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Nature and the Environment
Unit 1 A Big Responsibility
B : Mom, can I get a puppy? W : No, Billy. Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility. B : I promise to take good care of him, and you won’t have to remind me to do things for him. W : A dog isn’t a toy that you play with for awhile. He will be part of our life for the next 10 or 20 years. He is a living creature. B : I understand that, Mom. I promise to feed him every morning and take him for walks every afternoon. W : That’s part of the responsibility, but there’s more. He needs a license and has to go to the vet to get shots. A dog also needs companionship. You can’t go off with your friends and leave him locked up in the house all day. B : I understand, Mom. I have almost $100 in the bank so I can pay for his license and shots now. W : There are other expenses, too. Dog food is rather expensive. B : Well, I have my job mowing lawns and I’ll get a newspaper route. W : I think we should discuss this with your father when he gets home. This is a family decision. B : OK, Mom. Thanks!
Unit 2 Elephants Are Amazing
M : Elephants are interesting. They are intelligent. They also have a great memory. You should always be kind to elephants. They remember everything. A woman from India told me a story. When she was a little girl, she knew of an evil elephant keeper. He often hit his elephant. He was very mean and cruel to the elephant. Then the evil keeper sold the elephant. The new keeper was a very kind man. Many years later, the evil keeper met the elephant again. The elephant remembered the evil man. He picked up a stone with his trunk and threw it at the evil man. The elephant still knew the man, even after so many years. Elephants help each other, too. Elephants use a special sound. The sound is so low that people cannot hear it. This sound travels really far.
Groups of elephants can communicate with each other, even if they are far apart. This is very useful because it helps the elephants to find water and food. The elephants cooperate to help each other.
Unit 3 Ants, Ants, Everywhere!
G : Hello, Mrs. Wilson. How are you? W : I’m worried, Brianna. Thousands of ants are all over my patio! G : That’s quite a problem. W : What’s worse is that my daughter’s birthday party is in a few days and I wanted to have it on the patio. G : Why don’t you call an exterminator? W : I would, but I don’t want all those hazardous chemicals around my children. It’s harmful and unhealthy. I also don’t want dangerous substances to seep into the garden. G : I usually don’t have problems with ants, and I don’t use any chemicals. W : What’s your secret? G : Well, ants are difficult to control, so I planted a lot of mint plants near my deck. I also use cinnamon and cayenne pepper. I just sprinkle them around the places I don’t want ants. Some people have tried it and said it worked. Others said that they needed to try something else. W : I think it’s worth a try. I would rather use cinnamon and mint around my patio than some hazardous chemicals. Besides, I don’t mind having the ants in the yard. I simply don’t want them coming to the birthday party. Would you mind helping me? G : It would be a pleasure. I have a lot of cinnamon at home and I can run to the store to get the plants for you. W : Thank you, Brianna. You’re such a thoughtful person.
Unit 4 The Oil Spill
G : My best friend Katy lives near a beautiful white sand beach. Her parents take us there every summer. The water is clean and refreshing. We have a lot of fun in the waves. Last year, there was an oil spill at Katy’s beach. We volunteered at the
beach to clean up the oil and help the birds that were caught in the spill. When we arrived at the beach that day, the water was slick with oil and the white sand had turned black. It was an ugly sight. At first, the rescue workers would not let us on the beach. We had to watch from a distance. We watched as they put a huge float in the water, called a boom. This device kept the oil slick from spreading. Once they stopped the slick, we were allowed on the beach to help. Each of us was given a broom. We swept the oil into a pile. The workers took it away in big trucks. We all worked very hard that day to restore the beach. Once the oil was removed, the birds that had been caught in the oil had to be helped. The workers showed us how to remove the oil from their wings. Then the birds could fly away to safety. We were very proud of ourselves that day. We helped save our beautiful beach and the birds who visit it.
Unit 5 The Amazing Amazon
M : The Amazon is an amazing river. It is unique in many ways. It is the second longest river in the world. It is 6,500 kilometers long. It starts up in the Andes Mountains. Its drainage basin (the area of land that collects water) covers 40 percent of South America. The Amazon River has many small rivers that supply it with water. It is the widest river in the world. The river rises more than nine meters during the rainy season. It overflows its banks. It floods large areas of the rainforest. During that time, in some parts, it has a width of up to 40 kilometers. The Amazon River is over 325 kilometers wide at its mouth. It has more water than any other river in the world. The Amazon River is also home to many animals. Over 2,000 types of fish live in the Amazon River. One kind of fish is the piranha. The piranha is a terrifying fish. A piranha grows up to 60 centimeters long. It hunts in a group. A group of piranha can kill and eat cattle in a matter of minutes. They are so efficient that only the bones are left. This fish is one of the most dangerous creatures in the Amazon River.
Science and Technology
Unit 6 Research
W : What are you doing, Billy? B : I’m doing research. I found a lot of great websites. W : You know, I think you might want to go to the library and look at some books. B : I don’t want to. It takes too much time, and besides, this is fast, easy, and fun. This paper will be done in no time. W : The Internet is great for finding information. But it is also full of misinformation and lies. You don’t really know what you are looking at unless you are at a reliable site. It’s safer to get some books first and then search for more information. B : Grandma, I love you, but I think you are a little old-fashioned. Look at all this great information! My report is on Albert Einstein. Now, according to this site, he was born in 1979, came up with the theory of relatives, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922. W : Your information is wrong. Albert Einstein was born in 1879 and developed the theory of general relativity. He won the Nobel Prize in 1921. B : Wow! That means all this stuff is inaccurate. How did you know all that? W : Come with me to the library and I’ll help you find the books with those facts. B : Thank you, Grandma. You’re a real life-saver!
Unit 7 A New Calculator
W : Hi. I’d like to see your calculators. M : Did you have a certain model in mind, ma’am? W : I’m not thinking of any specific model. I want something simple for basic math. M : Is it for personal use? W : Yes. I just need it for shopping and keeping track of my bills. M : Well, the great thing is that these simple calculators are very inexpensive and small. Here is a solar model that never needs batteries. It is thin, too. W : It’s too small. I can’t read the numbers very easily. M : How about this one? It is a pocket calculator. It’s a bit bigger. The display is easier to read. W : Yes, I can see the numbers better. It is easier to hold, too. Is it also solar?
Art and Culture
Unit 11 Great Art
M : What makes a painting a great work of art? There are many answers to that question. Some people think that a painting should look pretty. Others disagree. The skill of the painter is important. The techniques used are also important. Most of all, a great painting has meaning. A great painting has a special element in it. Sometimes, a painter’s special element is the way he portrays his or her feelings in a piece of art. An example of this is Picasso’s painting, Guernica. It has strange shapes in it. It shows suffering people, too. It is not a very pretty picture. However, it makes people understand Picasso’s feelings about war. Other times, the element is a memory or feeling. This comes from inside another person. Someone may see a painting and be reminded of a beautiful memory. A painting can also remind people of a feeling. For example, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is very popular. Many people like her smile. Some people say it is a mysterious smile. Others say it is a happy one. Still others make up stories about the woman in the painting. Which element is the most important? Is it the skill of the artist or the feelings of the person looking at the painting? Whatever the case, a painting that grabs people’s emotions is popular.
Unit 12 Talking Drums
B : I want to be a member of a heavy metal band. I love heavy metal drums, James. M : I don’t, Henry! They are too heavy, if you ask me. I prefer a more traditional style, like African barrel drums. B : Barrel drums? What are those? M : They are made with hollow logs and animal skins. First, they cut down a tree. They cut a section that’s about as thick and tall as a barrel. They stretch an animal skin over the top, and tie it to the sides with wooden pegs. These pegs can be tightened to change the pitch. B : Hmm... that sounds interesting. M : In Nigeria, they have “talking” drums. They use a hollow tree trunk that’s smaller than a barrel
drum, and leave an opening at both ends. Then they fit an animal skin on each end. There’s a string between each of these ends. When a player holds the drum under an armpit and squeezes, it tightens the string and raises the pitch. B : Why do they call it a “talking” drum? M : The drummers are so skillful they can make the drums imitate human voices. They seem to cry, laugh, and shout. B : I’d like to hear that. M : Why don’t you come to the community college with me tomorrow? A troupe from Africa is giving a concert, and they are supposed to have the best drummers in the world. B : Now, that sounds great!
Unit 13 The Hot New Movie
W : The latest blockbuster movie Robots Attack 2 starring Garrison Fort opened yesterday. Fort and Andy Robot are at it again, saving people from the jaws of death. The evil robots are invading Atlantis once again. The crowds seemed to love the sequel. Maybe they loved it as much, if not more than, the first Robots Attack. The special effects are fantastic! Mr. Fort seems to have worked on his fighting technique. His martial arts skills are amazing. He beats the evil robots easily. Of course, our leading man saves a lady in distress, the fair Angie. She promptly falls in love with Garrison the hero. However, Andy Robot is jealous of this new love. He spends a good part of the movie trying to ruin their plans. Another surprise is the evil robot, Homer, who decides he wants to become a do-gooder. His partner, Ethel, works hard to make him return to his evil ways. Does Andy Robot succeed in rescuing Garrison Fort from love? What about Ethel? Does she bring Homer back to his evil ways? To find out, head for the theater, buy a ticket, and sit back and relax.
Unit 14 A Faux Pas
G : It happens a lot. So many people visit and live in foreign countries nowadays. The culture and manners of every country are different. It is
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likely that a foreigner will say or do something inappropriate. This is called a faux pas. In one culture, it is fine to do something one way. In another culture, it is rude. For example, my friend visited a relative in Israel. She offered to wash the dishes. She did not know that it was important to wash the meat dishes with a special sponge. She used the wrong sponge. Her friend’s father was very upset. In Canada, it is fine to use the same sponge to wash all of the dishes, but not in Israel. Something similar happened to me when I visited a temple in India. I was surprised when two officials stopped me and told me to take off my shoes. It was only then that I realized that people are not allowed to enter a temple with their shoes on. I was very embarrassed. Of course, I apologized for my mistake. A faux pas is embarrassing. No one wants to be rude. No one wants to cause problems. However, when two cultures meet, there can be misunderstandings. The next time someone is rude, be patient and understanding. He may think he is acting politely.
Unit 15 The List
G : Thanks for coming, Dad. I can’t believe my first day of school is just next week! M : Your mother and I are proud of you. Greer is a very prestigious art school. G : There is an enormous list of art supplies. They are mostly items I don’t recognize. M : Let’s look for the supplies that you recognize, Megan, and then we can get help with the rest. G : I need a large drawing board. I also need a drawing pad one meter by half a meter in size, newsprint paper, and a set of artist’s drawing pencils. M : Here is the drawing board, and I noticed the pencils over there. What’s next? G : I need watercolor paint, various brushes, India ink, and a fountain pen. M : They are on the wall display. G : Now we need to locate the vine charcoal. M : Excuse me, miss. W : Yes, sir? How can I help you? M : We’re trying to find vine charcoal. Do you know what that is, and where we can find it?
W : Vine charcoal is specially-burned wood. Burning it makes it like a black chalk. It is commonly used for drawing. Vine charcoal is very easy to erase, so we keep it next to the erasers. G : That’s everything, Dad! M : Great! Let’s pay for all these supplies.
Leisure and Entertainment
Unit 16 Family Camping
B : There are many popular leisure time activities, but one of the most enjoyable is family time. Most people enjoy being with their families. There are many things to do with your family, too. Families can go to the movies, travel, visit museums, and play sports together. The most common family activity is probably camping. Many families like camping. It is a chance for the whole family to work together. They can stay in the wild. Children gather dry wood for the fire. Their parents set up the tents. Then the whole family gathers around the fire. They enjoy a special meal together. Then, they set off into the woods with a compass and a map. After hiking the trails, everyone gets a fishing pole. Each person casts the fishing line out into the river. Who gets the biggest fish? It’s a great contest. Later, the children clean the fish by the river. They take the scales off the fish. Mom fries the fish over the campfire. Dad cleans up when everyone is finished. You don’t want wild animals coming to eat your leftovers! Then everyone goes into their tents for a restful night. While there are many things that families can do together, camping is probably the most exciting.
Unit 17 The Amusement Park
M : I love this amusement park, Fran! Thanks for suggesting it. I am having a fantastic time. There’s that new ride! It’s called, “The Volcano,” and it’s supposed to be amazing. W : That looks awfully high. Do you really want to try it? We’ve experienced “The Rocket,” the
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Creative hobbies are popular. Some creative hobbies are writing, drawing, and making pottery. A lot of people like making jewelry or clothes. People who do these kinds of hobbies sometimes become writers or artists when they retire. Collecting is also popular. Most collectors used to buy coins, stamps, or baseball cards. Today, toys, games, and model cars are trendy. Collectors buy and sell things on the Internet. They also shop online in stores all around the world. Enjoying an experience is a hobby, too. Some people listen to music. Others watch movies or read books. Many people travel or play sports. Helping people is a hobby. There are places you can help build houses for poor families. You can help feed the homeless at soup kitchens. You can also tutor children or help the elderly. A hobby is something that is done for fun. With so many choices, there is no reason not to enjoy a hobby.
School and Family
Unit 21 Defense!
M : Stay low and bend your knees! Come over here. B : Yes, Coach? M : Jackson, when you’re playing defense, keep your knees bent and your body low. It helps you keep your balance. And it allows you to move more quickly in every direction. B : Like this? M : That’s right. You should attempt to stay on the balls of your feet. It’s like you are getting ready to pounce. Athletes never rest on their heels. B : Should I stand with my legs close together or far apart? M : It is best to keep them about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Spread your arms straight out at your sides. B : This seems almost like I’m getting ready to attack the ball. M : It is a little bit like that. Your stance looks much better than before. B : Coach, how do I move forward and backward on defense? I feel like my stance is fine, but
when I try to dart toward my opponent, I keep tripping over my feet. M : When you move forward, put your right foot in front of you, with your toes pointing in the direction you want to go. When you move backward, just reverse it: follow the direction of your left foot. How are you feeling? B : My legs are tired and my back aches. M : Playing defense is hard work. Take a break, then we’ll try it again.
Unit 22 The Importance of Writing
B : This is terrible! I hate this assignment. W : What’s wrong, Timmy? B : I am frustrated because I need to write a book report, and I can’t get started. W : May I see your paper? There’s nothing here! B : I can’t think of anything to write, and it’s due tomorrow. To make matters worse, we have to perform an oral presentation in front of the entire class. I don’t see the purpose of writing a book report, anyway. W : Writing is a necessary skill that you’ll use for the rest of your life. This book report is just one way to begin learning that skill. It’s another form of communication and a means of expressing your thoughts. It allows others to understand what is in your heart and mind. B : I’ve never had to write before. Why should I start now? W : Now is the best time to begin. The best writers read a lot, and practice writing. Anyone can learn to write well. I know you can do it. B : OK, Mom. When you put it that way, I think I can do it. W : That’s the right attitude. Let’s try to organize some of your thoughts by brainstorming. What can you tell me about the book? B : The book? I’ve only watched the movie! Does that count? W : Oh, goodness! What kind of child am I raising? B : One that probably won’t be a famous writer!
Unit 23 The Course Schedule
W : It’s so difficult to choose what courses to take this semester. Henry, have you chosen all of your courses yet?
M : No, Sue. I’m having a hard time making up my mind, and I still need to select two more. Do you have any ideas? Do you know anything about the professors? W : I heard that the psychology professor is tough but fair. If you work hard, you can get a good grade. M : Psychology sounds interesting. W : How about we both sign up for psychology? Then we’d be in the same class, and we could help each other with assignments. M : I remember the last class we took together. I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. W : Oh, come on. It would be fun. I promise I’ll attend the classes and not just borrow your notes this time. M : Thanks! W : I was thinking about taking film studies. Why don’t you take that? M : I like going to the movies, but I don’t want to study them. W : I know someone who took that course last year, and she said it’s very easy. Almost everyone gets an “A” or a “B.” And there is no homework. M : That is tempting, but I want to learn something useful. W : Fine, but don’t complain to me if you get a “C.”
Unit 24 Food, Family, and Fun
W: Thanksgiving is a special family holiday in America. Families come together to give thanks for all they have. Although every family celebrates in slightly different ways, a typical Thanksgiving is full of food, family, and fun. My family celebrates Thanksgiving, too. Everyone in my family goes to my parents’ place for Thanksgiving. We have a large meal. Everyone helps on Thanksgiving. The children set the table. My mother cooks the turkey using her own secret ingredients. My father makes the side dishes. He makes potatoes, beans, carrots, stuffing, oysters, and beets. My mom makes cranberry sauce. My sister-in-law brings a pumpkin pie. I come early to help my parents cook. When it is time to eat, we put all the food on the table. Everyone sits down. We each say what
we are thankful for before we eat. Some of us are thankful for our health, and others are thankful for their jobs. Everyone is thankful for something different. There is a lot of activity after the meal. My aunt and uncle clean off the table. My sister-in-law helps me wash the dishes. The teenagers wash and put away the silverware. The children help to tidy the dining room. My brothers take out the garbage. Then they go play football in the backyard. The rest of us sit down and relax. We are thankful for the food and our blessings. Most of all, we are thankful to have each other.
Unit 25 The Pro j ect
B : Hey Dad! Do you think you can help me out? I’ve just been assigned this enormous project at school, and I really don’t know where to begin. M : Sure Jason, I’ll give it my best shot. B : Oh, Dad, I know you will be a great help and inspiration to me. M : OK, OK. That’s enough flattery from you for one day. What’s this project about? B : Well, I have two choices. I can research a profession, or I can interview someone that I admire about their profession. If I do the second option, I must also add my own opinion about their profession. M : Well, I am an expert when it comes to my profession. Accounting is a noble profession and one that I am always happy to talk about. B : Dad, I know how much you love your career. It isn’t that I don’t admire you. But what I was hoping actually, was that you could speak to Mr. Chang, your diving friend, and see if he would agree to an interview. Diving for a living sounds cool! M : I see. That’s a great idea! You know how I really dislike talking about myself for too long. Let me give David Chang a call right now and find out. B : Thanks, Dad! You’re the best! I know this will be an awesome project!
M : She plays the oboe? OK. Let me know when and where to meet her.
Unit 29 Crime Does Not Pay
B : Have you ever thought about committing a crime? Have you ever dreamed about holding up a bank and driving away in a fast car? Or, have you ever thought about taking a famous painting from a big museum? There are many stories in movies and on TV of criminals who make a lot of money. They go on to live a life of luxury. However, for every successful criminal, there are many, many more who fail. These crooks soon regret their crimes. Take the example of a man in Winnipeg who tried to break into cars in a police academy parking lot. The man was found by the police in the parking lot. They saw him trying to open the doors of all the cars. The man was hoping to find some loose change, or maybe take some good car stereos. However, he did not know that he was being watched by police officers. He chose the parking lot because it was in a very quiet area. He thought that no one would see him. He was soon arrested by the police. A foolish criminal like this man shows us that crime does not pay.
Unit 30 A Job Interview
M : Hello, Ms. Jones? Please, come in and sit down. W : Thank you. M : So, you’re applying for the position of computer technician. W : Yes, that’s right. M : My name is Mr. Smith, and I will be interviewing you today. W : Nice to meet you. M : Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? W : As my résumé shows, I graduated from Leeds University with a Computer Science degree. During my junior and senior years, I worked part- time as a computer lab monitor in the university. As part of that job, I helped students with PC and desktop application problems and did hardware and software maintenance. I also taught a weekly one-hour class on how to use Microsoft Office applications.
M : How would you describe yourself? W : I really enjoy problem solving, and I’m hardworking. I’m also very organized, so when I have a lot of problems to deal with, I make a list and work through it from the most to the least urgent. That way, I can get everything done within the set deadlines. M : That’s a good way to manage your time. Just one more question. Why do you want to work for us? W : Your company is well-known, and is respected in the computer industry. I would really like a chance to be part of your company. M : OK. Thank you for coming in. I’ll be in touch. W : Thank you. Goodbye.
Sports and Health
Unit 31 An Ounce of Prevention
M : Hi, Sandy. I have a question for you. W : Sure, Joe. M : I need to have a physical examination, and there is a new clinic on Elm Street. Have you heard anything about it? W : One of my friends went there recently. She said it was very hygienic and well-run. It is great to have a new clinic close by, since there is a shortage of doctors around here. Why are you going? M : I’ve just joined a gym. I want to get more exercise, and they require a medical exam before I can start. W : What kind of tests do they want you to have? M : They want to know my blood pressure, how much I weigh, and results from a blood test to check for any possible diseases. I feel terrific, so I’m not worried. W : I had a routine check-up last month, and the doctor discovered that my blood pressure is a little high. It’s not serious, but I am glad that I found out about it. I am walking every day, and I have cut down on my salt intake. I would rather not take medication if I don’t have to. The change in diet has really made me feel better. You know the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
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M : I think you are right. Prevention is very important. I’m going to call right now and set up an appointment.
Unit 32 Herbal Medicine
G : Everyone wants to be healthy. People see doctors. They take pills to stay healthy. However, plants have been used to heal for thousands of years. More and more people are trying herbs to stay healthy. Plants used to heal are called “herbal medicine.” There are many plants used in herbal medicine. Each plant is used in a certain way. Herbal medicine works more slowly than most pills. Many people think plants are gentle on the body. There are a lot of examples of helpful plants. Ginger can help your body. Eating ginger often may help you stay healthy. Another helpful plant is parsley. It can stop bad breath. Herbs may be gentler than some pills. However, this does not mean that anyone can take them in any way. You should always be careful. Some herbs can be harmful, too. Too much rosemary can be very bad for your stomach. It can make you sick. Foxglove is a very pretty flower. It also has poison in it. Nevertheless, if you are afraid of using herbs, you may be surprised. You have probably already used some kind of herbal medicine. Coffee, garlic, ginseng, and peppermint are all used in herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is becoming popular again, as people become more interested in their health.
Unit 33 Home Remedies
W : Everyone gets a cold now and then. Doctors cannot cure colds. Sleep and rest are good for taking care of a cold. However, in almost every culture, most families have a home remedy for colds. These remedies are passed down from parents to children. They have changed very little over time. Different cultures use different ingredients. In Mexico, cinnamon, raisins, oregano, and hot water are used to make a special tea. Honey is sometimes added. A fruit called genipap is used as a cold remedy in Puerto Rico. The fruit is cut up. It is then soaked in water. Sugar can be added
to make it sweet. Chicken soup is popular in America. A large chicken is boiled in a pot. Carrots, onions, garlic, and other vegetables are usually added. Ginger tea is used to help a cold in China. A ginger root is peeled. It is then crushed. The ginger is boiled for about thirty minutes. Some honey can be added after it is done. Each family usually has a home remedy for a cold. Some remedies work. Some do not. Some taste good. Others do not. No matter what, home remedies are sure to be around for a long time.
Unit 34 Too Much of a Good Thing?
M : Hi, Jenny. Are you drinking coffee again? W : Hi, Sam. This is my third cup. M : Are you sure it’s all right to drink so much? Don’t you think all that caffeine is bad for you? W : No, that’s a misconception. Everyone thinks coffee is bad for you, but it’s not. M : Really? W : According to an article I read, coffee can be beneficial to your health. M : That’s interesting. But you should remember that one study does not prove much. There are a lot of other studies out there, too. W : This doctor in Italy found a lot of benefits. M : Such as? W : She says the chemicals in coffee can be good for your heart and may relieve headaches, too. M : I know that some coffee can be good sometimes, but drinking too much is not beneficial. Coffee has a lot of caffeine, which is addictive. It affects your blood circulation and removes calcium from your bones. W : The doctor did admit that it is not for everyone, and that you shouldn’t drink more than three cups a day. M : You seem nervous when you drink a lot. And remember when you told me that you are not sleeping well? Do you think that maybe you should cut back? W : I appreciate your concern. I was thinking of cutting back. Would you like a cup of green tea?
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it clockwise. Continue turning the handle until the car rises high enough, so that the flat tire is well off the ground and spins freely. Make sure that the jack is securely supporting the vehicle. If the car is unsteady or the jack is unstable, lower the car. Reposition the jack and begin again. Next, use a crowbar to pry off the hubcap (the metal cover on the side of the tire). Inside the hubcap are four bolts that hold the tire in place. Loosen these, using the long L-shaped tool. Push firmly on the tool to get the bolts to turn. It may be difficult. Once the bolts are loose, the flat tire can be pulled off easily. Now you can put on the new tire. Once it is in place, replace the four bolts and tighten them. Place the flat tire and the toolbox back in the trunk. Finally, drive to the nearest service station and get your flat tire fixed!
Unit 39 The Exchange Rate
M : Welcome to the Atlanta International Airport, ma’am. How may I help you? W : I am traveling to Venezuela. Can you tell me what the exchange rate is for the dollar? M : One moment, please, and I will look it up. The currency in Venezuela is the bolivar. The exchange rate is 200 bolivars per dollar. W : That seems rather low. Are you certain that that is all the dollar is worth? M : There may be several local businesses that may exchange for a higher rate, but the official rate is the one I gave you. W : Can I exchange 100 dollars? I need to have some money for a taxi and a hotel once I arrive in Caracas. M : No problem. Here is your money. Would you like a receipt? W : Yes, please. I will need it to keep track of my business expenses. M : Is there anything else I can do for you? W : I just have one more question. Do you know where I can exchange dollars in Venezuela once I arrive? I will probably need more cash, and I want to find a reliable exchange. M : The best place to exchange money is at a large bank. They will always give you the official rate.
You can also find money exchange stores in most large cities. W : Wonderful. I will look for a bank. I appreciate your advice. M : My pleasure. I hope you enjoy Venezuela.
Unit 40 The First Nations
G : The First Nations are the people who lived in North America before Europeans migrated there. There is a place in Canada where you can learn about the culture of the First Nations. It is where the First Nations people used to live. Now, a Visitors’ Center is there. There is also an archeology lab and walking trails. You can learn about the culture through the displays in the Center. The displays show everyday activities. They show how the people lived. The gift shop in the Visitors’ Center sells crafts made by the First Nations people. There are jewelry, paintings, and pottery. You can also eat at the restaurant. Bison meat is in many dishes. There are also wild rice dishes, fruit pies, and traditional bread. All of the food is tasty. The archeology lab is run by the local university. A big window lets you see the archeologists working. They found a very old spearhead. They also found ancient human bones. The First Nations Visitors’ Center is a great place. You can learn about the First Nations’ culture. You can also see archeologists at work. You can walk on the trails, or enjoy a traditional meal. It is an experience to remember.
