3A Book

Network
Get Connected

Tom Hutchinson
Kristin Sherman
Unit 1
Lets introduce ourselves.
B VOCABULARY
Activity 2
Answer key
Occupations: retired, self-employed, manager,
unemployed (possible additions: full-time, part-time,
teacher, server, doctor)
Marital status: widowed, engaged (possible additions:
married, single, divorced)

Activity 3
Answer key
1. work
2. you
3. know
4. hard
5. think
6. these

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
m taking, m learning

Activity 2
Answer key
1. He usually works indoors. This week hes
working outdoors.
2. Right now Im cooking dinner. I usually dont
cook dinner.
3. He usually takes the bus to work. Hes driving
to work today.
4. Its 5:00 a.m. Alex is getting up now. He usually gets up
at 7:30.
5. I usually wear a suit. This week Im wearing jeans.

Activity 4
Answer key
1. m going, need, think, closes
2. wants, dont know, believe, s eating, goes
3. m making, Do you want, dont like, prefer

D READING AND WRITING

Students read and talk about their lives.
Warm-up
Activity 2
Answer key
1. Eli
2. Bob
3. Louis
4. Sandra
5. Amy

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. Theyre married./Theyre husband and wife.
2. Theyre dating.
3. Theyre boyfriend and girlfriend.
4. Theyre brother and sister.
5. Theyre brothers.

Activity 3
Answer key
are coming, anything, re, going

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
Self-employed, unemployed, making hats, her company,
Korea, Brazil

Activity 3
Answer key
1. c 2. b 3. f 4. d 5. e 6. A
Unit 2
Things happen.
B VOCABULARY
Go through the Language note. Say the examples
and have students repeat.
Ask students if they can think of something that is
getting better, e.g. their English. Repeat with getting
worse, e.g. the weather, the traffic, a problem.
Write: the music, televisions, laptops, the car, the
patient on the board. Put students in pairs or small
Activity 2
Answers
1. getting better
2. got to work
3. getting ready
4. getting hungry
5. getting closer
6. got lost

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
Ive lived here for three and a half days.

Activity 2
Answer key
1. have, since
2. has, for
3. has been, for
4. have, since
5. have lived, for
6. have, since

Activity 3
Answer key
1. have they been married
2. has he had his job
3. has she been locked out of their apartment
4. have you been in class
5. have you lived here
6. have you studied here

D READING AND WRITING

Activity 1
Answer key
She spilled a glass of milk, which fell on Jacks pants.
In the first version he got angry and shouted; in the second
version he didnt get angry or shout.

Activity 2
Answer key
a. 7
b. 10
c. 8
d. 2
e. 5
f. 9
g. 1
h. 6
i. 4
j. 3

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. Jordan didnt go to her parents house.
2. He had an audition.
3. A womans wallet.
4. He got a callback for a different part.
5. It belongs to Jordan because he needs it for
a commercial.

Activity 3
Answer key
his, yours, belongs, Mine

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
Check: Keep a positive attitude, manage your schedule,
find someone you can talk to.

Activity 3
Answer key
Check: 2, 4, 6
Unit 3
Buildings everywhere!
B VOCABULARY
Part 2
Answer key
Two syllables: quiet, kitchen, building, spacious
Three syllables: furniture, location, apartment, convenient

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
The apartment, a basement apartment, a subway stop,
the subway
Activity 2
Answer key
1. a
2. The
3. an
4. the
5. an
6. an
7. the
8. the
9. a
10. the
11. the
12. the
13. the
14. the
15. the

Activity 3
Answer key
Any three of the following: the fifth floor, c; the elevator, b;
the stairs, b; the apartment, a; the most expensive, c;
the store, a; the party, a; the date, b; the shoes, b

D READING AND WRITING

Activity 1
Answer key
Staying in someones home, on the couch

Activity 2
Answer key
1. e 2. d 3. f 4. b 5. c 6. A

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
Name: Ramiro. Type of room: double, non-smoking.
Number of nights: six. Room number: 608. Problem:
lost luggage.

Activity 3
Answer key
reservation, double, non-smoking, served, help

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
Check: The Islamic rulers in Spain built it over hundreds
of years.

Activity 3
Answer key
1. b 2. a 3. A
Unit 4
Seeing old friends
B VOCABULARY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. take off
2. throw out
3. turn up
4. turn down
5. catch up (with)
6. run into

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
Ran into

Activity 2
Answer key
Separable: turn up, throw out, take out, turn down
Inseparable: catch up (with), run into

Answer key
1. turn down
2. catch up (with)
3. turn up
4. take off
5. throw out
6. ran into

Activity 3
Answer key
1. Could you please turn the music down? Im talking on
the phone.
2. Do you mind if I turn the volume up? I cant hear it
very well.
3. Please take your shoes off in my house.
4. Could you please take the trash out?

D READING AND SPEAKING

Activity 1
Answer key
Paul thinks Helens life is exciting. Helen thinks Pauls life
is relaxing.

Activity 2
Answer key
 a. 5 b. 1 c. 6 d. 2 e. 3 f. 4

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. b 2. c 3. d 4. e 5. a 6. F

Activity 3
Answer key
look, face, recognized, forget, seen

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Students listen and talk about losing touch
with people.
Warm-up
Activity 2
Answer key
1. Taylor moved away.
2. Erica sent a friend request to Taylor on Facebook.
3. Theyre boyfriend and girlfriend.

Activity 3
Answer key
a. 4 b. 1 c. 7 d. 2 e. 5 f. 3 g. 6

REVIEW UNITS 1-4

A Vocabulary
Answer key
1. self-employed
2. engaged
3. ready
4. better
5. spacious
6. in a quiet location
7. turn down
8. ran into

B Grammar
Answer key
1. works
2. are you doing
3. know
4. since
5. Has
6. 2001
7. a
8. the
9. The
10. throw it out
11. catch up with her
12. get off the bus

C Reading
Activity 1
Answer key
Theyre looking for a new apartment because they are
getting married.

Activity 2
Answer key
1. B
2. H
3. B
4. H
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. H
10. B

GET
CONNECTED 1-4
Get started
Activity 1
Answer key
Possible answers:
Similarities: both allow the user to control who can
see information. On both, this control ranges from only
certain people, to groups, to everyone. On both, the user
can control certain kinds of content (when name is
mentioned, or when relationships are mentioned).
Differences: On one social network you can put people
into different kinds of groups, and decide whose comments
you will see. On the other network you can control what is
shared with websites, games, and other apps.

Get together
Activity 2
Answer key
Answers will vary.
Unit 5
Congratulations!
B VOCABULARY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. e 2. c 3. a 4. d 5. f 6. B

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
Present perfect: Have you ever run
Past simple: didnt know, ran

Activity 2
Answer key
1. climbed
2. havent finished
3. took
4. Have, won
5. ran
6. has, gotten
D READING AND SPEAKING
Activity 1
Answer key
He broke an NBA record. He isnt flashy.

Activity 2
Answer key
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. DK 6. T

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. c 2. d 3. e 4. a 5. B

Activity 4
Answer key
1. It seems that she wants to get a degree in journalism.
2. I hear that shes bored with her life.
3. I understand that they really like the city.
4. Apparently, Rose wants to talk to her.

Activity 5
Answer key
Past simple: arrived, got into, moved, thought, liked
Present perfect: hasnt given
F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
New Zealand, bungee-jumping, Kawara Bridge,
Queenstown, Sky Tower, Auckland

Activity 3
Answer key
1. d 2. c 3. f 4. b 5. a 6. E
Unit 6
Healthy living
B VOCABULARY
Activity 1
Answer key
1. give up
2. do
3. get
4. cut down
5. work out
6. lose

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
Going to: Im going to go
Will: Ill try

Activity 2
Answer key
1. will
2. s going
3. ll
4. am going to
5. s going to
6. will

D READING AND WRITING

Activity 1
Answer key
Be kind to your back, take a nap, go out to lunch

Activity 2
Answer key
1. f 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. b 6. E

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. Hes at a meeting.
2. Her mother
3. She left her phone at home.
4. Matt
5. Yes, because they talk a lot and they enjoy each
others company.
6. A little awkward/embarrassed
Activity 3
Answer key
Great, close, enjoy

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
Check: Someone who doesnt eat any animal products

Activity 3
Answer key
Check: oatmeal, salad, pasta, peanut butter, salt, sugar
X: eggs, meat, hamburgers, cheese, dairy products
Unit 7
What a pain!
B VOCABULARY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. She cant make her appointment. The train is delayed.
2. The roads closed. Theres been an accident.
3. The plane to Seoul is canceled. The weather in Seoul is
very bad, and the airport is closed.
4. Theyve been stuck in traffic for half an hour. There is
some construction ahead.

Activity 3
Part 3
Answer key
/O/: long, stop, on, hospital, gone
/oU/: more, phone, spoke, so

C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
Past simple: was, didnt you take, got stuck, didnt you call
Past perfect: had forgotten

Activity 3
Answer key
1. tried
2. d seen
3. d decided
4. attached
5. drove
6. d worked
7. d come
8. hadnt wanted
9. d gone
10. got
11. stopped
12. d moved
13. had woken up
14. d called
D READING AND WRITING
Activity 1
Answer key
Check: c
Activity 2
Answer key
1. He caught the last/11:45 train.
2. He thought it was his stop.
3. He used the ambulance drivers phone. He had left his
phone on the train.
4. She thought hed had an accident. He told her that he
was using the ambulance drivers phone.
5. The police had stopped her and given her a
speeding fine.

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. he got a part in a TV show
2. he has a cold
3. it rained all day
4. he was a jogger in the park
5. the scene was too long

Activity 3
Answer key
you, a, can, too, you

Activity 4
Answer key
Id cancelled

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
Check: d

Activity 3
Answer key
1. 5:00, 4:00 2. 25 3. 30, 45 4. three and a half 5. Two
Unit

Eat up!
8
C GRAMMAR
Activity 1
Answer key
We went to Pizza Experience last time, didnt we? But Greta
doesnt eat meat, does she? She eats fish, doesnt she?

Activity 2
Answer key
1. dont you
2. does she
3. doesnt he
4. didnt they
5. are you
6. isnt it

Activity 4
Part 2
Answer key
1. N, S 2. S, N 3. N, S 4. S, N

D READING AND WRITING

Activity 2
Answer key
Positive: friendly, polite waiter, good chocolate cake,
reasonable prices, warm atmosphere, excellent music
Negative: crowded, had to wait, not enough room in the
lounge, too many tables, dry chicken, poorly cooked steak,
slow service, not enough servers

E YOUR STORY
Activity 2
Answer key
1. The cafe is busy and Ryan is helping Russell.
2. They are at Russells apartment.
3. A tuna sandwich
4. Three
5. Because he got the wrong food
6. Answers will vary.

Activity 3
Answer key
ordered, isnt, speak

F REAL-WORLD LISTENING
Activity 2
Answer key
Check: family meals, food and national identity, the use
of chopsticks and forks, food and social status in India,
tea-drinking customs in Japan

Activity 3
Answer key
Check: 1, 2

REVIEW UNITS 5-8

A Vocabulary
Answer key
1. a marathon
2. a promotion
3. do
4. cut down on
5. delayed
6. traffic
7. raw
8. sour

B Grammar
Answer key
1. known
2. didnt go
3. Have
4. Ill ride
5. is going to leave
6. wont drive
7. had
8. hadnt gotten
9. had
10. did he
11. arent they
12. have you

CReading
Answer key
1. Megan York 2. Trini Martinez 3. John Lee

Activity 2
Answer key
1. b
2. d
3. c
4. f
5. e
6. h
7. g
8. a
AC
GET
CONNECTED 5-8
Get started
Activity 1
Answer key
Answers will vary.

Get together
Activity 2
Answer key
Answers will vary.
Audio Scripts

Unit 1 > > > > >

Real-WoRld listening p. 7
Jessie: My names Jessie, Im a milliner, and that means
that I make hats. The name of my company is la tte, and
I make hats, just like this one. I work right here. This is my
studio. Making hats is very fun. I make mostly felt and
straw hats. Some of my hats are very traditional, and some
of them have really crazy things like toy cars on the brim,
or tassels that are dolls. Not a lot of people wear hats these
days, but I think they look really good, so, thats why I
make them. My hat making career started a few years ago.
My first job was working for a fashion company, and then
it downsized and I got laid off. So then, I started making
headbands and hair accessories, and decided to go back
to school to learn how to make hats. I started my hat
company in 2009. The best thing about being self-employed
is being my own boss, and I can work whenever I want.
One of the biggest challenges is being self-motivated, I have
to make all my own hours, and make sure that I get up and
go to work every day. There are a lot of challenges. As a
small business, Im competing with a lot of large hat
companies. It is very difficult to make money as a small
business because most of the money that I do make I have
to put back into the business because Im small and
growing, and theres a lot of things that I still need to buy
for my business. I dont have any employees right now, but
I had an intern once, but one day he didnt show up for
work, so I had to let him go. I make two collections of hats
a year. A fall collection basically, and a spring collection. In
total in a year, I make about fifty hats. I sell the hats in a
bunch of different kinds of stores, some of them are small
hat shops, and others are larger department stores, and
then I also sell them online. The hats are all very expensive,
they cost from a hundred and sixty dollars to about three
hundred dollars. Im trying to grow my business, Im trying
to get my hats into many more stores around the world. My
hats are currently pretty popular in Korea, but Im hoping
to sell them in a lot of other countries like Brazil, perhaps.
Its really challenging having my own small business, but
its extremely rewarding.
Unit 2 > > > > >
Real-WoRld listening p. 13
Josh: Hi, Im Josh. Im a motivational speaker. Im also a
clinical psychologist. I work with children, young adults,
families. Ive been a motivational speaker for about two
years now. To do my motivational workshops, I go to
universities and colleges and I present to large groups of
students. I teach them a number of different skills that
cover problem solving, how to keep a positive attitude,
how to have energy, how to build social relationships. I tell
them that Ive made so many mistakes in my life and Ive
tried to learn from all those mistakes. So keeping a positive
attitude is the number one step that I teach kids to do. Your
attitude and how you perceive the world is gonna influence
everything that happens to you. Controlling how you react
to something is crucial to keeping a positive attitude. I tell
kids dont get too angry. Try to develop a plan. If you focus
on the problem, more problems are gonna come to you. If
you focus on the solution and create a plan, its gonna fall
into place. Time management is vital to staying motivated
and getting things done. A lot of people spend too much
time on screens, texting, e-mailing, video games, all that is
a lot of fun, but it can really waste your time. I tell kids to
find role models, find people in their life that they want to
be like. If you surround yourself with really smart,
engaging, motivated, positive people, thats what gonna
happen to you. To stay motivated, you need to make sure
that you get the right amount of sleep, that you get enough
healthy food, and that you get the right amount of exercise.
I also tell kids to, to find someone that you can talk to.
Its really, really, bad if you dont have at least one person
that you can talk to in your life, It doesnt have to be a
psychologist. It can be a friend or a family, just at least you
have one person to talk to. I love working with kids and
students for motivational speaking, its because theres so
much raw energy there. When I look out into the crowd I
see smiles, I see laughing, I see them raising their hands, so
I know theyre participating, and then afterwards people
come up to me and they say, You know, I really liked
your presentation. It makes me feel great. That means
everything to me, to know that I had an impact on
someones life, a positive impact.
Unit 3 > > > > >
Real-WoRld listening p. 19
This building is from Spains Islamic past. Its a group of
Moorish palaces, the Alhambra. The Alhambra was built by
the Muslim sultans who ruled southern Spain from the year
711 to 1491. They were tolerant rulers, and people of
different religions lived together peacefully. Completed in
the 1300s, the Alhambra is a masterpiece that took
hundreds of years to build. People coming to meet with the
sultan would visit the Comares Palace. The Alhambra is
famous for its superb tile work, as well as its creative use
of water. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet. The Court
of the Fountain of the Lions is one of the greatest examples
of Islamic architecture in Spain. The fountain is based on
another fountain in the city of Jerusalem. The Hall of the
Ambassadors is the most formal room of the palaces. It is
spacious and full of light. The sultan welcomed diplomats
from other countries here. The sultans ruled this part of
Spain for almost 800 years, until the year 1491. In the 1800s,

Audio Scripts
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4671309_
1:13 PM
many rooms here were restored and renovated. The
Alhambra is now a popular tourist attraction. The Muslim
past lives on in this corner of Spain, in the markets, the
music and traditions, and of course, the architecture.
Sunny, quiet, and peaceful, the Alhambra reminds its
visitors that the past is all around us. It is an important
landmarknot only for architecture, but also for history
and culture.
Unit 4 > > > > >
real-WorlD listeninG p. 25
Erica: Hi, Im Erica and Im from Winnipeg, Canada.
Taylor: My name is Taylor Chance and Im from Winnipeg,
Canada.
Erica: I had a very happy childhood. I had lots of friends,
I had a dog, a younger sister, so winters in Canada
were terrific. One of my best friends was Taylor.
We walked our dogs together, we hung out at the
park together, we would go to each others house
and watch TV together, so we were fairly close.
The last thing I remember was Taylor moving
away to Chicago, and I was really sad to be losing
one of my best friends.
Taylor: I was really sad when I lost touch with her. Many
years later when I was in my twenties, I logged
into Facebook to see that I had a new friend
request. I was very curious to see who it was, and
I was so surprised to finally run into Erica again.
I hadnt heard any word from her in ten years.
I started chatting with Erica a lot, and I found out
that she was living in the States too. We still got
along great, not much has changed over the last
ten years and we still had a lot in common.
Erica: So I found out Taylor was living in Chicago. I was
coming to Chicago for vacation with my friends,
and we decided to meet up. Taylor had definitely
grown up a lot, his hair was a lot longer than what
I remember.
Taylor: I was very excited to see how beautiful she was.
We had coffee and talked for hours, and I was
really glad that she turned up in my life again.
Erica: It was like old times, Taylor was a lot more
mature obviously, and so that was a big
difference. But we definitely still got along the
same and it wasnt like talking to a stranger at all.
Taylor: I think social media is really cool. Ive
reconnected with a lot of old friends and family
over the Internet, but none as important as Erica.
Taylor: Today I am a professional break-dancer.
Erica: And I work for a marketing company, and we are
boyfriend and girlfriend.
Erica: After graduating college, I moved to Chicago and
found a job here.
Taylor: I fell in love with Erica, and even though I travel
all over the world with my dance company, I
always come back to her.
Erica: After spending all this time catching up, I realize
ten years later were still best friends.
Unit 5 > > > > >
real-WorlD listeninG p. 35
Narrator: Auckland, New Zealand. At first glance, it looks
like any other city. But it soon becomes clear that this is a
city for adventurers. Theyre either on the groundlooking
upor in the airlooking down. If you follow the eyes of
the people on the street, youll soon discover that theyre
gazing up at Aucklands tallest building, the Sky Tower.
Adrenaline junkies, harnessed of course, jump from the top
of the building. Despite the safety precautions, it can make
even the most die-hard adventurers feel a little queasy.
Man: Thats as far as you can go. Ill give you two
safeties, just to make sure youre nice and safe.
Then Ill push you off. OK?
Tanya: So I just stay here?
Man: OK, yeah, just hang tight and smile. Youve got to
keep smiling, OK. Thats good. Dont think about
falling. OK, and here comes Tanya in three, two,
one.
Narrator: You either have to be a little crazyor a New
Zealanderto take such a leap of faith in the first place.
Everyone can join in, courage permitting. Were up next
we must be mad. Im feeling pretty uneasy about this. Here
at the Kawara Bridge in Queenstown is where it all began.
This is the worlds first commercial bungee jumping site. A
dip in the river below is part of the thrill, but not everyone
has the nerve to leap head-first from the bridge.
Woman: I dont want to do it
Man: Yes you do. You paid your money to do this this.
Woman: Take the money.
Man: Take the money? Take the money and run! Well,
we can do that. Out you go hugger. Just little wee
steps out to the edge. Ill come on out with you.
Woman: Dont push me.
Man: No, I wont push you. Were just going for a little
walk out to the edge. Keep on going, a couple
more wee steps. Right out here. Little bit more,
hugger. Ok, youre going to push yourself. When
youre ready? OK, five, four, three, two, one.
Woman: Wait. How many minutes is it?
Man: How many minutes? Its very quick. Oh hugger,
youre alright. Stand up nice and tall. Right, here
we go. Five, four, three, two, one.
Narrator: Once youve overcome your fear and
experienced the incredible sensation of falling freely, youll
want to do it again and again. Of course, it helps if youre a
little crazy to begin with. The adrenaline rush is addictive,
and the only way to satisfy it is by jumping all over again.
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Unit 6 > > > > >

real-WorlD listeninG p. 41
Georgia: Hi, my name is Georgia. Im a painter and Im
also a vegan. I dont eat anything that comes from animals.
No milk, no eggs, no meat. Ive been a vegan for about a
year and a half. I chose to become a vegan because its
healthier, I feel better, and I think its wrong to eat food
from animals. I wake up at 7:00. I go for a run. I make
oatmeal with fruit. I go to the studio. I paint for six hours.
I take a break at around 2:00. I usually have a salad. I make
dinner at around 8:00. I usually make some sort of lentil and
vegetable dish. And then I try to be in bed by 11:00.
My favorite vegan foods would be fruit. I love mangoes and
berries, avocados, and then I also really like raisins, dried
fruits, and nuts. I eat a lot of peanut butter. Believe it or not,
there are many fake meat substitutes available for vegans.
There are veggie burgers, soy sausages, and Tofurkey, which
is turkey made from tofu. One thing that I had to give up is
French bread because it has a lot of butter or eggs. I really
love French bread and I miss it. Ive recently cut down on
salt and sugar. Salt makes you dehydrated, and sugar makes
you tired. In a big city its easier to find vegan foods, but
when Im traveling its more difficult. My brother thinks its
weird that Im a vegan. He loves fast food and junk food,
and for him it just doesnt make any sense. He likes his
hamburgers. Hes not willing to give up meat. I exercise
every day because it makes me feel better throughout the
day. I have more energy. And it keeps me young. I do a lot of
stretching. Sometimes, I go swimming. I dont see any reason
to go to a gym. I do all my exercise outside unless Im going
for a swim. Some people think that being a vegan you would
lose weight. I didnt. I stayed the same weight, more or less.
And, I have friends that are vegan and theyve gained
weight. It was really hard when I first gave up eggs and
cheese, dairy products, but now I feel really great and Im
used to it. I really think that everyone should try and be
vegan, even if its just for a day. Trust me, youll feel great.
Unit 7 > > > > >
voCabulary p. 43
1.
A: Oh, hello. This is Jane Smith. Im afraid I cant make my
appointment at 10:30. My trains delayed.
B: Oh, I see. How long
2.
A: Oh, no. The roads closed.
B: Yes, I think theres been an accident.
3.
A: Hello. Can I check in here for Seoul, please?
B: Im sorry, but the plane to Seoul is canceled.
A: Oh, no. Why?
B: The weather in Seoul is very bad, and the airport is
closed.
4.
A: Are we there yet?
B: No. The traffic still isnt moving.
A: But weve been stuck in traffic for half an hour.
B: We know, but there is some construction ahead.
real-WorlD listeninG p. 47
Hassan: Hi, my name is Hassan. Im a taxi driver. Ive been
driving a taxi for about three years and so far its been a
good experience. My schedule is from five in the morning
till four in the evening. I try to work as little as possible. If
Im having a good day Ill go home early. If Im having a bad
day Ill work a little extra or Ill make up for it the next day.
You get to pick your own hours. Thats what I like most
about it. On an average day Im picking up about 25 people.
You know you do talk to a lot of them every day and learn
new things. Passengers are nice to you as long as youre
nice to them. Sometimes you get a passenger, you can tell
almost right away that theyre not in a good mood or theyre
having a bad day. Theyre late. Sometimes they got fired
from their job. You just have to realize that they are not in a
good mood, and you just have to do what theyre telling
you, agree with them. I dont argue with my passengers and
I try to avoid arguments as much as I can. If its getting bad
I ignore it, I try to listen to my music. Well the traffic, you
just have to get used to it. The streets are backed up, the
trucks are double parked. Bridges are always bad, especially
in the mornings and in early evenings. Thats the rush hour.
The other day I took somebody from the city to the airport.
It usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes on a normal day.
That day it took us about three and a half hours, and the
passenger ended up missing her flight but, you know, she
was very nice about it, you know. I tried everything that
I could. It was just bad traffic, exits were blocked. This is
my taxi. We just switched so its a small SUV. Its a hybrid,
its half electric, half gasoline and you save about half of
your money on gas. Its very good. It gives you very good
mileage. So far Ive been lucky. It hasnt broken down on
me. The most that happened is a flat tire. Ive actually seen
lots of accidents. Ive had a couple myself. But they were
both very minor; just scratches, and nothing big. Ive done
some movies and commercials. I mean, they needed my
yellow cab so that was a good experience to be a cab driver
in an actual movie. I dont really want to be an actor. I just
do it as a just for fun. I think what makes me a good taxi
driver is Im very calm. I dont get mad. I dont lose my
temper. I dont drive recklessly. I listen to my passengers.
This is not something that I want to do for the rest of my
life, but for now Im happy with this.
Unit 8 > > > > >
real-WorlD listeninG p. 53
Were all different. But food affects us allwherever we live
and whatever we do. And the way we eatfrom chopsticks
to forks to elaborate tea ceremoniessays a lot about our
cultures and societies. The family meal is one example of
the connection between food and culture. Its an important
tradition in almost every country, and food is the key
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ingredient. Study after study shows that family meals have
huge benefits. To cite one example, teenagers who eat with
their families do better in school. Sadly, in many western
countries, families dont have time to eat together every day.
Food doesnt just keep families together. It is also part of
our national identity. Countries all over the world, from
France to Mexico to Thailand, are famous for their food.
The way people eat is just as important as the food itself.
People use forks, chopsticks, or even their fingers. People
eat with their hands in many places. Its fast and theres no
equipment to buy. In Asia, chopsticks are used to eat pretty
much everything. They were first developed in China about
5,000 years ago. In the West, the knife and fork are more
common. At formal banquets, each person has two or three
forksor more. In India, people paint their house blue if
they are part of the Brahmin caste. This is a group with high
social status in the country. For Brahmins, food must be
made by someone from the right caste. Some foods, like
beef, are absolutely against the rules. Finally, when you eat
or drink can clearly show your social position. At a
Japanese business meeting, timing is everything. When they
take a tea break, who drinks first is very important. The
president always drinks first. Only then can the other
employees take a sip. So food is not just the glue that keeps
us together. It can also show the differences between us.