a lot of hard work

Conversation 5

M:Why hesitate to take that position? Not everyone can have the opportunity to get promoted.
W:The promotion might make me more money, and bring me short-term growth, but it will take me to the top of the wrong ladder.
Q:Why doesn’t the woman take the position?

Because it will take her along the wrong career path

Unit7

Conversation 1

M:Oh, my God. I feel dizzy after spending a whole day in the library searching and reading books for my term paper.
W:There is no doubt that the Internet can simplify tasks
that would take an enormous amount of time otherwise.
Q:What does the woman suggest the man do?

Search for information on the Internet

Conversation 2

W:Mr. John son, I’m sorry to tell you your son has been
caught sending text messages in class twice this week.
We can’t turn a blind eye to it.
M:I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe taking a mobile phone to school is out of place for kids of his age
Q:What do you think Mr. Johnson will most probably do?

He will tell his son not to take his phone to school

Conversation 3

M:I’ve always felt that online dating would be most popular among people who are 50 to 65.
W:Serious? That can’t be true.As far asI know they have been reluctant to dip their toes into the online dating waters.
Q:What does the woman say about people aged 50 to65?

They are not very likely to get involved in olnine dating

Conversation 4

W:Jennifer looks disheartened,but I know she just started her online business last month.
M:Jennifer wants to have an online presence to promote her business, but she has no idea what platform is best for her needs.
Q:What does Jennifer want to know?

Which online platform suits her needs

Conversation 5

M:Can you believe thatIreceived a dozen calls fromvarious companies this morning? I’m so puzzled about who let the cat out of the bag? It’s so odd.
W:Have you ever registered on some kind of online social networking website?
Q:What does the woman imply?

The man’s personal information was leaked online

Unit8

Conversation 1

W:Hi David. You know what? I obtained a position as a project manager in a publishing company.
M:Oh, congratulations! I hope you can keep your feet on the ground this time. Maintaining a stable job is crucial for your career development.
Q:What does the man mean?

He hopes that the women can stay at this job for a long time

Conversation 2

M:Robert’s mother got divorced and married a doctor
W:Exactly. And I heard the new couple had their own child later, named Rose. I bet the little girl in the red dress sitting next to Robert must be Rose.
Q:What’s the relationship between Robert and Rose?

Half-brother and half-sister

Conversation 3

W:I don’t understand why identity thieves are desperate to steal our personal information.
M:Once they get it, they can use your ID number and your good credit to apply for more credit cards in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills.
Q:How will identity thieves use the stolen personal information?

They will use the credit cards in your name without paying the bills

Conversation 4

M:It’s a surprise for me to know that your boss is a woman. They are usually too hard to work for and too disagreeable to get along with.
W:My boss is an exception.She always listens patientlywhen we talk about our dilemmas and problems
Q:What does the woman think of her female boss?

She is considerate

Conversation 5

W:Iwent to the accounting office yesterday, but saw neither hide nor hair of Barry.
M:Barry wouldn’t have been there anyway; he’s now a professor of economics the first and the only A frican American professor in the Department of Economics.
Q:Why didn’t the woman see Barry yesterday?

He has already changed his job