for it.

　　W：Oh, no. I'm afraid it would be really scary especially when it is totally in the dark.

　　M：Ugh. Then we might find a hotel and get checked in before lunch.

　　W：I can't agree more.

　　(Text 8)

　　W：I called you last week but your mother said you were sightseeing in Italy. Did you go to Rome?

　　M：No. I went to Rome last year and Milan the year before last, so this year I went to Ferrara. You may not have heard about it, as it isn't one of the most famous Italian cities.

　　W：Oh, I've heard about it before. It's known as the City of the Renaissance, right? I've never visited it before, though. How was your time there?

　　M：It was great. I visited the city centre. The cathedral and the castle are both there in the heart of the city, and both are amazing. I didn't go to the cathedral, because it was very crowded.

　　W：What else did you visit there?

　　M：After I left the castle, I went to visit the historic part of the city, which has a lot of buildings from the Renaissance. Then I visited several palaces and churches.

　　W：You seem to really like traveling.

　　M：Yes, I love it. I usually travel abroad twice a year, and this year I've taken one more trip than usual.

　　(Text 9)

　　M：I didn't even realize there was a festival coming up.

　　W：Why? You didn't know about Easter? There are many traditions connected to it.

　　M：I knew a little about it and didn't know it was in April. I thought it might be some day after Mother's Day.

　　W：Easter is observed on a Sunday in March or April. It is truly worth celebrating in the spring. We are all looking forward to the holiday. Mother will make a big Easter basket for each of us with presents like chocolate bars, candies and even a CD. We go to a church service on Friday morning. We dye our Easter eggs on Saturday morning and visit our grandparents that afternoon. But the best part for me is the Easter Egg Hunt. On Easter morning, parents hide Easter eggs in different places for us to find. It is almost as much fun as Halloween.

　　M：Green with envy. I will probably hang out with the other international students. I might also stay in the dorm. Remember, Linda assigned a huge book for us to read.

　　W：Pooh. That's boring. Why not come with me?

M：Well, I'm OK. I may just spend the holiday myself.