Dialogue A
(Buying berth tickets)
A:How long will this express take to go to Shanghai?
B:About 18 hours.
A:How many stations will it stop at?
B:This express will go straight from Beijing to Shanghai with out a stop.
A:Oh. Is there a train that leaves in the afternoon?
B:Yes,ma'am. Do you need a ticket?
A:I'd like to have two soft berth tickets to Shanghai for tomorrow.
B:OK. It comes to 1,200 yuan including service fee.
A:May I have two lower berths?
B:Sorry. We usually pair the upper and lower together to sell. You may ask the conductor to change it for you.
A:I see. Thanks a lot.
B:Have a nice trip.
Dialogue B
(They are hurrying to the platform when the bell begins to ring. )
A:We're about to miss the train. Hurry up!
B:Hold on. I haven't heard the whistle,so there's time.
A:Which car are we in?
B:Let me see. Oh, No. 14.
A:Oh,bother!It's the very end of the train.
B:We have no choice.
A:Here we are,Car 14. Let's get in.
B:Seats No. 20 and 21. It's nice that we've got a windows eat.
A:But I prefer the aisle seat here. I feel sick with a seat back to the engine.
B:Take whichever you like. Let's put our suitcases on the rack.
A:Oh,the baggage rack is full. Put them under the seat for the time being.
B:All right. But I must take my camera out. It's…。
A:It's expensive,isn't it?It must have cost you a fortune.
B:Don't be so sarcastic.
A:Well, there goes the whistle. We're leaving. Do you know when the train is due in Beijing?
B:I'm not quite sure. But it takes about 15 hours, so we'll arrive around 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
A:That's good. We'll have enough time to find a hotel and have a sound sleep.
B:I hope so.
Dialogue C
(On the train. )
A:(Looking out of the window)How beautiful the sceneryis!Look at the vast stretches of green fields.
B:But it looks lovely only at this time of the year. It's rather monotonous in winter.
A:That's why I prefer to travel in the summer.
B:Me too,except for the terrible heat.
A:Really!I've just about had enough of that. (The conductor comes around with a kettle of boiled water. )
B:Why don't we have some tea? Here,I've brought some tea bags with me.
A:Wonderful!That's exactly what I want now.
B:The service is excellent,isn't it?
A:Yes,it sure is. But it's a pity they don't sell light snacks. I feel a little bit hungry now.
B:We'll be coming into Shanghaiguan in a few minutes. There'll be plenty of food venders on the platform there.
A:Splendid. Look,is that part of the Great Wall over there?
B:I suppose it is. We must be near Shanghaiguan now. (Announcer:Attention,please. We shall be arriving Shanghaiguan shortly,at four o'clock. The train's five minutesbehind schedule. )
A:The train's pulling in. Do we have time to get off and stretch our legs?
B:You may go out if you want. The train leaves in a quarter of an hour. Whatever you do, don't miss it.
A:No worry at all.