Conversation One

M: Good morning, Doctor Richardson.

W: Good morning. Mr…?

M: Taylor. John Taylor.

W: John Taylor! I’m Linda Richardson. We were in the same business management program in 1995 in Chicago.

M: Linda! It’s incredible! You’ve changed a lot. I remember you planned to start your own business in San Francisco. But how did you become a doctor of psychology and work as a personal coach?

W: Well, I had that plan and worked as a manager in a high-tech company for quite a while to get prepared. But one day, I suddenly felt miserable and decided to make a change.

M: Why? In my impression, you were highly motivated in business management.

W: I was. The stock prices were up, sales were strong, and I had been a major contributor to the success of my division. But a few years later, I felt lost.

M: What do you mean by “lost”?

W: I got up early every day, got to my desk by 8 am, and left the office after 7:30 pm. My life seemed like an endless routine. I was tired and lonely. So I was determined to find something I truly loved. And now I have been a personal coach for 6 years. I love it. I help my clients to re-evaluate their lives and rediscover what really matters most to them.

M: Oh, I feel as tired as you did. I need some professional advice, doctor.

W: What’s your situation, John?

M: I have a consulting business. It’s successful. And I’ve made more money this year than the last two years combined. I’ve attained the success that I hoped for, but it doesn’t feel the way I expected it to feel.

W: Look, John. As a personal coach, I believe I can help you to re-evaluate your life and feel happier.

Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

19. Where did the two speakers first meet?

20. What job did the woman take after the business management program?

21. Which of the following is not true about the man?

Conversation Two

M: What shall we do? The boy is going to bankrupt us, I’m sure.

W: Why? What’s the matter this time?

M: He had another “little accident” with his car.

W: An accident again? Was he hurt?

M: Don’t worry, he is fine. But the damage came to two hundred and fifty bucks— which of course he doesn’t have.

W: He’s not shaping up to be very responsible with money. Perhaps I should get him to take a look at the book I’m reading. It’s called Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

M: Hmm. Sounds like the second half is about me. Anyway, what good would it do to Byron, assuming you could get him to read anything longer than the liner notes on a CD?

W: It discusses how very wealthy people invest their money. One of its main points is that most people don’t really understand the difference between an asset and a liability.

M: What does he mean?

W: OK. Let me put it this way. How do you view our car and house? Are they assets or liabilities?

M: Assets, of course. We own them.

W: Well, according to the writer, your attitude to cars and houses is mistaken.

M: It sounds interesting. What does he say?

W: The writer says owning cars and houses just keeps you trapped in a vicious circle. You have to work to earn money to spend on them. He says people should put their money into things that generate more money.

M: Hmm. Perhaps you’d better pass the book on to me when you’ve finished. I’ll get Byron to read it if I find it useful with his case.

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

22. What’s the problem with Byron?

23. What does the writer of Rich Dad, Poor Dad say about most people?

24. What’s the effect of owning cars and houses?

25. What will happen when the woman finishes reading the book?