TASK DEFINITION: You are given a conversation between two people. 'Person1:' and 'Person2:' are used to separate their respective dialogues. You are required to assign a label 'formal' if there is an absence of emotion and a presence of questions anywhere within the conversation. If such pattern is not found assign the label 'informal'.
PROBLEM:  Person1:       Tell me something about yourself and your past .  
 Person2:I was born and grew up in hebes Province . I moved to Beijing , where I started taking courses for my MBA . When I completed my degree , I was offered an opportunity working for a financial services company . I've worked there for eight years .  
 Person1:        What was the most significant project you've worked on ?  
 Person2:I was assigned a project to design a 360 - degree performance system . It was a challenge for a person with a finance background . I met with the technical people and discussed the possibilities and obstacles . Based on that information , I selected a team and created a spreadsheet to manage the project . We got the project done on schedule . I was rewarded for outstanding results and was able to share the honors with the team .  
 Person1:        What finance experience makes you qualified for this position ?  
 Person2:For the past eight years , I have been working in the banking industry . I have a solid understanding of accounting concepts , an analytical mind and a strong attention to detail . I've had a lot of customer service training and experience , and I have been told that I excel in this area .  
 Person1:        How would your coworkers evaluate you ?  
 Person2:They'd say I was a handworker and a real team player .  
 Person1:        What are your salary expectations ?  
 Person2:I really need more information about the job before we start to discuss salary . I'd like to postpone that decision until later . 

SOLUTION: formal

PROBLEM:  Person1:       I Don't know how they do it ! Our competitors have undercut us by 10 % percent on the price of our latest model . There is no way will be able to compete against that . We're barely breaking even with the present prices .  
 Person2:These price wars are disastrous for our bottom line . If they're charging 10 % less than we are , we've got to find a way to lower our price while keeping our profit .  
 Person1:        Profits are almost nonexistent now , we can't beat their price . How do they keep their price so low ?  
 Person2:We can try to lower our cost of production then . We need a price that we can compete with , something comparable with the competition .  
 Person1:        You really think we can make it ? I don't have much faith in our ability to lower the price again . We're no match for them , the competition will beat us hands down . 

SOLUTION: formal

PROBLEM:  Person1:       I think this spring is a good time for us to start looking .  
 Person2:We should plan to move out of here before July . I'm tired of living in apartments .  
 Person1:        I know , dear . I am too . But we've just been too busy to look for a house .  
 Person2:We need to find a good realtor .  
 Person1:        Not necessary . If we use a realtor to find a house , it will be more expensive .  
 Person2:What do you mean ?  
 Person1:        Realtors always get a commission . If the realtor helps us find something , we have to pay him .  
 Person2:But doesn't a realtor help with the contract ? I thought they take care of all the legal troubles .  
 Person1:        Yes , that's often true . But you have to pay them .  
 Person2:I still think we should have a realtor . We're new in this country . We don't know all the laws of buying a house . And also , the realtor will inspect the house . He can tell us if the house has any problems .  
 Person1:        Of course we need a house inspector . But we can hire an inspector on our own . As for the legal problems , I have friends . They can help us .  
 Person2:So how can we find a house if we don't have a realtor ?  
 Person1:        It takes a little more time . We have to check the ads in the paper . Probably also there are special real estate magazines with ads . Then we have to drive to the homes and look at them .  
 Person2:And doesn't the person selling the house have a realtor ?  
 Person1:        Sometimes they do , sometimes they don't . It's best to find someone who is selling by themselves .  
 Person2:Why ?  
 Person1:        That is because if the seller has a realtor , their price will be higher . He will have to pay a commission to the realtor .  
 Person2:Hmm . It all sounds very complicated .  
 Person1:        It is . But buying a house is very important . So it takes time . That's why we haven't done it yet . It's very troublesome .  
 Person2:I want to look in the papers today . Maybe we can see something we like .  
 Person1:        All right . I'll buy a newspaper when I go to the drugstore . 

SOLUTION:
informal

