W: Dr.Thomas? This is Keet Bradley from the daily news.I'd like to ask you some questions about the new official standard weight that you purchased.
M: I'd be happy to help you. What would you like to know?
W: First of all, how was the standard weight used?
M: Well, (1) _______________________________________________. The department of weights and measures, we are a government agency. It's our responsibility to see that all the scales measure a kilogram accurately so this is the way we use to adjust the scales.
W: How did you check the scales before?
M: We have an old standard weight that we used to use.It had to be replaced because it was imprecise. (2) ________________________________________. It absorbed too much moisture.
W: Oh. So when the weather was humid it weighed more and when it was dry it weighed less.
M: Exactly. And that variation can affect the standards of the whole country. So our department had the new weight made out of higher quality metal.
W: How much did it cost?
M: About 45 thousand dollars.
W: 45,000 dollars? For one kilogram weight? That's more expensive than gold.Is it really worth that much?
M: I'm sure it is. Industries depend on our government agency to monitor the accuracy of scales so that when they buy and sell their products there is one standard. (3) _____________________________________________.
