31-34PART OF A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
*Dr.Thomas?This is Keet Bradley from the daily news.I'd like to ask you some questions about the new official standard weight that you purchased.
*I'd be happy to help you.What would you like to know?
*First of all,how was the standard weight used?
*Well,the people in our department use it to check the scales all over the country.The department of weights and measures,we are a government agency.It's our responsibility to see that all the scales measure a kilogram accurately so this is the way we use to adjust the scales.
*How did you check the scales before?
*We have an old standard weight that we used to use.It had to be replaced because it was imprecise.You see it was made of poor quality metal that was too porous.It absorbed too much moisture.
*Oh.So when the weather was humid it weighed more and when it was dry it weighed less.
*Exactly.And that variation can affect the standards of the whole country.So our department had the new weight made out of higher quality metal.
*How much did it cost.?
*About 45thousand dollars.
*45,000dollars?For a one kilogram weight?That's more expensive than gold.Is it really worth that much?
*I'm sure it is.Industries depend on our government agency to monitor the accuracy of scales so that when they buy and sell their products there is one standard.Think of the drug industry,for example,those companies rely on high accuracy scales to manufacture and package medicine.
31.What is the conversation mainly about?(B)
32.How was the weight used?(A)
33.Why was it necessary to replace the old standard weight?(C)
34.What does Dr.Thomas probably think about the cost of the new weight?(C)
35-38CONVERSATION BETWEEN A STUDENT AND A PROFESSOR
*Elizabeth Martin speaking.
*Dr.Martin,my name is Mark Johnson.My roommate,Benjamin Jones,is in your art history class.Uh-m,Art History 502?
*Yes.
*Well,he is sick and won't be in your class today.He asked me to bring his term paper to your office.
*OK.The paper is due by 3o'clock.
*I have a class from 1to 2.I'll bring it to your office after my class.
*Well,I have a meeting this afternoon.So you can drop it off with the secretary of the art history department.She'll see that I get it.
*Ok.Oh I almost forgot.I'm a biology major.But my advisor told me that I need one more humanities course to graduate.I've noticed that you are teaching a course on landscape painters next semester.Could tell me a little bit about it?
*Sure.Well,it's a course for non-art majors.We'll be looking at several different painters and examining their works.We'll be looking at several different painters and examining their works.We'll also look the history and politics of the era in which they lived.
*That sounds interesting.What else is required?
*There is no final exam.And there is only one required book.But each student has to give a major presentation about the individual painter at the end of the course.
*Hmm.It sounds good.Will you be in your office later today?I'd to talk to you some more.
*Well,my meeting's scheduled to last all afternoon.Why don't you stop by tomorrow?Any time in the afternoon.My office is in the fine arts building right next to the library.
*Thanks.I'll do that.
