Dialogue: M: Can I help you? 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. Question: Why did the assistant refuse to help the woman? - Because the woman didn't show him the receipt. - Because the thing she wanted to change had been worn. - Because the woman told a lie.
Because the thing she wanted to change had been worn.
Dialogue: Mechanic: What can we do for you today? Car Owner: Uh, hi. Yes, I'm having a problem with my car, and it doesn't seem to run right. I mean every time I start it up, the engine runs for a minute or so, sputters like it isn't getting enough gas, and then dies. Mechanic: Hmmm. Okay. Let's open the hood, and let's take a look... Okay, start her up. [Engine starting...] Okay, Okay. Shut her off. Hmmm. [So...] Let me look at the book here... [It] sounds like a possible fuel line, a dirty carburetor, bad alternator, or even a weak battery. Car Owner: So, which one is it? Mechanic: Uhh. Difficult to say. Let me try this... Uh, alright... You need to talk to the mechanic. Car Owner: The mechanic! So, who are you? Mechanic: Well, I'm the assistant, and I've only been here on the job for two days. Car Owner: So, why didn't you tell me that in the first place? I mean, I wouldn't have wasted all this time! Mechanic: You didn't ask. Car Owner: Okay, so how much is it going to cost? Mechanic: Ah. Difficult to say. [That's what you said about the last thing!] Are you a local or from out of town? Car Owner: I'm just passing through, and this is the only place for miles. [Yeah, that's right.] Man, can't you see my license plate? [Sure did!] Mechanic: Okay. The out-of-town rate. Let's see. Okay, here we go. If it's a fuel line, that'll be $100... No, no, That's the local rate. Here, $200 for the pre-screening check, $150 for parts, plus or minus $100, and $75 an hour for labor. Oh, oh yeah. Today's a holiday, so labor is actually $50 more per hour. Car Owner: Huh? Those prices are outrageous, and what holiday is it today? Mechanic: Oh, it's the local pumpkin festival. Car Owner: Ah, come on. I can't believe this. Of all my luck, my car breaks down in an out-of-the-way town [That's right.], and it'll cost an arm and a leg to get my car fixed. Mechanic: Ah, we'll take care of you. Just bring the car back on Tuesday so Mike, our mechanic, can take a look at it. Car Owner: Why not today? It's only 11:00... Question: What day is it in the conversation? - Friday - Saturday - Sunday
Friday
Q: Dialogue: W: Bob, do you know who I saw the other day? Old Jake, looking terribly depressed. Did he get pensioned off at last? M: Yes. They made him retire after 50 years at sea. He is pretty upset about it, but what can you do? He really is pasted. W: He is all alone, isn't he? M: Yes, his wife has been dead for years. They had one daughter, Dories. But she went off to town as soon as she left school. And he hasn't heard from her since. I hear she is making good money as a model. W: Maybe someone could get in touch with her. Get her to come back for a while to help? M: I don't suppose she come. She never got on with her father. He is bit of a tough character and she is rather selfish. Oh, I expect old Jake will get by. He is healthy at least, comes into a clinic for a check regularly. W: Are you his doctor? M: No, my partner doctor Johnson is. W: That bad-tempered old thing? M: Oh, he isn't really bad-tempered. He just looks it. He is an excellent doctor, taught me a lot, and he has a very nice family. His wife invites me over there to supper every week. Very pleasant. W: Yes. I teach their daughter Pen at school. She is a bit careless and lazy about her school work, but a bright little thing and very popular with her age group. Question: Why does old Jake look terribly depressed? - His health is getting worse. - He can no longer work at sea. - His past life upsets him a good deal.
A: He can no longer work at sea.
Question: Dialogue: W: Hi! Can I help you? M: Hi! Have you got any records of modern guitar music? W: We've got a lot of them. Which one are you looking for? M: I'm looking for some records of Julian Bream. I saw them in your window last week and I had them before in Canada, but I broke them. W: What happened? M: They were in my bag. I sat on my bag and broke the records. My sister told me about your shop. I came here last week and saw the records. W: Let's look for the records. Oh, yes, the records are there on the shelf. M: How much are those three? W: They are four pounds and fifty pence. M: Here is five pounds. Question: How much is each of the record? - 4.5. - 1.5. - 4.05.
Answer: 1.5.
*Question*
Dialogue: W: When do you usually go to the bank, John? M: Anytime I have to. Why did you ask? W: You'd better avoid Friday mornings. I'm reading an interesting book these days. And it says most robberies happen on Friday mornings. Question: What is the woman's purpose in speaking to the man? - To tell him about a bank robbery. - To recommend a good book to him. - To give him some advice on safety.
**Answer**
To give him some advice on safety.
Dialogue: W: My colleagues at work say I should get a health insurance. What do you think? M: I think it's important. I can give you my insurance agent's card if you want. W: But I'm not sure what kind I need. In Germany, we have a national insurance program. But here you have nothing. M: Yes, I know. Many countries have national health insurance. America doesn't. W: Why is that? M: Well, it's because of the American culture. Americans think private companies can do things better than the government. So we depend on private companies for insurance. W: But isn't that expensive? M: You're right. It is expensive. And many people criticize it. They say it is not fair to poor people. They say the health systems are better in other countries, especially in Europe. W: But what do you think? M: I have no idea. I just do my best to have good insurance. It's important. Question: Why is there no national health insurance here? - The government hasn't realized its importance. - The people don't think the government can do it better. - The government hasn't paid enough money for it.
The people don't think the government can do it better.