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train_4800
#Person1#: Do you have a good English-Chinese dictionary? #Person2#: Sure. How about this one? #Person1#: Is this the latest edition? #Person2#: Yes. We have both the paperback and the hardcover. #Person1#: What's the difference? #Person2#: The hardcover is more expensive. #Person1#: Oh! I see. I'll have the paperback, please.
buy a dictionary
train_4801
#Person1#: How do you do? Nice to meet you, Diane. #Person2#: How do you do, Jack. Nice to meet you. #Person1#: Well, I think you ' Ve reconsidered our proposal, Diane. #Person2#: Yes, you are right. After all, the quality of your air conditioners is good. The only problem is price. #Person1#: I should not be surprised, many customers have the same opinion. Do you have any suggestion in mind? Our salesman told your secretary that the price could be negotiable. #Person2#: That's why I came to your office today. We think for your model WE - 506 $ 590 would be reasonable, because air conditioners of the same kind sold by other companies are usually about 579-649. #Person1#: That's true. But if you understand that quality is the most important aspect of a product, you'll agree that 679 is not high, especially when we allow you a 10 % discount. #Person2#: I see your point. That's to say s 611 each set. Still it's much higher than the market price. Could you see your way to reduce the price, Jack? #Person1#: Well, considering the quantity of your order we could further reduce the price to 600. That's the best we can do. What do you think of that? #Person2#: All right. We accept it. So $ 600 for each set. #Person1#: Very well. Thank you.
negotiate over price
train_4802
#Person1#: Steven, I'm going abroad by plane for the first time tomorrow. Can you give me some advice? And what should I pay attention to? #Person2#: First, you should have enough sleep to get over the jet lag before the departure. Most people will suffer from jet lag for a few days after a long flight. #Person1#: I will go to bed early tonight. #Person2#: Do you have an airsickness? #Person1#: I don't know. But I have a carsickness. #Person2#: You'd better bring some medicine for airsickness. #Person1#: Thank you.
Tips for flying
train_4803
#Person1#: Leo! I wanted to tell you thanks for all your hard work on the budget. We ' re having a get-together after work tonight at Carl ' s Karaoke Club to celebrate having finished it. We ' d love to see #Person2#: What fun! Normally I ' d love to, but I ' m afraid I have to work late tonight. We ' Ve got to get the contract ready for Miss King. #Person1#: Oh, right. You ' re busy with that contract. Maybe you could join us later? #Person2#: Unfortunately, I just can ' t make it this time. I have to go straight home. It ' s my second wedding anniversary, and we ' re supposed to be having a big dinner Susan would kill me if I missed it. #Person1#: Happy anniversary! Sorry you won ' t be there. Maybe some other time? #Person2#: Yeah, maybe. Thanks, anyway. Hope you guys have a great time!
absent from get-together
train_4804
#Person1#: Let me tell you some more. The interest is settled on the 20th of the last month in each quarter, It's paid quarterly. Of course it also needs to be settled if you cancel the account. #Person2#: Miao Ping, in your opinion, should we go for the Type A or Type B Account? #Person1#: Well, the Type B Account is very restricted. If your aim is to use the account the same way as your use your Settlement Account, I would recommend the Type A Account for you. #Person2#: Thanks for your time. I'll go and discuss everything with my partner and I'll be back later.
choose account type
train_4805
#Person1#: Are you interested in history? #Person2#: Yes, I am. I enjoyed studying it at school, though I had trouble remembering all the dates, so my teacher never gave me good marks. #Person1#: I love history, but I ' Ve always thought that learning the reasons behind events is more important than remembering exactly when they happened. #Person2#: I wish you had been my history teacher! I might have got better marks! #Person1#: Some people say that history repeats itself. #Person2#: What does that mean? The same events never happen twice, do they? #Person1#: The idea is that the people and dates change, but the reason why things happen stay the same. #Person2#: I see. I think I ' d agree with that statement. People often seem to make the same mistakes over and over again.
talk about history
train_4806
#Person1#: How was the movie last night? #Person2#: I didn't really like it. #Person1#: Mary said that she was really pleased with the photography. #Person2#: I found it very disappointing. #Person1#: She liked the acting, too, because that's what she wanted to see. #Person2#: I wasn't happy with it. #Person1#: Nothing is to your satisfaction.
opinions to movie
train_4807
#Person1#: Are you going to eat anything with your sandwich? #Person2#: I may get some fruit. #Person1#: Oh really, what kind of fruit do you like? #Person2#: I tend to only eat grapes and apples. #Person1#: What kind of apples do you prefer? #Person2#: I've always liked green apples. #Person1#: I don't really like green apples that much. #Person2#: Why do you say that? #Person1#: I think they are too sour. #Person2#: You'd rather eat a red apple? #Person1#: Don't you like red apples? #Person2#: They're okay, I guess.
different apples
train_4808
#Person1#: Oh. Henry. I haven't seen you in ages. Come in. Let me take your coat. How are you getting along? #Person2#: Very well, thank you. #Person1#: Please take a seat. Everything will be ready in a minute. #Person2#: Here you go. We have your cocktail and there're salad. fried chicken, French fries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Eat the chicken while it's hot. It tastes better. #Person1#: Wow! You're right. Everything is absolutely delicious. Please pass the pepper. #Person2#: Here you are. Taste the French fries. #Person1#: They're soft. #Person2#: Would you like some more? #Person1#: No more. Thank you. #Person2#: Here's to our friendship and health! #Person1#: Bottoms up!
have meals together
train_4809
#Person1#: Well, to come straight to the point, could you tell us something about your new price? #Person2#: Most willingly. It's 600 dollars per ton. #Person1#: That's a high price. #Person2#: But you know, the price of this article has soared up since last year. #Person1#: I know. But I must say it's still unacceptable. Couldn't you make a discount for me? You see, we have such a long-term cooperation. And our business could be mutually beneficial. #Person2#: OK. I can make a special offer for you. This price is based on careful calculations. And it is the lowest price we can offer to you.
negotiate over price
train_4810
#Person1#: Jim, how was your weekend? #Person2#: I went to the beach with my friends and had a barbecue there. #Person1#: That sounds like a lot of fun. Did you go swimming, too? #Person2#: Sure. I think it's a fantastic place to go. #Person1#: I couldn't agree more. That's an ideal place for a vacation. #Person2#: It sure is. #Person1#: I can't wait to go there myself.
beach vacation
train_4811
#Person1#: You didn't show up to my performance last night! Some kind of friend you are! #Person2#: Give me a chance to explain. I was no my way and I had an accident. #Person1#: Sure. You look like you're all black and blue. #Person2#: I am fine. In fact, I don't have a scratch on me or my vehicle. But the other guy is in critical condition. #Person1#: You're serious? #Person2#: Yes, I'm serious. I'm really sorry about missing your concert. #Person1#: I guess I misjudged you. I hope you can forgive me. #Person2#: Of course I forgive you. What are friends for? Now, what am I going to do for that other guy?
an accident
train_4812
#Person1#: Hello! What are you reading about in the newspaper? #Person2#: Hello! I was exhausted some studying, so I decided to read the newspaper to relax. Unfortunately, the news is so depressing. There has been another murder in the city center. I'm shocked that the police haven't caught the killer yet. #Person1#: People are starting to get frightened by it. Everyone will be relieved when they finally catch the murder. #Person2#: You mean ' if ' they catch the murderer. I'm scared stiff about going into the city center at night. #Person1#: There must have been some good news in the newspaper. I can't believe that none of the news stories make you happy or excited. #Person2#: Well, there was one good piece of news. You remember the local girl who was dying of a rare blood disease? #Person1#: Yes. Her parents were raising money to have her treated in the united states. #Person2#: Well, they'Ve got the money and she's going tomorrow for treatment. #Person1#: I'm so happy for the family! They must be very relieved and excited about that. #Person2#: I'm sure they are. Oh, and a local man won the lottery. I'm so jealous! I wish it were me! I buy a lottery ticket every week and I'm amazed that I haven't even won a small prize yet. It's so unfair! #Person1#: Don't be moody! I hope you're not tired, because we'Ve been invited to a party this evening. I know how excited you get about parties.
local news
train_4813
#Person1#: Have you figured out where you want to transfer to? #Person2#: I can't think of where to go. #Person1#: Where would you like to go to school? #Person2#: I really don't know. #Person1#: You can't think of anything? #Person2#: I really like where I'm at now. #Person1#: So, why don't you just stay here? #Person2#: That may be what I'm going to do. #Person1#: It's a perfectly good school. #Person2#: You're absolutely right. #Person1#: Do you know what you're going to do now? #Person2#: I'm just going to stay at PCC.
transfer school
train_4814
#Person1#: So Kim, have you ever had anything stolen? #Person2#: Stolen? No, why? #Person1#: My uncle just had his motorcycle stolen a few nights ago. I was just thinking about how clever criminals are these days. #Person2#: Criminals are clever? They're only successful when people are careless. #Person1#: I don't know. The ones who stole my uncle's motorcycle were pretty good. #Person2#: If your uncle had an alarm system, then it wouldn't have happened. #Person1#: He did. It was one of the best ones available. But that didn't stop them from disabling 11 it. And on a crowded street too. #Person2#: Didn't anyone stop them? #Person1#: You would think that people would be smart enough to stop something like that. No one knew his motorcycle was being stolen. The thieves came in a truck and convinced everybody that my uncle was parked illegally and they were there to tow it away. #Person2#: Wow, they were good. I guess criminals aren't that dumb after all. #Person1#: That's not the end. They were so good that they convinced a bystander to help them lift the motorcycle and put it in the truck.
clever criminals
train_4815
#Person1#: People of different races are fit for quite different sports. For instance, Asians are especially good fattable tennis, badminton, diving and shooting. They seem to have been born with certain natural endowments in technical sports, in which flexibility, agility and quick reflexes are favorable. #Person2#: And a typical example has been the Chinese athletes at the Beijing Olympics, right? #Person1#: Yes, in all these four sports. the Chinese Olympic dream teams led the way. They swept the floor against their opponents in table tennis and diving. #Person2#: Then what are the Westerners fit for? #Person1#: I think they are in a better position in those sports that demand a high degree of intensity, speed and explosive force like swimming, field games, etc. #Person2#: Where do you think the edge is for black athletes? #Person1#: It's common sense that African athletes always make a clean sweep in track events, middle or long distance races, relays, hurdles, barriers, and marathon. #Person2#: I got you. Their competitive edge lies mainly in endurance and stamina. They are creatures from the savannah, and take to running like antelopes.
race and sports
train_4816
#Person1#: Hello, reservation desk. How can I help you? #Person2#: I'd like to book a room. #Person1#: What kind of room would you like, Ma'am? We got single rooms, double rooms, standard rooms, suites and deluxe suites. #Person2#: What's the rate for a standard room? #Person1#: $ 79 a night. #Person2#: I'd like a standard room. #Person1#: What date would you check in, Ma'am? #Person2#: December 23rd, please. #Person1#: How long do you plan to stay? #Person2#: 4 days. #Person1#: Could you give me your name and phone number? #Person2#: Nancy Brown. My phone number's 709 678 5634. Nancy Brown . #Person1#: Thanks. What time will you arrive? #Person2#: Around 3pm. #Person1#: Very good. Your reservation confirmation number is NB13579. Thank you for booking in our hotel. Can I help you with anything else today? #Person2#: No, that's it. Thank you very much.
book a room
train_4817
#Person1#: Tristan, could you stay a few extra minutes to discuss your project with me? #Person2#: Sure. We're on a pretty tight schedule, but we should be able to finish it just on time. #Person1#: Are all of your team members on schedule? #Person2#: A few of the graphic designers are a bit behind in their work because of computer problems. #Person1#: How have they decided to deal with that? #Person2#: They've agreed to work over-time until it's finished. They've even decided to come in on the weekend. #Person1#: That's true dedication. I'm impressed. When is it due? #Person2#: We agreed that the deadline was next Friday. #Person1#: Right. Well, given that your colleagues are working so hard on this project, I suppose we could change that deadline to Monday morning, I won't have time to look over it on the weekend anyway. #Person2#: That'd be very helpful. An extra weekend is all they really need. Thanks. #Person1#: That's alright. Make sure everyone knows that we must stick to the new deadline. #Person2#: I will. #Person1#: I know you have a tight schedule, so I won't take up more of your time. Have a good evening. #Person2#: You, too! See you tomorrow.
change deadline
train_4818
#Person1#: Hello. I am Bili and I made an appointment with you to see the house. #Person2#: Glad to meet you. This way, please. #Person1#: The house is a little too old. #Person2#: But it's quite convenient for you to go to any part of the city. The subway is nearby. #Person1#: Yes. That's why I like the house.
see a house
train_4819
#Person1#: The order is so urgently required that we have to ask you to speed up shipment. If shipment is too late, we'll have to turn to other suppliers. #Person2#: I am sorry, but we can't advance shipment. The manufacturers are fully committed. They have no stock on hand. #Person1#: Can you find some way for an earlier delivery? #Person2#: How's this then? We propose partial shipment. We can ship whatever is ready to meet your urgent need instead of waiting for the whole lot to get ready. #Person1#: Sounds like a good idea. #Person2#: We propose to deliver 50 % in June and the balance in Aug. #Person1#: I agree with your proposal.
partial shipment
train_4820
#Person1#: Housekeeping. May I help you? #Person2#: Yeah, the people in the next room are a little loud. Could you do something about it? #Person1#: Of course. What room are you in, sir? #Person2#: I'm in Room 215. #Person1#: And do you know which room the noise is coming from? #Person2#: I don't know the number, but it's definitely the room that's next to the stairs. #Person1#: Thank you. We'll take care of it. Please let us know if there's anything else we can do to make your stay more comfortable. #Person2#: OK, thanks. I really appreciate it.
noisy room
train_4821
#Person1#: Welcome to IBA. What can we assist you with today? #Person2#: Hello. Yes, I've just read your leaflet about the new MoneyLink Card. I was wondering how I go about applying for one. #Person1#: This scheme has just started and you will be one of our first 100 customers, so if your application is accepted, you will receive some rather nice perks. #Person2#: That does sound good. I'm already an account holder, have been for many years. And I already have your existing card. #Person1#: That should make things perfectly simple, then. Actually, if you had waited a little while longer, we would have notified you by post. #Person2#: Perhaps your letter is already in the mail! So, I can just upgrade automatically? #Person1#: May I have your details, and I'll check for you. #Person2#: Certainly. . . #Person1#: OK, so you are already a gold card holder, with a sound credit history. That means we can automatically upgrade you to our new platinum card. #Person2#: Wonderful! And, you mentioned'perks'? I do hope I'll be getting some of those.
apply for card
train_4822
#Person1#: Good morning, Mr. Chu. Would you like me to brief your schedule for today? #Person2#: Yes. #Person1#: You are scheduled to meet Mr. Thompson of ABC Company at eleven this morning. Then, you have a lunch appointment with Mr. Li. And this afternoon at four you will attend a press conference. #Person2#: I am afraid I can't attend the press conference due to an urgent conference with the Board of Directors at half past four. #Person1#: All right. Do you want me to cancel the reservation for you? #Person2#: Yes, thank you very much. In addition, do you have the marketing proposal ready? #Person1#: The proposal is being repaired right now and I think it will be ready by tomorrow morning.
brief schedule
train_4823
#Person1#: Oh, this is Monica #Person2#: OK. Commodity inspection is really an important part of our trade contract. #Person1#: Yes. Let's first define the inspection right. #Person2#: Following the rules of world business, the exporters have the right to inspect the goods before the delivery, while the importers have the right to re-inspect the goods after their arrival. #Person1#: Would you tell me how the inspection is conducted before shipment and by which agency? #Person2#: Inspection is to be done by the China Commodity Inspection and Testing Bureau. Usually inspection is conducted within five days before each shipment. #Person1#: And can you tell me about the re-inspection? #Person2#: Yes. The re-inspection should be made within seven days upon the arrival, and if any discrepancy is found, the claim must be raised within one month. #Person1#: I see. How do they make testing and analysis of this item? #Person2#: They always use the standard and method laid down in the contract. #Person1#: What if the results from the two inspections do not coincide with each other? #Person2#: A seminar of technical specialists including the surveyors from both sides will be held to clarify which result is correct.
commodity inspection
train_4824
#Person1#: Peter, do you want to learn to play the piano? #Person2#: No, mom. Piano is for girls. #Person1#: Well, there are many boys that can play the piano very well, like Jay Chou. #Person2#: No way, mom. I don't like piano. #Person1#: OK. But you have to promise me that you will study hard in your English class. #Person2#: All right, all right. I understand.
piano and English
train_4825
#Person1#: Mr. Wang, have you enjoyed your stay here? #Person2#: Of course, I'Ve enjoyed it very much. I'Ve met my old friends and made some new friends. #Person1#: We'Ve all enjoyed being with you. When will you come back? #Person2#: Sometime next year. #Person1#: I'm looking forward to seeing you again. Take care. #Person2#: The same to you. Keep in touch.
farewell
train_4826
#Person1#: I've just got back from the holiday you arranged for me. But I must tell you the hotel was really awful. It was miles from the sea. The food was awful too. The bedroom was dirty. #Person2#: Sorry about that. But it's not really our fault. The contract does say that the hotel accommodation is not our responsibility.
unsatisfactory holiday
train_4827
#Person1#: Mary, have you ever wondered why some cultures have more proverbs than others? For example, the Mayans, the Incas, and the North American Indian tribes seem to have fewer proverbs than cultures like, the Arabians, and the Chinese. I wonder why this is. #Person2#: What would you say about our ... our own culture? Would you say we're a culture that's rich in proverbs or one that lacks proverbs? #Person1#: I think we, we have a rich heritage of proverbs - the Benjamin Franklin maxims, proverbs, wise sayings have been handed down to us. #Person2#: Well, I think the fact that we're no longer creating proverbs today maybe says something ... maybe perhaps explains to some extent why proverbs in certain cultures were not as extended or extensive as in other cultures. #Person1#: Mm, hmm. That's true. I wonder why we are not creating as many proverbs as we did in 1700s and 1800s. I agree with you. I don't think there are nearly as many. I can't think of any. I'm sure there are some, but I wonder why this is so. #Person2#: Yeah, well, I think we all know a great many proverbs. If we sit down, we can think of some that we can ... we can list. But we don't seem to use them to explain things. We find many times that they're used too much and too simple - too general. Today we're much more sophisticated, you might say, and analytical, and therefore we don't use proverbs to explain things the way, say, our grandfathers and parents did. #Person1#: Life is too complicated now to just quote a simple proverb to take care of things. #Person2#: Right, and maybe to some extent that's why the North American Indians and the Mayans among others don't have as many proverbs. At least there's no record of as many proverbs. Since their own culture ... their traditions were highly eroded and they were wiped out during this era of change. #Person1#: Well, that's interesting.
cultures and proverbs
train_4828
#Person1#: Peter, where is the ear? I haven't seen you drive to work for a long time! Is it broken or stolen? #Person2#: Hi, Susan] Oh, no! Of course not! I give up driving to work. Instead, I ride to my working place. #Person1#: Why is that? #Person2#: You see. There is only a stone's throw from my home to my working place. I think riding a bike to work is more convenient. #Person1#: I don't think so. It will take you at least 25 minutes to get to our company from here. #Person2#: Yes, sometimes, 30 minutes. But I love riding to work now. It is a totally different picture on my way to work. #Person1#: Why do you think so? #Person2#: You see, every morning, after I set off for work, I can breathe the new fresh air along the way. By the time I reach my office, I feel rather revived. I even don't rely on coffee to spend my morning hours. #Person1#: Is it so magical? #Person2#: At least, that's how I feel about riding to work. I can't believe I have wasted so much fresh morning air in the past 3 years! #Person1#: Will you continue riding to work in the future? #Person2#: I think so.
ride to work
train_4829
#Person1#: This is a lovely house! #Person2#: Thank you, Jean. #Person1#: It's very close to your office, isn't it? #Person2#: Yes, it is. I always walk to work-even when it rains. #Person1#: I usually take the bus. It takes so long! #Person2#: How long does it take? #Person1#: Oh, it takes about 45 minutes. #Person2#: That's a long time. Well, have some pizza, please! #Person1#: (Taking a bite.) This is delicious! Do you bake all of your pizza? #Person2#: Yes, I usually bake something on the weekend or holidays. #Person1#: You are a wonderful cook! #Person2#: Thank you. #Person1#: I never cook at home. It is my husband Andy who usually does all the cooking. #Person2#: Do you often go out to eat? #Person1#: Yes, when he doesn't have time to cook, we will go out to eat somewhere. #Person2#: There are some wonderful restaurants in the city. #Person1#: Too many! You can eat at a different restaurant every day.
Eating and chatting
train_4830
#Person1#: Are you ready to go shopping? #Person2#: Not yet. I'm not finished with my research yet. #Person1#: What research? #Person2#: Reading my fashion magazines! How do you think I know so much about all the latest trends? #Person1#: But they're just ads. . . #Person2#: Duh. . . That's the point. The people in the ads are wearing what's in. Plus, there are articles on new trends. . .
attitudes toward magazines
train_4831
#Person1#: I need some new clothes for the coming season. Where shall I go to pick up some? #Person2#: I'm thinking of buying some stuff, too. Let's go to the speciality stores. There will be some new models for sale now. #Person1#: Will the new models be very expensive? #Person2#: Depends on the brands. But there will be some out-of-season clothes on discount, too. So maybe we can also get some stuff, good and cheap. #Person1#: Great. Let's go. #Person2#: Do you like this one? I think it will be great on you. #Person1#: I like the style. Especially the Porsche logo. Let me try it on in the fitting room. Wait a minute! #Person3#: Hmm, not bad, but I'm afraid it's a bit too big for you. #Person2#: Yeah, that's the only problem. Well, do you think they've got a smaller one? #Person1#: Probably not. Most of the clothes here have only one average size. #Person2#: Never mind. What about going to check out the discount section? #Person1#: That's what I'm thinking about. Oh, this one. #Person2#: What's up? #Person1#: This dress was a new model this time last year. I loved it but it was a bit too expensive. So I gave it up. #Person2#: Good for you. It's 50 percent off now. Take it! #Person1#: Sure. I won't miss this chance. It's my lucky day.
buy new clothes
train_4832
#Person1#: Lucy, you're back. How was your first day of school? #Person2#: It was great. I had a really good time. #Person1#: What classes did you have? #Person2#: Well, I had English from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock, art from 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock, and math from 2 o'clock to 4 o'clock. #Person1#: What do you think about the teachers? #Person2#: To be honest, I liked all of them, except for the math teacher. Though he must be quite young, he seem like an old person. He's so boring! #Person1#: That's too bad. How was your English teacher? #Person2#: She was great. In today's class, she gave us a lecture on how to be a good student. She told us not to crm for exams, and to pay more attention on communicating than memorizing. #Person1#: Where is she from? #Person2#: She said that she's from a small town in the middle of America. #Person1#: Were you able to understand everything that she said? #Person2#: Not everything, but nearly. She speaks very clearly and doesn't use very complex words so that it is easy for us to understand her. #Person1#: She sounds like a good teacher. Do you think you'll pass her class? #Person2#: Yes... with flying colors! #Person1#: What does that mean? #Person2#: It's a new phrase that she taught us today. It means that I will not only pass the class, but I will do extremely well! #Person1#: If you like the class this much already, I'm sure you will. #Person2#: I hope so. #Person1#: did she give you any homework? #Person2#: not today. She said she wanted us to relax tonight instead of doing homework, #Person1#: no wonder you like the class so much.
a school day
train_4833
#Person1#: The baby is crying again. #Person2#: Leave him alone, he'll soon stop. #Person1#: How can you do so? Perhaps something is wrong with him. Let's go and see him. #Person2#: OK. Nothing serious. He just wants us to be with him.
baby is crying
train_4834
#Person1#: Look at this newspaper article about this famous local medium. It says that she is really gifted and so popular now, that she is booked solid with appointments for the next twelve months! #Person2#: You don't really believe in all that hocus pocus mumbo jumbo, do you? #Person1#: Well, I have had many friends that went to a psychic and got their palms read and most of the things the psychic told her came true! #Person2#: Of course it does! They tell you general and obvious things like that you will be successful or have a big house. I think most of the times they are just scam artists. #Person1#: Well, historically it is a practice that many cultures share. Reading the tarot cards, in the east they would even read tea leaves! I even heard that there are people that make you smoke a cigar, and then read your ashes. #Person2#: All superstitious nonsense! I would still like to go to one and see what he or she has to say, just for kicks.
talk about psychic
train_4835
#Person1#: Did you know it was going to rain today? #Person2#: Absolutely not. This comes as a total shock to me, especially since the paper said mostly sunny. #Person1#: Well, I guess the paper must have meant mostly sunny somewhere else. But since we've come all this way, why don't we just move the blanket under that tree? #Person2#: That's a good idea. It looks like it's still dry there as long as it doesn't start to come down any harder. #Person1#: You didn't happen to bring a spare blanket, did you? This one is all wet now. #Person2#: No. But I have got some folding chairs in the car. Will they do? #Person1#: They'll be just fine. I'm really hungry. So while you are there, how about bringing me the food? #Person2#: I thought you were bringing the food. #Person1#: This is unbelievable. So what now? #Person2#: What is the name of that restaurant you like so much?
A messy outing
train_4836
#Person1#: So what are your plans for this summer? #Person2#: I could work for that company again, but I have a great chance to do some traveling and learn more about the world. My friend Bill is going to travel around Europe this summer. He has some relatives in France. He wants to visit and he also plans to go to Germany, Lithuania and Latvia. All I need to pay for is my air tickets and meals. #Person1#: What about hotels when you're not staying with Bill's relatives? #Person2#: We'll stay in guest houses. I have enough money saved from my part time job. #Person1#: What about money for next term? #Person2#: I'll need to borrow a little from you, but this is a once in a lifetime chance. I really think I could learn a lot and I can improve my French, too.
travel around Europe
train_4837
#Person1#: It's gonna be sunny this Saturday. Want to have a picnic in the park? #Person2#: Great, and we can also ride our bikes for a while. #Person1#: Yeah, then there will be a wedding in the evening. #Person2#: Oh, I almost forgot it. Dyson and Jason invited us for their wedding dinner. Hope it won't last long. I really want to get home early to watch the football game. #Person1#: Me too. I was invited to attend a local painting exhibition in the museum this Sunday morning. So I really need to have enough time for a good sleep.
weekend plans
train_4838
#Person1#: Please welcome August Getty to the stage. He's a young fashion designer living in Los Angeles. He just showed his fashion collection at New York Fashion Week, and he's only 20 years old. How did it feel to be one of the youngest designers at the event? Were you nervous? #Person2#: It was a dream come true. I wasn't nervous. I was just very excited. When I was a kid, I made outfits from paper and rest spoons and forks. My biggest wish was to show my creations in New York. #Person1#: What was your childhood like? #Person2#: My family was very supportive. My mom let me cut up her bags to make clothes, and I loved picking out outfits for my sister to wear. My mom was also into fashion, so she encouraged me to follow my interests. #Person1#: How would you describe the outfits you design? #Person2#: I would say they are different, strange and stylish. I want my outfits to be nice enough to wear to a fancy event. But I also want them to get noticed. #Person1#: Is your real name August? #Person2#: Yes, I was born in August, so my parents named me after the month. #Person1#: Have you ever been out on the street and seen someone in one of your outfits? #Person2#: I have! It's always fun when that happens.
young fashion designer
train_4839
#Person1#: OK, what are we going to make tonight? #Person2#: We're having noodles and meatballs, your favorite. Are you really going to help me? #Person1#: Of course, I promised you I would. You've been working a lot lately and taking care of the kids on top of that. I really want to help out. #Person2#: Thanks so much, Patrick. That means a lot to me. #Person1#: No problem. So what do we do first? #Person2#: First, I'll start boiling the water for the noodles. Why don't you get the ingredients out to make the meatballs? And last we'll make the sauce. #Person1#: OK, great. This is fun. We should do this more often. How did the meatballs look? #Person2#: They look great. I know you don't usually help out in the kitchen, because you feel uncomfortable. But you're a great chef, a real natural.
Cooking together
train_4840
#Person1#: Are you having a party? #Person2#: Yes, I am throwing a party for my cousin Sheila. #Person1#: That sounds fun. Is it her birthday? #Person2#: No, she's graduating from nursing school. The family is very proud of her. #Person1#: That's wonderful. Does she live here in Houston? #Person2#: No, she lives in Dallas. But she will be moving to New York next year after she gets married.
talk about Sheila
train_4841
#Person1#: Mister Jones, I just got off the phone with Mister Dawson. He wants to schedule a meeting with you for later today or tomorrow. #Person2#: What does he want to talk about? #Person1#: One of the factories that makes his products. He said it was pretty urgent. #Person2#: Well, I don't want to stay too late like last night, my wife was not happy with me. #Person1#: How about tomorrow at 11:00 am? I checked your schedule and the only thing you have that day is a phone call at 2:00 PM. #Person2#: 11:00 tomorrow sounds fine, can you set everything up and then email me all the information, please? #Person1#: Of course, I was just about to go to lunch actually. Do you want to join me? #Person2#: I'd love to, but I have to look at some samples from a new customer. I'll join you next time.
schedule a meeting
train_4842
#Person1#: What's the postage on this letter to Mexico please? #Person2#: How would you like to send it? #Person1#: By registered airmail. #Person2#: $0.90 please. And please write down the postal code in the mailing address, anything else? #Person1#: Yes, I'd like 6 postcards and 1,050 cent stamps please. #Person2#: All right, here you are. #Person1#: And this packages for London. Will you wait for me? #Person2#: Yes, of course. This package is 10 grams overweight, you'll have to pay $0.50 extra for the overweight.
Delivery service
train_4843
#Person1#: What are your weekend arrangements? #Person2#: There are many things I can do on weekends. #Person1#: What sort of things are you interested in? #Person2#: I'm keen on taking short trips to nearby scenic spots with friends. #Person1#: Good, I love swimming and cycling. #Person2#: That's great. I think they do you a lot of good. Where do you swim? #Person1#: Mostly in the city swimming pool. Sometimes I go to the beach with friends. #Person2#: I know you like nature best. #Person1#: Well, what do you do at your spare time? #Person2#: I'm fond of dancing. #Person1#: Good, you really know how to enjoy yourself.
Hobbies
train_4844
#Person1#: So David, you don't like sports. #Person2#: Well, I like sports, but I'm just not keen on sports programs. You know, I would usually rather watch a movie or some kind of history program. #Person1#: Oh, ok, so you're into history? #Person2#: Oh yes, I like studying the history of the countries that I have visited. It makes it more interesting when I go sightseeing. #Person1#: Ok, which countries have you visited? #Person2#: I been over a good bit of Europe. Ah, Mexico, Peru. I spent almost a year in Egypt and I went to Israel, Jordan and now I'm here in Japan. I've been in Japan for a year and a half, and while I have been here, I visited Korea for about a week. #Person1#: Ok, wow, that's a lot. So, did you do the pyramids in Egypt? #Person2#: Oh yes, actually I climbed the pyramids, it was during the summer. So there aren't many tourists.
visit countries
train_4845
#Person1#: Are you going to take part in the school singing contest? #Person2#: No, I don't think so. #Person1#: Why not? You have a great voice and you sing at her local community center every Sunday, don't you? #Person2#: Thanks, well. Yes, I do sing at the community center, but that is with a whole bunch of other people. I get really nervous singing in front of many people just by myself. #Person1#: You could form a group with someone, that way you may feel more relaxed. #Person2#: That sounds like a good idea. #Person1#: Actually, Mary, John and I are going to take part in the contest as a group. Why don't you join us? It would be more balanced to have 2 girls and 2 boys and I'm sure we will sound great. #Person2#: All right, let's try it then. #Person1#: Cool. So far, we have been practicing together every Tuesday and Thursday after school. So we just had a practice yesterday. Why don't you come tomorrow? We do it at Johns. #Person2#: Great. #Person1#: Excellent, let's all meet up and talk more about it at lunch. See you at the County in later. #Person2#: OK.
singing contest
train_4846
#Person1#: I would like to order a waistcoat. #Person2#: Have you chosen the material? #Person1#: Yes, I want it to made of tweed. #Person2#: Fine. And the charge is $ 100. #Person1#: When will it be available? #Person2#: Next Wednesday.
purchasing a waistcoat
train_4847
#Person1#: Oriental China Airlines. Good morning, may I help you? #Person2#: I would like the round-way ticket to Shanghai on December 10th. #Person1#: Lady, let me check. Do you want the morning or the afternoon flight? #Person2#: What's the departure time? #Person1#: 2:30 #Person2#: Well, the afternoon will be fine. #Person1#: First class or economy? #Person2#: First class will be preferred. #Person1#: Well, afternoon flight on December 10th to Shanghai. May I have your name, please? #Person2#: My name is Janice. Well, I book this ticket for Nova, the marketing manager of Pineapple Computer Company. Where can I get the flight ticket? #Person1#: You may take it up at the ticket office. That is located on International Street 150.
ticket booking
train_4848
#Person1#: Well, if you have no further questions, then we have done. #Person2#: Thank you, Mr. Owens, for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview me. #Person1#: You ' re welcome. I appreciate your coming. #Person2#: When can I contact you about your final decision? #Person1#: We need to consider several other applicants and we hope to make a decision by the end of this month. We will call you regardless of whether you are hired or not. #Person2#: Thanks a lot! I will look forward to the good news. Please call me at this number between nine and eleven in the morning. #Person1#: Well, I really appreciate your coming today. #Person2#: The pleasure is mine. It ' s nice talking with you. Good-bye, Mr. Owens. #Person1#: Good-bye.
job interview
train_4849
#Person1#: Did you hear about the robbery? #Person2#: Did I hear about it? I saw it happen. #Person1#: Are you serious? #Person2#: I was there. #Person1#: What happened? #Person2#: A man came into the bank with a gun. #Person1#: That's insane. #Person2#: I was so scared when I saw the gun. #Person1#: Then what happened? #Person2#: He took the money and tried to get away. #Person1#: Did the cops show up in time? #Person2#: He didn't even make it out the door.
witnessing a robbery
train_4850
#Person1#: Do you plan on voting this Tuesday? #Person2#: Yes. What about you? #Person1#: I already voted. #Person2#: What do you mean you already voted? #Person1#: I had to mail in an absentee ballot. #Person2#: Why'd you have to do that? #Person1#: I'm not going to be able to vote this Tuesday. #Person2#: Why is that? #Person1#: I have to work this Tuesday. #Person2#: You can always go to work late. #Person1#: That same morning I have some business to take care of. #Person2#: Oh, I understand.
voting in advance
train_4851
#Person1#: I'm planning to buy a bicycle. As you are quite a cycling enthusiast, I wish you might give me some advice. #Person2#: With pleasure, chap. But before I start, I need to know what you want a bike for? #Person1#: My purposes are two-fold. On the one hand, I've grown bored of commuting on suffocating buses every day and decided to ride to work. On the other hand, bicycling is a sport, and I intend to build up my body through constantly taking a ride over the weekends. #Person2#: Cycling during weekends? Do you like riding on the mountainous countryside just the neighboring towns? #Person1#: Does that make any difference? #Person2#: Can't be greater. If you ride on bumpy, hilly roads, a mountain bike is what you need. But if you just ride comfortably along the city lanes, you might choose a road bike. #Person1#: Are they designed differently? #Person2#: A road bike features skinny tires and a light-weight frame. Its riding position puts you bent over the handlebars. It's not particularly beefy in construction, and generally, it won't stand up well under heavy loads or on really rough surfaces. In contrast, mountain bikes have wide tires and a stout frame. You sit higher on them and don't have to hunched over.
ask for advice
train_4852
#Person1#: I've been looking forward to the new semester. #Person2#: I hope we can make great progress in this new semester. #Person1#: Hope so. #Person2#: I hear we'll have a new English teacher this semester. #Person1#: Really? I hope we will do much better under her guidance. #Person2#: I am sure we will.
new semester expectations
train_4853
#Person1#: Welcome! Welcome to Little Italy. We're the most Italian family here! #Person2#: So I've heard. That's why I'm having such a great time. #Person1#: If I hadn't married an Italian man, I probably wouldn't be pregnant so often. And maybe I could raise pigs instead of bambinos! #Person2#: Huh? Um. . . well, it's nice to see that some people still have big families. #Person1#: It is nice, but it would be nicer if my macho husband would get off his tush and help me. Ha-ha. . . Have this. It's from Italy!
daily casual talk
train_4854
#Person1#: Hey Annie, who is this picture of? #Person2#: Oh, that's my great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather. #Person1#: I think you can say your seventh great grandfather! Cutie! What's his name? #Person2#: Peter Madsen. A great A if I do say so myself. #Person1#: Nice pun. What is it you active about him most? #Person2#: He loved his family and his countrymen and his freedom. #Person1#: He looks like a very personable man. #Person2#: He was. He was friendly toward and showed concern for everyone he met.
seventh great grandfather
train_4855
#Person1#: Have you ever seen Bill Gate's home on the internet? #Person2#: No. what's it like? #Person1#: It's got its own library, theatre, swimming pool, and a guest house. The house itself has about ten different rooms that are all hooked up to computers so you can get things done in each room through a remote control. It's also located near the sea, so he can park his boats next to his house. It's absolutely amazing! #Person2#: Would you want to live there? #Person1#: I think his house is fantastic, but I wouldn't want to live there. You would have to hire one or two people to clean all the rooms in the house, plus a few people to take care of the gardens, and probably an au pair or two to take care of the children. It's just too big of a place to take care of on your own. #Person2#: What's your dreamhole like then? #Person1#: My dream home is actually just a small cottage in a quiet village in England. #Person2#: Would you want to buy an old cottage or build a new one yourself? #Person1#: Old homes are great because they've got character. I think that's important. #Person2#: Is that why you wear second-hand clothes as well? Because they've got character? #Person1#: No, that's just because I don't have enough money to buy new cloths all the time! #Person2#: I see. If you lived in an old house, would it be decorated in a modern way? #Person1#: No, I'd definitely try to restore it to its original state. I love to imagine what it'd be like to live in another time in history and living in a house decorated like it would have been 200 years ago would be a great way to feed my imagination even more!
dream home
train_4856
#Person1#: Rachel, do you like music? #Person2#: Of course. I can't live without it, so I always bring my CD with me no matter where I go. #Person1#: What kind of music do you like best? #Person2#: Light music and classic music. #Person1#: Really? I can't believe this. I am also keen on classic music. And do you know there is a concert of classic music tomorrow evening? #Person2#: But I didn't get the ticket. And it is said that they were sold out yesterday. #Person1#: I got two. We can go there together. #Person2#: Amazing! I can imagine the feeling when I hear the smooth tune around my ears.
concert invitation
train_4857
#Person1#: What's your favorite season? #Person2#: I like the freedom of summer with no school. #Person1#: Yeah, and all those fun summer sports and activities. #Person2#: And I like the festivities of winter with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. #Person1#: Oh, me too! All the family getting together. . . #Person2#: And I really like the smells and colors of spring. #Person1#: I like the feeling then that school is almost over! #Person2#: But I must say, if it were only for the weather, I like autumn most!
season
train_4858
#Person1#: do you have any plans for Friday night? #Person2#: I don't think so. Why? #Person1#: well, my house-mates and I are having a house-warming party. Would you like to come? #Person2#: sure. Would it be alright if I brought a few friends? #Person1#: the more, the merrier! #Person2#: will there be a lot of people there? #Person1#: I sure hope so. We've each invited about 10 people. #Person2#: who else is going to be there? #Person1#: I'm inviting my friends from work, you, my sister, and a few friends from school. #Person2#: I know your sister. She's very nice. #Person1#: don't worry. You won't be sitting there by yourself. #Person2#: what time is it going to start? #Person1#: most people are working Friday night, so it's going to start around 9 pm. #Person2#: should I bring anything? #Person1#: we'll have beer and snacks, but if you want to bring a bottle of wine, that'd be great. #Person2#: I could also bring some music if you want. I've got loads of songs on my new iPod. #Person1#: that'd be great. I'll see you then!
house-warming party
train_4859
#Person1#: Can I help you? #Person2#: Have you got the latest ONXIU magazine? #Person1#: Yes, but it's checked out. #Person2#: What a pity! I missed it again. #Person1#: It's popular you know. You want to reserve it? #Person2#: Yes, please. #Person1#: Fill out this form and we will send you a note when we get the book. #Person2#: Thank you. What shall I do when I check out these books? #Person1#: Take the card, and fill in your name and library card number. #Person2#: Thank you so much.
at the library
train_4860
#Person1#: Julia, are you free tonight? #Person2#: What's up? #Person1#: I want to invite you to go to the movies. #Person2#: Are you asking me for a date? #Person1#: Yes. #Person2#: I don't like to go to the movies on a date. It's noisy there. #Person1#: Where do you want to meet? #Person2#: Let's go to the coffee shop then. It's quiet there. #Person1#: What time should we meet? #Person2#: How about seven? #Person1#: All right.
where to date
train_4861
#Person1#: Jared, I just heard about your father. How is he doing? #Person2#: He's in the hospital resting. The doctor's didn't give a clear answer yet. #Person1#: I'm so sorry to hear that. But this is a good hospital. I'm sure they will do whatever they can. #Person2#: I hope so. #Person1#: You must feel really worried right now. But you know your dad is a fighter. #Person2#: Yeah. I think my mom is the most worried. I'm basically worried about how she is doing. #Person1#: Where is she right now? #Person2#: She's in the hospital with my dad. I have to go back tonight. #Person1#: Hey, I'll go with you. #Person2#: You don't have to. #Person1#: It's really no problem. #Person2#: Ok. Let's go right after dinner.
inquiry
train_4862
#Person1#: Hello, I'd like to subscribe to a magazine. #Person2#: What magazine do you want to subscribe for? #Person1#: Fitness Consultant. #Person2#: OK, Fitness Consultant. How many subscriptions do you want? #Person1#: Only one, please. #Person2#: How long do you want the subscription for? #Person1#: For six months, please. #Person2#: Your name, please? #Person1#: Shirley, that's my wife's name. I subscribe to this magazine for her. #Person2#: I see. Please put your address here then. #Person1#: OK. How much is the subscription? #Person2#: 650 Yuan. #Person1#: 650 Yuan! You must be kidding! I can subscribe for evening newspapers for ten years with that much!
subscription
train_4863
#Person1#: Jane, the meeting is scheduled from 1:00 this afternoon. Have you made the necessary arrangements? #Person2#: Yes, Mr. Miller. We'll use the conference room on the third floor for the meeting. #Person1#: That's right. The meeting is very important. Where shall the guests be received before the meeting begins? #Person2#: In the dining room. It's spacious there. #Person1#: We'll have several foreign guests to attend the meeting. #Person2#: I've arranged for an interpreter to be present. But it is said these foreigners could speak English. #Person1#: Really? I'll also try to speak slowly. How would you arrange the guests'seats, Jane? #Person2#: We've prepared name cards to be put on the conference table for guests to sit by. What time would you like refreshments served, Mr. Miller? #Person1#: Well, after my report, there will be an interval for rest and refreshments. #Person2#: All right, I see.
meeting arrangements
train_4864
#Person1#: Okay, I'll take it. By the way, do you have delivery service? #Person2#: You don't need to carry the furniture home because we have delivery service. #Person1#: Do you charge for delivery? #Person2#: Wo will deliver the goods to you for free. #Person1#: Very good. Could you deliver it to this address? #Person2#: Sure. Please write down your name and your phone number. #Person1#: OK. Can you tell me the delivery time? #Person2#: No later than tomorrow. #Person1#: Thanks.
delivery service
train_4865
#Person1#: I think this spring is a good time for us to start looking. #Person2#: We should plan to move out of here before July. I'm tired of living in apartments. #Person1#: I know, dear. I am too. But we've just been too busy to look for a house. #Person2#: We need to find a good realtor. #Person1#: Not necessary. If we use a realtor to find a house, it will be more expensive. #Person2#: What do you mean? #Person1#: Realtors always get a commission. If the realtor helps us find something, we have to pay him. #Person2#: But doesn't a realtor help with the contract? I thought they take care of all the legal troubles. #Person1#: Yes, that's often true. But you have to pay them. #Person2#: I still think we should have a realtor. We're new in this country. We don't know all the laws of buying a house. And also, the realtor will inspect the house. He can tell us if the house has any problems. #Person1#: Of course we need a house inspector. But we can hire an inspector on our own. As for the legal problems, I have friends. They can help us. #Person2#: So how can we find a house if we don't have a realtor? #Person1#: It takes a little more time. We have to check the ads in the paper. Probably also there are special real estate magazines with ads. Then we have to drive to the homes and look at them. #Person2#: And doesn't the person selling the house have a realtor? #Person1#: Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. It's best to find someone who is selling by themselves. #Person2#: Why? #Person1#: That is because if the seller has a realtor, their price will be higher. He will have to pay a commission to the realtor. #Person2#: Hmm. It all sounds very complicated. #Person1#: It is. But buying a house is very important. So it takes time. That's why we haven't done it yet. It's very troublesome. #Person2#: I want to look in the papers today. Maybe we can see something we like. #Person1#: All right. I'll buy a newspaper when I go to the drugstore.
new house hunting
train_4866
#Person1#: Next, please. May I help you, sir? #Person2#: Hello, yes, I'd like to open a bank account. #Person1#: Certainly, I can can help you with that. What type of account would you like to open? A chequing or a savings account? #Person2#: What features do they offer? #Person1#: Well, if you just take a look here, see, with our chequing account, you can have unlimited daily transactions for a small monthly fee, and our savings account has a higher interest rate, but you must carry a minimum balance of $ 10, 000 dollars. #Person2#: I see, well, I think I'm more interested in a chequing account. I like to have easy access to my money. #Person1#: Alright, then, with this chequing account you'll be issued a debit card and a cheque book. Will you require overdraft protection? There is an extra fee for that. #Person2#: No, that won't be necessary. #Person1#: In that case, I'll get you to fill out this paperwork. I'll need your social insurance number, and two pieces of government ID. If you could just sign here, and here, and here we'll be all set. Would you like to make a deposit today? #Person2#: Yes, I'd like to deposit one billion dollars.
open an account
train_4867
#Person1#: I have redecorated my bedroom. I decide to repaint the walls and change the pictures. I also bought a new pair of curtains. What do you think of it? #Person2#: I think is looks great. I really like the light colors you have chosen. The pictures are nice too. Did you bought any new furniture? #Person1#: I bought a new mattress and some fresh bedclothes. I also bought a new dressing table and a new bedside table. #Person2#: new furniture makes a room seem so fresh. I see that you also bought a new lamp for your bedside table. #Person1#: do you think that I should get a new wardrobe? #Person2#: that wardrobe looks quite big. Is it full of clothes? #Person1#: yes. I have so many clothes stuffed into it. Perhaps I should get rid of some of them. There are clothes in there that I never wear anymore. #Person2#: I like to get rid of clothes that I don't wear rather than keeping them in a wardrobe. They take up too much space. There are several charity shops that you can give old clothes to. They will be #Person1#: that's a good idea. After I get rid of the old clothes I no longer wear, I can see what new clothes I need to buy. #Person2#: I need to buy some new clothes for the summer too. Perhaps we can go together one day. #Person1#: ok. I'll let you know when I'Ve sorted out my clothes.
old clothes
train_4868
#Person1#: Excuse me, sir, this is the express check-out lane for people that have fifteen items or fewer. It looks like you have more than fifteen items there. #Person2#: Oh, come on! I have sixteen items! Cut me some slack, will ya? #Person1#: Fine! Please place your items on the belt and push your shopping cart through. Do you prefer paper or plastic? #Person2#: Plastic. I also have a couple of coupons. #Person1#: No problem, I'll take those. Sir, these coupons expired yesterday. #Person2#: Darn! Oh, well. I guess it's just not my day. Thanks anyway. #Person1#: Do you have a club card or will it be cash? #Person2#: Yeah I got a club card. Here you go. #Person1#: Will this be debit or credit? #Person2#: Debit please. Also, could I get cash back? Fifty dollars would be great. #Person1#: Yeah, sure. Your total is seventy-eight dollars and thirty-three cents. Here is your receipt. Have a nice day.
shopping
train_4869
#Person1#: Hello? This is Steven. I'd like to speak to Mr. Brown, please. #Person2#: I'm afraid he is not in at the moment. #Person1#: Then what time do you think he will be in? #Person2#: I suppose he won't come back until 6 p. m. By the way, do you want to call later, or would you like to leave a message? #Person1#: I'd like to leave a message. Please ask him to give me a call as soon as he returns. He has my number. #Person2#: Okay, I'll do that. #Person1#: Thank you. Bye-bye! #Person2#: You're welcome, bye!
phone call
train_4870
#Person1#: May, look, what's that in the cage? #Person2#: Don't you know that? It's panda. #Person1#: Of course I know. I just can't see it very well. #Person2#: OK, then put on your glasses, and do you know what does the panda eat? #Person1#: Of course, Bamboo! #Person2#: That's right. #Person1#: I also know they are given to other countries as gifts for friendship. #Person2#: You sound quite knowledgeable. #Person1#: Not really, panda is my favorite animal. #Person2#: Actually, it likes milk too. #Person1#: Any way, in a word, panda is our friend. #Person2#: Do you know other famous animals in the world? #Person1#: Yeah, let me think, the kangaroo and koala bear from Australia are very famous. #Person2#: That's right. OK, let's move on.
at the zoo
train_4871
#Person1#: How long have you been teaching in this middle school? #Person2#: For ten years. To be frank, I'm tired of teaching the same textbook for so long though I do enjoy being a teacher. I'm considering trying something new.
daily casual talk
train_4872
#Person1#: Hi, Lily, are you still at Jane's house? #Person2#: Yeah, why? We're just playing some games. #Person1#: Computer games? I've been looking for my notebook computer. #Person2#: Oh, sorry. I've just borrowed it for the evening. Hope you don't mind. #Person1#: Oh, honestly! You're always using my things without asking me, and I've got this really important homework project! Now what am I going to do? #Person2#: Use Dad's computer instead. He won't mind. #Person1#: Look, I can't do that - I've got everything saved on mine.
computer
train_4873
#Person1#: Tom, what are we going to do this weekend? #Person2#: I am planning to work in the yard. Why? #Person1#: Maybe we should take a look at the new Winfield Mall. The Grand Opening's this week. #Person2#: Already? Amazing! That place went up fast. Well, I'd rather finish the yard work, but if you really want to...Anything special is going on? #Person1#: You might be interested in the car show. The ad says it's the biggest and the best in Winfield history. #Person2#: Come on. You know ads always exaggerate. #Person1#: I know, but there's a fashion show I'd like to see, too. I might get some good ideas. #Person2#: OK. That sounds good to me. Let's see if the kids want to go. But let's try not to spend too much money.
weekend plan
train_4874
#Person1#: Your boarding pass, please! #Person2#: Here it is. #Person1#: Thanks. #Person2#: Where is my seat? #Person1#: 15A. Just over there, sir. #Person2#: Thank you, Miss. By the way, where can I put my bag'? #Person1#: You can put your coat and small things on the shelf over your feet. #Person2#: I've got two bags. I'll afraid I can't put them down there. Can I put them on the shelf above? #Person1#: All right, sir. #Person2#: And where is the washroom? #Person1#: Behind the curtain. #Person2#: Thank you again. #Person1#: You're welcome.
boarding
train_4875
#Person1#: Oh, let's just go in for a minute, I'm hungry. #Person2#: OK, but just a snack. We're eating supper at home tonight. #Person1#: Let's get some milk and bread. #Person2#: I don't really like milk. How about a soda? #Person1#: They say Coca-Cola makes you fat. Milk is healthier. #Person2#: Oh, if you want to be healthy, buy yoghurt. And put back those butter cookies you have in your hand. #Person1#: Alright! I'll get some juice. How about this bread? #Person2#: It looks fresh, but we'll be home soon. #Person1#: But I'm hungry now! I'll get the bread and eat it at the bus stop. #Person2#: Don't forget the juice. #Person1#: I'll get two bottles, one for you and one for me. #Person2#: Thanks, Now let's go.
buy some snacks
train_4876
#Person1#: Let's go and have lunch together. #Person2#: OK! #Person1#: By the way, I'm thinking of going to New Zealand around Christmas for three weeks. It's such a beautiful country. I've never been there before. #Person2#: Have you booked the flight? #Person1#: Not yet. I'm planning to book my flight in two weeks' time #Person2#: Book your flight right now. #Person1#: Why? #Person2#: Because the longer you leave it, the more expensive it will be. As a matter of fact, the prices may double at Christmas time. New Zealanders usually go home for Christmas. #Person1#: Then I'm going to book my flight tomorrow morning.
flight ticket
train_4877
#Person1#: So, do you have any special plans for this year? #Person2#: Yes, I'm going to join the Drama Club. #Person1#: Really? #Person2#: Yeah. I'd like to act in the school play. How about you? Are you going to do anything special this year? #Person1#: Well, I really want to learn to play the guitar, so I'm going to take music lessons. I'd love to play in a band some day. #Person2#: Wow, that's great. #Person1#: And I'm going to study a lot this year. I have to get good grades. #Person2#: So do I!
new year plan
train_4878
#Person1#: Hello, Professor Johnson. #Person2#: Hello, Tony. So what shall we work on today? #Person1#: Well, the problem is that this writing assignment isn't coming out right. What I thought I was writing on was to talk about what a particular sport means to me-one I participate in. #Person2#: What sport did you choose? #Person1#: I decided to write about cross-country skiing. #Person2#: What are you going to say about skiing? #Person1#: That's the problem. I thought I would write about how peaceful it is to be out in the country. #Person2#: So why is that a problem? #Person1#: As I start describing how quiet it is to be out in the woods, I keep mentioning how much effort it takes to keep going. Cross-country skiing isn't as easy as some people think. It takes a lot of energy. But that's not part of my paper, so I guess I should leave it out. But now I don't know how to explain that feeling of peacefulness without explaining how hard you have to work for it. It all fits together. It's not like just sitting down somewhere and watching the clouds roll by. That's different. #Person2#: Then you'll have to include that in your point. The peacefulness of cross-country skiing is the kind you earn by effort. Why leave that out? Part of your point you knew beforehand, but part you discovered as you wrote. That's common, right? #Person1#: Yeah, I guess so ...
writing
train_4879
#Person1#: I hear you're going home, aren't you? #Person2#: I wanted to go on Monday, but I couldn't get a ticket for Monday, I bought a ticket for Tuesday. #Person1#: Why are you in such a hurry? #Person2#: My mother is ill. She has been sent to the hospital. #Person1#: How did you get the news? Did your mother send you a letter? #Person2#: My sister telephoned me this morning. She asked my father and me to go back. #Person1#: Then how long are you going to stay at home, two or three days? #Person2#: At most four days. I'll be back for the meeting.
go home
train_4880
#Person1#: Hey, Peter, I'm sorry! #Person2#: Hi, Diana, what's wrong? #Person1#: We were going to Hong Kong this weekend, but I'm afraid I can't go. #Person2#: How come? #Person1#: I have a really big geography test and I have to study for it. #Person2#: We can go next week instead. #Person1#: No, I don't want to ruin your weekend. You go ahead and please take the book I bought to my friend Sally. Tell her I have to study all weekend, because I can't afford to fail the test. #Person2#: Ok, then I'll go with Dan. But it's a pity you can't come.
cancel a tour
train_4881
#Person1#: Good morning, sir. #Person2#: Good morning. I'd like to buy two tickets to New York, please. #Person1#: When do you want to leave, sir? #Person2#: Next Saturday. #Person1#: Just a moment. Yes, we still have some tickets. #Person2#: How much is a round trip ticket? #Person1#: Let me see ... 18,168 yuan. #Person2#: OK. I'd like two round trip tickets to New York. Here's my credit card. #Person1#: Thank you. May I have your name and passport number, sir? #Person2#: Michael Smith, passport number: P6363221 and Susan Smith, P6363220. #Person1#: Fine, and your phone number, please? #Person2#: 95396188.
buy tickets
train_4882
#Person1#: Where is it? #Person2#: I'm going to the Golden hotel. #Person1#: Get in, please. #Person2#: Thank you. I have an appointment with an important client at 10 o'clock. #Person1#: Don't worry, you'll be there plenty of time. That is it. 7. 15$, please. #Person2#: Thank you. here's 10$, just give me 1$ back , please.
take a taxi
train_4883
#Person1#: Good morning. I want a room tonight. #Person2#: Single or double? #Person1#: Single, please. #Person2#: Do you have a reservation? #Person1#: Yes, I made a reservation in Shanghai. #Person2#: Then, I believe you have a conformation slip. #Person1#: Yeah, let me see. Is this the one you want? #Person2#: Yes, that's it. What's your name, please? #Person1#: Wumei is my name. #Person2#: Just a moment, please. Yes, we have a room reservation for you. #Person1#: Is it a room with a bathroom? #Person2#: Yes, it is. #Person1#: Can you give me a quiet room? #Person2#: Yes, it is an inside room on the eight floor. #Person1#: What's the room rate? #Person2#: Eighty dollars a day. How long do you plan to stay, Ms. Wu? #Person1#: Three nights as scheduled. #Person2#: Will you sign the register, please? #Person1#: Is that right? #Person2#: Thank you, Ms. Wu. Your room number is 827. The bellboy will take you bags and show you to your room. #Person1#: Thanks.
check-in
train_4884
#Person1#: Hi, I'm Benjamin. Nice to meet you here. You look great. #Person2#: Thank you. Nice to meet you too. I'm John. Is this your first time to take a long-distance trip on plane. #Person1#: No, this is the second time. But I also feel bad because of the lower pressure and the jet lag. #Person2#: Oh, I am sorry to hear that. Take it easy. It will be OK soon. You see, I take this long-hour plane frequently, but the jet lag still makes me uneasy. #Person1#: Oh, that's too bad. Do you get a good knowledge of China? #Person2#: Yes, whenever I think about China, I'd see the Tian'an Men Square. China is a very beautiful country. And I've seen many landmarks in China but I like the Great Wall most. #Person1#: All of the Chinese are proud of the Great Wall. And it was built before the Qin dynasty near Shan Haiguan-the First Pass in the World. #Person2#: Was it built before the Qin dynasty? I thought it was in the Ming dynasty. #Person1#: No, before the Qin dynasty. #Person2#: Oh, yeah. Thought I am an American, I know quite a lot about China and I like Chinese tea very well. #Person1#: Both the green tea and the black tea are good for our health. And I usually refresh myself with a cup of tea.
social meeting
train_4885
#Person1#: Alison, would you like to have some more? #Person2#: No thanks. I have had enough. #Person1#: Actually you haven't have much. #Person2#: To tell you the truth, I am on the diet. #Person1#: That sounds ridiculous. Why? #Person2#: Well, I am gaining weight these days, and I have to watch my calories.
diet
train_4886
#Person1#: The boys in this picture look awesome, Susan. Who are they? #Person2#: There are members of a band called R5. Their music is really popular right now online. I'm a big fan. This boy here is Ross and these here are Rocky, Riker and Rydel Lynch. Oh, and this is Ellington Ratliff. #Person1#: So who is this boy in the middle again? #Person2#: That's Ross. He's the lead singer and plays the rhythm guitar. #Person1#: What do the others do in the band? #Person2#: Rocky is a guitarist. Rydell plays keyboard and Ratliff plays the drums. #Person1#: Do you have one of their albums? #Person2#: Yes, I just bought their main album last month. Do you want to borrow it? You can take it home and listen to it. #Person1#: Yes, I'd love to.
introduction to R5
train_4887
#Person1#: I'd like some information about opening a savings account. #Person2#: A savings account? Certainly, what would you like to know? #Person1#: Could you tell me what the interest rate is? #Person2#: It's five and a quarter percent. #Person1#: I see. #Person2#: Would you like to open the savings account with us? #Person1#: Yes, I would. #Person2#: All right. I'll get a form for you to fill out.
open an account
train_4888
#Person1#: Hello. #Person2#: Hi, my name is Kelsey Adams. I'm calling about the TV. #Person1#: Oh, hi. So you saw my ad in the newspaper? #Person2#: That's right. My old TV just stopped working, so I think this might be great for both of us. #Person1#: I hope so. It's a 50 inch Sony flat screen TV and it's only 6 months old. I'm asking for $500. But I'd be willing to negotiate. #Person2#: It sounds like a decent deal, but I would have to see at first of course. #Person1#: Absolutely. When can you come over to take a look at it? #Person2#: How about 3:00 PM this afternoon? #Person1#: Hmm... I've got a meeting at 2:00 PM and it might run a little late. How does 4:00 PM sound? #Person2#: Perfect, just tell me your address.
TV sale
train_4889
#Person1#: Honey, you don't seem to be in a good mood. What's wrong with you? #Person2#: I had a talk with my boss today and I was really angry. I asked him to pay me more each month. And can you guess what he said? #Person1#: I certainly have no idea. What did he say to make you so angry? #Person2#: He said I wasn't good enough for higher pay. I entered the company when I was just 25 years old, and now I'm 30 years old. Shouldn't I get a pay raise? #Person1#: I certainly think you should get a pay raise? #Person2#: How I wish you were my boss! I told my boss that now I need more money to buy a car to raise my kids, and to buy a house. But he just said no. #Person1#: Perhaps he knew I make enough money for everything. Just cheer up, honey. It's not a big deal. Now smile and forget about what happened today. #Person2#: OK, but I didn't cook tonight. I wasn't in the mood to do that, you know. #Person1#: It's OK. We can eat out with the kids tonight. We haven't eaten out for quite a few days. #Person2#: Jerry and Lucy will be happy about that.
complaint
train_4890
#Person1#: Now that Abby has finished her presentation. It only occupied 4 minutes. Let's evaluate her speech. Jason, what do you think of her presentation? #Person2#: She spoke loudly and clearly and she seemed quite confident. #Person1#: OK. What else? #Person2#: Her speech was well organized. Her conclusion reminded me of all the important points she had made. #Person1#: Good. Now what about some things that Abby might work on for next time? #Person2#: There were some long pauses when she was trying to think about what to say next. #Person1#: True. Perhaps practicing a few more times before her speech would help her not to pause as much.
presentation evaluation
train_4891
#Person1#: How was your interview? #Person2#: Pretty good, the manager asked me the usual questions, then he asked me why I decided to leave my previous job. #Person1#: What did you say? #Person2#: I told him that I hadn't gotten a raise for 3 years. I also told him that one of my coworkers quit her job because she had not been promoted for 8 years. #Person1#: Did he want to know the reasons? #Person2#: Yes, I told him that my boss made some excuses about the economy. I thought he had a pattern of only promoting men, though. #Person1#: That's sex discrimination. So when will you hear back about that job? #Person2#: In a couple of days.
job interview
train_4892
#Person1#: I'm calling to tell you that the merchandise ordered last month has not arrived yet. #Person2#: I'm sorry, hold on a moment. I'll check it out. But we have already shipped it to you last month. Would you like us to contact the express company to know what's going on? #Person1#: Please find out the reason as soon as possible. We are in bad need of it. #Person2#: Ok, I am terribly sorry for the trouble you are getting into.We will contact you first thing, once we know the reason.
merchandise delivery
train_4893
#Person1#: You look fresh recently. And.. what's your weight now? #Person2#: 110 pounds. #Person1#: Really? Congratulations! That's really something beyond my imagination. How did you make it? Did you keep on a diet? #Person2#: No, you know I can't bear eating less. #Person1#: Then do the slim pills take effect on you? #Person2#: I've quit it already. I go to aerobics class everyday instead. #Person1#: How's it going on? #Person2#: You see. I've lost my weight in spite of my good appetite. #Person1#: I'd better exercise my body too. My limbs are rusty now. #Person2#: I don't think so. You look full of energy every day. Time has stood still with you. #Person1#: Thank you.
lose weight
train_4894
#Person1#: Hello? #Person2#: Hi, Deborah! This is John. I'm calling from Australia. #Person1#: What are you doing in Australia? #Person2#: I'm attending a conference in Sydney this week. Remember? #Person1#: Oh, right. What time is it there? #Person2#: It's 10:00 P. M. And it's four o'clock in Los Angeles, right? #Person1#: Yes - four o'clock in the morning. #Person2#: 4:00 A. M.? I'm really sorry. #Person1#: That's OK. I'm awake now.
time difference
train_4895
#Person1#: Bruno Bistro, how may I help you? #Person2#: Yes, hello, I would like to make a reservation please. #Person1#: Certainly sir, For which day and time please? #Person2#: Tonight at seven. #Person1#: I'm sorry sir, but we are fully booked tonight until eight. #Person2#: In that case, eight o'clock is fine. #Person1#: Very well, and how many people will attend tonight? #Person2#: Four people. #Person1#: Lastly, may I please know what name I should make the reservation under? #Person2#: Mark.
make a reservation
train_4896
#Person1#: I'd like to have this shirt washed and ironed. #Person2#: OK, do you want us to use starch? #Person1#: Yes, heavy starch in the collar please. #Person2#: Yeah, sir. Your shirt will be ready by Thursday morning. Anything else? #Person1#: I also have a suit to be dry-cleaned. Can I fetch it the day after tomorrow? It's urgent. #Person2#: No problem, sir. #Person1#: Could you please tell me when your laundry opens and closes? #Person2#: We'll remain open from 9 a. m. till 8 p. m. #Person1#: I see. #Person2#: Here's your laundry ticket, sir. #Person1#: Thank you.
laundry
train_4897
#Person1#: I went to visit a customer in IVS Company the other day. Their offices were very impressive, especially their company Logo which is all over the place. There are Logo models in metal, copper, clove, paper. They are even printed on the wall paper and the balls of the table-lights. It is really decorated identity. #Person2#: It is just too much. Don't you feel it is an exaggerating style to decorate offices in that way? #Person1#: Not at all! I like the design so much. The designer must have thought really hard to come out with such a brilliant concept. #Person2#: Wow, I doubt that.
office design
train_4898
#Person1#: Hey, This is your order. #Person2#: Are you new here? I come to this coffeehouse often. But I didn't see you here before. #Person1#: Yes. I started this part-time job just three days ago. And my internship will last 1 week. I'm still a student now. #Person2#: Do you mind if I ask you why you've taken the part-time job here? #Person1#: Of course not. You know, there are many foreign customers like you here. And I think it's good for me to improve my oral English. #Person2#: Oh, are you an English student? Or you just study English for interest's sake? #Person1#: No, I'm not an English student. But I do like English. I'm going to be a volunteer in the 2008 Olympics where I want to be helpful with the language. So I try to improve my English. #Person2#: Very nice. Thank you for your time. #Person1#: Thank you, sir. But I'm not allowed to accept any tips. #Person2#: OK then. I don't want to put you in trouble. #Person1#: Well, would you like something else? The new-made cafe parfait is really good. Want some? #Person2#: OK. But I'd like some cookies. #Person1#: Sure. If you want more coffee, please go over there. There is self-help coffee maker. #Person2#: I surely know that. Don't forget that I am a regular customer here. #Person1#: Oops. Well, wait for a while. We'll get it done quickly. #Person2#: It's OK. Thank you.
part-time job
train_4899
#Person1#: What was the party like last night, Jean? #Person2#: Not bad at all, thanks. There were one or two interesting people there. Why couldn't you come? #Person1#: Well, I couldn't get away from work early. And when. I got home I had a headache, so I had to go straight to bed. But I was over-tired, because I wasn't able to get to sleep for hours. #Person2#: What a shame. Why didn't you take a sleeping pill? #Person1#: I don't like them. I used to take them when I had to work overtime, you know. #Person2#: How many did you use to take? #Person1#: Three every night. #Person2#: Good heavens. Why did you take so many? #Person1#: Because I was under a terrible strain. The doctor saidthey weren't very strong. Anyway, I used to feel awful the next morning. #Person2#: I'm sure you did. #Person1#: The doctor said I had to be careful. #Person2#: He was quite right. #Person1#: So I stopped drinking coffee late at night instead.
sleeping pills