Problem: W: Mike Carstairs! My favorite customer. You haven't been in for ages. M: No, I haven't. That's right. W: How are you? M: I'm fine. I heard you weren't well. W: Well, I was away for a couple of weeks. But I'm fine now. Ah! You were going to the States, weren't you? M: I planned to go there, but I didn't. W: Oh, didn't you? M: What I have been doing is reorganizing the whole department non-stop since I saw you. And this is the first time I've been in here since Christmas. W: Well, it's good to see you. Are you ready to order? What was said before this conversation?

A: M: Hello, Jean!

Problem: M: Between you and me, I think there is always a way to get around this problem. What was said before this conversation?

A: W: We have to face the fact that it is a little hard to get fuel for the car.

Problem: Father: Here. Try this. It's called a book. [Ah, Dad!] Moby Dick. An American classic. [Dad!] Okay. Let me look at the schedule here. Hmm. When are you thinking about going to the movie? Daughter: Uh, we're thinking about seeing a movie on Wednesday after school. Father: Well, that's not going to work. You have piano lessons after school and then you have to babysit for the neighbors until 9:00. Daughter: What about Monday? Father: Monday's out. You haven't practiced your clarinet at all ... for an entire month, so you have to catch up on that. And, don't you have an essay due in your English class on Tuesday? Daughter: Oh, I forgot about that [Yeah], and anyway, I was going to finish that during first period at school. [Great. I've never heard of a three-sentence essay.] So, what about Tuesday? Father: Uh, you have soccer practice from 4:00 until 5:30, and after that, you have to do your homework. Daughter: Ah, you can help me with that. Oh, I forgot you don't know how to do geometry. So, can I see the movie on Thursday? Father: Well, remember the science fair at school is on Friday, right? Is, is your project finished yet? Daughter: Umm, what about Friday night? I checked the paper, and there's a midnight showing. Father: Uh-uh. Forget that idea. Daughter: And Saturday? Father: Well, you have to do your chores in the morning before noon. [You can help me with that.] Oh no. And then, we have to clean out the garage. You said you'd help. [No, you volunteered me.] Well, that should only take a couple of hours. [Dad, you're ruining my social life.] And then, after that, we can go to the movie. Daughter: We? Father: Yeah, We. Mom and I and you and Shannon. Daughter: Uh, Dad, actually. We weren't planning on company. Father: Now, let me check the paper for showtimes. [The movie plays at three oh five, five, seven fifteen, and nine.] You already checked, I see. Daughter: Yeah. So is it okay? Can I go see the nine O'clock showing? Father: The five o'clock showing! Daughter: How about the seven... What was said before this conversation?

A: Daughter: Dad, can I go to a movie this week with Shannon?

Problem: Woman: Yeah. We met on campus last week, [Yeah!] and you asked me the same question. Man: Oh, oh really? I'm really sorry, but I'm terrible with names. But, but, but... Let me guess. It's Sherry, right? Woman: No, but you got the first letter right. Man: I know, I know. It's on the tip of my tongue. Wait. Uh, Sandy, Susan. [Nope. So, was I that memorable?] Wait, wait. It's Sharon. Woman: You got it... and only on the fourth try. Man: So, well, Sh..., I mean Sharon. How are you? Woman: Not bad. And what was your name? Man: It's Ben, but everyone calls me B.J. And, uh, what do you do, Sh... Sharon? Woman: I'm a graduate student majoring in TESL. Man: Uh, TESL... What's that? Woman: It stands for teaching English as a second language. I want to teach English to non-native speakers overseas. Man: Oh, yeah. I'm pretty good at that English grammar. You know, verbs and adjectives, and uh... Hey, that's sound really exciting. And do you need some type of specific degree or experience to do that? I mean could I do something like that? Woman: Well, most employers overseas are looking for someone who has at least a Bachelor's degree and one or two years of experience. [Oh!] And what do you do? Are you a student on campus? Man: Yeah, but, uh... I guess I'm mulling over the idea of going into accounting or international business, but I guess I'm leaning now towards a degree in marketing. Woman: Oh, uh,... Well, I have to run. I have a class in ten minutes. Man: Oh, okay. And, uh, by the way, there's this, uh, dance on campus at the student center tonight, and I was wondering if you'd... you know... like to come along. Woman: Oh really? Well, perhaps... Man: Okay, well, bye. What was said before this conversation?

A:
Man: Hi. Uh, haven't we met before? You look so familiar.