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Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. What books did Laura Reddington write trying to make a living?
2. What kind of story did she find one day?
3. Why does Laura think about all the details before writing a book?
Presenter: My guest today is the novelist Laura Reddington, whose novel, The Lost Dream* was an international best-seller. Laura, did you always want to write?
Laura: I’ve always been interested in books. I always thought it would be wonderful to be a writer and this was an ambition.
Presenter: How did you start writing?
Laura: Well, my first thought was that I needed to make a living, so I tried romantic fiction – without success, though. I thought it would be easy money.
Presenter: How did you get the idea for your book?
Laura: I was looking through my books one day when I found the story of a man who thought he’d found a new planet. I realised this was going on at about the same time as a famous murder case in London. So I thought I could mix the two stories together to make a sort of a detective novel.
Presenter: How long did it take you to write the book?
Laura: Well, that book took two years to write. I know some people can sit down and just write, and until they’ve finished they don’t know how it will end. But for me, it’s all about planning, when I worked out all the details, I concentrate on the actual writing.
The Lost Dream – «Утраченная мечта»
Listen to the woman talking about her schooldays and answer the questions below.
1. What is the speaker talking about?
2. When did the speaker feel relieved?
3. Why did the speaker start crying?
Woman: Oh yes, I remember my first day at school. I remember feeling very proud when my mother walked with me through the main gate. There was so much noise and so many children that I got quite scared! Anyway, my mum took me to see the teacher, Mrs Gossage was her name – very nice teacher – and I remember feeling very nervous watching my mother leaving but Mrs Gossage looked after me and she sat me down with the other pupils in a big circle. Soon we started playing games so I got very excited. I think it was after lunch that I met Emily, who later became my best friend. She was in another class, but all new students were brought together to meet each other and... I was so relieved* to have a friend! Oh yes, and in the afternoon we went swimming, but I couldn’t swim so I became very upset and started to cry. In fact, I wouldn’t stop crying so Mrs Gossage phoned my mother and she came to collect me early. I remember feeling very confused when O saw my mum! So much had happened! We went and had an ice cream and then I felt calm again. But what a day! I’ll never forget it.
to be relieved [rɪˈliːvd] – почувствовать себя спокойнее
Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. What are the three main ingredients of the great British breakfast?
2. What is a new trend or fashion in London's top restaurants?
3. What are the key ingredients of a breakfast in a London cafe?
Hello, I’m Amber, in London Life today, we find out what the traditional British break last is made of, and why it is becoming more and more popular, especially in London. Let’s listen to three people.
Speaker 1: It’s a meal that everyone outside of England has heard of, and dreams about, and we don’t know what it is, but when we come here, we want to eat it. I got here, and I went to a cafe and there was the bacon, eggs and fried potatoes, and I thought – is this all there is?!
Speaker 2: I think it’s very important to start a day. If I’ve got a long day at work, I try and cat egg and bacon in the morning because it’s protein – it keeps you going all day. Now in London, there’re lots more people having business meetings in top restaurants and it’s getting very fashionable to have breakfast.
Speaker 3: I would say the cafe experience is very important, you know, it’s less than 50% the food, as it is. In a good cafe, they’re not going to hurry you out. There are the smells, there are the sounds – you are just listening to the world go by.
Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. How long has Brian lived on his boat?
2. Why did he decide to leave London?
3. What can he do with his boat that he couldn't with a house?
Jackie: Hello, I’m Jackie Dalton. Have you ever wanted to do something completely different? Well, one man now lives on his boat. Brian, welcome.
Brian: Hello!
Jackie: How long have yon been living on the boat and why did you move there?
Brian: I’ve been down here now for about 12 years. I used to live in London. The family had grown up, the wife had died. I had this big house... and I thought who for? I’m going to go and live on the boat.
Jackie: Are you glad you decided to leave London and live on a boat in Brighton?
Brian: Best decision I’ve ever made.
Jackie: Brian, what can you do on a boat that you can’t do in a house?
Brian: All these boats have got all the comforts that are required for living on board: microwaves, televisions, fridges... If you don’t like your neighbours, you can go to another place. There’s a lot going for living on board. I love everything that’s down here. I love these lovely nights, the lovely sunsets. People pay for this, you know, they ask me silly questions like “Where do you go for your holiday?” and I look out here and I look at them and I think: “Every day is a holiday!”
Listen to the programme and answer the questions below.
1. How did the dolphins help a 10-year-old boy?
2. How does swimming with dolphins help the children?
3. Why are some people not very enthusiastic about dolphin therapy?
A 10-year-old boy has been helped by dolphins to talk for the first time in his life. Now, after taking part in a dolphin interaction programme he has begun to use words to communicate. He is just one of the many children who have been helped by dolphins.
Dolphin therapy began some 20 years ago. How does it all work? Close contact with the dolphins works as a motivator. Swimming with the dolphins is an experience that reaches deep down and demands the levels of concentration that are necessary for learning.
Despite its evident success at helping children, not everyone is enthusiastic about dolphin therapy. Animal rights groups warn that it is a myth that dolphins are harmless creatures. They are wild animals with wild instincts.
Other people point out the harm done to the dolphins. Captive* dolphins must be used for the therapy of course. This creates problems when the animals are returned to the wild. It is partly for this reason that some therapy centres only use dolphins that have been rescued from the wild.
Although dolphin therapy has shown itself to be of great value to many sick and disabled children, the right measures must be taken to ensure the protection both of the dolphins and the children who swim with them.
captive [ˈkæptɪv] – находящийся в неволе
Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. Why did Arthur Conan Doyle stop writing stories about Sherlock Holmes?
2. What worried Mr Horowitz before starting a book?
3. Why was writing the book about Sherlock Holmes easier than Mr Horowitz thought?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed Sherlock Holmes when writing the stories took up too much of his time. Now, 80 years after the author’s death, Britain’s most famous detective is being brought back to life with a new novel by Anthony Horowitz.
The character of Sherlock Holmes was originally created by Arthur Conan Doyle, who featured him in four novels and more than 50 short stories.
But it’s the first time that the Arthur Conan Doyle estate has officially asked an author to write a new novel. He has been named as Anthony Horowitz and is best known for his Alex Rider children’s series. So, was he afraid of the challenge?
Anthony Horowitz: “Well obviously, it was exciting to deal with probably the most famous detective in the whole history of literature. And I didn’t want to disappoint the fans, and people who love these books.
But to be honest with you, I found it fairly easy to write because I have always loved those books, I’ve read them two or three times during the course of my lifetime – in fact, my whole life as a writer of crime fiction was inspired by Doyle and I find the book not so scary as I thought it might be.”
Listen to the conversation and answer the questions below.
1. What does the boy want to do?
2. What does his mother want to do?
3. Why can't they make a decision?
James: Morning, mum.
Mother: Good morning, James. Will you, please, help me to get breakfast ready?
James: Sure, mum. Oh, by the way, mum, what will we do this Sunday?
Mother: Well, there are a lot of things we can do, but I think we have to talk to dad about it first. I’m afraid he’ll want to stay home.
James: Oh well, if he wants to stay in I’ll go and see a football match then. MU’s playing with Chelsea!
Mother: We’ll see about it. We may drive to the country and can all take a long walk in the wood! Then have a picnic by the lake! We haven’t done it for a longtime.
James: Oh no! It’s so boring! I never enjoy those walks. Besides, they forecast bad weather for the weekend! I’d better stay in town and see a match with the friends. It’ll be great fun I am sure!
Mother: All right. But let’s talk about it later. It’s only Wednesday today!
James: But it will be too late then. The boys are buying tickets for the match now. I won’t be able to get it later!
Mother: Let’s wait for father anyway.
James: OK. When will he be back?
Mother: I am not sure but I hope he’ll be back at 8 pm.
James: All right, then. I do hope he’ll let me go to the football match.
Listen to the interview and answer the questions below.
1. What is Kerry's typical day?
2. Why doesn't Kerry follow a diet or go to the gym?
3. What piece of advice does Kerry give to beginners?
Interviewer: For most of us, childhood dreams of becoming a dancer stopped at about the time we became teenagers but not for Kerry Jay. Now at the age of 24 she is a dancer in one of the West End’s musicals. Kerry, what’s a typical day?
Kerry: I’m usually not in bed before 2 am, so I get up about 10 am. I go to the gym or occasionally a jazz class. I meet friends who don’t work by day cither – it’s my main chance to socialise. We get to the theatre by 6.15 and put on our makeup. Then we’ll get our hair done and put our costumes on.
Interviewer: Do you have to exercise to keep your figure?
Kerry: Not at all! I don’t look after myself as well as I should do! I don’t need to do diets or go to the gym daily – just watch what I’m eating. I eat completely normally, including sweets and chocolates but not much.
Interviewer: How do you see your future?
Kerry: I can’t imagine myself doing anything else! I’d love to get one of the main roles in ‘Chicago’ eventually. As for getting older in the business, I know a lot of dancers in their mid-30s who are in main parts and doing well.
Interviewer: Any advice for beginners?
Kerry: Be confident and keep practising – patience is rewarded!
Listen to the conversation and answer the questions below.
1. What is Alex thinking about?
2. Why does he want to bring soldiers as a gift for his parents?
3. What will Alex buy for his brother?
Kelly: Hi, Alex. Alex? Are you sleeping?
Alex: No, I’m not sleeping, just thinking.
Kelly: About what?
Alex: Well, I’ll be going back home to visit my family for a couple of weeks.
Kelly: That’s great. So, you must be thinking about how happy you’ll be to see them again.
Alex: Yes, that’s true. But I’m also thinking about what kinds of gifts I should bring back from England for everyone.
Kelly: Of course, you want to bring back some traditional things, don’t you? You could bring back some toy soldiers from the Royal Ceremonial Collection.
Alex: Kelly, you’re a genius! Royal Guard soldiers are not only very colourful, they represent English traditions too! My parents will really like them. Okay, now I have to think of something to buy for my sister. That’s a tough one!
Kelly: Don’t be so pessimistic, Alex. Does she like drinking tea? You could bring back an English teapot.
Alex: Of course! Another great idea! Now the toughest person to shop for – my brother. What in the world could I bring back for him?
Kelly: Didn’t you tell me that your brother is studying English now?
Alex: Yes, that’s right.
Kelly: So why not buy him a DVD so that he can watch a film in English?
Alex: Sure, he’d love that. You amaze me, Kelly!
Listen to three speakers talking about their favourite pastime and answer the questions below.
1. According to the first speaker what is his favourite pastime?
2. Why is the second speaker keen on crafts?
3. What problem does the third speaker have because of his favourite pastime?
Speaker 1: Well, my favourite leisure pastime is rather unusual. You see, I live in the country and for me there is nothing better than riding on horseback on a hot sunny day with a little breeze. There is no one around and you can enjoy freedom from almost everything and everyone. No matter what mood you are in, you can always find happiness.
Speaker 2: I am fond of crafts. I love making different items from wood and then painting them. I usually give them away just to make people smile! I also enjoy sewing, especially making doll clothes for my daughter. All these things relax me, not to mention that I get a bit of satisfaction from having made something useful. I love making gifts for my family and friends. I wish I had more time to do it.
Speaker 3: I have only one favourite pastime. Every day I come home, lie on the sofa, turn on TV and just relax. What do I watch? It doesn’t matter. Anything from soaps to football matches. My TV set is my best friend. The only problem is that I have put on a lot of weight. I can’t help eating crisps and other snacks while watching. My friends say I’m a couch potato. So what? I like it that way.
Listen to the conversation and answer the questions below.
1. How many runners are going to take part in the race?
2. Where would they like to organise the starting line?
3. Why do they need to have first aid points?
Mike: Well, Jane, we’ve only got two weeks left before the run so I really think we have to finalise the route of the race today.
Jane: Yes, Mike. Now, how many runners do you estimate* will register for the race?
Mike: Well, it’s hard to say what the final number will be – at the moment we have 150 applicants* but I fully expect there will be 200 by the race itself.
Jane: Fine. I’ll make a note of that.
Mike: Where will the starting line be?
Jane: I think you have to start somewhere that has a place to warm up. How about the Town hall as the car park there is big enough for the runners to do their exercises?
Mike: Actually, that’s a good point. Let’s start there and then we could have the first aid point nearby. But look, we should have another first aid point somewhere on the route in case the runners have problems.
Jane: You’re probably right! Em, do you think the athletes need somewhere to take a break if they are feeling tired? We could use the entrance to the library. It’s ideal as it has such a huge portico where the athletes could relax in the shade.
Mike: Good idea.
to estimate [ˈestɪmeɪt] – полагать
an applicant [ˈæplɪk(ə)nt] – участник
Listen to the talk between two friends and answer the questions below.
1. What are Maggy's favourite places in London?
2. What are they going to do in the evening?
3. Why does Alex want to go to a cafe?
Maggy: Hey, Alex! I’ve got an idea. I can show you my favourite place in London. Alex: Sure, Maggy, I’d like to see that, but where is it exactly?
Maggy: Look beyond the people. What do you see?
Alex: Well, there’s a beautiful building over there! It looks like a palace. What is it?
Maggy: It’s Buckingham Palace! And all those people are waiting for the Changing of the Guard. It’s 11 o’clock so the ceremony will start soon.
Alex: Does this ceremony take place every day?
Maggy: It’s held daily only from April to August, when there are lots of tourists. But we aren’t going to watch it right now; we’re going to the park which is opposite the palace.
Alex: Let me guess. We must be in St. James’s Park now!
Maggy: Good guess! You’re right, it’s St. James’s Park, which is a popular place to walk, feed the ducks or watch the pelicans.
Alex: Those people on the lawn seem to be having a picnic. Is it possible to have picnics in London parks?
Maggy: Sure, but you should follow certain rules.
Alex: Okay. What is the magnificent style building opposite the lake?
Maggy: This is St. James’s Palace. And behind it, there is an entertainment area of Piccadilly Circus with lots of pubs and cafes. If you like, we can go there later in the evening.
Alex: That’s a wonderful idea! But honestly, I’m starving and wouldn’t mind having a bite right now.
Maggy: Then let’s go to the cafe and have a snack.
Listen to three speakers talking about travelling and answer the questions below.
1. Why do many people travel today according to the first speaker?
2. How does the second speaker describe people who never travel?
3. What can a person gain travelling to other countries according to the third speaker?
Speaker 1: Lots of people believe that travel broadens the mind. A friend of mine went to Cyprus and when he came back, he complained that he could not find English food and everything was so foreign! If one travels with that kind of attitude, one never learns anything about other places and people. Today many people travel not in order to learn, but to ‘have a good time’ and usually on their terms.
Speaker 2: I’ve just got back from a trip to Japan and what I learned by just being there is more than I’ve ever learned on the internet. Talking to some locals, I learned more than school, or internet could teach me. Travel lets you see other people’s lives, cultures, customs and traditions from different parts of the world. Travel educates you and makes you knowledgeable*. I think that people who never leave their countries are narrow-minded and ignorant.
Speaker 3: I feel sad for those people who have never travelled outside of their own hometown. There’s a whole world of different cultures to meet out there, ninety-nine per cent of which you can’t have by just sitting in the living room in front of the TV. When you travel to other countries you can see, feel and touch other ways of living. Some places will shock you, others will please you. You will then appreciate your own life and see things in a different way.
knowledgeable [ˈnɒlɪʤəbl] – хорошо осведомленный, знающий
Listen to three speakers talking about losing weight and answer the questions below.
1. What does the first speaker advise to do if you want to lose weight?
2. What is the mistake many people make trying to lose weight?
3. Why is it necessary to exercise according to the third speaker?
Speaker 1: Throw away gas or electric cooker. Also throw away salt. Get as many fruit and vegetables as you can. Try to drink as much water as possible as it increases the rate at which you burn calories. Cut out soda and limit fruit juices, most of which are high calorie. Carry on normal work. I followed this diet continuously for six months. In the end I lost 23 kg. I did morning walks, cycling, but no other physical exercise.
Speaker 2: You should know that there is no safe way to lose weight quickly, the mistake is if you lose weight very quickly, you will be a lot less likely to keep it off. So, definitely try to lose weight gradually, but don’t plan on losing overnight. This is the most important and the first aspect of getting your perfect body shape. If you have a lot of weight to lose, try for 5 pounds, relax a bit, then go for 5 more.
Speaker 3: The first thing I would suggest is to believe in yourself, and love yourself. The key to weight loss is simple – you should burn more than you take in! Walk the dog, join a health club, take up jogging. Whatever you do, you’ve got to move your body as much as possible if you want to lose weight.
Listen to the recording and answer the questions below.
1. What does Sara want to become?
2. How did she find out about the audition?
3. Why was this performance special for Sara?
Sara has always wanted to be famous. When she was only four years old, she said to her parents “I’m going to be a star when I grow up.” Her parents laughed. Sara’s dreams were just dreams for years, but now those dreams are coming true, thanks to the power of television.
Sara is lucky: she is an attractive young woman, and she can sing. She has taken singing and dancing lessons since she could walk. When she was seventeen, Sara’s big chance came. She saw an advertisement in a national newspaper: “Singers wanted for a new musical band. This is going to be bigger than the Spice Girls!” Sara rang the number straight away. The first audition was in London, and she was there at six o’clock in the morning, practising her song. She had been to auditions* before but this one was different – it was on TV! People all over the country watched Sara singing. She didn’t mind the cameras – she was too excited about being on TV. Sara was the viewers’ favourite.
Some people think that the band will never be successful. “It’s not a real band,” they say. But Sara isn’t worried about her future. “I’m famous now, and it doesn’t matter how I got here. I’m here to stay!”
an audition [ɔːˈdɪʃ(ə)n] – прослушивание
Listen to the interview with Roy Tomlinson, who invented the sign @ and email, and answer the questions below.
1. How do people call the sign @ in different countries?
2. How did Roy Tomlinson invent email?
3. Does it trouble him that he is not very famous?
Presenter: Today we talk to Roy Tomlinson, the man who invented the sign @* and email. In English this sign is called simply ‘at’ but what about other countries?
Roy: Other languages have more interesting names. In South Africa it is ‘monkey’s tail*’; in Greece ‘little duck’; in Poland ‘little trunk*’; in Russia ‘little dog’; in Sweden it is ‘elephant’s trunk’ and Turkish e-mailers call it simply ‘ear’.
Presenter: When and why did you invent email?
Roy: It was in 1971 and I am not sure there was a real reason for inventing it. It was a fun thing to try out and it took three to six hours to do. I can’t remember exactly how long it took.
Presenter: How did you feel about spam and viruses?
Roy: I get annoyed when I get spam or viruses. It is a hard problem but we are going to solve it. So far our actions are not working – they either filter too much or not enough. We must find a better way to stop spam or viruses.
Presenter: Does it bother you that you are not a household name?
Roy: No, it doesn’t bother me. Computer fans know what I have done. I get letters from people who say: “It’s great, what you did.” It is not the centre of my life.
@ [æt] – символ в адресе электронной почты
a tail [teɪl] – хвост
a trunk [trʌŋk] – хобот
Listen to a girl speaking to her parents and answer the questions below.
1. Where does the girl want to go and why?
2. Who doesn’t like the idea?
3. Who will pay for the trip?
Mum: Have you done your homework?
Girl: No, not yet, I want to talk to you and Dad.
Mum: What about?
Girl: About the summer holidays, there’s a group of us at school who want to go away together.
Mum: Go away together? Whatever next?
Girl: I knew you’d say no.
Dad: Hang on a minute, go away where?
Mum: She is only sixteen.
Girl: That’s old enough to get married, so you can’t stop me.
Dad: Just a minute go where?
Girl: France. We can practise our French.
Mum: Oh, if you want to practise French, you can do it here.
Girl: Not to each other. To French people.
Dad: Where would you stay?
Girl: We’d go camping, there’s a camp site in the south of France. Louise stayed there last year with her parents.
Dad: How would you get to the south of France?
Girl: By train.
Mum: Have you got any idea how much it’d cost? Who is going to pay for it all?
Girl: I’d get a job, anyway we haven’t worked out yet how much it will cost.
Dad: I think it’d be a good idea if you get more details and then we’ll talk about it again. Okay?
Louise [luːˈiːz]
Listen to the boy speaking about a football match and answer the questions below.
1. What sort of match did Tom play?
2. How did Tom’s team play during the match?
3. What was the result of the game?
The first time I played for the school football team was September 12th – I can’t forget the date! The day was wonderful and the weather sunny. I was 13 and I was wearing a new pair of football boots I got for my birthday. It was a home game and lots of people were watching, including my parents. I was playing in the mid-field position. My best friend John was the goalkeeper. I felt quite nervous at the start but I soon relaxed. The crowd were cheering and shouting. Ten minutes into the game, the other team scored a goal. John looked really unhappy. For the next thirty-five minutes, our team tried really hard to score a goal but we were unlucky. At half-time, our PE teacher, Mr Hunter, talked to us and told us to play even harder! Though our competitors were well-trained, we were very enthusiastic and tried to attack as often as possible. We were really tired in the second half but in spite of this we managed to score a goal! It was a fantastic moment. The game ended in a draw. I didn’t score a goal but that didn’t matter. I was part of the football team now – that was the most important thing.
Listen to Tina talking about a nasty experience she had and answer the questions below.
1. Who did Tina go to the skating-rink with?
2. What happened to her there?
3. How was she saved?
When I was eleven years old, I had an accident. I get scared even now when I think about it. I went ice-skating near my house. It was the first time that I’d gone ice skating, so I was nervous and I wasn’t sure how to skate.
I went with a friend who was very good at it, and she spent some time teaching me, but I didn’t make much progress. I think she got fed up with me, so she left and I went off skating by myself. As soon as she left, I fell over, then again and again. In the end I got bored, so I took off my skates and just walked around on the ice in my shoes.
Suddenly, I stepped on something that wasn’t hard. What was it? It was a weak place in the ice! When I stepped on it, the ice broke and I fell in – I sank under the ice. I struggled and struggled but couldn’t get out. I was getting very frightened. Then, fortunately, a man came to help me. He grabbed* my arms and pulled* me up out of the water onto the ice. So I’m still alive today, but even now, whenever I think about that time, I feel uncomfortable.
And I don’t want to go skating again.
to grab [græb] – схватить
to pull [pʊl] – потянуть
Listen to Ann speaking about a holiday that went wrong and answer the questions below.
1. What holiday did Ann want to have?
2. What problems did she have to face?
3. What decision did she make in the end?
Ann: Last year I went on a walking tour along the coast of the Baltic Sea. I was fed up with the idea of lying on the beach; what I wanted was an active holiday.
The first day was pretty good. I walked for about 7 hours. And in the evening I got to the place where I planned to spend the night, it turned out that there was not a single bed free. I had to sleep out on the beach. The second day started with heavy rain, so my things got very wet. On the third day I began to have problems with my shoes. My feet hurt so much that I had to take a bus to the nearest town to buy some other shoes. When I was there I accidentally met an old friend. She invited me to her holiday home, but I refused,
Next day, though, there wasn’t only a problem with my shoes (I mean the new ones), but also another worry: there was no way to go! The road along the shore was blocked for some reason. That time I decided to call my friend. She said happily, “Great! We’ll be lying on the beach, sunbathing and doing nothing!” Well, I must say I quite liked the idea.
Listen to the conversation between a journalist and a Japanese girl and answer the questions below.
1. What does Shima usually eat?
2. Where does she eat?
3. What is happening to the Japanese diet at the moment?
Journalist: What do you eat in a typical day, Shima?
Shima: I don’t usually have breakfast, because I can’t get up early enough to it. I normally just buy a coffee and drink it in the office. I usually have lunch in the restaurant near the office with people from work. When I was younger, I used to go to fast food restaurants and have pizza, fried chicken and chips, but now I prefer eating something healthier, so I go to sushi restaurants or restaurants which serve organic, healthy food which is grown in local gardens. And for dinner I have to eat out a lot too.
Journalist: Do you ever eat unhealthy food?
Shima: Well I don’t eat a lot of unhealthy things, but I drink a lot of coffee every day. I know it is not a good habit and I am going to give it up one day. I began drinking more juice. Orange one is my favourite.
Journalist: Are people’s diets in your country getting better or worse?
Shima: Oh, probably worse. I think the diet in Japan today is much more westernized* than before and that’s why some people are getting fatter. But personally I like the fact that there are more different kinds of food and restaurants now. I enjoy the variety, it makes eating out much more fun.
to be westernized [ˈwestənaɪzd] – находиться под влиянием западной культуры
Listen to the conversation between a girl and a boy speaking about their family life and answer the questions below.
1. What do the boy and the girl say about their families?
2. Is the girl happy to have a family party?
3. What do John's parents hope he will do after school?
Angela: I don’t know your family very well, John. I guess I haven’t been to your house that often.
John: No – you must come round again soon, and have dinner. My parents are quite fun. They come from up north, and then they moved down here when they decided that they wanted to start a family.
Angela: My family have always lived round here. It’s full of my cousins! So, do you get on well with your family? You don’t talk about them as much as some people talk about their families.
John: Oh yeah, they’re fine. It’s OK. They both work hard, so I don’t see them so much.
Angela: Sometimes I wish I saw a little less of mine! But in fact, I’m going to see everybody soon. I can’t wait for this party we’re having next month. Everyone’s coming.
John: That sounds like fun. I could do with some fun.
Angela: Oh? Is something the matter?
John: Well, it’s just that I’m expected to follow tradition and join my uncle’s firm when we finish school, but I think it’s boring. OK for a holiday job, maybe, but that’s enough...
Angela: Hm – what can you do in this sort of situation?
John: Yeah, I would ask my older brother, but he’s always at university...
Listen to the telephone conversation between a woman and a receptionist from Go-World Home Delivery service and answer the questions below.
1. What’s Jessica’s surname and address in Byford?
2. What does the woman want to order?
3. Which gift has she chosen?
Man: Go-World Home Delivery. How may I help you?
Woman: Oh, hello. I’d like to place an order.
Man: Certainly. I’ll just take the details.
Woman: Right.
Man: Can I start by taking your name, please?
Woman: Yes, it’s Bowles, Jessica Bowles.
Man: Is that Jessica with a G or a J?
Woman: With a J. And then it’s B-O-W-L-E-S.
Man: Fine. And your address...
Woman: It’s number 18, Heath Street, Byford. That’s H-E-A-T-H.
Man: Good. And I need the post code.
Woman: Oh yes, of course. It’s B-Y-1, er, 7-R-X.
Man: R-X, thanks. Fine, right now, what was it you wanted to order?
Woman: Well, I’ve been looking in the catalogue, and I’d like to get a travel bag.
Man: They’re great quality, yes. And good value. They’re available in a range of colours.
Woman: Yes, and I think it’s the yellow that appeals most.
Man: Very nice. You’ve seen the price?
Woman: Yes, they’re £24.99 each, or 22.99 if you buy two.
Man: That’s right.
Woman: Well, I only want one.
Man: Fine. Now have you chosen your free gift? From the ones shown on page 20 in the catalogue?
Woman: Oh yes, a diary or a calculator. I think a calculator would be useful.
Man: Good choice. OK, well, I’ll put this straight through and then you should be getting the...
Listen to the three people speaking about how they spend their weekends and answer the questions below.
1. What does the first speaker do at the weekend?
2. What does the second speaker do at the weekend?
3. What does the third speaker do at the weekend?
Speaker 1: Well, I try to make the most of my weekends, especially in the summer, when you’ve got more chance to get outside. I know some people like seeing films or concerts, but it’s important to me to keep fit, so I always do plenty of running, and, say, tennis or swimming. There are usually some friends around to join in.
Speaker 2: The truth is, I really look forward to the weekend, and then when it finally arrives, most of the time I’m completely broken. So then when all my friends start calling up, “Where are we going tonight?” and so on, I end up staying in, being very lazy, maybe just watching a bit of TV, a film on DVD, something like that.
Speaker 3: I’m studying so hard at the moment for my exams that I can’t go wild at the weekends. But I like going to the park with my friends sometimes, or maybe going for a bike ride by myself. It depends. I tend to be more active in the winter, actually – going to the gym, or helping my dad with stuff in the house. I might see a friend or two, especially if there’s some sport to watch, then we can watch a match together.
Listen to the three people speaking about things that make them angry about mobiles and answer the questions below.
1. What makes the first speaker angry?
2. What annoys the second speaker?
3. What does the third speaker complain about?
Speaker 1: I am a shop assistant and I work in a shop and what really makes me angry is when I am serving somebody and then their mobiles ring and they answer the phone and start having a conversation. It is really annoying*. I think if you are in a shop and talking to a shop assistant, you shouldn’t answer the phone.
Speaker 2: I hate when people talk very loudly on their mobile phones in public places. The other day I was in the waiting room at the doctor’s and there was a man whose mobile rang about every ten minutes and we all had to listen to him talking loudly to his wife, then to his boss, then to a garage mechanic... I think if you are in a public place, you should speak really quietly or go somewhere else. And you don’t have to shout – the other people can hear you perfectly well.
Speaker 3: What really annoys me is people who use their phones a lot when they are with other people – like you are out having a meal with someone and they spend the whole time talking on the phone or texting messages to other people to arrange what they are doing the next day. I think it is very rude.
to annoy [əˈnɔɪ] – раздражать