-
, I am really sorry. Are you ok ?
I am fine. But I am not really good at
this.
Neither am I. Say, are you from
south America?
Yes, I am originally. I
was born in Argentina.
Did you grow up
there?
Yes, I did. But my family moved
there eight years ago when I was in high school.
And, where did you learn the roller
blade?
Here and park. This is my only
Second time.
Well, this is my first
time.
Can you give me some lessons?
Sure, just follow me.
By the way, my name is Teddy
And I am Anna. Nice to meet you.
1. Heihei, that was fun.
Thanks for the lesson.
No
problem.
So, tell me a little about
yourself. What do you do.
I work in
travel agency.
Really, what do you do
there?
I am in charge of the computers.
Oh , so, you are computer specialist
Well, sort of. Yeah, I guess so.
That is great, then maybe you can give
me some more helps with computer course I
am taking.
Oh, sure, But
only if you promise to give me some more
rollerblading lessons?
Unhen, it is
deal.
2. Where are you from originally Yu
Hong?
I’m from China, from near
Shanghai.
And, when did you
move here?
I came here after I
graduated from college. That was in 1992.
And, what do you do now?
I’m
a transportation engineer.
I
see, so you ’re an immigrant to the United
States.
Yes, that’s
right.
What are some of the
difficulties of being an immigrant in the U.S.
Oh, that’s not an easy question to
answer. There are so many things, really. I guess
one of the biggest difficultly
is that I don’t have any relatives
here. I mean, I have a
lot of friend.
But that
’
s not the same
thing. In China, on the holidays or the weekend,
we visit isn
’
t
the same here.
And, what do you miss
the most from home?
Oh,
that’s
mom’s
soup.
She
makes
great
soup.
I
really
miss
my
mother’s
cooking.
3 .Hey! Are
these pictures of you when you were a kid.
Yeah, that’s
me in
front of my uncle’s beach house. When
I
was a kid,
we
used to
spend two weeks every summer.
Wow, I bet that was fun!
Yeah, we always had a great time. Every
day we used to get up early and walk along
the beach. I had a great shell
collection. In fact, I think it’s still up in the
attic.
Hey, I used to
collect shells, too , when I was a kid. But my
parents threw them out!
3. You know what I remember most about
growing up?
What?
Visiting
my grandparent’s house, you know, on holidays and
stuff. They lived way out
in
the country, and my
granddad
had a horse named Blackie. He taught
me
how to
ride. I just love that horse-and
she loved me, too! I used to really enjoy spending
time
at my grandparent’s house. And
every time I came back, Blackie remembered
me.
Ah, memories!
Everything is nothing but self-building
心无旁骛唯有自强不息。
4. Hello.
Hello,
is the apartment you’re advertisin
g
still available?
Yes, it is.
Can you tell me a little about it?
Well, it’s a prefect apartment for one
person. It’s one room with a kitchen at one
end.
I see. And is it far
away from the subway?
There’s a subway
station just down the street. Actually,
th
e apartment is located right
downtown,
so
you
step
out
of
the
building
and
there
are
stores
and
restaurants
everywhere. But it’s on a high floor,
so you don’t hear any street or traffic
noise.
It sounds like just
the kind of place I’m looking for. I’d
like
to come see it, please.
Sure. Let me give you the address.
4. Creative Rentals. Good
morning.
Hello. I’m calling about the
apartment you have for rent.
Yes. What can I tell you about it?
Where is it, exactly?
It’s
on the King Street, just off the
freeway
.
Oh, near the
freeway. Can you hear the traffic?
Yes,
I’m afraid
you do hear some.
But
the apartment has
lots
of space. It
has three
bedrooms and a very large living room.
I see. And is it in a new building?
Well, the building is about fifty years
old.
Uh-
huh. Well, I’ll
think about it.
Ok. Thanks
for calling.
Thank you. Bye
5. living places-A
The
neighborhood sure has changed!
What was this place like before.
Grandpa?
Well, there used to be a
grocery store right here on this corner. Hmm.
It was pretty
quit. Not many
people lived here then.
These days, the
population is growing fast.
Yeah, I bet
they’ll
tear down all these old
buildings soon. In a few years, there will be
just malls and high-rise apartments.
Hey
, that doesn’
t
sound too bad.
NO, but I’
ll
miss the old days.
ent Hunting-A
What do you
think?
Well, it has just as many
bedroom as the last apartment. And the living room
is huge.
But the bedroom are too small,
And there
isn’t enough
closet
space for my clothes.
And it
’s
not as
cheap as the last apartment we saw.
But, that apartment was dark and dingy.
And it was in a dangerous in neighborhood.
Let’s see
if the real estate
agent has something eise to show us.
5. Apartment Hunting-B
Well, how do you like this space, then?
Oh, It’s much better than
that
other one. The thing I like best
is the bedroom. They are
too huge!
Yes, they are nice and big.
And there are two bathrooms, I could
have my own bedroom!
Yes, I guess you
could,
The only problem is the color of
the living room, I really don
’t like
t
hose dark green
walls.
Oh, I’m sure we can change the color if
you want to.
6. Did you know next week is Halloween?
It’
s on the Oct 31.
So, what do you do on Halloween?
We don’t have
this holiday
in Russia.
Well, It’s a
day
when kids dress up in masks and costumes.
They knock on
people’s
door
s and ask for candy by saying
words
, ”
Trick or treat
!
”.
Hmm. Sounds
interesting.
But
it’s
not
just
for
kids.
Lots
of
people
have
c
ostumes
parties.
H
ey…
my
friend
Pete’s
having a par
ty. Would you like to go?
Sure, I’d love to.
6. So, are we going to wear
costumes to the party?
Of course.
T
hat’s have half the fun.
Last year I rented this great Dracula costume, and
this year I’m going as a
clown.
A clown!
Yes, you would make a good clown.
Hey!
Oh, I’m just kidding. What about me?
What kind of custom should I wear?
Why
don’t you go
as a witch? I saw a terrific witch
outfit at the costume store.
A witch…
yeah, that’s a good idea. So after I scare people,
you can make them
laugh.
7. You look beautiful in
that kimono, Mary. It is this your wedding photo?
Yes, it is.
Do most Japanese
women wear kimonos when they get married?
Yes, many of them do. Then after the
wedding ceremony, the bride usually changes
into a western bridal dress during the
reception.
Oh, I didn’t know
that.
7. Did you
get marry in a church, Mary?
No, the
ceremony was held at a shrine.
Oh, a
shrine.
Yes, we were married by a
priest in a traditional Shinto ceremony.
Hmm, and who went to the ceremony.
Well,
only
the
immediate
family
attended
the
ceremony
…
you
know,
our
parents,
grandparents,
brothers and sisters
…
And, what about the reception, what was
that like?
Lots of friends and
relatives came to the reception…about a hundred
people. And the
first thing happened
was that the main guests gave formal speeches.
Speeches?
Yes,
and then after that, all the guests were served a
formal meal. While everyone was
eating
and drinking, lots of other guests gave short
speeches or sang songs. Some of
the
speeches were funny.
Sounds like fun!
Yes,
the
songs
and
speeches
are
all
part
of
the
entertainment
during
a
wedding
reception.
And
then,
at
the
end
of
the
reception,
each
guest
received
a
present
for
coming to the wedding.
A
present from the bride and groom?
Yes,
it's a Japanese custom.
What a nice
custom!
8.
Jason…Jason!
A: Jason…Jason! Turn down the TV a
little, please.
B: Oh, but
this is my favorite program!
A: I know.
But it's very 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!
8.
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
9.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
hours everyday.
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?
9.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!
10.
Hi, I’m your new
neighbor
, George Rivera. I live next
door.
Oh, hi. I ‘
m Stephanie
Lee.
So, you just moved in. Do you need
anything?
No right now, but thanks.
Well,
let
me
know
if
you
do.
Um,
by
the
way,
would
you
mind
turning
you
stereo
down.
The walls are really thin, so the sound goes right
through to my apartment.
Oh, I’m sorry.
I didn’t realize that. I make sure to keep the
vo
lume down. Oh, by the
way,
is there a good Italian restaurant in the
neighborhood.
Y
eah.
There
’
s
a
great
one
a
couple
of
blocks
form
here.
Try
their
lasagna.
I
t’s
delicious.
Hello, I’m
sorry to brother
you, but I think your car is parked in my space
downstairs.
Really?
Yes. Do
you drive a blue Honda?
Yes, I do.
Well, there
’s
a
blue Honda parked in space thirteen,
a
nd that’s my space.
Oh, I’m so sorry. My son must have
put
it in the wrong space. Our is the
one right
next to yours-number 12. Let
me get my keys, and
I’ll
go
right down and move the
car.
Thanks.
And,
I
’ll
make sure my
son doesn’t do it again.
I
appreciate it.
11.
why is there never a bus when you want
one?
Good question.
There
aren’t enough buses on this route.
Sometimes I feel like writing a letter
to the paper.
Good idea. You should say
that we need more subway lines too.
Yeah. There should be more public
transportation in genral.
And fewer
cars! T
here’
s too much
traffic.
Say, is that our bus coming.
Yes, it is. But look. I
t’s
full.
Oh, no.
Let’s go and get a cup of coffee. We
can talk about
this letter I’m going to
write.