Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a
student and a university advisor. The student is trying to decide where to go
to school next year.
Advisor: Now, then, Mr., uh,
Vickstad. How can I help you?
Student: Well, I'm thinking about
transferring, but I'm, I'm not sure ... I was hoping you could help me make a
decision.
A: I'll try. Where are you thinking
of transferring to? And why do you want to leave Kryptos U?
S: Um...I'm thinking of going to
Central University, because it's in my hometown. I've uh, been kind of homesick
here this year, and I haven't made many friends...I just feel so lonely. So, I
thought that uh, maybe, it'd be better to be closer to my parents and friends
and all.
A: I see. And would you keep the
same major if you transferred? What is it...business administration?
S: Yeah, I would. The credits I've
earned here will transfer to Central. I've already checked.
A: May I ask why you chose to come
to Kryptos University in the first place?
S: Sure. Um, well, the main reason
is you have a great business school. And the second reason is that I...I wanted
to get away from home.
A: You're right, Mr. Vickstad, we do
have an excellent business school. But, so does Central. The thing is, you've
got almost a year under your belt here now. At Central, you'll be starting from
scratch.
S: Yeah, I know that. But I'm a
little bit familiar with Central, 'cuz I had older friends who went there, and
I visited it before I came here.
A: You know, freshman year is
usually the hardest. I remember how homesick I was my first year. I'll tell
you, I was ready to pack it in after the first two weeks. But the longer I
stayed, the more comfortable I felt. By senior year, I was glad I chose to
stay.
S: Really? Did it get a lot better
your sophomore year?
A: Yes, it did. You might well find
the same is true for you. Also, even though your credits here will transfer,
you will have to take extra courses, because Central has different
requirements. You'll probably have to go to school for an extra year.
S: Hmm...I hadn't thought about
that. I'll have to check into it. Maybe I should give it one more year. I mean,
it's probably good for me to learn to live away from my family and friends,
right? It'll make me stronger in the future.
A: You can always move back there
after you graduate. Of course, by that time you may not want to!
S: Thank you for all your help. I
guess I'll find out the exact transfer requirements. You've given me a lot to
think about.
A: Don't mention it. If you feel
like you want to talk more, don't hesitate to come back and see me.
S: Yeah, I know that. But I'm a
little bit familiar with Central, 'cuz I had older friends who went there, and
I visited it before I came here.
A: You know, freshman year is
usually the hardest. I remember how homesick I was my first year. I'll tell
you, I was ready to pack it in after the first two weeks. But the longer I
stayed, the more comfortable I felt. By senior year, I was glad I chose to
stay.
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between two
students in their first class of the term.
Arthur: Morning, Myra.
Myra: Oh hi, Arthur! You're taking
Ecology Three Eleven, too?
A: Looks like it. It's my only
elective this term.
M: Really? What happened?
A: Oh, I just took too many my
second year, and now I've got to pick up all the required courses I've been
ignoring. University's just too much fun, I guess.
M: Too many parties?
A: No. (laughs) Well, yeh, that too.
But you know-- there're just so many interesting things to learn about, and
we've only got four years here to explore them. I've been having too good a
time at it, that's all. But it has helped me decide my major, finally.
M: And?
A: Bus Ad. I've learned a lot here,
and one thing I've learnt is that most fields don't hold out a lot of promise
for gainful employment! So I'm playing it safe and going for my BA in business
administration.
M: So, why Three Eleven? An ecology
course isn't going to help you in your office job at some corporation.
A: Prob'ly not, but... it still
seems interesting-- and important. We all need to know about the environment,
no matter what we do for a living.
M: Yeah, you're right. And maybe you
will be able to use it. Maybe you'll end up working for a green company or
something.
A: Could be. There's more and more
of those every day.
M: And thank goodness. Poor old
Earth!
A: Is that why you're taking this?
M: Well, it's not an elective for
me. I need Three Eleven for my BS program. We need several cross-field courses
to "broaden our understanding", and this is one of them. Actually,
though, I'm looking forward to this course: "Nature's Influence on Man--
Man's Influence on Nature"! Sounds like a really useful topic, doesn't it?
And Dr Forsythe is supposed to be a very engaging lecturer.
A: Well, his website is a gas, at
least! He's got an hilarious little eco-game on it: shoot the wolves and see
how many deer reproduce and eat all the grass!
M: Hmm. I suppose that would teach,
uh, fifth graders about the balance of nature.
A: Hey, it was fun! Anyway, he's
also got some good information there-- it'll probably come in handy when he
gives us homework.
M: Wow, you're right! I better take
a look at it myself. Can you give me his URL?
A: It's listed right in the course
guide where they describe the course, but if you can't find it, I'll give it to
you next time. Or I could email it to you-- what's your address?
M: That would be great, thanks.
Myrasweetie@umail.com. Here, I'll write it down for you. Did you pick up your
textbook yet?
A: No. I've been looking for a
secondhand copy before I spring for a new one. It's expensive-- forty-five
bucks!
M: (sighs) They all are, aren't
they? Why do poor college students have to pay so much for their textbooks? It
ain't fair.
A: It's just economics. Nobody reads
them except the students that take the courses. The publishers probably didn't
print more than a few hundred copies of our text, you know.
M: Still, they could print them in
paperback, couldn't they? That would save us some money.
A: And on newsprint-- sure! (laughs)
Some students do keep them, though, for reference after they graduate, if
they're working in that field. In that case, they need to be durable. My dad's
still got his college accounting textbooks-- and he uses them all the time.
M: I suppose you're right. Where you
gonna find a used copy? At the bookstore?
A: They don't have any there now-- I
checked. I put up some notes on the Science Building bulletin boards yesterday.
Maybe someone there's got one they don't want to keep anymore.
M: Well, uh, if you hear about two
of them, will you let me know? I'd like to save a little money, too.
A: Sure. If I do, I'll buy it for
you and you can pay me back. How much are you willing to pay?
M: Oh, anything under thirty-five
dollars'll be fine. A penny saved is a penny earned. But if you haven't found
one by next Monday, I'll have to buy a new one then, so email me Sunday night
either way, will you?
A: You bet. Oops! Here's Dr Forsythe
now.
Myra: ...Actually, though, I'm
looking forward to this course: "Nature's Influence on Man -- Man's
Influence on Nature"! Sounds like a really useful topic, doesn't it? And
Dr Forsythe is supposed to be a very engaging lecturer.
Arthur: Well, his website is a gas,
at least! He's got an hilarious little eco-game on it: shoot the wolves and see
how many deer reproduce and eat all the grass!
Myra: Hmm. I suppose that would
teach, uh, fifth graders about the balance of nature.
Arthur: Hey, it was fun! Anyway,
he's also got some good information there -- it'll probably come in handy when
he gives us homework.
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a
professor and his assistant.
Dr Abercrombie: Good morning, Hanna.
Thanks for coming in. How was your holiday?
Mr Fitch: It was very good,
Professor, thanks. A week in the Appalachians is really therapeutic. Nothing to
do but eat, sleep, and listen to nature. It's beautiful up there in the
spring-- the countryside is so green-- and the people are so friendly and laid
back. A good place to unwind.
Dr: I envy you. I've just got too
much to get done to get away at all now. I must get this book finished, for one
thing-- my publisher's getting impatient. I've outlined the last two chapters,
though, finally, so it won't take me too much longer, I hope. Maybe I'll be
able to go somewhere at Christmas. But, um, what I wanted to talk to you about
is our syllabus for this term, Hanna. I know this is short notice, but I'd like
to make a couple of little changes to it.
Mr: Uh oh! I know your idea of
"little" changes!
Dr: (laughs) No, no, I don't think
it'll be that bad this time. What I'd like to do is, uh, cut Lectures Two and
Three-- the ones on Old English and Middle English-- down to half their length
and then meld them together into a single lecture. Then, with that extra ninety
minutes, I want to add a lecture at the end on World Englishes. I think it's
time we dealt with that more thoroughly, don't you?
Mr: Yessir, I certainly do. That's a
good idea. So I guess I just need to cut down the quizzes to match and add a
new one for World Englishes. Do you know when I'll be able to see your revised
OE and ME notes?
Dr: I've already done a good bit of
that revision, Hanna, and I think I'll have them ready for you before Lecture
One. That's April eighth, I think?
Mr. Yes, Tuesday the eighth.
Dr: I've taken the segments on
pronunciation out-- I think we can lose those easily enough. Nobody really
needs to recite "Beowulf" or the "Canterbury Tales" any
more-- no matter how much fun it is.
Mr: And that means you probably won't
be discussing orthography much either?
Dr: I suppose not. I just want to be
sure to point out clearly the main ways in which Modern English has developed
from its predecessors. You know, the Great Vowel Shift, and so forth. Saving
ninety minutes is not going to commit Old and Middle English to total oblivion,
after all.
Mr: (laughs) Not if you can help it,
certainly! So I can eliminate the phonetics quiz completely, then?
Dr: Yes, I think so. I'll still give
them a reading just so they can get a flavour of their ancestral tongue, but
they can get as much of the phonetics as they want out of the textbook-- and
it's rote learning anyway, really.
Mr: Now, what about your new
lecture, then? Can I get started on any of that?
Dr: Yes, that's where I could really
use your help in the next couple of weeks. I need you to research 'pidgins and
creoles' for me. I've never paid enough attention to them, and I'd like an idea
of the number there are, uh, their distribution, and uh, what linguists are
saying about them these days-- are they English dialects? Derivative languages?
What? See if you can find me some interesting examples and some specific
quotes, will you?
Mr: Yes, of course. I think I know
the kind of thing you're looking for. I'll take a look for internet sources
this afternoon and then see what the library has later.
Dr: Thank you, Hanna, I'd appreciate
that. And while you're there, would you see if they've got a copy of Burnley's
source book on the history of English? I can't seem to find mine.
Mr: Oh. Uh... that's because you
lent it to me last term... and erm, I haven't returned it yet.
Dr: Ah. Well. Get it back to me
sometime soon, then, will you? I need to refer to it for my revisions.
Mr: Yessir, of course. Anything else
on the syllabus?
Dr: Just that we'll need the student
handout revised to reflect the changes. Who was in charge of that last time?
Mr: The department secretary has the
file. I'll draft a revision, let you check it, and then give it to her, shall
I? Shouldn't take long, and we just need to get photocopies before the first
class.
Dr: All right, I'll leave that in
your hands too then, Hanna. Just let me know if you need anything. And I'll see
you at the faculty meeting tomorrow afternoon.
Mr: Oh, yes. Yes. The faculty meeting.
Oh, and if you need any anecdotes on Appalachian English dialect, I'm your
man-- I've just picked up a wealth of contemporary examples!
Dr: (laughs) I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks, Hanna.
Dr Abercrombie: I've taken the
segments on pronunciation out-- I think we can lose those easily enough. Nobody
really needs to recite "Beowulf" or the "Canterbury Tales"
any more-- no matter how much fun it is.
Mr Fitch: And that means you
probably won't be discussing orthography much either?
Dr: I suppose not. I just want to be
sure to point out clearly the main ways in which Modern English has developed
from its predecessors. You know, the Great Vowel Shift, and so forth. Saving
ninety minutes is not going to commit Old and Middle English to total oblivion,
after all.
Mr: (laughs) Not if you can help it,
certainly! So I can eliminate the phonetics quiz completely, then?
Dr: Yes, I think so. I'll still give
them a reading just so they can get a flavour of their ancestral tongue, but
they can get as much of the phonetics as they want out of the textbook-- and
it's rote learning anyway, really.
Narrator
Listen to an assistant lecturer
talking to a new student.
Mr Fitch: Yes? Come in.
Mary Jane: Excuse me, are you Mr
Fitch? DrAddlestone'sassistant?
MF: Hi. Yes. Can I help you?
MJ: Yes, please, if you have time.
I'm Mary Jane Turner and I'm signed up for Literature Two-twenty? I just wanted
to get clear on the grading system. I'm still not sure how it works.
MF: Hi, Mary Jane. Sure. It's pretty
straightforward, really. After each lecture, we prepare a short quiz on that
material, and you take it at the beginning of the next lecture period. It only
takes about ten minutes and it's pretty simple-- if you've taken good notes and
studied them a bit beforehand, that is. There are fifteen lectures, so that's
fifteen quizzes.
MJ: And they're part of our final
grade, right?
MF: Right. One percent each or fifteen
percent for all fifteen of them.
MJ: Each one's only one percent of
my grade? That doesn't seem like much. Missing one or two of them wouldn't make
much difference, would it?
MF: Not really, no-- but the whole
is greater than the sum of its parts. They're not worth much individually
because they're very short and sweet-- just to check that you've been coming to
class, really. But students who pass all fifteen quizzes earn a five percent,
um, bonus for effort.
MJ: Don't our individual quiz scores
count?
MF: No, sorry. They're just
pass-fail quizzes.
MJ: So, pass them all and it's
twenty percent of my final grade?
MF: That's right.
MJ: That sounds good.
MF: And sixty percent are your
mid-term and final exams.
MJ: Are they short and sweet, too?
MF: (laughs) No, I'm afraid not.
They're not like the quizzes. They're ninety-minute tests and require a good
bit of writing in addition to the objective questions. The mid-term covers the
first eight lectures, the Founding Fathers to Mark Twain. The final mainly
covers World War One to the present, from Lecture Nine on.
MJ: So first-half authors won't be
on the final?
MF: That's not what I said. I said
it's MAINLY on the second half of the course. Professor Addlestone will be
keeping you, uh, honest with a few questions about American literature before
the first World War, too.
MJ: I see. And they're
thirty-thirty?
MF: Yes, thirty percent for the
mid-term, thirty percent for the final, and up to twenty percent for the weekly
quizzes. And then up to ten percent each for your essays. You'll need at least
ninety percent for an A, eighty percent for a B, and seventy percent for a C.
MJ: Erm....could you tell me
something about what is expected with our essays? There're two of them, right?
MF: Yes. You're required to write
two short critical essays on American authors of your choice, from anywhere in
American literary history, and we'll be looking carefully at your writing style
and ability as much as at the content of your essays. The Professor's a real stickler
for overall literacy.
MJ: So I can choose any author in
the syllabus?
MF: Yes, but I can tell you that we
often like it when a student picks an author out of the mainstream-- perhaps a
lesser writer that we haven't been able to include in the lectures, or a
contemporary author who hasn't, uh, hasn't found a place in literary history
yet.
MJ: Someone really obscure?
MF: Not a good idea. The author you
choose should have some relevance to the course of American literature. And if
you can demonstrate that relevance clearly in four to five typewritten pages,
then you'll have a good essay.
MJ: For each essay? Ooh.
MF: This is a university, uh, Mary
Jane, not a high school. Now, you've got almost four months to write eight to
ten pages. You should be able to manage that.
MJ: Yes, OK. You're right. When are
they due?
MF: Your first essay's due in late
October. It must be handed in by Lecture Eight, but we'd be happy to see it
anytime before that. And the second is due at the last lecture in December. It
must be turned in before the winter break.
MJ: Oh-- should the first essay be
about somebody in the the first half's material then? And the same for the
second?
MF: No, not at all. Any author you
like. It would be smart to choose ones that interest you, though. Papers that
reflect some, um, enthusiasm always turn out better.
MJ: Oh, I've got that! I'm really
looking forward to this course-- I love reading!
MF: That's good, because you'll be
doing a lot of that.
MJ: Thanks for your help, Mr Fitch--
I really appreciate it.
MF: And don't be shy if you have any
more concerns, Mary Jane. My door's always open. Good-bye.
Mr Fitch: And sixty percent are your
mid-term and final exams.
Mary Jane: Are they short and sweet,
too?
MF: (laughs) No, I'm afraid not.
They're not like the quizzes. They're ninety-minute tests and require a good
bit of writing in addition to the objective questions. The mid-term covers the
first eight lectures, the Founding Fathers to Mark Twain. The final mainly
covers World War One to the present, from Lecture Nine on.
MJ: So first-half authors won't be
on the final?
MF: That's not what I said. I said
it's MAINLY on the second half of the course. Professor Addlestone will be
keeping you, uh, honest with a few questions about American literature before
the first World War, too.
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between two
students in their dormitory during Registration Week.
Roger: Hi, can I come in?
Terry: Oh, hi. Sure! You must be
Roger?
R: Yes. And you're Terry, uh,
Lawrence?
T: Yep. So we're roomies this year,
eh? Nice to meet you.
R: Good to meet you, too.
T: Well, uh, I guess the first thing
is-- which bunk do you want?
R: Ha! Oh, I don't mind, really. The
top's fine. You can have the lower one.
T: OK, thanks, I'll take it! I am a
bit afraid of falling off. I did that more than once when I was a kid. It
doesn't hurt, really, but it sure knocks the wind out of you!
R: (laughs) Well, I'll try not to
roll over in my sleep. Actually, it looks like fun sleeping up there. I've
never slept in a bunk bed before, though. What's your major?
T: Oh, I'm supposed to be in
pre-med, but I've been taking a lot of electives. I might change it. What's
yours?
R: I'm just an aggie. We've got a
ranch out west of Houston, and I'm thinking I might become a vet. You're
pre-med? Then you've taken Chemistry One Twenty-one? It's a required course for
me, and I'm not good in chemistry at all. Maybe I could borrow your notes?
T: Hah! "Bonehead
Chemistry"-- no, sorry. I still have to take that, too. Hey, maybe we
could sign up for the same sections.
R: Yeah, that's a good idea!
T: When do you register?
R: Oh. Let me see. Wait a sec.
Uh...ah, here it is: ten a.m. Monday.
T: Great! I register at nine. The
Bonehead lectures are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the labs are
Monday-Wednesday-Friday afternoons. I can register first and then let you know
which sections I've got before you register at ten. What times are good for
you?
R: Oh gosh. Maybe, early lectures
and a Friday lab? I think better in the morning, and that's going to be a tough
course.
T: I know. That's why I'm thinking
about switching majors-- the science prerequisites are really awful. But I'll
give it one more semester before I pack it in. You sure you want a Friday lab?
It'll cut your weekend short.
R: Yeah, but I'm gonna have a full
load this semester, so I gotta take something Friday anyway. Might as well be
something I can cut.
T: OK then. So, should I meet you
back here Monday about nine-thirty? I can give you my schedule then.
R: Uh, how about in the cafeteria?
I'd like to get some coffee before I start-- I'll need the energy. And it's
handier anyway.
T: Sure, that's fine-- let's do
that, then. But maybe we'd better get a little organized around here. I've
already put my clothes in the left-hand dresser. Do you mind if I set one of my
stereo speakers on the corner of the right-hand one?
R: No, that's OK. I didn't bring
much stuff-- just the basics till I know what I need. If I need that space
later, we can hang the speaker on the wall.
T: And I took over half the closet.
R: That bookcase looks pretty small.
Most of my stuff is books.
T: Yeah, I've got a lot of those,
too-- and we haven't even got this term's texts yet. (Sighs in thought)
D'youthink we could get one the same size from Campus Stores and put it on top
of that one? They've got a free furniture place there.
R: Well, we could at least run over
and take a look. I'll bet the bookcases are all gone, though-- they're going to
be a popular item. Tell you what: I'll go over there after I see you Monday
morning. Maybe they'll have an early-bird special.
T: OK, good. And if they don't,
we'll just have to make do for now. (Pause) Shoes.
R: Huh?
T: Where can we put our shoes?
Where'd you stash yours?
R: Oh. There, under the bed. One
advantage of sleeping on the bottom bunk.
T: Wait a minute!
R: Just kidding. Stuff whatever you
like under there, too. Half is yours. Just got those two bags?
T: No, I've also got two cartons of
books and junk coming later. I'll worry about them then. All your stuff here?
R: Yep. But I need to go to a
drugstore and pick up some toilet paper and kleenex sometime soon. Wanna come?
T: Yes, that's just what I have to
do, too-- get some toothpaste and stuff. Gimme a minute and we can go together
now.
R: Great!
Roger: I'd like to get some coffee
before I start-- I'll need the energy. And it's handier anyway.
Terry: Sure, that's fine-- let's do
that, then. But maybe we'd better get a little organized around here. I've
already put my clothes in the left-hand dresser. Do you mind if I set one of my
stereo speakers on the corner of the right-hand one?
Roger: No, that's OK. I didn't bring
much stuff-- just the basics till I know what I need. If I need that space
later, we can hang the speaker on the wall.
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a
student and a registration clerk during Registration Week.
Registrar 1: Next.
Terry: Hi. Chemistry One Twenty-one,
morning lectures. Are sections-- ?
R1: Oh, sorry, you're at the wrong
table. This is Upper Division sciences. University College courses are at
Tables Four through Nine.
T: Really? Damn.
R1: Let's see. Chemistry? You want
Table Five, Physical and Social Sciences.
T: OK, thanks very much. (He goes.)
R2: Next, please.
T: Good morning. Have you got Bone--
uh-- Chemistry One Twenty-one here?
R2: Yes. Could I see your student ID
card, please?
T: Here you are.
R2: Thank you. Now... One
Twenty-one...what sections would you like?
T: Uh, Tuesday and Thursday,
Sections One or Two?
R2: There're spaces available in
both of those. Section One starts at seven forty-five a.m. and Two is from nine
to ten.
T: Well, seven forty-five's a little
early for me. It's the same lecturer for both sections, isn't it?
R2: Sorry, you'll have to check that
in your Course Guide.
T: How many spaces are left in
Section Two?
R2: It's a little early for a lot of
students. Section One still has about forty spaces left, but Two only has ten.
T: Rats. I want to be in the same
section as my roomie, but he doesn't register until ten today, and by then,
those may be gone. All right, give me Section One, please.
R2: There you are. And what about
your lab section?
T: I think any Friday section is OK
for me.
R2: Section Twenty-one is twelve to
two o'clock, Section Twenty-two is one to three, Section Twenty-three is two
thirty to four thirty, and Section Twenty-four is three thirty to five thirty.
T: All right then, let me have the
one-to-three o'clock one. Section Twenty-two?
R: Yes, there you are.
T: Thanks. And can I register for
Ethology Two Sixty-three here, too?
R2: Yes. But, um... there's only one
section in that course: Monday-Wednesday-Friday from one o'clock to two. You've
got a conflict with your chem lab.
T: Oh, no! (sighs)
R2: Do you want your laboratory on a
different day?
T: No. Uh, what were the times on
those other lab sections again?
R2: Twelve to two, one to three, two
thirty to four thirty, and three thirty to five thirty.
T: I'll take two thirty to four
thirty, then. Could I change this card for that one? Sorry.
R2: Sure, here you go. And here's
your section card for Ethology.
T: Thanks very much. Are there
plenty of spaces left in Twenty-three?
R2: They won't go in an hour. Your
friend should have no trouble getting one. Is that it now?
T: That'll do it, thanks.
R2: OK. Please print your name and
student number clearly in the blanks on each card.
T: OK. "Ter-ry...mm...eight
four fourfour one...mmm...." There you are.
R2: And don't forget to write these
into your class schedule: Chemisty One Twenty-one, Lecture Section One, Tuesday
and Thursday, seven forty-five. Laboratory Section Twenty-three, Friday, two
thirty.Ethology Two Sixty-three, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, one to two p.m.
T: Thanks very much for your help!
R2: Have a nice day. Next, please?
Terry: I'll take two thirty to four
thirty, then. Could I change this card for that one? Sorry.
Registrar 2: Sure, here you go. And
here's your section card for Ethology.
T: Thanks very much. Are there
plenty of spaces left in Twenty-three?
R2: They won't go in an hour. Your
friend should have no trouble getting one. Is that it now?
T: That'll do it, thanks.
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between two
students at their university cafeteria.
Tom: Oh, there you are.
Ralph: Hi. Did you get the classes
you wanted?
T: Not really. My Physics lectures
are eight to nine in the morning Tuesday and Thursday. Those're gonna be
killers. I'm gonna need two alarm clocks. And I got a Friday lab from two to
four. I couldn't get an earlier one because they conflict with my Biology
course. It's only has one section, so I have no choice there.
R: Those Friday classes sure spoil a
four-day week, don't they? (Laughs) Want some coffee?
T: Uh, sure. You still got time
before you register?
R: There's still a few minutes till
ten, and they don't let you start early. They're pretty strict-- they won't let
you in there till your time comes.
T: That's because it's so crowded, I
guess. Registering eighteen thousand students in four days makes it pretty busy
over there.
R: I'll be right back. (He gets them
coffees.) There you are. (Pause) Coffee. I'm gonna be drinking a lot of that
this semester.
T: Me too, I guess.
R: Did you pick up a cafeteria cash
card yet?
T: No, not yet. I've gotta go to the
bank first. The biggest card they've got is a hundred dollars, isn't it?
R: I think they've got a two-hundred
dollar one this year. Prices have gone up so much they've added a new
denomination-- like Zimbabwe does! But I've still got some money on my last
year's card, so I haven't checked for sure yet.
T: Well, I'll take out two hundred
bucks just in case. Might as well get the biggest one-- I'll be using it all,
that's for sure. I practically live over here. It's a good place to study.
R: Can I sublet your half of the
room then? (Laughs)
T: (Laughs) Gee, maybe we should.
Pick up some extra money. They say there's a real shortage of dorm space this
year.
R: How come? The student body's
about the same as last year, I think. Or smaller-- tuition's gone up again and
I'll bet some students just couldn't afford it this year, with this slow
economy.
T: No, it's because they tore down
Dormitory A to put up a new one-- but all they've got is the shell so far. That
plumbers and electricians strike this summer sure threw a monkey wrench into
the construction schedule. It won't be finished now till the end of December at
least.
R: Wow! There must've been five
hundred rooms in Dorm A! That's a big dent in campus housing, all right. Are
they doing anything about it?
T: Well, I hear the Housing Office
is trying to lease as many off-campus units as they can find, but most of them
are rented to students already.
R: Too bad. I wouldn't want to live
off-campus anyway, though.
T: Why not?
R: Well, it's so cheap and easy to live
right here. The rent's less than half of what we'd have to pay out there, and
we're right on campus within a few minutes of everyplace. The only problem is
the roommates they give you.
T: (Laughs) Yeah? Well, you're stuck
with this one for the rest of the year at least, pal! But y'know, of we stayed
roomies, we could share the rent on an apartment somewhere not too far off. So
it wouldn't cost that much-- and think of the parties we could throw! You can't
have a real party in a dorm room.
R: Huh! Yeah. That's something to
think about. Let's keep our eyes open for a place for next year, then.
Tom: Well, I'll take out two hundred
bucks just in case. Might as well get the biggest one-- I'll be using it all,
that's for sure. I practically live over here. It's a good place to study.
Ralph: Can I sublet your half of the
room then? (Laughs)
T: (Laughs) Gee, maybe we should.
Pick up some extra money. They say there's a real shortage of dorm space this
year.
R: How come? The student body's
about the same as last year, I think. Or smaller-- tuition's gone up again and
I'll bet some students just couldn't afford it this year, with this slow
economy.
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a
student and a university adviser.
Adviser: So, what can I do for you
today?
Student: Well, um, next month is the
deadline for declaring a major, and uh...I still don't know what I want to
major in.
A: Don't worry. That's common with
sophomores. Um, have you narrowed down your possibilities? Do you have a list?
S: Uh, no, I don't. I've...I've
always had a hard time making decisions, especially hard ones.
A: All right. Well, why don't we
start with subjects that you're sure you don't want to major in.
S: OK. Well, I hate science, and I'm
not very good at math, so those are out. Um, I don't think business would be
good for me. I don't want to wear a suit and work in an office from 9 to 5.
Uh...I like to move around, you know, maybe get outside, and kind of be my own
boss. I don't want someone looking over my shoulder all the time.
A: Mmm...we're off to a good start.
No business, math, or science. So, let's switch gears and consider topics you
might want to choose for a major. Um...of all the subjects you've taken last
year and so far this term, which ones have you liked? What kinds of classes
have you found interest you the most?
S: There's a lot them. I love
literature, and my psychology class was also pretty interesting. Philosophy was
kind of cool; so was world history with Professor Briggs. I learned a lot in my
visual arts class, and...oh yeah, my roommate talked me into taking sociology,
which I thought would be boring, but it turned out to be great! So, um, that's
the problem. I like so many different things, I can't pick just one of them!
A: Oh, I see. Hey, do you like to
write by any chance?
S: Yeah! English was one of my
favorite classes in high school, and one of my best too! I got all A's, except
for one B+ from Ms. Horowitz junior year.
A: I've got an idea. How about
trying journalism?
S: Journalism?! You mean, like being
a newspaper reporter or magazine writer?
A: Yes. Journalists have to cover
many different stories, so they learn a little about a lot of things. You
wouldn't be chained to a desk all day, and you'd work largely on your own,
gathering material and writing stories. There's something different to learn
about almost every day. Also, many of the classes you've already taken satisfy
the first-year requirements of the journalism department. You see, they want
you to take a broad spectrum of classes. You don't even start taking classes in
the journalism department until next year.
S: Hmm...I've never thought of
journalism before. Yeah, maybe I should check into it. But, um, what if I try
it and it turns out that I don't really like it?
A: Well, while you're trying it,
you'll be learning about, uh, all sorts of topics. If you find one of those
that you like better, you could change your major. You'd just need to go to the
registrar's office and fill out some paperwork.
S: Um, OK! I'll check out
journalism, then. Thank you, Mr. Grouton.
A: You're welcome. Remember, the
adviser's office is open every weekday from 8 to 4, if there's anything else I
can do for you.
S: There's a lot them. I love
literature, and my psychology class was also pretty interesting. Philosophy was
kind of cool; so was world history with Professor Briggs. I learned a lot in my
visual arts class, and...oh yeah, my roommate talked me into taking sociology,
which I thought would be boring, but it turned out to be great! So, um, that's
the problem. I like so many different things, I can't pick just one of them!
A: Oh, I see. Hey, do you like to
write by any chance?
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a
student and a university service representative.
Student: Hi, I want to get a pass
for the Intramural Activities Center this quarter, please.
Rep: Sure. In need to see your
student ID card, please. OK, thank you. Now, which type of IMA pass would you
like to buy?
S: Um, I don't know. How many
different kinds of passes are there?
R: Well, there's a basic pass. That
allows you to use the basketball courts, the fitness center, the racquetball
courts, the rock-climbing center, and the indoor track. An IMA super pass lets
you use all those things, and also the swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf
driving range. Then we have, um, specialized passes for just the swimming pools
and the fitness center.
S: Man, I didn't know this was going
to be so complicated. Um, so the basic pass includes basketball, the fitness
center, racquetball, and, uh, what else?
R: The rock-climbing center and the
indoor track. It costs $50 for the quarter.
S: And the Super Pass has all those
things, plus swimming, tennis, and the golf driving range, right?
R: Yes, that's correct. The super
pass is $75 for the quarter. It also permits you use the IMA Center during the
two-week Christmas vacation, if you're going to be here.
S: So, the basic pass is $50 for the
quarter, and the super pass is, uh, 75, but the super pass it gives you two
extra weeks. And um, you mentioned there were also special passes?
R: Yes, we have a swim-only pass for
$35. This lets you use either one of our two swimming pools, plus the sauna and
whirlpools in the locker room. There's also a pass for the fitness center only.
It costs $40, and gives you access to all the weight machines and fitness
machines, as well as the locker- room sauna and whirlpools.
S: All right, let's see if I've got
this straight. The swim pass is $35, and the fitness center pass is $40. And
both of these include access to the whirlpools and saunas in the locker room?
R: Correct. Oh, and one other thing
I forgot to mention is that the fitness pass includes a 15-percent discount on
all of our IMA sports and fitness classes.
S: What kinds of sports and fitness
classes do you have?
R: Oh, my! We have several different
kinds of dance classes, yoga, aerobics, swim conditioning, Tae Kwon
Do....here's a brochure with all the details.
S: Thanks. So, these classes,
there's an extra fee for them, even if I have a super pass?
R: I'm afraid so, because we have to
pay the teachers' salaries and the cost of equipment.
S: OK. Uh, mmm...oh yeah, what about
someone who isn't a university student? Is there some kind of pass that they
could buy?
R: No, I'm afraid not. IMA passes
are only offered to registered students and faculty. Guests have to be
accompanied by a student or faculty member. They pay $10 each time they come.
S: Can students pay the same way, I
mean, each time they come?
R: Yes, but if you're going to come
very often it's better to buy a pass. The student price is $5 per visit. If you
use the IMA even once a week, you'll save money buying a pass.
S: Well, thanks for all the
information. There are so many choices, I can't make a decision right now. I'll
think about it, then come back later in the week.
R: No problem. We're open Monday
through Thursday from 8 to 12, then 1 to 4:30, and from 1 to 5:30 on Friday. If
you have any more questions, you can call the phone number on the brochure.
R: Well, there's a basic pass. That
allows you to use the basketball courts, the fitness center, the racquetball
courts, the rock-climbing center, and the indoor track. An IMA super pass lets
you use all those things, and also the swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf
driving range. Then we have, um, specialized passes for just the swimming pools
and the fitness center.
S: Man, I didn't know this was going
to be so complicated. Um, so the basic pass includes basketball, the fitness
center, racquetball, and, uh, what else?
Narrator
Listen to a conversation in a
professor's office between a professor and a student.
Prof: Good afternoon, Mr.
Pennington. You are in my, um, American History 201 class, right? How can I
help you today?
S: It's about my term paper. I, uh,
I know it's due next Monday, but, um, I was hoping...I don't think I can get it
done by then. Could I please turn it in by the end of next week instead? I have
a really good excuse.
P: Oh I'm sure you do! [chuckles].
I've been teaching 33 years. Do you know how many excuses I've heard? "My
dog ate my paper." "My roommate had a party so I couldn't
concentrate." "I have seven papers due on the same day!" "I
went home to see my parents and my car broke down." My favorite was a
student who told me she "forgot" all about her term paper until the
day before it was due. It's amazing she remembered to come to class.
S: [Laughs nervously] I didn't
forget, sir. I've been working on the paper, really! Here, I brought my outline
and a rough draft. It's, um, just that...well, a lot of things have been going
on in my life, and I'm having trouble managing things.
P: I see. You know, I assigned that
paper four weeks ago, and I've been reminding students about it in each class.
So, tell me your story. What's happening in your life?
S: First, about two weeks ago, my
roommate found out his mother is real sick. She has breast cancer. So he's been
really upset, and, uh, I went home with him for a couple of days to see his
mom. That caused me to miss biology lab, and I have a huge biology final coming
up on Tuesday that I really need to study for this weekend. Then I got the flu
last week, and missed a day of class. I tried to work on your paper that day,
but I really felt horrible...
P: OK, I can understand that. I'm
glad that you're, er, helping your roommate through a tough time. That's more
important than school work. But all this seems to have happened recently. What
about the two weeks after I first assigned the term paper?
S: I, uh [sheepishly]...I guess I
didn't use that time very well. I kind of put off getting started on it.
P: [Sighs]. Yes, you did. You know,
if I had a dollar for every time I've heard a student say that...
S: I'm sorry, Professor Dalton. I've
learned my lesson. If I had spent just a little bit of time each week on the
paper, I could have had it done on time. I know now that I need to plan for
unexpected things.
P: You seem like a bright,
conscientious young man, Mr...your first name's Jack, isn't it? When I was a
young student, an upperclassman gave me some advice that I've never forgotten.
He said, "You're going to find yourself with a lot of small gaps during
school days -- 15 minutes, or half and hour. What you do during those gaps will
make a big difference in how successful you are."
S: Wow! That's great advice.
P: Yeah, I thought so. And I still
do. So I'll tell you what. You can turn your paper in no later than 9 a.m.
Friday, right here on my office desk. In exchange for this favor, I want you to
pass that advice on to all your friends and dorm mates.
S: Thank you, professor Dalton! You
bet I will.
P: Um, as long as you're here, let
me take a peek at your outline and rough draft. Do you have any questions about
the paper that I can help you with?
S: It's about my term paper. I, uh,
I know it's due next Monday, but, um, I was hoping...I don't think I can get it
done by then. Could I please turn it in by the end of next week instead? I have
a really good excuse.
P: Oh I'm sure you do! [chuckles].
I've been teaching 33 years. Do you know how many excuses I've heard? "My
dog ate my paper." "My roommate had a party so I couldn't
concentrate." "I have seven papers due on the same day!" "I
went home to see my parents and my car broke down." My favorite was a
student who told me she "forgot" all about her term paper until the
day before it was due. It's amazing she remembered to come to class.
Pass :www.balalaenglish.blogspot.com
