W: Yes, well, I bought this tie last week for my husband's birthday, and er...well he doesn't like it. Could I change it for something else, such as a shirt or a hat? M: Certainly, madam, provided that it hasn't been worn, and if you have the receipt. W: Yes, here it is. M: OK, er... this tie looks as if it were worn. I'm afraid I can't put that back on the shelf. W: Oh, that's a pity. What was said before this conversation?
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Answer: M: Can I help you?
Q: W: That's all right. John. My house is not that easy to find. But you know you wouldn't have gotten lost if you had a smart car. M: A smart car? What's that? W: I just read a magazine article about some new technology that can make a car smart. One device is a computerized map display and an artificial voice. You just enter the address for where you want to go and the voice will tell you how to get there,street by street. M: Hey, that's just like my brother. He never gets lost and he's always telling me the best route. So what else will the smart cars be able to do? W: Well, the article says there'll be a device with read-on warning systems that will warn drivers with a long signal if they're getting too close to other cars. And they will even put on brakes if the drivers don't. M: Tell me, Shelly. Will these cars be smart enough to fill themselves up with gas? W: Not by now. Why do you ask? M: I'm not late because I got lost. I'm late because I ran out of gas on the way over there. What was said before this conversation?
A: M: I'm sorry. I'm late.
Question: Driver: Where to? Passenger: Well, I'm going to the National Museum of Art, and .... Driver: Sure. Hop in. No problem. Hang on! Passenger: Uh. Excuse me. How long does it take to get there? Driver: Well, that all depends on the traffic, but it shouldn't take more than twenty minutes for the average driver. [Oh]. And I'm not average. I have driving down to an art, so we should be able to cruise through traffic and get there in less than fifteen minutes. Passenger: Okay. Uh, sorry for asking [Yeah?], but do you have any idea how much the fare will be? Driver: Oh, it shouldn't be more than 18 dollars ... not including a ... uh-hum ... a tip of course. Passenger: Oh, and by the way, do you know what time the museum closes? Driver: Well, I would guess around 6:00 O'clock. Passenger: Uh, do you have the time? Driver: Yeah. It's half past four. [Thanks] Uh, this IS your first time to the city, right? Passenger: Yeah. How did you know? Driver: Well, you can tell tourists from a mile away in this city because they walk down the street looking straight up at the skyscrapers. Passenger: Was it that obvious? Driver: Well ... Passenger: Oh, before I forget, can you recommend any good restaurants downtown that offer meals at a reasonable price? Driver: Umm ... Well, the Mexican restaurant, La Fajita, is fantastic. [Oh] It's not as inexpensive as other places I know, but the decor is very authentic, [Okay] and the portions are larger than most places I've been to. Passenger: Sounds great! How do I get there from the museum? Driver: Well, you can catch the subway right outside the museum. There are buses that run that way, but you would have to transfer a couple of times. And there are taxis too, but they don't run by the museum that often. Passenger: Okay. Thanks. What was said before this conversation?
Answer: Passenger: Hey Taxi! Ah great. Thanks for pulling over.
[Q]: W: The one Prof. Lee uses inhis course. M: Oh, I see. You'd better have it if you want to pass that course. W: But it costs $30. I simply can't afford it. M: Did you check the used booksection here? Maybe they have it. W: No, they don't. I asked. M: Why don't you get it fromthe library? W: I've been trying for months, and it's always out. There are over 50 students in the course, and every single one wants the book. M: Listen, you know my roommate Henry, don't you? He took the same course last year, and I remember he owns a copy. Ican borrow it from him for you. W: Oh, that'll be great! Thankyou, Jim! What was said before this conversation?
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[A]: M: What's that book you just picked up, Mary?
W: Fine, thank you. A bit too busy, though, you know, I'm trying to put everything in order in mynew apartment. M: Oh, I see. Well, I was wondering if you'd like to go to a concert tomorrow evening. I think it'll begood. And if I remember correctly, you did say you like pop music. W: Yes, that's right. I do. It's nice of you to ask me, Mac. But I don't think I can. Margaret has already asked me to see a friend and then we'll go tothe cinema together. In fact, she's getting the tickets this evening. M: Oh, well. Never mind. What about next weekend? This concert is still on then, I think, if you're free next Saturday. W: Oh, I'd like to very much, but what time exactly? M: Well, it starts at 7:00 P.m., I think. W: Oh, good, that'll be fine. The basketball match will be over by 5:30, I'm sure. M: Good, I'll call you again when I get the tickets. W: Sure. Bye for now. What was said before this conversation?
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Answer:
M: Hello, Lucy. This is Mac. How are you?