Part II Dialogues
Dialogue 1 Going to See a Peking Opera
(M:Mike L:Li Tao)
L:Mike，Have you ever seen a Peking Opera?
M:Of course.Peking Opera is kind of symbol of China.I suppose every foreigner would manage to see one.
L:Definitely.What do you think of Peking Opera?
M:Well，it is an admirable art and at the same time a difficult abstract art.
L:So it is.Peking Opera synthesizes music，drama，dancing，and acrobatics along with very elaborate costumes and a minimum of props，according to traditions and customs dating back as far as the twelfth century.
M:Oh，I don’t know that! You guys are lucky to have such wonderful heritage.
L:Yes，we are.But there are not many fans of Peking Opera left.Many people are worried about its future.
M:That is a common problem for all classic arts.But I believe there will always be some people who like it and pass it on to the next generation.
L:So do I.Listen，let’s go to see a Peking Opera together some time!
M:No problem
Notes:
1.acrobatics n.杂技
2.pass sth.on to 传承
Dialogue 2 Chinese Kung Fu
A:I’ve admiration for Chinese Kung Fu.Bruce Lee，Jet Li and Jackie Chan are very popular in movies circle.
B:I like the movie Hunag Feihong best.Do you enjoy swordsman movie?
A:Sure.
B:But someone said that the swordsman was a dream of the modern people.
A:The value of Wushu itself is very high.It can strengthen physical health.
B:In recent years，Wushu schools have developed quickly.
A:Are they public or private?
B:Maybe both.
A:Tell me the reason.
B:Because the government calls on the whole people participating in keep-fit excercise and encourages the masses to run schools.In addition，Wushu has a very deep base from the masses.
Dialogue 3 Buying Porcelain
(A:shop assistant B:Mr.Jones C:Mrs.Jones)
A:You’ve made a good choice.This china tea set is very unique.It was made in Jingdezhen，“the capital of porcelain”.
C:It is extremely beautiful.This is the very thing I’ve been dreaming of.
A:Is there anything else you want，sir and madam？
B:(Points to a set of blue and white porcelain tableware)It’s of perfect Chinese traditional design，isn’t it？
A:Yes，indeed.It is the best quality porcelain—the famous egg-shell china.It is not for use，but for show.It is also made in Jingdezhen.
B:Oh，it must be most precious.Can I have a look？
A:Yes，sir.It is known to be “as white as jade and as thin as paper”
B:No wonder it’s so expensive.I’ll take it.
A:Shall I wrap them together or separately？
C:Separately，please.What do they come to in round figures？
A:Altogether 356 yuan.
C:Here is 360 yuan.
A:(Counting money)Sir，there are thirty notes of ten yuan and six notes of five yuan，so it is 330 yuan in all.Would you please check it，sir?
B:I’m awfully sorry.I’ve made a mistake.I took five for ten.Here’s another thirty yuan.
B:(to A)Where do these flower vases come from?What are they made of?
A:They come from Jiangxi Province.The flower vases are made of porcelain and covered with tiny bamboo sticks.
B:Are they breakable?
A:No，if you take some care when you use them.
B:Oh，I see.(to C)Do you like such animals woven with bamboo sticks?
C:Let me see.Lions，camels，elephants，deer… I like the camels best.(to A)Are they light in weight？
A:Yes，they are.They are not only ornamental，but also useful.You can put things inside.You see，you can take the lid off.
C:Well，we’ll buy a camel.
Notes:
1.porcelain n.瓷；[总称]瓷器
2.tiny a.极小的；微小的
3.camel n.骆驼
4.deer n.鹿
5.ornamental a.装饰的 n.装饰品
6.lid n.盖子
7.china n.瓷器
8.egg-shell n.蛋壳（色）（～china）薄胎瓷器
9.tableware n.餐具
Dialogue 4 Traditional Chinese Herb
(S:Susan L:Lin Hong)
S:Morning，Hong! What are you drinking?Smells bitter!
L:Morning，Susan.This is traditional Chinese herbal medicine.My throat hurts for a long time.I hope this herbal medicine will work.
S:Oh，I’m sorry to hear that.Don’t worry.Your throat will surely heal.By the way，are all Chinese medicines so bitter?
L:Generally speaking，they are.However，the degree of bitterness is different.Some are even with a little sweet taste.Come，you can taste this.It is not as bitter as it smells.
S:Are you kidding?No! This is medicine and I am not sick!
L:Of course I’m kidding.But a sup won’t do you any harm.Almost all of the ingredients of Chinese medicine come from natural resources，which have little side effects.
S:That’s good! Oh，my grandma always has a backache.I really want to bring some traditional Chinese medicine for her to try.Is that possible?
L:Well，the herbal medicine is usually taken in the form of a “recipe” called a prescription.The TCM practitioner has to diagnose the patient to make up a prescription.
S:I get it.My grandma must see a TCM practitioner personally.
L:That is the best way.However，there are ready-prepared pills，called “patent” herbal medicine.They are effective too.You can go and ask if there are some for your grandma’s back.
S:Thank you! I’ll do that later.
Notes:
1.heal v.治愈，痊愈
2.ingredient n.成分，原料；a.构成组成部分的
3.side effect 副作用