Examples. These days many single people are complaining that it is very difficult to meet people

Extended Present

These days many single people are complaining that it is very difficult to meet people. More and more singles are turning to special services that help people meet each other.

Present Moment

A reporter for television station W KJB is doing a special report on computer dating services.

REPORTER: I'm standing in the office of Hearts and Flowers Computer Dating Service. As you can see, they are doing a good business in here today. By the way, if my wife is watching this show - Honey, I'm not looking for anyone new. I'm just reporting on the singles scene⁴ in this city.

These people are filling out questionnaires. They're answering questions about their age, their interests, their hobbies, and the qualities they prefer in a man or a woman.

Here's the computer. Big Joe. Right now Joe is processing applications and is matching men and women with similar interests. Here's a happy-looking man. Sir, what are you doing here?

MR. X: I'm talking to this very nice woman.

REPORTER: Oh, aren't you lucky! Did the computer match you two? MR. X: No, we met right here in the office. Forget the computer. We're on our way to lunch together.

⁴ Singles scene means «the different places single people go to meet one another».

• ACTIVITY 1A

Fill in the correct form of the present continuous tense. Use the verb below in parentheses.

REPORTER: Tonight I'm reporting (report) to you from a video dating service. The owner, Mr. Peterson,_________ (stand) this is a very unusual service. How _____ your business_____(do)?

MR. PETERSON: Business________ (boom). New people_______ (come) in every day.Our list of customers_______(grow) by leaps and bounds.⁵

REPORTER: Mr. Peterson, please tell our viewers about your unique service.

MR. PETERSON: In this room, Miss Quinn________ (make) a videotape. The gentleman next to her is one of my employees. He_________ (interview) her.

REPORTER: What about the people in this room? What they______ (do)?

MR. PETERSON: These customers________(view) our library of videotapes and _____(think) about which people they would like to date.

REPORTER: Then what happens?

MR. PETERSON: Well, for example, if Miss Quinn chooses Mr. Dirkson's tape, then Mr. Dirkson comes into the office to see Miss Quinn's tape. If he likes her tape, then we arrange a date for them.

REPORTER: Oh. here's Miss Quinn. ________(negative) all this______(make) you nervous?

Miss QUINN: Yes, ________ (short answer). Look at my hands. They________(shake). What _______ you______ (do) here? You ________ (make) a videotape too?

REPORTER: No,_________ (short answer, negative). I'm with WKJB Television News. Millions of people _________ (watch) this program right

now.

Miss QUINN: Millions! Oh, no! that________(make) me even more nervous.

⁵ By leaps and bounds means «rapidly».

REPORTER: Tell me something, Miss Quinn.__________ (negative) people_________ (meet) each other in traditional ways anymore?

Miss QUINN: Sure,________ (short answer). People these days_______ still_______(meet) in churches and in schools and at parties.

REPORTER: Why then________ people________(seek) out services such as video dating?

Miss QUINN: Well, I think it's the isolation in big cities. Many people________(negative, go) to church anymore, and they're out of school. So more and more people_______(look)for new ways to make friends.

REPORTER: Thank you very much, Miss Quinn. We________(break)now for a commercial.