A LADY FROM AUSTRIA
Linda: Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get to the student center? I am new on this campus.
Raymond: Yes, please follow me. I happen to be going there, too.
Linda: Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
Raymond: Do you mind telling me your nationality?
Linda: No, I don't. I am from Austria.
Raymond: Why have you come to Taiwan?
Linda: I came to study Mandarin.
Raymond: Do you speak any Mandarin now?
Linda: No, I don't. I just arrived.
Raymond: How long have you been in Taiwan?
Linda: Two weeks.
Raymond: Did you see the parade?
Linda: Yes, it was wonderful. Did you see it?
Raymond: Yes, I saw it on TV. By the way, where are you living now?
Linda: I’ve been staying in the China Hotel since I arrived. I am looking for an apartment, but it’s not easy to find one.
Raymond: Is anyone helping you?
Linda: Yes, I’ve asked a few friends to help, but none of them have given me any answers yet.
Raymond: Do you need an apartment badly?
Linda: Yes, I do. The rate in the China Hotel is very high. I can hardly afford to stay there anymore. I’ve go to move out of that place right away.
Raymond: I live with my sister in a four-room villa in Tien Mou. If you like to, you can live with us.
Linda: Really? When can I move?
Raymond: You can move any time. When you have packed your baggage, let me know, I can help you move.
Linda: Thanks a lot. This is really kind of you.
Raymond: Don't mention it. Say, here we are. This is the student center. What are you going to do here?
Linda: I have come to get a sandwich and some milk.
Raymond: I haven’t had lunch, either. I’ll order a bowl of beef noodles for myself. Why don't we sit at the table next to the window? It’s much quieter there.
Linda: That sounds good. We can have a chat and get to know each other better before I move into your villa.
I
1. Could you please tell me how to get to the Kuanghua Theater?
2. Yes, just go straight ahead for two blocks and then turn left. You’ll see the theater on your left side.
3. That you
4. You’re welcome.
II
1. How often do you hear from your family?
2. I hear from them about twice a week.
3. How long has it been since you last heard from them?
4. I haven’t heard from them for five days.
5. Are you worried about it?
6. Yes, I am. I’m afraid my parents are sick again.
7. How long have you been away from home?
8. I’ve been away from home for two years.
9. Are you from hualien?
10. Yes, I am. Have you ever been there?
11. Yes, I went there last week, and stayed in a hotel in taroko gorge for two days.
12. Did you bring back any souvenirs?
13. Yes, I bought many marble products, such as wases, flower pots, ash trays and bracelets. The price were good.
III
1. I got engaged last month.
2. Why didn't you let me know?
3. I tried to call you a few times, but the line was busy. I couldn't get through.
4. When do you plan to get married?
5. I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll let you know right after I have made my decision.
6. Fine. I will definitely attend your wedding.
I
1. Are you still living on campus?
2. No, I rent a room off campus now.
3. When did you move out of the dormitory?
4. I moved this semester, but I regret it now.
5. Do you mind telling me what made you regret it?
6. No, I don’t. I regret it because I can’t tolerate my landlord’s behavior any more.
7. Why can’t you tolerate his behavior?
8. He’s always cursing his wife with four-letter words.
9. Most men are like that. You should just ignore it. What have you been doing recently?
10. I have been lifting weights a lot.
11. Why have you been lifting weights so hard?
12. I intend to participate in a kungfu tournament next year. Without powerful arms, I can’t win the championship.
13. How long have you been studying kungfu?
14. I’ve been studying it since I was twelve.
15. Where do you usually work out?
16. I usually work out in the school gym.
17. Are you on the school kungfu team?
18. Yes, I am on the school team.
19. Is it true that some kungfu players have go internal power?
20. Since there’s no exact definition of internal power, it’s hard to answer your question.
21. I would like to learn some traditional kungfu. Do you mind if I call on you on Sunday and ask you a few questions?
22. Fine! I’ll be expecting you.
II
1. What is your father’s occupation?
2. He is dead.
3. I’m sorry to hear that. When did he die?
4. He has been dead for ten years.
5. What did he do when he was alive?
6. He was a butcher.
7. Do you know why I want to interview you?
8. Yes, I rescued a woman in the river.
9. Are you proud of your deed?
10. I think it’s nothing.
11. Do you mind if I record our conversation?
12. No, I don’t .
13. Where can I plug in my tape recorder?
14. There’s a socket behind the typewriter.
15. Have you got an extension cord?
16. Yes, there’s one upstairs. I’ll go get it. Will the interview take long?
17. Yes, it will take quite a while.
18. Are you a reporter from the China Post?
19. Yes, you guessed right.
20. How long have you been a newspaper reporter?
21. I have been a reporter since I was twenty-two.
22. Did you major in jonrnalism in college?
23. Yes, I did. Do you have any hobbies?
24. I like gardening and mountain-climbing.
25. Do you have your own garden?
26. Yes, it’s on the roof.
27. What plants do you grow?
28. I grow orchids, chrysanthemums, lilies and cactuses.
29. Do you have to water your plants every day?
30. No, I water them every other day.
31. Do you like animals, too?
32. Yes, I keep many pets here, such as dogs, cats, snakes, crocodiles and tropical fish.
33. Where are your snales?
34. They are in the cage right behind your seat. Are you scared?
35. No, I am brave. Are the snakes poisonous?
36. Yes, they are all poisonous snakes.
37. Have they ever come out and bitten people?
38. Yes, on of the snakes once broke the wires off the cage and crawled out. It attacked my neighbor’s baby and killed it.
39. The interview is over, I must get going now.