BOOK TWELVE, LESSON TWO
[scene]
This is Lesson Two. For this lesson, you'll need a pencil and a piece of paper.
Chris goes to Steven's office to talk to him about her future at WEFL. Steven is onthe phone with his son, Peter. How old is Peter now? Listen carefully for the answer.
Hi, Chris. I'm on the phone with my son.
Oh, yes.
He's going to be six months old this week. Please sit down. This will only take second. . . Hello, big guy . Are you excited about talking to Daddy on the telephone? . . .Bye-bye. Daddy loves you . . I think he thinks I live inside the telephone.
You really love being a dad, don't you?
It's great, but what a responsibility. I'm always worried about not spending enough time with him.
I wouldn't be concerned about not spending enough time with him. Quality is more important than quantity.
[question]
OK. How old is Steven's son, Peter?
[answer]
Almost six months.
[learn]
Now listen and repeat.
talking to Daddy
talking to Daddy on the telephone
excited about talking to Daddy on the telephone
Are you excited about talking to Daddy on the telephone?
Are you excited about talking to Daddy on the telephone?
[example]
Now I say, "Madonna."
And you say.. .Are you excited about talking to Madonna on the telephone?
I say, "They."
And you say. . . Are they excited about talking to Madonna on the telephone?
[practice]
All right. Let's begin.
Are you excited about talking to Daddy on the telephone?
Madonna.
Are you excited about talking to Madonna on the telephone?
They.
Are they excited about talking to Madonna on the telephone?
Worried.
Are they worried about talking to Madonna on the telephone?
With
Are they worried about talking with Madonna on the telephone?
Radio
Are they worried about talking with Madonna on the radio?
Singing.
Are they excited about singing with Madonna on the radio?
Happy
Are they happy about singing with Madonna on the radio?
Were.
Were they happy about singing with Madonna on the radio?
To
Were very happy about singing to Madonna on the radio?
[scene]
OK. Let's listen to some more of the conversation between Chris and Steven. Chris wants to stay at WEFL. What is she hoping to become? Listen carefully for the
answer.
We've enjoyed having you here. You're doing a good job.
Thanks. I'm interested in staying at WEE, but I need to talk to you about the future.
I understand.
Right now, I'm thinking about making my plans. I can't be an assistant all my life. I'm hoping to become a reporter. Do you think there may be a spot for me?
To be honest, Chris, I'm not sure. I'm not making my promises about summer positions now. I expect to know more towards the end of the week.
OK. But I just want you to know I'm really excited about staying here.
Thank you for telling me. A lot of things are up in the air right now.
[question]
OK. What is Chris hoping to become?
[answer]
A reporter.
[learn]
Now listen and repeat-
up in the air
a lot of things are up in the air
A lot of things are up in the air right now.
A lot of things are up in the air right now.
[must know]
To “be up in the air” means about the same as to be undecided.
[example]
Let's practice this expression.
You hear...Has everything been decided yet?
And you say . No. Everything is still up in the air
You hear...Have you decided about your plans for the summer yet?
And you say. No. I'm still up in the air about my plans for the summer.
[practice]
Ready? Here we go
Has everything been decided yet
No. Everything is still up in the air.
Have you decided about your plans for the summer yet?
No. I'm still up in the air about my plans for the summer.
Has Rita decided yet about what she wants to do after she retires?
No. Rita's still up in the air about what she wants to do after she retires
Has the future of WEFL been decided yet?
No. The future of WEFL is still up in the air
Have they decided yet about who's been trying to sabotage the station?
No. They're still up in the air about who's been trying to sabotage the station.
Have Rita and Terry decided yet about getting married?
No. Rita and Terry are still up in the air about getting married
Has the time of the meeting been decided yet?
No. The time of the meeting is still up in the air.
Have you decided yet about when to take your vacation?
No. I'm still up in the air about when to take my vacation.
[question]
OK. Steven is up in the air about making Chris a reporter. He can't make up his mind. He decides to talk to Jake. Here are some questions for you to keep in mind while listening to their conversation. Take a pencil and a piece of paper and write down the important information. You don't have to write out the whole question; just take notes. Each question will be read twice with pauses for you to write. Ready? Here's
Question One.
Where does Chris work at the present time?
Where does Chris work at the present time?
Question Two.
How many months has she worked there?
How many months has she worked there?
Question Three.
What was she before she became Jake's assistant?
What was she before she became Jake's assistant?
Question Four.
How long was Jake her student?
How long was Jake her student?
Question Five.
How long has Chris been a journalism student?
How long has Chris been a journalism student?
Question Six.
Where does she live at the present time?
Where does she live at the present time?
Question Seven.
How long has she lived there?
How long has she lived there?
Question Eight.
Who did Chris study with at Columbia?
Who did Chris study with at Columbia?
[scene]]
OK. Now listen carefully to the conversation and write down the important information. you need to answer the questions.
I don't how, Jake. Chris is a terrific person, but I really haven't followed her work very closely. How long has she been with us now?
Let's see ...she joined the staff April, so she's worked here for three months.
Is that all? What did she do before she came here?
She was a sailing teacher, but that was just a summer job. She taught me to sail in two weeks .That's how we met.
A sailing teacher, huh?
And you took lessons for only two weeks .Well ... I mean ...
Really, Steven, Chris makes mistakes sometimes, but she's a hard worker and very talented. With a little more experience..
Exactly, Jake. She has no experience. We need experienced reporters, not ex-sailing teachers.
Wait a minute, Steven, I think you should look at her resume. Chris has lived in Stamford for three years. She's been at Columbia School of Journalism since last fall.
Just since last fall, huh .
Yes. That's where she met Roger Ward. She was one of Roger's best students.
Roger Ward!? Humph. He's certainly no recommendation these days.
[answer]
Now here are the questions again, Please answer in complete sentences.
Question One.
Where does Chris work at the present time?
She works at WEFL.
Question Two.
How many months has she worked there?
She's worked there for three months.
Question Three.
What was she before she became Jake's assistant?
She was a sailing teacher.
Question Four.
How long was Jake her student?
Jake was her student for two weeks.
Question Five.
How long has Chris been a
She's been a journalism student since last fall.
Question Six.
Where does she live at the present time?
She lives in Stamford.
Question Seven.
How long has she lived there?
She's lived there for three years.
Question Eight.
Who did Chris study with at Columbia?
She studied with Roger Ward.
This is the end of Lesson Two.