【正文】 for me, it’s like sucking through a tiny, clogged straw. But the good part is the same enforced need to concentrate. I may do only one thing at a time now, but I do that thing very intently. One of the things I’ve begun doing most seriously is to read books all the way through. Of course, we all read books in America, too, but precisely because of the other distractions, it’s often hard to stick with them. Reviews, excerpts, TV interviews take the place of actual books. But here, with my onetrack mind and my exhaustive need to retreat into English, there’s nothing to keep me from finishing a book once I get started. I have the added plus of spending three to four hours each day on the Tokyo train system, which, when it’s not so crowded that I can’t raise my arms, lets me go through several books a week. Indeed, thanks to the train, I am the only person on Earth actually to have read Paul Kennedy’s famous Rise and Fall of the Great Powers book. This wholebook environment changes your world view, making you more deeply but more spottily informed. I find that I have bee more patient with longwinded explanation, and less likely to cut somebody else off and make him get to his point. There are problems with this perspective, too, I’m sure, but right now my brain can’t handle thinking what they might be. AnnouncerThis report was originally broadcast on National Public Radio on Morning Edition, and is reproduced with permission of National Public Radio. Any unauthorized duplication is prohibited.P31 8 Conversation A Listen and practice. Marta: Guess what! I just got invited to my teacher’s house for dinner! Karen: Oh, how nice. M: Yes, but what do you do when you’re invited to someone’s house here? K: Well, it’s the custom to bring a small gift. M: Really? Like what? K: Oh, maybe some flowers or dessert. M: And is it all right to bring a friend along? K: Well, if you want to bring someone, you’re expected to call first and ask if it’s OK. P32 10 Listening Unique customs Listen to three people describing unique customs they observed while traveling. Complete the chart. 1. Alice One thing that I never really got used to when I was traveling in Asia was the way people make noise when they drink soup. I think it’s because they want to show that they’re really enjoying their food so they make a loud slurping noise. It always bothered me. I guess it’s because my parents spent years when I was a kid telling me not to make noise while I was eating. 2. Mark When I lived in Spain, I was surprised at how late people eat in the evening. When you’re invited to dinner, you are asked to e around nine o’clock and you usually don’t start dinner until ten. And people stay terribly late – sometimes until two in the morning or even later. I found it difficult. How does one get up and go to work or school the next day after eating and drinking until three in the morning? 3. Susan I lived in the Middle East for a while, and when I went out, I had to obey the local custom of wearing something over my head and wearing a dress that covered my whole body. At first, I found it a real nuisance, but after a while, I got used to it and even started to like it. You feel really secure, and also you don’t have to worry about what to wear all the time. Unit 6 What’s wrong with it? P34 2 Conversation: Listen and practice. Clerk: Can I help you? Helen: Yes, I’d like to return this jacket. C: Is there something the matter with it? H: Yes. I didn’t notice when I bought it, but there are a few problems. First, it has a tear in the lining. C: Hmm, actually, it’s torn in several places. H: And some of the buttons are very loose, this one came off, in fact. And there’s a stain on the collar. C: I’m really sorry about this. Would you like to exchange it for another one? H: Well, to be honest, I don’t think this jacket is very well made. I’d rather get a refund. C: I understand. Do you have the receipt? P36 4 Listening Fair exchange? Listen to three customers returning items they purchased. Complete the chart. 1. C: Can I help you? M: Yes, I bought this briefcase here last week, but there’s something wrong with the lock. I can’t get it to close properly. C: Let me see. Yes, I see what you mean. The lock seems to be jammed or something. No problem. I’ll get you another one. Sorry about that. 2. W: Hi. C: Yes? W: I wonder if you could take a look at these shoes I bought here. They’re pretty new, but they seem to be falling apart. C: Hmm. Let me see. Yes, this doesn’t look right. The stitching is ing out. How long did you say you’ve had them? W: Only about a month. Here’s the receipt. C: Hmm…yes. Well, let me exchange these for you. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. 3. M: Excuse me. C: Yes, how can I help you? M: You see this shirt? I bought it here a few weeks ago, but the first time I washed it, the color changed: It went from bright red to light pink. C: How did you wash it? M: Well, I just tossed it into the washing machine with my other clothes. C: What temperature did you use? M: I usually wash my clothes in hot water, so I guess hot. C: Well, did you check the washing instructions? M: Um…maybe not. C: Well, you see here on this label? It says, “Wash in cold water only.” M: Umhmm. C: So I’m really sorry, but since you didn’t follow the washing instructions, I can’t really do anything for you. P36 6 Conversation: A Listen and practice. Ms. Lock: Hello? Mr. Burr: Hello, Ms. Lock. This is Jack Burr. L: Uh, Mr. Burr… in Apartment 205? B: No, in Apartment 305. L: Oh, yes. What can I do for you? Does your refrigerator need fixing again? B: No, it’s the oven this time. L: Oh, so what’s wrong with it? B: Well, I think the temperature control needs to be checked. Everything I try to cook gets burned. L: Really? OK, I’ll have someone look at it right away. B: Thanks a lot, Ms. Lock. L: Uh,