Vocabulary Task
Script and Answers
1. A: I’m really stressed-out. I’ve been sitting in front of the computer all day.
B: Why don’t you call it a day? You need to rest.
A: I like my job and am good at it. But it surely grinds me down sometimes.
B: It’s not wise to overwork. The last thing you need to take home is a headache.
2. A: You know what? I slept fourteen hours after I’d finished that experiment. I was worn out. It’s too much.
B: How are you feeling now? Refreshed?
A: Yes, I’m full of energy and ready to catch up on my report.
B: Good. There’s another report for you to write. And this one is urgent.
3. A: You’re all smiles. Something good must have happened to you.
B: You’re absolutely right. I got a great job at Microsoft.
A: How wonderful. What do you do there?
B: I’m in research and development. But I felt a bit worried. You know, lack of interpersonal skills puts me at a disadvantage.
4. A: Can you believe it? Martin has taken over my slot.
B: Oh, I’m really sorry to hear that.
A: I’d been a news reader for ten years. I thought my work had been valued. But I was fired just because I turned up late.
B: I sympathize with you. But it’s not the end of the world. Cheer up! With your experience, I’m sure many TV stations would be only too glad to have you.
5. A: So what did you think about the movie?
B: It was really not very good. It disappointed me.
A: Oh, what didn’t you like?
B: I didn’t like the ending. It confused me. And the performance of that stand-in was the pits.
Listening Task
Script
Tardiness is not appropriate
The word “sorry” seems to be overused these days, especially by people who are in the habit of being late for meetings.
It has become so freely used that one doubts the credibility and sincerity of these habitually “unpunctual” people.
Why can’t people be more punctual and responsible in life?
Some people think that everyone will wait for them. Well, they are wrong. There are many activities that do not wait for latecomers.
Airlines take off as punctually as possible, leaving you behind if you do not check in early.
Operas and stage plays usually start on time, with ushers closing doors till an appropriate time to allow latecomers to go in. Such latecomers disturb the audience, so it is a good idea for theatres to proceed as scheduled.
Newspapers have deadlines for advertisements. If you miss the deadlines in some countries, you might have a blank space the next day.
News on radio and TV is always read at fixed times daily. If you are the newsreader and you are late, someone has to take over your slot.
I remember once when a TV newsreader turned up late because of a traffic jam and an inexperienced member of the studio crew had to read the news, the stand-in was unprepared and was so nervous that she made many mistakes. The regular newsreader was not seen on that TV station after that incident.
Golf tee-off times in many countries are fixed on weekends to prevent jam-ups. If you are late, your golfing partners will have to tee-off without you.
In sports, athletes have to report on time too. I remember once a famous runner could not participate in his favorite race because he was late for his race.
A teacher or lecturer has time slots too. Students will be kept waiting if a teacher is late.
There are people who are habitually late for everything because of lack of discipline. I’ve heard excuses such as “my father forgot to wake me up on time” or “I can’t get up early in the morning.” Often, it’s because of a lack or absence of planning. If a meeting is fixed for a certain day and time, one has to plan, implement and check all the requirements needed for the meeting. Not planning properly and not being disciplined enough would result in things being rushed at the last minute and leaving for the meeting very late.
Latecomers can disrupt the schedules of busy people and they can be put at a disadvantage too. So it’s better to be 15 or more minutes early. You won’t be stressed out from rushing to the meeting or coping with traffic jams. You can have time to check the meeting room, facilities and materials. You can rehearse one more time for a more effective presentation.
What else can you do with the spare time when you are early or when you are kept waiting? You can catch up on your reading or plan your other activities.
I have a simple philosophy. Don’t keep other people waiting. If they keep me waiting, I can use the time to think, reflect, plan, pray, read or write.
It’s unfair and rude to be habitually late. It’s more polite and courteous to be always on time.
Real World Listening
Script:
In an average lifetime
Judy: You’d better jump in the shower, or you’ll be late for your meeting.
David: I’m always running late. I never seem to have enough time. I wonder how much time I’ve spent in meetings in my life.
Judy: You ought to read this book. It tells how much time we spend (1) doing a particular activity in a lifetime. It says the (2) average American spends 3 years of their life in business meetings.
David: Three years? Good grief! I wonder how much time I spend (3) commuting to work.
Judy: It says here you spend 10 months commuting to and from work.
David: That’s depressing. Hey, aren’t the (4) NBA playoffs on TV tonight?
Judy: Yes. Did you know that the average American spends 13 years and 4 months watching TV, but they only spend 12 years and 8 months in school.
David: 13 years (5) in front of the tube? That’s about one sixth of our life!
Judy: One sixth if you lived to be 78. But the average American only lives to be 74. (6) Don’t fret. The average American earns $1.3 million dollars in his lifetime.
David: Is that all? There are people who make more than that in one year! Look out! The baby is getting into my (7) CD collection.
Judy: The average person buys 232 records, tapes, and CDs in their life.
David: I won’t have any if you don’t stop the baby. There’s the phone. Would you get that, honey?
Judy: Sure. The book says that we spend the (8) equivalent of 2 years on the telephone in our lives.
David: No wonder our phone bill is so high. Who was it?
Judy: I don’t know. I didn’t answer it in time.
David: So what are we having for dinner tonight?
Judy: The average family spends over 17 000 hours eating meals at home.
David: I wonder how many stomachaches I’ve had in a lifetime.
Judy: Because of my cooking? Is that the thanks I get for (9) slaving over a hot stove to make your dinner?
David: Just kidding. I’ll take you out to dinner this weekend.
Judy: The average American eats out at restaurants 14 411 times.
David: That much? I don’t care where we go as long as we don’t have to (10) stand in line.
Judy: It says here that the average person spends about 5 years of their life waiting in line.
David: Well, I guess I’d better get in the shower.
Judy: Did you know that the average American spends 7 years in the bathroom and takes nearly 26 000 showers? But because you shower longer than the average person, you probably spend 8 years in the bathroom.
David: I think I’ll just (11) skip the shower today. I’ll just have a cup of coffee.
Judy: This book says the average American spends $3 342 on coffee in their lifetime.
David: Wow, that’s expensive, we’ve got to (12) cut down on coffee. Have you seen my cigarettes?
Judy: Yeah. There on the piano. Did you know the average American smoker consumes over 590 000 cigarettes, while the average nonsmoker (13) inhales the equivalent of 13 600 cigarettes?
David: I had no idea that I smoked that many cigarettes. No wonder smokers get cancer. I swear I’m gonna quit this year. Well, I’d better run. I’ll see you tonight.
Judy: Drive carefully. The average American (14) is involved in 6 motor vehicle accidents in their lifetime.
David: Would you do me a favor?
Judy: What’s that?
David: (15) Get rid of that damn book! |