L6-U3-P4-1 Listening : Rent or Buy 1

Rent or Buy

(1)John and Linda have been arguing about whether to buy a house for a long time.

(2)They have been renting a small flat for several years, and the rent keeps going up.

(3)Last year, John wasn’t sure about his job situation, so they agreed to delay the decision.

(4)They also invested some money in the stock market, and their investments are doing well.

Linda really wants to have a place of her own.

She is growing impatient and doesn’t want to wait any longer.

She wants to sell some of their investments and put the money into a nice house.

They delayed their decision because John was uncertain about his job.

She's growing impatient and is tired of waiting.

(1)John and Linda have been arguing about whether to buy a house for a long time.
(2)They have been renting a small flat for several years, and the rent keeps going up.
(3)Last year, John wasn’t sure about his job situation, so they agreed to delay the decision.
(4)They also invested some money in the stock market, and their investments are doing well.

John is against buying now because he thinks prices are too high.

He is also worried about the high cost of living in the area.

This is beginning to make the area less attractive to companies.

Unless a company is innovative and successful, it can’t afford to do business in the area.

Salary levels have risen so quickly that companies can no longer afford to attract good workers.

Good workers won’t come unless they are paid enough to buy a house.

So many companies are relocating or moving overseas where costs are lower.

- They can't afford to stay because of the high cost of living.

It makes it more difficult for companies to stay.

Salary levels have risen so quickly that companies can no longer afford to attract good workers.Good workers won’t come unless they are paid enough to buy a house. 

Linda really wants to have a place of her own.

They invested some money in the stock market.

Unless a company is innovative and successful, it can't afford to do business in the area.

John is worried that once companies start to leave, housing prices will come down.

Only fools are buying now, paying prices that are probably 10 to 20% higher than they should be.

He wants to buy when prices have fallen to a more reasonable level.

Until then, it doesn’t make sense to buy.

-He thinkshousing prices will come down.

- He thinks that companies will move out of the area, causing prices to weaken.

If companies leave the area, people will lose their jobs and the demand for housing will decline.

He remembers what happened in other countries just a few years ago, when prices climbed and then fell 15%.

Many people lost their homes because they owed more on their homes than the homes were worth.

When they lost their jobs, they couldn’t pay the mortgage.

They couldn’t sell either, because the selling price was less than what they owed to the bank.

So they had to move out and the banks took possession.

Now prices are rising again so the same thing could happen again.

A cycle of boom and bust which people tend to forget.

- Unless they can pay cash, they'll need to get a loan from a bank to help pay for it.

A cycle of boom and bust when ...an economy grows too fast, then takes a rapid fall, and the cycle begins again.

Linda has a different view.

She thinks he worries too much.

She thinks if they buy now, prices will continue to rise.

If they don’t buy now, they will miss the opportunity and regret it later.

She isn’t worried by the possibility that the prices may drop in the future.

She isn't sure, but she thinks prices will continue to rise.

If they don’t buy now, they will miss the opportunity and regret it later.

She isn’t worried by the possibility that the prices may drop in the future.

She thinks they will regret it later if they don't buy now.

L6-U3-P4-2 Listening : Rent or Buy 1

Another reason John is against buying a house is that he doesn’t have confidence in his new company.

It is no longer growing as fast as it used to.

Though the management talks about a bright future, he has doubts.

They say great things to keep everyone motivated, but he doesn’t trust them.

When he does a SWOT analysis of the company, he is even more concerned.

SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

The company's strength is based on technology that is very competitive.

But technology changes fast and what’s good now will soon be out of date.

Continuous innovation is necessary.

- He doesn't trust them.

In the SWOT acronym, the O stands for opportunities.

The company’s weakness is that it hasn’t developed an alternative to what it has now.

Nobody is working on the next generation.

There are already signs that their technology is nearing the end of its life cycle.

There're still opportunities if the company is willing to hire new people or acquire a company with new technology.

The main threat is that other companies are spending more on research and development.

The main threat facing the company is that its competitors are spending more on research and development.

The company still has opportunities if it takes steps to acquire new technology.

So based on his analysis, the company is okay for the next year or two.

But beyond that, its future is questionable.

As a result, John doesn’t want to buy a house now and take on a huge debt.

Until he has more confidence in his situation, he doesn’t want to take the risk.

If he would to buy a house now, it would mean ...taking on a hugedebt.

His wife thinks he’s too conservative.

She has waited long enough and she doesn’t want to wait any longer.

So John’s dilemma is how to balance his wife’s happiness against the risk of losing a lot of money.

One thing for sure is that she isn’t happy as things stand now.

She’s been waiting for a long time and he loves her.

So the decision seems clear.

John knows exactly what to do.

Maybe some flowers and a celebration?

What are they going to celebrate? The decision to buy a house.

They say great things to keep everyone motivated, but he doesn’t trust them.

She has waited long enough and she doesn’t want to wait any longer.

Based on his analysis, the company's long-term future is questionable.

They are going to celebrate the decision to buy a house regardless of the risks.

If you sell your home at a price less than what you paid for it, you'll take a loss.

He has to decide between his wife's happiness and the risk of losing money.

Though the management talks about a bright future, he has doubts.

His wife thinks he’s too conservative.

If he were to bug a house now, it would mean taking on ahuge debt.

L6-U3-P4-3 Dialogue : A Job Interview

A Job Interview

Yes, I've been enjoyed listening to you and learning more about your background.

Your experience is impressive, and it’s obvious that you do good work.

Thanks.

What you're trying to do here interests me.

I think there's a lot of potential.

As I said, I'm ready to leave my present job if the opportunity is attractive enough.

Great.

As I’m sure you are aware, it won’t be easy.

That’s a lot of uncertainty.

We need a strong, committed team.

Sure, I understand.

He's ready to leave his job if the opportunity is attractive enough.

For him, an attractive opportunity is one that has good potential and can provide adequate salary and benefits.

- It's interesting and has potential.

As for what we can offer you.

First, I want to stress again that we are a startup.

The people we have working here now are on reduced salaries.

I understand.

I’m willing to take less than what I’m being paid now; but I have two children, so I’ve got to consider that too.

I'll need to at least cover our basic living expenses.

The purpose of this exchange is to establish reasonable expectations about salary and benefits.

- It's a startup, so the employees are also investors.

- He needs to earn at least enough to pay for his family's basic living expenses.

As I’m sure you are aware, it won’t be easy.

He's ready to leave his job if the opportunity is attractive enough.

The people we have working here now are on reduced salaries.

We need a strong, committed team.

I think there's a lot of potential.

Your experience is impressive, and it’s obvious that you do good work.

OK. We have two ways we can do this.

Both of them have you starting at a reduced salary.

One will give you a bonus after each round of financing.

With the other, you can start with a higher salary, but the bonus will be smaller, or none at all.

What is the time frame for the financing?

That depends on a lot of things.

We're hoping to get the next round of financing within 6 to 9 months.

We don’t want to go to our investors too early because we want to be in a strong position.

And for that, we are only to perform.

For now, we have enough cash to cover us for about a year.

- They want to wait until they can negotiate from a position of strength.

OK. We have two ways we can do this. Both of them have you starting at a reduced salary. One will give you a bonus after each round of financing. With the other, you can start with a higher salary, but the bonus will be smaller, or none at all.

- They're hoping to get it within 6 to 9 months.

Okay, that makes sense.

Well, I’ll talk to my wife and see what she says.

Right.

You need to cover your expenses, but not enough to have savings.

The less you ask for now, the greater your bonus is as you move forward.

That’s the idea.

Got it.

I'll get back to you tomorrow.

- They needed to be rewarded for taking a larger risk.

For now, we have enough cash to cover us for about a year.

That depends on a lot of things.

We're hoping to get the next round of financing within 6 to 9 months.

only enough to cover expenses.

a smaller salary means a large bonus

Well, I’ll talk to my wife and see what she says.

What is the time frame for the financing?

We're hoping to get the next round of financing within 6 to 9 months.

Well, what do you think?

He’s impressive.

I think he’s someone who can strengthen our team.

I think so too.

If he can accept a low enough salary, we should hire him.

That will show that he believes enough in our plan to take on the risk.

If he can accept a low enough salary, we should hire him. That will show that he believes enough in our plan to take on the risk.

What if he asks for more than we can afford?

In that case we can see if he'll consider working on a short-term project first.

That way he could keep his present job, and we could try to bring him in later.

It would lower his risk.

I doubt if he would consider that, but it’s worth a try.

Yeah, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Whatever, we should try to avoid losing him completely.

- See if he'll consider working on a short-term project.

What if he asks for more than we can afford?

If he can accept a low enough salary, we should hire him.

Whatever, we should try to avoid losing him completely.

I doubt if he would consider that, but it’s worth a try.

I think he’s someone who can strengthen our team.

Whatever, we should try to avoid losing him completely.

Well, I’m optimistic.

I think he will decide to join us.

He’s the kind of guy who likes a challenge.

From what I could tell, we certainly won’t have to push him to get things done.

Exactly.

He'll feel the pressure just like the rest of us.hah

From what I could tell, we certainly won’t have to push him to get things done.

He'll feel the pressure just like the rest of us.

They're optimistic because they think he'll join their company.

That will show that he believes enough in our plan to take on the risk.

What advantage would he have by agreeing to work on a shot-term project?

They don't want to go to investors until they can negotiate from a position of strength.

The opposite of the optimistic is the pessimistic.

If they want a bonus, they shouldn't ask for more than needed to cover their expenses.

They're optimistic because they think he'll join their company.

Their alternative plan is to see if he'll consider working on a short-term project.

For them to strengthen their position, their employees need to perform well.

He's the kind of guy who likes a challenge.

As I said, I'm ready to leave my present job if the opportunity is attractive enough.

The opposite of the optimistic is the pessimistic.

L6-U3-P4-4 Reading : How Tech Improves Life

How Tech Improves Life

Paralyzed people can now control artificial limbs by thought alone. This is possible because of the development of technologies which involve connecting the brain to a computer or other electronic devices. One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear. The device has several parts.One part is surgically implanted into the inner ear. There it stimulates nerves to cause the sensation of sound. The other part sits behind the ear and works like a miniature microphone.

Another new device allows those who have lost an arm or a leg to control their artificial limb just by thinking.The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel. Matt was paralyzed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.

The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved. First, a circular piece of his skull was removed. Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain. it was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement. This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement. From the plate, thin cables were connected to a small computer which decodes the signals from the plate and converts them into commands. Hopefully, these commands would control the artificial hand attached to Matt’s arm.

Shortly after the operation, Matt was surrounded by the surgeons as he stared at his artificial hand with hope. To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist. At that moment Matt made history, he became the first person to control an artificial limb by using a device surgically inserted into his brain.

Since the operation, Nagel has continued to test the technology and further investigate its capabilities. Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks. He can control a TV and even open emails. Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts. It is powerful evidence that technological advancements will improve our lives.

- to educate the general public

- by converting thoughts into commands

Something which is artificial is ...not natural.

When something emerges, it ...appears.

One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear.

The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel. 

Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts.

It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement.

To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist.

- inspired

- the brain

- the bone of head

To convedrt into means about the same as to ...change into.

The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel.

He can control a TV and even open emails. 

The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel. Matt was paralyzed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.

The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved. First, a circular piece of his skull was removed. Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain. it was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement. This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement. 

(1) The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved.
(2) First, a circular piece of his skull was removed.
(3) Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was insertedinto his brain.
(4) It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement.
(5) This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement. 

One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear.

The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel.

Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts.

It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement.

To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist.

There it stimulates nerves to cause the sensation of sound. 

The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved.

Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks.

L6-U3-P4-5Reading : Investors Beware!

Investors Beware!

When people talk about investing, they are always looking for the best advice. Many are willing to pay a lot for it. The problem with this, however, is that many financial advisor give the wrong advice. Ultimately, decisions must be made by the investors. Here are some guidelines that may help investors save a lot of money.

First, a key to successful investing is time itself. What makes many investors rich is that they have invested over a long time. This allows their investments to grow, even if they weren’t active investors. Unfortunately, most people don’t start saving enough until it’s too late.That lack of time limits the power of compounding.So the best advice is to start saving as soon as possible.

What about economic projections and earnings growth estimates? The truth is, nobody knows. What they really reflect are people’s feelings about the future. It’s interesting to note that someone who buys a low-cost index fund on average does better than someone who invests in an expensive fund managed by famous experts. With investing, simple and basic can earn a bigger return than complex and expensive. Sometimes the pros don’t know what they are talking about. They just talk as if they do.

What about risk and volatility? One thing for sure is that the stock market will fluctuate. Since 1900 one of the largest index funds has returned about 6% per year. Compare that to the average difference between any year’s highest close and lowest close which is 23%. When an expert tries to explain why the market is down, they are really trying to explain why the sun goes up and down.

And finally, beware! The financial industry is dominated by people whose only interest in your wealth is how much they can charge you. Unfortunately, the louder a financial expert is, the more exposure he will get even though he’s often wrong. This is one of the most important things to know about finance. Don’t be misled by experts.

In investing, compounding means to increase in value ...due to gains in both the investment and its accumulated interest.

In investing, the market refers to the stock market, where shares of companies are bought and sold.

Sufficient time is needed for investments to take advantage of the power of compounding.

What does the article warn investors about? - Being misled by experts.

What is needed to take advantage of the power of compouding? -Sufficient time.

In investing, compounding means to increase in value ...due to gains in both the investment and its accumulated interest.

In investing, the market close refers to ...the value of the stock market at the end of the trading day.

That lack of time limits the power of compounding.

One thing for sure is that the stock market will fluctuate. 

The financial industry is dominated by people whose only interest in your wealth is how much they can charge you.Unfortunately, the louder a financial expert is, the more exposure he will get even though he’s often wrong. 

The financial industry is dominated by people whose only interest in your wealth is how much they can charge you.Unfortunately, the louder a financial expert is, the more exposure he will get even though he’s often wrong. This is one of the most important things to know about finance. Don’t be misled by experts.

(1) First, a key to successful investing is time itself.
(2) What makes many investors rich is that they have invested over a long time.
(3) This allows their investments to grow, even if they weren’t active investors.
(4) Unfortunately, most people don’t start saving enough until it’s too late.

When people talk about investing, they are always looking for the best advice.

With investing, simple and basic can earn a bigger return than complex and expensive.

So the best advice is to start saving as soon as possible.

It’s interesting to note that someone who buys a low-cost index fund on average does better than someone who invests in an expensive fund managed by famous experts.

According to the author, the industry is dominated by people whose only interest is in getting paid.

What makes many investors rich is that they have invested over a long time. 

One thing for sure is that the stock market will fluctuate.

Since 1900 one of the largest index funds has returned about 6% per year.