M: Ah, Jenny, could I just have a quick word with you?

W: Er, yes. No problem I hope.

M: Well, actually there is. I’ve just had a complaint from a customer. He says you were rude 

to him on the phone.

W: What? Me? Who said that?

M: Well, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear it was Mr. Butler.

W: Oh, him. He’s always really horrible. 

M: Yes, I know how hard it is to deal with him.

W: And now he’s complained about me! I’ve always done my best to help him.

M: I know. Look, next time he rings, just put him straight on to me.

Text 8

M: Guess what, Tina! The University of Auckland in New Zealand has offered me a scholarship.

W: Great! When are you going?

M: That’s just it. I may not go. What would you do if your boyfriend asked you not to go?

W: Well, I would invite him to come with me.

M: I’ve tried that. She said she won’t go. And she might break up with me.

W: That’s ridiculous! If I were you, I would warn her not to try and control me. I missed a 

big opportunity once.

M: What happened?

W: I was offered a job in Thailand, but my husband dislike the idea so we didn’t go. I should 

have taken the job. I’ve always regretted my decision. In my situation, what would you 

have done?

M: Oh, I would have accepted the offer.

W: Well, there’s the answer to your problem. Accept your scholarship.

Text 9

M: So, Jane, where are we meeting these friends of yours tonight?

W: Oh, didn’t I tell you? We’re going to see a movie. 

M: Yeah? What movie?

W: I’m not sure. I know it’s one of those action movies. 

M: Oh, no. Can’t we see a romantic movie? Action movies are too violent and stupid. 

W: I know, but my friends really want to see this one. 

M: Ok, then what about dinner? Should we take them out for some Chinese food?

W: I’d prefer Mexican. I’m not too good with chopsticks. 

M: All right. I wouldn’t want you to spill food in front of your old friends. 

W: They’re not just my old friends. You know one of them. Tina. 

M: Yeah, We live in the same town and we went to the same school. 

W: She’s beautiful and funny. I like her very much. 

M: Yes, she is a nice girl. Are we taking the bus?

W: No, the subway is faster. Did I tell you we have to be there in 30 minutes?

Text 10

Two businessmen were invited to dinner at the home of a college professor. One of the men had not had much education and was worried that he might make a fool of himself, but his friend said, “Don’t worry. Just do what I do, and don’t talk about anything you don’t really understand. ”

The first man managed to get through the dinner successfully, but by the end of the evening he had had a lot to drink, and he began to get careless. 

A guest asked him whether he liked Shakespeare, and he answered confidently, “It’s very pleasant, but I prefer Coca-Cola.” There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, and soon people began to leave. 

When the two friends were out of the house, the second man said to his friend, “You certainly made a fool of yourself by making that silly remark about Coca-Cola.”

“What do you mean?” asked the other man. “What was wrong with it?”

“Everyone knows that Shakespeare isn’t a drink,” his friend replied. “It’s a kind of cheese.”