Sam: Thank you.
Interviewer: Sam, how long have you been a police officer?
Sam: I've been a police officer for thirty years.
Interviewer: Thirty years. And you've had different types of assignments on the police force, I guess.
Sam: Yeah, I've done everything from patrol to undercover work to detective work, and now I'm supervising investigations.
Interviewer: Sam, I think most people would say that being a police officer is a very stressful job. Would you agree?
Sam: Yes, it's definitely a stressful job. But it depends on your assignment.
Interviewer: So, what's probably the most stressful assignment you can have?
Sam: I'd say patrol is the most stressful assignment.
Interviewer: That's interesting! In what way?
Sam: Well, I guess the biggest part of the stress is the fear factor -- the fear of the unknown.
Interviewer: What do you mean, Sam?
Sam: Well, in patrol work, you don't know from moment to moment who you are talking to or what their reaction is going to be to justify your presence. Let's say, for example, a patrol officer stops someone for a traffic violation. It seems as though that would be a very low-stress situation.
Interviewer: Yes, it is a very low-stress situation.
Sam: But the truth is, there are more police officers injured during a routine stop.
Interviewer: Really?
Sam: Really! That's why all police officers are taught from the very beginning to be aware of their surroundings. People back over policemen, people shoot policemen, people jump out at policemen -- different kinds of things. So that's probably the most stressful time.
Interviewer: I see. Let's take a break and then we'll move on to our next topic.
Sam: All right.
Questions:
1. What's the relationship between the two speakers?
2. What does Sam mainly talk about?
3. What do you know about Sam?
Text 2
Stress Reducers
Interviewer: Sam, you've talked about the police officers' stressful time. Now let's move on to the next topic. So far as I know, there's a connection between stress and illness. Do you think that there's a higher percentage of illness among police officers than in the general population? I mean, do they get more colds or anything? Is this really true?
Sam: Yes, it is, and the stress level not only manifests itself in daily health -- whether or not you've feeling well on any given day. It also manifests itself in things like ulcers, heart disease -- police officers tend to have a higher rate of heart disease and ulcers than people in other professions.
Interviewer: Really? That's documented?
Sam: Yes, it's documented. And also the divorce rate among police officers is much higher.
Interviewer: Is there something that the police department does to help you deal with this stress?
Sam: Yes, there are several programs that most police departments have in place. One is an exercise program where some part of your day is spent on some type of physical exercise. They've found that's a great stress reducer. Besides, there's also a psychological program with counseling for officers to help them reduce their stress. And there are several discussion groups as well. They've found that sometimes just sitting around and talking about the stress with other officers helps to reduce it. So, those things are available.
Interviewer: And what do you do, personally, to help you deal with the stress of your job, Sam?
Sam: Well, during the baseball season, I'm the biggest baseball fanatic, and I will either be reading about baseball, or listening to baseball, or watching baseball. Another thing I try to do is
to get some sort of exercise every day. And then I work hard at keeping up my personal relationships, especially my relationship with my wife. Fortunately I get along very well with my wife. When I come back home, I can talk about my day with her, and then just forget about it.
Statements:
1. The dialogue is mainly about how police officers can deal with stress.
2. According to Sam, most police officers enjoy good health.
3. According to Sam, the divorce rate among police officers is higher than among people in other jobs.
4. Counseling is the most effective program to help police officers relieve stress.
5. Sam knows how to reduce his stress.
Part C
Short Conversations
1. M: You look so nervous, Rose. Are you all right?
W: Frankly speaking, I'm on pins and needles. I have to give a presentation to a group of important visitors this afternoon.
Q: Why does Rose feel nervous?
2. M: You look so upset, Sue. What's worrying you?
W: My son Jack made me extremely unhappy. He seems to be playing video games all the time. Whenever I talk to him he turns a deaf ear to me.
Q: What's the woman's problem?
3. W: David, you don't look happy. Anything wrong?
M: Well, you know, my mother died three years ago. And since then my father has lived in an apartment on his own and has very few friends.
Q: What is David worrying about?
4. W: Michael, I don't know what has happened to Mother. Her memory seems to be going. I have to remind her of almost everything.
M: Don't worry, Mary. She's just getting old.
Q: What do you know about Mary?
5. W: I'm worried about sending my son Peter to college. You see, nowadays many college students behave rather strangely. They don't seem to be interested in their studies.
M: Just a few. Most students still concentrate on their studies.
Q: What can you infer from the man's response?
Part D
Finding Creative Outlets for Very Stressful Times
Beautifying your home is a fun and practical pastime that can offer a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Few people may realize, however, that painting the walls, knitting bedspreads