Part 1: Buying second-hand things.

Woman: Hey, have you ever considered buying second-hand things? You can get some really good
deals and save a lot of money.
Man: I don't know, I've always been a little skeptical about buying used items. I worry about their
condition and whether they'll break down quickly.
Woman: I understand your concerns, but there are many great items you can find in great
condition. You just have to be diligent and inspect everything carefully before you buy it. Plus, it's
a great way to reduce waste and give items a second life.
Man: That's a good point. What kind of things have you bought second-hand?
Woman: Oh, lots of things! Clothes, furniture, even electronics. I recently bought a used laptop
that works perfectly and cost a fraction of what a new one would.
Man: That's impressive. Where do you usually look for second-hand items?
Woman: I check out local thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces like Craigslist or
Facebook Marketplace. You'd be surprised at what people are willing to sell for cheap.
Man: I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any tips for finding good
deals?
Woman: Definitely. Be patient and don't settle for the first thing you see. Shop around and
compare prices. Also, don't be afraid to negotiate a lower price with the seller. And always inspect
everything carefully before you buy it.
Man: Those are great tips. I'll keep them in mind. Thanks for the advice.
Woman: No problem. Good luck with your second-hand shopping!

You will hear a conversation between a woman and a man, talking about buying second-hand
items. Listen carefully and choose the correct answer for each of the following sentences.
1. What is the conversation about?

b) He is skeptical about it

a) Buying expensive new items

c) He has never considered it

b) Buying cheap second-hand things

4. What kind of items has the woman
bought second-hand?

c) Selling used items
2. What is the woman's opinion about
buying second-hand items?

a) Only clothes
b) Only furniture

a) She thinks it's a waste of time

c) Clothes, furniture, and electronics

b) She thinks it's a good way to save money
and reduce waste

5. Where does the woman look for secondhand items?

c) She thinks it's too risky

a) Online marketplaces only

3. What is the man's initial opinion about
buying used items?

b) Local thrift stores and garage sales
c) Expensive stores only

a) He thinks it's a good idea

Keys:
b) Buying cheap second-hand things
b) She thinks it's a good way to save money and reduce waste
b) He is skeptical about it
c) Clothes, furniture, and electronics
b) Local thrift stores and garage sales

Part 2: More tablets and smartphones were sold

In 2015, a significant milestone was reached in the world of computing. For the first time, more
tablets and smartphones were sold than traditional laptops and desktops. This trend has
continued in the years since, with mobile devices becoming increasingly popular and accessible to
people around the world.
Some have speculated that this shift in consumer behavior could mean the end of traditional
computers in our homes and schools. After all, if people are using mobile devices more frequently
and for a wider range of tasks, do we really need desktops and laptops anymore?
However, it's important to note that mobile devices and traditional computers serve different
purposes and have different strengths and weaknesses. While mobile devices are great for on-thego computing and quick access to information, they often lack the processing power and storage
capacity needed for more complex tasks. For example, you wouldn't want to use a smartphone to
edit a video or run a complex software program.
Additionally, while mobile devices have become more powerful and versatile in recent years,
traditional computers have also continued to evolve and improve. Modern laptops and desktops
are faster, more reliable, and more user-friendly than ever before, and they still offer a range of
features and capabilities that mobile devices can't match.
So while it's true that mobile devices have become incredibly popular and have changed the way
we interact with technology, it's unlikely that they will completely replace traditional computers
anytime soon. Rather, we can expect to see a continued evolution and integration of different
types of devices and technologies, each serving a unique and important role in our digital lives.

You will hear a talk about the changes of modern devices in 2015. Listen carefully and complete
the summary with the suitable missing information.

In 2015, for the first time, more tablets and (1) ______ were sold than traditional
laptops and desktops. This (2)_____ has continued and has caused some to speculate
whether traditional computers will eventually disappear from our homes and
schools. However, it is important to note that mobile devices and traditional
computers have different strengths and weaknesses. While mobile devices are great
for (3)_______ computing and quick access to information, they often lack the
processing power and storage capacity needed for more complex tasks. Modern
laptops and desktops, on the other hand, are faster, more reliable, and more
(4)______ than ever before, and still offer a range of features and capabilities that
mobile devices can't match. Therefore, it is unlikely that mobile devices will
completely replace traditional computers, but rather, we can expect to see a
continued evolution and (5)________of different types of devices and technologies.
Keys:
1. smartphones

2. trend
3. on-the-go
4. user-friendly
5. integration
Link Audio:
https://youtu.be/_vnfj-nLxiM