1.

I live in Pasadina
A: Where do you live?
B: I live in Pasadena.
A: Where is Pasadena?
B: It's in California.
A: Is it in northern California?
B: No. It's in southern California.
A: Is Pasadena a big city?
B: It's pretty big.
A: How big is "pretty big"?
B: It has about 140,000 people.
A: How big is Los Angeles?
B: It has about 3 million people.
2. I have a Honda
A: Do you have a car?
B: Yes, I do.
A: What kind of car do you have?
B: I have a Honda.
A: Is it new?
B: It was new in 2003.
A: So, it's pretty old now.
B: Yes, it is. But it still looks good.
A: Do you take good care of it?
B: Oh, yes. I wash it once a week.
A: Do you change the oil?
B: My mechanic changes the oil twice a year.
3. Walking the dog
A: Where are you going?
B: I have to walk the dog.
A: What kind of dog do you have?
B: I have a little poodle.
A: Poodles bark a lot.
1
B: They sure do.
A: They bark at everything.
B: They never shut up.
A: Why did you get a poodle?
B: It's my mom's dog.
A: So she likes poodles.
B: She says they're good watchdogs.
4. Borrowing money
A: Can I borrow $5?
B: Sure. Why do you need it?
A: I want to buy lunch.
B: Where's your money?
A: It's not in my wallet.
B: Your wallet is empty?
A: I don't have even one dollar in it.
B: Being broke is no fun.
A: Even if it's only for a short while.
B: It's always good to have friends.
A: Friends will lend you money when you're broke.
B: As long as you pay them back.
5. Going to the beach
A: Let's go to the beach.
B: That's a great idea.
A: We haven't been in a while.
B: We haven't been in a month.
A: The last time we went, you almost drowned.
B: No, I didn't.
A: Then why did the lifeguard dive into the water?
B: I think he wanted to cool off.
A: He swam right up to you.
B: And then he turned right around.
A: Maybe you're right.
2
B: Maybe we should get going.
6. What’s on TV?
A: I'm bored.
B: What's on TV?
A: Nothing.
B: There must be something on TV!
A: Nothing that's interesting.
B: What about that new game show?
A: Which one?
B: "Deal or No Deal"
A: Tell me you're joking.
B: I love that show.
A: I watched it once. That was enough.
B: It's on right now. Let's watch it together.
7. A nice place to live
A: I like living here.
B: I agree. Pasadena is a nice city.
A: It's not too big.
B: And it's not too small.
A: It has great weather all year long.
B: It has the Rose Parade.
A: It has beautiful houses.
B: It has wonderful restaurants.
A: It has great schools.
B: It's close to the mountains.
A: The people are friendly.
B: I'm not ever going to leave.
8. My laptop
A: My laptop is so slow.
B: Buy a new one.
A: I would if I had the money.
B: Why is it so slow?
3
A: That's a good question.
B: Did you take it to a computer shop?
A: I would if I had the money.
B: Well, I guess you have to live with it.
A: Sometimes I want to throw it out the window.
B: You don't want to do that.
A: Why not?
B: You might hit someone in the head.
9. What about a Pizza?
A: What's for dinner?
B: I'm not sure.
A: How about a pizza?
B: You had pizza for lunch.
A: But I love pizza.
B: Everybody loves pizza.
A: So why can't I have pizza for dinner?
B: Because you need variety.
A: What's "variety?
B: Different things—not the same thing all the time.
A: You mean, like a pepperoni pizza instead of a cheese pizza?
B: No, I mean a salad instead of a pizza.
[Link] new house
A: We need to save money.
B: Why do we need to save money?
A: Because we need to buy a house.
B: But a house is so expensive.
A: That's why we need to save money.
B: How much do we need to save?
A: We need to save enough for a down payment.
B: How much is that?
A: That's about $30,000.
B: Thirty thousand dollars! That will take forever.
4
A: Not if we save every penny.
B: Okay. Here's seven pennies.
[Link] are everywhere
A: The ocean is so big.
B: You can't see the end of it.
A: It goes on and on forever.
B: And it's deep, too.
A: I think it's five miles deep.
B: Are there fish at the bottom?
A: There are fish at the top and the bottom.
B: Are there more fish or more people?
A: I think there are more fish.
B: I hope so. I love to eat fish.
[Link] cleaning day
A: I have to clean the house.
B: Yes, it's very dirty.
A: You can help me.
B: Why me?
A: Because you helped make it dirty.
B: What do you want me to do?
A: I want you to clean the bathroom.
B: Oh, that's easy.
A: Clean the sink, the tub, the counter, and the toilet.
B: That's a lot of work.
A: Tell me when you finish.
B: I don't think so. You'll just give me more work.
13.A TV lover
A: You're watching too much TV.
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean you're wasting your life.
B: I'm having fun.
A: You're sitting there with your mouth open.
5
B: Who cares?
A: I care. Do something.
B: Okay. I did something.
A: What did you do?
B: I turned up the volume.
A: That's not what I meant by "do something."
B: Will you do something? Leave me alone.
14.A letter to grandma
A: Did you write a letter to grandma?
B: Yes, I did.
A: Did you tell her about school?
B: I told her that school is fun.
A: Did you put the letter in an envelope?
B: Yes, and I sealed the envelope.
A: Did you put a stamp on the envelope?
B: I couldn't find any stamps.
A: They're in the kitchen drawer.
B: Okay. I just put a stamp on the envelope.
A: Give me the envelope, and I'll mail it for you.
B: When is grandma going to learn about e-mail?
[Link] you sleepy?
A: Why are you yawning?
B: I'm sleepy.
A: Why don't you go to bed?
B: I want to watch this TV show.
A: Maybe you should record it.
B: The tape recorder is broken.
A: Then you should watch the rerun.
B: Why? I'm watching the original.
A: But you'll be asleep in about one minute.
B: I'm just yawning because the commercials are on.
A: Okay. I'll tell you how the show ends.
6
B: Zzz.
[Link] the cat
A: Did you feed the cat?
B: I'll do that in a minute.
A: The cat is meowing. He's hungry.
B: Okay. I'll feed him right now.
A: You shouldn't make him wait.
B: I was doing my homework.
A: The cat doesn't care about your homework.
B: The cat doesn't care about anything.
A: That's the way cats are.
B: All they think about is themselves.
A: Maybe we should get rid of him.
B: Of course not! He's family.
[Link] polite people
A: Excuse me.
B: Yes?
A: Are you reading this paper?
B: Oh, no. Help yourself.
A: I asked because the paper is sitting next to you.
B: Thank you. That's polite of you to ask.
A: Some people would just pick it up.
B: Yes, I know. Some people are rude.
A: I always try to be polite.
B: So do I.
A: The world needs more polite people like us.
B: I agree 100 percent.
[Link] me a puppy
A: Mom, I want a puppy.
B: Let me think about it.
A: Why do you have to think about it?
B: Because a puppy costs money.
7
A: No, it doesn't. Puppies are free.
B: Yes, but a puppy needs shots.
A: Shots for what?
B: So it won't get sick. Just like you get shots.
A: I hate shots.
B: And a puppy eats food. Food costs money.
A: No problem. I'll give him food off my plate.
B: Oh, no you don't. Puppies don't eat vegetables.
[Link] to give away
A: Look at all these kittens!
B: How many are there?
A: Eight.
B: They're all so cute.
A: Yes, but I can't keep them.
B: What are you going to do with them?
A: I'm going to give them away. Do you want one?
B: Yes, I would love one.
A: Which one do you want?
B: That one. The one that's all black.
A: Yes, I like that one, too.
B: I'll call him Blacky.
20.A lost button
A: A button came off my shirt.
B: What are you going to do?
A: First, I have to find the button.
B: Where did you lose it?
A: I have no idea.
B: A button is hard to find. Did you look in your pant cuffs?
A: That's a good idea.
B: I found a button in my pant cuffs one time.
A: Let me look. No, it's not there.
B: Many shirts come with an extra button.
8
A: You're right. This one does have an extra button.
B: Now all you have to do is sew it on.
[Link] and folded
A: Did you do the laundry?
B: Yes, I did.
A: What did you wash?
B: I washed the sheets and towels.
A: What about the pillowcases?
B: Yes, I took them off the pillows and washed them.
A: Did you dry everything in the dryer?
B: Yes, I dried everything in the dryer.
A: Then what did you do?
B: I folded all the towels.
A: Did you put the sheets on the beds?
B: Yes, and I put the pillowcases on the pillows.
[Link] screen
A: Something's wrong with my computer.
B: Exactly what?
A: All I get is a black screen.
B: What's the matter?
A: I think I know, because this happened before.
B: What happened before?
A: My hard drive crashed.
B: Oh, no. That's bad news.
A: It sure is, but I'm going to call HP first, just to make sure.
B: Will you lose all your files?
A: No, I always back up my files.
B: You're smart.
23.A new hard drive
A: I called HP about my computer.
B: What did they say?
A: They said I need a new hard drive.
9
B: That's too bad. How much is a new one?
A: It's not too much, only about $85.
B: Plus installation?
A: No, my hard drive is easy to remove and replace.
B: Really?
A: Yes, it's just a couple of screws.
B: That's nice.
A: It's a lot better than paying someone $60.
B: If my hard drive crashes, I'll just call you.
[Link] email address
A: What's your email address?
B: It's bluedog123.
A: Bluedog123. Are you sure that's all?
B: Yes.
A: No. That's incomplete.
B: What do you mean?
A: What's your mailing address?
B: 456 Cherry Drive, Pasadena, CA 91170.
A: That's correct.
B: So what's the problem?
A: Bluedog123 is just the street. You have to give me the city, state, and ZIP code.
B: Oh, I get it. My email address is bluedog123@[Link].
[Link] for a nap
A: I'm going to take a nap.
B: You should unplug the phone.
A: That's a good idea.
B: Do you want me to wake you in an hour?
A: No, thanks. Just let me sleep until I wake up.
B: I'll start dinner at 6:00.
A: Okay. I think I'll be awake by then.
B: If not, your nose will wake you up.
A: You mean I will smell the food cooking?
10
B: You might even dream about dinner.
A: I don't think I'm going to dream about anything. I'm really tired.
B: Have a nice nap.
[Link] friends
A: I have lots of friends.
B: Really? How many do you have?
A: I don't know, maybe one hundred.
B: That is a lot of friends. Do you have a best friend?
A: Of course. I have lots of best friends.
B: How many best friends do you have?
A: I think about twenty-five.
B: Hmm. I have only one best friend.
A: I feel sorry for you.
B: I have only a few friends.
A: You must be lonely. I will share my friends with you.
B: That's very nice of you.
[Link]’s not go out
A: I hate to go outside.
B: Me too.
A: Why do you hate to go outside?
B: I meet too many jerks.
A: I agree.
B: This city is full of jerks.
A: Rude people are everywhere.
B: But what can you do?
A: You can yell at them.
B: And they will yell back at you.
A: Yelling doesn't do any good.
B: No. The best thing to do is just stay home.
[Link] out the form
A: Will you look at this form?
B: Are you having problems with it?
11
A: I don't understand some things.
B: Let me help you.
A: What does "MI" mean?
B: "MI" stands for Middle Initial.
A: What does "MM/DD/YY" mean?
B: That means Month/Day/Year. Use numbers.
A: I don't understand.
B: For example, if your birth date is January 12, 1987, write 01/12/87.
A: Oh. That's simple enough.
B: Always print clearly, and fill in the bubbles completely.
[Link] animal shelter
A: Let's go to the animal shelter.
B: What do you want to do?
A: I want to get a puppy for my son.
B: That will make him so happy.
A: I'll get him one of those little dogs.
B: One that won't grow up too big.
A: And eat too much.
B: Do you know which one he would like?
A: Oh, yes, I took him there yesterday. He showed me one that he really liked.
B: I bet you had to drag him away.
A: He wanted to take it home yesterday.
B: I wonder what he'll name it.
[Link] it raining?
A: What's the weather like?
B: I don't know. I just woke up.
A: Why don't you look outside?
B: Okay. It looks like rain.
A: Why do you say that?
B: The sky is gray.
A: Is it raining right now?
B: No.
12
A: How do you know?
B: The street isn't wet.
A: I have to go shopping today.
B: You'd better take an umbrella.
[Link]’s so hot
A: I can't believe how hot it is.
B: It's not even noon yet.
A: That means it will get hotter.
B: I am dying from the heat.
A: Turn on the air conditioner.
B: It doesn't work.
A: What happened?
B: I don't know.
A: Did you call the repairman?
B: Of course.
A: When is he coming?
B: He's busy. He said next week.
[Link] snowman
A: I'll be glad when winter comes.
B: Why is that?
A: Because I love the snow.
B: Yes, the snow is fun.
A: Last year we made a big snowman.
B: How big was it?
A: It was seven feet tall.
B: How long did it take?
A: It took us all day.
B: Did you give him a nose?
A: Of course. We gave him a big carrot for a nose.
B: Let me help you make one this year.
[Link] ATM
A: I'm going to the bank.
13
B: What do you need to do?
A: I need to withdraw some money.
B: How are you going to do that?
A: I'll just use the ATM.
B: What's that?
A: It's the Automated Teller Machine.
B: It gives you money?
A: I just insert my debit card into the machine.
B: And it gives you money?
A: Well, it gives me money, but it's my own money.
B: Oh. What good is that? I thought it gave you free money.
34. The digital TV
A: Are you ready?
B: Ready for what?
A: Ready for the big switch.
B: What are you talking about?
A: The nation is switching to digital TV.
B: Oh. Of course I'm ready.
A: Did you buy the converter?
B: No, I don't need a converter because I bought a digital TV.
A: How much was that?
B: It was only about $120 for a 13-inch screen.
A: Does it pick up any digital channels?
B: Oh, yes. I get six Korean channels but nothing in English!
35. Don’t be a racist
A: The police need our help finding a robber.
B: How do you know?
A: The TV news is reporting a bank robbery.
B: Do they know what the robber looks like?
A: Yes, he's 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, black hair, and about 30 years old.
B: What race is he?
A: They didn't say.
14
B: The TV news doesn't tell us the race anymore.
A: Of course not. That would be racist.
B: But how can we identify someone if we don't know their race?
A: Don't ask me.
B: Then they also shouldn't tell us if the robber is male or female, because that is sexist.
[Link] a tissue
A: Don't wipe your nose on your sleeve.
B: But I don't have a tissue.
A: Then go find a tissue in the bathroom.
B: I didn't have time to get one from there.
A: Your sleeves are not tissues.
B: But Mom, all my friends use their sleeves.
A: That doesn't make it right.
B: I saw Dad wipe his nose on his sleeve yesterday.
A: I will talk to your father about that.
B: I bet Dad did it all the time when he was my age.
A: Your daddy was a good little boy.
B: How do you know? Were you his mommy, too?
[Link] married
A: I'm worried.
B: Worried about what?
A: I'm getting married.
B: You should be happy, not worried.
A: I am happy, but marriage is a lot of responsibility.
B: Yes, you have to take care of your wife.
A: And I have to take care of our children.
B: Are you going to start a family?
A: Yes. We want to have a little boy and a little girl.
B: That sounds wonderful.
A: Except we can't afford it!
B: No wonder you're worried.

15
[Link] it Art?
A: I don't get art.
B: Or artists.
A: They're in a different world.
B: I saw a painting of a jar that was full of pencils.
A: The artist said the jar was both full and empty.
B: But it was full of pencils! How could he say it was empty?
A: Artists see things differently.
B: Did you ever see anything that Picasso painted?
A: Of course! He's world famous.
B: Did he ever take art lessons?
A: I can't believe it. I drew paintings like that in third grade.
B: Where are they? Maybe they are worth millions.
[Link] is for living
A: What's the point?
B: The point of what?
A: Of living.
B: Who knows? You live, and then you die.
A: We must be here for some reason.
B: Maybe we're here to have fun.
A: Then why aren't I having fun?
B: Because you're thinking too much.
A: So I should stop thinking?
B: Stop thinking about what the point is.
A: Okay. I'll start thinking about having some fun.
B: Just be patient. Fun doesn't come along every five minutes.
40. Patch It or Sew It?
A: My pants have a hole in the front pocket.
B: You shouldn't carry pens in your pocket.
A: Yesterday a pen fell through my pants onto my shoe.
B: Lucky for you it wasn't a sharp knife.
A: Who carries a sharp knife in their pocket?
16
B: Criminals, of course.
A: Anyway, I have to fix the hole.
B: You can sew it up or use an iron-on patch.
A: Tell me about this patch.
B: The patch has glue. The hot iron melts the glue so the patch sticks on.
A: That sounds a lot easier than sewing.
B: It is. But after about ten washings, the glue washes off.
41. What's So Funny?
A: Do you know any good jokes?
B: I can't remember jokes.
A: Neither can I.
B: They go in one ear and out the other.
A: Who makes up all these jokes?
B: Who knows? But there must be a hundred new ones every day.
A: Yes, just in English alone.
B: I wonder if every language has jokes.
A: Of course! People everywhere like good jokes.
B: What do you think people joke about the most?
A: I think most jokes are about women.
B: Oh, really? I think most jokes are about men!
42. Spanish spoken here.
A: You're very lucky.
B: Why do you say that?
A: You speak two languages.
B: Well, my English isn't perfect.
A: No one speaks perfect English.
B: Maybe I will be the first!
A: I've been thinking about learning Spanish.
B: Spanish is easy. I'll be happy to teach you.
A: How long will it take me to learn?
B: I think it will only take you a year or two.
A: How soon can we begin?
17
B: Ahora! That means right now.
43. It's the only Earth we've got
A: Do you know what today is?
B: Yes, it's April 22.
A: It's more than just a date.
B: Is it your birthday or anniversary?
A: No, it's Earth Day.
B: What's that?
A: It's a yearly reminder to take care of our planet.
B: Oh, you mean like reuse things and recycle stuff?
A: Yes. We need to think green, save water, and stop using plastic bags.
B: How about if I take shorter showers?
A: That's a good idea, because showers waste a lot of water.
B: From now on I'll spend only 20 minutes in the shower.
44. No time for rhyme
A: Poetry sucks.
B: I don't know anyone who likes it.
A: Some of it is okay, I guess.
B: Yes, the poems that rhyme and are easy to remember.
A: Like "One, two, buckle my shoe."
B: But people still write poems.
A: No one makes any money at it.
B: Shakespeare was a poet.
A: Did he get rich from his poetry?
B: Probably not.
A: Poems are a little bit like songs.
B: Yes, but songs have music. Without music, songs would suck, too.
45. Dumb and Happy
A: How smart are you?
B: I don't know. I think I'm average.
A: Did you ever take an IQ test?
B: No, I never did. All I know is that I got A's and B's in school.
18
A: I wish I was really smart.
B: Don't be ridiculous.
A: What do you mean?
B: If you're going to make a wish, wish that you were really rich or famous.
A: Don't you ever wonder what it's like to be super-smart?
B: It must be very lonely.
A: Why's that?
B: Because if you're super-smart, no one understands what you're saying.
46. Live from MBC !
A: I missed the TV news last night. What was on?
B: Nothing that would pass as news.
A: What's the weather going to be like this weekend?
B: I don't know. Whenever the weather comes on, I switch channels.
A: What was the lead story on the news?
B: Some actress was in court for driving without a license.
A: What was the second story?
B: Some actor married a woman young enough to be his daughter.
A: What was the third story?
B: A bull chased a man in a supermarket.
A: Wasn't there anything about Octo-Mom?
B: Of course. She's going to hire a nanny for her eight infants.
47. Wipe your feet?
A: Did you wipe your feet?
B: Yes, of course I wiped my feet.
A: Then why is there mud on the carpet?
B: I don't know. It's not my mud.
A: Well, someone brought it into the house.
B: Look at the bottom of my shoes—they're clean.
A: Of course they're clean. You left all the mud on the carpet.
B: Okay, I'll get the vacuum cleaner.
A: Don't vacuum it now.
B: Don't you want me to clean up the mud?
19
A: Wait till it dries. It will be easier to vacuum.
B: Next time I will be more careful.
48. Mothers’ Day
A: What are you getting for your mom?
B: What are you talking about?
A: Sunday is Mother's Day.
B: This Sunday?
A: Of course. It's all over the news.
B: I thought it was next Sunday.
A: Well, you'd better get her something.
B: I'll get her a nice card.
A: Is that it?
B: Yes. That's all I ever give her.
A: She raised you, and all you ever give her is a card?
B: It's okay. She knows that I love her.
49. Work up an Appetite
A: I had a busy morning.
B: What did you do?
A: I watered all the plants.
B: You have a lot of plants.
A: Then I did my laundry.
B: That takes some time.
A: I took the dog for a walk.
B: I'll bet he enjoyed his walk.
A: I vacuumed the entire house.
B: That's a lot of work.
A: And then I made lunch.
B: I'll bet you were hungry!
50. I go to college.
A: Do you go to college?
B: Yes, I do.
A: What college do you go to?
20
B: I go to Pasadena City College.
A: Do you like it?
B: Oh, yes, I really like it.
A: Why do you like it?
B: Because it has great teachers.
A: What else?
B: I like all my classmates, too.
A: Anything else?
B: Yes. It's not expensive!
51. A lost pen
A: I lost my new pen.
B: Where did you lose it?
A: I don't know.
B: When did you lose it?
A: I think I lost it today. I used it yesterday.
B: Did you check all your pockets?
A: I checked all my pockets.
B: Did you look in your desk?
A: Yes. It isn't there, either.
B: It's probably around somewhere.
A: Oh, well, it only cost me a dollar.
B: Only a dollar? Don't even look for it.
52. Gravity for all
A: Gravity is very important.
B: What is gravity?
A: It's the force that pulls everything down.
B: I don't understand.
A: If you pour water into a glass, the water goes down into the glass.
B: Of course it does.
A: Without gravity, the water would go up.
B: You're joking.
A: Without gravity, you would go up.
21
B: What do you mean?
A: You would float into the sky like a balloon.
B: That would be fun!
53. New glasses
A: I can't read my book.
B: Turn on the light.
A: The light is on.
B: Open the book.
A: The book is open.
B: See an eye doctor.
A: That's what I need to do.
B: He'll give you a prescription for glasses.
A: I'll make an appointment tomorrow.
B: I'll get the yellow pages for an eye doctor.
A: Read the phone number to me.
B: I'll read it very loud, in case your hearing is getting bad, too.
54. School items
A: What do you need for school?
B: I need pencils.
A: Anything else?
B: I need a notebook.
A: Do you need a pen?
B: No. I already have a pen.
A: Do you need a calculator?
B: No. The teacher doesn't permit calculators.
A: How about a dictionary?
B: No, we have a big dictionary in the classroom.
A: Well, I guess that's it.
B: Yes, that's all I need for now.
55. Shake your pen
A: My pen is out of ink.
B: Shake it a couple of times.
22
A: I shook it. There is no more ink.
B: You can borrow mine.
A: Thank you. I'll buy a new one tomorrow.
B: What were you doing?
A: I was writing a letter.
B: Who were you writing to?
A: It's to my mom.
B: Tell her I said hello.
A: Okay. I'll return your pen when I'm done.
B: Take your time.
56. Do your homework
A: Have you done your homework?
B: Not yet.
A: Then why are you watching TV?
B: This is my favorite show.
A: Go do your homework.
B: But, mom!
A: You can watch TV after you do your homework.
B: But the show will be over.
A: There will be another show next week.
B: Please?
A: You know the rules.
B: I hate the rules! I can't wait till I grow up.
57. The English Major
A: What is your major?
B: English.
A: What are you going to do with an English major?
B: I'm going to be a teacher.
A: High school or middle school?
B: High school.
A: I teach high school English.
B: I didn't know that.
23
A: I started teaching five years ago.
B: How do you like it?
A: Do you see all this gray hair? It was totally black five years ago.
B: Maybe I'll teach middle school.
58. No Parking
A: Parking at school is impossible.
B: I'll say.
A: I drove around for half an hour.
B: Did you find a spot?
A: I found a spot, but someone cut in and took it from me.
B: Did you yell at them?
A: Yes, I did.
B: And?
A: And he yelled back at me.
B: How rude.
A: But I got lucky a few minutes later.
B: You have to be lucky to find a parking space.
59. Keep your eyes open
A: This is a huge library.
B: Yes, it has lots of rooms and lots of space.
A: And lots of books.
B: And lots of thieves.
A: What do you mean?
B: I mean, keep your belongings close to you.
A: The only thing in my backpack is used books.
B: But thieves don't know that.
A: They might think that I've got an iPod or laptop in there.
B: Now you're thinking.
A: You'd think a library would be safe from thieves.
B: Not even a church is safe from thieves.
60. Two plus two
A: How good is your math?
24
B: I can add two and two.
A: So you're not very good at math?
B: I'm terrible at math.
A: Well, I need some help.
B: With what?
A: I'm taking a math course in school.
B: Well, you should ask your teacher or your classmates for help.
A: I can't do that.
B: Why not?
A: They might think I'm stupid.
B: They're not going to think that! They'll be glad to help you.
61. Hit and run
A: The cops finally found the husband.
B: What husband?
A: The husband of the driver who ran over two college students at 3 a.m.
B: Oh, yeah. The girl died instantly, and the boy is still in the hospital.
A: The husband said he tried to help the boy.
B: Yes, he pushed him off the hood of the car.
A: No, he said he gently placed the boy on the street.
B: So what? They still drove off.
A: The husband said a fire department was nearby.
B: So what? Did he dial 911?
A: He said he was thinking about it, but he didn't get around to it.
B: He didn't get around to turning himself in, either.
62. What will people think?
A: I don't like riding the bus.
B: Why not?
A: The seats and windows are dirty.
B: Don't they clean the bus every night?
A: I think they do.
B: You should bring some wipes with you.
A: That's a good idea.
25
B: Then you can wipe your seat and window.
A: People will think I'm strange.
B: Who cares? Everyone is strange.
A: That's for sure.
B: Don't worry about what people think.
63. Don’t ride the bus
A: I don't like riding the bus.
B: Why not?
A: Number one, it's too slow.
B: You're right. A car is faster.
A: Number two, it's usually late.
B: You're right. The buses are never on time.
A: Number three, it doesn't run 24 hours.
B: You're right. Buses don't run late at night.
A: Number four, it's too crowded.
B: You're right. You have to stand in the aisle.
A: Number five, it's unsafe.
B: You're right. Bad guys might rob you.
64. It’s OK to speed
A: You're driving too fast.
B: Why do you say that?
A: The speed limit is 65.
B: I know that.
A: But you're doing 75.
B: So is everyone else.
A: But a cop might stop you.
B: No, he won't. Some cars are doing 85.
A: So the cop will stop those cars?
B: Of course. He stops the fastest cars.
A: My friend got a ticket for doing 75.
B: Your friend was unlucky.
65. Check your tires
26
A: Remember to put air in your tires.
B: How often do I have to do that?
A: Once every two months.
B: That's a lot.
A: What do you mean?
B: That's six times a year!
A: Yes, and it takes about five minutes each time.
B: I'll try.
A: Check your tires or you'll get a flat.
B: Oh. That's not good.
A: No, it isn't. A flat costs you time and money.
B: And I don't have either.
66. Don't Be in a Hurry
A: You're driving too fast.
B: I'm in a hurry.
A: Don't ever be in a hurry.
B: It's not my fault. You didn't wake me up.
A: That's not my fault. You didn't tell me to wake you up.
B: Well, I meant to.
A: Don't ever be in a hurry when you're driving.
B: Why not?
A: Because you'll have an accident. Most accidents are because people are in a hurry.
B: How do you know that?
A: I read a lot.
B: I thought drunks caused most accidents.
67. A new car
A: Let's go for a ride.
B: Where are we going?
A: Into the mountains.
B: That sounds nice.
A: I want to show you my new car.
B: You bought a new car?
27
A: Yes. I bought a Cadillac.
B: A luxury car.
A: Luxury plus speed.
B: What are we waiting for?
A: Let me get the keys.
B: Let me get my camera.
68. The missing car
A: Where's the car?
B: What do you mean?
A: The car isn't here.
B: Where did you park it?
A: I parked it right here.
B: Are you sure?
A: Yes. I remember this big tree.
B: Maybe it's the wrong tree.
A: No, this is the tree.
B: Did someone steal it?
A: I sure hope not.
B: Maybe they towed it away.
69. Too many cars
A: Look at this traffic.
B: I'd rather not.
A: It gets worse every year.
B: Why are you complaining? We're going almost 20 miles an hour.
A: The speed limit is 65!
B: Well, that's between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m.
A: Where are all these people going?
B: They're all asking the same question.
A: When are they going to fix this problem?
B: They said they need more money.
A: They always need more money.
B: It'll get worse before it gets better.
28
70. Wash the car
A: My car is dirty.
B: Why don't you wash it?
A: That's what I'm going to do.
B: Are you going to wash it yourself?
A: Of course. It's not a hard job.
B: I'll help you.
A: Okay, I'll get a bucket.
B: I'll rinse the car first.
A: Then we can scrub it with a wet sponge and soap.
B: After that, we can dry it with a towel.
A: Then it will look like new
B: And you save $10.
71. Two Birds with One Stone
A: When are we going to stop?
B: We'll stop at the next McDonald's.
A: How far away is that?
B: I think we'll be there in half an hour.
A: I hope so. I have to go to the bathroom.
B: Well, I can always pull over.
A: No, thank you, I'll just wait.
B: We can kill two birds with one stone.
A: What do you mean?
B: While you're using the bathroom, I'll order some food.
A: Don't order for me. I'm not hungry.
B: I'm very hungry. I'll order for you, and then I'll eat yours.
72. A dream car
A: I need a cheap car.
B: How much money do you have?
A: $1,000.
B: Well, that should get you something.
A: But I need something that's reliable.
29
B: You need a car with low mileage.
A: A car that was owned by a little old lady.
B: Where have you looked?
A: I haven't looked anywhere yet.
B: Why not?
A: Because I'll never find one for such a low price.
B: You're right about that. Keep saving your money.
73. A bad driver
A: Good afternoon, officer.
B: Your driver's license and registration, please.
A: Here you go.
B: Do you know why I pulled you over?
A: I have no idea. All of a sudden I heard your siren.
B: You rolled through that stop sign back there.
A: But I stopped!
B: No, you didn't. You slowed down, but you didn't come to a full stop.
A: Well, nobody else does, so why should I?
B: That's not the attitude of a good driver.
A: But I am a good driver. I've never had a ticket in my life.
B: Well, you've got one now. Here. Have a nice day.
74. Beware the Carts
A: What happened to your car?
B: I got a dent in the parking lot.
A: How did you get it?
B: I don't know. Maybe it was from a shopping cart.
A: Those shopping carts are dangerous.
B: Especially the metal ones.
A: I don't park at a store that uses metal shopping carts.
B: That's a good idea, but there was a good sale at this store.
A: Did you save any money on the sale?
B: Yes, I did. I saved about $50.
A: That's great.
30
B: Yes, except this dent will cost about $150.
75. A Great Movie
A: Did you see "Titanic"?
B: Yes. It is a great movie.
A: I saw it twelve times.
B: I saw it eight times.
A: I have the DVD.
B: So do I.
A: Let's go to your home.
B: We can watch my DVD.
A: And then we can go to my home.
B: And watch your DVD.
A: I always cry at the end.
B: Me too. It's so sad.
76. Rained out
A: What's on TV?
B: Nothing much.
A: What about the baseball game?
B: It got rained out.
A: Rained out?
B: Yes, rained out.
A: How could that be?
B: Well, you can't play baseball in a rainstorm.
A: I thought they were playing under a dome.
B: The dome doesn't close.
A: Why doesn't it close?
B: Who knows? They said they'll fix it before next season.
77. A chilly day
A: Let's take a walk.
B: What's the weather like?
A: Let me step outside and see.
B: It's a little chilly, right?
31
A: Yes, it is.
B: I'll put on my cap.
A: Wear a jacket, too.
B: I wonder if I should bring my gloves.
A: Maybe you should, just in case it gets colder.
B: I'll put a glove in each pocket.
A: We'll get warmer as we walk.
B: Yes, but it gets colder as the sun goes down.
78. A crazy driver
A: Look at the car chase on TV!
B: That driver is crazy.
A: I can't believe he hasn't crashed.
B: How fast is he going?
A: They say he's going 80 miles per hour.
B: He's going to kill someone.
A: Look! He just hit that car.
B: Oh, my goodness. No one is safe on the streets.
A: Now he's slowing down.
B: Maybe he ran out of gas.
A: Look! He just got out of the car and started running.
B: I hope the police catch him.
79. The great wall
A: I love my computer.
B: Computers are so cool.
A: I love to go online.
B: The Internet is amazing.
A: You can travel all over the world.
B: I know. I went to China yesterday.
A: What did you do?
B: I stood on the Great Wall and looked all around.
A: What was it like?
B: It was like the real thing.
32
A: It was like being there?
B: Yes, I felt like I was actually there.
80. See a movie
A: Let's go to a movie.
B: I'd rather not.
A: Why not?
B: You know I don't like crowds.
A: Let's go to an early movie.
B: Okay, that won't be very crowded.
A: What would you like to see?
B: Oh, I don't care. You're the one who wants to go out.
A: Well, I want to see "The Pursuit of Happiness."
B: What have you heard about it?
A: It's based on a true story about a divorced man and his young son.
B: Well, I hope it has a happy ending.
81. Old Movies
A: Old movies are the best.
B: Even though they're in black and white.
A: A good story is more important than color.
B: Actors didn't curse back then.
A: And there was no violence.
B: People today don't like that.
A: No, today people like lots of action.
B: I like a good story.
A: I like to see actors who are like real people.
B: Like real people with real problems.
A: They still make movies like that.
B: Yes, but they never make much money.
82. Judge Judy
A: I love to watch "Judge Judy."
B: Is that a TV show?
A: Yes. It's on every afternoon.
33
B: What's so good about it?
A: They have interesting lawsuits.
B: Such as?
A: Yesterday, a woman complained about a cell phone she bought on eBay.
B: Was something wrong with the phone?
A: It works only in Canada.
B: Did the seller know that?
A: Yes, and he didn't tell the buyer.
B: I hope Judge Judy made the seller take the phone back.
83. I feel like Chinese
A: Let's go out to eat.
B: That sounds like fun.
A: Where do you want to go?
B: Let me think a minute.
A: I feel like Chinese.
B: That sounds delicious.
A: I know a good Chinese restaurant.
B: How far away is it?
A: It's only 10 minutes from here.
B: Do we need reservations?
A: Oh, no. We can walk right in.
B: Let's go now. I'm hungry!
84. A slow burger
A: I can't believe how long this line is.
B: This is a popular restaurant, isn't it?
A: Yes, but it isn't a fast-food restaurant, is it?
B: It's the slowest beef-burger in town.
A: That's because they cook it while you wait.
B: Yes. That's why it's also the best beef-burger in town.
A: A great burger and great service.
B: Yes, the workers are very polite.
A: And they're clean.
34
B: I've been coming here for years.
A: Me too.
B: Excuse me. They just called my number.
85. A good lunch
A: Lunch was delicious.
B: Thank you.
A: What kind of soup was that?
B: It was tomato soup.
A: That tasted so good.
B: I put lemon and butter in it.
A: The sandwich was good, too.
B: Everyone likes bacon and tomato sandwiches.
A: Especially on toast.
B: And the pickles were great, too.
A: Tomorrow we'll have rice and fish for lunch.
B: I can't wait.
86. A bad steak
A: I'm calling the waiter.
B: What's the matter?
A: This steak has too much fat.
B: What do you want the waiter to do?
A: Bring me a better steak.
B: I wouldn't do that.
A: Why not?
B: They will drop the new steak on the floor, step on it, and then spit on it.
A: You're crazy.
B: Then the waiter will give you a big smile as he brings you the new steak.
A: Where do you get these crazy ideas?
B: I used to cook in a restaurant!
87. Dirty nails
A: Let's leave.
B: But we just got here.
35
A: Did you see the waiter's hands?
B: No.
A: He had dirty fingernails.
B: Really?
A: His nails were black!
B: That's disgusting.
A: And he poured water into our glasses.
B: Yuck! No water for me.
A: I wonder if the cooks' nails are dirty, too.
B: Who cares? Let's get out of here.
88. Hot bread
A: This hot bread is delicious.
B: I like this restaurant because they give you free bread.
A: Well, I think we are paying for it.
B: No. Look at the bill when we get it. There's no charge for the bread.
A: It is delicious, especially with butter.
B: I think we should just leave after we fill up on the bread.
A: They probably wouldn't like that.
B: I'm eating so much bread that I'm getting full.
A: Then stop eating the bread!
B: Okay, just one more piece. Pass the butter, please.
A: If I owned a restaurant, I would never serve hot bread before the main course.
B: That's terrible. I would never go to your restaurant.
89. Bad service
A: Have you seen our waiter?
B: Here he comes now.
A: We've been sitting here for almost 10 minutes.
B: Oops, I guess I was wrong. That isn't our waiter.
A: We can give him five more minutes, and then leave.
B: I'll go up front and talk to the manager.
A: That's a good idea.
B: Maybe they'll give us free drinks for waiting so long.
36
 A: Maybe he'll send us our waiter immediately.
B: Every time we eat out, it's an adventure.
A: Last time, we got seats next to the kitchen.
B: We'll never go there again.
90. A good table
A: Is this table okay?
B: No, it's too close to the kitchen door.
A: How about this table?
B: No, it's too close to the front door.
A: This looks like a nice table.
B: No, it's too close to the salad bar.
A: Okay, I give up.
B: Well, there is one good table.
A: Great. Which one?
B: That one. A group of eight just sat down at it.
91. Watching a game
A: Can we go to the baseball game?
B: Of course.
A: I love baseball.
B: So do I.
A: I love to eat the peanuts.
B: I love to eat the hot dogs.
A: I hope we’ll see a home run.
B: I hope we’ll catch a foul ball.
A: Bring a jacket.
B: Yes. It gets a little cool at night.
A: Bring a glove to catch a foul ball.
B: No. I’ll just use my cap to catch a foul ball.
92. Fresh fish
A: Do you want to go fishing?
B: Yes. That’s a good idea.
A: Where do you want to go?
37
B: We can go to the river.
A: Or we can go to the lake.
B: Or we can go to the ocean.
A: Let’s go to the lake.
B: Yes. The lake is only 10 miles away.
A: We can be there in 20 minutes.
B: I’ll get our fishing rods.
A: I’ll get the bait.
B: We’ll have fresh fish for dinner!
93. New shoes
A: Let’s go jogging.
B: That’s a good idea.
A: I bought some new shoes.
B: Are they comfortable?
A: They’re very comfortable.
B: How much were they?
A: They were on sale for $80.
B: Do they help you run faster?
A: No, but my feet don’t hurt anymore.
B: Then they’re worth every penny.
A: You might want to buy a pair.
B: I’ll wait until I wear this pair out.
94. The Season’s over
A: Did you hear what happened at the baseball game?
B: No, please tell me.
A: Someone punched out someone.
B: That’s not nice.
A: It’s worse than that.
B: How so?
A: Two guys got into an argument.
B: I’ll bet they were drinking.
A: A third guy punched one of the two guys.
38
B: I’ll bet he was drinking, too.
A: The victim hit his head on the concrete steps and died.
B: That’s terrible. Can’t people just have fun at a baseball game?
95. No one ever leaves
A: This is a great neighborhood.
B: Yes, it is.
A: People are friendly.
B: Yes, they are.
A: The streets and sidewalks are clean.
B: Yes, they are.
A: There's a real nice park nearby.
B: Yes, there is.
A: I feel safe here.
B: There is no crime here.
A: I wish I could move here.
B: Maybe you can, if someone moves out.
96. Fasten your seat belt
A: Put your seatbelt on.
B: Why?
A: Because it will protect you in case of an accident.
B: But it's uncomfortable.
A: It's the law.
B: It's so much trouble.
A: It's common sense.
B: It's so tight that it's hard for me to breathe.
A: Hold your breath till we get there.
B: Okay, my seatbelt is on.
A: I'm glad you don't complain very much.
B: I'm ready for an accident.
97. Use the stepladder
A: What are you doing?
B: I'm going to change the light bulb. It burnt out.
39
A: What are you standing on?
B: A couple of dictionaries and some textbooks.
A: Are you crazy?
B: What's the matter?
A: Those books will slip and you'll fall.
B: It's only a couple of feet.
A: What if you fall while you're holding the light bulb, and it breaks and pieces go into
your eyes?
B: I never thought about that.
A: You'd be blind for the rest of your life!
B: I'll get the stepladder.
98. A puddle on the floor
A: Did you see that puddle of water on the floor?
B: Yes. I called for a clean-up.
A: A puddle of water is very dangerous.
B: It isn't easy to see.
A: But it's real easy to slip on.
B: Especially on these slick floors.
A: Someone who slips could hurt their back.
B: They could even crack their head open.
A: We should stand here till the clean-up person gets here.
B: We can leave if we put an orange cone here.
A: Yes, but I don't know where the orange cones are.
B: It doesn't matter. Here he comes now with the mop.
[Link] fire alarm
A: What happens when the fire alarm rings?
B: We tell our students to leave the classroom.
A: Can they take their belongings?
B: Yes, if they do it quickly.
A: Where do the students go?
B: They go out to the north parking lot.
A: What do the teachers do?
40
 B: We take our rosters to the parking lot and take roll.
A: Why do you do that?
B: We want to make sure all the students are out of the building.
A: If they are all outside, then what?
B: Then we just wait outside for a fireman to tell us to go back in.
100. Double-check everything
A: I have to go back upstairs.
B: Why? We're already late.
A: I have to check the stove.
B: What's the matter?
A: Maybe I left the burner on.
B: No, you didn't. I checked the stove before we left.
A: Are you sure?
B: Of course I'm sure.
A: Well, I have to go back upstairs anyway.
B: It's getting later every minute.
A: I think I left the water running.
B: No, you didn't. Let's go! The only thing running is the clock!
101. Crime Reduction
A: You're yawning.
B: I sure am.
A: You should go to bed.
B: I will as soon as I finish this article.
A: What are you reading?
B: It's about crime in Los Angeles.
A: What does it say?
B: The mayor says the crime rate is going down.
A: Then why does everyone lock their doors?
B: I guess they haven't read this article.
A: No one believes that the crime rate is going down.
B: Maybe the mayor is just talking about his own neighborhood.
102. Beautiful Hawaii
41
A: I went to Hawaii on vacation.
B: Did you like it?
A: I loved it. I want to live there.
B: What did you like?
A: The island is so green, and the water is so blue.
B: Did you go swimming?
A: I went to the beach every day.
B: How was the weather?
A: It was hot and sunny every day.
B: What did you do at night?
A: At night I went out to eat. The food was delicious.
B: People who live in Hawaii are lucky.
103. A real meal
A: I like this hotel.
B: What do you like about it?
A: We get a free breakfast.
B: Coffee and a roll?
A: No, a real breakfast.
B: Bacon and eggs?
A: With toast, ham, sausage, fresh fruit, and juice.
B: Wow! That is nice. Let's stay for two nights.
A: And the rooms are clean, too.
B: Do they allow pets?
A: No pets, no smoking.
B: I like that. Let's stay three nights.
104. New sheets
A: I'm not sleeping here tonight.
B: What's the matter? This is a nice room.
A: Maybe the room is nice, but not the bed.
B: What's wrong with the bed?
A: Look at this sheet.
B: Yes?
42
A: See those stains?
B: I sure do.
A: I'm not sleeping on that sheet.
B: Well, just call the front desk. They'll give us new sheets.
A: I want sheets without stains on them.
B: From now on, let's bring our own sheets.
105. The airport
A: What time does your plane leave?
B: It leaves at 12:15.
A: When do you have to be at the airport?
B: I have to be there two hours early.
A: So we have to be at the airport at 10:15.
B: That means we have to leave the house at 9:15.
A: Well, it's an hour to get there, if there are no traffic problems.
B: So maybe we better leave at 8:15?
A: Yes, it's better to get there too early than too late.
B: I agree.
A: You never know what might happen on these freeways.
B: There's at least one huge accident every day.
106. A cruise
A: I want to go on a cruise ship.
B: That sounds like fun. Where do you want to go?
A: I want to cruise to Hawaii.
B: That should be a nice trip. Lots of fun, and lots of food.
A: I have no idea how much it will cost.
B: I think it depends on the season and on your cabin.
A: Well, of course I want to go when the weather is nice.
B: Yes, you don't want to travel in winter storms.
A: And I want to get a big cabin with a view.
B: Are you going to travel alone?
A: No, my sister and I will travel together.
B: Well, you should go online and try to find a good deal.
43
107. Prepare for take-off
B: Because of all the security?
A: No, because it hurts my ears.
B: What do you mean?
A: Every time we land or take off, my ears hurt so much.
B: That's just the altitude change, I think.
A: Whatever it is, it hurts.
B: Can't you take medicine or something for it?
A: I've tried everything, but nothing works.
B: Have you tried earplugs?
A: They don't work, either.
B: Well, be glad you're not a pilot.
108. A long day
A: I have to hang up. I'm so sleepy.
B: It's not even 10 o'clock.
A: I'm falling asleep on the phone.
B: You got up real early.
A: I had to take my friend to the airport.
B: Why didn't you take a nap when you got home?
A: I didn't get home until 30 minutes ago.
B: Why is that?
A: There was a bomb threat at the airport.
B: Only a threat?
A: Yes, but I was stuck there all day while they looked for the bomb.
B: Someday the bomb is going to be for real.
109. Job hunting
A: I need a job.
B: I thought you had a job.
A: I did.
B: What happened?
A: I got laid off.
B: That's terrible! When did it happen?
44
A: I got laid off last week.
B: Just you?
A: No, ten of my coworkers got laid off, too.
B: What are you going to do?
A: I'm looking in the newspaper for a job.
B: Good luck!
110. Before the interview
A: Before you go to that interview, check yourself.
B: What's to check?
A: Are your nails clean?
B: Yes, they are.
A: Did you double-check your nose and teeth?
B: They are clean, too.
A: Did you shine your shoes?
B: My shoes are shined.
A: Do your socks match?
B: Of course they match.
A: No, they don't. One is black and one is dark blue.
B: Yikes! Thank you.
111. Work is hard
A: Life is hard.
B: It sure is.
A: I thought school was hard.
B: Me, too. I couldn't wait to graduate.
A: But now work is hard, too.
B: I agree. Work is just as hard as school.
A: Sometimes I wish I was back in school.
B: Me, too. School was fun.
A: And it was only 12 years.
B: It went by pretty fast.
A: But work goes on forever!
B: We have to work for 30 years!
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112. Peas in a Pod
A: I'm sleepy.
B: So am I.
A: I had a long day.
B: So did I.
A: I didn't even have lunch.
B: Neither did I.
A: I was busy the whole day.
B: So was I.
A: I had to bring work home with me.
B: I did too.
A: Your day was just like mine.
B: Of course it was. We work together!
113. I'm a babysitter
A: I don't like my job.
B: What do you do?
A: I'm a babysitter.
B: Is that a lot of work?
A: Babies cry all the time.
B: You have to change their diapers.
A: I have to feed them.
B: Are you looking for another job?
A: No, I'm looking for another family.
B: Another family?
A: A family with only one baby.
B: That's a good idea.
114. I need a job
A: I need a job.
B: What was your last job?
A: I was a painter.
B: What happened?
A: I got laid off because there was no work.
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B: What else can you do?
A: I'm a handyman.
B: Can you fix a dripping faucet in a kitchen sink?
A: Of course.
B: Then I have a job for you in my kitchen.
A: It will cost you only $20 plus parts.
B: Okay. That sounds like a fair price.
115. What if?
A: What would you do if you lost your job?
B: I have no idea. I've been here for 20 years.
A: Do you have any other skills?
B: Well, I know how to flip hamburgers.
A: No one would hire you to flip hamburgers.
B: Have you heard something that you're not telling me?
A: What do you mean?
B: Are there going to be layoffs at this place?
A: I certainly hope not!
B: If you got laid off, you'd be flipping hamburgers, too.
A: Oh great, we could both work at Burger King.
B: Maybe we'd get laid off there, too.
116. Be a teacher
A: Do your students ever talk about their jobs?
B: Yes, and they ask me what jobs are the best.
A: I tell my students to become a teacher.
B: Teaching is a great job.
A: It's the best job I've ever had.
B: What makes it so good?
A: For me, it's the students.
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean I have wonderful students.
B: That must be nice.
A: Teaching is the best part of my whole day.
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B: You're a lucky man to have a job you love.
117. Over and over
A: Oh, I'm glad that job is finished.
B: How long did it take?
A: Four hours, without a break.
B: It's always nice to finish a job.
A: Well, it's good and bad.
B: What's bad about it?
A: When you finish, all you do is start another job!
B: Yes, that's right. It does get boring.
A: Especially if it's the same work, over and over.
B: But that's what most people do.
A: Yes, I guess most of us are stuck in a routine.
B: I wonder if there is any job that you don't repeat over and over.
118. A bad boss
A: I think I have the worst boss in the world.
B: What makes him so bad?
A: He's rude and he yells a lot.
B: That's hard to take.
A: I've never heard him say please or thank you.
B: He sounds like a real jerk.
A: No one at work likes him.
B: Can't you report him to his supervisor?
A: Of course not. If I do that, I'll lose my job.
B: Yes, they don't like troublemakers or complainers.
A: I can't quit, because I'm making a good salary.
B: You shouldn't choose money over happiness.
119. Light my fire
A: What are we going to do?
B: About what?
A: About finding a job for me.
B: You don't need a job. I make enough money for both of us.
48
A: That doesn't matter. I don't want to sit around.
B: Okay, what kind of job do you want?
A: I'm not sure.
B: Well, you should do something that you enjoy.
A: I enjoy selling. I was born to sell.
B: Okay, what do you want to sell?
A: Cigarette lighters. I'll make a fortune.
B: But you hate cigarettes and you hate smoking!
120. Still working
A: A new hotel is looking for workers.
B: Yes, I saw it on the TV news.
A: They need 300 new workers.
B: And 4,000 people showed up.
A: So many people are out of work.
B: I still have my job, thank goodness.
A: So do I, but I'm worried.
B: Me too. There are no guarantees.
A: If you lose your job, you can move in with me.
B: Oh, thank you. That's very nice of you.
A: You would do the same for me.
B: Of course. What are friends for?
121. His Parents Are Disappointed
A: I was going to be a doctor.
B: What happened to your plans?
A: I got a D in college chemistry.
B: Well, a D is better than an F.
A: A tutor helped me get the D!
B: So, you didn't become a doctor.
A: And now I'm glad that I didn't.
B: Why's that?
A: A hospital is the most dangerous place in the world.
B: Oh, yes, because of all the killer germs.
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A: If you're a smart doctor, you stay away from hospitals.
B: Yes, the smart doctors are those TV news doctors—no hospitals, no patients.
122. A good salad
A: I love salads.
B: Me too.
A: I usually eat a simple salad.
B: What do you put in it?
A: Just lettuce, tomato, and celery.
B: That's it?
A: I add some pepper and salt.
B: I always put cheese in my salads.
A: Yes, cheese is nice.
B: What kind of dressing do you use?
A: I pour lots of French dressing on top.
B: Me too. French dressing is so delicious! Who cares about calories?
123. We Get Cheese from Cows
A: I love cheese.
B: Me too.
A: Where does cheese come from?
B: It comes from cows.
A: So we get cheese from cows, and we get milk, too?
B: Yes, we do.
A: What else do we get from cows?
B: We get hamburgers and steak.
A: Oh, that's so delicious.
B: We also get leather.
A: We get a lot of things from cows, don't we?
B: Yes. A cow is man's best friend.
124. A new diet
A: I'm on a new diet.
B: What are you eating now?
A: I switched from pasta to potatoes.
50
B: Why did you do that?
A: Pasta is processed food. Potatoes are natural food.
B: Natural food has more vitamins.
A: And it's just as easy to prepare.
B: How do you prepare the potatoes?
A: I wash them, and then steam them for 15 minutes.
B: That's pretty simple.
A: Then I add butter, salt, and pepper.
B: Can I have all those cans of tomato sauce you bought for your pasta?
125. The same old diet
A: I eat the same thing every day.
B: You're kidding.
A: No, I'm serious.
B: Doesn't that get old?
A: No, because I'm eating food that I like.
B: But the same thing day after day gets old.
A: Well, I guess if it ever does get old, I'll change to something different.
B: Do you eat fruits and vegetables every day?
A: No, I hate vegetables.
B: But you eat fruits.
A: I eat two apples, one banana, and one orange every day.
B: Well, there's nothing wrong with that.
126. A pink orange
A: There's something wrong with my orange.
B: What's wrong?
A: It's not orange!
B: Your orange isn't orange?
A: No, it's dark pink!
B: Are you sure? I never heard of such a thing.
A: I just peeled it, and I'm looking at it right now.
B: Let me see. Yes, you're right. Your orange is pink.
A: Who ever heard of such a thing?
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B: Oh, look. Here's the little sticker that was on it. It's called a Pink Navel.
A: What is this world coming to?
B: Who knows? Maybe soon we'll have pink bananas.
127. Roasted or boiled?
A: I love peanuts.
B: Me, too. I love them roasted and salted.
A: I love boiled peanuts.
B: Boiled? I never heard of that.
A: Just boil raw peanuts in salt water until the shells are soft.
B: I'll have to try them sometime.
A: They're best when they're hot.
B: My brother is allergic to peanuts.
A: That's not good.
B: No, it isn't. He almost died when he was little.
A: I guess he has to be very careful about what he eats.
B: He has a very strict diet.
128. A pound a week
A: I'm gaining weight.
B: How much have you gained?
A: Three pounds just this month.
B: Do you know why?
A: I think it's the ice cream.
B: You started eating ice cream?
A: It was on sale.
B: How much did you buy?
A: I filled up my freezer with ice cream.
B: Well, it won't last forever.
A: No, I figure I'll finish it all by next week.
B: Then you can start losing weight, if there isn't another sale.
129. No more for me
A: I'm stuffed.
B: Of course you are. You ate everything on the table.
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A: I don't like to eat leftovers.
B: I'm glad to hear there's something you don't like to eat.
A: I like my food hot and fresh.
B: You like to see it disappear.
A: I don't like it reheated.
B: Well, you'll have hot fresh food tomorrow night.
A: I'm so full I'm going to burst.
B: You should loosen your belt.
A: I already loosened my belt.
B: Well, don't stand up, please.
130. I like that shirt
A: I like that shirt.
B: So do I.
A: How much is it?
B: I don't know. The tag is missing.
A: Ask the clerk.
B: I will.
A: Oh, look. Here's another shirt just like it.
B: Does it have a price tag?
A: Yes, it does. It's only $20.
B: That's a great price.
A: I think I'll buy both of them.
B: You'd better try them on first.
131. Pants that fit
A: I bought you a pair of pants.
B: Thank you.
A: I hope they fit.
B: I hope you kept the receipt.
A: You think they won't fit?
B: I think I've put on some weight.
A: You think?
B: Maybe a pound or two.
53
A: Maybe four or five pounds?
B: My waist is bigger than it was.
A: No problem. These pants have an elastic waistband.
B: You are so smart!
132. The shopping list
A: What do we need to buy?
B: Let me look at our list.
A: I know that we need milk.
B: Nonfat.
A: Of course. What else?
B: We need cheese, bread, and ham.
A: What kind of cheese?
B: Swiss.
A: Of course, the cheese with holes in it.
B: I never used to buy Swiss cheese.
A: Why not?
B: I didn't want to pay for the holes.
133. Poor pockets
A: I need some pants.
B: I thought you just bought a pair.
A: I did.
B: What's wrong with them so soon?
A: The pants are fine, but the pocket has a huge hole in it.
B: You shouldn't carry your keys and pens in your pocket.
A: But that's what pockets are for.
B: You should carry them in a purse.
A: I'm a man, and men don't carry purses!
B: Well, you should buy pants with stronger pockets.
A: I would if I could find someone who makes strong pockets.
B: Try a Google search online.
134. Wipe everything
A: What are those wipes for?
54
B: You use them to wipe the handle of the shopping cart.
A: That's a great idea.
B: Yes, all the markets just started offering wipes to shoppers.
A: I'm going to take five wipes.
B: What do you need five of them for?
A: One to wipe the handle, and the others to wipe the produce.
B: What's the matter with the produce?
A: Do you think the bananas fell from the sky?
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean, someone used their dirty hands to pick the bananas, the apples, and the oranges.
B: Well, you better save a wipe for the dirty dollar bills you're going to pay with.
135. PC or Mac?
A: I need a new computer.
B: What's the matter with yours?
A: It's six years old.
B: That's pretty old.
A: It still works, but I'm going to give it to a charity.
B: Are you going to buy a desktop or laptop?
A: Oh, a laptop, of course.
B: A PC or a Mac?
A: I haven't decided yet.
B: More and more people are using Macs.
A: But 90 percent of the world uses PCs.
B: And that's not going to change anytime soon.
136. Sharpen your pencil
A: Where's the pencil sharpener?
B: Which one?
A: Any one. I need to sharpen this pencil.
B: I think there's one on the dining room table.
A: I already looked there.
B: Did you look in the desk drawer?
A: Yes, I looked there, too.
55
B: Don't we have about five sharpeners?
A: Yes, but they seem to have legs.
B: Tomorrow I'm going to buy an electric sharpener.
A: Get one with the rubber suction cups on the bottom.
B: Yes. That way it will stay where I put it.
137. A new house
A: I really like this house.
B: Can we afford it?
A: They want 20 percent down.
B: That's a lot of money.
A: But the house is so nice.
B: It's in a great neighborhood.
A: It's close to the beach.
B: It's close to the freeways.
A: It's got a big yard.
B: The kids love the house, too.
A: If we don't buy it, someone else will.
B: You're right. Let's buy it now. We can worry later.
138. We Can't Afford This House
A: We can't afford this house.
B: Are you sure?
A: We will be house rich, but cash poor.
B: What do you mean?
A: Our monthly payments will be too high.
B: We won't have any money for other things?
A: No, we won't have money for gas or food.
B: We'll be eating peanut butter sandwiches?
A: Without the peanut butter!
B: That's no good!
A: We have to find a cheaper house.
B: Of course. We can't live without gas or peanut butter.
139. On the corner
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A: That is a beautiful house.
B: I don't like it.
A: What's the matter with it?
B: It's on the corner.
A: So?
B: That means it gets twice as much traffic.
A: You're right.
B: When you're inside, you will always hear cars stopping and stopping at the intersection.
A: Or you'll hear the collision if someone doesn't stop.
B: Or you'll see the collision if they crash into the house.
A: Let's find a house that's at the end of a dead end.
B: That's perfect. The less traffic, the better.
140. A great apartment
A: I hate looking for an apartment.
B: Me, too.
A: We have a 2 o'clock appointment to see the one on Main Street.
B: We'd better get ready to go.
A: It's an upstairs unit.
B: That's good, because I don't want to live under people with loud feet.
A: And it's a corner unit.
B: That's great. We won't have neighbors on both sides of us.
A: No pets are allowed.
B: Perfect. We don't have to listen to barking dogs.
A: And there are only six units in the whole building.
B: Where's the checkbook? I'm ready to rent it without even seeing it.
141. Almost perfect
A: Do you like this house?
B: Yes, it's beautiful.
A: It's perfect for us and the kids.
B: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a big back yard.
A: And we can afford it!
B: So are we going to buy it?
57
A: I'm afraid not.
B: It's too far from your job, isn't it?
A: I can't spend four hours on the road every day.
B: By the time you get home, you'll be too tired to even eat.
A: I won't be able to play with the kids.
B: No, we have to find something closer to your job.
142. A stomachache
A: I have a stomachache.
B: Is it something you ate?
A: Maybe. I'm not sure.
B: What did you have for breakfast?
A: The usual, cereal with milk and a banana.
B: Maybe the milk was bad.
A: It didn't smell bad.
B: Maybe the banana was bad.
A: No, the banana was delicious.
B: Maybe you just need to go to the bathroom.
A: No, that's not the problem.
B: Maybe it will go away in a little while.
143. Too much stress
A: What did the doctor say?
B: He thinks I have too much stress.
A: Stress causes your stomachaches?
B: Stress causes different problems with different people.
A: So what did he tell you to do?
B: He said I need to think positive.
A: He didn't give you any medication?
B: I hate medication. It makes me feel different.
A: So how do you think positive?
B: I think about nice things.
A: Like what?
B: Like a day at the beach, with my toes in the sand.
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144. Nose drops
A: Do you have a cold?
B: Yes, I do.
A: How did you get it?
B: My sister had a cold. She gave it to me.
A: Have you taken anything for your cold?
B: No, I just blow my nose a lot.
A: Your nose is stopped up?
B: Yes. I have to breathe through my mouth.
A: Have you tried nose drops?
B: No, I don't like nose drops.
A: They work great.
B: I don't care. I don't like to put drops in my nose.
145. Quitting smoking
A: I can't quit smoking.
B: Of course you can.
A: I don't have enough will power.
B: Of course you do.
A: I wish I had never started.
B: So does every smoker.
A: I've tried to quit so many times.
B: So has everyone else.
A: Nothing seems to work.
B: All it takes is will power,
and you have it.
A: Then why can't I quit?
B: You have to believe in yourself.
146. Books
A: How often do you read books?
B: I read books almost every night before I go to bed.
A: What’s your favorite type of book?
B: I love reading about different cultures.
59
A: What can you learn from books?
B: Books can broaden my horizon about thousands of things around the world, and books
are also my best friends.
A: Where do you read books?
B: I read books at home, sometimes in the library.
A: What’s the most interesting book you have ever read?
B: I think that would be Nepal, a book written about the country of Nepal, published in
1999.
A: How long does it take you to finish a book?
B: Well, it depends on the length of the book, but it usually takes me a week to finish a 300-
page book.
A: Do you usually bring books with you when you travel?
B: Yes, I do. When I’m at the airport or bus station, I read books to kill time.
A: Is there any bookstore or library in your area?
B: Unfortunately, there are none near my house. The nearest one is 3 kilometers away.
147. Family
A- How many people are there in your family?
B- There are 5 people in my family: my father, mother, brother, sister, and me.
A- Does your family live in a house or an apartment?
B- We live in a house in the countryside.
A- What does your father do?
B- My father is a doctor. He works at the local hospital.
A- How old is your mother?
B- She is 40 years old, 1 year younger than my father.
A- Do you have any siblings? What’s his/her name?
B- Yes, I do. I have 1 elder brother, David, and 1 younger sister, Mary.
A- Are you the oldest amongst your brothers and sisters?
B- No, I’m not. I’m the second child in my family.
A- What do your mother/father like?
B- My father likes playing football and my mother likes cooking.
A- Do your parents let you stay out late?
B- Of course not. They always ask me to get home before 10 pm each night.
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A- Do you stay with your parents?
B- Right now, no, but I used to.
A- Does your family usually have dinner together?
B- Yes, we do. My mom always prepares delicious meals for us.
148. Restaurants
A- How often do you eat out? Who do you go with?
B- I often eat out on weekends, when I hang out with my friends.
A- What restaurant do you usually visit?
B- Well, there are not many restaurants in my neighborhood, so my best choice is the deli in
convenient stores like the Circle K, Mini-Stop, B-smart.
A- What type of food do you enjoy to eat? Western or Asian?
B- I’m interested in Asian food, Western food is not my thing.
A- How much do you usually pay when you eat out?
B- It’s not very expensive, just around $5 for each meal.
A- Do you enjoy spicy food?
B- Yes, I do, especially on cold days.
A- Are the servers there friendly to you?
B- Yes, they are. Most of them are really helpful.
A- Have you ever tried Italian food?
B- Yes, at least once, when I was in my friend’s wedding party.
A- Are you concerned about calories when eating out?
B- Yes, I am. I’m on diet now, so this really matters to me.
A- Are fast food restaurants like KFC or McDonald’s famous in your country?
B- Yes, they are. The youth in my country are big fans of fast food.
A- Do you often drink alcohol when eating out?
B- No, not often. Just when I have parties with my friends.
149. Travel
A. How many places have you traveled to?
B. I’ve visited all the provinces throughout my country.
A. Who do you usually go with?
B. I often go with my family, sometimes with my best friends.
A. What’s your favorite tourist attraction?
61
B. That would be Venice city in Italy. I love riding the gondola along the canals while
watching Italian people live their daily lives.
A. Have you ever been abroad?
B. Yes, I have. I came to Italy last year for a business trip.
A. What language do you use when traveling?
B. English, but sometimes I have to use body language since not all people are good at
English.
A. What do you usually do during your trip?
B. I often go sightseeing, take pictures, mingle with the local people and sample the local
cuisine.
A. What do you do to prepare for your trip?
B. Before the trip, I search for information about the location, weather, famous tourist
attractions, transportation, local cuisine and prices on the internet.
A. What do you usuall y bring when you travel?
B. I usually pack my suitcase with some necessary items such as clothes, medicine, food, a
map, and a camera.
A. Do you prefer traveling by car, train or plane?
B. I prefer planes although it can be a little expensive. Planes are much faster than any other
mode of transport.
A. Do you prefer traveling alone or joining a guided tour?
B. I love backpacking with my friends who share the same interests as me.
150. Websites
A- What type of websites do you often search for?
B- It varies depending on my goal. I prefer entertainment and education websites such as
[Link], [Link] and VOA Special English.
A- How long have you been using them?
B- I have been using these websites since I was a freshman at university.
A- What do you visit those websites for?
B- I use them to study online or relax after working.
A- What’s your favorite website?
B- I think it’s probably [Link].
A- Can you read websites in English?
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B- Yes, I can. Most useful websites are written in English.
A- What’s the most popular website in your country?
B- I’m not quite sure, but I guess it would be [Link].
A- Do you think the youth should use websites as a reliable source of knowledge?
B- Not always, they should choose their sources carefully.
151. Accident
A- Have you ever been in any traffic accident?
B- Yes, three years ago.
A- What happened?
B- I was hit by a car while crossing the road.
A- How did you feel then?
B- I felt really terrible because of my injuries.
A- Who was involved in the accident?
B- The car driver, his family (inside the car), and me.
A- Did the insurance company pay for repair service?
B- I was walking so I did not require any car repair services.
A- Did you need a lawyer?
B- I hurt my lower back just a little, so I didn’t call a lawyer.
A- Did you report the issue to the police?
B- No, we didn’t want to get the police involved.
A- Were you sent to the hospital after the accident?
B- No, the injury wasn’t really serious.
A- Do you have a driving license?
B- Yes, I do. I always keep it in my purse.
A- Why should people obey traffic regulations?
B- To protect themselves and others. The best ways are to wear a helmet, wait for traffic
lights and stay in the appropriate vehicle/pedestrian lanes.
152. Childhood memory
A. Did you have a happy childhood?
B. Yes, I did. I enjoyed playing hide and seek with my peers.
A. Did you experience your childhood in a city or countryside?
B. I spent my childhood in a rural area where I could see vast rice fields.
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A. Did you usually skip class when you were a child?
B. Yes, I did, and many of my friends did, too.
A. Who were you with when you were a child?
B. I was with my beloved family.
A. What did you want to be when you were a child?
B. I dreamed of being a fashion designer.
A. Who did you love the most when you were a child?
B. I loved my mom the most since she was always there and took care of me.
A. Who was your childhood hero?
B. Robin Hood, he took money from the rich and gave it to the poor.
A. What reminds you of your childhood?
B. Green rice fields which I happen to see everywhere remind me of my beautiful childhood.
A. Did you change a lot when you grew up?
B. Yes, of course. I’m more mature now both physically and mentally.
A. Why is childhood important?
B. Because it shapes people into who they will become.
153. Favorite rooms
A. How many rooms are there in your house?
B. There are 6 rooms: a living room, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen.
A. Which floor is your bedroom on?
B. My bedroom is on the first floor of a three-storey house.
A. Is it big or small?
B. It’s not very spacious, just enough to put necessary furniture in.
A. What color is your bedroom painted?
B. It’s painted pink, my favorite color.
A. Do you love your room? Why?
B. I love it very much because it is my private space whenever I go home.
A. What furniture does your bedroom contain?
B. It contains a bed, a desk, and a clothing closet.
A. What do you do in it?
B. Well, I spend most of my free time there reading books and sleeping.
A. How much time do you spend in your room?
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B. About 10 hours a day, especially in the evening.
A. Do you share your room with anyone else?
B. No, everyone in my family has their own room, so I stay there alone.
154. Presents
A. What kind of presents are popular in your country?
B. It depends on the receivers. For children, toys are the best choice. For youth, souvenirs
are recommended.
A. Who gave presents to you? On what occasions?
B. I have received many presents, most of which were from my friends. They gave me gifts
on my birthday.
A. What was your last present?
B. It was a hand-made doll, given by my best friend when I moved to another city.
A. What was the one you like best?
B. I loved my book Nepal a lot. It was given to me on my 23rd birthday by my brother.
A. Did you ever get a present you didn’t like?
B. Yes, I have, but I still treasure and take care of them.
A. How do you thank people who give you presents?
B. I gave them presents that they would like.
A. What are the times of the year that people give presents in your country?
B. Some special occasions are birthdays, weddings, graduation, New Year’s day, Valentine’s
day, housewarming ceremonies, etc.
A. Who was the last person you gave a present to?
B. My mom, I bought her a coat on a business trip to Bangkok.
A. Is giving presents important in daily life?
B. Yes, it is. It’s one of the best ways to show your love and gratitude to someone.
155. Historical place
A. Which tourist attractions do you prefer when traveling? Historical places or natural
landmarks?
B. Well, historical places are always my first choice when traveling.
A. What do you usually do when visiting historical places?
B. I usually listen to the tour-guide introducing the sights and take notes about important
historical events.
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A. Can you name some historical places you have visited?
B. Whenever I travel to a foreign country, I always visit its famous historical places. Some
of them are the Pyramids in Egypt, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Stonehenge in England and
the Taj Mahal in India.
A. What’s your most favorite historical place? Why?
B. I love the Pyramids the most. Taking a tour around the Pyramids, I can not only enjoy the
gorgeous architecture but also learn cultural and historical values of the ancient Egyptian
culture.
A. What is the most famous historical place in your country?
B. It’s definitely the Statue of Liberty in New York city.
A. What’s special about it?
B. The statue was gifted by the people of France. It is a symbol of freedom for the US as
well as a welcoming sight to people coming to the US from another country.
A. Where is it located?
B. It’s located on Liberty island in New York Harbor, NYC.
A. Should the youth visit historical places instead of other places?
B. Sure. Nowadays the youth should visit these kind of places more often in order to
preserve historical and cultural values of their country.
156. Newspaper/magazine
A. What are the benefits of reading a newspaper/magazine?
B. Newspapers/magazines can broaden your mind about thousands of things without the
need to travel.
A. How often do you read it?
B. I read it every day.
A. What’s the best time to read the newspaper?
B. I think the best time is in the morning when you start a new day.
A. What types of magazines do you usually read?
B. I usually read politics and fashion magazines. I also enjoy reading about culture and
tourism.
A. What’s your favorite magazine?
B. My favorite is The New York Times, which writes about all sorts of things: business,
sports, movies, travel, books, jobs, education, and real estate.
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A. Do you read the paper or online news?
B. I prefer online news to save money.
A. How much does it cost you to buy paper newspaper per month?
B. I only buy a monthly newspaper, so it doesn’t cost much money. Around $5/month.
A. What is the most popular magazine in your country?
B. I think it would be Forbes magazine, a leading source for reliable business news and
financial information.
A. With the popularity of Internet, do you think newspapers and magazines will disappear?
B. Yes, unfortunately it’s just a matter of time.
157. A memorable event
A. How many events have you joined this year? What were they about?
B. I have joined more than 10 events so far, most of which were about education.
A. What was your most memorable event?
B. The most memorable for me was an international study conference, in which I was
introduced to some famous universities in Europe to study overseas.
A. Was it organized indoors or outdoors?
B. It was an indoor event.
A. Who sponsored the event?
B. The event organizer was the Education Department of American Center, but the
universities introduced in the conference were the ones who paid.
A. Who went to the event with you?
B. I went there with my friends, who shared the same interest in studying abroad as me.
A. What were some performances in the event?
B. There were not many performances. Each university representative just had a speech to
introduce their school to students and then they hosted Q&A session.
A. Was the event shown on TV?
B. The event was not aired, but there were television advertisements for it.
A. How would someone market an event?
Taking advantage of social media is a smart way to promote an event.
158. A favorite subject
A. What subjects did you learn in school?

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B. I learned Math, Science, Physics, Biology, Geography, History, Literature, English, Art,
and Music.
A. What subject did you like the most when you were at school? Were you good at it?
B. I liked Biology the most although I was excellent at Literature.
A. Did your friends like that subject too?
B. Yes, they did. They enjoyed every single Biology lesson.
A. Was the textbook written in English or any other language?
B. It was written in English.
A. Who taught that subject?
B. My teacher was Ms. Karen, from the USA.
A. How was that subject helpful to you?
B. It helped me a lot in becoming a Biology teacher.
A. How often did you learn that subject?
B. I often had Biology lessons 5 times a week.
A. How long did you spend on that subject at home?
B. I spent roughly 2 hours per day studying Biology at home.
A. Have you ever attended any extra classes for that subject?
B. Yes, I have. I usually attended evening classes.
A. Is it important to study hard on both social sciences and natural sciences?
B. No, it isn’t. Students should study the ones they like and those that are helpful to their
career path.
159. A museum
A. What type of museum is popular in your country?
B. There are many types of museums, but the most popular are historical museums.
A. What is the most famous museum in your country?
B. That would be The British Museum, located in London.
A. What’s special about it?
B. I’m impressed by its large amount of historical, art, and cultural work.
A. How many times have you visited that museum?
B. I have visited the museum twice.
A. What do you usually do when visiting a museum?
B. I usually listen to the tour guide and take notes about important information.
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A. Are you allowed to take pictures there?
B. No, the guards did not allow us to bring the camera in.
A. How did you feel after visiting there?
B. The overall experience was fantastic, and I learned so many things in just a few hours.
A. What do you think is the importance of museums in history?
B. Museums are an integral part of any country’s history, and they keep history alive.
160. A favorite movie
A. Do you usually watch movies at home or at a movie theater?
B. I usually watch movies on my laptop, sometimes I go to the movie theater.
A. Is watching movies at the theater more interesting than watching movies at home?
B. Yes, definitely, because you can watch vivid images on a large screen with lively sound
effects.
A. How often do you go to the movie theater?
B. I often go to the movie theater every weekend.
A. What’s your favorite type of movie? What movie of that type do you like?
B. My favorite type is comedy because whenever I watch one, I feel like there are no more
worries in the world. I love the Mr. Bean movie series.
A. Was that movie adapted from a book?
B. No, the story is derived from funny situations in real life.
A. Who are the actors/actresses in the movie?
B. Mr. Bean is the main character, he is played by Rowan Atkinson who is from England.
A. Was it recommended by your friend, teacher or family?
B. It was recommended by my classmate.
A. Was the movie in your mother language or in English?
B. It was in English, but I can also watch it with subtitles.
A. Should children watch violent movies?
B. I don’t believe so. Young children are very impressionable and it could lead them to
wanting to imitate the behavior.
A. What’s the most important factor of a great movie?
B. I believe that plot and actors are among the factors which decide the success of a movie.
161. A foreign country
A. Have you ever travelled abroad? If yes, what country was it?
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B. Yes, I have. I traveled to the USA last year with my family.
A. Where is that country located?
B. The USA is located in North America.
A. What is it famous for?
B. The USA is known for its cultural achievements and landmarks.
A. What are the special food and drinks of that country?
B. There are many. They are known for fast food, dairy, and many beverages.
A. What do you like about that country?
B. I like the fast pace of life and the various sub-cultures.
A. How many citizens are there in that country?
B. The current population of the United States of America was over 324 million in 2016,
which accounts for 4.3% of the total world population.
A. What language do people there speak?
B. The national language is English, but many people also speak Spanish, French, German,
and Chinese.
A. Do you want to go back there again?
B. Sure.
A. Why do people like to travel abroad?
B. They just want to discover new places, learn new cultures and maybe speak new
languages.
162. Parties
A. On what occasions do people in your country celebrate parties?
B. There are many occasions when people throw parties such as New Year’s eve, wedding
engagements, family reunions, birthdays, etc, but sometimes people hold parties just when
they meet up and want to have something fun to do.
A. Are you a party animal?
B. Yes, I am. I’m crazy about going to parties. I love meeting friends, drinking, and talking.
A. When do parties often start and finish?
B. It depends on what kind of party it is. I believe the perfect time to have a party is in the
evening, from 8-11 pm.
A. Where are the parties thrown?

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B. They are held inside or outside. Some formal events like weddings/housewarmings are
organized inside while others like family reunions and birthdays may be held outside.
A. What do you usually wear when you come to a party?
B. I often wear casual clothes like a T-shirt and jeans if I go to informal parties, and a dress
for formal ones.
A. What do people do in the parties you attended?
B. At the party, people talk, eat and drink together. Some go there to find business
opportunities and new partners.
A. Do you enjoy drinking alcohol at the parties?
B. Yes, a little beer can cheer me up.
A. Do people have to bring anything to the party?
B. It’s not required, but sometimes visitors bring some gifts to show their love for the host.
A. Why do people, especially the youth, love going to parties?
B. It’s just a good way for them to chill out after a long day.
A teacher
A. Who is your favorite teacher?
B. I like Mr. Tom the most, he is my English teacher.
A. Is he a foreign teacher?
B. Yes, he’s from the US.
A. What do you like about his lessons?
B. I have fallen in love with his American accent and he always shows us something new
about the world outside of textbooks.
A. What’s he like?
B. He’s not only knowledgeable but also very friendly. He always treats us like friends, not
students.
A. What does he usually wear when coming to class?
B. He usually wears a gray suit when he comes to class.
A. Do you love his subject?
B. Yes, I enjoy English a lot.
A. Do students in your class like him?
B. Yes, all of us admire him.
A. Do you want to be a teacher like him?
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B. No, although I like him, my dream is not to become a teacher. I would like to be a chef.
A. Have you ever been punished by him?
B. No, he rarely punishes anyone.
A. Do you want to see him again?
B. Of course, he’s a great mentor.
164. A friend
A. Who’s your best friend?
B. It’s Jenny. She’s my best friend.
A. What does she look like?
B. She has shoulder-length brown hair. I just love her lovely smile.
A. How and when did you meet?
B. I first met her when we were in high school.
A. How often do you see this friend?
B. I see her every day. We’re in the same class.
A. What’s she like?
B. She’s not only thoughtful but also very understanding. She’s always by my side to cheer
me up whenever I’m in trouble.
A. Do you and her share anything in common?
B. Yes, a lot. We both love shopping and playing sports.
A. What do you and her do together?
B. We usually do homework and read books together.
A. Have you and her ever quarreled?
B. Yes, but we seldom quarrel. When we do argue, afterwards we seem to understand more
about each other.
A. Does she know how to cook?
B. Yes, but she’s not a great cook.
A. Do your parents like her?
B. Yes, a lot. They always ask Jenny to come over for dinner.
A. Why is a friend important in life?
B. A good friend can make your life better in many ways. I don’t think anyone can stand
loneliness.
165. A hotel
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A. What is your favorite hotel? Where is it located?
B. It’s the Sheraton, a five-star hotel located in Saigon, Vietnam.
A. How do you know that hotel?
A. Before coming to Vietnam for traveling, I searched on the Internet. It’s one of the best
hotels in Vietnam.
B. Why do you choose to stay in that particular hotel?
A. I like the architecture there, and online all the reviews about the hotel are positive.
B. Is it by the beach?
A. No, Saigon is not a beach-side city.
B. Does it attract many tourists?
A. Yes, I guess. When I stayed there, it was completely booked.
B. What type of room did you stay in and what facilities did you get from the hotel?
A. I stayed in a double-bed room. The room is equipped with air-conditioner, a flat-screen
TV, wardrobe, etc.
B. What do you like about that hotel?
A. A gymnasium, swimming pool, and BBQ area are available. I also love the green space
surrounding the hotel.
B. Are all the staff friendly and helpful?
A. Yes, definitely. They all are professional.
B. How much does it cost a night?
A. It costs me around $250/night.
B. Do you recommend that hotel to friends?
A. Yes, if they come to Vietnam. I love everything there.
166. A letter
A. Who wrote the letter to you?
B. My dad wrote the letter to me when he was on a business trip.
A. Did you keep the letter?
B. Yes, I put it in a folder. Whenever I’m down, reading his letter would be a good way to
cheer me up.
A. What was the letter about?
B. He told me about his new workplace and how things were there.
A. How did you feel about the letter?
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B. I was glad to know that he was fine in another city.
A. Do you have a letter collection?
B. Yes. I collect all the letters from family and friends. It’s one of my hobbies.
A. Do you like writing letters or emails?
B. I prefer writing paper letters.
A. Do people in your country usually write letters?
B. Years ago they did. Now people prefer emails.
A. What’s the difference between emails and hand-written letters?
B. Emails are much more convenient than letters because they’re free to send and they get
there instantly. However, letters are much more special.
A. Why should we write letters to friends or relatives?
B. It’s a good way to show love to people you care about.
167. Hobbies
A. What is your hobby?
B. I like playing sports, especially swimming.
A. Is your hobby common in your country?
B. Yes, kids, adults, and senior citizens all like swimming in my country.
A. Is your hobby the same as when you were a child?
B. Yes, I was fond of swimming when I was a little girl.
A. When did you start practicing that hobby?
B. I started swimming when I was 5 years old.
A. Is there anybody in your family who you share your hobby with?
B. My dad, he taught me how to swim.
A. How much time do you spend on your hobby?
B. I usually go to the swimming pool twice a week.
A. What benefits do you get from it?
B. Swimming is a really good workout. It helps me keep fit and chill out after a long day
working.
A. Have you ever heard of someone having a very unusual hobby? What was it?
B. Yes, my cousin loves tattooing vehicles. He puts stickers everywhere on his car.
A. What do you think about someone having weird hobbies?
B. I don’t think any hobby is weird. It’s just what you like to do, so I don’t judge others.
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A. What hobbies are usually expensive in your country?
B. Playing golf is a really expensive hobby. Only the rich can afford to buy golf supplies.
168. Music
A. What kind of music do you like?
B. I’m crazy about Pop music.
A. Is that the kind of music preferred in your country?
B. It varies. Normally the youth enjoy Rock and Pop while middle-aged citizens prefer
country music.
A. Who is your favorite singer?
B. I’m a big fan of Miley Cyrus, a talented US singer, songwriter, and actress.
A. What piece of music do you like? Who sang that song?
B. My favorite song is Jolene, sung by Miley Cyrus.
A. How much time a day do you spend listening to music?
B. I usually listen to music all day with an MP3 player.
A. Do you feel relaxed listening to music?
B. Sure. I feel like there are no more worries in the world.
A. Why is music important to us?
B. Music has the power of beautifying our life.
A. Do you usually go to bars or clubs?
B. Not often. I sometimes go there on weekends.
A. What do you think about the teenagers’ music style?
B. Teenagers tend to choose loud and fast music like Rock or Rap. Everyone has their own
taste of music though.
A. Have you ever thought of forming a music band?
B. No, I don’t have any talent for music.
169. Shopping
A. Do you like shopping?
B. Yes, I’m a shopaholic.
A. What do you usually shop for?
B. I usually shop for clothes. I’m a big fashion fan.
A. Where do you go shopping?
B. At some fashion boutiques in my neighborhood.
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A. Are there many shops in your neighborhood?
B. Yes. My area is the city center, so I have many choices of where to shop.
A. Do you spend much money on shopping?
B. Yes and I’m usually broke at the end of the month.
A. Do you usually shop online? What items?
B. Yes, but not really often. I only buy furniture online.
A. What’s the difference between shopping online and offline?
A. Unlike shopping offline, you cannot try on the pieces of clothes or check the material
when shopping online.
170. Holiday
A. Where did you go for holiday?
B. Last year I went to Singapore, a Southeast Asian country.
A. Why did you choose that destination?
B. I love to travel to Asian countries and Singapore was my best choice because of its beauty
and culture.
A. How long did it last?
B. I stayed there for 2 weeks.
A. Who went with you?
B. I traveled to Singapore with my best friends.
A. How did you travel?
B. We flew there of course. During the time there, we moved mostly by MRT and taxi.
A. What did you pack up?
B. I only brought some necessary items such as money, clothes, medicine, a map and a
digital camera.
A. What did you do during the holiday?
B. We visited famous tourist attractions like Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Artsience
Museum, Singapore Flyers. We also enjoyed local cuisine there.
A. What’s the difference between holidays today and 20 years ago?
B. Well, it has changed a lot. People now can afford holidays outside their countries while
20 years ago, traveling abroad seemed hard.
A. At what time do people in your country usually go on holiday?

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B. It depends on what job people have. When they have a break from work, they will find
somewhere to travel.
171. Animals
A. Are you an animal lover?
B. Yes, I am. I love animals.
A. Are you raising any pets?
B. Yes, I have a pit-bull puppy at home.
A. What is it like?
B. My puppy is friendly, highly intelligent and well-behaved. He always waves his tail and
licks my hand to welcome me home.
A. What does it look like?
B. He’s a medium-sized puppy with a strong neck, broad chest and brown hair.
A. What are its habits?
B. My Pit-bull puppy loves doing exercise every day. When he plays, he plays to win.
A. What do you usually do with it?
B. We usually play tennis together. My puppy helps me pick up tennis balls.
A. What does it like to eat?
B. He loves beef, chicken and some dairy products.
A. What do you learn from it?
B. He teaches me loyalty. An adult pit-bull may make me feel safe.
A. Why do people keep pets?
B. They consider pets as their loyal companions which make their life better.
A. Are pets well looked after in your country?
B. Yes. People in my country love pets.
172. A practical skill
A. What practical skill have you learned?
B. Cooking is a practical skill that I have practiced recently.
A. Who taught you that skill?
B. My mom is the best cook. She taught me everything about how to make soup, salad,
omelets, cake, etc.
A. How did you learn it?

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B. She shows me how to buy food, prepare ingredients, and cook meals whenever she’s in
the kitchen. I learn how to boil, grill, steam, fry, braise, etc. day by day.
A. Why did you learn it?
B. I just want to be a good cook like my mom when I get married. I will prepare the best
dishes for my husband and children.
A. How long did it take for you to learn it?
B. I learned it in 4 years. The skill seems to be strengthened when I live apart from my
family for studying.
A. How often do you use this skill?
B. I cook every day. I also love homemade food.
A. How has this skill helped you?
B. It makes me more confident whenever I go on a picnic outside. I’m always responsible
for the BBQ.
A. Do people in your family know this skill, too?
B. My younger sister knows how to cook, too. She has just started learning.
A. Do all skills need learning?
B. Yes, they do. ‘’Practice makes perfect.’’
A. How is this skill important to you?
B. It’s an essential life skill. All women need to know this to keep their family warm and
happy.
173. Sports
A. What sport do you like?
B. I like playing badminton.
A. Is it easy to play that sport?
B. Yes, it’s pretty easy to play.
A. Is that sport popular in your country?
B. Yes, it is.
A. How long have you been practicing that sport?
B. I have been practicing it for 5 years.
A. Who do you play sports with?
B. I play badminton with my friends, sometimes with my brother.
A. How often do you play that sport?
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B. I play badminton every weekend.
A. What benefits can you get from that sport?
B. It helps strengthen my muscles because while playing, I have to move continuously. It is
good to burn calories as well.
A. Do you like watching football? Online or offline?
B. Yes, I do. I prefer watching football offline and online. Going to the stadium, shouting
and cheering are good to release stress.
A. What is your favorite football team?
B. I like the Manchester United Football Club, also known as “The Red Devils”.
A. Why is sport important?
B. Sports are sources of recreation. People can learn how to encourage team spirit when they
play sports, too.
175. A school
A. What school did you go to?
B. I went to Millennium high school, founded in 1999.
A. Where is the school located?
B. It’s located in New York City, United States.
A. Do you like the architecture of the school?
B. Yes, I do. The architecture is not really impressive, but I like it that the building’s
architects left plenty of space for lounging.
A. What are the teachers like?
B. Most of the teachers there are helpful and friendly. I especially like Mr. Mike, my Physics
teacher.
A. How long have you spent there?
B. I have spent 3 years of upper secondary school there.
A. Is that a single-sex school?
B. No, it isn’t. This is a unisex school.
A. Do you like the school uniform?
B. We don’t wear uniforms at school, actually.
A. Why do you enjoy the time there?
B. Although I had to deal with quite a heavy workload, I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere
when hanging out with friends in the cafeteria there.
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A. What important lesson did you learn from school?
B. I learned how to work in a group in which there are many friends coming from different
cultures. That’s the lesson of cooperation.
A. Will you recommend that school to others?
B. Yes, of course. I’m proud to recommend Millennium High School to anyone who is
searching for a good place to learn.
176. Festivals
A. How many popular festivals are there in your country?
B. There are many: New Year’s day, Martin Luther King day, Valentine’s day, St. Patrick
day, Easter, etc.
A. What is the most important festival in your country?
B. I believe that New Year’s day is the most important one since it’s a chance for family
reunion and parties. People gather together to welcome the New Year.
A. When does it take place?
B. It occurs on January 1st.
A. Where’s the festival celebrated?
B. The New Year’s Day is celebrated all over the country. Each family has its own way to
celebrate the day.
A. What do people do to prepare for the festival?
B. Before New Year’ day, people go shopping for food and drinks, repair the house or put up
decor.
A. Who can join the festival?
B. It’s a day for everybody.
A. What do people do in the festival?
B. On New Year’ Eve, people have a party with traditional food and drinks. After that, they
may visit friends or relatives, go to the movies or watch sports.
A. What’s special about that festival?
B. It marks the end of a year and celebrates a new year. People believe that the things they
do on the first day will bring good luck and prosperity to them during the whole year.
A. Is the festival culturally related?
B. Sure, the festival is an integral part of culture.
A. Why is a festival important?
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B. It adds structure to our social lives and connects us with our families and backgrounds.
177. Food
A. Do you like to cook?
B. Yes, I do. Cooking helps me feel relaxed after long hours working.
A. Is there any kind of food you don’t like?
B. I don’t really like fried chicken, which is very high in fat.
A. Do you eat out or cook at home?
B. I usually cook at home, sometimes when I’m busy, I go out to eat.
A. How often do you cook?
B. Just when I have free time. My mom is often responsible for preparing meals. She’s the
best cook ever.
A. What’s your favorite food?
B. I’m addicted to sushi. I can eat sushi every day.
A. Is it Western or Asian cuisine?
B. It’s Asian cuisine. Sushi is derived from Japan.
A. Is it easy to make your favorite food?
B. Yes, I guess. The recipe is quite simple.
A. What ingredients do you need to make that food?
B. I would need rice, eggs, meat, seafood, and vegetables.
A. What do you think about fast food?
B. I don’t really like fast food. It’s not healthy at all.
A. Would you say that you have a healthy diet?
B. Yes, I would. I prefer eating vitamins, protein and less fat.
178. Household appliances
A. What’s the most useful household appliance that you have?
B. That’s definitely the washing machine.
A. When did you buy it?
B. I bought it 2 years ago. Actually, my mom gave it to me as a birthday present.
A. Is it expensive?
B. I don’t think it cost that much.
A. Is it easy to use?
B. Yes, it’s pretty simple.
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A. How does it work?
B. Just put clothes in, press the desired button and everything will be done within several
minutes.
A. How often do you use it?
B. I wash my clothes twice a week.
A. Will you replace it with a more modern one?
B. No, because it was a present and it’s still working well.
A. How does your life change with that household appliance?
B. It makes our life more convenient. We can save time as well.
A. Do you think that household appliances will make people lazier and lazier?
B. Yes, to some extent. With the help of electronic equipment, people tend to forget manual
tasks and become lazier.
179. Weather
A. What’s the weather like in your country?
B. Well, there are 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, which vary considerably in
characteristics.
A. What kind of weather do you like?
B. I enjoy hot weather. There are more things to do when it’s sunny. I love swimming and
sunbathing.
A. What months have the best weather in your country?
B. I believe it depends. For me, the best weather is from June to August when it’s warm
across the country.
A. Do you like it when it rains?
B. Not at all. I hate raining.
A. How does the weather affect your feelings?
B. I usually have a bad mood when it rains. The rain reminds me of sad memories.
A. How has the weather changed recently?
A. Due to global warming, the weather has become more and more unpredictable. It’s
boiling hot in summer and freezing cold on winter days.
A. Do you usually watch the weather forecast?
B. No, not very often.
A. What’s your favorite season? Why?
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B. Let’s see. I love spring when trees and flowers blossom.
A. What do you like to do when it’s windy?
B. When it’s windy, I like flying a kite with my friends. That’s interesting.
180. Neighbor
A. Who is your neighbor?
B. My neighbor is a university student. He lives next to my apartment.
A. When did you become neighbors?
B. I first met him when I moved to this apartment 2 years ago.
A. Is he friendly?
B. Yes, he is. He always smiles when he sees me.
A. How often do you see him?
B. Every day at the gate. Sometimes I invite him to my apartment when I throw a party.
A. Do you have any problems with him?
B. Only once when he sang karaoke too loud, which kept me awake all night. We ended up
talking to each other the next day, and he never sang karaoke at midnight from then on.
A. Does he usually help you?
B. Yes, he does. He usually helps me run errands.
A. Would you be sad if he moves to another area?
B. Yes, of course. That will upset me if he leaves.
A. What’s the difference between friends and neighbors?
B. I’m not quite sure, but I think the difference may lie in the relationship. A friend can be
someone you share your feelings with, while a neighbor can just be someone living next
door.
A. What do you need to be a good neighbor?
B. Being respectful is the most important factor in building a good relationship.
181. Natural scenery
A. Do you like visiting natural places?
B. Yes, I do. Being close to nature helps me release stress and worry.
A. What’s the most impressive natural scenery you’ve ever seen?
B. That’s the horseshoe of the Colorado River in Arizona. It’s such a great scenic place on
Earth.
A. When did you see it?
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B. I visited the place last Summer holiday.
A. Who went with you?
B. I went there with my family. We camped near the place.
A. What’s special about it?
B. I’m fond of the great nature there. It’s a horseshoe-shaped meander of Colorado river.
A. How has it changed recently?
B. It doesn’t change much actually.
A. What’s the next natural scenery you would like to visit?
B. My next destination would be the Maroon Bells in Colorado. I fell in love with mountain
ranges and yellow flowers there.
A. What can people get from visiting natural places?
B. People will get closer to Mother Nature. Children have more motivation to discover the
world around them.
A. What are some famous natural attractions in your country?
B. There are many such as Death Valley, Niagara Falls, the Redwoods, and the Grand
Canyon, to name a few.
182. Outdoor activities
A. What outdoor activity do you participate in?
B. I do many, but my favorite one is jogging.
A. Where do you do it?
B. I go jogging in the park near my place.
A. Who do you do outdoor activities with?
B. I usually go jogging with my family.
A. Who shares the same interests as you?
B. My family, especially my dad. We usually jog together.
A. How often do you take part in outdoor activities?
B. Every morning, except on rainy days.
A. How do you feel after activities?
B. I feel really relaxed and refreshed.
A. What benefits can you get from outdoor activities?
B. It’s a good workout method. Jogging is also a good way for me to charge batteries for a
long day working.
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A. Do you usually play sports outdoors?
B. Yes, I do. I play volleyball and swim outdoors.
A. Why are children less interested in outdoor activities nowadays?
B. Children nowadays prefer high-tech gadgets like computers, iPads, and phones to outdoor
activities.
183. Law
A. What law do you like?
B. I like the traffic law of wearing the helmet when traveling by motorbike.
A. Is that an international law?
B. Yes, people around the world follow this law.
A. When was it issued?
B. I’m not quite sure, but I guess a long time ago.
A. Who told you that law?
B. I learned it at school.
A. Is it easy to follow that law?
B. Yes, it is. It doesn’t cause any inconvenience at all.
A. What do you think about that law?
B. The traffic law is so necessary for traffic participants when they’re on the road.
A. What benefit can you get from following that law?
B. It may keep me safe from traffic accidents.
A. Why should people obey the law strictly?
B. Following law is a good way to protect themselves as well as others.
A. What can be done to encourage people to follow the law?
B. Obeying law is people’s responsibility. If they against the law, they’ll put themselves in
trouble.
184. Pollution
A. How many kinds of pollution are there?
B. There are many types of pollution: land, water, noise, air, light, thermal pollution.
A. What type of pollution is popular in your country?
B. The most popular one is water pollution, I guess.
A. Have you ever littered?
B. Yes, I have, but when I was taught the lesson of protecting Mother Nature, I quit littering.
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A. What can you do to help prevent pollution?
B. Reduce and reuse whatever I can to eliminate the amount of waste is what I can do to
prevent pollution.
A. What does the government do to encourage people to protect the environment?
B. They organize some campaigns to raise the awareness of people. Everything should start
from education.
A. Are people in your country aware of the environmental issues?
B. Yes, they are. They care about what happens to the environment around them.
A. Is there any law to force people to protect the environment?
B. Yes. The environment law states punishments to people doing harm to the environment.
185. Traffic Jam
A. Are you comfortable with traffic jam?
B. Not at all. I feel annoyed.
A. Why does it happen?
B. Because there are too many vehicles on the streets during rush hours, I bet.
A. How often do you sit in a traffic jam?
B. Just every day, when I finish office hour and go back home.
A. What time, in the day, are you usually caught in a traffic jam?
B. In rush hour at 7 am and 5 pm.
A. How long does it take to escape from the traffic jam?
B. At least half an hour.
A. What do you do while waiting in a long line?
B. I often glance at my watch actually.
A. Have you ever had any trouble caused by traffic jam?
B. Yes, just yesterday I was late for an important meeting with my clients.
A. How has the traffic situation changed recently?
B. There are more vehicles, which makes traffic jam more and more serious.
186. TV program
A. What is your favorite TV program?
B. Well, I watch a lot, but the one I like best is “How’s it made”.
A. Is that an international TV program?

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B. Yes, it is. It’s available in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and
so on.
A. What is the TV program about?
B. Its name somehow describes the content, which is about the process of making things like
lipsticks, balls, candy, toys, chocolate and so on.
A. How often do you watch that TV program?
B. Almost every day after dinner.
A. Who watches that program with you?
B. My family watches it together. My younger brother can’t wait to turn on the TV.
A. What channel is it on?
B. A very common one, Discovery channel, which focuses on popular science, technology,
and history.
A. Why do you like that TV program?
B. I love learning new things, especially about how everything is produced. I would love to
run a business about hand-made cosmetics.
A. How does that TV program change you?
B. I know more about the world around me. It also supports me in my career path to make
my dream come true.
A. Who is its target audience?
B. It particularly aims at families and younger audiences.
A. Would you recommend that TV program to your friends?
B. Yes, of course. They would be crazy about the program, I bet.
187. Architecture / Building
A. What is the most impressive building you’ve visited?
B. It’s the Petronas Twin Tower in Malaysia.
A. Where is it located?
B. It’s located in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
A. How tall is it?
B. They were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004. It reaches the height of
451.9 meters.
A. Who was the architect?
B. César Pelli, an Argentine American architect.
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A. Is it well-known all over the world?
B. Sure. Tourists can’t miss it when visiting Malaysia.
A. Do you have to purchase a ticket in order to visit the tower?
B. Yes, I do. It’s sold online.
A. When did you see it?
B. I saw it 2 years ago.
A. Will you come back there again?
B. Of course. I’m looking forward to seeing again someday.
188. Electronic Media
A. What kind of electronic media is popular in your country?
B. There are some popular kinds: radio, TV and online news.
A. What’s your favorite kind?
B. I like online news because I have to work with computers every day, it’s easier for me to
read online.
A. Why do you like it?
B. Due to its convenience. I love reading anyway.
A. How often do you access to that kind of electronic media?
B. Every morning before I start working.
A. What’s interesting about it?
B. Instead of watching TV or listening to radio passively, I’d rather read and think about the
news.
A. Is it convenient to access to that kind of electronic media?
B. Yes, with a computer, smartphone connected to the Internet, you can read electronic news
anytime and anywhere.
A. Do your family like that electronic media too?
B. No. My dad likes radio, and my mom likes TV.
A. How has mass media changed recently?
B. They’re more modern and user-friendly.
189. Job / Career
A. What is your desired job?
B. Well, my dream changes in accordance to age. Up to now, I would like to be a great
English teacher.
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A. Is that a demanding job?
B. Yes, I think so although people suppose that being a teacher is easy and boring.
A. What challenge do you have when doing that job?
B. I have some problems with classroom management. Maybe I have to improve that skill a
lot in order to be a good teacher.
A. Is it hard to make your dream come true?
B. Every job needs time and effort, and teacher does as well. Apart from the academic
knowledge I was taught in university, I have to learn many other soft skills.
A. Why do you choose that job?
B. I really admired my high school English teacher, and I want to be like her.
A. What requirements and characteristics do you need to do that job?
B. Let’s see. You need to be patient, thoughtful and sympathetic.
A. Does the job have something to do with your major at university?
B. Sure. I studied English Linguistics and Literature, majored in English teaching. The major
does support me a lot in my career path.
A. What does the society think about your job?
B. I’m not quite sure, but I’m proud to be a teacher, an honor job.
A. Do you make much money with that job?
B. Not at all. Teacher’s one of the lowest paying jobs in my country.
A. Have you ever thought of leaving your job?
B. I haven’t thought of that before, but I believe in what I’m doing right now.
190. Competition / Contest
A. What is the most impressive competition you’ve entered?
B. I took part in an eloquence competition, organized by my university last year.
A. What was it about?
B. The competition was to find out the best public speaker in the university.
A. Were there many participants in the competition?
B. Yes, there were around 500 participants totally.
A. What prize did you get?
B. Well, I didn’t get a very high prize, but it didn’t matter, I was still happy with the result.
A. What could you learn from the competition?

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B. I learned the way to develop ideas for a speech beside some body language tips in public
speaking.
A. Did you have to prepare a lot for the competition?
B. Yes, I did. I read various materials about eloquence, as well as rehearsed a lot.
A. How did you know about the competition?
B. The competition was informed in the school poster.
A. Did you do your best then?
B. Yes, I think so. After the competition, I know I have to try more.
A. Is the competition useful, in your opinion?
B. Sure. It helps students learn soft skills as well as become more confident in life.
191. A garden
A. Is there any garden that you like?
B. Yes, I love the strawberry garden in my neighborhood.
A. Where is it?
B. It’s in the highland area where I live.
A. When did you first see it?
B. I accidentally saw it when I had a picnic in the highland.
A. What were planted in the garden?
B. Strawberries, of course. There are also some boxes of cucumbers next to the strawberry
beds.
A. Why do you like the garden?
B. I love picking red strawberries. The garden brings me closer to nature as well.
A. What is special about the garden?
B. The strawberries there are organic.
A. How do people do the gardening?
B. Keeping the beds mulched is important since it helps reduce water needs.
A. How often do you visit the garden?
B. Just when I have leisure time since I’m quite busy.
A. Is there any relation between the green garden and your mood?
B. Yes, at least for me. The green will help me chill out.
A. Do you want to be a gardener?
B. Honestly, no. I’m not used to manual work.
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192. Hometown
A. Where is your hometown?
B. My hometown is a coastal state of US.
A. Is it the city or the countryside?
B. I live in a suburb area.
A. What’s it known for?
B. It’s famous for tobaccos.
A. What do people do there?
B. Agriculture is the main industry in my hometown. Most of the people here plant and sell
tobaccos.
A. How is the atmosphere there?
B. Well, it’s quite peaceful. I enjoy the fresh air here.
A. How are people there?
B. They’re friendly and hospitable.
A. Would you like to live in your hometown or somewhere else?
B. Yes, I would. I just wish I can live here forever.
A. Is it easy to find a job there?
B. Manual work is easy to find. I’m not sure about the white -collar jobs.
A. Is it a good environment for young people?
B. I don’t think so. The pace of life here is quite slow. If they want to work in a dynamic
environment, they’d better move to the city.
A. Is traffic congestion a big problem in your hometown?
B. Not at all. We couldn’t be happier with the traffic system here.
193. Clothing
A. What is your favorite item of clothing?
B. My favorite one is a maxi dress. I wear it when hanging out with my friends or attending
parties.
A. When did you buy it?
B. My friend gave it to me as a birthday present when I turned to 21.
A. Where did you buy it?
B. I had no idea where my close friend bought it.
A. What color is it?
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B. It’s blue – my favorite color.
A. Was it expensive?
B. Yes, I guessed.
A. Why do you like it?
B. Well, I’m kind of short and plump, so it’s hard to find a piece of clothing that fits me
perfectly, but that one does. I also love the color and style.
A. Do clothes help to build your personal brand?
B. Yes, I agree with it to some extent. I still believe that personal brand can be built from the
inside rather than the outside. However, what you wear also plays an important role in
saying who you are.
A. Have you seen anybody wearing unusual clothes?
B. Yes, I have, but I don’t think any fashion style is weird. I believe everybody has their own
taste of fashion.
A. How has your fashion style changed recently?
B. I always wore formal shirt and trousers whenever hanging out years ago, but now I
change into casuals like jeans and T-shirt.
194. An advertisement
A. What is your favorite advertisement?
B. I’m quite impressed with the advertisement about Surf – a laundry detergent made by
Unilever.
A. Where did you see it?
B. I accidentally saw it on TV 2 years ago.
A. What happened in the advertisement?
B. The ad told a story of a family in which the children all loved their step-mother due to the
white shirts she prepared for them.
A. Why do you like it?
B. I just can’t stop loving the story in the ad. It’s such a sweet story.
A. Was there any famous actor/ actress in the advertisement?
B. Not at all. The actors were not very well-known, I think.
A. Did it attract much attention?
B. I have no idea, but I saw it in many public places.
A. What do you like the most in the advertisement?
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B. Well, the vivid images and sound effects did attract me.
A. Do you believe in advertisements?
B. Not really. Ads always say good things and neglect to mention bad things about a product
for obvious reasons.
A. How have advertisements changed recently?
B. They’re more modern. Digital marketing has proved successful in many fields.
195. A project
A. What project did you work on?
B. I made an English poster about our environment.
A. Was that an indoor or outdoor project?
B. The project was carried out mostly outdoor, only the last phase was conducted indoor.
A. Who was involved in the project?
B. My teammates and an advisory teacher.
A. What did you do?
B. We had a field trip to the countryside where we studied insects and plants.
A. Was it a successful project?
B. Yes. We received compliments from our professor.
A. Who was your advisory teacher?
B. Our Science teacher, Mr. John, we learned a lot from him.
A. What did you learn after the project?
B. I learned how to write contents and decorate posters.
A. Did you like your partners?
B. Yes. Most of them were friendly and responsible. I particularly liked Michael, the leader
of my team.
A. What did you get after the project?
B. After the project, I know how to work in a team and cooperate well with my teammates.
196. A wedding
A. Have you ever attended someone’s wedding? Who was he/she?
B. Yes, a lot, but the most memorable one is my best friends.
A. Who went with you?
B. I went with one of my classmates.
A. Where was the wedding organized?
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B. It was held in a restaurant downtown.
A. What did people do in the wedding?
B. They enjoyed wedding feast, sang and danced together after giving the couple best wishes
of an ever-lasting happiness.
A. What did the bride and groom wear?
B. The bride wore a white wedding gown while the groom wore a black suit and tie.
A. What was the most interesting ritual in the wedding?
B. Exchanging rings is the ritual I’m quite interested in.
A. Are weddings a special event of one’s life in your country?
B. Yes, along with birthdays.
A. Do people in your country get married early?
B. Not really. The average age to get married for women is 27 and for men is 29.
A. What is the ideal age to get married in your opinion?
B. Well. 27 would be my ideal age. Women are most charming and mature at that age, I
guess.
A. How has wedding changed recently?
B. The most noticeable change is the reduce of rituals in a wedding. There used to be more
steps in weddings years ago than there are now.
197. A Coffee shop
A. What’s your favorite coffee shop?
B. My favorite one is The Coffee House, a local coffee shop in my neighborhood.
A. Where is it?
B. It’s 500 m far from my house.
A. How often do you visit that coffee shop?
B. Every weekend when I hang out with my friends. The Coffee House is always our first
choice.
A. Who do you go with?
B. I meet my friends there. They love the place, too.
A. What drinks does it serve?
B. Many kinds: coffee, chocolate, cocktail, smoothie, tea, juice of various tastes. My favorite
one is hot chocolate.
A. Are the waiters there friendly?
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B. Yes, they couldn’t be nicer.
A. Do you like the decorations of that coffee shop?
B. Yes, I love it. I fancy the green space they put in each corner of the room.
A. When was the last time you go there?
B. I last went there last Monday.
A. What is special about that coffee shop?
B. The drinks are what make them different. People are just addicted to full-bodied coffee
and chocolate there.
A. How do you know about that coffee shop?
B. My cousin recommended it to me and I did give it a try.
198. Culture
A. Which culture do you belong to?
B. I was born and raised in America where my culture was shaped.
A. Is that a multicultural society?
B. Yes, it is. My culture is a diverse mix of customs and traditions of various races and
ethnicities.
A. How long has your country been practicing those customs?
B. Well, it has a long history, around 10,000 years ago.
A. What custom do you like the most?
B. I like practicing dining etiquette. That’s what makes me American whenever I travel to
other countries.
A. What are traditional costumes of men and women in your country?
B. Cowboy hats and boots are American styles, but nowadays jeans and T-shirt are more
preferable.
A. Are you comfortable with tradition and customs of your culture?
B. Of course. I was born with it.
A. How do people greet each other?
B. Well, it depends on the situation. In an informal communication, people just say ‘hi’.
A. Have you ever felt drawn to another land?
B. Yes, I’m interested in Indian culture. I wish I can get there someday to attend a typical
Indian wedding.
199. Transport
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A. What is the most popular means of transport in your country?
B. Most people in my country travel by car.
A. How do you go to school or work?
B. I prefer bus due to its convenience. I enjoy reading books while sitting on the bus.
A. How often do you take busses?
B. Every day. I went to school by bus 2 years ago, and the bus is still my best choice.
A. Do people in your country like traveling by bus?
B. Not really, they have their own cars.
A. What are some benefits of traveling by bicycle?
B. It’s a good way of doing exercise. We can protect our environment as well.
A. Do you prefer public transport or private transport?
B. Public transport is much cheaper.
A. Do you think bus should replace other means of transport?
B. Sure. In the future, busses should be used widely by commuters.
A. What does the government do to encourage people to use public transport?
B. It’s a good idea to make public transport as convenient as private transport. Besides, more
campaigns should be launched to raise the awareness of protecting our environment.
A. How has the transport changed recently?
B. There are more cars in a household now than before, which partly leads to traffic jams in
some cosmopolitan cities.
200. Communication
A. What’re your favorite means of communication?
B. I prefer talking directly to people.
A. How to you keep in touch with your friends?
B. I’m so busy that I don’t often hang out with friends, so I usually get in touch with them
using social networks or phone.
A. Do you get in touch with your family by phone?
B. Yes, I do. I live away from my family, so phone would be an ideal means of
communication.
A. Do you usually write letters or emails?
B. I used to write letters when the Internet hasn’t been used widely. Now I prefer emails due
to its convenience.
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A. What are some advantages of using a mobile phone?
B. That’s the easiest means of communication, I think. Mobile phones are portable. Just dial
the numbers and you can immediately get connected with anyone you want.
A. Do you like handwriting letters?
B. Yes, I do. I like to keep handwriting letters as keepsakes.
A. Do you use social networks?
B. Yes, the youth now can hardly live without social networks.
A. Do you need communication skills using social networks?
B. Sure. Even in social networks.
A. How have social networks changed communication?
B. People prefer talking online rather than directly. Because of the illusion of social
networks, people tend to forget necessary skills to communicate with others in real life.
A. Do you have good communication skills in your opinion?
B. Maybe yes. People are quite happy talking to me.
201. Business
A. Are you studying or working?
B. I left school 3 years ago. I’m working now.
A. Are you self – employed or working for a company?
B. I’m self-employed. I used to work for a company 2 years ago.
A. Are you running any business?
B. Yes, I’m running a small business.
A. What does your business sell?
B. I make and sell handmade cosmetics.
A. Do you have any difficulty running that business?
B. Yes, I had some difficulties attracting customers at first, but everything is getting better
now.
A. Is that an online or offline business?
B. I sell products online. It’s easier selling online than offline because I can take full
advantage of my social network.
A. When did you start the business?
B. I started running my own business 2 years ago.
A. What are some advantages of running your own business?
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B. I can take some days off whenever I feel tired, and I can make much more money
compared to working for a company.
202. Computer
A. Do you have your own computer?
B. Yes, I owned a personal laptop when I was in university.
A. How often do you use the computer?
B. Almost every day. I can’t work without a computer.
A. Have you ever joined any computer class?
B. Yes, years ago. I learned about Microsoft Word and Excel.
A. What do you use the computer for?
B. You know, I’m an accountant, so managing business records would be much easier for
me using a computer.
A. What are some advantages of using the computer?
B. With a computer connected to the Internet, we can shop, pay bills or do bank transactions
online. Listening to music, watching movies are even more convenient.
A. Do you use other high-tech devices besides computers?
B. Yes, apart from a computer, I also use a smartphone.
A. Should children learn how to use the computer?
B. Yes, I think so. Children should be given chances to approach the computer but under the
control of their parents.
203. Exercise
A. Do you usually exercise?
B. Yes, I do. Doing exercise is one of my good habits.
A. What sport do you play?
B. Swimming is my favorite. I also play tennis.
A. How often do you exercise?
B. I go jogging almost every day before breakfast.
A. When did you start doing exercise?
B. Just last year, actually.
A. Is there anyone who does exercise with you?
B. I go jogging with my older brother. He’s a good company of mine.
A. What benefits can you get from exercising?
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B. Well, a lot. Exercise helps reduce fat and build muscles. It also keeps me awake mentally
during the whole day.
A. Where do you exercise?
B. At a nearby park. There are some exercise machines for people to use.
A. Why do you exercise?
B. I like moving. For me, life without moving is like a picture without color.
A. Do people in your country do much exercises?
B. I don’t think so. They’re so busy working that they forget to do exercise.
A. What if people don’t do enough exercise?
B. Obviously, they’ll gain weights fast and become obese.
204. Goal / Ambition
A. What is your current short-term goal?
B. I’m determined to get a scholarship to study post-graduate abroad.
A. When did you start thinking about this goal?
B. I started thinking about it when I left university.
A. What difficulties do you have in order to achieve it?
B. Spending a lot of time searching it, I haven’t found any scholarship that fits my needs.
A. Do you need any help to achieve that goal?
B. I really need spiritual encouragement from my family and friends.
A. Do your parents support you to achieve that goal?
B. Yes, they do. They’re always by my side and support me when needed.
A. Do you think it’s important to set goals?
B. Sure. We all need to have some goals to drive ourselves towards them. Setting goals is a
necessary step to do in order to succeed in doing something
A. What are the important qualities to achieve goals?
B. Well, you need to be persistent to what you desire to get. Commitment and patience are
needed, too.
205. Art
A. What’s your favorite work of art?
B. There’s a special photograph named ‘The Napalm Girl’.
A. When did you see it?
B. I accidentally saw it 5 years ago, when I traveled to Vietnam.
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A. Where did you see it?
B. In Museum of Vietnamese History. The photo was solemnly hung in an eye-catching
position in the room.
A. Why do you like it?
B. The photo captured a naked 9 –year-old girl, running away from the napalm attack, which
is really touching.
A. What’s special about it?
B. Thanks to the photo, the photographer was awarded the Pulitzer prize for Spot News
Photography.
A. Do your friends like it, too?
B. Yes, they do. The photo did touch their souls, too.
A. Do you want to be an artist?
B. Nope, although I’m quite interested in art.
A. What qualities does a person need to be an artist?
B. An artist needs to be creative and sensitive to things around him, I think.
A. How do children develop their talent for art?
B. Children’s talent for art should be recognized and nurtured as early as possible so that
they can reach their full potential.
206. Fashion
A. Are you a big fan of fashion?
B. Yes, I am. I believe every girl is crazy about fashion.
A. What style do you choose to wear?
B. Well, my favorite piece of clothes is a dress. Depending on the situation, I choose a
formal or informal dress to wear.
A. Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?
B. Yes, I’m a shopaholic, actually.
A. Is there any fashion icon who you want to wear the same?
B. Yes, I really admire Taylor Swift and wish to wear like her.
A. Do you create your own fashion style?
B. No, I’m not a fashionista, so most of the time I just follow the fashion trend.
A. Do you prefer vintage or modern style? Why?
B. Honestly, I love vintage style. Wearing classic clothes makes me feel like I’m special.
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A. Have you ever attended in any fashion show?
B. Not in real life. I just watch them on TV.
A. What do people think about your fashion style?
B. I don’t know exactly, and I don’t care much about it. I just wear what makes me
comfortable and confident.
A. Are you going to change your fashion style in the future?
B. Well, I can’t tell. Maybe fashion is changeable, and I am, too.
A. Is fashion important to people?
B. Yes, in my opinion. Fashion can partly reveal who you are.
207. Jewelry
A. What’s your favorite item of jewelry?
B. Well, I have quite a lot of ornaments, but my favorite one is a necklace.
A. When did you buy it?
B. Uhm…I don’t remember exactly when, but I guess I bought it years ago.
A. What’s it made of?
B. It’s made of silver.
A. How does it look?
B. It looks gorgeous with a ruby clover –shaped pendant.
A. Why do you like it?
B. I believe it can bring me good luck in everything I do.
A. What’s special about it?
B. I love the vintage style of my necklace. It really goes with my classic dresses.
A. Does it remind you of something?
B. Yes, I spent my first month’s salary buying it, so the necklace encourages me to work
hard and earn more money every day.
A. How much does it cost?
B. Around $400 if I’m not mistaken.
A. Do you usually wear it?
B. Yes, I just wear it all the time. I’ll be missing it if I don’t see it.
208. Cosmetic
A. What’s your favorite cosmetic item?
B. My favorite cosmetic item is a cherry red lipstick.
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A. When did you buy it?
B. I bought it in a local cosmetic shop.
A. How often do you use it?
B. Almost every day. I sometimes change the color.
A. How did it change your physical appearance?
B. Oh. At first, I was hesitant to try because I thought it wouldn’t match my skin undertone,
but when putting it on, the cherry red color did make me more charming and gorgeous.
A. Is it expensive?
B. Nope. It is under $21only.
A. Is the brand name famous?
B. Yes, I think. M.A.C is well-known all around the world. M.A.C lipstick is an iconic
product of the producer.
A. How important are cosmetics according to you?
B. Well, frankly, cosmetics are really important to women although I agree that the true
beauty does come from inside.
A. Is it important to have a good-looking appearance?
B. Sure. You will be given more opportunities if you’re good-looking.
A. Are cosmetics harmful?
B. Yes, I guess. Some toxic chemicals in cosmetics may cause skin cancer.
A. Do think beauty products are a waste of money?
B. Not really as for me, I just spend my saving money on cosmetics.
209. Indoor game
A. What indoor game do you like to play?
B. Uhm, I’m fond of playing bowling.
A. When did you start playing it?
B. I’ve just started bowling. It’s been 3 weeks so far.
A. Who do you play it with?
B. Most of the time I play with my friends when we hang out together. Sometimes, I also go
bowling with my cousins.
A. Where do you play?
B. At a nearby shopping mall. There is an entertainment area where people can play various
games.
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A. Is it easy to play?
B. Yes, quite easy. The bowler has to knock down as many pins as possible, ideally all of
them.
A. Are you usually the winner?
B. Nope, because I’m just a beginner. My friends are much more experienced in playing it.
A. Why do you like it?
B. Well, going bowling is quite enjoyable. I love it when my friends cheer me up.
A. Is it popular in your country?
B. Yes, people playing almost everywhere. There are nearly 3,000 bowling centers in my
country.
A. What are other indoor games in your country?
B. There are many such as board game, table tennis, squash, boxing and so on.
210. Phone conversation
A. Do you usually talk on the phone?
B. Yes, I do. It’s a good way to keep in touch.
A. What was your favorite phone conversation?
B. It was when I talked to my interviewer. He did give me the good news that I got the job.
A. When did you have the conversation?
B. I don’t remember exactly, but it’s been 2 years so far, I guess.
A. Who did you talk to?
B. I talked to the owner of the restaurant where I’m working as a cashier.
A. What did you talk about?
B. He offered me the position and congratulated me.
A. Why did you find the conversation interesting?
B. Actually, it was more exciting than interesting. I was waiting for it for so long, and
finally, he did make it come true.
A. Do you prefer talking directly or talking on the phone?
B. Personally, talking directly is much better to me since it’s more lively and authentic.
A. Who do you usually talk to on the phone?
B. I talk to my mom almost every day. I will be missing the conversation every evening with
mom if one day she stops calling me.
A. What are the differences between talking directly and phoning?
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B. Well, talking directly seems more exciting since you can see facial expression, eye
contact while talking on the phone, you can only listen to the voice.
211. Learning a second language
A. Do you like learning languages?
B. Yes, I do. I love traveling and talking to the local people in their mother tongue.
A. What is your mother language?
B. I speak English.
A. What second language are you learning?
B. I’m learning Spanish. I fell in love with Spanish when I traveled to Spain last year.
A. Is that language popular in your country?
B. Yes. People in my country come from every corner of the world and Spanish is the
second popular language spoken here according to the statistic.
A. How often do you use that language?
B. Quite a lot. I see Spanish people every day in the restaurant, bank or supermarket.
A. How long have you been learning that language?
B. I’ve been learning it for 5 years. I’m in advanced class now.
A. Why do you choose to learn that language?
B. I’m interested in Spanish culture, and I’d like to use language as a tool to discover
Spanish cultural values.
A. Who is your teacher?
B. An old Spanish teacher. She can also speak English fluently.
A. Why do people learn a second language?
B. There are many purposes. Some learn to do business, some learn to travel, some just learn
for fun.
212. A creative person
A. Who is the creative person that you admire?
B. Well, I really admire Mr. Tom, who is an extremely creative Math teacher.
A. Why do you admire him?
B. For me, Math is quite boring because I have to work with long numbers. I used to hate
Math so much before I had lessons with Mr. Tom. He has thousands of ways to teach that
boring subject, which inspires me a lot.
A. How did he become so creative?
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B. I’m not quite sure, but I think that’s his inborn talent.
A. Do people you know admire him, too?
B. Of course. All my classmates just love and respect him for his creative teaching.
A. What is he like?
B. He has a good sense of humor. He always tells jokes, and we just can’t help laughing.
A. Do you think creativity can be learned and practiced?
B. Yes, I definitely do. Creativity, like any other qualities, can be trained.
A. How is creativity important in study or work?
B. It generates energy and makes things more inspiring. Without creativity, work and study
are just dull and tiring.
213. A celebrity
A. Who is a famous celebrity that you admire?
B. Well, I’m a big fan of Miley Ray Cyrus, an American singer, songwriter, and actress.
A. Why do you admire her?
B. Well, she’s at my age, but what she’s achieved is acknowledged worldwide.
A. What is special about her?
B. I just fall in love with her beautiful voice. I can’t stop listening to her songs again and
again. My favorite songs of hers are Jolene and Wrecking Ball.
A. Is she well-known worldwide?
B. Yes, she is. She’s a teen idol.
A. Do you see her on TV or in reality?
B. Most of the time I see her on TV.
A. Do your friends love her, too?
B. Yes, they do. We usually enjoy her songs, movies together.
A. Do you want to be like her?
B. Yes, being a well-known singer is my dream.
214. Health problem
A. What health problem did you have?
B. I had measles when I was 18.
A. How did you have that health problem?
B. I thought I catch measles from someone when they cough or sneeze.
A. Was that serious?
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B. Not really, but it was unpleasant. I recovered after 10 days staying at home.
A. What were some symptoms of that health problem?
B. I had a cold and fever with a cough, a runny nose. The small grayish-white spots appeared
on my body, too.
A. Did you take any medical treatment?
B. No, I didn’t. The situation wasn’t serious enough to be sent to the hospital then.
A. How could you recover from it?
B. Well, let me see, I drank a lot of water, avoided the direct light, and I had to stay off
school for 10 days.
A. What difficulties did you face because of that problem?
B. I couldn’t go out for a few days, which was boring. I’m not allowed to play outside and I
felt so bad about it.
A. What do people do to prevent that health problem?
B. By having measles vaccine.
A. Is that health problem common in your country?
B. Not really, due to the effectiveness of vaccination.
215. Technological advancement
A. Are you a tech and gadget lover?
B. Yes, I am. I love shopping for new gadgets.
A. What is an important technological advancement you know?
B. That’s the emergence of online payment systems like Credit Cards or Paypal thanks to the
development of the Internet, I think.
A. What do you use it for?
B. I use these services to do shopping online. Now I can book flight tickets in advance
without the need to go to the agency.
A. How long have you been using it?
B. I’ve been using these services for around 3 years.
A. Does it make your life easier?
B. Sure. It’s fast, simple and convenient.
A. How did it change your life?
B. Well, I can enjoy my life more. I can do a plenty of things online like shopping,
transferring money, booking tickets, and so on.
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A. How often do you use it?
B. At least once a week.
A. What are other technological advancements you know?
B. There are many: electricity, smartphone, the internet, robot, and so on.
216. A landmark
A. What is a famous landmark in your hometown?
B. Well, I can’t hide my proud to talk about the Statue of Liberty.
A. When was it built?
B. I read on newspapers that It was constructed in 1886.
A. Where is it?
B. It’s located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
A. How does it look like?
B. That’s a woman, known as the Roman goddess, bearing a torch and a broken chain lies at
her feet.
A. What was it made of?
B. The main material was copper.
A. Who was the architect?
B. Mr. Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the tower of Eiffel.
A. What is special about it?
B. Actually, it was gifted to my country, the USA from the people of France.
A. Does it symbolize something?
B. The statue is a symbol of freedom. We all love it and are so proud to share with
international friends about it.
A. Does it attract many tourists to come?
B. Yup. It attracts 4 million visitors each year according to the statistic.
217. Handcraft items
A. Do you love handcraft items?
B. Yeah. My accessories are all hand-made.
A. What handcraft item do you like?
B. Well, I’ve got many items, but I really fall in love with my bamboo handbag.
A. Where did you buy it?
B. I bought it in a trip to the countryside. People make handcrafts from bamboo there.
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A. Why do you like it?
B. Because it’s unique. I travel quite a lot, but can hardly find a similar one.
A. What is it made of?
B. It’s made of 100% bamboo.
A. What does it look like?
B. Being made of traditional material, it looks trendy, though. My handcraft bag has A4
paper size, which is large enough to carry a bunch of stuff: makeup things, a wallet, and
tissues.
A. How is it made?
B. Luckily, I had a chance to see how it is made. People spent the whole day knitting
hundreds of small bamboo fibers together to make one bag.
A. Is it easy to make?
B. Nope. I’m not really skillful and patient, so handcrafts seem super hard for me.
A. What is special about it?
B. The material itself is what makes it special. It’s eco-friendly as well.
A. Does it remind you of something?
B. Yup. It reminds me of the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the countryside where I
visited.
218. Plastic surgery
A. Is plastic surgery popular in your country?
B. Not really. People in my country are not so interested in plastic surgery.
A. What do you think about people having plastic surgery?
B. It’s hard to say. As long as they find happiness in what they’re doing, it’s fine with me.
A. Why do you think people do it?
B. They want to gain a better look, I believe. That’s understandable.
A. Is plastic surgery bad?
B. It’s bad for health in the long run.
A. Does it do harm to your health?
B. Sure, there are several unhealthy substances in the medical treatments which may be
harmful to your body.
A. Do you think changing your look is a good thing?

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B. Yes, I can’t deny that changing for a better appearance is what people should do. But
don’t abuse plastic surgery or you will face serious health problems later on.
A. Do you think the development of plastic surgery is a positive or negative trend?
B. It’s more a positive trend, I guess. Thanks to plastic surgery, people who think they don’t
look good can now make themselves more attractive.
A. Do you care more about your outlook or inner soul?
B. As for me, the inner soul does matter more although outside appearance is important, too.
A. What is a part of your face that you wish to change?
B. Although I have some imperfect parts, I have no wish to change anything. I love the
natural appearance my parents gave me.
219. Success
A. What success did you achieve?
B. I don’t know if it matters to someone or not, but passing the entrance exam to university
was a huge success for me.
A. When did you get that success?
B. I got it 6 years ago. It’s been 2 years since I left university.
A. Was there anyone who supported you?
B. My family supported me a lot. My mom prepared good meals for me while my dad
helped me with hard math problems.
A. Was it hard to get that success?
B. It was hard for me since I wasn’t good at academic subjects at all.
A. What were some difficulties in achieving success?
B. The period before the exam was quite stressful. I was so obsessed with it that I had a
serious headache.
A. How did you get it?
B. I stuck to books day and night. I just stopped reading and writing when I felt I knew
thoroughly about the matters.
A. How did you feel when you were successful?
B. I was over the moon then. I was looking forward to campus life.
A. How did your life change after that success?
B. I had a chance to learn my favorite major at my desired university and then got a high-
paying job in an active working environment.
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A. What is your key to success?
B. I don’t particularly have any key to success. Just work hard and try your best, everything
good will come to you.

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