1 WomenYou know something? I just saw our English teacher walking hand in hand with a girl. Are you talking about a girl with two long braids? Yes. Did you see them too? Sure! With this telescope, I can see anything on campus. By the way, there’s a good movie showing in the school auditorium tonight. Would you like to see it? Is it a war movie starring Jacky Wang? No, it’s a love story starring Sophia Loren. Is it a movie called “My Fair Lady”? No, I don’t think so, but I forget the name of the movie. When will the movie start? I want to put on some make-up before we go. I don’t like people to stare at my pimples. I’d better fix my make-up, too. May I use your cream and lipstick? Yes, please. Are you ready? No, I have to put on my stockings and shoes. Are you going to wear high-heeled shoes? Yes, I am.I’ll do the same.ⅠYou know something? George is in love with a girl. I saw them sitting close together on the lawn of a golf course last night. Are you talking about a girl named Linda? I don’t know her name. I only know she’s a cute girl with two deep dimples. That’s her.ⅡAre you going to take your kids to see the cartoon showing in the Shihlin Theater? You mean the cartoon made by Jack Lee? Yes, that’s the best cartoon ever made by him. It’s been showing there for five weeks, and the place is still packed.ⅢWhat keeps you so busy? I’m working on an English conversation book. Didn’t you publish your book last month? Yes, but that was a lousy book. You claimed it was the best book ever written by you. Yes, but that was three weeks ago.Drill Have you seen any good movies lately? Yes, I saw a good love story called “My Ex-husband” last week. Why do you think it’s a good moving? The plot was simple but moving. Also, every scene in the movie looked very realistic. Who is the screenwriter? The movie was adapted from a novel written by Wangyang. Is Wangyang a famous writer? Yes, he’s a popular novelist. Is he very sociable? No, he’s always trying to isolate himself from society. He likes to be a hermit. Do most Chinese intellectuals like to be hermits? No, not necessarily. Was there a hermit named Chiuyuan in Chinese history? Yes, he was a poet. Do you have the Dragon Boat Day in memory of him? Yes, he was respected because of his loyalty to his country. Why do you eat sticky rice wrapped up in bamboo leaves on Dragon Boat Day? It’s a long story. To make along story short, people didn’t want any fish to eat Chiuyuan’s corpse after he jumped into a river to commit suicide, so they cooked a lot of sticky rice to feed the fish in the river. Why did he commit suicide? Because he couldn’t do anything when his country was at the point of crisis. The king didn’t accept his sincere advice.2 religious beliefsJane, do you have any religious beliefs? Yes, I am a Buddhist. Do you know a lot about Buddha? To be honest, I know nothing about him. I was brought up in a Buddhist family and naturally became a Buddhist. Then you probably don’t know anything about Buddhism, either. No, I don’t. I’m not very religious. How about you? Do you have any religious beliefs? Yes, I’m sincere Christian. I’ve accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. That’s ridiculous. Jesus was justa human, yet you seem to be fanatical about him. You can’t be so arbitrary about this. If Jesus were not God, he couldn’t have performed so many miracles. I don’t want to argue with you.I know I’m bound to lose if I argue with fanatics. You can’t reason with them. Then let’s drop the topic.ⅠAre you a protestant or a Catholic? I’m a Catholic. Do you know a lot about Catholicism? Yes, I studied theology in college. Are you very religious? Yes, I’m so religious that I always donate ten percent of my income to the church.ⅡYou’d better not bother that guy. Why? I’ve got to teach him a lesson because he always tries to seduce my fiancée. Don’t you realize that you’re bound to die if you fight him? He is a seventh-degree judo black belt. Besides, he belongs to a notorious underworld gang.DRILL Have you decided to study in the seminary? Yes, I want to devote my whole life to God. Do you really believe in the existence of God? Yes, I do. Why do you have such strong faith? My faith is based on my deep understanding of Christianity. That’s absurd. Christianity isn’t scientific at all. However, many well-known scientists are sincere Christians. How did get interested in Christianity? I followed my father to church prayer meetings every morning when I was a child. The attitudes of those people aroused my interest, so I began to study the Bible. Are you going to follow your father’s steps as a preacher? Yes, I’m determined to do that. Does your family agree with your decision? No, they object to it. Why did you come so late today? There was a traffic jam so my bus was delayed. Is the traffic in Taipei always in a state ofconfusion? Yes, that’s a problem. The government has been trying hard to improve this. Is that why they’re constructing so many underpasses, overpasses and highways? Yes, that’s part of the reason. Do the policemen here enforce traffic rules strictly? Yes, they’re always doing their best, but many drivers and pedestrians still disobey traffic rules. How much is the fine for running a red light? I don’t know for sure, but I wish it were higher.3 the reception desk ladyExcuse me, miss, could you please tell me if this is the way to the business department? Yes, it is. Go to the far end of the hall, turn right, and you’ll be there. Thank you. By the way, what time do you start work here? We start at eight-thirty in the morning. Do you have a break between twelve and two? No, we only have a one-hour break forlunch. We open at one o’clock in the afternoon. Do you work on weekends? Yes, but only on Saturday mornings. How many employees are there in this company? There’re about two hundred. Do you ever work overtime? Yes, but only when we’re very busy. That rarely happens. Are your salaries high? Yes, they’re decent, but they’re decided on the basis of a person’s position and seniority. Sir, aren’t you going to the business department? I almost forgot! I have an appointment with the director of the department at eleven o’clock. I should have been there five minutes ago. Sorry to rush a way like this.I How many days a week do you work? We work five days a week. Do you work on weekends? Yes, we do, but we have Mondays and Wednesdays off.II Would you like to go downtown after you get off work? Yes, I haven’t beenthere for a long time. What do you plan to do downtown? I’ll treat myself to a big Chinese meal and then buy some clothes hangers.DRILL Are you a student here? No, I am not, but I’ll soon be one. I came here to register. I work here. Do you need any help? Yes, could you please tell me where to register? You can register right here. Should I fill out this form? Yes, this is the registration form. How much is the tuition? It’s five thousand N.T. I can’t afford to pay that much right now. May I pay by installments? Yes, you may, but you have to fill out another form. How much is the first payment? It’s one thousand five hundred N.T. Do you mind if I smoke here? No, I don’t. When do you start work? We start at nine o’clock in the morning, stop at noon for lunch, and open again from two o’clock in theafternoon until six o’clock in the evening. Do you have anything to do after work? No, I don’t. Would you like to go bowling? No, I’m going to see a ballet performance.4 Running into a friendExcuse me, Sir. Could you tell me if there are any stationery stores in this area? Hello, Jane. Don’t you remember me? We met in the Chinese classical music club last semester. Oh? Yes! You seem to have gained some weight and changed your hair style. No wonder I couldn’t recognize you. How have you been lately? I’ve been fine. And you? I’m fine, too. Would you like me to take you to the stationery store? Sure! Thank you. What do you want to buy? I’m going to get a tape, some glue or paste, a pair of scissors. Are you going directly homeafter that? No, I’m going to the zoo. I love to see giraffes and elephants. They are large but peaceful animals. I like animals, too, especially leopards. They are always so calm and alert, just like kungfu masters. Have you ever fed the monkeys there? Yes, I fed them bananas. They know how to peel them. How about the bears? Do they know how to peel bananas, too? No, they’re incredibly stupid. They swallow bananas with peels. How many kinds of animals do you think there are in the zoo? Let’s see! There’re hippos, tigers, lions, ostriches, peacocks, camels, donkeys, wolves, foxes, deer (I)don’t think you can ever count them all. The best way to find out is to ask someone who works there. The way you count them makes you look like one of those stupid bears.Ⅰcongratulations! You’re now free. Thank you! The judge almost wrongedme and sentenced me to death. You seem to have suffered a lot in jail. Yes, without enough food and clothing. I nearly froze to death.ⅡAre you sure your tutor was taken away by those criminals? Yes, they grabbed her and pulled her out of my study. Can you think up a way to rescue her? The only way to save her is to report the truth to the police. Their job is to protect us.5 wedding anniversaryAre you crazy? Why do you buy so much seafood? I invited all my colleagues to dinner tonight. Don’t you remember what day it is? Jesus! It’s our wedding anniversary. Who’s going to cook today?I have no idea about how to prepare those cuttlefish and lobsters. I’ve got a special recipe to cook cuttlefish; I’ll teach you later. Why don’t you steamthose lobsters with ginger and scallion now? Do I have to cut the ginger and scallion into small pieces? Yes, you’re supposed to slice them first, and then cut them into tiny pieces. Do I have to put in liquor? Yes, you’ve got to put in a spoonful of liquor, some vinegar and olive oil, but that comes ten minutes later. Is it a French recipe? No, it’s my special recipe. Are you going to fry the leek with eggs?No, I’ll make dumpling filling with that. Did you also get ground pork, cabbage, garlic and pepper for the filling? Yes, I got them all. I bought almost every kind of food in the market. How many people are actually coming? About twenty eight people. Most of them like seafood, so I bought a lot of it. Look! The eels are still alive. Have we got any radishes? We can stew them with the eels. How about the spinach? Just sautéit with beef,garlic and pepper. Are you sure that will be tasty? Yes, I tried it before. By the way, have you prepared dessert and fruit? Yes, I just picked up some vanilla ice cream at the corner drugstore. I also got some cantaloupes, longans and grapes. Why didn’t you get some tangerines or grapefruit? They are in season, aren’t they? The cantaloupes you got look green. They must not be ripe. Don’t nag at me all day. Work! Our guests will come soon.Ⅰyou’re supposed to help your husband when he is bankrupt. Don’t just wander around the street. What can I do to help him? I’m far from being competent. I can hardly earn any money. Don’t be so desperate. Cheer up and face reality. God only helps those who help themselves. In comparison with those fruit vendors, you’re lucky; yet they never complain. Thanks! I’ll thinkabout what you saidⅡWhere did you put the baking powder? It’s in the cupboard. Be careful not to spill the oil the jar. I will.ⅢDo we still have any breadcrumbs? No, we don’t have any left, but we can use flour instead.6 oversleepingWhere are you headed, Raymond? I’m going to a language lab class. Isn’t the language lab course only for freshman and sophomores? Yes, it is, but I flunked last semester. You’ve got to be kidding. We all know you’re one of the top students in the language lab class. Well, I didn’t take the final because I overslept. Why did you oversleep? What did you do the night before the exam? I didn’t sleep late in the morning. I didn’t do anything the night before the exam, either. The exam tookplace in the afternoon and I accidentally took a long siesta. You shouldn’t have been so scatterbrained. Why didn’t you use an alarm clock to wake yourself up?I did, but I was exhausted, so I didn’t hear it ring. Did you over-exercise again in the morning? Yes, I did a lot of kunfu and pull-ups. Sooner or later, kungfu is going to ruin you.ⅠAre these paintings for sale? No, they’re just on display. Who sponsors the exhibition? It’s sponsored by the Normal University.ⅡAre those films for children? No, they’re only for adults. Are they porno films? Yes, they’re full of sex and violence.7 Pastor PowersRaymond, it was really nice of you to stay and help with the service. I found the story about you very legendary.Thank you, Pastor Powers. I’m just an ordinary man. I’d like to know something about your mission here if it’s possible. I’d be glad to share with you anything about my mission. How long are you going to stay? I’ve decided to spend my life here. Don’t you miss your folks? Yes, I do, but I have dedicated myself to god. I founded and orphanage last year and fell obliged to take care of those children. I also plan to establish a charity fund here to help the poor. I can’t help admiring you. If you need my help, let me know. I’m always at your service. Thank you! Thank you for your kind offer, Raymond.ⅠRaymond, it was kind of you to drive me home. No problem, Jane. It was my pleasure.ⅡRaymond, it’s really foolish of you to buy such a rusty sword. Don’t be so sure, Jane. The sword was made inthe Tang Dynasty.ⅢJane, I found that guy somewhat weird. He is, he just got out of the madhouse.ⅣI found miss Ma very intelligent. You’re right. She is so intelligent that she needed me to teach her the slang idiom “cut a fart”after she smelled up the whole room.8practicing mandarinHello, Billy. Hi, Jane. Billy, I’d like you to meet a fried of mine. This is George. George, this is Billy. Glad to meet you, George. Are you studying Mandarin here? Yes. Where do you study? I study at the Normal University. I hear that’s a very good school. How do you like it? I like it very much. Almost all the teachers there are well-trained and patient. How many students are there in your class? There are six. Do you often practiceyour Mandarin? No, I wish I could find someone to practice with. If you want to, you can practice your Mandarin with me.ⅠHow do you like Taiwan? I like it very much.Ⅱhow do you like her? I don’t think I like her. She is so picky about everything.9getting sickJean, what’s wrong with you? Your face is very pale. I’m not sure, Billy. I feel dizzy and nauseated. It sounds like you’re coming down with the flu. Let me take your temperature. Are you going to the Smiths to borrow their thermometer? No, I bought one last week. It’s in our medicine cabinet. Wow, Jane, you have a temperature of almost 39 degrees centigrade. I’ll call Doctor Fu, and see if he can squeeze youin for an appointment this afternoon. Thanks, Billy. I’m very grateful. After you call Doctor Fu, could you feed the pigeons for me? Of course I will, but let me get you some hot water first. I’m convinced that drinking a lot of water is the best way to cure colds. Billy, I’m really amazed. Why is it that you can sometimes treat me like a princess? Perhaps there is a side of you I don’t know. No wonder all the girls in this village are in love with you. Be quiet and rest, Sick people need rest, but you are talking your head off. Of course I’m going to take good care of you, you’re my wife. Once you get better. However, you can help me with my science project.I think I might have to stay in bed for a week!Ⅰgrandma, can I have a glass of milk? No, Billy, I can tell you’re coming down with a cold and milk is not good forcolds. But milk is a fluid. Don’t you think I’m supposed to drink a lot of fluids when I have a cold?ⅡI’m so busy this weekend. I won’t even have time to do my laundry. Well, I hope we can still squeeze in time to practice our tai-ji.Ⅲwhy do I get sick so easily? You should try practicing kungfu to improve your health; it always works.Ⅳdoes Jane get along with her co-workers? No, they think she is obnoxious. She loves to talk her head off.10in a Chinese restaurantMark, why don’t we go to a Chinese restaurant for dinner tonight? I know an excellent place on Market Street. That’s a great idea. I think I know the place you’re referring to and I agree, the food is superb there. I’m really gladyou came here with me. I know you’ve traveled in the Orient, so perhaps you could suggest some dishes to order. Chinese food is such a mystery to me! I can understand your confusion. The problem is that there are so many varieties of Chinese food to choose from. The first thing you should know is that all of the different regions or provinces in China developed different cooking styles; Szechwan food happens to be my favorite. I agree. I’ve tried Cantonese, Human and Szechwan food and they differ quite considerably. I’m very curious. Why did the different provinces develop such unique styles? Well, to be honest, I am no expert on Chinese food, but perhaps I can explain some of the basic things. Because of climatic differences in different areas, different foods are grown and eaten. For example, the people in the south tend toeat more rice, while the northern people eat more noodles. Personally, I prefer hot and spicy foods, but I realize my tastes are not the same as everyone else’s. cooking is really a highly developed art in China. They even have a theory about the “five tastes”: sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and bitter. Different foods are combined, which creates some very unique flavors.I also have noticed that the way foods are chopped or sliced, the methods of cooking and even the utensils are quite different from western food. I’ve never seen a wok or a pair of chopsticks in a western restaurant. Everything about Chinese food is refined. After all, China has a 5000 year history, so cooking has had a long time to develop. But now that we’ve discussed the matter, let’s enjoy these dishes on the table. I guess after all of the careful preparation, the most important thing is to enjoy thefood, especially with good tea and good friends. Here’s to your health!ⅠI know the pantomime to which you’re referring, it was really amusing. Yes, everyone there burst out laughing. Ⅱwhy do you love me? I’m just a useless tramp. I don’t know. I like everything about you? Including the way you sit, the way you talk and…Do you like the way I rough you up?11toothacheGood afternoon, Mr. Smith. Good afternoon, nurse. May I see the dentist? Do you have an appointment? I’m afraid not. I’m sorry, but the dentist is booked up today. Could you come back on Monday morning at ten o’clock? Nurse, I’m afraid you don’t understand.I can’t wait to see the dentist; my tooth is killing me. I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but it’s out of the question. Our waitingroom is full of patients to see the dentist. Perhaps some aspirin or painkillers might help. Could you squeeze me in for tonight? You don’t want to see me groaning here, do you? I’ll have to ask the dentist. He never works on Saturday nights, but if it’s a real emergency…Please, nurse! I think I have an abscess on my gums. This could be serious.ⅠExcuse me, could you help me? I would like to enroll in this cooking class. I’m sorry, this week’s class is full already.ⅡAre we still going to the movies tonight, Sarah? I called the theater and tonight’s show is all sold out.ⅢHi, mom, I’m home from school. May I go to the park and play? Michael, it’s Tuesday—you’re supposed to be at your piano lesson now!12an American traveler in Taiwan Aileen, maybe you can help me. My visa will expire soon so I must renew it. Where should I go? Well, the visa office is at the Central Police Station, but before you go, I’ll give you some advice. They will require you to have two photographs and two copies of a letter from the language school you’re attending. Thanks for the hint. I can’t stand going to a government office and having to go back because I didn’t have the necessary papers. It’s the same in every country. When you deal with government offices, you have to be very efficient. By the way, where can I get the best exchange rate for American dollars? Should I go to a bank or should I sell on the black market? The black market rate is usually higher. I would suggest going to the jewelry store on South Street. The man is veryfriendly and he will change the money for you. He is a friend of mine, so if you mention my name, he’ll give you a good deal on a watch. They have a great selection. You’re very knowledgeable, so I hope you don’t mind me asking you some more questions. I want to visit a fortuneteller or an astrologer. Can you recommend one to me? Across the street from the bus station there is one. He’s an old man, but he’s very famous and very credible. He won’t cheat you.I hope to stay here for a year. There are so many interesting people to meet. I’m considering studying calligraphy or Chinese painting. I will look for a teacher as soon as I find an apartment and pay my tuition at school. Take your time.I also know a real estate agent who can help you find a house or an apartment. The biggest expense will be the deposit, so save your money. You mean Mr.Huang? We passed his office yesterday. Yes, he has a reputation for honesty. Also, his brother owns a dry cleaners right down the street. You can have your shirts and pants cleaned, and your wife can bring her dresses there also. You have been so helpful. I insist on taking you out for lunch. Please accept my invitation. That’s very kind of you. I’m starved, so let’s go!Ⅰwould you like something to drink? No, thanks, what I really want is a rest.Ⅱweren’t his magic tricks amusing? No, I don’t think so. What he did was not impressive at all.ⅢDid you enjoy his joke? No, I didn’t. I think what he said was real disgusting.ⅣIs there anything wrong with you? Not really. I’m just a little tired. I over-exercised this morning.ⅤIs there anything wrong with theknife? Yes, the blade is chipped in a few places.13 immigrating to AmericaMy family and I are planning to immigrate to America next year. I have so many questions. Can you help me? I would be happy to. We can’t decide whether to go California, Texas, or New York. What would you suggest? The most important consideration is where the best job opportunities are. You have skills in restaurant management. What about the rest of your family? My wife hopes to open a small handicraft store. My son already has an engineering degree and my daughter plans to study computer programming. Most of the large cities in American have employment offices and job counselors who can help you with your plans. The first thing I would suggest is that you govisit the states and see things for yourself. You can visit the cities, talk to people and begin to look for a job. We have all been reading English magazines and going to language schools recently. You’re very smart. Speaking English well is a great advantage if you plan to move there. Do you have your visas yet?I already have a residence card and my family will have their interviews at A.I.T very soon. It sounds like you’re well prepared. There may be a culture shock when you arrive. But I’m sure you will learn to enjoy America. I also suggest moving to a city with a Chinese community ——that way you won’t be homesick so soon. My brother lives in Los Angeles and an old classmate lives Texas. What about the weather in America, and America customs? Well…the weather varies from state to state and season to season. You comefrom Taiwan, so I’m sure you’ll get used to it. As far as America customs, remember America is called “the melting pot”. Many different nationalities live together in all of the major cities. Yes, I’ve been told that Americas are not as formal as people say. Do you agree? Yes, I would agree. America aren’t too formal. The principles of our nation are that people should be tolerant and work with each other, not against each other. We Chinese people naturally agree with that. What about housing, transportation and school s in America? The bus and train systems are excellent in some cities. Some cities have subways, and airplanes travel all over the country. Ask a friend to recommend a real estate agent to help with housing. Also, most public and private school systems are very good. Well, thank you for your help. You have give me some useful information. Imust admit, I’m still a little scared about moving. There is no need to worry. If you are patient and work hard, you and your family can have a good life in America. Although no place is perfect, there are many opportunities. Good luck! 1when did you immigrate to Taiwan?We moved here about ten years ago.Do you like Taipei? Yes, I likeTaipei now, but I used to hate it.Was it because you couldn’t speakChinese? Yes, that was the reason.When I first came, I had to flap myarms like wings if I wanted to buychicken.2Aren’t you a lawyer? I used to practice law, but now I teach English.Why did you change your profession?The problem was I had to so fewclients that I could hardly support myfamily.3I respect our director now, but I usedto think he was gross. Why? He has always been like this. Well, he is just too blunt. It takes quite a while to understand such people.4When George wants to order fried lamb, he always makes sounds like a lamb. Does he crawl on the ground like a snake when he wants snake’s meat? No, he does his snake kunfu form.5One of the ways George amuses himself is to teach Chinese people dirty American slang. How do you know? I’m one of his students.6One of the ways George impresses a woman is to take her to the Grand Hotel for dinner on their first date.Is that so? Yes, that’s how he got me.14generation gapWhat is it, Mr. Johnson? Why do youlook so mad? My son! He has always been my headache. I saw him disobey his mother yesterday, so I forced him to read a book about filial piety. To my astonishment, he threw out the book and screamed at me with a furious look on his face. Then he rushed out of the house and slammed the door. What happened then? I ran out, grabbed his hand and spanked him. In the meantime, he cried, “help! Help!”and told every passer-by that I would torture him to death. I’m afraid he’ll ultimately become a juvenile delinquent. Well, to be perfectly honest, it sounds to me like both of you acted very childish! After all, he’s your own son. I’m sure he’ll soon change if you show more love for him and take him to church often. That’s nonsense. Love has already spoiled him.Ⅰwhy did you throw that stone at me? Did you intend to kill me? Sorry! Ididn’t mean it that way. I aimed at the dog, but you happened to get into the way.ⅡGeorge, would you lend me ten thousand N.T.? No, I can’t. What? Aren’t we good friends? Yes, we are. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, it’s just that I don’t have the money.ⅢⅣⅤ。
