Section A Conversations
Short Conversations
11. M: The biological project is now in trouble. You know, my colleague and I have completely different ideas about how to proceed.
W: Why don’t you compromise? Try to make it a win-win situation for you both.
Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?
12. M: How does Nancy like the new dress she bought in Rome?
W: She said she would never have bought an Italian style dress if she had known Mary had already got such a dress.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
13. M: You are not going to do all those dishes before we leave, are you? If we don’t pick up George and Martha in 25 minutes, we’ll never get to the theater on time.
W: Oh, didn’t I tell you? Martha called to say her daughter was ill and they could not go tonight.
Q: What is the woman probably going to do first?
14. M: You’ve been hanging onto the phone for quite a while. Who were you talking with?
W: Oh, it was Sally. You know she always has the latest news in town and can’t wait to talk it over with me.
Q: What do we know about Sally from the conversation?
15: W: It’s always been hard to get this car into first gear and now the clutch seems to be sleeping.
M: If you leave the car with me, I’ll fix it for you this afternoon.
Q: Who is the woman probably speaking to?
16. M: Kate, why does the downtown area look deserted now?
W: Well, there used to be some really good stores, but lots of them moved out to the mall.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
17. W: I find the lounge such a cozy place to study in. I really like the feeling when sitting on the sofa and doing the reading.
M: Well for me the hardest part about studying here is staying awake.
Q: What does the man mean?
18: W: These mosquito bites are killing me. I can’t help scratching.
M: Next time you go camping, take some precaution, say, wearing long sleeves.
Q: Why does the man suggest the woman wear long sleeves?
Long Conversations
Conversation 1
M: Hello and welcome to our program “Working Abroad”. Our guest this evening is a Londoner who lives and works in Italy. Her name is Susan Hill. Susan, welcome to the program. You live in Florence. How long have you been living there?
W: Since 1982, but when I went there in 1982, I planned to stay for only 6 months.
M: Why did you change your mind?
W: Well, I’m a designer. I design leather goods, mainly shoes and handbags. Soon after I arrived in Florence, I got a job with one of Italy’s top fashion houses, Ferragamo. So I decided to stay.
M: How lucky! Do you still work for Ferragamo?
W: No, I’ve been a freelance designer for quite a long time now. Since 1988, in fact.
M: So, does that mean you design for several different companies now?
W: Yes, that’s right. I’ve designed many fashion items for a number of Italian companies. And in the last 4 years, I’ve also been designing for the British company, Burberrys.
M: What have you been designing for them?
W: Mostly handbags and small leather goods.
M: How has fashion industry in Italy changed since 1982?
W: Oh, yes, it has BECome a lot more competitive, because the quality of products from other countries has improved a lot, but Italian quality and design is still world famous.
M: And do you ever think of returning to live in England?
W: No, not really. Working in Italy is more interesting, I also love the Mediterranean sun and the Italian life style.
M: Well, thank you for talking to us, Susan.
W: It was a pleasure.
19. Where does this talk most probably take place?
20. What was the woman’s original plan when she went to Florence?
21. What has the woman been doing for a living since 1988?
22. What do we learn about the change in Italy’s fashion industry?