(Man) The flower bed in the front is so full of weeds that you can barely see the tulips. The hedges

need to be trimmed, and the grass could use some work.

(Woman) Mr. Smith could take care of all of these problems.

 (Woman) The battery is getting low, and we’ll probably miss the second half of the press conference.

(Man) If you adjust the volume, we will hear better.

(Man) The actual fee for a compact is one hundred dollars per week. The other charges come from

the insurance and mileage fees.

(Woman) I didn’t realize these were extra.

 (Man) I have such a bad ear infection that I won’t be able to come to the final exam this afternoon.

(Woman) Only your instructor can tell you what to do in this situation.

(Man) I hate to say it, but I didn’t get much out of this course on urban economics.

(Woman) What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.

(Man) Do you carry books on early American crafts?

(Woman) Well, we used to, but we couldn’t sell many. If you need a specific text, you could write directly to the publisher.

 (Man) Despite his age, Edward is the best cross-country skier I have ever seen.

(Woman) Oh, he really is. Last year, he came in first in a ten-mile race.

W: Are you going to your college graduation?
M: Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be caught dead anywhere near it.

M: I want to travel to Colorado to see the Rocky Mountains.
W: Me too. Maybe we can go together.

W: Did you pass the midterm exam in biochemistry?
M: Do you have to ask? Can’t you tell from the smile on my face?

M: Did you know Kenyatta’s mom and dad are coming tomorrow?
W: Yes, he told me yesterday that they’d be arriving sometime at the end of this week.

W: I stopped at John’s store and picked up some ice cream for Rhonda.
M: That’s so nice of you. It’s not mint chocolate chip, is it?

M: Ron and his brother are planning to borrow my boat for a few days.
W: You haven’t used it since Labor Day weekend, have you?

W: Ethel’s shirt is much nicer than yours.
M: Yes, but Elana has the nicest shirt of all

M: Can I give you another piece of fish?
W: No, thanks. I can’t eat another bite.

W: I’ve got so many papers to correct, and grades are due at the registrar’s tomorrow.
M: Yeah, and don’t forget the departmental meeting.

M: Hurry up, I’ve got to get to the bank before it closes.
W: Isn’t there a cash machine nearby?

W: I’ve never seen the teacher as mad as she was today.
M: You’re not kidding.

M: I’ll meet you at the corner in half an hour.
W: Oh, so then we’re going to the park after all.

W: I hate all these bugs and I hate sleeping on the ground.
M: Oh, relax, and please help make the fire for dinner.

M: Let’s go around to the gym’s back door.
W: How come?

W: If everyone has a beaker, a burner, and the salt mixture,
we’ll begin.
M: I think we’re all set.

M: That’s a really nice ironing job you did on that blouse.
W: Oh no, I had it done at the cleaners.

Questions 24 through 27refer to the following conversation about shoes.

Your shoes are dirty. You need to clean them off before you go inside.
Okay. I’ll wash them with water from the hose.
You can’t wash leather shoes with water. You’ll ruin them. Shoes are actually pretty
complicated these days. We are so used to wearing shoes that few of us even
think about them, apart from the times when we put them on and take them off.
If I could, I’d go barefoot.
Well, you were born a few thousand years too late. People didn’t always wear
shoes. No one knows when people first began to use them, but archaeologists say
that the first shoes that covered feet were wrappings of animal skins worn in cold
climates. Sandals appeared later in southern regions and were most likely made of
wood, with leather or cloth anaching the soles to the upper pan of the foot. I think
they were probably preny uncomfortable.
You know all this about shoes. So, why did they change from sandals to the types
of shoes we wear now?
Over time, shoes began to be used not only for protection but also for decoration.
Elaborate buckles, buttons, and embroidery covered most shoe uppers for royalty
and commoners in France and in Spain. For example, high heels came into fash ion
in the 1600s and were worn by men. However uncomfortable they are, people
have continued to wear them for mo re than 300 years.
The history of shoes sounds preny elaborate.
It is, and that’s not all. Silk, satin, velvet, and lizard skins are still used for making
dress shoes for special occasions. Today’s shoes are relatively cheap because most
models are designed by computer, and their components are cut by laser and sewn
together by programmed machinery.
It’s hard to imagine how much technology has affected everything we do, use, and
wear. Even something seemingly as simple as shoes!

Those of you who aspire to enter the police force have the idea that being a police
officer is exciting. Your training in the academy will teach you skills you’ve never
even thought of. Whereas some aspects of the job can be interesting, the daily
tasks that police officers perform are unexciting. Patrolling streets and assisting
people wi1h various problems are no1 the most interesting aspects of the job. On
the city streets, traffic officers in charge of public safety direct traffic, enforce parking
and speed laws, and verify the licensing of vehicles. Most police officers consider
such assignments as walking the beat tedious. Because they arc always
watching for signs of trouble or disturbance, officers may be under a great deal of
stress. Occasionally, highway police officers have to change tires for mo1orists who
can’t do the job themselves, and sometimes they do it in the pouring rain or during
a blizzard. When officers are called upon to resolve disputes or protect victims
of crime, their personal safety can’t always be guaranteed. Writing police reports
and memos is another necessary part of police officers’ wo rk. Few officers enjoy
it, but all of them have to do it.