Conversation 1
A: Mrs. Hampton, we've got trouble in the press room this morning.
B: Oh dear. What about?
A: One of the press operators arrived an hour and a half late.
B: But that's a straightforward affair. He will simply lose part of his pay. That's why we have a clock-in system.
A: But the point is the man was clocked-in at 8 o'clock. We have John standing by the time clock, and he swears he saw nothing irregular.
B: Is John reliable?
A: Yes, he is. That's why we chose him for the job.
B: Have you spoken to the man who was late?
A: Not yet. I thought I'd have a word with you first. He's a difficult man, and I think there's been some trouble on the shop floor. I've got a feeling that trade union representative is behind this. The manager told me that Jack Green's been very active around the shop the last few days.
B: Well, what do you want me to do?
A: I was wondering if you'd see Smith, the man who was late, because you are so much better at handling things like this.
B: Oh, alright. I'll see him. I must say I agree with you about there being bad feelings in the works. I've had the idea for some time that Jack Green's been busy stirring things up in connection with the latest wage claim. He's always trying to make trouble. Well, I'll get the manager to send Smith up here.
Q8. What will happen to the press operator who was late for the work according to the woman?
Q9. What does the man say about John who stands by the time clock?
Q10. Why does the man suggest the woman see the worker who was late?
Q11. What does the woman say about Jack Green?
Conversation 2
节选自http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/elementary-podcasts/series-04-episode-05
A: Our topic today is about somethings that foreigners nearly always say when they visit Britain. It's 'Why are the British so cold?' And they're talking about the British personality – the famous British 'reserve'. It means that we aren't very friendly, we aren't very open.
B: So do you think it's true?
A: It's a difficult one. So many people who visit Britain say it's difficult to make friends with British people. They say we're cold, reserved, unfriendly...
B: I think it's true. Look at Americans or Australians. They speak the same language, but they're much more open. And you see it when you travel, people - I mean strangers - speak to you on the street or on the train. British people seldom speak on the train. Or the bus. Not in London, anyway.
A: 'Not in London'. That's it. Capital cities are full of tourists and are never very friendly. People are different in other parts of the country.
B: Not completely. I met a woman once, an Italian. She's been working in Manchester for two years,
and no one - not one of her colleagues - had ever invited her to their home. They were friendly to her at work, but nothing else. She couldn't believe it. She said that would never happen in Italy.
A: You know what they say – 'an Englishman's home is his castle'. It’s really difficult to get inside.
B: Yeah. It's about being private. You go home to your house and your garden and you close the door. It's your place.
A: That's why the British don't like flats. They prefer to live in houses.
B: That’s true.
Q12. What do foreigners generally think of British people according to the woman?
Q13. What may British people typically do one the train according to the man?
Q14. What does the man say about the Italian woman working in Manchester?
Q15. Why do British people prefer houses to flats?
