Q: W: John, John Brown! It has been a long time, hasn't it? It must be at least a year. M: No, we talked at the Johnsons' Christmas party last December. Don't you remember? W: That's right. Well, how are you? Still working for the food company? M: No, I changed jobs three months ago. I'm with the National Bank now. How about you? W: I'm still teaching at the university, but I moved from the German Department to the Spanish Department. Well,how is your family? Are the children all in school now? M: No, Billy is still at home. Tom is in the third grade and Jane's in the second. W: Our two children haven't started school yet, either. But they will go in the fall. What was said before this conversation?
A: M: Why, Mary Smith! I haven't seen you for ages. How have you been?

Q: M: Let me give you a little advice. You know what the topics are, so prepare what you would like to say ahead of time. W: I often do like that, but I'm worried about the responses from other people. M: You have to be realistic. Not everyone is going to agree with you, but people will respect your opinion and they will respect the fact that you have contributed something to the discussion. W: I'm worried that what I say will not make sense. M: We could chat about the topic before class. I could check that what you want to say is logical and it would also give you a chance to practice speaking. W: That's a good idea. What should I do if I have two minds about a topic? M: That's easy. Express possibilities. People will think that you are pretty smart to look at the topic from more than one angle. W: I didn't realize that speaking in class could be so easy. M: The most difficult thing is to predict what other people will say. They will reply to your statements. but you can't be sure how. What was said before this conversation?
A: W: I find it really hard to express myself in class. I have lots of ideas, but they never seem to come out of my mouth.

Q: W: I'm sorry you feel that way, but my mother insists that he come. What was said before this conversation?
A: M: I really can't stand the way David controls the conversation all the time. If he's going to be at your Christmas party, I just won't come.

Q: W: I mean, you could lose a few pounds, but I certainly don't think you look fat. Did he suggest anything to help you lose weight? M: He just said the usual stuff, like "eat less and exercise more". I guess I could cut out soda... W: Maybe you should cut out the sweets. M: I eat sweets when I'm stressed out, so that's going to be hard. I guess I should go to the gym tomorrow. I'm a member, but I never go. W: I thought we were going to that new restaurant tomorrow after work. We've been talking about it for weeks. M: Well, it's probably not healthy for me to be going out to eat, you know? The gym seems like a smarter choice. Come to think of it, maybe I'll go to the grocery store tonight and stock up on healthy options, too. What was said before this conversation?
A:
M: I just went to the doctor, and he said that according to my BMI, which means Body Mass Index, I am officially overweight. Do I look fat to you?