ListeningScripts  Situational Dialogue

(At an English Corner)

Tom: Hi, Judy! Nice to see you!

Judy: Hi, Tom! Nice to see you too!

Tom: There are so many modes of communication for people to use now. Which do you prefer?

Judy: Well, I think the best way to communicate is face-to-face through body language, intonation and so on. It’s also good for building up strong interpersonal relationships. 

Tom: But I prefer making phone calls as it’s easy to reach the person you want in another place. 

Judy: I think sending e-mails is better. People can send and receive e-mails including hyperlinks, pictures, videos, files and so on regardless of time or location. It’s also useful to keep an electronic “papertrail” for record keeping. 

Tom: Yes, but there is too much of it. Many people find it difficult to manage their inbox and write replies to all the e-mails. 

Judy: That’s really a problem. Now QQ and WeChat are very popular with their powerful functions. With their help, communication becomes much easier, time-saving, convenient, and economical. People can even do much more than communicating with them. Tom: I agree with you. Mobile-commerce is developing very fast.

1. What is it that the author can’t stand on the train？

2. What do those people shout about with their mobile phones?

3. According to the author, do people enjoy listening to those people’s talking about the details of their life? 

4. What is the author’s suggestion about some people’s bad manners when using mobile phones on the train?

5. Why does the author make such a suggestion?