Do most Japanese women wear kimonos when they get married?

Yes, many of them do. Then after the wedding ceremony, the bride usually changes into a western bridal dress during the reception. Oh, I didn’t know that.

7. Did you get marry in a church, Mary? No, the ceremony was held at a shrine. Oh, a shrine.

Yes, we were married by a priest in a traditional Shinto ceremony. Hmm, and who went to the ceremony.

Well, only the immediate family attended the ceremony… you know, our parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters…

And, what about the reception, what was that like?

Lots of friends and relatives came to the reception…about a hundred people. And the first thing happened was that the main guests gave formal speeches. Speeches?

Yes, and then after that, all the guests were served a formal meal. While everyone was eating and drinking, lots of other guests gave short speeches or sang songs. Some of the speeches were funny. Sounds like fun!

Yes, the songs and speeches are all part of the entertainment during a wedding reception. And then, at the end of the reception, each guest received a present for coming to the wedding.

A present from the bride and groom? Yes, it's a Japanese custom. What a nice custom!

8.Jason…Jason!

A: Jason…Jason! Turn down the TV a little, please. B: Oh, but this is my favorite program! A: I know. But it's very loud. B: OK. I'll turn it down. A: That's better. Thanks.

B: Lisa, please pick up your things. A: They're all over the living room floor. B: In a minute, Mom. I'm on the phone. A: OK. But do it as soon as you hang up. B: Sure. No problem.

A: Goodness! Were we like this when we were kids? B: Definitely! 8.

①A: James, please turn that down…James! B: Yes, Mom?

A: Turn that down. It's much too loud.

B: Sorry, Mom. I had it turned up because I wanted to hear the game.

②A: Molly, put the groceries away, please. There's ice cream in one of the bags. B: I can't right now, Dad. I'm doing my homework. ③A: What's this, James! B: Yeah, Mom?

A: Why are there all these wet towels on the bathroom floor? Please pick them up and hang them up to dry.

B: Gosh, I'm really sorry, Mom. I forgot all about them.

④A: Justin, come help me. We need to wash these dishes before your mother gets home.

B: Oh, Dad. I'd like to help, but I have to call Laurie. It's really important. ⑤A: Aimee, I think the dog is trying to tell you something! B: Well, I can't possibly take him out right now. I'm doing my nails

9.A: Have you noticed how forgetful Dad is getting? He's always forgetting where his car keys are. It drives me crazy.

B: And he can never find his glasses either. A: I know.

B: You know what drives me crazy about Mom? A: What?

B: Those awful talk shows she watches on TV. She just loves them. A: Yeah, I think she watches them for hours everyday.

B: Oh, well. I guess they're just getting old. I hope I never get like that. A: Me, too. Hey, let's go and play a video game.

B: Great idea. By the way, have you seen my glasses anywhere?

9.A: Gee, Bob, you're really late. You said you'd be here at six, and look at the time: It's almost six thirty!

B: I'm really sorry. Tell you what: I'll pay for dinner. A: Oh, it's all right. You don't have to do that.

B: No, I want to pay. You had to wait for me almost half an hour. A: Well, hey, OK-if you insist. Thanks! 10.

Hi, I’m your new neighbor, George Rivera. I live next door. Oh, hi. I ‘m Stephanie Lee.

So, you just moved in. Do you need anything? No right now, but thanks.

Well, let me know if you do. Um, by the way, would you mind turning you stereo

down. The walls are really thin, so the sound goes right through to my apartment. Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that. I make sure to keep the volume down. Oh, by the way, is there a good Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.

Yeah. There ’s a great one a couple of blocks form here. Try their lasagna. It’s delicious.

Hello, I’m sorry to brother you, but I think your car is parked in my space downstairs. Really?

Yes. Do you drive a blue Honda? Yes, I do.

Well, there’s a blue Honda parked in space thirteen, and that’s my space.

Oh, I’m so sorry. My son must have put it in the wrong space. Our is the one right next to yours-number 12. Let me get my keys, and I’ll go right down and move the car. Thanks.

And, I’ll make sure my son doesn’t do it again. I appreciate it. 11.

why is there never a bus when you want one?

Good question. There aren’t enough buses on this route. Sometimes I feel like writing a letter to the paper.

Good idea. You should say that we need more subway lines too. Yeah. There should be more public transportation in genral. And fewer cars! There’s too much traffic. Say, is that our bus coming. Yes, it is. But look. It’s full.

Oh, no. Let’s go and get a cup of coffee. We can talk about this letter I’m going to write.

So, are you really going to write a letter to the paper?

Sure, I’m going to say something about the buses. They’re too old. We need more modern buses. Nice air-condition one. And, they need to put more buses on the road.

Right, and there are too many cars downtown, and there isn’t enough parking. That’s for sure. It’s impossible to find parking space downtown these days. I think they should ban private cars downtown between nine and five.

Oh, you mean they shouldn’t allow any cars except taxis and buses during the regular work day. Um, that’s sounds like a good idea.

12.How long have been living here? Oh, for over twenty years.

And have you noticed a lot of changes during that time?

Oh, yes, quite a few. This is a much nicer place to live now than it used to be. It’s much greener. When I first moved here, there weren’t many trees around. But over the last few years, the city has planted trees everywhere. It’s made such a difference.

How do you like living here?

Well, it’s an interesting city. But you really need a car here, otherwise, you can’t go anywhere. There used to be a good bus system. But, there isn’t anymore. Why is that?

Oh, I think they except everyone to have a car. So, they don’t bother to provide decent bus service. It’s getting worse and worse. These day, you have to wait for ages for a bus. And when one finally shows up, it’s usually full!

13. Quite a number of things have been done to help solve traffic problems in