王迈迈英语

Conversation One:

M: Hello, and welcome to our program, “Working Abroad”. Our guest this evening is a Londoner, who lives and works in Italy. Her name’s Susan Hill. Susan, welcome to the program. You live in Florence, how long have you been living there?

W: Since 1982. But when I went there in 1982, I planned to stay for only 6 months.

M: Why did you change your mind?

W: Well, I’m a designer, I design leather goods, mainly shoes, and handbags. Soon after I arrived in Florence, I got a job with one of Italy’s top fashion houses, Ferregamo. So, I decided to stay.

M: How lucky! Do you still work for Ferregamo?

W: No, I’ve been a freelance designer for quite a long time now. Since 1988, in fact.

M: So does that mean you design for several different companies now?

W: Yes, that’s right. I design many fashion items for a number of Italian companies, and during last four years, I’ve also been designing for the British company, Burberry’s.

M: What have you been designing for them?

W: Mostly handbags, and small leather goods.

M: How’s the fashion industry in Italy change since 1982?

W: Oh, yes. It’s become a lot more competitive. Because of quality of products from other countries has improved a lot. But it’s high quality and design is still world-famous.

M: And do you ever think of returning to live in England?

W: No, not really. Working in Italy is more interesting. I also love the Mediterranean sun and the Italian life style.

M: Well, thank you for talking to us, Susan.

W: It was a pleasure.

19. Where does this talk most probably take place?

20. What was the woman’s original plan when she went to Florence?

21. What has the woman been doing for a living since 1988?

22. What do we learn about the change in Italy’s fashion industry?

Long conversation 2

M: So, Claire, you’re into drama!

W: Yes, I have a master’s degree in drama and theatre. At the moment, I’m hoping to get onto a Ph.D program.

M: What excite you about drama?

W: Well, I find it’s a communicative way to study people and you learn how to read people in drama. So usually I can understand what people are saying even though they might be lying.

M: That would be useful.

W: Yeah, it’s very useful for me as well. I’m in English lecture, so use a lot of drama in my classes such as role plays. And I ask my students to create mini-dramas. They really respond well. At the moment, I’m hoping to get onto a Ph.D course. I’d like to concentrate on Asian drama and try to bring Asian theatre to the world’s attention. I don’t know how successful I would be, but, here’s hoping.

M: Oh, I’m sure you’ll be successful. Now, Claire, what do you do for stage fright?

W: Ah, stage fright! Well, many actors have that problem. I get stage fright every time I’m going to teach a new class. The night before, I usually can’t sleep.

M: What? For teaching?

W: Yes. I get really bad stage fright. But the minute I step into the classroom or get onto the stage, it just all falls into place. Then I just feel like: Yeah, this is what I mean to do. And I’m fine.

M: Wow, that’s cool!

23. Why does the woman find study in drama and theatre useful?

24. How did the woman’s students respond to her way of teaching English?

25. What does the woman say about her stage fright?