[originaltext]W: Hi, David.M: Hi, Laura.W: How was your final?M: Absolutely

W: Hi, David.
M: Hi, Laura.
W: How was your final?
M: Absolutely no idea. Anyway, it’s just wonderful to have finished the exam, isn’t it?
W: Yeah, to sleep in every morning. What about you?
M: Well, I’ve got a lot to do before I leave for Brisbane. Perhaps you could give me some advice? I’ve got a lot of things I can’t possibly take back with me and I don’t know what to do with them. I am wondering if I can sell them to someone before going back to Brisbane.
W: Well, it depends on what sort of things they are.
M: Well, there are quite a lot. I have a computer which is second hand and not worth much. What I really want to get rid of is the furniture, the fridge and other kitchen stuff that I bought from the previous tenant but the new people have already got what they need so they’re not interested in buying stuff from me. I can’t afford to give it away but I’m not sure how to sell it all. Oh, and there are some clothes and books as well.
W: Why can’t you take them?
M: The books are really heavy—it’s so expensive if you exceed the airline baggage allowance. And the clothes .just won’t all fit in my suitcase. It’s amazing how much stuff I’ve accumulated since I’ve been here. Anyway, I don’t think I’ll need as many winter clothes in Brisbane as I have here in England.
W: I see. Well there are several alternatives. First of all, you could put up notices around the university about the books—you know on the notice boards in the student union building, and in the economics department, anywhere the second and third year students will see them. People are always keen to buy cheap textbooks.
M: What should I say on the notices?
W: Just put the titles, authors and prices you want. Your name, of course. And don’t forget to put your phone member on those little tear-off tags.
M: That’s a good idea. And what about the furniture?
W: You could try the same thing, but usually students are away all summer so they don’t want to buy furniture now. Another place to try might be a secondhand shop. Someone from the shop will usually come around and give you a free quote, and then you can decide. But you don’t usually get much money for that sort of stuff.
1. What is David’s problem?
2. What does David want to sell?
3. Why doesn’t David take his stuff back home?
4. What is Laura’s suggestion about the books?
5. Why does Laura think the students won’t buy the furniture?