Desk Assembly
W: What’s in that big box you're carrying?
M: It’s a new desk. I just bought it, and now I have to put it together.
W: Do you need any help?
M: No, I don’t think so. I just need to get my tools. I’ll need a screwdriver and maybe a hammer.
W: Don’t forget to read the instructions.
Exercise:
— What did he just buy?
— I bought a new desk.
W: How are things going?
M: I’ m almost finished.
W: Something doesn’t look right to me. The right side is higher than the left side.
M: Oh, you’re right. It looks like I put a couple of screws into the wrong places.
Exercise:
— What mistake did he make?
— He put a couple of screws into the wrong places.
W: So now you have to take it apart.
M: Great, and I thought I was almost finished.
W: I told you to read the instructions. Did you read them?
M: No, I didn’t read them. I hate to read the instructions. I looked at them, but they were confusing.
W: Well, this is what happens when you don’t. You were too impatient. Anyway, what can I do to help you?
M: Could you get another screwdriver and help me unscrew some of these screws?
W: OK, but next time please read the instructions.
Exercise:
1.— What didn't he do?
— He didn't read the instructions.
2. I looked at them, but they were confusing.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. How are things going?
2. Something doesn’t look right to me.
3. I told you to read the instructions.
4. Don’t forget to read the instructions.
5. I just bought it, and now I have to put it together.
Life and the Universe
W: Do you ever look up at the sky and think about life and universe?
M: I did when I was a kid. But I don’t do that very much anymore. Why do you ask?
W: Sometimes I feel like I’m lost in day-to-day details. Then when I look up at the sky, I see the big picture. I appreciate things more, even the little things.
Exercise:
1.— What doesn't he do some much anymore?
— He doesn't think about life and universe.
2. I appreciate things more, even the little things.
M: You sound like a philosopher or a poet. I felt like that too when I was a kid.
W: Don’t you feel like that anymore?
M: No, I don’t. In fact, I try not to. When I think about things too deeply, I get depressed. It’s even a bit frightening.
W: Really? For me it’s just the opposite. Everything seems like a wonderful miracle.
M: Doesn’t that frighten you a bit? The universe is so large and we are so small.
Exercise:
1.— What happens when he thinks too deeply?
— He gets depressed.
2. It’s even a bit frightening.
W: What I realize is how little we understand. We just need to appreciate our lives and not get lost.
M: Sometimes being lost isn’t so bad. Do you know the expression "ignorance is bliss"?
W: Sure, I’ve heard it many times. To be ignorant is to be happy.
Exercise:
1.— What does she realize?
— She realizes that there is a lot that we don't understand.
2. We just need to appreciate our lives and not get lost.
M: Maybe it’s true. Maybe it’s best not to think or know too much.
W: No, that’s not for me. I want to understand as much as possible. That’s why I became a scientist.
M: Well, I respect your choice but it’s not for me. If understanding is painful, I’d rather not understand.
Exercise:
1.— What doesn't he agree with?
— He doesn't agree with her choice.
2. I want to understand as much as possible.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. Everything seems like a wonderful miracle.
2. For me it’s just the opposite.
3. He doesn't agree with her choice.
4. Maybe it’s best not to think or know too much.
5. I appreciate things more, even the little things.
6. She realizes that there is a lot that we don't understand.
