L6-U1-P4-1 Listening : Buying a House 1

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Buying a House

John and Linda are worried about their future.

They both have good jobs, but they are concerned about the economy.

Of the two of them, Linda is the most worried.

She wants the security of owning her own home.

Her husband disagrees.

As a result, they often fight about money.

They live in a nice apartment, but the rent goes up every year.

So now they are trying to decide whether or not to buy a house.

- It gives her asense of security.

Of the two of them, Linda is the most worried.She wants the security of owning her own home. Her husband disagrees. As a result, they often fight about money.

What are they worried about? — their future

(1) John and Linda are worried about their future.
(2) They both have good jobs, but they are concerned about the economy.
(3) Of the two of them, Linda is the most worried.
(4) She wants the security of owning her own home.

Linda wants to buy a house, but John is against the idea.

He thinks prices are too high, and he doesn't want to be trapped.

If they owned a house, it would be more difficult to move somewhere else if things changed.

For example, what would happen if he lost his job?

If he lost his job, they might want to move to another city or country.

If they owned a home or flat, it would be more difficult to move.

If they decided to move, they would probably have to sell.

If prices had risen, they would be okay.

In fact, they might even make a profit.

However, if prices were down when they had to sell, they would lose money.

- owning a home

If they owned a home or flat, it would be more difficult to move.If they decided to move, they would probably have to sell. If prices had risen, they would be okay. In fact, they might even make a profit.  However, if prices were down when they had to sell, they would lose money.

She wants the security of owning her own home.

If they owned a home or flat, it would be more difficult to move.

Owning a home could make it more difficult to move to another location.

What's one reason that John doesn't want to buy a house? -He thinks prices are too high.

(1) For example, what would happen if he lost his job?
(2) If he lost his job, they might want to move to another city or country.
(3) If they owned a house, it would be more difficult to move somewhere else if things changed.
(4) If they decided to move, they would probably have to sell.

They live in an apartment but the rent goes up every year.

If he lost his job, they might want to move to another city or country.

If they decided to move, they would probably have to sell.

L6-U1-P4-2 Listening : Buying a House 2

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Last week John got some bad news.

His company is downsizing and moving its head office to another city.

It's moving because it can no longer afford to do business where they are now.

Expenses are too high, especially salaries, so it's more difficult to compete with other companies.

In fact, several other companies will be moving out too.

Office space is expensive in the area, along with the cost of living for employees.

As a result, it's becoming more difficult to hire good employees.

Nobody wants to live there unless their salary can support a good standard of living.

- It's too expensive to stay in its present location.

His company is downsizing and moving its head office to another city. It's moving because it can no longer afford to do business where they are now.

It's moving because it can no longer afford to do business where they are now.

As a result, it's becoming more difficult to hire good employees.

Last week John got some bad news.

What is his company doing to deal with its rising expenses? — It's downsizing and planning to relocate its head office to a less expensive area.

His company is downsizing and moving its head office to another city.

His company is downsizing and relocateing its head office to a less expensive area.

Nobody wants to live there unless their salary can support a good standard of living.

With all of these changes, John thinks there's a good chance that he will be transferred to the new head office.

This could happen fairly soon.

If so, it would be foolish to buy a house at this time.

Linda still disagrees about buying a house, but she is willing to wait a year to see what happens.

She hopes that they won't have to move, but they may have to unless John is willing to change companies.

She would prefer not to move, because she doesn't want to lose her job.

- She needs to know whether or not they will have to mave.

With all of these changes, John thinks there's a good chance that he will be transferred to the new head office. This could happen fairly soon. If so, it would be foolish to buy a house at this time. Linda still disagrees about buying a house, but she is willing to wait a year to see what happens. She hopes that they won't have to move, but they may have to unless John is willing to change companies.

1. Why it would be foolish for them to buy a house at this time? -There's a good chance they'll have to move.

2. Why would she prefer not to move? - She doesn't want to lose her job.

Now they have to consider what they'll do if he's transferred.

John has to decide whether or not he should begin to look for a new company.

If he could find another job in the area, it would put less stress on his wife.

If they stay and can wait for a while, maybe housing prices will begin to come down.

If prices don't come down, then he and his wife will continue to disagree about buying a house.

Sooner or later they are going to have to make a decision and stop fighting about it.

If he's transferred and he decides to leave the company ...he'll find a new job.

John has to decide whether or not he should begin to look for a new company. If he could find another job in the area, it would put less stress on his wife. If they stay and can wait for a while, maybe housing prices will begin to come down. If prices don't come down, then he and his wife will continue to disagree about buying a house.

If they have to move, she will have to leave her job and look for a new one.

It would be foolish because there's a good chance that they will have to move fairly soon.

If he could find another job in the area, it would put less stress on his wife.

She is willing to postpone the decision until they know where john is going to work.

Linda still disagrees about buying a house, but she is willing to wait a year to see what happens.

What will he have to do  he's transferred? — He'll have to decide whether or not to stay with the company.

John has to decide whether or not he should begin to look for a new company. If he could find another job in the area, it would put less stress on his wife.

There's a good chance he'll be transferred, so it would be foolish to buy a house at this time.

If so, it would be foolish to buy a house at this time.

John has to decide whether or not he should begin to look for a new company.

If he's transferred and he decides to leave the company, he'll have to find a new job.

She hopes that they won't have to move, but they may have to unless John is willing to change companies.

L6-U1-P4-3 Dialogue : AI Girlfriend

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AI Girlfriend

Are you having any luck finding a new girlfriend?

No, I'm not.

I haven't found anyone I like.

So far they are allafter my money and a fancy lifestyle.

What will happen to real love?

I don't know.

The same thought has occurred to me lately.

I'm afraid I'm becoming a bit of a cynic.

- A girlfriend who isn't just after her money.

What thoughts have they both had lately? — They are worried about the real love will no longer exist.

I was just reading about some new robots called AIs.

They have artificial intelligence or AI.

Yes, AIs.

I've heard about it, and they've been in some movies too.

Evidently, these new AIs can be very attractive companions.

What do you think about that?

You must be kidding!

Relating to a smart robot?

It sounds sick to me.

I don't know, maybe not.

I wonder what it would be like to have an AI girlfriend.

Maybe you could program it to be like your dream woman.

- New AIs that can be attractive companions.

I was just reading about some new robots called AIs.

Maybe you could program it to be like your dream woman.

So far they are all after my money and a fancy lifestyle.

New AIs that can be attractive companions.

A dream woman, hoho.

Well, it's an interesting idea but hard to imagine the reality.

I guess it could be fun for a while, but then it would get boring, don't you think?

For sure, no real emotion.

Everything would be mechanical and artificial, even the language!

There wouldn't be a soul inside, just an empty machine.

Well, not necessarily.

That would depend on how intelligent it is.

There are some who say that AIs are going to be more intelligent than we are!

Hmm, I've heard of that too.

In fact, they may even be a threat to us, right?

- There wouldn't be a soul inside

A dream woman! Well, it's an interesting idea but hard to imagine the reality. I guess it could be fun for a while, but then it would get boring, don't you think?

Anyway, if it were possible, would you want a woman you could control?

A woman I could control?

No, I can't imagine it.

Most of the women I've been with have tried to control me!

Well, that's one of the differences between men and women.

We see things differently.

We never measure up to their standards! hahaha.

- In their opinion, women control men more than men control women.

Anyway, if it were possible, would you want a woman you could control?

We never measure up to their standards!

Everything would be mechanical and artificial, even the language!

What can cause stress between a man and a woman? — They see things differently.

Anyway, if it were possible, would you want a woman you could control?

We never measure up to their standards!

Everything would be mechanical and artificial, even the language!

In their opinion, women control men more than men control women.

However, if there is real love, the bonds between two people can be very deep.

It may not happen very often, but I've seen it.

Yes, that's what I'm looking for!

I hope it's not just a dream.

If that's what you want you are probably not going to find her in the bar.

What may not happen very often? — a deep lasting love

It may not happen very often, but I've seen it.

Yes, that's what I'm looking for!

However, if there's real love, the bonds between two people can be very deep.

Maybe I'll just let people know I'm looking for someone nice.

Be sure they don't tell her you're rich.

Maybe I can help you find someone.

You have my permission.

And just for fun, I'll start checking out some of those smart robots!

It sounds crazy, but I'm curious!

With all the lonely people out there, it may turn out to be a huge business!

What may turn out to be a huge business? — AIs for lonely people

It sounds crazy, but I'm curious!

That would depend on how intelligent it is.

And just for fun, I'll start checking out some of those smart robots!

I guess it could be fun for a while, but then it would get boring, don't you think?

He thought that the idea or relating to an AI as a companion was a sick idea.

It sounds crazy, but I'm curious!

That would depend on how intelligent it is.

And just for fun, I'll start checking out some of those smart robots!

With all the lonely people out there, it may turn out to be a huge business!

There are some who say that AIs are going to be more intelligent than we are!

L6-U1-P4-4 Reading : Mysteries of the Mona Lisa

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Mysteries of the Mona Lisa

Without a doubt, one of the world's most recognizable pieces of art is the Mona Lisa. Painted in the 16th Century by Leonardo da Vinci, it continues to attract crowds of people who are captivated by the mysterious woman in the portrait. Her enigmatic smile and penetrating gaze reach out through the ages as if she were alive today.

Critics and art lovers still argue about her identity. One theory is that the way she posed suggests that she was with child. Another theory argues that her hairless face - no brows or lashes - indicates that she was a prostitute.

It seems that in 16th Century Italy women working in the world's oldest profession had hairless faces in order to make themselves more sexually arousing. There is, however, evidence that at one time the woman in the portrait had thick eyebrows. Perhaps they were inadvertently erased when the painting was cleaned. Nobody knows for sure.

The painting itself has an interesting history. With the death of Leonardo, it went to his friend King Francois , and then to Louis XV and the Palace of Versailles. It wasn't until 300 years after its completion that it was recognized as a masterpiece. For a time, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte hung it in his bedroom.Eventually, it found a permanent home when it was added to the collection of the Louvre in Paris. In 1911 it was stolen by a museum employee and two accomplices. This theft made the painting famous all over the world. During World War II it was taken away and hidden from the Nazis, as were many important works of art. Today the painting residesat the Louvre,captivating a whole new generation.Whoever she was, the mysteries surrounding the Mona Lisa continue to engage our imaginations.

>>Exercises:

1.This article was written to be ...informative and engaging.

2. What does the world's oldest profession refer to?  - prostitution

3. Why doesn't Mona Lisa have any eyebrows or lashes?   — The reason is still not clear.

4. Something is enigmatic, if it is mysterious and difficult to understand.

5. To captivate means ...to catch and hold one's attention.

6. If something happened eventrully ...it was an accident.

7. To penetrate something means to ...forcibly enter it.

8. This article was written in a style ...to keep the mystery alive.

9. From the author's point of view, Mona Lisa's identity ...is still a fascinating mystery.

>> Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:

1. What is one theory about her identity?

One theory is that the way she posed suggests that she was with child. 

2. Where does this article mention the world's oldest profession?

It seems that in 16th Century Italy women working in the world's oldest profession had hairless faces inorder to make themselves more sexually arousing. 

3. Where does indicate that Mona Lisa might have been pregnant?

One theory is that the way she posed suggests that she was with child.

4. When was the painting first recognized as a masterpiece?

It wasn't until 300 years after its completion that it was recognized as a masterpiece.

>> Fill in the blanks:

1. Today the painting resides at the Louvre, captivating a whole new generation. Whoever she was, the mysteries surrounding the Mona Lisa continue to engage our imaginations.

2. It seems that in 16th Century Italy women working in the world's oldest profession had hairless faces in order to make themselves more sexually arousing. There is, however,evidence that at one time the woman in the portrait had thick eyebrows. Perhaps they were inadvertently erased when the painting was cleaned. Nobody knows for sure.

>> Put the sentences below in order:

(1) Critics and art lovers still argue about her identity.
(2) One theory is that the way she posed suggests that she was with child. 
(3) Another theory argues that her hairless face - no brows or lashes - indicates that she was a prostitute. 
(4) It seems that in 16th Century Italy women working in the world's oldest profession had hairless faces in order to make themselves more sexually arousing.

(1) The painting itself has an interesting history.
(2) With the death of Leonardo, it went to his friend King Francois , and then to Louis XV and the Palace of Versailles.
(3) For a time, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte hung it in his bedroom.
(4) Eventually, it found a permanent home when it was added to the collection of the Louvre in Paris.

>> Repeat & Read Sentences:

Critics and art lovers still argue about her identity.

For a time, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte hung it in his bedroom.

In 1911 it was stolen by a museum employee and two accomplices.

Without a doubt, one of the world's most recognizable pieces of art is the Mona Lisa.

Her enigmatic smile and penetrating gaze reach out through the ages as if she were alive today.

Perhaps they were inadvertently erased when the painting was cleaned.

It wasn't until 300 years after its completion that it was recognized as a masterpiece.

This article was written in a style to keep the mystery aline.

In 1911 it was stolen by a museum employee and two accomplices.

L6-U1-P4-5 Reading : Mr.GandJellybean

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Mr.G and Jellybean

This is the story of a donkey named Jellybean and a goat named Mr.G. For ten years they lived together on a farm owned by a woman who loved animals but could barely care for herself. She had dozens of animals, but the living conditions for all of them were deplorable. Finally, an animal rescue organization came and took the animals away, relocating them to animal sanctuaries.

Throughout their years at the farm, Jellybean and Mr.G had been inseparable. Wherever the donkey was, the goat was never far away. For some reason, they had bonded, and nobody suspected how strong the bond had become.

When Jellybean was taken to a local animal rescue center, Mr.G was moved to a center far away. When he arrived, he refused to eat. Not only did he refuse to eat, but he refused to get up or move around. He spent his days lying in a corner of the barn, barely lifting his head. The staff at the center tried feeding him treats, including apples and sweets, but nothing worked.

As the days went by, he continued to weaken. The staff had to move him physically to ensure he didn't spend too long lying down. Worried that he was ill, they gave him a series of health examinations, but none showed anything wrong. Finally, they realized that he was depressed and mourning the loss of his best friend.

With his condition getting worse, drastic measures were required. A volunteer at the center offered to make the 14-hour round-trip journey to fetch Jellybean so the two could be reunited.

Once Jellybean arrived and the goat sensed his presence, he rose to his feet, breathed in deeply and rushed to his friend's side. Shortly after that, he began to eat, moving the entire staff to tears. Such a beautiful reunion was inspiring- an amazing testimonial to the depth of nonhuman emotions.

Since the video of the reunion was posted on the Internet, it has been viewed by millions. and from now on, the two friends will remain together.

>>Exercises:

1. What this story teaches is that ...not only humans form deep, emotional bonds.

2. Why were the animals taken away from the regional owner?  — Their living conditions were deplorable.

3.  Why couldn't the regional owner of the animals take better care of them?  — She could barely care for herself.

4. To reunite means ...to bring back together.

5. To be inseparable means ...to be tied together.

6. The story was written to give us ...a new perspective about animals.

7. To mourn for someone means to ...show deep sorrow.

8. A bond is something that ...holds things together.

>>Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:

1. What did Mr.G do when he arrived at the new center?

 When he arrived, he refused to eat. 

2. What drastic measures was taken to save Mr. G?

A volunteer at the centeroffered to make the 14-hour round-tripjourney to fetch Jellybean so the two could bereunited.

>>Fill in the blanks:

1. Since the video of the reunion was posted on the Internet, it has been viewed by millions. And from now on, the two friends will remain together.

2. When Jellybean was taken to a local animal rescue center, Mr.G was moved to a center far away. When he arrived, he refused to eat. Not only did he refuse to eat, but he refused to get up or move around. He spent his days lying in a corner of the barn, barely lifting his head. The staff at the center tried feeding him treats, including apples and sweets, but nothing worked.

>>Put the sentences below in order:

(1) When Jellybean was taken to a local animal rescue center, Mr.G was moved to a center far away.
(2) When he arrived, he refused to eat.
(3) Not only did he refuse to eat, but he refused to get up or move around.
(4) He spent his days lying in a corner of the barn, barely lifting his head.
(5) The staff at the center tried feeding him treats, including apples and sweets, but nothing worked.

>>Repeat & Read Sentences:

Throughout their years at the farm, Jellybean and Mr.G had been inseparable.

Not only did he refuse to eat, but he refused to get up or move around.

With his condition getting worse, drastic measures were required.

This story teaches us that humans have much in common with animals.

For ten years they lived together on a farm owned by a woman who loved animals but could barely care for herself.

The staff had to move him physically to ensure he didn't spend too long lying down.