11 Languages of the World/11 Languages of the World.iso/pc/Common/RE0095C.CN7

Text (UTF-16) | 2002-04-15 | 40KB | 1,248 lines

ConversationFile 2
24
651
Meeting and Greeting 1
Jane, a beginner student of Russian, starts a conversation with a native speaker.
1
2
Jane
56
Masha
55
8
27
27
1
Say, "Good morning!" to your new Russian friend.
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28
1
Ask her if she speaks English.
29
29
2
Apologize and explain that you do not speak English.
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30
1
State that you are afraid you speak Russian very poorly.
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31
2
Assure Jane that it's all right.
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32
2
Tell Jane that she is doing fine.
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33
1
Tell Masha that you feel uncomfortable when you speak Russian.
34
34
2
Tell Jane that you understand her very well.
Meeting and Greeting 2
A conversation between two friends who have not seen each other in a long time.
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2
Sasha
57
Jim
59
9
35
35
1
Greet your friend in an informal manner and inquire how things are going.
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36
2
Tell Sasha that everything is great and ask him how he is.
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37
1
Remark that it has been a long time since you saw Jim last.
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38
2
Tell Sasha that you have been in Murmansk for 2 weeks.
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39
1
Ask Jim how his family is.
40
40
2
Tell Sasha that everything is fine.
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41
2
Express pleasure at having seen your friend again.
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42
1
Let Jim know that you are also glad to have run into him.
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43
1
Express hope that the two of you will meet again.
Meeting and Greeting 3
A typical exchange between a native speaker and a beginner who has not mastered Russian pronunciation yet.
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2
Kendra
60
Olya
58
12
44
44
1
Ask your friend if she can understand you.
45
45
2
Say that you do understand her.
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46
2
Politely request that Kendra speak a bit slower.
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47
1
Say, "All right."
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48
1
Ask if speaking like this is better.
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49
2
Apologize, and politely request that Kendra repeat what she said.
50
50
2
Assure Kendra that she speaks Russian very well.
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51
2
Diplomatically explain that you realize how difficult Russian pronunciation can be to master.
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52
1
Say, "Yes, you are right."
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53
1
Explain that you are trying.
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54
2
Tell Kendra that she is managing very well.
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55
2
Advise her that everything will come with time.
At the Restaurant 4
Jim orders a meal.
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2
Waitress
61
Jim
59
12
115
115
1
Greet Jim politely and ask him what he is planning to order.
116
116
2
Looking at the menu, note that the restaurant appears to have two different types of Russian soup (borshch and shchi).
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117
2
Inquire about the difference between the two.
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118
1
Tell Jim that borshch is made with beets.
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119
1
Explain that shchi resembles cabbage soup.
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120
1
Explain to Jim that both borshch and shchi are served with sour cream.
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121
2
Ask the waitress what solyanka is.
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122
1
Tell Jim that solyanka is prepared with pickles, sausage, ham, beef, and kielbasa in a meat broth.
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123
1
Highly recommend the solyanka available at the restaurant today.
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124
1
Tell Jim that solyanka is served hot with sour cream and finely chopped dill.
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125
2
Thank the waitress.
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126
2
Say that you will take the solyanka.
At the Restaurant 5
Jim orders a meal and some wine.
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2
Jim
59
Waitress
61
10
127
127
1
Politely ask the waitress to tell you about shashlik and pelmeni.
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128
2
Explain to Jim that shashlik resembles shish-kabob.
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129
2
Explain that pelmeni are similar to ravioli.
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130
2
Tell Jim that pelmeni can be sauteed in butter.
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131
2
Tell him they can be baked in the oven.
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132
2
Tell Jim that pelmeni can simply be boiled and eaten with sour cream.
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133
1
Say, "Wonderful!"
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134
1
Order pelmeni.
135
135
2
Ask Jim what he would like to drink.
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136
1
Order some white wine.
At the Restaurant 6
Jane and Igor dine at a fashionable restaurant.
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2
Jane
56
Igor
74
15
137
137
1
Tell Igor  what a remarkable restaurant this is.
138
138
1
Say that you like the atmosphere very much.
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139
2
Tell Jane that you are very glad.
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140
2
Tell Jane that this restaurant was completely renovated.
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141
2
Tell Jane that the restaurant now looks just as it did originally, in the beginning of the 19th century.
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2
Tell Jane  that the restaurant is very popular for special occasions.
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143
1
Inquire what the specialties of the house are.
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144
2
Tell Jane that it is fresh black and red caviar served with blini.
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145
1
Say, "Wonderful!" and ask how this is eaten.
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146
2
Explain that the caviar is placed in the middle of the blin.
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147
2
Tell Jane that the blin is rolled up into a little tube.
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2
Tell Jane, "Naturally, such blini are very good with a small glass of vodka."
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149
2
Tell Jane that blini are uncommonly good with sour cream, smoked fish, herring, mushrooms, honey, and jam.
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150
2
Wish Jane Bon Appetit.
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151
1
Thank Igor, remembering to address him in a formal, polite manner.
At the Restaurant 7
Jane and Igor toast to each other's health after a delicious dinner.
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2
Jane
56
Igor
74
6
152
152
1
Tell Igor that you think the red caviar is a real treat.
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153
1
Thank Igor for recommending it.
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154
2
Express delight that Jane liked it.
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155
2
Say that the time has come to propose a toast.
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2
Tell Jane that you would like to drink to her health.
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157
1
Say that you drink to his health, too.
At the Restaurant 8
Mark, a non-drinking American, politely declines alcoholic beverages.
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Mark
64
Misha
75
11
159
159
1
Thank your host and explain that you do not drink.
160
160
2
Ask Mark why he does not drink.
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161
2
Say that this is wonderful vodka.
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162
1
Tell Misha that you are sorry, but you have heart trouble.
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163
1
Add that you do not drink in general.
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164
1
Emphatically state, "Never, not under any circumstances."
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165
1
Tell Misha that you are currently taking very strong antibiotics.
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166
1
Tell Misha that it makes you unable to drink at all.
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2
Say, "What a pity!"
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168
2
Suggest that Mark pour some grape juice for himself.
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169
2
Urge Mark to drink with the rest of the company for solidarity's sake.
Taxi 9
Kendra catches a taxi to the airport.
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2
Kendra
60
Taxi Driver
62
14
231
231
1
Ask the Taxi Driver whether he is free.
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Respond affirmatively.
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233
1
Say, "Here is my suitcase."
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234
2
Inform Kendra that you will put her suitcase in the trunk.
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235
1
Thank the driver and tell him that you are going to the airport.
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2
Ask which airport Kendra needs, Pulkovo 1 or Pulkovo 2.
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237
1
Tell the driver that you are flying to Moscow.
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1
Tell him "Therefore, we will go to Pulkovo 2."
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239
1
Tell the driver that this is an internal flight.
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240
2
Warn Kendra that the traffic is intense.
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241
2
Inform her that you will have to drive across the bridge.
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242
1
Politely request the shortest possible route.
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2
Ask Kendra if she already has a ticket.
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244
1
Explain that you still need to buy a ticket.
Taxi 10
Jane asks the taxi driver for directions to various sights in Saint Petersburg.
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Jane
56
Taxi Driver
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8
245
245
1
Tell the driver that you wish to go to Literaturnoye Cafe.
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246
1
Ask him if he knows on which street the cafe is located.
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247
2
Tell Jane that it is located on Nevsky Prospect.
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248
2
Add that it is not far from the Admiralty building.
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250
1
Ask, "Could you please tell me how to get to the Hermitage from the Literaturnoye Cafe?"
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Say, "Of course," and tell Jane that she needs to walk under the arch and come out onto Palace Square. The Hermitage will be right in front of her.
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254
1
Exclaim, "Wonderful!"
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255
1
Tell the driver to stop at the corner.
Shopping 11
Mark visits a gift shop and purchases a typically Russian souvenir.
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2
Mark
64
Saleswoman
63
12
291
291
1
Greet the saleswoman by saying, "Good day."
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292
2
Politely ask Mark what he would like.
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293
1
Explain that you like something you saw in the store window.
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294
2
Ask, "That large matryoshka?"
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296
1
Say yes, and ask how much it costs.
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297
2
Inform Mark that it costs $50, because it is hand-painted in 24 carat gold.
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298
2
Tell Mark that he must pay in rubles.
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299
2
Inform him that the exchange station is located right in the store, over there.
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300
1
Say that this is a very beautiful matryoshka.
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301
1
Tell the saleswoman you'll take it.
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2
Agree with Mark about how unusual this particular matryoshka is.
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2
Tell Mark there are 15 little matryoshkas inside it.
Shopping 12
Mark buys a lovely present for his wife.
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2
Saleswoman
63
Mark
64
11
304
304
1
Ask Mark if there is anything else he would like.
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305
2
Tell the saleswoman that you need to buy a gift for your wife.
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306
2
Ask what she would recommend.
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307
1
Recommend amber jewelry.
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308
1
Tell Mark that you get amber from the Baltic region.
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1
Show Mark an amber necklace and tell him how nice it is.
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2
Say, "I'll take it."
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2
Tell the saleswoman that you'd like to pay with your Master Card.
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1
Explain to Mark that your shop is very small,  and you don't accept credit cards.
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1
Assure him that you will wait while he exchanges his money.
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2
Thank the saleswoman for her graciousness.
Shopping 13
Jane purchases film for her camera.
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Jane
56
Saleswoman
63
14
317
317
1
Tell the saleswoman that you need film for your camera.
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318
2
Find out whether Jane needs regular film or film for slides.
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319
1
Tell the saleswoman that you need color film, thirty-six exposures.
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2
Inform Jane that you have Kodak and Fuji.
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321
1
Request Kodak.
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2
Ask Jane if that is all.
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1
Say, "I also need some new batteries."
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2
Ask to see Jane's camera.
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325
1
Politely offer your camera to the saleswoman.
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2
Tell Jane that she needs two batteries.
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328
1
Thank the saleswoman and inquire whether there are also developing services offered at this store.
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2
Inform Jane of the two types of film developing your shop offers: one-hour and two-day service.
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330
1
Say, "All right. Then I will leave the film with you for two days."
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331
2
Say. "Here is your receipt."
At the Hotel 14
Jane checks into the hotel and finds out about the amenities offered there.
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2
Jane
56
Administrator
65
12
368
369
1
Politely greet the hotel receptionist and ask if there are any rooms available.
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2
Greet Jane and ask for how long she would like to stay.
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1
Say, "Two weeks."
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2
Tell Jane that you do have a very nice room for one person available.
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374
1
Inquire about the cost of the room.
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375
2
Inform Jane of the daily price of the room: 240,000 rubles.
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376
1
Ask what is included in that sum.
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377
2
Tell Jane that a black and white television set and breakfasts are included in the price.
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378
1
Ask if there is a phone in the room.
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2
Say, "Yes," but inform Jane that she cannot make international calls on it.
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380
2
Say that the phone is meant for local calls only.
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381
1
Say, "All right, I'll take this room."
At the Hotel 15
Mark enjoys some of the services provided by his hotel.
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2
Mark
64
Administrator
65
11
382
382
1
Ask at what time the hotel begins to serve breakfast.
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383
2
Let Mark know that breakfast is served from 7 in the morning till 11 am.
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384
1
Express a wish to order some theater tickets.
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2
Reply, "Of course, I can order them for you."
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386
1
Ask where the barber shop is located.
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387
2
Tell Mark, "Right there, behind the stairway in the lobby."
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2
Let Mark know that there is also a small souvenir shop at your hotel.
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389
1
Request that ice and today's newspaper be brought to your room.
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391
2
Graciously agree to Mark's request and inquire if he needs anything else.
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392
1
Ask to be awakened at six.
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393
2
Respond, "I'll do it with pleasure."
At the Bank 16
Jim exchanges dollars into rubles, but cannot cash his Traveler's Checks.
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2
Jim
59
Cashier
67
12
426
427
1
Greet the cashier and state that you would like to exchange currency.
428
429
2
Ask Jim how much money he wishes to exchange.
430
430
1
Tell the cashier that you have $350  American dollars.
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431
2
Ask if Jim wants to exchange that entire amount.
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432
1
Tell the cashier that you guess so.
433
433
1
Ask what the rate of exchange is today.
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434
2
Tell Mark that it is 4500 rubles per dollar.
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436
1
Say, "Wonderful," and mention that you also have some Travelers Checks.
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437
2
Apologize and let Jim know that you do not accept Travelers Checks here.
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438
2
Tell Jim that only the main branch of your bank deals with that (Travelers Checks).
439
439
1
Thank the cashier.
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440
2
Offer Jim his receipt.
At the Bank 17
Mark receives a cash advance from his credit card.
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2
Mark
64
Cashier
67
13
441
441
1
Tell the cashier that you would like to receive cash from your Visa card.
442
442
2
Ask Mark about the sum he wishes to receive.
443
443
1
Tell the cashier you want to withdraw $300 American dollars.
444
444
2
Ask Mark whether he wants his money in dollars or in rubles.
445
445
1
Ask what the current rate of exchange is.
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446
2
Tell Mark that today's rate is 4200 rubles to a dollar.
447
447
1
Thank the cashier and say that you'll take it in roubles.
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448
1
Show the cashier your passport.
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450
2
Thank Mark and ask him whether he is aware that the bank charges a fee for this transaction.
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452
1
Tell the cashier that you are in the know about such things, since you exchanged money here yesterday.
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2
Say, "All right. Here is your money and your receipt."
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455
1
Ask the cashier to hold on a moment. There has obviously been some mistake.
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456
1
Ask the cashier whether he has given you the correct amount.
Emergencies 18
Julie Dobson deals with a medical emergency.
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2
Julie
70
Operator on Duty
71
9
474
474
1
Inform the operator on duty that you need immediate medical assistance.
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475
2
Ask the caller to state her name and address.
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477
1
Reply, "My name is Julie Dobson; I am staying at the hotel Astoria, room 29."
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478
2
Ask Julie what happened.
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479
1
Explain that you think your friend is having a heart attack.
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480
2
Assure Julie that the ambulance and the emergency medical team are on their way.
481
481
1
Implore them to hurry.
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482
2
Tell Julie not to worry, and tell her that the ambulance will be there momentarily.
483
483
1
Thank the medics for having come so quickly.
Emergencies 19
Kendra gets a flat tire and is assisted by a passer-by.
1
2
Passer-by
68
Kendra
60
10
484
484
1
Greet Kendra and ask her what happened.
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485
2
Explain that your tire is flat.
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486
2
Ask if the gentleman can help. Remember to use the formal, polite address.
487
487
1
Ask Kendra if she has a spare tire.
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488
2
Tell the passer-by that your spare tire is in the trunk.
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489
1
Express a hope that the spare is in good condition.
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490
2
Ask if a jack is needed.
491
491
1
Explain that you already have a jack, as well as all necessary tools in your car.
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492
2
Say that it seems you have run over something sharp.
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493
2
Thank the passer-by for his gracious kindness.
How to Get to? 20
Julie receives directions to the museum and to the service station from a passer-by.
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2
Julie
70
Passer-by
69
15
567
568
1
Politely ask the passer-by if she knows the location of the Russian Museum.
569
569
2
Tell Julie that it is located on Ingenernaya street.
570
570
1
Ask if that is far from here.
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572
2
Say that it isn't far, and direct her to take the bridge over the Griboyedov Canal and then turn right.
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2
Tell her that she will see a beautiful yellow building on the left side. That is the museum.
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575
1
Inquire if there is also a service station nearby.
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576
2
Tell Julie to go straight for approximately 2 kilometers.
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577
2
Tell Julie that she will see it on the right side.
578
578
1
Ask if the station will still be open this late in the day.
579
579
2
Tell Julie that it should still be open.
580
580
1
Ask the passer-by if this is a one-way street.
581
581
2
Confirm that this is a one-way street and assure Julie that she can turn around here.
582
582
1
Ask if you can drive through here.
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583
2
Inform Julie that there is a detour here.
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584
2
Tell her to follow that car.
How to Get to? 21
Mark gets directions to the jewelry store.
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2
Mark
64
Passer-by
69
6
585
585
1
Ask the passer-by if this is a toll road.
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587
2
Say, "Are you kidding?" and explain that there are no toll roads in St. Petersburg yet.
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588
1
Tell the passer-by that you are looking for the jewelry store "Samotsvety."
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589
1
Tell the passer-by that you think the store is located on Plekhanov street.
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591
2
Tell Mark that as far as you remember there is a jewelry store of some sort on the corner of Plehanov and Gorohovaya streets.
592
592
2
Express doubt about whether the jewelry store is open on Sunday.
Time 22
Kolya inquires about the time.
1
2
Kolya
72
Masha
55
4
593
593
1
Ask Masha what time it is.
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594
2
Tell Kolya that it is twelve o'clock already.
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596
1
Say, "Really?" Tell Masha you thought it was approximately 11:30.
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597
2
Tell Kolya that his watch is slow.
A Dinner Party 23
Kendra visits her Russian friends.
1
3
Kendra
60
Sasha
57
Sveta
73
10
622
623
1
Greet your host and express your pleasure at having been invited for dinner to their house. Remember to use the polite form of address.
624
624
2
Tell Kendra how glad you both are that she could come.
625
625
1
Compliment the home of your hosts, saying, "What a beautiful house you have."
626
627
2
Thank Kendra and inquire whether your house was difficult to find.
628
629
1
Assure your host that, on the contrary, you found the house very easily.
630
630
1
Tell Sasha how clear his directions were.
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632
2
Invite Kendra in and let your wife know that the guests have arrived.
633
633
1
Say, "Good evening, Sveta."
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635
3
Say, "Good evening!" to Kendra and offer her a glass of wine.
636
636
1
Accept the offer with pleasure, saying, "Yes, that would be very nice."
Polite Conversation 24
Kendra chats with her hosts while dinner is being prepared.
1
3
Sveta
73
Kendra
60
Sasha
57
12
637
637
1
Invite Kendra to have a seat in the living room.
638
638
1
Tell her that you will now bring her some white wine.
639
639
2
Compliment the coziness of your hostess' living room.
640
640
1
Tell Kendra that there are some anitques among your furniture, and mention that you received them from your mother-in-law.
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641
2
Reply, "Very charming."
642
642
2
Ask Sveta how her family is.
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644
1
Reply "Wonderfully!" and tell Kendra that your son is in college now.
645
645
1
Tell Kendra that your daughter has taken up figure skating.
646
646
2
Say that your hosts' wine is very tasty.
647
648
3
Tell Kendra that this is a good Georgian wine and offer her another glass.
649
649
2
Decline politely.
650
651
1
Tell everyone that everything is ready and invite them into the dining room.