Interview with Mother

Interviewer: What's it like being a parent?

Mother: Bringing up children is very difficult. You always worry about them. You have to be very patient and put up with a lot - like noise and even criticism. And you can't always get through to them - sometimes they just won't listen. But the advantages of being a parent outweigh the disadvantages. The main thing is to enjoy your children while they are young because they grow up so quickly nowadays.

Interviewer: How strict are you with your children?

Mother: I suppose I'm reasonably strict. They can't do what they like and get away with it, and I tell them off when they do something wrong.

Interviewer: And what is the secret of being a good parent?

Mother: I think you have to give them confidence and let them know you love them. And you have to set a good example through your own behaviour; otherwise they won't look up to you.

Interviewer: And what do you want for your children in the future?

Mother: I want them to be happy, and I want them to look back on their childhood as a very happy time in their lives.

Dialogue 4

(Twoyoung people, George and Ann,meet after a lapse of some years)

G: Did you receive my letter, Ann?

a: Yes, I did.

G: I wished to see you very much, Ann. I hope you'll not be displeased with me.

A: No, I'm very glad to meet you. It's a long time since we met last.

G: It is indeed. You have changed, Ann.

A: Have I? Am I like what you expected me to be?

G: No, you are much more beautiful than I thought.

A: Am I?

G: Yes, but do you know last night I was trying to fancy you as a…

A: Not a fat, blond girl, with round blue eyes and pigtails dangling down at the back of my head?

G: No, Ann,but as a tall girl with a mop of hair tied up in a bundle, with rouged cheeks…

A: Oh, yes! That's just like me, isn't it? You must have seen me before yon came here? Well go on. You're describing me so well.

G: Oh Ann, don'1 jeer at me. You can't imagine how glad I am to be mistaken. Your fair heavy braids are…

A: You know, George, when I got your letter I also tried to fancy you.

G: And is there any likeness between me and what you've fancied?

A: Yes, and a very striking one, I should say. I’ll tell you some time later.

Dialogue 5

A: How do you like your co-workers?

B: One of my co-workers is an exceptional person. She always has a nice word for and about everyone. She is often the last person to leave the office and when she is at work she works at a steady and constant pace; but is always pleasant, nevertheless. She is very unassuming and tries hard not to inconvenience her co-workers.

A: But are they all so nice?

B: Not really! There's a former sea captain who works with us. He’s a complete waste of time. Even when he's sober we just keep talking past each other. It's like he's still on the bridge of a ship and I'm down in the engine room and the communication tube is broken. We just don't hear each other.

A: Sounds interesting. Any other characters?

B: The boss is an interesting old guy. Very European, very conservative and formal. He always sounds gruff and looks forbidding; but he’s really a very soft-hearted guy and very fair when evaluating his employees. But he does have his pet peeves.

A: Yes? What are they?

B: He really hates two things: he hates tardiness. He doesn't make us work very hard, but he does want us there on time. The other thing he hates is seeing the women in the office wearing slacks. He says “viva la difference”.

Dialogue 6

Missing Person

Police officer: Police Department. May I help you?

Woman: I'd like to report a missing person - my grandmother.

Police officer: Your grandmother? OK.

Woman: Yes, she went out at three o'clock this afternoon. It’s already past midnight and she hasn't come back.

Police officer: Uh-huh. What's her name, please?

Woman: Mrs. Rose Baker.

Police officer: And... how old is she?

Woman: She's seventy-eight.

Police officer: OK. Now can you describe her?

Woman: Yes, she's about five feet tall.

Police officer: Five feet, uh-huh.

Woman: She has curly gray hair and she wears glasses.

Police officer: And what is she wearing?

Woman: Let me see. A red dress and a white jacket.

Police officer: A red dress and a white jacket.

Woman: Oh, and a little with flowers on it.

Police officer: All right. We'll call you...

Woman: (Clock strikes three) Oh, Grandma, it's you! I was so worried about you. It's three o'clock in the morning.

Grandma: Why were you worried? I was out on a date.

Woman: A date? With who?

Grandma: Mr. Franklin - my new boyfriend. He's only eighty-three!

To Role play:

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1369