Text 7

W: Hello, Bob. Did yoget my card?

M: Hello, Jill. Yes, thanks for the birthday card.

W: You’re welcome. You’re one of those friends I don’t want to lose touch with.

M: Aw, that’s nice of yoto say.

W: I mean it. That’s why I wrote your birthday on my new calendar. I’ll never forget October 14!

M: Um, Jill? I’m not sure how to tell yothis, but…

W: Don’t worry if yoforgot my birthday. You’ve done so much for me: helping me meet people at my new school, showing me how to study for my exams…

M: No, I didn’t forget your birthday. It’s just that my birthday is actually in December.

W: You’re kidding! December 14?

M: It’s actually December 2. But thank yoso much for the lovely card all the same!

Text 8

M: May I help you?

W: I sure hope so. My Internet isn’t working. I am working on a big court case, and I have to speak at the trial tomorrow. I’ve got to get online.

M: OK, Miss Smith. When was the last time your Internet worked?

W: It was working this morning, because I checked my email. But after lunch, I couldn’t access my files. Oh, no! Judge Wapner is going to kill me!

M: Stay calm. Now, I’m going to ask yoto check the black box that’s connected to the wire coming out of the wall. It should have some flashing lights.

W: I see it.

M: And is the top one green?

W: No, it’s red.

M: Try turning it off and then back on.

W: OK, done. Oh, no! That little light is yellow now! I’ll lose the case and my client will go to jail! Poor Mr. Dugger!

M: It takes about twenty seconds to reconnect. It should change from yellow to green in that time.

W: Oh, yes, it’s green! I can never thank yoenough!

Text 9

M: Do yohave the list, Mom? I have to have everything on the list.

W: I brought it, Chris. But are yosure we have to buy everything today? The name of this list is “Recommended Supplies”. That doesn’t mean they’re required, does it?

M: I think they’re all necessary.

W: It’s a lot of money, Chris. And I need to do some grocery shopping later on. Do yoreally need five notebooks?

M: Yes, because I have five subjects to study. They want me to organize all my work.

W: I guess you’re right. Does Luke have a list, too?

M: For third grade? No, he’s too young for all this. Don’t worry, Mom. It will be worth it. You’ll be so proud of me because I’m going to be the best student in fifth grade.

W: Well, when yoput it like that, I suppose we have to buy these things. But we don’t know if you’ll need them the first day or the last day, so is it really better to buy everything now?

M: Well, this is a tax-free weekend. This is the best time to buy these things.

W: Tax-free? Oh, yeah. I forgot. The city wants to help us buy school supplies, and that also gets us to buy more. It should be good for the economy.

M: And it’s not just school supplies, Mom. Clothes, backpacks, shoes…

Text 10

The 59th annual Grammy Awards was a night to remember, full of unforgettable performances. This year’s most memorable artist was definitely Adele, who amazed the audience with her voice and unique style. Fashion designers praised her dress that looked like it was made of glass, which she wore for her performance of “Hello”. They also loved the beautiful green gown that she wore for the rest of the night. It was her performance of “Hello” from her album 25 that was most extraordinary. In contrast to the other artists, who used moving set pieces and back-up dancers, Adele stood motionless, under a single light, and let her voice impress the audience. On a night that celebrates the best in music, and surrounded by the outstanding singers like Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Drake, this was a reminder just how talented this woman is. She was also given the honor of paying her respects to legendary pop artist George Michael — who had recently passed away — by singing his hit song “Fastlove”. At one point during the performance, she had some technical difficulties with the sound system, and she stopped the performance so she could start again, saying “I’m sorry, I can’t mess this up for him. I’m sorry.” When she accepted the award for Album of the Year, she dedicated her award to Beyoncé, her inspiration for many years — another example of professionalism from one of the world’s most beloved artists.