Unit 1

DIALOGUE I

Back from the Summer Camp

A: You know what? I've just come back from a wonderful summer camp.
B: You have? Where did you go?
A: Mount Tai.
B: I've been there too. It's one of China's most beautiful mountains. There're many scenic spots and places of historical interest. I was greatly impressed by its natural beauty when I took a study tour there two years ago.
A: It really is a very beautiful tourist attraction. But we went there as campers, not as tourists. It was a study programme organized by our local community committee.
B: I bet you had lots of fun there.
A: Yes, it was a wonderful experience. You know it was the first time I'd been to a summer camp in five years, and it brought back such sweet memories.
B: Were there any other camping groups when you were there?
A: Not when we arrived at the foot of the mountain. But soon we were joined by many similar camping groups from other cities. By the time we arrived at the campsite, night had fallen. And we were so happy to see that the campers who arrived there the day before were giving a performance by the campfire.
B: You remind me of my last trip there. I wish I had been there with you this time. What did you do at the summer camp?
A: Oh, lots of things. Most of the time we studied plants, rocks, insects... things like that. We also had lots of fun, hiking, climbing mountains, taking pictures...
B: I guess you had the life of a natural scientist.
A: And the life of an athlete, too.
B: I had a similar experience during the summer two years ago. I remember my summer camp was subdivided into what we called "hobby groups", such as the music group, the drama group, and the model aircraft and ship group. People sharing similar interests and hobbies worked together. Were there any hobby groups in your programme?
A: Yes, of course. We had a number of hobby groups for campers with varied interests. We called them "project groups" because each group worked on a particular project. At the completion of their projects, each group presented their "fruits" to all the campers. Some gave oral reports, some staged an exhibition, and others put on a performance.
B: You had a marvellous time this summer! Your story has really brought back happy memories of my own camping experience.


DIALOGUE II

Dialogue:
Sally Jones, an English language teacher from Oxford University, has just arrived at Beijing Airport. She is going to spend three months here, lecturing and teaching at different colleges and universities. Miss Wang, Secretary of the English Department, and Mr. Yu, Vice Chairman of the English Department, have come to the airport to meet her.
Miss Wang: Excuse me, are you Miss Jones?
Sally: Yes, that's right.
Miss Wang: Oh, how do you do? I'm Wang Xinfu, Secretary of the English Department.
Sally: Oh, yes, Miss Wang, hello. I'm very pleased to meet you. (They shake hands.)
Miss Wang: Miss Jones, may I introduce you to Mr. Yu, Vice Chairman of the English Department?
Mr. Yu: Hello, Miss Jones, I've been looking forward to meeting you.
Sally: How do you do? (They shake hands.) It's very kind of you both to come and meet me at the airport.
Miss Wang: Not at all. I hope you had a good flight.
Sally: Well, not too bad. It was a bit bumpy as we came in to land; some low clouds, I think.
Mr. Yu: Yes, we had a storm here yesterday and the weather is still a bit unsettled.
Sally: Oh, dear! I was rather lucky then!
Miss Wang: You must be rather tired after your long flight.
Sally: Well, yes, I am actually... I've been travelling for 21 hours!
Mr. Yu: In that case, I think we should go straight to the hotel.
Miss Wang: Yes, I agree. This way then, ... if you'd like to follow me.


READING I

Herbert's Homecoming

Herbert Marshall was a student at Cambridge, but his hometown was St. Albans. It was August and the family had gone to the seaside. Herbert went to France for his holiday, but he ran out of money, and came home a week earlier than he had expected to.
His train didn't get into St. Albans until just before midnight. The last bus had gone, so he had to walk home. He let himself into the kitchen, and as he was feeling hot and sticky, he took off his shirt to have a wash.
Suddenly he heard heavy footsteps running up the path. The back door burst open, and he found himself surrounded by policemen. They pushed him into the living-room next door, made him sit down, and began asking him question.
"What's your name?"
"Where do you live?"
"What's in that case?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here," said Herbert, "I've been on holiday." But nobody listened to him. They just went on asking questions. Then suddenly one of the policemen said:
"Watch him, Frank — we'll go and search the house."
They left a tall, very young policeman to guard him.
"Can I put my shirt on?" asked Herbert.
"No," said the policeman, "stay where you are."
Then the others came back with an older man, a sergeant. He asked the same questions, but he listened to Herbert's answers.
"I live here," said Herbert, "and I want to put my shirt on." The sergeant looked at him thoughtfully.
"We'll soon settle this," he said.
He went out and came back with a small, sandy-haired man wearing a shabby, brown dressing-gown. It was Herbert's next-door neighbour. He peered at Herbert intently through thick spectacles.
"Oh, yes, sergeant," he said, "that is Mr. Marshall." Then he disappeared very quickly. The policemen all looked dreadfully disappointed. They were convinced they had caught a burglar.
"Did he ring you up?" asked Herbert. The police sergeant nodded.
"He saw a light and understood your family had all gone away to the seaside."
When they had all gone, Herbert made himself a cup of coffee.