NEW YEAR’S EVE   Situation: Matthew is preparing for a party to celebrate New Year’s Eve. While discussing the party with Phuong, a friend visiting from Vietnam, Matthew realizes that his party will be Phuong’s first time celebrating the American New Year. Matthew: This party is going to be the best ever! I am so glad you came to visit in time to celebrate the New Year with me, Phuong. Phuong: Thank you...

  THANKSGIVING   Situation: Tom and Mary are on their way to their grandparent’s home to celebrate Thanksgiving with the rest of their family. Mary: Mom, are we almost there yet? I am so hungry I could eat this whole dish of cornbread! Mom: Not quite, Mary. We have about another hour of driving before we reach Grandma’s house. I know both of you are very hungry, so how about some apples? I...

  HALLOWEEN   Situation: Patrick and Sara are planning to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Because they are too young to go by themselves, their mom asks their two older siblings, either Christine or Ian, to take them around the neighborhood. Patrick: Wow! Today is October 30th! Halloween is tomorrow already! Have you decided what you will be dressing up for Halloween yet, Sara? Sara: I’m not sure what I want to be yet....

  GRADUATION   Situation: Annie met Liz after she had purchased a graduation gift for her sister Veronica. Both of them are talking about the graduation ceremony and Veronica’s plan of action after finishing four years of studies. Liz: That is a very lovely bouquet of flowers. Who is it for? Annie: These flowers are for my sister Veronica. Today is her graduation day. Liz: It must have cost you a fortune. Annie:...

  BOOK CONVERSATION   Situation: Lisa is talking to Jackie about the author, John Grisham, and his books.   Lisa: Hey Jackie, how are you doing today? Jackie: I am good! I just got out of my psychology lecture. It was so boring! I am glad I am done for the day. How are you doing? Did you just get out of class too? Lisa: No, I have been out of class...

  STUDYING FOR A TEST   Situation: Two college students, Mary and Alexis, are studying for an upcoming sociology test. Mary: Hey Alexis, I am glad you decided to come over to my house to study for our upcoming exam. The sociology test seems to be very difficult. I have studied all the materials, but I am still not confident about my performance this Friday. Alexis: Yes, this test is going to be...

  GIVING A SPEECH   Situation: Jennifer is going to give a speech on Global Warming, and she is quite nervous about the whole process. Mary is trying to calm Jennifer down by giving her some tips on how to deliver a good speech. Jennifer: I will have to give a presentation on global warming on Friday, and I am so nervous. Mary: There are a lot of things you can do to...

  APPLYING TO COLLEGE   Situation: Charlotte and Michael have just finished taking the SAT test and are talking about it. They also discuss the next steps of the process of applying for college. Michael: That test was so long! Four hours! I really do not understand why we have to take this test anyway. Are our grade point averages (GPAs) not good enough for college? Charlotte: That test did seem long, didn’t...