V. Let?s Talk Story of a Miser
There was a miser who loved money more than anything else. Just before he died, he said to his wife, “Now, listen. When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife with me.”
He made her promise with all her heart that when he dies, she would pit all the money in the casket with him. Then he died. He was laid in the casket, his wife was sitting there wearing black, and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony, just before the undertakers got already to close the casket, the wife said, “Wait a minute!” She had a box with her. She came over with the box and put it in the casket.
Then the undertakers locked the casket down, and they rolled it away. He friend said, “Girl, I know you weren?t fool enough to put all that money in there with your husband!”
She said, “Listen, I?m a Christian. I can?t go back on my word. I promise him that I would put all the money in the casket with him.”
“You mean you really put that money in the casket with him!?” “I surely did,” said the wife. “I wrote him a check.” 1. money 2. all his money 3. promise 4. in the casket 5. sitting 6. next to 7. close 8. box 9. locked 10. foolish 11.all that money 12. go back on her word
13. put the money / put that money 14. check
VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking Task 1: Giving Money to a Beggar
Susan: Hey, Robert, you gave that beggar some of your hard-earned cash?
Robert: I know. He looked as if he needed help. Susan: Buy you?re always so careful with your money.
Robert: Yeah, I guess so, but I like to help when someone?s in need. Susan: I just wonder why the guy doesn?t get a job and make his own living.
Robert: It?s just not that simple, Susan. Some people have a hard time of it in life.
Susan: Maybe they waste all their money. If you give them money, they will just go on wasting it.
Robert: Life has been good to me, Susan, and I?d like to share some of my luck.
1. the beggar 2. needed help 3. careful 4.a job
5. a hard time 6. waste
7. good luck/luck
Task 2: An Introduction to Credit Cards
Credit cards are plastic cards issued by a bank or other financial institutions allowing the holder to buy goods and service without using cash. Many American don?t like to carry much cash. For them the cards are convenient and safe to use.
Credit cards are gaining popularity, even for buying small items. They are accepted almost everywhere, though not at fast food restaurants.
Credit cards allow you to purchase things that you may not currently have the money to buy. When you use a credit card, the credit card company that issued the credit card pays the store. Later, a bill will be mailed to you by your credit card company for the amount you purchased. At that time, you can either pay the bill in full, or only pay a minimum amount, and wait till later to
finish paying. If you wait till later, you will owe the credit card company interest on the amount that you do not pay.
1.D 2.C 3.B 4.D 5.A Task 3: Buying a Machine
An American manufacturer is showing his machine factory to a potential customer. At noon, when the lunch bell rings, two thousand men and women immediately stop working and leave the building.
“Your workers, they?re escaping!” cries the visitor. “You?ve got to stop them.”
“Don?t worry, they?ll be back,” says the American. And indeed, an exactly one 0?clock the bell rings again, and all the workers return from their break. When the tour is over, the manufacturer turn s to his guest and says, “Well, now, which of these machines would you like to order?”
“Forget the machines,” says the visitor. “How much do you want for that bell?”
1.T 2.F 3.F 4.T 5.T Speaking
Can you change a twenty-dollar bill? Cashier: How can I help you, Miss? Jill: Could you change a 20 for me? Cashier: Sure. How do you want it?
Jill: Could I have two 5?s, but not enough 1?s. Are quarters all right with you?
Cashier: Well, I have some 5?s, but not enough 1?s. Are quarters all right with you?
Jill: Oh, that?s even better! In that case, I won?t have to worry about the small change for the laundry.
Cashier: Here you are! Jill: Thanks a million! Part I
Directions: Listen to the short dialogs, and then choose the correct answers to the questions. You will hear the recording twice. After the first
playing, there will be time for you to choose the correct answers. Use the second playing to check your answers.
1. (Listen to the audio recording for the question.) A. She is going to travel.
B. She is going to blow it all immediately. C. She is going to save it for future use. D. She is going to invest it in a project.
2. (Listen to the audio recording for the question.)
A. He plans to travel around the world to enjoy himself at his forties. B. He wants to lead a luxurious life. C. He thinks money can buy happiness.
D. He hopes to save up money to help the poor.
3. (Listen to the audio recording for the question.) A. To spend it at Christmas. B. To pay the tuition. C. To buy books.
D. To pay for the accommodations.
4. (Listen to the audio recording for the question.) A. When he borrows money from a friend. B. When he receives his salary. C. Not until half a year later. D. Not until a year later.
5. (Listen to the audio recording for the question.) A. He is generous to friends.
B. He's saved up a large sum of money. C. He is mean with his money.
D. He boasts his attitude toward saving. Part II
Directions: Listen to the following recording, and then fill in the blanks with the missing words. You will hear the recording twice. After the first playing, there will be time to write the missing words. Use the second playing to check your answers.
Thomas: Nora, can you (1)? Nora: (2)?
Thomas: I can't (3) my family with my pay. They (4) too much.
Nora: I'm sorry, Thomas, I'm (5). But Brown is a banker. If you (6), he might be glad to help you.
Thomas: I'll (7) trying to borrow money from that miser.
Nora: But Mrs. Brown is (8) and ready to help. And she is the (9) of a big company.
Thomas: OK, I'll try (10) with her.
give me a loan (2) What for (3) support (4) are spending (5) hard up myself (6) let him know (7) get nowhere (8) easy-going (9) general manager (10) my luck Part III
Directions: Listen to the following recording, and then choose the correct answers to the questions. You will hear the recording twice. After the first