Exercise 1
A. Listen to Albert inviting friends to his party on Saturday. What excuses do people give for not coming? Match the person to the excuse.
1 Scott ………
2 Fumiko ………
3 Manuel ………
4 Regina ………
a She said that she wasn’t feeling well.
b He said he was taking his mother to a dance club.
c She said she had houseguests for the weekend.
d He said that he would be out of town.
e She said she might go out with friends.
f He said he was going away with his family.
B. Listen. What happens on the night of Albert’s birthday?
Answers & Audioscripts
A
1 d 2 e 3 b 4 a
B
Albert came home singing “Happy Birthday” to himself. When he opened the door, all his friends shouted, “Surprise! Happy birthday!” Albert was really surprised and said, “I can’t believe it!” He immediately asked Amanda if she set it up.
Transcripts
1 Scott
SCOTT: Hello?
ALBERT: Hi, Scott! This is Albert. How are things?
SCOTT: Oh, hi, Albert.
ALBERT: Um, you know, it’s my birthday on Saturday, and I thought maybe you’d like to come to my party.
SCOTT: Oh, I really wish I could, but I won’t be around this weekend. I’m leaving Friday night, and I won’t get back till Sunday afternoon.
ALBERT: Oh.
SCOTT: I’m sorry, Albert. Uh, have a great party, though, and happy birthday.
ALBERT: Oh, thanks. And you have a great weekend, Scott.
SCOTT: Oh, thanks.
ALBERT: Well, bye.
SCOTT: See you around.
2 Fumiko
FUMIKO: Hello?
ALBERT: Fumiko? Hi, it’s Albert. How are you?
FUMIKO: I’m fine. How are you?
ALBERT: Oh, I’m fine, too. Um, you know, Saturday is my birthday, and I was wondering if you’d like to come to my party.
FUMIKO: Oh. What time?
ALBERT: Say around 7:30?
FUMIKO: Oh, I’m sorry. I think I may already have plans … to go to the movies with my friends.
ALBERT: Oh, OK, Fumiko. I … I hope you have a good time.
FUMIKO: Thank you. And I hope your party’s fun.
ALBERT: Yeah, well, I hope so, too. Uh, see you in class on Monday?
FUMIKO: Sure! Bye-bye!
ALBERT: Bye!
3 Manuel
MANUEL: Hello?
ALBERT: Hello, Manuel?
MANUEL: Hi, Albert. Hey! How are you doing?
ALBERT: I’m pretty good.
MANUEL: What’s up?
ALBERT: Well, my birthday is Saturday and I’m having a little party with some friends, and I thought maybe you’d like to come.
MANUEL: Saturday?
ALBERT: Yeah.
MANUEL: Oh, you know, listen, I already promised my mother I’d take her to the new dance club downtown. She loves to dance, and she’s really looking forward to it.
ALBERT: Oh, I didn’t know your mom liked to dance, Manuel.
MANUEL: Oh, yeah, she loves it! And, well, Mom …
ALBERT: It’s OK, Manuel. Don’t worry about it.
MANUEL: I’m really sorry. OK, well –
ALBERT: See you soon.
MANUEL: Take care, Albert.
ALBERT: OK, bye, Manuel.
MANUEL: Bye.
4 Regina
REGINA: Hello?
ALBERT: Hello? Regina? This is Albert.
REGINA: Oh, hi, Albert. [coughs]
ALBERT: What’s wrong?
REGINA: I … I’ve got the flu.
ALBERT: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I guess you won’t be coming to my party on Saturday, huh?
REGINA: No, I guess not. I’m feeling pretty run-down.
ALBERT: Oh, I’m sorry. Well, hey, take care of yourself, Regina. I hope to see you next week.
REGINA: Yeah, me, too. [coughs] Bye.
B
ALBERT: Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me –
ALL: Surprise! Happy birthday! Surprise, Albert! Happy birthday, Albert!
ALBERT: Oh, wow! Oh, no! Oh, my goodness! Scott, Fumiko … Wow, what a terrific surprise! Manuel, Regina! Man, you really fooled me! I can’t believe it! Amanda, did you set this up? Wow, you’re the best.
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