Greg: Hey, sorry, I can't come to the phone now. Just leave a message . . .

[Beep]

Dave: Greg, greg. Where in the world are you? Hey, man. I'm in hot water, and it's all your fault! I thought you said Cindy was single and available!! Man, were you wrong!! You should have told me that your sis had just broken up with a seven-foot gorilla named Butch. I mean the guy is huge, and he caught me dropping her at her place, and he nearly strangled me before I could get in my car. And the guy's dog. You might have warned me about his vicious beast dog. The thing nearly ripped off my arm.

Customer: Yeah. I'd like to rent a mid-size car for three days.

Rental Car Agent: Okay. Let me check to see if we have one available. Hmmm. It's doesn't look like we do. We have a couple of economy, compact, and full-size cars available, or a nice minivan.

Customer: Well, what is the main difference between these cars?

Agent: The main difference is size. The economy car is the smallest, and it seats fewer passengers and can hold less luggage. [Okay.] How many people are with you?

Customer: Just me and my son.

Woman: Okay. What kind of movies do you have in mind?

Man: Well, what about action movies?

Woman: Ah, I don't really like action movies. Too much violence.

Man: Okay, do you like comedies?

Woman: Now, I do enjoy comedies.

Car Owner: Uh, hi. Yes, I'm having a problem with my car, and it doesn't seem to run right. I mean every time I start it up, the engine runs for a minute or so, sputters like it isn't getting enough gas, and then dies.

Mechanic: Hmmm. Okay. Let's open the hood, and let's take a look . . . Okay, start her up.

[Engine starting . . .]

Okay, Okay. Shut her off. Hmmm. [So . . .] Let me look at the book here . . . [It] sounds like a possible fuel line, a dirty carburetor, bad alternator, or even a weak battery.

Car Owner: So, which one is it?

Man: It is now. Take a seat.

Woman: Thanks. I had been waiting for over two hours for the bus to come.

Man: Yeah. The bus broke down about 50 miles back. Actually, the bus driver lost control of the bus when he split hot chocolate on himself, and then as he tried to regain control of the bus, he hit a rock and the bus blew a tire.

Woman: Uh. Are you sure this bus in safe?

Man: I'm not sure if it's safe, but you can't beat the price of the trip.

Woman: So, where are you from?

Man: To tell the truth, I really don't know.

Man: Well, I usually get up around 5:00 a.m. and work on the computer until 6:00 a.m.

Woman: Why do you get up so early?

Man: Well, I have to leave home at twenty to seven (6:40 a.m.) so I can catch a bus at 7:00 o'clock . It takes me about twenty minutes to walk to the bus stop from my house.

Woman: And what time do you get to work?

Man: Uh, my bus takes about an hour to get there, but it stops right in front of my office.

Woman: That's nice. And what time do you get off work?

Woman: Uh, she should be here any minute. She took the car to pick up something from the store.

Man: Okay, I was just a little worried that . . . Man, what was that? Oh, no. The car! She drove over the mailbox and hit a tree in the front yard. Ah, the car!

Woman: Well, just don't stand there blabbing all day. Let's go out and see if Katie's okay.

Man: Ah, my car.

Woman: Honey, are you okay?

Daughter: Oh, mom. I'm so sorry. I can't believe this is happening.

Man: Oh, my car!

Hotel Clerk: Sure. What's your name?

Man: Uh. Mike Adams.

Hotel Clerk: Okay. Let me check here. Um. Here's your key to open your door. You're in room 360. Just walk down this hall [Okay.], and you'll see the elevators on your right.

Man: Oh, okay, and what time is the restaurant open for breakfast?

Hotel Clerk: It serves breakfast from 6:30-10 a.m.

Man: Oh, okay. And, uh, where's the exercise room? I'd like to, you know, run a couple of miles before going to bed tonight.

Hotel Clerk: Sure. What's your name?

Man: Uh. Mike Adams.

Hotel Clerk: Okay. Let me check here. Um. Here's your key to open your door. You're in room 360. Just walk down this hall [Okay.], and you'll see the elevators on your right.

Man: Oh, okay, and what time is the restaurant open for breakfast?

Hotel Clerk: It serves breakfast from 6:30-10 a.m.

Man: Oh, okay. And, uh, where's the exercise room? I'd like to, you know, run a couple of miles before going to bed tonight.

Hotel Clerk: Sure. What's your name?

Man: Uh. Mike Adams.

Hotel Clerk: Okay. Let me check here. Um. Here's your key to open your door. You're in room 360. Just walk down this hall [Okay.], and you'll see the elevators on your right.

Man: Oh, okay, and what time is the restaurant open for breakfast?

Hotel Clerk: It serves breakfast from 6:30-10 a.m.

Man: Oh, okay. And, uh, where's the exercise room? I'd like to, you know, run a couple of miles before going to bed tonight.

Dave: Hi Maria. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd drop by.

Maria: Come on in. [Thanks.] Take a seat. Would you like anything to drink? I have Sprite or orange juice.

Dave: Sprite would be fine. Uh, so, how have you been?

Maria: Oh, not bad. And you?

Dave: Oh, I'm doing okay, but school has been really hectic these days, and I haven't had time to relax.

Maria: By the way, what's your major anyway?

Dave: Hotel management.

As the months progressed and his health grew worse, I noticed an unexpected change in attitude that came over him. He had also been a jovial person with an upbeat personality, but rather (than) give in to discouragement and self-pity, he took comfort his faith in God and humanity. His conversations focused on others rather than himself, and he spoke of the afterlife as something he was prepared for, believing that his deceased ancestors, including his mother and father, were there waiting for him.

Dad: [Dad mumbles something] Daughter: Dad? [What?]

Daughter: What's for breakfast?

Dad: Uh, there's a banana on the kitchen counter. Enjoy.

Daughter: Dad, that banana's all bruised, and it looks like the cat took a bite out of it last night . . . Dad. Wake up.

Dad: Okay. Uh, there's some cereal in the cupboard. Help yourself.

Daughter: But there's no milk.

Dad: Well, just mix up some powered milk.

Caller: Yes, this is Jack Kordell from Hunter's Office Supplies. May I speak to Elaine Strong, please?

Secretary: I'm sorry, but she's not in right now.

Caller: Okay, do you know when she'll be back?

Secretary: Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon maybe about 4:30. May I take a message?

Caller: Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your newest line of laptop computers with a description of other software products, but there wasn't any information about after-sales service.

Dave's Sister: Hey, Dave. Can we talk for a minute?

Dave: Sure about what? I'm kind of busy, but yeah . . .

Dave's Sister: Well, . . . .um, well, I'm not sure what to say, but um . . .

Dave: Come on. come on.

Dave's Sister: Well, . . .

Dave: What is it? I've never known my sister to be at a loss for words.

Dave's Sister: Well, you know Dave. I've got to be honest. I'm getting really, really concerned about your drinking.

Are we ready, Ashley? [Ready to eat.] No, let's wait for a few minutes. We'll get to that. But as you know, my faithful listeners, I starting cooking and baking almost 30 years ago when my grandmother taught me in her humble kitchen. In fact, she taught almost me everything I know, and I've never attended cooking classes [You should have . . .] Wait, wait, wait . . . I know my daughter's going to mention to you faithful listeners that recently as I was helping the kids prepare for our kitchen for chicken meal, I forgot to take the chicken out of the oven, burned the bird to a crisp, and we ended up ordering pizza for dinner.

Jake: Well, not really. I still have to buy some clothes.

Ashley: Well, what's the weather like where you're going?

Jake: Well, uh, it's really hot in the summer, so I'm going to buy some shorts, sandals, and a few t-shirts.

Ashley: What about the rest of the year?

Jake: People say that the fall can still be warm until November, so I'm going to buy some jeans and a few casual shirts.

Ashley: Will you need any warm clothes for the winter?

What is so nice about this program is that it is very simple and straightforward to implement and maintain. Here are some points you should keep in mind.

• First, the program is free to join.
• Next, you only have to add a snippet of code to each page to display the ads.

Dad: Yeah. There are a couple of pencils and an eraser in the kitchen drawer, I think.

Girl: Dad, I'm in eight grade now, and I need REAL supplies for my demanding classes.

Dad: Oh, so you need a ruler too?

Girl: Dad, I need some high-tech tech stuff like a calculator, a Palm Pilot, and a laptop computer.

Dad: Uh. I didn't have any of that when I was in middle school, and I did just fine.

Girl: Yeah, and they weren't any cars either, WERE there. [Hey] And things are just more progressive now.

Micky: A toy car and walkie-talkies.

Man: Really? Well, and what about you, Emily? What do you want for Christmas?

Emily: If I can't have a Barbie radio, um, I would have some fragile dolls. And if I can't have some fragile dolls, it doesn't really matter what I get.

Man: Wow. Well, I'm excited, and Santa is coming. And how is Santa going to get inside the house, Micky?

Micky: Um, go down the chimney . . .

Nancy: Uh, yeah, I guess, but I'm pinching pennies myself, and you still owe me $20 from last week. And mom and your friend Ron said you borrowed money from them this past week. [Oh, yeah.] How ARE things going anyway?

Ron: Well, not very well. To be honest, I'm really in the hole, and I can't seem to make ends meet these days.

Nancy: What do you mean? I thought you landed a great job recently, so you must be loaded.

Passenger: No. No. I think I've taken everything out.

Security: Okay. Go ahead and walk through the body scanner.

Passenger: Will I feel anything?

Security: No sir. Just walk through and keep your hands in the air.

Passenger: Okay, huh?

[ Security alarm goes off . . . ]

Security: We need to do some additional screening. Sorry, sir. Please come this way. [What? Did I . . . Did you find something?] Relax sir. Okay? I'm going to open your carry-on bag. As I'm going through it, please do not try to touch it. [Okay.] Let's see now. Hmmm. First of all, sir, you can't take any liquids like this bottled water past this point.

Sara: Yeah, but Paul, I'm a little bit worried about the weather though. The weatherman said it was going to rain later tonight.

Paul: Ah. nonsense. Nothing can spoil our adventure. Those weather reports are never right.

Sara: And it said there was a chance of high winds.

Paul: Ah. Don't worry.

[thunder]

Sara: Paul. Paul. Did you remember to bring our raincoats just in case, like I told you?

[light rain]

Father: Yahoo!

Daughter: No, Dad . . . seriously. I mean you're always talking about how much money you'll save on food, hot water, and gas while I am gone.

Father: Of course I will . . . no, uh, well, I'll miss you, of course. No, honestly, I'll miss and worry about you, and you've really tried to prepare yourself. You know, I'm proud of you for that. You know, getting a university degree is a real accomplishment.

Police Officer: Hello. 24th Precinct. Officer Jones speaking.

Man: Help. Yeah, uh, it was wild, I mean really bizarre.

Police Officer: Calm down sir! Now, what do you want to report?

Man: Well, I'd like to report a UFO sighting.

Police Officer: A what?

Man: What do you mean "what?" An unidentified flying object!

Police Officer: Wait, tell me exactly what you saw.

Son: Dad, Dad?

Father:Son. What are you doing here down at the beach? I thought you said you were going to buy some things for school?

Son: Well, Uh, Dad. I DID buy some things.

Father: Well, what did you buy? What do you have in your backpack?

Son: Well, let's see. I have three notebooks, five pencils, an eraser, and oh yeah . . . .

Father: Wait! Two smart phones?

Son: Well, uh . . .

Woman: Well . . .

Car Salesman: Do you want to take her a test ride?

Woman: Well . . . Um. How old is it?

Car Salesman: Well, it's only three years old?

Woman: And what's the mileage?

Car Salesman: Uh, let me check. Oh yes. 75,000 miles.

Woman: 75,000 miles? That's quite a bit for a car that's only three years old.

Car Salesman: Well, once you're in the driver's seat, you'll fall in love with her. Get in.

However, my greatest interests are my family. Years ago, I wanted to make something of myself in my profession . . . you know . . . get ahead in life. However, I realized that the most important things in life lived within the walls of my own home, and today, I try to put them first. My kids wouldn't remember me for the work I did outside of the home; they would only recall the moments we spent together.

Father: Of course, I do. Why do you ask . . . Ah, what's on your mind?

Daughter: Well, I saw this great offer for a free cell phone here in the newspaper, and . . .

Father: Free? Nothing's ever free.

Daughter: Well, the phone is free . . . after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Father: Ah, so that's the catch. And why do you need a cell phone anyway?

Daughter: Dad. All my friends have one, and I can use it to call you in case the car breaks down.

Woman: Anything else?

Man:Nope, that's all for now. Hey, hon, you know, they're organizing a company basketball team, and I'm thinking about joining. What do you think?

Woman: Humph

Man: "Humph" What do you mean "Humph." I was the star player in high school.

Woman: Yeah, twenty-five years ago. Look, I just don't want you having a heart attack running up and down the court.

Man:So, what are you suggesting? Should I just abandon the idea? I'm not that out of shape.

Joshua: Eight O'clock.

Randall: Eight O'clock. And do you go by yourself, or on a school bus?

Joshua: No, I have a group that goes with me.

Randall: So you go with a group?

Woman: I bought it. So, what do you think of my new entertainment center? And the widescreen TV . . .

Man: Bought it?

Woman: . . . and my new DVD player. Here, let me show you my stereo. You can really rock the house with this one.

Man: But where did you get the dough to buy all this? You didn't borrow money from mom and dad again, did you?

Woman: Of course not. I got it with this!

Man: This? Let me see that . . . Have you been using Dad's credit card again?

Woman: No, silly. It's mine. It's student credit card.

Man: A student credit card? How in the world did you get one of these?

Woman: I got an application in the mail.

Man: Well, why did you get one in the first place?

Woman: Listen. Times are changing, and having a credit card helps you build a credit rating, control spending, and even buy things that you can't pay with cash . . . like the plane ticket I got recently.

Man: What plane ticket?

Woman: Oh yeah, my roommate and I are going to Hawaii over the school break, and course, I needed some new clothes for that so . . .

Man: I don't want to hear it. How does having a student credit card control spending? It sounds you've spent yourself in a hole. Anyway, student credit cards just lead to impulse spending . . . as I can see here. And the interest rates of student credit cards are usually sky-high, and if you miss a payment, the rates, well, just jump!

Woman: Ah. The credit card has a credit limit . . .

Man: . . . of $20,000?

Woman: No, no quite that high. Anyway, . . .

Man: I've heard enough.

Woman: Did I tell you we now get digital cable with over 100 channels? Oh, and here's your birthday present. A new MP3 player . . .

Man: Yeah. Oh, don't tell me. Charged on the credit card. Listen. Hey, I don't think having a student credit card is a bad idea, but this is ridiculous. And how in the world are you going to pay off your credit card bill?

Woman: Um, with my birthday money? It's coming up in a week.

Man: Hey, let's sit down and talk about how you're going to pay things back, and maybe we can come up with a budget that will help you get out of this mess. That's the least I can do.

http://www.esl-lab.com/phone/phonesc1.htm

II. Listening Exercises

Bill: Hey, this is Bill. I'm sorry I'm not in. Just leave a message.

[Beep]

Hey Bill. This is Hank. I'm just calling to let you know that I'll be a little late to the game tomorrow night. I have to work a few extra hours to finish a report. I should wrap things up sometime between seven and eight though. Oh, then I'm planning on dropping by Lisa's house for about an hour since she's been sick recently. And, uh, one more thing. I'll swing by my house to pick up some food for the game. See you then.

Difficult
72-Hour Emergency Kit
A Free Cell Phone!
A Great Car Deal
A University Degree
ABCs of Money Matters
Adsense: Making Money
Alcoholics Anonymous
Cancer Treatment
Car Accident
Car Repairs
Dating Woes
Divorce Lawyers
Driving Road Test
Enjoying the Zoo
Easy Pet Care
Flower Shop
First Mountain Bank
Friday Night Mishaps
Friendly Dental Care
Funerals: Expressing Condolences
Furniture Store Ad
Gardening Show
Home Repairs
Home Security
Hotel Check-In
Housing Complaints
Hunting Trip
It's a Home Run!
Job Hunting
Landscaping Secrets
Movie Review
Personal Problems
Professional Babysitting
Refinancing Mortgage Loans
Rental Shop (Version A)
School Report
Security Systems
Store Returns
Summer Camp
Taxi Ride (Difficult)
Telemarketing
The Ideal Woman
Towing Service
Trivia Game Show
Utah Travel Ad
Video Game Systems
Wedding Anniversary
Where's the movie theater?