Uint5
II. Basic Listening Practice
1.    Script
W: Why do some people stay in one job for life while others switch jobs from time to time?
M: Some people want a fixed routine so that they don’t have to adapt tot new circumstances over and over again, while others think variety is the spice of life.
Q: According to the dialog, why do some people stick to one job for life?
2.    Script
M: Kathleen, you’ve been late for work so many times lately that I have to warn you that any repetition will result in your dismissal.
W: I’m sorry. I’ll try my best to get here earlier in the future. Perhaps I could work later to make up the time I’ve lost.
Q: What does the woman say?
3. Script
M: Mr. Brown, my time here has been frustrating for me. I have a better opportunity with another firm, and I’m taking it.
W: We won’t be sorry to see you leave, Richard. You’ve done your best to make everyone here as miserable as you are.
Q: How does the woman feel about the man’s leaving?
4. Script
W: Mr. Armes, I wanted to tell you in person that at the end of this month I’ll be leaving the company.
M: Well, Sylvia, we are certainly going to miss you here, but I wish you the best of luck.
Q: What does the woman want?
5. Script
W: Time, I hate to tell you this, but we’re caught in a budget crunch, and we must lay you off. I’m sorry.
M: I understand. I’ve enjoyed my time here, and I’m confident I can find something else.
Q: What is the man’s response?




Keys: 1.B2.D3. A 4.C 5.D

III. Listening In
Task 1: How to Avoid Bankruptcy
Manager: Adam! Have you any suggestions about how we can avoid bankruptcy?
Adam:  Downsizing would certainly reduce our operating costs. You know, make us lean and mean, the way you have to be in today’s market.
Manager: Where do you suggest we start making these staff cuts?
Adam:    The logical place to start would be in administration. They usually overstaffed.
Manager: That’s not going to go over very well with our employees. Some of them have been with the company for years.
Adam:  It’s painful process, but there’s no choice. They’ll just have to get used to the idea.
Manager: We can give them a fairly decent severance package when they’re fired.
Adam:    I know. And I think that if we computerize the office, we could reduce office staff by about 20 percent just by eliminating a lot of paperwork.
Manager: OK. If we lay off 20 percent of the administrative staff, will that be enough to get the company back on its feet?
Adam:  Unfortunately not. We’ll also need to make some cuts in the service department.
Manager: How can we do that and maintain the level of service that we offer our passengers?
Adam:    Well, we’ll have to retrain the service staff and streamline our operations, so we won’t need as many people to run things smoothly.
Manager: Well, this is serious, but I really don’t think we have any other choice. If we keep losing money like this, we’ll have to shut everything down.

1.    What is the dialog mainly concerned with?
2.    What does the man mean by “make us lean and mean”?
3.    What is the difficulty in cutting the administrative staff?
4.    What will happen as a result of firing the administrators?
5.    What does the man think will happen after they cut 20 percent of the administrators?


Keys: 1B 2.D 3.A 4.C 5.C



For Reference
1. He suggests retaining the service staff and streaming their operations, so they won’t need as many people to run things smoothly.
2. That is a serious step, but she thinks they haven’t any other choice. If they keep losing money, they will have to shut everything down.


Task 2: A Hard-nosed Boss
Script
Mr. Stone was known far and wide as a hard-nosed boss who (S1) watched his employees like a hawk. He was making one of his regular tours of the factory (S2) when he spotted a young man leaning against a (S3) pile of boxes just outside the foreman’s office. Since George, the foreman, wasn’t around. Stone stood off to the side and watched to see just how ling the young men would stand (S4) around doing nothing.
The young man yawned, scratched his head, looked at his watch, and sat on the floor. After ten minutes or so he yawned again and (S5) leaned back on the pile of boxes.
Stone stepped from his (S6) hiding place and walked up to the young man. “You!” he yelled, “How much do you make a week?”
The young man looked up (S7) indifferently. “Two hundred and fifty dollars,” He said.
(S8) Stone rushed into the cashier’s office, took$250 from the cash box, and returned. “Take it,” he said, “and get out! Don’t let me see you around here again!”
The young man took the cash, put it in his pocket, and left. (S9) Seeing the young man showed no sign of embarrassment, Stone got furious. Then he went looking for George. When he found him, Stone was red with anger. “That lazy boy in front of your office,” Stone said, “I just gave him a week’s pay and fired him. What’s the matter with you, letting him stand around as though he has nothing to do?”
“You mean the kid in the red shirt?” George asked.
“Yes! The kid in the red shirt!”
George said, “(S10) He was waiting for the 20 dollars we owe him for lunch. He works for the coffee shop around the corner.”







Task3: Layoffs can be predicted.
Script
In some cases companies inform their employees in advance that layoffs are coming. In other cases, they come without warning: You arrive on time for work on a Friday, but you are told not to come next week. Ouch!
In either case, you may be able to sense some bad signs in advance. Maybe the company has tried very hard to avoid layoffs; maybe it has been preparing for the worst for quite some time. If you think about the bad omens carefully, you might know as much or more than some of the employees in managerial positions with management responsibilities.
For example, if you work in sales, you might know that quotas have not been met. If you work in field engineering, you might notice far fewer customer installations. If your company’s competitors, suppliers or customers are laying off employees, it’s likely your company will too, especially if economic conditions are affecting your industry. Check the layoff statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Search the Net and your local newspaper too for articles concerning layoffs in your industry.
Do things like bad sales always mean that layoffs are coming to your company? Not necessarily. Companies have seasonal and economic sales dips all the time, and are always looking for ways to improve their performance. So, if you see only one or two bad signs, don’t jump to a hasty conclusion. But if you see more, especially along the lines of earnings warnings, budget cuts, hiring freezes, restructuring, and massive layoffs in your industry, it might just be time to get your resume up to date and start looking for a new job. Also, it might e a good idea to cancel your vacation, implement money-saving measures, and become more useful on your job. You should prepare in advance if you think you might get the axe soon.


1.    What is the passage mainly about?
2.    According to the passage, when can one sense layoffs are coming?
3.    What is mentioned as a bad sign for the field engineering department?
4.    According to the passage, what do bad sales signal?
5.  Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a sign for you to update your resume?




Keys: 1D 2.C3. B 4.C 5A



For Reference
You may get your resume up to date and start looking for a new job. Also, it might e a good idea to cancel your vacation, implement money-saving measures, and become more useful on your job.



IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1  We’re going to miss you.
Susan: Excuse me, Helen, do you have a minute to talk?
Helen: That question always carries some weight, Sue. What’s up?
Susan: Well, uh…Here goes…My university wants me to go back to update the university website.
Helen: So what? You can go back on the weekend, or in the evening.
Susan: But it’s a large project. So I’m afraid I have to terminate my work here before my internship is over. I have to go back next Thursday.
Helen: Oh? This is quite a surprise, Sue. I’m sad that you’ll be leaving us. You run this place with clockwork efficiency, you know. We’re going to miss you.
Susan: I hope this one-week notice will give you time to hire and train a replacement.
Helen: Thanks for the notices, Sue. Assistants like you are one in a million. I guess we’d better start looking as soon as possible.
Susan: With your approval, I’ll put out notice today and screen the application myself.
Helen: That would be great. Schedule them in as you see fit. Oh, Sue, things certainly won’t be the same without you around here.
Susan: Thank you for your kind words. If you have any problem, please feel free to call me.



MODEL2  We have to let you go.
Script
Helen: Tom, the reason I called you into my office is your work.
Tom:  Really?
Helen: The truth is ..I’m not satisfied with your job performance.
Tom:  Are you sure I haven’t been doing a good job?
Helen: Tom, you’ve been reprimanded a number of times for being late and for using company time for personal matters. What’s more, you use the company phone to talk with your friends for hours.
Tom:  I know I’ve been late a couple of times; my motorcycle has been breaking down. I’m really sorry. I promise to do better in the future.
Helen: I’m afraid it’s too late. Right now, your tardiness is the least of my problems.
Tom:  What do you mean?
Helen: My secretary has proof that you have misappropriated company funds on several occasions. We won’t be prosecuting, but this simply can’t be allowed.
Tom:: I didn’t steal any money! Your secretary is lying!
Helen: I’m sorry, we have to let you go.
Tom:  You’re firing me? You are giving me my pink slip?
Helen: Exactly. I’m sorry it had to turn out this way. Your termination is effective immediately.



MODEL3  I’m the one you’ve been looking for.
Script
Helen: So, Bill, tell me about your last job. What kinds of work did you do?
Bill:  Market investigation, sales promotion, after-sale services, risk analysis, investment planning –to name just a few.
Helen: Why did you leave?
Bill:  Downsizing. The company wasn’t performing efficiently. It’s been operating at a loss. So the only way out was to lay off redundant employees.
Helen: Why do you think our corporation makes a good career move for you?
Bill:  My experience at the last company is completely transferable to your company, since you deal in the same products.
Helen:  Go on.
Bill:    What’s even better, your corporation is a well-known multinational, and it’s working to become an industry leaser. I like that.
Helen: And that would be a real boost to your career?
Bill:  Definitely. My last employer dealt with only small investments. But your company is handling large projects. That will help me grow professionally.


Now Your Turn
Task 1
SAMPLE DIALOG
Pamela: Excuse me, Mr. Atkin, do you have a minute to spare?
Atkin:  The question suggests something serious, Pamela. What’s up?
Pamela: Well, uh…Thank you very much for offering me a permanent job. But now I’ve received a notice of admission to a Master’s degree program in my university. I’m afraid I have to leave.
Atkin:  Oh, what a pity. You did an excellent job here, and everyone likes you.
Pamela: I really enjoyed working here. But further studies will give me more opportunities to grow professionally.
Atkin:  Your skills in software development are almost irreplaceable here. Would you stay if I promote you to the department head and give you a raise in pay?
Pamela: Thank you very much indeed, and I do appreciate the golden opportunity. But I really need to acquire more knowledge while I’m young. With a Master’s degree in my hands, I’ll be more competitive in the future.
Atkin:  In that case, I won’t keep you, Pamela. I just want to tell you that I’m sad you’ll be leaving us. You run this place with clockwork efficiency, you know. We’ll all miss you a lot.
Pamela: I hope this one-month notice will give you time to hire and train a replacement.
Atkin: Thanks for the notice, Pamela. Assistant like you are rare. I guess we’d better start looking as soon as possible.
Pamela: With your approval, I’ll post notice today and interview applicants for you.
Atkin: That would be great. Schedule them in as you see fit. Pamela, without you, things here will be different.
Pamela: Thank you for your kind words. If you have any problem, please feel free call me.




V. Let’s Talk
Script
Kathy: Well, now that everybody I here, let’s call the meeting to order. Today we have to discuss the operation of our software development department. We’re all aware that nowadays market competition is becoming more intense than ever before. If we want to keep our competitive edge, the only way is to offer excellent and considerate service to our customer and, at the same time, lower our prices. So, what I’m thinking is, maybe we could outsource the software side of out business to another company. But what impact will it have on our engineers? It’s a big problem. Mm, I’d be interested to know your thoughts, Warton.
Warton: I totally agree with you.
Kathy:  Could you go into more detail about your opinion?
Warton: I think that outsourcing this part of our operation to another company certainly makes a lot sense. Our software engineers ate getting a bit too old, and their technology is a bit out of date. Worse still, their salaries are quite high. Many professional software-designing companies are offering better products at lower rates. With outsourcing, we can give some of the engineers the sack.
Jennifer: Sorry to interrupt you. Coming from the PR department, I look at this issue from a different perspective. I think we should consider all sides of this issue before we make a decision.

Kathy: Jennifer, I’d be interested t o knot your view too.
Jennifer: I think as a large company we should consider not only customers and prices, but also our employees. Our workers have contributed a lot to our company.  Some of them even started working here when our company opened. I hope we can find a solution that won’t require us t o lay off our loyal and trust employees.
Kathy: I’m very much impressed by what you said. We’d better give this issue more careful consideration.



Kathy    Maybe we could outsource the software side of out business to another company. But what impact will it have on our engineers?



Warton    Our software engineers ate getting a bit too old, and their technology is a bit out of date. Worse still, their salaries are quite high. Many professional software-designing companies are offering better products at lower rates. With outsourcing, we can give some of the engineers the sack.

Jennifer:    Our workers have contributed a lot to our company.  Some of them even started working here when our company opened. I hope we can find a solution that won’t require us t o lay off our loyal and trust employees.

Kathy    We’d better give this issue more careful consideration.




VI. Further Listening and Speaking
Task1: Problems of Joblessness
Script
Joblessness can lead to a series of problem, and it is not easy to solve them.
First of all, being without a job often means lacking social contract wit h fellow employees, and lacking a purpose for many hours of the day,. Also, it obviously affects your ability to pay bills and t o purchase the necessities of life, Lack of this ability is especially serious for those wit family obligations, debts, or medical costs, and it is especially true id in a country like the United States, where the availability of medical insurance is often linked to holding a job.
Some maintain that jobless people can rely on unemployment insurance, but this is no true. Unemployment insurance in the U.S. typically does not even replace50 percent of the income one received on the job, and one cannot receive it forever. Therefore, the unemployed often end up aping welfare programs such as Food Stamps—or accumulating debt: both formal debt to banks and informal debt to friends and relatives.
Some hold that low-income jobs provide solution to joblessness, but this is not true. Since it is difficult or impossible to get unemployment insurance benefits without having worked in the past, job-seekers have to accept low-income jobs. Thus, unemployment insurance keeps a ready supply of low-paid workers. To make things worse, many employers take advantage of this. When they resort to such management techniques as low wages and benefits, as well ad few chances for advancement, they bear the unemployment insurance option in mind.
Under increasing unemployment pressure, jobless people suffer from a variety of financial, psychological and social problems. Increase unemployment encourages bad health and raises both crime and suicide rates.



1.    What is the first problem mentioned concerning joblessness?
2.    Which of the following is true of American unemployment insurance?
3.    Why do people accept low-income jobs?
4.    According to the passage, what problems might unemployment cause?
5.    Which of the following would be the most suitable title for the passage?




Keys: 1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D5.A



Task 2: Before the cutback
Script
Barbara: I’ve really got to think about my future. You’ve heard of the cutbacks the management’s making, right?
Alan:    Oh, yes. I’ve heard it. But you haven’t anything to be concerned about.
Barbara: Around here you never know from one day to the next whether you can keep your job
.Alan:  Come on, they won’t let you go. You’ve been for so long. Besides, you’re good at your job.
Barbara: That might be, but I feel that I’ve reached the glass ceiling in this company.
Alan:    Glass ceiling? What do you mean by that?
Barbara: I’ve been working here for ten years. I haven’t gotten a promotion in three years. I thought I should be Vice President by now. If I were a man, I’m sure I would be Vice President.
Alan:    There’s no official company policy, but it’s true that they don’t promote women to management positions here.
Barbara: I can see the writing on the wall. I think it’s time to change job, and maybe even careers, if I want to get ahead.
Alan:    Change career? That’s a big jump. If you change careers, what will you do?
Barbara: I’m doing market research here, but I studies public relations in college. I’d like to do PR for a large multinational company.
Alan:    That sounds exciting, and the pay would be better, too. Yeah, if I would keep an eye on the job positing on the Internet.
Barbara: Sooner or later something good is bound to turn up in the job market.


Keys: TTFFF







Task3:  Career Transitions
Script
In July of 2001, my husband, a professional in the information technology consulting industry, lost his job. Despite my experience as a career counselor who had counseled hundreds of people about career changes, when the bad news finally arrived, we were both caught unprepared. Unprepared to tell our children, unprepared for the mix of emotions and most dramatically, unprepared for the sudden loss of routine in our lives. The reality was that thought we both knew well how to find jobs, we had never been in this awkward unemployment situation together before. I remember watching my husband sitting in our office as he patted his forehead and muttered to himself, “ Now what am I supposed to do?”
Being laid-off created a whole new set of questions and challenge. We turned to the bookstore for assistance and found lots of books about job search, but not a single book on the day-to-day challenges you face when you get laid-off.
Over time we learned what to do. We discovered terrific resources, identified shortcuts, and learned from others going through the same process. I spoke with my colleagues and clients and collected their best tips. Before we knew it, we had gathered enough interesting material for a book on career transitions –the book we needed but couldn’t find last July
Now we want to share this goldmine of information with you.


For Reference
1.    She had experience as a career counselor who had counseled hundreds of people about career changes. But when her husband’s lost job, they both were caught unprepared.
2.    They were unprepared to tell our children, unprepared for the mix of emotions and most dramatically, unprepared for the sudden loss of routine in our lives.
3.  She saw her husband sitting in our office as he patted his forehead and muttered to himself, “Now what am I supposed to do?”
4.  In the bookstore they found lots of books about job search, but not a single book on the day-to-day challenges people face when they get laid-off.
5.  They had gathered enough interesting material for a book on career transitions –the book we needed but couldn’t find last July





News Report
U.S. Ford Plants to Be Closed
Script
Ford Motor Company has announced plans to close plants ns cut more than 35,000 jobs as part of massive restricting
[SOUND BITE]
The announcement didn’t seem to come as a surprise to many Ford employees.
.[SOUND BITE]
Ford Chief Executive, Bill Ford, Jr., called the cuts painful, but necessary to rescue the world’s number two carmaker from going under.
The planned cuts include22, 000 jobs in the U.S. and Canada.
Certain U.S. models, such as the Cougar, Escort, Villager, and Lincoln Continental will be discontinued due to plant closings.
Ford, Jr. said he would receive no salary until the company recovered.
[SOUND BITE]
Ford’s recent financial troubles reflect a complete turnaround from last year, when the company reported a profit of more than $6 billion for the year2000.
The company was hit hard in 2001, when they spent $3 billion during a safety recall.
When news of the plant closings and job cuts the workers, many reacted with emotion.
[SOUND BITE]
Chairman Ford, Jr. says that recovery will be based on getting back to basics in product development and on improving quality and productivity.

Please pay attention to the typesetting.

The post is so long that you have to make it clear to read.

Welcome to English Corner!

what?

Uint6
II. Basic Listening Practice
1.    Script
W: What’s that? Is it a toy? Did it get chewed by a dog?
M: Hey, that’s my mascot! My uncle gave it to me when I was five, and it’s been with me ever since. It brought me luck in all my college exams. I can’t bring myself to part with it.
Q: What does the man say about his lucky charm?
2.    Script
W: Wish me luck; I’ve got a job interview this afternoon. I’m really nervous.
M: Stay calm, best of luck! I’ve got my finger crossed for you.
Q: What does the woman say he has crossed his fingers for the woman?
3. Script
W: Oh no! Did you see that black cat walk right in front of me? That’s unlucky!
M: Really? I guess it depends on where you come from. In my hometown it’s the opposite: It’s lucky to see a black cat cross your path. So no need to worry!
Q: What do the man and the woman think about a black cat crossing their path?
4. Script
M: Guess what I did this morning? I smashed my mirror. A great way to start the day!
W: Oh no, seven years’ bad luck, isn’t it?
Q: What happened in the morning?
5. Script
M: I can’t believe this rain; it’s been pouring for hours! Where can I dry my umbrella?
W: Not in here please! It’s unlucky to open an umbrella indoors. You can put it on the porch.
Q: Where does the woman ask the man do to open his umbrella?



Keys: 1.C2.C3. A 4.D 5.B

III. Listening In
Task 1: David Copperfield is coming.

W:    My brother is going to pick up some tickers for the David Copperfield show. You interested in coming with us?
M:    I don’t know. I’ve been card tricks before, and rabbits from hats. I even do tricks myself—watch me change this coin into an ice cream cone.
W:    Very funny. David Copperfield is the world’s greatest magician; he’s certainly worth a look.
M:      Actually, I have seen him on television. He pulls off some pretty amazing stunts. I wish I knew how he performed his tricks. Then I could also make a person float in the air. I could pull a rabbit out of my hat. I could escape from a straitjacket and handcuffs—all underwater. And I could saw a woman in half.
W:      A magician never tells his secrets. David attempts the impossible and no one has any idea how he does it. I saw him on TV when he walked through the Great Wall of China.
M:    How could he do that?
W:      I have no idea, but I know what I saw: He entered a canvas shelter on one side of the wall, and he came out of a canvas shelter on the other side.
M:    yes, bur was he always in full view of the camera, or did they cut to a commercial or something else?
W:      Not only was the camera running all the time, but he was hooked up a heart monitor, and you could track his progress as he moved through the wall.
M:    It’s difficult to know what to believe. I know it’s not possible for him to do that, but…
W:    It sounds to me like it’s a show worth watching.
M:    Count me in. Instead of an ice cream cone, I’ll turn my money into a ticket.


1.    What is the dialog mainly about?
2.    Which of the following DOESN’T the man mention?
3.    What did David Copperfield do at the Great Wall of China, according to the woman?
4.    Under what condition did David Copperfield go through the Great Wall?
5.    What does the man finally decide to do?


Keys: 1C 2.B 3.A 4.D 5.C



For Reference
1. He could make a person float in the air, pull a rabbit out of his hat, escape from a straitjacket and handcuffs—all underwater, and saw a woman in half.
2. She thinks Davis Copperfield in the world’s greatest magician and he’s certainly worth a look.


Task 2: Is it really bad luck?
Script
Are you worried because you have just broken a mirror? Some people believe that breaking a mirror is a (S1) terrible thing to do. They say it will bring you seven years of (S2) misfortune. The reason behind this belief stems the old idea that a person’s soul is in their (S3) reflection, so that if you smash your mirror, you soul will be (S4) damaged too, dooming you do an early death, and not giving you entry to (S5) heaven. Is there any way to reverse this bad luck? Yes—if you very carefully (S6) pick  up all the broken pieces of the mirror and throw them into a river or stream, then  the bad luck will be”(S7) washed away”..
Of all number, 13 is the most associated with bad luck. (S8) Some people claim that the number is bad luck because thirteen people sat down for the Last Supper before Jesus was crucified, and with this in mind few hosts will serve dinner with thirteen at the table. And according to an ancient Norwegian tale, twelve gods had gathered for a feast when a thirteenth, Loke, entered. After the meal, Loke killed Balder, who was the most beloved of all the gods.
(S9) Friday the thirteenth of any month is considered especially bad or unlucky, and Friday the thirteenth of March is the worst of the all.
The number seven also has some superstition connected to it. It is said that God created the world in seven days, and any association with the number is luck. The seventh son of the seventh son is said to be the luckiest of men, and (S10) When people talk about the “seven-year itch” they mean that every seven years a person undergoes a complete change in personality.






Task3: The Status on Easter Island
Script
One of the greatest mysteries on Earth is the statues on Easter Island. The island is one of the most remote places on Earth, located in the southern Pacific Ocean. It was almost uninhabited when it was discovered on Easter Day in 1722 by a Dutch captain, but it is covered with hundreds of giant statues, each weighing several tons and some standing more than 30 feet tall.
Who carved these statures, and how and why were they put there?
Nobody knows the answer for sure, but many ate trying to find out. There are many theories to explain this mystery. It has even been suggested the space aliens may have played a role regarding these giant statues. Another theory relates to the fact that Easter Island was inhabited by Polynesian seafarers, who traveled thousand of miles in their canoes, guided by the stars, the color of sky and the sun , the shapes of clouds, and the presence of birds making flights out to sea seeking food. The Polynesians first arrived on the island in 499A.D.However, the ocean currents which carried them there would mot take them back. They were trapped and, having arrived there, could not leave. The Polynesians probable cared the statues themselves, perhaps as religious symbols.
To date, 887 statues have been discovered on the island. However, only a few statues were carried intended destination. The rest were abandoned along the way.
The statues appear to have been carved out of the top edge of walls of a volcano on the island. After a statue was carved, it may have been rolled or dragged down to the base of the volcano. Then it was put upright, and ropes were tied around it. Using a pulley system, the statue was moves to its intended destination.
At its peak, the population of Eater Island is believed to have reached 11,000. Eventually, the resources of the island were exhausted, and the people resorted to cannibalism, eating one another. Work on the statues stopped and the statues were knocked over. When the first Europeans finally arrived on the island, most of the people lad died out.


1.    When and by whom was the island discovered?
2.    Who are mentioned in the passage as possible builders of the statues?
3.    What is true of the Polynesians on the island according to the passage?
4.    How many statues ere carried to their intended destination?
5.  Which of the following would be the most suitable title for the passage?



Keys: 1A 2.B3. D 4.D 5B



For Reference
The resources of the island were exhausted, and the people resorted to cannibalism, eating each other. When the first Europeans finally arrived on the island, most of the people lad died out.


IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1
This is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts.
Chris: Sue, do you know why people say, “knock on wood” when they want to avoid bad luck?
Susan: It sounds a bit funny. As far as I know, it has a lot to do with ancient Celtic people. They worshipped trees.
Chris: Sounds interesting.
Susan: They thoughts trees would suck demons back into the ground.
Chris: Well, when you think about the deep roots, their belief seems to make some senses.
Susan: What’s more, knocking on wood was a way to brag without being punished. People once thought that evil spirits would become jealous if good fortune was pointed out to them
Chris: Uh, yes, go on.
Susan: well, by knocking on wood three times, the noise could frightened away the evil spirits, and they couldn’t have to rob the braggart of that good fortune
Chris: I’m afraid those who don’t know this superstition might be frightened away as well.
Susan: Now here’s a test. Do you know how the custom of kissing under the mistletoe originated?
Chris: I haven’t the slightest idea, but I’m all ears.
Susan: Again this is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts. Since they worshipped trees, they conducted many of their ceremonies in the woods in the shade of trees.
Chris: Now I see. Probably it’s under these mistletoe trees that weddings took place.
Susan: I wish you were standing under some mistletoe right now.
Chris: Luckily I’m not. Touch wood.




MODEL2 Is there any relationship between superstitions and real life?
Script
Chris: It’s strange that so many people are superstitious. There must be some relationship between superstitions and real life.
Susan: You know, Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist researched the relationship between superstition and luck.
Chris: What did he find? Most people would be interested. At least I would
Susan: He polled ,000 people and fond that people who believe themselves to be lucky tend to go for positive superstitions .They may wear a ring as a talisman or often say,” touch wood” for good luck.
Chris: Then, what about the unlucky people? Do you mean if they think they ate unlucky, they tend to believe in superstitions abut bad luck.
Susan: Yeah. They worry a lot about a broken mirror, a black cat running across their path, and so on.
Chris:  So what is his point?
Susan: His point is that people make their own luck by their attitude to life. So, 49 percent of lucky people regularly cross their fingers, compared to 30 percent of unlucky people. And only 18 percent of lucky people are anxious if they break a mirror.
Chris: So, our fate is linked to our attitude rather than to our superstitions.
Susan: I think that’s what he is suggesting.
Chris: This research seems too complicates. If I were a psychologist, I would conduct a survey to find whether 13 really is an unlucky number. I f there ere traffic accidents or murders on the 13th than on other days, then we have to believe in superstitions.
Susan: What if there weren’t?
Chris: Then I wouldn’t be superstitious.
Susan: What a brilliant idea! I never expected you to be as wise as Solomon.
Chris: Well as long as you don’t think I’m a fool.




MODEL3  I believe ETs have visited the earth before.
Script
Nora: Hey, what’s this picture of yours? It looks like a flying saucer.
Chris: It is. I was visited by aliens last week and this is a picture of their spacecraft.
Nora: When I look closer, it resembles a liver Frisbee.
Chris: But it could have been aliens. I believe ETs have visited the earth before. What do you think?
Nora: It would be hard to believe otherwise. Projects like the pyramids are difficult to explain away, given the level of technology that was available at the time
Chris: That’s for sure. They are mysterious.
Nora: When you consider all those “impossibilities, it’s tempting to infer that some highly advanced civilization assisted humans in their construction.
Chris: Think about this: if you were abducted by aliens and taken up to their spaceship or something …well…
Nora: What do you mean?
Chris: I mean, who would believe you? You’d go nuts telling everyone: “It’s true! I was abducted by aliens!”
Nora: And everyone would think you were crazy, or just making up a story to get attention.
Chris: From what I understand, sometimes these people do go crazy, trying to convince people about their experiences.
Nora: I believe that in some cases they offer pretty good evidence.
Chris: So, take a closer look at this picture. Do you still think it’s a Frisbee?


Now Your Turn
Task 1
SAMPLE DIALOG
Simon: Eliza, do you know why people say” keep your fingers crossed” when they want to wish others luck?
Eliza:  It sounds a bit funny. As far as I know, it’s a lot to do with an ancient Christian belief.
Simon: Uh, go on.
Eliza:  In the Christian belief “making the sign of the cross” would keep away evil spirits and bad luck.
Simon: I see. When you think about the cross, sign of Christianity, that belief seems to make some sense.
Eliza:  That’s true. That’s why children often cross their fingers when they tell a small lie. They want to keep bad luck away, or to avoid being punished.
Simon: Sounds interesting. So, I’ll cross my fingers for you before you take the final examination.
Eliza:  Thank you.
Simon: But those who don’t understand this superstition might be puzzled
Eliza:  With interesting communications among nations, more and more people can understand it now.


V. Let’s Talk
Script
Thanks, perhaps, to falling stock markets and unrest in the Middle East, Britons have become even more superstitious than usual, according to a report published today. “There has been a significant increase in superstition over the last month, possible as a result of current economic and political uncertainties,” stated Dr. Dick Armstrong. He launched an Internet Survey of national superstition, and found it to be surprisingly high, even among those with a scientific background. Only more in ten of those surveyed claimed not to be superstitious at all. Three out of four people in Britain feel the need to touch wood, and 65% cross their fingers.
It is interesting to note that lucky people were much less superstitious and tended to take constructive action to improve their lives. Conversely, superstitious people tended to regard themselves as among the less lucky, worried about life, had a strong need for control, and could not tolerate ambiguity.
The survey also revealed some unexpected beliefs. For example, one respondent could not stay in the bathroom once a toilet had been flushed.
There was no evidence that superstitious ever worked, even, when people were instructed to carry lucky charms for a week. They didn’t feel any luckier or more stratified with their lives at the end of that week than when they started.
Armstrong attempted to explain this phenomenon: “When students are preparing for exams with a lucky charm, they may trust the charm, rather than doing some extra revision.”

Reasons foe More Superstitions    Thanks, perhaps, to falling stock markets and unrest in the Middle East, Britons have become even more superstitious than usual



Who are more superstitious?    Lucky people were much less superstitious and tended to take constructive action to improve their lives. Conversely, superstitious people tended to regard themselves as among the less lucky


Do superstitions work?    There was no evidence that superstitious ever worked, even, when people were instructed to carry lucky charms for a week. They didn’t feel any luckier or more stratified
Explanation    When students are preparing for exams with a lucky charm, they may trust the charm, rather than doing some extra revision.



VI. Further Listening and Speaking
Task1: Horseshoes as a Sign of Good Luck
Script
Horseshoes are a traditional sign of good luck. Most people believe this comes from the fact that the horseshoe is shaped like the crescent moon, a period of prosperity and good fortune. One legend has it that the Devil was in disguise and wandering at large, looking for trouble. He happened to call on St. Dunstan, who ea skilled in shoeing horses. St. Dunstan recognized the Devil and tied him to a wall with only his feet free to move. He then set to work shoeing him as though he were a horse, but with such roughness the Devil cried out for mercy. St. Dunstan stopped his work and released the Devil after making him promise never to enter a home on which a horseshoe was fixed. Witches fear horses, so they are also turned away by a door with a horseshoe mounted on it. The big issue regarding horseshoes is whether they should be hung points up or points down.
The original superstition was that the horseshoe is points up to keep the luck from pouring out. Despite this view most buildings with horseshoes in their sign hang  them the opposite way. The Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas hangs its horseshoe with the arc on top. They may be hoping their customers’ luck runs out, but this is usually not something you advertise in your sign. Finger rings made of horseshoe nail are said to keep away bad luck. Also, robbing two horseshoes together is said to bring good luck.

1.    According to the passage, what does the crescent moon represent?
2.    What did St. Dunstan do to the Devil?
3.    What did the Devil promise?
4.    What is the big issue concerning the horseshoe?
5.    Why is the arc of the horseshoe up at the casino in Las Vegas?



Keys: 1.A 2.C 3.D 4.C5.B



Task 2: Superstitions or real bad lucks?
Script
Joan: Pass me that mirror, would you? I’ll see if my makeup is OK.
Dick: OOOPS!! Sorry I dropped it…but is it you or me that gets the seven years of bad luck?
Joan: You, I hope, but probable neither of us. I wonder where that “old wives’ tale” originated anyway.
Dick:  There used to be a lot of superstitions: black cats, ladders, numbers. My parent and grandparents are full of them.
Joan: I agree. People today are much more educated than before. These superstitions are just amusing pieced of history rather than beliefs, don’t you think so?
Dick: Perhaps, but some people today still go for them. People whose livelihoods depend more on luck—like professional athletes, or fishermen—often they have superstitious routines.
Joan:  It’s rue. I have heard of athletes who wear lucky socks or a treasured medal to bring them good fortune.
Dick: And let’s not forget lucky numbers. We all know about the number4,6, and 8 in China.
Joan: I know 4 is death and 8 is wealth, but what is the significance of 6?
Dick: 6 means good luck. Some people include 6 in their e-mail address just for luck.
Joan: Maybe we are not as smart as we think we are.
Dick: Well, there are many things in the universe that we cannot control, and that’s why people are superstitious.




Keys: TTFFT







Task3:  Career Transitions
Script
There was a king in Africa who has a close friend that he grew up with. The friend has a habit of looking at every situation in his life and saying, “This is good!”
One day the king and his friend were out hunting. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation, the friend remarked as usual, “This is good!” to which the king replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied him to a stake surrounded by wood. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king had but one thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So they set the king free.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb off and felt badly sorry about his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. “You were right,” he said, “it was good for my thumb was blown off.” Then he apologized, “I’m very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.”
“No,” his friend replied, “this is good!”
“What do you mean, ‘this is good’? How could it be good that I sent you, my good friend, to jail for all this time?”
“If I had not been in jail, I would have been with you—and eaten.!”


For Reference
1.    He had a habit of looking at every situation in his life and saying, “This is good!”
2.    After taking the gun, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.
3.    They set the king free, because being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole
4.    He felt sorry for his friend and went to the jail to apologize to him.
5.  If he had not been in jail, I would have been with you—and eaten.









News Report
Egyptian Tombs
Script
Archaeologist have uncovered two tombs that date back more than 2,500 years in the part of Cairo where the ancient city of Heliopolis once stood, according to Egyptian antiquity authorities.
Although there is a modern suburb of Heliopolis in Cairo southeast of its ancient namesake, the original Heliopolis was known as a center of learning and academic study in ancient Mediterranean times.
The 26-century-old tombs that date back to the years 664 to 625 BC were developed during a routine archaeological inspection of an empty plot of land in the Eins Shams district of northwestern Cairo. This district covers part of the ground that used to be the ancient city of Heliopolis.
The owner of the land was seeking construction rights and by law, construction cannot begin without a permit certifying that the site has no historical significance.
The first of the two limestone tombs to be opened contained a sarcophagus and sixteen statuettes, said the chief state archaeologist for the Cairo-Giza area, Zahi Hawass.
Hawass said in a statement that the tombs were found in a downtown residential area, three meters below the ground.
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Hawass went on to give a more detailed account of the important find.
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It appears that the tombs have not been raided by grave robbers, but they have been damaged by leaking sewage water.
The first tomb to be uncovered belonged to a builder named Waja-Hur. His name was engraved on the statuettes, which the ancient Egyptians placed in tombs to answer questions for them in the afterlife.
Te process of recovering these artifacts can be long and tedious, but the historical significance of these pieces makes the painstaking work worthwhile.
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Egyptian archaeologists plan to open the second tomb on Sunday.