UNIT 1
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PAGE 4. EXERCISE C
Conversation 1
F¹: What are Jan’s plans for next year? I’ll bet she’ll be doing something with math—she’s such a whiz.
M: As a matter of fact, she’s starting engineering school in September.
F: No surprise there.
M: And three schools have already accepted her!
F: That’s great.
Conversation 2 [F = French]²
M: So, have you made up your mind about a career yet?
F: Pretty much. It’s going to be something with either singing or dance. I’m really serious about a career in music.
M: Makes sense to me. You’ve always been the musical type.
Conversation 3
M1: Bob seems a lot calmer than he used to. What’s come over him?
M2: I know—I’ve noticed it, too. I guess those meditationclasses have really taught him how to relax.
M1: So that’s it.
Conversation 4
F1: What’s with Nina? Someone started talking about where we’d all be a year from now, and she just got up and walked out of the room.
F2: Oh, she’s a bit disappointed. She just heard from two of the three graduate programs she applied to. And she didn’t get into either of them.
F1: Wow.That’s too bad.
F2: Well, you can’t blame her for feeling down.
F1: Nope.
Conversation 5 [M = Australia]
M: Did you hear about Tom? He just quit his job in accounting and accepted a position teaching math at the university.
F: That’s quite a career change!
M: No kidding. But you know, I never thought he was really well suited for the business world.
F: Me neither... I think he’ll make a great teacher, though.
M: Me too.
Conversation 6 [F = Japanese]
M: I hear you want to do something in medical research.
F: That’s right.
M: Well, have you gone on any interviews yet?
F: Not yet. But I found out that MediLabs has an opening for a junior lab specialist.
M: Oh, great.
F: So I filled out an application and I’m going for an interview on Monday.
PAGE 10. EXERCISE C
(L= Linda Foster, the interviewer; M = Latin America)
L: Mr.Ferrante?
M: Yes. Hi. Marcos Ferrante.
L: I’m Linda Foster. Nice to meet you.
M: Hi. Nice to meet you, too.
L: I was very interested to read your application—I see you have some experience in the tourism industry. In hotels, right?
M: That’s right. I’ve been working as an assistant hotel manager for two years now.
L: And why are you looking for a change? Aren’t you happy at your current job?
M: Oh, I am. Yes. The thing is, I’ve always dreamed about working on a cruise ship.
L: Ah, so this is a step toward fulfilling your dream.That’s very nice!
M: Uh-huh.
L: So, working in a hotel, you must have gotten some good experience with people—you must have to deal with all kinds of personalities, right?
M: Definitely. I find it very rewarding. I actually enjoy helping people work out their problems and helping them get what they need to make their stay at the hotel enjoyable.
L: Great... Mr. Ferrante, at the hotel, I imagine you’re basically working with people on a one-on-one basis. Why do you think you have the right qualities to manage groups of people?
M: Well, I’m basically a real people person. I’m very friendly… I think people warm up to me easily. I find it pretty easy to win people over. By the way, please call me Marcos.
L: OK, Marcos. So, how do you do that? Win them over,I mean.
M: Well, for starters, I try to get to know them right away—what they like, what they don’t like—and try to make them feel at home.
L: Interesting... Would you describe yourself as organized?
M: Very. As an assistant manager, you have to be. You’ve got reservation details to work out, transportation arrangements, people to please... If you’re not organized, you’re in big trouble.
L: I see.
M: And you always have to be ready for the unexpected— guests who don’t show up, two guests assigned to the same room... no electricity. I’m very flexible in those situations, and I’m able to make quick decisions—to handle any problem that might come up.
L: What about training in emergency procedures? Did you get any of that in your current position?
M: You mean like a class or something like that? Because we are expected to know the general procedures for fire, or…
L: Not necessarily a class. Just tell me what training you’ve gotten.
M: Well, as soon as you start at the hotel, you’re instructed in the hotel’s procedures—to call the fire department as soon as an alarm goes off. And we have practice drills about twice a year.
L: That’s great. Marcos, do you see yourself continuing to work in the travel business in the future?
M: Well, my short-term goal is to get experience working on a cruise ship where I can work with people and make a contribution. But my long-term goal is to start my own travel agency.
L: You seem to really know what you want to do.
M: I guess that’s pretty true.
PAGE13. EXERCISE A
Conversation 1 [M = Chinese]
F: That’s quite a stamp collection!
M: I guess. I’ve been collecting for over 30 years now.
F: Realty? You must have started when you were really young.
M: When I was five, actually. And after all these years, I still dream about having the biggest collection in the world.
F: And do you think you ever will?
M: It’s hard to tell. Some people have huge collections. To be honest, though, I don’t think I’ll ever really be able to outdo them.
Conversation 2
F: Have you found a house yet?
M: Nope. I’ve been looking for a year now, but no luck. Not even close. I’m starting to feel like maybe it’s time to just give up.
F: What? Don’t give up now! I’m sure something will turn up.
M: The thing is, I’m looking and looking and prices just keep going up. I’m really not sure I’ll ever have a house of my own.
F: Look. Just be patient. Who ever said finding a house was going to be easy?
Conversation 3
F: I’m really fed up with working for a large corporation.
M: Huh? What are you all ticked off about?
F: I’m just tired of having to do what other people tell me to do. I want to be able to make my own decisions for a change.
M: OK... So, like, what are you going to do about it?
F: Start my own business.
M: Start your own business? ... You’re dead serious, aren’t you!
F: You bet I am. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve already applied for a loan.
M: Good for you!
Conversation 4 [F = Italian]
F: You know, I’ve always dreamed about being a flight attendant. I love traveling and meeting new people.
M: Why don’t you apply for a job, then?
F: Well, I just don’t think I have the right qualifications.
M: What do you mean? You speak three languages… and you’ve got some experience in the travel industry.
F: You mean the job I had as a tour guide?
M: That’s right. I think they’d consider that to be related experience. Your qualifications are fine.
F: You’re probably right.