IF I WERE RICH
Jane: Why do all your clothes fit you so well? Where do you usually buy them?
Raymond: I never buy clothes in stores. All my clothes are tailor-made. Store bought clothes don’t fit me so well.
Jane: But it costs more to get clothes made than to buy them in stores, right?
Raymond: Right!
Jane: How much did the trousers you’re wearing cost?
Raymond: They cost about one thousand N.T. I got them made in Mexico. You like the style?
Jane: Yes, they are very stylish, but the material is coarse.
Raymond: That’s the way I like to dress, it’s more natural.
Jane: I agree with you. If I were as rich as you, I would have my own designs and styles for my dresses too. By the way, do you do your own laundry?
Raymond: No, my mother does my underwear, I take my pants and shirts to the cleaners.
Jane: How about your suits?
Raymond: I take them to the cleaners.
Jane: Is it expensive to get suit dry-cleaned in Taipei?
Raymond: No, it costs only forty N.T. to get a suit dry-cleaned.
Jane: I really like it here. Living costs are low. If I have come here earlier, I would have enjoyed life much more. I wish my home were here.
Raymond: Do you really think so? Don't you see there’s a housing problem here? I’ve been working hard in order to buy a house since I got out of the army. Yet I still can’t afford it.
Jane: How long have you been out of the army?
Raymond: No, I studied in graduate school for two years.
Jane: If I were you, I would have gone into the army first.
Raymond: Why?
Jane: Don't you think it’s better for a person to go into the army when he is still young?
Raymond: Yes, I do.
I
1. Many of my classmates ride bikes to school. I wish I had a bike, too.
2. If you could get a perfect mark in math. I would buy one for you. Last semester, you got fifty-four. So terrible!
3. I won’t have to waste my time walking to school if you buy me a bike now. With more time to study, I might get a higher mark, otherwise, I will flunk again.
4. Don't try to threaten me. I won’t compromise with you. Unless you get a perfect mark in math this semester, I’ll never buy mark in math this semester, I’ll never buy a bike for you.
II
1. Did Raymond bully you again?
2. Yes, he kept punching and kicking me. If I have had a sword, I would have killed him.
3. Did you report that to the school authorities?
4. Yes, but in vain. They wouldn't ever listen to me. They always help Raymond cover up his rough behavior.
5. You shouldn't blame them. They wouldn't listen you simply because they are disappointed about your past. Remember how frequently you broke the school rules when you were a freshman. If you can show that you have deeply regretted your past behavior, they will trust you again.
6. You mean I’m not well-behaved now?
7. No, you misunderstood me. What I mean is it takes time to prove anything. You’ve got to be patient. If Raymond bullies you again, let me know, I will ask the school authorities to punish him.
III
1. Jane, I’m going to get my suit ironed. I’ll be back within ten minutes.
2. Why do you get it ironed so often? You don't seem to be that dressy.
3. I’m unlucky to have bought this suit. It get wrinked easily.
4. Does it show dirty easily?
5. No, I’m lucky about that. I can’t afford to get it dry-cleaned often.
I
1. What would you do if you had a million U.S dollars?
2. I would stop teaching English and travel around the world.
3. Which continent would you go to first?
4. I would go to Africa first, I have been looking forward to going there.
5. Why are you so anxious to go Africa?
6. I am tired of civilization. I hope I can stay in an underdeveloped area.
7. Are you afraid to stay with barbarians?
8. No, I think barbarians are generally more friendly and easy going than civilized people.
9. Hong long would you stay in Africa if you have a chance to go?
10. I would settled down there if I could.
11. Do you adapt yourself to new circumstances easily?
12. Yes, I’m confident I can adapt myself to any circumstances.
13. There’re many infectious diseases in Africa. It’s hard for white people to survive there.
14. I’m different. My resistance is extraordinarily high.
15. How do you keep yourself healthy?
16. I exercise a lot.
17. Do you ever play tennis?
18. No, but I play badminton.
19. Is there a badminton court in your yard?
20. No, but there’re some in the park to the left of my house.
21. How many badminton rackets do you have?
22. I have none, but I belong to a club where I can borrow rackets for free.
23. Is there a skating rink in the club, too?
24. Yes, but I never skate.
25. Can you also borrow skates there for free?
26. Of course I can.
27. I am interested in joining the club. How much is the initiation fee?
28. It’s four thousand five hundred N.T.
29. Do you still have to pay every year?
30. Yes, I pay monthly. It’s two hundred N.T. per month.
31. I have decided to join the club. Can you help me with initiation?
II
1. What have you been doing recently?
2. I have been busy arranging a trip for myself.
3. Why don’t you entrust that to a travel agency?
4. I planned to, but since there’re so many travel agencies, I don’t know which one to choose.
5. Is the tourist industry developed here?
6. Yes, it’s highly developed. Millions of tourists swarm here every year.
7. I feel like eating now. are there any good restaurant around here?
8. Yes, they have a good buffet in the pub over there on Saturday. How much does the buffet cost?
9. It cost three hundred N.T.
10. Would you like to have dinner with me?
11. Yes, I will be glad to eat with you if you treat me to dinner.
12. I don’t have enough money to pay the bill, but I have a ring.
13. Is it made of gold or silver?
14. It’s a diamond ring.
15. Are you going to pawn it?
16. Yes, I am. Where is the nearest pawn shop?
17. It’s right behind the pub.
18. Do you serve roast meat with buffets?
19. Yes, they serve roast beef and lamb.
20. Good! I’m so starving that I can eat a horse. I’m going to have at least five portions of roast beef and lamb.