Ted: Oh, I’m really sorry. Are you OK?`
Ana: I’m fine. But I’m not very good at this.
Ted: Neither am I. Say, are you from South America? Ana: Yes, I am, originally. I was born in Argentina. Ted: Did you grow up there?
Ana: Yes, I did, but my family moved here eight years ago, when I was in high school. Ted: And where did you learn to Rollerblade?
Ana: Here in the park. This is only my second time.
Ted: Well, it’s my first time. Can you give me some lessons? Ana: Sure. Just follow me.
Ted: By the way, my name is Ted. Ana: And I’m Ana. Nice to meet you.
Ted: Hey hey, that was fun. Thanks for the lesson.
Ana: No problem. So tell me a little about yourself. What do you do? Ted: I work in a travel agency.
Ana: Really? What do you do there? Ted: I’m in charge of their computers. Ana: Oh, so you’re a computer specialist. Ted: Well, sort of. Yeah, I guess so.
Ana: That’s great. Then maybe you can give me some help with the computer course I’m taking. Ted: Oh, sure. But only if you promise to give me some more Rollerblading lessons. Ana: En, it’s a deal.
H: Where are you from originally, Yu Hong? Y: I’m from China. From near Shanghai. H: And when did you move here?
Y: I came here after I graduated from college. That was in 1992. H: And what do you do now? Y: I’m a transportation engineer.
H: I see. So you’re an immigrant to the United States. Y: Yeah, that’s right.
H: What are some of the difficulties of being an immigrant in the US?
Y: Oh, that’s not an easy question to answer. There’re so many things, really. I guess one of the biggest difficulties is that I don’t have any relatives here. I mean, I have a lot of friends. But that’s not the same thing. In China, on holidays or the weekend, we visit relatives. It isn’t the same here.
H: And what do you miss the most from home?
Y: Oh, that’s easy – my mom’s soup. She makes great soup. I really miss my mother’s cooking.
H: Where are you from, Ajy? A: I’m from India.
H: And when did you move to the US? A: It was in 1991.
H: Are you studying here at the moment?
A: Not now. I came here as a student and graduated two years ago. I’m working as a computer technician.
H: Ah ha. And what was it like when you first came here? Was it difficult?
A: Yeah, it was at times. The main difficulty I had was with the educational system. Things are very different here. Teaching methods…Everything is very different from what I was used to in India.
H: And what do you miss the most from India?
A: To tell you the truth, after you’re here for a while, you don’t miss anything very much. Hum, but I guess the weather and my family are the things I miss. And the quality of life. The quality of life is much nicer back home, frankly speaking.
Jeff: Hey! Are these pictures of you when you were a kid?
Kim: Yeah. That’s me in front of my uncle’s beach house. When I was a kid, we used to spend
two weeks there every summer. Jeff: Wow, I bet that was fun!
Kim: Yeah. We always had a great time. Every day we used to get up early and walk along the
beach. I had a great shell collection. In fact, I think it’s still up in the attic!
Jeff: Hey, I used to collect shells, too, when I was a kid. But my parents threw them out!
Jeff: You know what I remember most about growing up? Kim: What?
Jeff: Visiting my grandparents house. You know, on holidays and stuff, they lived way out in the
country. And my granddad had a horse named Blakie. He taught me how to ride. I just love that horse. And she love me too. I used to really enjoy spending time at my grandparents’ house. But every time I came back, Blakie remembered me. Kim: Oh, memories.
Lynn: Why is there never a bus when you want one?
Sam: Good question. There aren’t enough buses on this route. Lynn: Sometimes I feel like writing a letter to the paper.
Sam: Good idea. You should say that we need more subway lines, too. Lynn: Yeah. There should be more public transportation in general. Sam: And fewer cars! There’s too much traffic. Lynn: Say, is that our bus coming? Sam: Yes, it is. But look. It’s full!
Lynn: Oh, no! Let’s go and get a cup of coffee. We can talk about this letter I’m going to write.
Sam: Are you really going to write a letter to the paper?
Lynn: Sure. I’m going to say something about the buses. They are too old. We need more
modern buses. Nice air-conditioned ones. Sam: And they need to put more buses on the road.
Lynn: Right. And there are too many cars downtown. And there isn’t enough parking. Sam: That’s for sure. It’s impossible to find a parking space downtown these days. Lynn: I think they should ban private cars downtown between nine and five.
Sam: Oh, you mean, they shouldn’t allow any cars except taxies and buses during the regular
workday. That sounds like a really good idea.
Quite a number of things have been done to help solve our traffic problems in Singapore. For example, motorist must buy a special pass if they want to drive into the downtown business district. They can go into the business district only if they have their pass displayed on their wind-shield.
Another thing Singapore has done is to make it more difficult to buy cars. People have to apply for a certificate if they want to buy a car. And the number of certificates is limited. Not everyone can get one. There’s also a high tax on cars. It costs three or four times as much to buy a car in Singapore as it does in, say, the United States or Canada.
The other thing Singapore has done is to build an excellent public transportation system. And the subway system is one of the best in the world. And there is also a very good taxi and bus system.
Erica: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the bank is? Man: There’s one upstairs, across from the duty-free shop. Erica: Oh, thanks. Do you know what time it opens? Man: It should be open now. It opens at 8:00 A.M.
Erica: Good. And can you tell me how often the buses leave for the city?
Man: You need to check at the transportation counter. It’s right down the hall. Erica: OK. And just one more thing. Do you know where the nearest restroom is? Man: Right behind you, ma’am. See that sign? Erica: Oh. Thanks a lot.
Erica: Excuse me. It’s me again. I’m sorry I need some more information if you don’t mind. Man: Not at all.
Erica: Thanks. Do you know how much a taxi costs to the city?
Man: Well, it depends on the traffic of course. But it usually costs about 40 dollars.
Erica: 40 dollars? I guess I’ll take the bus. That means I have almost an hour till the next one.
Where could I find an inexpensive restaurant in the airport? Maybe a fast food place. Man: Go upstairs and turn right. You’ll see a snack bar on your left. Erica: Thanks very much. Have a nice day. Man: You too.
Mr. Dean: What do you think?
Mrs. Dean: Well, it has just as many bedrooms as the last apartment. And the living room is
huge.
Jenny: But the bedrooms are too small. And there isn’t enough closet space for my
clothes.
Mr. Dean: And it’s not as cheap as the last apartment we saw.
Mrs. Dean: But that apartment was dark and dingy. And it was in a dangerous neighborhood. Mr. Dean: Let’s see if the real estate agent has something else to show us.
Mr. Dean: Well, how do you like this place, then?
Jenny: Oh, it’s much better than that other one. The thing I like best is the bedrooms. They
are huge!
Mrs. Dean: Yes, they are nice and big.
Jenny: And there are two bathrooms! I could have my own bathroom! Mrs. Dean: Yes, I guess you could.
Jenny: The only problem is the color of the living room. I really don’t like those dark green
walls.
Mr. Dean: Oh, I’m sure we can change the color if we want to.
M: Creative Rentals. Good morning.
W: Hello. I’m calling about the apartment you have for rent. M: Yes. What can I tell you about it? W: Where is it exactly?
M: It’s on King Street. Just off the freeway.
W: Oh, near the free way. Can you hear the traffic?
M: Yes, I’m afraid you do hear some. But the apartment has lots of space. It has three
bedrooms and a very large living room. W: I see. And is it in a new building?
M: Well, the building is about 50 years old. W: Ah ha. Well, I’ll think about it. M: OK, thanks for calling. W: Thank you, bye.
W: Hello?
M: Hello. Is the apartment you’re advertising still available? W: Yes, it is.
M: Can you tell me a little about it?
W: Well, it’s a perfect apartment for one person. It’s one room with a kitchen at one end. M: I see. And is it far away from the subway?
W: There’s a subway station just down the street. Actually, the apartment is located right
downtown, so you step out of the building and there are stores and restaurants everywhere. But it’s on a high floor, so you don’t hear any street or traffic noise.
M: It sounds like just the kind of place I’m looking for. I’d like to come see it, please. W: Sure. Let me give you the address.
M: Town and City Rentals. How can I help you?
W: Hi. Umm… is that apartment you advertised still available. M: Yes, it is.
W: Oh, good. Umm… listen. I, I can’t pay too much, so the low price you’re asking is, is really
good for me. M: Great.
W: And how big is it?
M: It has two rooms plus the kitchen and bathroom. W: Well, is it a safe place to live?
M: I can tell you I’ve lived here for 5 years and I never heard about anybody having a problem. W: Oh, that’s good. Uh, let’s see. Oh, yes. Does the apartment have a lot of windows?
M: Yes there are a plenty of windows. But unfortunately, there isn’t much light really. See, there
is another building right next to ours.
W: Oh, that’s OK. I’m never around in the day anyway. Do you think it’s all right if I come and
look at it?
M: Any time. When do you want to see it?
Brian: So where are you working now, Terry?
Terry: Oh, I’m still at the bank. I don’t like it, though. Brian: That’s too bad. Why not?
Terry: Well, it’s boring, and it doesn’t pay very well.
Brian: I know what you mean. I don’t like my job either. I wish I could find a better job.
Terry: Actually, I don’t want to work at all anymore. I wish I had a lot of money so I could retire
now.
Brian: Hmm, how old are you, Terry? Terry: Uh, twenty-six.
Brian: So how are things going with you and Susie, Terry?
Terry: Oh, you didn’t know? She and I broke up a couple of months ago. We decided we needed
a break from each other for a while. But I miss her a lot. I wish we could get back together again.
Brian: I’m sure you will.