W: Oh, really! Steve, I don’t think this is a good idea, you know. There are lots of good courses here in Australia. (Text 8)
W: Did you like the movie?
M: Mmm…to be frank, I didn’t think it was as good as the former ones, even though the scenery is brilliant. How about you?
W: I think the special effects were amazing. But I was a little bit confused, for the plot was too complicated for me. I tried hard to keep track of all the characters and figure out what was going on.
M: Did you read the books before watching the movie? W: No. Did you?
M: Yes, I have read them all. I think it’s easier to follow for people who are already familiar with the characters. By the way, do you often go to the movies? W: Yeah. I am a moviegoer and enjoy killing time in the theatre. (Text 9)
M: Good morning! I’m Roy Carroll.
W: Hello, Roy. Have a seat. Well, you seem to have the longest service record—seventeen years!
M: That’s right.
W: Well, you’re obviously happy here! M: I am, yes, although it used to be more fun. W: Why’s that?
M: Well, it was more sociable. I used to go out more with my colleagues. When I first started here we had very long lunch breaks, sometimes for two hours. Now it’s only thirty minutes. And we all used the gym together. That doesn’t happen much now. W: Did you use to work more as a team?
M: Yes, we did. We’re more on our own now. I also used to travel a lot more too. They’ve cut down on that.
W: Has anything changed for the better?
M: Yes, there are more opportunities to learn new skills. The money’s much better now. That’s why I’m still here! (Text 10)
M: A lot of people don’t believe it when they see pictures of me when I was young, because I used to look really, really different. I used to have quite long hair, wear earrings. I used to play bass in a band. We made a few records and we’d go on tour quite a lot. I got to see the world a bit. I used to be a bit wilder than I am. I’ve really calmed down quite a lot, but when I was eighteen, I’d be out every night, clubbing, dancing, drinking, you know. I used to smoke around twenty a day, but I decided to stop it. It was difficult at the beginning. I tried to cut it down to eight a day. Then I finally stopped two years ago, and took up jogging instead! I think getting married has helped me calm down a lot too. I’m much happier now.
