(间接引语) She asked her husband {#blank#}1{#/blank#} he had asked his boss for a pay increase.

W: Hello! May I speak to Mr. White, please?

M: Mike White speaking.

W: Hello. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} is Alice Green, Tom's neighbor.

M: Hello. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} can I do for you?

W: Well, Tom said he's been taking piano lessons from you for two years, and I wonder if I can learn from you, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

M: I don't think that's a problem. Have you had any musical {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (experience) before?

W: Well, when I was a college student, I spent about half a year {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (learn) to play the guitar. But that was almost ten years ago.

M: Good. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} that case we don't have to start from the very {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (begin).

W: Then can I go with Tom to your next class?

M: I don't think {#blank#}8{#/blank#}. All the people in that class {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (study) with us for about two years, and they come on Sunday mornings. But you can come to another class, on Saturday evening {#blank#}10{#/blank#} Sunday afternoon.

W: Saturday evening is better for me. See you then.

    What {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(be) English for? Some people seem to think it's for practicing grammar rules and {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(learn) lists of words—the {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(long) the lists, the better. That's wrong. Many students know hundreds of grammar rules, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} they can't speak correctly or {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(fluent). They are afraid of making mistakes. English is the working language. It is widely {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(speak) and used in the world. Businessmen and tourists often come to China without being able to speak Chinese. Chinese businessmen, taxi drivers and students talk with them using English. English is also the language of global culture. You can listen to English songs {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the radio {#blank#}8{#/blank#} use English to communicate with people around the world through the Item. With so many people {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(communicate) in English every day, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} will become more and more important to have a good knowledge of English.

    How should you behave when you meet someone {#blank#}1{#/blank#}the first time? An American shakes your hand {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (firm) while looking you straight in the eye. In many parts of Asia, there is no physical contact at all. In Japan, you should bow, and the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (much) respect you want to show, the deeper you should bow. In Thailand, people greet each other by pressing both hands together at the chest. In both countries, eye contact {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(avoid) as a sign of respect.

    In Spain, lunch is often {#blank#}5{#/blank#}biggest meal of the day, and can last two or three hours. For this reason, many people eat a light breakfast and a late dinner. In Mexico, lunch is a time {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (relax), and many people prefer not to discuss business as they eat. In Britain, it's not unusual to have a business meeting over breakfast.

    In most countries, an exchange of business cards{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (be)necessary for all introductions. You should include your company name and your position. If you are going to a country {#blank#}8{#/blank#} your language is not widely spoken, you can get the back side of your card {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (print) in the local language. In a word, when {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (travel) abroad, we should follow local habits.

    The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wales was linked {#blank#}1{#/blank#} England in the 13th century. In the 17th century England and Wales were joined to Scotland, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (form) Great Britain.

    They were united in {#blank#}3{#/blank#} peaceful way. The southern part of Ireland was unwilling to join the English government and broke away to found its own government.

    England is the {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (large) of the four countries and for convenience it is divided {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (rough) into three zones: the South of England, the Midlands and the North. Most of the population lives in the south, but most of the industrial cities {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (locate) in the Midlands and the North. It is a pity that the industrial cities which were constructed in the nineteenth century do not attract {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (visit).

    London is the capital city with great historical treasures, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} is the centre of national government and its administration. It has the oldest port, building and castle {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (build) by the invaders. Without the historical evidence, we {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (will) not be able to learn more about the history and culture of the UK.