4.Complains and Excuses
(1) Household Chores A
A: Jason…Jason! Turn down the TV a little, please. B: Oh, but this is my favorite program! A: I know. But it's too loud. B: OK. I'll turn it down. A: That's better. Thanks.
B: Lisa, please pick up your things.
A: They're all over the living room floor. B: In a minute, Mom. I'm on the phone. A: OK. But do it as soon as you hang up. B: Sure. No problem.
A: Goodness! Were we like this when we were kids? B: Definitely!
(2)Household Chores B
A: Have you noticed how forgetful Dad is getting? He's always forgetting where his car keys are. It drives me crazy.
B: And he can never find his glasses either. A: I know.
B: You know what drives me crazy about Mom? A: What?
B: Those awful talk shows she watches on TV. She just loves them. A: Yeah, I think she watches them for hourseveryday.
B: Oh, well. I guess they're just getting old. I hope I never get like that. A: Me, too. Hey, let's go and play a video game.
B: Great idea. By the way, have you seen my glasses anywhere?
(3) Household Chores C [1]
A: James, please turn that down…James! B: Yes, Mom?
A: Turn that down. It's much too loud.
B: Sorry, Mom. I had it turned up because I wanted to hear the game. [2]
A: Molly, put the groceries away, please. There's ice cream in one of the bags. B: I can't right now, Dad. I'm doing my homework.
[3]
A: What's this, James! B: Yeah, Mom?
A: Why are there all these wet towels on the bathroom floor? Please pick them up and hang them up to dry.
B: Gosh, I'm really sorry, Mom. I forgot all about them.
[4]
A: Justin, come help me. We need to wash these dishes before your mother gets home. B: Oh, Dad. I'd like to help, but I have to call Laurie. It's really important.
[5]
A: Aimee, I think the dog is trying to tell you something!
B: Well, I can't possibly take him out right now. I'm doing my nails
(4) Apologies A
A: Hi. I'm your new neighbor, George Rivera. I live next door. B: Oh, hi. I'm Stephanie Lee.
A: So, you just moved in? Do you need anything? B: Not right now. But thanks.
A: Well, let me know if you do. Um, by the way, would you mind turning your stereo down? The walls are really thin, so the sound goes right through to my apartment.
B: Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize that. I'll make sure to keep the volume down. Oh, by the way, is there a good Italian restaurant in the neighborhood?
A: Yeah. There's a great one a couple of blocks from here. Try their lasagna. It's delicious!
(5)Apologies B
A: Hello. I'm sorry to bother you, but I think your car is parked in my space downstairs. B: Really?
A: Yes. Do you drive a blue Honda? B: Yes, I do.
A: Well, there's a blue Honda parked in space 13 and that's my space.
B: Oh, I'm so sorry. My son must have put it in the wrong space. Ours is the one right next to yours-number 12. Let me get my keys, and I'll go right down and move the car. A: Thanks.
B: And I'll make sure my son doesn't do it again. A: I appreciate it.
(6) Apologies C
A: Gee, Bob, you're really late. You said you'd be here at six, and look at the time: It's almost six thirty!
B: I'm really sorry. Tell you what: I'll pay for dinner. A: Oh, it's all right. You don't have to do that.
B: No, I want to pay. You had to wait for me almost half an hour. A: Well, hey, OK-if you insist. Thanks!
A: Hi, Sally. What happened to you on Sunday? B: Sunday? What do you mean?
A: You don't remember? I had a party, and I invited you.
B: Oh, gosh. Of course you did-and I completely forgot about it. I was busy all day helping
my brother with his car, and I guess I just forgot. Sorry. How did the party go, anyway? A: It was great, but we missed you. B: Gee, now I really feel bad.
5. Transportation
(1) Transportation Problems A
A: Why is there never a bus when you want one?
B: Good question. There aren't enough buses on this route. A: Sometimes I feel like writing a letter to the paper.
B: Good idea. You should say that we need more subway lines, too. A: Yeah. There should be more public transportation in genral. B: And fewer cars! There's too much traffic. A: Say, is that our bus coming? B: Yes, it is. But look. It's full!
A: Oh, no! Let's go and get a cup of coffee. We can talk about this letter I'm going to write.
(2)Transportation Problems B
A: So you are really going to write a letter to the paper?
B: Sure. I'm going to say something about the buses. They're too old. We need more modern buses… nice air-conditioned ones.
B: And they need to put more buses on the road.
A: Right. And there are too many cars downtown, and there isn't enough parking. B: That's for sure. It's impossible to find a parking space downtown these days. A: I think they should ban private cars downtown between nine and five.
B: Oh, you mean they shouldn't allow any cars except taxis and buses during the regular workday. Hmm… that sounds like a really good idea.
(3)Transportation Problems C
A: How long have you been living here? B: Oh, for over twenty years.
A: And have you noticed a lot of changes during that time?
B: Oh, yes, quite a few. This is a much nicer place to live now than it used to be. It's much greener. When I first moved here, there weren't many trees around. But over the last few years, the city has planted trees everywhere. It's made such a difference.
(4)Transportation Problems D
A: How do you like living here?
B: Well, it's an interesting city. But you really need a car here; otherwise, you can't go anywhere. There used to be a good bus system, but there isn't anymore. A: Why is that?
B: Oh, I think they expect everyone to have a car, so they don't bother to provide decent bus service. It's getting worse and worse. These days, you have to wait for ages for a bus. And when one finally shows up, it's usually full!
(5) Solution Singapore
Quite a number of things have been done to help solve traffic problems in Singapore. For example, motorists must buy a special pass if they want to drive into the downtown business district. They can go into the business district only if they have the pass displayed on their windshield.
Another thing Singapore has done is to make it more difficult to buy cars. People have to apply for a certificate if they want to buy a car. And the number of certificates is limited. Not everyone can get one.
There is also a high tax on cars, so it costs three or four times as much to buy a car in Singapore as it does in, say, the United States or Canada.
The other thing Singapore has done is to build an excellent pubic transportation system. Their subway system is one of the best in the world. And there is also a very good taxi and bus system.
(6) Driving and Road Sings A
A: Um, have you noticed that police car behind us? B: Oh, yeah.
A: [Police siren] Oh, no! I'd better pull over. B: May I see your driver's license, please?
A: Sure, of course. Did I do something wrong, Officer?
B: Well, for one thing, you went over a double yellow line back there to pass a car. A: Oh.
B: A double yellow line means” no passing.” You can only pass when there's a broken yellow line on your side. A: Oh.
B: And another thing! You were in the left-turn-only lane, but you didn't turn! You went straight through the intersection instead. A: Oh, I guess I did, Officer,…but…
B: Yes, you did! Don't you know that if there's a sign with an arrow pointing to the left, you have to turn left when you're in that lane? A: Oh, yeah, you're right-
B: Of course, I'm right! My goodness! How did you ever pass your driving test and get a license?
A: Gosh, I'm sorry, Officer.
(7) Driving and Road Sings B
A: You know, these highways are really great, but the road signs are pretty confusing. B: Hmm. What do these lines on the road mean? A: They must mean you aren't allowed to pass here.
B: No. I don't think so. I'm going to pass this car in front of us. It's going too slow. Now, I wonder what that sign up ahead means.
A: It may mean you've got to take a left in this lane.
B: Or maybe it means you can turn left if you want to. I think I'll just go straight.