At the bank, Amber¹ must wait for another client before it is his turn. Then she gets some general account information before being directed to the right place for opening a new account.

Clerk:Good afternoon, Miss. What can I do for you?

Lady:Could you give me my account balance. My account number is…

Clerk:Just a moment, please (enters the account number into the computer) Your name?

Lady:Barbara Winters.

Clerk:Here is your balance (hands her a computer printout)

Lady:Thank you. I want to make a withdrawal² of $150.

Clerk:(fills in a withdrawal slip, gives it to the lady to sign, processes the withdrawal, and gives her the money) Here you go, Miss.

Lady:Thank you (she leaves, and now its Amber‘s turn)

Amber:Hello, I‘d like to open an account, please.

Clerk:Yes, Miss . Would you like to open a savings³ account or a checking account?

Amber:Just a savings account for now. Can you tell me how much interest my money will earn?

Clerk:The current rate is 4.5%. You‘ll have to go to the Customer Service desk to apply for a new account, Miss (points to the Customer Service counter)

Amber:I see. Thank you.

到了银行，必须先等前一个客户办理完了才轮到Amber。在开户头之前她又问了一些有关这方面的常识。

Clerk:下午好，小姐。我能为您效劳吗？

Lady:你能帮我查一下我的账户吗？我的账号是……

Clerk:请稍等一下。(将账号输入电脑)请问您的名字？

Lady:Barbara Winters.

Clerk:这是您的余额。(递给她一张电脑打出来的条)

Lady:谢谢。我想取150美元。

Clerk:(填一个存款单，让那位女士签名，手续完了后把钱给她)可以了，小姐。

Lady:谢谢。(她走了，现在该轮到Amber了)

Amber:你好，我想开个户头。

Clerk:好的，小姐。你想开现金户头还是支票户头？

Amber:目前我只要一个一般户头。你能告诉我利息是多少吗？

Clerk:小姐，现在的利率是4.5%。你得去服务台申请一个新户头。(指着服务台)

Amber:我知道了。谢谢。