Unit3

II. Listening Skills

Understanding Times and Dates

1. W: Oh, look at the clock. It’s 5:15. I’ll be late for Jennifer’s birthday party! I was supposed to leave at 5 o’clock.

M: Don’t worry! You still have some time. The clock is twenty minutes fast.

Q: What time is it now?

2.?

W: It’s 7:50, lazybones, and you’re going to be late for the meeting.

M: God! I was sleeping like a dog. Well, I still have ten minutes.

Q: When is the man’s meeting?

3.?

M: Thank you, Laura. We’d like to go to the barbecue with you. What time should we be there

W: Some people are coming around 11:00, and we’re going to play badminton, but we won’t??????????? eat until around 12:30.

Q: At what time are they going to eat?

4.?

M: I knew Dr. Smith’s birthday was October 26th, but I didn’t realize it was this Saturday.

W: Let’s give him a surprise party. We could ask him to meet us at his office at 5, and then we could take him to dinner at the restaurant around 5:30.

Q: What time does the woman suggest meeting Dr. Smith?

5.?

M: I just read that Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, when very little was understood about time and energy.

W: Absolutely. But when he died on April 18, 1955, people knew a lot more, and nuclear power stations had been built.

Q: When was Einstein born?

1.D?? 2.B?? 3.C?? 4.A?? 5.B

III. Listening In

Task 1: A Picture

I have a picture that sits on my desk in my bedroom. When I have trouble studying, or I’m worried about an exam, I just take a look at it. It is a picture of my best friends taken years ago when we were in high school. It reminds me of the good time we’ve shared and the support their friendship still gives me today. Even though our lives have gone in different directions, the bond we created has kept us close. Every week I get a message on my answering machine from one of them, or a letter in the mail with the latest news or vacation photos. I often get e-mail with a joke for the day, or words of comfort about some problems in my life. My friends have shown up for surprise birthday parties, and one of them even traveled two hours from the other end of town just to watch my first English speech contest. Our friendship has carried me through a lot of difficult experiences, and has enriched the good ones. It is the kind of friendship that outlasts disagreements, changes, and separation.

1.C?? 2.A?? 3.D?? 4.B?? 5.B

Task 2: Problem of Meeting People

As a foreign student, I have a number of problems, both academically and socially. The biggest one is meeting people. I feel confident about my ability to cope with problems from my studies, but I’m not comfortable making friends with other students, especially local ones. Perhaps I’m worrying unnecessarily, but I find it difficult to talk to them and to make friends. The primary reasons is the language barrier. My English is quite standard and forma, and although that helps me with my academic work, I have trouble understanding other students when they are just talking. It seems to me that in order to meet with other students I really need informal, colloquial English. Besides, there’s the cultural gap. That’s why it’s so difficult for overseas students and native English speaking students to really get to know each other. I really want to overcome this difficulty. I guess the best way to begin is to start talking about course work that we share; and then I could suggest going for a cup of tea or coffee. Over coffee we could get to know each other. Another way would be to join a club, like a tennis club or a photo club, because that immediately gives you something in common with other people there. It gives you a starting point to build on.

1.He has both academic and social problems.

2.He fells confident about his ability to cope with his studies.

3.The language barrier is the main reason why he finds it hard to make friends with local students.

4.It is difficult for overseas students and native English speaking students to really get to know each other because there is the cultural gap.

5.Te best way for the overseas students to actually overcome the difficulty of making friends with native English speaking students is to start talking about course work.

Task 3: Long Distance Friendships

I have quite a few long distance friendships. How do I maintains these relationships? Well, I believe friendship is very important, But I also think friendship really needs tending—like plants in the garden. It’s important to keep up to date with my friends, something that’s hard to do with long distances between us. But over the years I have managed to stay very tight with my friends, even though distances separate us. Jane lives in another city, and she’s not much for writing letters, so we talk on the phone at least once a week, usually for an hour at a time. We take turns calling each other, so I stay close to her through the phone. My phone bills are high, but I consider them just another living expense, like rent. Other friends I e-mail. I have one friend who just isn’t into writing letters. I’ve known her for a long time. We’ve always considered ourselves friends, but over time I’ve always been in and out of touch with her. But she is always on-line—e-mail is her thing. Since I’ve gotten an e-mail address, I e-mail her twice a week. Now, I’m back in good touch with her. She’ll often sit down and write me e-mail, but she just wouldn’t do it with pen and paper. E-mail’s really a great way to keep in touch with friends.

1.maintain????? 2.tending???? 3.date???? 4.phone???? 5.turns????? 6.bills???? 7.expenses

8.e-mail??? 10.touch

Task 4: An Announcement

1.?????? The Student Friendship Association

2.?????? outing

3.?????? school gate

4.?????? 6:40

5.?????? 7 sharp

6.?????? on time

IV. Speaking Out

Now Your Turn

Nicole: Hi, Steven!

Steven: Why, Nicole! You looked so excited.

Nicole: I can’t believe it! I won the first prize in the speech contests!

Steven: That’s great! Congratulations!

Nicole: Thanks. I’m so happy! I really worked hard though.

Steven: You deserve it. I’m very happy for you.

Model 2 Sorry, I’m new here, too.

Now Your Turn

Matthew: Hey, Kimberly, guess what!

Kimberly: What’s up, Matt?
Matthew: I’ve got the most wonderful news!

Kimberly: What’s that?
Matthew: Our school basketball team won our game—and by ten points!

Kimberly: How wonderful!

Model 3 Go straight ahead till…

Now Your Turn

Susan: What’s wring? You looked so tired and worried.

Sarah: My roommate, Nicole, had a temperature last night, as high as 40 degrees centigrade!

Susan: Terrible! Is she all right now?
Sarah: I don’t know. She’s in hospital.

Susan: I hope she’ll be fine.

Sarah: So do I.

V. Let’s Talk

Jack: Hi, I’ve been looking for you since the morning. I couldn’t find you anywhere.

Jane: Yeah. I don’t feel like hanging out with the crowd any more, especially since Susan stopped coming to school.

Jack: I know. It’s such a pity about her parents: losing one parent is bad enough, but losing them both on the same day and in such an accident…It’s terrible! Have you seen her since?

Jane: No. I tired talking to her on the phone. She sounded bad.

Jack: The other day, I talked to Mr. Smith—you know that tall guy who works in the Dean’s Office. Apparently, Susan is thinking of dropping out of school. She has almost money, you know. Her parents didn’t have much savings.

Jane: Yeah. I’ve been quite worried about her. But simply feelings sorry for her is not enough; we have to think of some way to help her. Have any suggestions?

Jack: Well, I haven’t really thought about it. I could possibly give her some money. I’ve saved up from my part-time job.

Jane: Wow. You’re so generous! But…that wouldn’t be a long-term solution.

Jack: That’s true…Perhaps we could help her find a part-time job.

Jane: Good idea! The lady who runs the shop where I work at night could be helpful. If Susan is interested, I can introduce her to the lady.

Jack: Great! Once she gets a regular income, things will be better. More than anything else, it will take her mind off her tragedy.

Jane: Hmm…I was wondering, could we organize a fund-raiser for her?

Jack: Well, I’m not so sure how that would work. You know, taking help from us, her best friends, is one thing, but getting the whole school involved may not be a good idea.

Jane: Yeah. You’re right. We’ll think of something else. In the meantime let’s go ahead with what we’ve planned. (Looking at her watch) Oh! It’s five to two. I have a class. I gotta run. Let’s meet tonight. Bye!

Jack: Bye!

JACK?? ABEG????? Jane?? CDF

For Reference

A

A, break the bed news about Mary to B.

? It’s terrible! I heard that Mary’s father died of cancer.

B, say what you feel about the news.

? Oh, my. I am so sorry to hear that. What terrible news!

A, tell your worry about Mary’s life and study.

? Her father is a real breadwinner of the family. Mary will have to quit school.

B, suggest doing something to help Mary out.

??Well, that’s too bad. What shall we do then as her good friends?
A, give your suggestion.

? Is that possible that we raise money from among our fellow schoolmates to support her?
B, show your agreement with A.

? Sounds OK. Let’s give it a try.

B

A, tell B that John is going to be back to school.

? I heard that John is going to be back to school.

B, say what you feel about the news.

? Oh, really? He’s been in hospital for such a long time.

A, show your concern about John’s missed study.

? Well, he must be very worried about his study.

B, suggest helping John with his schoolwork,

? Let’s take turns to help him catch up on weekends. OK?
A, show your agreement to B’s opinion.

??Good. I would also love to be helpful.

VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking

Task 1: Worry of a Teacher

Susan Smith cared for her students very much, and they all liked her. She wanted them to learn and to be happy. She had a special relationship with one student, Doris. Doris had been to Susan’s house several times and had come to know her husband and children. Lately, Susan had been very worried about Doris because the student’s hometown had recently been hit by a strong earthquake. Susan observed that Doris had lost a lot of weight and often had dark circles under her eyes. She talked to Doris and was as helpful as she could be, but felt that Doris really should see a doctor. One day, Susan talked to Doris and suggested that she go to the health center to talk to one of the doctors. Doris’ face became very red. She said, “I don’t need a doctor. How could you make a suggestion like that? I thought you were my friend!” Susan was very surprised by Doris’ reaction. She said, “I’m sorry to have upset you. I just want to help.” After that conversation, Doris stopped talking to Susan. She also transferred out of her class.

1. learn??? happy

2. earthquake

3. weight?? dark circles

4. the health center?? turned red

5. surprised?? talking??? transferred

Task 2: How to build lifelong friendship?
You may have a lot of friends and expect your friendships to last a lifetime. However, lifelong friendships are not always what everybody can get. Friends sometimes misunderstand each other. For one thing, you may want your friends to be near at hand, but also you need your independence and privacy. For example, when one of your friends comes asking if it is all right to spend the evening in your house, sometimes you just say “no” to hi or her because it is nor convenient for you. Unfortunately, not all your friends understand this type of independence. They believe that friends can ask for any favor and the answer should always be “yes”. Also, misunderstanding sometimes occurs when you ask for help. You expect your friends to help you mo matter what the circumstances are. But the fact is, your friends may not always drop everything to satisfy each of your needs. This may make you angry with them and your friendship could fade. The most important thing for you and your friends to do is to always show understanding and respect for each other.

1.T?? 2.F?? 3.F?? 4.T?? 5.T

Task 3: At Your Side

When the daylight’s gone and you’re on your own,

And you need a friend just to be around.

I will comfort you; I will take your hands.

And I’ll pull you through, I will understand.

?

And you know that I’ll be at your side.

There’s no need to worry.

Together we’ll survive through the haste and hurry.

I’ll be at your side.

?

If you feel like you’re alone, and you’ve nowhere to turn,

I’ll be at your side.

?

If life’s standing still and your soul’s confused,

And you cannot find what road to choose.

If you make mistakes,

You can’t let me down.

I will still believe,

I will turn around…