[originaltext]W: Hey, Robert. Looks like you’re planning on doing some golfing.

W: Hey, Robert. Looks like you’re planning on doing some golfing.
M: Yes, I will be playing golf. I’m meeting up with our New York office’s senior management team. We’ll be playing a few rounds and going over the merger plans.
W: Really? So when did you take up the sport?
M: Around two years ago, I began to realize that if I could get on the golf course with other senior executives, it could open a lot of doors for me. At first I didn’t really enjoy it, but now I’m almost a golf fanatic (狂热者).
W: I see. So you meet a lot of business executives on the course, huh?
M: Yeah, definitely. It’s a good way to network.
W: Isn’t golf really expensive?
M: To be perfectly honest, golf is a bit of a status symbol, and yes, it can be an expensive game. There are green fees, caddy fees and charges for renting the golf cart.
W: But the business opportunities are worth it.
M: Absolutely. Networking is a big plus, but I think another reason executives enjoy the golf course is that it gives them an excuse to get out in the fresh air and connect with nature.
W: I can understand that. If you turn off your cell phone or Blackberry, you can hear birds chirping and enjoy a fresh breeze. It’s a nice break from a hectic (繁忙的，忙乱的) office.
M: It is a good way to recharge. But you’re right, golf primarily is a social sport. You get more chances to talk and get to know people on a different level on the golf course than you do in the boardroom (董事会会议室).
W: But how can you play with people who’ve been golfing for 20 years? Isn’t it embarrassing?
M: Golf has a system called "handicapping", and the system does its best to level out the differences in skill. It’s quite common for a novice (新手，初学者) to play alongside a more experienced golfer.
W: That’s interesting. I read an article once that says you can tell a lot about a person’s management style by how he plays golf. Do you agree with that?
M: Actually, yes. Say for example, you hit your ball into a sand trap, and the way you react to that demonstrates a great deal about your character.
W: So the executives on the golf course are all sort of sizing each other up?
M: Absolutely. Are you interested in trying your hand at golf?
W: I think I might be. And like you said, playing golf is a good chance to expand my business networks.
M: It certainly is. Hope you will join us someday.
W: Sounds great! Thanks, Robert.
M: Not at all. I’ll see you next week.
6. What was the incentive for the man to take up golf?
7. What does the woman think about the high cost of golf?
8. According to the man, why do executives like golf except for networking?
9. What is the function of the system called "handicapping"?
10. Which is a clue to tell one’s character on a golf course?