Part Ⅰ Situational Dialogues

Situational Dialogue 1

Zhang Yi is considering holding an exhibition in Sydney. She is inquiring about the details with Michael Smith, the event manager.

Michael Smith: Miss Zhang, welcome to our exhibition center. I'm the event manager here, Michael Smith. Nice to meet you. Here is my business card.

Zhang Yi: Me too. Here is mine. Sydney is really a beautiful city.

Michael Smith: Thank you. Last time you mentioned on the phone that you planned to hold a textile exhibition in our center. May I know the exact title of it?

Zhang Yi: 2014 International Textile Expo. Have you heard about our company? It was founded in 1980. As a member of UFI, it has organized many world-known events.

Michael Smith: Oh, sure. I know that you organized the International Plastic Exhibition in Milan last year. I'm sure you'll also be very successful in Sydney.

Zhang Yi: I hope so. It's just a beginning. If our cooperation is successful, we are going to organize such an exhibition annually in your center.

Michael Smith: That'll be our honor. You know, our center is the largest one in Australia, with many multinational companies locating their offices here. It offers 9 multi level exhibition halls, with currently 54,321 square meters of indoor space and 98,765 square meters of outdoor space.

Zhang Yi: Sounds great! How about the charges?

Michael Smith: It depends on the date and required space of your exhibition then.

Zhang Yi: Well, we hope to hold it at the end of September. It's planned to last 5 days, and we expect 3,000 exhibitors, so I think we need about 30,000 square meters.

Michael Smith: Let me check. What about Sept.25th to 30th? Three exhibition halls are available during this period. Here is their layout.

Practice 1

Task 1: Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Suppose you are Zhang Yi. You'd signed up a fair. You want to know how to rent an exhibition venue.

Situational Dialogue 2

Zhang Yi is bargaining the booth rental fee with Judy.

Zhang Yi: How do you charge?

Judy: We charge US$3.5 per square meter per day.

Zhang Yi: Woo, that's very expensive!

Judy: Actually, that's reasonable. You know, our center enjoys a very nice location and state-of-the-art facilities, so it's always the best choice for world-known exhibitions.

Zhang Yi: Yes, I agree. But the charge is really much higher than I expected. May I have any discount?

Judy: What discount do you have in mind?

Zhang Yi: 20% perhaps?

Judy: That's not possible. Miss Zhang. We can hardly make any profit with such price.

Zhang Yi: If we promise to hold an exhibition of similar scale annually for five years in your center, would you consider it?

Judy: If you guarantee this on paper, we can offer you a 10% discount. That's our best price.

Zhang Yi: Well, what about a 10% discount for the first time, and 15% discount after that.

Judy: Alright. When would you like to move in and move out?

Zhang Yi: We'd like to move in on Sept.20th, and move out on Sept.26th.

Judy: Move in on Sept.20th, and move out on Sept.26th, no problem. Let's hope it's the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship.

Practice 2

Task 1: Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Suppose you are Jason Brown. You want to reserve a booth. You are asking Rose (secretary of Sana Exhibition Center) to reserve a booth.

Situational Dialogue 3

Jason Brown is asking the price for renting a booth.

Rose: Are you looking for a standard package booth or a non-standard package booth?

Jason Brown: What is the charge for each?

Rose: The nine-square-meter booth costs at least 23,000 yuan per unit while the six-square-meter booth is at least 17,000 per unit. Which one would you prefer?

Jason Brown: One nine-square-meter booth, please.

Rose: Where do you wish your booth to be located?

Jason Brown: Can I reserve a space in the center?

Rose: Sorry, but all center booths are booked up. We have only corner booths left.

Jason Brown: Oh, that's fine. I'll take a corner booth.

Rose: There is a corner stand to the right of the entrance. Will that be all right?

Jason Brown: Okay, I'll take it.

Rose: Thank you, Mr.Brown. You have reserved one nine-square-meter corner booth to the right of the entrance. The booth Number is A092.May I have your credit card number?

Jason Brown: The number is 8543-1940-0327, expiration date 12/31/2014.

Rose: Thanks. I'll send you a letter to confirm your reservation soon. Anything else we can do for you?

Jason Brown: No, thank you very much. Goodbye.

Rose: Thanks for calling. Goodbye.

Practice 3

Task 1: Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Suppose you are Jason Brown. You are inquiring about the move-in and move-out schedule.