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dipanjanS

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train_1000

#Person1#: Tom has grown six inches within a year. #Person2#: He has reached puberty. His mind and body both will change a lot. #Person1#: Yeah, do you see his Adam's apple? It becomes bigger. #Person2#: Time is flying. I still remember everything when he was a child.

#Person1# and #Person2# talk about Tom's change over time.

body growth

train_1001

#Person1#: What's the weather like in your city? #Person2#: In the summer it gets very hot. The temperture is between often 37 and 40 centigrade. When it is hot we often get rains. The winters are drier. #Person1#: The summer tempreture ususally often reaches about 20 or25 in my city. The rain falls mostly in the winter. And we often get snow. #Person2#: What are the temperatures in winter? In my city it is about 15 or 20 degrees. #Person1#: In winter temperture often falls to zero at night temperture can be below that. The streets are often icing in the morning. With high such tempertures you must get some thunderstorns. #Person2#: Yeah, we do. In the middle of summer there can be found storms every day ususally in the afternoon. I heard your city has a lot of fog, is that true? #Person1#: We do have a few fog days in winter. But I would not say we have a lot of fogs. The sky are usually clearly in your city, are they? #Person2#: Yes, they are like I said we have thunderstorms. But each one usually last a few hours. Then the skys are clear again. #Person1#: Have you ever had snow in your city? #Person2#: My grandmother said there was snow once when she was a child. But my parents and I never see it outside of my city. #Person1#: The river in my city sometime freeze over. People go ice-skating on it. In summer people go boating on the river. But few people go swimming because it is not very clean. #Person2#: As you know, my city is on the coast. the water is also not clean. But people still go swimming all year around. I perfer to sand bath on the beach when the weather is hot and sunning.

In #Person2#'s city, the summer is hot and rainy, while the winter is drier; the sky is clear but it rarely snows. #Person2# likes to have a sand bath on the beach. In #Person1#'s city, it usually rains and snows; it has a few fogs; people go skating on the frozen river in winter and go boating in summer.

city weather

train_1002

#Person1#: Good morning , can I help you? #Person2#: I want to American breakfast with fried eggs sunny side up. #Person1#: What kind of juice do you prefer , sir? #Person2#: Breakfast juice and please make my coffee very strong. #Person1#: Yes , sir. American breakfast with fried eggs sunny side up. Breakfast juice and black coffee. And my correct, sir? #Person2#: Yes, that's right. #Person1#: Is there anything else , sir? #Person2#: No , that's all. #Person1#: Good morning , sir . I've got breakfast your ordered. #Person2#: Just put it on the table please. #Person1#: Do you need anything else , sir? #Person2#: No , thanks . Oh, yes, could I have some juice for the mini bar? #Person1#: What kind of juice do you like sir? #Person2#: Tomato or orange juice , please. #Person1#: Yes , sir. I'll get them for you right away. Would you please sign this bill first? Thank you , sir.

#Person1# helps #Person2# order American breakfast with fried eggs and breakfast juice with strong coffee. #Person2# also orders tomato or orange juice. #Person1# asks #Person2# to sign the bill first.

order food

train_1003

#Person1#: I can bet the farm that you will regret about your decision. You cannot find a better one. #Person2#: How can you be so sure? You haven't been together with her, have you? #Person1#: No. But I'm sure she is a good girl. My sixth sense tells me so. #Person2#: Then try it yourself.

#Person1# thinks #Person2#'ll regret not choosing the girl but #Person2# doesn't think so.

regret

train_1004

#Person1#: Excuse me, madam, I wonder if you could help me. #Person2#: Yes. #Person1#: Do you happen to know anything about the Flower Show? #Person2#: Well, it is in the Forest Park. #Person1#: Can you tell me something about it? Is it interesting? #Person2#: I'm afraid I'm not really sure because I have not had the time to see it, but my daughter was there that day before yesterday. She said it was really beautiful. All sorts of flowers, roses, tulips. You name it, they have it. You see the show is one of the tourist attractions in our city. Go there and take a look, young man. #Person1#: I will. By the way, do you know when it is open? #Person2#: Well, let me see. It's open in the afternoon. My daughter told me. #Person1#: Thanks.

#Person1# asks #Person2# to tell him about the Flower Show. #Person2# tells him the show is beautiful and opens in the afternoon as her daughter said.

the flower show

train_1005

#Person1#: Lost and found. How can I help you? #Person2#: I'm ringing because I lost my bag yesterday. #Person1#: I see. Well, we received 8 bags yesterday. What color is it? #Person2#: It's black. #Person1#: Em, I've got 3 bags here. Can you give me some more information? #Person2#: It's quite large. I wear it over my shoulder. It's got a zip on the front and there's a pocket on the side for a mobile phone. #Person1#: Is there anything in it? #Person2#: Yes. There's an address book and some keys. Oh, and hissy the snake. #Person1#: There's a snake in your bag? #Person2#: Don't worry, it's made of plastic.It belongs to my little son. #Person1#: Right. Well, I think we have your bag here.

#Person2#'s bag was lost yesterday. Based on the information given by #Person2#, #Person1# found the bag.

lost and found

train_1006

#Person1#: We are finally in our last year of highschool. How exciting! I can't wait to graduate. #Person2#: Neither can I. But I don't think this year is going to be that easy. #Person1#: What do you mean? #Person2#: Well, in order to get into a good college, we have to take challenging classes this year. #Person1#: Of course, but we'll still have some time for fun. #Person2#: I don't know. I'm taking advanced math, English, 2 different science classes. #Person1#: Oh, don't worry. You've taken difficult classes before. #Person2#: Yes, but I'm also volunteering at the hospital 3 times a week. I think it will help me get into medical school. #Person1#: I'm volunteering, too. I expect to be busy this year, but I still plan to enjoy myself. #Person2#: Where are you volunteering? #Person1#: At the zoo. You should come visit. I'll be there every Saturday and Sunday.

#Person1# and #Person2# are in the last year of high school. #Person2# takes challenging classes and volunteers at the hospital. But #Person1# still plans to enjoy #Person1#'s self.

school plan

train_1007

#Person1#: Why are you looking so upset? What's the problem? #Person2#: I have to write a long article and I just can't come up with any ideas. And I have to hand it in tomorrow. #Person1#: That shouldn't be too difficult. Remember those pictures you showed me last week? #Person2#: Sure. I've got them here. #Person1#: Why don't you write about your impressions of the pyramids in Egypt? #Person2#: Sounds like a good idea. I can also tell about our visit to North Africa and all of the historical places we visited. #Person1#: Well, now that you are feeling better about this, I think I'll be on my way. I have to finish my article, too. #Person2#: Thanks. Once organized, it won't be so difficult.

#Person2#'s stuck on an article. #Person1# suggests writing about the impressions of the pyramids. #Person2# thinks it's a good idea.

writing inspiration

train_1008

#Person1#: I want to book a bus tour for the middle of June. #Person2#: Well, we have red and blue routes. The main attractions on the red route are the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian Museum. #Person1#: How do I book the tickets? #Person2#: Well, you could do that by phone with one of our operators, or you can book through our website. Of course, you could just show up and buy a ticket the day you want to take the tour. #Person1#: Alright. I'll just book it online once I know our travel dates. #Person2#: OK, well, just remember that it can get very busy over the three months from June to August. So it's probably best to book at least a week before you come, but you still have about 6 weeks. So you have plenty of time to think about it. #Person1#: OK, thanks. You've been a great help.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person1# can book tickets for red or blue routes by phone or on the website. #Person2# also reminds #Person1# to book at least one week before #Person1# comes.

book tickets

train_1009

#Person1#: You look rather pale. Are you feeling well? #Person2#: Not very. I was sick most of the night. I didn't sleep very well. #Person1#: What seems to be the matter? Is it the flu? #Person2#: No, I think it was something I ate. We ate at that new restaurant last night and I must have eaten something that didn't agree with me. #Person1#: Was it that new restaurant over on fourth street? #Person2#: As a matter of fact it was. Why do you ask? #Person1#: Jerry ate there last week and had the same kind of problem. He was sick the next day, too. #Person2#: Maybe the health authorities should investigate the place. #Person1#: That's what I think. 2 people having similar problems in such a short time can't be a coincidence.

#Person2#'s sick because of the food at the new restaurant. #Person1# and #Person2# think the restaurant should be investigated because Jerry has the same situation.

food poison

train_1010

#Person1#: Hello, it is Carol, isn't it? #Person2#: Oh! Mike? Oh my goodness, I haven't seen you for ages. #Person1#: Nice to see you again after all these years. What have you been doing? #Person2#: Well, I tried many things after we left school. I'm now working for a large oil company, in charge of sales mainly, so I travel a lot. #Person1#: Oh, that's great, you must really enjoy that. #Person2#: Oh, I do. It's exciting, it is quite tiring, though. What about you Mike? What do you do? #Person1#: I work in a law firm. I'm practicing business law, you know? #Person2#: Oh, that's interesting. #Person1#: Yeah, I'm happy doing what I do. #Person2#: Good. #Person1#: Anyway, it's great to see you, we must get together sometime. #Person2#: Yes, we should, look, give me your address and phone number and then I'll call you and we can fix something up. #Person1#: Right, well, it's my address and phone number.

Carol and Mike haven't seen each other for ages. They share their occupations with each other. Carol then asks Mike for his address and phone number.

social meeting

train_1011

#Person1#: A new school year is coming, but I learned that some children will not go to school. Are they dropping out? #Person2#: No, they just learn at home with their parents as teachers. #Person1#: Ah? How do they get teaching materials? #Person2#: From educational companies, city libraries and the internet. #Person1#: Does it work? #Person2#: Why not? Home schooling could avoid problems of traditional schools. It also increases family time. Remember the 16-year-old boy homeschooled by his mother, he showed solutions to a nineteenth century math problem. #Person1#: Oh no, are you thinking of homeschooling ourselves? But some experts say children need to attend school to learn things like social skills.

#Person2# tells #Person1# some children learn at home with their parents as teachers. #Person2# thinks homeschooling works but #Person1# doubts that.

homeschooling

train_1012

#Person1#: Hi, what can I do for you? #Person2#: I'd like to send this package to France. Can it be delivered in the next 5 days? #Person1#: Yes, we offer an overnight service. It'll cost $70. #Person2#: Ah, that's a bit expensive. Do you have a 3 days service? #Person1#: No, but we can get your package to France in one week for $40. #Person2#: Well, that sounds good. I'll take that. Is the service guaranteed? #Person1#: Yes, we also offer a service where we can track your package, but that will cost $10 extra. #Person2#: Oh, I won't need the tracking service.

#Person1#'ll send #Person2#'s package to France in one week for $40 without tracing service.

package delivery service

train_1013

#Person1#: Are you here about your ticket? #Person2#: Yes, I am, Your Honor. #Person1#: What is your argument? #Person2#: Your Honor, the police officer pulled me over for speeding. #Person1#: You must've been speeding. #Person2#: No, Your Honor, I was not. #Person1#: Tell me how many miles per hour you were going. #Person2#: I was going 35 in a 40 mph zone. #Person1#: That's fine, so I'll let you go with a warning. #Person2#: So, I don't have to pay the ticket? #Person1#: You won't have to pay the fine. #Person2#: Thank you very much, Your Honor.

#Person2# argues #Person2# wasn't speeding and #Person1# lets #Person2# go with just a warning.

argue the ticket

train_1014

#Person1#: Hello, this is ABC Corporation. May I help you? #Person2#: Yes, I ' m enquiring about your advertisement for a sales manager in today ' s newspaper. Is this position still open? #Person1#: Yes, but do you have any experiences as a sales manager? #Person2#: Yes, I have a lot of previous experiences in sales. I worked in sales departments for two companies since I finished my university. #Person1#: That sounds fine. Please give me your name and phone numbers. I ' ll set up an appointment for an interview for you. It will most likely be in a couple of days. Is it all right for you? #Person2#: Yes, my name is Brian and my phone number is 5294870. #Person1#: Thank you.

Brian wants to apply for a sales manager at ABC Corporation. Brian says he's very experienced. #Person1#'ll set up an interview for him.

job application

train_1015

#Person1#: Can you tell me, Ms. Smith, about the training programs you initiated this year? #Person2#: We ran a call center training service and language program to ensure that our customer service representatives are well trained. #Person1#: What ' s the result? #Person2#: We directly attribute an increase in our customer service feedback of 50 % to the increase in language skills and training that our employees have received. #Person1#: That seems very impressive. Good work! #Person2#: Thank you, but I cannot take all the credit. Our employees have all worked very hard to increase their productivity level.

Ms. Smith tells #Person1# about the training program which has greatly increased their customer service feedback.

the training program

train_1016

#Person1#: Good afternoon, madam. How can I help you? #Person2#: Well, I am a bit out of shape. I'm thinking about getting some exercises to keep fit. #Person1#: Oh, that's good news for us. #Person2#: So what do you provide? #Person1#: First of all, we'll design a custom-made work-out plan according to your habits. #Person2#: How can you get that done? #Person1#: Well, we give each of our customers a personal trainer who is qualified. And he will give you a fitness assessment and then come up with the work-out plan for your needs. #Person2#: What else? #Person1#: Since everyone is different, your personal trainer will find you a suitable type of exercise equipment and teach you all the techniques to help you achieve your fitness level and goal. #Person2#: Sounds pretty good. What about the charge? #Person1#: That depends. We offer membership for one month, half a year and one year. #Person2#: Maybe one month. Just have a try first. Not too tough at the beginning. #Person1#: Wise decision. You'll find it's totally worth it.

#Person2# wants to exercise and consults #Person1#. #Person1# tells her about the custom-made work-out plan, personal trainers, and the charge. #Person2# decides to try for one month.

get some exercise

train_1017

#Person1#: I don't know if you remember, but with honest every day last year we tided the knot. #Person2#: Of course I remember, actually, I am very surprised you remembered, I thought for sure you would forget. #Person1#: How could I ever forget? I even bought you roses because I love you. #Person2#: They are so beautiful. I love them, and I love you too. #Person1#: You are more beautiful than the roses. #Person2#: I don't know how, but I love you more than the day we gotta married. #Person1#: Yes, we are match made in heaven. #Person2#: I know of the past years we have faced and shared troubles, but we survived and here we are. #Person1#: Yes, we did, we did have problems, but we shared a lot of happiness too. We countered the problems, and had a lot of happiness too. #Person2#: Yes we did. #Person1#: I love you, happy anniversary. #Person2#: I love you, happy anniversary.

#Person1# and #Person2# recall the past happiness and difficulties they have encountered and wish each other a happy anniversary.

happy anniversary

train_1018

#Person1#: Good coming! Welcome to J P Interior Design. #Person2#: Hi, I saw the sign outside says that you do all kinds of interior design. #Person1#: Yes, we do. Do you have any specific needs? #Person2#: Well, I am thinking about redesigning my kitchen. #Person1#: Do you prefer some specific style? #Person2#: Yes, I prefer a more contemporary design. #Person1#: What kind of color tones do you like? #Person2#: Blue, green or earth tone colors. I do not like the colors that are too bright. #Person1#: I see. And what kind of feeling do you want to create for your kitchen? #Person2#: I'd like it to look simple, neat and relaxing. #Person1#: Fine, we will take an actual look at your kitchen before start working on it. #Person2#: No problem. How about 10'o clock this Sunday morning? #Person1#: Okay. Would you please leave your address and phone number? #Person2#: Of course. This is my card. See you then.

#Person2# asks J P Interior Design to redesign #Person2#'s kitchen in a more contemporary way. #Person1#'ll look at the kitchen first this Sunday.

redesign the kitchen

train_1019

#Person1#: How often are stockholders meetings held? #Person2#: Stockholders meetings are held biannually. Usually the meetings are scheduled for spring and fall. In between the meetings, each stockholder receives biannual reports. Financial statements are made once a year. #Person1#: What percentage of the stockholders actually attend the meetings? I'm guessing not a large percentage. . . #Person2#: You're right, it's a low percentage. Also, in order to attend meetings, you have to hold a certain amount of shares. It's quite a large number, so most of the stockers are excluded from proceedings. #Person1#: So, how much say do the stockholders really have? #Person2#: Unless they're united, very little. . .

#Person2# tells #Person1# stockholders meetings are held biannually. Only a low percentage of the stockholders who hold a certain amount of shares can attend.

stockholders meetings

train_1020

#Person1#: Cheer! #Person2#: Cheer! #Person1#: So what time tomorrow? #Person2#: Half past seven in the morning. #Person1#: Where to meet? #Person2#: In the market. #Person1#: OK. Bottoms up. #Person2#: Bottoms up. #Person1#: It's on me. #Person2#: Thank you. This place is nice.

#Person1# drinks with #Person2#. They arrange tomorrow's meeting.

make an appointment

train_1021

#Person1#: Has everything been OK with you lately? #Person2#: I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep lately. I'm exhausted! #Person1#: Have you been too busy to get enough sleep? #Person2#: I try to go to sleep, but I just can't stay asleep. #Person1#: How late do you try to go to sleep? #Person2#: I go to bed when I finish my work. #Person1#: Has anything in your day-to-day life been bothering you lately? #Person2#: I am worried about how I am going to pay my tuition. #Person1#: You might consider listening to relaxing music as you go to sleep to clear your head. #Person2#: Doing something relaxing before I go to sleep sounds like a plan.

#Person2# hasn't been able to sleep well lately because #Person2#'s worried about paying #Person2#'s tuition. #Person1# suggests listening to relaxing music.

sleep problem

train_1022

#Person1#: My daughter plans to quit her present job and wants to find another. She says she wants to get a better job with higher pay. #Person2#: It seems quite normal to me. It is pretty much what I want to do. #Person1#: But what about settling down to start a family? Doesn't anyone want to get married any more? #Person2#: It is different now. The world is becoming colorful. Some of my friends don't feel the same pressure to marry. We all want to wait for the right moment. #Person1#: What time is the right moment? #Person2#: Let the universe find us instead of forcing love. We prefer natural love. The most important thing is to be happy. Love will find us later. That is what we say.

#Person1#'s daughter wants to strive to work instead of settling down and starting a family. #Person2# tells #Person1# that nowadays people prefer natural love to forcing love.

natural love

train_1023

#Person1#: I have a problem. #Person2#: What's the problem? #Person1#: My mattress was supposed to be delivered today. #Person2#: Is there a problem? #Person1#: The delivery people showed up four hours late. #Person2#: I apologize for their tardiness. #Person1#: I was late for work because of them. #Person2#: Again, I do apologize for the inconvenience. #Person1#: I want my money back for the delivery. #Person2#: Seeing as they were late, that won't be a problem. #Person1#: It shouldn't be a problem. #Person2#: I'm going to refund your money right now.

#Person2# agrees to refund #Person1#'s delivery fee since the delivery of the mattress was late.

refund

train_1024

#Person1#: The dinner was really good. It knocked my socks off. #Person2#: That's very kind of you to say so. Let's try some after-dinner wines. #Person1#: Great. Sweet wines are my favorite. They always make a great finish to a decisions meal. #Person2#: Do you prefer brandy or ports. #Person1#: Port, please. #Person2#: Excellent choice. I love its smooth flavor. #Person1#: The port is quite exquisite. It must have spent years aging in barrels. Am I right? #Person2#: Yes. You always have a good nose for wines. #Person1#: Next time we are about to dinner we should try some Canadian ice wine. #Person2#: Oh, what's that? #Person1#: It's made from naturally frozen grapes. #Person2#: Why not? It sounds great. #Person1#: OK, here's to your health. #Person2#: Thanks. Cheers. #Person1#: Cheers.

#Person2# suggests trying some after-dinner wines and #Person1# chooses port. #Person1# loves its taste and suggests trying some Canadian ice wine next time.

after-dinner wine

train_1025

#Person1#: Mary and I decided to ring the curtain down on our love affair. #Person2#: What? You have been in love for six years, haven't you? #Person1#: Don't make a fuss. Many people divorce after having living together for many years. #Person2#: What a pity.

#Person1# tells #Person2# Mary and #Person1# decided to break up.

break-up

train_1026

#Person1#: What are the seasons like in your city? #Person2#: Summers are hot and usually lasts a long time. Winters are short, but cold, wet, and windy. I love the summers in my city, but I hate the wintertime. #Person1#: Does it ever rain in summer? #Person2#: We usually get a big thunderstorm every two weeks, but apart from that, summers are dry. Thunderstorms make the air fresh again, so most people don't mind then. #Person1#: What are spring and autumn like? #Person2#: I like spring because flowers bloom and trees grow leaves again. In spring, the weather is very changeable-sometimes cold, sometimes warm. It's usually windy with some rain. Autumn is usually sunny and dry, but it's gradually gets colder as winter arrives. What are the seasons like in you city? #Person1#: Well, I live in the southern hemisphere, so our summertime is your wintertime, and vice versa. We get some rain in every season, but most is in winter. In winter, it sometimes gets cold, but our winters are usually quite mild. Summers are warm, but not hot. Spring and autumn are both very short-sometimes just a few weeks each. The weather is very changeable then-just like spring in your city. #Person2#: Do you usually go on a summer holiday? #Person1#: No, I don't. I go on a winter holiday instead. I go somewhere warm. #Person2#: I usually go on holiday during the spring or the autumn. I try to go somewhere where the weather is more reliable than in my city.

#Person1# and #Person2# talk about the weather of different seasons in their cities. In #Person2#'s city, summers are long, hot, and dry while winters are short, cold, and wet. #Person1#'s city's summertime is #Person2#'s city's wintertime and vice versa. The weather there is generally wetter and milder.

seasons

train_1027

#Person1#: May I help you? #Person2#: Yes, I'm going to Europe on business and I need to purchase some Traveller's Cheques. #Person1#: That's no problem. Which currency would you like to buy? #Person2#: I think Euros will be the best, as I'll only be in Mainland Europe. #Person1#: Of course. Do you have your passport with you? How much would you like to purchase? #Person2#: 5, 000 Euros will be sufficient, thanks. #Person1#: Please fill in this form. How would you like it? In 100 Euro cheques? #Person2#: That would be perfect, thank you.

#Person1# helps #Person2# purchase traveler's cheques worth 5000 Euros.

purchase traveler's cheques

train_1028

#Person1#: I need to find a new place to live. #Person2#: Yeah? Why? Don't you like living with me? #Person1#: Oh, it's not you. I just want my own place. #Person2#: Well, check the newspaper. #Person1#: Jeez. . . I didn't realize a single bedroom apartment went for so much these days. #Person2#: Yeah, prices have really gone up the past couple of years. #Person1#: Oh, here's one. It's looks like its in this neighborhood, $ 600 a month. That's not to bad. #Person2#: No, it's pretty good. Why not give the landlord a call? #Person1#: Hello. I'm calling about the one bedroom in Lincoln Park. Could I take a look at it? Yes. Tonight at six is fine. Thanks.

#Person1# wants to find a new place to live. #Person2# suggests checking the newspaper. #Person1# finds a satisfying apartment and will go to see it tonight.

find an apartment

train_1029

#Person1#: Why don't you sit down and relax, darling? #Person2#: I don't want to. #Person1#: Well, come over and talk to me then. #Person2#: Certainly not. #Person1#: May I turn on the TV then? #Person2#: Turn on the TV, for what? #Person1#: So that we can sit down together and listen to some music. #Person2#: Listen to the music? And who will cook dinner, will you? #Person1#: I will, but let's go to the disco after dinner. #Person2#: To a disco? Oh, no. You know I hate it.

#Person1# asks #Person2# to get some rest and relax but #Person2# refuses. #Person2# is in a mood.

refusal

train_1030

#Person1#: Hi. I need a wake-up call tomorrow. #Person2#: What time would you like your wake-up call? #Person1#: I need two calls, one at 7 and another at 7 fifteen. #Person2#: That is no problem at all, of course. You'll get a call at 7 o'colock and another at 7 fifteen. #Person1#: Then again, I think 7 fifteen is too early. Change 7 fifteen to 7 thirty, please. #Person2#: So, that'll be a call at 7 and another at 7 thirty. Do you have any other requests? #Person1#: Not just now, but if I do think of something later, I'll give you a ring. #Person2#: Okay, sir. Sleep well.

#Person1# asks #Person2# to give #Person1# two wake-up calls tomorrow morning at 7:00 and 7:30.

morning calls

train_1031

#Person1#: Mom, I'm ready for school. #Person2#: Let me feel your forehead. I'm so glad it wasn't strep throat. #Person1#: I don't have a fever, and I'm ready for my test. #Person2#: But I'm not sure you're strong enough yet. Here's some seafood rice soup I made. It's delicious. #Person1#: I'm fine, Mom. I feel so much better. I want to go to school. I'm missing out on all the fun. #Person2#: But the last two days were a weekend. #Person1#: Let me go to school, please! I'm sick of medicine, sick of soup, and sick of being sick!

#Person1# recovers from illness and wants to go to school. #Person1#'s mom isn't sure #Person1#'s strong enough but #Person1# insists on going to school.

go to school

train_1032

#Person1#: OK. sir. Your room is done. Is there anything else I can do for you? #Person2#: Would you please help me send these clothes to the laundry? #Person1#: OK. sir. #Person2#: When will they be ready? #Person1#: All the laundry will be ready by 5 #Person2#: That's fine. Thank you.

#Person2# requests #Person1# to send some clothes to the laundry.

laundry

train_1033

#Person1#: I have no idea what to buy for Mary for her birthday. #Person2#: Me neither! Would you like to go in and buy her a gift together? #Person1#: Yes, that would be good! #Person2#: We need to think about what she might like. What are her interests? #Person1#: If I remember right, she likes music, skiing, and reading. #Person2#: You know, maybe we could get her some concert tickets. Who would know her favorite groups? #Person1#: Her roommate, Malia, might know what her favorite groups are. #Person2#: Yeah, Malia would be able to help us choose a concert. #Person1#: Let's give Malia a call and ask her for her help right now. #Person2#: Good! Maybe Malia would like to go in with us on this gift.

#Person1# and #Person2# decide to buy Mary's birthday gifts together. They'll call Mary's roommate, Malia, for suggestions.

a birthday gift

train_1034

#Person1#: I've been waiting here in the conference room for ten minutes already. What time does our meeting start? Where is everyone anyway? #Person2#: Didn't you hear about that? Our meeting was proponed until Friday. #Person1#: What? The meeting was proponed? No one told me anything about it. #Person2#: Didn't you get the memo? #Person1#: What memo? There haven't been any memos this whole week. I check my unbox every day, and I haven't seen anything. #Person2#: The memo went out three days ago. It should have made it to your in-box, but maybe it got lost in all the clutter on your desk. #Person1#: You know how things get piled up on my desk when I am busy, I know that sometimes I do misplace things, but I always read all the memos that go around. They go directly to my in-box. Are you sure it was sent to the whole office? #Person2#: It should have gone around to everybody. They also posted a copy of the memo in the break-room. Don't you ever look at the messages posted on the bulletin board? #Person1#: I'm usually too busy to take a bunch of coffee breaks and gossip by the water cooler. Anyway, I am sure the memo never got to my in-box. I'll have to talk to our secretary about it. #Person2#: That's right. You never know what you're missing out if you don't read the memos.

#Person1# finds #Person1# wasn't informed that a meeting was postponed. #Person2# tells #Person1# the memo was sent to the whole office and was also posted in the break-room. #Person1#'ll talk to the secretary.

a missing memo

train_1035

#Person1#: Your house is very old. Does it need redecorating? #Person2#: Yes, it really needs redecorating. #Person1#: Shall I help you with it? #Person2#: I don't suppose you could. #Person1#: I have much time. I suppose it can be done. #Person2#: I'll be glad if you would.

#Person1# offers to help #Person2# redecorate #Person2#'s old house.

redecorate the house

train_1036

#Person1#: Which impresses you more, a book or a movie? #Person2#: The latter one would be my favorite. A great many movies have impressed me. But the first time what I watched was Titanic. In my memory, I first watched Titanic when I was a pupil in the second grade, though I didn't know too much about the love between men and women. I was terribly shocked by the horrible catastrophe when it is sinking. Some are screaming, some are too scared to say a word, some are murmuring prayers in the Bible and begging for the God's mercy. All in all, that was the first time I had viewed people's psychological status when confronted with the great disaster. And I learnt that men, including me, should always show respect to nature or properly reduce our confidence when saying men can conquer the world.

#Person2# tells #Person1# that movies impress #Person2# more than books and describes #Person2#'s feelings towards the movie Titanic.

an impressive move

train_1037

#Person1#: Lisa, I heard you worked as a guide at the Natural History Museum at the weekend. #Person2#: Yes. I told the visitors about butterflies and their living habits. It was fun. Did you have a good weekend? #Person1#: Yeah, but I'm kind of tired now. I stayed up late watching the soccer game.

Lisa worked as a guide at a museum while #Person1# stayed up watching soccer games at the weekend.

weekend activities

train_1038

#Person1#: Where are you going to plant the tree? By the front door? #Person2#: No, that would be silly. It'll grow too big. I'm going to put it at the back of the garage. #Person1#: I thought it would be better right at the other end of the garden. #Person2#: Oh, no.

#Person1# and #Person2# have different ideas about where to plant a tree.

plant a tree

train_1039

#Person1#: Hey, Brandon. #Person2#: Yeah. #Person1#: Um ... Um ... #Person2#: What? #Person1#: Well, I need to talk to you, and I'm not really sure how to do it. It's kind of difficult, but I kind of, I need to talk to you about something. #Person2#: Alright. Go ahead. #Person1#: Okay. You know, Stephanie. [Yeah.] You're dating my sister, right? Stephanie. [Yeah, yeah.] Um, I think she's back on drugs. #Person2#: What do you mean? I, I know she had a problem in the past, but she told me that that was over. #Person1#: Well, that's what she says, but you know, I know my sister pretty well; I think I know her better than just about anyone else, and I know you guys have talked about getting married soon, and [Yeah] ... I'm pretty sure she's using drugs again, and you really need to, you need to know this ... you really need to face the facts, and you're going to have to deal with this now. #Person2#: So, but, I ... again, how do you know? #Person1#: She's doing some of the same stuff, you know, um, like. Well, like. Listen, you know. Um, you've noticed she's been skipping work lately? #Person2#: Well, she said she's been having some health problems, so I just figured it was that. #Person1#: No, no, no. She's not. [ Are you sure? ] Yeah. It's, it's more than that. Like, a month ago, she asked me to lend her a thousand bucks to fix her car. #Person2#: Wow. Man. Um, I mean, she didn't tell me anything like that. I mean, her car is running fine, I think. #Person1#: Yeah, I know, it is. It's running fine. [ Oh, great. ] Exactly. She's lying a lot now, and she's, you know, she's trying to hide it, and she's good at hiding it. #Person2#: And, I let her borrow my car a couple days ago, and I had fifty bucks in there, and when the car came back, it was gone. She's ... I don't know how else it could have disappeared. [ Man. I can't belive this. ] I'm pretty sure she stole it. #Person1#: I know. Um, but she's hiding things, and she hides things from us, and okay, for example, like last week. I saw her with the two cell phones, and when I checked the texts on the one phone .... #Person2#: Wait, wait. Two phones? What do you mean? #Person1#: ....Yeah, umm. #Person2#: She only has one. #Person1#: No, she's got at least two phones, and when I checked the one phone, I saw some texts, and she was talking about, um, um, some drugs and needing to meet up with someone to buy them. #Person2#: Ah, man. #Person1#: I'm sorry, Brandon, um, I ... we need to, we need to confront her on this. You need to confront her on this. #Person2#: I don't know how to do this. I mean ... yeah, I don't know. #Person1#: I know, but you've got to. You, you can't ... the ... you know, you've got to do this if you want to try to hope that there's going to be anything to this relationship. It's, it's much better to talk to her openly about this now, cause, I promise you, the problems will just escalate, so ... #Person2#: But, she might blow up. #Person1#: She might, but hey, wait, listen. Why don't you guys come over for dinner and we can talk about it together? You know, um ... #Person2#: I just don't know. #Person1#: I know, and you're right, she might blow up, but if you don't do anything, I promise the problems are just going to get bigger. She's probably going to end up losing her job, she's probably going to get arrested, and she might even die. #Person2#: Man, you're probably right. I have to think about this and how to approach her. Alright. Let, let me thing about it, and I'll call you. [ Okay. ] Alright, thanks. #Person1#: Alright. Bye, Brandon.

#Person1# tells Brandon that his girlfriend Stephanie, who is also #Person1#'s sister, is back on drugs. Brandon doesn't know it and can't believe it. #Person1# tells Brandon that Stephanie has been skipping work lately and borrowed a thousand bucks from #Person1#. She also stole the fifty bucks in Brandon's car. Moreover, #Person1# saw the texts on one of Stephanie's phones about buying drugs from someone. #Person1# suggests Brandon talk with her.

drug addiction

train_1040

#Person1#: You often come to school late as well. Yesterday, for example, you... #Person2#: Yes. I'm very sorry about that. You see, my alarm clock didn't work and... #Person1#: Your alarm clock? But you told me yesterday that the bus had broken down! #Person2#: Oh, did I? I just forgot to say that my clock didn't work, either. #Person1#: It's a good story. Now, tell me again why you want tomorrow off. #Person2#: Well...er, you see, my grandmother is ill. She is in hospital and... and she is going to have an operation. I want to visit her. #Person1#: Oh, I see. So your grandfather is ill as well. #Person2#: As well? I... I don't understand. #Person1#: Neither do I. When we began this conversation, you said your grandmother was ill. And you didn't say she was going to have an operation! You said she had already had one! And by the way, you also said she was in an old people's home, not in a hospital.

#Person2# concocts excuses for being late for school today and yesterday. #Person2# then asks for a leave tomorrow, saying #Person2#'s grandmother's in hospital, but #Person1# points out that what #Person1# says is inconsistent with #Person2#'s previous statements.

make excuses

train_1041

#Person1#: I used to go to the cinema a lot. It did make a nice night out, but not now. #Person2#: No, I don't either. There aren't any good adventurous stories like the movies they made when I was young.

#Person1# and #Person2# don't go to the cinema a lot now. #Person2# thinks the stories aren't adventurous anymore.

movies

train_1042

#Person1#: May I take this book out? I need it work on my paper for Dr. Smith's history class. #Person2#: I'm afraid not. The book has been put on reserve by Dr. Smith. Unless you have his written permission, we won't lend it out.

#Person2# tells #Person1# #Person1# cannot take the book out because it's been reserved by Dr. Smith.

borrow a book

train_1043

#Person1#: I don't enjoy dating anymore. I can't seem to find anyone I have anything in common with. #Person2#: Don't feel discouraged. Be patient. As you are so distinguished, you will definitely find the person who is right for you. #Person1#: To tell you the truth, I am tired of being alone. I hope to find my Mrs. Right. What should I do? #Person2#: Do you believe in Internet matchmaking service? #Person1#: That's really a new walk of life. What is it exactly? #Person2#: It helps match up singles the world over, and helps find the man and woman of their dreams. #Person1#: Oh, it must be to the taste of a certain group of people. #Person2#: The advertisement said Dream Dates has matched up thousands of singles the world over! #Person1#: Unbelievable! They must be exaggerating the figure! #Person2#: Look at the way they manage their business: they collect applicants' photos, and give the applicants questionnaires to fill out as to what type of character they are. #Person1#: I don't believe several questions can decide the type of person you're. People's characters are complicated and keep changing all the time. #Person2#: Anyway, it seems that things work well this way. The information and specifications will be entered in a large computer database. #Person1#: A computer to decide your best date? That's really ridiculous! #Person2#: Look, it promises: Dream Dates provides expert dating service and a place for singles to meet. We'll introduce you to the person uniquely qualified to be your partner. #Person1#: Sheer slogans! Not reliable! #Person2#: It says you can enroll in a free trial membership! #Person1#: I won't do it even they pay me for that! #Person2#: Well, we don't have to believe this. Maybe I can tell John, and see whether he'd like to try it.

#Person1# tells #Person2# #Person1# doesn't enjoy dating anymore and is tired of being alone. #Person2# suggests trying Internet matchmaking service and tells him how this works. #Person1# thinks it unreliable.

Internet matchmaking service

train_1044

#Person1#: So, how long have you been living here? #Person2#: About six months now. #Person1#: Why did you choose Beirut? #Person2#: Because, Mike-my husband-and I have always loved Arab culture and the language. Mike's an English teacher and he got a job here in a language school. #Person1#: Why did you want to take a year off? #Person2#: Basically I wanted a break from teaching. I love teaching children but I needed a change. Also I've been drawing and painting since I was little but I've never really had the chance to study drawing. So this seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a change and learn to draw properly. #Person1#: Well, I found a fantastic art teacher, called Omayma, and I've been having classes with her since October. She's great and she speaks English, which is lucky, because I don't know much Arabic yet. But I'm learning the language as quickly as I can. #Person2#: Is Arabic a difficult language to learn? #Person1#: Incredibly difficult! Especially the pronunciation. You have to learn to make a lot of new sounds.

#Person2# tells #Person1# she and her husband moved to Beirut because they loved Arab culture and she took a year off to have a break from teaching and learn drawing. #Person1# then recommends a fantastic art teacher.

social casual talk

train_1045

#Person1#: Congratulations on breaking the records at the recent Olympics, Miss Green! #Person2#: Thank you, Mr. Rarker. #Person1#: Oh, look at those trophies! You became a swimming star at the age of fifteen, didn't you? #Person2#: Yeah, you're right. #Person1#: Could you tell me something about your plans for the future? #Person2#: To tell you the truth, I'm going to give up swimming from now on. #Person1#: I beg your pardon? #Person2#: I mean I'd rather not swim at all. I'm too old to... #Person1#: Excuse me, if I'm not wrong, you've only twenty now. Is it too old at twenty? #Person2#: Yes, too old for a swimmer. If I swim in an international competition, I'll hardly be able to win. #Person1#: But...er...don't you enjoy swimming? #Person2#: Certainly, and I enjoy visiting other countries, and the Olympics are very exciting. However, I missed more important things. I had to work very hard at swimming. There was training before school, after school, and at weekends. While other girls were growing up, I was swimming, swimming. But life isn't merely swimming, is it?

#Person1# congratulates Miss Green on breaking the records at the recent Olympics, but Miss Green says she'll give up swimming because she's too old to be a swimmer and she wants to enjoy more important things in life.

give up swimming

train_1046

#Person1#: How are the children doing at sport? #Person2#: I'm very pleased with their performances. Timmy can cover the 100 meters in 12 seconds. That's very fast for a kid his age. #Person1#: He's not very good at the long jump though, is he? #Person2#: He's not bad. He can jump a distance of over four meters. I think he just prefers running to jumping. Jimmy's very good at the high jump. He can jump over two meters. Again, that's fine for someone hi #Person1#: Two meters? That means that the high jump bar is above his head! Are any of them good at long-distance running? #Person2#: The longest race we run is the 1500 meters. A few of the boys and one girls can do it in less than five minutes. #Person1#: How are they at swimming? #Person2#: They're ok. I ask them to swim 500 meters each day. That's 20 lengths of the swimming pool. They're not very fast, but that's ok. I just want them to build their strength up and keep in shape. #Person1#: Kate is very good at diving from a height of 10 meters. #Person2#: I'd be afraid to jump from that height! #Person1#: I think that these kinds haven't learnt to be afraid yet. She started diving from a lower height, but she soon wanted to go higher. #Person2#: It seems that they really enjoy to go faster, higher and further.

#Person2# tells #Person1# about the kids' satisfying performance at sports. Timmy can run very fast, Jimmy's good at the high jump, a few of the boys and one girl can run 1500 meters very fast, and Kate's good at diving.

kids' sport performance

train_1047

#Person1#: I'm so hungry. Shall we go eat now, Rick? #Person2#: sure. Where do you want to go? Are you in the mood for anything in particular? #Person1#: how about some dumplings? I just can't get enough of them. #Person2#: dumplings again? ! Oh, Amy, let's try something new! #Person1#: well, what do you have in mind? #Person2#: how about the Mongolian hot pot? #Person1#: oh, it's too spicy for me. Don't you remember last time when I tasted the lamb? It was so spicy my eyes teared up! #Person2#: maybe we can try Yuanyang pot this time. You can choose the non-spicy soup base. #Person1#: sounds great. Do they serve noodles? I am in the mood for some tasty noodles as well. #Person2#: yes. The sliced noodles they offer are among the most authentic Shanxi cuisines. #Person1#: great. Let's go! #Person2#: wait a minute. Let me throw on a sweater.

Amy and Rick talk about what to eat. They finally decide on Yuangyang pot and the sliced noodles.

what to eat

train_1048

#Person1#: Hi, Nally, are you hungry? #Person2#: I'm starving. Let's go grab a bite. #Person1#: Where to? #Person2#: How about Karlis? #Person1#: Are you kidding? That place is too ritzy for lunch. #Person2#: True . ok Let's go to Gerumose? #Person1#: Same thing, meals there all coarsen arm and leg. #Person2#: I guess it is a little pricy. #Person1#: Let's stop it at Multicolor for a quick lunch. . #Person2#: That will be Ok. Come on , I can't wait to chow down. #Person1#: That was a great lunch , the food was good ,but the service was lousy. #Person2#: Is that why you stiffed the waiter? #Person1#: You got it . All right, Let's go back to school.

#Person1# and Nally talk about where to have lunch. They finally go to Multicolor for a quick lunch. #Person1# thinks the food was good but the service was lousy

have lunch

train_1049

#Person1#: No, Vince, not next week. Now. You need to guarantee me 5 percent. #Person2#: But you just said 4 percent! #Person1#: If the next word out of your mouth isn't Yes it's going up to 6 percent. #Person2#: Yes! OK, yes. Stop it! You are just ruthless. #Person1#: That's why you love me. One other thing. Did you leave me a note this morning on a green post-it? #Person3#: I don't think so. Mine are yellow. Why? #Person2#: Never mind. I'm looking for somebody who uses green.

#Person1# forces Vince to guarantee #Person1# 5 percent. #Person1#'s looking for someone using green notes.

daily casual talk

train_1050

#Person1#: May I help you, sir? #Person2#: Yes, please. I'm looking for a cotton polo shirt. #Person1#: Any particular colour? #Person2#: Not really. #Person1#: How about this one? #Person2#: I like the design, but don't particularly care for the colour. Do you have that in other colours, too? #Person1#: Well, they come in white, pale yellow, aqua, red and green. Will a white one do? #Person2#: Yes. I prefer white - and may I see a pale yellow one, too? #Person1#: Why, of course. Let's see. . . White. . . Pale yellow. Here you are, sir.

#Person2#'s looking for a cotton polo shirt and #Person1# offers recommendations.

shopping

train_1051

#Person1#: What do you think about this store? I heard it's a posh store that's only got branches in big cities. #Person2#: I love this store. The only problem is that it's extremely expensive. #Person1#: Don't worry. I've decided that for your birthday I'm going to take you shopping for a new dress. #Person2#: Really? I thought you hated shopping? #Person1#: I do, that's why you should appreciate this gift! #Person2#: Sure. That's really nice of you. Let's go in and try some things on. #Person1#: How about this red dress? I think it would really suit you. #Person2#: That's gorgeous! Do they have it in a size 8? #Person1#: Here you go. On any other day, it would cost me a fortune, but it's on special offer today. #Person2#: I think this color isn't quite right for me. Do they have the same dress in white? #Person1#: Let me look. Let's see ... they've got one in blue, green, pink, black... and white. Here you are. #Person2#: This is perfect! What do you think? #Person1#: I think you look fantastic. Happy Birthday! #Person2#: I'm so lucky. You only get a chance like this once in a blue moon! Thanks honey!

#Person1# and #Person2# are shopping. #Person1# buys #Person2# a fantastic white dress as her birthday gift at a posh store.

a fantastic dress

train_1052

#Person1#: I hear you're being sent to Madrid for the annual conference. Is that right? #Person2#: Yes, it would be my first trip overseas. Actually, it's going to be my first time leaving the country. #Person1#: Are you serious? You haven't even been anywhere on vacation? #Person2#: No, I have never vacationed anywhere exortic. But even if I don't get a chance to travel on my personal time, at least I can travel on company time! #Person1#: Well, being able to go to the conference sounds like such a great opportunity. Have you applied at the embassy for a visa yet? #Person2#: Yes, it wasn't too hard to get. All I had to do was fill out the paperwork and pay the application fee. #Person1#: You leave next Tuesday, right? What time is your flight? #Person2#: My flight departs at 7 am. I have everything except for my luggage ready. #Person1#: If your flight is leaving so early, I can take you to the airport and see you off. I'll still be able to make it into the office by 9. #Person2#: That would be great! Thanks a lot!

#Person2# will go to Madrid for the annual conference, which would be #Person2#'s first trip overseas. #Person2# has everything except for #Person2#'s luggage ready. #Person1# offers to take #Person2# to the airport.

first trip overseas

train_1053

#Person1#: I am thinking about resigning from my current job. #Person2#: Have you thought about it seriously? #Person1#: Yes, I have been thinking about it for quite a while. Now I finally make up my mind to leave. I have given my resignation letter to our boss last Friday. #Person2#: Ok, did you find a new company? #Person1#: Yes, I will move on to XYZ Company. #Person2#: Good for you, but your leaving will be a great loss to us. It is so nice to work with you. #Person1#: Thanks. I had learned so much from you and our colleagues.

#Person1# tells #Person2# #Person1# is resigning from the current job and will move on to XYZ company.

resign the job

train_1054

#Person1#: We've got a new manager in our department. #Person2#: Oh? You hoped to get that job, didn't you? #Person1#: Yes, I did. #Person2#: I'm sorry. That's too bad. Who is it? Who got the job, I mean? #Person1#: Someone called Drexler. Carl Drexler. He's been with the company onlytwo years. I've been here longer. And I know more about the job , too #Person2#: Hmm. Why do you think they gave it to him and not to you? #Person1#: Because I'm the wrong sex , of course ! #Person2#: You mean you didn't get the job because you're a woman? #Person1#: Yes, that was probably it! It isn't fair. #Person2#: What sort of clothes does he wear? #Person1#: A dark suit. White shirt. A tie. Why? #Person2#: Perhaps that had something to do with it. #Person1#: You mean you think I didn't get the job because I come to work in jeansand a sweater? #Person2#: It's possible, isn't it? #Person1#: Do you really think I should wear different clothes? #Person2#: Well. . . perhaps you should think about it. #Person1#: Why should I wear a skirt? Or a dress? #Person2#: I'm not saying you should. I'm saying you should think about it. That's all! #Person1#: Why should I do that? I'm good at my job! That's the only important thing ! #Person2#: Hmm. Perhaps it should be the only important thing. But it isn't. Not in this company.

#Person1# thinks it's because she's a woman that she didn't get promoted while #Person2# thinks it's because #Person1# doesn't pay attention to her dressing. #Person1# disagrees and believes being good at her job is enough while #Person2# thinks it isn't the only important thing in this company.

office arguement

train_1055

#Person1#: I can't believe you wear jeans to the office! Are you trying to lose your job? #Person2#: Of course not. I'm just observing casual day. On Fridays, the company doesn't require us to wear formal business attire. #Person1#: Wow! Nobody told me about that. Won't the relaxed dress code damage the company image? #Person2#: We don't think so. Casual days are becoming more common, and we believe employees can maintain a professional image without wearing uncomfortable clothes. #Person1#: I guess it lets people express their individual tastes. But won't some people abuse it ? #Person2#: Not really. Besides, there is a separate dress code for casual day. People can't just wear whatever they want. #Person1#: It seems that a relaxed atmosphere could hinder productivity. #Person2#: Believe it or not, it has the opposite effect. Employees are actually more productive on casual days.

#Person2# tells #Person1# they don't need to wear business attire on casual days. #Person2# believes employees can maintain a professional image without wearing uncomfortable clothes and are more productive on casual days.

dress code

train_1056

#Person1#: How did you choose courses when you were abroad? #Person2#: That's a very good question. Choosing proper courses and effectively planning a college schedule is very important to the progress toward your educational goal. In order to do these wisely and effectively, you should consult with a Program Adviser or Academic Counselor. #Person1#: Wait a minute. There are some new terms for me. I can hardly follow you. #Person2#: Ok, I will go into more detail. A Program Adviser or an Academic Counselor is usually an experienced professor who is responsible for all the necessary academic counseling through graduation. You can discuss with him the program selection, changing or adding a program, the requirements for graduation, and other problems related to your study. You will choose some courses, and then discuss with the adviser whether your choice can meet the requirements for graduation. #Person1#: Everything is so new to me. I think I'll have to experience a very difficult period when I get there. #Person2#: Sure, very difficult. #Person1#: I am very grateful for your advice. #Person2#: It's my pleasure to talk with you.

#Person2# tells #Person1# students should consult with a Program Advisor or Academic Counselor when choosing courses abroad and explains what a Program Advisor or an Academic Counselor is.

choose courses abroad

train_1057

#Person1#: But still, I didn't want this wallpaper. And every time I try to open a program, all I see is a cross-dressing Bush. #Person2#: I heard about that horrible virus! It automatically e-mails itself as an attachment to everyone in your address book. #Person1#: Well, it's already got on my computer. How do I get rid of it? #Person3#: Vote it out in the next election. #Person1#: Hey, knock it off-this is serious! #Person3#: Have the IT department run a virus disinfection program. Hopefully, the problem will be gone by 2005.

#Person1#'s computer has got a horrible virus and #Person2# suggests having the IT department run a virus disinfection program.

computer virus

train_1058

#Person1#: Welcome. #Person2#: Hi, John. Hey, you've done a good job decorating this place. Really nice. #Person1#: Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Can I get you a drink? #Person2#: No, thanks. Let's go to prepare dinner. I am getting hungry. #Person1#: Here is the kitchen. I will chop the onions. Could you take the meat out of the fridge? It's in a yellow plastic container. #Person2#: Wow. This smells good. #Person1#: Could you slice those potatoes for me please? #Person2#: What are we having? #Person1#: My special dumplings. Sweet and sour pork with pineapple beef with onions and green peppers, eggplant and soy sauce and a few side dishes like tomatoes with sugar. #Person2#: Sounds wonderful. #Person1#: I'll start preparing the meat stuffing. #Person2#: I wish I had the recipe and could you tell me what's in this? #Person1#: I will tell you after dinner.

#Person2# comes to John's house and admires the decoration. They will have John's special dumplings for dinner and #Person2# helps John prepare it.

prepare dinner

train_1059

#Person1#: Excuse me, Mr. Brooke, I almost forgot there was a phone message here for you. Professor Johnson called and asked you to call him back. #Person2#: Where is he now? Do you know? #Person1#: He's staying in the Blackwood Hotel room 509. #Person2#: Thank you. Do you happen to have the number of the Blackwood Hotel? #Person1#: I'm sorry I don't, but you can get it from information just dial 114. #Person2#: Oh, and could I trouble you to change a dollar? #Person1#: Alright. Here is your change. By the way, the public phone is over there on your right. #Person2#: I see, thanks.

#Person1# tells Mr. Brooke Professor Johnson called and asked him to call back. #Person1# suggests dialing 114 to get Johnson's hotel's number and changes a dollar for him to use the public phone.

a phone message

train_1060

#Person1#: I can't sleep. #Person2#: What's wrong dear? #Person1#: I don't know. I just can't sleep. #Person2#: Is there anything bothering you? #Person1#: Maybe. I have a test on Friday and I'm worried I won't get a good grade. #Person2#: Well. You have a few days left the study. Is there anything I can do to help? #Person1#: Yeah. Can you help me understand some of the ideas I just can't get? #Person2#: Sure. we can start when you get home from school. For now though, close your eyes and think about nicer things. Then you'll be ready to learn tomorrow. #Person1#: Thanks, Daddy. You're always there for me when I need you.

#Person1# can't sleep because #Person1#'s worried about a test. Dad will help #Person1# understand some ideas #Person1# can't get.

sleep problems

train_1061

#Person1#: Hi, I was told to see you about going sightseeing. #Person2#: It is my pleasure. I am here to help direct visitors to popular places to visit, eat and shop. #Person1#: OK, where shall we begin my trip? #Person2#: I would suggest the History Museum. #Person1#: I've already seen it. #Person2#: Let me see. What do you like to do in your spare time? #Person1#: I really like nature, flowers and trees. #Person2#: Central Park is a fantastic place for you to relax. There are also many plants. After that, we can go to the shopping mall around it. #Person1#: Good.

#Person1# consults #Person2# about going sightseeing. #Person2# suggests going to Central Park and the shopping mall around.

go sightseeing

train_1062

#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?

#Person2# suggests dancing or going to the movies, but #Person1# prefers to play bridge although because #Person1#'s tired. #Person1# calls Janet and Tom to come over and play bridge.

play bridge

train_1063

#Person1#: my mp3 player is broken, so I want to change it for an mp4 player. Can you offer any advice about which brand and model to buy? #Person2#: an mp4 player? why don't you buy a new cell phone? You can find an mp4 player inside any of the latest cell phones. #Person1#: Oh, that's a good idea. Perhaps I should have a try. #Person2#: look at my cell phone. I can listen to music, watch movies, take pictures, play games, surf the web and download documents. It's just like a PAD. #Person1#: that's cool. I can use the computer and the internet pretty well, but I'm a little bit slow in the latest trends of digital products. #Person2#: that's Ok. you know, digital devices are becoming smaller and easier to carry, and they won't cost you too much. #Person1#: yeah, if I buy a cell phone like this, I don't have to take a music player everywhere I go, and I can save the cost of buying an extra mp4. #Person2#: that's right. what's the flash memory of your old mp3? #Person1#: 256MB. #Person2#: then any cell phone can meet your need because they generally have memories of over 512MB.

#Person1# wants to buy an mp4 player. #Person2# suggests buying a new cell phone because it has more functions and a larger flash memory and it's easy to carry. #Person1# thinks it's a good idea.

a cell phone

train_1064

#Person1#: You're really fit, Paul. Do you exercise very much? #Person2#: Well, I almost always get up very early, and I lift weights for an hour. #Person1#: You're kidding! #Person2#: No. And then I often go Rollerblading. #Person1#: Wow! How often do you exercise like that? #Person2#: About five times a week. What about you? #Person1#: Oh, I hardly ever exercise. I usually just watch TV in my free time. I guess I'm a real couch potato!

Paul is fit because he exercises very often while #Person1# hardly ever exercises.

exercise

train_1065

#Person1#: Hello, sir, what can I do for you today? #Person2#: Hello, I need a new suit. I have an important interview next week, so I really need to look sharp. #Person1#: No problem! We have a broad selection of suits, all tailored made so that it will fit perfectly. #Person2#: Great! I want a three piece suit, preferably made from Italian cashmere or wool. #Person1#: Very well sir. Would you like to have some shirts made also? #Person2#: Sure. I ' ll also take some silver cuff link and a pair of silk ties. #Person1#: Very good. Now, if you will accompany me, we can take your measurements and choose the patterns for your suit and shirts.

#Person1#'s helping #Person2# tailor-make a new suit because #Person2# needs to look sharp for an important interview next week.

a new suit

train_1066

#Person1#: Good morning. May I help you? #Person2#: Yes, I'd like to check out now. My name's Adams, room 312. Here's the key. #Person1#: One moment, please, sir.... Here's your bill. Would you like to check and see if the amount is correct? #Person2#: What's the 14 pounds for? #Person1#: That's for the phone calls you made from your room. #Person2#: Can I pay with traveller's cheques? #Person1#: Certainly. May I have your passport, please? #Person2#: Here you are. #Person1#: Could you sign each cheque here for me? #Person2#: Sure. #Person1#: Here are your receipt and your change, sir. Thank you. #Person2#: Thank you. Goodbye.

Adams checks out with #Person1#'s assistance. Adams checks the bill and pays with traveller's cheques.

check out

train_1067

#Person1#: Hello. I'm Duty Manager today ; you wanted to speak to me? #Person2#: Yes. I hope you can help. I'm interested in obtaining a Working Capital Loan. So, I was wondering what you offer here? Do you have various types? #Person1#: Yes, Sir. We can provide these loans in both local and foreign currency, Temporary Working Capital Loans, Short-term Working Capital Loans and Mid-term Working Capital Loans. #Person2#: I see. . . #Person1#: Which one interests you, Sir? #Person2#: To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what we require just now.

#Person2# consults #Person1# about obtaining a Working Capital Loan, but #Person2#'s not sure what #Person2# requires.

loan consultation

train_1068

#Person1#: Show me a smaller pair of trousers, sir. I am not that fat, you see. #Person2#: You've come to the right place. We've got various styles and sizes recently. How much do you measure around your waist? #Person1#: I have no idea. Measure me, please. #Person2#: OK! 2 Chi round. Try this one. Maybe it's of your size. #Person1#: ( After trying ) I'm afraid it's still too fight around the stomach. #Person2#: Let me check the stock. How about this one? #Person1#: ( After trying ) Mm, a perfect fit. How much? #Person2#: 150 Yuan. #Person1#: A little expensive. But I'll buy it anyway. It's hard for me to get a perfect one. Here is 200 Yuan. #Person2#: Here's your change, 50 Yuan. Welcome back again.

#Person2# measures #Person1#'s waist and assists #Person1# in trying on trousers. #Person1# finally finds a perfectly-fit one and he will buy it.

a perfect fit

train_1069

#Person1#: Okay, Rebecca. Now you'Ve given me a good idea of your work and academic background, but what about you as a person? How would you describe your key strengths? #Person2#: Well, Mr. Parsons, as I mentioned before I'm someone who needs new challenges. I'm really focused and hard-working. I think my academic results prove this. #Person1#: Yes, true, but how about other personal qualities? #Person2#: Well, I believe I'm a good team-player, but I can also work well independently. I'm very enthusiastic and, well I hope my colleagues would agree, I'm fun to work with. #Person1#: What would you say is your most positive quality? #Person2#: Hmm, that's a tough question. But I would have to say my passion. I'm really passionate about journalism and passionate about my career.

Rebecca tells Mr. Parsons about her key strengths, personal qualities, and her most positive quality.

job interview

train_1070

#Person1#: Can I help you? #Person2#: Is this the right subway to the Wall Street? #Person1#: Yes, it is. #Person2#: Could you tell me shall I take the express or local train? #Person1#: Sure. The local train. It stops at every station. #Person2#: Which of them is the local train, please? #Person1#: You take the D train on the downtown platform, and go three stops. #Person2#: How much is the fare? #Person1#: One dollar and twenty cents. You give me the money and I'll exchange it for a token. #Person2#: What should I do with the token? #Person1#: You put it in the slot at the turnstile and then push the turnstile to get into the platform.

#Person1# tells #Person2# how to take the local train to get to Wall Street.

ask for information

train_1071

#Person1#: I wish it was a nicer day today. #Person2#: That is true. I hope it doesn't rain. #Person1#: It wouldn't rain in the middle of the summer. #Person2#: It wouldn't seem right if it started raining right now. #Person1#: It would be weird if it started raining in ninety degree weather. #Person2#: Any rain right now would be pointless. #Person1#: That's right, it really would be. #Person2#: I want it to cool down some. #Person1#: I know what you mean, I can't wait until it's winter. #Person2#: Winter is great. I wish it didn't get so cold sometimes though. #Person1#: I would rather deal with the winter than the summer. #Person2#: I feel the same way. #Person1#: I wish it was a nicer day today. #Person2#: That is true. I hope it doesn't rain. #Person1#: It wouldn't rain in the middle of the summer. #Person2#: It wouldn't seem right if it started raining right now. #Person1#: It would be weird if it started raining in ninety degree weather. #Person2#: Any rain right now would be pointless. #Person1#: That's right, it really would be. #Person2#: I want it to cool down some. #Person1#: I know what you mean, I can't wait until it's winter. #Person2#: Winter is great. I wish it didn't get so cold sometimes though. #Person1#: I would rather deal with the winter than the summer. #Person2#: I feel the same way.

#Person1# and #Person2# hope it doesn't rain today and want it to cool down some. They both prefer winter to summer

weather

train_1072

#Person1#: I hate carrying so much cash with me. #Person2#: Don't you have a credit card? #Person1#: I have one but it can only be used in my country. #Person2#: Why don't you change the cash to traveler's checks? It's much more convenient and safer. When you are abroad, you can cash them. #Person1#: Well, that's great.

#Person2# advises #Person1# to change the cash to traveller's checks.

traveler's checks

train_1073

#Person1#: I have read your resume. What is your last job? #Person2#: I've worked in the Production Department for two years. #Person1#: Could you introduce your biggest accomplishments in your last job? #Person2#: Working with my colleagues, we were able to increase the production efficiency by 5 %. #Person1#: Great! Could you tell me your educational background? #Person2#: Yes. I got a bachelor's degree in English from Beijing University. #Person1#: Why are you willing to work for our company? #Person2#: I can get more promotion in your company. #Person1#: OK, that's all. We'll inform you in two days. #Person2#: Thank you.

#Person2# tells #Person1# about #Person2#'s last job, #Person2#'s educational background, and the reason to work for #Person1#'s company.

job interview

train_1074

#Person1#: I heard the film was after the novel The Godfather. #Person2#: Who wrote it? #Person1#: Mario Puku. #Person2#: Who're the producer, the director, the stars, heroine and the hero? #Person1#: I'm always interested in how, but seldom pay much attention to who.

#Person1# and #Person2# are talking about the film The Godfather.

film discussion

train_1075

#Person1#: What would you like to have in your breakfast, bread, egg or sandwiches? #Person2#: Bread. #Person1#: And milk or orange juice? #Person2#: Orange juice. #Person1#: What would you like for lunch, pork, mutton or beef? #Person2#: I think mutton is best. #Person1#: What kind of drink do you like most, red wine, beer or champagne? #Person2#: I like champagne. #Person1#: And among apples, oranges and bananas, which is your favorite? #Person2#: Banana of course. #Person1#: Do you always have meals outside or in your house? #Person2#: I always have meals outside, because I'm not good at cooking.

#Person1# interviews #Person2# about what #Person2# would like for breakfast and lunch, #Person2#'s favorite fruit, and where #Person2# always has meals.

interview

train_1076

#Person1#: Excuse me, sir. Could you spare a minute? #Person2#: Uh, yes. #Person1#: Do you go to work by train every day. #Person2#: Yes. I commute five days a week by train. #Person1#: And would you mind telling us what you think of the rail service? #Person2#: It's really very good. #Person1#: Why do you say that? #Person2#: Well, trains are frequent and come on time. #Person1#: Which train do you catch in the evening? #Person2#: I usually take the five thirty home. #Person1#: And can you get a seat? #Person2#: No, I usually have to stand. #Person1#: Would you agree that the service is fast? #Person2#: Yes, it's reasonably fast but it certainly isn't cheap. Fares have gone up 25 present.

#Person1# interviews #Person2# about #Person2#'s commuting ways and #Person2#'s opinions about the rail service.

rail service

train_1077

#Person1#: I don't know why people are just mad about David Peckham. Is there really anything so fascinating with him? #Person2#: He appeals to the fans thanks to two things #Person1#: you mean he plays well? Yeah, he often scores by free kicks in crucial games. But a football match is by no means merely a show of taking free kicks. #Person2#: Certainly not. What really counts is to play as a team, passing the ball amongst each other, dodging defenders. Free kicks are a result of all the teammates'collective efforts. However, a few free k #Person1#: In the case, maybe facial charm should be his leading card. After all, the majority of his fans are girls. #Person2#: yes, his face looks are manly, with a straight nose and infinite eyes. As a man of medium height in the West, he keeps a powerful but elegant figure, looking neither lanky nor stout. #Person1#: and he is English! He makes a model gentleman when he puts on a black suit and speaks with a typical British accent.

#Person1# and #Person2# are discussing why David Peckham is so popular. #Person2# thinks he appeals to the fans due to his playing skills and his facial charm.

David Peckham

train_1078

#Person1#: What's so special today? #Person2#: Why? #Person1#: Didn't you notice all the roses? #Person2#: It's July 7th. Chinese Valentine's Day! #Person1#: Oh, God. I just forget it. #Person2#: I thought you had trouble with Clive! #Person1#: No. But now he will be in bigger trouble! What's a boyfriend for? Forget about Valentine's Day? #Person2#: Poor guy! It's not fair. You forgot it too. #Person1#: Oh, it's Clive. #Person2#: Wow! Good timing. #Person1#: Excuse me for a while. Clive asked me out to a movie! Do you want to join us? #Person2#: Come on. Two is company. #Person1#: So what? #Person2#: It's Valentine's Day. Come on. Just go.

#Person2# reminds #Person1# of Valentine's Day. #Person1# thinks her boyfriend Clive forgot it but then Clive asks #Person1# out to a movie.

Valentine's Day

train_1079

#Person1#: Have you ever made any plan for your future? #Person2#: Of course I have. I'd like to marry a handsome man and have two children if possible. #Person1#: Not me. I'd like to be a bachelor forever. #Person2#: I don't believe you can make it when you meet your Mrs. Right.

#Person2# wants to get married while #Person1# wants to be a bachelor forever.

plan for future

train_1080

#Person1#: Good afternoon. Swiss Airline. Miss Grown speaking. Can I help you? #Person2#: Yes. I'd like to make a reservation to Los Angeles on Sep. 19th. #Person1#: Just a moment, please. Let me check for you. ( A moment later ) Thank you for waiting. I am sorry but our flights are fully booked on that day. The next available flight leaves at 4:00 pm on 20th. Shall I reserve you a seat on it? #Person2#: Yes, please, thank you.

#Person2# makes a flight reservation to Los Angeles with #Person1#'s assistance.

reserve a seat

train_1081

#Person1#: I am here to tell you that the clothes are very much to taste of our market and the customers are quite satisfied with the excellent quality. #Person2#: We are very glad to hear that. We are sure that there will be a bigger market for our products in this country. #Person1#: Well, we have an extensive sales organization and a thorough knowledge of Asian market. Your products would sell very well here. We are prepared to do more business with you. We are also interested in handing a sole agent for you. #Person2#: We really appreciate your efforts. Before we go to the core of matter, can you give us some idea of them on which you would be willing to operate as our agent? #Person1#: No problem.

#Person1# tells #Person2# #Person2#'s products are popular among Asian customers, so #Person1# would like to hand a sole agent for #Person2#.

business talk

train_1082

#Person1#: Do you like shopping at flea markets? #Person2#: l love it. There is always something fascinating to discover. #Person1#: The antiques market here in Paris is very famous. It's called Le marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen. #Person2#: That's not very easy to say. #Person1#: It's also known as Les Puces, which means ' The Fleas'. #Person2#: Can you find many bargains there? #Person1#: Well, it really depends. Because you are a tourist, it might be harder for you to get really good prices.

#Person1# and #Person2# talk about the famous flea market in Paris -- Les Puces.

flea market

train_1083

#Person1#: Sir, your hair is done. Anything else I can do for you? #Person2#: I'd like to have a shave. #Person1#: All right, sir. Would you lie back so that I can shave you? #Person2#: Sure. But my beard is rough. #Person1#: Don't worry, sir. I've never cut a customer. Shall I trim your moustache? #Person2#: Yes, please. #Person1#: Now, I've finished. How do you like it? #Person2#: Wonderful. How much is the cost altogether? #Person1#: 20 dollars. #Person2#: Here you are. Thank you, bye-bye! #Person1#: Bye-bye. Welcome to come next time!

#Person2# gets his hair done and has his beard shaved with #Person1#'s assistance.

haircut and shave

train_1084

#Person1#: What case do you have against the police? #Person2#: I want to take them to court for arresting me. #Person1#: I don't understand. #Person2#: There was no reason for them to arrest me. #Person1#: They let you go, didn't they? #Person2#: They released me the next morning. #Person1#: They detained you at the station? #Person2#: That's exactly what they did. #Person1#: Why did they arrest you? #Person2#: They said I matched the description of a robber. #Person1#: I get it now. #Person2#: I'm definitely taking them to court.

#Person2# tells #Person1# that #Person2# wants to take the police to court because they mistakenly arrested #Person2#.

police

train_1085

#Person1#: I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you did for me. #Person2#: It's my pleasure. I enjoyed working with you. #Person1#: I wouldn't be able to make it without your help. #Person2#: Then keep up the good work.

#Person1# thanks #Person2# for #Person2#'s help.

gratitude

train_1086

#Person1#: I have been looking at this online catalog for over an hour and I still haven't finished getting all the kitchen appliances that we need! #Person2#: What are you getting? #Person1#: Well, the first thing on my list is a new blender. I decided to also get a juicer and a new coffee maker. #Person2#: Don't forget to also get a new mixer. I lent the old one to my brother and he broke it. #Person1#: Yeah I know. I also decided to throw away the old toaster and get a new one. I am also getting a rice cooker and steamer to make some nice steamed fish or veggies. #Person2#: I'm actually thinking of completely refurnishing the kitchen and getting a new stove, oven, dishwasher and trash compacter. #Person1#: That's a good idea! The kitchen will look amazing!

#Person1# and #Person2# talk about the kitchen appliances they need--a blender, a juicer, a coffee maker, a mixer, a toaster, a rice cooker and steamer. #Person2# suggests completely refurnishing the kitchen.

refurnish the kitchen

train_1087

#Person1#: Hello sir, how can I help you? #Person2#: Yes, I need this prescription please. #Person1#: Let's see. Okay, so 50 mg of Prozac, would you prefer this in capsule or tablet? #Person2#: Capsules are fine. #Person1#: Okay, you should take 1 capsule 3 times a day. Be sure not to take it on an empty stomach, and also, don't ever mix it with alcohol! #Person2#: Yes, I know. It's not the first time I'm taking this! Don't worry, I won't overdose! #Person1#: Okay, anything else I can get you? #Person2#: Oh, yes, I almost forgot! Can I also get some eye drops and um, some condoms? #Person1#: Sure. Darn condoms aren't registered in our system. #Person2#: Oh, well that's okay, I'll get some later, thanks. . . Really it's no problem. #Person1#: Just hang on there a sec. Can I get a price check on ' Fun Times Ribbed Condoms ' please!

#Person1# gives #Person2# #Person2#'s prescription. #Person2# also wants some eye drops and some condoms but is told that darn condoms are registered in their system.

the pharmacy

train_1088

#Person1#: How was your shopping trip Martin? #Person2#: Actually it was the most interesting day I'Ve had so far. #Person1#: Oh really? Did you find any bargains? #Person2#: I did! I found this lovely teapot. It was the best one I saw in the shops. #Person1#: And how did you get around town? #Person2#: I took a taxi. It seemed the easiest thing to do. #Person1#: Right, so you didn't get lost? #Person2#: I did actually but I think I met some of the friendliest people in China. They soon showed me the way!

Matin tells #Person1# about his interesting shopping trip.

shopping trip

train_1089

#Person1#: How long do you plan to stay here? #Person2#: To speak frankly, it doesn't depend on me. #Person1#: How so? #Person2#: I really want to obtain a permanent job. I won't leave as long as I have opportunity to apply my knowledge and get on well with my superiors and colleagues. #Person1#: What are your future plans and what kind of expectations do you have of the company? #Person2#: I know that generally it is possible to move from this position to a management position with two years experience in the company

#Person2# wants to obtain a permanent job and move to a management position in the company.

work plan

train_1090

#Person1#: Hello, hi, Stephanie. #Person2#: Hi, Tom. How are things going with you? #Person1#: Great. I've signed an agreement with ABC Company. How are things in the office. Is everything OK? #Person2#: Yes, when will you be back? #Person1#: I'm on the way now. I will be back soon. #Person2#: Umm. Can you pick up some paper for the printer? We have run out of paper. #Person1#: Hello, hello, what did you say? #Person2#: Can you hear me now? I mean I need some paper. #Person1#: What? Did you say to pick up some ink for the printer? Sorry, the signal isn't very good here. Can you repeat that, please? #Person2#: Well, I'll send you a text message to tell you exactly what I need. #Person1#: What?

Stephanie asks Tom to pick up some paper for the printer but Tom can't hear him clearly due to bad reception, so Stephanie will send a text message instead.

phone call

train_1091

#Person1#: Why is there never a bus when you want one? #Person2#: Good question. There aren't enough buses on this route. #Person1#: Sometimes I feel like writing a letter to the paper. #Person2#: Good idea. You should say that we need more subway lines, too. #Person1#: Yeah. There should be more public transportation in general. #Person2#: And fewer cars! There's too much traffic. #Person1#: Say, is that our bus coming? #Person2#: Yes, it is. But look. It's full! #Person1#: Oh, no! Let's go and get a cup of coffee. We can talk about this letter I'm going to write.

#Person1# and #Person2# complain about the lack of buses on the route. #Person1# wants to write a letter to the paper to complain about the traffic problem and #Person2# thinks it's a good idea.

complaint

train_1092

#Person1#: I see you are busy right now, Sue. As soon as you finish, I'd like to talk to you for a few minutes. #Person2#: That's OK. Come on in. #Person1#: Oh, no, I don't want to interrupt you. I can wait. I'll come back later. #Person2#: I'm afraid it's going to be a long wait! I'm working on my history paper. #Person1#: History paper? I thought you'd finished it. Didn't you turn it in on Friday? #Person2#: Uh - huh. But the professor just returned it to me. I was told to add ten more pages. #Person1#: Ten more pages! That's quite a lot. How are you going to do it? #Person2#: That's what I am trying to figure out. Now what can I do for you?

#Person1# wants to talk to Sue who is working on her history paper returned by her professor. Sue will deal with #Person1# first.

have a talk

train_1093

#Person1#: Do you know much about computers? #Person2#: Not a great deal. Why? #Person1#: I've been reading an article about computers. They are strange and are being used for almost everything. #Person2#: Yes. But have you learned how to use one? #Person1#: No. But I'm about to take a course on computers next term. #Person2#: That's good. You have to know about computers. Computer knowledge is a must whatever you do. You should learn quickly or you will be left behind. #Person1#: That's true. But first I want to learn the basics. In the library, there are computers. But it's a pity that I could not make use of them. #Person2#: Well, I can teach you the ABCs, if you like. #Person1#: That's very kind of you.

#Person1# doesn't know how to use a computer, but #Person1#'ll take a course on computers next term. #Person1# wants to learn the basics first, so #Person2# offers to teach #Person1# the ABCs.

computer

train_1094

#Person1#: We'll be here in London staying in a newspaper office or teaching in a classroom full of chalk dust. #Person2#: Well, Tom, you'd be able to go out in the sunshine sometimes. You are a journalist. I am the one who has to stay in the classroom. Remember.

Tom says he and #Person2# will be working in London staying indoors. #Person2# points out that Tom'd be able to go out because he's a journalist while #Person2# is the one who has to teach in the classroom.

daily casual talk

train_1095

#Person1#: I may go grocery shopping later. #Person2#: We need to get food? #Person1#: I don't think we have any food. #Person2#: What are you going to buy? #Person1#: What food are we out of? #Person2#: Go and look in the kitchen. #Person1#: Could you look for me? #Person2#: You should just get the basics. #Person1#: What would that be? #Person2#: Get some eggs, milk, and bread. #Person1#: Would you please make a list for me? #Person2#: Okay, I'll write it down for you.

#Person1# may go grocery shopping later and requests #Person2# to make a shopping list

go shopping

train_1096

#Person1#: Hi! Ben! Nice meeting you here! #Person2#: Hi, Terry! Nice meeting you here. #Person1#: What are you doing here? Fitness Consultant? #Person2#: Subscribe to the magazine for my wife. #Person1#: I see. I thought you had switched your hobby of stamp collection to fitness. #Person2#: No, I love collecting stamps. Hey, what are you doing here? #Person1#: I want to buy the newly issued stamps. #Person2#: I have spent all my money on that magazine, otherwise I will buy some myself too. #Person1#: Hey, do you have time this Sunday? I want you to come to my house. #Person2#: Sure. But can you tell me why? #Person1#: I want to swap some stamps with you. #Person2#: No problem. I will come by then.

Terry comes to buy the newly issued stamps and meets Ben who is subscribing to a magazine for his wife. Terry invites Ben to his house to swap some stamps.

swap some stamps

train_1097

#Person1#: What would you like to order, sir? #Person2#: I'd like to try some Chinese food. #Person1#: We serve different styles of Chinese food here. But I'm not sure which one do you prefer. #Person2#: I have no idea. Could you recommend some to me? #Person1#: Well. Cantonese food is rather light, Beijing food is heavy, and Sichuan food is usually hot and spicy. #Person2#: Oh, I see. I'd like to have hot food. #Person1#: If so, I suggest you have a taste for Sichuan food. Most Sichuan dishes are spicy and hot, but they have different tastes. #Person2#: Really? So do you have some specialties? #Person1#: Yes. Roasted Crispy Chicken and Spicy Beef are our specialties. #Person2#: All right. I'll have them.

#Person1# introduces different styles of Chinese food and recommends Sichuan dishes since #Person2# would have hot food. #Person2# finally orders Roasted Crispy Chicken and Spicy Beef, the specialties of #Person1#'s restaurant.

order food

train_1098

#Person1#: Are you feeling better today, Bill? #Person2#: Well, it's hard to say. I cough a lot in the evening. #Person1#: You'd better give up smoking. It's bad for your health. #Person2#: You're right, but you know, it's hard to give up an old habit. #Person1#: But you should make up your mind first. #Person2#: You know, I often have to work till late at night. I need something to keep me awake. #Person1#: Why don't you go to bed and get up early? You'll have the same time for work. #Person2#: Thank you for your advice! I'll try it.

#Person1# advises Bill to go to bed and get up early to work rather than smoke to keep himself awake.

give up smoking

train_1099

#Person1#: it's such a nice day outside. Let's take a walk into town and do some window-shopping. #Person2#: you know I hate shopping more than anything else in this world. #Person1#: I know. But we could get some exercise in, and we could get some errands run, too. Window-shopping won't cost you anything. #Person2#: what kind of errands do we need to run? #Person1#: well, we could go to the newsagent's to pick up the Sunday paper, go to the butcher's to pick up a chicken for a roast dinner, and to the chemist's to pick up your prescription from the doctor. #Person2#: I'll only go if we can stop at the office-license to pick up something to drink for tonight. #Person1#: fine, we'll do that on the way home, so we don't have to carry it the whole time. #Person2#: sounds good. You have to promise not go into any of the stores in the mall though. I know how you like to try things on in the fitting rooms, especially if the stores have special offers. #Person1#: I promise. We're only going for a walk to get some exercise and to get some things done that we haven't had time for. #Person2#: ok, let's go then! #Person1#: do you have any money? #Person2#: for what? #Person1#: for our errands, and maybe a little extra for something from a vendor on the street. #Person2#: you said you were only going to window shop! #Person1#: I agreed to not go into the mall, but I can still look at things in the market! #Person2#: I should have known...

#Person1# suggests #Person2# walk into town and do some window-shopping together to get some exercise in and get some errands run. At first, #Person2# is unwilling to go, but later #Person2# agrees since #Person1# promises not to go into any of the stores in the mall.

daily casual talk