my studies.
B: Well, I just play for the fun of it. It gets my mind off things.
A: Computer games might be good for letting out stress, but they are harmful.
B: Harmful? How so?
A: They distract you from studies, make you stay up late, make you forget to eat, and are
bad for your eyes.
B: That sounds exaggerated.
A: I’m not exaggerating. That’s why I gave them up years ago.
B: So what do you do instead?
A: Now, I just read a book, watch some films, or listen to some music as a way of relaxing. B: Hmm. I suppose those might be better leisure activities.
Unit 8
Part 2
A: Dr. Wang B: Cindy
A: Have you checked your email, Cindy?
B: I am afraid I haven’t, Dr. Wang. Did you send me an email?
A: Yes, two days ago.
B: I’m so sorry, but I’ve been having a lot of problems with my computer lately.
A: What kind of problems?
B: I keep on getting junk mail.
A: Then why don’t you just delete them?
B: It’s not that simple. They seem to be clogging up my mail box, so now I can’t tell the
difference between spam mail and ordinary mail.
A: Then I suggest opening a new email account.
B: That’s a good idea. I will do so after I have reinstalled my computer.
A: What’s wrong with your computer?
B: I think there’s a virus on it. Ever since I downloaded an application, it’s stopped me from
updating other programs.
A: Have you tried a virus scanner?
B: Yes, I have. But because it can’t update properly, it doesn’t seem to detect the virus. A: Oh, well. It’s indeed best that you reinstall your computer.
Unit 9, R46: The teacher
Part 1
A: Jane B: Cindy
A: What do you think of the philosophy teacher, Dr. Wang?
B: It’s still early days in the course, but I think she is outstanding. Her undergraduate degree is from Peking University. She did her postgraduate research at Princeton.
A: I am also impressed with her. What strikes me is how well-read she is. Just as importantly, she is a good communicator.
B: I agree. I find she genuinely knows how to engage the students. That’s perhaps her greatest strength.
A: Hmm, I would actually say her greatest strength is getting students to think critically. B: Really?
A: Yes, I mean, it is very important for philosophy students to be objective, speak and write logically, and draw logical conclusions. She seems very skilled at getting students to do this. B: Yeah, you are right.
A: I also like the way she encourages group discussion through debate. It’s an ideal way to tackle issues from different angles.
B: You said it! I guess we’re very fortunate to be her students!
unit 9, R46: The odd landlord
Part 2
A: Jack B: Eric
A: Is it just me, Eric, or does the landlord seem a bit weird?
B: Funny you should ask that: because of his long, orange hair and all of his tattoos, he used to give me the creeps.
A: Used to?
B: Yes, now that I have spoken to him a number of times, I realize that he is a very nice guy. He is simply a bit eccentric.
A: Eccentric?
B: Yeah, his style is not exactly conventional, and his daily routine is not what I would call typical.
A: I know! He seems to sleep all day and stay awake all night! His light is always on no matter what time I come home. I wonder what he does for a living?
A: I know what he does – we’ve had good discussions about it.
B: Wait, let me guess: is he a musician?
A: Nope, he is an author and free-lance journalist. He told me he gets his best writing done at night, when no one can disturb him. I’ve read some of his work in the Weekend Gazette – it’s extremely witty! You can talk to him about it yourself: I’ve invited him for supper tomorrow!
Unit 10: Survival, R50
Part 1
A: Eric B: Jack
A: Have you ever suffered from a natural disaster?
B: Yes, I once experienced an earthquake.
A: When did it happen?
B: It happened two years ago when I was visiting Sichuan.
A: That must have been terrible.
B: It was. At the time I was sleeping, until I got woken up by screams.
A: What did you see?
B: As soon as I heard the screams, I saw the furniture trembling and things falling down
around me.
A: What did you do?
B: I hid under my bed, hoping that it would all be over soon, but it just got worse. A: What happened?
B: The whole building collapsed within seconds.
A: How did you escape?
B: I couldn’t escape. I was trapped in the rubble, unable to move my arms or legs. A: What happened then?
B: I was in complete darkness for hours and hours, until a rescue team came and saved me.
I’m lucky to be alive.