T: But the following expressions may be of great help. Before listening, please read and learn them by heart.

Show the following.

Hold the line, please.

Hang on, please.

Just a moment, please.

I'm sorry, but this phone is out of order.

I can't get through.

I'll ring him / her up again.

I must ring off now because...

T: Now, you may work with your partner and discuss about the questions and answers.

A sample dialogue:

(S-student; E-engineer)

S: Hello! Is that James Dyson's company?

E: Yes, Who's that?

S: This is Li Ping. Is that the personnel manager?

E: Just a moment, please. Sorry. He isn't here right now. Can I take a message?

S: No, thanks. Maybe I'll ring him again some other time. By the way, May I ask you some questions?

E: Sure, go ahead.

S: I want to apply for a job in your company and I want to ask what kind of person you need.

E: Well, as far as I know, we need some skilled workers who are good at machinery and have a good knowledge of repairing some electrical equipment used at home, for example washing machine, refrigerator, electric fan and so on.

S: Are we graduates needed in some departments in your company?

E: It's hard to say now. Maybe you will have some chance to work and learn in some department, but you have to wait and see. If you are free, you may call the personnel manager at three o'clock this afternoon.

S: OK, I will. By the way, how much will I get if I can work as your colleague?

E: Usually the average salary for newcomers is $2,000 per month. And you may get a rise if you progress well or have some invention in your work.

S: Well, I know. I must ring off now because I have to go back home for lunch. Thanks a lot. Bye!

E: Goodbye and good luck!

T: Next please swap roles and answer your partner's questions. Remember you must behave as if you are a member of Dyson's company and answer the questions honestly.

Step Ⅱ Listening and speaking

T: Zhou Rui has decided to do a project on a living British inventor called James Dyson. So he telephoned Dyson's company in England to interview one of its engineers about the great man's ideas. Now listen to the conversation between them and finish