Unit Six

Part I. Listening one：

Andrew We need to find a date for the next planning meeting.

Ted                    Well,  we won't finish the production schedule until the 8th June.

Andrew Well, how about the 11th?

Molly      No, the 11th is a Friday and I always have the weekly quality assurance meeting on Fridays.

Andrew  Well, how about Thursday, the17th?

Ted                    I'm on holiday until Monday the 21st.

Andrew OK. How about Monday, the 21st, then?

Ted                    Yes, I can manage that.

Molly     Me, too.Monday the 21st would be fine.

Andrew Good. What time, though?

Ted                    How about 8 o’clock?

Molly     Fine. And let's  use the small conference room on the third floor.

Andrew OK.

Listening Two   A telephone conference 

Karin       Good morning, you two.How are things your end?

James     Fine here, Karin. And you?

Karin       We have had so much snow this year in Germany. You don’t get snow in Australia, do you?

James     No, we don’t. Marcus,  are you  there?

Marcus   I’m here, James. But it is very early. It is 6 o'clock in the morning here in London.

Karin       It is 7 o’clock here.

James     But now, down to business. Are we going to let our customers know that we are going to move the production to Eastern Europe?

Marcus  I think we should wait for the shareholders'meeting in March.

Karin       I agree with you,Marcus. Let’s set up a video conference.

James    Good idea. Let's talk again next Monday.

Marcus  Fine, but could we make it a couple of hours later, please?

Viewing  A man's job

Stella                Well, as union representative, I think that the new employee should be a woman.

MrLessing      Do you really think a woman is capable of doing this job?

Stella                Am I right in thinking that you are of the opinion that only a man can do the job?

Mr Lessing      No, that’s not what I’m trying to say. But in this case I think we have to look for a                           man.

Anna       I’m sorry to interrupt, Stella, but I think  Mr Lessing is right.This is a job for a man.

Stella                I suppose you’re right up to a point but don’t forget that last year you said that              the next person to be employed would be a woman.

Mr Lessing      I’m sorry but I can’t accept that, not this time and not for this job.

Anna                May I come in here, Stella?

Stella               Certainly Anna. Go ahead.

Anna                Although you have a point, unfortunately this time we will have to employ a man.

Stella                Can you tell me why? You said only yesterday that the next employee should be a                                   woman.

Anna                Yes, I did. But this time it can’t be a woman.

Stella                Can one of you please explain why?

Mr Lessing      Simple. The new employee will have to be able to lift extremely heavy                                                     manufactured parts.

Anna                And we don't really want a female bodybuilder in this firm.

Stella               OK. I see your point. But next time let’s hire …