全新版大学英语听说教程 1 Unit04

UNIT 04 GOING TO A PARTY

PART A

Communicative Function

Controlling a Conversation

In daily communication we often use different techniques to control a conversation. We need to know how to show attention or surprise, how to agree or disagree, how to break in, how to change the subject, and how to bring other people into a conversation. In this part you’ll learn some of the ways we use to control a conversation.

Dialogue 1:

Listen to the dialogues and supply the missing 1 words in the blanks

(At a party)

A: Great party, isn't it?

B: Yeah, super. Everyone seems to be having a good time.

A: They do, don't they? By the way, do you know that girl talking to Jack 2?

B: Who? Oh, that's Mary. She lives in our dormitory.

A: She's very pretty. Don't you think so?

B: Yes, and clever, too. One of the best students in her class, I believe.

A: Do you know her well?

B: Quite well, shall I introduce you to her?

A: That'd be nice.

Dialogue 2:

M: When are you leaving for Australia, Diana?

W: In just two weeks. And I'm so excited. But there are still one or two things I need to do before I go.

M: Like what?

W: Like going to the travel agent and figuring out what to do with my apartment while I'm gone.

M: Your apartment? Perhaps you can sublet 3 it.

W: Yeah, but who to?

M: Hmm, let me think. Oh, I know just the person. An old friend of mine, Peter Jones, is coming here to do some research this summer, from June through August.

W: That's exactly when I'll be away. Sounds ideal 4. When could you talk to him about it?

M: Well, I'll be calling him later this week, anyway. I'll mention it to him then.

W: Thanks a lot. Come to think of it, Michael, shall we have a get-together 5 with Tom and Catherine this weekend?

M: Good idea! Let's do that.

Listening strategy 6

Identifying Numbers

It is necessary for us to listen for specific words that contain the information we need. This exercise focuses on one kind of required information -- numbers.

Listen to the tape and fill in the blanks with the numbers you hear.

Question 1: Remember to put down the zip code 7 when you address the envelope. Mine is 92381.

Question 2: Sally's aunt has just come back from France. Now she's staying at the Park Hotel, Room 2608.

Question 3: Mr. Davis lives at 1540, Water Street.

Question 4: It usually takes about 75 minutes to get to the airport from here.

Question 5: The new coat cost me 156 yuan.

Question 6: The Tower of London is 900 years old.

Question 7: Mr. Baker 8 has been working in the City Bank of New York for two years. He now has an annual income of $84,200 / 84200.

Question 8: New York is 1,735 / 1735 miles away from here.

Question 9: Please get to the Shanghai Museum no later than 9:40 / twenty to ten /nine forty.

Question 10: The clock in the reading room must be fast. It's 5:45 / five forty-five / a quarter to six by my watch.

PART B

Listen to Text: Small Talk Is Easy

Exercise 1:

Listening for general understanding

Listen to this tape once choose the right answer to each question you hear.

A: Mike, guess what?

B: What?

A: Carol just invited me to a party at her house on Saturday.

B: Carol? You mean the pretty girl in your economics 9 class?

A: Yeah.

B: Great! I'm sure you'll have a super time.

A: I'm not so sure.

B: What do you mean, John? I thought you really liked Carol.

A: I do. But I don't know her friends very well.

B: So get to know them.

A: But I'm no good at small talk.

B: Small talk is easy. You can learn.

A: By Friday?

B: Sure. I'll coach you. You just have to remember a few simple sentences.

A: I don't know. I have trouble remembering things. Especially when I meet people. I get nervous.

B: Don't worry. John. You can do it. You just need a few tips.

A: But what if I say something stupid?

B: Relax. You won't. But even if you do, it's all right. Everyone makes mistakes.

A: Yeah, especially me! What if I'm boring? No one wants to listen to a bore.

B: Hey, you're not giving a speech. You're just having a conversation. So just talk about something you know they are interested in.

A: That's the problem. I don't know what Carol's friends are interested in.

B: Let them tell you. If you let people talk about themselves, they'll think you are interesting.

A: You mean something like, "So, tell me what you are interested in."

B: Well, you don't have to be that direct. For example, you can talk about the weather.

A: You can't be serious. The weather is boring.

B: It's a good excuse to find out what they like to do. On a rainy day, you say, "What do you do in such terrible weather?"

A: What if they just stayed home and read a book?

B: Then ask them about the book. You can ask if it was good. Ask if they liked it and why. Then talk about a book you really liked.

A: So that's what small talk is about, is it? Well, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tips, Mike.

B: You're welcome. Have a good time at the party.

Questions:

1. What are the two speakers talking about?

2. What do you learn about John from the dialogue?

3. What is Mike doing?

Exercise 2

Listen for detail Listen the text once again and written down answer the following question

A: Mike, guess what?

B: What?

A: Carol just invited me to a party at her house on Saturday.

B: Carol? You mean the pretty girl in your economics class?

A: Yeah.

B: Great! I'm sure you'll have a super time.

A: I'm not so sure.

B: What do you mean, John? I thought you really liked Carol.

A: I do. But I don't know her friends very well.

B: So get to know them.

A: But I'm no good at small talk.

B: Small talk is easy. You can learn.

A: By Friday?

B: Sure. I'll coach you. You just have to remember a few simple sentences.

A: I don't know. I have trouble remembering things. Especially when I meet people. I get nervous.

B: Don't worry. John. You can do it. You just need a few tips.

A: But what if I say something stupid?

B: Relax. You won't. But even if you do, it's all right. Everyone makes mistakes.

A: Yeah, especially me! What if I'm boring? No one wants to listen to a bore.

B: Hey, you're not giving a speech. You're just having a conversation. So just talk about something you know they are interested in.

A: That's the problem. I don't know what Carol's friends are interested in.

B: Let them tell you. If you let people talk about themselves, they'll think you are interesting.

A: You mean something like, "So, tell me what you are interested in."

B: Well, you don't have to be that direct. For example, you can talk about the weather.

A: You can't be serious. The weather is boring.

B: It's a good excuse to find out what they like to do. On a rainy day, you say, "What do you do in such terrible weather?"

A: What if they just stayed home and read a book?

B: Then ask them about the book. You can ask if it was good. Ask if they liked it and why. Then talk about a book you really liked.

A: So that's what small talk is about, is it? Well, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the tips, Mike.

B: You're welcome. Have a good time at the party.

Speaking Tasks

Pair work

Listen to the dialogues and repeat after the recording 10. Practice the dialogues with your partner, playing the role of A or B, Then work with your partner to create your own dialogues by replacing the underlined parts with your own words.

Dialogue 1

A: My American friend has invited me to a weekend party at his apartment.

B: That's great.

A: But I've never been to a party given by a foreigner. I'm afraid I won't know how to act.

B: Relax. Just be yourself and act naturally.

A: I know. But it's easier said than done.

B: Well, let me tell you. First you should arrive there on time or a few minutes later, but not earlier.

A: Shall I bring him something?

B: Sure. It's nice to give him a small gift, but nothing too expensive.

A: Like what?

B: A bottle of wine or a small box of chocolates will do.

A: But I don't know his American friends. What should I say to them?

B: Why don't you get them to talk about themselves? Won't it be a super chance for you to practice your conversation skills with native speakers of English?

A: I guess you're right. Thanks.

B: You're welcome. Have a good time at the party

Dialogue 2

A: That's a beautiful song they are playing, isn't it?

B: Yeah, it's cool.

A: Do you like pop music?

B: Oh, yeah. What about you?

A: Me too. How do you like rap 11?

B: It's all right, but I'm not really crazy about it.

A: Neither am I. Do you often go to those big concerts?

B: Sometimes. I like listening to CDs better. I can't stand crowds of pushing people.

A: Yeah, I know what you mean.

PART C

Additional 12 Listening

Are You Calling about the Party?

Exercise

true or false.

Laura: Hello. This is Laura Davis speaking.

Simon: Oh, hello, Laura. This is Simon here. Simon Williams.

Laura: Oh, Simon. How nice to hear you. Are you calling about the party? You did get the invitation, didn't you?

Simon: Yes, thanks, I did. That's just it, I'm afraid. You see, I'm already tied up that evening.

Laura: Oh, really? That is a pity.

Simon: Yes. I'm afraid it's been planned for ages. You see, some friends of mine are coming to see me. I haven't seen them for a long time, and you know... well... I managed to get some tickets for the opera, and I promised to take them out to dinner afterwards. I can't get out of it, unfortunately. I wish I could.

Laura: Oh, what a shame! We were looking forward to seeing you. Still, if you can drop in later with your friends, we'd love to see you.

Simon: Thanks. Well, I'll certainly try, but I don't think there's much chance. Actually I've sent you an e-mail to say I can't come.

Laura: Oh, have you? That's very kind, thanks. Well, keep in touch, Simon.

Simon: I will. Regards to James. And I hope the party goes well. Bye!

Laura: Thanks. Bye.

Statements:

1. Simon is calling because he hasn't got the invitation.

2. Simon will take his friends out to dinner after going to the opera.

3. Laura has made a promise to her friends and will not break her promise.

4. Both Laura and Simon will be rather busy that evening.

5. Laura and Simon agree to meet daily.

PART D

Home Listening 1

1. An outdoor Party:

Exercise

Listen and fill in

A: Hello.

B: Hello, Bob? This is Larry.

A: Larry! Aren't you coming to the party?

B: Yes. I'm on my way, but I'm afraid I'm lost.

A: Oh?

B: I think I followed your directions. I went north on Union Boulevard to Ivy 13 Street.

A: Yes, that's right.

B: Then, I turned right and drove to Washington Avenue.

A: Uh-huh.

B: Then, I followed Washington Avenue all the way to the parkway entrance.

A: Right.

B: After that, I took the parkway south and got off at Exit 14.

A: Oh-oh! That's the problem. You were supposed to get off at Exit 15.

B: Oh.

A: Well, where are you now?

B: I'm near the Homemaker Supermarket.

A: Oh, that's not far from here. Here's what you should do. Go to the corner and turn right at Station Street. Follow Station Street about seven blocks. Then turn right on Queens Road, and you'll see my house on the right, across from the parkway entrance. Have you got that?

B: I think so. Let me see. I go to the corner and turn right at Station Street.

A: Uh-huh.

B: Then, I follow Station Street about seven blocks.

A: Um-hum.

B: And then ... hmm ... Could you repeat the last part?

A: Yes. Turn right on Queens Road, and you'll see my house on the right, across from the parkway entrance.

B: Okay. I've got it now. Thanks. I'll be there in a few minutes.

A: See you soon.

Home Listening 2

What Friendship Means to Americans?

Exercise

Listen and choose

You might observe that Americans are always talking. Silence makes most Americans uncomfortable. So they would rather talk about the weather than encounter 14 a lapse 15 in conversation. Generally speaking Americans are friendly to everyone.

However, don't mistake friendliness 16 for friendship. Most Americans have many acquaintances 17 but few close friends. The people you are friendly with during the first semester 18 may not necessarily 19 stay in touch when classes are over. Each semester brings new acquaintances. Friendships take time to grow. Americans are open and they trust relationships that develop slowly. Young Americans are very friendly and they like to talk to all kinds of people. They smile easily and laugh quite often. But don't mistake friendliness for physical attraction. Because a person is friendly, he or she is not necessarily interested in dating you. Even if someone accepts a date, it doesn't mean that the person is ready for an intimate 20 relationship. In short, interpersonal relationships in any culture are difficult and require the use for judgment 21 in every new situation.