W: Hi, Collins! How was your weekend?

M: It was great. Linda, how was yours?

W: My mother’s birthday was Saturday and we had a great time. We had dinner at home and then watched an old movie. When they told me it was almost seventy years old, I thought it was going to be boring, but it was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. 

M: Wow! Now I want to see it.

W: I’m dying to watch it again. Hey, why don’t we get together and have a party and we can see the movie together? 

M: That’s a great idea. I can bring some friends, if that’s OK.

W: Sure. I’ll ask my mum to watch it with us. She can tell us all about the stars. Let’s say 6 o’clock on Saturday.

(Text 9)

W: 6882767. 

M: Hello. Could I speak to Emma, please ? 

W: Speaking. Is that you , Bill? 

M: Hello , yes , it’s me . I didn’t recognize your voice. 

W: I’ve got a bit of cold . What can I do for you? 

M: Well , we’re meeting Bob’s girlfriend and her parents tonight giving them dinner. I’ve just opened the box of champagne glasses and there are two glasses missing. Don’t you know what can have happened to them? Have you got a set you can lend to me, by any chance? 

W: Sure , sure, glad to. When do you need them? 

M: Well, can I come over in a quarter of an hour? I’ve got to go to Marilyn’s for some sugar first . I’ve run out of that as well. 

W: Is that all you need? Anything else you are short of? 

M: No, I think I’m all right otherwise . Thanks a lot, Emma. 

W: See you in a bit. 

(Text 10)

Cars are an important part of life in the United States. Without a car most people feel that they are poor. And even if a person is poor he doesn’t feel really poor when he has a car.

There are three reasons the car became popular in the US. First of all, the country is a huge one and Americans like to move around in it. The cars provides the most comfortable and cheapest form of transportation. The second reason is that the United States never really developed a good and inexpensive system of public transportation. Nowadays there is a good system of air-service provided by planes. But it is too expensive to be used frequently. The third reason is the most important one, though. The Americans spirit of independence is what really made cars popular. A car gives them more freedom to arrange their own time.

The gas shortage has caused a big problem for Americans. But the answer will not be a bigger system of public transportation. The real solution will have to be a new kind of car, which does not use so much gas.