Problem: W: Well, it's not as bad as it looks. It isn't due until Thursday morning. What was said before this conversation?

A: M: Wow, that's a big assignment we gotfor the English class.

Problem: M: Hello, everyone. W: We have been hearing a couple of things about this news that Ford Motor Company is slashing up to 30,000 jobs, shutting down 14 plants nationwide. Is it a big deal if we are no longer manufacturing these cars, Malcolm? M: I think it's a huge deal. I mean the companies are massive employers both directly and indirectly. If you look at Ford after their restructuring, they've actually got 87,000 employees which is twice as many as Microsoft have worldwide. Moreover, if you look at those jobs, they are very high-paying jobs. These are people who can afford to buy their own products. W: Er, it seems to indicate a big hit for our economy if these jobs go bye-bye. M: Yeah, it's a really sad day for America. W: But it is not as if cars are stopped being made, right? M: Correct. Still a large number of cars are being made by American manufacturers. More than half of the American cars sold in America are American. So what has happened over time is that as the market share has fallen, foreign car companies have come in, taken over plants and set up new plants, and they have taken over that capacity. So, it is not like there are fewer cars being produced in America than there were 30 years ago. W: Let me ask you about the Chinese coming in. What would it mean to American jobs, if and when that happens? M: The Chinese cars we have seen so far aren't that great and they don't have the branding necessary to make a huge impact in the world stage. What was said before this conversation?

A: W: With us now, is Malcolm Bricklin, CEO of Visionary Vehicles.

Problem: Customer: Yes. I'd like a large pepperoni pizza with mushrooms and green peppers. Employee: Would you like anything else? Customer: Well, wait. Uh, can I make that a half-and-half pizza? Employee: Sure. What would you like on each half? Customer: Uh, what toppings do you have? Employee: Well, we have Italian sausage, ham, mushrooms, onions, pineapple, black olives, green peppers, bacon, tomatoes, shrimp, clams, and squid. Customer: Shrimp, clams, and squid!? What kind of pizza is that? Employee: Uh, the manager spent some time overseas [Oh.], and thinks his new seafood pizza will be a hit with customers, but to be honest, the "Swimmer's Special," as he calls it, is an acquired taste. Customer: Uh, I'll pass on the "Sink or Swim" special, but I'll have pepperoni and mushrooms on one half and green peppers and Italian sausage on the other. Oh, and could I get extra cheese on that pizza? Employee: Alright. Would you care for any bread sticks or beverage with your order? [Well ... I don't know.] Actually, we have a Friday night special going on right now [Oh!], and if you order any large pizza and drink, we'll throw in a free order of bread sticks, plus a three dollar coupon for use with your next pizza order. Customer: Huh, sure, why not. And what drink comes with the pizza? Employee: Either apple or orange juice. Customer: I'll take orange juice. Employee: Okay. Your total comes to fifteen nineteen, which includes tax. [Okay.] And could I have your name? Customer: Uh, yeah, Jay Han. Employee: Huh? Did you say "Jay Hand"? Customer: No, it's "Han." Actually, it's a Korean name, but many people have difficulty making it out. Hey, maybe I SHOULD change my name to "Hand." Employee: Ah, names are important; don't change it. [Okay.] Oh, and your address and telephone number? Customer: It's 1340 South 16 East, and the phone number is 340-1870 (three-four-zero-eighteen, seventy). Employee: Okay. Let me repeat your order. A large half-and-half pizza. [Okay.] One half with pepperoni [Yeah.] and... What was said before this conversation?

A: Employee: Hello. Can I take your order?

Problem: F: We are rather worried about her health. What was said before this conversation?

A:
M: Is your mother getting a little better, Mary?