TASK DEFINITION: In this task you are given a small conversation between two persons and 4 options on how the conversation should continue. Your job is to choose the most reasonable option. The conversation and the options are separated by a newline character. Each dialogue in the conversation are separated by a comma. F and M indicate female and male, respectively.
PROBLEM: F: Here are your cold dishes, sir. ,M: Thank you. I wonder why it Chinese dinner always starts with cold dishes instead of hot courses. Could you explain that to me? ,F: Certainly, sir. It's a custom in our country to serve cold dishes first as they have been prepared before hand. ,M: Oh, I see. The chefs in your country are just in the habit of preparing cold dishes first. ,F: I'm afraid that's not exactly right, sir. Chinese people usually regard the dinner party as an occasion for a friendly chat. ,M: Yes, I quite agree. But what does that have to do with serving cold dishes first? ,F: Well, people usually talk more and eat less at the beginning of the dinner. Therefore, if hot courses were served they would get cold very quickly. ,M: I see, but the problem is that I'm already full when it comes to the wonderful hot courses. And I often miss the chances to enjoy many Chinese dishes.
(A) F: Excuse me, could you repeat the question? (B) F: It's just a habit of Chinese chefs. (C) F: Hot dishes would get cold during the chat. (D) F: Hot dishes would get cold during the chat, so people chat less at the beginning of the dinner.

SOLUTION: C

PROBLEM: M: Can you give me some information about getting to the Town Center? ,F: Well, you can drive, but the parking is difficult. It will be quite expensive if you stay there all day. ,M: Yes, we're thinking of going to look around some of the shops, and look at the wall around the city. So we'll probably be there most of the day. ,F: In that case, you'd better take a taxi or the bus. ,M: How much does taking a taxi cost? ,F: It will be about 12 pounds. Actually I'd say it's around 16 pounds, because fares have increased recently. We can book it for you in our travel agency and it will pick you up outside. It only takes about 10 minutes. ,M: Right, I see. What about taking the bus? How much is that? ,F: It's only 2 pounds per person, it's not far from here. You go out of here, turn right on Oak Tree Avenue, and it's about a 5 minute walk down the road. The bus ride is about 15 minutes.
(A) M: We'll take the bus as the bus ride is only about 5 minutes. (B) M: We'll go there by bus as the bus ride is only about 15 minutes. (C) M: Excuse me, could you repeat the question? (D) M: Although we need to walk at least 10 minutes, we'll go there by bus as the bus ride is only about 15 minutes.

SOLUTION: B

PROBLEM: F: John, my brother has taken part in the National College Entrance Examination and now he needs to fill in a form with the colleges he wants to go to. Do you have any experience? ,M: I don't know much about it. Choosing colleges in the states is quite different from it in China. ,F: What factors are usually taken into consideration when choosing colleges in the states? ,M: First, I need to decide whether I choose a public college or a private one. ,F: Is there any difference? ,M: Of course, private colleges usually have good conditions in every aspect but the tuition is very high, so I applied for a public one which offered me scholarship. Actually, I'd like to choose 1 near my home so that I could go back home each weekend for a change. What about colleges in China? ,F: It is very different. The public colleges in China have the best condition and high qualified teachers. Most students want to enter those universities, such as Qinghua University and Peking University. Compared with the public universities, the private colleges are not very popular among students in China.
(A) M: I am afraid I did not quite catch what you were saying. Please repeat it. (B) M: I understand. The main difference between American public and private colleges is the studying time. (C) M: I understand. There is a main difference between American and Chinese colleges, the studying conditions, right? (D) M: I see. There is a main difference between American public and private colleges, the studying conditions, right?

SOLUTION:
D