Task 1

1
Task 1

• How to start a conversation?

2
Task 1--- How to start a conversation

• A very common way to start a
  conversation in the West is to talk about the
  weather because it is an inoffensive way to start
  a conversation under any circumstances. Strangers
  can break the ice and warm up the atmosphere by
  talking about the weather. In this way, people
  can get to know each other naturally and continue
  to talk about other subjects.

3
Expressions

• Nice day, isnt it?
• Dreadful weather, dont you think?
• Its good to see the sun again.
• Its freezing today.
• Excuse me, is anybody sitting here?
• Say, dont I know you from somewhere?
• Sorry, I couldnt help overhearing--- did you
  mention something about?
• Excuse me, could you let me have a look at your
  magazine? I am fond of the film star on the cover.

4
Sample dialogue

• (On a train)
• A Going far, are you?
• B No, just Beijing.
• A Oh, I see.
• B And you?
• A Oh, Im going all the way to Dalian.
• B Sightseeing, I suppose.
• A No, to see some friends, actually, college
  friends.

5
Situations

• Start a conversation with people around on the
  following occasions.
• At a cocktail party
• At your best friends birthday party
• In the school canteen
• On the sports ground
• In a bus station
• In the disco

6
Making up dialogue

• 1. You are seated on an airplane next to a girl/
  boy and youd like to talk to her/ him, so you
  start to speak to her/ him.
• 2. At a party you find yourself face to face with
  a stranger who is getting a drink. And youd like
  to have a talk with him.

7
Task 2

• Saying Goodbye

8
Task 2--- Saying Goodbye

• When you want to end a conversation, its up
  to you to find a acceptable structures. Often
  these can includes a hint for your leaving or a
  reason for having to leave (Like Nice talking
  with you or Sorry, I must get back to work,
  etc.) It is usual practice to end a conversation
  politely. Just walking away would be considered
  extremely rude.

9
Common Expressions

• Bye and good luck.
• See you later.
• Hope to meet you soon.
• Its a pleasure meeting you.
• Nice talking to you.
• I had better be off. Well keep in touch.
• Bye, have a nice day.
• So long. Take care (of yourself.)
• I had to leave.

10
Sample dialogue--- I guess Id better leave

• John Its getting late. I guess Id better
  leave.
• Leo Must you go so soon? Cant you stay a little
• longer?
• John Im afraid I really have to go. Ill have
  an
• important interview tomorrow morning.
• Leo Well, in that case, we wont keep you any
• longer. Good luck to you tomorrow, and I
• hope well get together soon.

11
Situations

• 1. You are at a party which you arent enjoying
  very much and are waiting for an excuse to leave.
  After coffee, you think out a reason and go over
  to your host/ hostess.
• 2. You are seeing Linda off at the airport. She
  is your close friend and has been staying with
  you for two weeks. She is returning to England.
  You ask her to keep in touch.

12
Task 3

• Telephone Conversation

13
Task 3--- Telephone Conversation

• There are some common expressions in
  talking on the phone. Usually you can firstly
  greet the person on the phone, then give him your
  name, your workplace, and the purpose for your
  call. If you want to talk with somebody else, say
  his or her name directly, avoiding making people
  feel confused about your purpose. We are supposed
  to pay attention to two points 1. Be polite 2.
  Be brief.

14
Common Expressions

• Hi, John speaking.
• Id like to speak to Tom, please.
• May I ask whos calling?
• Youre wanted on the phone.
• Hes unavailable at the moment.
• I think youve got the wrong number.
• Can you put me through to the Service Department?
• Its pretty hard to reach you.
• May I leave a message?
• Hold on, please.

15
Sample dialogue--- Is Matt There?

• A Hello, 6577-8868.
• B Hello, is Matt there please?
• A Im sorry. Matt isnt in at the moment.
• B Oh. Do you know what time hell be back?
• A Sometime later this afternoon. He should be
  back for
• dinner. Can I take a message?
• B Thanks. Could you tell him that Jason called?
• A One moment. Ill get a pen. Now thats Jason.
• B Yes. Im in his seminar group(????). Could he
  call
• me tonight? My number is 9912-3344.
• A Thats 9912-3344.
• B Thats right. Thanks for your help.
• A No trouble at all. Ill make sure he gets the
  message.
• Good bye.
• B Bye.

16
create a short telephone conversation

• For each, paying attention to the cues given. A
  leave a message. B ask to have your call
  returned. C tell the person you will call back
  later.
• 1. You are calling your friend Frank, but he is
  already asleep. (A)
• 2. You call the plumber to have your toilet
  repaired, but he is not in. (C)
• 3. You call a co-worker, but he is out to lunch.
  (B)
• 4. Joe calls a friend to give him information
  about the camping trip he has organized for next
  week. The roommate tells Joe that the friend is
  sick and cant talk. (A)

17
Task 4

• Asking the way

18
Background information

• When you ask somebody the way, you are
  disturbing him or her. You should always be
  polite, otherwise you may not get a direction or
  be given a wrong one. Generally, you should say
  Excuse/ Pardon me, I beg your pardon, or
  Sorry to disturb/ trouble you before asking
  somebody to point your way. Of course you can
  also use these sentences patterns, Please tell
  me how to get to Could you kindly tell me
  where . is?, Hi, do you happen to know where
  is? etc.

19
Background information II

• If someone asks you to tell them the way
  and you can give a hand, your help should be
  greatly appreciated. Anyone may need help,
  especially when he/she is in a new place. If you
  can help a stranger, please try your best to be
  kind. Its usual practice to point the way
  clearly for others in the West.

20
Common expressions

• Could you possibly tell me where the museum is,
  please?
• I am told West Station is near this place. Do you
  happen to know where it is?
• Excuse me, could you show me the way to Holiday
  Inn?
• Would you mind telling me how to get to the
  Central China University of Science and
  Technology?
• The bank is half way down the street.
• Turn left at the first corner after the
  crossroads.
• You are going in the wrong direction.
• This is the shortcut to the stadium.

21
Sample dialogue--- Im looking for the Exhibition
Center

• A Pardon me, could you do me a favor? Im
  looking for the exhibition center.
• B Yes, its that way. You go three blocks, then
  turn right at the traffic light. Its on the
  corner opposite the zoo.
• A Thank you very much. Ive only been in town a
  few days, so I really dont know my way around
  yet.
• B Oh, I know how you feel. I moved here half a
  year ago, and I still dont know where everything
  is.
• A Anyway, youre so helpful. Thanks again.
• B My pleasure.

22
Conversation

• Ask your partner the way to
• The nearest McDonald
• New World Department Store
• Your favorite bookstore

23
Situations work out appropriate replies, using
the information given below.

• Could you please tell where a good restaurant is?
  Reply________
• Do you know where I could find a hotel? Reply
  ________
• Could you direct me to the nearest post office?
  Reply ________
• Could you give me the direct location of your
  professors office? Reply ______
• Where would one find a place to buy a bottle of
  water? Reply __________

24
Task 5

• Asking for Information

25
Background Information

• A conversation often depends on questions
  to keep it going in the direction you want it to
  go. The one that asks the questions usually
  controls the conversation. Various techniques may
  be necessary to get different kinds of
  information from different people. Most people
  are very polite when they ask strangers about
  something--- if you are more direct, you may
  appear to be rude. Anyway, personal questions
  have to be expressed very politely.

26
Common Expressions

• Could you tell me some more about Shenzhou VI?
• Would you mind telling me more about this
  meeting?
• Id like to know more about your education.
• This may sound like a stupid question, but Id
  like to know why you are still a bachelor.
• Something else I am wondering about is how your
  family supported you in achieving this.

27
Background knowledge II

• When you ask people questions, they often
  dont give you enough information right away.
  Then you have to ask them for additional
  information--- you may want more details or you
  may not be satisfied with the answers they have
  given. Then you should change your question
  techniques for getting the extra information that
  you want.

28
Common Expressions II

• 6. I hope you dont mind my asking, that is,
  would you tell me your age?
• 7. Excuse me, do you happen to know when the
  train to Beijing leaves?
• 8. Sorry, thats not quite what I meant. What I
  really wanted to know was whether I could borrow
  your laptop.
• 9. Sorry to bother you again, but could you tell
  me how you keep in such fantastic shape?
• 10. Sorry, I didnt quite follow what you said.

29
Sample dialogue

• A Excuse me, could you tell me something about
  college life? Im new here.
• B But what would you like to know?
• A What do you usually do after classes?
• B Take me for example. I often go to the reading
  room or the library, where I can get a good
  review of all kinds of newspapers, magazines,
  periodicals or journals.
• A What activities do you take part in?
• B There are always lectures and reports. Every
  Friday evening we can watch English films or
  video in our Department.
• A I like that. Will there be one this week?
• B Yes, of course. I think Jane Eyre will be on
  show.

30
Sample dialogue II

• A What about sports and other extra-curricular
  activities?
• B Oh, there are ball games nearly every week.
  You can also join different kinds of clubs
  organized by the Students Union.
• A Thats OK. Is there anything else that may be
  of interest to me?
• B Oh, yes. Theres always a dance held on
  Saturday evenings. Are you interested in dancing?
• A Interested? I certainly am. But I really dont
  know what to do. College life is quite rich and
  full.

31
Practice

• This is the first time youve studied in
  the Department of English. You are talking with a
  sophomore. Ask him/her something about the
  department. The following are topics of
  information for your reference teachers,
  facilities, classroom, extra-curricular
  activities, etc.

32
Task 6

• Making a Request

33
Cultural Background

• Westerners tend to use rather roundabout
  ways of asking for things or favors, but use very
  friendly and frank words in responding to a
  request. If they offer you something, like a
  seat, they may do so only once. So if you feel
  you want it, just say Thank you or You are so
  kind, and take the offer. If you are at a
  Westerners home and you need a drink, some fresh
  air, or even the toilet, you can ask politely and
  they wont be offended.

34
Common Expressions

• If you are not too busy, could you do me a favor?
• Please oblige me by lifting this box.
• Would you be so kind as to explain the theory?
• Id be very grateful if youd get me up at 7
  tomorrow.
• Would you do me a good turn by decorating the
  Christmas tree?
• Id appreciate it if you could advise me how to
  do it.
• Will you please download this program for me at
  your computer?
• Could you be so kind as to ask for sick leave for
  me from Professor Jones?
• Could you get me two books if you happen to go to
  the bookstore?

35
Sample dialogue

• A It looks like I could use another pair of
  hands. Colin, would you help me with the box?
• B Sure.
• A Im glad you come along. This is heavy!
• B Whats in it?
• A My new stereo equipment. I just bought it.
• B Great! Where do you want it to be placed?
• A In my dorm.
• A Do you need me help to set it up?
• B Thanks anyway, but I think I can manage. The
  salesclerk explained how to do it in great detail.

36
Speaking activity---Complete the following
sentences in your own words

• May/ Can/ Could I?
• Would/ Will/ Could you allow me?
• Would/ Do you mind if I?
• I wonder if you could
• Will you please.
• Could I bother you to
• Would you be so kind as to
• May I trouble you to

37
Situations

• You dont have time to finish the chores your
  mother assigned you before your friends arrive to
  pick you to go see a movie. Ask your father for
  help.
• You have to make an important phone call but you
  need money. You ask a stranger for some money.
• You are nervous in asking a person on a date, and
  you seek advice from a friend.

38
Task 7

• Giving Thanks

39
Cultural background

• In the English language, Thanks is
  used in informal situations or in the situations
  in which a person has helped you in a not very
  important way. Thank you is the standard form,
  which is acceptable in all situations. Thank you
  very much is used only when someone has done
  something special to help you. The tone of voice
  can also add meaning to a statement of thanks. A
  warm, meaningful Thanks sometimes means a lot
  more to the listener than a cold formal Thank
  you.

40
Common Expressions

• How can I ever repay your kindness?
• I really appreciate your help.
• Id like to give my thanks to all of you.
• How can I thank you enough?
• Allow me to express my gratitude for your
  support.
• It was very kind of you to give me so much of
  your time.
• I owe all my achievements to your guidance and
  encouragement.
• Im grateful for all youve done for me.
• In Western countries, it is even considered
  polite to thank the person who pays you a
  compliment.

41
Sample dialogue

• A Helen, Ive finished correcting your homework.
• B Thank you. Any mistakes this time?
• A Yes, everywhere.
• B Oh, Im going to kill myself!
• A Come on, Helen. I was just joking.
• B What do you mean then?
• A Youve made no mistakes this time. Ive very
  glad youve made such great progress.
• B Oh, really? Thanks a lot. Thank you so much
  for your help!
• A Youre welcome.

42
Practice--- Judge which of the following can be
used either as thanks or as responses to thanks
and try to use them in your conversations.

• Im delighted to have been of some help to you.
• Dont mention it.
• Youre most welcome.
• Im only too glad to have been of service to you.
• Its nothing.

43
Situations

• You see a good friend crying in her bed. Offer
  help to her. And she thanks you.
• 2. You find a petty girl or handsome boy having
  difficulty in her or his studying of English.
  Offer help and she/he thanks you.

44
Task 8

• Making an Apology

45
Cultural background

• When an Englishman does something wrong,
  he will save a lot of trouble by apologizing
  first before others complain to him. In this case
  it may be even more essential to break the bad
  news gently(??????????). After people hear what
  he does, they may ask him to explain how the
  thing happens. They may then forgive him.

46
Background information

• Westerners do not consider excessive modesty
  a great virtue as Chinese people do. Phrases such
  as Im sorry to have wasted your time are
  considered very embarrassing if, in fact, you
  really believe you are wasting others time, you
  should stay away from an office, not give a
  report to a seminar, or not give a speech at a
  conference.

47
Expressions

• Excuse / Pardon/ Forgive me, please.
• Excuse my interrupting you.
• Im sorry to bother/ trouble you.
• Im very/ extremely/ terribly/ awfully sorry.
• I owe you an apology for being late.
• Ive got to apologize to you for not keeping my
  promise.
• Hope you dont mind.
• Please forgive me for my carelessness.
• I didnt mean to offend you.
• I think its I, not you, that should say sorry.

48
Sample dialogue--- Id like to apologize

• A Sorry, Lily. Id like to apologize for
  breaking your glasses while tidying up your desk.
• B So it was you! You must have been careless.
• A Im on duty today. It was the first time Id
  ever been so clumsy. Im really sorry.
• B Well, in that case, dont worry about it any
  more.
• A Ill pay for it and try to be more careful in
  the future.
• B Theres no need to pay, but be sure youre
  careful form now on.
• A I will. Sorry again.

49
Situations

• In a dance party, one partner treads on the
  others toes. What should one say? And how should
  the other respond?
• 2. Two friends should meet at the entrance to the
  cinema at the specific time. But one is late for
  some time.

50
Task 9

• Making a suggestion

51
Background knowledge

• There are many ways of trying to get
  people to do things for their own good. But the
  expressions you use depend on
• 1. How difficult or unpleasant the action you
  suggest is and
• 2. Who you are and who you are talking to--- the
  roles you are playing.
• Remember the suggestions or advice on
  personal matters are usually given only to close
  friends or when someone asks for advice. North
  Americans like to do their own things and mind
  their own business.

52

• Avoid Youd better or any other structures that
  are commonly for strong advice, like I think you
  should and I suppose you must,
• Because these structures suggest the listener has
  done something wrong.
• Use the structures that give the listener the
  option of declining your advice or suggestion,
  e.g. Perhaps you could, How about or
  Couldnt you try. And the tone of their advice
  is also sincere.

53

• Consider volume, texture, pitch, and speed
• the volume of the voice should be low,
• the texture soft,
• the pitch high,
• the speed normal
• In a word, advice should sound understanding and
  open to discussion.

54
Common Expressions

• You should/ ought to do it at once.
• Youd better wear a heavy coat.
• I think it a good idea to meet him in the
  station.
• How/ What about going window-shopping?
• Why dont you speak to her about it?
• The doctor suggested that he stop smoking.
• Follow my advice and take more exercise.
• Couldnt you try to tell her the truth?
• If I were you, Id tell her everything.
• Can you give me some advice?

55
Dialogue--- Some advice on how to improve spoken
English

• A Hi, advisor! Would you be so kind to give me
  some advice on how to improve my spoken English?
  Ive been studying English for over ten years,
  and I got high scores in the TOEFL exam, but I
  still find it hard to express myself in English.
• B Dont worry. Ill be glad to help you. As I
  know, most Chinese students spend a lot of time
  reading, writing, and doing written exercises
  when they are in their country learning English.
  They seldom open their mouths to speak it.

56

• No wonder, they find it difficult to
  communicate well with the native speakers when
  they come to America. I suggest you apply for the
  One on One Conversation Program.
• A Whats the One on One Conversation Program.?
• B Its one of the services provided by the
  International Student Centers. If you ask for
  help, you will soon get a conversation partner to
  help you practice your oral English.

57

• A How much do I pay?
• B Usually, its free of charge. Most of the
  partner are retired professors, housewives and
  young students who are interested in foreign
  cultures.
• A Thank you for having told me so much. BYE!

58
Situations

• You have got a letter from one of your
  friends, in which your friend asks for your
  advice on a tough problem. But you have no idea
  about it. So you now bring the problem to your
  class, try your classmates one by one until you
  find the best advice for your friend. Of course,
  you should make up a tough problem first.

59
Task 10

• Making an Appointment

60
Cultural background

• In some cultures, it is important to arrive
  on time for appointments, but in some other
  cultures people are not expected to arrive on
  time. In the US, people like others to be on time
  for business appointments, while for private
  parties its advisable to be a little late.

61
Background information

• In western countries, generally speaking,
  you need to make an appointment first if you try
  to visit a doctor, teacher, hairdresser, etc.To
  go to a popular restaurant,you should also call
  ahead to make a dinner reservation. A visit to a
  doctor especially requires an appointment, since
  doctors are usually very busy. If you are very
  sick and have no time for an appointment, you
  must go to an emergency room of a hospital where
  a doctor in on duty. This might be very expensive
  in some countries.

62
Common Expressions

• What time is convenient for you?
• Im free tomorrow, how about you?
• Ive a dental appointment at 4pm, and I cant
  break it.
• I wonder if I could change my appointment from
  Tuesday to Thursday?
• I will break up with someone if he has bad
  manners.
• Youve been dating Mary for a long time.I only
  dated Susan twice.
• So what do you say about Friday evening? Ill
  take you out to dinner and then the movies.

63
Common Expressions

• 8.Interviews are by appointment only. Is
  Wednesday afternoon good for you?
• 9. Its polite to fix an appointment with
  somebody before you visit him.
• 10.Youve a date with your girlfriend tonight my
  date is meeting me at seven.

64
Sample dialogue--- Id like to make an
appointment to see Dr. Fox.

• A Hello, this is Dr.Foxs Clinic. May I help
  you?
• B Yes, this is Mr. Clark.Id like to make an
  appointment to see Dr.Fox.
• A Certainly. When would you like to come?
• B Ive a terrible pain in my back, so I need an
  appointment as soon as possible.
• A Im afraid he is not free until 4 oclock this
  afternoon.
• B Oh, dear! Im meeting a friend at 4.

65

• A Dr. Fox is very busy at the moment.He wont be
  able to see you unless you come after 4.
• B Well, all right. Ill come at 4.
• A That would be fine. Now, could you please give
  me your full name, address, phone number and
  insurance details?
• B OK.

66
Discuss the following questions with a partner

• 1.A young fellow will go out with a beautiful
  girl for the first time by appointment.What
  preparations should he make?
• 2. Some teens like to make friends on the
  Internet. They do not know each other, but
  sometimes they would make appointments or dates
  with each other. Whatre good and bad points in
  this situation respectively?
• 3. Whats the difference between a western
  appointment and an eastern one?

67
Task 11

• Making an Invitation

68
Cultural background

• When you invite a westerner to dinner, its
  necessary to extend the invitation a week or so
  in advance as he may have other plans. It would
  be considered inappropriate to give a last minute
  call to invite somebody over to dinner. The
  invitation may be given directly or over the
  telephone. For informal invitation a letter or an
  invitation card is sent. In this case the
  receiver should reply to confirm whether he comes
  or not.

69
Expressions

• Lets have lunch together at McDonalds. Its on
  me. / My treat.
• When can we expect you for a picnic?
• How about coming over for Christmas?
• Would you do me a favor by attending my
  graduation ceremony?
• Would you like to go to the movies with us?

70
Background information

• In the US, it is polite to accept or refuse
  an invitation the first time it is offered. And
  Americans usually give a reason when they have to
  say no to an invitation. Its also common for
  them to bring a small gift to someones house for
  dinner to show appreciation. A bottle of wine,
  some flowers, or a box of candy are the most
  common gift.

71
Expressions

• 6. Hes been invited to give a talk at the
  conference.
• 7. Admission is by invitation only.
• 8. Are you interested in coming to the party?
• 9. It would be very nice if you could attend our
  Christmas party.
• 10. Were invited out to dinner tonight.

72
Did you invite his wife?

• A By the way, I meant to tell you just now Id
  invited Prof. Roberta for tea on Saturday
  afternoon.
• B Good.Did you invite his wife?
• A No. Should I have?
• B Yes. When you invite a husband or wife to a
  social occasion, you should invite the spouse as
  well.
• A And the kids?
• B No. Thats not necessary unless you choose to.
• A OK. Ill call him up and invite his wife.

73
Situations

• Pair work One invites the other to do the
  following things.
• Have dinner with you next Friday evening.
• Come over to your home tomorrow afternoon.
• Go shopping with you after school
• Go camping

74
Unit One

• Festival and Holiday

75
Western Festival and Holidays
76
Cultural background

• There are many holidays and festivals in
  America. These holidays often fall on a Monday or
  Sunday to produce a three-day weekend. During
  the national holidays, schools and government
  offices close but private businesses are
  sometimes still open.

77
The national holidays include

• New Years Day,
• Martin Luther Kings Birthday (Jan 13th),
• Lincolns Birthday (Feb. 12th),
• Memorial Day (May 24th,???????
• Independence Day (July 4th),
• Labor Day (Sept. 6th ???),
• Columbus Day (Oct. 12th),
• Thanksgiving Day (last Thurs. in Nov.), etc.
• Christmas

78
Some holidays with no day off include

• St. Valentines Day
• Easter (the first Sunday after the first full
  moon after March 21st)
• April Fools Day
• Mothers Day (the second Sunday in May)
• Fathers Day (the third Sunday in June)
• Halloween (October 31st)
• Veterans Day (Nov. 11th?????)

79
Common Expressions

• With best wishes for a merry Christmas and a
  happy New year!
• Independence Day, 4 July, is celebrated in the US
  as the nations birthday.
• Hallowe en refers to 31 October, the eve of All
  Saints Day.
• In England and Wales, Boxing Day (???)is the
  first weekday after Christmas Day.

80
Dialogue--- A Valentine

• A Morning, Bill.
• B Morning, Albert.
• A You look a little down. Whats wrong?
• B I didnt sleep well last night. I promised to
  give Mary a satisfying gift on Valentines Day.
  But she got angry when I gave it to her.
• A What was the gift?
• B A red dress.
• A Thats romantic.
• B What Mary likes is not only romantic but also
  expensive. She wants a diamond ring!

81
Dialogue II--- Asking for Halloween

• A Hi, Alice. What are you busy with?
• B Oh look! Im preparing my dress for
  Halloween. Its coming.
• A Halloween? When? And what is it?
• B Its the last night of October. It was said
  that it was the night when witches and evil
  spirits came back on earth. Superstitious people
  kept up many strange old customs to keep these
  evil influences away. For example, farmers would
  hang a few rowan leaves(????) over each of the
  stable and shed doors. For witches and evil
  spirits would not go anywhere near the rowan tree.

82

• A Nowadays, how do you usually celebrate the
  festival?
• B In recent times, Halloween has become a time
  for fancy dress parties. Children will dress up
  as witches and play games such as Trick or
  Treat.
• A Trick or Treat? What do you mean by this?
• B Its a phrase said by children who call at
  houses on Halloween to receive sweets, etc. and
  threaten mischief if they do not receive them.
• A Oh, I see.

83
Situational Dialogue

• Situation A Chinese businessman arrived in New
  York just a few days before Christmas Day. He
  asked one of his American friends about Christmas
  and the celebration of it. And the American
  friend asked him about the information of the
  Chinese Spring Festival. You should focus on the
  origins, significance and customs of the holidays.

84
Answer the following questions

• Do you think Christmas Day still carries a strong
  religious flavor nowadays in the West? Why or why
  not?
• Do you believe it is Santa Claus that brings
  presents to children?
• Why do you think that the Americans dont
  celebrate May Day?
• What does new life have to do with Easter? What
  is the symbolic meaning of Easter Eggs?

85

Chinese Festivals and Holidays
86
Common expressions

• May you be happy and prosperous!?????
• The 7th day of the 7th lunar month is sometimes
  called the Chinese St. Valentines Day. In a
  Chinese legend, the Cowherd and the Girl Weaver,
  once a happy couple, become stars separated by
  the Milky Way. They can meet only once a year
  when magpies fly together to form a bridge over
  the Milky Way on the 7th day of the 7th lunar
  month.
• The Mid-autumn Festival is on the 15th of the 8th
  lunar month its not a statutory holiday.(????)

87
Speaking Activity

• Discuss the following questions
• How would you explain the word spring in the
  Spring Festival?
• Who would you think likes the Spring Festival
  best? Why?
• Do you know the origin of the Chinese word nian?

88
Unit Two

• Complaint

89
Cultural Background

• In English, direct complaint can be impolite.
  There are many kinds of complaints. In order to
  be polite and appropriate, we can express our
  complaints by asking a question. Then the
  question is followed by the reason why something
  should be stopped. Here is an example Do you
  mind turning off the radio? You see, Ive got a
  test tomorrow and I really need some sleep.

90
Common Expressions

• What a miserable day it is!
• Ive got a complaint to make.
• Id like to file a complaint with the manager.
• I dont want to embarrass you, but I really think
  you ought to have spoken to him.
• I came here to tell you that our working
  conditions are extremely poor.

91
More expressions

• 6. You shouldnt have said that, Linda.
• 7. Wouldnt it be a good idea to leave the bed
  made clean?
• 8. I hate to say this, but Im really fed up of
  your carelessness.
• 9. Look, Im sorry to disturb you, but I wish you
  wouldnt have your TV on so loud.
• 10. Would you be kind enough not to bother me any
  more?

92
You were playing it very late last night.

• A Hello, Cecily! Could I talk with you for a
  minute?
• B Please, Robert.
• A Oh, Cecily. I.. I hate to bring this up, but
  but that new stereo system you got
• B Yeah?
• A You were playing it very late last night.
• B Yeah?
• A It kept me awake a couple of hours.
• B Oh, Im sorry. I didnt realize it was that
  loud.
• A It was loud, and it was pretty late, you know.
• B I m very sorry. I promise Ill turn it down
  in the future. A Its OK. Thank
  you, then.

93
Pair work

• Tell your disappointment, resentment, etc. to
  your partner about the following situations
• You had planned to climb a mountain this weekend,
  but the weather turned windy and rainy.
• Your roommate always uses your things without
  asking for your permission.
• Your friend borrowed your favorite book and lost
  it.

94
Unit Three

• Preference

95
Background information

• At times saying what you like or dislike before
  others can be quite difficult. The skill of being
  tactful needs the firsthand experience of a
  culture as well as good study.

96
Common Expressions

• Theres juice or sour milk. Which do you prefer?
• I prefer fish to beef.
• Id rather have a walk than stay at home all
  day.
• Im more interested in modern jazz.
• Hamburgers do appeal to me.
• I dont care for them at all.
• Do you go for modern music?
• There is nothing in the world more enjoyable than
  taking a shower after work.
• What would you say to their suggestion of having
  a break now?
• I dont know what can be a better entertainment.

97
Dialogue---Hamburgers there do appeal to me

• A Hi, Anne. Wherere you going?
• B Hi, Kent. Im going to McDonalds. Hamburgers
  there do appeal to me.
• A You like them? I dont care for them at all.
  On the contrary, I prefer Chinese food.
• B Do you? I think it pretty unpleasant having a
  meal in a smoke-filled Chinese restaurant. At
  McDonalds, you can enjoy its pleasant
  hamburgers, tasty fried chips, refreshing soft
  drinks and lots of other foods. Whats more, you
  have all these in a clean and comfortable
  environment. Theres nothing in the world more
  enjoyable than having a meal there.

98
A Anne, you are exaggerating! Hamburgers and
the like never arouse my interest. Chinese food
is rich, various and colorful. In a Chinese
restaurant, you enjoy its food and culture at the
same time. I dont know what can be a better
entertainment.
99
Speaking Activity

• Ask your partner which of the following items in
  each pair he/she prefers, and request him/her to
  give reasons.
• An English film a Chinese film
• Riding a bicycle taking a bus
• Winter summer
• Talking with friends chatting with strangers on
  Internet
• American English British English

100
Unit Four

• Approval and Disapproval

101
Background information

• People often have different viewpoints on the
  same thing, perhaps partly because they were
  brought up with different cultures and
  subcultures or partly because they are in
  different social positions. So it is very
  important for you to keep it in your mind that
  there are different ways to express yourself for
  different occasions and to agree or disagree with
  others ideas and opinions in a proper way.

102
Expressions

• 1. I couldnt agree more.
• 2. Thats just what I was thinking about.
• 3. We approached the problem from different
  angles.
• 4. They are right, to a certain degree.
• 5. Thats a good point.
• 6. I strongly object to making students do
  homework all day.
• 7. I hope you dont mind my saying so.
• 8. I am not sure if I agree with you there.
• 9. I know what you mean, but you should also
  listen to the opinions of others.

103
Dialogue--- Women belong in the home

• A Many people think women belong in the home.
  Going out to work is mens business.
• B Thats not necessarily true. Housework is
  important, of course, but it should be shred by
  the wife and husband. What I am saying is women
  should work both in and out of the home.
• A Youre right in a sense, but children want
  looking after and husbands need wives to keep
  house.
• B I know what you mean. But women will see too
  little of the outside world and fall behind the
  time if they are tied hard to housework all the
  time.

104
A Nonsense! Women are women and masters of
the house, just as men are better cut out for
physical work. B I dont agree with you. A
Thats the way its always been and should be. B
I hope you dont mind my saying that some things
should be changed.
105
Situational dialogues respond to the given
situations below in three ways positive,
indecisive, and negative.

• 1. I had enough money to return you the amount I
  borrowed last week. On the way to pay you back I
  bought a new music album. So I can pay you back
  next week. Is that all right?
• 2. Ive decided to ask the prettiest girl in
  school to go to the dance with me, who is
  someones girlfriend. Do you think its a good
  idea?
• 3. Well son, your mother and I are moving to
  another city. This means that you will have to
  change another elementary school as well. Is this
  all right with you?

106
Unit Five

• Mood

107
Cultural Background

• People experience similar emotions all
  over the world, but some of them are expressed
  differently. In some parts of the world, people
  express emotions very freely and you can read
  their faces like a book. In other parts of the
  world, however, it is not always as easy to know
  what another person is feeling. People from
  certain parts of the world are said to be
  hot-blooded or hot-tempered. This means that
  they express their anger easily and quickly. In
  some parts of the world, however, people are
  taught that expressing anger is wrong and it
  shows a lack of control.

108
Common expressions

• Let me tell you how Im feeling.
• I am uncomfortable about what she said.
• My sons in a mood today.
• Its not easy for me to say this, but Im a bit
  upset about what happened.
• Im fed up with all this nonsense.
• Im not keen on that sort of entertainment.
• Thats the best thing Ive heard in this year.
• What a nuisance!
• Shes always in a bad mood on Mondays.
• That fellows manner really turns me off
• .????

109
Dialogue-How was the dancing party last night?

• A How was the dancing party last night,
  Jason?Did you enjoy it?
• B Oh, dont talk to me about last night! It was
  the most awful evening Ive ever had.
• A Why? What happened?
• B Well, Mary had promised to be my dancing
  partner, but she couldnt get away from the
  good-looking new-comer, Ellis, and she seemed not
  to know I was there.
• A What about the party, anyway?
• B It was boring. The music was too slow and the
  drink was lousy (very bad).
• A SO how long did you stay there?
• B I left after the opening dance. I couldnt
  wait to get out of there.

110
Speaking Activity

• You and your friends are in different moods as
  being angry, depressed, happy, bored, worried,
  etc. Tell each other the moods, and try to change
  your speaking partner after a discussion.