Visitors

This dialogue is a conversation between two neighbours.

(Knocking at the door)

• Good afternoon! I’m Mary Smith, your new neighbour.

• Nice to meet you, I’m Ann Brown. Come in, Mary! Would you like a cup of tea?

• Yes, thank you, I’ve brought an apple pie for you.

• Thanks a lot. How do you like your tea, Mary, strong or weak?

• Not too strong, please, and one lamp of sugar. I like my tea rather sweet.

• OK. As I understand, you bought a new house, so why did you decide to move to the new house?

• The child is on the way, moreover the apartment felt smaller every day. You know, we couldn’t find a suitable house at once, had a lot of financial problems and so on.

• Oh, I understand you. I was pregnant with Mike, when we bought this house. Now he is ten and goes to school. He is fond of sport and wants to have a football field instead of our vegetable garden.

• And are there other children in your family?

• No, Mike is the only child. And do you already have any children?

• Yes, we have a four year-old girl, Betty, and a three year-old boy, Peter. Sometimes they are very naughty. They are fond of birds and animals. We have white mice, a hedgehog and a parrot in the house. Now they are eager to have a rabbit.

• Are you against it?

• Of course. We have no peace at home.

• It`s very funny. What are they doing now?

• So now they are walking with their nurse. They were very happy to see long-awaited snow. It’s a nice day today, isn’t it?

• It certainly is. It’s a beautiful day! We’ve been waiting for such weather for a long time. We like to gather together on cold winter evenings, exchange the latest news and drink cinnamon tea.

• It is a good tradition, I think. Oh, what time is it now?

• It’s half past seven. And what’s wrong?

• I think, my husband and children came back and they are waiting for me.

• What is your husband?

• He is a businessman.

• Really? My husband is a businessman, too. How`s your business?

• Pretty good, thank you. And how are things with you?

• Well, not too good, I`m afraid, and going from bad to worse. In fact, it`s the worse year we`ve had for a long time.

• I`m sorry to hear that. I hope things will soon improve.

• Yes, let`s hope for the best.

• So I must go now. Can you come over for dinner tomorrow with your family? It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow, if you remember.

• I’d like that very much. When should we come?

• Come around six, if you can.

• Fine.

• See you tomorrow!

• Good bye.

Visitors

This dialogue is a conversation between Mrs. Gates and her friend Jack, who she hasn’t seen for quite a long time. There is a knock at the door. She opens the door and the conversation begins.

– Jack you’re back. I haven’t seen you for a long time. How’ve you been?

- Just fine. It’s been a long time. And how’ve you been?

– Just fine. Just fine. Come in Jack. This is our lounge. Won’t sit down. So, how are things with you?

– Very well, indeed, thank you, and how are you?

– I’m fine. I’m glad to see you. I’ve heard so much about you. How is your new job?

– Pretty good, thank you. My colleagues are very nice people. I get along with them quite well. I’ve just come back from a business trip to NY City.

– Oh, have you? And how did you find it?

- Well, to my mind it’s too touristy there. Even if I had a chance, I wouldn’t agree to live there.

– Neither would I. Well it’s five o’clock. You’ll have some tea with me, won’t you?

– Thank you. I’d be glad to.

– How do you like your tea, Jack, strong or weak?

– Not too strong, please. And no sugar at all, please, Helen.

– Oh, you don’t like your tea very sweet. I see. And do you have milk in your tea?

– Certainly.

– Here you are. Personally, I prefer my tea without sugar as well. And I don’t like any milk in my tea either. But my husband usually has 2-3 lumps of sugar in his tea. He likes it very sweet. Well and how is your wife? I hear she works as a designer in a very big company.

- She does.

– I haven’t seen her for a long time, Jack.

– Oh, she hasn’t changed a bit. By the way, why don’t you come and have lunch with us some day?

– I’d love to. That sounds great. And when is the best time to come?

– Can you come over tomorrow round 11 o’clock?

- Sounds good. Well, help yourself.

– No more, thank you. I must go now.

– Bye-bye Jack. Say hello to Jill. Tell her I miss her.

– I will. Bye-bye.