M: It is? I didn't realize. Where have you been, Mary? W: I was at Kayla's birthday party tonight. She had it in a big restaurant in the East End. I didn't get there until 10:00, though. I first had to say goodbye to my friend Lisa who's moving to Seattle next week. We met up at 8:00 at a bar and talked for a long time. I was already tired by the time I got to the party, so I left at 11:30. M: Well, I'm tired myself. I've been reading Skeleton Crew by Stephen King. It's pretty scary, but it's hard to put down. W: Oh, that's his collection of short stories, right? I read that when I was 14! It really gave me nightmares. M: I'm not surprised. I just read the story about the toy monkey that kills people. It really disturbed me. Now I can't sleep. W: A lot of people used to say Stephen King was a bad writer, but I've always enjoyed his books - even if they made me really afraid. But now, even the book reviewers have come to respect him. What was said before this conversation?
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Answer: W: Wow, are you still up? It's late.
Q: W: Personally, I feel that it is not a very sound idea. It is difficult for two people of entirely different religions to live and share life together. They will face so many problems that it would be better if they don't get married in the first place. M: Of course there will be problems. Even two people of the same religion have problems. It is the same in this case. except that it will be slightly more difficult, I guess. W: I agree with you, Henry. Naturally, there will be arguments and personal differences. Marriage thrives on a give-and-take policy, so a couple will have to learn to adapt to each other's customs and traditions. M: That's right. Married people should be more tolerant towards each other and be willing to learn about each other's religion. Only then can understanding and acceptance be achieved ultimately. W: You talk as if it were very simple. It isn't, you know. I should know. as I am a child of a mixed marriage. M: All right, you tell us why is is not such a good idea. W: You see, Henry, it depends on the individuals concerned. If two people of different religions marry, they should be prepared for the consequences. It is only after marriage that the vast differences in the cultures begin to show. Little things, from food and clothes to bigger aspects like religious beliefs, tend to clash, leading eventually to a rift. Besides. there will be either personal pride or the reluctance to accept the other's views. It may lead to a big gap between the parents, and their children may suffer a lot in between. M: You have a point there. but I can also tell you of several such couples who are living happily together. W: I suppose that you are right. Intermarriage can lead to happiness or sorrow, depending on how it is handled. What was said before this conversation?
A: M: I think that intermarriage is a good idea. After all, we are living in a cosmopolitan country. We have so many different races living together peacefully, don't we? It is nothing new to us, and I feel that inter- marriage will work out
Question: M: No. They look so much alike that even their mother didn't know who was who sometimes when they were young. What was said before this conversation?
Answer: W: I often mistake Jim for Bob. Can you tell them apart?
[Q]: W: You should try to meet each other halfway. What was said before this conversation?
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[A]: M: My chemistry project is in trouble. My partner and I have totally different ideas about how to proceed.
input: Please answer the following: Caller: Yes. I'm calling to find out more information about your program. For example, what kind of courses do you offer? Receptionist: Well, first of all, the purpose of our program is to provide language learning opportunities to this area's community [Uh-hum], whether a student's goal is to master basic functional language skills, let's say, for his or her job, or to study intensively to enter a US college or university. Caller: Okay. I'm calling for a friend who is interested in attending a US university. Receptionist: And that's the kind of, uh, instruction that we provide, from basic communication courses to content-based classes such as computer literacy, intercultural communication, and business English. Caller: Great. What are your application deadlines for the next semester? Receptionist: Well, we ask applicants to apply no later than two months before the semester begins. [Uh-hum] This gives us time to process the application and issue the student's I-20. Caller: An I-20? Receptionist: Oh, an I-20 is a form that indicates that we are giving permission for the student to study in our program, and then the student takes this form to the US embassy in his or her country to apply for the F-1 student visa. Caller: Alright. What is the tuition for a full-time student? Receptionist: It's two thousand thirty dollars. Caller: And how does one apply? Receptionist: Well, we can send you an application and you can mail it back to us, or you can fill out our application that's online at our Web site. Caller: And are there other materials I would need to send in addition to the application form? Receptionist: Uh, yes. You would need to send in a $35 non-refundable application fee [Uh-huh], a sponsorship form indicating who will be responsible financially for the student while studying in our program, and a bank statement showing that you or your sponsor has sufficient funds to cover tuition expenses and living costs for the entire year of study. Caller: And how can I send these materials to... What was said before this conversation?
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output: Receptionist: English Language Center. How may I help you?
W: No, he is out having supper. What was said before this conversation?
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Answer:
M: Shall we wait for Tom to have supper?