The Big Contest

Name：黃俐綾(Lily) 徐惠榆(Wendy)
Major：會二CID #：94152344(Lily) 94152355(Wendy)
Date：11/29/2006
Topic-The Big Contest
Wendy：Lily, have you seen today's newspaper?
Lily：No, I haven't. What's up?
Wendy：There's going to be a big singing competition. If the Sunshine Singers enter, maybe we'll win！
Lily：What's the top prize, Wendy?
Wendy：The winning group or singer will get a recording contract with Big Ear Records.
Lily：Big Ear Records? They're one of the leading record companies！It would be great to get a contract with them！
Wendy：Let's see....The winner will record in the Big Ear studio with a top Big Ear producer. Then Big Earwill promote the album.
Lily：So how dose this contest work? Do we just show up someplace on contest day?
Wendy：No, no. Every singer or group has to qualify to enter the contest.
Lily：How can we do that?
Wendy：The best way is to send in our demo tape.
（two weeks later, in Lily and Wendy's place）
Wendy：Thank you very much for calling！Goodbye！ Hey, Lily！ Lily！
Lily：What？Is something wrong？
Wendy：No, I just got a call from the singing contest organizers！
Lily：What did they say? Do they like your demo！
Wendy：Yes！The Sunshine Singer is in the contest！We'll be competing against nine other contestants.
Lily：Well, congratulations, Wendy. This is great news. I was almost sure you'd get in. Where's the contest going to be held？
Wendy：It's going to be at the City Concert Hall in two weeks.Lily：Wow！Performing there will be an experience in itself.
（after the contest, in Lily and Wendy's place）
Wendy：I still can't believe we came so close to winning the contest！
Lily：Have some cookies everyone. I hope they'll cheer you up a bit.
Wendy：Thanks, Lily. But I think I'm going to need more than just cookies to feel better.
Lily：And let me assure you, your concert performance was good, too. You placed second in the whole city.You were excellent.
Wendy：But we didn't win, Lily.
Lily：No, but you did your best. That was the most important thing.
Wendy:：No, the most important thing was winning the contest and landing a recording contract with Big EarRecords!
Lily：I can't believe you guys really feel that way. I thought I know you better than that.
Wendy：Well, OK, Lily. You are right. Winning isn't everything. But winning would have put us in the big leagues. It would have changed our lives and careers forever.
Lily：Maybe losing was the best thing for you.
Wendy：Huh？What are you trying to say, Lily？
Lily：Well, you all seem so intent on winning and success, I can't help wandering something. If you had won, would you have forgotten the group's original goals？
Wendy：Of course not！We started the Sunshine Singer to use our musical talent to help and inspire people.
Lily：Exactly. Now, what do “the big leagues” and becoming famous have to do with those goals？
Wendy：No much, Lily. Perhaps we've strayed a little.
Lily：I think so. Maybe losing was a good thing after all.
Wendy：Yeah. It's given us the chance to get back on track.
Reference：空中英語教室2006 October2-4

The Impact of Internet

The Impact of Internet

Name: Jessica & Barbie
ID Number: 94115232&94152349
Date：11/29
Topic: The Impact of Internet

Situation：Lester is discussing the company's Internet operations with Helen in office.

Lester：David Brenner in sales has come up with the idea of putting all our operations on-line.

Helen：What do you mean?

Lester：Well, clients and suppliers would be able to buy parts over the Internet.

Helen：They can already do that.They can also track the progress of an order, from production through shipping.

Lester：But he's picturing something much broader.

Helen：What's that?

Lester：He's saying we should combine our intranet with our Web site, thus giving customers direct access to every department.

Helen：So, do you think people will still be ommuting to work ten years from now?

Lester：You mean you think people will be telecommuting?

Helen：Sure. There are too many advantages to working from home. I think at the very least, offices will become like temporary workstations. Like some companies are trying now.

Lester：You mean where employees are on the road all the time, and only stop in for meetings and so forth.

Helen：Yes. And they get a temporary desk assignment.

Lester：I don't think I'd like that. Then a company would never feel like a home, and employees would never feel like family.

Helen: Maybe that’s the one of big problem that putting all our operations on-line.


Questions:
1. What is our topic？
2. Does Lester like this idea?
3. Where do you think this conversation is taking place？


http://www.liveabc.com/site/online_store/resource/bussinesstalk/busi.asp

Wang Pitching His Way

Name : Ashern & Maggie
ID : 94152334 & 94152333
Date : 11/29
Topic : Wang Pitching His Way
Ashern : Maggie, I am going to call it an early night because I have to hit the hay ahead of time tonight.

Maggie : Really? Why? Do you have an important meeting bright and early tomorrow?

Ashern : No, I am taking tomorrow off because I have to get up at the crack of dawn.

Maggie : What on earth for?

Ashern : I am going to an auditorium to watch a live broadcast of Chien-Ming Wang pitching for the Yankees, and I need to be in line by 6:30 a.m.

Maggie : Why 6:30 in the morning?

Ashern : Remember there’s a 12-hour time difference between New York and Taiwan. If there’s a night game in New York, it’s going on early in the morning here in Taiwan.

Maggie : That’s right. I should know better, I am from New York.

Ashern : Why don’t you join me? We can root for the Yankees together.

Maggie : Thanks, but no thanks. It sounds like fun, but I need my beauty sleep.

Ashern : That’s too bad. We plan on waving banners and cheering him on the whole game.

Maggie : I guess your boss was cool with you taking off for the game.

Ashern : No way! I made up an excuse.

Maggie : Wow! You’re willing to put your job in the line to show your support. I can understand the enthusiasm for Wang, but I am amazed by the amount of hoopla that’s sweeping the country.

Ashern : I think he deserves it. All the games he starts have been broadcasted nationwide on huge screens for his loyal fans to watch him in action. He has become a real idol, especially to the youth of Taiwan who hope to follow in his footstep.

Maggie : Wang does seem to put in a solid performance the majority of the time. I heard that he has great stuff, too.

Ashern : He can throw smoke. His fastball has been clocked as high as 98 mph. I am sitting on the edge of my seat with every pitch he throws.

Maggie : You can blow a batter away at that speed.

Ashern : He does have a good combination of other pitches as well, such as a nice slider, a good changeup, and a splitter.

Maggie : You do need a lot of composure to pitch for a New York team. All the extra media attention and pressure of playing in N.Y has been the down fall of many talented players who couldn’t handle it.

Ashern : That was one of the main things that attracted the Yankee scouts to originally sign Wang. The scouts recognized that his pitches become more effective when the game is on the line. He has a good ability to focus on the game and deal with stress when he’s in a jam.

Maggie : Wang must be able to handle pressure and have a fire in his belly. He has to pitch his heart out not only for the Yankees, but also for Taiwan.

Question
1. Who is our important role?

2. Which team is Wang belong to?

3. Who is in the conversation?