每天一课英语口语 UNIT 173-189

[00:00.00]173 Mail Letters

[00:00.51]Can I help you?

[00:00.70]I want to send these letters.

[00:00.90]A: Good morning. Can I help you?

[00:01.33]B: I want to send this letter by airmail.

[00:01.64]A: Yes.

[00:01.70]B: What' s the postage?

[00:01.89]A: I' 11 have to weigh your letter first. That's one dollar fifteen cents.

[00:02.56]B: Here' s the money.

[00:02.84](Mrs. Wright wants to mail two letters to her friends in Berlin. She goes into the post office.)

[00:03.64]Clerk: Good afternoon! May I help you?

[00:03.98]Mrs. Wright: I'd like to mail these two letters to Berlin.

[00:04.33]Clerk: Sure. It' s thirty cents for each half-ounce letter.

[00:04.78]Let' s weigh your letters first. That's two dollars ten cents.

[00:05.31]Mrs. Wright: Well, how long does it take to get to Berlin?

[00:05.66]Clerk: It's about four or five days.

[00:05.91]Mrs. Wright: Four or five days?

[00:06.06]Clerk: Yes.

[00:06.19]Mrs. Wright: Could I send them express?

[00:06.47]Clerk: Of course. But you have to pay another two dollars.

[00:06.92]Mrs. Wright: That's fine.

[00:07.04]174 Getting a Mail

[00:07.74]Have you fetched the mails?

[00:07.96]Not yet.

[00:08.02]A: The mails have come.

[00:08.56]B: Do I get anything?

[00:08.68]A: Let me have a look.

[00:08.86]There is a letter from New York and an advertisernent from an insurance company for you.

[00:09.46]B: The letter might be the one I've been expecting for.

[00:09.88]A: Here you are.

[00:09.98]B: Thank you.

[00:10.35](Diana and Tony were in the room, waiting for their mails.)

[00:11.05]Diana: I hear the sound of a bicycle bell just out of our door. It might be the postman.

[00:11.46]Tony: Maybe. It' s time to get our mails. Let me have a look.

[00:11.93]Diana: Is it the postman? I' ve been waiting for a letter from my uncle in Japan.

[00:12.54]Tony: You are right. Hello, Mr. Martin, are there levees for us?

[00:13.15]Mr. Martin: Yeh, you get two letters and a card. Here you are.

[00:13.66]Tony: Thank you. Diana, there is a letter for you.

[00:14.22]Diana: Where is it from?

[00:14.36]Tony: It' s mailed from Tokyo.

[00:14.65]Diana: Give it to me, please.

[00:15.12]175 Facsimile

[00:15.42]May I use the facsimile machine to send a fax to Mr. Zhang at Great Wall Company?

[00:16.33]Sure.

[00:16.42]A: May I use the facsimile machine now?

[00:17.04]B: Yes. Whom do you want to send to?

[00:17.29]A: Mr. Zhang at Great Wall Company.

[00:17.65]B: What' s his fax number?

[00:17.89]A: 68202777.

[00:18.39]B:OK, give it to me. I'll send it for you.

[00:18.53]A: Thank you.

[00:18.61](Jeanine wants to send a fax to Laura, but she doesn't know how to use the facsimile machine.

[00:19.50]She is asking Tony for that.)

[00:19.76]Jeanine: Tony, could you give me a hand?

[00:20.12]Tony: Sure.

[00:20.20]Jeanine: I want to send a fax to Laura, but I don' t know how to use the facsimile machine.

[00:20.85]Tony: That' s easy. Firstly put the fax in the machine like this.

[00:21.36]Then, dial the number just as you make a telephone call.

[00:21.77]Press the button 'Start' after you get through

[00:22.11]Jeanine: Sounds simple.  Thank you.

[00:22.34]176 Telephone Conversation

[00:23.14]7899 6443. Who's calling, please?

[00:23.95]Can I dial direct?

[00:24.10]A: 7199 5443. Who's calling, please?

[00:25.02]B. Frank Mailer here. I'd like to talk to Helen Taylor, please.

[00:25.47]A: I'm sorry, but Ms. Taylor is out of town until Friday. Is there any one else who can help you?

[00:26.24]B: No, I really have to talk to her.

[00:26.98]A: In that case, would you care to leave a message?

[00:27.15]B: Yes. Please ask Ms. Taylor to call Frank Mailer.

[00:27.34]She knows the number. Tell her it's urgent.

[00:27.73]A.AII right. I'll tell her. Will there be anything else?

[00:28.14]B: No, thank you. You've been very helpful. Goodbye.

[00:28.58](At the post office)

[00:29.18]Lu: I' d like to call back home.

[00:29.35]Clerk: Home? Where's home?

[00:29.64]Lu： China.

[00:29.69]Clerk: Oh, China.

[00:29.74]Lu: Can I dial direct?

[00:29.85]Clerk: Yes, if you have the number.

[00:30.07]Lu: I do, but what' s the code for China?

[00:30.33]Clerk: It's in the directory. Look at the front section of the directory.

[00:30.86]Lu:   I' d like to make a collect call.

[00:31.11]Clerk: I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to pay here. The phone booth is over there.

[00:31.53]Lu:   Thank you.

[00:31.76]177 Mobile Phone

[00:32.56]Do you use the mobile phone a lot?

[00:32.88]As a matter of fact, I use my mobile phone everyday.

[00:33.32]A: Do you use the mobile phone a lot?

[00:33.95]B: As a matter of fact, I use my mobile phone everyday.

[00:34.42]A. Isn't it because using mobile phone has become a fashion?

[00:34.97]B. Certainly not. It' s mainly because of my work. You know, if you go out quite often at work,

[00:35.62]nothing is more convenient than using a mobile phone to communicate with others.

[00:36.23]A: But it's said that if you use mobile phone too frequently, you are likely to develop some kind of disease.

[00:36.99]B: I've also heard of that.

[00:37.17]-You see, I'm using earphone instead of its built-in receiver so I'm suffering less from its radiation.

[00:38.07](Maria and Domingo are talking about a new mobile phone.)

[00:38.78]Maria: Like my new mobile phone?

[00:39.09]Domingo: Almost looks like my palm PC.

[00:39.30]Maria. In fact, it's better. I can use it as a mobile phone or as a Mp3 player.

[00:40.04]Domingo: Really? Is the sound good?

[00:40.43]Maria: Just as superb as any ordinary Mp3 player.

[00:40.73]Domingo: Cool!

[00:40.95]Maria: It's also served as a web device.

[00:41.18]Domingo: Let me have a look.

[00:41.36]Maria: Here you are. It's wireless, pocket-sized, and has a built-in modem.

[00:42.04]Domingo: But it must be difficult to input your password or download a video file.

[00:42.64]Maria: The new model coming out will have more bandwidth. I just want to get connected now.

[00:43.42]178 Computer

[00:43.80]There's a sale this week on IBM computers.

[00:44.28]I got my first PC in 1995.

[00:44.68]A: This computer's so much less expensive! How come?

[00:45.31]B: There's a sale this week on IBM computers.

[00:45.73]A: Is it hard to use?

[00:45.92]B: Oh, no. It's easy. The instruction manual explains everything.

[00:46.43]And if you don't like it, you can bring it back, and we can include a laser printer for only $100 more.

[00:47.29]A: Mmm…. OK, I really need a computer, and I'd like to get one  now.

[00:48.04]If I can bring it back ... I guess I'll take it.

[00:48.42](Market research on computers. )

[00:48.91]Jill:  Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm doing some market research

[00:49.71]and I am hoping you might have a few minutes to answer some questions.

[00:49.90]Anne: OKay, sure!

[00:50.00]Jill:  Great, thank you very much. First of all, do you own a personal computer?

[00:50.67]Anne: Of course! Doesn't everyone?

[00:51.07]Jill:  How ling have you owned it?

[00:51.31]Anne: I bought this particular computer last year. But I got my first PC in 1995.

[00:52.18]Jill:  I see. And what do you primarily use your computer for?

[00:52.77]Anne: Well, I use e-mail a lot, and ... um, I have a teach-yourself French program.

[00:53.67]And I shop on line pretty often.

[00:53.92]Jill:  Mmm. Any other uses?

[00:54.24]Anne: Keeping track of my bank account, and there are a couple of computer games I enjoy.

[00:55.04]Jill:  Now, you've mentioned e-mail and on-line shopping; do you use the internet for any other purposes?

[00:55.84]Anne: Not really. I haven't gotten around to explore it much.

[00:56.48]Jill:  Okay, thanks! Sorry to have given so much trouble, Thanks again.

[00:57.05]179 The Intemet

[00:57.70]What is the Internet?

[00:57.99]In e word, the Internet is the networks of thousands of networks connected together.

[00:58.70]A: The Internet plays an important role when we have to be prepared

[00:59.36]to use the new technology to help us develop professionally and personally.

[00:59.98]B:  Do you mean we can learn about technology from the Internet?

[01:00.41]A: Oh, we can learn about everything from the Internet.

[01:00.76]It is an information service and it can keep us informed about whatever we want to know.

[01:01.47]B: I see. That's really something unbelievable.

[01:01.89]A: And it provides a world-wide network, which we can use for our lifelong learning goals.

[01:02.65](Li Hong becomes more and more interested in the Internet recently.

[01:03.43]He is consulting Zhang Ming, who majors in computer science, about the Internet.)

[01:04.12]Li Hong: Hello, Zhang Ming. I wonder ff you could tell me something about the internet.

[01:04.68]Zhang Ming: Sure. What exactly do you want to know?

[01:04.97]Li Hong: We' d better start from the beginning. I simply know nothing about it. What is the Internet?

[01:05.62]Zhang Ming: In a word, the Internet is a network of thousands of networks connected.

[01:06.32]Li Hong: Nowadays people often talk about "information superhighway". Is the Internet the same thing?.

[01:07.18]Zhan Ming: Not exactly. The highway will probably consist of computer networks, cable TV,

[01:07.85]interactive phone services and other technologies.

[01:08.33]Li Hong:   What can I find on the Internet?

[01:08.64]Zhang Ming: Almost evening. Access to e-library, acquire free software, get the latest news,

[01:09.38]send and receive email. You name it, the Internet has it.

[01:09.93]Li Hong: What do I need to get onto the Internet?

[01:10.25]Zhang Ming: For now, the requirements are a personal computer, a device called a modem,

[01:10.98]a communications program, access to a telephone line, and an account with an internet service provider...

[01:11.83]180 E-mail

[01:12.39]So many people are turning from letter writing to e-mail nowadays.

[01:12.84]E-mail is the ideal medium for conveying messages of all kinds, including romantic feelings.

[01:14.01]A: Hi, Zhang Li. I've got something to tell you.

[01:14.30]E-mail box is provided at vvww.263, net. Let's apply for it, so we can e-mail each other.

[01:15.50]B. That' s good news! Do we have to pay for it?

[01:16.04]A: There are two kinds of e-mail boxes there; one of them is free of charge.

[01:16.57]B: Is it safe and reliable? I mean the free email box.

[01:17.05]A. It is said that free e-mail box @263. net is quite stable

[01:17.50]and it provides a storage space of 8 million bytes.

[01:18.25]B: Sounds good. Let's be quick and apply one each.

[01:18.96](Regular letter writing or e-mail?)

[01:19.32]Linda: Tom, why are so many people turning from letter writing to e-mail nowadays?

[01:20.04]Tom: Maybe because e-marl is much more convenient and far faster than regular letters.

[01:20.55]Linda: Don' t you think e-mail is too fast, so it becomes too realistic and much less romantic?

[01:21.39]Tom: What do you mean?

[01:21.58]Linda: I mean, when I'm reading a letter, I feel that my friend is talking intimately with me.

[01:22.19]From his handwriting I can guess what his mood is: happy, gloomy or whatever.

[01:22.58]Tom: I can' t quite agree with you on that.

[01:22.92]I think e-mail is the ideal medium for conveying messages of all kinds, including romanic feelings.

[01:24.10]Linda: But regular letters written on paper offer a tangible feeling of the sender's emotions,

[01:25.04]and it is absent in e-mail.

[01:25.17]Tom: To say that e-mail cannot communicate intimate thoughts is just

[01:26.04]as far-fetched as saying that the telephone cannot be used for personal conversations.

[01:26.33]I think people should try to keep pace  with modern technology.

[01:26.76]Linda Personally I cannot accept e-mail with any real enthusiasm,

[01:27.22]though perhaps e-marl suits modem society better. Maybe that's the way I am; it can' t be helped.

[01:28.13]181 Hacker

[01:28.70]Your machine has been controlled by a certain hacker program.

[01:29.24]The security administrators don' t do enough to protect the systems.

[01:29.74]A: Xiao Li! Come over here quickly!

[01:30.39]B: Coming! What's up?

[01:30.62]A: Just have a look at my computer. It behaves so queerly.

[01:31.21]It has been doing things without my touching a single key! See! The CD-ROM is ejecting again !

[01:31.94]B: Let me see…. Well, your machine has been controlled by a certain hacker program.

[01:32.67]A: What can I do?

[01:32.77]B: Just disconnect from the net. Get an up-dated anti-virus software to kill it.

[01:33.44](An interview with Michael, a hacker.)

[01:33.96]Interviewer: Michael, when did you first get interested in computers?

[01:34.43]Michael: When I was 11. They fascinated me so much that I majored in computer science in college.

[01:35.17]Interviewer: And is that when you began hacking?

[01:35.46]Michael: That's right. I broke into the school administration files.

[01:35.94]Interviewer: It must have been difficult to get into the government's defense networks.

[01:36.41]Michael: It was easy. You see, the security administrators don't do enough to protect the systems.

[01:37.19]Besides, no matter what kind of protection they install,

[01:37.69]there's always some hacker out there who likes the challenge of breaking in anyway.

[01:38.24]Interviewer: What did you do when you got into these systems?

[01:38.63]Michael: Well, at college I was tempted to give myself a big scholarship, but I didn't.

[01:39.37]And when I got into national defense network, it was really just the satisfaction of doing it.

[01:40.03]They should thank me for pointing out the weaknesses in their system.

[01:40.54]Interviewer: But you got arrested instead. And what are you planning to do when you get out of prison?

[01:41.30]Michael: Well, I' d like to work as a consultant advising on security systems.

[01:41.91]182 Applying for a Job

[01:42.73]You should start by saying why you want this job.

[01:43.12]You should include a lot more information about your education and work experience.

[01:43.72]A: Would you mind reading this letter of application I've written? I'd like to have your opinion.

[01:44.46]If you don't think it's any good, please let me know. I really want this job.

[01:45.29]B: Well, most of it seems fine. But if I were you, I' d change the beginning.

[01:45.95]You should start by saying why you want this job.

[01:46.39]A: Oh, right. Good idea.

[01:46.64]B: And the second part is too short:

[01:46.91]You should include a lot more information about your education and work experience.

[01:47.56]A: Okay, thanks! I really appreciate your help.

[01:48.03](Miss White, the teacher, is trying to help Joe, her student to find a job for his father. )

[01:49.03]Miss White: Has your father found a job?

[01:49.26]Joe: No. He went for an interview last week but they didn't give him the job.

[01:49.84]Miss White: Oh, unlucky man! Wouldn't he like to do something different?

[01:50.35]Joe: Oh yes, I'm sure he would.

[01:50.65]Miss White: Do you know that Henry Smith, the school caretaker, is retiring next month?

[01:51.23]And they want someone to look after the playing fields, too.

[01:51.68]Joe: Oh, I didn't know that. Dad would love a job like that. He's always enjoyed gardening.

[01:52.50]Miss White: Would you like me to talk to the headmaster about it?

[01:52.91]Joe: Oh yes, please, Miss.

[01:53.08]Miss White: All right, but you won' t say anything to your father yet, will you?

[01:53.65]There may be someone else for the job.

[01:53.90]Joe: No, I promise I won' t.

[01:54.51]Miss White: Now you run along home and stop worrying. I expect everything will be all right.

[01:54.95]183 Job Interview

[01:55.40]Could you tell me what kind of work experience you've had?

[01:55.90]Well, your qualifications for job are excellent.

[01:56.41]A: Now let me see. Uhmm, you were an English major, weren't you?

[01:57.41]B: Yes, that's right. I graduated from San Francisco State College in 1980.

[01:58.00]A: And could you tell me what kind of office experience you've had?

[01:58.44]B: Well, I'm working for Singapore Airlines at the moment, in their San Francisco office.

[01:59.09]A: And what do you do there exactly?

[01:59.35]B: I'm in ticket sales.

[01:59.56]A: And would you mind telling me your present salary?

[01:59.90]B: I' m making eleven hundred a month at present.

[02:00.24]A: Eleven hundred. Uh,uh. OK, well, you've read the job description for this position...

[02:01.18](A job interview.)

[02:01.51]A: Let's discuss your educational background. You were an English major, weren't you?

[02:02.20]B: Yes. That's right. It was my best subject at college  .

[02:02.59]A: Fine. And could you tell me what kind of work experience you've had?

[02:03.10]B: My last position was with Loomis and Martin. That's a law firm in Sacramento.

[02:03.82]A: Well, your qualifications for the job are excellent. And is there anything you' d like to ask abut the job?

[02:04.61]B: Yes. I' d like to know if the company provides opportunities for further education.

[02:05.39]A: Yes, our employees are allowed to take up less than six hours a week to attend college courses.

[02:06.12]B: That' s very generous.

[02:06.35]A: Well, I've enjoyed meeting and talking with you. We'll call you within the week.

[02:06.92]B: Thank you. I appreciate the time you've given me.

[02:07.37]184 At the Office

[02:07.92]Is the boss in his office?

[02:08.28]I' m going to ask for two weeks off.

[02:08.65]A: Is the boss in his office?

[02:09.14]B: Yes. Why?

[02:09.25]A: I'm going to ask for two weeks off.

[02:09.52]B: Don't you think that' s too much to ask right now?  We' re pretty busy.

[02:10.08]A. I've earned it. I've been working overtime every day. So have you.

[02:10.64]B: Me?

[02:10.71]A: Sure. We should both ask for time off.

[02:11.08]B. It does sound tempting, but...

[02:11.40]A: No buts. Let's do it.

[02:11.62](At the office.)

[02:12.08]Boss: Is something wrong?.

[02:12.25]Secretary: No. I'm fine.

[02:12.40]Boss: You seem nervous about something.

[02:12.63]Secretary: How can you tell?

[02:12.75]Boss: You've made so many typing errors this morning.

[02:13.11]Secretary: It's my daughter, She wasn't feeling well when I dropped her off at school.

[02:13.65]Boss: Oh, the poor girl. Why don' t you go to the school and take her home?

[02:14.22]Secretary: But I have to finish these letters, or else the report won' t get finished.

[02:14.77]Boss: Don' t worry. It can wait until tomorrow.

[02:15.21]Secretary: Thanks for being understanding.

[02:15.46]Boss: Thanks for being such a good secretary.

[02:15.74]185 Meeting

[02:16.38]Let' s see what' s the program for today?

[02:16.78]There' s a general meeting this morning at 8: 30. Then we' ll have a group discussion.

[02:17.69]A: Let's see what's the program for today?

[02:18.02]B: There's a general meeting this morning at 8:30. Then we' II have a group discussion.'

[02:18.64]A: Quite so. But when are you going to present your paper?

[02:19.08]B: Let me see. Oh, tomorrow morning at ten.

[02:19.59]And you're scheduled to give yours in the afternoon at 3:30, right?

[02:20.12]A: Right. Let's see what visits or tours they have planned towards the end of the conference.

[02:20.76]Oh, a visit to the Ming Tombs and the reservoir.

[02:21.31]B: That could be very interesting.

[02:21.53](At the company meeting...)

[02:22.14]A: You seem to have some reservations about marketing this product.

[02:22.30]B: I've come to the conclusion that we shouldn't put it on the market now.

[02:22.84]A: But my department has done a lot of research. This product will sell well.

[02:23.42]B: What kinds of research have you done?

[02:23.67]A: We've tested the product in several key markets.

[02:24.05]B: And...?

[02:24.15]A: It sold very well.

[02:24.36]B: But we don' t have the budget for a large advertising campaign. I think we' ll wait.

[02:25.10]A: Well, OK. Thanks for hearing me out.

[02:25.43]B: Thank you for a good presentation.

[02:25.75]186 Exam

[02:26.50]I failed in the final exam.

[02:26.79]You can take the make-up examination.

[02:27.15]A: Hello, Jack. You don't look well.

[02:27.72]B:I failed in the final exam. I got 57. I feel terrible. Could you please give me a pass?

[02:28.42]I promise I will work harder from now on.

[02:28.99]A: I am sorry, Jack. I can't do that. It would be unfair to other students.

[02:29.62]B: Actually I have been working very hard. I was nervous and careless when I took the exam.

[02:30.32]A: Don't be so sad. You can still take the make-up examination.

[02:30.89]Come to me if you have any difficulties in your preparation.

[02:31.34]B: That's very kind of you, Miss Brown. Thank you.

[02:31.82](Tom went to another institute to give some oral examinations.

[02:32.48]After one student finished and left, a woman came in.)

[02:32.91]Woman: Excuse me. Are you Mr. Atkins?

[02:33.41]Tom: Yes. You don' t know me, of course. I don' t teach here.

[02:33.84]I just give oral examinations here now and then. Now, sit down, please.

[02:34.54]I'm going to ask you a few questions. Then we're going to have a short conversation in English.

[02:35.20]Do you understand?

[02:35.41]Woman: Yes, of course I do. But may, I ask you something first?

[02:36.07]Tom:   After the examination, please. Just concentrate on my questions for the moment.

[02:36.75]First of all, why are you learning English?

[02:37.18]Woman: Why am I learning English?

[02:37.52]Tom:  I mean, what are you going to do with it?

[02:38.10]Are you going to be an English teacher, or something else?

[02:38.25]Woman: Please just stop a second. I really must ask you something first?

[02:38.71]Tom:  Very good, if you insist.

[02:39.08]Woman: Would you have a cup of coffee?

[02:39.37]Tom:  Pardon? What did you say?.

[02:39.76]Woman: You see. I'm one of the English teachers here. I came to ask you if you want some coffee.

[02:40.59]187 Schools

[02:41.25]It' s a fairly average school in most ways.

[02:41.56]It' s a five-storey building with two labs on each floor.

[02:42.07]A: What is your primary school like, do you still remember?

[02:42.80]B: Certainly! It's small but nice. There were only about 5 hundred pupils when I was there.

[02:43.56]A: Are the facilities good?

[02:44.14]B: Not very. There's just a two-storey building and that's all.

[02:44.37]A: Oh, yes. Most schools at that time were in the same condition.

[02:44.92]B: But I still like it very much, especially the teachers there. They were so good to us.

[02:45.58](Wang Ping wants to know something about schools in Britain. He is talking to Neil. )

[02:46.37]Wang Ping: I know you are working in a British secondary school. So, what is it like?

[02:47.61]Neff: That's a big question!

[02:48.10]Wang Ping: Yes. But what I mean is ... well, is it a good school? What  are the facilities like and so on.

[02:48.54]Neff:  Uumm ... It's a fairly average school in most ways. It doesn't specialize in anything in particular.

[02:49.47]We teach the usual range of subjects.

[02:49.83]The sport department is quite good

[02:50.40]and there are reasonable sports facilities a football pitch and gymnasium.

[02:50.76]Wang Ping: And what about the other teaching facilities? The classrooms and so on?

[02:51.45]Neff:  Weft, each department has its own classrooms-so there are special rooms for history,

[02:52.47]geography, etc and science block for science. The classes have to move around the school.

[02:52.97]Wang Ping: How many students are there in fact?

[02:53.33]Neff:  About 750 ... which is quite small compared with many secondary schools.

[02:54.05]Wang Ping: You mentioned the science block just now. Is that where the laboratories are?

[02:54.69]Neff: Yes, that's right. It's a five- story building with two labs on each floor.

[02:55.46]Wang Ping: And that's a separate building?

[02:55.71]Neff: Yes ... and there's another separate classroom block, too-five stories, ten classrooms.

[02:56.52]188 Course

[02:57.14]Could I enroll in your advanced geography course next semester?

[02:57.77]I`d like to ask about the Master degree course in cultural studies.

[02:58.20]A: Professor Brown, could I enroll in your advanced geography course next semester?

[02:59.11]B: Aren't you a bit young? I've allowed qualified seniors to take the course.

[02:59.77]A:I know. Last semester I took Professor Berman's course. It's not challenging.

[03:00.42]B:I'II speak to Professor Berman about it. If he thinks you are ready, I' II let you enroll.

[03:01.12]A: Oh, thank you, Professor Brown. That is really very nice of you.

[03:01.73](A course in cultural studies.)

[03:02.36]Tom: Good morning. I' d like to ask about the Master degree course in cultural studies.

[03:03.12]Secretary: Ah, yes. What would you like to know?

[03:03.45]Tom: How long will the course last?

[03:03.72]Secretary: It' s a two-year course that involves mostly research.

[03:04.11]Tom: Ah, two years. Can I study by distance learning?

[03:04.58]Secretary: Yes, the course is designed for distance learning. You have to be here for only several weeks.

[03:05.32]Tom: Well, could you tell me the contents of the course?

[03:05.77]Secretary: Yes, just a minute. The course is concerned with the analysis and theory of culture.

[03:06.66]Tom: Oh, that's culture in general, not just British culture?

[03:07.05]Secretary: That' s right. The course does encourage some analysis of the aspects of British culture,

[03:07.81]but what' s most important is the comparison with the cultures of the course participants.

[03:08.46]You are British, I presume.

[03:08.72]Tom: Yes, I'm working as an English teacher in China, actually.

[03:09.24]Secretary: Oh, we have had a few Chinese students.

[03:09.68]They usually contribute some very interesting comparisons of British and Chinese cultures.

[03:10.30]Tom: That sounds very suitable for me. Can I ask what the entry requirements ...

[03:10.97]189 Reading Books

[03:11.76]Chinese people are very fond of reading.

[03:12.10]I wish I had more time reading.

[03:12.37]A:I notice, Mr. U, that Chinese people are very fond of reading.

[03:13.10]Lots of people read in the underground trains and on buses.

[03:13.62]B: You are quite right. Our people read a lot.

[03:14.16]A: Personally I think there's nothing better than reading a good book after a day's work.

[03:14.57]It's excellent relaxation.

[03:15.08]B: And there is a saying, "It's never too late to learn." Reading is a good way to learn.

[03:15.67]B: You're quite right. I wish I had more time for reading.

[03:16.25](Several students are in Professor Dickinson' s study before the essay reading class.)

[03:17.07]Cathy: Professor Dickinson has a big collection of books in his study, hasn't he?

[03:17.67]Bill: That's true. Just imagine, he has read all of them!

[03:18.14]When I talk to him about books, I feel that he has pored over every book that I have ever heard of.

[03:18.88]Lucy: Here are some modem English Classics. Have you read any of them, Cathy?.

[03:19.48]Cathy: Almost none, I'm afraid. You have read a good many modem English classics, haven't you, Bill?

[03:20.23]Bill:  Yes, I was fond of English writers when I was only a school boy.

[03:20.86]And I have skimmed through quite a lot of their works since then.

[03:21.25]Lucy: Who are the well-known twentieth-century English writers?

[03:21.76]Bill:  Oh, there are John Galsworthy, G.B. Shaw, and also T.S. Elliot.

[03:22.47]Cathy: T.S. Elliot? Wasn't he an American?

[03:22.88]Bill:  He was born in the United States, but he chose British nationalily later