1.

FORMAL GREETINGS
James: Good morning, Professor Austin. How are you doing?
Professor Austin: Good morning, James. I am doing well. And
you?
James: I’m great, thank you. This is my friend Emma. She is
thinking about applying to this college. She has a few
questions. Would you mind telling us about the process,
please?
Professor Austin: Hello, Emma! It’s a pleasure to meet you.
I’m more than happy to speak with you. Please stop by my
office next week.
Emma: It’s a pleasure to meet you, professor. Thank you so
much for helping us.
Professor Austin: Don’t mention it. Hopefully, I will be able to
answer your questions!

Pages 1
 2. INFORMAL GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS
Jane: Hi, Helen! How’s it going?
Helen: Fine, thanks - and you?
Jane: Just fine. Where are you off to?
Helen: To the library. I’ve got a history exam next week and
need to start studying. Ugh.
Jane: Oh, no. Well, I’ll see you later then. Good luck!
Helen: Thanks. See you later.

Pages 2
 3. FORMAL INTRODUCTIONS
Margaret: Mr. Wilson, I’d like you to meet Dr. Edward Smith.
Mr. Wilson: It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Smith.
Dr. Smith: Pleasure to meet you, too.
Margaret: Dr. Smith is an economist. He just finished
writing a book on international trade.
Mr. Wilson: Oh? That’s my field, too. I work for the United
Nations.
Dr. Smith: In the Development Program, by any chance?
Mr. Wilson: Yes. How did you guess?
Dr. Smith: I’ve read your articles on technical assistance.
They’re excellent.

Pages 3
 4. INFORMAL INTRODUCTIONS
Jim: Who’s the tall woman next to Barbara?
Charles: That’s her friend Mary. Didn’t you meet her at
Steve’s party?
Jim: No, I wasn’t at Steve’s party.
Charles: Oh! Then let me introduce you to her now. Mary, this
is my friend Jim.
Mary: Hi, Jim. Nice to meet you.
Jim: You, too. Would you like a drink?
Mary: Sure, let’s go get one.

Pages 4
 5. WHAT TIME IS IT?
Natasha: What time is it? We’re going to be late!
Tony: It’s a quarter after 7. We’re on time. Don’t panic.
Natasha: But I thought we had to be at the restaurant by 7:30
for the surprise party. We’ll never make it there with all this
evening traffic.
Tony: Sure we will. Rush hour is almost over. Anyway, the
party starts at 8. But I do need help with directions. Can you
call the restaurant and ask them where we park our car?

Pages 5
 6. A TELEPHONE CALL
John: Hi, Alice, it’s John. How are you?
Alice: Oh, hi, John! I was just thinking about you.
John: That’s nice. I was wondering if you’d like to go to a
movie tonight.
Alice: Sure, I’d love to! What’s playing?
John: I was thinking about that new comedy “Lights Out.”
What do you think?
Alice: Sounds great!
John: OK, I’ll pick you up around 7:30. The movie starts at 8.
Alice: See you then. Bye!

Pages 6
 7. CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?
Luke: Hello? Hi, Stephanie, how are things at the office?
Stephanie: Hi, Luke! How are you? Can you please stop and
pick up extra paper for the computer printer?
Luke: What did you say? Can you repeat that, please? Did you
say pick up ink for the printer? Sorry, the phone is cutting out.
Stephanie: Can you hear me now? No, I need more computer
paper. Listen, I’ll text you exactly what I need. Thanks, Luke.
Talk to you later.
Luke: Thanks, Stephanie. Sorry, my phone has really bad
reception here.

Pages 7
 8. COINCIDENCES
Meg: Well, hello there, Julia! Long time no see!
Julia: Meg! Hi! What a coincidence! I haven’t seen you in ages!
What are you doing here?
Meg: I just got a new job in the city, so I’m shopping for some
clothes. Hey, what do you think of this shirt?
Julia: Hmmm … well, you know how much I love blue. See?
I’ve got the same shirt!
Meg: You always did have good taste! What a small world.

Pages 8
 9. WEATHER REPORT
Jennifer: It’s freezing outside! What happened to the weather
report? I thought this cold front was supposed to pass.
Gabriela: Yeah, I thought so too. That’s what I read online
this morning.
Jennifer: I guess the wind chill is really driving down the
temperature.
Gabriela: Can we go inside? I feel like my toes are starting to
go numb.

Pages 9
 10. ORDERING A MEAL
Waiter: Hello, I’ll be your waiter today. Can I start you off with
something to drink?
Ralph: Yes. I’ll have iced tea, please.
Anna: And I’ll have lemonade.
Waiter: OK. Are you ready to order, or do you need a few
minutes?
Ralph: I think we’re ready. I’ll have the tomato soup to start,
and the roast beef with mashed potatoes and peas.
Waiter: How do you want the beef — rare, medium or well
done?
Ralph: Well done, please.
Anna: And I’ll just have the fish, with potatoes and a salad.

Pages 10
 11. AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE
Doctor: What seems to be the problem?
Cathy: Well, I have a bad cough and a sore throat. I also
have a headache.
Doctor: How long have you had these symptoms?
Cathy: About three days now. And I’m really tired, too.
Doctor: Hmm. It sounds like you’ve got the flu. Take aspirin
every four hours and get plenty of rest. Make sure you drink
lots of fluids. Call me if you’re still sick next week.
Cathy: OK, thanks.

Pages 11
 12. ASKING DIRECTIONS
Mark: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the library is?
Nancy: Yes, it’s that way. You go three blocks to Washington
Street, then turn right. It’s on the corner, across from the bank.
Mark: Thanks! I’ve only been in town a few days, so I really
don’t know my way around yet.
Nancy: Oh, I know how you feel. We moved here a year ago,
and I still don’t know where everything is!

Pages 12
 13. CALLING FOR HELP
Peter: Hey! That car just ran a red light and hit that truck!
Gail: Is anyone hurt?
Peter: I don’t know … let’s call 911. … Hello? I’d like to report
a car accident near the post office on Charles Street. It
looks like a man is hurt. Yes, it just happened. OK, thanks.
Bye.
Gail: What did they say?
Peter: They’re going to send an ambulance and a police car
right away.
Gail: Good, they’re here. I hope the man is OK.
Peter: I know. You have to be so careful when you’re driving.

Pages 13
 14. AT THE SUPERMARKET
Louise: Hey, Julia…Look at those desserts! How about baking
some cookies today?
Julia: Hmm…Yeah, that’s a great idea! While we’re here, let’s
pick up the ingredients.
Louise: OK, what do we need?
Julia: The recipe calls for flour, sugar and butter. Oh, and
we also need eggs and chocolate chips.
Louise: Why don’t you get the dairy ingredients? You’ll find
those in the refrigerated section in the back of the store. I’ll get
the dry ingredients — they’re in aisle 10.
Julia: Great! Let’s meet at the checkout.
Louise: OK. See you there.

Pages 14
 15. RUNNING ERRANDS
Hotel receptionist: Hi, there. How can I help you?
Claire: Well, I’m in town visiting for a few days, and I need to
get some things done while I’m here.
Hotel receptionist: Sure. What do you need?
Claire: I need to get my hair cut. I also need to have my new
pants hemmed.
Hotel receptionist: OK. Here’s a map of the city. There’s a
good hair salon here, which is just a block away. And there’s a
tailor right here. Is there anything else?
Claire: Yes. I’ll need to have my car serviced before my long
drive home!
Hotel receptionist: No problem. There’s a good mechanic a
few blocks away.

Pages 15
 16. AT THE POST OFFICE
Postal clerk: What can I do for you today?
Carol: I need to mail this package to New York, please.
Postal clerk: OK, let’s see how much it weighs.…It’s about five
pounds. If you send it express, it will get there tomorrow. Or,
you can send it priority and it will get there by Saturday.
Carol: Saturday is fine. How much will that be?
Postal clerk: $11.35 [eleven thirty-five]. Do you need anything
else?
Carol: Oh, yeah! I almost forgot. I need a book of stamps, too.
Postal clerk: OK, your total comes to $20.35 [twenty dollars
and thirty-five cents].

Pages 16
 17. CATCHING UP AFTER CLASS
Linda: Hey! How did your physics exam go?
Frank: Not bad, thanks. I’m just glad it’s over! How about
you…how’d your presentation go?
Linda: Oh, it went really well. Thanks for helping me with it!
Frank: No problem. So…do you feel like studying tomorrow
for our math exam?
Linda: Yeah, sure! Come over around 10 o’clock, after
breakfast.
Frank: All right. I’ll bring my notes.

Pages 17
 18. SHOPPING
Salesperson: Can I help you?
Gloria: Yes, I’m looking for a sweater - in a size medium.
Salesperson: Let’s see…here’s a nice white one. What do
you think?
Gloria: I think I’d rather have it in blue.
Salesperson: OK…here’s blue, in a medium. Would you like
to try it on?
Gloria: OK…yes, I love it. It fits perfectly. How much is it?
Salesperson: It’s $50. It will be $53 with tax.
Gloria: Perfect! I’ll take it.

Pages 18
 19. TRANSPORTATION
Joyce: Should we take a taxi or a bus to the mall?
Bill: Let’s take a bus. It’s impossible to get a taxi during rush
hour.
Joyce: Isn’t that a bus stop over there?
Bill: Yes…Oh! There’s a bus now. We’ll have to run to catch it.
Joyce: Oh, no! We just missed it.
Bill: No problem. There’ll be another one in 10 minutes.

Pages 19
 20. HOW OLD ARE YOU?
Patty: I’m really excited for Aunt Mary’s surprise birthday
party this afternoon! Aren’t you?
Susan: Yeah! How old is she?
Patty: She’ll be 55 on May 14th [fourteenth].
Susan: Wow! I didn’t know that my mom was older - she’s
going to be 57 on September 2nd [second]. Anyway, Aunt
Mary’s going to be so surprised to see us all here!
Patty: I know! But we still have to get all the food set up before
she gets here… OK, we’re all ready now. Shh! She’s here!
All: Surprise!

Pages 20
 21. AT THE MOVIES
Bob: We’d like two tickets for the 3:30 show, please.
Ticket Sales: Here you go. Enjoy the movie!
…
[Inside the theater]
…
Bob: Would you mind moving over one, so my friend and I
can sit together?
Woman: No, not at all.
Bob: Thanks a lot.

Pages 21
 22. WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?
Sandra: So … what should we do?
Julie: Well, I like to do arts and crafts, and I’m really good at
drawing. What do you think?
Sandra: Hmm … how about playing a board game? That
would be more fun.
Julie: OK. Let’s play Scrabble! I’m really good at spelling, too!
Sandra: Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that!

Pages 22
 23. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Phil: What time is that soccer game on? I thought it started
at noon.
Jack: We must have had the wrong time. Oh, well … soccer’s
not my favorite sport anyway. I much prefer basketball.
Phil: Oh, really? I thought your favorite sport was tennis. I’m a
big fan of basketball too.
Jack: How about a game sometime?
Phil: Sure thing! Why don’t we go shoot some hoops now
since the soccer game isn’t on?
Jack: Excellent idea. Let’s go.

Pages 23
 24. A NIGHT AT THE THEATER
Shannon: What a fantastic performance! Thank you for inviting
me to the musical.
Elena: You are welcome. I’m happy you enjoyed the show.
The choreography of the dancers was incredible. It reminds me
of when I used to dance.
Shannon: I know! You were such a talented ballerina. Do
you miss dancing?
Elena: Oh, that’s very kind of you, Shannon. I do miss it
sometimes. But I will always be a fan of the arts. That’s why I
love going to musicals because it’s the perfect combination of
song, dance and theater.
Shannon: Absolutely! I’m glad you are still an art fan too.
Thank you for the invitation. It’s always a pleasure to attend an
arts event with you and learn something new.

Pages 24
 25. TAKING A VACATION
Julie: I just bought a ticket to New York City. I’m so excited to
see the city!
Sophie: Good for you! Traveling is so much fun. I love
discovering new places and new people. When are you
leaving?
Julie: Next week. I’m taking the red eye. It was cheaper.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep on the plane.
Sophie: I wish I could go with you! New York City is a magical
place. You’ll have so much fun.
Julie: I hope so. I’m going to visit my brother who lives there. I
will stay for a week and then take the train down to
Washington, D.C.
Sophie: That sounds like a great vacation. I’m looking forward
to a week at the beach for my summer vacation. I just want to
relax.

Pages 25
 26. AT THE PET STORE
Connie: Oh! What a beautiful cat. What do you think?
Gary: I think I’d rather get a dog. Dogs are more loyal than
cats.
Connie: Yes, but they’re so much work! Would you be willing to
walk it every single day? And clean up after it?
Gary: Hmm. Good point. What about a bird? Or a fish?
Connie: We’d have to invest a lot of money in a cage or a fish
tank. And I really don’t know how to take care of a bird or a
fish!
Gary: Well, we’re obviously not ready to get a pet yet.
Connie: Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go grab some coffee and
talk about it.

Pages 26
 27. GIVING YOUR OPINION
Jake: Where should we take a vacation this year? Let’s decide
soon.
Melissa: Well, I’d like to go somewhere warm. How about the
beach? Or we could rent a cabin on the lake.
Jake: You want to go to the beach again? I want to ski this
winter. How about a compromise? What about traveling to the
Alps in Europe next April? We can find a ski resort on a lake.
Melissa: Oh, we’ve never been to Europe before! But I don’t
know if it will be sunny and warm then. I need to do some
research first. That will help me make up my mind.

Pages 27
 28. HOBBIES
Ryan: I’m so happy this week of midterm exams is finished.
Tyler: Same here. I’m looking forward to relaxing in the
mountains this weekend. I’ve planned a little hike in the woods.
And I’m gonna take a canoe trip down the river if the weather
cooperates.
Ryan: Oh, fun! I’m going to Michigan. I’m taking my camera
because fall is coming fast. The leaves are already turning all
shades of red and orange. It will be awesome.
Tyler: Next time you go there, I’ll join you. I’ve heard Michigan
is a great place to go canoeing.

Pages 28
 29. WEDDINGS
Angelica: Doesn’t the bride look beautiful in that wedding
dress?
Maria: Yes. She looks amazing. And the groom is so romantic.
I just heard the story of how they got engaged! He proposed
to her during a candlelight dinner in London. Did you know that
was where they went to school?
Angelica: Oh? Wonderful. And the honeymoon! What a great
idea! Most people just go to the beach for a week after they
tie the knot. But they plan on heading to California and
cruising the coast on their motorcycle.
Maria: Really! What a fantastic idea. This is by far the best
wedding I’ve ever been to.

Pages 29
 30. GIVING ADVICE
Layla: Thanks for meeting with me during your lunch hour. I
appreciate it.
Monica: No problem. I’m happy to help.. What’s going on?
Layla: Oh you know, the usual. Should I take this new job?
Or do I stick with my current one?
Monica: Well, I think it’s time for a change, don’t you? They
pay you late and you are unhappy.
Layla: Do you really think so?
Monica: I know so. And I’ve been listening to you complain for
over a year now. Trust me. Take the job. What do you have to
lose?

Pages 30