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Tom: We found that many problems are caused when a person has different

expectations from his or her spouse. We wanted to talk about everything openly and honestly before we started living together.

Linda: Also we both know how important it is to respect each other’s pet peeves.

Like, I can get very annoyed if others leave stuff — clothing, papers, everything! — lying around on the floor. It really bugged me, so we put that in the agreement.

John: This is mentioned in Article 1: Cleaning Up, isn’t it? It says, “Nothing will be

left on the floor overnight. Everything must be cleaned up and put away before going to bed.”

Tom: Then I’ll know clearly what Linda’s expectations are.

John: I see. What about Article 2: Sleeping? It says, “We will go to bed at 11 p.m.

and get up at 6:30 a.m. except on weekends.” I’m sure some people hearing this will think that this agreement isn’t very romantic.

Tom: Well, we disagree. We think it’s very romantic. This agreement shows that we

sat down and talked, and really tried to understand the other person. A lot of problems occur in a marriage when people don’t talk about what they want. Linda: That’s right. When we disagreed about something, we worked out a solution

that was good for both of us. I would much rather have Tom really listen to me and understand my needs than give me a bunch of flowers or a box of candy.

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Exercise 1

Listen to the conversation and choose the right answers to the questions you hear. 1. Which statement best summarizes the marriage agreement between Tom and Linda?

a. It is a set of rules that will restrict their personal freedom to a certain extent. b. It is a set of rules that will enable them to live up to each other’s expectations. c. It is a set of rules that will prevent them from getting a divorce. d. It is a set of rules that will save their marriage.

2. According to Tom, what will give rise to problems in a marriage? a. Different interests. b. Different pet peeves. c. Different expectations. d. Different sleeping habits.

3. What can be inferred about Linda from the conversation? a. She is sensible and well-organized.

b. She doesn’t like flowers or candy very much. c. She is too practical to be a good wife. d. She is quick-tempered and domineering.

Exercise 2

Listen to the conversation again and complete the answers to the following questions.

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1. Why did Tom and Linda decide to sign the agreement?

Because they wanted to understand each other’s expectations so that potential problems could be avoided and they could live happily together. 2. What is Article 1 about?

Cleaning up. Everything must be cleaned up and put away before going to bed. 3. What is Article 2 about?

Sleeping. Time for bed: 11 p.m.; time to get up: 6:30 a.m. except on weekends.

Conversation 2

A Marriage Agreement (Part Two)

Word Bank

update v. to make sth. up-to-date 更新

make it up to become friends again after a quarrel 争吵后和解 figure out to work out the solution to a problem 想出 Script:

John: Linda, do you spend a lot of time checking to see if the other person is

following the rules? Arguing? Linda: No, not at all.

Tom: A lot of couples argue because they don’t understand each other’s

expectations. I think we spend less time arguing than most couples because we both know what the other person expects.

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John: What happens if one of you breaks a rule? Tom: Well, that’s in Article 13 of our agreement.

John: Is it? Oh yes, Article 13: Breaking Rules. “If you break a rule, you must

apologize and do something nice for the other person to make it up.” Linda: Yeah, like last time Tom broke the rule of driving. John: What’s the rule?

Linda: The rule is we must ask for directions if we are driving and get lost for more

than five minutes. John: What happened?

Tom: We were driving to a friend’s wedding, and we got lost. Linda wanted to stop

at a gas station to ask for directions, but I thought I could figure it out. Linda: Then we drove forty miles in the wrong direction and ended up being late for

the wedding.

Tom: So I took her out to dinner. I knew what I should do to apologize.

John: That’s very important, I think, knowing how to apologize. By the way, do you

plan to update your agreement at all? What if things change in your life and a rule doesn’t work anymore?

Linda: We’ve thought about that too. Article 14 states that we must review this

agreement once a year and make necessary changes.

John: Well, it was really nice talking to you both. Thank you very much for your

time.

Tom & Linda: Thank you.