Problem: W: He is a great teacher. But I'm having a hard time with the reading list. I feel I can't ever finish it. What was said before this conversation?

A: M: How do you like Professor Bachman's course on the History of Philosophy? He is a distinguished scholar on that subject.

Problem: M: If it takes Alice an hour to do the homework, it will surely take the rest of us two hours. What was said before this conversation?

A: W: How long will you take to finish your homework?

Problem: M: Didn't you see the reading list is enormous? What was said before this conversation?

A: W: It looks like the English course is going to be a lot of work.

Problem: B: I want to make his birthday a very special event. John has a sister living in France. And I'll send her a plane ticket, so that she can be here for his birthday. A: Boy! What an excellent plan! That's something special. I kind of guessed you had some secret plan and were waiting for the right time to tell me. B: Well, I didn't want to say anything until I was sure she could come. What was said before this conversation?

A:
A: Alright, Sara, we know that you are planning something big for John's birthday. Could you tell us just what you have in your mind?