Son: Seven. Father: Alright. Well, let's sing Happy Birthday: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Michael, Happy Birthday to you. Father: Alright. So what should we do first? Son: How about cake and ice cream? Father: Okay. Well, uh let ... let's light the candles. Okay, and make a wish! Don't ... don't tell me. Son: Don't tell you? Father: Yeah, don't tell me. Okay, and go ahead and blow out the candles. Okay, let's cut the cake, and then we can have cake and ice cream. And what do you want to do after the cake and ice cream? Son: Play freeze tag. Father: Now, how do you play tag? Son: Um ... one person is it, and the person who is it tries to tag everyone [Alright. And then ... ] before I tag someone and then, another person tags me. Father: Oh, wow. And whose coming over later today for your birthday? Son: Well, everyone. Uh, my cousins, all my aunts and grandmas, grandpas. Father: Alright. Well, Happy Birthday, Michael. What was said before this conversation?
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Answer: Father: Hi Michael. Happy Birthday! How old are you today?
Q: W: About six months now. M: Why did you choose Beirut? W: 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. M: Why did you want to take a year off? W: 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. M: 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. W: Is Arabic a difficult language to learn? M: Incredibly difficult! Especially the pronunciation. You have to learn to make a lot of new sounds. What was said before this conversation?
A: M: So, how long have you been living here?
Question: Mrs. Smith: Excuse me? What do you mean? The test ended 10 minutes ago, and you weren't there to take it. Sorry. Student: Oh, Mrs. Smith. Come on. Come on. That's not fair. Mrs. Smith: What do you mean it's not fair. Everyone else was there. So, why weren't you in class? Student: Uh, my bus didn't come this morning on time. That's why. Mrs. Smith: Um. Are you sure? Your friend, Tony, made it to class, and he said you were still in bed an hour ago. Student: Uhh, yeah, well, that might be true, but I really need to take the test. Mrs. Smith: Wait. Don't you realize that you just lied to me? Student: Uh, well, listen. Mrs. Smith. Listen. My alarm didn't go off this morning, so it's not my fault I came late. Mrs. Smith: So, you're blaming your alarm clock again? It's still your responsibility to be here. Wasn't that your excuse the last two times you missed class? Student: But Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith: Listen. You know the policy of our program. If you miss a test for an unexcused reason ... and a lie is definitely unexcused, then you get a zero on the test. There are no exceptions. Student: Mrs. Smith. Why don't you want to help me? You never help me. I mean I really need to pass this class. Mrs. Smith: No, no. no. Listen to yourself. You're playing what we call the victim. You made some bad choices, and now you have to accept the consequences. Remember: When you point your finger at someone else, like me in this case, three fingers are pointing back at you. Student: But Mrs. Smith. I lose my scholarship if I do poorly in the class; my parents will be really disappointed in me. Mrs. Smith: I'm really sorry, but that's not my problem. [Oh, Mrs. Smith!] I can't help you with that. Don't try to shift the blame here. [Mrs. Smith!] You painted yourself into a corner. You need to be accountable for your own actions instead of trying to weasel out of your responsibility. While you aren't doing well in my class though, I must say I almost have to give you an A grade for trying to dodge the... What was said before this conversation?
Answer: Student: Oh, Mrs. Smith. Can I take the test now? I just ..., oh.
[Q]: W: It's out of the question. I've got a new job. I won't be free until my training is over. What was said before this conversation?
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[A]: M: When will you be leaving for your planned holiday in Hawaii?
input: Please answer the following: W: Yes, I'm packed, but not quite ready. I can't find my passport. M: Your passport? That's the one thing you mustn't leave behind. W: I know. I haven't lost it. I've packed it, but I can't remember which bag it's in. M: Well, you have to find it at the airport. Come on, the taxi is waiting. W: Did you say taxi? I thought we were going in your car. M: Yes, well, I have planned to, but I'll explain later. You've got to be there in an hour. W: The plane doesn't leave for two hours. Anyway, I'm ready to go now. M: Now, you're taking just one case, is that right? W: No, there is one in the hall as well. M: Gosh, what a lot of stuff! You're taking enough for a month instead of a week. W: Well, you can't depend on the weather. It might be cold. M: It's never cold in Rome. Certainly not in May. Come on, we really must go. W: Right, we're ready. We've got the bags. I'm sure there's no need to rush. M: There is. I asked the taxi driver to wait two minutes, not twenty. W: Look, I'm supposed to be going away to relax. You're making me nervous. M: Well, I want you to relax on holiday, but you can't relax yet. W: OK, I promise not to relax, at least not until we get to the airport and I find my passport. What was said before this conversation?
++++++++++
output: M: Mary, I hope you're packed and ready to leave.
M: Sure, why not? What was said before this conversation?
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Answer:
W: Jack, would you mind driving me to the station?